Chapter 1: Beginnings

1 Year Ago- 2015

Paris, France

Ulrich Stern

Ulrich fell asleep, leaning against the car window. His eyes were closed shut and had slight black coloring under his eyes. His uniform was well kept and wrinkle-free, matching desert camouflage used at the front. The patch on his left arm showed a huge black two inside of a shield patch. His hair had spiky, brown bangs, his eyes were as brown as his hair, and his face was hair free, unlike his friend's face, which had a five o'clock shadow. The grey car slowly moved down street after street in the Paris suburbs, passing by joggers, walkers, and other drivers on the road. The blue sky above exposed the golden yellow sun, shining brightly above the populated area. Trees swayed back and forth, birds flew overhead in formations, and clouds slowly made their way across the blue sky. Ulrich's camouflaged bag sat on his feet, tightly zipped and closed. His first name initial was shown in black with a period after it. Then, his last name also showed in black. His full last name.

Calvin Jones slowly drove the car down the street, heading to Ulrich's home. Calvin looked over to see Ulrich still passed out in the passenger seat, leaning against the clear car window. Calvin rolled his eyes and shook Ulrich as they waited at a stop sign with no cars behind them. Ulrich moaned slightly after Calvin shook him once. He did another time. He moaned even louder. Then, Calvin shook him a third time. This time, his eyes opened and he slowly sat himself up. He rubbed his eyes slowly and looked at Calvin.

"Huh, what?" Ulrich asked softly. Calvin smiled. He was also dressed in the same uniform as Ulrich. It was also well tailored and well taken care of. He had the same patch on his left arm and the same pattern. Both of them were friends.

"Dude, we're almost home." Calvin replied. "I know that the flight was long, but you have to stay awake just a little bit longer."

"I know I do." Ulrich replied. "But, the flight was so long."

"I know, right?" Calvin asked in reply, smiling. "Damn, you're lucky I spent thirty minutes on running errands for my wife."

"How so?" Ulrich asked in reply.

"Well, if I hadn't picked up those errands, you wouldn't have that much sleep, now would you?"

"Heh, good point." Ulrich said. Then, a car horn sounded behind their car, a white sedan waiting for them to cross the intersection.

"Wait for us to move, would ya?" Calvin shouted, poking his head out the window.

"Look, let's just go before we get late." Ulrich told Calvin. "After all, I don't want to keep the wife and kids waiting." Calvin sat back inside and nodded.

"Alright." Calvin replied. He lightly pressed his foot on the gas pedal and started to drive the car across the intersection. The green trees swayed softly with the wind as the car slowly passed by the trees. The concrete street was covered in dead and green leaves and brown, skinny sticks. Ulrich stared out the window as they passed by the houses and people and kids. Calvin then looked over to Ulrich.

"So, how's the kids?" Calvin asked. Ulrich turned to Calvin, smiling lightly.

"Well, you know, good." Ulrich replied. "Kelly and Yumi went to their soccer game last weekend." Calvin smiled.

"Really?" Calvin asked. "Who won?"

"Our team did." Ulrich replied. "Twenty to five."

"Man, they must be really good." Calvin admitted.

"You don't know the half of it." Ulrich replied.

"What about Michael?" Calvin asked, curiously.

"He's gotten good grades." Ulrich told Calvin. "He has A's and B's."

"Wow, first honors?"

"Yup." Ulrich replied. "First honors." Calvin smiled wider.

"That's amazing, dude." Calvin said.

"Yup, really amazing." Ulrich replied.

"You know, I bet they cannot wait to spend time with you because of our five months leave." Calvin said. Ulrich smiled as well."Yup, I bet you." Ulrich replied. The car then slowed down at the next intersection, where a yellow taxi cab sat in wait to the right. Calvin pointed to the right of them, pointing out Ulrich's street.

"There's our turn." Calvin said. "Get yourself ready, dude."

"Don't worry, I'm ready." Ulrich replied, smiling and taking light breaths. Ulrich was excited to see his wife back at home, waiting for him at the front. He cannot wait to see his kids again after half a year on deployment. After all that he has seen, this will take his mind off all of it. With Calvin at his side, he can enjoy his life more. The car started to slow down as they turned the corner, driving down the street. He readied himself to pick up his bag and to hug his children and wife as tight as he can. Calvin tapped on Ulrich's shoulder, getting his attention.

"Over there, dude." Calvin said, pointing out the window at a nice house. The house was a decent size with a neat and clean front lawn and plants beside the walkway towards the front door. There stood his wife, waving and weeping happy tears. She smiled and waved as Ulrich's kids waved behind her. They leaned to her left or right as they smiled and waved and jumped up and down as they saw their father pulling up to the drive way.

"Man, do they look happy to see you." Calvin said, smiling. Ulrich cleared his throat and grabbed the handle on his bag, opening the door and stepping out of the grey car. He closed the door behind him, then dropping his bag. His kids started to run towards him with open arms, laughing as they ran towards him.

"Daddy!" they said, hugging and jumping onto him. They tackled him onto the grass, where they continued to hug him tightly and started to kiss him.

"Hey kids!" Ulrich said. "How are ya guys doin', huh?"

"Good, daddy!" they all said at once.

"Good." Ulrich said, standing up with the kids still hugging him. The kids jumped and rolled off of him, allowing their father to help himself up. His wife walked up to him, dressed in a black turtleneck and black jeans. She wore black boots and had long, black hair. She hugged her husband tight as the kids rushed to Calvin, jumping around him.

"How was your deployment, sweetie?" she asked in a sweet voice.

"It was alright, you know." Ulrich replied. "So, how was everything?"

"Everything was great." she replied. "Michael's on honors, Kelly and Yumi's soccer game went well, and me and the other moms hung out for a little bit." Ulrich smiled.

"Anything else I should be aware about?" Ulrich asked.

"No, not…" She then leaned over to Ulrich's left and saw the huge black two on the patch. She never saw it before.

"Where did you get that patch, Ulrich?" she asked.

"Well, I got recommended for transfer to Tier 2." Ulrich replied.

"What's Tier 2?"

"Top secret stuff." Ulrich replied. "That's all I'm supposed to tell you." His wife smiled. Ulrich held her by the hips and his wife wrapped her arms around his neck. Both stared into each other's eyes, smiling as they slowly approached with their lips ready for a passionate kiss. Their lips touched softly on one another's. Both of them closed their eyes and felt the intense, calming sensation of each other's love. The kids hid behind Calvin, who was smiling.

"Ew!" they yelled out. Calvin laughed as they hid behind him.

"It's okay, guys." Calvin said. "This is just the first half." Ulrich broke the kiss and looked at Calvin, who was laughing.

"Calvin!" Ulrich said, smiling.

"What?" Calvin asked. "You know it's true."

"Forget you, Calvin." Ulrich said, looking back at his wife.

"So, what do you want to do, sweet heart?" she asked him, her arms still wrapped around his neck."I don't know, Yumi." Ulrich replied. "What do you wanna do?"