Jack and Don ate their food in a comfortable silence. Someone opened the window and let it the warm air in with the bustling noise of a thriving city. Jack's cigarette rested in the ash tray and she sipped her coffee. It was so good.

"Betty wants us over for dinner again." Don spoke slowly. "Her husband is coming home today." There was something in Don's voice that caught her attention.

"And how do we feel about Betty's husband?" She asked knowingly. Don sighed through his nose and Jack laughed. "That good, hu? What did he do to earn your disapproval?" She laughed.

"He's a nice man, sure, -"

"But, it's your sister. And no one is good enough for your sister." Jack said knowingly with a soft smile. Don smiled and laughed quietly.

"Go get ready, they want us over there around four." He told her and stood, taking their dishes. Jack sat and finished her coffee while looking at the paper. She was not going to rush.

"Hey, how are your injuries doing?" She asked, not looking from the paper.

"Fine. Yours?" Don asked and Jack snorted, folding the paper and standing.

"Please, mine are almost healed." She said and put her mu in the sink. She turned to walk away but Don gently pulled her back.

"Hey," He said quietly and kissed her. She kissed him back and he could feel her smiling. He released her and Jack grinned at him. "Iche liebe dich." Jack laughed and kissed him on the cheek before walking away. Jack opened the trunk of clothes betty had lent her until she could get her own. She had three dresses and two pairs of pants and three tops. Jack settled on a blue plaid dress and threw it on. She passed Don in the hallway and went into the bathroom to finish getting ready. Jack ended up waiting for Don in the kitchen, smoking another cigarette.

Jack let her mind wander to the boys from her tank. She wondered what they were up to and how they were doing. She would have to write them later, maybe even call if she needed. It was a beautiful day out, she noticed. Her attention was pulled to Don as he walked in. He was in a simple, casual suit and he hadn't put his blazer on yet. He had on a white shirt and a light tie. He was tying it and caught her looking at him. He raised an eyebrow.

"What?" He asked, smiling at her. She stood and tried not to laugh.

"It's just weird seeing you clean, and in a suit." She admitted and stubbed out her cigarette.

"Try being in my shoes. When I first met you, you were a boy. Now, you're in a dress, with make up on." He teased and Jack laughed. "Let's go. Betty will be unhappy if we are too late." He told her. Jack laughed softly and followed him out of the apartment.

They arrived at Betty's home to find it wasn't just dinner. Betty and her husband had decided to have a barbeque with neighbors and friends. Betty met them at the door in a soft, green dress and bright smile. She grabbed them and brought them out back. There was a patio and lawn furniture and a pool. The pool was a bright blue and clear but no one was in it. Betty's husband was working the grill and men and women stood or sat around, smoking, chatting, some had drinks (alcoholic and non). It was a pretty scene and Jack had missed it.

But it was such a contrast of what she had seen for the past year and a half. Bright smiles, clean faces and laughter echoing around her, bright green grass, homes that haven't ever been touched by the threat of war. Betty dragged Jack over to a small group of women and Jack smiled when she saw Don with his nephew and a few other kids. Being in America again, Don had relaxed. He still was firm and strong, but was more apt to let his soft side through.

Jack was introduced to Betty's friends, and they hit t off very well. They had all heard that she snuck into the army and congratulated her. Her friends in Pennsylvania were never supportive of her choice, called her crazy. But these women were so interested and thought she was amazing for such a feat. It was a small group of women, just Betty, Jack and three other women standing, drinking talking.

Jack let her eyes wander around the lively backyard. IT was loud but not unpleasantly so. She smiled when she saw Don again. He was on the ground, on his side, playing with his nephew. Don's jacket was left inside. Jack looked around the backyard. She blinked and suddenly was thrown back to Germany. Everything was in rubble and soldiers ran past her, smoke filling the skies. The sun was covered by clouds and smoke and her boots were sinking into the mud a bit.

Her ears were flooded by shouting and bombs destroying the rumble even more around her. She couldn't find here tank, she was alone. Where were her boys? Norman? Boyd? She couldn't find them, Grady and Gordo, gone. Don, where was Don? She didn't recognize anyone!

Daniel. Daniel ran past her and bumped her shoulder. Jack looked around, trying to find her boys. She heard someone call her and bump her shoulder but it was muffled. She didn't give them any attention. Her gaze landed on Don. He was standing there, watching her, why wasn't he running?

