Disclaimer: As in Ch.1

AN: The missing paragraph start here.

Over the Pacific Ocean

Grace closed her eyes and tried to keep the tears at bay. It took her nearly ten years to get over missing Trey, with even Ryan's birth doing nothing to aid her. She couldn't help but to think what would have happened if they'd gotten the chance to sort things out that Christmas, if they'd eventually gotten married and had Ryan together.

'Harmon Rabb III, you do really know how to make my life interesting.'

*Flashback*

1000 EST

05 November 2034

Webb's residence

Arlington, VA

"Grace, it's time. Let's go." Susan Webb softly said to her daughter.

Her heart ached as she looked at Grace. The pain was not only for her child but also for the young man whose life was apparently over.

The Navy had declared Harmon Rabb, III, deceased, and today they were going to have a funeral ceremony for him. The empty casket and grave at Arlington were poor substitutes, however, for the loved ones he left behind.

Grace sat on the sofa, holding desperately onto the picture, taken at the NATO Ball, of her with Trey. Seven years had passed since then, but she just couldn't let go of him. More than one man had tried to get her attention, but somehow she still clung to the hope that Trey would miraculously appear at her house, flashing that cocky grin of his.

That day never came. Taking a deep breath, she finally sat up ramrod straight in her black suit and shakily got to her feet. It was time.

1100 EST

05 November 2034

Arlington National Cemetery  

Arlington, VA

*Grace's POV*

The chaplain words offered me no comfort as I stared straight ahead, my gaze never wavering from that empty coffin. I jumped when the first 7 rounds of the 21 gun salute were fired.

I glanced covertly at Uncle Harm and Aunt Sarah. What I saw surprise me greatly. I'd always thought of Uncle Harm as being incapable of breaking down, much less tears. Now, he stood as rigid as stone, his wall slowly crumbling. Uncle Sergei and Uncle Sturgis stood closely next to him, ready to support him if the dam finally broke. Aunt Sarah was biting her lip so hard I swear I saw blood begin to form.

The mournful strains of taps began to play, and I began to sob quietly. It seemed to final.

As the guard began to fold the flag, I tried to wipe away the tears that slipped down my cheeks. He walked slowly toward our little group and stopped in front of me. I could only gasp in surprise.

"He would have wanted you to have it." Aunt Sarah said quietly.

I held my hands out for the flag, then hugged it closely as a new round of tears formed in my eyes. I vaguely remember my father pulling me tightly into his arms.

It was finally over. The last sound I heard before I slipped into blackness was Aunt Sarah's muffled cry of anguish.

*end of flashback*

AN: The missing paragraphs completed. The rest of the chapter is exactly the same as the previously posted.

-----------------

Present

Over the Pacific Ocean

Grace allowed a few tears to escape her eyes before she wiped them away. Quickly glancing at her watch, she impatiently realized there were still seven more hours to go.

This time, she would tell him exactly how she felt about him; no more hiding, no more lies. Twelve years of lost time was more than enough.

She finally allowed herself to drift off into restless slumber.

------

1700 Local (0300 EST)

Okinawa Naval Base Hospital

Okinawa, Japan

A weary looking Marine Major strode down the corridor toward Captain Fox's office, with a nurse trailing behind him. He stopped at the nearest nurses' station and put down his gear.

He'd insisted on going directly to the hospital, even though he'd been in the air for fifteen hours straight. He really wanted to get this over with soon, especially considering that something about the Lieutenant felt odd.

Quickly burying the thought, he looked for the nearest nurse. "Ensign."

Surprised, the nurse spun around and came to attention upon seeing his rank.

"At ease. I need a name tag, a coat, and someone to take care of my stuff for a little while."

"Yes, sir. Can have your name for the ID, sir?"

"Major Albert J. Rabb."

The nurse gave him an odd look, but he missed it as he looked through his wallet for his military ID.

Five minutes later, the nurse was back with a white coat and his new name tag. He grabbed both, putting them on as he hurried toward the Captain's office.

"Enter!" A friendly voice called as he rapped on the door.

"Major Rabb reported as ordered, ma'am." Albert came to attention as he stepped inside.

"At ease and have a seat, please. You came at the right time, Major. I was actually just about to go see the Lieutenant. Captain Thern will join us soon." Captain Fox gave him a brief, warm smile.

"Yes, ma'am."

"It is my understanding that you are one of Navy best neurosurgeons. Captain Wadley speaks very highly about you."

"That's a very kind of him, ma'am. I just do my best." Albert smiled shyly.

