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Chapter 12

The Wait Is Over

Higgins walked back to their quarters. Placing the package and letters on top of the locked foot locker, he went and sat on a chair. Putting his elbow on the table, he rested his head in his hand, staring at the package. Would he miss it? He looked around the room, debating. Slowly shaking his head, he remained in the chair. Flynn would probably mention the package, and then I'd be history. With my luck, Goren would be on the case of the missing Private Higgins, and my body would never be found. He grinned. Well, at least that's what would happen if it were my package!

Getting up from the chair, he walked over to the footlocker. Picking up one of the letters, he glanced at the return address. He didn't know he was going to Korea. He bit his lip. Probably doesn't know when he'll be back. I wonder if anyone does? Grabbing his coat, he quickly put it on as he headed out the door. On the stoop, he looked over towards the C.O.'s quarters. A soft light emitted through the tiny window. He nodded to himself, as he began the short walk.

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Alex sat on her bed with the envelopes spread out in front of her. Peering at them, she noted the cancellation dates. Picking up the one with the earliest date, she quickly cut the end of the envelope, slipping the page out. Carefully unfolding it, she slightly smiled at the salutation.

'Dear Lexa,

I never did find out if you liked the nick name Lex, or Lexus, so I thought I would go with Lexa.'

Her brow furrowed, sticking her index finger in her mouth, she thought a moment. Lexa. She tapped her chin with the same finger. Slightly snorting to herself. Think again Goren. It sounds like a car. Nope, you've got to go with Alex, maybe, Lex. Definitely not Lexa or Lexus.

'The days are shorter and the nights are longer with the change of the season. We have a lot of snow, along with a bitter wind. Do you have snow yet? It seems with the distance from here to there, I have forgotten about the winters in New York.'

She glanced at the window, catching the sight of a few flakes striking the glass. Oh yeah, we're not far behind you in the snow department.

As she continued to read his letter, she found it filled with his daily duties and activities. The words tugged at her heart, when she realized how lonely he sounded. Finishing it, she stared at the other two envelopes. She bit her lip in thought. Scooping them up, she placed them behind her pillow. Going to her desk, she opened the box of stationery. Taking one sheet out of the box, she pulled out her chair and sat down.

'Dear Bobby,

Lexa will not do. It either has to be Alex or Lex....'

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Higgins left his C.O.'s quarters. Although the nature of Sgt. Goren's trip was not revealed to him, he was told that Goren would be out for several weeks. Elbert glanced at his quarters as he headed towards the mess hall. He shook his head. Goren would want me to write her, so she doesn't think he just quit her. He would do it for me. He laughed lightly at that thought. Not that I write to anyone on a regular basis. But if I did, he would.

Grabbing a cup of coffee, he sat down and mulled over the task at hand. Don't know what he's doing in Korea, but she needs to know that he won't be answering her letters anytime soon. Taking a gulp of his coffee, he thought a moment. Nodding, he stood up.

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Stepping off the plane, Goren joined Gage, pulling is coat tighter around him as the wind whistled past them. Declan had a macab smile on his face, as he peered up at Bobby. He yelled above the wind. "Come on Sgt.!"

Not quite hearing his words above the blustery wind, Bobby nodded, falling in step next to him. A heavy gust of wind caused them to stop as Gage quickly reached up, placing his gloved hand over the top of his fedora. It's edges flapped in the wind, causing Bobby to slightly smile. A little broader rim, and it would lift him right off the ground.

As they made their way down the small walkway towards the terminal, Goren frowned. I wonder if Alex has given up on me. He sighed. If she hasn't by now, she will by the time I get back to Germany. He felt his heart sink at the thought. Suddenly wishing that he had taken the time to jot her a short note of his sudden re-location. As they continued their walk, he felt the weight of his heart growing, causing his shoulders to slightly droop.

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Elbert frowned at the lock on Goren's footlocker, sighing, he went to his own and pulled a legal pad out. Not as nice as Bobby's, but in this case, I don't think she'll mind. Now, what was her name? He tapped pen against his chin. Glancing back at Bobby's footlocker, he smiled. Getting up, he picked up the box and letters, putting it on the table. Picking up one of the letters, he studied the return address. A. Eames. He frowned. What the hell does the 'A' stand for? Elbert sighed, wishing he had listened more closely to his friend.

Cocking his head, he looked at the blank piece of paper. Well, the only way to get through this, is to begin. Putting his pen to the paper, he began.

'Dear Miss Eames,

You don't know me but....'

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Positioning herself back on her bed, she opened the second letter, a small object fell to the bed as she unfolded the letter. Screwing her lips, she reached down and picked it up. Flipping it over, a smile formed on her lips. A photo! She laughed as she lightly ran her fingers over the youthful face. Her smile turned into a frown. He was wearing his hat. I wonder what his hair looks like underneath it?

'Dear Lexa,

She frowned at the salutation.

'Although you cannot tell, my hair is black, with a very small amount of gray. If I let it grow long, it tends to be curly...not something I want. At least, not here. The others here are bored, and the teasing of having curly locks would be unbearable.'

She laughed as she tried to picture him with long curly locks. That would be awful, being teased all the time...especially by your friends.

'I can't imagine you teasing anyone, do you?'

Her mind drifted to Scott. She sighed. I do need to be nicer to him, if, if he weren't such a pain. I'll work on it. I promise.

'Do you have many friends?'

She nodded. "Quite a few. How about you?"

'I have one or two that I am close to. You've asked about Corporal Higgins, he's my roommate. He's a good natured guy. We get a long pretty well.'

"Well, it's good that you have one good friend, especially if you have to spend so much time with him."

'He usually goes to town during his off hours. I will go with him on occasion, but most of the time, I'd rather stay here and relax.'

The letter ended all too soon for her, with him sharing some of Higgins more tamed antics. Quickly moving back to her desk, she began her response, sharing some of her own antics that she and her friends had done. She smiled as she added the sealed envelope to the first one.

Within two hours, Alex had read and responded to all of Bobby's letters. Placing them on the kitchen table to be mailed, she stared at them as she flipped off the light. Slowly going up the stairs, she counted the days that the letters had traveled, how long they had been held by her parents, and realized that by this time, there would have been at least one more. Pausing at the top of the landing, she cocked her head. Mom and Dad got that letter. Does that mean he had given up on me? She slowly shook her head, causing her bangs to fall in her face. No, he's waiting.

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Elbert set the pen down next to the sheet of paper. Carefully re-reading what he had written, he smiled. Satisfied, he began folding it. I hope Bobby appreciates this. Sealing it in the envelope, he quickly addressed it. Setting it on the table, his attention fell on the package. He bit his lip, wondering.

A/N: Thank you for your patience! The question, (other than what was in the third letter), is: will Elbert open the package? lol