Just as a reminder, the italics are Brett's flashbacks. Normally I write his flashbacks as dreams but this time he is telling the group about his experiences. Now on to the chapter, I really hope you guys enjoy it!

Santana, Puck, Quinn, and Aaron spent the last few hours sitting in his hospital room. Santana wasn't religious by any means but she found herself prying. Was she praying to god or some other higher above? She has no idea but whoever the hell was making life's choices, she begged for Brett to make it out of the surgery. And she prayed that he didn't have any permanent brain damage. While Brett was in surgery Nina came and sat with them instead of going home since her shift was over. Nina explained to the group just how dangerous this one punch was for Brett. In normal circumstances, a punch like this might give someone a bad concussion but that is really it. Since Brett already had a TBI, his brain was already injured and attempting to heal itself. So when General Kennedy punched him, it was like taking an egg that already has a crack in it and shaking it around. Hearing Nina explain that made Santana's heart sink. It's like one thing after another after another. Brett can't catch a damn break.

She got her boyfriend back and now he could be even more injured then he was. "Where is your ring?" Quinn asked. Santana looked down at her left hand which was completely bare. She had gotten so used to wearing it that at the beginning it felt weird to not have it on. "I took it off before coming back here to see Brett. I didn't want to overwhelm him. For all I know, Brett might want to ask me himself or he might not even want to ask me anymore" Santana explained. "San, you know he is still going to ask you," Puck said. "We don't know that. A lot happened these last few months. I lost our baby and Brett got seriously injured. And he may have an even worse head injury, the last thing he needs is me walking around wearing a ring he bought thinking he was going to die" San said. "That's not why he bought it," Aaron said finally speaking from the corner of the room. He had been silent since Nina left to go check on Brett's progress in surgery.

"What do you mean?" Santana asked. "After Brett bought the ring, he showed Carrie and me. I asked him if he thought it was too soon to be buying you a ring. I also asked him if he was going to give it to you before shipping off" Aaron explained. "What did he say?" She asked, needing to know. "Brett said he had never been more sure of anything before. Before when he proposed to Katie, she pressured him into buying a ring. But with you, everything moved so organically. He bought it because it was his gut telling him to. Brett also said he wasn't going to give it to you before leaving because he wanted to look forward to something when he got home." Aaron laughed, "He told me that when he asked you to be his girlfriend it wasn't special. Brett told me that you deserved something special and he was going to come home and make it happen. He was going to make sure that when he proposed to you it was going to be some grand statement." he added.

"Thank you for telling me that," Santana said smiling at him. She needed to hold on to something right now, that was exactly what she needed to hear. "He is going to ask you," Quinn said reaching over to hold her hand. Santana squeezed her hand, "I really hope so because I really want to marry him" she admitted. "I wouldn't want anyone else to be my sister-in-law," Quinn said. Santana smiled at her and leaned her head on Quinn's shoulder.

"What are we going to do about the General?" Puck asked. "I already called my contact at the state department. He is going to get back to me as to why Brett is being detained. I feel like once we find that out everything will make sense" Aaron explained. "What is Operation Ghost about? You and the General seemed very shocked when Brett exposed that General Kennedy tried to give it to the enemy." Santana asked. The three could see that the question made Aaron shift in his seat uncomfortabley. He got up from his chair and shut the door before returning to the seat he was just in His demeanor changed, his back straighten up and he leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees. "Nothing I tell you guys can leave this room. If you say anything to anyone then Brett and I can get into a shit load of trouble that can send us to jail. Do you understand me?" Aaron asked.

The three also straighten up realizing just how serious this conversation was going to be. They all nodded their head in unison. "Brett and I didn't just serve together. When we were not deployed, we were in D.C. working at the pentagon. The United States Military was working on a top-secret hit list basically. Some people high up in the United States Government, those that I can't even name came up with a list of people that needed to be killed because they were a threat to national security" He said. "Brett and I, along with a few other soldiers were brought in with General Kennedy to come up with a plan" Aaron announced.

"What kind of plans?" Santana asked, kinda scared of the answer. "We were paid to look at each of the people on the list. Decipher their location and come up with a detailed plan on how to kill them" Aaron explained. "Wow, I didn't realize that you guys did that" Quinn stated. "We had to lie and keep it a secret. Brett lied to you and I lied to Carrie about where we were. It was part of our contract, we didn't want to do it but it was either be a part of the special operation or get shipped overseas again. We made a choice" Aaron said. "When was this? Not this deployment right?" Santana asked. Aaron shook his head, "No it was before Brett ever met you. We started this operation just before the deployment that Drew died on. We completed it just before Brett was deployed the last time, the one where he was captured" he said.

