2 Weeks Later, 9:00 PM. Bagram Air Force Base

He had read the email several dozen times. Hell, he had it memorized now, but he still wasn't sure if it was real or some weird stress induced hallucination. With his level of exhaustion and the constant whirlwind he had been in since getting here, this moment could very well be a dream. He was almost afraid to find out.

Since arriving, he had hit the ground running trying to get his team in gear. He had four men under his command for the rescue team. His second was a lieutenant and a nurse nicknamed "Ugh", for reasons as of yet unknown. This was his third tour, like Drew, and the two seemed to have developed an easy rapport already. Next was Jim-Jo, a Specialist and medic who was seasoned enough that Drew didn't have to watch him. Private First Class Marsh was their "muscle" and a little green compared to the others, this being his second tour, but he was so far proving to be solid. Last but not least was their assigned pilot and driver, Sergeant Garrison, or Garry as he preferred. He was the most level headed hot shot that Drew had ever met and reminded him a lot of T.C. with out the self-destructive tendencies.

He had originally been granted a week to prep his team and transition into their role as a rescue unit, but the realities of the war had cut that time almost in half. Three days into training, they completed their first rescue mission. A patrol had been ambushed and they had two critical soldiers that the team was responsible for stabilizing and transporting. They did just that, and both soldiers were currently critical but stable in Bagram's ICU. The Major had deemed it a success; Drew was more reserved in his opinion. When they were stable enough to transfer stateside, that was when it was a success in his mind.

As for the Major, it was ridiculous how close they had become in just the past two weeks. Then again, given the extra duties he'd been assigned when he arrived it was necessary. Bagram was short staffed and Syd was in desperate need of a second. Drew was more than qualified for the job and considering his experience at SAM, it was just like a regular night. So, when Drew wasn't training with his team, on a rescue mission, or on rounds, he was Syd's second. Syd had joked that saying no was an option and down time was a good thing, but for Drew it wasn't. Not really.

This was the first time he was deployed and didn't have anyone waiting for him. Sure, his night shift family were stateside and cheering him on, so to speak, but they weren't what he was missing. Before he had left, he'd called his mother to let her know and gotten her voicemail with no return call. His sister had been upset, but the two of them had drifted apart since he came out and were living such separate lives nowadays that he doubted she really missed him. And with Rick gone… Drew had come over feeling scared and alone, afraid no one would remember him if he didn't make it home. He didn't want to think about that or stew in it for the next ten months so he didn't mind working. He didn't mind keeping so busy that this had been the first night he was able to check his email. And boy did he have one hell of a surprise waiting for him there.

Let me start by saying I was and am a fucking idiot…

Drew read the first line yet again, but he spaced out on the rest. The damn thing was almost too much to believe. It was everything he wanted, and begged God for. It was, as cheesy as it sounded, everything his broken heart had dreamed of. It made him so angry…. Why now? Why was this happening now? He had finally started to find his way out of the misery. He had finally started to learn to breath again. Why did this have to come back and smack him in the chest?

The light to the day room clicked on, making him jump. He spun in his chair and looked towards the door to see Syd standing there, amused. "Easy soldier, I am no Taliban," she joked.

Drew let out a puff of air, a weak attempt at laughing. "Sorry. Was thinking… did you need something, Ma'am?"

"Don't you ma'am me. I am off duty. I do not want to hear the words doctor, ma'am, or major for the next eight hours…" Syd paused, cocked her head to the side in thought for a moment then sighed. "But now that I said that, I probably will,"

He managed a real laugh this time, "yeah. You most definitely will."

Syd shook her head and heaved another sigh before stepping into the room and taking a seat. "So, what has you sitting here in the dark thinking so hard, Drew?"

It was Drew's turn to sigh and he glanced over at the computer screen where Rick's email was still up. "It's just… domestic stuff," he offered weakly. He may have liked the Major, but talking about his personal life wasn't something he did easily, especially since being out was still so new to him.

"Domestic, huh? I am the queen of domestic trouble. Do you know that my wonderful ex is getting married to his plastic surgery addicted girlfriend? Riley just told me. She's thrilled because there's going to be a wedding…." Syd grumbled.

