Bob stood in front of the base chapel and cleared his throat…twice. He hadn't really wanted to speak as he had known Hector for the shortest time period but Jonas had insisted, stating that he and Hector were as close as the rest of them. With that in mind he began to talk.

"When I first came to the base Hector was the last person I met." There was chuckle from the mourners. "He seemed kind of put out by having to come over and say hi. Aft first I was upset and wasn't sure what to think. But as with every one else who knew him there was that one moment when everything changed."

Bob stared at his wife who nodded and smiled at her husband, encouraging him to continue. He had to take a deep breath first and like Grey before him, looked to Jonas for comfort.

"I was assigned TAD for a month over seas. I had asked Sergeant Major Blaine to look after my family but his father had gotten sick so he had to leave. Some one had started to harass my wife while she was at the store and with the Sergeant Major gone she didn't know who to go to. Thankfully Hector had found out about it and went to talk to her. When he noticed that my wife was nervous about being alone he told her that his apartment was getting fumigated and he was embarrassed to ask but would she mind if he stayed on our sofa. She of course was glad for his presence and said no."

Bob smiled at the memory. It still seemed like yesterday…it was hard to believe that it had been almost three years since the incident.

"When I came back Hector had fixed our plumbing, bandaged cuts on my daughter's knees, mowed our lawn, and taught my wife how to cook a very spicy chili. I had been confused but he explained what had happened and told me he'd taken care of everything. I was grateful and Hector acted like it was no big deal. That was the changing point in our relationship; we became fast friends."

Bob looked at Grey and nodded encouragingly. The younger man had calmed down and was sitting straight up. He knew that he had to be strong for his team mate.

"As with the others he was like my younger brother. The first to tease, the first to pull a prank, the first to start a food fight," Bob began to laugh when he saw Grey biting at his lips not to smirk. Even Jonas was chuckling while Mac was scowling. It was an inside accident and not one Bob was willing to tell. "He was also the first one to show up when you needed him, the first to lend a helping hand, the first to pick you up when you fell, and he was the first to say without shame 'I love you'."

With another deep breath Bob took a step back from the podium and saluted the man-less boots.

"I love you brother," he whispered quietly before making his way back to his seat. The three who already spoke sat up straight to listen to Jonas talk.

TBC…