Chapter 25

Berchtesgaden-1945

She had no idea how long she'd been asleep, but it had been preferable to laying here with her heart ripped from her chest. Closing her eyes, she tried to think about what her next step was. The war was over and soon they would be going home, the problem was, she had no home. Rolling to her side, she decided that sleep would be better than thinking; besides, it was too hard to think when she hurt so badly.

She heard the creak of the door when it opened but refused to roll over, it was probably Nixon coming back to check on her. Taking it a deep breath, she slowly released it when she heard the door close. The gentle brush of a hand across her hair made her jump, "gees Nixon, I thought you'd stepped back out, I'm okay Lew, go to bed." She felt the bed move under his weight as he sat beside her. Heaving a sigh she rolled over, only to gasp when she saw who it was, "Ron why are you here? Did you not say all you need to say earlier?"

He remained quiet but picked up her hand and gently traced the bones with his thumb. Finally just as she was about to rip her hand away he spoke, "I'm not here to hurt you, I'm here to explain. I saw the letter Kris."

Kris turned her head away from him, she wasn't sure what she was feeling but anger was quickly winning over all else. "Well isn't that just something. You find a personal letter, take it upon yourself to read it and decide what is meant in there and oh forget it, forget you." She tried to turn her back on him but he wouldn't let her roll over.

"Don't you turn away from me, you faced me when I hurt you, then you can damn well face what I have to say now." Taking a deep breath, he slowly let it out. "I never meant to see the letter; it was lying out in the open last night when I came by. You were already asleep and just looked so tired I was going to leave until I saw it. I couldn't stop myself from picking it up and then when I read…" shaking his head he coughed to clear his throat, "when I read the words that he used and how much he wanted you back, I just freaked out."

Pushing away from him, she rolled off the bed opposite him and began to pace, tears rolling down her cheeks, but this time it was from anger and not hurt. "So you just decided that while freaking out you would crush what little heart I had left. God damn you, why do you do this to me? I tell you I love you and I try to show you that you are the only man I've ever wanted and on top of that, you are the only man I've ever been with, yet when you get the least bit insecure you take it out on me." She stopped in front of him and poked her finger in his chest, "well let me tell you something Ron, this is the last time. I'll forgive you and you and I will somehow get through this but don't ever do this to me again, I couldn't stand it. I've had more heartache than any one person should have in a life time."

He slowly wrapped his hand around the one she was poking him in the chest with and smiled up at her. "I don't want to lose you again. I know you don't believe me, but it almost killed me having to push you away and hurt you the way I did. Please just give me a chance to make it up to you. Don't go back to him."

She somehow found a way to smile through her tears, "I was never going back to him you idiot, you are the man I want, you are the man I love, no matter what happens at the end of all this, I'll always love you."

He pulled her into his lap and laid his cheek on her head. Closing his eyes, he felt that peace enter him, the one that always came when he held her. Standing he turned to lay her on the bed and then lay beside her pulling her back into his arms. He hated the way he felt right now. The fear curling inside his belly was something foreign and distasteful to him. He was going to lose her; he could feel it to the depth of his soul, either through his own stupid actions or through his situation. England hadn't faded, and even if he didn't want to admit it, getting rid of his wife was a problem.

"Ron, stop thinking and close your eyes, live for the now, not tomorrow." Her voice was muffled and sleepy. She sounded exhausted.

Bending he softly kissed her head and closed his eyes. She was right; living in the now was all he could do.

Zell Am See-1945

"So have you given any thoughts to what you will do after the war?" Nixon passed the bottle to Kris and waited. He knew she had been thinking and he wasn't sure if any of them went further than losing Ron.

Taking a drink, she shook her head, "well funny you should mention that. The one the thing I'm more than sure of is I never and I do mean never want to be a nurse again. This was not all it was cracked up to be."

He lifted a brow and smiled, "well then is there anything or any place you might like to be?"

"Hmm, not back in the south and well other than that…I guess anywhere doing anything, other than nursing would be fine." Closing her eyes, she leaned against the wall soaking up the warm Austrian sun.

