Hello and welcome to The Army Veteran! This idea was introduced to me by a friend in work on a boring night in the store, so thank you for the inspiration!
A little background as to not confuse anyone; August is not our August, it is just a name, as is Jefferson (this will make more sense when you reach that section of the chapter). I think that is the only thing you need to know, but the story will all come to light in later chapters.
For your information, this will be SwanQueen fic so if you aren't into that, turn around now.
I am aiming for at least 6 reviews per chapter before updates so if you want more, please drop me a review.
This is a very long chapter and all of them won't be as long as this so just bare with this one.
Enjoy!
Emma sat with her knees up to her chest, her chin resting on top of them in thought. She was due to have a meeting today to discuss options upon her upcoming release next week. She had a hand resting on her stomach, her mind racing. Did she really have to give him up? No Emma stop! He is going to have a good life with amazing parents. You would have been a terrible mother. She sighed, pushing back all her hidden emotions as she turned to see someone opening her cell door.
"Hi Emma, your councilor is ready for you now" She nodded and got up, following the woman to her councilors office. She sat across the similar desk and waited for her to make their usual coffee before making eye contact with the woman as she sat opposite her.
"How are you feeling today Emma?" Emma just shrugged in response, sipping at her coffee thoughtfully. Dr. Heeler sighed, leaning forward over the desk.
"Emma, we need to sort out plans for your release, because if you aren't ready to leave they will extend your sentence and I know you don't want that" Emma nodded, looking down.
"What are my options?" She asked quietly, the woman pulling out three small files.
"Community Service in an elderly home for 2 years" Emma pulled a face, Heeler laughing slightly.
"I didn't think you would be a fan of that one. The next is working in a four day a week pub with a tag on for 3 years" Emma nodded slowly. That wouldn't be that bad; getting free drinks on the job for 4 days a week and being home by 9pm. But then she thought of travelling, and being stuck in one place for 3 years would kill her off.
"What's the last one?" She questioned, motioning to the last folder. Heeler frowned slightly, picking it up.
"You can volunteer for the Army. It's a 3-year contract like the rest but you have the option to stay longer if you want" Emma perked up slightly, taking the folder out her hand.
"I like the sound of that" She whispered, reading through the file. Training in Washington for 7 months, then Iraq until instructed otherwise.
"Are you sure Emma?" Emma looked up with an enthusiastic nod, holding out her hand for a pen.
"I never knew my real parents, I was raised in 29 foster homes before I was 16. I ran away and met a man who I thought I was going to marry, who turned out to stab me in the back and get me locked in here pregnant with his kid. I have wanted kids since I could remember, and giving that little guy up was one of the painfullest things I have ever had to do. I want to do something good with my life Dr. Heeler. I want to have some kind of meaning" The woman sighed heavily and nodded, handing her a pen, allowing her to sign the contract.
"When do I leave?"
"Due to this being your choice, first thing Wednesday morning. You will be brought your things from storage tomorrow to prepare" Emma nodded, standing to hug Dr. Heeler.
"Thank you, for everything"
The next day an officer brought Emma a very large duffle bag and her belongings that had been left in storage when she was sentenced. Emma was grateful to have such little belongings and manage to fit her things in with still a lot of room to spare. She packed her baby blanket with her name sewed in it which she had been found in due to it being one of her most treasured possessions but everything else was little bits and pieces. A video camera was another possession she held close to her heart, flashbacks of Lily and Neal momentarily stunning her. She had filmed small moments with each of them on the camera and would hopefully have more to record, but for now it would go switched off in her bag with years' worth of empty tapes alongside it. She had few clothes which she rolled up and fitted in, but going in the army it would be rare that she would wear normal clothes anyway so she wasn't all too bothered about them. She placed the keys to her yellow bug in the side zip, Dr. Heeler promising to keep it safe until she returned as she was not about to let go of it. Lastly, she pulled something small and delicate out her pocket, Dr. Heeler having kept hold of it for her. She sighed as she fingerd the small hospital band in her fingers, a small smile gracing her lips. In black marker written on the bracelet were the small words Baby Boy Swan. She kissed it slightly and put it in her duffle, zipping it up with a sigh. She was all set. She barely slept that night, her mind running at 1000mph. She was going to the army, it was still news to her. The excitement was coating her underlying fear, her brain telling her it was a dangerous decision but her heart soaring at the thought of finally making her life worthwhile. For the first time, she felt like she was important. Morning come by quick, an officer coming to collect her at sunrise. She was lead to a coach which was none stop to Washington. She placed her duffle on the shelf above the seat at the back, the coach not even half full as she settled into her seat. Closing her eyes, she felt sleep finally coming to her when she was rudely awakened by someone clearing their throat loudly next to her, one eye prying open, a frown covering her face when a man around the same age as she stood by her seat, a sideways smile on his face.
