Hello you beautiful people! I cannot stop smiling at the response you guys were so kind as to give me for the story so far. Like seriously, you guys are giving me so much motivation and this story flows that much easier when I have such great readers to write for. You guys are the perfect inspiration! :) So thank you again. I really, really hope you enjoy this chapter. It builds up for something that I am SUPER excited for! So I'll let you get to it. Enjoy! :D

I slam the door shut in frustration as I walk outside where I'm greeted by a cloudy, grey sky. I wrap my jacket around me tighter as I begin to walk. To where? I have no clue. I just let my legs take me wherever they desire to go as I replay the e-mail in my mind.

Hello Clare-bear,

I heard from your mother that you are in the Pettawawa base writing an article. I'll be nearby conducting a business meeting. If you'd like, maybe we can grab some lunch tomorrow?

I miss you.

Dad

That's it. That's all he sent me after years of silence on both our parts.

No "How are you?" or "I hope you're doing okay."

No "I'm sorry for making you question everything."

No "My apologies for giving you trust issues."

No "Sorry for screwing up our family."

I bite my lip as I feel my eyes burn slightly with moisture as all the tumultuous emotions I felt when my parents first told me that they were separating overcome me once again. These emotions that have haunted me since that fateful day.

I feel my teeth shatter together in a response to the wintry environment around me as I force my limbs stiff with cold to move. I called Alli as soon as I read the e-mail last night and she talked me down a bit and promised a girl's night when she and Dave return to the base in a few days. A regular, normal night. After what I'm going to have to address today, that sounds heavenly.

I duck my head down to fight against a gust of wind as I ponder whether or not to respond to my dad. I know for a fact that I don't want to go. I want nothing to do with him. He left us. He left me and hasn't reached out in all these years. And now that he does, this is all I get? An e-mail.

I scoff out loud at his impertinence.

I walk a few more steps before lifting my gaze back up and I freeze in spot as I realize where the road I've been walking down has taken me.

The sight of Eli's home overtakes my view. Ever since he came over just two days ago and took the world's longest nap, something has changed between us. And I think maybe, just maybe, he might share the same feelings I have. He's much more relaxed around me. He does not appear as uncomfortable as before. He hasn't had one of his shifts in mood where he tries to push me away. Granted, he hasn't exactly been Mr. Open Book, but I get pretty long responses from him when we talk now. It's no longer just me keeping the conversation going.

It's evident not only in his manner of speaking, but in his body language as well. Instead of tensing when I reach for his hand, he eagerly grasps it in his. I feel myself smile at the memory of his touch. The simplest way to describe it is that it makes me happy. With just an effortless brush of his fingers against mine, I feel the butterflies that have seemingly taken up permanent residence in my body flutter around erratically.

And although the enormity of my response to him shakes me to the core and makes goose bumps rise on my skin, I can't find it in myself to walk away.

And although I feel nothing but guilty as I take what little he's opened up with to me and use it to finally begin writing parts of my article, I can't find it in myself to tell him the truth. I suppose it wouldn't be hard that hard, right?

"Hey Eli, I've been meaning to tell you that my article is actually going to be about the severity of the struggles of PTSD. Hope you don't mind me using you to make it a more hard-hitting article."

Yeah, like that'll go well with him. I shake my head to myself as I realize I'm only digging a deeper hole myself each and every moment that passes by without me telling Eli the truth. I also realize that I'm dragging Eli down into the hole with me.

The images from my last encounter with Eli flood my mind as I make my way towards the door.

It was short.

It was quick.

And it left me breathless in such a way that oxygen seemed less of a necessity than it should have.

I turn back toward Dr. Kalat as I walk out of her office.

"Thank you again for all your insight. I really do appreciate it. You've given me so much to work with," I tell her.

She gives me a smile in response. "No problem, Ms. Edwards. I'm very glad to have been of service to you and to Eli as well." She glances down at her watch. "Do you know where he is? We have our next session in a few minutes."

"I'm sure he is on his way," I state trying to appear like I know much more than I actually do. She thinks I'm his fiancé after all.

Oh, crap.

My eyes widen as I realize she might refer to me as that to Eli. And then he'll know I lied. And…oh goodness. My mind scrambles to find an excuse to tell Eli if he ever does approach me about it when Dr. Kalat's voice brings me back to the present.

"Looks like you know him very well," she teases as she nods towards the elevators where Eli is making his way towards us.

I gasp softly as the now familiar feelings that Eli draws out of me overwhelm my senses.

"It's good to see you, Eli. You look much more rested than last time," she acknowledges as Eli comes to a stop in front of us.

My eyes never leave him as he glances at me before addressing her. She's right. The dark circles under his eyes are no more. I smile slightly at the thought that I helped him with that.

"Thank you. I feel a little better. Finally have some reasons to," he tells her in a soft voice with a hint of uncertainty. I overlook it as his eyes meet mine as if trying to relay a message to me.

"That's great to hear. Maybe we can talk about it in my office. Clare, it was nice talking to you. Good luck with your article." She turns her back to us and walks into her office.

I redirect my attention back to Eli only to find him still looking at me.