They'd arrived a week ago and things had been pleasant here, plenty of warm food, hot showers and soft beds and Ron had been very attentive and charming what more could she want. She'd not realized the last thought was making her frown until Lew bumped her shoulder, "hey, what's wrong? That very serene look on your face disappeared, what were you thinking about?"

Shaking her head, she cracked an eye and smiled at him, "nothing really just giving a little serious thought to after the war." Liar, more like giving serious thought to the idea that Ron will be leaving you soon is more like it. She forced the smile and opened her eyes, "well why are you suddenly so interested in what I do after the war? Don't you have enough women waiting on you?"

"Well none as charming as you that's for sure, but no, I was wondering if you had any job offers. See I'm a man who recognizes talent and I enjoy keeping my friends close. I've offered Dick a job and well I'd like you to come along."

She laughed, "well exactly what would I be doing with your company? If it's an interesting offer I might be interested."

He smirked at the question, "you know that just raises all kinds of ideas in my head, however I'll need a secretary and I think you'd be a good fit. You already know me and all my vices and well I know how difficult you can be so…"

She hummed, "well so what you're really offering me is a position as your girl Friday or did I misunderstand?"

He chuckled, "oh you misunderstood. I secretary is just that, nine to five, weekends off, good pay, the pleasure of my company on a daily basis, what more could a woman want?"

She lifted a brow but remained silent. Yes what more could a woman want, this did provide her with work, and she did find Lew entertaining, however there was still the problem of Ron and what would become of them. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the wall. "You know I'll think about it Lew, thanks for the offer."

Beside her, she heard him snort and mumble about her and Dick spending too much time thinking.

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She'd not seen Ron in the last two days or nights for that matter, and to be honest she was beginning to worry. Part of her knew he'd been extremely busy, what with men getting shipped home and then more Germans showing up to surrender. Oh and let's not forget Grant getting shot. That still sent chills down her spine when she thought of how close they'd come to losing him. She also in that one terrifying night realized something most of the men in Easy didn't; Ron truly cared for each of them.

He'd found her after dealing with the man who'd shot Grant, his body trembling with some unnamed emotion that brought tears to her eyes. He hadn't spoken simply sat next to her on the couch and laid his head in her lap, letting her run her fingers through his hair. As the trembling eased he'd spoken, his voice full of pain and unshed tears. He talked about how hard it had been not to shoot the man, but that something stopped him. Maybe it was the thought of killing yet another person or simply the fact that Grant lived, so therefore the man could live as well. She taken him to her bed, not speaking with words, but stroked his body and loved him until he'd fallen into a deep sleep.

Sighing she stretched her aching back, that had been two very long days ago. Picking up another box, she dumped the contents on the desk and began to repack and count the inventory, owing Dick an answer on supplies by tonight. She'd sent Gene off to relax, he'd done over half the room and she worked better alone any way.

"Well you are one of the hardest people to track down, I've been looking for you all morning and here I finally find you, trapped in a supply closest."

She was too lost in her own thoughts as well as the inventory to pay attention to her surroundings, so when the voice came from behind her she had to suppress the scream of fear that nearly ripped from her chest. Spinning she saw the one person she'd honestly never expected to see again; Buck Compton.

Throwing herself into his arms she let him hug her, spinning them around until he put her down, "oh my God you're here and you look so wonderful I just can't believe it."

He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Yeah well it took some fast talking but yeah I'm here, I wanted to see everyone in one place before people began to ship home. God you look good Kris, I can't begin to tell you how much I've missed you. Did you get my letter?"

Her smile dimmed slightly but she still managed to keep it in place, "yes and it was foolish of you to ask forgiveness, you'd never done anything wrong. None of what did or didn't happen was your fault; it's just the way things work out."

He stepped forward and took her hands in his; the smile on his face was almost glowing. He hadn't shifted his eyes away from hers but he'd caught the movement just over her head, there was no mistaking the silhouette in the door, it was now or never to break them apart. "I'm so glad you've forgave me Kris, I can't begin to tell you what it means to know that we can move forward from here. I know that the last few months with me gone have been hard on you and that you've turned to him for comfort, but now that you've accepted his never leaving his wife, we can make up for lost time. You're going to love California, I promise you."

