a/n: I want to thank everyone once again for your reviews and favorites. They feed my soul in ways you will never know. Besides, knowing you guys enjoy the story makes me want to write it all the more. Please keep them coming, my soul hungers. As promised, another day another chapter. Hopefully I can keep this up. Tonight I give you what you've been asking for. Enjoy because it wont last. -evil cackle-

-brittsis

The port was still in the middle of clean up so all space traffic had been rerouted to another part of the colony. The Alliance had set up a temporary dock that allowed shuttle boarding only. The larger ships would remain in orbit while the shuttles went back and forth with the cargo. A pricey and long process but the government was footing the bill. Rae now stood at the end of the dock waiting for her turn at boarding.

"I'll write as often as I can." Rae promised Bodie again and squeezed his hand. She was nervous about her first space flight but also excited. Mindoir was the only planet she'd ever set foot on. She'd never been farther than the edge of the colony. Now she was about to board a passenger vessel and travel to Earth and her new home.

Bodie pulled her in close and put his forehead against hers. They both closed their eyes and stood in silence. More past between the two than any words could ever express in those few minutes. "I'll see you again during your winter break. Time will go by fast and before we know it, you'll be climbing off the shuttle again and I'll be waiting for you."

Rae kissed him softly before stepping away and lifting her bag up.

Rae didn't return home that winter break, nor did she go back for her summer break and the following winter break. Instead she choose to remain on earth and devote her time to her classes. Rae had found her calling at the academy, her favorite class being Military Strategy and Tactics. They had studied past battles and theorized new ones. Her final had been a grueling war against her partner that had lasted three days with herself the victor. She was third in her class overall and was close behind the other two students.

She stayed for the most of the summer again when Bodie's latest letter had called her home. He missed her terribly but was proud in her accomplishments. He wanted to see her and was saving up credits so he could buy a ticket to Earth. Then he had mentioned the gym. Coach wasn't doing well, the eezo spill had caused tumors to form in his brain. The doctors had given the man just months to live and the gym was holding a championship to raise some money for Coach and his family. Rae had filed for leave, employed the academy's shuttle, and left for Mindoir right away.

Rae hadn't told anyone she was coming as she'd have beat the letter anyways. Her shuttle docked and Rae stepped from the shuttle. She took a moment to look around, taking in the sights. It had been two years since she last stepped foot on the colony and nothing had changed. Sure the port was new, being refitted at the crash, but it was still familiar. Her shuttle pilot stepped out behind her and pulled her back from the past. "Where do you want your bags sent Cadet Shepard?"

"One second," Rae unzipped her bag and pulled out her cover, fixing it on her head. She was still in her uniform. After two years of constant wear she felt naked in civilian clothing. "Send it to the hotel please Flight Lieutenant."

She snapped to attention and gave the man a salute before leaving. She broke into a run and used a bench as lift to get over the ten foot fence. There was only one home left for her on Mindoir and she'd be there in ten minutes flat.

The lights were on and the gym was packed full of people. It was fight night and everyone was gathered to watch the assortment of matches going on all day. Mostly it was the gyms students that squared off and tested their merit. Once in a while a neighboring colony would come over to hold a little champion ship or the professionals would stop on their tours. Tonight it looked like a neighboring colony had shuttled over to go head to toe against Mindoir's best. There was two fighters on the matt now, throwing punches at each other. Rae had elbowed her way to the matt and was surprised to find Bodie inside the ring holding his own. He had grown up these last two years and Rae found herself mesmerized as he snuck a punch through the other guy's defense and caused him to stagger back. Before she knew it, Rae found herself yelling herself hoarse as she encouraged Bodie on.

Bodie backed the kid into the corner and let the punches fly. The ref blew his whistle and sent the fighters to their corners as the round ended, saving the kid from further punishment. It was then that Rae got a better look at the fighters' conditions. Bodie's left eye was almost swollen shut and his lip was cut in a couple places. He supported his right side, testifying to a bruised rib or two. The other guy's nose was broken and a cut just above his right eye wouldn't stop bleeding. His left arm hung limply at his side and he winced as his trainer prodded the shoulder, testifying a dislocated joint. The ref had spoke to the medic before returning to the middle and signaling to both fighters. Both boys met in the middle as a mike was lowered to meet the ref's lips. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner by technical knockout." The ref grabbed both boys' arms and allowed the moment to build. "Bodie Astor!"

The room filled with cheers and groans as the ref raised Bodie's arm. Rae watched as Bodie's crew rushed the ring and celebrated, a smile spreading her lips. The Ref thanked everyone for attending and directed them to drive home safely. The fighters left the ring and headed for the showers as people began to head for the exits. Rae pushed through the crowd and headed for the locker rooms, deciding to wait in the hall.

It was almost an hour when the boy emerged from the locker, surrounded by friends and laughing. Rae stepped from the wall and pulled her hands from her pockets. "I seen the fight, very impressive Bodie."

Bodie stopped and turned slowly, not believing his ears. Upon seeing Rae his face lit up, he dropped his gym bag, and rushed to her side. One minute Rae was on her feet the next she was in the air laughing as Bodie spun her around. She lost her breath as his mouth connected with hers in a kiss that ignited something in her gut. Once the need for oxygen became apparent, Bodie pulled away and grinned. "I missed you."

Chuckling, Rae circled her arms around his neck. "I missed you too."

Mindoir had one diner that was run by Grandma Caro. She kept the door open late on fight night so the fighters could grab a bite before heading home. It was a long standing tradition on the colony that no one dared break. The two had headed there, fingers linked as they walked the streets. They grabbed a booth in the back and talked over their food. It was as if nothing had changed. He told her about the colony and she told him about the academy. The talked about their futures and where their lives were heading. It was late when they finally left the diner and then walked the streets.

"How long are you staying Rae?" Bodie finally asked when they stopped under a street light.

"A couple of weeks, I have to be back for the new semester on the first." Rae watched the disappointment distort his face and felt guilty for not coming home sooner. She reached up and cupped his cheek lightly, when he didn't look at her she pulled away and walked into the shadows. "Do you know why I couldn't come home?"

"No."

"When I left, after the excitement died down, I hurt. I never thought leaving everything behind would hurt so much. So I threw myself into my work. I studied and worked hard, clawed to the top of my class and kept my head down. Before I knew it winter break was here but it's only two short weeks. The thought of coming home, being teased, then having to leave again was too painful. I had just masked the pain, I couldn't reopen the wound. It was easier to stay at school, cowardly even." Rae chuckled nervously. "I did the same for every break that followed, not wanting to experience that pain again. Then I got your last letter and knew how stupid I had been. There is only one reason to suffer through the parting and that's the reunion and I was denying myself that pleasure."

She stepped back under the light and grabbed his hand, placing it over her heart. "I came home Bodie, for a couple weeks because I could spend it with you."

Bodie turned to her, eye brow raised. "What are you saying Rae?"

"Remember what you asked me two years ago? You asked where I could see us going and I didn't know the answer. I do now." Rae smiled and raised his hand, kissing his palm, "I see it right here, together forever. Give me two years Bodie, two years and I'll come home for my leave before boot. We'll make our choices then."

"Two years Raegan Shepard, then I'm hunting you down." Bodie warned before pulling her in. He placed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.