Hello, everyone! I know, I know, it's been forever! I must apologize and say that for a while, I had been going through a bit of a writer's block. I found it impossible to write, yet I had a million ideas swarming around in my head. It was a very troubling block and I was scared that I was going to be stuck with it for months, but here I am! School did not help my writer's block, neither. I have a lot of work I need to do if I plan on graduating on time (I'm behind in my Math :P Thankfully, I like algebra) so I've been really focused on school work lately. Then, I've been planning and preparing for my school's yearly competition. Even though the Regional competition isn't until March, I still have so much work to do so I've started early. It'll be March before we know it, anyway :P

Okay, I know you're tired of hearing me complain about my busy schedule. So, I'll shut up, do my Review Reponses, and let you guys read! Oh, nearly forgot about the song inspiration.

This Chapter's Song Inspiration: Battle Scars by Paradise Fears. I can't explain why I chose this one for this particular chapter, but I did. There's something about it that inspired me to write this chapter between Justin and Roxanne -which helps development some future scenes and plot lines- and the emotion behind it. I really like it and like the I'll-be-there-for-you message in it.

Review Reponses:

Prettyprincess45: Haha, thank you! I really enjoyed writing that! I was like, "Use the chair, Jessi!" Lol :) And yes, she is, isn't she? Thank you so much for the review and I hope to see you again (hint hint :P ) Also, wonderful work on Young Tragedies! I'm so excited and you better update soon, woman!

Guest: Aww! That is so sweet! I'm really flattered that you think that since I've seen so many on here that make mine look like The Cat in the Hat :D

paramoron: Thank you for all the reviews! It really does mean a lot that you went to each individual chapter instead of making one long review! I know that took a lot of patience and probably ate up your time, so I really appreciate all the nice words! I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Guest: ...Well, dang...Haha :D Thank you, I think, regardless! Thanks for your honest opinion and for reviewing! :3

January 22, 1968

Khe Sanh

Justin Thorne and Roxanne Fischer

Roxanne sat at her desk in the little office that she and Jesselynn shared –who was gone at the moment— and scribbled on papers in front of her. She made it part of her weekly routine to sit down and go through her letters and reply. Mostly, she received letters from her daughter, but every now and then she'd get some from different family members or old friends. Honestly, she preferred the letters from her daughter more than the others. First, she was daughter and thought her every thought and word was precious. Second, she was the only one that never mentioned her late husband. Yes, she might mention a memory or saying from the past that he was known for, but it was mainly conversations between the both of them and focused on them.

That was what she valued most out of the friendship she had with her daughter, who was now a teenager. Though they hadn't seen each other in three or four years, they managed to get closer of the years of separation. The only communication they had was through letters and they poured their hearts onto the pages each time. Roxanne was amazed by her young daughter's strength even though it was so obvious that it was hard for her having neither of her parents with her anymore. She somehow managed to comfort Roxanne when it was supposed to be the other way around.

Roxanne grinned warmly and placed a finger against her lips, soaking in Sonora's every word. She couldn't believe that she was thirteen now. It also pained her. She was growing up so fast and she had already missed so much of her life. She was becoming a woman more and more with every passing day and Roxanne only experienced it through letters.

Lately, Roxanne had been experiencing an extreme case of homesickness. She even considered shooting herself in the foot at one point, but shook her head at her own foolishness and went back to work. When she first arrived, one of the senior nurses approached her and her fellow "recruits" as they came through. The senior nurse advised her and the others to get pregnant or get shot while they still could. At the time, naïve hope told her that it wasn't that bad and the woman was just over exaggerating. Now, she could see the reason behind her advice.

One night, as she lay restlessly in her cot, she contemplated the idea of getting pregnant. She knew she'd never have the guts to sleep with another man besides her husband, but she still thought about it. She had always wanted to have another child so Sonora could have a sibling at least once in her childhood, but after her husband's death she pushed that dream aside. Now a days, she found herself digging it back up.

Though she still loved her husband with her entire heart and soul, she has recovered from the ache and the guilt. She was ready for a new beginning in her life now that the hole in her heart had faded away. It was still there, but the pain was numbed.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the creaking door signal another human being enter the room. At first, she figured it was Jesselynn and didn't bother to look up and check. Though, when she heard a masculine voice clear his throat, she forced herself to look up from her letters.

Justin greeted her with a crooked grin and removed his cap, tossing it over on Jesselynn's empty desk. They both weren't quite sure where she was, but didn't investigate it. Roxanne assumed that she was still busying herself in the infirmary. Perhaps, she was taking care of Private Lance. She grinned at the thought of it after hearing the news of their date.

