Hello everyone in the fanfiction universe. Sorry for not updating in such a long time, but to make a long story short. My computer of fifteen years finally bit the dust. Along with most of my files, especially the fanfics I've been writing. I hope this chapter ties you over for a little bit. But I finally got a new comp and I'll be back to writing one again. as always be sure to read and drop a review if you can or want.

Chapter 23

Strike wasted no time when her little brother Tj started to ask about Mark. While still kneeling on one knee she happily said, "well I'm glad you asked Tj, that's my good friend Mark over there. ""Why don't you come along and I'll introduce you to him?"

In that moment, Strike got up on her feet and started to lead her little brother to him. Of course, Tj was a bit hesitant and suspicious at first standing behind his big sister. At first Strike, didn't notice as she introduced her little brother to Mark that he was hiding behind her. "Hey Mark, this is my little brother Terry Jacob Baker, or Tj. "" Awe come on TJ don't be shy Mark here just wants to shake your hand that's all."

None the less Tj finally did make his way to holding out his hand in a bit nervousness to greet Angela's friend. To Mark he was doing his very best to greet Strike little brother, even though he had a weak hand shake. "Hello there Tj my name is Mark, and I'm a good friend to your sister Str….., uh I mean Angela here."

Once that was done Strike wasted no time introducing me to her parents. Next was Strike's mother. "Mark this is my mother Katherine Baker." Again, I was about to hold out my hand to greet Strikes mother when she instead pulled me into a large embracing hug of her own. Which really caught me off guard.

After that Strike or Angela as I should be calling her, finally introduce me to her father. "And finally, Mark this is my father Henry Baker." Once again, I held out my hand to greet Strike father. In return he gave me a strong firm hand shake with a warm smile of his own." A friend of my daughter is friend of mine Mark, now come on in and make yourself at home."

As I came into Strike's home, I started to notice all the nice homey touches that it had from the furniture to the many pictures on the walls of the house that showed of Strike and the rest of her family. But first things first, Strike's mother started to lead me upstairs along with Angela I guess to my guest room.

When I came inside, it was a nice and cozy room. The bed alone had to be a queen size bed. Strikes mother also showed me the spare closet with extra blankets and pillows if I ever needed them. She also informed me that dinner would be ready in about an hour. Strike herself I guess wanted to spend a little bit of time with me just to make sure that I was comfortable, however her little brother had other plans in mind. Instead her brother kept urging her to come with him, so he could show her his new gaming system. To which I just nodded my head to Strike to let her know that I'll be alright.

After all she should get in as much time with her family as she could. I mean we only have about a couple of weeks of r and r till we must head back to the pit. Any who I made use of my extra time by myself to put up my green clothes in the drawers provided. It really didn't take much time to get this done. So, I decided just to take a little bit of a load off by lying down. Man, this bed was very comfortable yet firm, which is the way I like it. Yet it only lasted for about a minute or two, till my attention drew elsewhere.

Oddly enough what drew my attention was the window outside. Since I was on the second floor, I could easily see outside to the rest of Strike's home. Even though the corners of the window did have that frost cover to it from the cold outside. At first glance all I could see was nothing but a sea of white. The sun was setting in the distance. But looking outside watching the snow falling hitting the ground lightly gave me that peaceful feeling.

I mean I could literally sit here and watch the snow fall all night if I could. At first, I wanted to see if I could catch a snow flurry in mouth, just like the way Strike describe it to me. But as soon as I crack opened the window I shut it completely. I mean it's pretty dame could out there. So, I continued to watch silently as the snow felled. So much so that I didn't even notice the light knocking on my door.

Strike on the other hand wanted to let Mark know that dinner was ready. Yet for some odd reason he is not answering his door. Hoping that he is not napping, Strike decided to take a quick peek inside. Hoping to find him on the bed, Strike only notices that Mark is somewhat glued to the window looking outside. So, she curiously walks silently inside to see what he is staring at.

