Rachel stood staring at the pantry. It was full of dry goods and canned goods. Jones had come back and dejectedly informed her that she had to plan a meal for about 15 people, fifteen hungry people. This was not her forte. Her job in the nursing home hadn't been to plan the meals, only prepare them.

Well, lets see what we got here. She thought to herself and began digging through boxes. Macaroni noodles? Good. Stewed tomatoes? Yes. Minced dried onion…all the makings for goulash-well, besides the meat.

She dug a bit deeper and found a small tin of canned ham. You'll do. She smiled, and took the arm full of ingredients to the kitchen stove.

She eyed the stove carefully. Its not like she was used to cooking on a wood stove.

Heat's heat, I suppose.

She plopped the large pot of water on it to start boiling.

"Finding everything you need?" came a voice behind her.

"Oh, um ya." she turned to see Major West behind her, standing near the arch. "Jones was a lot of help. He got me all sorted out."

"Good." he said and looked at the few things laying on the wooden island. "And what are we dining on this evening?"

"It's a secret." she said quickly-knowing that if he heard the word goulash, it would put him off it before it was even cooked.

"A secret?" his eye brows raised. He was amused. Normally, when he asked a question it got answered promptly, but this was different. This, he thought, was flirting. "I see."

"You'll see at supper." she said and pointed a finger down the hall.

"Cant wait." he winked and turned on his heel and left.

--

Rachel rolled the overly large food tray to the dining room. She was pleased enough with the way her dish had turned out but was nervous as hell as to whether or not these people would like it. Well, I suppose it beats rotten egg omelet. She thought dismally as she reached the dining room door. She could hear them getting rowdy inside-singing some song about chips. She turned around to push the cart to the door better when she saw Major West coming up the hall-once again in dress uniform. She felt very underdressed as she was still in her clothes from that morning -which she had cooked and sweated in.

"Hi." she said nervously, and wiped her brow a bit, which was just a disguise to check her hair.

"Did you carry this up here?" he asked instead of replying. He looked angry.

"Um…ya I did. I'm sorry-did I tear up the floor or…?" she started but West moved past her and opened the dining room door.

"Jones." He called out to the private, then motioned him closer. "You can take your seat." he said to Rachel and pointed at the other side of the table. "It's the empty one." It was the one next to his.

West turned back to Jones and motioned at the cart. West said a few low words that no one else could really hear.

"Why can't she…?" Jones started but then quickly changed his mind at the look on West's face. "Yes, sir."

Rachel sat down but was too nervous to relax. Old people were a lot easier to cook for than grown men, and she felt a bit bad for Jones.

Selena and Hannah stared into their bowls as Jones put them down in front of them. Rachel was struck by just how tired and worried they still looked. After a whole day in the kitchen, making things with her bare hands, Rachel felt better, almost happy. She couldn't believe that just yesterday she had also looked as forlorn as those two.

"Well, it certainly smells good." West said as Jones put his plate in front of him. "Now, secret's over. You want to explain what this is?"

"Let's just call it…tomato-y noodles with ham."

"I don't care what it is. It smells good and I'm hungry." Mitchell yelled out from the other end of the table.

Major West picked up his fork and stuck it into the mixture. Everyone around the table watched. Rachel bit her lower lip. He scooped a large bite full into his mouth, chewed-slowly, then sat his fork back down near his plate and sat back in his chair.

"You hate it." Rachel frowned.

"You'll forgive me." he said finally. "Its been so long since I've tasted anything with flavor, that I needed a moment to enjoy it."

That was good enough for the rest of the table, who all started in eating.

"What you think of that Jones-y?" Mitchell asked hitting Jones on the arm.

"Could use a bit more salt." he said looking over at Rachel, but every one yelled and began throwing their napkins at him.

"Don't worry, Doris!" Mitchell yelled at him above the clamor. "We'll still let you wear your frilly pink apron!"

"Settle down." Major West said, but it was apparent he was enjoying the banter. It was nice to have a bit of lightheartedness after so much worry. "I propose a toast." he said and lifted his half-drunk glass.

"What are we drinking to Major?" Bell asked, though he already had his glass raised as well.

"To the future." West said, and his eyes went to Selena and Hannah. "To rebuilding what was taken from us."

Everyone around the table drank, except Hannah who got up from the table and walked out of the dinning room. Selena quickly went after her. The jovial mood at the table had quickly disappeared.

--

West was in his bedroom, laying in his bed, reading a book he had found in the large house. He wasn't exactly concentrating on it though and was thankful when interrupted.

Rachel stood outside his door for a good five minutes before actually deciding to knock, but finally she did. When his stern sounding military voice called out 'Come in,' she almost wished she hadn't. She timidly opened the door to see him laying in his bed reading by candlelight.

"I don't mean to bother you." she said, but he quickly put her at ease.

"No bother. Is your room still to big to be alone in?" he asked, putting the book away. She closed his door behind her.

"Actually no, it's not that." she walked forward and sat on his bed. "I wanted to thank you."

"I should be thanking you." he replied.

"Today, cooking. It was so normal. I didn't think once about infection or how many people I've lost, or how at any minute I could be attacked. I didn't think about anything but cooking and it was like I was me again." She smiled. "And I have you to thank for that."

"You're kind, but no thanks are needed. I want to return us to that state of normality. Have a future we can build on." he looked at her, wanting someone to understand the tough choices he had made, and the tougher choices he was about to make.

"I think we'll get there." she smiled. "As long as you're here leading us." He looked so serious. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I'm afraid there may come a time when you might not think so highly of me." he answered.

Rachel had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but she did think highly of him and couldn't imagine a time when she wouldn't. Wanting to show him she was on his side, she leaned in closer. He didn't pull away. As her lips met his, he closed his eyes. He allowed himself to be kissed by her for a few moments, before raising his hand up to her face. His large hand cradling the back of her neck and pulling her more into him.

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