"She, uh, likes her dad's girlfriend?" Drew asked, amused at Syd's annoyance.

"Not really. She's more excited about the fairytale… princesses and balls and dresses…" Syd rolled her eyes and then glared at a laughing Drew. "Hey, she's twelve. She doesn't have a clue about love and marriage yet and I'm very happy to keep it that way." Drew held up his hands in a pacifying gesture, but he was still laughing. Syd narrowed her eyes and tossed a pillow at his face. He only laughed harder as he easily caught it.

"You know, Captain Overachiever, you're gonna learn one day… everybody talks about how great married life is… they don't warn you that once the honeymoon is over and the rose tinted glasses are off your dream man can become, well, really just an ass. Can't kiss a frog and make him a prince," she sighed then leveled her gaze at him. "So, you got my domestic issue, what's yours?"

Drew dropped his head, rubbing his hands over his face and head. The look Syd was giving him meant there was no getting out of the conversation, not without giving her something. "I had a boyfriend back home," he said, testing her. This was the Army, and just because don't ask don't tell was repealed didn't mean those who served had changed their opinions. Glancing up at Syd, Drew was relieved to see she didn't seem to care.

"Had a boyfriend? Let me guess, a Dear John email?" She asked, sounding sympathetic.

Drew shook his head. "No. No, he would have never done that… Rick's a Ranger Captain… former Ranger. He… uh… he's out now."

"Ranger, huh? That's one way to get your tab," Syd teased and Drew had to look at his hands to hide a blush. "So what happened?"

"It's a long story…" he sighed.

"I got eight hours," she shot back, and then added, "You don't have to tell me. I get that we're just getting to know each other but, well, I'm a mom. I see a kid, and yeah, you are a kid, sitting alone in a dark room looking like a lost puppy… I'm gonna at least offer to listen. Just because we're Army doesn't mean we're not human."

Drew was silent for a long moment considering her words. God, he really wanted to talk about this. He really needed to talk about this. Normally he would have sought out Krista or Jordan or Mollie to go over what was in his head but they were all a million miles away… He barely knew Syd and she was his commanding officer… but all the things in his head, he couldn't keep them there. He couldn't let them cloud his judgment, not here.

Drew took a deep breath and then said, "Rick and I met in basic and became friends."

Syd laughed, "I bet. Did you two know, like right away? That you were both…"

"Gay? No. I didn't at least… Rick figured it out first. He's always been more comfortable… But yeah… It took awhile. We were friends way before we even considered anything else; I mean we both had boyfriends on the outside. Neither one stayed past our first deployments, but he and I stayed close. My first deployment was longer than his, and he met me at the airport when I got back," Drew smiled at the memory let it play back through his head a second before continuing. "Anyways, we just kind of understood each other. Had the same kind of experiences, similar deployments, same..."

"Trauma?" Syd finished, more sober.

Drew nodded, "It was easier to deal with together. And we just went from there. We were together through his Ranger school, my medical school, our deployments…. A long time."

"A lifetime, right?" She said softly, understanding.

"I thought we could last through anything. I thought we would…" Drew took a deep breath and forced it out, trying not to let the tears in his eyes fall. He kind of hated that it was so easy talking to Syd about this, but here he was.

"So, what changed?" She asked after a moment of silence.

"He was on the bus home from his fourth tour. I just had to get through my damn shift and I was going to get to see him… and then there was a bus accident." Drew answered and this time he couldn't stop the tears. Syd didn't care.

"The one outside of Fort Sam? I heard about that. That was horrible," she said.

"No. What was horrible was having him show up at my ER with his leg crushed. That was horrible," Drew stated, his voice harsh.

"Shit..." Syd sympathized.

"Yeah. My friend, T.C… also a former Ranger and a doc… "

"Another Ranger? You have a type, don't you?" Syd teased.