As Mark continued to watch the snow falling outside, he really didn't notice that Strike was calling to him until he felt a slight tap on his shoulder. He turned his head slightly to the right only to notice that it was Strike. Before he could say anything, Strike Started first." Hey Mark…um dinner is ready. "" Oh well thanks Angela, I'll be on my way down."

"Hmm…. So, what are you looking at then? "" Oh, nothing other than the snow falling outside, it just looks peaceful to me. "" Oh, I see then, I guess you never really have seen it snowed before I guess. "" Yeah kind of like that Angela, but let's go ahead and make out way down stairs." In that moment, they both agreed to head down stairs to get some dinner.

When we both came down stairs dinner was already set and placed. I chose to sit on side of the table, while both of Strike's parent chose to sit and each end. Oddly enough Tj Chose to sit right across from me. Naturally I though Strike would sit next to her little brother, but for some reason she chose to sit next to me.

Since I was a guest, I waited for my host to serve themselves first before I did, instead they chose to say grace first. Which was really a new concept to me. I mean some Joe's and green shirts did practice this at the pit, but not many. So, we all held hands while Mr. Baker led in prayer. Once it was done, Mrs. Baker decided to take the honor in serving me first.

It was good chow after all. Roast chicken and a large ham with a lot of sides of course. I wasted no time in chowing down and asking for seconds. Of course, Strike's parents mainly her father decide to start a conversation to lighten the mood. "So, Mark do you train in the same field as Angela here?"" Well sort of Sir, we do pt together and some training."" Oh, I'm sorry Mark what I meant to say was, are you an infantryman like my daughter here."

"No sir, I'm not in infantry."" My primary M.O.S. is being a scout sniper."" M.O.S. what is that," Tj asked. "It means military occupation specialty," Strike said out loud. "Oh interesting," Mrs. Baker added. "So, what is a scout sniper," Tj asked again. "Well it just means that I do long range reconnaissance in a giving area, while I shoot a rifle from a conceal position."

"Whoa that sounds so cool, did you kill any bad guys?" In that instant Strike looked up to TJ with a stern look on her face, while her father started to talk to him in a serious tone about how inappropriate that was for him to say that, and that he should apologize right now.

Yet to me I was sort of at a loss for words. I mean when Tj asked me if I killed anybody, all I could think was the ten lives that I took that day in the jungle with Sergeant Scarlett. I know that in many ways both Strike and Hawk have told me that I did the right thing, yet to me it felt really wrong. But I had to put those matters aside since Strike is giving me a weird look to me. She quickly nudges my arm to get my attention, that I looked up to her.

"Hey you ok Mark?"" Uh yeah what is it Angela?"" Well it's just my little brother wanted to say something to you." I turn my head towards him, as he apologized about his inappropriate question to me. To which I told him it was ok. None the less there was an awkward silence in the room.

Till Tj decided to ask another question. "Mr. Mark can I ask you another question?" "Uh sure what's on your mind Tj? "" Do you have the hots for my sister," Tj asked plainly. In which he got rather swift response from Strike. "TJ!?, "Strike said out loud looking at him a bit angry. While Mr. Baker once again starts to scold his son almost to the point of yelling. Only I started to notice the cherry red skin on Strike's face. Either she was either embarrassed as hell, or really angry. I chose the first rather than the latter of the two.

Yet I had to do something quick since the mood was really hostile. So, I spoke up first, which in a way started to draw everyone's attention to me." Well Tj, to answer your question I do like your sister."" I like her because she has been a good motivator, teacher, and friend." Before Tj could respond, I continued on.

"As far as the motivation part, your sister would take extra time with me to whip me into shape. "" When I first came to the base I was scrawny."" So as motivation, Angela would take extra time to make me do a lot exercise, even though I would complain about it."" As for a teacher, Angela taught me how to read and write."" Most of time I would have thought that she would have given up on me since I was not good at it, but she never did."" In fact, she would always try her hardest."" And as for a good friend she would always be there to make sure that I stayed on the right path. "" Even with time's that I felt like giving up she would always be there to encourage me not to give up."

