AN: This work is entirely OC and due to story flow, accuracy and continuity issues this work has had some drastic re modifications from the original draft.

If you remember this title, what would have been is different and that is why I deleted then re added the story.

For those who have yet to read this story, then all for the better for nothing is spoiled!

Prologue

Dear Mrs. Penner

By now you most likely have received word from our chief of medical staff that your son, Nathan, has been gravely injured in the line of duty. I am sure that you have many questions and are overwhelmingly concerned. For now all I can tell you is that he is alive, but cannot comment more on his condition.

I am not sure how much the Navy has told you concerning exactly what had happened and unfortunately the specific details are classified therefore there is little that can be said at this time. What I can tell you is that he and his fellow servicemen had been engaged by enemy forces while commencing in a very important operation. Nathan fought admirably and many of his comrades feel that if not for his valor and commitment, casualties would have been inevitably much higher than they were.

However it grieves me to say that I shoulder the burden for his decline. As his commanding officer it was my responsibility to not only see Nathan through safely but all of the SEALS within that team who were called to embark on this operation. I failed in every sense of the word ma'am and humbly ask for forgiveness.

I understand that Nathan was the first and only son of yours to enlist in the armed forces. I know this must be a terrible experience for you, for Nate told me much about his home and the other trials you are dealing at this time. But please know that our medical team is doing everything in their power to preserve his life, that is why we have not yet shipped him stateside as of yet.

Due to the severity of his injuries the advanced help he needed was more immediate than predicted when he first arrived on the USS Caine. It was decided that the best course of action was to immediately have him placed in intensive care where many surgeries had followed. Should he pull through he will undergo physical therapy at the closest military base to his location which will have the proper medical equipment to monitor him. This will be the Kadena air force base in Okinawa Japan. And there he will receive further treatment until we are able to send him home.

Please know Mrs. Penner that I am doing everything within my power to have you reunited with your son. For it is never the intention of the Navy to cause a mother grief. I understand that after all is said and done, all you want is to be with him again and most likely are wondering if you will get the chance to see him alive or not. These are things I feel no parent should have to deal with and you have my utmost sympathies in regards to the matter.

Let not these words trouble you, for Nathan is brave and strong and has an indestructible will I have extremely high hopes that it won't be long until he is able to return home. He was one of the finest SEALS I have had the privilege of commanding. He followed orders and never hesitated to put his life in danger for his fellow man. You are to be commended for raising such a fine young man and you should be proud that he wore the eagle and trident.

Signed:

Chief Petty Officer Derek Wenzel

P:S And also know should the unthinkable happen, your son fought and died in defense of his country and for those he served. Many a life have been saved due to his bold sacrifice and the United States would not forget his service to his country and the navy would definitely loose one of it's finest.