Chapter 21: Welcome Back

I stayed there all night, I didn't realize how long I'd been there until I noticed the sun rising in the distance, I looked at my watch and saw that it was 0730 hours. I slowly started to walk in and headed for the mess hall, I grabbed some breakfast and began to eat, after about an hour I saw Kei walk in, she sat down next to me, "Hey."

She sounded worried, although she probably would've admitted it I didn't feel like trying to pry it out of her, "Hey," I simply responded.

"Did you ever go to sleep?" she asked.

"No... I just stayed outside."

"Why didn't you come inside?"

"Guess I just didn't feel like it, it was warm enough outside to be comfortable so I just stayed out there."

"Alec, it was less than 45 degrees outside last night, and you didn't have a jacket on you, how could that be comfortable?"

I looked at her and spoke quickly and fleuently, "Ich Belkan erinnern."

Kei was taken aback, "Wait what, were you talking in Belkan?"

"Yeah, I never told you I'm Belkan?"

She shook her head slightly. Her eyes were wide with amazment, or was it fear?

"I was born in Belka," I said after a long and quiet pause, "After my father died, Perci took care of me along with my mom. A few months later, my mom died. Perci's family died toward the beginning of the war, neither of us had any reason to stay anymore. We moved here when I was 7."

"That's why you're such a great pilot..." Kei trailed off toward the end.

"That has nothing to do with my flying, I'm no better than you, or Chopper, or even Grimm, you're all just as good as I am."

"Oh, come on, there's no way to deny it, you're better than all of us combined, and everyone knows that Belkans have an affinity for flying."

"That's a lie. There's no proof that Belkans are better than anyone else."

"Then how do you explain the fact that both members of Galm team were Belkan?"

"How do you explain me not being able to save Perci, if I'm so naturally gifted being Belkan?"

She stopped, and stayed quiet for a while, "That's what this is really about isn't it?" she asked quietly.

I looked down at my food and nodded slowly, "It's not your fault," she said.

I was about to respond when I heard someone sit down at the table with us I looked up and saw Chopper sitting across from us, "Kid! So you said you'd tell me what I was missing last night so tell me."

I wanted to be mad at Chopper, for being so stupid, and just insensitive, yet, I had to laugh at his directness, "He raised me Chopper," I said after I finished chuckling.

Chopper's face suddenly changed to a surprised face, I wasn't sure if it was because of my laugh or because he was still missing something. I soon found out, "Anything else I'm missing? I feel like I'm missing something," he looked at Kei, "I'm still missing something right?" he looked back at me, "I am missing something else, right?"

I just looked up at hiim, and couldn't help but smile, I glanced over and saw Kei smiling slightly, "He was Galm 1," I said rather plainly.

That was it, he put two and two together, but he still didn't come out with four, "So, the reason you're a good pilot is because your dad was Galm 1?"

"No, Chopper, I was raised by Galm 1, he wasn't my father."

"Oh!" he finally got the then I looked up and saw three more people enter, Abigail and Grimm, along with Tracy. Abigail was talking to Grimm and I heard her laughing at something Grimm said, Good, maybe she's finally growing up. I smiled to myself, and just kept eating while they sat down. I saw Kei glance up when Abby approached, but she did something rather unexpected, that surprised me and Kei, rather than sitting nect to me and competing for my attention, lik she normally would, she sat next to Chopper across the table and Grimm sat on the same side of the table as me and sat next to me. Tracy sat next to Chopper and listened to the discussion between me, Kei, and Chopper.

We all ate our food and talked amongst ourselves, but Grimm and Abby seemed to be slightly seperated, not that I was complaining that Abby didn't give Kei the death glare every chance she got. Most of us had finished, but Abby and Grimm hadn't, we stayed there a few minutes then I saw Abby try to touch Grimm's hand, he pulled it back in a semi-casual manner, but I smiled and turned back to our Chopper, "Hey, guys, why don't we go get our planes ready?" I asked.

"Kei looked at me slightly confused but then agreed, "Yeah, lets do that."

We all got up and began to walk out, I saw Grimm stand up and begin to leave, "Hey Grimm, why don't you guys finish your food, then you can come get the planes ready."

"Oh, no sir, it's alright-"

"That wasn't a request, Grimm," I said in a semi-joking manner, I looked and saw that Chopper, Kei and Tracy were already far enough away where they couldn't hear, "Oh, and be careful you two," I said laughing as I walked away.

As I walked I heard Grimm ask Abby, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

I walked out and got to the hangar a bit after everyone else, as I walked in I was smiling about Abby and Grimm, of course, Chopper ambushed me, "Alright Kid, now you get to tell us why we had to come out here and prep planes that have already been prepped."

"No reason, if we don't have to prep our planes then let's go get Josh, and James, they need to get ready to go."

I saw Choppergive me a slightly confused look but he dropped it and reluctantly nodded, Kei and Tracy followed. Me and Kei were ahead of Chopper and Tracy. They were making small talk and Kei started walking a bit closer and said qiuetly, "So what is the reason you made us all leave the mess hall?"

