*Flashback Warning*

Brett's POV

I finally made my way out of the bathroom. Santana's bedroom door was closed and the light was off. I walked into the living room. All the files were organized back into the brown box. My bed was flipped open and made to perfection. There was a sticky note in the middle of it. I grabbed it quickly reading it over.

I am so sorry, I just wanted to help. 3 S

I shouldn't have flipped out on her like that. She is a good person really just trying to help. My mind is just racing, maybe I shouldn't have gone to see Aaron. If I hadn't gone to see him then I wouldn't have freaked out on Santana, she didn't deserve that.

I tucked her note into my wallet so I didn't lose it. I took a pain pill and laid down. I just needed a few hours. 4 hours would be nice, it would be 2 extra hours then I have been getting the past few nights. Slowly my eyes got heavy before I drifted off to sleep.

"Okay everyone, here is the plan. We are going to split into 3 groups. Derek, George and I are going to take the first hummer entering from the south. Franklin, Brenner and Stuart will be in the second hummer and enter through the north entrance. Lastly will be Aaron and Drew in the last hummer, you two are going to enter through the east. Usually I would go with just one other person but since Derek and George are new, I want to be with the rookies." I explained getting ready to leave the camp. The sun had just started to go down.

"We leave once the sun is completely down. Make sure you don't use any headlights, keep your night vision goggles on." I added. The group nodded, focused on the task at hand."Everyone go do some last minute things before we head out" I commanded. The group scattered leaving behind me, Aaron and Drew, the three amigos.

"We are so going to get him" Drew said, polishing off his gun. "Yeah he isn't going to slip out of our grasp this time" Aaron added smiling. "I have a weird feeling about this mission" I admitted. They both turned to me confused, so I continued. "I tried to talk the general out of it but he insists that we need to go tonight but there is just something telling me that we shouldn't go" I said. "It's probably because it's poker night and you love poker" Aaron said laughing. "Yeah everything is going to be fine" Drew added, patting me on the back.

We spent the next 30 minutes preparing everything. Getting the cars stocked and the guns polished. We went over the plan one more time, everyone knew it forwards and backwards. I looked over all my men. "Going in together" I yelled. "Coming out together" They yelled after me smiling. "Let's do this boys" I yelled before getting into my car. Everyone piled into their respected vehicles and we started to drive. Once we reached just about a half a mile outside the compound we each went our separate ways.

We entered from the south. It was silent, dead silent. Just as we passed the first buildings were when the first shots rang out. The car came to a complete halt. "What the hell!" I yelled hitting the wheel. "Sarge they shot out our tires" George called out. "Listen privates, we are abandoning this vehicle and heading toward the center. We will run into the other guys and team up with them" I explained, they both nodded.

Getting out quickly and running toward the center, we were able to hide within an abandoned building. I could see Aaron and Drew's hummer about a 100 yards out coming toward us. I radioed them, "Coming for you Brett, stay put" I heard Drew say through my earpiece. As I was watching was when it happened, all too quick.

The fireball engulfed the sky, the front of their hummer was completely gone. My chest felt tight. I didn't even think of the 2 privates that were with me before I took off running. I made my way to the car. "AARON, DREW" I yelled. I could hear the privates calling for help to the other hummer, through my earpiece. I looked around for what felt like hours, all I could see was charred pieces of the car. I saw a reflection and made my way closer to it. A wedding ring on a hand, Drew. I ripped the piece of car that was on him off. No no no, he's dead. Should I do CPR? will it do anything?. I pulled open his jacket and there was a gaping hole through his chest. He was dead, long gone.

