okay just an FYI I'm starting to write in individual POV's because it's easier...Thanks for reading :)


Chapter 7: Placements&TheBrokenDreamTeam

*Skylar Jones*

They had us lined up outside of Lt. Johnson's office. He was telling us individually where we'd be place...then we were to head out tomorrow.

"Jones!"

Jimmy nudged me forward as the door to Lt. Johnson's office opened and a guard was ushering for me to go inside. I looked back at Jimmy as the door was closing, he was giving me a thumbs up with the goofiest smile plastered on his face. But I couldn't smile back, mostly from my still bruised and swollen face but also because I was terrified of what they were going to do with me...

"Sit Ms. Jones"

At least he said Ms. this time and didn't slur my name like it was a disgusting vile, thing.

"You've come along way since you first came here" he said, his pasty white fingers gripping a pen tightly as he scribbled over a piece of paper hastily.

"I had my doubts about you and to be honest I had never expected you to even make it past one week"

Those kind of low blows I was use to by now but I was starting to get even more anxious as he dragged on and on...

"I honestly thought you'd be dead by now. It's no secret that Sgt. Roland has it out for you"

"Sir-"

"Let me finish" he hushed, "Despite that you talk back, you are one of the strongest female soldiers we've had in a long time"

He paused for a moment as he concentrated on the piece of paper in front of him. I peeked over just slightly while he wasn't paying attention and only caught him scribble his signature at the bottom before folding the paper and stuffing it into an envelope.

"And strangely enough we've had a request for you" he continued, "From Captain Neville"

"What?"

"He's requested you, Monroe, Tyler, and Fry to join his unit in Philadelphia"

"Why...why did he request me?"

"Are you questioning a superior officer's order?"

"No sir, i'm just curious as to why Captain Neville requested me"

"He didn't say" he replied sternly, "You're to report in a week. You'll be leaving tomorrow with the rest, Captain Baker and his unit will be escorting you"

"Is that all, sir"

"Yes, now get the hell out"

I shot up and practically ran from the room, going out I threw Jimmy an exasperated look...He just smiled again. I forced a small smile, knowing we would talk later...and have to say goodbye. There was only a few people left after Jimmy. Carter and Marcus had already went through and I could only suspect that they're waiting for me in back in our room.

"So?" Marcus asked, jumping up from my cot as soon as I entered the room.

"Philly, Captain Neville's unit"

"Yeah me too" Carter said.

"Marcus?"

"Boston"

My heart sank into my feet,

"What..."

"Yeah, i'm joining some unit up there that deals with manning Canadian Border"

"But..."

I didn't even know what to say, I felt sick to my stomach...This is what I had been afraid of, being separated from them. I went over and sat on the edge of my cot, letting myself sink down onto the thin mattress and running my hands over my face and through my hair.

"Hey, are you all right?"

Marcus came and sat beside me, putting his hand gently on my back.

"No" I replied and looked up at him.

"I just thought...hoped that we..."

"You'll be fine without me" he smiled, then hesitated before speaking again,

"Besides...you'll have Carter. You'll be fine I promise"

I looked up at him sadly.

I didn't want to say goodbye...

"I'll miss you, freckles" he whispered and lightly nudged me with his elbow.

I didn't even hesitate when I grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him in and pushing my lips against his.

My lips were still slightly swollen and chapped from the beating the day before...so I couldn't imagine it was quite pleasant.

But it didn't really matter.

I was probably never going to see him again with the possibility that we might pass each others units but those odds were extremely low and who knows what could happen to any one of us out on a mission...

So it didn't really matter what it felt like just that the gesture was there. Then I felt his hand reach up and caress my cheek, pulling me back in when I had let our lips part. The hand he still had on my back moved down to grip my waist...

I heard the door open and close rather loudly...Carter must have left...

But I didn't bother to check as we continued to kiss, my hands loosening their grip on his tee shirt and drifting over his chest. Our lips moved slowly, almost gracefully over each others before I pulled away and opened my eyes.

"Whoa" Marcus smirked at me wildly. His eyes dancing all over me before settling on my eyes again...

"I hope that's a good whoa?" I whispered.

"It's a very good whoa" he replied but suddenly his smile faded, "But..."

"But?"

"It just makes things harder"

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be" he smiled again, but it was small and I could tell he was forcing it to try and make me feel better.

"Listen" he whispered, brushing a strand of hair back behind my ear, "Who knows what's going to happen in the next few weeks, or months. If we'll ever see each other again or if we'll even make it the first week. But if...if we do see each other again; if our paths cross or our units change...will you even still feel the same?"

"A lot can happen in a few weeks Marcus, even more in a few months"

"Are you saying that you'd move on then?"

"As much as I hate to, we have to be realistic"

"Then why'd you kiss me?" he asked angrily, "We could have avoided this whole mess in the first place!"