"Jack." The person called her name again and she blinked away the war. She was back in Betty's backyard, Betty was calling her name. Don was standing up, looking at her, watching her. He looked concerned. Jack turned back to Betty, eyebrows raised.

"Hm? I'm sorry, I zoned out." Jack lied smoothly and offered a smile to the women around her.

"Really? It looked like you were enjoying a view of a certain young man." One of the ladies teased as her husband joined them. Jack laughed softly, trying to ward off the increasing noise of war that mixed with the laughter of the adults around her and playful screaming of children. She could hear gunfire and bombs. She was startled when someone popped open a bottle of Champaign. She could feel tension rising inside her. Her heart was starting to race but she kept a relaxed smile on her face.

Betty linked her arm with Jack's and smiled at the shorter woman.

"Jack, come inside with me, I want to show you something!" Betty said and dragged her away, blonde hair bouncing in a ponytail. Jack smiled falsely and let betty tug her inside. She kept up her fake smile until Betty pushed her onto the couch and took her glass and left to the kitchen. Jack was beyond confused.

She sat there, waiting for Betty to come back and looked around. It was a lovely sitting room, potted plants in the corner, a television on a stand. Betty returned with a glass of wine and handed it to Jack and sat next to her on the couch.

"Figured you could use a break from so many people." She said and sipped from her own glass. Jack looked at her before taking a sip of her own drink. "So where did you go?" Betty asked, leaning back.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked, looking at the woman.

"I know you did more than just zone out." Betty told her. "What did you see?"

"How did you know?" Jack asked, worrying that she did or said something to indicate otherwise. Betty gave her a comforting smile and sat up again, resting a gentle hand on Jack's arm.

"our father was in the first war. As he got older, he would go into a daze. He said he was back in the war then. Mother said he did that often when he first came home." Betty explained. "Don't worry, they should stop soon." Jack gave her a look of thanks and Betty smiled.

The two women stood when Don entered the sitting area, looking calm but a hint of concern worked its way into his features. He saw Jack and approached her.

"Jack, you alright?" he asked. Jack laughed to herself and assured him she was fine. "Jack, I've seen you do that before and you weren't fine that time." He told her mentioning the flashback she had that would usually end in vomiting. She sighed at him and put her hands on her hips.

"Don, I'm fine. I just went back to German for a bit." She said and rested a hand on his cheek. "I'm here now." She told him and stepped away, picking her glass up off the table.

"Let's go back outside before people start to worry. Jack, if you need to step back in, feel free." Betty told her. Jack thanked her and the three went back outside. The rest of the evening went well and everyone began to leave when it got dark. Jack didn't have another flash bac for the rest of the night.

When they got back to Don's place, Jack sat on the bed and took off her shoes as Don hung up his blazer. Jack let herself fall back onto the bed. She heard Don laughing quietly.

"Tired?" He asked and Jack snorted.

"No, your bed is comfortable." She told him.

"I'm glad you like it." He said and she heard him grunt. Even though his chest and shoulder wounds were healing well, they were still sore and painful. Jack rolled her eyes and stood up, padding her way over to him. She was helping this time, and he wasn't going to stop her. Don saw her look of determination and stilled. He smiled at her fondly as she helped him take off his dress shirt. Jack grabbed a bit of the white undershirt he wore and gently pulled up, untucking it. Jack grabbed the hem and slowly raised it up. Don felt her nails gently graze his skin and shivered slightly at her touch.

Jack seemed oblivious to the effect she was having on him. She helped him get the shirt off and her eyes focused on the wounds that were scattered around his shoulders and chest. Her hands gently traced around them and Don let his hands rest on her hips. He gently pulled her closer and kissed her softly.

"I love you." He breathed into the kiss. Jack kissed him back tenderly and her hands traveled up his shoulders and around his neck. His mouth left hers and trailed down her neck, leaving her breathless. She giggled uncontrollably when he lifted her up off the ground. He laughed when he dropped them both on the bed. Don found he loved her laugh, loved her smile, listening to her heartbeat.

Clothes were thrown and kisses were exchanged. Hands were wandering and mapping, voices whispering "I love you." They found joy in each other's company and peace in each other's arms. They found sleep listening to each other's heartbeats, no longer muffled by clothing. Outside the busy cited quieted as night continued on and the two rested and slept, safe. They were safe at last.

Jack woke in the night, screaming and sobbing in fear. She woke kicking and struggling as she sat up. Collier was startled awake and immediately grabbed her and pulled her bare back to his chest. Her light purple slip left her back exposed and he didn't bother to put on a shirt before they fell asleep.

