Chapter 2

The next morning the sun rose through the bay window leaving a shimmering yellow glow across their bodies. As the bright light stung at Janet's eyes she slowly began to squirm from her night of rest. As she stretched her body she noticed the arms embracing her and the legs intertwined with hers. She began to panic not remembering much from the night before, but as her eyes fluttered open she found herself staring up at Danny. She let out the breath that she had been holding in and smiled glad to see it was him. But just as soon as the smile came it went as she felt the overwhelming effects of last night's liquor. Quickly she bolted for the bathroom to lean over the toilet for about twenty minutes before being able to stand up again. As she made her way back to her bed where Danny was still dreaming she thought about last night. That's when it hit her again. No she wasn't sick from the liquor, now she was sick with the remembrance of why she started drinking in the first place... Rafe. She abruptly sat down on the side of the bed with her back to Danny as she let the tears slide down her cheeks. 'One of my best friends, the man I think I love, is going to war... where men go away to die,' she thought causing the tears to roll even more freely.

"Janet," his soft voice calling to her made her jump.

"Oh I'm sorry Danny, I didn't wake you did I?" she asked as she wiped her eyes as nonchalantly as possible.

He sat up and turned her towards him, "Are you okay?" Her eyes were slightly red and puffy, but she smiled in spite of herself and nodded.

"Is it Rafe?" He asked and that's when it seemed to click in his head that he wasn't on the base but still with Janet, "Shit!" He scurried to his feet and frantically reached for his watch.

"What is it?" She asked standing as well.

"Rafe..." He replied to which she gave him a puzzled look, "He leaves today... I'm supposed to go with him to the train station..."

"When?" She asked now moving frantically to get ready so that she could join him.

He glanced once more at his watch before answering, "Twenty minutes"
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"Well, well, well look who is just gettin home..." smirked Anthony as Danny rushed into the room with Janet at his heels.

"Danny! Where have you been?" hollered Rafe as he grabbed his bag off the floor beside his bunk. Rafe looked past Danny at Janet, "Janet, what are you doing here?"

"I fell asleep at Janet's place. I'm sorry we're late, come on lets go," Danny replied in a hushed tone just as Janet started to lay into him.

"What am I doin' here? What am I doin' here?!! Did it ever occur to ya that I might want to say goodbye to ya, Rafe McCawley! Yer one of my best friends and you were gonna leave without saying g'bye?!?" The room of boys fell silent with shock as they witnessed the wrath of Janet Dunne. The three exited and as Rafe continued to apologize the boys began to chuckle at the site of him begging for forgiveness.

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The train rumbled into the station and slowed to a stop while the whistle blew. Rafe stood with Danny & Janet as he fumbled with his hat in his hand as he waited to see if Evelyn showed, "Well, this is it..."

"Rafe," Janet tried to comfort him, "she still has time..."

"Yea, you know she's coming, why wouldn't she?" Danny chimed in.

"Because I told her not to... well, sort of."

"What? Why?" Danny pondered confused.

"Well I figured it'd be easier on..."

"On who?" Janet asked with her voice rising, "you?? Like the way you thought it would be better if you didn't even talk to me before you left?? You're always thinking about yourself McCawley!"

"Aw come on Janet, I said I was sorry. I don't want to fight with ya before I leave."

"Oh shut up and look around for your damn girlfriend, will ya?" she said frustrated with him still. The little time he had before his train was to deport passed quickly and there was still no Evelyn in sight.

"All aboard!" yelled the conductor. They all looked from one to the other with the disappointing thought of Evelyn not showing up to say goodbye.

"I guess I should get going then."

"Rafe, please be careful!" Janet said holding onto him with tears streaming down her cheeks. 'I love you' she thought to herself. Slowly she stepped back to allow Danny to say goodbye.

He gave him a hug and reminded him, "Come home... for both of us." Rafe nodded as he turned to take one last look around for Evelyn. He then grabbed his things and began to climb up the steps. That's when he heard it.

"RAFE!" Evelyn was trying to push through the crowd of people that were already beginning to wave goodbye to their loved ones on the train. He jumped down and ran to meet her. He took her in his arms and kissed her hard and full of passion.

"You came."

"Of course I came... I couldn't let you go away without knowing that I love you... I'll be here waiting for you when you get back." He smiled and then kissed her again. "I'll come back... I promise"
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