"When was he captured? I didn't even know that happened" Quinn asked. "The last time he was injured, Brett was captured and tortured by the Ahmadi brothers before being saved by his squad" Aaron explained. Quinn turned to Santana, "did you know this?" she asked. Santana looked at her best friend and sadly nodded. "Why didn't he tell me?" she asked. "He didn't want to upset you especially since you took the news he was shot so badly. He only told me because I was at a doctor's appointment with him and the doctor let it spill. I don't know the specifics but to be honest, I don't think I want to know" Santana explained. "You don't want to know" Puck mumbled. They all looked over at him. "Brett told you?" Santana asked. "We stayed up drinking one night watching some historical movie or documentary. They were talking about torture and Brett was kinda laughing saying how unrealistic it was. Then he started drunkenly telling me what he went through and like I said before you do not want to know. In fact I wish I didn't know" Puck admitted. Santana shook her head trying to get the mental image of Brett being tortured out of her head.

"So why is it such a big deal that General Kennedy tried to give Operation Ghost away?" Quinn asked "This operation is a file that discloses every person that the United States believes to be a threat. It discloses their location and the exact way we planned on executing them. Including different chemicals, explosives, and hitmen that we planned on using. Giving this to the enemy would be detrimental. Any undercover agent would be exposed and all of our tactics would be known. Every military squad that is undercover, ready to execute an enemy would have their locations known. This would put a target on their back and could get them killed. It's basically like giving the rival football team your playbook. Hundreds to thousands of people would die" Aaron explained. "Was Brett executing one of the plans of the operation?" Santana asked. Aaron nodded, "When he came home from the hospital. He was working with the government on a new plan to kill the Ahmadi brothers since the last one didn't go according to plan" he explained. "The last one being, the mission he was captured on" Puck clarified. Aaron nodded.

Santana ran her fingers through her hair and groaned, "this is just getting more and more complicated" she said. "I think the only person that is going to be able to tell us everything is Brett," Aaron said. "And he is on an operating table" Puck announced. "General Kennedy is scared of Brett. He wouldn't have reacted that way if there was no truth to what Brett was saying" Quinn pointed out. "You're right, that makes the most sense. I see it all the time in cases. If two people know something, and one of them dies; then the secret can't be exposed" Santana suspected. "Whatever Brett knows, General Kennedy is willing to kill him to keep it hidden," Puck said. Aaron stood up abruptly, "I need to make a phone call, I'll be back," he said walking out.


When Aaron walked back in some time later, they were going to ask why he suddenly got up and left but the person behind him distracted everyone. Right when Nina walked in, everyone rose from their chairs waiting for her to speak. When she smiled Santana felt relief, there is no way she would be smiling if Brett was dead. "Brett made it out of the surgery" Nina exclaimed. "Thank god" Quinn sighed. Puck rubbed Santana's back, "He made it San," he whispered to her. Santana nodded wiping the tear that escaped away. "The punch caused a subarachnoid hemorrhage. It's when there is bleeding between the brain and the surrounding membrane. It increased the pressure in Brett's skull so much that it blew his pupil. Luckily we were able to get him into a craniotomy quick enough to stop the bleeding and decrease the pressure. Brett is already in recovery and asking where you guys are. He was very concerned that Santana got herself thrown in jail for attacking the General" Nina explained. The group couldn't help but laugh, "he knows you so well" Puck said elbowing her making Santana roll her eyes. "When can we see him?" Santana asked. "He should be rolling up soon. And just so you know the General is not allowed on this floor. Security is going to be posted outside Brett's room at all times from now on" Nina explained. "Thank you so much," Santana said hugging her. Nina hugged her back tightly before pulling back. "Tell Brett I'll be back tonight. I am going to go home and try to get some sleep. Will I see you tonight?" she asked. Santana nodded, "absolutely, get some rest," she said. Nina said her goodbyes and left the room.