When I looked up I notice that Mr. Baker was no longer angry, while Strike red face went away completely, as she was smiling to me. Tj of course spoke up once again. "Wow Angela did you do all that for Mark?" To which in Angela's approval as she pulled Mark in with a nice one arm hug. "I sure did." With the mood completely lighten up I finished up first with dinner offering my help to Mrs. Baker with the cleanup to which she told that I was guest and it not necessary.

Since they didn't need my help I decided just to go back to room. I decided to hit the sack early tonight, even though it was only about 8:00 at night. Strike didn't really say much to me other than good night. I bet she was just as tired as I am. I mean driving does take a lot out of you. So, in five minutes I undressed and tucked into the covers to get a good night's rest.

The very next morning.

Again, just like clockwork I woke up slowly but surely by myself. I look over to my left to see the digital clock saying to me once again that it was 04:30. I guess Strike was right after all, about my body getting totally use to get up on its own. To me it's only second nature.

I get up out of bed still in my boxers about to get dressed, but once again I'm drawing to look outside. Mainly because I wanted to watch it snow again. Once I get over of course, it's no longer snowing. Instead the night sky is very much cleared up, as the stars and moon shine very brightly. The moon light itself starts to cover the white filled landscape with its light. It had a silver look to it if I must say.

Much like snowing, star gazing was just as peaceful to me. I could literally stand here and watch this all night if I could. But first things first, I must get started on my pt. So, I get dressed quickly and quietly. I know for a fact that I couldn't really go outside for a run. Mainly because it's cold and two I don't have the foot gear to handle the thick snow outside. So, exercises are a bit limited to say the least.

So, I did just regular old sit ups and pushups. Yet I soon found out that this room I'm staying in was rather warm, from the furnace heat. And since I really didn't want to sweat out in my green clothes, I decided to dress down to my boxers and t-shirt. Needless to say, I was able to get in a good couple of hours of Pt in.

When I worked up a good sweat or felt tired enough, I would sneak out quietly from my room to head down to the bath room to get in a couple of hand fills of chilly water from the faucet. I know for a fact that somehow Strike was sleeping in. I guess since we are on vacation, that she really wanted to lazy out on her pt.

As I made my way back to my room I couldn't help but notice that I saw a light on down stairs by the kitchen. So, I quickly made it back to my room to get dressed up in my all greens and head down stairs to investigate.

I quickly make my way down, only to notice the smell of fresh coffee. Normally I don't drink the stuff, since it has a rather harsh for my taste. Yet the Joe's and the green shirts back at the pit would drink this stuff as if it was water. Soon enough I found Mrs. Baker sitting by the table enjoying her own cup. She looked up for a bit to notice me as I came in.

"Well you are an early riser if I must say Mark."" Any ways good morning, would you like a cup of coffee?"" No thank you ma'am I normally don't drink the stuff."" Hmm I guess you army types are somewhat up tight."" You know Mark you don't have to be very formal with me all the time, after all you are a guest in my home."

"But if you still want to be formal about it, then you can call me Mrs. Baker if you like."" I really don't like to be called ma'am all that much it makes me sound very old. ""Very well Mrs. Baker."" Mmm, now that sounds much better."" Could I interest you in glass of orange juice or milk then?"" No thank Mrs. Baker, I usually don't eat breakfast until after I finish my morning Pt."

"Morning Pt," Mrs. Baker said confusingly. "Uh well that's my morning physical training that I do on a daily basis." "Huh does Angela do this as well?"" Yes Mrs. Baker, we often exercise together and have breakfast as well together. "" Tell me then what is you do in this pt?"

I did my very best to explain to Mrs. Baker about the various exercises that I do along with Angela. "Oh, I see then you did just every exercise other than your morning run."" I can see how that might be a problem."" Hmm I may have a solution to that, if you will follow me Mark."

