Part I

Vincent, now a grown man and in his own right, handsome drew the attention of a lot of woman. He stood six feet tall but that wasn't the only that altered about him since he was a young kid sitting in front of the fireplace with his best friend JT as they listened to his grandparents tell stories of yesteryear. His grandparents, through the years, tried their best to keep him on the right path but their passing caused the teen to stray until his best friend showed him the err of his ways but now and then he stumbled until he found his way back.

His features were roughened through the years of adulthood and sadness. The stubbles that covered his cheeks did him no justice. Underneath was a man with many stories to tell. He reflected back at his life as he stared out the window of the bus as it made its way through the busy streets of New York city. People filled the sidewalks, walking to and fro, some holding hands, during the warm summer weather. For a moment he caught his own reflection staring back at him. He traced the scar on his cheek which he suffered during his second tour in Afghanistan. The bus slowly came to a halt in front of the well-known Grand Central Station and the bus driver made a quick announcement before opening the doors.

Vincent rose from his seat and walked towards the front exit. He sighed in relief as soon as he stepped out of the bus and enjoyed the city air. He stood at ease as he waited for the rest of the passenger to depart the bus. At last the bus driver stepped out and unlocked the storage doors were the luggage were stored. A crowd quickly grew and he waited patiently before grabbing his government issued duffel bag. He threw the bag over his shoulders and walked away from the bus.

"Home at last," he smiled as he headed west towards Time Square. The crowd grew larger as he got closer to his destination. People hurried beside him as he slowed his pace to take in the famous attraction. Billboards covered buildings and massive screens announced the most recent news and ads. He stared in awe at his new surrounding and compared to the last place he was in, New York city was a paradise.

Tired from his long flight, Vincent stopped in front of the red steps of TKTS and sat down with the tourist. He watched with amusement as a couple of Lady Liberty, Hello Kitty, and other well-known characters danced and took pictures with tourist who enjoyed the attraction. "No place like home," he smiled to himself.

After a few minutes he caught a few glances his way. People stopped and surveyed his military uniform. Some were nice and were thankful for his services while a few scoffed under their breath before walking away. He eventually grew self-conscious about his looks and tried to hide the scar that disfigured half of his face.

"Hey mister! My mom says you're a hero!" a young kid , holding tightly to his mother's hand smiled up at him.

Vincent smiled, politely at the mother and son. "I'm no hero. Just doing my duty as a soldier."

"Cool scar!" the young kind looked up at his mom while pointing at the scar. "I want one, too!"

"Honey, don't point at the young man. It's rude," the mother scolded. She turned to look at Vincent and admired the young man for his bravery. "I'm sorry to have bothered you but Ryan here was really excited to see you. His father was in the military and I'm afraid I've filled his head with too many stories about soldiers being heroes. He really wanted to meet you and thank you."

Vincent shook his head. "I wouldn't call myself a hero," he smiled politely. "Is your husband retired from the military?"

The woman shook her head no and squeezed her son's hand. "He died when Ryan was a baby."

"He was a hero just like you!" Ryan said excitedly. "Mom says all soldiers are heroes."

"I'm sure your father was a great hero," Vincent acknowledged the young boy and smiled at him before turning his attention to the mother, who was holding back her tears. "And I'm sorry ma'am for your lost."

"You take care. We don't need to lose another hero. Come on, Ryan, we have to get along before we miss the train."

"Bye mister! Hope I see you again," Ryan waved as his mother led him away.

Vincent watched as the pair of mother and son walked away and waited until they disappeared into the crowd before turning away. He dug through his jacket pocket and reached for the letter sent by his childhood best friend, JT.

"Yo Vincent!

Glad you're back! Ma and I are excited to see you. Sorry can't pick you up at the airport but will meet you after classes are done. Ma will be at the apartment waiting for you. See you then.

P.S. Hope you still know where it is! If not, it's time to put those Army skills into use!

JT"

Vincent smiled as he read the letter to himself and shook his head as he put the letter back into his jacket pocket. He quickly stood up and threw the duffel bag over his shoulder before walking down the steps of TKTS. The crowd grew more steadily as he walked towards Rockefeller Center and was like no other he had seen before. The politeness of what he was taught as a young child was nonexistent as people pushed and brushed up against one another without apologies. He shook his head in disgust and wondered what happened to society since he was deployed years ago. Was this the country he vowed and swore to protect and sacrificed his life for?

"Hey soldier!" a street vendor yelled towards him.

Vincent stopped and walked to a hot dog stand where a vendor was smiling and waving at him. He smiled politely and looked at the small menu that was handwritten on a black chalkboard. "I'll take a polish sausage and a bottled water."

"Sure thing, sir," the smiling vendor answered as he got to work right away. "My father was in the Navy and my older brother is in the Air Force. Joined myself but was sent back home after my unit was injured by an IED. Son of a bitch got our humvee then a second exploded after the humvee rolled over on top. Luckily there was no fatalities but no one is ever the same after something like that," he said more sadly. "Here you go, sir. On the house," he added as he held out his hands filled with the items Vincent ordered.