"Brett" I heard someone mumble. I turned around and about 10 yards away was Aaron. I ran over to him quickly assessing his wounds. "Is he dead?" I heard him ask. I just ignored him. I didn't know what to say. How do you tell your best friend that your other best friend is dead? I could hear a vehicle approaching, I grabbed my gun and turned around ready to shoot. But I recognized it as the third vehicle. I turned back and pinched the artery, Aaron started to scream. "I know I know but you need to be quiet" I whispered before finally stuffing a piece of fabric in his mouth to muffle his screams. The car rolled up beside me and the door swung open. Brenner and Stuart jumped out, "help me get him into the car" I said. We all picked him up, keeping pressure on his leg. We slid him in the back seat where George took over holding pressure. "Sarge where are you going? we need to get out of here?" Brenner asked.

"I need to get Drew's body, coming back together remember" I said sternly. Shots rang out again and I took cover. "Grab Brett now and pull him in," Franklin yelled from behind the wheel. "WE CAN'T LEAVE HIM HERE" I yelled over and over as Brenner pulled me in. The door slammed shut and Franklin took off driving. "I am your leader, now turn this car around, we need to get him" I yelled. "No Sarge, it is too dangerous," he said, not even looking at me. "I NEED TO GET HIS BODY FOR HIS WIFE, HE NEEDS TO COME HOME" I yelled. I felt like I was being touched. I looked around but no-one was touching me. "Brett wake up please" I heard Quinn beg. Why was Quinn in Afghanistan? "Please" I heard her say again, then I wasn't in the hummer anymore.

I shot up from the bed. I could feel that I was drenched in sweat. The room was bright but I could see that it was still dark out. I was breathing extremely fast, trying to catch my breath. That's when I felt someone's hand on my back. The sudden touch startled me and I ripped around to face whoever it was. Quinn jumped at my sudden movement. "Brett, you're okay it was just a dream" she whispered. I looked behind her, immediately catching Santana's gaze. Her arms were wrapped around herself, she looked scared, they both looked scared. "What time is it?" I asked looking away from her. "About 4 am," Quinn said, placing her hand on my shoulder. "We heard you screaming" she whispered. I turned back to her, "what was I saying?" I asked, wondering how much they knew. Santana walked closer "Something about getting a body and that he needed to come home" she said, her voice cracked a bit.

I abruptly got up and grabbed my sneakers. "Where are you going?" Quinn asked. I ignored her and continued to tie my shoes. She kneeled down in front of me. "Brett, what is going on?" she asked. "I need to leave," I said, getting up and grabbing a jacket. "Just stay here! Santana and I can go into our rooms, it's 4 am" Quinn said pleading with me. "I'm going for a run, sorry for waking you guys up" I said, looking at Santana one more time before walking out.

Santana's POV

I didn't realize that saying that was going to set him off. I can tell that Brett is really struggling with coming home. I wanted to ask Quinn about it but I had a feeling that Brett wouldn't have wanted to talk to her. He is so used to being by himself that I don't think he knows how to get help. I sat on the ground outside the bathroom for an hour just hoping he would come out of the bathroom. I knew he was awake because of the way he was breathing. I knocked every once in a while but he just ignored me. As it reached midnight I just decided that the best thing to do was to leave him alone. Hopefully I can just catch him in the morning and talk to him. I quickly pulled out his bed and made it so he didn't have to, dropped a little note and made my way into bed.

I was still awake when I finally heard him come out of the bathroom but he needed sleep and so did I.

"AARON, DREW" I heard someone scream. It was Brett, I knew his voice and he sounded petrified. I shot up and opened my door quickly. I guess he woke Quinn up too because her door opened wide just as I was walking into the living room. "What the hell was that" Quinn asked. I turned on the light over the dining table and pointed to Brett. He was breathing heavily, tossing and turning. "I think he's having a nightmare," I said as Quinn sat down on the side of the bed. I didn't dare walk any closer, he was still mad at me and if he were to wake up right now; I think I would be the last person he wanted to see. "WE CAN'T LEAVE HIM HERE" Brett yelled out again, both Quinn and I jumped. He is scared.

"Brett" Quinn whispered. "I NEED TO GET HIS BODY FOR HIS WIFE, HE NEEDS TO COME HOME" He yelled out. His voice broke my heart. He had told me earlier that it was his job to bring these men home and he couldn't get them all home. This is what he must be having a flashback about. Quinn reached out and shook him lightly. She touched him again when he shot up out of his slumber. We both jumped again.

