Hello, everyone! I know, it's been an insanely long time since I updated, or at least seemed like it. It feels like forever for me. I must apologize if this isn't that well done. School has been the major problem in my life along with some minor, typical-teenager drama, so that is one reason why I have been lazy and not sat down and wrote anything for you guys. It's also hard to get any progress made when your dad "borrows" your computer screen since his goes out and then hogs the only writing source I have for weeks at a time, allowing me on about five minutes a day. I love my dad, but we annoy each other on a daily basis when it comes to Internet. We're web-junkies. Anyway, enough of me.

Oh! I forgot! On a previous chapter, I talked about showing y'all pictures of the "faces of the characters" and providing a link that I actually never provided. If any of you actually wanted to see them but were unable to, I am very, very sorry! It's probably not that important anyway, but I felt bad for not meeting you halfway with my end of the deal. So, if you still want to or want to at all, I will post the link in my profile.

Okay, on to Review Responses!

Prettyprincess45: Hey! It's alright! I totally understand your situation and brownie points for a fellow survivor! Haha :) Also, I love the songs, especially "Mirrors" by Justin Timberlake. I don't know why, but every time I hear that song, I think of Woods and Jesse. I don't really know why, but I do. And for Justin and Roxanne...Well, I hope this chapter will be satisfying for you in any way...

Reviewer: Thank you for sticking around that long! It's really touching considering how lazy I am and don't put forth the effort like I should. So, thank you, again, for reading everything and all those wonderful comments. It just made my day and love the honest opinion and advice. And, yes, I do struggle with Woods sometimes. Hopefully, I will improve. Also, I struggled with that as well. With Jesselynn, she's a very prim-and-proper person who prefers the old-fashioned way to everything, so marriage was going to be a definite with her, especially when it came to having her own family. She broke the old-fashioned way sometimes, but she still strongly supports it. I can't say everything I have planned, but I have taken this into consideration and have your idea as part of it. You'll see exactly what I'm talking about once the time comes. If you're still here, which I hope you are! :D

GUEST: OH MY GOSH, HEY! I'VE MISSED YOU! OF COURSE I REMEMBER YOU! YOU GIVE ME THE EXCUSE TO BE LAZY AND USE CAPS ALL THE TIME HAHA JK. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GLORIOUS RETURN AND GRACING MY REVIEW SECTION WITH YOUR PRESENCE. IT WAS MAGICAL AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN! :)

(Songs referred to: "Hey Jude" by the Beatles with Kaden and Jesselynn. "I'm Confessin' That I Love You" by Peggy Lee with Roxanne and Justin)

January 28, 1968

Khe Sanh

Jesselynn Thorne and Private Kaden Lance

Jesselynn nervously applied some of the lipstick she "borrowed" from Roxanne's secret, make-up drawer as she waited for Kaden to find her. She had considered just going inside and joining the party, but her nerves got the better of her and she sided with them. She wasn't sure if Kaden would know where to look for her, but she hoped he'd figure it out soon. She didn't like sitting out here on her own. She was used to be surrounded by people on all sides, strangers or not, and didn't adjust well to the quiet.

She thought about how Justin must be inside somewhere with Roxanne partying. Her sisterly instincts told her to be nosey and investigate what was happening between the two, but she somehow managed to keep them at bay. It was tempting to go in and check on her baby brother, but she scolded herself at the mere thought of embarrassing him like that. He was a grown man now and didn't need her to hold his hand. Still, she wanted to know what her best friend and brother were doing.

She straightened the skirt of her dress for the fifth time in the past ten minutes and sighed. It was her best dress; the only one that didn't have some kind of patch or awkward seam from countless rips. It was also the only dress she owned that was actually considered fashionable. Most of the dresses she owned were the 30's and 40's style; hand-me-downs that she received from Mrs. Forrester. Her most precious was the three that came from her mother's old hope chest. She managed her meals and watched her figure for years in preparation to wear them. Though, now, they hung off her some. She supposed they were about a size too big anymore.

The thought of her mother wearing the same wardrobe as she depressed her and she changed the subject; she wouldn't want to ruin the moment for tonight and have Kaden thinking she was a buzzkill. She proudly smoothed her skirt once more and admired the style. It was a bright red-and-white polka dot dress with a matching bow at her collar and red sash around the waist. She squirmed uncomfortable from the tulle skirt she wore underneath –that came with the dress—and wished that she was wearing one of her more comfortable, worn dresses, but other than that she quite liked it. It definitely took some getting used to.

