It was just after lunch when Emily stopped in front of the team's locker room at the planned time.

The door opened, Sonny let her in and took her in his arms to kiss her.

He pulled away and looked at her. "You said it was important. What's up?"

She removed lifted her shirt slightly and pulled his cap from it and handed it to him.

"Tell me Eric didn't find it."

She laughed. "If he had, I'm sure he'd be the one giving it back to you and he wouldn't have let you kiss me. But let's say it was a close call."

He put it on his head.

"Thank you, Ma'am."

She gave him a nostalgic look.

"What's wrong?"

"I just wish my notice period was over and done with and we could be open about our relationship. Everything would be so different."

"How different?" he asked interested.

"In every sense of the word. We wouldn't have to steal glances from one another, moments. Just be out in the open and do things like a normal couple."

He nodded. "I know. We only have 7 months left. I can be a very patient man. But I tell you right now, the minute you are a free woman in the eyes of the Navy, I will not hold back."

She placed her soft and gentle hands on his cheeks. "Just make sure you come back."

His eyes searched hers and he understood. "We're leaving."

She swallowed. "Yes. You fly out in five hours. The decision was made thirty minutes ago."

He remember what she had just said. "You're not coming?"

"No. Goodwin wants to keep me here to liaise between us and Syria. He feels I'll be more of an asset here."

"Not that I don't think you can manage Syria, but if I'm to be honest, the boyfriend part of me actually prefers knowing you are here away from danger."

They heard footsteps stop in front of the door and the beeping sound of the beginning of the keypad code. They separated and took a more casual stance and started talking about football.

"You know in all honesty, I'm more a soccer person than American football," Ray heard Emily say as he walked in and took in their presence.

"Em?"

"Hey Ray. Just the guy I was looking for."

Ray smiled and looked at her. "Are you looking for the soldier or the best friend?"

"My best friend," replied Emily as he neared.

It was true that Emily and Ray were the best of friends and Sonny knew that based on the many discussions they'd had about their lives.

"What can I do for you?"

"It's Naima's birthday next week and I was hoping you'd have an idea for a present."

Ray seemed to think for a few seconds. "Now that you mention it, she did talk about a Jamie Oliver cookbook. Or maybe it was Gordon Ramsay."

Emily smiled. "Thanks, that's actually a great idea. I'll see what I can find."

Her phone beeped and she looked at it. Her face grew stern. "I need to go. Thanks for the tip." She then turned to Sonny. "Thanks for letting me in."

She looked around the room quickly. "It's actually kind of nice to be back in here. It's been a long time."

"Which one was your locker?" asked Sonny curious.

Emily turned around and pointed. "That one. It's got my initials graved on the back wall."

Her phone beeped again. "I'm sorry. I really need to go," she said as she walked away.

Just as Ray headed to his cage, Sonny strode over to what had been Emily's cage. He walked in and headed for the back wall. He saw the initials E.B etched on it, just below them, the initials S.Q. His initials as it was his locker. He smiled. So, she had been E.B. Life sometimes had an odd way of sending messages.