She could only stand and stare, what was the appropriate response to all of that? Better yet what the hell was he talking about? Jerking her hands away from him, she took a long deep breath before speaking. "Uh, I'm confused, California? When did I ever say I'd go to California with you, or better yet, when did I say I'd given up on Ron? Buck, I'm waiting for him regardless if it takes forever, I'm sorry if you thought otherwise by something I'd said or did."

His smile only grew, "well maybe I mean I might have read between the lines, but you know give me a chance Kris. California is warm, I have big plans for the future, and Kris I want you there, there by my side. I know it may seem a little impetuous but I'd love for you to move there and let's see if we can work things out. You don't have to worry about money; I can take care of everything."

She dropped her head into her hands and laughed. Fate was a real bitch. First Ron was ignoring her again and now she had been offered the perfect life with the perfect all American boy. Oh she must have done something wrong in another life. Wiping the tears from her eyes she lifted her head to look at Buck, he's face wearing a look of confusion which made her laugh even harder. "Oh boy, you think you're confused, hell I just had Nixon offer me a job last week and now here you are on practically bended knee asking me to go to California with you even though you know I'm in love with another man. God this has to be the funniest situation I've ever been in."

Buck snorted, "well I'm glad to see that my offer strikes you as funny. I'm serious Kris, I do love you and I think if we got away from all this and away from him that we could be a good couple together." Holding up his hand, he waved off her next comments. "Look, just think about it, please, that's all I'm asking."

Heaving a sigh, she rolled her eyes, "fine I'll consider it. Now I need to finish this so unless you're willing to help…"

"Nope, other folks to see, I'll talk to you later gorgeous."

Watching Buck leave she couldn't help but find life strange. Most women would love to be with him, and he was a good man and would be a good husband, he just wasn't the type of man she saw spending the rest of her life with. Looking around the room she saw how much was left to inventory, sighing she realized that the hope she'd had of going to find Ron was going to have to wait, but there was always tonight.

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He pushed the last piece of paper across his desk and leaned back in his chair smiling. He'd not seen Kris in two days, choosing to push through all the paperwork so he could go and find her this afternoon, his intent was to find her, get her naked and not let her leave the bed to until the following morning. The past two weeks with her and made him see that she was the woman for him and he was going to ask her tonight to go back to England with him and wait for him to obtain the divorce and then they would be married.

Smiling he pushed out of the chair and headed for the supply room. He'd asked Gene earlier in the morning where she was and he'd told Ron that she was taking care of the last of the inventory. Ron couldn't stop the smirk that spread across his lips, the last time he'd found her alone in a supply room…hmm, maybe this one had a lock on the door.

He could hear her voice when he rounded the corner and lightened his steps to try to hear who was with her, he didn't want to embarrass her if it was a soldier, but if it was Nixon, well then all bets were off. Stepping into the doorway, he felt as if he'd been sucker punched. Buck Compton stood in front of her holding her hands in his. The man's smile could have lit the entire room, but his words caused Ron to reach for the doorframe to remain on his feet. She was forgiving Buck and going to California with him. The pain in his chest was ten times worse than the bullet wounds he'd suffered in Holland. Turning slowly he left as silently as he came. There is no way he could stand to hear her response, the pain would be too much.

He wasn't sure how he made it to his room, but found himself there feeling dazed. He'd known, deep in his soul he'd known this would happen. She had been too good for him, she'd been the peace he'd been searching for and now, now she'd bring that calm to another man. Bear another man's children, how, how could this have happened. Closing his eyes he tried to push the pain deep, concentrating on letting, the anger and hatred he felt toward her and Compton rise to the surface. He'd believed Nixon, ha, Nixon had been as blind to her true self as he'd allowed himself to become.

As the anger bubbled to the surface he found solace in the fact that his time was coming, his time to hurt would present its self and in that moment he would remind her true heartache felt like. Moving quickly to his desk he reached for the paperwork that Dick had given him a few days ago, paperwork that would keep him in the Army. Signing it, he tossed it to the side and pulled up a chair. It was time to write his dear wife and let her know she'd be seeing him soon.