He kept her from running or falling out of the bed and held onto her as she screamed in fear. When she stopped screaming, she was sobbing loudly into her hands and Don could hear her panicking.

"Jack, Jack, breathe." He told her as he held onto her. He stroked her hair slowly as she tried to calm down. "You gotta breathe, baby." He told her quietly. As he felt her calm down, Don slowly released her. She sat up fully and swung her legs to the floor. Jack held her face in her hands and leaned forward. She cried softly and Don scoot closer to her and sat up behind her, kissing her shoulder and rubbing her arm. "It's ok, Jack. We're home." He told her. She sniffed and looked up, breathing in.

"I know, I know." She assured him and rubbed her hands on her knees. "God, I know." She whispered tiredly. "I saw all of you dying around me. I heard the bombs outside the tank. I saw the blood, oh god, I saw the blood." She said quietly. Don stayed still and rubbed her arm.

"We're all ok. You got us out of there." He told her patiently. "we're ok." Jack nodded and he began to pull her back into the bed and she let him. She rolled over to face him and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart. He rubbed her arm softly and breathed in deeply. Jack was soothed back to sleep and didn't wake again until the sun was up.

Jack opened her eyes slowly and reached out to Don, finding him gone. She frowned and sat up, looking around. Don walked in with a tray then and set it on her lap. She looked up at him confused as he climbed back onto the bed and lay on his side, propped up on one arm.

"Figured you could use breakfast in bed." He said and rubbed her arm. "Good morning by the way." He offered. She smiled at him tiredly.

"Good morning." She said and picked up some toast. Don was still shirtless but he had put trousers on. "sorry about last night." She offered, looking down at the tray. He kissed her arm.

"Don't worry about it." He said as he reached past her and took a piece of toast. She playfully smacked his hand and he grinned at her before taking a bit. "Hey, I made this."

"I thought it was for me." She teased and matched his grin. He looked at her long and hard and sighed through his nose.

"What?" Jack asked accusingly as he stared at her.

"You look beautiful." He told her quietly and she snorted before drinking some coffee.

"No. I look like shit." HSe took another sip. "What time is it?" She asked. Don pointed to a clock on the nightstand before answering.

"About ten. We don't have anything to do today. I don't start work again for a few more days." He told her and ate some toast. Jack had forgotten about that. Now that they were back, Don had to go find a job.

"I'm thinking I find a job at a library." She suggested. Don looked at her, listening. "Need something to do while you're off to work." Don nodded.

"That's up to you." He told her. "I think it'll be good for you too, maybe make a few friends here." She hummed and nodded.

"I wonder what the rest of them are doing." Jack wondered aloud.

"Well, Gordo and Grady talked about a repair shop. Gordo's family owns one. They were thinking of working there." Don said and finished his toast. Jack snorted.

"No car will ever work right again if they fix it!" She laughed. "They did oh so well with the tank!" She laughed and Don chuckled.

"It ran." He tried to defend and Jack laughed harder. "Norman's going back to University most likely. Bible's going back to his office job. It's not the same job, but his boss wanted him back. I think they put him in a higher spot." Don told her. She smiled, happy for Boyd. She had worried what they were going to do after the war. No doubt they had been replaced while gone.

"I miss them." She said honestly. Don looked at her softly and nodded. It felt odd being so far away from his men. He had spent four years keeping them alive, they were under his charge. Now they were scattered.

"Maybe we will meet up again soon." He offered and Jack smiled at him softly before kissing him.

That day, the two decided to walk around the city. They bumped into a few of Don's old friends, one of which was a police officer. His name was Ryan. He was easy going and friendly.

That week, Don went back to work and Jack found a part time job at a library. There she found she shared a shift with Hellen, one of Betty's friends. Hellen was engaged and had curly red hair. Hellen and Jack became quick friends and often had lunch together.

The two soldiers fell into a routine and May flew by. Jack woke up from nightmares a few times each week. Each time Don would wake up and help her calm down. Sometimes she would fall back asleep and other times Don would wake to find her sitting in the open kitchen window in her uniform, smoking a cigarette while half of her was out on the landing and the other half rested in the window.

The nightmares began taking a toll on her in June. Having a job and growing social group was helping her adjust to civilian life and helped ease off some stress, but the nightmares kept her from sleeping well. Her appetite slowly disappeared and she began to lose weight. Her smile became rarer and Don missed her laughter.