Crossing her ankles, she resisted the urge to nibble on her fingernails. It was such an awful habit that she was beginning to pick up after seeing some of the nurses doing it back at the infirmary. She hated the thought of it, yet caught herself doing the same thing as them during long nights of research. She really need to find some way of better occupying her free time or her nails –that she had been, admittedly, rather proud of—were going to be ugly, nibbled nubs.

"Oh, Jesselynn, there you are." Kaden's relieved, welcoming tone snapped her out of her daydream and she absorbed his attire.

She didn't realize how much they were really strangers to one another until she saw him approach her. His hair was combed neatly and he wore a pair of tan slacks, a powder blue button-up shirt, and black dress shoes. He looked completely different from the sweaty, dirty, and bloodied soldier she took care of just one week ago. She almost found him unrecognizable by a brief glance. Yet, she smiled. She liked the fact that she knew nothing about him. Her mother and Mrs. Forrester would probably disagree with her, but she found it exciting. She didn't know what to expect from their "meeting."

Her gaze followed him as he stopped in front of her and held out a hand for her. She was confused at first, but then blushed when she realized he was trying to be nice and help her up from her uncomfortable bench. She murmured her thanks and straightened her dress, suddenly too nervous to think of casual conversation.

Kaden examined her dress and smiled sweetly. "And I thought you were pretty in the infirmary. You clean up mighty nice Ms. Thorne."

She smiled in reply and marveled at the fact that she never noticed his faint, country accent. Then again, he was in pain and exhausted the last she spoke with him. It amazed her how little she knew about him. "Thank you, Kaden. That's very sweet of you." She complimented in return.

Kaden just smiled boyishly and offered her his arm. Once again, she stared at his arm until it became clear what he was suggesting. She looked away from him and made an aggravated face towards the ground, embarrassed that she forgot all the proper, first date etiquette. Then again, it had been a long time since she had someone act like a gentleman with her.

She stopped herself right there before the thought got comfortable in her mind. She was not going to think about him tonight. She was tired of letting him ruin her nights. She had a new life and a new start. It was time she changed things.

Jesselynn's heart pounded against her chest in sync with the loud music when she and Kaden entered the party. Men and women crowded in one section of the building, clutched their alcoholic beverages, and danced against each other. She blushed softly at some of the suggestive dances displayed and silently prayed that Kaden wouldn't ask for a dance. Not that kind, at least.

As Kaden led her away from the loud, crowded room, she glanced over the crowd. She didn't see any sign of Justin and Roxanne. She tried not to be nervous or worried, but she couldn't help it.

Kaden reached out to grab the neck of the nearest beer bottle then glanced back at her. Jesselynn was too caught up in observing her surroundings and the loud partygoers to notice his natural instinct. He had been at these parties numerous times and was usually one of the first to dive into the alcohol and drink his stress away. Now, he pulled away and dug around for two bottles of pop. Though his mind screamed for the beer, he turned from it and joined her in a corner of the room.

He placed his bottle on the table in front of them and pulled a chair out for her. Jesselynn muttered her thanks and took her bottle, taking a swig of the caffeinated, fizzy beverage and suppressed a cough. She hadn't realized how long it had been since she had a real, good soda. She found it more comforting and relieving then the alcohol that others were drowning themselves in not far away from her. It was silent between them as the music blared around them and the sounds of drunken cheers and slurs made up most of the crowds' conversation. Now, Jesselynn wished they had stayed outside.

Kaden noticed her discomfort and removed the bottle from his lips, swallowed, and shifted his chair in her direction. "So, Jesselynn, tell me 'bout yourself."

Jesselynn was nervous all over again. What should she tell? Is there even much to tell? It's not like she had to pour her heart out to the man. Yet, what was really left of her life's story besides all the traumatic experiences? She lived a rather boring life outside of her past experiences.

Jesselynn licked her lips and shrugged uneasily. "I dunno what to say about me…What do you wanna know?" She countered, praying that he was more prepared for this conversation than she.

Kaden grinned and crossed his arms against the tabletop. "How 'bout the basics. Where did you grow up?" He asked gently with an inviting smile.

Jesselynn blushed slightly as she thought about how he started with the trick questions straight off the bat. She had two different homes growing up and she didn't know which she'd rather tell him about. She didn't want to lie, but she didn't want to go into her backstory with her parents so soon.

"Um, Oregon." It was the only response she could think of without telling everything and without lying.

Kaden arched a brow, noting her hesitancy, but didn't act on it. "Up north. You look like an up-north girl. Good thing, of course."

She just grinned, not sure how to take his statement. Then again, she wasn't sure if he himself understood what he just said. "What about you?"