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She was trying to remain patient as Dick scanned the inventory but her rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet caught his attention.

"Some place you need to be Kris? You seem a little anxious is there anything I can do?"

Yeah, read that paperwork faster. "No Dick I'm fine, guess I'm just looking forward to grabbing a drink and sitting down is all. It has been a long day."

The edge of Dick's mouth twitched in what could almost be called a grin as he laid the inventory aside. "Hmm, yes it has and I believe your efforts truly deserve a drink and a nice relaxing period." He chuckled at how quickly she spun towards the door, "oh and Kris, he's in his room. He's been there most of the afternoon."

He watched as her mouth gapped like a fish out of water then snapped closed. Her head lifted in pride and as she sniffed. "I've not idea what you would be referring to Major Winters."

Dick waited till he was sure she was gone before laughing. Why she felt compelled to hide the fact she was with Ron was beyond him. Hmm, he wondered how she'd feel if she knew everyone in the company was aware?

xxxxxx

Wiping her palms on her pants, she knocked at his door and waited. She smiled as she thought of the wonderful things she was going to do to his body. When the door opened, she threw herself into his arms and pressed her lips against his. She only had a moments warning when he didn't respond before he grabbed her arms from around his neck and shoved her away from him, his hand coming up to wipe across his mouth.

A shiver of fear slid down her spine, something was terribly wrong here. He was looking at her with the same hatred he'd stared at the soldier who'd shot Grant. Swallowing hard she reached out a hand to touch his arm only to have him slap it away.

"Don't touch me. Don't you ever touch me again you lying whore. Did you think this was a game, did you think it would be fun to lure me in and then crush me? I always knew that women were liars of the worst kind, but you…you are the worst. I hope Compton knows why kind of a whore he's getting or did you and he have a good laugh at my expense. Oh yeah hey, let's see if we can't make Sparky dance on a string, must have been a real good time for the both of you."

His words hurt worse that any physical pain he could have inflicted, the tears pouring down her cheeks as her brain scrambled to catch up with what was happening. Her breath was coming in gasps and she searched the room as she tried to think of what he was talking about, but her absence of defense only pushed him on.

"What nothing to say for yourself? Ha, thank God I didn't hurt my wife for the likes of you. I was so stupid, but never again, so if you've got nothing to say, get the hell away from me."

She had to focus on what he was saying, something about her and Compton? Suddenly a light came on inside her head and the tears dried instantly. "Oh my God Ron, you are such a fool. You heard what Buck said to me and so instead of asking me, you just assumed that what Buck said was right? Instead of fighting him for me, you just gave up? You are unbelievable. Well let me tell you something Ronald Speirs, I told you in Berchtesgaden that if you ever pushed me away it would be the last time and there would be no forgiveness. So I'm offering you one last chance here and you better think about it. I've told you and done everything I could to prove to you my love, my loyalty and my desire for you and you alone. So what's it going to be? "

She watched as he stepped in close to her, his hand wrapping around her upper arm in a painful grip. She had to fight not to wince at the pain.

"You want my answer?" His voice was low and dangerous, and for the first time ever she was truly afraid of him. She heard the door open behind her and suddenly he shoved her hard out the door knocking her into the wall across from the door. "Well there's my answer, hope you and Compton have a good life together."

When the door slammed shut she pulled herself up from where, she'd been leaning against the wall. Straightening her spine, she slowly walked back to the headquarters she'd just left. She knew what she had to do and she'd take care of Buck Compton, but first she had to see Dick.

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"You want what? Now! I thought you'd stay until Lew left." Dick shook his head in puzzlement. The last thing he'd ever expected was for Kris to show back up in his office ten minutes after she'd left, but this time she wanted an immediate discharge. Something had definitely happened, her eyes were red as if she'd been crying but her demeanor was eerily calm.