About an hour later the door to the room opened up and Brett's hospital bed came rolling in. Adding to the immobilizer on his knee and bandages on his chest and arm, Brett now sported a gauze bandage wrapped around his head. "Tana" Brett managed to say but he didn't open his eyes. "I'm right here baby," Santana said, stepping forward and grabbing his hand. "You didn't get arrested," he said with a little smirk. The entire room laughed, "no I did not get arrested although I wouldn't have been that upset if I did" San said. Brett squeezed her hand, "I would have been because it means you wouldn't be staying with me tonight" Brett explained. "How are you feeling?" Quinn asked, her hand lightly covering the hand that had the burns. Brett grasped her hand so she knows that she wasn't hurting him. "My head hurts a bit, the bright lights are kinda a lot" Brett explained. "How's this?" Puck asked quickly, shutting the light off. Brett slowly opened his eyes taking the time to blink a few times before looking at his friends and girlfriend. "Yeah, that's a lot better. Thank you" Brett said.

Aaron walked to the end of the bed so Brett could see him better. "Brett, we need to talk about what you said to the General. About Operation Ghost" he said. "Can't this wait, he just got out of brain surgery" Santana quickly said not wanting to push him any further. "I am sorry Santana but it can not wait. I need to know exactly what happened over there. That way another officer doesn't walk in here and arrest you because right now it is a General's word compared to yours. My connection at the state department said you were being looked at for attempting to give the enemy Operation Ghost" Aaron explained. "I am not lying, I never tried to give them that," Brett said. "I know you aren't, General Kennedy is a shady man. He has been up to something since we were in boot camp. The Secretary of Defense went to the academy with my father, He is willing to speak to me but I need to know everything so we can hopefully get you back to New York not in handcuffs" He exclaimed.

Brett was so tired from everything he had just gone through but he needed to get back to New York. It was the only way to get back to normalcy. They had time going against them, Brett knew that it was crucial to get this issue straightened out before he was locked up and away from his family. "Okay, I'll tell you everything. But what I am going to say cannot leave any of your mouths again. Do you understand me?" Brett asked Santana, Puck, and Quinn. They all nodded their heads realizing just how serious the tone of his voice was. Brett interlocked his hands in Quinn and Santana's grasp, he needed to feel them in order to get through this conversation. "You are not alone" San whispered. Brett nodded, he needed to hear that. Aaron shut the door to the room and took a seat joining the other three surrounding Brett's bed. "I told them about Operation Ghost" Aaron announced. "They can't know about that. It could put them in danger, why the hell did you do that?" Brett asked. "Don't worry, I didn't tell them everything just the overall gest so they would understand just how important this is" Aaron explained. "Operation Ghost is what lead me to the warehouse in the first place. We spend months deciphering the location. We were just about to execute the plan when General Kennedy up and switched it up" Brett explained.

He took a deep breath and continued his story, focusing on the feeling of Santana's hand in his. "General Kenndy made the call for me to sweep the safe house alone. I tried to plead with my platoon commander to allow a few of us to do it that way we had backup. That was the plan, the plan a bunch of us came up with back in Washington D.C but Kennedy didn't give a shit, and would not let my commander change the plan. He said that he was in charge and that was that. I didn't have the authority to challenge my General or my commander. The military is all about rank and I was under them, that was that. I cleared the house by myself and went down into the basement. I was immediately ambushed and knocked out. I woke up and was tied to a chair in some sort of bunker. The Ahmadi brothers were there and they wanted to password for Operation Ghost. I wouldn't give it to them so they tortured me for it but I never gave it up." Brett explained.

"Then I got redeployed under Kennedy's word. He was the one who made me go out in the chopper. I knew it was dangerous but I wouldn't let anyone come with me because I didn't want anyone else to die if something were to go down. And I had a bad feeling something was going to happen" He said. Santana shut her eyes, somehow not looking at Brett made this story easier to handle. "The enemy was too prepared not to know that we were coming. They had missiles prepared and shot the helicopter down. I tried to save the pilot, I did CPR but he was too far gone and the flames were starting to build. I knew that the wreck and the flames were going to draw attention so I grabbed what I could and ran. I took our picture from my helmet and I am so glad I did" Brett said rubbing the back of Santana's hand with his thumb. She finally opened her eyes to look at his. Brett gave her a soft smile so she would know that he was okay, it gave her a small sense of peace.

