Author's note: Yay, I love the reviews! Thanks very much, it helps a lot as motivation to continue the story. Does my plot move very fast? I shall make the chapters longer from now onwards, so that there is more time to introduce the stuff that is happening. :P This is not the last chapter yet…I was planning to end it in Chapter 15, but in the end, there were so many things to write that I cannot squeeze them all into one chapter, so here I am with another chapter! I hope you will enjoy this chapter too, and remember to review!
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Chapter 16
When transport was sent two weeks later, the pilots were overjoyed to be able to return to America at last. Danny's spirits soared, but sank a few moments later when the general decided that they had to leave Rafe behind. The doctor said that Rafe was not well enough to make the trip back to America, and they would have to come back for him at a later date. Danny tried to argue with the general, but despite his reluctance to leave his friend behind, he knew that it was not fair to delay everyone to wait for Rafe to recover, which, for all he knew, might take quite some time. It was not like they were abandoning Rafe, Danny argued with himself. And anyway, Rafe does need peace and quiet to recover, and based on his experience, plane rides are not exactly peaceful and quiet.
The pilots were given two hours to finish packing their stuff and assemble in the landing field to meet their transport. Danny's packing didn't take up much time, thanks to his habit of keeping things neat and tidy. They did not have many belongings to pack up anyway. He still had more than one hour left… enough time to visit Rafe again and say goodbye. A lump rose in his throat as Danny realized that this visit might very well be the last time he was going to see Rafe. If things go the way he planned… he might not even be there when Rafe came back. And who knows when they would meet again. If they do meet again.
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When Danny entered Rafe's ward, he found that he was asleep. Even if Danny had said goodbye, Rafe wouldn't be aware of it. He did not want to wake Rafe up, but it made him sad that they had to part this way. They had been friends since childhood, and now he was going to have to leave without saying goodbye.
I know what I have to do when I go back… but it's going to be so hard. Danny realized that there were a lot of people he was going to miss. Rafe, Evelyn, his friends, his father… a sad smile slowly spread on his face. He would never forget any of them, no matter where he is.
Bending down, he hugged Rafe. Goodbye Rafe. Thank you so much for everything.
Letting go, he straightened up and gave Rafe a crisp military salute. With that, Danny turned and left the room.
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Evelyn was there at the landing field early in the morning, waiting anxiously for the return of the two most important people in her life. It seemed like forever, but finally she spotted the plane coming towards her. Giving her tummy an encouraging pat, she whispered joyously to her baby, "Your father is coming home."
The plane landed, and her smile widened as she saw Danny get off the plane. He's alive! But soon, she realized that Danny was the last out of the plane, and her smile disappeared. The look on Danny's face was familiar. That was how he looked when he came to tell her about Rafe's supposed death many months ago. Oh no, had something happened to Rafe? Evelyn didn't think she could bear losing Rafe again. Slowly, she got up and walked towards Danny.
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The first thing Danny did when he got off the plane was to look for Evelyn. He saw her coming towards him, and noticed that her tummy was somewhat more prominent than before. Everything came rushing back to him, and he had to fight down the feeling of reluctance that rose in his heart. Exhaling slowly, he went over to meet her. No matter how hard it is, I have to do this.
Evelyn had a worried look on her face as she approached Danny, and Danny knew what she was thinking of. A small twinge of jealousy rose in him, and Danny pushed it down in disgust. How could he be jealous of Rafe? It was normal for Evelyn to be worried about him. After all, the one she truly loved was Rafe, and he was just the stand-in. Rafe did so much for him, and yet here he was being jealous over Evelyn's obvious concern for Rafe.
Shaking his head to clear all the doubts he was starting to have regarding his plan, Danny spoke before Evelyn could say anything. "It's okay. Rafe is alive. It is just that we had to leave him behind because he was not well enough to fly."