"Sorry about you and your unit," Vincent replied, solemnly. "And thank you."

"No. Thank you. We need more people like you out here. Stay safe, my friend and come back here anytime."

BATB

Vincent continued on towards his journey back home as he ate his food and drank his water while admiring the tall buildings and skyscrapers. It was a much different environment from a war torn country he just spent months surviving along with his unit but he tried not to think about it and tried to focus on what was in front of him. Some people went around him while others bumped into him as he stood and stared past the building as he thought about the past few months of his life. Shaking his head, he tried to forget as he was ordered to do but he immediately covered his ears with both hands as he quickly recognized the sounds of gunshots that burst his eardrums.

A few blocks from where he stood a young detective giving chase to her suspect was shot at. She narrowly escaped the bullet as it grazed her favorite black leather jacket and embedded itself on a brick wall she quickly ran past. "Get down!" the detective yelled as she chased after her suspect who wasn't keen on being caught.

The suspect turned around and continued to run into the crowded streets of New York city. Innocent bystanders yelled in fear and ducked out of the way as they saw the suspect brandishing his gun. People jumped out of the way as they saw the suspect coming their way. Some tried to slow him down but was pushed away by the speeding suspect.

Vincent's ears rang again as another shot was fired by the suspect who did not care who got in his way. He'd just been released from prison days ago but clearly did not learn his lesson as he tried to rob a small neighborhood store. There was no way that he was going to prison and he was willing to do anything to get away from the detective and her partner, who was also chasing after him. The suspect continued towards the crowd hoping to lose his shadows.

Vincent listened carefully and honed in on the direction of the chase. He dropped his bag without wasting another second and ran towards the gunshot as the suspect fired his gun once more towards the two cops who did not give up on chasing him. There was a gracefulness to the way Vincent ran through the crowds. His legs moved rapidly in long strides as his eyes surveyed the crowd and barely missed the people as he ran passed them. His vision became clearer as he ran faster and the closer he got to the action the stronger the scent of fear became. The sound of multiple heartbeats collided in his ears and his pulse raced when he spotted the suspect and his trigger happy fingers. Vincent jumped in the air to try and stop the suspect but yelled in pain as another shot echoed in his ears. He screamed in pain as he landed on the suspect, who broke his fall.

The suspect stared in disbelief as he tried to push off the heavy man who was lying motionless on top of him. He freed his right arm and quickly reached for his gun that fell out of his hand.

"Don't even think about it," the first detective pointed her gun at the suspect as she kicked away his gun towards her partner. "Cuff him, Tess."

"Don't mind if I do. You're going away for a long time asshole," Tess snickered as she reached for her cuffs. "Sir, we got this."

Vincent moaned in pain and slowly rolled off the suspect, who was immediately put in cuffs by the all too happy detective as her partner picked up the suspect's gun. Catching her eye was the motionless Vincent who had has hand over his wound which was only inches away from his heart.

"Sir?"

"Cat, what's wrong?" Tess asked as she helped the suspect get to his feet.

"I'm not sure. Sir?" Catherine quickly knelt down beside Vincent and moved aside his jacket.

Vincent opened his eyes and met her concerned jade eyes. He moved aside his hand and revealed his gunshot wound. She stared in shocked at him and quickly yelled out for help.

"Tess, call for medic. He's been shot!" Catherine placed her hand over his wound and tried to reassure him that things were going to be okay.

"Cat did, did you shoot him?" Tess asked in worried and fearful voice.

"Call for a medic!" Catherine repeated to her partner as she applied pressure to his wound and held his gaze. The sounds became more distant and she felt her heart racing as his eyes never left hers.

Vincent concentrated on her heartbeat. "I'm oh-kay," he whispered as he placed his cold and blood covered hand over hers.

"Ssshhh. Ambulance is on the way."

"You have pretty eyes," Vincent said weakly as his cold hands grasped on to hers.

"I'm sorry. I, I didn't see you. I didn't mean to shoot you," Catherine barely managed to get out as tears started to form in her eyes.

Vincent gasped for air and held on tightly to her hand. "Not your fault," Vincent coughed out. His eyes started to get heavier and his hands colder. He tried to fight the darkness that was slowly consuming his numbing body.

"Stay with me, soldier. Keep your eyes on me," Catherine pleaded helplessly.

Vincent opened his eyes slowly and met her tear filled eyes. He weakly raised his hands and tried to brush the tears off her cheeks but wasn't even close to touching her face.

"I'm Detective Chandler. Catherine. What's your name soldier?" she asked as she stared helplessly at him.

"I'm," he answered weakly. "Vincent," he finished as he placed his cold and blood covered hand over hers.

"Stay with me, Vincent. The ambulance is on its way."

Vincent tried to nod his head but was too weak. "I'll, I'll be okay," he whispered.

"I'm so sorry, Vincent. Please stay with me," Catherine cried as she stopped fighting the tears. "Do you hear that? The ambulance is close."

"Don't cry. Still here. Not leaving, Catherine," he manged to get out weakly but his visioned started to fade and his eyes closed. The last thing he heard was the sirens of the ambulance approaching and the sound of her voice calling him back to the light.