"I managed to hide out in a small shed, covering the burns I had with a ripped-up shirt drenched in the water I found at the chopper wreckage. I used the other portion of my shirt to try and wrap my knee. I am not sure how long I camped out but at some point, I left to look for food. The only place I could go was to the compound itself. I managed to hide out for a day before being found. That's when everything came together" he said.

Aazar looked at Brett who was tied to the chain loop that was protruding from the floorboard. "I have to say, I missed you and the fun we had for those few weeks," Aazar said laughing. "How is it that I found you not once but twice?" Brett asked. "I don't know but I am impressed. You are the only one who has come so close, so many times" Aazar admitted. Brett thought for a minute, how is it that Brett has come across this war criminal twice? Yet the brothers had been escaping from the United States forces since he was at boot camp. It all didn't make any sense. "Someone told you where I was going to be," Brett said, going out on a limb.

"Ding ding ding, we have a winner!" Aazar said. "It took you long enough to figure it out" Jabbar added as he walked into the room. "Who told you where I was?" Brett asked. "I am surprised you haven't figured that one out," Aazar said. "Why would you think that? It took him years to figure out that he had a snitch in his group. He wouldn't just be able to guess who it is on the spot" Jabbar said laughing. "That's true, maybe he isn't as smart as we thought" Aazar admitted.

"If we have a rat trading you secrets about Operation Ghost then why do you need me?" Brett asked. "Don't you remember the security placements they put into effect in order to access the plans?" Aazar asked. Brett thought for a minute before talking, "No, all I did was help come up with the plans. My job was not security" he explained. "Well let me refresh your memory, do you remember how to access the files?" Aazar asked again. "3 people have to give their passwords before the file opens" Brett exclaimed. "Exactly, we got one password from the soldier who was killed before capturing you. Do you know whose other passwords we have?" Jabbar asked. "I guess whoever the rat is has a password and gave it to you," Brett said. Aazar laughed, "you are finally understanding all of this. If we have 2 passwords, what do we need?" he asked.

Brett knew he was in trouble. "Are you going to answer him?" Jabbar asked. "You need one more" Brett managed to get out. "You are going to give us your password to open the files," Aazar said, opening up the laptop in front of Brett. Brett could see the title written across the top of the computer screen. Below it was three separate boxes that people could type in. The first two boxes had stars indicating that something was written in them and next to each of them were a green check mark. The last box was empty. The Ahmadi brothers need one more authorized password to gain entry into Operation Ghost, a password that Brett had access to.

"Wait, I don't get it. What's with all the passwords?" Puck asked. "It was a security measure that one of the people who helped create the operation came up with. In order to open the files, three separate people's passwords need to be entered." Aaron explained. "Only some people even have passwords to access it. I helped create the file and I don't have a password to open it" he added. "5 people in total have passwords to open the files held in Operation Ghost. I don't know everyone who has one but I know that General Kennedy and another soldier who was murdered by the Ahmadi brothers had passwords. The only other person that I know of who has a password to access it is me" Brett admitted. "So that's why they took you," Quinn said sadly. "They needed one more password and they knew you had a password to access it" Santana said finishing Quinn's thought. Brett nodded.

"I am not giving you anything," Brett said looking away from the screen. Jabbar wined up and punched Brett straight in the jaw. His head whiplashed back. Brett looked directly at the man who punched him. He spit the blood that pooled in his mouth onto the ground by Jabbar's feet. "You tortured me for weeks, I am not going to just break now," Brett said. Aazar started laughing, "back then you had nothing to lose. Now you do, so I would rethink that decision because I might even let you go to reward you" he explained. "What makes you think I made something to lose? You don't know me, you know nothing about me" Brett hissed back. "That's where you are wrong" Jabbar mumbled. "We know a lot more about you than you think" Aazar exclaimed.

Aazar pulled out his phone and started fumbling with it. "Ahh, here it is. 'Brett Pierce is to be deployed on the 28th. I will find a way for you to get access to him. In the meantime, I will do some digging to get you some dirt on him, that way it is easier to get him to break and give you his password. One thing that you will find interesting is that he has a girlfriend now. That might be your best weapon. Talk to you soon' Now what do you think of that email?" Aazar asked. Brett was shocked. He was set up by someone he knows. Someone close enough to know about his personal life, Santana, and the exact date that he was shipped off. Who would do that?

