"Why the hell are you here?" They were sitting inside the shack which was now a little less crowded.

"Well, after that letter you sent I kind of panicked." Adam said truthfully. Drew sat up a little more,

"What about Cathy and Emily?"

"They're ok. I told them I'd be back in a few days and I just wanted to check in."

Drew sighed in frustration, as happy he was to see his brother after weeks of being gone, he wished he could know he was safe at home, "Where are you staying?"

"At this really nice hotel in Kabul. Not too far from here." he rubbed his eyes, "Still not used to the time change." he commented, tired.

Drew sighed once again, while Adam was here, he figured he'd ask, "So…how are they?"

Adam raised his head, almost falling asleep, "A few days after you left, they were better…well, Emily of course is giggling and bubbling as she always should." the two smiled.

"That's good to know." he still felt so weird seeing him like this, as if they were having a conversation in his own living room. He tried to get back into a serious attitude,

"So with that said…when are you going back?"

Adam's eyes widened, "What? I just got here a few hours ago."

"I know! But it isn't safe here!"

Adam started to get furious, possibly by the lack of sleep. "Does the fact that I sat 13 hours in a plane just to make sure you were ok mean nothing to you?"

Drew went to speak but Adam continued, "I wanted to have a little visit with my brother-"

"Adam!" Drew interrupted, "It's not like we're on vacation! I'm at war!"

Adam bit back his tongue.

"And I can't have you here knowing you left Cathy and Emily alone-" Adam suddenly stood up,

"I DIDN'T LEAVE THEM ALONE! YOUDID!"

People stared, some not understanding because they only spoke Persian. Drew sat there, staring at him. While he was actually in deep thought, Adam realized the harshness of his words, he bit his lip,

"…I have to get back to my hotel…y-will you visit me here tomorrow?"

Drew had his head in his hand, he looked up at him one last time, "Of course." he stood up, hugging Adam,

"…I just want you safe."

Adam stood there, rubbing Drew's back, "…I guess I want the same for you."

They pulled away, "I have to get back to base. I love you, ok?"

Adam nodded, "I love you to." after a minute or two, Adam walked out of the shack and took a city bus back to his hotel. After he kicked his shoes off, he fell back onto the uncomfortable bed, staring at the ceiling fan. It wasn't helping much as it was probably 100 and something degrees. He looked at the digital clock, it was 4:34 in the afternoon. If Afghanistan was 8 hours ahead, then it was 8 in the morning or so in Toronto. Adam left at about 2 in the morning and fell asleep for 6 hours of the plane ride. So for the past two days, he had only gotten 6 hours of sleep. Of course while Adam was awake on the plane everyone but him was sleeping. And vice versa.

Now he was too awake to sleep. He still had that horrible hot feeling in his stomach after what he said to Drew. He couldn't get over it. He sighed, closing his eyes. Trying to let it go. For some reason, he started to feel a huge sob start up inside of him. He let a tear or two fall out before shoving them away and forcing himself to stop. He turned to his side, laying on his pillow, trying to swallow these anxious feelings inside of him.

Meanwhile at Drew's base, he had just arrived back and Turner was in a row of men for target practice. As he walked by to go get his gun, Turner snuck out of line and grabbed his arm,

"Hey, where were you this morning?"

"The shack…my brothers here…" he was still in disbelief.

His eyes widened, "Your serious?"

"No, 'cause I love walking in 110 degree heat a mile and back for exercise. Yes I'm serious."

"Woah…that's intense."

Drew sighed, "He told me my family's doing ok…Emily especially…it's as if I've just ran to the store."

Turner patted his shoulder, "Well, you've taught her to be brave…"

Drew smirked, that was Turner's way of 'comfort'. "Thanks."

Turner nodded in sympathy,

"You know Adam…when I saw him he…he looked awful."

"Thank god he's not here for you to say that-"

"No I meant, he looked exhausted…like pale, tired…weak."

Turner nodded, "Ok…"

Drew sighed, "I should've talked to him more, like a visit…he just wanted to see if I was ok…"

Turner spoke, "How long is he staying?"

"Few days…I can make it up to him tomorrow."

Turner patted his shoulder once again, "Well…plan out what you want to say." he rushed to get back in line.

Drew didn't feel helped at all, but for now, he forcefully brushed off the thought and ran back to his shelter to grab his gun.

