Alex's POV
"Why the sudden intrest in Roswell? Why build the new facility here?"
"Alex you'd think after three deployments you'd learn to follow orders." Dad says dismissively
"I'm pretty sure asking questions is allowed. Soldiers who blindly follow orders tend to do some messed up shit" I snap back
"Right now we're just informing the land owner of what's happening. And checking out the land, is that morally sound enough for you?"
"Whatever you say Master Sergeant" I said resisting the urge to roll my eyes
While The Sergeant goes and talks to the ranch owner the other two soldiers start collecting samples. So I go and look around the trailer that's parked here. It's sketchiest looking trailer I've ever seen, there are newspapers covering all the windows. From the looks of it maybe a meth dealer lives here, or maybe one of the hundred conspiracy theorist that live in this town.
It feels weird being back for good, and it sucks that it had to be this way. By having part of my leg blown off. I sigh quietly and continue to look around the trailer. I can't help thinking about the consequences of being back for good. Like having to work with my dad and...Michael. I haven't really seen Michael since I left, quick glimpses here and there when I was back in between deployments.
He probably hates me and he should I mean the way I left. I shake my head trying to clear it. I don't have to think about this now. I'll have time to think about how to handle seeing Guerin later. Maybe he'll be at the reunion, I mean it doesn't seem like his kinda thing any more. But his sister is planning it so he could show.
I try to focus and knock on the trailer door to see if anyone is home, but nothing happens. So I peek into the window, when I do I hear an angry voice behind me.
"Hey! Hey, that's private proper-" Michael stops mid sentence as our eyes lock for a split second before he looks down.
So much for having time to plan this little run in. He looks good a nice dusting of facial hair now. His whiskey colored eyes are still perfectly round. He has a small cut on his right eyebrow, still a fighter. His curls are still in good shape too, a bit fuller and longer now.
"Alex." he says looking back up at me
"You're back from Baghdad. Your father must be proud." he said making us both glance at The Sergeant. When he looks over at us I look away, it feels weird for the three of us to be in the same area again. Still unsettling after all this time.
"Finally a real Manes man."
"Three-quarters of one." I said leaning down and tapping on my leg.
It makes a metallic clinking sound when I tap it. He didn't know about my leg. I can tell by the way he looks down. But why should he? He's not into gossip and I didn't tell him so of course he'd be surprised. Before he can say he's sorry or anything like that, anything that will make me forget where we are I decide to say something.
"What are you doing in this trailer? Sure as hell doesn't look legal."
"A little weed. A lot of casual sex. Oh, and covert plans to violently overthrow the government." He throws in sarcastically while I shake my head at him.
"Quick, Alex. Run and tell your daddy." He says before pushing past me and going into the trailer.
Well that's definitely not how I wanted our first meeting to go. But how could it be anything but hostile after the way I left it? The Sergeant waves me over and I walk to him.
"You are to oversee the collection of the samples and report back to the base ASAP. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir" I say distractedly
"Is there a problem soldier?" he says glancing at the trailer
"No, why would there be?" I ask indifferently
Seemingly satisfied with my answer The Sergeant drives off leaving me to my work. I try, I really try to ignore the fact that Michael is here. Just on the other side of that trailer door. It feels like there's this magnetic pull drawing us together. It was easy to ignore when I was away but now with him so close.
Before I know what I'm doing I'm standing in front of the door. And so is he I can feel it.
"Sir we're done collecting the samples" one of the soldiers informs me pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Then it's back to the base to analyze them" I say walking away
Maybe it's better this way I think as we pack up. I don't even know what to say to him. But I didn't think it'd still feel like that, not after ten years. I guess Michael Guerin will always own my heart.
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