"They knew about me?" Santana asked terrified. Would a war enemy come after her to get to Brett? "Somebody was in cahoots with them and set them information of me to get me to spill my password. They wanted to break me and they tried to use you to do it" Brett admitted. "I am sorry, I am so sorry," Santana said dropping her head down on the bed. Brett let go of Quinn's hand. He reached over and Forced Santana to look in his eyes. "This is not your fault. You did nothing wrong. These monsters were going to use anything against me to get what they want. Luckily they don't know who you are just that I have a girlfriend" Brett explained. It made Santana feel just a little bit better.

"They did some more fucked up things to me that I would rather not talk about with you guys. I don't think you would want to have those mental images in your head" Brett explained. Both Santana and Quinn shook their head, they don't want to hear any of it. "It lasted a few days and I manage to survive it and keep my password a secret. They were beyond pissed." Brett said before continuing his story.

Brett was going in and out of consciousness. The burns on his chest from the wreckage along with being electrocuted by them were burning. The pain he felt shooting through him was causing the loss of consciousness he thought. Or the fact he had been withheld food and water for days. Brett had no idea, all he knew was that if he was going to survive this, he needed to think of a plan and fast. As Brett was awake, he tried thinking of one. He had no idea when was the next time he was going to black out or when either one of the brothers were going to come back and torture him some more. "Where is he?" Someone said from just outside the room. The voice was not Jabbar or Aazar's but it was a voice that Brett knew.

"He is in there completely knocked out. I don't think this guy is going to give up the password. He is one stubborn mother fucker" Aazar explained. "I think we should just kill him and move on. You said 5 people have passwords. If that is true then there are 2 other people out there we can get passwords from" Jabbar said taking a sip of his beer. "Well you idiots, I don't know who the other people are that have the passwords. Pierce and Fuller were the only two people along with myself who have passwords that I know of. If you want access to Operation Ghost then you need Pierce's password" the mystery man said. "What do you expect us to do then? He isn't going to break, I don't know what you want us to do" Jabbar said. "Plus his squad is going to come looking for him eventually. What are we going to do then?" Aazar asked. "Don't worry about that. I already took care of it. We declared him dead so no one is going to come looking and his family will stop asking about it" He explained.

"Smart" Jabbar chuckled. "So we can keep him as long as we want" Aazar laughed. "This is going to be so much fun" he added. "Do whatever you want with him. Get the password and once you have access to the operation. Kill him. I will handle everything else back in the US" the man explained. "Sounds good boss," Jabbar said. "How long are you staying here?" Aazar asked. "for a little bit, I want to watch what you guys do to him. I've hated Pierce since he started climbing the ranks, I want to see him beg for his life" the man said. Brett slowly blinked his eyes open. He finally figured it out. He knows that voice because it was the same voice that gave him commands all these years. The voice that sent him straight into the Ahmadi brother's hands not once but twice. General Kennedy. General Kennedy is the rat. He is giving the military secrets to the enemy and he wants Brett dead.

"He was there? General Kennedy went all the way to the middle east to meet with them?" Aaron asked. "I know, I found it hard to believe but I know it was him. The voice was my first clue but then I saw him during one of my blackouts. I think they thought I was knocked out when he came into the room to see my wounds. I could hear him talking about how my family wanted answers and how my girlfriend was stubborn" Brett said squeezing Santana's hand. Puck started laughing, "she got kicked out of his office. You would have been proud of her" he said. "I don't need to be there to be proud, I am proud of her," He said making Santana smile.

"How long has he been a rat?" Aaron asked. Brett shrugged his shoulders, "that I have no idea. All I know is that he has been working with them since at least a year before I was captured because that's when the brothers got Fuller's password and then murdered him. We found his body in the desert 6 months before the mission I was taken on." Brett explained. "This all makes sense. General Kennedy knew that you and Fuller had the passwords. So once Fuller gave his up, they murdered him. Then Kennedy used his command to keep sending you overseas and into situations where the brothers could take you hostage. This has just been some giant meticulous plan to give our secrets to the terrorist" Aaron said.

Brett nodded. "I am lucky to have made it out of there alive," Brett admitted. Santana rose his hand to his lips and kissed the back of his hand. "How did you make it out?" Puck asked. "I was wondering the same thing, How the hell did you make it to a hospital in Romania under arrest?" Aaron asked. "I knew their tricks, you shouldn't take someone hostage that you have already taken before," Brett said with a small laugh.