After hours of target practice it was dusk, and Drew was still shooting with his handgun to get the goddamn bulls eye. Turner was leaning against the flagpole nearby,

"Drew come on! It's getting dark, there's no way you'll be able to hit it!"

He didn't respond, he quickly reloaded and fired, after three more times Turner actually started to get irritated,

"If you keep that up you'll give away our spot!"

Just before Drew pulled the trigger, he put it down, he finally caught his breath and got down on his knees, he'd been standing for four hours straight.

Turner crossed his arms, "You ok?"

"I'm fine…" he took off his helmet, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, "I'm fucking tired!" He was breathing heavily, he sounded like he was suffocating. Turner ran over, he knelt down next to him,

"Dude…" he put a hand on his shoulder, "My god…you look like a worn out piece of work."

Drew wanted to fight back, but he knew that was the truth. He tried to help Drew up,

"C'mon, you need a break-" he pushed his hand away,

"No, I can get there on my own…I'll meet you there." Turner stood there for a second, then walked away, a worried expression on his face.

Drew tried to stand but couldn't. He was barley sitting upright on his knees. Every soldier had a little exhaustion collapse. He assumed it was his turn. While he was supposed to be following behind Turner, he sat there breathing in and out, until the sun was gone.

In Adam's hotel, there was noise in every hall, the clinking of china, maids sweeping down the hallways, conversations in mixed languages. However, Adam didn't hear all of this as he was dead asleep. After nearly 6 years of living in New York, (the city that never sleeps), he learned how to tune anything out. His covers weren't on as he wasn't sure how anyone in Afghanistan would need covers. He twitched a little in his sleep; all he could hear was Drew's voice, telling him to run. To watch out. He heard these words repeat over in over, not sure what he was talking about nor unable to respond. He heard him call his name and that's when he jerked upward in his bed. He took a second to realize nothing happened, and sighed in relief.

He swung his legs off the bed and looked out the window, he could see everything from up there, the city night lights, the towers. It reminded him of New York. How ever in the far distance he could see the trail that would lead to his brother's troupes camp. Adam was thinking about it earlier but put it off as he felt it was impossible.

To fight in the army; with his brother. He felt it was the only way he could worry less about him dying. But he knew nothing of the army. Nothing about guns, codes, signals. Diddly squat.

He was in good shape, but not good enough for the army. If he worked at it he thought maybe something would happen. He closed the curtain and fell back onto his bed. He was about to play the whatever answer he has when he wakes up game again, but he knew exactly what he wanted. He'd go first thing in the morning…and he wouldn't take no for an answer.

-X-

At dawn, Drew woke up in his bed, surprised to find himself there. He sat up to find Turner sitting on the edge of his bed looking at the photo inside his helmet,

"Well someone's up."

He rubbed his head, "When did I get here?"

"You didn't. I found you dead on the ground late last night and dragged your ass here."

Damn…he hoped he actually found the strength and got himself back.

"You wouldn't even budge when I tried to shake you last night."

Drew had a horrible headache. He ignored it as he stood up, "Fuck…I feel like I've been up all night."

Turner chuckled as he turned his helmet around, "That's what you get for wasting your time trying to his a bulls eye."

He rubbed his head again, "Wait…you came back out there looking for me?"

Turner smirked, "Actually, I never went back to the shelter. I stood there behind the wall for three hours. Until you collapsed of course."

Drew had nothing to say.

He had been taking Turner for a pretty laid-back guy. Sometimes too laid back. But he had no idea his friendship meant that much to him. He smirked. He'd never had a friend who cared so much. Not even in high school when it seemed he couldn't be tied any tighter to his friends.

Then again, those friends didn't join the army with him.

A few hours later when the sun was up, the two along with other soldiers were practicing their drilling. They're lieutenant shouting orders as they followed.

"UP STRAIGHT!"

They stood in a salute position,

"GUNS OUT!"

They un strapped their guns throwing them in hand,

"SET AIM!"

They rushed into an aim position.

Drew was the most intense of them. Listening out for every order. As he shouted more orders, he saw two soldiers walk by, in between them…Adam. His head watched him walk by as he mimicked the actions. They were headed to the sergeants office. He was sure he was planning to take Drew out of the army…or something. God knows he hoped it wasn't what he thought it was. They continued, but he kept thinking about Adam.