At a party mid-June at Betty's house, Betty pulled Don aside.

"Don, she looks exhausted!" Betty hissed at her brother.

"I know." Don told her. Don was at a loss at what to do. Don told her what was going on and Betty had no ideas on how to help. The Collier siblings were stuck.

Don did notice that she smiled more on the days they got letters. The boys would write to them often and they would always reply quickly. Even McMurphy would write to them and make sure they were keeping their wounds cleaned.

A few days after Betty pulled Don aside, Norman called. Jack was cleaning the dishes from dinner and picked up the phone.

"Collier residence." She answered. "Norman?" She asked and Don turned to look at her, eyebrows raised. "Norman! How are you? We're good! What have you been up to?" Don listened to the one-sided conversation. "University here? Oh, Norman, that's great! Congratulations!" Jack held the phone away from her and turned to Don. "He got accepted to the University here. He's coming down this weekend to visit the campus." She told Don.

"He can stay here while he visits." Don told her. "Tell him he's staying here." He said and pointed at the phone. Jack laughed. She could hear Norman trying to protests and handed the phone off to Don.

"Norman!" Don said into the phone. "Come on over after you visit the campus. Yes, I'm sure. We got a couch for you to sleep on." There was a pause as Norman spoke. "No it's no trouble. We'll show you the city. Alright see you then." Don said and handed the phone back to Jack who hung it back on its stand.

"why does he listen to you better?" She asked him teasingly and Don snorted. "That will be nice seeing him again. He's a good kid." She added.

"You're only a few years older than him." Don pointed out and Jack laughed, coming up behind him. She rested her hands on his shoulders and kissed his cheek. She began to rub and massage his shoulders, still making sure not to hit his injuries.

"We should introduce him to Betty." She suggested. Don hummed. "He'll probably be too shy to say much, though." She laughed. Don smiled.

The next day he came home to dinner on the table waiting for him. It was odd but not surprising. He usually got home before Jack and made dinner. The days she had off, she would make him dinner but lately she had slept through the days or fell asleep on the couch. The nightmares had made her exhausted and the stress made her shut down some days. But today she was up, made dinner and baking. Don walked in and laughed, startling her.

Jack had a yellow dress on and her hair back in a white headband. She had on a polka dot apron. Don remembered she had refused to wear one in Germany. She turned and glared at him.

"You scared me!" She accused and he came over and kissed her.

"You're baking a cake?" He asked and stuck his finger out to taste the icing she was spreading over the cake. She grabbed his hand and they struggled over the icing and her laugh filled the room. "I take it you are feeling better?" He asked. She smiled at him and nodded.

"I'm getting there." She admitted and Don could still hear the exhaustion in her voice. He kissed her head and rubbed her back.

"You take all the time you need." He said and sat down to eat. He paused and smiled when he heard her humming. Then an idea popped into his head. Knowing Norman was visiting, her mood improved. "DO you have work the week of July 4th?" He asked her.

"No. The library is closed most of the week. Why?" She asked, still icing the cake.

"I'm thinking of taking off." He lied. Don would need to speak to Betty when Norman visited if it was going to go well.

The day finally came for Norman to visit. Jack had to be at work for the morning, covering for Hellen. Norman visited the campus in the morning and Don picked him up from the University and took him to the library so they could pick up Jack.

"So how did you like it?" He asked Norman as they waited. Norman nodded.

"I like it. My mother wants me to stay home for a while before I get back to school." He told Don. "So she isn't thrilled about me coming to Washington D.C." Don nodded.

"Well, you're a man now, Norman. She has to let go." Don said and Norman nodded in agreement.

"Only problem is, since I'm away from home, the university wants a guardian signature. They don't wanna be responsible for me. Says I'm a liability." He said. Don looked at him.

"She won't sign it?" He guessed and Norman shook his head. "You old man?"

"They need two signatures. Besides, my mother won't let him sign it." He sighed and leaned back.

"Jack and I'll sign it. We'll be stand in guardians. We'll vouch for you." He said and rested a hand on the boys shoulder. Norman smiled at him in thanks. "Just don't fuck up." Norman laughed, it was something Jack had told him on his first day with them. Don pointed. "Here she comes." Norman looked to the woman walking out in a light blue dress with white shoes and a white hand bag.

