Chapter 4

As another week progressed I was finally getting confident enough to be on my own. As I was finishing my morning run I saw Andy and her friend Tracy who was lead detective for the guns and gangs unit on the second floor running in the park. I quickly passed by them and did another couple laps causing me to run a total of five miles. As I was finishing my work out which consisted one handed push up as I was working out I felt them watching me and I slowly walked away from them when I was done.

When I arrived in uniform to the parade room my eyes landed on Grant and he was smiling away talking with Casey. A smile crept on my face as I realized she was happy and soon Oliver walked in and the day started. I was assigned to the front desk to deal with the walk in calls and I closed my eyes as I was doing paper work. Casey soon sat beside me and she was smiling brightly.

"You seem happy" I said as I was writing down information.

"Grant asked me to the Penny with him after work"

"Oh a date that's awesome"

As I continued to write down more information on a call I received I saw a hand holding a chain and two dog tags land in front of my view and immediately I looked up. My face lit up with joy as four tall looking men stood before me. Each had on a tight fitting black shirt on with navy green pants and all of them wore dog tags around their necks. They all had the classic military cut and I just smiled as I ran out the side of the door and immediately jumped on the first one.

"Hey princess were happy to see you too"

"Kyle what are you doing here? What are all of you doing here"

"Well they came with me"

When my gaze fell on a guy who stepped forward immediately I grasped onto him and could barely control my tears. My arms flew around the one person that kept me alive those three months I was captured.

"Marc… I-I-"

"We've missed you too princess" said Marc.

All five of the men held onto me as I cried into Marc's arms and soon Andy, Chloe, Chris Diaz and even Tracy were standing behind me watching my reaction. When Oliver burst through the doors immediately I stood up and looked at him.

"Alexis can you give me an explanation please?"

"Sir we are sorry to come here, it's just-"

"I was finally released from the hospital and I wanted to see Alexis, my name is Captain Marc Tyler, I was Commander Parker's senior officer during her final tour… I again apologize for this inconvenience sir but I just had to see our princess"

"Sir I apologize as well, for my reaction and causing a commotion-"

Oliver quickly put up his hand and immediately I stood still. Oliver then walked over to my squad and extended his hand out to each of them and thanked all of them. When he reached Marc, I watched out of the corner of my eye and immediately Marc shook Oliver's hand. When I saw they were about to leave I quickly turned to try and stop them and that was when I felt the injury I sustained last week by saving Andy from being shot. Two ribs broke in the assault and I never reported it to anyone. When I cringed immediately Marc and everyone turned their attention to me.

"Alexis, what happened?" Asked John Carter. He was our medic in the field and he saved all our lives in the field. When he pulled off my vest and pulled up my shirt immediately everyone gasped as they saw all the scars on my back. My sister quickly ran off and I immediately pulled my shirt down.

"It's just a small bruise, I was shot at a week ago… I'm fine" I said coldly.

"Alexis I-" said Kyle

"I'll see you guys later"

"princess wait-"

"Let her go guys, sir we apologize for stopping by and assure you it will not happen again" said Marc.

I quickly ran into the women's locker room and walked over to my locker and immediately began to hit it as hard as I could.

"Lexi, you finished?" Asked Oliver.

"Sir-I-I…"

"It's ok, for once I saw happiness in your eyes and your smile… Those men really cared about you"

"They were my family sir, Marc, John, Scott, Tyler, And Kyle… They were my family, they were everything to me"

Oliver smiled at me and he sat down beside me as I looked into his eyes and that's when I remembered all of them would protect me. Make sure I had enough to eat, make sure I was safe at night. Heck they even made sure I wasn't cold or home sick. Marc made sure I survived when we were captured. He gave up his position when I was pulled from mine and beaten in front of all of them.

"Those scars…"

"Marc and I were captured he ordered the others to hide and I wasn't hidden good enough because I got separated from the others. A group of insurgents found me and pulled me out. They knew I wasn't alone and they beat me in front of the others. They knew they were hiding. Marc gave up his position when they pulled out a knife and cut my back repeatedly. For three months we were tortured for information. I was used against Marc and vies versa… Marc took the blunt of the attacks. But he was the reason why we were able to escape"

Oliver closed his eyes and I just took a deep breathe. Immediately I heard a locker slam and that was when I saw Casey run out the locker room.

She was standing there the whole time and she heard everything. I quickly stood up and ran after her but before I could reach her she was gone. I closed my eyes again and held my hands in a fist. Everything was unravelling faster then I could deal my shift ended I quietly walked out the door and through the parking lot. When I saw Marc in his vehicle along with the others my eyes lite up as they waited for me.

"Princess how was work?" Asked Kyle.

"We'll pretty sure Casey won't talk to me anymore"

"Lex I'm sorry I forgot" said John.

"Don't worry, why don't we go get a drink they have this bar called The Black Penny"

Everyone agreed and as we walked into the bar my eyes landed on familiar faces as well as Grant and Casey sitting in a corner table. The six of us soon sat down and we were talking about the fun times during our training as well as our deployments. The smile on my face could not compare to the happiness I felt as I was with my family.