When Brett woke up he realized that the window outside showed zero light. Which meant It had to be nighttime, which means the brothers are fast asleep. This is Brett's chance and it may be his only chance for a while. He started moving his wrists trying to wiggle his way out. The ropes wrapped around his wrist were tight but not as tight as before. Jabbar is an idiot compared to his brother. When he tied Brett up again, Jabbar only used one knot. Brett knew he could get out but he needed to just keep at it.

He twisted and turned over and over. Trying to use the blood that was dripping down his arms to lubricate his wrists. Every time he moved his shoulder burned but he didn't care. Eventually, Brett was able to twist his wrist out of the rope. Using his free hand, Brett was able to untie the other hand from the ties. Then bend over and untie the ropes that were fastening his ankles to the chair.

When Brett stood up his knee gave out and he hit the ground hard. The pain in his shoulder almost made him forget about his knee. He originally hurt it in the crash but then Jabbar took a baseball bat to it for fun, switching between his knee and head. Brett was so tired and his entire body hurt so bad. Brett didn't think that he could drag his body out of here. He couldn't handle any more torture and pain. He looked over and saw the bloody knife sitting on the floor of the room. He could end it all right now. Slit his throat then the pain would be gone. No more torture and absolutely no more chances for them to get his password. This would all be over.

Brett reached out and grabbed the knife. He ran the pad of his finger over the blade. It was as sharp as could be. This would make his death quick right? Just slice his carotid quick and easy, and end it all. Brett held the knife to his neck. He closed his eyes and placed his other hand on his leg. That's when he felt it. He had forgotten that he even had it.

Brett managed to hide it in a secret pocket on the inside of his pants. He quickly reached inside his pant leg and pulled it out. Brett held up the picture so he could see it clearly in the dark room. Santana. The picture of them that he grabbed from his burning helmet. Brett thought back to that day. The Latina's 26th birthday party was one of the best and worst days of his life. He got to tell her that he loved her, finally getting the courage. Brett got to ravish her gorgeous body all night long. Only taking small breaks to nap through the night to get more energy. He made it his mission to make Santana cum more times than she ever had in one night and let's just say he surpassed it. But it was also the night that Kennedy told him of his upcoming deployment. Brett still felt guilty that he knew it was going to happen all night but Santana didn't.

This beautiful woman in the picture smiling ear to ear is his everything. She was at home waiting for him. Brett remembered one of the last things Santana said to him in person. Standing in the airport just before security. He closed his eyes hearing her voice, "I love you so much. Which means you need to come home so we can start our lives together. I don't want to be with anyone else B, you're my person". He wanted a life with her and only her. Brett told Santana that he would see her later and at that moment he decided that he would do everything in his power to keep that promise.

Brett brought the picture up to his lips and kissed his beautiful girlfriend before sliding the photo into his pocket. He slid the knife into an outside pocket for easy access in case he needed it. Brett used the chair that he was previously tied to, to assist him in standing back up. He was shakey but the pain was nothing compared to the drive he had to get home to his girlfriend. Once the shaking stopped, Brett limped around the room. There had to be a way out of this room. A secret way just like the last time. It took a while but eventually, Brett found a squeaky floorboard. Using the knife, he popped the board up and exposed a tunnel. Brett took a deep breath and jumped down. The pain shot through his knee. He bit down hard on his arm to keep from screaming. Once he got his bearings again. Brett pulled the floorboard back over the tunnel and started his journey forward.

By the time he made it through the tunnel and out the other side, the sun was just starting to poke out. Brett looked around and couldn't even see the compound back in the direction he came from. He had to be at least 5 miles from it. Brett kept moving, he didn't have time to stop and rest. He needed to put more distance between him and them. It was still dark enough that he could see the stars still shining bright in the sky. One thing that the military taught him was how to get around without the proper GPS. His father would be proud because he taught him the very same thing one night between shooting up. The brightest star in the sky is the north star which is situated in the big dipper. Brett knew if he followed it then he would eventually hit Hafar al Batin. The Saudi Arabian city that he knew had United States soldiers stationed there.

