Several days back on base found Reaper walked back to the barracks from a psych evaluation. It was his second in a two day span. The shrinks were looking for reasons to further extend his medical leave. So far, they hadn't deemed it necessary yet. His body was still recovering from the torture back in Congo, but his mind hadn't suffered as much trauma as his shrink, or even himself, imagined. His body was another story. Nothing seemed to not cause Reaper the slightest discomfort. His arm was bandaged from the bullet wound, along with numerous lacerations he'd sustained in the escape. But his lungs were still on the mend.

"John."

Reaper turned, finding Sarge coming up behind him in the hall. "Sarge."

"Transports five minutes out. Best get your bags and partner." Sarge explained.

Reaper nodded.

They walked down the hall to the barracks. The team was hanging around the barracks. Duke was stretched out on his cot, playing one of his video games. Destroyer was beating into the punching bag below the catwalk. Mac was seated at the work desk near Reapers cot, checking out Reaper's new weapon and checking Mira's damage to her weapon. Portman was sitting on his cot with a concerning look of amusement on his face as he looked across the room. Mira and Goat were stationed across the barracks from Portman, giving him 'the show'. Reaper took in Mira's stature and resisted the urge to sigh.

Mira had taken the brunt of the interrogation and showed it easily. Even after several their stay in the infirmary, Mira wasn't showing any physical sign of improvement, but she had improved. Her body still shook uncontrollably at odd hours. Her breathing was still a concern due to the beatings and the electrocution. Mira was lying on her cot with her leg propped up by her pillow. Despite the bullet wound and infection, her leg showed the only tiny hint of improvement in her condition. In her lap was her bible. Sitting beside her was Goat with his own bible out. Goat was reading aloud, while Mira either tried to stay awake, or was simply dealing with the pain she was in.

"Mira!" Sarge called.

Mira's head lifted up slowly, showing she was indeed awake...and in pain.

"Transports five minutes out. Get your gear." he ordered.

Mira lifted her leg from her pillow and tried to hide her discomfort. Portman chuckled loudly, earning a glare from Mira but nothing more. She carefully lowered her leg to the floor. Goat stood up and retrieved her crutches. He helped Mira to her feet, against her wishes. All eyes in the barracks seemed to shift to Mira. Her pain condition seemed to dampen everyone's mood, except Portman. But Mira was a tough stubborn cast-iron bitch, and she wasn't about to show the slightest need for aid. Mira took her crutches and settled herself upright. She started slowly down to the walkway between the cots. She winced with each motion, earning another chuckle from Portman.

Reaper walked down the stairs. He past Mira, but took note in her posture and visible pain threshold. He grabbed both bags and followed Mira up the stairs. He stood behind Mira with Goat, following her as she took the stairs one at a time. Each step seemed to take more and more energy from her still recovering body. Twice she nearly fell, only to be caught by Goat. Portman snickered hysterically below them, enjoying the show.

Mira muttered bitterly. "He's lucky I can't kill him."

"Think of it this way," Goat offered. "when you get back you can kick his ass."

Mira snorted as she reached the top. "Inquiry pending."

Sarge waited for them at the top. "You two get yourselves rested up."

"Will do, Sarge." Mira replied.

"Mira," Sarge said. "mind the doctors orders."

Mira sighed heavily. "Yes sir."

Reaper felt the comment was directed more for his benefit than hers. But whatever the case was, it was appreciated. Moving to her side, Reaper and Mira headed down the hall toward transport pick up. Sarge and Goat followed them as escort and unofficial aids.

Portman watched them until they were out of sight, chuckling to himself. "Good to see the queen bitch knocked down a peg."

"Watch your mouth, Portman." Destroyer warned, going back to his workout.

"Yeah man, she's gonna come back and kick your ass twice as hard." Duke reminded.

"If she survives her leave." Portman replied. "Come on, her and Reaper alone for the next month. One of them ain't gonna survive. Mira's not one to listen to doctors."

"She'll listen to Reaper." Duke replied. He stood up from his cot and walked to Destroyer. He held the bag while Destroyer punched. He glanced in Portman's direction, who had taken to reading his latest Playboy magazine. "Which one do ya thinks gonna crack first? Mira or Reaper?"

Destroyer paused for a second. "What makes you think it's gonna happen?"

Duke snorted quietly. "C'mon Destroyer. A month of those two livin' together."

"Didn't make a difference here." Destroyer reminded. "And it's been a year in the barracks."

"That's the barracks, not out in the world." Duke said. "I guarantee they'll be screwing each other before the months end."

"A month?"

"Yeah, a medical leave celebration." Duke smirked.

Destroyer shook his head.

"You thinkin' longer?" Duke asked.

"You bet." Destroyer answered. "When hell freezes over."

Duke snorted and shook his head.

"Put me down for eight months." Mac said as he passed them, carrying Both Reaper's and Mira's weapons.


short, yes. but that means the next chapter gets to focus on Mira and reaper together :D and the bet made it's arrival! any readers wanna take a wager in it? I honestly have yet to determine if it'll happen pre-movie or post-movie. So feel free to put your wager in your review! update to come.