A/N: The cadence at the end is one that I learned how to sing while I was in training. They're used to keep soldiers in step while marching. On a page, I know it's hard to imagine how that would work or what it may sound like. Listen to a military cadence CD sometime and then read the words again. It'll make a lot more sense.
Ardikani4/AlwaysThere
Not too long after they had taken their seats and strapped themselves in, the big C-17's four jet engines whined to life, coming up to idling speed one by one. Booth struggled to relax the muscles in his back as his legs started cramping due to the confined space. He stifled a groan, knowing that Brennan was going to scold him like a child if he started whining. Why did it have to be a flippin' military flight? He wondered for the umpteenth time as he managed to unlock his knees and stretch his legs a little big.
The crack that echoed out from the lumbar region of his lower back instantly eased the tension in his frame and he let loose with a huge sigh of relief. Ahh, that's much better. Rolling his head back and forth a few times, the big FBI agent settled in and closed his eyes, falling into the realm of unconsciousness as the C-17 taxied to the end of the runway and the engines were revved for takeoff. He was asleep before the aircraft turned its nose to the open skies.
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Booth's snores reached Brennan's ears even over the howl of the engines as the C-17 screamed down the runway. He's asleep already? Unbelievable. Even though she envied him for being able to sleep on the plane, she was relieved that he wouldn't be conscious for the flight. One less thing I have to worry about hiding from him, she thought. Since he's asleep, it's not really like I'm 'hiding' anything.
She was still trying to figure out how to break the news to him. Angela said that I should just be honest with him. She looked at the slumbering FBI agent with tears in her eyes. But this is Booth. This is way more than just 'a' guy. This is THE guy. The one I'm meant to be with. The one I've been hoping to find my entire life. The one that stayed instead of left. The one who loves me more than anything else in the world. The one that would die to save me.
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Unbeknownst to Brennan, every soldier in the cargo hold was aware that she was tense. They looked back and forth at one another, each one wondering what it was the beautiful female anthropologist was so upset about as she stared at the big FBI agent next to her with tears in her eyes. All of them longed to say something to her, to listen to her, to help her. Every single soldier wanted nothing more than to help ease the woman's pain. Strangely enough, it was a private first class in the front of the cargo hold that figured out how to do just that. And all he did was start singing.
It was a military cadence. There was nothing about it that made it any more unique than any other cadence a soldier could be heard singing. But the words of it, and the way they were sung, cut straight into the heart and soul and made all those listening realize just how lucky they were to have made it home. As the private sung each line, all the soldiers in the hold quietly repeated it back to him, creating a smooth, steady rhythm of evenly flowing notes that were perfectly harmonized despite the number of people singing.
Airborne
Ranger
Deep in a battlefield covered in blood
Of an Airborne Ranger dying in the mud
Airborne
Ranger
He fought to keep America free
For the souls just like you and me
Airborne
Ranger
Those silver wings upon his chest
Tell America he's one of the best
Airborne
Ranger
See those Rangers on the roll
They are always good to go
Airborne
Ranger
Look at those Rangers on that hill
Some will come home, some never will
Airborne
Ranger