"Well I thought about that, but you have Gene and well I have the points for discharge due to the amount of time I've served, I'll go see Lew right after this if you'll say yes." She found it easy to stand here and say the words that she was leaving. Working for Lew would give her the time she needed to regroup and figure out what she was really going to do. God how she wished she could get angry, or hell even cry, but suddenly every emotion except flat calm had escaped her.

Dick nodded, "okay talk to Lew. I'll take care of the paperwork, I'm sure we can get you out tomorrow."

Nodding she turned and headed back across the compound. She focused on finding Lew, but when the light reflected off blonde hair caught her attention, she changed course.

"Buck, I'd like to speak with you," glancing at the men with him, "alone." Turning she walked off knowing he was behind her. When she felt they had put sufficient distance between them and the men, she turned to face him.

"Buck, I'm only going to say this once so listen to me carefully. I know what dirty underhanded trick you pulled on Ron earlier today and I find it vile and hateful. You never once stopped to consider the pain something like that might cause me or even him. You only cared that you would get what you wanted and to hell with everyone else."

She paused to take another deep breath before continuing. "Well I'm going to let you in on a little secret, you hurt Ron terribly and you allowed him to believe things about me that weren't true. You intentionally played on his fears to gain the advantage. Well friend, you gained nothing. Ron doesn't want me now, he believed your lies and won't even listen to me, but what you failed to realize was how badly this would hurt me. So I'm only going to say this once, you've gained nothing from me except my hatred for you. I never want to see, speak or hear from you again. Stay away from me."

Spinning on her heel, she left him standing there. She didn't look back and she never would. Today would be the first day of her new life, and today would be the day that a new Kris emerged, tougher and stronger than before.

Nixon Nitration Works-1954

Lew frowned as he leaned around the door and glanced at Kris. Rolling his eyes, he walked back to his desk and flopped in the chair, automatically reaching for the desk door that contained his stash of Vat 69. Ten fucking years they had played this game. Every year as the anniversary of the last time, she'd seen Ron the scene repeated it's self.

Sighing he closed his eyes and tried to think. He and Dick had done everything they could when they first came home to pull her out of the rut she'd fallen into. She'd shown up at work every day, did her job and went home. She rarely smiled except in the execution of her duties. She also refused to talk to men outside of him and Dick.

Dick had said she needed time, well that time had gone from one year to five and by the sixth year, Lew had given up. He'd had his own issues at the time and by the time he'd resolved those issues, another four years had passed. Now granted, her smiles came easier and more often, but her social life was still lacking. He'd even gone so far as to throw her a birthday party last year, inviting men from Easy Company as well as a few well to do nice men that would have made a good match, only to have her shut them all down.

Putting his flask away, he walked out into the outer officer and leaned against her desk. "Well if I'm not mistaken I believe it's time for lunch, I'm buying."

Kris snorted and leaned back in her chair, "well considering you own the company, I don't think it's going to be a huge issue for you to pay now is it? Thanks for the offer but I'm not hungry." She turned her back on him and started typing on a report. She knew he was still standing there, but if she ignored him he'd go away, it'd worked in the past.

"Okay enough get up out of that chair and let's go down to the cafeteria and eat a nice lunch like civilized people. Oh and I don't care if you're hungry or not, you're going."

"Fine, might I ask what is wrong with you?" She snatched her purse and started for the door.

"Nothing's wrong with me, I'm hungry, I want company and I'm the boss, enough said."

They grabbed their trays and sat in silence, Lew wolfing down his lunch while watching Kris scoot food across the plate giving the illusion of eating. Frowning he wiped his mouth and laid down his utensils. "Alright, I've had it."

Kris's head jerked up at his tone, "what do you mean you've had it? What is wrong with you Lew?"

"I'm telling you I'm tired of this. Every summer we go through this same crap. You get depressed, you won't eat and you're terrible to be around. Dear God, it's been ten years, he's not contacted you, he's not coming back and you need to move on with your life."

She gasped, her hand clutching at her throat. Lew had never brought up Ron and she couldn't believe they were discussing it now. "What is wrong with you today? Too much Vat before lunch or something, or let me guess, ex-wife number two wants more money. Well which one?"

