DISCLAIMER: The only characters I really own are Susie, Jack, and Matthew...as well as any other little characters thatmight be in there. Basically, anything you don't recognize from the movie. The title is also the name of an Aerosmith song.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, here it is. The entire "Susie" saga, from start to the very end. I didn't feel like puttin git in chapters, so the whol kit n kaboodle is right here under Chapter 1. I tend to think that'll make things easier for you guys.Perhaps I will continue it one day, but there's nowhere to really go from here that wuoldn't result in ANOTHER long story. I'll still write fics with ehr in them, only from different POV's i think. Anyway, the complete "Come Together" is in here, as well as a new story about Rafe leaving for the draft which has been posted seperately as "America". Enjoy! Don't forget to REVIEW!!!




…There are those who will say that memories can remain to haunt a person 'til the day they die. The memories of old friends, old loves, and old experiences always seem to find a way to dig their way back into the back of one's mind and hover there- a constant reminder of something which we cannot get back. And so the ghosts of my past hide in my shadows and slink around my life as I struggle to move on, to forget all that I have tried so hard to leave behind, yet somehow cannot afford to lose.
I grew up with one brother, an older one. Not by much though, he beat me into this world by only one year. In any case, we grew up close. I was so fond of Rafe that I almost idolized him. He was strong and determined, and always a lot of fun. Plus, he protected me. I was his baby Susie, his little doll that he could dress up for church or throw into the creek. We had fun, me and Rafe. And then there was Danny.
Danny was my brother's best friend. Him and Rafe were inseparable since they day they met, before I was even alive. He loved planes, I'll remember that. Those two were never more 'en five feet away from a propeller in all their lives. Anyway, he was great. He watched over me, saw to it that I got my work done but had fun. Lord knows they pampered me, no doubt 'bout that!
It was the Summer I turned sixteen that things began to change. Suddenly, things were different...or at least they seemed to be. Rafe and Danny got older, got more rebellious--and therefore, I followed suit. There were late nights of sneaking out, drinking, and smoking...but you know what? I'd never change the way things happened. I had fun those times, and, call it what you will, such so-called "defiance" was a thrill for me. Each night I'd wait for Rafe to wake me up and shove me out onto the porch roof. From there, it was no easy task. The job of getting to the ground was a mix of jumping, falling, catching, or apologizing for the unintended bruises of a bad aim. Regardless, it was those steamy July nights that changed everything for me, for better or for worse...


"You know I meant to catch you, Suze," Rafe drawled as we walked down the dirt street to the side road where we often spent our nights.
"Oh I know you did, but still-it hurts!" I responded dryly.
"Come on Suzy, it couldn't-a been that bad," Danny said, cracking a smile and punching me in the shoulder.
"Shows what you know, Walker," I said with a grin.
"I know plenty, thanks."
"Well then you should know enough to stop walking, because the road is right here."

...Stanley Drive was an old dirt road which nobody really paid much mind to. Nobody had ever lived along it, and it lead to a dead end. But there was something special about that road, something endearing in the clearings by the creek and the sitting spaces under the trees from which you could sit back and watch the stars, that set the stage for enchantment as a wind of change blew through the air...


