'We can't go on like this forever! Don't you understand that? It's just… not working out. I'm sorry Edward…'

"Sometimes I wonder if she was truly sorry or not."

"You have to let it go though Ed, you can't have her on your mind all the time." Shifty responded to the other sharp shooter. Edward and Shifty had become great friends in basic, the two of them had a good aim and strong bond.

"I changed myself for her, and I was an idiot for thinking it would work." Edward grunted and removed his helmet.

"Well you've told me about her, and from the sound of it she wasn't worth your time. Honestly, she forced you to become catholic because she didn't like your families religion? That's just strange…" Shifty shook his head and sighed. "Just strange…"

"It's not like my family believes in anything anyway…" He began to trail off, remembering what his mother spoke to him about religion.

"What do you mean by that?" Powers raised a brow in question.

"I'm actually not even too sure… I know my parents aren't from America, but they won't utter a word about where they are from or who they use to be." Edward bit his lower lip, scowling a bit as he did so.

"Eh, I wouldn't let it worry you, you'll find out someday I'm sure."

"Maybe."

"Well look who it is! Rick Thomas!" Shifty stood up from the pile of rubble that him and Ed had found their selves comfortable in. "Hows your head treating ya?" Powers asked the tall medic that approached them.

"Hey, I'm fine." Rick's lips curled into a soft smile as he glanced towards his younger brother. "I'm worried about him."

Shifty chuckled and adjusted the strap of his rifle and smirked. "Oh he'll be fine, just thinking about you know who." He ran a hand back through his brunette hair and passed Rick. "I'll catch up with you two later." Giving a short wave.

"It's Marie, isn't it?" The medic questioned.

"Yes…" Edward knew he couldn't put it past Rick, not this time.

"There isn't much advice I can give you, just don't be stupid and dwell on it all day. I don't need to patch up a brother."

Dear Mother,

Jon and Rick are doing fine, and I'm well also. We've been on the move for sometime and it's hard for me to write, so I apologize in advance if you don't hear much from me. I'm more than positive that you know that your cooking is missed, and honestly it is! I miss coming home to the smell of good food and comfort from our family. Oh, some of the boys in our company have never been to the midwest, so I figure after the war, maybe we could have a few of the boys over for a nice dinner.

I'm sending a few pictures along with this letter. The first one is our company, I know that you gave the first one to Liz to keep, so this one is for you and dad. The second picture is a photograph of the Alps, we haven't seen them yet but I heard once we get close to Germany we will be able to. It's very beautiful here, and I wish you could see it. Tell Elizabeth I love her dearly and if you could, tell Marie hello.

Take care!

With love,

Edward

"Mother will enjoy the photos you sent her." Rick said, a cig hanging loosely from his lips.

"Yeah… h-hey! When did you start smoking?" Edward scowled to his older brother.

"Calm down already, it's just something that helps calm my nerves." Exhailing and letting the smoke pass through his mouth, meeting the air.

"I see…" The sniper was a very simple man, and didn't need to do 'certain' things to help him through life… though what he wanted most, was Marie.

"Quit thinking about her."

"I can't, I'll always love her." The man chuckled lightly and smiled.