David pushed past the comfortable warmth of his bed to stretch and go to the bathroom before sleep overtook him. The moon trickled down silver streams of light on his skin, which made the woman who remained firmly cocooned in the thick covers smile. Her blonde hair spilled out over the pillows, the only real color in the room.
"You don't look a day over thirty-five, David." Karen said as she admired his long, powerful frame and toned body. She saw the scars on his chest and arm, and knew they were kisses from bullets. She also knew what incident had caused them and just contemplating what pain that must have caused pulled at her heartstrings. David was not running to fat like so many men his age and, yes, she respected that. It might be shallow, she thought, but I prefer fit men. She loved his eyes, though, deep blue and piercing. Karen thought they were his best physical feature. But she was mostly attracted to his gentleness.
"Ninety percent of the time, I eat right. I exercise every day, too, no matter what. I also have good genes. I guess." He took off the condom, then threw it in the trash. It had been a long, long time since he slept with a woman and found that he missed it. Craved it, even, now that he had a taste of physical intimacy again. They hadn't been seeing each other for very long, only a few weeks, and this was the first time they engaged in this sort of activity. "The shower's big enough for two. Care to join me, Karen?"
She grinned then joined him in the bathroom.
After they took turns freshening up, they jumped back under the covers. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened between you and your ex?" David inquired. Matt Murdoch was dating Karen before he was shot, things went weird between the two of them, then he was unclear about who dumped who. Karen seemed too good to be real and he thought Matt should have fought to keep her.
Karen sighed. "He shut me out. Matt didn't want me at the hospital and every time I would go…he'd pretend he was asleep. I got tired of being ignored, gave him some space, then he said that he didn't want to be with me anymore. So, we just broke up. I still care about what happens to him, but he's more messed up than I want to deal with. I don't mind dealing with some baggage—everyone has some—but he has a whole truck full of it."
"Ouch." David said. "Do you know how he's doing now?"
"Last I heard, and I had to get this tidbit from Foggy, he's in physical therapy. Matt needed a replacement hip and the doctors say he's got to get his strength up before he gets a medical release." Karen kissed the bridge of his nose. "Enough about my personal life. Let's talk about yours: tell me about your real father."
He snorted and wondered just where he'd start. Obviously, telling a reporter the complete family history was out of the question—although he now that he thought about it, Frank Castle was a pardoned criminal. David picked his words carefully. "He's got a difficult personality. Every time I think I get close to him, he pulls back. Or I screw up and he goes even further away. I can't elude the thought that I disappoint him, somehow. Maybe he anticipated a different kind of son, one more manly and assertive. My son Kevin adores the hell out of him, but I don't think you'd like him much."
"Well, I like you the way you are. You communicate with me, you are smart and you are kind. Being sexy as hell certainly helps." Karen smiled at him, golden wisps of hair slipped down over her face.
Karen and David met over the brief article on Trent, but had grown to know each other through AA meetings. This affair probably would not be approved by his sponsor, who strongly advised him to stay away from hooking up for at least a year to avoid establishing a codependent relationship. That obviously didn't happen and David contemplated just where their friendship was going; he sensed that Karen was developing feelings for him. He liked her very much, thought she was beautiful and strong and everything a reasonable man would want in a girlfriend, but wasn't quite at the stage where he knew he could love her yet. I'm being unfair to her if I keep this up for much longer. I think I can love her, but I'll wait until I know for sure.
After Karen fell asleep, David remained awake to think about Trent. If I can get him back, it won't be too late. I can save him….I can save him. The desperate yearning in his heart for Trent was a constant pressure, from which work and liaisons were a temporary respite. David still had hope for his boy.
Karen nestled against him and he draped an arm over her, the gentle aroma of her lavender shampoo wafting up. He kissed her forehead and she smiled in her sleep. He lost his battle with consciousness, soothed by the warm presence of her and the thread bare sliver of hope that he would not have to live his life alone.