"Uh, if you're looking for Jess she might be in the infirmary." She informed him as she organized the letters that crowded her messy desk.

Justin grinned again, half-heartedly, took a few steps towards Jesselynn's desk, grabbed her chair, and seated himself across from her. "I was, uh, actually looking for you. Y'know, sit and talk for a little while. We never see each other away from Jess or the infirmary."

Roxanne giggled and tried to hide her blush by cupping her own cheek with her hand, pretending to rest it against her palm. "Well, you found me. What're wanting to talk about?"

Justin leaned back in his seat and ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. When it first came to the base, it was buzzed short, but as the years went by his hair was growing back. With the merciless sun blazing down on him, he wished it was buzzed again. "Well, I'm not sure. Just talk. Every time we're around each other we talk about my sister or Marcus or the combination of my sister and Marcus. I've realized that we've never had an actual conversation. All we've done is swap opinions."

Roxanne chewed on the corner of her mouth as she thought over his offer. Yes, he had a point. She couldn't remember a time they really sat down and talked about themselves or just any random topic. "Okay, where should we start?"

Justin grinned and looked at the mess of papers scattered across her desk. "How 'bout we start with what you're doing?" He suggested with a playful look and gestured to the letters in front of her.

Her eyes followed the gesture and she grinned, picking one of the letters up. "Going over some letters. They're from my parents and Sonora. Well, two from my mom and dad and, like, ten from Sonora. She never leaves out a single word when it comes to telling me her day." She explained fondly as she scanned over the words.

He half-heartedly grinned and soaked in the loving expression that easily took dominance on her face. "Sounds like y'all are really close."

She forced herself to remember that she was with company and let the letter fall back onto the wooden desktop. "Yes, my daughter's the most important thing to me. You know, my old friends back home were always on my case. 'You're smothering her!' 'You're too overprotective!' 'She's gonna grow up sheltered and awkward if you don't lay off!' Sometimes, I thought maybe they were right, but then I'd see Sonora and talk with her. It's easy for them to tell me how to raise my daughter when they don't have their own. It's funny how fast we humans are to point out other's possible mistakes, whether or not they are reasonable."

Justin scoffed humorlessly and straightened in his chair. "No kiddin'," Was his only reply as he thought of some people he had grown up with. He forced himself not to think about Marcus or to dwell on him.

Roxanne sighed and rubbed the exhaustion from her face with her palms. "You know, I'd kill to actually talk to her. It's been three years…My baby's a teenager now. She sent me pictures not too long ago…Do…uh, do you want to see them?" She offered hesitantly as she tucked a wild strand of hair from her face.

Justin was momentarily shocked that she offered, but then flattered. "Yes…Yes, please." He accepted, remembering the correct, polite response. He resisted the urge to chuckle when he thought about Mrs. Forrester and how she constantly had to drill the simple action into his head.

Roxanne grinned and snatched an envelope near the end of the desk. After digging through the envelope, she managed to find four pictures and handed them over. "There's, uh, one by herself, one with her grandparents, both sides, and I think a group picture with her friends. It was the ones from her thirteenth birthday. Mom said they took millions of pictures so I'll have plenty to look and awe at once I get back home."

Justin grinned warmly as he gingerly took the photos in his hands and studied each picture. He was, honestly, surprised that Sonora looked nearly nothing like her mother. He could see the same hazel eyes, but everything else must've been her father. Her long, sandy blonde hair was curled and hung long down her sides. She had natural dimples when she smiled and a small, round mouth. Regardless that she was still a child, she had a delicate, yet mature frame. It was no doubt that she was growing up into a beautiful young woman.

"She's gorgeous." He commented as he studied the other three pictures with friends and family. There were, obviously, no loop holes or lies in Roxanne's stories; she had a very happy, normal family and home life.

Roxanne beamed with motherly pride and gingerly put the photos back when he was done with them. "Thank you. She looks everything like her father. Sometimes I wonder if she's even mine, then I remember hours and hours of agonizing labor and remember my part in her."

Justin chuckled and nodded his silent agreement. "You know, she asks about you all the time…" Roxanne added after she cleared off her office space.

"Oh, really?" Was his reply. He wasn't quite sure what to say in response to something like this besides that. It made him wonder how many times Roxanne herself had involved him in her private letters with her daughter.

"Yeah. Ever since I got here, I told her everything that has happened, so I've mentioned you and Jess. She seems to really like y'all. Especially you. She thinks Jesse sounds boring." Roxanne answered with a smile as she placed her elbows on the desk and cupped her chin with her hands.