Evelyn was startled at the way Danny was able to guess her thoughts. Somehow, ever since she knew him, he had been able to guess if something was troubling her, and he was always able to come up with something to console her or cheer her up. That was what had brought them together in the first place…
Her mind finally registered what Danny had said. He was not well enough to fly…that means Rafe is hurt. Evelyn tried to ignore her worry and concern for Rafe, telling herself fiercely that the one she was going to love from now onwards was Danny, and she should stop thinking about Rafe so much. She smiled awkwardly at Danny, and said. "I'm glad that the both of you are alright. Welcome back, Danny." Oh no, that did not go very well. It was so awkward! Evelyn could have kicked herself. She had rehearsed many times before to come up with something to welcome him back. Yet, now that he was standing in front of her, she had forgotten everything.
Danny noticed her discomfort, and tried to change the topic. "There is something I have to discuss with you, Evelyn." Looking around at the welcoming crowd of families of the other pilots, he added. "In private."
Evelyn frowned slightly at Danny's serious tone, and nodded. Things were not going as she had expected. Danny seemed so…distant. He fell in step with her as they walked away from the landing field, and there was silence between them as neither could think of something to say to the other. Evelyn was busy trying to guess what caused Danny's sudden change of attitude, and she was waiting for Danny to offer some kind of an explanation.
On the other hand, Danny was trying to suppress his feelings for her. He wanted very much to hug her, tell her how much he had missed her… but he knew that if he was going to do that, he would never be able to let go of her again. As much as he wanted to deceive himself, Danny knew that Evelyn did not love him the same way she loved Rafe, and it would not do them any good if he were to insist on staying together with her. Nothing good comes out of a forced relationship, and he did not want to ruin the lives of his best friend ad the girl that he loves. Make that loved, Danny told himself sternly. From now onwards, there would be nothing else between them other than friendship.
They sat down an empty bench at the side of the street, and Evelyn asked. "What is it, Danny? Is something bothering you?"
"Evelyn, I don't want to force you to do something that you don't want to." Trying once more to suppress his own feelings of reluctance, Danny managed to smile. "It would not be fair to break up you and Rafe just because of…" He paused. "Just because of our child."
Evelyn stared at him. How did he know about that? She had planned to make it a surprise for him when he came back…did Rafe tell him after all?
Her suspicion showed on her face, and Danny laughed softly. "Rafe didn't say anything, Evelyn."
Shocked, Evelyn spluttered, "But how…"
Danny sighed, and squeezed her hand. "That is not what's important, Evelyn. I meant it when I told you that I just want you to be happy. I don't want you to force yourself to be with me just because of our child. If you truly love Rafe, you should go back to him." Heaven knows how much strength he needed to say that, but it felt so much better once he got it out.
Evelyn looked at him in disbelief, "What do you mean?" He wanted her to go back to Rafe?
"I don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to, Evelyn. It's up to you to decide, but don't let our child affect your decision."
He wants me to choose between him and Rafe? Evelyn still couldn't believe her ears. Ever since they had left for the mission, she had decided to stay with Danny, and she had never dared to think of going back to Rafe. It all depends on whether Danny can accept it, and whether Rafe can accept her. She had let Rafe down before, and now, how could she go back to him when she is with Danny's child? She loved Rafe, but she loved Danny too. There is still a difference, but Evelyn was sure that with time, she can build a stronger relationship with Danny. As much as she wanted to believe that, Evelyn knew that she would never be able to forget Rafe. Does that mean that she should give Danny up?
A long time passed, and the two of them just sat there in silence. Danny already knew who Evelyn wanted to be with, and he was ready to step out. But he wanted to let Evelyn decide for herself. Evelyn was fighting with herself, between her love for Rafe and her sense of responsibility towards Danny.
Stealing a glance at Evelyn, he saw conflict on her face. "He still loves you, Evelyn. He always had, and always will. " Danny said softly.From the look of pain that flashed across Evelyn's face, Danny knew that she felt the same way towards Rafe.
Evelyn looked at him, and tears fell. "Danny, I…" I don't know what to do!
Danny knew how difficult it was for her. She loved Rafe, but she did not want to hurt him either. It was about time he stopped causing them so much pain. He had to let go. Reaching over, he gave Evelyn a comforting hug. "It's okay, Evelyn. We can still be friends."
Evelyn returned his hug, and they remained that way for a long time. The evening sun sank beneath the think layer of clouds, and Danny bade Evelyn goodbye in his heart. It was the hardest decision he ever had to make, but he would not regret it.