I apologize for the fact that this took so long and that the writing is rushed and sloppily awkward.

Week 5

I'd avoided Jade, and her me, for the past few days. Anytime we saw each other I made sure to either walk the other way or pretend to get into an intense conversation with Puck. It was foolish really, that we are so childish, but still I can't seem to approach her. It's just so… awkward. God, I feel like I'm in High School.

"We're traveling in teams today," Commander Reid announces. I cross my fingers and hope to any magical being out there that I'm not paired with Jade, Faye, or Haley and Tara.

"Evans and Conant." I glance over and see the two size each other up. This'll be interesting. Adam Conant is an intense, no nonsense guy. He just wants to serve his nine months for the money and then return back home to the love of his life, Cassie. Sam is a little too… playful for him. He's always doing these weird imitations of people, that aren't very good.

"Puckerman and Puckett." A few people get a snigger-like grin on their face but keep it in. Puck looks at Sam, slowly eye-fucking her, and Sam just glares at him.

"Shay and Valentine."

"Chamberlain and Meade." Relief floods through me as Faye is paired up with Diana Meade. Thank God it's not me.

"West and Vega." Dread runs through me as I glance d own awkwardly at my feet. I refuse to look her in the eyes, even if that seems disrespectful. It's just so awkward! Damn it mystical force that just wants to screw me over.

"McDonough and Trager."

"Parker and Watson." The names continue but all I focus on is West and Vega. I'm getting paired with Jade West, the girl who saw me making out with resident badass Faye Chamberlain. Agh!

"Now, split up into your teams and scope out the area, I don't want any surprises. If you find something radio it in." Commander Reid taps his earpiece and then quickly takes off with Finn dutifully by his side.

As I stand their, waiting for I don't even know what, Jade eventually barks, "Vega, are you coming or not?"

"Yes ma'am." I scamper off in the direction of her voice but still refuse to look up.

About a mile underway of investigating for minefields, hired shooters, or any other booby traps Jade eventually spoke up. "Things don't… have to be awkward between us, soldier."

"Awkward… about what?" I ask, trying to remain professional and failing miserably.

"You and I both know what I'm talking about. Don't pretend you haven't been avoiding me for quite some time."

I'm left speechless. What do I say now? "Um…okay."

"It's okay. We're cool," says Jade with a smile. "So… you and Faye?"

"There is no me and Faye. You said no and I'm respecting your wishes as my Sergeant," I say obediently.

"Oh," says Jade, shocked. "That's… good." And I swear, as she walked away I saw a hint of a smile brace her gorgeous, dirt-laid features. I wonder why she cares so much?

Week 6

We lost Adam Conant, Carly Shay, Mark Sloan, Lexie Gray, and Dyson Thornwood in a small ambush last week. Nothing's the same.

Week 7

We set up camp in the middle of a barren land. A few bodies littered the clearing and some old gunpowder was covering the Earth in a thin layer. However it had been marked off as completely safe and so we set up camp. There wasn't any water around, which I found sad because then I couldn't watch any girls. As soon as I thought it I scolded myself for being so perverse, but the mind thinks what the mind thinks.

"Thank God we're here, I'm so exhausted," comments Cat.

"A soldier never rests," comments Jade harshly.

"Of course, I just meant—"

"I know what you meant," Jade cuts in roughly. "That your tired and you think that because we're stopping it means you can rest. You must always be aware. You have no idea when we're going to get hit."

"Yes," Cat responds meekly.

Jade nods her head in approval. "Good. Now go unpack."

A few more minutes pass before somebody calls out, "MAIL!" The entire squadron rushes out, hoping that there's a letter from their loved ones.

"Conant!" Adam struggles to the beginning of the line.

He opens it hurriedly and announces, "It's from Cassie!" Half of the guys laugh and half of them cheer.

"Shay?"

"She's dead," Sam responds hollowly, I'll take it though. I know Spencer and Freddie. The mail guy hands her the letter, even though it's technically against protocol.

"Vega?" I rush up to the front and grab the letter. It's from my mother and father! I quickly rip open the while manila envelope. As I scan over the letter they wish me their best and ask how it's going and they talk about how it's going on their end, etc. They ask how my leg is doing and whether I've made any friends.