I smiled slightly, "I just figured Abby and Grimm could use some time alone."

I saw Kei get a deep look of confusion, apparently I was the only one that noticed what happened, "I'll tell you later."

Kei looked at me still confused then nodded, I was actually surprised, for a bunch of fighter pilots most of us were rather unobservant. I ingored the thought as we found the rooms that Josh and James stayed in, me and Kei woke Josh up while James got stuck with Chopper and Tracy. Both of us walked in and I grabbed the door before Kei closed it and put my finger over my lips to tell her to be quiet, I opened the door up slightly then slammed it shut, that did the trick, Josh rolled out of his bed and groaned, "What do you want?"

"We're about to leave so grab your things and let's go," I said.

He nodded and grabbed his things, which were already neatly folded and packed perfectly in a suitcase, just then Chopper walked in, "Kid, James won't get is ass moving, what should we do?"

"I don't know, improvise, find a way to drive him out."

Chopper got a slightly evil grin and walked out, me, Kei and Josh had walked about three feet down the hall when we heard James yelling, we turned around and saw him burst out of his room, "Oh, com on guys not on my clothes. Ah, dammit, come on guys that's not funny," I saw him run in and grab his things and run back out, he walked down the hall toward us while shoving his things into his suitcase, "Dammit, they just had to start making out in my room and on my clothes," he turned and yelled back, "At least I don't have to spend another night here!"

When I heard the reason he ran out I began laughing hysterically, "What's your problem with kissing?"

"I never saw the need for it, why would I kiss someone to show that I loved them?"

"Oh, that's right, you're Mr. Valedictorian, so you never had a girlfriend in high school."

"I've had girlfriends!" he responded too quickly.

"Really? So what were their names?"

"Uh, one was... uh..."

"James, you don't have to prove yourself to us," I said laughing, "we don't really care about whether or not you had a girlfriend. Now, let's go, we need to get back to Sand Island."

We all walked out and Chopper and Tracy followed us laughing about what they'd done. When we got there Abby and Grimm were there everyone started getting ready, "Hey, Grimm. Can I talk to you a minute?"

"Sure." Grimm walked up and spoke, "What did you need, sir?"

"I want you to take Abby as your RIO for the flight back."

"Why, sir?"

"Because I'm not blind and I can see she likes you, so I'm going to let you two have some bonding time."

"Uh, Captain? Are you sure? I mean that could be distracting and I might not be able to fly as well as-"

"Grimm, it's just for the trip back to Sand Island, don't worry. Besides, it can't be worse than what I have to go through when I fly with her," I smiled when I finished.

"Yeah, Captain about that...You never told me what it was, I could tell there was something between you two but I wasn't sure what it was."

I looked over Grimm's shoulder and saw Nagase looking over carefully, probably wondering what we were talking about, I turned back to Grimm, "We, have a history, we went out back in high school, when I went off to the Academy, she didn't so before the end of our senior year, I broke up with her. That's it."

Grimm looked slightly surprised, "Ok, is that all Captain?"

"Yeah," Grimm started to walk away, "Oh, wait, one more thing," I again looked up carefully this time trying to make sure Abby couldn't hear, "it would probably be best if the Second Lieutenant didn't know that I told you about that. Alright?"

He nodded and turned and walked back to finish getting ready, I climbed into my F-14 and waited. I looked down and saw Abby about to climb the ladder to my F-14, "What are you doing?" I asked.

"Getting in my seat..." she traied off with a question.

"Not this time, you're going to fly with Grimm this flight."

"Really?!" she said surprised.

"Yeah, so why don't you go on over there, or do you need me to hold your hand too darlin'," I said mockingly.

"Stop patronizing me," she said plainly.

I watched and waited for James. Eventually he walked over and climbed in, he looked confused. Eventually he got ready and contacted the tower. We were cleared for take off and headed back to Sand Island. We flew for a bit until I heard James on the radio, "Hey, Blaze, it's a private channel, so care to fill me in?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know damn well what I mean."

"Nope, I don't, remember not everyone was an all A student ."

"Never gonna stop that are you?"

"My job, in addition to being your CO, is very similiar to Chopper's," I said smiling.

"And how is that then?"

"Because it's to screw with everyone in this squadron, including our so self-righeous base commander."

I managed to get a laugh out of James for that one, "Alright, fine I'm going back to open channel, unless you want to say something else?"

"Yeah, open up a channel with Kei."

"Who?"

"Oh, sorry, I forgot you aren't used to flying with me, open a channel with Edge."

"Alright, channel open in three, two, one, mark."

I summoned my best radio announcer voice and began talking, "Good, morning, it's a lovely November morning and the sky is absolutely clear, can you believe that Jane? It's November, and there's not even a cloud in the sky."

I changed to a female voice and continued, "Why no Alec I can't believe it, but I'm not complaining."