The three of us sat by the creek; myself sprawled out on the grass watching the stars. Rafe was swigging a bottle of malt as he pushed the water around with a stick. Danny sat by my feet, watching Rafe with cynical amusement. I took a long pull off of my cigarette and sighed.
"Something up?" Rafe asked quizzically.
"Nah," I responded quietly, "I'm just thinking about things."
"What kind of things?"
"They're stupid Rafe, you don't wanna here 'em."
"They're not stupid if they're worth thinkin bout Suze. Besides, you know I won't laugh."
"Fine, but I swear Rafe McCawley, no makin fun of me! I was thinkin, are we gonna ever go into space? It's awful pretty from here, but I wonder what it's really like up there. ahh, shit...gimme some of that malt."
"Take it, I'm gonna go take a piss somewhere."
Rafe got up and stumbled off down the road. It was a long stretch, and knowing him he'd walk the entire thing before he realized he had even gone five feet. Drunk as an ass, he was.
Still wonderin' about space, I lit another cigarette and saw Danny sit down beside me and recline against the grass.
"That was a nice thought you had there," he said quietly, "Someday we might get to go up there and see it for ourselves."
"Nah, not me. I'd be too scared," I retorted slyly, turning my head away from the sky and looking Danny in the eyes.
"I'd hold your hand so you wouldn't have to worry..." he winked and grinned.
"Why, do I detect some sarcasm Mr. Walker?"
"None at all. You'd have to go with us."
"Why?"
"'Cause, Suze, look at them stars. They're so gorgeous...I couldn't let you miss out on something like that, now could I?"
"Awe, you're sweet..."
Danny lay out, and offered up his shoulder as my pillow. In the distance I heard a loud "ouch!"--Somewhere, Rafe had walked into a tree.
"You know, I've been thinking lately," Danny began out of nowhere, talking quietly and shyly.
"So I'm not the only one, huh?" I laughed, trying unsuccessfully to be funny.
"No seriously, Susie, I've really been thinking. About things...and how they change...a lot..." He paused and squeezed my shoulder with his hand.
"This feels right. This--being here, with you. It always has felt right to me. I've loved you forever, but never like this. You were always one of my closest friends, you and Rafe have been the best...but now it's more. I feel like we connect and I'm sorry if I'm scaring you but dammit I need to know if you feel the same about me. Things have been gettin' different Susie, and I can't help it anymore. I'm fallin for you. I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" I asked softly.
"'Cause I shouldn't be tellin' you this, puttin' you through this. You deserve better 'en me. I know that. You should want better, too."
"I know what I want, Danny."
"And what's that Suze?"
"I want you to hold my hand, like you said you would."
Danny took my hand and held it tight, raising it to his lips and kissing it gently. Suddenly I felt warm--this was right. I had always needed Danny, but never before like this. I held his body to mine and lay there, burying my face in his neck. It was warm and a 'lil bit sweaty...it smelled good, kinda musky but sweet. He held me tightly and I felt his breath on my ear.
"Danny?" I asked, barely above a whisper.
"Yea?"
"Lemme see your face?"
He pulled his head away from my shoulder and looked me square in the eyes. The lamp we had brought with us illuminated his deep-set brown eyes as I took his face in my hands and pulled it close to my own. Slowly, I ran my lips over his facial features, tastin' for myself what I had been wanting for so long. Suddenly, I heard him sigh and grip me tighter, and before I knew it I had kissed him.
It only lasted for five seconds, but our lips pulled away he hugged me to his body and we lay there in the grass, breathing in each other's aura.
"Guys!" a drunken Rafe called from down the street, "I'm just gonna go sleep down the street by the big tree...thingy...big...thing...ahhhhhhh, you know what I'm talkin 'bout..." and off he went.
I kissed Danny again.
"You sure you want this Suze?" he asked me, cupping my face in his strong palms.
"More sure than I've been about anything else in my life, "I sighed, pulling off his shirt and kissing him deeply.

...That night I gave Danny all of my love, and he gave me all of his. It was beautiful, the way I'd always hoped it would be. Afterwards we fell asleep, not caring if we didn't return home until late. I decided then and there that I loved him, and as I drifted off to sleep in his arms I dreamed about our future...


The sunlight shone down on my closed eyes, and warmed my face.
"Wake up little Susie," Danny sang into my ear quietly, nuzzling my neck.
"Lord, Danny, what time is it?"
"About seven, but we don't have to leave yet. I just wanna lie here with you."
"Should we find Rafe?"
"WHAT IN HELL?!" Rafe bellowed as he stumbled upon Danny and me, still in a hangover but in the right state of mind to see what was going on.
"Rafe I can explain," Danny began.
"Nah...No don't," Rafe drawled, holdin' his head, "I figured this'd happen sooner or later. But she's my girl Walker, and if you hurt her--"
"I swear I won't Rafe. I've always loved her, you know that...and now I just kinda love her more."
"You can't help something like this from happening, but you said yourself you saw it was comin'," i offered.
"Look Suze, I said you don't have to explain, neither of you do. I don't mind it at all! My head just really hurts, so could ya'll please help me walk home before I end up falling in a ditch and dying alone, covered in dirt, with the bugs?" Rafe whimpered, attempting to walk on his own.
Together, like we always had before, the three of us walked home. Only this time, we were all a little bit more grown up. After droppin Rafe off at the drug store in town, Danny and I walked home, his arm around me and his mouth planted firmly on the top of my head.