"Can I help you?" She asked annoyed, sitting up slightly.
"I'm August, do you mind if I sit here?" He pointed to the seat next to Emma, her frown deepening as she looked around the practically empty coach. Groaning she nodded, him grinning happily as he sat down.
"So, why are you here?" She asked him, leaning against the window so she was comfy but could still talk to the strange man next to her.
"I robbed a bank and have been in prison for 10 months but it really isn't for me and this was my out. You?" She nodded along, looking away as she spoke, still ashamed of the mistake she made.
"A close friend of mine robbed some expensive watches and hid them somewhere and stupidly, I agreed to go and pick them up for us to sell and move away from here. He bailed and I got caught" He placed his hand on her knee, Emma looking up to see a sympathetic smile across his face.
"You loved him, didn't you?" Nodding slowly, he pulled away and pulled out his wallet, pulling out a picture of a young man in a hospital bed.
"This was my boyfriend Jefferson. He had blood cancer and his treatment was very expensive. Its why I robbed the bank, so I could try and pay off his bills and get him better" Emma swallowed back a lump in her throat, looking up from the picture.
"Was?" August nodded slowly, a sad smile on his face as he took the picture and traced the man's face with his index finger thoughtfully.
"He passed away 5 months ago, I wasn't even there to say goodbye to him. I know he still loved me even after what I did so I thought I would respect him by doing something good with myself. When they give me this out I thought it was like a second chance, and chance to make things right" Emma agreed with what he was saying, relating a lot more than he probably thought. She took his hand with a smile, squeezing it tightly.
"We can get through this together. You and me, army buddies" August smiled, nodding his head as he squeezed back.
"Army buddies"
Upon arriving at Washington, the few recruits were led to a hotel they would be situated at during the 7-month training season, Emma and August in awe as they stood in the lobby, looking up at the glass chandelier in amazement.
"Look at it here! It's beautiful" Emma whispered, August nodding in silent agreement.
"Alright privates huddle up! You will be in suits in groups of threes so get yourself sorted, you have 60 seconds" Emma and August linked hands so they would stick together, wondering who their third could be. They watched people group up, a woman looking lost as she stood on the sidelines. Emma ushered her over, watching as she nervously made her way towards them.
"We need a third person; do you want to room with us?" She nodded, a grateful smile on her face. Emma nodded and looked to the man who had called out, showing him they were ready.
"Okay who do we have here? Privates Swan, Smith and Sullivan. Here are your keys, you are in suit 21K on level 8. Be here in an hour, no later. Your training starts now. I am Sergeant Jackson" He shook each of their hands, shooing them off to their room. They rode the elevator in silence, Emma being first to enter the room when they found it. The three stood in the doorway in utter shock, their jaws on the floor in amazement. There were three large double beds in the room, a kitchen in one corner and an on-suite bathroom on the other side. By the door to the bathroom was a balcony looking out over the city and in the center of the room was a large sofa with a 70" TV on the wall.
"Oh, my…" Emma started, her voice trailing off in awe, August finishing the sentence with a holler, entering the room further.
"God! Look at this place" Emma followed with the other woman in tow. They each chose a bed, Emma getting the one by the kitchen with a grin, August in the middle and the woman at the end.
"So, do we call you Sullivan or do you have a real name?" Emma joked to the woman as August set up his things in the bathroom.
"I'm Lucy" She whispered, Emma approaching her to sit on Augusts bed for a second.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm really scared" She admitted quietly, Emma nodding her head.
"So are we Lucy, but don't worry, we have your back" She smiled, Lucy nodding along, thanking her.
"Look at us, the three wusskateers of the army" August expressed from the bathroom, the two women laughing.
"The three wusskateers, I love it" Emma grinned. This might not be as bad as she thought.
9 years later
August ran into the hospital, blood dripping off his hands, soaking through his uniform as he followed the gurney that had been pushed in before him. He was beside it as he ran to catch up, tears streaming down his cheeks as he shouted at the limp body on the bed.
