American soldiers dug through the rubble of an Iraqi village. Seeing light above her, a redheaded woman began shouting for help.
"Help," the woman yelled, "over here."
She tried again in Arabic alternating from English to Arabic like she had for the last ten years. A small boy of about eight curled against her side.
"Mama will we be okay," the boy asked.
"We will Faroke," the woman promised.
Moments later two soldiers appeared young and freshly shaven.
"Ma'am do you speed English," one asked.
Meghan took a deep breath, "my name is lieutenant Meghan Eloise Hunt I was a trauma surgeon with a forward operating team attached to the 54th when I was captured in 2007. I have been held captive 3728 days My commanding officers were major Teddy Altman and major Owen Hunt my colonel was Daniel Mooney. Please take me and my son to your CO corporeal."
"Mama," Faroke asked.
"Shhh it's alright Faroke," Meghan soothed, "their American soldiers like I was and uncle Owen. They're going to take us somewhere safe."
"Come with us ma'am," the corporeal said.
"I'm injured, we will need help to get out of here," Meghan said.
The two soldiers helped Meghan and Faroke out of the rubble filled basement and carried them to a waiting medical vehicle.
A woman Meghan vaguely recognized was barking orders.
"Major Phillips," the corporeal said, "we have a woman here who claims to be Lieutenant Meghan Hunt."
"Meghan," Major Philips turned.
"Felicia," Meghan said.
"How do we know you're who you say you are," Felicia asked.
"My name is Lieutenant Meghan Eloise Hunt," Meghan said, pulling her old dog tags from where they were tucked under her clothes to keep them hidden, "I was a trauma surgeon attached to the 54th. My CO was my brother Major Owen Hunt and Major Theodora or Teddy Altman. I'm from Seattle Washington. My mothers name is Evelyn Hunt. I was born on April 18th, 1979. My siblings are Owen Robert Hunt and Nicole Alexandra McRae. I called them Eyeore and Squirt."
"It is you," Felicia said.
"Please just get me and my son home," Meghan said, "is Owen still out here?"
"No," Felicia said, "he was discharged 9 years ago. Altman left as well about 8 years ago. Last I heard Owen was married with two kids, he's in Seattle as far as I know."
Meghan sighed with relief Owen was alive; he had gone home to she presumed Beth and had a couple kids. She allowed herself to be checked over and what they could do for her injuries treated before they moved her to the Green Zone. Faroke held Meghan's hand tight as the soldiers so many had taught him to fear bustled around him. Arriving at the base Meghan was placed in a hospital ward and Faroke taken for a shower, what clean clothes they could find to fit him and food. He came back to Meghan with chocolate smeared around his mouth.
Her identity confirmed the wheel was set in motion for her transfer to Matigan, the closest military hospital to her mother's house.
There was a thundering knock on the door of Teddy and Owen's.
Owen's eyes went wide seeing two soldiers on the doorstep, "are you Major Owen Hunt?"
"Yes sir," Owen replied.
"We have news of your sister Meghan Hunt," the chaplin said.
"Meghan," Owen breathed, "come in."
"Owen what is it," Teddy asked as she came down the stairs from putting the kids to bed.
"Meg," Owen gasped.
"Sir if you would have a seat in the living room I'm going to get my sister in law and she can join us," Teddy replied.
"Who is that," the chaplin asked.
"My wife," Owen replied, "Major Theodora Altman. My youngest sister Nicole McRae lives in our basement suite with her son."
Teddy ran into Nikki's living room, "throw a sweater on and come up. There's two army chaplains here they have news about Meghan. They seem happy."
"Teddy it's been 10 years," Nikki said.
"Get a sweater and come up," Teddy said, "Owen needs you."
"Can you take Ty," Nikki asked.
"I'll take him up, get a sweater and come now," Teddy directed.
Nikki joined them in the living room and took her son back from Teddy. She didn't like other people holding him while she was trying to figure out how to be a parent. Her mom, Teddy and Owen were the only people she trusted to help her.
"Majors, Miss McRae," the chaplin began with a smile, "I have good news."
"What is it," Owen asked.
"Lieutenant Meghan Hunt was found three days ago alive just outside of Baghdad," the chaplin said.
"Meghan is alive," Nikki said.
"She's alive," Teddy echoed, "how is she?"
"She is injured from all reports but in stable condition. She is being stabilized in Germany and should be transferred to Matigan on Friday that's 2 days from now," the Chaplin said.
"We will be there," Owen said, "we need to call mom."
"Mrs. Hunt wasn't home," the chaplain said, "lieutenant Hunt has a son who we will need to get the paperwork for him to come. He's 8."
"Someone has to call mom and Nate," Nikki said, "they have to know she's finally coming home."
"She's coming home," Teddy said.
"Lets see what shape she's in," Owen said, "we don't know what she'll remember or if she'll know us."
"It's Meghan she'll know us, she won't forget us," Nikki cried, "she promised she would always come home and that she would never forget us."
"We don't know with the injuries," Owen said, "she was in a basement. She had a son. We don't know how she's been treated."
"Eyore stop," Nikki said, "she'll know us. She has to."
"I hope so," Teddy said, she knew she needed to stop the argument between Owen's fear and pessimism and Nikki's eternal optimism. She was uncertain but she didn't think it would be as bad as Owen is suggesting but it wouldn't be the easy sunny homecoming Nikki imagined.
"I never gave up," Nikki said, "we've waited a long time."
"We have," Teddy agreed.
"I'm going to call mom," Owen said.
"I'll call Nathan," Teddy said.
"What do I need to do," Nikki asked.
"Get yourself and your son calm," Teddy said, seeing that Tyler had started fussing in Nikki's arms.
"Too many feelings, not enough brain," Nikki said.
"Go put Tyler down for the night, make some tea and journal or write," Teddy said.
"Mom's coming," Owen said.
"I'll stay here," Nikki said, "he's just hungry."
"Are you sure," Teddy asked.
"It's been a couple hours, I changed him just before you came down and got me," Nikki said, "and it's about time for bed time snack time."
"Getting into a pattern," Owen asked.
"Maybe," Nikki replied.
"Majors do you want us to stay or can you inform Mrs. Hunt," the chaplin asked.
"We can tell her," Owen said.
"Thank you for coming," Teddy said, "we need to be our family. I'll walk you out."