Brett baked in the sun as he moved forward. Hours must have passed because the sun was starting to set in the west. Brett was so thirsty and so hungry. All he wanted to do was stop and sit but he was sure that if he sat down for even a minute, he wouldn't get up again. Luckily the pain in his leg and arm was numbing. It hurt so bad that it didn't hurt anymore. A new pain started to immerge. His head felt like it was going to explode. Just as he thought he was going to pass out, Brett saw it. Over the ridge of the sand dune was the city. "Get to the city, then you can pass out," Brett said to himself as he sped up.

He came up to the border and was met with a soldier holding an AK-47 pointing straight at him. "Stop right now, who are you?" the soldier yelled out. Brett fell to his knees and held his hands up showing the knife in his hand. He dropped it out in front of him so the soldier could clearly see that he was no longer armed. "My name is Master Seargent, Brett Pierce. I was in a helicopter crash and taken hostage by Jabbar and Aazar Ahmadi. I need medical attention please" Brett yelled out. The soldier immediately let the gun drop from his grasp but it still hung around his neck. He reached from his radio, "I have an MIA soldier, we need the medivac plane immediately" he said before running over. Brett fell back against the sand, not having the strength to hold himself up anymore. The soldier lifted up Brett's head, "I heard about the crash. Everyone thought you died out there in the desert. We are going to get you out of here, just hang on Seargent" he said. Brett reached into his pocket and pulled out the picture. He took one final look at Santana's face before Brett's world turned black.

"The next thing I remember is being wheeled on a gurney into an emergency room. All these medical people were buzzing around me but I held on to that picture like my life depended on it. Nina tried to take it and I panic. She held it in front of my face so I could see it clearly before I was put under" Brett explained. He turned toward his girlfriend who was clearly crying. "You got me through this. Without you, I would have killed myself in that room. But I knew I needed to come back home because we are going to start our lives together" He said wiping the tears from her face. "We are still going to start our lives together right?" Brett asked with a cheeky grin hoping to get her to smile. Santana surged forward and smashed their lips together. Brett held her close and kissed her with everything he had in him. She pulled back and leaned her forehead against his. "Absolutely, I love you so much B" San whispered. "I love you too" Brett whispered back.

Santana sat back in her seat but leaned her head against Brett's good shoulder. "Don't cry Quinny" Brett said looking over at his sister. Puck wrapped his arm around his girlfriend and pulled her close to his side. "I can't help it. You gave so much to the United States. Risking your life over and over only to get blindsided by your boss. It is just disgusting" Quinn admitted. "It is I can't argue about that but I am alive. I made it out of there" Brett replied back. "So now that you are back, what is General Kennedy's explanation? How is he covering all of this up?" Puck asked. Brett wasn't exactly sure what had been going on since he was in a coma so he looked over at Aaron.

"My connection at the state department said that Kennedy had you placed under arrest. Stating that he had evidence that you faked your hostage situation to cover up the fact that you were working with the Ahmadi Brothers" Aaron explained. "How the hell could I fake this? I have burns all over me. My knee is probably fucked up for life. I have whip marks and engravings from a knife on my back. Drains coming out of my head from brain surgery! I didn't fake this!" Brett yelled. Santana rubbed his face trying to calm him down. "Shhhh shhh baby, we know you didn't fake it. We believe you" she whispered. "I didn't want this, I didn't even want to go back over there!" Brett yelled. "We know," Quinn said reaching over to rub his leg. "I didn't want to leave you guys, I promise," he said sadly. "I know baby, I know," Santana said kissing his cheek. "I don't believe anything that Kennedy is saying Brett" Aaron announced.

"But I bet some people do believe him since it was only his word at the time. The good thing is that you are awake now. You can tell your story and it makes complete sense. There is no way the higher-ups won't believe you." Aaron said reassuring his best friend. "I won't survive in jail Aaron. I've been locked up countless times, I won't survive this" Brett whispered trying his best not to panic. It is a prominent General's word against his. If they don't believe him, he could be locked up as a war criminal. Most likely shipped off to the patriot wing of the D.C jail or even worse Guantanamo Bay. He has survived so much, he can't handle this too. "You are not going to go to jail, we are going to do everything in our power to get you through this. Right guys?" Aaron asked looking around.

"B, Santana and I have connections, I am friends with people in the state department including the governor. If we can't settle this quietly we will go to the media" Quinn said. "I am a loud mouth Latina, there is no way I will be quiet. Kennedy wanted us to sit back and believe him. But we didn't. We searched and searched, finally finding you. We will not let you go to jail because of him." Santana said also trying to calm him down.

