Canada - six months later.
They had had their fill of war zones for a while and then they were asked to do a piece in Canada. Casey jumped at the chance to be home for a while, although they wouldn't be close enough to stay at their parents or their own flat, but she hoped they might get a few days at home when they were done.
The assignment was harder than she thought. The subject matter was the children of drug addicts. They visited a series of institutions from hostels to foster care homes to hospitals to do their research.
It was a harrowing month. The lowest point came when Ariel, a four year old, pathetically named after the mermaid by her sixteen year old addict mother, finally died from the effects of her own addiction. They had grown attached to her over the course of their research. She had had dark hair, dark eyes and reminded them both of a young Marti, although neither of them vocalised that thought.
When they reached their motel afterwards, Derek didn't even ask her if she was upset.
He stopped the car, took the keys from the ignition and they both sat there, for a long time.
He took a deep breath and broke the silence. "I'm going to order pizza and beer. You want in?"
Casey nodded, incapable of speech.
"I'll unlock my side of the door, come through when you are ready." He added, getting out of the car.
They had adjoining rooms at the motel with a communicating door. The desk clerk had recognised a "player" and a hot chick when he saw them.
For once Casey was grateful for the misunderstanding. After she had showered, it meant she could change into pjs and go through into Derek's room without showing the world her nightwear. Derek didn't count.
He was sprawled on the bed, his hair also wet and pjs on. He patted the bed beside him and Casey climbed up next to him, her face drawn.
The pizza arrived then and they ate in silence. Casey hated the way the food and alcohol made her feel slightly better.
"Sleepover?" Derek asked finally, looking fifteen again. Casey nodded.
They cleared the bed of pizza boxes, cleaned their teeth and then she was back in his arms for the first time since Afghanistan.
Derek lay back against his pillow and let her head rest on his shoulder. Her hair, tickled him slightly, but not enough for him to move her. When the tears started, he used the side of his thumb - the rest of his fingers linked in with hers- to brush the wetness away from her cheek. He said nothing. He couldn't speak either. When he closed his own eyes he saw Marti.
At least they both smelled better this time.
With an agreement unspoken, they packed up their equipment the next morning and spent the next week with Marti and their family at their childhood house.
He caught Casey in the early hours one night, standing at her step-sister's bedroom door, watching Marti sleep. He slipped an arm around Casey's waist and they watched the sleeping young woman for a brief moment. Then he pulled Casey away and led her back to her own room.
"Stay." Casey asked. He nodded and for the first time in his life, spent a (chaste) night in that elusive bedroom in his parent's home. She didn't cry this time, just snored gently in his ear.