Quinn was whispering to him when he finally caught my gaze. I was so scared, not of him but for him. I wanted to reach out and hug him, just not letting go. "what was I saying?" he asked. I finally spoke up, "Something about getting a body and that he needed to come home" I said softly. Before I knew it Brett had his sneakers on and was on his way out the door. He turned and made contact with my eyes again. I felt like he was begging for my help but also begging to be left alone.

"Should I follow him?" Quinn asked looking back at me. I shook my head, "No I think he needs to just clear his head" I said. She took a seat on the bed again. I sat next to her. "What should I do?" She asked. "I don't think there is anything you can do," I admitted. "I am his sister San, I need to help him," She said, sounding defeated. "You can't help him unless he wants the help, all you can do is be there for him" I said. She knew I was right. She looked at the clock, "I need to be up by 7, I think I am going to try to fall back asleep" Quinn said. I watched her quickly write Brett a note and left it on his pillow before she went back to bed.

I couldn't sleep, not until Brett came home. I leaned up against the back of the couch and laid my legs out on his bed. As I watched reruns of some random nick at night shows, I tried to figure out what to say. But everything I came up with sounded stupid or might get him more mad. I heard the front door start to unlock and I quickly looked at my phone, it read 5:43 am. He shut the door and walked into the living room finally realizing I was there. "Shouldn't you be asleep" he whispered. "I couldn't sleep," I said even though I was so tired. I got off the bed and walked closer to him, "Brett you're bleeding" I said, noticing the blood on the front of his shirt. He looked down, "Shit" he mumbled walking to the bathroom.

I followed him and was able to slip in before he could shut the door this time. He tried to open a container but he couldn't, "Damn it" he said in frustration. "Brett please, let me," I said quietly, placing my hand on the gauze container. I moved slow because I saw the way he jumped when Quinn touched him. He turned and looked at me. I could see his eye soften. "Sit" I said pointing to the countertop. Brett followed my command as I opened the container.

I slowly walked forward between his legs. "Can I" I asked, touching his sling. He nodded and I gently took it off. "I am going to take your shirt off" I said to make sure he knew exactly what I was going to do. Brett moved his arms so I could pull the shirt over his head. The ace bandage that was around his abdomen was soaked through with blood. I didn't know if he wanted me to proceed or not. "You can take it off," he said, pulling me back. I slowly unwrapped the ace bandage, Brett winced as I removed the final layer. There was a large incision site that ran down the middle of my chest. "Brett" I gasped, looking up at him. "Just hold pressure with the gauze and it will stop soon" he said. I placed it there gently but applied enough pressure that hopefully the bleeding will stop. It looks as if the 2 edges of the incision came apart as he was running. I bet he had so much anger and adrenaline that he didn't even feel it.

"This isn't a new injury, you got this in war; didn't you?" I asked looking at him. He nodded. "Quinn told me that you hurt your shoulder, this is more than just your shoulder" I added, not looking away from him. Brett used his good arm to pull me closer. I could feel his breath against me. "You can't tell Quinn'' he said. I looked at him confused so he continued talking. "I shouldn't have lied to her but…... I didn't want to worry her or my mom so I just told them I hurt my shoulder which isn't technically a lie" he said. "Quinn just wants to make sure you are okay, that's what everyone wants." I said. Brett scoffed "who the hell is everyone because I am pretty sure it's only Quinn" he said annoyed. "And me" I whispered. Brett looked back at me, his hand resting on my hip.

