Chapter 1

8 years later …

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.'' Kevin's mother repeated the rest of his family following her lead. He felt very out of place with them all surrounding him, but it was to be expected on his big day. He was turning twenty-six today and as always on his birthday his mother over did it and nearly embarrassed him with her cuddling she had invited the whole family and the neighbors as well. But he wouldn't have it any other way, his mother had the whole house basically wrapped in streamers and balloons covered the ceiling in bright reds, blues and greens.

His father was smiling a beer in his hand laughing at his wife as she fussed over Kevin who was trying to pass the plates around so everyone could have a slice of cake which took up most of the table. "Don't worry yourself with that I'll take care of it this is your day.'' She said taking the stack of plates from him and passing the rest out. He sighed there was no arguing with her and true to her word his mother had the plates all passed out and was cutting the large vanilla cake she backed covered in a nice white frosting. She cut him a large slice knowing his sweet tooth she continued to cut the cake and he slowly slipped away into the living room to eat.

His cousin Captain Emily joined him, both he and his cousin were the only ones in the family in the Corps the others thinking the service to ghastly for their liking. Emily had been made a captain a few months ago she was only fifteen when she had run away from her abusive father who after losing his wife became a drunken monster and a very big potato who did absolutely nothing with his life.

Emily had run first to her uncles who sent her back to him since they wouldn't have anything to do with her since her father cheated them out of a business deal and would have nothing to do with him since. Then she ran away again and straight to the Corps who quickly took her in,of course they had to check with the family since the law under the Dragon Enrollment Act was that no individual under the age of 18 could join the corps without a parent or guardians consent and if neither could be found and no other family could be located then the individual was allowed to stay.

Kevin's parents had gained custody of her and had tried to persuade her to come home and since her father was in jail for who knows what he could never hurt her again. But she wouldn't have it she was fifteen and was well in the service and had made it clear that she was staying and they could only wish her luck.

It was then that she'd been given a promotion after she had helped in a flood search and rescue operation, she had saved two men from drowning when she had spotted them holding onto a fallen tree she was the only one close enough to reach them she had taken a deadly plunge from a roof top to secure a rope to them and have them all hauled out by a Alaman from above.

Her daring rescue had given her the greatest award the chance at a dragon egg, they had a young Winchester ready for her and she immediately accepted it and had gotten Charlie not three months after her sixteenth birthday.

She smiled at him "Well how does it feel to be the big hero of the day?'' she said as she ate her cake, he was half way done with his. " It doesn't seem any different than last year.'' And she rolled her eyes "I'm not talking about the party, although I must say Aunt Elsie has out done herself again. But I was speaking of the fire at Largo I understand you helped rescue five kids.'' She said sipping her coke before setting it down on the table on the coaster since his mother hated rings on the table. "Oh, that I was only doing my job as everyone else.'' He simply said finishing his plate there had been a small fire nothing really big at an office building and his flight was called in to help in rescue and help put on the flames from above Kevin had lead a rescue team to help some trapped children in the playroom of the building it was all done quickly with no one injured or hurt. "I'd say you might have made a good impression on the Admiral.'' She added and then stood up "I must check on Charlie I'm sure he would like a small slice of cake.'' She said and he stood up as well and followed her outside into the warm sea air.

The house was right next to the beach but had a large field which could fit at least three other dragons, Charlie the Winchester was sleeping soundly in the field and lifted his head and nearly tripped himself under his own wing trying to get at Emily who laughed " Clumsy thing.'' And helped him get his barrings "I'm sorry I was sure I had it pinned to my back. Oh well, what is that sweet smell?'' he asked tilting his head towards Kevin who was holding a large slice of cake for him. He offered it to Charlie who in one fierce chop had the whole slice in his mouth and swallowing it in one gulp icing covering his nose and mouth which he quickly licked off.

"Oh that is good I like it very much may I have some more?'' he asked and Emily offered him the piece she had laid on the grass and he took his time eating it taking his time to lick the icing before finishing the rest. Charlie was a funny little dragon he was only three months old and was still growing his wings were still darkening to a dark purple but he was greatly proportioned although he was a bit clumsily and was to curious at times and when he wasn't poking his nose into something he was sleeping.. " Are we going back to the Covert soon I must tell Brinsop and the others about this I'm sure he's never tasted cake before.'' Emily patted his side "Not yet will be staying the night and I'm sure Brinsop can wait to learn about your discovery.'' She scratched his chin as he huffed "Oh alright well I'm still tired.'' He said and curled up again and yawned showing off his dagger like teeth that could easily slices through him if he wanted to. "Rest then love, ill check on you in the morning.'' And she kissed his nose and he rumbled happily before shutting his golden eyes and drifted back to sleep.

They watched him sleep and then turned to look at the ocean the night breeze welcoming, "Are you not happy with your promotion?'' Emily asked meaning his promotion to first lieutenant on Brinsop a few months ago.''

He didn't answer right away he was indeed happy with his promotion and the other awards he had received over the nine years he'd been in the service, he was quite stocked in the bank and had many things going for him after the Twin Tower attack both He and Chris who he'd saved were promoted to wingmen and then were put on the waiting list for dragon eggs so they were told.

He had of course brought the subject up many times to Captain Aimee who never heard anything but told him to keep his chin up and just keep waiting. But how long did she expect him to wait, he sighed "I am of course but I feel no closer to a dragon egg of my own then I did before.'' He said finally getting the weight off his chest. He had tried to stay away from the subject since he was envies of Emily who was already a Captain and hire then rank then him despite her age. But she was the only one around that was suitable for Charlie's egg at the time.

"Your chance will come soon cuz.'' She said and patted him on the back he smiled "Thanks I needed that.'' They both laughed and looked at the calming sea.

"Kevin phone call for you!'' Elise shouted from the kitchen, Kevin and Emily were watching TV. , in the living room he got up from the couch and went into the kitchen, Elise was holding his corps cellphone a special designed phone made for the corps making it easier to communicate on dragon back, his was black and red with a dragon in flight as his cover. She handed it to him a returned to cleaning the dishes. Putting his ear to the phone he gave a quick "Hello?'' and he was answered by an older man's voice "Hello is this Kevin Heart I'm speaking too?'' he asked and Kevin replied "Yes it is how may I help you sir?'' and the man laughed "Well lad this is Admiral Omar of the Keys Covert. And I would like to talk to you about something important. I know this is your two week leave and I hate to interrupt it but it's dreadfully important.'' He said and Kevin pondered "What could he want with me?'' he asked himself then shook his head once he'd gotten through to himself that he hadn't done anything wrong " Yes of course sir as it turns out I'm coming back tomorrow, I was only visiting family.'' He said and the Admiral chuckled " No need to explain yourself tomorrow morning is just fine good night and Happy Birthday.'' And he hung up.