For those who have not read my previous stories, this is an alternate storyline from what happened in the movie. Danny and Evelyn never get involved and he does not die in China.

___________________________

The request had come directly from Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle. He wanted Rafe and Danny to come back to New York, specifically to Long Island. He asked them to come to Mitchell Field and talk to the newest group of pilots that were being trained. They had not yet seen combat and he told Rafe he wanted two of his best pilots to disabuse them of there being romance in combat.

Rafe saw it as an opportunity to give Evelyn something they'd not had time for after they'd gotten married, a honeymoon. It was also an opportunity to make up to her his leaving and going to England. He was proud of his service with the Eagle Squadron, but it had nearly cost him his life and nearly cost him a life with Evelyn.

He and Danny had been given an extended leave to go back east, but the day before they were scheduled to fly out of Hickam Danny came down with a case of influenza. It had raged through the barracks, putting many of the pilots in the hospital, including one Captain Daniel Walker.

His disappointment was evident as Rafe called to check on him. "How you feelin'?"

"I've felt better."

"I sure wish you were comin' with me."

He could see Danny's grin. "Rafe, don't forget who you're talkin' to." And Rafe heard him cough. "You're happy to be goin' with Evelyn."

He grinned at the truth of Danny's statement. "Never could fool you." And they laughed until Danny was overcome by another spell of coughing. The sound of it worried Rafe and was suddenly having second thoughts about leaving.

"Don't you do it, Rafe." He heard the accusatory tone in Danny's voice. Damn! Danny always could read his mind. "There is nothin' you can do to help me. This thing will run it's course and I'll be out of here in no time. Take Evelyn to New York because you might not get another chance until the war is over."

"I left you behind once..." He began.

"That was different, you were goin' overseas. Now you're takin' your wife to New York. Go."

"Are you sure?"

"Rafe, I'll be all right. There's a hospital full of doctors and nurses lookin' after us."

"Call me if you need anything."

Danny managed to laugh without coughing. "I am not goin' to call you on your honeymoon."

Rafe shook his head. " A working honeymoon." And before Danny could say anything, "okay, you win. We've decided to leave Danny with my folks, so we'll be home for a couple of days. Anything you want me to do?"

Rafe didn't hear anything for a moment. "Could you go check on my folks? Take them some flowers?"

"Sure Danny. I'll take care of it."

He could almost hear Danny sigh in relief. "He wasn't a bad man Rafe, just broken. What ever it was he saw in France changed him and then when Mama died it broke his heart. I tried to help him but I was just a kid."

Rafe could think of a few choice words for Danny's father but Danny had known him better than anyone. "That's just it, you were a kid. Your daddy should have been takin' care of you, not the other way around."

"Yeah, but that's the way it was. You'll still do it for me? "

" Course I will 'cause I'm doin' it for you, not him."

"Thanks, Rafe. I 'preciate it. The nurse just came in, so I got to go." Danny told him.

"You do everything they tell you, here?" Rafe admonished him.

"I will. Tell General Doolittle hello for me and tell him I really wanted to be there."

"I'll do that. See you when we get back."

"Have a nice time and don't worry about things here." And he hung up.

Rafe stood there the receiver still in his hand, when Evelyn walked into the living room. "Danny all right?"

"He's feelin' pretty bad but he told us to have a nice time."

She smiled at him. "When I get a chance to see you, you mean."

He put the receiver down. "We'll have time, honey. I'll make sure of that."

The phone rang suddenly and Rafe picked up the receiver. "Hello?...Hello sir...Yes, I'll still be comin'...He's gettin' better and real disappointed he wasn't able to make the trip...Yes sir she's comin'." And he grinned at Evelyn. "We'll be there Sunday...We're stoppin' for a couple of days to see my folks...I will sir. I'll be at the field Monday morning...Good bye sir." And he hung up.

"General Doolittle?"

"Yeah. He wanted to make sure I was still comin'." Rafe sighed. "I feel funny about leavin' Danny here."

"Sweetheart he's going to be fine, Sandra will make sure of that" She joked.

Rafe frowned. "Has Sandra said anything to you about Danny?"

Evelyn looked at him puzzled. " She's been kind of quiet about it, but Sandra's never been one to talk about herself much."

"Danny hasn't said anything either. Do you think they're serious?"

That question got Evelyn to smile. "You're sounding just like a big brother. Rafe, Danny is a grown man and doesn't need to tell you everything."

"I know that, but there isn't much he doesn't tell me." He told her.

"Well, let me ask you something then. How much did you ever tell Danny about us?"

Rafe grinned. "You got me there. I wasn't real talkative when it came to you either."

"Let's just leave them be and they'll tell us something when or if they're ready."

"Okay. You about ready to go?"

She took his hand and squeezed it. "We're all packed, are you ready?"

He nodded. "The cab should be here in a few minutes. If you get Danny, I'll get the bags."

"Yes, sir." She smiled at him and went to go get the baby.