"Sergeant Cassel?"

He had been making bullet shells, he looked at the two soldiers, "Someone here would like to speak to you." They stepped aside and Adam walked up to him, intimidated by his height.

"Who are you?"

Adam gulped, "My name's Adam. Adam Torres."

His eyes widened, "Torres? Like…"

"Yes sir…I'm Drew Torres's younger brother and I ask you something very important…" he breathed in, "I want to join the army."

Cassel paused for a second, he sat down at his desk, after thinking for about a minute, he scanned Adam's body physique.

"Have you taken JROTC?"

That's what Adam was afraid of, "N-no sir."

"Have you trained at boot camp?"

"No sir…"

Cassel closed his eyes, sighing. He knew he'd be saving his life if he did this…

"I'm happy that…you have confidence…and determination…." Adam licked his lips in nervous meant,

"But?"

"But…I can't do this if you have no experience." he opened the door leading outside, "I'm sorr-"

"No."

Cassel turned around, "What?"

"No." he turned around, horrible desperation in his eyes. "I will not leave…until I know I am in this army!" he stood there…horrified at what would happen if he messed with this guys temper.

Thing was…Cassel didn't have much of a temper…he grew up living the hard life and learned how to be quite patient to say the least.

"Listen…Mr. Torres, you are not qualified-"

"I'm not qualified shit! I'm not going until I'm in this army!" Tears in this eyes, either out of his desperation or fear.

"Mr. Torres-"

"I SAID I'M NOT LEAVING!" He stood there, he realized the tears were out of anger. He breathed heavily, heat rising in his stomach and chest, "I'M NOT! I CAME HERE TO FIGHT! AND IF YOU THINK I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THEN SO BE IT!…BUT I AM STILL GOING TO JOIN THIS ARMY WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!" the two soldiers stared…Cassel stood there, watching the poor boy melt down.

He inhaled…this boy was willing to do anything he thought…even break down and cry in front of the sergeant himself. Adam stood there, breathing heavily as he felt the emotionless tears stream down.

Maybe he didn't have the physical strength…but the mental he began to think…it may work…it'd help to have someone smart and willing…"I have a little test for you."

Adam still stood there, angry tears coming to an end.

Outside all of the soldiers (including Drew) stood in a crowd as Adam stood alone in front of the bulls eye Drew failed to hit the night before. Cassel walked next to him and handed him a gun,

"This is an A-18 pistol. Otherwise known as a handgun." Cassel backed away behind Adam, "Now…lets see how good your range is."

Adam breathed in, the sun glaring down on him, he was exactly 10 feet away from the target. He ignored the people staring at him and held the gun out. Drew watched intensely, trying not to say anything. Adam aimed as carefully as he could for 2 minutes…he was almost positive he had it.

He fired.

A perfect hit.

"Oh my god!" he heard a soldier call. Some of them applauded. Drew sighed in relief…as did Adam. Cassel was impressed. After letting the soldiers finish clapping he spoke,

"Now for drilling!" he walked over to Adam, "Do you know what that is?"

Adam stood there, he'd heard Drew mention it before but he couldn't remember the meaning.

"No?"

Adam nodded.

"It's when you practice shooting and reloading under pressure…people shooting at you from every corner and you can only hold so many bullets at a time."

Drew grew intense again. He knew this was his weak spot…But he had faith in Adam.

"Are you ready?"

Adam nodded, although he was unsure of his decision.

Adam went to raise his gun,

"SET AIM!"

Adam jumped a little, he quickly aimed,

"READY FIRE!"

He fired,

"RELOAD!"

He did as told, as quickly as he could,

"SET AIM!"

Adam quickly went back into position as fast as he could.

"NOW FIRE!"

He shot, beginning to reload as Cassel continued to yell the orders. Adam had never felt to stressed in his life. He did it 15 more times yet he still felt he wasn't getting it right. He repeated these steps for hours until he finally shot one last bulls eye and the target couldn't take any more ammo.

By that point he was breathing heavily. Suddenly Cassel's shadow was over him. He stood next to Adam,

"2.5 seconds…not bad." Adam was still breathing heavily. He walked away. The soldiers watched then looked back at Adam who was still standing there. Drew looked at Adam…he was just as intense as he was. But then Drew realized his worst fear was about to come true;

Adam was in the army.