She grinned at his modesty. "I assumed you received the file on the injury."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"What is your opinion, Major?"

"I wouldn't know until I see the wound mark, Ma'am. It is hard to predict what can be done when I don't know exactly where the bullet hit, Captain."

"Very well. Why don't I take you upstairs now? The Lieutenant's condition is stable now, so I decided to move him into the same room as his brother this morning. As of two hours ago, their parents were with them."

Fox ushered Albert out of the room, where they almost ran into Captain Thern.

"Ah, Captain, you're right on time. Let me introduce you to Major Albert Rabb, a neurosurgeon from Bethesda."

Thern looked a bit taken aback at the name, but quickly dismissed it as a coincidence.

"Major, this Captain Zachary Thern. He's been taking care of the Lieutenant's brother." The men shook hands then followed Fox to the elevator. "Oh, by the way, Captain, I moved them both to Room 317 this morning."

Captain Thern nodded, obviously agreeing with her decision as the elevator dinged, announcing that they'd reached the third floor.

"Major, follow me. The room is just at the end of that hall way." Captain Fox pointed down the long hall on her right.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I assume that you've read the Lieutenant's personal file..."

"Actually, ma'am, I didn't get the chance to do so. I only know the Lieutenant is a POW. If you could fill me in..." Albert smiled a bit sheepishly.

"Right. Let's do that now." She pulled out her own copy of the information. "Let's see, the Lieutenant's full name is Harmon David Rabb, III. A former Navy Pilot, his file indicated that he was captured by Chinese in 2027. He injured his spinal cord during the rescue operation, while he was shielding his brother, a Navy Commander...What is his name again, Zach?"

"A Commander Matthew Jonathan Rabb, also a Navy pilot. He was arrested by the Chinese about a year ago." They continued to give basic information about the two until they suddenly realized Albert was no longer following them.

Turning back, they found him standing rigidly, staring straight ahead at nothing. "Major, are you all right?" Captain Thern asked, looking very concerned.

"What are their names?"

"Harmon Rabb, III, and Matthew Rabb. Why...? Oh, wait! You're Albert Rabb. Don't tell me..." Thern's voice trailed away as realization dawned.

"It's impossible...Trey and Matt...It's impossible..." He shook his head in disbelief before bolting toward the room, completely ignoring his usual military dignity.

-------

Same time

Matt & Trey's room

"Guys, I think it's the time that we called your brother and sisters. They need to know, too" Harm said.

"I suppose..." Before Trey could finish, the door flew open.

"What the...!" Harm was ready to chew out whoever dared to enter the room in such a manner.

He stopped the second he realized exactly who was now standing in the middle of the room, staring at Trey and Matt.

"I suppose we don't have to tell Albert." Trey sighed softly.

Matt slowly stood with Elaine's help before his wife slipped out of the way. "Al..."

"I'm dreaming. I am dreaming. There is no way..." Albert shook his head in disbelief, unconsciously taking a step toward Matt.

"Al, you are not dreaming. I'm here and Trey is, too. I'm sorry you found out like this; we were just discussing calling you. We..." Matt cut off as two-hundred solid pounds of a Marine Major flew at him, holding him tightly.

"If I am dreaming, please don't wake me up."

"You're not dreaming, buddy. We're here; everything will be alright."  That was the last straw as Albert's carefully constructed mental barriers broke down, and he began to sob in his brother's arms.

"Everything will be all right, Al. Now, stop the sobbing; you don't want to give the Corps a bad name, do you? Need I remind you that there's a Marine General in the room?" Matt tried to lighten the conversation as he wiped a few of his own tears away.

Albert pulled back and grinned slightly. "Very funny, Matt. Very funny." His attention shifted to Trey, who was still sitting on the bed because he was unable to walk.

"Hey, little brother." Trey said softly.

There were no more words needed for a few minutes as Albert flew to his side and pulled him close. 

"Hey, you've grown, squirt! A major on the top of it." Trey smiled.

"Watch it, Lieutenant. I'm still your superior officer." Albert smacked Trey's arm playfully before growing serious again. "I missed both of you so much..."

"We missed you too, Al. We missed you, too." Matt walked to his brothers' side, pulling them both into a group hug.

Harm and Mac smiled at the wonderful scene, tears of joy starting to trickle down their cheeks as they joined the hug. The boys, crying tears of their own, clung tightly to them, ignoring military regulations.

Across the room, Elaine, Captain Thern, and Captain Fox couldn't help letting a few tears of their own fall as they looked at the beautiful tableau. Those five people at last had a chance for a new beginning.

TBC….

AN: Alright, why do you guys think?