Justin nodded, again, and wasn't sure if he was relieved that he wasn't the topic of her conversations or upset that Jesselynn was involved as well. He figured he'd process that later, though. "Well, it sounds like Sonora has an excellent judge of character." He teased with smirk and gave her a playful wink.

Roxanne rolled her eyes and tried to hide another round of blushing by playing with her hair. "You two are just alike. Jesselynn is not that bad in person….On paper, she does sound boring." She said defensively, but reluctantly agreed.

Justin shrugged and slid in his chair, allowing himself to stretch out the sore muscles in his legs. "Okay, I'll give you that." He, too, reluctantly agreed as he made himself comfortable.

It was quiet between them as Roxanne started fidgeting in her seat. She could see how exhausted he was –his droopy eyelids and constant yawning was an obvious sign—and she knew she should probably make him go get some sleep while he still could, yet she couldn't find the courage to bring the thought to words. It was lonely in the small office now a days. Jesselynn was almost always busy in the infirmary or with Woods. She knew she shouldn't worry or be upset, but she still couldn't help but let her old, teenage-girl feelings roam on lonesome nights such as these.

She nibbled on her lip as she contemplated what to do next. If she didn't start any kind of conversation soon, Justin was sure to fall asleep. For now, she couldn't let him or she'd be encased with the loneliness again. So, she dug out a piece of paper from the pile for letters and a pen and slapped it down in front of him.

He jumped slightly as he was abruptly awoken from his drowsy state then furrowed his brows in confusion. Before he could even question, Roxanne answered his unspoken question. "Sonora's been asking me for weeks if she could start talking to you. I wasn't really sure about it at first since it was so strange, but I trust you and Sonora now. So, would you like to send a letter to Sonora? Like I said, she'd love to speak with you."

Justin's expression softened into a grin and took the paper and pen that was offered. "So, just write to her? Nothing in particular?" He inquired as he held the pen in his hand, hovering just an inch above the paper.

Roxanne nodded. "Yeah, just anything. She wanted to see what was so awesome about you and to make sure you weren't some psycho-killer in disguise or something. I don't know what it was exactly, she has quite the imagination." She answered with a chuckle.

Justin arched a brow with a smirk. "Okay, so I take back the excellent judge of character comment." He joked and then started to write his salutation.

It was quiet, again, as Roxanne watched him neatly write on paper, but tried not to spy on what he was writing, exactly. She knew Sonora would want it to be a private conversation, but she wanted so bad to see what they were going to talk about. In her eyes, they were two of the most important people in her life and she wanted to be nosy. But, she somehow found the strength to abstain from reading Justin's slanted, slightly-sloppy handwriting.

As she sat quietly and watched him ponder on his words, a thought came to mind. It was a simple, innocent one, but since it crossed her mind it brought a million serious ones to life. She wondered if he and Sonora would ever have the chance to talk together in an actual, physical one-on-one conversation or would letters be their only means of communication? She didn't want to think about the possibility of him never returning to U.S. soil, but it was impossible to drift off to another topic once it was rooted in her thoughts.

She wasn't one hundred percent sure on her feelings toward Justin and she felt stupid for even contemplating it. Here she was, a grown woman with a thirteen-year old daughter back home, in the middle of war and she was worrying about her "boy-issues". She knew it was immature and she should just focus on her responsibilities in this war, but her emotions and feelings seemed to overrule this time around.

If he did survive, what would he do? Would he return back home to friends and family? Would Jesselynn resign and follow him? Would Roxanne ever see the Thorne siblings after that? Roxanne would have to return to her daughter and the rest of her family. The Thorne's lived hundreds of miles away from her back in the U.S. There was no way she could just leave with them and there was no way they could be with her.

What if she didn't survive? The mere thought sent chills down her spine and she grew pale; she was glad that Justin was too focused on writing the letter to notice her change. She knew it was unlikely for any danger to really come to the medical staff, but it was still a possibility. If she or anyone else took a step out of line or let their guard down, they could easily be the next one in a body bag being shipped off. She was human; the thought of death terrified her and she didn't want to. She had Sonora and her parents. She couldn't die here.

Roxanne took in a deep breath and slowly drifted her focus from Justin's hand to his eyes. He was looking down so the most she could see of his eyes were his eyelids and unnaturally long, dark eyelashes. Though she knew there was not a perfect soul on this earth, she found Justin close to it. He genuinely cared about people and often gave people the benefit of the doubt. He was fair and seemed to be good at handling his temper. She trusted him with her life and her secrets. She wasn't going to go so far as to say that she loved him, but she knew she truly cared for him and didn't want to see harm come to him.