# # #
Kevin plunked down on his bunk, looked at the envelope and noticed it was from his father. Kevin smiled, grateful for the distraction. Up here in Alaska, internet and phone connections were sparse, so David wrote frequent letters to both Eleanor and Kevin.
Dear Kevin and Eleanor,
I am not sure how to begin this letter, but it is my fervent prayer that you two are safe. I love you both. Keep your heads down and brain buckets on, please. I know you both know to clean and oil your guns and maintain your gear. But don't forget to eat.
No word on Trent's location, other than being in Latveria. As of right now, I've been told that we do not have the resources or manpower to retrieve him. We also do not want to start an international incident with Latveria's prickly leader, Doctor Von Doom. So, for the time being, there is little I can do but keep alert for any news. I'm sorry.
Kevin took a moment to consider this and felt horrible for their father. He speculated about his young brother and hoped Trent would be alright. He doubted it. Kevin went back to reading the letter.
In other family events, Frank married Lori. In addition, it turns out that he had a daughter from another woman about five years ago. You and Eleanor have a five-year-old half-aunt. But there's more.
The letter went on to explain about the circumstances of Michael's birth. Kevin's emotions went from incredulous to rage to thinking Lori was an amazing person to adopt both Frank's children. That's more than I would be willing to do, I'm not sure if I'd want to raise my rapist's child, but maybe Frank and Rogue know what it's like to be a child left on their own. She's a great person. I wonder if I should call her grandma. The young Navy SEAL focused on reading the last paragraph or so of the letter.
Kevin and Eleanor, I confess to being an alcoholic and I can say with all honesty that I've been sober for six months. There are times that I truly miss the alcohol, but I feel better. Physically and mentally. My sponsor says that part of my recovery is to tell you that I am an alcoholic and that I am sorry for any harm and embarrassment I might have done to you. If I can make any amends, please let me know.
I love you both very, very much.
Your Father,
Frank David Castiglioni Jr.
The palpable pain from the last part of the letter brought tears to Kevin's eyes. It was like his father was in front of him, begging Kevin and Eleanor for their understanding and hoping his children would still love him. "I love you, Dad. And there's nothing to forgive. Just stay sober." He knew, of course, David could not hear him, but it eased the turmoil inside of Kevin.
Kevin narrowed his eyes and thought it interesting that his father was using his complete given name. FRANK David Castiglioni. Junior. Dad wants a connection with Grandpa—any way he can get it. It won't happen in the way that Dad wants it to. Kevin had a flash of insight that maybe his father had a deep hole in him somewhere, one that alcohol and raising children used to fill. Now, with neither available to him, it was no wonder David went off the deep end. Kevin shook his head. I need to discuss this with Eleanor.
He left his bunk with the springiness of a trained fighter. It was his intention to search for Eleanor and it was a good thing that the SEALs and Marines were working together. Russia was skulking around and it was wearing on all the soldiers and Marines, who itched for an opportunity to fight. It took him about a half hour to get to Eleanor's tent.
# # #
Military life in Alaska was hard and often cold, accentuated by the haunting howls of a wolf pack late at night. Everyone was on edge, especially the newer Marines. Some turned to card playing and to hand held video games to stave off boredom and loneliness. Some found love in unexpected places and kept it hidden, not wanting the world to intrude on what happiness was to be found. Many soldiers minded their own business, though, if the romance did not interfere with duty. They knew happiness was in short supply and not typically long lived. And most knew that Carlos Cruz was involved with Eleanor. They ignored him as he went to her tent.
Eleanor ushered Carlos inside her solitary tent after he made a rhythmic scratching, code for permission to enter. It had just her bed and enough space for a foot locker where she kept her rifle and other important gear locked up. There weren't many women stationed here, so it was best that she had her own sleeping space.
"I missed you, Carlos." She kissed him then gazed into his nearly black and dancing eyes. Her fingers played through his high and tight haircut. Carlos touched her pearlescent white skin and ran his palm along her cheek. "I love you, too." They divested themselves of their fatigues and held each other, and reveled in their shared warmth.