"You idiot Emma! Don't you dare die on me, you hear me? You stay alive, you promised me you wouldn't do this!" He was stopped by a nurse as the paramedics went through a set of double doors, August breaking down as he fell to the floor. He turned to look up as he heard footsteps running towards him, his and Emma's Sergeant and friend behind him.
"Where is she?" Sergeant Jackson asked, August standing with the help of Lucy, not caring that he covered her hand in Emma's blood as he accepted her help.
"They took her through there. She wasn't looking good" He chocked out, Jackson not caring for boundaries in the moment as he wrapped August up in a hug. He had been with the three of them since day one and this was not how things were supposed to go.
"I need to know exactly what happened" He stated, August feeling his emotions falling again as he opened his mouth to speak, Lucy stepping forward, swallowing back her emotions as she took his hand tightly.
"We found an enemy camp Jackson, our missing recruits were all there" Jackson nodded along, noting down all he could on his pad.
"She was guarding the door while we untied them all, the area was completely dead but then gun fire started up and we were trapped, it was coming from everywhere. She got a grenade from her pack and cleared one side but our exit was completely blocked" August carried on, Lucy butting in, knowing the next part would be painful to hear again for him let alone share.
"They threw a grenade and she caught it, we could hear the ticking from it and before any of us could take a breath, she took off right in the middle of the gunfire and midway to them, she threw the grenade back and it exploded taking them out and clearing our exit, but she was right in the middle of it and got blasted back"
"Did you get the hostages out?" Jackson asked, August nodding, a sob escaping his lips.
"We got them all and a lot of civilians. She cleared their exit for them so they could all get out. There are about 4 dozen groups of people at base now getting treated"
"She saved them all because of what she did" Lucy cried slightly, her façade faltering. Jackson buried his head in his hands, the pad falling out his grasp slightly.
"Why would she do that!? She could have found an alternate route!"
"General, that is probably the bravest thing any of our privates have ever done! She was a hero" They all turned to see Sergeant Major Phillip behind them, August standing forward slightly defensive.
"She is a hero sir, she is still alive" Jackson held him back, Phillip nodding.
"I believe so too, but you need to think logically private. She took a lot of bullets and a blow. You both saw it firsthand. I just want you to prepare for the worst" He said sympathetically.
"We won't prepare for anything until it happens. That is my motto, you know that" Jackson said, Phillip placing a hand on his shoulder. He had trained Jackson like he had trained his three, and was like a father to him.
"I know son, I know. I just want to show my gratitude. Thanks to Swan, I got to call up 19 family members today and tell them that their sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, siblings had been found and were safely waiting at camp to call them. I got to watch families of terrified civilians be reunited with one another. It's not often we get a win like this. I have a meeting to get to, keep me informed and I will be back at sunrise" He smiled at the three and walked away, leaving them emotionally broken in the waiting room, each-others company their only comfort for hours on end.
Emma's eye burned as she pried them open slowly, her entire body aching causing a small groan to escape her lips.
"Emma? Darlin' can you hear me?" August? She turned her head to where she thought she heard the voice come from, smiling slightly when the blurred figure of her friend filled her sight.
"Hey" She whispered, August letting out a chocked sob as he grabbed her hand, kissing it repeatedly.
"Don't you ever do something that stupid ever again, do you hear me?" He scolded, looking her dead in the eye. She frowned, trying to sit up properly but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned to see Lucy at her other side, her face like August's, tear streaked and blotchy.
"You need to rest. Your body took a lot of damage"
"What happened? Did you get them all out?"
"58 people are currently safe at base after months of torture thanks to you" Another voice. She turned to the doorway, Jackson staring down at her, the emotions in his eyes making Emma see in depth what had happened. She must have been in bad shape.
"And our people?"
"They are all preparing to fly home tomorrow and see their families" Emma felt her heart throb, nodding her head happily with a sigh.
"Sergeant Major Phillip is coming in a few hours, he would like to speak with you. I suggest you rest up until then" He explained, going to walk out but Emma called him back, August and Lily slipping out as he came to the side of her bed.
"How come you seem pissed?" She asked bluntly, Jackson laughing out loud.
"You almost died Emma" He stated after calming down, Emma sinking into her pillow slightly.
"I was doing my job sir"
"You could have done it safer! I didn't want to lose you. You are one of the best privates I have ever trained and, you are my friend. You scared us all today Swan" She looked up at him, his eyes holding back tears as she took his hand, smiling slightly.
"I didn't die though, I made it. I made it Jackson" He nodded, sitting down slowly on the side of her bed.
