Disclaimer: No I don't own Red Dawn. If I did Matt and Erica would've totally hooked up in the 1984 version.

Love Is A Battlefield

Matt sat shirtless on the table as Mason carefully removed his bandages. He was slightly nauseated by the sight of the blood, it was trickling. Erica stood behind Mason, practically breathing down her grandfather's neck. She was chewing her lip nervously, and playing with her hands. Jed leaned against the doorway, he smiled, but his eyes were full of concern.

Erica had to look away once the bandages were removed, she covered her mouth with her hand, "Oh God, Mattie…you really should've been more careful."

Mason responded to her without turning around, "Now now, he saved all of our lives by doing what he did." he placed the gauze on the wound, Matt hissed, "Now son, hold that there, keep the pressure applied."

He grunted, "Ah, but it hurts like hell.." but he complied.

Erica turned back once more, this time covering her face, she peeked between her fingers. She watched as Matt's face contorted into a snarl, "Damn!"

Mason let out a chuckle, "This was slightly easier before, when you were unconscious, didn't really have to worry about the reaction."

Matt looked at his brother, "Jed quick! Knock me out!"

Jed snorted, "Ah suck it up junior."

Matt slumped, "Thanks bud."

"Yeah anytime, hey! How about after you're patched up we go have a guys night out with Danny?"

Matt watched Mason wrap the bandages around his torso, and nodded, "Sounds like fun. Can we get a bite to eat?"

Erica turned to Jed, lowering her hands, "What about me?"

Jed smirked, "What about you?"

"Why aren't I invited?" she asked.

Jed shrugged, with a smile, "I don't know. Maybe if you were a guy, you'd be allowed to come along."

Erica crossed her arms and stared at Matt, more so his wound, even with fresh bandages, the red stain progressively grew bigger. It was really starting to bother her. Mason packed up the first aid kit, "I'll get you another shirt son."

Matt nodded, "Thanks Mr. Mason."

When her grandfather left the room, she stood directly in front of Matt, her eyes narrowed dangerously as she eyed his red stain. He gripped the edge of the table, looking right back at her, "What?"

She pulled him into a tight hug, "Why couldn't you have been more careful?" she whispered.

Matt looked at his brother, rubbing her back comfortingly, "Well, I shoot with my right hand, I wasn't really thinking about the kickback. I was more worried about keeping us all safe."

Jed gave him a thumbs-up and walked out of the room, she sighed, "Thank you.."

He laughed, "What for? All you've been doing is worrying."

She pulled back a bit to look him in the eyes, "For taking care of my grandparents."

He almost shrugged, but the tingly throb from his shoulder stopped him, "I kind of had to, I mean they've done a lot for us."

Mason returned, "Now Matt, how many times do I have to tell you, that it was you kids that did more for us. Quit getting me into debt." he smiled.

"Sorry sir."

"Here," he handed him a fresh shirt and left.

"Uh…Erica?" Matt looked at her a bit sheepishly, "Could you? Please?"

She smiled and rolled her eyes, "Sure."

She helped him into the shirt, "Thanks."

"Yeah." she fluffed her hair anxiously.

Matt slid off the table and leaned against it, crossing his arms, "So word is, you've got my varsity jacket?" he quirked a brow, with a mock look of suspicion.

Erica blushed lightly, "Yeah, do you want it back?"

He tilted his head, as he thought about it, "Eh, temporarily. I don't think the locals would appreciate me wearing camo from the enemy."

She laughed, "Probably not. I'll go get it."

He stopped her, grabbing her arm, "Hey, how about I make it up to you?"

Erica smiled and looked at him a bit confused, "Make up for what?"

Matt smiled back, "Well, you know, for making you all stressed out. Getting shot, staying behind, leaving to hang out with the guys.."

She turned back to him, "Oh…um, okay!"

He grinned, letting out a breath, "Alright, it's gonna be just us, 'kay?"

She grinned back, "So a date?"

"Only if you accept."

"I did." she giggled.

He rolled his eyes, "Well yeah, who wouldn't?" he started to walk out of the room and she followed.

"Come on," she said, "You're jacket's up here."