"I care Brett, I like you" I admitted. "Why, you saw what happened last night and this morning. I am messed up Santana" He said whispering the last part. "You're not. you've seen things that people are not supposed to see, that's it. Do you want to talk about your nightmare or what happened last night? I really didn't mean to trigger you like that, I am so sorry" I explained. "No San, I am sorry. You were just trying to help and I flipped out. I am sorry" he said rubbing my side. "Brett tell me the truth, how were you injured?" I asked, needing to know what actually happened to him. He took a deep breath, "you can't tell Quinn" he said, I nodded so he continued. "I was shot once in the shoulder and stabbed in the chest" Brett said monotoned. I felt like I was going to cry. Here this guy was telling me how he was shot and stabbed in front of me like it was no big deal. "You need to tell Quinn, she needs to know the truth." I said. He immediately shook his head, "No Santana, I was injured and I am home now so it doesn't matter." "Brett it does matter, she needs to know the extent of your injury. What if this happens in front of her" I asked him. "It will not happen in front of her, I'll take it easier on my next run," he explained. "You're hurt and your sister cares so much about you, she just wants to help" I said pleading with him. "I know she cares, that's why I am doing this," Brett said, still staring at me. I looked at him confused. "Quinn doesn't need to picture me getting stabbed and shot, laying in an ICU everytime she looks at me" He explained. Before I could say anything he continued, "I know you are looking out for Quinn but so I am. You don't know what I went through over there. Or even what I went through with my so-called family. Quinn was always a good person, the only person non military that has supported me, and she let me stay here. I am not going to drag her through all my shit. So please San, don't tell Quinn anything" he said.

All Brett wants is to look out for his sister. This guy in front of me got injured in war, ran away from home at 17 and probilby had a million other bad things happen to him but all he wants is to protect his sister from worrying about him. I took a deep breath, "Quinn's my bestfriend and I really don't like keeping this from her but I will. I still think you should tell her but the fact you are even telling me speaks volumes. I know we just met but you can tell me anything. Don't go through this alone because it will eat you alive" I pleaded with him. He looked down, breaking our eye contact. I felt his hand clutch my hip tighter as if I was going to disappear. Brett slowly looked up connecting with my eyes again and just nodded. I could instantly feel his hand relax, I think he just realized that there is now one more non-military person that is supporting him.

"I think it stopped bleeding," I said, peeling the gauze away. "Can you put this on?" he asked, handing me some ointment. I grabbed it, placing some on my fingers and slowly made their way down his incision. This chest was so strong, he was so strong both physically and mentally. Once I finished I grabbed some new gauze and proceeded to wrap it around his chest until it was secured. "Thank you Santana," he said softly. I smiled, "anytime and I mean it". I stood there for a minute before I started to walk away.

Brett reached up and cupped my cheek bringing me towards him. Our lips collided. At first I was so shocked that he was kissing me that I didn't move. But as his lips moved I copied. I've never had a kiss like this. When a guy kissed me I knew it was to get in my pants. They were usually rough and after a second their tongue was normally pushed into my mouth. This was so different, so gentle. I reached around his neck and pulled him closer to me. My chest collided with his but not enough to hurt him. I felt his arms wrap around my waist, even his bad arm. I really hope I am not hurting him. We both pulled away breathless, leaning our foreheads against each other. I finally opened my eyes and stared directly into his gorgeous blue eyes. "wow" he said and I just laughed which made him laugh too.

Of course we had to be interrupted, since that tends to be the trend of our moments. My phone went off loudly playing Valerie. "Who the hell is calling you this early" he said laughing as I pulled my face away. I didn't move from his arms as I reached over to grab my phone. "It's my alarm clock," I said quickly, shutting him off. "You have to get ready for work?" he asked, hugging me closer. I laughed, "Yes I need to meet the detectives at the courthouse" I said smiling at him. "are you going to be back in time for the party?" he asked me. "Of course, I wouldn't miss it. Now get out I need to shower" I said pushing away from him. I walked over turning on the shower.

Once it was on and heating up I turned around. Brett was still standing there shirtless. "Come here" he said laughing pulling me closer to him. "Thank you again" he whispered before gently kissing my lips again. I was disappointed when he pulled away, I just wanted to stay in his embrace. Brett winked at me before walking out of the bathroom. Quinn is going to kill me.

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