The boys left the next day for their deployment in the Army; their training with Tommy's father had them moved over to special ops. They worked like a well-oiled machine in their missions. They always looked after each other's backs. They did as they promised Catherine and wrote when they could, but sometimes there would be months between letters. Both boys who were now men missed her a lot.

Tommy was sitting in the bunk, looking at the latest letter with a smile on his face. It had been close to two years since they had seen Catherine. Leave were few and far between the time they did get to go home, it was to their home base before being shipped out again. "She's learning to ride horses..." He looked over to Eliot, who was relaxing on his bunk. It was one of the few downtimes they had. He sighed. His family had moved to Kentucky because of his father's job a few months after Eliot, and he had enlisted. He and Eliot had seen it when they went home after their training. Eliot had been reluctant at first when they went home to go with them. A letter from his mom had cinched the deal. Since then, when they had left, Tommy's parents were where he went when he did. His father didn't contact him, and the argument that Eliot had told him they had before they left for basic he knew Eliot had no place else to go. It wasn't like he wasn't at his home most of his life anyway. His brother in all blood was always welcome.

Eliot sat up, "really?" He smiled. "Have to make sure she has a good saddle ..." He flipped through the book on his bunk. He would have to write her another letter soon to ask how the lessons were going. He looked up as their commander came in. They jumped to their feet. A few terse words, and they were gearing up. SO much for downtime. They headed out to their transport. "Did you get your leave approved," Eliot asked Tommy, taking a seat next to him in the truck. Eliot knew that his friend had asked to see if he could get home. Catherine was going to be 9 in a few weeks. They both wanted to be there, but they don't always get what they want.

Tommy nodded as he checked his rifle. "Yep ..." he smirked, looking at Eliot, his eyebrows raised, "so did you..." He had a shit-eating grin on his face at the shocked look his best friend wore. Tommy chuckled, and his eyes twinkled. "What?"

"What the hell do you mean, my leave..." Eliot whispered. "I didn't..." Eliot rolled his eyes. "You put one in for me, didn't you, damn it Tom... you know they aren't going …." He stopped, whispering, "did you just say it got approved?" Eliot grinned, "so we are both going home..." They kept alert as they were talking. Their eyes tracked everything around them; they knew never to let their guard down.

Tommy nodded, "yep ..." He leaned back against the inside of the truck. "Hopefully, catch the next ride out, then catch a ride and surprise Cat at her birthday party..." He chuckled. "She will be shocked cause I told her that I wasn't sure when they would let us go home..." They both smiled at each other. It would be great to be home for a while.

They were riding along when the sound of large-caliber rounds filled the air. The truck lurched and rolled over as an IED detonated. It sent them flying a few men crushed under the heavy vehicle. Tommy pulled himself to his feet, choking on the dust. Ears ringing, he squinted against the same sand, shielding his eyes as he yelled for Eliot.

Tommy dove to the right, behind the overturned truck, scrambling until he was pressed against the gnarled remains of the transport, rifle in his hands.

Tommy shook his head. Letting out a deep breath, he scanned his surroundings for any sign of life. Tommy peaked around the end of the truck, spotting Eliot near the end of the truck. Eliot wasn't under it, but he wasn't moving either.

Tommy swore. He looked about quickly then crawled on his belly toward Eliot.

"I'm coming, El I'm coming..." he swallowed as the bullets were raining around them. He ignored his First Sergeant yelling at him to get back; he was not going to let anything happen to his friend and brother. He finally reached Eliot's side. He grabbed him under his arms and pulled him towards the side of the road. He was almost into the brush when he went down as a shot hit him. He rolled the rest of the way with Eliot into the ditch. He gasped, but he had to make sure his friend was okay. He coughed a dribble of blood fell out of his mouth. "El-iot..." he shook his friend.

Eliot came to with a start looking around widely. His eyes settled onto Tommy laying on the ground by him. "Tommy..." He reached for him as his head throbbed. His eyes swam, but he crawled back to him. "Tommy..." he turned him onto his back, shocked to see the blood on his best friend's chest. "Oh shit, man..." He gulped, and he put his hand, trying to staunch the blood.

"MEDIC MEDIC!" He yelled, not caring, " I need a medic..." His head swam again as he threw up to the side.

Tommy shook his head, "El... I … you gotta keep your promise ..." he coughed again as blood split from his mouth. "you ...have to promise me..."

"What promise I broke it when I didn't protect your shit …." Tears fell down his face "I promised Cat I would bring you home... I would watch your back..." He gulped as he pressed hard on the gunshot wound in Tommy's chest.

He shook his head, resting his hand on Eliot's on his chest. "I meant the one you made to Catherine and me at the fair …. You said you would always protect her …. watch over her for me … please... brother..." He clasped the hand on his. "Promise me...you'll look after her for me … please..." He coughed up more blood. He knew he wasn't going to make it home as he wanted.

Eliot stared hard into Tommy's eyes, someone who had always been there for him. Through hell in back, who had his back. How could he deny him this? He would make it anyway. He nodded, "I promise Tommy... I will look after Cat, no matter what... " He felt Tommy shudder again. "Tommy... TOMMY.."

"Thanks, m man..." Tommy coughed again, but no one was coming. They were all pinned down by the snipers. "I'll be watching over you..." He took a shuddering gasp and laid still.

"TOMMY! No man, don't do this ..." Eliot shook him, "No man. No FUCK!" he bowed his head. As the world went black, he promised once again to watch over Catherine. He sank against his dead friend.