Thank you guys for all of your reviews. They're awesome. I love when you guys let me know what's on your mind. I don't know when NMSLY will be updated. I kinda hit a rut with that one. But, I'll eventually go back to it. So, for now enjoy this installment and let me know what you think? :)

Friday morning both Tawni and Sonny were off work, and they were hanging out together at Tawni's apartment. The night prior the barista dyed her hair jet black. "She's not going to recognize you." Tawni stated as the two sipped on their morning cups of coffee as they sat comfortably on the blonde's couch in the living room.

"I know. I was thinking about writing her name on a piece of paper and holding it up." Sonny said knowing her new dark hair was a significant change.

"Oh, I have an idea!" Tawni replied as she sprang from the brown leather couch. "B.r.b."

Sonny's P.O.V.

I can't believe Alex is finally coming home today. "I'm so happy she asked me to pick her up." I said raising my voice enough for Tawni to hear me.

"Cause you love her." I heard her sing back to me.

I could feel my face flush, and knew my cheeks were turning red. "Shut up." I yelled back with what felt like a permanent smile on my face. I was just happy. I know Alex was going through some crazy things, and maybe it makes me selfish to be so happy that she's coming back, but I missed her so much. It's unbelievable how close we had gotten in the past four months. Even during the times we could barely talk to one another because of her deployment.

I sipped on my coffee as I saw my best friend reappear from her bedroom with paper and a black marker. "Ok, so I saw this online and thought it was super cute." She said before turning the white paper around. On it read 'A. Russo Report For Booty.'

"Tawni!" I nearly yelped. "I can't carry something like that in an airport."

My best friend shrugged. "Why not?" She asked me as she sat back down on the couch. "People do things like this all the time." She informed me as she held the sign up for me to look at.

It was cute, but inappropriate. "No." I told her sternly. I wasn't going to carry that and hold it up for the world to see. "Give me that." I said reaching for the black marker and extra white papers she brought out with her.

"Fine. Be a loser." She mumbled, sipping her own coffee.

"Rude." I replied.

"Let's see what you come up with." She said challenging me.

I glanced down to the blank white paper. "Just her first name will be fine." I told her as I started to write 'Alex' in big letters on the page.

I could feel Tawni watching me, so I looked up. "Let me ask you this.. Are you going to kiss her when you see her?"

"Well, yeah, probably." I said not even giving it a thought. Why wouldn't I kiss her. We haven't seen each other in so long.

Tawni nodded her head, and sipped at her coffee. Then she squinted her eyes and looked at me. "Then what's the issue here Monroe."

I couldn't help it. When Tawni plays like this is cracks me up. I couldn't stop myself from giggling at her. "Nothing." I responded though my small laughter.

"Mmm." She hummed, sipping at her coffee again. Still with her eyes squinted and glued to me. "Then take the sign."

I sighed, and rolled my eyes. "Fine. I'll take it. But, I'm not using it." I stated as I placed it under the one I just made. I checked the time on my phone. It was nearing 930, and it was at least a thirty minute drive to the airport. "Mm, I gotta go." I said as I put down my mug. I hopped up off the couch. Thankfully I did my makeup as soon as I woke up this morning. "How do I look?" I asked Tawni as I smoothed out my outfit.

I watched her scan me over. I had my newly darkened hair up in a loose ponytail. I was wearing a light grey loose fitted v-neck, with light blue skinny jeans, and black heels. "You look great." She said standing from the couch as well.

I could feel my nerves start to pick up. Great. Here we go. "Do you think I should get my leather jacket?" I asked worriedly.

"Calm down." She said taking my hands in hers. "Just take these." She said reaching down, picking up the written on pieces of paper. "And, go get your girl." She said pulling me into a hug.

"Thank you Tawni." I said hugging her back. "For everything."

"Shut up, you're going to make me cry." She replied as she pulled out of our hug. "Go. Go get her." She said supportively. She knew I had been waiting for this. I couldn't stop the smile that came across my face. I nodded then spun around and headed for the door, picking up Alex's truck keys from the counter on the way out.

…..

Oh my gosh this truck is huge. I don't know how she drives this damn thing. It took me at least two minutes to get into it. And it's so loud too. Wow, it's been a while since I've been in this thing. But, regardless of how monstrous this thing manages to be, I did accomplish getting to the airport in one piece. Parking it though. Hahaha. Oh boy. Here we go.

After arriving here fine, I'm now struggling to park this beast as I patrolled the parking lot. I am not trying to squeeze in between two cars. That would be madness. She'll just have to walk because I'm not taking the risk of parking by other people in this gigantic toy. I know she goes mudding in it. She's taken me before. While, yes it is fun, it only proves my point that this thing is just one loud expensive toy. Ah, look a three open spaces in sequence. Score.

