Miles knocked on Ben's door, but all he could hear were voices and some background music. He turned the door knob and the door opened. There were like twenty odd people standing around in the living room and dining area, all immaculately dressed. At least compared to the rough cargo pants and checked shirt he had on. He took a quick glance around the room, and saw Ben talking to a flawlessly dressed and groomed, blonde lady. Not that she needed to be, as she was quite striking on her own without the accessories. Either she was truly beautiful, or else it was the effects of four months of deprivation of female companionship at the oil rig. Ben had his back towards Miles and did not see him. Miles carefully inched his way through the groups of people to where Ben was.

"Hey, Benjamin," Miles began.

Ben turned before he could continue. "Miles! What are you doing here? You were supposed to arrive only on Sunday," he said and then gave his brother a quick hug.

"Yeah, but we completed the work earlier, so I took the earlier flight. Actually we ran into some issues with the machinery at the rig, so had to stop. I have to be back there in about a week or so," Miles explained.

"Well, a weeks' good. We can catch up," Ben smiled. It had been too long since he last saw his brother, and he welcomed the visit.

"I see you have company,' Miles eyes trailed to the blonde lady who had been watching them with keen eyes.

Ben turned to Rachel and said, "oh yes, Rachel, this is my wayward brother, Miles. Miles, Rachel Mitchell, my co-worker at Defense Resources. If you'll excuse me for a while, I need to catch Pete before he leaves."

Since that first moment, Rachel knew she had met her match in life. As Miles stared and then smiled, she was lost. He did not look a lot like Ben, but as they chatted, she noticed some mannerisms that both brothers shared.

It seemed peculiar where their conversation was leading to as they were practically strangers, but the conversation seemed to flow so easily with them. Soon it felt like they were old friends, and the only two people left in the room, although they were surrounded by voices and laughter.

"Let me get you a drink and let's go to a quieter part of the house," Miles suggested after a few minutes. "I thought working on a rig was loud, but this is ridiculous."

"So, you work with Benjamin…..," he let his last sentence linger.

"Yes, we work on the same project, and actually we're here today celebrating the grant renewal for another 5 years," Rachel expounded.

"So you just work together…..you're not, you know," he fished.

Rachel gave him her typical half smile. "No, we are not, you know. We are just good friends."

"In that case, have dinner with me tomorrow," Miles said, while holding her captive with his eyes.

"And I thought the purpose of your visit was to catch up with your brother," Rachel questioned.

"So, he'll have my undivided attention from 7 to 7. I'll pick you at 8," he said without hesitation.

...

"Thanks for a great dinner. I had a wonderful time," Rachel said when Miles was walking her to her front door.

"The night is still young. How about you inviting me in for coffee?" Miles hoped.

With a quizzly look, Rachel stated "you don't drink coffee."

"I'm not fussy, I'll take whatever you are offering," he gave her that charming smile.

"Miles, first of all, you and I know that if you step through that door, you're not going back to Ben's place. And secondly, I don't invite strange men into my house after a first date."

"Well, you must admit, we got to know each other much more last night then during any first date. And I did get you a drink, so technically that could count as a first date."

Rachel laughed, unlocked the door and pulled Miles into the house, claiming defeat with a "you win."

...

"Miles, you have not told Rachel that you have to leave for Iraq at the end of the summer have you?" Ben asked worriedly. "You know her history with the Military. You have to tell her."

"Oh, Ben, we'll work it out when the time comes," Miles responded, but getting worried.

"Miles, I have warned you not to hurt her. Her mother left her family because she could not spend life as a military wife. Then she lost her father and brother to the military. I'm telling you this is serious."

"You sound like you are in love with her yourself," Miles accused. Looking at his brother, he stated, "you do love her."

Ben could not look directly into his brother's eyes, "she loves you," he said quietly. "So you have to talk to her and tell her. She thinks you are heading back for the rigs. I tell you that she is very sensitive about the military."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. But you know that this is something I have to do, where I have to go. It's not forever, she'll wait," he said trying to convince himself that this is what Rachel would do. After a few minutes, he picked up his coat and said, "I'm going over to Rachel's now."

...

"Miles, hi, what's up?" Rachel, planting a kiss on his lips, asked in surprise. "I thought you were running errands with Ben today."

"We have to talk," Miles responded quietly. He did not waste any more time and explained everything to her, that he had to leave for the Marines in two months' time and will be heading back to Iraq. "I signed up for another term, but I'll be done in 6 years."

Rachel was quiet for what seemed a very long time, even if it was actually less than a minute. "I thought you said you were done with the Commandos when you joined the oil rig two years ago."

"Yeah, I was," Miles explained impatiently, "but you know what's happening today. I need to be there." He paused, "Rachel, listen to me," Miles said, holding her face and looking into her eyes, "I love you. And I will be back. And I promise, I am not going back there again. Wait for me."

"Yeah," Rachel pushed away his hands and turned around, "I've heard that before." "They always go back," talking to herself more than to Miles. She turned back to face Miles. "We have been together for three months, and you are telling me this now? You know how I feel about the military, you knew! I know how long it takes to confirm a deployment. You must have known about this weeks or months ago."

Miles moved forward to touch Rachel, but she moved back. "No, step back, please. I can't do this, Miles. I am not living through that life again, not ever."

"Rachel, please," he pleaded.

She was shouting now, and she hardly ever raise her voice, "Don't. Stop, just stop. If you leave for the Marines, Miles, we are done. I am serious. I swear, it's over."

"Rachel, please, listen to me, this is something I have to do, where I have to go now. Please understand." Miles pleaded further.

Very calmly Rachel walked over and opened her door. "You can go, go to your Marines, go and do whatever your conscience tells you to do. Just don't expect me to follow you."

And Rachel never saw Miles again until after the blackout.