She handed him the jacket and he nodded in thanks, he walked to the front door, before winking at her, "Tomorrow night."

She blushed and waved with her fingers. He closed the door, and she could hear Jed teasing him.

They walked around the town, it was about nine-thirty. Surprisingly there were still quite a few shops still open. One caught Jed by surprise.

"No way!" he exclaimed, a grin on his face. He jogged to a building that had all the lights on. He stood in the parking lot, and turned to face his companions, he spread his arms wide.

"Look! Can you believe it?"

Matt looked at him like he was 'Cuckoo cuckoo for Coco Puffs', "Believe what Jed?"

Jed turned back around, "Man, I swear, the last time I saw one of these was when I was in high school!"

Matt muttered to Danny, "That was like a million years ago."

Danny snorted, "So what are we looking at?"

Jed turned back to them, giving them a 'duh' expression, "A soda shop."

Matt and Danny answered in unison, "Ohhhh!" then brushed past the eldest one and entered the building.

"Jed, when was the last time we were in one of these together?"

Jed paused, "I think you were probably thirteen? Or twelve? Can't remember.."

Matt nodded before sitting at the counter, the bartender walked over, "Can I get a root beer?"

Danny and Jed sat on either side of Matt, and ordered the same. They swiveled on their sits to examine their surroundings. There was an elevated sitting area with tables for larger groups. A juke box on said area, and a dance floor adjacent to their seats.

Jed leaned in towards the other two, "Listen guys, I know we just got here, but I don't really want to stay much longer."

Matt and Danny shared the same quizzical look, Matt asked, "What? Why?"

"Listen, Free America is nice and all, but Calumet is my home and always will be."

Danny added, "It's ours too."

Jed shrugged, "Yeah, but I feel like the job is incomplete, you know?"

Both nodded, "Well, I wanna go back and get the job done. I need to rid our hometown of those bastards. Or die trying."

Matt sighed, "Jed.."

"No Mattie," Jed said firmly, "No. I need to do this."

"Jed we all need to do this." Danny said.

Jed nodded, "I know, it's just," his voice was even quieter and they all leaned in a little closer, "something about this place gives me the creeps."

Danny shrugged, "I don't know, they all seem nice to me."

Matt listened closely, "What's wrong with this place Jed?"

Jed sighed, "Not really sure. It's just like these people are living in a fantasy, like they don't even realize what's going on in the Occupied Zone. Or they're trying really hard not to."

Danny thought back to all of the people they encountered today. There had been the people at the sandwich shop, they all had the wide smiles with perfect teeth. They all seemed too…cheery.

The bartender approached them, "Would you boys like another round?" he too, had the toothy smile.

They shook their heads, and resumed their huddled position, keeping an eye on the bartender. Jed raised his eyebrows in a 'see what I mean?' manner, "They've either been brainwashed, or they haven't seen or heard enough about the war. Or worse…"

"But Jed, the sheriff knew who we were!" Danny said.

Jed nodded, "Which is why I said 'or worse'."

"Why worse?" Matt asked.

"The sheriff knew us when we came, like the Colonel said people have heard of us."

"Yeah so?"

"No one else seems to understand where we come from, they're just extra hospitable. You know? Like they were told to."

Matt raised a brow in skepticism, "I need to see more people."

Jed nodded, "I'll show you tomorrow."

They ordered another round, and talked about other things so the bartender wouldn't get suspicious. The guys stayed there until closing time, by the time they got back to the house it was about eleven-thirty.

It was about midnight, maybe later. Matt finally laid down on his bed, he took it upon himself to put on clean bandages, it wasn't as good as Mason's handiwork but it was sufficient.

He laced his fingers behind his head, and slowly closed his eyes, he heard a soft knock on his door. It slowly inched open and he opened his eyes, Erica was quietly closing the door behind her. He took the time eye her legs, which were exposed because her pajamas consisted of just an oversized t-shirt.

"Matt?" she blushed, "Sorry to wake you…I should-"

He got up, "No no, you don't have to leave, I wasn't even sleeping."

She stared at him, "You sure?"

He nodded, "Yeah. What's up?"

