Epilogue: The Elysian Fields

The brunet receptionist worked feverishly through her stack of papers, looking for the sheet of names that listed who was, and who wasn't in the hospital at the moment. She heard heavy footsteps approaching along with the clink of armor.

She sighed, "Hopefully he'll show at least some common courtesy." She continued shuffling through the papers till she finally found the one she wanted.

She was aware of someone standing near her desk. She looked up.

Before her stood the tallest man she had ever seen. He was battered and bruised, a large bandage on his side, with dirt and grime on his face and in his hair. He was wearing COG armor that appeared to have been painted red, but something told her it was blood. Maybe the smell?

"Can I help you?" The receptionist asked in awe.

"You done with whatever you were doing?" The man's deep voice rumbled her penholder.

"Yes. I just found what I needed."

"Alright. Think you could run a search and see if Rojas is back yet?"

"Rojas…" The receptionist paused, "Uh, just Rojas I guess. Um, let me check."

"Thank you kindly," The big man said as he leaned back and waited.

"I'm sorry, but his Cog tags were received this morning." The receptionist looked up and saw the pain that crossed the soldiers face, "KIA."

"Hmm." The big man's brow furrowed as he thought for a moment, "Here."

He pulled a pair of Cog tags from his pocket and set them on the counter, then turned and walked toward the door.

The receptionist took them and looked them over.

"James Cather," She muttered as she began to input the CSID into the computer, "You know him?"

"A little. No-account, whisky swillin' jack-ass from what I hear," The man turned and gave the girl a smile, "Have a good day Ma'am."

The receptionist smiled as she finished inputting the code. A picture and popped up on the screen. The receptionist started in surprise.

"Sir!" She called out towards the door, "Wait, I think…"

The doors swung back in and he was gone.

* * * *

It had taken long enough but he had finally found it.

He looked out at the large building that rose like a lone sentinel from among the surrounding houses. An old Junker was parked near the house and from the looks of it, was being readied for a trip.

The man walked up to the old house and knocked on the door. It was opened quickly by a pretty girl with long blonde hair tied up in a ponytail. She was propped up on a crutch and he could tell there was a bandage wrapped around her waist. She tucked a loose curl of hair behind her ear as she smiled.

"Is Daze here?" The man asked in his deep, rumbling voice.

"He sure is!" Holly turned and yelled down the hall for Daze, "So, you coming with us? We're heading out today."

"I reckon I might as well."

"I say we consummate it tonight, under the stars," Daze said as he walked up behind Holly and gave her a peck on the ear, "So what is it thou dost require my love?"

Daze looked up with stunned surprise.

"You got room for one extra?" Cather asked smiling.

"Depends on how big he is." Daze said, his smile spreading from ear to ear.