Disclaimer: I do not own Todd Blackburn, John Grimes, Matt Eversmann, Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Bakara Market, Habr Gidr, Mike Steele, Scott Galentine, or Black Hawk Down. They're owned by people, whom I don't know, but that's okay. I've seen the movie once and I'm using the novel by Mark Bowden as a reference…nothing more, nothing less. I do own this fan fic idea, Danielle Ashton, and Sarah Thomas. Don't take them.

Author's Note: This is my first Black Hawk Down fan fic. Please be kind in your reviews/flames. Thanks! Yet again, this is the revised edition of this chapter.

Matt Eversmann watched as all of his men got ready for their mission. He had been called into a room last night and was told that he had to command Chalk Four by default. The first man had gone home because their was a family tragedy and the other had a seizure of some sort. This was his first time getting to have control over a group of men outside of the base. He had gone to a meeting earlier in the morning.

Their target was a block away from the Olympic Hotel in a stone white building in Bakara Market. The market was always swarming with militia, guns salesmen, and men that were in the Habr Gidr clan. Their leader was Mohamed Farrah Aidid and he had challenged the United States of America. Inside their target were two Aidid lieutenants. They were to capture and hold captive them and anyone inside the building. After this was done, they were to return to base. Simple enough, but they were doing it in broad daylight. This would be their first day mission, but everyone felt confident that nothing would go wrong.

At the meeting, Matt was told this, who was to be a part of his Chalk, what Black Hawk he was to take (Super 67), and what the code word (Irene) to begin the mission would be. He sat there a bit anxious. He knew that things would be a bit tougher considering they would be doing this during one of the busiest times of the day in the market area. They told him to calm down just to go over everything he knew. He did and said a Hail Mary and Our Father at prayer in the mess hall. It helped calm his nerves a tad.

Matt turned his attention back to his Chalk.

There's Grimes getting ready for his first ever battle.

He grinned as all of his men gave him little sarcastic tips, none of them taking it seriously. Especially Scott Galentine.

He's such a joker. He doesn't take anything serious. God help us!

This was a good sign. It doesn't help to be paranoid when you are out and something serious might occur. Too bad he couldn't joke around. There was just too much running around in his head.

Need to be prepared, but you can't get all stiff about it.

He spotted Todd in a corner by himself, staring out into space and playing with his hook.

What a great kid. A little bit naive, but he's still such a great kid. Maybe a bit too anxious, but we all are on our first time out. Just have to keep some tabs on him. Make sure he's all right. Poor guy. Going into a mission so early. Oh well. Better now then later.

Matt walked over to him and sat down. Todd didn't seem to notice and he just continued to click the hook. His eyes were slightly glazed over and he seemed to have an almost dreamy, almost concentrating look on his face. Matt broke the silence.

"How you feeling Blackburn?"

Todd looked up and stopped clicking the hook. He turned his head slowly to face Matt. His eyes were still a bit glazed, but it was just out of thought. Not daydreaming like he was a few moments ago.

"Excited. In a good way."

There was a small pause. Matt didn't want to push too much. He tried to start a conversation again.

"Have you ever shot anyone before?"

"No. You?"

"No. And let's hope it stays that way."

Matt gave up, got up, and continued to check on his men. Todd's eyes followed him for a bit as Matt gave out certain tips to different men. He then closed them, prayed to God for his safety and for the well being of Danielle and his child. He opened them again and looked around. Matt had begun to get them all into the Black Hawk Super 67. Todd jumped up and ran over. He boarded the Black Hawk and sat down across from Matt. They waited until 3:32 p.m. when Michael Durant, Chief Warrant Officer, announced the code word.

"Fuckin' Irene."

The helicopter took off. More than half of the soldiers were hanging out with their feet dangling due to the amount of room. Matt was being scrunched up a bit owing to the fact he was almost six feet tall. Todd wasn't as tall, but he still brought his knees up a bit.

Todd continued to be nervous the whole way there, butterflies fluttering throughout his stomach. Both men watched as they hovered over their drop-off place at 3:43 p.m. and the rope fell from both sides of the plane. One of the ropes got caught unto a car and the helicopter had to move back a bit. When it finally dangled free, the pilot announced to Matt that they were a block off their original drop-off point. Matt said to continue, figuring that it would make no difference. The Rangers of Chalk Four all slid down the rope with ease. Todd and Matt were the last ones in the plane and Matt turned to Todd.

"Be careful and take it easy. Don't shoot unless shot at."

Todd nodded and leaned over to grab the rope, when the plane suddenly jerked to one side. Todd felt his stomach lurch as he fell from the plane and tried to scream, but nothing came out. His eyes widened into shock and he tried to think of what to do. He couldn't reach the rope that was whipping about him, but not near him and the wind was rushing past him. Every memory he ever had flashed before his eyes. Then, he hit the ground with a sickening crunch and every thing went black.

Matt watched in horror as Todd fell from the Black Hawk. He screamed and tried to grab Todd's hand or arm or any body part, but he couldn't. There was nothing he could do, but watch as he fell.

Oh my God! No! No. That just did not happen. Oh God! Let him be all right. Please let him be all right.

He was brought back to reality as an RPG (Rocket-propelled grenade) shot the plane. He grabbed the rope and slid down it, dropping next to Todd's still body. He stood over it, checking for his breathing and pulse. It was all there, but faint. Blood was flowing from Todd's mouth and ears. Matt tried not to panic.

He called over two medics and they put a tube down Todd's throat to keep him breathing. They also hooked him up to an IV. One of the medics shouted over to Matt. Todd needed to get moved out or he was going to die. Matt tried to radio Captain Mike Steele on his walkie-talkie, but he got no response. When he finally did, Steele announced that the humvees couldn't move.

"They can't move! You need to bring him to them!"

The medic looked at him and then shouted for two other men. They placed Todd on a litter and began to move him down to the humvees.

Little did any of the men know how this day would forever change their lives.

Author's Note: Lookie here! Another pretty long chapter. I'm so happy about that because I know everyone complains that they aren't long enough. I hope this is better for everyone! Enjoy and please respond with what you think about it.