Dawn broke as Walt and Ray began to stir in their shallow makeshift beds.

brad asked, "Are you both Ready to get a move on in 20?"

Ray, eager to get back to the rest of the platoon threw his cover off in an instant, "of course I'm ready to get out of this hell hole"

Walt was not so enthused. he said nothing as he packed up and grabbed his rifle from next to him.

Brad reached from behind him taking his weapon from him, "I'll hold onto this for now"

truth was Brad had no idea if Walt would end it right here in the desert, but he had to make sure that everyone made it back to camp safe.

so they made their way along the dusty road they had drove down less than 10 hours prior. as they walked Walt seemed to gravitate towards Brad, walking directly beside him the whole 10 kilometer walk back to an intersection they had drove through to get off the Main Strategic Route.

they stopped at the intersection briefly so Brad could try and radio back.

"you know nobody can hear you right?" remarked Ray.

Brad grinned back, "maybe they can't hear you because of your whiskey tango nascar accent"

Walt seemed to pick up a bit with the humor the other two were displaying towards each other. but he overall seemed very sad and depressed.

Brad leaned close to him while the other two marines stood watch by the culvert that ran the length of the road, "us there anything that would help you walt? I've never seen you like this besides that time at the checkpoint."

Walt tilted his head back and forth looking as if he was thinking about what to say

"no I dont know really" he mumbled out in a low tone

Brad replied, "if you need to tell me something just come get me, I'm available any time for my men".

the team then began back to camp again. this time almost jogging back to save on daylight. it was nearing mid afternoon and Brad wanted to make sure they had a more defensive position than the prior night.

they found themselves a small 2 room hut on near the road so if a friendly convoy passed they could signal them.

Brad and Walt kept the first watch that night.

"think you can handle it?"

"I'm a marine, of course I can handle my own rifle" sneered the young Corporal to his Sargent.

"I just want to make sure your ok", replied Brad

the two took watch in the entry way to the building and sat for a few hours of silence before Walt broke the silence, "I thought you were dead, that's why I broke down."

"Walt it's ok now don't you see? we're all fine" ,said brad

"that's not the whole reason though, I've kinda got a thing for you Brad, I thought I'd never get to say my true feeling for you" as a few tears fell from the small marines cheeks.

Brad face became flushed and red, he really hadn't expected to hear those word come out of a fellow marine, let alone his own subordinate.

Brad collected himself, "look I'm here for you, what ever you need I'm here for you"

Walt parked up, "Really? you mean that"

the young marine wrapped his arms around his team leader, hugging him never wishing to let go

Maybe Brad had used the wrong words to convey what he meant.