She walked to stand in front of him, her eyes were on his bandages again. She timidly raised her hand to his wound, she met his eyes with a 'can I?' look. He nodded, she gingerly pressed her fingers against the red stain, her breathing was a bit raspy.

She whispered, "Does it hurt?"

He smirked, "Well yeah," her eyes widened, and pulled her hand away, put he returned it, "It doesn't hurt that bad though, just the occasional sting really." he reassured.

Erica gave him a small smile, she traced the stain with her forefinger, "Did you have fun today?"

Matt watched her finger, "It was nice to be with you guys, but I don't know…"

Erica frowned, "What's wrong?"

Matt sighed, "Well Jed gave me a funny feeling about this place…like he said there was something strange about the people here."

Erica shrugged, "I only talked to the Sheriff."

Matt looked up at her, "Why? Weren't you with Jed?"

She stared him in the eyes, "Well, yes and no."

He raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

Erica sighed, "Okay well after we left the station I went back to our horses."

"Why?" he asked.

She rolled her eyes, "To wait for you. Danny and Jed wanted me to come with them to see the town, but I refused. So I don't really know much about the people here."

"Well, they're kinda weird, if you know what I mean."

"Why are they weird?"

Matt looked at her, "Well it's like they were told to be nice to us, and they all smile a little too widely for what's going on a few miles from here. I don't know, Jed just kinda raised my suspicion."

Erica hugged his head, and pressed it to her chest, she rubbed his back, "Well maybe we can go and 'observe' tomorrow."

He rested his chin on her chest, "You mean today, right?"

She rolled her eyes with a smile, "You just have to be technical."

He pulled her to his lap, so he could properly hug her, "Sure."

They stayed there for a few minutes before Erica asked, "How did you guys pay for anything? I didn't think we had money."

Matt sat there and thought about it, "I don't even know…Jed paid…huh, that's a good question."

She laughed, "I guess this place is weird, we're getting money out of nowhere!"

Matt chuckled, "Yeah. So you probably want to get to bed right? When was the last time you slept?"

She thought, "Uh…not much since after Toni and Robert…" she choked a bit.

Matt gaped, "Jesus Christ! You need to sleep woman!"

She laughed, "I know! I know!"

Matt ran a hand through his hair in shock, "You can have my bed, seriously, sleep."

Erica looked him in the eyes, "Only if you stay."

He contemplated it, and nodded. They laid together on the bed, he wrapped his left arm around her and his right arm met him halfway. Erica rested her head on his left shoulder, her left leg draped over his, and she rested her hand on his chest. Matt pulled the blanket up to cover them. Within ten minutes they were out cold.

They woke up to Jed smiling at them from the foot of the bed.

Matt rubbed his eyes, and croaked groggily, "J-jed?"

Jed snorted, "Well what do we have here?"

Erica sat up rubbing her eyes, "What time is it?"

"Quarter to eleven."

Matt groaned and laid back on the bed, "Too early.."

Erica tossed the blanket over Matt's head. And Jed raised a brow at her lack of pants and Matt's lack of a shirt.

He coughed, with a smirk, "Uh well, as your older brother, I feel like I should ask in a parental monitoring manner, Matt did you two have sex?"

Matt sat up in rapid speed, and both Erica and him glared at the laughing Jed. Matt whipped his pillow at his brother, hitting him square in the face.

"Look who's laughing now, and no. We didn't." he sneered.

Erica crossed her arms, "Yeah! We haven't even kissed yet."

Jed laughed harder, wiping his eyes, "Jesus Matt, what's taking you so long?" He ran out of the room before Matt chucked another pillow.

The pair sat in an awkward silence, their faces were heating up. Matt rubbed his neck, "Uh well, I'm going to go beat up my brother, so you can get changed."

Erica laughed, "Yeah, okay."

Matt got up with a nod, and quickly chased after Jed. She could hear him call after him, "JED ECKERT!" She grinned.

A/N: WHOO! Finally updated this, sorry that took a bit, but if it's any compensation I am almost done with the next chapter...stay tuned! And I would like to dedicate the next chapter to my loyal reviewers! You guys kickass, and make me ansty about uploading a new chapter for this. Way to go! :D