...My big brother Rafe meant everything to me-- he was my hero, my protector, and, in a sense, my entire world. Since I was a baby, he'd watch out for me and make sure I only did what was best for myself. Then there was the situation with Danny. At first, he seemed to accept it. He told Danny never to break his Susie's heart. Everything was just fine, as long as no hearts were broken. At least, everything SEEMED to be just fine...


July seventh was the hottest day of the year, with temperatures soarin' over the 100's. My heart raced as I walked home from the grocer's, not only from heat but from my newly founded relationship with Danny Walker. Lord, everything seemed to be so perfect! And Rafe, Rafe had been so good about this whole thing. Any other guy found his best friend neckin' with his little sister would flip his lid. But not my big brother, no sir, he was wonderful about it. I looked up at the hazy summer sky and began to whistle.
When I got home, Rafe was sitting at the kitchen table, eating some ice cream and readin' the paper.
"Hey you,"I grinned, flopping down next to him and leaning on the table, "Whatcha readin'?"
"Nothin'," he mumbled, not looking at me. Quickly, he took a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth and resumed his reading. He didn't even glance up, not once.
It was then that I realized we hadn't really spoken since the early mornin' that he found me and Danny together. Maybe he really was happy for us -- or maybe I was just imagining that he was.
"What's this, chocolate?" I asked, sticking my finger into his ice cream and sampling it.
Angrily, he grabbed it away.
"That's mine, dammit!" he cussed, getting up from the table and setting himself down on the couch in the next room.
Defiantly, I followed.
"Rafe, are you mad at me?" I asked as innocently as possible, slowly sitting down next to him.
"I should be, but I'm not," he huffed, staring at the wall as if he were trying to burn a hole in it with his eyes.
"Then it's Danny you're mad at, isn't it?"
"Suze, that's none of your goddamn business."
"Yes it is, I have a right to know what's goin' on, especially if it involves me. Or Danny."
"Would you stop talkin' about him like you two are married or somethin'?!"
"You're angry with us both, aren't you...?"
"Yes, yes I am. More at him, but I'm darn well disappointed in you."
"I don't see why. I didn't do anythin' wrong."
"He's my best friend, Susie! And you're my little sister! It just...defies all logic is all! If he hurts you, I can't be friends with him no more. And if you hurt him, I hafta be mad at you. Either way, I check out badly and it isn't even my fault!"
"Shit, that's selfish Rafe."
"I don't care, it's how I feel. I don't wanna lose neither of you but I don't even have a choice if something goes wrong."
"Nothing'll go wrong though! We're happy together..."
"You don't know that. For all you know he could be usin' you!"
I lost it there. Crying, I punched him slack in the jaw and stormed towards the front door.
"Susanna Rose McCawley, you get that scrawny little ass back here!" he screamed as I slammed the screen shut. I ran for the barn--it was the only place I could hide from everyone. What if Rafe was right...what if Danny was using me?


...The barn was my safe place. Amongst all the planes and the clutter, I could just hide and be alone with myself. I could think 'bout everything that went on and have time to cry without bein embarrassed; I could have time to sort everything out in my mind without bein interrupted. That day, though, I just flipped out...


