As I approached the ship, I saw Miyu and Fay come out from some bushes. Miyu had the rifle. We got to the medical bay first. "Where's Fara?" I asked. "She's watching the Radar," replied Fay.

"Good. Slip?"

"Lower level security."

"Perfect."

We heard shuffling feet followed by Krystal and Falco coming into view. They placed David on the first available table.

~~David's POV~~

I awoke to the sound of something…swiiish, swiiish…I didn't bother opening my eyes just yet. I was too comfortable in my cozy bed. I heard a familiar beep, followed by, "Yeah Krys?" I recognize that voice…

"How's he doing?" That voice, too.

"Asleep. Looks like all his wounds are healed. You know you don't have to check on him every five minutes?"

"I know, it's just…I feel so bad…it's my fault he's hurt," I heard light sobbing, "I…I just want to hear him say he's okay." The female voice said through tears.

"I'm okay," I tried saying. I cleared my throat. "I'm okay."

"WHAAAAAAT?! FOX, I'MCOMINGUPTHERERIGHTNOW!"

I opened my eyes and turned my head in the direction of the noise. A fox on two legs, different than…oh yeah, Krystal was on the phone…er…wrist thing. Fox was in front of me.

"Hey bud," Fox said, smiling lightly. "How'dya feel?"

I grunted as I stretched. "Great. I feel well rested."

Fox chuckled. "Yeah, you were out for three days."

I snapped my eyes toward him. "What?"

Before he could explain, I heard that swiiish sound followed by a happy yip and a tackle from a blue fuzzball.

"Hey Krystal," I said, humored by the show of affection.

"I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'm so sorry," she said.

"For what?"

"Never mind," Said Fox. "We'll get to that later. Hon? Let's go get lunch ready. David, your clothes are in the bathroom. You can join us when you're ready, if you're hungry." He pointed behind me.

"Thanks Fox. Um, where do I eat?"

"Turn left out of the door, hit the elevator, first floor, make a right. Can't miss it."

"Thanks Fox."

"No problem bud."

It took some self-convincing to get out of my very comfy bed. I guess I was on their ship now. I stretched again and found my clothes, grey pants with a lime-green polo. Iteared up a little when I saw it. I held it in front of me before putting it on. My bottom lip trembled, and I held back a sob.

…."Katina…" I said as a tear rolled down my cheek, "I miss you and little Eddie so much…I'll see you in Heaven." I remembered when I put this on last.

"Honey, are you ready?"

"Yeah babe, one sec."

"We're gonna be late."

"I know I know. One sec."

I left it alone, shaking my head. Women. Taking For. Ever. In the bathroom. Granted it was a photo shoot of our family. A family portrait.

"Papi, look!" My 5 year old said as he held out his new Lego creation.

"Whoa, Eddie, that's really cool! Where'd you learn how to make that?"

"Da box, papi."

I smiled. My wife was Katina Gomez-Warring, Hispanic with beautiful Auburn hair, matching eyes and perfect tan skin. She taught our son Spanish every time she got. I insisted. More than one language was great to have. I always teased him that he was going to be a translator at our church one day.

We got to the photo studio on time, thankfully. We finished in record time. As we were paying for the photos, we heard on the radio, "Attention! All able hands, current or former military are to report to the nearest military location as soon as possible! FT Bragg is under attack! I say again, FT-"….static.

I looked at my wife, and she knew that look. My eyes were grey. When my eyes are grey, pray to God you are not my enemy. My country was being attacked. We paid the studio and left quickly.

"Get to ST Paul with your Mom. Pack as soon as we get home."

"But-"

"No buts!" I shouted. Then I spoke softly, "I'm opening the safe room as soon as we get home. I love you and Eddie too much to let anything happen to you. Even if my life is on the line, honey."

Katina hung her head. The safe room was where my weapons were kept, along with survival supplies. I had stocked up as soon as we heard of ISIS coming to the US.

"Okay", she whispered. "I love you too."

We stole a kiss when we got home. Goldsboro, NC. I locked myself in the safe room, but not before hugging my little buddy. "You're the man of the house now. Keep your mom safe, ok?"

"Kay Papi. Papi? Are you coming wid us?"

"No, buddy. I'll see you in Minnesota or in Heaven, ok?"

"Ok Papi. Wuyyoo Papi."

"I love you too buddy," I said as we hugged one last time, all three of us. My adrenaline was through the roof. Tears were nonexistent. My Ranger blood was in control.

"Stay safe, sweetheart," My wife said. We had been married for 6 years. This was it. I was likely to die defending my country. We locked lips one last time before parting.

One month later, in the Florida Everglades, we were pushing ISIS back. We were in camp and I was at the gate. We had our personal radios out to hear the news across the nation.

"…ISIS Heavy Artillery hit ST Paul, MN today, about two hours ago. The blast was reported to be felt all the way to the Wisconsin border…" I hit my knees… "No…I was supposed to die first…"

"Sgt?" I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to my Captain. "Take a day, bud." He knew my family was there.

"Sir. No sir."

"That's an order Sgt. Go cool down in my bunk, sleep and pray or whatever you do. I know you guys are rotating in bunks out here."

"Sir. Yes Sir."

I snapped out of my memory as I nicked myself with my razor. The guys had found all my hygiene stuff, as well as a full change of clothes. I wiped tears from my eyes and the blood from the nick. I remembered a saying I had made up a while ago and recited it.

"Focus on the past, and you will destroy yourself. Focus on the unknown future, and you will worry yourself to death. Focus on right now and the certain future, and you will be strengthened."

I silently thanked God for helping me through these last two years alone. Once ISIS surrendered, the military allowed us to separate willingly, with or without papers. It really didn't matter. There weren't many people…well, any in Goldsboro anymore. The closest propane station was outside the city limits, a few miles away.

I walked out of my room and to the elevator. Time to eat and meet the rest of the crew.