"Well aren't you one to judge others. You've been pining away for that jerk for the last ten years. When you've not been doing that you've been telling me how to run my life. Honestly Kris, why have you not tried to find him?"

When he asked that question all the fight she'd had in her disappeared. "I don't know why, except you didn't see the way he looked at me when he threw me out. I just couldn't go through that again; it's easier to live in the pain of never knowing. Besides he was married and well that little boy would be ten now and Ron would be his dad…"

Lew chuckled, "well sweetheart I got something to tell you. I go to those reunions, you know the ones you refuse to go to and I heard that he's not married. Seems the widow wasn't a widow after all. Her real husband showed up and Ron's been free ever since."

She felt hope fill her chest for one brief moment, he was free that meant that they could be together and have a chance. Then reality stepped in crushing hope, he'd been free for ten years and yet had never tried to find her. Closing her eyes, she tried to think of anything other than the pain of that thought. Pushing quickly to her feet, she grabbed her tray. "Well if you'll excuse me I need to get back to my desk, my boss is a real slave driver." The smile she gave him as she turned away held all the warmth of an iceberg.

He sat tapping his fingers on the table. Something about this situation had to give. He knew where Ron was and he obviously knew where she was, all he needed to do was get them in the same place. Frowning he racked his brain for thoughts on how to make it happen. Smiling he let the idea slide around his brain taking shape. It was an evil trick to play but if it worked, everyone would be happy.

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Lew sat at the bar nursing his drink. It hadn't been hard to pull this off. Finding Ron had turned out to be easy and coupled with the fact he would be leaving for Germany in a few days, bringing him to New York under the guise of them having dinner and spending some time together had been all to simple. Getting Kris to show up, was even easier, he'd just groveled and told her it was an apology diner for hitting below the belt.

He'd met Ron yesterday and had a long talk with him. It had only taken him thirty minutes to convince him he'd been wrong about Kris and Buck, well that and an apology letter from Buck admitting everything. He'd refused to tell Ron where Kris was, which had almost driven the other man to violence, but then he told him to calm down, he was going to arrange something and if Ron screwed this up, he was on his own.

When Kris came in the maître de quickly escorted her to the table he had reserved, placing her so her back was to the door. He knew if she saw Ron coming, she was likely to bolt for the door.

His smirk grew when he saw the man in question step into the room, this time the maitre de simply pointed at the table. Ron was defiantly impressing in his dress uniform and all his ribbons. Lew took another sip and sat back to watch the show as Ron made his way to the table.

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Kris checked her watch again. Typical Lew, he was late. Well this time she'd show him, she'd stay and have a wonderful diner with champagne and every other expensive thing she could find off the menu. Snatching it up, she narrowed her eyes and began to contemplate exactly how much this date was going to cost him. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the glimpse of someone standing beside the table. Not bothering to look up she waved he hand at him. "Bring me the most expensive bottle of champagne on the menu. Oh and if you're really nice, you can have one for yourself."

She heard feet shuffle and assumed that the waiter was heading off to do her bidding; she didn't notice someone sit down across from her. Gnawing at her lower lip, she began to mumble to herself.

"One of these day's Kris you are going to do serious damage to that lip if you keep chewing on it."

She froze as the sound of his voice, a voice that for the last ten years had haunted her dreams. Slowly she lowered the menu and raised her eyes. She felt the tears build behind her lashes and breathing became ragged. He was every bit as handsome as he ever was. The lines on his face a little deeper from the years of command and the slight graying at the temples belied the life he'd been living.

She swallowed hard and shook her head, "you're not here, this is a joke, no I don't understand. Oh no I've got to go." Reaching under the table she grabbed her purse and moved to stand only to be halted by his warm hand grasping hers.

"No Kris don't leave. It's no mistake and yes I'm really here, and I want to talk to you." He didn't remove his hand until he was convinced she was going to remain in her chair, nodding his head when she pulled her hand away and laid it in her lap.

