Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Minute Changes the World

1309 Hours, July 11, 2561. Outskirts of Vettel Keep, Qivro, Planet Sanghelios. Day Nine of the Enemy of My Enemy

Willis let out a long breath as he sat in the cockpit of his Pelican, then finally undid his harness and stood. He'd just returned from the close air support run at the ruins and the adrenaline was winding down. He'd remained in the skies with his pilots until Cooper's XO, Major Delaney, had called them off, telling him the lieutenant colonel was busy getting her Marines disengaged from the fight. Willis almost hadn't wanted to take the other major's word for it, but Cooper briefly entered the general channel and confirmed. So he'd reluctantly gone back to base, not at all sure if his wife had made it out safe until she hailed him later, on his way back, via their private channel.

As he moved to the back of the bird and out the hatch, he pulled off his helmet and wondered at the state of things. Natalie had called on his squadrons twice now to get out of a tough spot. It wasn't his place to say anything, but he knew her better than anyone, and he was beginning to question why she was suddenly making increasingly reckless choices - even more so than usual. He figured it might be best to broach the subject - delicately - when she had a moment.

For now, though, he had some downtime while he waited. He did his usual walk-around the Pelican, checking in with the enlisted mechanics and techs, made sure they were on top of the rearm and refuel, and then addressed his air wing. After that they were officially on standby again, and Hawk went back to his and Cooper's quarters, intent on a quick nap.

He dropped his gear by the tall desk in the room, unzipped his flightsuit to the crotch and stepped out of it. He kept his T-shirt on underneath and pulled on a pair of PT shorts over his boxers, falling onto the bunk stomach-first as his eyes fluttered shut.

It wasn't more than a few minutes before he realized sleep wouldn't come so easily. Not until Natalie was back. So he rolled over onto his back and sighed.

Something in the motion made a light catch from the corner of his eye. He turned over again and scooted up on the bed, seeing his wife's datapad blinking on the nightstand. That was odd. She almost always had it with her in the field.

Curious, he looked at the lit display. One new message, it read.

Willis paused. He knew he shouldn't. But something compelled him, and he opened it.

Shock traveled up his arm and through his body when he did.

The sender was listed as LT ACKERSON, E.J.

Natalie,

I've got to say, it was harder than I thought leaving you behind. I know I said this to you in person, but I'm sorry about the trial, the demotion, and the trouble I caused for you at home. I didn't mean for everything to get as complicated as it did, and I'm sure you didn't, either.

But one thing I won't apologize for is how I feel. I love you, still, after all this. And after all that went down between us, and you and Willis - I wasn't so sure you felt the same. You told me you didn't on Puget, but then during the trial, and after...I felt something again. And I guess you did, too, because you surprised me with that hug and kiss before I finally left. When you said goodbye.

That kiss meant everything to me.

Willis could feel his blood beginning to boil now. Natalie had told him it was done, that it was over - that she loved him, not Ethan. He'd made her promise that she wouldn't contact him again once he left. And here was her old ex, messaging her after the fact - and now revealing something else Willis hadn't known, either. A detail that shook him to his core and cut straight through his heart. Something he almost would've rather not known.

Anyway, I'm not sure what the point of this is. I guess just to tell you what I still feel for you. And to see if you really meant what you did. If you ever have second thoughts...I'll be here.

Ethan

It took all the self-control Willis could muster not to throw the device against the wall and watch it shatter into a thousand pieces. As it was he tossed it onto the bunk and stood, suddenly pacing. The short message was like a bomb that kept exploding. Ethan hadn't just had feelings for Natalie - he was in love with her. They'd been in contact again. She'd kissed him again, after she and Willis had already gotten back together. It was too much.

Hawk decided then and there that he was done. Nothing could overcome this now - he didn't care what she had to say about it, didn't want to talk, didn't want to try to work it out anymore. This was clear as day to him. She'd cheated, again, and her old boyfriend was waiting for her. Well, he could fucking have her, then.

Willis was still raging inside, trying to make sense of the anger and hurt and betrayal, when he heard a knock at the door.

Cooper was back.