There were so many deaths. Betty's hit everyone hard; mostly Red and Grace. The two stood together, crying over Betty's casket. He had lost his one true love. She had lost her best friend.
They were miserable. Danny and Rafe and most other men were standing over Billy's casket, grieving.
There was a memorial service for all who lost their lives with caskets draped in flags. As the minister finished his sermon, Red and Grace each put a red rose on Betty's casket. When Red broke down into sobs, Grace comforted him and tried to hold her tears, but found it useless
and cried along with him.
"Lieutenant Rafe McCawley?" A major asks as he walks up to Rafe and Evelyn, interupting their private conversation.
"Yes, Major." Rafe responded.
"Lieutenant Daniel Walker here too?" The major asks again.
Danny sees him and walks over.
"I'm Walker." He said shortly.
"Colonel Doolittle wants to see the two of you in his office right away." He said and turned to leave.
Danny and Rafe looked reluctant to go but followed him anyway.
"What was that all about?" Grace asked Evelyn.
"I don't know, but it doesn't sound good." She replied and pulled Grace in for a hug.
"I heard what you did." Doolittle said when they entered.
"We can explain that, sir." Rafe said.
"Explain what?"
"Whatever it is you heard about us, sir." Danny said
"You mean the hoola shirts you were flying in... .or the seven planes you shot down. Your both being awarded the silver star and promoted to captain."
"Is that good news or.." Rafe asked slightly confused.
"I was asked to put a mission together. Do you know what top secrect is?" Doolittle asked.
"Yes, sir. Its a mission where you get medals, but their sent to your relatives." Rafe answered truthfully.
"Top secret means you help me pick the other pilots, train, and go -- without knowing where you're going until it's too late to turn back." Dootlittle said.
"I'll go." Said Rafe.
"I'll go, too." Said Danny.
"Victory belongs to those who believe in it the most and believe in it the longest. We're gonna believe. We're gonna make America believe too." Doolittle said and waved Danny and Rafe out
of the room. "Oh, one other thing..." He said and Danny and Rafe turned back. "leave your goddamn hula shirts at home." And with that the boys left his office.
The very next day, Danny and Rafe were in an assembly of all the men that were going on the mission. Red, Anthony, Gooz. All the men from their base were there.
"The mission you've volunteered for is dangerous. How dangerous? Look at the man beside you. It's a good bet that six weeks from now, either you or he will be dead..." Doolittle started.
Rafe and Danny began whispering to one another. "What color flowers you want me to bring to your funeral?" Rafe asked.
"Sorry you're gonna die -- cause I'm gonna make it." Danny whispered back.
"...In flight school you qualified in single and in multi-engine planes. You'll be flying multi-engines here..." Doolittle continued.
"Bombers" whispered Rafe.
"...I thought I'd made it clear, I'm not just putting this mission together -- I'm leading it myself." Doolittle finished.
"Forget what I said about the flowers, we're all gonna die!" Rafe whispered harshly.
They trained for weeks and weeks before they were ready to go. They were leaving that day and it was time to say goodbye.
"You be careful, Rafe." Grace said as she hugged him close. "And make sure to bring my fiancee back with you." Grace added.
"I will, Gracie. I will." Rafe replied and then set her down to say goodbye to Evelyn who practically jumped into his arms.
Grace walked over to Danny. Tears swam in her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. She needed to be strong. He would come back to her. He had to...
"Hey" He started.
"Hey" She returned, weakly.
"I'll be fine, Gracie. I'll come back to you." He said stroking her cheek.
Grace nussled against his hand and then broke down. Danny pulled her close and mummered in her ear, trying to comfort both of them.
"Oh, Danny! Come back to me in one piece...please!" Grace sobbed.
"I will...I promise. I love you, Grace." Danny said pulling back so he could look at her.
"I love you, too, Danny." Grace replied and kissed him. They pulled apart and Rafe pulled Danny behind him to the plane.
Grace waved goodbye one last time and mouthed 'I love you' and Danny did the same before getting on the plane.
REVIEW PLEASE!