A/N: This is the last chapter that I have found from when I originally wrote this. From here I will try update a few times a week. I know sometimes the story may jump around and the time structure gets a bit confusing, but I promise I'll work on it. Anyone who has been through training like this knows afterwards it all seems like 1 long day. Thank you again for reading. Your comments make me smile.

Chapter 6

Once again we finished all our fireguard duties with plenty of time to spare. I don't understand why but Davies and I have created this bond. It seems a lot of girls have. These circumstances have given us a chance to become close in a short amount of time. It's pretty much put faith in your battle buddy or you won't make it through here. I've never talked about my feelings towards Aiden with anyone back home. Beth was my best friend but that girl has enough drama in her life, we never had to talk about mine. I'm pretty sure I stayed with him because it makes everyone else happy. In all honesty he's a good guy. All the girls in our class had crushes on him. It's just the relationship never felt … complete.

"Carlin" Davies asked shyly "You gonna zone out on me this entire shift?"

"Sorry" as I give her a sheepish smile "I was just thinking"

"What's on your mind…" She asks softly

"Just home life I guess. Wanna to play 20 questions?" I say trying to change the subject

"Ok, But I get the first question" I just nod giving her the go ahead "Can I trust you?" She asked

"Yes" I say with conviction. I want her to know I am her friend no matter what. She hasn't done anything but be helpful. "Why do you have a manager?"

"Really that's the best you can do?" and there's that beautiful smile "Well my father was a musician and unlike my tone deaf sister, I was blessed with a little talent. I had a few gigs before I joined the army"

Somehow I feel she is being modest. That's a quality I've noticed about Davies. She doesn't take the credit she deserves. It's mostly the small things, her fine attention to detail that seem to help out the other girls. Shit! She said something else.

"You know Carlin we'd get to talk more if you'd just pay attention" I blush at her comment "Are you going to dump your boyfriend?"

"Well my family really likes him. Never really done wrong by me" Davies just stares at me like she needs me to explain myself more "Well, it's not like I have to deal with him while I'm here"

"Very true" she laughs slightly "Ok now your turn again and I know you can do better"

"Fine…How about this. What were you going to say before lights out?"

"I'll tell you, but only because you said I could trust you." I'm glad she trusts me already. I think I trust her too at this point "Umm, well, I was going to tell you that… idontdateguys"

"Wait…What?" Maybe I shouldn't have said that with such fright in my voice "So you are…"

"Please don't hate me! You can't tell anyone. They will kick me out. I just thought you'd be ok with it. I figured you'd find out so I might as well tell you" She's panicking, which is a huge difference from her play it cool personality you can't help but find endearing.

"Woah" I move closer to her and put my arm around her shoulder to try and comfort her "I don't hate you. I've had nothing but respect for you since we first spoke. You're an amazing person and I'm pretty sure I have the best battle buddy ever."

"Thanks" She's said more calm "I guess it's my turn again. It's kind of an easy one. What are you thinking right now?"

"Well to be honest, I've never met a … umm.." Spencer don't say anything stupid!

"…Lesbian" Davies finished for me "It's ok. We are from pretty different worlds."

"Yeah. Small town Midwest and Hollywood." We shared in a comfortable silence "Just know, you can trust me."

"That means a lot" she flashes that smile for me

"I believe it's my turn still" She only answers with a nod "I overheard you and Woody talking and with these recent developments I was just wondering"

"No!" She cuts me off laughing, "It's not what you think. We're just friends"

"I thought she was from the east coast" Boston, Brooklyn, Baltimore…that's it!

"Well that's where she lives, with her mom. Her Dad lived in LA and that's how we met. She's the reasoned I joined. Why'd you join the Army?"

"A few reasons. Most of them are personal. I guess it really got me thinking when I found out my brother was getting deployed. He's become my hero" I almost coke on my last few words. I really do miss Glen.

"Pete!" That was random "Your shift ready to take over?"

"I hate fireguard. I don't ever have to clean at home. I certainly don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to do it either. Why would I want to clean up after 49 other people" Oaks really looks worn down "I always get yelled at because the 1st platoon ass-hats always fuck up the floor when they wake up in the morning."

"Here it comes" Davies adds, talking about Oaks impersonation of DS Hunter, which I have to say. It's pretty much perfect.

"Well what do we have here Private! A scuff!" Staying in character she gets in my face as the DS has done many times to her as she stands at parade rest. "O'lord! You are so ate up private palm tree. Now why don't you look down at the floor!"

"Yes Drill Sergeant" Giggling slightly and playing the part of Oaks myself I begin to look down at the floor

"Hey High-speed. I don't think you can see it from there. FRONT LEANING REST POSITION MOVE!" I snapped into the push-up position as Nelson and Davies are laughing to the point of tears. "Down…hold it Christmas tree. Make sure you get a good look. Up"

"Permission to recover Drill Sergeant" I ask Oaks ending our entertainment for the small group

"She really does pick on you doesn't she" Nelson asks her battle buddy

"Yea. I have no idea why either" She answers

"I guess she just likes trees" Davies says as we head back to our bunk "Night Spence"

"Night Ash" Every fireguard shift we become closer. I guess that good because we still have like 56 more nights. "Battle?" I whispered down to her

"Yea" She responded with a yawn

"I just wanted to let you know, I have your back" I didn't hear a response, only the creaking of her bed and assumed she was rolling over.

"I have yours too Ohio" She was standing next to our bunk. I rolled over as she said it. She wrapped her arms around and gave me a hug then slid back in her bunk.

I'm not sure what it is, but she makes me feel so comfortable. It's like we've known each other for years. Almost the same feeling when I talk with Sams. Part of me feels i've known these girls for longer than a few weeks. I thought my friends and I back home we're close, but maybe it's just the situation we are in. You can't get through this without friends. The DS's break you down to build you up and the only thing left to depend on is the man or woman standing next to you. I'm lucky to stand next to Davies.