I'm going to be brave and post this here. I'm not in the military so if some of the fine military detail is a little off, please bear with me. Hope you enjoy.

The Brotherhood

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters or places.

Alex Taylor looked around nervously as several Vietnamese men scurried about loading four Army helicopters. She was suddenly wondering what she was thinking when she volunteered with the Red Cross and agreed to come to Vietnam. The group that she was traveling with had dispersed earlier in the morning and she was left with only one companion. Looking over, she noticed the excitement on Holly Levine's face and wished that she could feel the same. Instead, she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She looked up again to see two soldiers approaching. One of them was a tall black man, the other a much smaller man who looked Hispanic. Both of them looked young and a little afraid. And by the newness of their uniforms, she assumed that they too were new to Vietnam.

"Oh look, soldiers." Holly exclaimed. "Let's go meet them." Grabbing Alex by the arm she almost drug her towards the two.

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Jimmy Doherty glanced ahead looking for Ole Man Sam, only to see what looked like two newbies and a couple of Donut Dollies. "Looks like we have some new recruits." He commented.

"Looks like." Doc Parker replied as they approached the group.

Jimmy smiled at the two women tipping his helmet. "Ladies." As he looked over at the two young soldiers, they both snapped to attention and saluted.

"Private Davis reporting for duty, Sir." "Private Nieto reporting for duty, Sir."

"Relax guys. I'm not the one you need to be reporting to." Jimmy answered them. "Jimmy Doherty" He introduced himself, then pointed to Doc. "Doc Parker."

"Oh, you're a doctor?" Holly chimed in.

"No, just a medic." Doc replied with a smile. "And you are?"

"Holly. Holly Levine. And this is Alex Taylor. We're with the Red Cross." She answered excitedly.

An old Vietnamese man with a long white beard interrupted their conversation. "Good morning, Dohee." He spoke in broken English. "Where Sergeant Bosco?"

"I don't know, Sam. Maybe he was too tired from his night with Mari to get up on time." Jimmy replied with a smirk.

"Ah... Mari. Beautiful woman." Sam commented. "Shapely." He noted with a grin, as he brought both his hands down tracing curves in the air.

"You know Mari, Sam?" Jimmy questioned in amazement.

"Not that way, Dohee." Sam chuckled. "Mari too much woman for Ole Sam. I leave her to Sergeant Bosco." Patting Jimmy on the shoulder he turned to leave. "Have safe trip, Dohee." He commented, looking back over his shoulder.

"Dohee" Doc laughed.

"He can't say my name. What is he supposed to call me?" Jimmy quizzed.

"How about moron?" A voice from behind the group suggested.

"Well, it's about time you decided to join us, Sarge. Was Mari too much for you last night?" Jimmy asked.

Bosco just rolled his eyes.

Doc Parker cleared his throat to get Davis and Nieto's attention, then threw his hand up in a quick salute behind Bosco's back.

The two quickly caught on and again snapped to attention, saluting Bosco. "Private Davis...Private Nieto...reporting for duty, Sir." The two spoke, almost in unison.

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Alex tried to stretch out her cramped legs, but only managed to kick Sergeant Boscorelli in the shin. "Sorry." She muttered, quickly pulling her legs back.

"That's ok." Bosco replied with a slight smile. "It's a little cramped in here with the supplies."

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Holly Levine craned her neck trying to look around Carlos to see the Vietnamese countryside.

Carlos, tired of leaning back so she could see, finally suggested that they change seats so she could look directly out the opening in the side of the chopper.

"Better not." Grimaldi, the door gunner, spoke up. At their questioning looks, he explained. "If we take any fire from below, she'll be better off where she is. Less chance of her getting hit."

Holly's eyes widened and she leaned back into her seat, now satisfied with not seeing the countryside.

Carlos, inched further away from the door himself, suddenly wishing he'd given Ty this seat. "How much farther?" He found himself asking.

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Bosco pulled his helmet off and pushed his sweaty hair back, placing the helmet upside down in his lap. Reaching into the band, he pulled out a small picture laminated picture and rubbed his thumb over the surface longingly.

Alex Taylor noticed the picture in Bosco's hand, but couldn't see it clearly. "Family?" She asked.

"Kids" Bosco replied sadly, turning the picture so Alex could see the two little blond haired girls and a baby boy.

"They're beautiful." Alex replied, then added, "I guess I assumed you were single. I....I mean, you're not wearing a wedding ring." She didn't make any comment on the conversations she'd overheard about Mari.

Bosco reached up and pulled two chains from behind his shirt. One held a set of dog tags and the other was a crucifix. A silver wedding band hung on the same chain as the crucifix. "The silver can reflex sunlight and may be enough to give away your position to the enemy." He explained. "I've been married for nine years. My highschool sweetheart." He pointed the children out one by one. "Rosie is seven. Mary Margaret is almost five. And Louie was born eight days after I shipped out for Nam."

Alex looked up at Bosco's face to see a mixture of sadness and pride. "You've never seen him?" She asked quietly.

Bosco shook his head, his blue eyes turning misty. "No, but I only have two months and twelve days to go." Placing the picture back in his helmet, he put it back on his head and turned away.

Alex swallowed hard and looked down at her shoes.

Suddenly she was thrown backward as huge rumbling sound filled the helicopter followed by a scream from Holly and an "Oh, Crap!" from Private Davis.

"Rocket" Grimaldi shouted. "We're hit, Joe." Grimaldi moved back away from the door, as small arms fire opened up on the chopper.

The chopper listed to one side and the engine sputtered.

Alex found herself suddenly pushed back against the wall by Sergeant Boscorelli.

Joe O'Reilly, the pilot, radioed in. "This is Bearcat to base...Bearcat to base....do you copy? We're hit....we're going down..."