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A/N: I'll update as soon as I write each letter. Next up, Greg. Feedback is love! :)

This one's from Sam.


Dear Lou,

I haven't known you as long as the others, but you were still like a brother to me. You meant as much – if not more – to me than my friends from the army. I know I was just the annoying rookie, but you accepted me with open arms. I appreciated that, more than you'll ever know.

When I found out you were standing on a landmine, I knew it was over. I couldn't keep pretending there was hope when I knew there wasn't. It still hurt just as much when it finally went off. When I came back from Kandahar, I never thought I would have to deal with them again. Too bad I was wrong.

I regret not having more time with you. You were a great teammate and a better person. You could make me laugh and pick me up when I was down. You could pick the entire team up after a bad day. I know that that's something I could never do. I wish that I'd had the time to get to know you better. Before you were gone, you and Spike told me so many great stories from weekends, holidays and days off. Now, it seems like no one wants to say your name out loud. No one wants to bring up that painful memory.

I remember when I first joined the team, you were always there for me. You helped me get used to the differences between the SRU and Afghanistan. In a way, you were the reason I could succeed in this job. When I was learning to negotiate, it was you and the Sarge that stuck with me the most. You helped me adjust to the change of pace, and you taught me never to give up on myself. It's a lesson people tried to teach me years ago, but it was you that made me realize it was true.

Losing a friend was something I'd hoped I'd left behind in Afghanistan. I know that the job has risks, but after all this time I'd managed to fool myself into thinking that nothing would happen to us. I allowed myself to be lulled into a false sense of security, even after Jules was shot. I convinced myself that no matter how bad things looked, we would always get out alright. Looking back, it was a foolish thought. No matter where you turn, there will always be danger.

With you gone, I've realized now how much I want to be with Jules. It's a blessing and a curse; we had something good while it lasted, but she put the team first. I'm going to respect her choice. I care about her so much, but I can't make her give up her life's work. I don't even know if I'd be willing to leave the team. But right now, that's not what's important. What's important is that we're there for the team; right now they need us the most.

I think you would want that.

You know Leah is taking your spot? I think she'll do all right. She a good teammate, and she gets what we're going through, to an extent. At first, I didn't think she was going to work out. But now, I think she'll be as good a team member as any of us. Even so, she isn't you. No one can replace the hole you've left.

I know from experience, things will get better. Someday, no matter how soon or how far away, we'll be able to let you go. We'll still miss you just as much, but we'll remember the good stuff and we'll be able to talk about you again. I think I'm getting to that point. After all the years I spent in the army, I've learned how to pick myself up after I lose a friend or loved one. I'm just waiting for everyone else to feel that way too. It will take time, but someday we'll be able to smile when we think of all you accomplished. You were a hero, and you always will be. God knows what we'll do without you.

We will never forget you, Lewis Young.

Sam Braddock

Until next time