Drew blushed and chocked back a laughed, "No… no… not even… not T.C." then growing more serious, he continued, "he, umm, he tried to save Rick's leg but couldn't. So yeah… after that, everything sort of just fell apart. I mean, I tried to be there for him. I tried to help. I tried to make it better and apparently I just made it worse. About four months ago he decided to leave. And we broke up…"

Syd's understanding and empathy showed on her face, "that's harsh. That's… that's just harsh. But if this was four months ago, why are you sitting here in the dark now?"

Drew gestures to the email with one hand while wiping his face with the other. "Cause today I got this," he whispered, "and now I don't know what to think."

Syd stood and moved to stand behind the man quickly becoming her friend. She took a few minutes to read the email that Drew's ex had sent, and was suddenly very aware of the problem. "Wow… that's certainly the opposite of a 'Dear John'," she said sinking back down in her seat.

"Yeah… so there's that… that's my domestic issue," Drew managed to choke out, getting himself back under control.

Syd studied him for a long hard moment, taking in the very clear heartache and the very clear hope. "You know," she said, choosing her words as carefully as she could, "I'm not the best one to give advice on relationships but that is one hell of an apology. That's not a man who's playing games Captain, that's a man who's swallowing his pride and groveling."

"I just… I…." Drew started.

"You just found your balance again and now you've been blindsided. I know that feeling," Syd sighed, "if I were you I would completely ignore the words that are about to come out of my mouth. I am a divorced and salty single mother whose ex is marrying a Barbie knock-off so my advice is worthless."

"But you're gonna give it anyway," Drew laughed-sobbed.

"I'm gonna give it anyway," she confirmed with a smirk, "he loves you and from what I can see you still love him or you wouldn't be sitting in the dark like this. You both had it rough. Life did a number on you and he needed to step away. He told you he thought he was doing you a favor, and you know that post deployment logic, how we all think."

Drew nodded, understanding what she was saying. It was the idea that the people you loved had done without you for so long they didn't need you anymore and wouldn't miss you if you were gone. It was also the dark thoughts, the ones that had you believing you didn't deserve all that you had. The feeling of loss and confusion at not having orders to follow; the whole Army hangover syndrome it messed with your head. Rick had the added trauma of losing his leg and being forced out.

"He's asking for a second chance. It's a hell of a bad time, but as you've said, you two have handled deployments before. You don't get too many take backs in the world… a second chance is a miracle. Drew, what I know of you and the work I've already seen from you… you deserve a second chance," Syd finished.

Drew blew out another puff of air and bowed his head again. Was she right? Is that what this was? Could it really be so simple? He wasn't sure. There was so much between them; he was still hurt. Could he just forget about it all?

"Ya know, sending an email won't hurt," Syd said as she stood and stretched. "Don't be pig headed or you could blow it for yourself." Looking at the clock, she winced and added, "I'm going to shower and sleep."

"That sounds like a good plan," Drew mumbled but he was staring at the email on the screen.

"Yeah, you should consider it yourself. 'Night Captain," Syd called as she left.

Drew barely noticed her leaving. He had a million and one thoughts running in his mind. A million mixed emotions… but all of them were leading back to one thing. He wanted this. Taking a deep breath and ignoring the fact that his hands were shaking, Drew started typing.

-line-

1:45 PM, San Antonio

He didn't know exactly what to think or how he felt now days. Life was moving so fast and standing still all at the same time. He was trying to look for a place to lease so he could get off his buddy's couch. He bought a car and had even signed up for classes at the community college. He was trying to get his life back on track and moving forward. The part that still had him stuck was waiting to hear from Drew.

He felt like he was holding his breath waiting for a reply and it was making him slightly crazy. The first few days after he sent the email he had compulsively checked for a reply almost every hour. It had gotten so bad he had to force himself not to check more than twice a day. The rational part of his mind realized that the delay in reply probably had more to do with Drew being busy and settling in and less to do with him ignoring him. However, the fear was there. What if the other had decided he was no good? What if he was no longer interested? What if he wasn't ready to forgive him? It's not like Rick could blame him. Then there were the irrational 'what ifs'; what if he was wounded? What if he was KIA? What if he just didn't know how to tell Rick to fuck off? After all, being overseas and trying to repair a relationship that he hadn't broken was not exactly a priority in his life. These were the things that were always running through his mind whenever he didn't have a reply, and each day it just got worse. Waiting was hard.