I pulled in, locked the truck, and took the long stroll to head inside the airport. It was a little after ten when I walked in and checked the flight status board. She was on flight 3244 with American Eagle, so I skimmed the screens and found her flight. It was on time. I bit at my bottom lip. I was growing very anxious. So, I headed on over to the baggage claim to wait for her.

On my way over I noticed some other people that seemed to be waiting for soldiers too. They had balloons that read 'Welcome Home' and whole families where here. There looks to be about six families. I couldn't stop myself from watching them. Little children, spouses, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, girlfriends and boyfriends were all waiting. I don't know why but it's making me really emotional. And, you can tell who's waiting for someone in the military because that's all they're talking about. How happy they are that whoever they're here for is coming home from the dessert. I couldn't handle it. I had to go to the bathroom. I was going to cry, and I didn't want to do it in front of these people.

There was a restroom not too far from the baggage claim. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I broke down. I had been waiting so long to see Alex again and the day is finally here. I'm just too overwhelmed with emotion to handle it right now. Thoughts of our future, knowing that if this worked out this wouldn't be the only time I would be coming to an airport to pick her up. It made me happy and sad all at the same time. I tried to slow my tears, and grabbed a paper towel to dab at my eyes. "Hey, are you ok?"

I stopped what I was doing and looked over at the source of that voice. It was a cute brunette woman that couldn't have been ten years older than me. "Yeah." I replied, trying to throw on a smile. "I'm just.. this is the first time.." I struggled to find the words as to why I was crying.

"Deployment?" The unknown brunette woman asked me. All I could do was nod. "First one?"

I nodded again. "First one I've gone through with her. She's been on plenty." I informed the woman.

She put a comforting hand on my arm, and pulled me into a warm embrace. "I'm not going to lie to you and say it gets easier. But, I will tell you the first time is always a roller-coaster." She said as I hugged this stranger back. I didn't know her but I was comfortable. "Right now you're probably thinking about your future and having to say goodbye when the next deployment rolls around."

She hit the nail right on the head. "Actually, yeah." I said as we separated from the friendly embrace. "I'm so happy to see her, but I can't stop thinking about how much longer until the next time I have to say goodbye." I said, letting her know my fears.

"It's not any easier for them." She said. "Can you imagine what we feel, and then going to fight a war? I don't know how they do it. God bless them." She said with a sad smile. "But, we stick around because we love them." She said looking happier, a genuine smile gracing her features.

"Are you waiting for someone?" I asked her.

"My husband." She replied. "This is our fifth one together."

I think my jaw hit the floor. "Oh my gosh.." that's too many. This is ridiculous.

"Yeah, I keep begging him to get out, but there's no reasoning with him." She stated. "Says he's only got four more years until he can retire, so why quit now. Oh, how I look forward to the day we don't have to go through his anymore." She said with a light chuckle. "Now let's get you cleaned up. Looks like you cried all your makeup off, sweetie."

With her words I took a look at myself in the mirror. "Damn it." I cursed at seeing that I did cry off most of my makeup during my little freak out.

I glanced over and saw the woman digging in her purse. "I've got some makeup in here. We'll fix you up before the plane lands." She said pulling out eyeliner and eye shadow. "My name is Brandy by the way."

"Sonny." I replied, letting her know my name as well. "And, thank you so much."

….

I chatted with Brandy as I let her redo my washed away makeup. Turns out she works at the beauty parlor on base, and has cut Alex's hair before. Small world. Or as Brandy taught me, small Army. But, after that she walked me back out to the baggage claim where we sat together. I met her twin boys, Edward and Evan. And, we made small talk until we saw a group of people in uniform walking down the long hallway that lead from the terminals to the baggage claim.

I remembered Alex hasn't seen me with my black hair, so I grabbed the two pieces of paper I brought with me. I looked at both of them. The one with her name, and the one that Tawni made. I smiled as I tossed away the one I made, and held up the one that read 'A. Russo Report For Booty'.

My heart was racing, but in the best way it can. I felt jittery, like I had drank too much coffee. I was almost so nervous and excited that I felt like I could throw up. The butterflies that swarmed around in my stomach were so intense, that I felt like I could fly myself. I had been waiting for this and here it was. I watched the group of oncoming soldiers, struggling to see Alex.

Then, my eyes found her. Her hair had gotten long enough for her to pull it back into a tight bun, and her skin was tanned. I think if it were possible my smile got even bigger the closer she got. Soldiers upon seeing their loved ones walked, but some took off in a full sprint. When Alex's finally saw me and we locked eyes I saw her stop talking to the man next to her, and smile.

