Chapter 2

Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter, I hope this one lives up to its standards. Anyways here chapter 2. Let me know what you guys think! :)

"Ashley what are you doing here?" Spencer said as she opened her door. Early that day the recruitment office called me saying that my squad had been called to duty. I couldn't believe that this was happen is had only been two month since I got back, and now my attempts on trying to live a normal were gone.

"Spencer…" I choked. It pained me to tell her that I was going back to that "hell hole" for god knows how long, two maybe three years. "I-I got called back." Her jaw clenched and she stiffened, but softened when she looked into my eyes.

"For how long."

"Two maybe three years." Her head drooped as her glaze fell to the floor. I lifted her chin, giving her a weak smile. "I'm sorry. I thought that we would have more time to reconnect try to get to know each other better."

"This isn't fair. They can't take you back! You just came back!" Spencer muttered, flinging her hands in the air.

"It isn't fair but that's how everything works. For the three years I've been the army, nothing has worked out in my favor."

"You can't go back. I already lost you once and I can't lose you again."

"I know," I said pulling her into a tight hug, "I know."

"Come," I said extending out my hand to her. Her touch seems to send a surge of relief through my body.

"Close your eyes." I pull her out towards her back yard. We stay out here for hours when we were kills, just looking up at the sky. I gentle laid her down on the grass and then lay down next to her. "Open your eyes." She eyes flutter open and a face seem to relax and a slight smile appeared on her face.

"Do you remember when we were in high school and used to sit out here and just stare up at the stars until your parents yelled at us?" I hear Spencer chuckle as her remembers.

"And you would always get cold and curl up in a ball." I laughed. It was true every time we came out her I would curl up in a ball next to her. Our laughter subsided as we stared into the sky. The stars that night were illuminated against the dark sky.

Spencer rolled over onto her side so that she was facing me, "why did you join the army?"

"Because my parents we drunks and I needed to get away from them, it was only thing that would prepare me in case my father decided that I look like a good punching bag. They practically left me at my aunt's house and only came back to beat me. But my aunt's family line was a generation of army officers and I guess I sort of follow in their footsteps. And now that "Don't ask, don't tell" was lifted, I feel like it is more a home to me than my family. And I would do anything to protect them, my country, and you…"

"Me?"

"I would do anything to protect you," I said cupping Spencer's face in my hands and placing a gentle kiss of her lips. Ever since I met Spencer I knew that I was attracted her.

"When do you leave?' I watched her eyes sadden as she waited for me to reply.

"Tomorrow," I was barely able to whisper out. Her eyes became glassy as tears started to form in the corner of her eye. I propped myself up on elbow and pulled Spencer into me. She snuggled up into my side as I held her tight, not wanting to let go. It was only when the rain began pouring over us that we hurried inside laughing as we went.

"I should get going," I said trying to hold in my lie.

"Stay, please. If your leaving for two years I don't want the last thing you see is your empty apartment." I sigh in relief as I smile.

"Now let's get out of these," she said pointing to my soaked clothes. I followed her upstairs; her room was still much the same as I remembered seven years ago. She through me a change of clothes and I went into the bathroom to change. I leaned against the wall outside her door, trying to think of everything that was going to happen. This couldn't be happening.

"Hey," I looked up and saw Spencer leaning against the door frame. I got up to and leaned against the other side of the door frame.

"Spencer I need to tell you something," I can't leave her again without telling her how I feel, "I haven't been able to get you out of my mind since I left. Ever since we first watched the stars, I couldn't help but have feelings for you, feeling that are still here. And tomorrow might be that last time I see you and I couldn't leave witho-"I felt Spencer's lips press softly against mine, and she grabbed my shirt and pulled me closer.

"Don't say that, you will see me again. I promise. I will always wait for you," she said before she reconnected out lips. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her deeper into the kiss. I felt her start to pull away, "close your eyes Ashley ." I close them and felt her hand start to creep up my neck, before clasping something around my neck. I open my eyes and get lost in her hazel eyes. My hand reached up to my neck where I feel another chain next to my dog tags. I look down to see the heart shaped necklace with a purple crystal in the middle that her mother had given to her on her sixteenth birthday.

"I want you to have it." I couldn't find the words, but she understood. She pressed her lips once more against mine, soft and passionately.

"Please come back…"

"Please come back…" I heard echoing in the back of my mind. I tried to open my eyes but was blinded by a white light. I couldn't tell it was. I saw black shadows moving in the background as my eyes become adjusted to the light.

"Spencer?" I said into space wait for a response.

"Ashley , hey," I heard Aiden's voice coming from somewhere near my. My eyes focus and Aiden and a nurse are at my side.

"Where am I? What happened?"