He offers me a smirk before turning towards the door.

I do not register the slight movement of his hand towards mine as he takes a step away from me.

The touch was so fleeting; I should not have felt it.

The touch of his fingers against the back of mine as he walks away stimulates the nerves below my skin.

I watch as he disappears into the office and the doctor closes the door with a final smile at me.

I raise my hand to knock on the door softly.

The giddiness of that memory intermingles with the absolute confusion and frustration of my current feelings.

I wait a few moments before I hear the lock on the door click and the handle turn.

Eli's surprised expression greets me as the door swings open.

"Well this is a pleasant surprise," he states with a smirk.

I look into his residence and walk past him without giving him any sort of response.

"Or a not so pleasant surprise?" He asks aloud.

"He thinks he can just enter my life that easily. As if he didn't ignore my existence this whole ti – "

"Stop." Eli tells me as he gently pulls me to turn towards him. "Rewind. Play." He gestures to me to restart.

I take a deep breath before looking at him. "My dad got in contact with me last night," I tell him insecurely as I know he'll understand. I told him that my dad and I haven't talked much since the divorce while we had dinner the other night.

"He called?" Eli asks with his brows furrowed together.

I shake my head. "Guess again."

"He just showed up?" Eli asks uncertainly.

I bite my lip. "He e-mailed."

"Wow," Eli scoffs out just as disappointed as I am. "What did he say?"

"He wants to have lunch today."

"Are you going to go?"

I look up at him. "I don't know. I don't want to, but…" I trail off.

"But he's still your dad," Eli finishes for me.

I cross my arms as if trying to shield myself from the truth I haven't wanted to acknowledge. "It's not fair. He has treated our whole family like nothing but a long forgotten memory, and he expects me to just forgive and forget?"

"Maybe he wants to make up for what he did," Eli tells me softly.

"It's too late for that," I tell him sternly.

"Look, I know you're not thrilled about this." I laugh out sarcastically at his comment. "But you and I both know you'll spend a hell of a lot more time regretting not going than you would angry at whatever he tells you today."

I pout out my lips stubbornly as I realize Eli knows me a lot more than he should considering how little time we've spent together. "I don't like it when you're right."

He laughs out in response. "Thank you."

I feel myself laugh slightly as well. "Guess I should call him, huh?"

"Only if you're ready."

I bite my lip as I ponder over it. "I want to at least hear what he has to say. But be here ready for a long venting session when I get back. He'll probably get a rise out of me somehow."

"I'll be waiting," he responds sincerely with a small smile.

I feel the butterflies come to life again at the sight.

I respond with a smile of my own before grabbing my phone from my purse and walking past Eli towards the door.

"Thank you," I tell him in a soft voice. "I would be piling all this on Alli, but she's not here and I don't want to disturb the little time she has with Dave."

Eli shakes his head. "Don't be ridiculous. I owe you the world's largest debt for how much you've helped me."

I reach my free hand forward and he readily offers his to me. I give his hand a quick squeeze. "Wish me luck?"

He smiles at me. "Good luck, Clare."

I beam at him before releasing his hand and walking down the stairs back to my apartment, dialing the phone number that I used to call so often.

Three hours later I find myself back at Eli's familiar door.

My clothes are drenched from the downpour of rain.

My flats are soaked through, freezing my toes underneath.

My jeans and blouse cling to my skin as I feel the cold fabric.

My normally curled hair is patted down with the onslaught of moisture from the clouds above.

My salty tears mix with the raindrops on my face as I pound harshly on his door, as if taking all my anger out at the wood against my knuckles.

I let out a quick sob just as Eli opens the door.

"I was wondering when you'd show –"

He stops talking as his eyes take in my appearance. "What the hell happened?"

"He didn't show up," I state aloud. "He said he would be there and he just left me there."

I let out another sob as I wrap my arms around my frame.

"Clare…" Eli trails off in a soft voice.

"I should hate him," I spit out. "But all I wanted was him to say that he wanted to be a part of my life again." Another sob escapes my throat as I bring my gaze down to the wet ground.

"Come inside," he tells me as he reaches for me.

For the first time since we met, I pull away from him.

He retracts his hand.

"I don't know why I came," I hear myself saying. "You'll just disappoint me like everyone else."

As soon as I say the words, I regret them. I feel terrible taking out my anger at my dad on Eli. Nice job, Clare.

I hear him take in a deep breath at my statement. "You're probably right. But that doesn't mean I'm letting you leave. Now, come inside," he tells me again.

I look up at him. "Eli, I didn't mean that."

"It's okay," he responds, averting his gaze from mine.

"No, it's not. I'm sorry."

"Just come inside," he responds as he reaches his hand toward me again.

I glance at his hand and back up at his awaiting expression before putting my hand in his and allowing him to pull me inside the house.

I let him lead me towards the bathroom we were in the other day when I came over to help him clean his wound. He leaves me before returning a few moments later with a long black shirt with "Dead Hand" written on it. "Here," he states as he hands it to me. "If it's too short, I have some sweatpants you can borrow. You can wear that while your clothes are in the dryer. Let the water warm up before getting in," he tells me as he walks over and turns on the shower.