"Norman!" She called and began to job over to them. The shoes kept her from running. The two men got out of the car and Jack hugged the boy tightly. "Oh, Norman! We've missed you so much! How are you? How have you been? Did you like the school?" She fired off questions and the two men laughed.

"Jack, Jack breathe. You're going to run out of hair." Don teased. Jack actually had to suck in some air and Norman laughed. "Come on. We can talk more over lunch." He said. Jack shoved Norman in back and sat up front.

They had all sat at a table in restaurant and began to catch up. Norman was relieved to see these two doing so well, but he did notice that Jack looked tired. He guessed it was the same reason he had bags under his own eyes.

"So are you going to move in the fall?" She asked and smoked a cigarette. Norman nodded. "What classes do you want to take?"

"I still have to finish up some basics. English, math, some sciences, before I look into other classes." He told her. Jack nodded.

"Norman can't go this school until someone can sign off. They don't want to be responsible for him. Kind of like an emergency contact since he would be moving here." Don mentioned, filling Jack in. She frowned.

"what about his parents? Won't they sign off saying he is responsible?" She asked confused.

"His mother won't and they need two signatures." Norman told her. She looked at him hard.

"You got the papers?" She asked firmly and startled Norman. He slowly took them out of his pocket. Jack snatched them and took a pen out of her purse and looked over them. She never signed anything without reading them first. She signed where it was need and handed them to Don and stared at him, holding the pen out to him. He laughed and took the pen and signed. She turned to Norman. "We are signing these. We will be responsible for your ass since your parents won't. I want you to be able to go to school here if you wanted. How can she send you to Germany but not let you go to D.C.?" She asked, outraged. Norman laughed nervously.

"I sort of went without their permission. Army didn't ask for parental signatures." Norman admitted. Don and Jack looked at him. Don looked amused and Jack just stared at him before laughing.

"Oh my god." She snorted. "You ran away." She laughed. "Oh, God I am so sorry." She laughed. Don chuckled.

"Great choices Norman." He jested as he finished signing the papers and handed them back.

"Thank you both. This means a lot." He admitted. Jack quieted her laughter and looked at the kid.

"Hey, it's our pleasure. You had our backs in Germany. We take care of our own." She said softly and rested a hand on his arm. He smiled and she took a sip of her water. "Just don't fuck up." She told him and Norman laughed.

"I have to admit, it's weird seeing you guys in America." Norman pointed out. Jack sighed. She knew what he meant and Don chuckled. "Especially you Jack. You're in a dress!" He pointed out and she glared at him.

"Just because I'm in a dress doesn't mean I won't fucking kick your ass." She said threateningly. Norman laughed, relieved to see she hasn't really changed much.

After lunch, the two took Norman over to Betty's. She had so much fun embarrassing the kid. Norman was surprised to learn Don had a sister. They stayed for dinner and Don got a chance to talk to Betty away from the other two. However, Norman did walk in and hear something about a Lake House.

The three made it back to Don's apartment late at night. Jack jumped in the shower and Don helped Norman settle in on the couch.

"Norman. What are you doing the week of July 4th?" He asked. Norman looked at him and shrugged.

"Nothing that I know of. My parents usually travel out to see family. I kinda stay home." He said. Don smiled a bit.

"I'll have Boyd pick you up. I'm inviting everyone to a large lake house for the week. It's our family's summer home but it hasn't been used in while. It'll fit everyone." Don explained and Norman smiled. "Just don't tell Jack. It's a surprise." He said and Norman nodded and smiled.

"What are you two whispering about?" Jack asked as she walked into the room in her pajamas. They were dark green pants and a matching button up shirt. Norman smiled at her.

"Nothing. Just talking." Norman said. Jack didn't look like she believed him but shrugged.

"Good night Norman." She said and walked away.

"Let us know if you need anything." Don said before heading off this his room and letting Norman sleep. Norman settled in and relaxed. Don got into his own pajamas and climbed in next to Jack. He held her close and the three slept peacefully. Jack was up early and the two men woke to her making breakfast. The three ate and talked and soon enough, it was time for Norman to leave. Don and Jack drove him to the station and watched him board the train.

Jack and Don waved to him and he hung out of the window and waved back. Jack already missed the kid. Don lead her away, arm around her shoulder. They stopped for dinner and made their way home. They settled in for the night and slept peacefully. Jack was oblivious to what was coming one the week of July 4th. The fourth of July would set in motion events that would change Jack and Don forever.

I can't wait to right that shit.