"Oklahoma. Born and raised." He answered proudly.

Jesselynn nodded and smiled. "That makes sense. It explains everything. Very confident, country-boy thing going on. Good thing, of course." She teased with a sly smile, taking a sip of her drink.

Kaden smiled and shifted to a more comfortable position when he realized that he needn't be so tense and serious since it seemed that Jesselynn broke the ice for them both. Perhaps their night would be a little better now that they both knew they could joke around each other and not be considered rude.

Justin ran down the hallway, Roxanne taking him by the hand and leading him, as they tried to dodge the drunken, slouched bodies against the wall. Roxanne giggled whenever she bumped somebody even though they mumbled and cursed her and her partner. Justin could feel the buzz hitting him, but he knew that Roxanne was definitely swimming in it all. It honestly unnerved him as he watched her chug down every drink that was given to her.

He didn't want to go too far considering he couldn't afford to sit around suffering a hangover tomorrow, but now he was worried for Roxanne's sake. He just hoped she wasn't planning on performing any kind of surgery tomorrow. From the looks of her slurred speech and awful balance, she had more than enough to drink tonight. Though, considering she grabbed a drink and chugged it down the moment they arrived, this wasn't a surprise to Roxanne. She must've planned it before she even thought about inviting him to be her date.

As he blinked away the haziness in his vision, he pondered where Roxanne was dragging him, if she even knew herself. They had been down three hallways since she led them away from the main floor and it didn't seem that they would stop anytime soon. He was beginning to worry about the location Roxanne had in mind since it, he assumed, was so far away.

"Roxanne, wh-where are we goin'?" He asked with a gravelly voice. His speech was beginning to slur and he was trying to fight it.

Roxanne giggled and then hiccupped before looking over her shoulder with her drunken attempt of flirty eyes. "You'llsee." She slurred, her words coming together.

Justin arched a brow but didn't investigate it any further.

Jesselynn was already playing with some of her bangs that had fallen around her face and listened to Kaden tell stories about nights coon-hunting with a family friend and fellow church member. This was all very new to her since they grew up in polar-opposite environments, but it was still very interesting to her. She liked figuring out what he meant about certain things and some of the country slang he used.

She had let Kaden take control of their conversation and managed to keep the topic on his life and family. She was determined not to bring up anything about her parents or Marcus. That was not a road she wanted to travel with him. At least, not so early. So, she smiled and laughed at the appropriate times during his story until he was finished.

Kaden took a sip of his soda –they had finished three bottles each as time passed by—and perked at the change of music. Over the past hour and a half, it had been nothing but loud and pulsating music, but it had changed to something softer and more appealing to the couple. Kaden watched Jesselynn relax at the change of music and a sly smile curled his lips.

He stood, brushing some crumbs and dirt from his pants, and offered a hand. "Ms. Thorne, I'd be mighty thrilled if you danced with me."

For the fifth time that night, she stared at him with a blank expression. She didn't understand him and his sudden ideas. She knew, this time, what he was offering without hesitation or speculation. Her cheeks were a crimson red when she remembered that she had no dancing skills whatsoever. She had never been given a lesson in that from Mrs. Forrester.

She gulped and shook her head stiffly. "I, uh, I…dunno…This, um, ain't even a real slow-dance song anyway, right?" She stuttered nervously and pointed a finger in the air, motioning toward the song.

Kaden looked around as though the music floating around them was a solid object and settled on her eyes with a boyish, inviting smile. "It's the slowest thing they've played since we got here."

Jesselynn huffed a breath and chewed on her lip, knowing he was right. It might not have been romantic coupled with soft, heartfelt vocals, but it was the closest thing they had. Still, she had to find a way to persuade him against the idea of dancing. "Still, you want a first dance to be to 'Hey Jude?' It doesn't stay slow, remember?"

'Hey, Jude, don't be afraid,

You were made to go out and get her…'

Kaden noted this and listened to the song already beginning to pick up, slightly. He took the advice given to him through the lyrics and continued to pursuit her. "Well, then why are we wastin' time sittin' here debatin' the matter?" He countered with a wry smile, curling his fingers twice before offering his hand again.

Jesselynn sighed and finally broke down and accepted his offer. Uncrossing her ankles, she slapped her palm in his and allowed his assistance in helping her from her chair. She was glad that there weren't very many people around in the corner of the room they were in, nor could they see the duo very well. She didn't want this being remembered by anyone, possibility not herself or Kaden. It depended on how well the experience was.