I don't know how but my heart rate only grew faster as I watched her pick up her walk to a jog, to a sprint. I was frozen. I was absolutely frozen. Right up until she was about five feet from me, then I grabbed her, and hugged her so tightly only for her to pull me off of her and kiss me. It all happened so fast, and I kissed her back as hard as I could. Our lips glided and our tongues entangled.

Soon enough she pulled away from our lip lock, and looked into my eyes. "You look like a Mexican now." I blurted out, and then laughed. Well, she did. She definitely got a tan while she was over there.

Alex chuckled. "Shhh." She whispered before reconnecting our lips. It was a brief kiss. But, I knew she wasn't even supposed to kiss people while in her uniform. Obviously exceptions were made on occasions like this from what I've been told. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. It had been so long since I had been in her arms, I was fine just like this. With me and her holding onto one another. And, I hadn't stared into her eyes in what felt like forever, so I was certainly fine with staring into them like I was now. "I love you too." What?

"What?" I said quietly. Did she really just say that? Or, am I hearing things? "That's not funny." I said letting go of her.

"It's not a joke." Alex said seriously. "I heard you when we were on Skype, and I want you to know I love you too." She said taking one of my hands, and placing a sweet kiss on it.

I don't want to do it, but I'm totally about to do the girl thing. My eyes were watering again, and I fanned my face with my free hand. "Alex." I said softly.

She chuckled at me. "Don't cry."

"I can't help it." I told her honestly.

"Sonny, come here." She said, pulling me back into her. Her arms wrapped around my arms, and mine wrapped around her waist. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can." She said, and I felt her kiss the side of my face. My face that I had buried into her chest. I didn't want to let go of her. I held onto her as tightly as I could possibly do. That was until I heard her wince.

I loosened my grip on her, and glanced from her abdomen to her face. "What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

I saw her do that thing she does when she doesn't want to admit something. She shrugged and broke eye contact. "It's nothing." She tried to lie, and brush it off.

"Hey, you might be some big shot Staff Sergeant in the Army, but this isn't the Army right now." I stated, becoming stern with her. "This is you and me, so you're going to tell me what's wrong." I told her. "Or, I will poke you." I threatened with a harsh tone. Which, only made her smile at me. "I don't know why you're smiling. I'm being serious." I scolded.

"I know." Alex responded. "And, I missed your bossy moments so much."

"Spill it. Now." I said not letting her change the subject.

I observed her sigh, and look around. "My ribs are bruised on my left side." She told me quietly. "I apparently got shot, but I had my plates in so nothing happened other than a nasty looking bruise."

At her admission I softened. "You.." she got shot… she actually got shot. "You got shot?"

Normal P.O.V.

The last thing Alex wanted to do was tell Sonny about the attack in detail. With all the adrenaline pumping Alex didn't even know she had gotten shot. In fact, she didn't know until she took off all of her gear late that night. "Yes, and no." The Staff Sergeant began to explain. "The other guys who have to be wheeled off the plane got shot. I got lucky."

"Why didn't you tell me?" The black haired barista quizzed. She was still in shock that it even happened.

"For a lot of reasons." The soldier replied. "Because there were people who really got shot, because I'm perfectly fine and it is just a bruise, because the last thing I wanted to do was relive the attack.."

Sonny didn't press. She had a feeling the main reason was the last one Alex just said, and she didn't want to pry. She was just happy to have her back. "Well, if you want I can tend to your bruises." The barista offered sincerely. "I'm just happy you're home." She said, hugging the soldier once more.

Alex quickly wrapped her arms around Sonny. She was overjoyed to have her in her arms again. She even smelt just like she remembered. "I missed you so much." She confessed. "Everything about you. Your sweetness. Your compassion. Your little rants." Alex said feeling so happy to be back. "All of you."

"I missed you to." Sonny said feeling her eyes start to water again. "Damn it.." She said pulling away from Alex. "I've been a wreck all morning."

"Yeah, but you had a cute sign though." The Staff Sergeant pointed out, trying to make her feel better. "And, I love your hair."

"You like my hair even though you're a country listening to Mexican?" She teased about her tan and taste in music.

The soldier shook her head and laughed. "Are you ready to go?" she asked, and Sonny nodded her head signifying that she was indeed ready. "Ok, let's get my bags." Alex said, taking Sonny by the hand and leading her to the conveyer belt of bags.

"If your ribs are bruised, didn't running through the airport like that hurt?" The barista asked. After all she did run to her.

"Like hell."