Everything in the barn was a target when it came to my anger and frustration. I pummelled the wall, bearing down so hard that within minutes my knuckles were raw, bruised, and pouring out blood. I'd never been so angry in my life--I felt so happy with Danny in my heart, but then the only other person whom I loved so dearly was making it hard to believe that my relationship could be depended on. Crying and screamin', I heaved on, throwing myself hard at the steel side of the cropduster. Nothin' could be the same now -- I had screwed that all up.
"Suze!" a deep voice behind me cried upon enetering the barn--it was Danny.
Thank God he showed up when he did, because I was so exhausted and in so much pain that i felt my legs go weak and I fell to the ground. Luckily, his strong arms got there in time and saved my head from the concrete.
Silently, we sat there; me bleeding, bruised, and sobbing, and him cradling my body to his with his eyes shut and his lips on my forehead. He knew what was wrong.
"Rafe, right?" he asked quietly, brushing my hair away from my face with one hand and wiping my tears with the other.
I nodded, trying to stop crying. God, I loved him.
"What happened baby?" he whispered, care showing through his dark, deepset eyes.
"He said you were probably usin' me. That you didn't really care. And that he was worried 'cause if we got messed up he'd lose one of us no matter what," I murmered, finally realizing the pain that Rafe had been feeling. He was right to be so scared, he loved me and Danny both and losing us could mean a lot of trouble for him. He was hurt and alone and I hadn't done anything to help him.
"I'll talk to him," Danny offered, holding my hand gently and wiping the blood away from my knuckles. "I'll make him see that what we've got is real."
"No," I replied, sitting up feebly, "I know why he's hurtin' and he's got his reasons. Lord, I love him. I love you both. But I hurt him bad, we both did, without meaning too. Mostly it's me, ya know? I'm his baby and he kinda feels like he has to protect me. I should talk to him first. I'll come get you later, though, alright?"
He pulled me to my feet and kissed me.
"Alright, darlin', but next time you come to me before you go and beat up this old plane, okay?" He grinned sweetly and cupped my chin in one of his hands. With the other he wiped the last tear from my cheek and kissed me lightly on the lips. "This is real, Suze, I'd never use you. I love you."
"I love you too," I said, gently pulling away from him and running from the barn to my house.


...Rafe was never one to cry. He'd hold it in until it tore him up inside, or he'd take it out on a pillow or a wall--but he'd never, ever cry, especially not in front of me. But that night when I went home, he was on the porch sippin' a beer and bawling like a baby...


"Rafe?" I offered, approaching him slowly and finally sitting down next to him.
"What is it," he sniffled, "Can't ya see I'm busy?" He held up the bottle as his excuse.
"Gimme that," I snapped, takin' a swig from it. It was pretty damn good for cheap beer.
A long silence insued. Rafe had forced himself to stop crying. I had forced myself to keep from crying. It was pretty damned uneasy. Finally, I broke the tension.
"Rafe, I'm so sorry!" I blurted out, putting the bottle down loudly on the steps of the porch.
"Damn, Suze, you didn't drink THAT much of it. i got more inside," he smirked arrogantly.
"No, you know what I mean. I--we-- didn't mean to hurt you. I know it makes you nervous that you could lose one or both of us but this is real. we care' bout eachother so much, and it's not like we're strangers!"
"I know, girly, but--"
"No, let me finish. I love you both the same, only you as my brother and Danny as my...lover...and, well, I'd never intentionally let any hurt come to either of you. And Danny feels the same way. If I ever saw you in pain like that Rafe I'd kill myself, I swear it. So please, PLEASE, trust us. Be happy for me, please?"
He looked at me with those big brown eyes and i melted. I cried again, and as I sat there sobbing into my knees I felt his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to him. Together we cried as the sunset, not in pain but for love of eachother. We would always be there for eachother, my big brother and I. I'd never lose his love.
In an hour or so, we were still outside, finishing off another bottle of beer. once the fireflies were out, Danny appeared at the steps. Rafe stood up.
I prepared myself for the worst, despite what we had talked about.
"Rafe, I--" Danny began hesitantly, shuffling his feet and starin' at the ground.
"Forget it Walker," Rafe smiled and winked, "I understand. Let's leave it at that."
Rafe offered him his hand, and they shook on it, as if sealing their "truce".