"I can't lose you guys," Brett said sadly. "We aren't going anywhere, man. You are stuck with us" Puck said making everyone laugh, bringing some comedic relief to the tense moment. Santana wiped the tears from Brett's face. "What do we do now?" Brett asked looking at Aaron. "I have a meeting with the Security of Defense," he said looking down at his watch, "in about 30 minutes. I will explain everything. We might need to get your medical records sent over as proof of the torture and how Kennedy punch you, forcing you to get surgery. But I am confident that he will believe us" Aaron announced. "You can have anything. Just let me know if I have to sign anything to release them" Brett said quickly.

"I have one more question," Aaron said. Brett nodded to his friend to continue talking. "Do you know who the other 2 soldiers are that have passwords to the files? Now that you are in the hospital and unable to be deployed again for some time. I am concerned that Kennedy is going to panic and try and find those 2 soldiers, they could be in danger." Aaron explained. Brett shook his head. "No, I have no idea who else has passwords. I didn't even know Fuller did until after he died" Brett announced. "It's probably good that you don't. Makes you less of a target. I am going to go back to the hotel and video chat with him. Just try and rest, I will update you when I can" Aaron said standing up. Brett reached forward and grabbed his hand. He pulled Aaron close and hugged him.

"Thank you. Thank you for finding me and thank you for believing me" Brett whispered. "Anything for the man that saved my life" Aaron whispered back before pulling aware. "I will text you guys a bit later," he said before leaving the hospital room. Brett leaned his head back on the pillow. The conversation took a lot out of him. "Brett baby, what's wrong?" Santana asked. He shut his eyes trying to shield out the little light that was in the room. "My head is just really bothering me, this is just a lot" Brett replied. "Why don't you get some rest and I will ask the nurse if you can get any pain medication" Quinn suggested to which Brett just nodded his head slightly. "We will stop by the nurse's station on our way out, I'll see you later B," Quinn said. She bent down and kissed him on the cheek. Puck squeezed his hand before they both made their way out to give the couple some alone time.


Moments later the nurse came in quickly. She checked Brett's vital signs and emptied the drains that were draining fluid out of Brett's head. "Everything looks good. Your vital signs look great. How is your pain?" she asked. Brett didn't open his eyes when he answered, "It's pretty bad, maybe a 6?" he answered. "I am going to give you some pain medication through your IV that should kick in pretty quick. But try to rest, it's the best way to heal" She explained as she administered the medication. "I will come to check on you in a little bit," the nurse said with a smile. "Thank you," Santana said for Brett. The nurse left the room and shut the door.

Brett lifted his head and started moving his body over. "Brett baby, what are you doing? You heard the nurse, you need to rest" Santana said. "I know, I sleep best with you in my arms remember," Brett said as he opened his arms. He shifted his body over enough to make room for his girlfriend to lie down next to him. Santana smiled and stood up. She stripped off her coat and pulled back the blanket. Santana laid down next to him and placed her head on his chest. Brett tossed the blanket over her. "Am I hurting you?" She asked noticing that her arm that was tossed over his torso was close to his burns. "Not at all" Brett murmured feeling the pain medications kicking in.

"This is pretty embarrassing," Brett said. "What is?" Santana asked not understanding. "I am cuddling up to my super hot girlfriend with a tube going into my penis draining my pee," Brett said with a chuckle. Santana could help but laugh, "I feel so emasculated" Brett admitted. "Guess we won't be having any fun in this bed," San said giggling. Brett groaned, "I guess not but I can always do something for you," he said rubbing his over her waist down to her hip. Santana smirked, she loved feeling his hands on her body. She looked up and kissed his neck, "I don't want anything until we can do things together." she admitted. "Are you sure? I don't mind" Brett asked. "I know you don't mind but I want you to rest because once we get you home we are going to be spending a lot of time together and I have a feeling we will be naked the entire time," Santana said. She looked up at his face wanting to see his reaction. Brett's eyes were still closed but a smirk was now plastered on his face. "Can't wait" he mumbled before drifting off to sleep. Santana closed her eyes, keeping her head on his chest and her arms wrapped around him.

I can't believe I finally hit chapter 50! Thank you so much to all the people that have been following this story from the beginning. I would really appreciate it if you guys could leave some comments, I love reading them and it makes writing this story all worth it! Until next time!