He got up from the cot, but didn't leave. He stood with his back to me, one hand placed on his hip as the other ran back through his hair.

"I didn't want to leave not without letting you know I cared"

"You know" he said, turning back around and smiling again, "You didn't have to kiss me to show me you cared"

"I know but it was nice" I replied with a small laugh.

"It was" he nodded.

"Can we do it again?"

He laughed then smirked with that wild smile again, "You continue to amaze me, freckles"

"I'll miss that," I grinned widely, "you calling me freckles"

"I'll miss calling you freckles"

I stood up slowly, still in pain from my beating and sauntered up to him. I left barely an inch between us, taking his hands in mine as I met his dark eyes...

"It's our last night"

"Yeah"

"Maybe you can stay...here" I whispered and brushed my lips against his cheek.

"You sure?" he whispered back, looking down at me skeptically. I eased my lips over his again as a reply. His hands caressed my face and mine gripped the collar of shirt as we slowly shuffled back over to the cot. He fell back on to it, pulling me down on top of him and our lips barely even parting. His hands drifted over my back, then down my sides as they gripped the hem of my shirt for a moment before untucking it and running his hands underneath and all over me. My lips faltered for a second as his finger tips glided over my skin and sent goosebumps all over my body...

"Maybe we shouldn't" he darted his eyes away from mine and back on the door to the room, "Carter's gonna come back eventually"

"I'm optimistic he won't"

"I don't want my last night with you to be this" he answered honestly, "If I never see you again it'll hurt twice as much"

"Can you at least stay?"

"Of course" he stroked his finger tips over my cheek, brushing my hair back behind my ear again.

We didn't move the rest of the night and Carter never did come back...We stayed up late, most of the time just staring amusingly at each other. The other small moments he would kiss my lips or whisper something sweet in my ear...

He fell asleep first, unable to keep his eyes open any longer as they slowly drifted closed. I brushed my lips softly over his forehead,

"Goodnight Marcus"

I curled into him, letting my head rest against his chest and then closed my eyes tightly...

"Skylar, they're calling us to leave" Carter pushed back the door to the room...Me and Marcus were sitting up on my cot, I was gripping his hand in mine.

I didn't want to say goodbye.

Carter sort of stared for a moment then closed the door as he walked away from the room...leaving us alone again.

I looked up at Marcus, forcing back the tears that I knew were building in my eyes. Marcus held my other hand then pulled me up and into him, embracing me with his strong arms. It hurt my still bruised body but I let him hold me tight.

It was probably the last time he would get the chance to...

"Don't get yourself into too much trouble, okay?" he whispers as I cling to him tighter.

I didn't want to lose anyone else.

"I can't promise anything" I reply softly.

"Don't forget me when you become some big hot shot officer in Philly" he placed his hand beneath my chin and tilted my face up so that I looked at him. He gazed down at me with a charming smile and teasing eyes.

"That's doubtful"

My lips found their way over his, but only for a second...I knew any longer and I would be more and more tempted to screw orders and stay with him.

"I should go" I darted my eyes down towards my boots, letting my hands slip as I stepped away from him.

"Goodbye, freckles"

"Bye Marcus"

I couldn't help but look back up at him...My eyes met his at first but then drifted back down to his lips...

I moved back into him and slide my hands over his cheeks and around to the back of his neck, letting my fingers just grip the end of his hairline. Our lips molded firmly, without hesitation or any uncertainty despite our current circumstances.

And suddenly.

It all felt too soon...

"Marcus" I let our lips drift a part as I shifted my eyes away from his, "I have to go i'm sorry"

"We'll see each other again" he whispered and brushed his lips over my cheek,

"I'll make sure of it"

I threw him a small smile, but still keeping my eyes away from his when I pulled away again. Unable to bring myself to say goodbye again I walked towards the door. Glancing back at him, he wasn't smiling...his eyes watching me with longing as I turned away and walked out of the prison...

"What is Philly like?" I whispered to Carter as we walked slowly along the abandoned bridge.

"It's nothing special"

"It's your home"

"I never saw that place as my home"

"So then what do you see as your home?"

"Where ever I put my feet"

"Seems lonely"

"Not when my feet are next to yours"

"Oh, okay" I laughed but could only guess my cheeks were a nice bright red, "Nice. Do you use that pick up often?"

"Only on the really pretty girls" he winked at me. I had never seen Carter like this before...He was always so reserved and quiet, the only other time even even showed any real emotion was anger during our training...especially when it came to Roland.

"You are just awful"

"Aw thanks, Jones" he replied and smacked me hard on the back of my shoulder. His flat hand suddenly moved up over my shoulder and he gripped it tightly.

"What?" I asked even though I had put my eyes in front of us again. The wagon was making its way slowly over the bridge, and the rest of us trailing behind it. Including Jimmy who was just a few feet in front of me and Carter.

"How are you?"

