Lils POV

"Fall out!" Crawford's voice echoed around the parade square. I sprinted, full pelt, to get my bergens, before hopping in my jeep. The journey was going to take a while, so I settled in, blasting heavy metal through my speakers.

05:15

I was just on the outskirts of Forks, having driven for around nine hours. A thin dusting of snow covered everything, and my excitement buzzed higher. I hadn't told anyone that I was coming, or even that I was on leave; I couldn't wait to see their faces. Parking my Jeep in a lay-by not too far from the Rez, I left my bergens in the back, planning a surprise attack. The snow crunched beneath my boots as I walked down the driveway, listening intently for any signs of movement. Finally, I made it to the communal house, testing the door as quietly as I could. It was unlocked so I crept inside, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

Paul POV

I awoke blearily in the darkness of the morning. My phone told me that it was far too early to get up, and I was about to roll over when a familiar smell assaulted my senses. Lils. I knew I was dreaming but went down to investigate anyway, just like the last few times. It never was her, but I couldn't ever resist it. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, it grew stronger. I breathed in the comforting scent, silently opening the door to the kitchen, heart already dropping. The sight that met my eyes was enough to freeze it there.

"Lils!" I roared, unmindful of my volume. I smiled so wide that I thought my face would break. She embraced me, holding us together just like we used to.

"Paul, it's so good to see you." She breathed, pulling away to get a proper look at me. "I swear that you haven't aged a day." She grinned. I surveyed her, in a slightly rumpled uniform.

"You look like a soldier." I told her quietly. She gave me a funny look.

"I'd be worried if I looked like an architect." She quipped. Two pairs of footsteps pounded down the stairs, catching her attention. Jared and Embry appeared, grinning like mad things. She embraced both of them, almost sobbing in delight. Finally, she let us go. "Jared, can you let me in on the link? Don't tell anyone." She asked, command slipping into her voice. He shot her a questioning look. "I want it to be a surprise for everyone." She explained. "I'm off to Sam's, then we can all meet in there." With that, she strode out of the door.

Sam POV

I was staring idly out of the window, so lost in thought that I didn't hear the door open. A blast of cold air made me jump. I whirled, only to be met with a familiar grin.

"Hey." Lils said, smiling widely. I pulled her into a hug.

"That's one hell of a Christmas present." I noted, my jaw aching from the smile on my face.

"Why don't you get everyone over here. Don't tell them that I'm here though; I love seeing your faces." She told me, still grinning like a fool. I called down the link for everyone to come over, regardless of patrol duties, whilst Lils removed her beret and smock, folding the latter precisely. Jared, Paul and Embry showed up first, obviously already having seen Lils. Collin and Brady were in next, both looking ecstatic to see her. Leah came just after, her jaw going slack as she pulled Lils into a hug. Quil and Seth bounded in in wolf form, having been on patrol, both shifting to welcome Lils home. Jake was last, gazing at Lils like he had seen a ghost. When everyone had seated themselves, Lils began talking.

"It is amazing to see you all again. I am on leave for a month, now and am more than happy to start doing patrol again, although there are some people I'd like to visit. For now, I really want to hear what you've all been doing." She explained, looking expectantly at us.

"Nothing much has changed." I said, watching the almost relieved look on her face.

"The Cullens are still around." Jake told her.

"How's Nessie?" Lils asked.

"All grown up." Jake replied ruefully.

"What about you? We haven't seen you properly since you got promoted." Leah prodded.

"Still flying helicopters, if that's what you want to know. I'm going to Belize in February, and was in Canada from July to October, then I went off to the UK to train for a month. It's been pretty cool." She answered, grinning. "Oh, I almost forgot. I brought some gifts, they're in my Jeep. I'll run round and get them now." She stood, Paul doing the same, both jogging out into the cold.

Paul POV

Lils moved like a machine, covering ground like the devil was after her. We came to a lay-by where her truck was parked and she hopped in, gesturing for me to do the same.

"What was it like in Canada?" I asked, diverting the silence.

"It was... challenging. We lost a soldier in a training accident." She answered. "Johann Perrio." Her expression glazed over.

"How is it, you know, to live your everyday?" I questioned, wanting to know.

"It's rewarding, but tough. I know that it is worth it and I love every second of it; I love the adventure and thrill." She grinned. "It's amazing to be home though. How are you doing?" Her gaze softened.

"I... I still think about her, Rachel, a lot. I've been waking up a lot, and thinking that I can smell you. I'm always wrong, until today, but..." I trailed off. Lils gave me an empathetic look.

"It sounds like you need a break." She said, voice quiet. "If you were a soldier, I'd send you to go and train up some newbies, or get in some flying hours, but as a friend, a brother, I want to take you on an adventure. We can go after Christmas, if you want." She offered. I nodded.

"That sounds good." I agreed as we pulled into the yard. Lils opened up the trunk of the jeep, where two enormous bergens and a couple of boxes stood. Easily, she swung a bag onto her back, picking the other one up by its strap. I grabbed the boxes, slamming the door as we made our way inside Sam's. Lils stood the bergens against the wall, motioning for me to put the boxes on the table. I could tell from the smell that it was going to be good. She checked inside the first one, passing it down to Sam proceeding to do the same with the rest. When everyone had received a box, she stood back, smiling.

"It's not much, but they're from my travels. Things from Canada, England, Japan and Germany." She explained, watching contentedly as we opened them.

"Thanks, you didn't have to, but wow. It's pretty cool." Jake was eyeing up the copious amounts of beer that she had brought.

"When did you go to Japan?" Quil asked, looking envious.

"Oh, it was just after I saw you last July, thereabouts." She answered. Suddenly a yawn overtook her. "Sorry. I've been driving since yesterday."

"Maybe you should get some sleep." Sam suggested. Lils shook her head.

"I just need a coffee. I've flown longer missions." She stretched, joints clicking. "Tell you what, I'll go have a shower and change because I probably smell like the dead, and we can take it from there."

"If you don't mind me asking, when was the last time you had a shower?" Embry questioned; Lils cuffed him round the back of his head jokingly.

"Yesterday. I was flying afterwards so that's why I smell so rotten." She answered, retrieving her bergens and striding out.

Lils POV

The gloriously warm water of the shower pelted down on me, washing away the accumulated sweat and grime. Gritting my teeth, I turned the shower icy out of habit, enjoying the contrast. Finally, I stepped out, drying myself efficiently. I went into my room, which was still full of things from before, rummaging through for some civvies. Settling for my marines hoodie and a pair of jeans, I jogged back to Sam's barefoot. Emily and Sam were cooking waffles, whilst the pack chilled at the table, some half-asleep. I found it hard just to sit, feeling like I needed a purpose. Resorting to tapping my fingers against the table, I scrutinized everyone. It hit me that they weren't getting any younger, and although they would never get boring, or slow down, I realized that most of them were at least thirty. Emily set the waffles on the table and I dug in, grateful for a distraction.

"What's the food like, on camp?" She asked.

"Depends. Sometimes it's pretty good, like in Japan, but rations are bollocks. At least when we're at barracks we can go out into town to find something half decent." I answered, having finished already. "What's the plan for Christmas?"

"Nothing special, just us this year." Sam looked a little relieved. I smiled.

"Great, I could do with a break from the crowds." I told him.