He tried to swallow but it felt like a rock had settled in his throat. Forcing his saliva down almost hurt and he felt as it moved from his mouth down into his esophagus. He hoped not to move as he heard the slight wrapping of knuckles on glass but knew he had failed.

His mind flashed to Africa and a close call that almost cost him everything. The sound of his own voice yelling for help echoed in him and the feeling that no one was coming to his rescue persisted. Fighting with everything he had when finally Sonny stepped up and finished the fight in his favor. But that feeling of desperation lingered for months. Still lingered now. Constantly just below the surface about to make him scream. And here he was with that damn knock on the window feeling again like an animal caught in a trap about to snap with no help in sight.

Pepper growled from backseat as the air conditioner blew at full blast. He knew he should give her a command, knew she was reacting to his emotions, but he allowed her to show her teeth. The bark startled them both and caused him to silence her before finally acknowledging Trent standing next to their Commander's jeep.

Brock tried to hide the tremble in his hand as he reached out leaning over to the driverside door handle shoving the door open with little care. "Get in if you're going to, you're letting the heat in."

Trent hesitated long enough that Brock was reaching back out to pull the door shut before Trent finally slid into the driver's seat. His hands naturally sat at the bottom of the wheel resting while still griping it. His eyes glanced to the right, to a man he had considered his younger brother for at least a decade. Guilt washed over him as he imagined Brock standing in his bedroom staring at his dress uniform ironed and ready.

"I'm sorry Brock." He whispered the words.

"Let's not do this. Not right now." Brock looked out the window.

"I just need you to know I wish it was different." Trent looked to him with his voice quiet.

"Oh well I guess it's all good then. You're sorry." He shook his head. "You wish things were different well then! No worries because you're sorry. We can all just go back to our lives now huh?" Brock's voice was anything but a whisper.

"You have every right to be upset." Trent's hands tightened on the still steering wheel.

"Fuck. Well thank you for allowing me to be upset. How kind of you." Brock turned slightly in his seat so he was just barely facing Trent.

"That's not what I meant. At all. Come on Brock. You know that and you know this wasn't about you." Trent spoke without thinking.

"You're right. It wasn't about me." Brock opened the door and stepped out slamming it as he went.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Trent's yell drew attention as he stepped from the jeep.

Brock spun back around with balled fists. "What Trent? What do you want here? Do you want me to say it's all good that you decided to hike off into the fucking woods to die, just because you didn't? That it's all good that we've buried two brothers in as many years and you were going to be the third? It's NOT okay." Brock stepped forward as Trent stepped slightly backward. "Do you think you're the only one who's not okay? Did it ever occur to you that we've all been in the suck for what has been way too long and you aren't the only one who is struggling? Metal and Clay were my brothers too. You aren't the only one... but you are the only one who walked into the damn woods so if you'd kindly fuck off so I can get my dog and get home I'd appreciate it."

Trent stepped back as the rest of Bravo and Eric hurried over to where a scene was now being made. "I'm sorry Broccoli."

"Don't. Just fucking don't." Brock turned to Blackburn. "Can you take me home?"

"I can." He spoke to Brock who was moving back toward the jeep before turning to Jason and nodding toward Trent. "Do not leave him alone."

"Wasn't planning on it." Jason responded putting his hand on Trent's shoulder. "You ready to head home?"

A/N~ I hope people are enjoying this piece. Reviews and interactions are appreciated.