...The three of us sat there that night until well past midnight, revelling in the silence, the beer, the love we all felt, and the magic of the fireflies lighting up the fields with an enchanting green glow. Heaven didn't seem to be too far away from this porch in the fields of Tenny, where three angels fell asleep on eachother with dreams of what was yet to come, and dreams of what was past. Time went on, and Danny and I found us in a blissful state of euphoria. At night he'd climb through my window and just lay there with me 'til the mornin' when he'd sneak out but leave me a note saying he loved me or some such thing. Rafe became quite the ladies man, but both focused mainly on airplanes. I'd never been jealous of any other woman who looked Danny's way...I was more envious of those planes which took up most of his time. Then they decided that the U.S. AirForce might be a "fun" idea. .Sometimes I wonder why the boys even wanted to fight. What was so exciting about going off and leaving everything you know behind to run around shooting things? I could hardly forgive them for their wanderlust, but I did love them -- both of them. Danny and I had this agreement goin' where I'd write him once a day until he came home. I still do, but now I have nowhere to send the letters...and he's still not home. But it was Rafe who really broke my heart. He was all I had left, and he knew it...

The night was clear and humid, with the crickets chirping as an owl hooted from a nearby tree. I was washin' dishes in the kitchen when i noticed Rafe sitting on the porch steps. Looking out the tiny window, I watched as he fingered a piece of paper slowly, looking down at it and half smiling. He looked scared though -- there was something in his face that I just couldn't read, no matter how hard I looked.
"Hey there," I said gently, through the screen door. Startled, he turned around and smiled at me.
"Hey Girly," he smiled, patting the step next to him, gesturing for me to come and sit by him.
Closing the door behind me, I sat by his side. His hair was going in a hundred different directions from doin' chores all day, and he hadn't shaved in a while.
"You're gettin' a bit messy there, Rafe," I smiled, shoving his shoulder playfully. He turned and grinned at me, his hazel eyes showing no sign of what was going on in his head. I could always read his eyes, but not this time.
"Shouldn't you be in bed, kiddoe?" he joked, ruffin' up my hair with his hand.
"Very funny."
"I know, I'm the funniest darn guy you'll ever meet."
"So why are you out here?"
"It's just nice out is all. I needed some fresh air."
"But it's so humid! Oh, I forgot to tell you that I'm runnin' errands tomorrow. Tell me if you need anything."
I grabbed his pack of cigarettes from beside him and lit one up.
"Those are bad, ya know," he laughed as he lit one for himself.
"Hypocrite."
"I am what i am what i am."
"Gawd, i hope this heat lets up soon. I can't take much more."
"So hows things with Danny?"
"They're fine...I really love him, Rafe. It's good."
"And he loves you," he paused. "I'm really glad you're happy, Girly."
"Oh, i know it." I exhaled slowly, watching the smoke as it streamed out of my mouth and drifted away.
"No, really. I know i don't always act it, but i like to see you happy. i hate it when things go bad for you. i care, i really do. I love you, kid."
"You know I love you."
There was an awkward silence, during which I remembered my purpose for coming outside.
"What's this?" I asked, pointing to the paper.
"I got in Suze."
My heart hit the floor.
"The force?"
"Yup. We both did. Danny and I."
I tried to look happy, to put on a smile. But I new the dangers fo the air force. I knew what could happen should we go to war. Hostilities were building up everywhere, between every country. America could get sucked into the battle as fast as anything.
"You're happy for me," Rafe questioned, looking at me in the eyes, "Right?"
"Oh of course!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him. "You've been waiting for this day for as long as I can remember!" I knew damn well I could lose him if he joined. He could get involved with the fighting and he could get shot down, or fatally wounded, or taken prisoner. These things happened often at war. Further, he was leavin' me alone here. I had never been without my brother, not one day of my life. I could hardly hold back my tears.
"Girly?" he asked, alarmed. "Why are you crying?" He pulled me back to study my face for a hint.
"I...I could lose you to this. Did you ever once think about that?" I turned away, hiding my eyes.
"Aw, no ya won't," he laughed good-heartedly. "We're not at war, Suze! This'll just give me a chance to do what I love to do most! I've dreamt of flying for the USAF forever, since I was a kid."
"And if the US goes to war? You're good Rafe, you know that. They'll send you out first. You could die."
"I won't die. Even if we do go to war, I know I can handle it. I know it. Trust me baby, I'm not gonna let anything happen to take me away from you." He put his arm over my shoulder and hugged me close.
"Rafe," I began, looking out at the barn where we had played as children, "I'm gonna miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Girly. But I'll write home all the time." He smiled. "Now what say you go inside and make some dessert or somethin'? I think Walker's coming by in a bit."
"Dessert is ready. It's ice cream, all on the table. I'm ahead of my time." I winked and smiled.