"Rest okay? I will wake you when Phillip arrives" She nodded, closing her eyes over, Jackson watching her breathing comfortingly. Hours passed, Emma feeling a hand shaking her shoulder slightly as she was awoken. Opening her eyes she saw Lucy and August at the back of the room, Jackson still at her side, Phillip at the foot of her bed.
"Private Swan! I'm so glad to see you are alright" He expressed, Emma smiling slightly, Jackson putting her bed to a sitting up position, her thanking him as she attempted to make herself relatively comfy despite the pain in her weak body.
"As am I sir"
"I want you to know that 58 people are currently safe at our base and getting ready to fly somewhere far away from here thanks to you"
"Jackson informed me. There were no impairing injuries to anyone?"
"Everyone is well and it's all down to your bravery in the field" She looked away slightly, never really enjoying being praised. She was only doing her job.
"Privates, I would like a word alone with Swan and Jackson if that is okay" Phillip said, turning to August and Lucy who both nodded, Emma smiling at them as they left.
"What's this about sir?" Jackson asked, Phillip coming up to the other side of her bed.
"I understand you are eager to get back out into the field, is that correct?" Emma nodded enthusiastically, Phillip sighing at her reaction.
"Emma, you took three enemy bullets to the abdomen, a piece of grenade shrapnel was found imbedded in your left thigh, another piece just behind your ear almost leaving you with permanent brain damage" She cringed at the extent of her injuries, having not been told in detail beforehand her damages.
"The shrapnel in your thigh has damaged a few of your motor nerves in your leg" He carried on, Jackson looking up at him.
"What are you saying? That she can't come back to the forces in case her leg gives out?" Emma jumped in, shaking her head harshly, ignoring the pain it was causing.
"No! I can go to therapy and get it back to full motion, I can't be sent back home, there is nothing left for me. This is where I belong Phillip, I can't leave"
"I'm sorry Emma, but we cannot risk sending you out in the field with the risk of damaging yourself more or putting others in harm's way due to your leg disagreeing with you" Emma felt her heart shatter as the information dawned on her. She had nothing left, this was it. This was all she had and now it was gone.
"After all she did you are just going to throw her out like garbage!" Jackson shouted angrily, Phillip staying calm as he held his hand out in front of him, handing Jackson and envelope which he snatched annoyingly from him. Opening the letter, his face softened slightly, him looking back up at Phillip with raised eyebrows.
"Are you serious?" Emma looked between the two, frowning deeply.
"What?"
"We will arrange things when she is released. Recover well Private, I will see you soon" He patted her arm and left the room, Emma staring up at Jackson in annoyance.
"Jackson what does the letter say?"
"They are releasing you with Honorable discharge" Emma's jaw dropped, her mouth drying up slightly.
"Like, with the medal and the reward discharge?" He nodded, sitting down with a slump.
"$3500 weekly. Emma, this is amazing. You can start a new life with this"
"I don't want a new life! This is who I am, this was supposed to be my second chance" She cried, burying her head in her hands.
"Emma, you have been with the forces for 9 years. It's time to settle down, enjoy life. You deserve this, I was expecting a discharge and some congratulations but Emma, this is the best of the best" She sighed, running her hands down her face annoyingly.
"So, that's it? I'm done" He grabbed her hand, nodding sadly.
"You're done"
1 year later
Emma folded up one of hundreds of letters she had received off Lucy, Jackson and August in the time between present and her release and placed it in the box she had them all saved in. Sighing heavily, she sat on the edge of her sofa and looked out over the city through her apartment window, a glass of red wine in her hand. She missed being out there, being where all the action was, but she knew that with her injuries no force would take her on now. She knew that she still had her three friends close to her heart, but she was alone. She had nobody. Her thoughts were shattered when there was a knocking on her apartment door, a frown covering her face as she got up off the sofa and dumped her glass on the side. Opening the door, she was surprised to find a small child standing on the door front, a large grin on his face as he looked up.
"Are you Emma Swan?" Nodding slowly, she watched in shock as he walked in past her, now standing in the living space with the same grin on his face.
"Who are you?" She asked, not moving from the doorway.
"I'm your son" Her jaw dropped, her head shaking from side to side.
"I don't have a son"
"Did you give up a baby 10 years ago?" Emma's heart stopped. Her silence answered his question as he nodded, walking up to her, his hand outstretched.
"Exactly. I'm your son, Henry"