Tanis now eighteen laughed as the newest ODST recruits followed behind her. Many of them were having trouble keeping up except for one. The brother of the man who had tried to save her Liam MaCallister. Like his brother he had been on her heels for most of the run. She stopped a moment she stepped out into the clearing where she had been taken so many years ago. Tanis smiled as she heard footstep getting closer and with that jumped and slid through the glassed clearing. She looked over her shoulder as she got to the other side waving before she took off again through the trees. She heard the other cadets swearing ready to give up as Liam laughed at them. Tanis knew he would get them keep going. She kept running wondering how many would make it into squads this year and just how many would end up and Helljumpers like Liam was. With that thought she pushed harder wanting to make these boys work for their spots. As she saw the finish she could hear them getting closer. With smirk on her face she slid across the finish as he dad shook his head.
"Good job Tan." He said laying a hand on her shoulder as he looked down at his watch. "New record demon."
"Thanks dad." She said taking the canteen from Johnson who was now a three star general.
"Keep it up kiddo you've helped give us some of the best ODST troops the UNSC has seen in a long time." He said as he watched the newest group make their way across the line many huffing and puffing as they had just tried to keep up with a Spartan. They waited as the last stragglers made their way in. "Alright boys once we have you'll know whether or not your in." Johnson said a warthog pulled up. Tanis waved seeing Riley driving, after the incident on Reach had been requisitioned by Johnson as part of his staff. Riley waved back as the General got in before he sped off to who knows where.
"Hey…" Tanis smiled as Liam wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Hey you coming to dinner tonight?" She asked looking up at him.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world but before that I want to ask you something?" He said pulling a small black box from his pocket. Tanis was shocked knowing how protective her dad was of her. She looked over at him as ran a hand over his head. His back was to her as he looked out over the course. "We've been together for four years now and you are the most important thing in my life. Though it was a near tragedy that brought you into my life I can't imagine it without you now. Will you marry me?" He asked opening it to reveal a simple titanium ring with a band of pure opal running down the center. She gasped knowing that it had been her mothers.
"Yes Liam." She whispered knowing that her father approved.
He will keep you well child. Tanis smiled as Themis's voice ghosted across her mind. Liam smiled as he slipped the ring on her finger before kissing her sweetly.
"Now come on kids we got a dinner to get to." John said making his way over to them. "You take care of her Liam." He said as he put a hand on her cheek.
"I will sir." He said looking to Tanis before they made their way over to the waiting warthog. As they drove off Tanis smiled. Her family was all together and now there was another joining the Spartans. Life was good and all was right thanks to Spartan valor.