Glancing at the clock, Rick tensed. It was almost time for his self-schedule email check, the second and last one of the day. He wasn't expecting anything, two weeks had taught him not to get his hopes up, but damn he didn't think he could take any more radio silence. Logging on to his email, he shut his eyes, unwilling to watch the screen load the knot in his stomach was tight enough without the impatiens he felt watching the blank screen. When he heard the chime indicating that the account had loaded, he took a deep breath and opened his eyes feeling slightly ridiculous about being so nervous.

Looking at the screen, his heart stopped completely for a moment and he stared in wide-eyed surprise at the fifth message in his inbox. He couldn't believe it was there, and he felt the knot in his stomach loosen only to be replaced with 'butterflies'. It was stupid, but now after so much waiting, he was nervous about opening the damn reply. He'd never admit it, but his hand was shaking when he clicked on the message.

Sorry, I just got settled in at Bagram and had to hit the ground running. You've kind of blindsided me, I'm not exactly sure what to say.

There's a lot to work through and a lot to talk about. I'm not sure doing this while I'm on the other side of the planet is going to be the best idea. I'm here for at least 10 months. I don't know if you'd want to wait that long for me. I'm not sure exactly where I'm at right now, but I don't want to give up on us. I kind of don't know what to do from here, and I mean Afghanistan not whatever. I don't even know if I'm making sense, haven't slept yet today. But I do miss you.

Anyways, I've got 10 months and if you want to wait then I want to try.

Drew.

Rick swallowed back the lump that had settled in his throat, feeling a sense if relief flowing over him. Drew didn't hate him. He may have been hurt still, a little lost, but he didn't hate him. He even wanted to try. What was ten months compared to a second chance? Hell, if it meant earning back Drew's trust and rebuilding their relationship, ten months was easy. He had meant what he said in the email. He knew what he wanted now and it just sucked that he had such shitty timing. He was fine with waiting, he'd do it no problem, simply because Drew was worth it.

Ten months isn't that long. Take any time you need. I'll wait. Just don't go radio silent on me.

Rick typed out the reply without hesitation, sending it. Taking a deep breath, he said a prayer of thanks.

-line-

When Rick pulled up to the restaurant, he was still smiling. Drew had been online when he sent his reply and his response had been almost instant.

Don't tell me, tell the Army. They're the ones who wanna make me work.

From there, there had been a twenty-minute IM conversation. While there was nothing earth shattering talked about, the familiar banter and relaxed tone was there. He'd forgotten how much he had missed it, the ease of talking to someone, of not worrying about impressing them. It was nice.

T.C. and Topher were waiting for him outside. The two had offered to buy him breakfast… or their version of breakfast, he'd call it dinner... so they could catch up. Walking up to them, Rick couldn't keep the smile from showing and it did not go unnoticed by the two former Rangers. "I don't know Tee, what do you think?" Topher said when Rick had reached them, "Delirious or high?"

Rick gave the other a confused look at the question but T.C. just shrugged. "Too responsive to be high. Maybe he's got a fever? An infection?" he came back to Topher.

"What are you two talking about?" Rick asked, making them laugh.

"That stupid look on your face. Nobody looks that happy in this heat, ever," Topher answered making Rick laugh. "So, spill it, what's the good news?"

Rick shrugged, "it's nothing really… I mean…" and here he started to blush a little

"I think I figured it out Toph, I know what's wrong with our boy," T.C. said with a laugh. "He's definitely sick, but don't worry you and I already have it."

"What… ohhh, hey!" Topher said, catching up with the conclusion that T.C. had made, "you talked to Drew? He replied to you?"

"Yes, I heard back from him, and he's doing fine," Rick confirmed now full out blushing. He looked away from the other men who laughed. T.C. slapped him on the back and pushed him to the doors.

"Come on Romeo, you can tell us what's the latest from the desert over a beer," he said as they made their way in.