'…and anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain

Don't carry the world upon your shoulders…'

Jesselynn arched a brow. She felt like the lead singer was speaking to her, even if the gender he was originally addressing was opposite. Then, she rolled her eyes at herself. The Beatles were not speaking to her or anyone in the building. She was being ridiculous.

Kaden beamed proudly at the fact that he was able to get her to dance as he placed his hand at her waist. Jesselynn's eyes grew wide and immediately as she pushed them apart, hugging her waist. The last time she remembered a man's hand at her waist was not pleasant.

She still remembered Marcus' wandering fingers as he tried to push her into something she was not willing to do. Then, he literally pushed her out of his way after losing his patience with her and stumbled off to bed. Matter of fact, she didn't have a single memory where touch was gentle. It didn't make sense anymore.

Kaden's hands immediately came up defensively, keeping them close to his chest in an attempt to not scare her even more. She hadn't said a single word about herself or her life before, but in that one second he understood why. She didn't have to tell him anything or any details, but he picked up on it.

"I'm sorry; I should've asked if you were okay with it. If you want I could put it on your shoulder or something." He immediately apologized and gave her the space she was, obviously, requesting.

She let her arms slide to a normal position at her sides and looked him over. She never had someone, especially a man, apologize for making physical contact of any kind with her. It was weird and she didn't like it. Something was off; it was the only thing that made sense. "Put it on my shoulder blade. But, if I feel it move, I'm going home, okay?" She suggested with furrowed brows and slowly moved back towards him.

Kaden nodded softly and allowed her to come to him. He let her take his hand and placed it where she thought most comfortable for the both of them. She placed one hand on his shoulder and let him wrap his hand around hers. The song was really beginning to pick up by the time they actually started dancing. Or swaying, in Jesselynn's case.

For the first five minutes, she stared at their feet, praying that she wouldn't mess up and hurt either him or her. She was completely off rhythm and couldn't find a way to get back on it. She hated it, but tried anyway for Kaden's sake. She had already freaked him out a minute ago; she owed him this.

Kaden, finally having mercy on her, chuckled and caught her attention by stopping. She felt embarrassed, thinking that she had run him off by her awful dancing abilities, but was surprised when he just stood there.

Crossing his arms for a moment, he grinned and said, "Take off your heels."

Her face scrunched in her growing suspicion and confusion. She glanced down at her shoes then back at home. "What's wrong with them?"

He chuckled again and dropped his arms. "Nothin', nothin' at all. Just trust me and take 'em off."

She didn't know how and she didn't know why, but she did. She trusted him. Within the next minute, she was able to kick the uncomfortable shoes from her feet and automatically felt three inches shorter. She was almost embarrassed, again, by the dramatic difference in height. "Now what?" She asked, shrugging her shoulders as she kicked the shoes out of the way.

Kaden took a step back, allowing space in between them, and opened his arms. "Now stand on my feet."

All confusion was swept away with a look of, almost, annoyance. He wasn't serious, right? "Kaden, what're you talking about? I don't want to be the one responsible for breaking your feet." She complained, folding her arms across her chest, and waited for him to speak in return.

He ignored her obvious discomfort with the idea and smiled. "Oh, hush. I've trained in the military for years and have been through Hell already, you know that. If I can deal with a gunshot wound in the shoulder, excruciating, emergency surgery, and your God-awful bedside manner, I can handle dancing." He teased with a flirty smile.

Jesselynn scoffed and eventually gave in. She laughed with him and took a step towards him. He took her hands and balanced her once her toes touched the top of his covered feet. He gazed down into her eyes and smiled. "See. Didn't even wince."

She batted her lashes shyly and smiled. As they began to dance again, Kaden practically twirling them around hysterically with the rhythm of the music, she laughed and hollered about as loud as the others. Maybe she was wrong about him.

Maybe not every man she'd meet would be like Marcus. Maybe there were some gentlemen around that actually cared about her well-being and not about the quickest way to share her bed. She didn't trust him with everything, not yet at least, and didn't know her feelings for him, but she let herself relax for the first time in, nearly, twenty years.

As she smiled with Kaden and his over exaggerated singing, she supposed there truly was a first for everything.

Roxanne ran her hands against the wall, searching for the light, and flipped a switch, cursing the pain the light brought to her awful vision in return. She let go of his hand to wander around the room, leaving Justin at the door.

As she went on a mad search for something, he observed the room that Roxanne had been so dead-set on finding, even in her drunken state. There wasn't much to it. It was on the small side with one bed and a desk in the corner. On the desk sat a huge pile of records where Roxanne was now and a record player. The room was so off considering the others they had seen. Every other room was nearly empty with junk stored away in them. Why was this one so different in such a place as this?