"Anybody got a pencil?" I holler out, eager to write them back.

"Yeah," responds Puck. He throws me the pencil and as my head lowers I see Jade, eyes watery, as she stares down at her letter.

"Jade?" I ignore all thoughts of replying to my parents and focus solely on my captain.

"What is it Vega?" She barks.

"Is there… something wrong?"

"My best friend, Moose, is dead."

Week 8

Jade's been grieving for her best friend for the last week and nobody has been brave enough to approach her. The people that have tried have ended up with a black eye or worse.

Time to suck it up Vega. She's clearly suffering. She needs a friend and the only one she had here just died. "Um… hey there," I say, sitting down next to Jade.

"Go away," she responds roughly. I can see a few tears gliding down her face but she doesn't sound or look like she's been crying otherwise. Her voice comes out harsh but I know that behind those clear eyes she's suffering.

"I'm so sorry about Moose," I say. "I would've loved to meet him."

"He probably would've loved you," Jade responds, a hollow laugh ringing out despondently across the ground.

"I have that affect on people," I joke lightly.

Jade doesn't respond for a while, making me nervous. "I just can't believe he's gone."

"He didn't deserve it," I remark.

"She didn't," Jade agrees furiously. "He's back at home, trying to have a normal life supporting his kids. I'm the one on the battlefield. It should've been me." She kicks at a bucket and I back up a little bit. "It should've been me." She gets up and kicks at her backpack. "It should've been me! It should've been me! It should've been me!" At this point she's rampaging the entire camp.

Instinctively, I run to her and pull her into a hug, both pulling her back and attempting to tame her. She struggles against me but I don't give up. The entire camp stares at us, I need to get all eyes off of her. I t takes a minute or two but I eventually pull Jade into my already set up tent. She's still struggling for me to let her go and thoroughly crying her eyes out but she's more docile than before.
I rub her arms gently and whisper soothing words in her ear for minutes as Jade slowly but surely calms down. "It should've been me," she finally whispers, spent and exhausted.

"Jade," I turn her to face me. "You are a beautiful, smart, brave, intimidating, incredible, confident, inspiring, compassionate person. Don't you ever say that you should be dead again."

Jade stares at me in silence, as if contemplating my words, analyzing them to see if I'm genuine. "Thank you," she replies, eyes still glazed over with unshed tears. We both know what's about to happen. We can tell. It's just one of those things. She leans in closely and our lips meet and our auras connect. It's magical. She tastes like dirt, grime, mint, and salty tears. Her hand grips my neck, pulling me closer, and my hands tangle in her hair.

"I've wanted to do that since I first saw you," Jade murmurs against my lips. We reconnect and I feel like I'm in heaven. Nothing could ever separate us. We are meant to be. My legs tangle in with hers and things heat up. Her tongue slips past my lips and a battle far greater than this war begins. I, surprisingly, win. I lean her back onto the 'floor' of the tent, kissing down her neck, coming closer and closer to her shirt. Her hands reach to my sides and practically rip my shirt off, leaving my tank top.

"This sounds stupid, but I think I may love you," I admit.

Before she can respond the sound of unstoppable bombs whirr our way.

BOOM! VZIP! BLAM!

An array of bombs falls, massacring my comrades.

"Take Cover!"

"Run!"

"Get Ready!" I can hear the sounds of our defensive unit getting ready to fire back at the unknown targets.

Jade pushes me off of her and I grab my shirt and gun, throwing her my spare. The two of us hurry out of the tent only to be surrounded by unmanageable wreck and rubble.

"Commander Reid!" Jade shouts out. The two of us run for the nearest cover. On the way, we pass the bodies of Sam Puckett and André Harris. I send up a silent prayer for them, may they rest in peace.

"Friendly fire, coming in, two clicks," Puck calls out. Thank God he's alive!

Jade and I jump for cover, but Jade's the only one that avoids the shot.

"TORI!" She yells, panic filling her voice.

"Goodbye Jade," I say. I know there's no hope for me. I'm bleeding too much and the shot hit me perfectly, right through the heart.

She grabs my hand. "I know I love you too." It's the last thing I hear.