Carlos leaned over to smooch her forehead. "Eres muy preciosa, corazón." You are very beautiful, sweetheart. And she was. On a freezing night, they had sex out of a desperate need to connect with a living being. Somewhere along the convoluted way, they developed strong feelings for each other. This wasn't a casual affair for him anymore and he hoped that it meant something to her. He thought maybe, just maybe, she'd want to eventually be Mrs. Eleanor Cruz. I'm getting ahead of myself; either of us could die. Or get re-stationed elsewhere. He cared about her, deeply. Who wouldn't want a lovely woman capable of using a M16A4 assault rifle? And was also extremely competent at ass kicking? Only an idiot would not want Eleanor as a girlfriend.
"Are you going to stand up just thinking or are you going to make love to me?" Eleanor teased as her hands rippled against his abdomen, then boldly went lower. "C'mon my hot Cuban lover. Warm me up."
Carlos laughed as they tumbled onto her narrow bed and Eleanor laughed until his lips covered hers.
Kevin arrived at the tent in time to hear the pants and moans of unmistakably erotic sounds. He crept closer to hear his sister cry out her lover's name. "Carlos…."
Carlos murmured an endearment in Spanish to her then let out a low groan of his own. Kevin turned a shade of furious red, then withdrew back to the shadows. He'd let her CO know that he needed to talk to her and for her to come by when she was ready to talk. He wanted nothing to do with this. Maybe I should have a talk with Carlos later. A nice short talk. With my fists.
Kevin talked with Eleanor's CO, Captain Morrissey, and left the resealed letter with him. Kevin did not quite trust himself around his sister or Carlos yet. He knew that Eleanor could take whoever she wanted to bed, but it bothered him that it was Carlos, a fellow SEAL.
Later, when they were done, Carlos touched the smooth line of her neck and shoulder. "Tell me a secret about you. Something that no one else knows. Something dark and mysterious."
"I have no dark secrets, Carlos." She tried to brush his request off. Deep inside, she did have a secret that she wanted to share with someone. Eleanor knew she couldn't share it with Kevin. "I'm just a girl who joined the Marines because I wanted to make a difference."
Carlos lightly scoffed at that. "You're holding out on me, chica." His callused hand went to caress her hip.
"It'd be dangerous to tell you." Eleanor said as she turned her attention to his chest. There was no way she would tell him the family secret, but the idea she had lingering in her head...
"I'm a Navy SEAL. I eat danger for breakfast, lunch and dinner." He kissed her forehead and moved closer to her, entangling their limbs together. It was a tight fit in her bed.
Eleanor chuckled at his bravado. "You have to promise not to tell anyone. Especially Kevin." After she extracted a promise from him, she continued. "When my four years are up, I'm going to pick up where Frank Castle left off. It's my intent to become a Punisher and carry on his work." She neglected to mention the family connection.
Carlos was silent for a moment. "Is that decision because of what happened to your family?"
"Yes." Eleanor simply said. "I was planning to join the Corps before the… the massacre but it eats at me knowing evil guys are running about. It haunts me knowing more underserving people will get killed or taken advantage of. I'm not a quitter or deserter. I will fulfill my obligation and while I'm waiting to get out, I'll also learn useful skills to help me."
Carlos stayed quiet and thoughtful; not at all like his boisterous and rowdy self. "Castle's got his long-deserved pardon and return to military life. There needs to be someone to pick up where he left off. I'll join your crusade, when my time is done. You don't have to do that alone."
She sat up abruptly and stared down at him. "You'd do that? Give up a normal life to live one of always being outside of the law?" Eleanor had decided—after seeing firsthand the torture her father went through—that she did not ever want children.
