We walked through the door of our home and I was a bit overcome. It had been six long months since I had been here and nothing had changed – why would it have? I had told my parents to meet me back at Barracks the next morning and they had just agreed so I had slipped away with Liam at the earliest possible opportunity to make time to be together after that was what had nearly driven us apart. It was hard to think that earlier that day I was completely set on divorcing him and not twelve hours later I was back home with him. We'd picked up food on the way home and we sat in the living room on the floor eating it. After we'd finished I gathered up all of the paper and packaging and put it in the bin and washed the plates and wine glasses while Liam sifted through the mountain of mail that had greeted us when we arrived home. He hadn't been back either. After we had both finished we opened mail that looked interesting, there were a few birthday cards for both of us from people that had clearly forgotten that we were in Afghanistan but nothing too exciting. After a while I became agitated by the blisters that had formed on my heels due to the stilettoes I had been wearing – six months of regulation boots had done my high heel feet no favours. I wandered upstairs to find some slippers to put on in place of my heels and turned around to find Liam stood in the doorway.

"I'm tired." He grinned and took off his shirt. "I think we should go to bed."

"You do?" I laughed and watched as he removed all of his clothing and flopped onto the bed. I turned out the main light and turned on the bedside lamp before lying down next to him. "You know, if you're tired you should go to sleep."

"I should. But you're wearing that dress and I really can't contain myself."

"Oh, I am perfectly capable of removing my dress." I teased and reached for the zip.

"I think I should help you!" He insisted and unzipped the dress. I stood up and it fell to the floor leaving me in just my underwear. He pulled me back onto the bed and unhooked my bra. "This really has to go." He slid it off and threw it goodness knows where. He then sat straddled across me, his hands moving over my hips and grasping the top of my knickers. He slid them right off and dropped them onto the floor next to him. "Now I can go to sleep." He whispered and bent down to kiss my cheek.

I stirred from my sleep and looked at the clock, seven thirty seven. I knew by the fact that I was wrapped in Liam's arms, completely naked, that the night before had not just been a wonderful dream. I didn't want to move but I had Barracks in just over four hours and it would take one and a half to get there. I slipped out from under Liam's arm and he turned over onto the other side as I tiptoed into the bathroom. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and stood in front of it staring at myself. A deep pinky-purple love bite on my neck screamed for attention and I shook my head wondering how I could hide it before Barracks. I turned on the shower and stood under the cascading water as it smattered down onto my face. I washed all of the Afghan shit out of my hair and chuckled to myself as I watched the yellow/brown water trickle into the plug hole. Suddenly I was grabbed from behind and I clawed playfully at the strong hands that were tight around my waist. Liam held me in his arms for a few seconds as I wriggled, protesting about having to get clean. He let me go and began rubbing shower gel into my back and arms.

"You know yesterday?" He asked massaging the slippery liquid into my hips. I, now facing him, nodded as I stared into his eyes coyly. "Brains called you Mrs Kinders and you didn't correct him."

"Did I not?" I dismissed it knowing full well that I hadn't.

"It was hot." He whispered with his lips almost touching my ear. I felt a pang of desire course through my veins but I just smiled and stepped out of the shower. I dried myself off as he showered and then, I examined the love bite on my neck. Shit, I would never live that down! I rummaged through a drawer of make-up until I found a stick of concealer. I smoothed the paste over the mark and rubbed it in until you could barely see anything. The hours flew by and before I knew it I was waiting with the boys from my section to present the medals. My section kept asking me how my brother was and I shrugged telling them it was hard to tell. They were all as funny and friendly as ever but I could tell that they all knew I was in trouble. As the medals were handed out, I saw my parents trying to be nice to Liam but obviously failing dramatically. At the end we stood together and I attempted to ease over the awkwardness between my husband and my mother, failing miserably. The major took me to one side and explained that he had spoken with people higher up that were asking questions about my behaviour and they were willing to take into account the fact that he was my brother and that technically my tour of duty had been over when I went AWOL. I did, however, have to expect to be severely disciplined. I lied to my family and told them I was being let off for compassionate reasons, much to their delight. On the way up to Birmingham, Liam and Sam fell asleep and my mum looked as if she were asleep too. I tried to stop myself but I couldn't help but let the tears stream down my face as I contemplated losing my position. My life was the army, it was all I had ever wanted or needed. Liam, my friends…they were just extras. My first three tours when it was me and Charles against the Taliban had been the best months of my life! What would I do if it was taken away from me? I turned round to see my mum looking at me sympathetically.

We pulled into a service station and my dad took Sam to the toilet. My mum signalled to me to get out of the car and we sat down on a bench.

"What's the matter?" She asked rubbing her hands over mine.

"Nothing." I lied and she rolled her eyes. Adopting a different tactic, she pointed to Liam – who was still asleep in the car.

"He's tired. Did you argue all night?"

"No. We're all tired when we get back from Afghan."

"Right." She didn't believe me. "You look a mess. Here, let me clean you up." She got some make-up wipes out of her bag and wiped all of my make-up off. Her face fell in horror as she wiped the foundation and concealer off the top of my neck. She stared at the purple mark, tears welling in her eyes. "Oh Pippa." She sighed and I suddenly realised what she's seen. "I had no idea he was like that! Not that it's a surprise." I bit my lips and covered it with my hand as my cheeks flushed scarlet. "Wait, it's not…he didn't did he…oh my god! It's a…oh my god!" she looked like she was about to throw up. I watched Liam get out of the car, having woken up and he made gestures to try and get me to tell him what was going on. I smirked as my mum scowled at him and stood up as he reached us.

"What the fuck was that about?" He grinned and I moved my hand.

"She was admiring your handiwork." I explained and he gasped. "She wasn't impressed."

"I'm impressed!" He joked and I hit him playfully.

"You better hope she doesn't tell my dad or he doesn't fucking see it!"

"Oh shit!" he laughed. "Put your hair down, it'll cover it."

"I never wear my hair down." I realised as I undid the tight bun. I shook my wavy hair out and pulled it over my shoulder to hide the mark on my neck.

"You should do it more, it's beautiful." He smiled and placed his hand on my knee. I gazed lovingly into his deep brown eyes and he stared back.

When we arrived at the hospital, I ran ahead with Sam and we burst into Charles' room. He smiled as he saw us and stretched his hand out to Sam who grabbed it eagerly. Using his other hand, he tapped his cheek and I grinned before planting a quick kiss on his cheek. As I moved away he grabbed my face and turned it to get a better look at my neck. He shook his head and laughed.

"Do I not deserve a thank you? After all, I did craft that plan!" He joked.

"Thank you, brother dearest." I said trying to be sincere and we fell about laughing.