Though, as Roxanne flipped through numerous jazz records, he didn't complain. He was, admittedly, growing tired of being with the others in the main lobby and hallways. He was used to the quiet, small life and household so being in a wild party wasn't quite comfortable with him yet. He liked this scenario much better than the one they had just escaped.

Justin sat on the foot board of the bed and watched Roxanne search through the records. Maybe it was the alcohol kicking in and the fact that they were hidden away together, but he noticed that she seemed particularly attractive to him. She wore a short, black dress that came above the knee and showed her back from her shoulder blades-up and sleeveless. Her hair was pulled up in the latest style, but a few strands escaped and tickled the back of her neck.

He stood there, gazing at her barefooted beauty –she had kicked off her shoes earlier that night somewhere in the building—and resisted the urge to walk over, place his fingers at the top of her spine, and play with the wild strands.

He pushed his wild thoughts aside when she finally found a record she was pleased with, placed in the player, set it, and turned back to him. She smiled and came over to him. Justin didn't really comprehend everything that was going on, but didn't force his hand as Roxanne came over, balled her fists gently in his t-shirt, and leaned into him. "Why don'you m-make s'girl's week and dance wifme." She slurred suggestively as the slow, jazz song began to play.

Justin just smiled and complied, allowing her to lead him to the center of the room. They both laughed as the stumbled and struggled to slow dance, but still tried to make it a serious moment as they held each other close, Roxanne laying her head against his shoulder.

'I'm confessin' that I love you

Tell me do you love me too?

I'm confessin' that I need you

Honest I do, need you every hour…'

She didn't realize what kind of song it was, entirely, when she chose it, but smiled as she listened to the words. Maybe these parties weren't such a bad idea like Jesselynn made them out to be. She didn't have to worry about losing Justin out in the middle of the war or one of her friends getting shot or killed spontaneously. She didn't have to think about the family she had waiting for her at home and didn't have to deal with the pain she felt after the thought of her precious daughter alone.

Though she couldn't concentrate on one thought that brought another, previous idea to mind. Before, she hadn't made a decision about it and didn't take it very serious, but now she decided was the perfect time to put that plan to action. She didn't see the harm in it in her state of mind and thought it was quite perfect. It seemed like a win-win-situation on both ends.

'In your eyes I read such strange things

But your lips deny they're true

Will your answer really change things?

Making me blue…'

Roxanne pulled back and stared at his eyes. She always admired them and thought them to be even more gorgeous now that they were the only set eyes she had to behold. A finger trailed his jawline and her thumbnail grazed his bottom lip. She admired his mouth as well. It was thin and straight, yet full. They were chapped and a little dry from the harsh wind and dirt back at the base, but yet she found the alluring. Everything about him was alluring.

She noticed that from the first day she met him. Her first thought was about how attractive she thought he was. His dark, sensitive eyes pulled her in and his easy, friendly personality kept her. She loved everything about him and thought him perfect even though there was no such thing as a perfect human being. She allowed herself to be naïve and think of him as such.

Without another thought, she smiled at him and leaned closer to him. He wasn't able to comprehend what was happening until he felt her lips on his. Shock, of course, was the first thing he felt. Though, he parted his lips and kissed her back, tasting the alcohol left behind. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening their kiss while also balancing herself against him as well. It would ruin everything if she toppled over now.

Though, they both were incapable of keeping balance and tripped over their feet a little, forcing their lips apart. Roxanne nibbled against her lips, still feeling his against them, and took his hand, pushing him back a little.

Justin glanced behind them and realized where she was leading them when he saw the bed. He wasn't really prepared for this and didn't expect it out of her, but decided not to argue against it too much. He wasn't in the mood to be such the gentleman Jesselynn and Mrs. Forrester raised him to be. "You sure you wanna do this?" He said, struggling to pronounce his words right.

Roxanne smiled sweetly at him, touched that he even asked. She kissed him once more before answering him. "W-w-we're grownass adults…right? W-w-w…I can do an'thin' I...w-we want." She stuttered and slurred, trying to keep the mood light and fun as she trailed her fingers along his jawline again and his collarbone.

Justin followed her fingers and smiled. "Okay." He simply replied as their lips met once more and fell back against the bed.

So...a lot of things happened in this chapter. Our dynamic four finally went out on their date. Some interesting things happened...Tell me your take on it all!

Creative Question (which is also the obvious question): What will happen now with the relationships of, pretty much, all the main characters (both included here and back at base)