They had received the news about their deployment twenty minutes later. They had all headed home to handle their stuff as always. Sonny would have given everything to spend the last couple of hours he had with Emily, but he knew it was impossible as she was on the warpath herself in the Ops center.

He was nevertheless surprised to see her on the tarmac. She was talking to Eric. He passed them without stopping and just acknowledge her presence. "Captain."

"Petty Officer Quinn," she had simply replied as she watched him head for the plane. It was more painful than she thought it would be. She wanted to be able to tell him things, hold him one more time, just in case.

"We'll be in touch," said Eric as he bent over to grab his bag.

"Let me know when you're up and operational. We'll be with you every step of the way."

He furrowed his brow.

"Don't worry, we're putting in place shifts. If it's not me, it will be either Joey or Shawn."

Eric took a step towards her. "Watch your back with him with Shawn. You know what I mean."

Emily did. Shawn was Emily's equivalent in Georgia and like her he was specialized, among other things, in counterterrorism. But he was also known for seducing 'colleagues', even though it wasn't allowed. He had tried on different occasions to do with her.

She laughed. "I thought you had an eye for detail," she said mockingly at her brother.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because if you used that skill of yours, you would have noticed that Shawn bears a wedding band."

"What?"

"Yep, he got married six months ago and she's two months pregnant. And even if it wasn't the case, I can handle Shawn on my own just fine."

Eric nodded, hugged her and walked towards the plane. "It doesn't mean anything. Be careful", said Eric not turning back.

Emily stopped Ray as he passed her. "I'm sorry, I know that it's highly improbable for you to be back in time for Naima's birthday."

"We'll celebrate when I'm back."

"I know you will. Stella and I decided to make sure that she has a great day."

Sonny watched from inside the plane as Ray hugged her. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"I know. I love you too." And it was true. The kind of love they had for each other was platonic and full of respect, just like the two best friends that they were. There was nothing about her life that Ray didn't know.. Except maybe Jason and now Sonny, but it was solely for his own good and protection. She loved him like she loved Eric and him like the sister he'd never had.

"Now go kick some terrorists."

"Copy that. Take care of yourself." He responded as he turned and walked determined to the plane.

Once they were up in the air, they grabbed a beer from the cooler, talked for a while and then they split up and settled down doing various things.

Sonny finally took off his cap and held it in his hand as his attention was drawn by something in it. He placed the cap on his lap and pulled out a folded piece of paper from behind the front of the cap. He was puzzled, then remembered that Emily had given him back his cap. He scanned the plane to make sure that he was alone and unfolded the piece of paper.

"Half my heart is deployed. You are my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye."

He felt a warmth spread throughout his entire being. He then knew that what he had felt in the past for other women, had never even come close to love.

He folded the paper and put it back inside his cap. Between his cap and helmet, that paper would be what would help him to hang in and return safe and sound.