Ok, if anyone is reading this story, I know it's been a while since I updated last, but my muse has got me trying to balance three stories with my current overload of school work. This is just a short chapter to keep the story going. As always please rate and review.

Chapter 3: Duties

The two men stared at each other. Tobias could feel the anger boiling inside of him. He couldn't believe it. It really is a small world.

"So, you have nothing to say to me?" Tobias asked. "No explanation, no apologies?"

"What do you want me to say?" Sgt. Collins said. "I haven't seen you in twenty years. Is anything I say going to make a difference?"

"No, I guess not," Tobias said, as he lit a cigarette. He sat in silence trying to decide what to do. He wanted to strangle the man, but that would lead to a lot of questions that he really didn't want to answer.

"If it's all the same to you Lieutenant," Sgt. Collins said, "I'd like to start work as soon as possible. Could you show me to the supply tent?"

"It's outside, two tents down. You know how to run the supply tent, Sergeant?"

"Yes, sir. This isn't my first run as a supply sergeant."

"Good. If you do have any questions about ordering supplies, talk to Radar, the boy who took your bags. He'll get you straightened out." Tobias stood up and walked over to the Sergeant. "Now before you start work, I've got just one more question: Are you going to have a problem taking orders from me?"

"Because you're my son or because you're younger than me?"

"Either," Tobias said, keeping his face steady. "This place may look calm now, but at any minute we could have choppers and ambulances carrying wounded kids pouring in here. I need to know that I can count on you to do what needs to be done, no matter who is giving the order. So, I ask again, is the fact that I'm your son going to be a problem?"

"No, sir," Sgt. Collins said snapping to attention. "I know how to take orders, and I've taken them from younger boys than you. Will that be all, sir?"

Ignoring the quip about his age, Tobias said, "That's all, Sergeant. You're dismissed."

"Thank you, sir," Sgt. Collins said, saluting. He turned to leave but something crossed his mind. He turned back to Tobias. "Sir, would it be possible to keep our relationship a secret? The army doesn't know I have a son."

"Don't worry, Sergeant," Tobias said. "I'm not going to tell anyone. It would be just as awkward for me, as the army thinks my father's dead."

Sgt. Collins nodded. "Fair enough," he said and then he left.

Tobias stared after him for a few minutes before putting out his cigarette, and left for the mess tent.

Almost as soon as he sat down he was joined by Colonel Potter. "How are ya doing today son?" he said.

Putting on a fake smile, Tobias replied, "Just great, Colonel. How about yourself?"

"Just dandy. Have you met the new supply sergeant yet?"

"Yeah," Tobias said, taking out a cigarette. "Radar introduced him to me on the way over here. He wanted to get right to work, so I showed him to the supply tent and came on over here. Do you mind if I smoke?"

"Go right ahead, son. It might just make this stuff taste a little better," Colonel Potter chuckled. "You think that Sergeant Collins will be okay in this place?"

"Ask me again after his first batch of wounded," Tobias said.

"Yeah, that's the true test of a man's salt in this place. Come by my office later and I'll let you take a look at his file."

"He mentioned that this wasn't his first time as a supply sergeant. Where was he stationed before here?"

"Somewhere back in the states, I think. He must have really put a burr under somebody's saddle to get sent from a stateside appointment to this dump."

"Probably got caught in an awkward situation with some officer's wife," Tobias said, taking a particularly long drag on his cigarette.

"Could be," Colonel Potter said slowly, studying Tobias. "Well, that's something you can ask him, since he's going to be bunking with you."

Tobias sat up straight. "With me? Why?"

"Because there aren't any open cots anywhere else, that's why. Besides, I figured you'd be happy for the company."

"But, sir, there's not much extra room in that shed. I don't think he'd be very comfortable there."

Colonel Potter shrugged. "I'd like to put him with some of the other enlisted men, but there just isn't any open space for him."

"Couldn't he set up a cot in the supply tent?"

Colonel Potter studied him. "Is there a problem between you two that I should know about?"

Tobias hesitated, and then quietly said, "No, sir."

"Then there's no reason he can't bunk with you, so get him a cot and make him comfortable."

Tobias took a deep breath and looked Colonel Potter straight in the eye. "Consider it done, sir."

"Good," Colonel Potter said. "Look, son, I know how much you like your privacy, but this is the army, and certain sacrifices have to be made."

"I understand, sir." Tobias said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I've lost my appetite. I'll be by later to get that file." With that, he stood and left.