No, I don't own the characters...just having fun playing with them. I promise to return them when I am through.

Chapter 4

Page One

Bobby quickly retrieved his letter, lightly holding it in his hands. "I haven't finished mine, yet."

Higgins laughed. "What? Are you trying to let it ferment? I couldn't wait to open mine. It's from a young man in the Bronx. His name is Scott."

Tilting his head, Goren eyed his roommate. He hadn't realized that this young man was as hungry for mail as he was. Bobby raised a brow. He seems so gregarious with the others on base. A simple letter from a stranger, a boy at that, could mean so much to him? He's no different than me! "So, you're going to send him stamps or money, what would you suggest that I send to a girl?"

Elbert looked at the Sergeant in amazement. "Don't you have any female siblings, or cousins?"

Goren sighed. "Just an older brother."

"Well, how about a charm bracelet, or a necklace?"

Bobby slightly nodded. "I guess, I'll finish my letter, and see if she hints at anything." Though, he had his doubts that this young lady would be that bold.

Elbert laughed. "I should have it so hard. Scott wasn't a bit shy about asking for something from Germany to show off to his classmates."

Alex ran up the steps to the side door of her home. "Mom, I'm home!"

She stopped at the table, looking at the small stack of mail. Biting her lip, she quickly rifled through it. No letter. He's not going to write." She carefully made the pile neat again. Alex sniffled, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her blouse. He'll never write me.

"Hey, are you expecting something in the mail?" Her mother had just rounded the corner, wiping her hands on her apron. Seeing the frown on her daughter's face, she didn't wait for a reply, she nodded towards the cookie jar. "Made some chocolate chip cookies this morning. Better help yourself, before your brothers eat them all." She lifted the lid off the jar and held it out.

Alex reached in the cookie jar, and grabbed a couple of cookies. Taking a thoughtful bite from one of the cookies, she looked at her mom. Her mom smiled as she returned the jar to the counter. "Want to talk about it?"

Alex nodded, hooking a kitchen chair with her foot, she pulled it away from the table. Her mom poured two glasses of milk, grabbing a couple of cookies for herself. She sat down next to Alex, pulling her daughter's chair close to her. Alex leaned against her mom, resting her head against her shoulder. "Mom, have you ever been totally disappointed?"

Her mother softly chuckled as she took a bite of her cookie.

Elbert carefully stuffed his letter back in its' hiding place. Standing he grinned at Bobby. "I'll leave you to your letter."

Goren nodded. "Later."

With that, the Corporal grabbed his coat and was out the door. Goren watched it as it swung shut. Sighing, he stretched back out on his bunk, holding the letter between his hands. Pulling the letter from the envelope, he carefully unfolded it, finding the spot where he had left off.

'I'm a student in the eighth grade. Not a bad student, but not a very good student. Some of the classes are just so hard...but I do try to do my best.'

Bobby looked at the ceiling, trying to remember back to that age. "It is a tough age for anyone. Keep working at it Alex." He liked the way her name rolled out of his mouth.

'My dad is a cop. I guess, in my mind I figure I will be one too, though I think I would want to be a detective of some sort. What are your plans when you get out of the Service, or do you plan to stay in? If so, why? Do you like to travel?'

He skewered his lips in thought. "Right now, no plans. Not sure what's going to happen. Do love to travel."

'Do you have any brothers or sisters? What do they do?'

He grimaced. "He's a drunk, probably a drug user and a gambler. Good job qualifications, don't you think?"

Coming to the end of the first page, he paused for a moment. Swinging his feet to the floor, he padded around to the end of his bunk. Standing in front of his foot locker, Bobby opened it. He dug through it until he found a box. Lifting it out of the locker, he walked over to the small wooden table and set the box on it. He stared at the box, as he rubbed his chin in thought.

Sitting down in front of the box, he slowly lifted the lid, exposing it's contents. He lightly ran a hand over the pastel colored vellum paper. There were accents of gold along its edges and light brushes of gold swirls over the center of the paper. The corner of his eyes crinkled as he smiled down at its lavish beauty. He had intended the stationery for his mother, Bobby bit his lower lip.

"So, that's why you've been rushing home, checking the mail?" Her mother gave her a squeeze.

Alex sniffled. "Yeah. Ms. Peevy said that I should remember that I am writing to him to thank him, and hope that he comes home safe and sound. I do, but..."

"But, you'd like to get a letter of thanks too." She pulled Alex closer and gave her a tighter squeeze. "Never stopped you from trying before."

Alex slightly pulled away, looking up at her mom. "What do you mean?"

Her mother smiled slightly. "Well, I seem to remember a young woman who wouldn't give up trying to help her dad, even when he yelled at her for handing him the wrong tools."

Alex grimaced. "It was an honest mistake."

"You eventually learned to anticipate what tools he needed, when he was working on the car."

She blushed smiling. "It wasn't so difficult."

"Oh, I don't know. How many girls your age know the difference between a channel lock wrench, and a socket wrench?

"It just took time to learn the tools and their purpose."

"Ah, time." Mrs. Eames gave her daughter another hug.

Alex paused, watching her mom stand up. "So, you think I should give it more time?"

She shrugged. "Sometimes the nicest surprises happen when you least expect it." With that, she began cleaning off the table.

Bobby pulled a sheet of the vellum paper out of the box. It's translucency surprised him. Lightly running his hand over it again, he smiled. Reaching for the pen in the box, he began writing.

'Dear Alex,

Please call me Bobby...'

A/N: LOL Yes, I am going to stop the chapter right there! Give you all something to look forward to in my next chapter. To answer the questions, no, he didn't finish reading Alex's letter, yet. Yes, I'm evil. Mawwwwaaaahaaa :)