"You were shot and your spine ruptured. You have a few broken ribs, a broken clavicle and a laceration above your right eye brow and arm. Thank god you friend got you when he did. We will be transferring you two to a hospital this afternoon. Right now I suggest that you rest," the nurse says before she leaves the room. I sigh and lay my head back on my pillow.

"How are you feeling?" Aiden asked me.

"Like I just got blown up by a grenade."

"Eh, that's pretty accurate," Aiden teased, and I started to laugh. I look over at Aiden. He's arms in a sling and his foots in a cast. I look at myself and see stitches running up my forearm and my stomach wrapped with gauze. My hand reaches up to hold the necklace that Spencer gave my but they don't find it. I sat up, which I regretted the moment I did, but I need to find that necklace.

"Wow. Ashley . You need to lay back down and rest," Aiden said a slight panic in his voice.

"Aiden, have you seen it?"

"Relax, I have it," he said pulling out of his pocket, "they gave it to me before you went into surgery." He got up and helped put the necklace around my neck.

"It's the least I could do; after all you saved my life." I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted my Colonel Ames standing in the doorway.

"Sir." Aiden and I said with a salute, "at ease, sergeants." He walking into the room and pulled a chair to the other side of my bed to face the two of us. He opened if brief case and set two folders on my lap before continuing.

"Yesterday at 19:00 hours, you and Sergeant Davies entered a building which was believed to hold several hostages, those who were civilians and soldiers. From our reports two privates and a staff sergeant were rescues. Civilians included a five year old boy and a family of five. I congratulate both of you on the successful mission. As you know both of you are being sent to Paris for farther medical treatment. What you did yesterday is something that I have never seen two officers do, and after Paris, you will be honorable discharge and are free to live a normal life," Colonel Ames said glancing at both of us. My mouth hung open and I could tell that Aiden was doing the same thing because the Colonel began to chuckle.

"You deserve it," he shaking our hand before leaving, "I hope to see you on the outside world." I turned to Aiden, smiling.

"We're going home," I whispered out, "we're going home."

The nurse came in several minutes later and began to get us ready to ply to Paris. Surprisingly the flight was much short than I thought. Aiden and I talked about how we were going to live out live now that we finally could. The hospital in Paris was much nicer than the building I was at in Afghanistan; their food actually didn't want to make me gag every time I got near it. Aiden and I spent a few weeks in the hospital. They sent Aiden home last week; I'm hoping that I'll see him soon. It's been three weeks and I have finally been discharged from the hospital and from the army. The nurse was kind enough to help me dress in my uniform and pack my bags. This one shoulder thing isn't going to go over well on the plane.

"Are happy to be going home?" The nurse said as she helped me with my baggage.

"Yes, it's been two years since I stepped foot on American soil. I'll be happy when I do." I thanked the nurse as I boarded the plane. Thank the lord that the Colonel got us first class seats for the flight back, I don't think that I would have been able to sit in cramped quarter again.

"Ladies and Gentlemen we are beginning our decent into JFK, please fasten your seatbelts and put you trays and seats in the upright position. We will be landing shortly."

The one shoulder thing was not working. One shouldering a backpack and holding a bag was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I walked down to the waiting area, where I saw my aunt and her husband sitting there waiting for me. I engulfed them in a tender hug as they help me with my baggage. My uncle slung my bag over his shoulder and put his arm around me as we walked out of the airport. They took me to cousin's café down the street from their house.

"Hey Ashley ," my cousin comes up and hugs me, "long time no see." Kyla was my aunt's daughter, but she's just like a sister to me.

"So what are you going to do now that you're out of the army?"

"I don't really know. Find a place to live, find a job, and try to fit back into society."

"Oh don't worry about that living place," my aunt says. I give her a questioning look.

"You're staying with me. I have an extra room in my apartment that I never use, so now it is yours. The job shouldn't be that much of a problem. This town is full of them and if you can't find one I'm always looking for help around here."

"Thank you. That's very kind of you," I smile giving Kyla and my aunt another hug.

After dinner Kyla closed the restaurant and helped carry my stuff to her apartment. Her apartment was much bigger than mine and it was full furnished. She showed me to my room and I thought that I walked into a mansion. There was a queen size bed along with a TV, desk and a treadmill. Not to mention the bathroom to the side.

"Kyla I-I don't know what to say. This is so gracious."

"Hey we're family remember. We stick out for one another. I thought the treadmill might come in handy for you. It was just stilling in my mother's basement." I smiled at Kyla . She was always the one who was there for me and I don't know what I would do without her.

"Here, I got a key made for you. The sliver one is the mail box and the gold is the apartment," she said handing them to me on a pictured keychain, "well I'll let you get some rest. It looks like you could use it."

I glanced down at the chain and smiled when I saws that it was a picture of a starry sky.