"Baby, I only want a normal life if you're in it. You're right. There's a lot of assholes out there who, with the government having other concerns on its agenda, will exploit the situation." He slung his legs out of the small bed and pulled on his pants. He shoved his feet into his boots then slid into his t-shirt. "Eleanor, I'll support you. Two people will make more of an impact than one. We'll work out the logistics later. I gotta run." He glanced at his watch. "I have duty in about an hour."
They kissed and he took the emergency "exit" to avoid being detected. Technically, it was against the rules to have sex in one's tent, but the rule was ignored if discipline was maintained.
Just as she was getting dressed—she had a hankering to run down to the commissary and see if there was any chocolate to be had—a loud voice announced his presence at the official opening to her tent. "PFC Castiglioni, your CO is requesting your presence. Apparently, your brother received a letter from your father and would like you to read it."
Why didn't the big galoot come by my tent…Oh shit. Oh shit. He must have…Oh god, I need brain bleach. She felt a wave of embarrassment and shame as she zipped up her green field jacket. "Acknowledged, sir. On my way." A brief brushing of her short hair commenced and she made the short trek to the commanding officer's headquarters.
Instantly, she felt Kevin's ice blue glare on her when she entered the makeshift office. He had plunked down in a chair near the door. She returned one that told him plainly: Fuck off. "Let's go read it somewhere else." The two Castiglionis found someplace reasonably private.
"I heard you fucking Carlos," He growled at her. He clearly wanted to end their relationship and Eleanor could not put her finger on the reason.
She stuck her finger in his face. "I'm twenty-one years old, Kevin. It isn't YOUR business who I take to bed. But if you really must know, Carlos is my boyfriend and I love him. This isn't just some casual fling. It's a long-term relationship."
"He's nine years older than you!" Kevin objected. He felt jealous and began to feel angry. He smashed the rock wall by her head. He was rewarded by bloodied knuckles and he swore under his breath.
"Who the fuck cares? You are the only one who gives a rat's ass. Stop acting like a possessive…" Eleanor froze.
"I love you, Eleanor. I have for a long time." Kevin admitted.
Eleanor turned snow white. "I think I'm going to puke." She seized the letter and stuffed it in her pocket. "Stay away from me or I swear I'll put slugs in both your knee caps and end your military career. Get help, you sick bastard.
He reached for her and found a knife in extreme proximity to his face. "If you try that again, we'll know for sure out which branch of the armed forces is better: A Marine or a SEAL, because I will fight you and I will win. I'll repeat; get help and in the future, perhaps we can have a friendship. But I am not into this incest shit and I'll bring the pain if you try this crap again. Understand me?" Her voice was hard and chilly, like an icicle. She stomped on his toe for good measure.
"I understand." Kevin could only watch as she walked away and back to her CO's office.
# # #
"So, PFC Castiglioni, you want to be re-stationed?" Captain Morrissey asked. A firm, able commander, he wondered why the young woman Eleanor would want to leave this place so suddenly. He liked her. She was an upstanding Marine with a strong moral code. He'd heard she kept intimate company with a SEAL, but they kept it discrete. He needed to know if she were doing it for the right reasons. Was she being harassed by that SEAL? "Might I inquire as to why?"
"I think that being here with my brother is a distraction for both of us. I believe that I could serve better elsewhere." She had thought about Carlos too. While she would miss him, she sensed the potential for trouble between Kevin and him. Eleanor would have no part in it and knew it would be for the best if she were sent elsewhere.
Captain Morrissey kicked back in his chair. "Eagle company needs a new rifleman, since they lost one during a skirmish. You'll see heavy combat." The question hung in the air between them, unasked, Do you want to see heavy fighting?
"Sir, I'm a Marine. I go where I'm needed. I'll be honored to serve Eagle company." Thanks to her father, she knew just who the commander of that company happened to be and she was excited to potentially be assigned to be Frank Castle's rifleman.
"I'll do the paperwork and turn it in. We should find out in a few days. You're dismissed." Captain Morrissey said. He detected that she wasn't telling the whole story, but he let it go. PFC Castiglioni served with honor and distinction; he would give her the benefit of the doubt.
