''You mean Randy died… for me?'' Dean frowned, a slight sadness in his expression.
''Technically for Hunter since that solider tried to shot him from behind, but yeah'' Roman sighed.
''Remind me to pay a visit to his family when all this is over'' Dean said and Roman nodded, placing his arm around Dean's neck. He had really missed him.
''Something else you want to update me on?'' Dean said and Roman faced him confused. Dean made a nod forward and Roman turned to see what he was referring to. A grin crossed his face.
''I actually was going to question you about cheating on me'' Roman teased and Dean shoved his arm off his shoulders. Roman chuckled, shaking his head.
''Only a kiss according to Seth'' he shrugged and Dean returned his gaze to Seth who was looking at Elena in front of him.
''Only a kiss huh? Doesn't sound like Seth'' Dean grumbled and Roman frowned.
''Wait, you're serious? I thought your kiss with her was a caught in the moment-thing?'' Dean was still glaring forward.
''Dean?''
''Yeah, like you said… caught in the moment'' he muttered.
''God have mercy on my soul'' Roman sighed, shaking his head.
''Okay here'' Hunter stopped.
''You know what to do'' he waved them away and took a seat as a big exhale escaped between his lips.
''What's up with him?'' Dean asked as they pulled out the tools for the tents.
''Oh, I forgot! Damn you really did miss much. Stephanie and he had the biggest fight; like bigger then their regular ones, about how Hunter…'' Roman paused as he looked over at Dean.
''And you're not even listening'' he shook his head, watching Dean observe Elena who was gathering firewood with Kharma and Kelly.
''Huh? What? Yeah, Stephanie; I think so too'' Dean mumbled.
''Just pull the rope'' Roman said and Dean pulled the rope, smiling. Roman drove the pole into the tent and looked over to the other side.
''Hey Dean, try…'' he didn't need to continue the sentence because Seth appeared and received the pole from the other side. He pinned it down and just like that, the tent was up.
''We didn't ask for help'' Dean snapped.
''Well you sure needed it. Besides, I was done with my tent'' Seth fired back. Roman sighed.
''Guys c'mon. Can't we…''
''Can someone please explain to me how…'' Elena walked in but paused by the view.
''You know what I'll just…'' she said awkwardly and pointed at a random direction.
''No stay, I want you to hear this'' Seth said and Elena paused in her intention of turning around. She sighed before turning back.
''Hear what?'' she asked.
''Dean,'' Seth turned to the lunatic, he was already glaring at him.
''I shouldn't have abandoned you''
''But you did'' Dean hissed.
''I'' Seth didn't get the chance to continue.
''You bailed at me, brother'' Dean interrupted him, but this time; it was rather sadness than anger in his voice.
''I freaked out'' Seth said. Dean looked like he was thinking.
''Elena; he did sleep with Kelly'' Dean suddenly said and turned to the girl.
''I know'' she replied and he frowned.
''And you kissed him anyway?'' Elena glared at Seth and Seth glared at Roman.
''You told him?!'' they said in tone.
''I thought Dean was joking!'' Roman defended himself and Seth sighed.
''No she didn't. I kissed her'' he said and Dean glared at him. Seth glared back.
''Okay you both kissed her, congrats. Can we go back to normal now?'' Roman was tired of this nonsense.
''Just one more thing'' Seth said, turning to Elena.
''What'' Roman groaned.
''Who would you pick?'' he asked and the girl raised her eyebrows.
''Excuse you?'' she placed her hand on her waist.
''I want to know too'' Dean interfered and Elena narrowed her eyes on him.
''Roman'' she hissed before she turned around and walked away. Roman shook his head at them.
x x x
''I see the train is coming, it's rolling down the bent, and I haven't seen the sunshine since... I don't know when. I'm stuck here for some reason; what I'm gonna do? Oh, but that train keeps on rolling, all down to sun and blue. When I was just a baby, my mama told me once; always be a good girl and do never play with guns, but I shot a man in Rio, just to watch him die… when I heard it was a bad thing, I hang my head and cried'' Elena had her eyes fixed on the flames, thinking about what happened in the tent earlier. She had decided to stay away from them, or at least try. She turned her gaze to say something to Kelly but paused.
''What?'' she raised her eyebrows as she saw the men staring at her.
''That was… an interesting song'' Roman again didn't know how to put it nicely.
''What he means is; it was creepy as fuck and I'm sleeping with one eye open tonight'' Punk helped him out and just like before, he achieved glares from his teammates; although they agreed with him.
Kharma started to laugh.
''What's funny? That even made me uncomfortable'' Hunter joined in.
''The fact that you haven't get used to her yet is just remarkable'' Kharma chuckled, referring to Elena. Elena gave away a smile, making an innocent face.
''I don't think I ever will either… just waiting for the day she gets herself killed with her stupid suicide ideas'' Hunter shook his head and just like that, the mood dropped.
Hunter didn't pay much attention to it. He stood and walked away to his bag that was placed on a table not far away. He pulled out one of his cigarettes and lit it before taking an inhale. Elena was pretty sure it wasn't just cigarettes.
''Don't listen to him'' Roman tried but Elena stood and walked over to Hunter.
''You take too much'' she said, that was his seventh within the last hour.
''You don't know the pain I'm in'' Hunter hissed, not looking at her as he took another inhale.
''I know pain'' she replied. He turned his gaze to face her.
''Then join me; it's just a smoke'' he smirked, offering her the cigarette and she chuckled.
''I'd rather suffer then to lose judgment''
He shrugged and exhaled the smoke.
''Suit yourself darling'' he returned his gaze to the trees.
''Why don't you tell me about your pain instead'' Elena continued.
''Sure thing Dr. Phil'' he snorted, taking another inhale.
''It'll help you know'' she crossed her arms over her chest.
''Believe it or not, but I could think of a thousand things that I'll rather do'' he said and Elena rolled her eyes.
''Then were two, now spill''
''I don't do deep-talk-nonsense'' he muttered before looking at the others. Silence followed.
''Well?'' Elena said, raising her eyebrows.
''Well what?''
''Speak'' she sighed and he shook his head no, exhaling the smoke.
''Then I'll start,''
''Elena you…'' Hunter tried to object but in vain.
''You're scared'' she said and he chuckled.
''I have no fair what so ever to fall in battle''
''You're not scared of dying. You're scared for the impacts; funerals, guilt, nightmares... orphans'' she said and he gave her a glare.
''This is not my first war sweetie'' he hissed and to his surprise, she gave him a smile.
''But this time it's different. You don't think we'll win'' he stared at her.
''We're done here'' he tried to walk away but she grabbed his wrist. Only for him to twist it around and hold hers instead.
''There's the frustration! Just let it out'' she said and he tightened his grip.
''Listen here you piece of shit! Not only have you been a pain in the ass, I have things up over my ears, my wife wants a divorce, I lost a man and on top of all that; I have to play the scapegoat in order to keep my army together,'' a pause.
''You think I'm scared? I'm not!'' he yelled in her face. She stayed calm, knowing he was on the right path.
''I'm terrified!'' he had a hard time getting the words out but when they finally came, she noticed how his body relaxed as his shoulders sink.
''Then what are you fighting for?'' she asked softly.
In that moment, he proved it's not about the bonuses and it's not about the checks. It's about the buildings and the jets, a country to protect. It's about the courage and pride; providing peace and grace… even though it meant putting his own life at stake.