Matthew wasn't sure how long he had been asleep for, but when he heard voices around him he quickly jumped awake. Finding himself in the hospital tent still, he allowed himself to calm down slightly before resting again. The cloth he had been dressed in was unusually soft against his skin and Matt felt undeserving of all this special treatment. He didn't want others hating him again.

"Oh, you're awake now?" One of the many nurses said, stopping at Matthew's cot. "Dr. Hughes said to tell you to find Mr. Jones when you were ok to walk. Would you like some help finding him?"

"No, it's ok ma'am. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you." He mumbled, standing up shakily from the bed. Nodding, he went out of the tent and rubbed his eyes. Everything was blurry, but he was used to it by now.

Alfred gave a yawn, eyes opening slowly. He looked out of his tent, seeing the sunlight. He was still tired, but had probably had a few hour sleep, so would be fine for a while more. Standing up, he went outside, his dog tags sticking to his skin. He must have slept on them again.

Suddenly remembering Matthew, Alfred made his way off to the medical tent.

Seeing Alfred, Matthew tried to get closer to him but didn't until they were back at the entrance for the hospital. "Hello Mr. Jones. A nurse told me you wanted to see me..." He remembered the nurse calling him that, and he felt more comfortable treating him with respect.

Smiling, Alfred turned around. "Well, you look like you're feeling better. But why are you calling me that?" He had gotten used to it from his fellow soldiers, but Matthew didn't have to call him that.

"I am only being polite Mr. Jones, since I am unable to call you sir." Clasping his hands in front of him, Matthew kept his head bowed. These were nice people so far, but he didn't want to press it. If he stayed polite, he would stay alive; even if he had to use his body again.

"Trust me, it's awkward when you call me that. Just Al is fine." He smiled, putting his arm around Matthew's shoulders. "Let's get some food. It tastes like shit but it's better than nothing." As soon as it was out of his mouth, the American regretted saying it. It was obvious the blond had been starved, so saying that might have made him feel bad.

Opposed to Alfred's thoughts, the part that had Matthew's heart racing wasn't the idea of eating but instead the arm across his shoulders. He was pretty sure he wouldn't do anything to him, but it was hard to break his habit to keep himself alive. "It's ok... Al." He mumbled, trying it out on his tongue. "I'm not very hungry anyways." As long as he didn't show his weakness, then maybe it wouldn't be exploited like before.

Suddenly realizing the implications of his touch, Alfred took his arm off. He hadn't thought anything of it, because they were both men, but obviously that didn't matter considering all that had happened. "Come on, it tastes bad but it's still food."

Matthew nodded. "If it will make you happy." It seemed like Alfred was looked up to, so it wouldn't be the best idea to have him upset when he could probably take whatever he wanted.

Glad that Matthew would actually be eating something, the American lead him to the cafeteria. "Just take what you want. It's all fine." They both grabbed trays and started on the food.

Watching what the American took, Matthew followed behind taking a tiny bit of the same things. He wasn't sure how many people had to eat, so he didn't want to take too much. Limping over to the table, he sat across from the man who had a strange interest in him.

Digging in, Alfred forced the bad tasting food down. He glanced over to Matthew, who was nibbling at his food. You would think that after being starved he would want to pig out.

Despite having as much food as he wanted, Matthew knew that if he ate too fast he would get sick. Plus, he could tell Alfred was watching him. "I'm sorry Alfred, I'm just not that hungry."

Smiling, Alfred nodded. Well, even with the small amount he had just eaten, it was probably more than he had eaten in a while. "That's fine. So what are you gonna do now?"

That was a question he didn't have an answer for yet. "I'm not sure si-...." Matt cut himself off, remembering the man didn't like being called that. "I'm not sure. Maybe I will go see if my extended family in Ukraine is ok..."

Once again feeling sorry for him, Alfred picked up his fork again. "In Ukraine? Or... You could comelivewithme." He said in a rush, looking at his plate and twirling his fork.

"I wouldn't allow myself to do that. I would be too much of a strain on you." Matthew mumbled, looking down at his plate. If his family in Ukraine was killed, maybe he could find a place in France...

Sighing, Alfred put down his fork. "Why not? Come on, I want you to." He leaned forward, trying to look in Matthew's eyes. "I mean, I don't have a girlfriend or anything, and my family lives far away, so I'm all alone. You would be helping me as much as I help you."

"But there are other people who need more help than I do. I am ok to stay in Europe." It would be nice to go with such a nice person, but he couldn't help but feel suspicious about it. If he was alone, than that meant he would be free to do whatever he wanted.

"Just because others have been through worse things doesn't mean I can't help you." Alfred said, food forgotten. He really wanted Matthew to come live with him. He deserved at least one good thing to happen to him.

Pausing for a second, he looked up through his hair and smiled at the other blond. "If that will make you happy, than I will go to America with you. I can clean and cook for you so I am less of a burden. Even if it is only until I pay off the plane ticket."

Glad that he had agreed, Alfred started eating again. "Ok, I go back in a few weeks, so until then you can stay here." He would have to convince a few people, but he was always good at arguing.

Nodding, Matthew couldn't help but wonder why it was him that Alfred was so keen to help. There were some reasons, but he really didn't want them to be correct. From how everyone else seemed to respect him, it seemed like the American soldier was doing it out of the kindness of his heart.

Finishing, Alfred took his tray, and heard Matthew following him. He couldn't wait.

.oOo.

As Alfred had said, it was a few more weeks until they left the war torn landscape of France. Many new people came, and many bodies left the hospital. Every one made Matthew upset that he was able to survive and not them. There was nothing special about him except an usually pretty face. Even now he had started to gain a few more pounds and his frame was starting to look more life-like.

It was Matthew's first time in an air plane, and it was just as scary as he imagined once they were in it. It jostled them around constantly and they were crammed into the seats along with all the rest of the soldiers. "Mr. Jones, I don't think this was a very good idea." Matthew groaned, holding onto the seat rests with a vice-like grip.

Closing his eyes, Alfred smiled. "Don't worry, this is fine. A few hours and we'll be there." It was loud, but he was so tired all he wanted to do was sleep. After so long, he was finally going home, and with someone else too.

"A few hours is not very reassuring." Even though this was a thousand times better than what he had just gone through, it was still loud and nerve wracking. "We will not fall out of the sky, will we?" After all, the only plane he had seen well had been shot out of the sky. Just because the war was ending didn't mean all people were done shooting.

Alfred also knew the risks, but was willing to go through them to get home, and to get Matthew somewhere better. "We'll be fine. Just try to get some sleep, and it will go by in no time."

"If that is what you want, I will try." Matt mumbled, his entire body tense. It didn't seem like he was going to be sleeping any time soon but Al would be happy if he did.

Laughing a little, Alfred put a pillow behind his head. He started drifting off to sleep. If there was one thing the war had taught him, it was to take the chance to sleep whenever he could.