My mouth hangs open as I look at the shirt in my hand to the shower and back to Eli. I feel myself let out a breath before finally regaining my linguistic abilities. "Thank you," I tell him in a whisper as I wipe the last remaining tears from my eyes.

He offers me one last glance before exiting the bathroom and closing the door behind him.

I slowly strip off my wet clothing and walking into the shower. I sigh in contentment as the heat from the water seeps into my skin and relieves me of the tension of waiting for hours in front of a restaurant only to be stood up by my own dad. I can't believe I gave him another chance. How many second chances am I supposed to give one person? I'm just so sick and tired of caring for someone that obviously wants nothing to do with me. I'd much rather spend my time on people who make me a happier person. That's what it is all about anyway, isn't it? Surrounding ourselves with people who build us up, not those who bring us down.

I remain in the shower for a few more minutes, letting the flowing water take away all my frustration and sadness with it down the drain and far away from me before shutting off the water and grabbing a towel off the rack and drying myself off with it. I feel the heat rise in my cheeks as I realize Eli is only down the hallway from me and I'm undressed at his place.

I chuckle at myself before grabbing my undergarments that were luckily spared from much of the rain thanks to my thick jacket and jeans and putting them on. I grab Eli's black shirt and slide it in over my head. I stare at myself in the mirror and watch as it falls a little above my knees. I realize this shirt must be long for Eli as well since he isn't much taller than me. I use the towel to dry my hair as I inhale the lingering scent of Eli on his shirt in my senses.

After doing the best I could to make my wet hair appear somewhat presentable, I grab my wet clothing, turn around, and open the door.

I walk down the hallway towards the living room. "Eli?" I sound out.

I quickly see his image appear from the kitchen. "Hey," he responds. "Feeling any better?"

I smile at him. "I don't think I ever met an issue that a hot shower couldn't fix."

He smirks at me. "Let me take those," he states as he reaches for my clothes and walks back towards the kitchen area to where I'm assuming the dryer is held. He returns back to me and I take this moment to apologize again.

"Eli, about what I said, I didn't mean –"

"What are you talking about?" He asks me with a quizzical expression.

"When I said that you would …" I trail off as realization dawns on me. He's letting it go. "Never mind."

"That's what I thought," he responds smugly.

I giggle at his antics. "Thank you again. I can't even imagine what you thought when you saw me looking like that."

"No problem," he tells me. "Like I said, it was about time I got to do something for you. And I don't know what you're talking about. Last time I heard, drenched clothes were the new trend."

I take a few steps towards him. "I think I look better now, don't you?" I smile inwardly at our banter.

He draws an exaggerated breath as he looks me over. "And I thought I looked good in my clothes…" he trails off as he shakes his head.

I laugh out loud as I feel the heat against my cheeks at his flirting.

"But in all seriousness, are you okay?"

I glance to the side before returning my gaze on him. "I will be," I whisper. "I just don't really want to talk about it right now if you don't mind."

He smirks at me before taking a step toward me and decreasing the distance between us. "Then let's talk about something more important like how you're going to thank me for saving you from pneumonia back there."

"Well what did you have in mind?" I ask as I cross my hands against my chest. I can feel the rapid rise and fall as my heartbeat accelerates.

"I was talking with some guys I had trained with a while back and they mentioned that Guest Day is in a few days."

"I may recall Alli telling me something about Dave taking her," I tell him. I also remember Dr. Kalat telling me about it earlier and how soldiers bring their loved ones to the base for food, games, and some of the soldiers even participate in the band that performs so that long departed couples can share a dance or two.

"Yeah, it's a day long event and it isn't too bad. Normally I would bring Adam or my parents, but seeing as how they're all too busy for little old me, I though you'd like to come," he tells me hesitantly.

Deciding to toy with him a bit, I bite my lip as if pondering really hard about it. "So you want me to go as a last resort?"

His eyes widen. "No! Crap, that's not what I meant."

"What did you mean then?" I ask in a teasing voice.

He glares at me. "You're going to make me say it aren't you?"

"Make you say what?" I ask, feigning ignorance.

"Clare Edwards, will you do me the honor of attending Guest Day with me?" He asks with the slightest hint of a smile on his face.

I beam at him as I close the remaining distance between us. "On one condition."

"And what's that?" He asks with a smirk.

"Save me a dance?" I ask.

"Yeah, dancing…not my style," he responds jokingly.

I reach forward and grab his hands. "Not even for me?" I ask him as I bat my lashes in the same way I've seen Katie do to Jake so many times.

I laugh out loud when I hear Eli mutter under his breath. "Fine."

I was smiling the whole time while writing that ending. I just want to tell everyone that the focus of this story is Eli and his disorder, but I wanted everyone to see Clare's perspective as well. And it was just nice to let Eli be there for Clare since she'll be doing a lot to help him throughout the story. :) Did you like our lovely Eclare in this chapter? Who is excited for their Guest Day date? Let me know your thoughts and I will update as soon as I can! The school semester is almost over so I will have a lot more time to write very soon! I love you all so so much and thanks again for reading! Stay beautiful, my dears! :)