...Sometimes I'd wonder about those two. Were they crazy? Was this REALLY what they wanted in life? They could stay home, Rafe could continue Daddy's crop dustin' business and Danny could work at his Pop's store in town, and maybe own it someday. Then things would be fine, everyone would be where they really belonged -- at home. "...But I'll be home in that plane..." Danny once said to me. If only he knew. If only we all knew. Life carried on in Tenny, we all pretended that the inevitable would never happen. Things went on as normal...

The sun, unbearably hot, beat down on my back as I hung up the laundry to dry in the backyard. It was the beginning of August, the hottest month of the Summertime. The humidity stuck in my throat like a ball, choking me as i swatted wasps away from my bare arms.
Lord, I thought miserably, wiping sweat from my brow, Let the Winter come soon.
Two hands covered my eyes, and pulled me backwards.
"Guess who," a deep voice whispered into my ear.
"Why," i responded, grinning coyly, "I do believe it's my knight in shinin' armor, here to take me away from this place and my evil boyfriend."
Danny spun me around to face him and kissed me lightly.
"Ever the comedian," he smiled. "Here, let me help you with this."
We continued to pin the clothes to the line, sweating in the heavy heat.
"How's Rafe doin'?" I asked him, holding up an undershirt and inspectin it for stains.
"You know him best, he's your blood," Danny answered, smiling at my perserverance with the undershirt.
"Well, I mean...sometimes he doesn't tell me things. Like how he really feels. I don't know why, but I want for him to tell me."
"Well he's like that, you know? He keeps himself all bottled up 'til the last possible moment and then he lets ya know what he's feelin'."
"I don't think he loves me the same anymore," I said quietly, leaning on the wooden post and looking back at the house where Rafe was takin' a nap.
Danny grabbed me by the shoulders and quickly turned me around. His eyes pierced into mine with a fierce emotion.
"Don't you ever think that Suze," he said gently. "You kno you're his world. Everything in his life revolves around you. He cares about you more than his life itself."
"Then why," I pushed him away, my eyes welling up with water, "is he leaving me?"
"It's money. The air force will pay us for this. Let's face it...we're not the most succesful guys as of yet. But this can make us into somethin'. Rafe can come home an buy you a new dress and shoes an i can come home and marry you and buy us a big house somewhere. We need it. And I admit it's not just that. He wants to do what he does best. You know he's the best, you've seen him firsthand. He needs to put it to use. Or else...it's just a waste."
He tightened his grip on my shoulders and leaned in.
"Take a break, Suze," he whispered, planting his lips on my cheek. "Let's go do something...the night is young."
"But," i winked, "it's still only daytime."
Later, we found ourselves sitting by the creek in the dusky evening air.
"So," he began nervously, looking down, "You gonna miss me?"
"Of course," I responded, dipping my toes in the icy water. "I don't understand what this fascination with dying is."
"It's not dyin', Suze. It's flying, up there," he pointed to the sky, at the first stars to appear, "and making a difference at the same time. "
"Well what if something happens? How high can you fly with broken wings?"
"It's more than that. I love this damn country, I got a lot of respect for it. And so I figure i owe it to America to fight for her. She gives me freedom."
"Then marry her. She'll be America Walker," i sulked, only half-joking as I flopped back onto the grass and closed my eyes.
"But it's not her I wanna marry," danny whispered, leaning back and putting his face close to mine. I could feel his breath hot on my lips. "She gives me freedom, but you give me everythin' else."
He touched his lips lightly to mine and whispered, "You're amazing."
"You're not so bad yourself," i cooed back, pulling him down to me as the rain slowly began to fall.

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...God bless America, land that he loved...
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