I followed Mrs. Baker outside near the driveway entrance of their house. She gave me a very heavy coat, some water resistant yet warm gloves, and what she called a scarf to wear around my face. To my dismay she was wearing nothing on but a heavy coat of her own only to be wearing some loose boots since she was still in her night gown. She however reassured me that it is alright since she was really use to this type weather.

She then handed me light shovel with a very wide end. She basically told me that since I couldn't get any running in, that shoveling snow could be rigorous workout for me. The only advice she gave me was that I should take it slow, and under any circumstances that I should never eat any snow for water.

Soon I got started on my task. I started in the area where Strikes rental car was, as I cleared the snow at hand. To me this felt very easy since the snow was very light. Without really thinking about it I started to go faster and faster, till my exhaustion started to catch up to me. I guess Mrs. Baker was right about this after all. So, I started to pace myself like should. Within thirty minutes I was able to clear out all the snow in the main drive way to the front of the house.

I quickly went back inside to get a much-needed breather and to get a bit warmer inside. Mrs. Baker was very kind in telling me that I was doing such an excellent job. But I reassured her that I was not done yet. Since she knew that she wasn't going to talk me out of this, she prepared a decent size thermos for me. She basically told me that it was heated up water, incase if I ever needed a drink. So, in ten minutes I was back at it again. To clear out all the snow from the main drive way of the house to the highway and back.

Mrs. Baker could really do nothing but watch Mark shoveling the snow at hand. Thinking to herself about how Mark is such a hard-working young man that could be perfect for her daughter. That is until she hears her daughter making her way towards the kitchen. Angela just yawns out loud while stretching a bit, until the smell of fresh brewed coffee filled her nostrils.

"Well you're up early Angela," Katherine exclaimed. "Heh I would have never have thought that you wear that again," as Angela's mother laughed. Angela was wearing her signature university of Iowa hawk eye pajamas. "Well good morning to you mom, and for the record they still fit don't they."" Oh, good you made some coffee mom, can you pour me a cup if don't mind."

To which Angela's mother quickly got a cup ready for her. Angela always takes her coffee with a few spoon fills of sugar. She sips her hot cup of joe and savors it only for a moment. Mainly because her mother was standing by the kitchen window staring at something. So naturally Angela went towards her way to see what's up. "Huh what are you looking at mom?" Of course, Angela got her answer as soon as she takes a peak out of the kitchen window.

"Wow I didn't know dad stills shovels snow," Angela quipped in. "Actually, your father hasn't shoveled snow by hand for over five years now."" Huh so that's not dad then?"" Well I think it's wonderful that Tj is starting to show some responsibility by helping you guys out."" Well Angela, Tj will shovel snow maybe occasionally but it's a particular chore that he doesn't like to do on a daily basis unless a snow blower is involved."

"Huh so that's not Tj either."" Did you guys hire some local to come and do this?"" As it your father will ever do that honey." Angela stood there until she started to put two and two together when her eyes started to widen in shock. "Don't tell me that's Mark out there shoveling snow."

"Well honey, I tried to talk him out of it, but he was rather insistent in wanting to get a good workout for his pt as he put it. "" Mom, Mark's not a hired hand ok he's our guest."" I know sweetie, by the way how old is Mark."" Uh I think he's close to twenty years old, why do you ask."

"Twenty you say," as Mrs. Baker started to smile to herself and in front of Angela. Of course, Angela didn't get it a first until her mother started to motion to her with her eyes. "What are you getting at mom? ""Well sweetie he's close to your age, good looking, polite, and not to mention a hard-working young man."

Angela eyes finally started to widen in shock as to what her mother was getting at. "MOM!? First Tj and now you."" Look sweetie, he is such a nice young man, and I bet you two would make a great couple." "Not to mention that the both of you could give me and your father a few grand kids."" Mom will you please just start on breakfast first ok," Angela asked in a whiny mood. "All right sweetie, but just think about it ok."

"As if I could mom. Now I'm going out there to get Mark, so he doesn't catch a cold ok."