"How am I?" I repeated confusingly, "Fine, I guess? Why?"

"I don't know..."

"You asked" I laughed again, turning back to look at him as his hand was sliding from my shoulder and falling back to his gun.

"Are you okay?" I asked when he hadn't spoken again, "You seem a little...off"

"I'm probably just tired"

"Hey" I said, grabbing his uniform sleeve to stop him, "Is this about going to Philly?"

"I mean working for your father again and everything" I added when he looked back at me curiously. We stayed silent for a moment as Fry was passing us, then Carter finally spoke...

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Okay sure" I nodded.

"Why do you want to be militia?"

"What..."

"Its a simple enough question"

"You shouldn't ask things like that Carter you'll get us both in trouble" I practically yelled at him.

"Right...sorry" he grimaced, his face distorted in an almost disbelief. He stared for another moment then turned his attention back towards the caravan and began to walk onward.

Why had I yelled?

I didn't mean it, it was a simple enough question...

My head was aching, my fingers drifted over the burn scar on on my arm. I felt almost dizzy but I shook it off and ran to catch up to Carter.

"Sorry," I exclaimed when I came to walk beside him once more, "I think i'm just...a little tired too"

"No it's not that"

"What do you mean?"

"It's what they did to you"

"Carter"

He looked up to see Jimmy had stopped just in front of us, he was shaking his head "no" at Carter. I looked between the two of them curiously but neither of them spoke anymore as we continued forward. They walked on either side, the sudden silence was killing me and I couldn't take it anymore.

"What aren't you telling me?" I asked them both quietly as we grew closer to the wagon and the others again.

"Later" Carter looked down at me. He forced a sincere smile but his eyes were almost sorrowful. We continued to walk until the sun started to drift behind the trees then stopped to make camp, sticking to the side of the road. No one would bother to mess with a band of militia armed with guns.

It grew cold quickly with the disappearance of the sun and while the fabric of our uniforms were thick they wouldn't protect us with the rapidly dropping temperature.

"JONES! TYLER!" Captain Baker yelled, "Go collect fire wood!"

"Yes sir!" me and Jimmy chanted and headed out into the darkness with nothing but a small torch.

I held up the torch as we searched the ground for branches and twigs and anything we could find. I would pick them up and place them in Jimmy's arms,

"Nervous?" he asked suddenly when I threw a rather thick branch onto his arms and he almost dropped he entire pile.

"About what exactly"

"Philadelphia" he says as he readjusts the pile of wood in his arms before they could tumble out.

"No...you?"

"Maybe a little"

"You lying?"

"Okay maybe a lot"

I smiled at him, "Think we got enough?"

"To keep fifteen people warm?" he shrugged, "probably not and we'll probably get yelled at but I don't think we can get much more"

"I'll grab some on the way back"

We turned back around and started towards camp, moving quickly since we'd probably get smacked around for taking so long.

"Well its about time ladies" Captain Baker exclaimed with an unamused glare, the soldiers from his unit snickering as he came to stand in front of us.

"Do you know what it takes to be a militia soldier?" he asked us.

"Ability to listen to orders sir" Jimmy replied, almost bracing himself for a punch.

"Efficiency" Captain Baker eyed Jimmy still unamused and still glaring,

"Dedication, willingness to do the job and get it done without acting like a bunch of pansies"

"Now go back out and get some more damn wood" he smacked the pile from Jimmy's hands and pointed back towards the hauntingly dark woods,

"Leave your guns and don't come back until you've picked up enough for this entire unit to warm their asses"

"Yes sir" we both chimed softly.

"Leave your side arms. Now go!"

We dropped our guns and ran back into the woods, I could hear the soldiers booming laughs as they echoed behind us...

"Do they seriously expect us to come back?"

"Why wouldn't we?" I asked as we started picking up wood again, no guns to protect us and no torch for light either...

"Are you joking Skylar?"

"I could ask you the same"

"We could do it you know, just run off before they sober up"

"What about Carter?"

"Does that mean you're saying you want to"

"No" I shook my head, "but if we were I wouldn't want to leave without him-"

"Why?"

"Because...he's our friend"

"He wouldn't leave"

"How do you know? And this is all still hypothetical right?" I laughed shakily,

"I mean we aren't actually gonna leave are we? That'd be insane..."

"Would it?"

"Yes" I scoffed, looking back at him wildly, "That's treason!"

"Skylar"

"What Jimmy?"

"You called me Jimmy" he smirked surprisingly.

"Get to your point, PL"

"Do you remember your family"

"Of course I do-"

"No...do you really remember"

I thought about it for a second...He was right I couldn't...

Not really.

Their faces were in my mind but they're blurred.

I couldn't remember what they sounded like.

I couldn't remember their names...

Every time I tried to focus on their faces, a sharp, blaring head ache stopped me abruptly.

"And that Skylar" he held my eyes firmly,

"Is what they did to you"