Her mouth grew dry and limbs shaky as she reached out and placed a hand against the one he let relax against the table. The second her surprisingly cold hand made contact with his warm one, Justin's focus and concentration was broken and his eyes snapped to hers.

"Justin." She mumbled, voice trembling with worry and uncertainty.

At first, his expression twisted with confusion, but now it softened with genuine concern. She was happy and soaking in her love for her daughter just a second ago and now she seemed troubled. "Yes?"

She was silent as she tried to think of what she was going to ask. She wanted so many things from him and had so many questions, but she couldn't find the right one to start with. Finally, she decided on one and swallowed back her nervousness through a dry throat.

"I want to know something. What are you plans for your future? I mean, after the war." She inquired. Courage slowly built up in her once she spoke her words and uncertainty of her actions didn't bother her anymore.

Justin was, admittedly, surprised by her choice of conversation, but didn't argue or tease her. "Well, I don't really know. I haven't planned that far ahead." He refrained from telling her that he really didn't expect to see the end of the war considering she seemed like she was about to break down from her inner turmoil and fears.

"Will you go back home? You know, with Marcus, or are you going to start over? What about Jesselynn?" She added, almost as if Justin hadn't even spoken.

Justin chewed on the inside of his cheek as he thought over her questions. "Well, I sure as hell ain't going back to Marcus. I'll probably just start over, like you said. I…I honestly don't know about Jesselynn. I want her to start over to. I definitely don't want her back with Marcus. She'd live with me for the rest of her life before I let her go back there." He almost growled at the thought of Jesselynn returning to the prison she had, finally, been able to escape.

Roxanne nodded, satisfied with his answer. "What about….Are you….Will you start a new life…completely? Like, a family of your own… Jess told me once that you wanted to be a family man…" She stuttered nervously as she tried to find the right thing to say without implying the wrong thing.

Justin grinned and looked down at the hand she still rested on top of his. He straightened his hand and then pushed his fingers through the spaces between her. It wasn't the most comfortable position for his hands since they weren't even, but he smiled warmly when he felt the shaking of her arm lessen. "See, perfect fit." He beamed as though they hadn't said a single word between each other in the past two minutes.

Roxanne just gazed down at their entwined hands and studied his hand. They were firm and he had long fingers; they easily took dominance over hers and softly encased them. They were rough and battered after years of hard work and training, yet they were the most comforting thing in her mind right now. "Yeah, perfect."

Justin smiled and squeezed her hand softly before letting go. Roxanne had to fight the urge to flail and demand that he hold her again as she watched him pick up his pen and started back on his letter. In any other case, she would be upset at the way he ended their deep conversation, but she happy. Justin had a way to simply calm her fears and made her feel safe. No matter what happened, she knew things were going to end perfectly between them. Now, she was excited to see what the future held and excited to see how Sonora was going to react to Justin's letter.

Okay, so that was the 24th chapter! Can't believe I'm already here! I didn't expect to make it this long and only be where we are now. I can see that this will probably be a long one, but I hope I don't discourage you by saying that! I want to make this good, so this will probably be long. I'd rather make long stories and have them be good and something I'd want to read, than short and ashamed of it like I was with old stories. So, there's my excuse for be a literacy blabbermouth! :D

Thank you all so much for reading and for all the reviews I've received! Guys, we're getting close to 100 reviews! You have no idea how amazed and flattered I am! It means so much to receive so much support from such awesome readers! You guys are the absolute best and, if I really could, I'd give you a gift! :D

Creative Question: I know this question is frequently asked, but what is your take on Justin and Roxanne? Do you think they should be together or do you think that they'd be better off as close friends? Also, what do you think Sonora has to say about Justin and Roxanne? Would you want to see a letter in return from dear old Sonora to Justin?

Also, before I go, I have a board on Pinterest that can allow you to see who I portray the OCs to look like. I know many people would argue that you don't need to have a real "face" for characters on a story, but it helps me to write when I have a face behind a name. I need visual aid and putting a face behind the OCs of IDHY helps me with descriptions (I'm still learning, I know I'm not great :P ). So, I figured maybe y'all would like to see them to! If not, cool. Be smarter than me and let imagination take control :P I will post the link in my profile so you can easily go there and access it :)

Okay, I'll shut up and let y'all go on with your daily routines. Thank you all, again, for reading and reviewing! You've been such great readers and I love you all! :D