Sighing he took a deep breath and began, "I want to tell you that I'm the world's biggest fool. For ten years, I've hated myself every day for not believing you and worse than that, for letting you go without a fight. I knew that letting you go would be like losing a piece of my soul and I was right. I've felt incomplete and lost without you. I should have trusted you, you were everything I wanted and I just couldn't get past my own insecurities and jealousy. You loved me even when you shouldn't and right now I'd walk through the fires of hell if you would just smile."

"What do you expect of me Ron? I told you that day, I couldn't forgive you for pushing me way. Ten fucking years ago you crushed me, left me lying bleeding on the floor and now after all this time you come here with…with this confession? Why didn't you try to find me ten years ago when you no longer had a wife?"

He ran his hand through his hair in frustration, "I don't know, I think I was scared. Hell you aren't exactly happy to see my now, why would have been happy then?"

Growling she crossed her arms and glared at him, "well then I suppose you think I should just let you back in, give you that second chance or third or fourth. I've done this so many times I've lost count, so tell me Ron what do you want of me?"

He slowly got to his feet and moved around to her side. Taking one of her hands, he tugged if free and wrapped it up in his, dropping to his knees beside her. "Alright you want to know what I want; well this is what I want. I want us to stop wasting time, and I want you to be my wife, travel the world with me, beside me every night when I go to bed and every morning I wake up. Because so help me, I'll never leave you again and I'll spend the rest of our lives showing you every day just how much I love you."

Looking up over his head she tried to find something to focus on only to spot Lewis Nixon standing at the bar, champagne in hand, his eyebrow lifted in question. Smiling she dropped her eyes back to the man on his knees beside her. "Yes, I want those things and more. I never stopped loving you Ron, but damn it, you're going to grovel for a few years over this one."

He smiled and slipped the ring on her finger, "yes ma'am."

Behind the kissing couple, Lew raised his glass in toast. Mission accomplished.

Present 2010

Kris let herself back into the house, the strain of the last twelve hours pressing down on her. Tonight she felt every one of her eighty plus years. She was more tired than she could ever remember being, but was the happiest woman in the world at the same time. Her great-grandson had been born today, Ronald Lynn Compton and he was the best of both his parents.

Sitting down in her favorite rocker, she looked around at the pictures in the house. There were now more of her and Ron during the war sitting around the house. Ever since they'd returned last summer from Europe she'd been more open about her past and found herself longing to see his face.

Sighing she closed her eyes. Maybe if she just napped for a few moments she'd feel better then she could go back to the hospital and see Sam. She wasn't sure what woke her but the feel of someone holding her hand caused her to slowly open her eyes.

"Hey sleepy head, I thought I'd never get you awake. It's time to go; I've been waiting for you."

For a moment she was confused, standing in front of her was Ron, but the much younger version of him, handsome and in uniform. "I don't understand, is it time? But what about Sam?"

He smiled and pulled her to her feet, the pain that would normally have accompanied that action suddenly gone. Looking down at their joined hands, she gasped at the youthful appearance. His hands bracketed her face lifting it so she could see him. "Sam is going to be fine; after all she has our great-grandson to look after, as for me and you, well we have some lost time to make up for."

She felt the tears well in her eyes and she reached to caress his face, her hand visibly shaking. "You left me, oh God it was so hard, but its okay you're here now."

He kissed her forehead, "sweetheart I never left you, I was always with you, every step of the way. Now come on, time to go."

Wrapping her hand in his feeling his warmth and strength, she knew it was okay and this was where she belonged.

xxxxxxxx

Buck rushed as quickly as he could to grab the phone. Calls that came in the middle of the night were never good news. "Hello."

"Granddad, its Jay, I've got some bad news."

"What is it now Sam or the baby is it?"

"No, no they're both fine, at least as fine as they can be. I went to pick Kris up this morning and take her to the hospital and…"

Buck heard the break in his voice and closed his eyes as if that would stop the words from coming. "She's gone isn't she?"

"Yeah it looks like she just sat down and went to sleep. I'm so sorry."

Somehow Buck managed to smile, "no reason to be sorry Jay, she's with Ron now. Hell she's probably happier than any of us."