Long over due. I apologize, there's no excuse. I own nothing.

The plan had been simple, is all good plans are. The plan was wait. There was only one cafeteria officially up and running at this point, and it was being used by the soldiers and civilians alike, so I was just going to wait for the sight of a particular one.

Simple, easy, and straight to the point. That's what it should have been. I misjudged one very important part though. The human element. No matter what the equation is, that always screws everything up.

In this particular situation the human element doesn't have a name. It has many, too many.

It was to crowded. There was to many body's in that room. To many voices, eyes, and hands. It made me jumpy and anxious. So I abandoned the room, and the cup coffee I 'had' been enjoying in its walls. I didn't even bother throwing it away. I just got up, letting my movement push the chair out from behind me, and walked out.

I could feel the eyes watching me is I went, those right around me wondering what it was that made the woman who had been sitting silently by herself react like that. It only made me want to get out of there even quicker.

I thought I could handle it, I was clearly wrong. But to my credit, I had reasons to think I would be okay.

I was around crowds of people at the refugee camp. I got used to there presence, enough that I could tolerate it. I thought it would be the same now. I failed to predict the difference having solid walls around us would make, is opposed to tents and tarps.

Crowds were never an issue for me before, being around people either. It used to be my normal if fact. It was more uncommon for me to want to be alone. It was part of my job, and my personality, and my life in general to be in the company of others. It used to be peaceful and calm my nerves. Now the very the idea of that is so absurd its appalling.

I'm in the park again. I might be turning this into a trend. I know that about me too, i'm a bit of a creature of habit, at least when I'm upset about things. I have or a routine, or at least I did before the world ended. I'm probably making a new one.

But for right now, its a good thing. The parks empty, or empty in comparison to a crowded cafeteria. I can calm down here, which it the whole idea. I just need to breath and let myself calm down and... "miss?..."

I really should have known better. I had just resting my back against a tree and turning my closed eyes sky word, and then that happened. Letting out an annoyed breath between I finish it with a bit of a chuckle before I offer up a response. "yes, can I help you..." and look down again. To a head of red hair. "...soldier?" its the guy from the bus. I'm just having a wonderful day, really I am.

"Corporal Samson ma'am." He says it like I asked, and I fake a bit of a nod like I care, just hoping, but doubting it well make him go away. If he was anyone other then I soldier I wouldn't even bother with that much.

"Apologies miss if I'm disturbing you..." Well at least he has the sense to notice that much. "...but you looked a bit distressed. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I really don't like that question, not because of the words so much is the tone its said in. He sounds a little to hopeful about it. He sounds like a man with a crush, which honestly would be very helpful to my situation IF HE WASNT A SOLDIER. I'm fairly certain that there is a don't sleep with your job clause in place, since every one of them here is on active duty, and we're the assignment.

"Look, thanks for you concern corporal, but..." Then everything just sort of stops right there. The thoughts in my head, my ability to hear, any scents I might small, or feelings in my skin. All of it just sort of pauses, except for my eyes, looking at his. Then it all turns back on with "...you have green eyes."

Its no surprise that he looks confused by that, anyone would look confused by that if they weren't me, and in my head. " Yes? is that a prob...hey?!"

He got half way through the last word by the time I finished pushing myself off the tree and walking away. He's got green he's, he's got green eyes. he had green eyes, he had green eyes. Shit, why'd he have to have that shade, why?!

Its amazing how when your really upset you can be really aware too. His movement made no sound, or gave no real indication, but I knew he was reaching for me before his hand connected and I reacted to it.

I didn't hit him or swing like instinct might want me to, I kept enough sense that punching a soldier was a really REALLY bad idea. But I still swung my body around violently, and yanked my hands away, only remembering to keep my palms open and not make fists in an after thought.

The harsh response surprises him too a bit, but makes him more shocked then defense. "Do not touch me."

But it makes a few of the witnesses a bit defensive. I wasn't alone in the park to begin with, and I wasn't out of eyesight of a few people either. There's a couple closest. A black man and his blonde girlfriend or wife, they look forty and thirty five respectively, and he has her hand in his, guiding her behind him like I might be a threat.

I don't blame him though, not for a second. That's what it is now, the kind of world we live in, the kind of world I never left behind. Raised voice and hostile actions are a dangerous, they're a sign of something deadly. Just a being in a bad mood can be a threat.

"Ma'am?" he is still looking at me, with concern written all over his face, but no longer extending his hand.

Its not the question he asked, at least out loud. "I'm fine... I just..." I roll my eyes at the end. This whole thing is so stupid. "...I shouldn't be here, I gotta go."

I can see him thinking about trying to follow me or stop me again. "I said I'm fine." I tell him a bit firmer this time is I start to back away. "I'm fine, just, just leave me alone."

It actually turns out to my advantage that there were witnesses, because the woman actually serves is a distraction. The worry in her voice when she says her partners name draws the attention of the corporal, and when he turns to reassure her I turn to leave. Breaking into a brisk jog to create is much distance is I can.

He doesn't follow me, or at least I assume he doesn't. I don't stop to check, or stop at all until my lungs protest, as my feet kick up dust and I just let my body sag into the broken conctrete. only the company of dead construction equipment witnesses my defeat by the memory of those beautiful eyes, covered in red and glossing over. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Thomas I'm sorry. I had to, I'm so sorry, leave me alone!"

"Doyle." The day was proving boring is usual, but hearing that voice come over the radio brought some promise with it. "Copy Flynn, whats up?" and some confusion. "your gonna wanna closed frequency for this one man."

"Copy, and go." I answer back once I click the control over, wondering what exactly Flynn thinks important enough to warrant the privacy. "You stupid son of a bitch, what the hell'd you do this time?!" Well, that was a strange reaction.

I'd think he was joking, maybe, if it wasn't for the fact I'm familiar with his tone. "I'm gonna need an explanation here?"

"The woman, man!" I don't respond to that because I don't want to cut of any further response, but the silence on my end of the line makes it clear enough for him to continue. "They busted her for aggressive conduct, and got her locked up in the infirmary."

Shit, Mexico, what the did you do?! "They didn't shoot her did they?!" I've only met this woman once, and I cant even say if that makes me a 'acquaintance' in her book, but she's still a person, so I'm still concerned.

And relieved. "No man. I think she surrendered. It just happened so that's all I got, but you might want to catch the kid who found her, he'd know more."

"Rank and name man." My tones pretty serious and pissed off too, I got a lot of theory's running through my head that the moment based on what little I know about her, and the 'trouble and paradise' one keeps popping up no matter how I try to ignore it. "Corporal Samson..."

His voice cuts off, but ill deal with him being pissed of later. I got things I need to take care of first, the top on the list being knowledge and a conversation. "This is Sergeant Doyle, delta unit. Did anybody get eyes or ears on that civilian disturbance? I need to talk to that kid."

"Copy that sir. " The voice isn't familiar, but I did call dispatch so I'm not surprised "Their still taking his report, you want me to have them hold him for you?"

"Yeah, that would be great. Doyle out."

No pictures for this one really, but I can cheer you all up by telling you that I'm working on the next chapter already.