I switched back to my announcer voice, "Nor am I, now if there are any listeners out there that would like to give us a call, we'll be up here all day folks, oh and don't forget, if you are a overweight base commander that would like to get rid of your pilots, You're going to have to try a hell of a lot harder than that!"

I had to give Kei credit, most people would've started laughing pretty early in that act but she held on till the last part, "Why must you be so immature about things?"

"I prefer the term, 'less mature',"

"Hmm sure, but my question is, why did you decide to call me this fine morning?"

"I just thought you might want to talk, since our RIO isn't going to spread any rumors, is he?"

I heard James chuckle slightly in the back, "No sir, but I have a feeling I won't have to."

"Yet I still have to make sure that you don't."

"Are you two done arguing or not," I heard Kei say.

"Of course we are, now, would you like to talk?"

"About what?"

"I don't know, anything really."

"I thought you were upset because Perci died..."

"I was, but there's no point in dwelling on the past, might as well focus on the moment," that's what I said, but that wasn't the truth, I was upset about Peci dying. I wanted to just leave this war, and everything about it, but I couldn't, and I couldn't keep trying to change something that I had no control over, Perci chose to save us, and that was the choice that cost him his life. There was one thing I still didn't understand though. Why? Why'd he save Kei, why not let her die, he didn't know her, he didn't know how close we were, yet he still did it.

My aimless wondering was interrupted by Kei, "I guess not, so what's our plan when we get back and the Commander tries to 'punish' us?"

"Oh, yeah, I tell him to go screw himself and make sure we get some time off."

"Alright, and what happens when he reprimands you?"

"He fails to realize that I don't give two shits. I walk out and we get to relax."

"Why must you get yourself into more trouble than is ever necessary?"

"I don't, I get myself into enough trouble so I'm ready for the real trouble."

"And that is..."

"If I knew that, I wouldn't have to make sure I'm ready would I?"

"Guess not."

We sat there for a few minutes until my curiosity got the better of me, "Kei?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you care so much about my safety?"

A moment of silence followed, then she answered, "Because I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't lead another flight lead."

"Ok," I said.

I thought I heard her mumble something but I let it go, "James, close the channel get us back with the squadron."

"Alright, sir. Done."

"Thanks."

Most of the flight was quiet and rather relaxing, we soon arrived at Sand Island,we landed and all began to walk inside I was about to walk in the door when I heard the one voice I'd expected to hear, "Lieutenant, may I have a word wit you, privately?"

Everyone had stopped and was lookingat me, I waited a second before answering, "Actually, sir, if you have anything you'd like to say, you can say it to my crew."

Perrault gave me a deathly glare, "Very well, you are to report to a debriefing immediately, alone."

I laughed, "Nice one, I'l go ahead and get right on that, so why don't you just leave?"

"That wasn't a request lieutenant."

"Nor was mine."

"Is that insubordination, Lieutenant?"

"Nope, merely a statement, not an order. Let's go get changed guys."

Everyone else entered the base and Perrault began to yell but I closed the door in his face. We went and got changed, and as much as I didn't want to, I still had to go to the "debriefing". I walked in and saw Perrault sitting in his chair, glaring at me, "Sit," he said.

"Actually, sir, I'd prefer to stand."

He stood up and yelled, "I told you to sit down!"

I stayed calm and smiled slightly, "I could tell, but I'm fine right where I am."

Perrault stormed out from around his desk and came incredibly close to me, "I'm really getting tired of your shit, Lieutenant."

"I'm sorry, I tell you what, how about, if you stop making me deal with your shit, then I'll stop making you deal with mine."

"It's not just you Lieutenant it'sthis whole damn squadron. You're undisciplined, you're arrogant, and most of all, you absolutely refuse to show any respect, none of you! You're all insubordinate, undisciplined, assholes! Now get the hell out of my office before I report you for insubordination!" Perrault pointed at the door as he finished.

I walked out and decided to call for a meeting in the crew room, soon everyone was in and I began talking, "Alright, I know everyone has their own opinions of the Base Commander. But right now we have to deal with him. Anyone that wants to say something about him can speak now and not worry about any retaliation. Who's first."

There was silence, everyone looked at each other, Grimm and Abby, Tracy and Chopper, then I saw Kei, each of us locked eyes for a minute until I finally heard James start talking, "What happened?"

"Nothing, but I'm not going to let him win this, even if it means insubordination," I said harshly.

"Why won't you let this go, he's a superior officer, Captain?" I didn't recognize the voice until I looked up and saw Josh looking right at me.

"Just for future reference, Josh, higher ranking, and superior, are two different things."

He looked me right in the eye, and nodded, "Does anyone else have anything they'd like to say?"

No one said anything, "Alright, before you go, I want make sure you know one more thing, from now on, you are not to call me Captain, you call me Kid, Blaze, or Alec. I'm not your CO anymore, I'm just a member of the squadron. That's it, you're free to go."