Present

I pause for a moment as I think about that night. It was a special moment in my life, one that I didn't think I could ever forget. That night was also the beginning of what would be the most horrific moments in my life.

I look back at my daughter. She seems to have a far off look in her eye, as if my story has brought her on that ship with my two dear friends. Finally after a few moments of silence she looks at me.

"They died didn't they?" she says. Once again, it truly was not a question.

I simply shake my head and ask, "What makes you believe that?"

"It's obvious," she says. "I've never met either one of them. If you were that close to them I surely would have met them by now."

I give a small half smile. She truly had inherited my brains. However, the story was not over. "There are many reasons why you may not have met them," I tell her. "For instance they could feel betrayed by the fact that I never told them who I really was."

She shakes her head and says, "I don't think so. You seemed to be very close to them and they were very understanding men. I find it hard to believe they couldn't forgive you for a mistake like that."

"Well I suppose you will just have to listen to the rest of the story and find out won't you," I told her.

Sixteen Years Earlier

As the landing craft dipped, causing sea water to spray in my face, I found myself wishing I was back on the ship. How I felt before was nothing compared to how I felt now. Every time the small, cramped boat dipped up and down I had to force my body not to heave. It was impossible because with the next wave I couldn't keep my stomach contents down. Finally after vomiting a few times my stomach had nothing left and stopped. With relief I sighed and rested my head against the metal side of the boat. It was cool and seemed to help a little more with my stomach.

I stood there like that for a few minutes with my eyes closed. I could hear that most of the men next to me were not fairing any better. The majority of us had never been on a boat. This meant that sea sickness was inevitable. However, that wasn't the only sound I could hear. While none were talking to each other, many of them were praying. Sounds of 'God please protect me and bring me home' were all too common.

This made me smile slightly as I thought of Daniel. I knew that somewhere on this same sea he was in a boat similar to mine. He would probably be busy praying to God asking for safety. Though I could also imagine he was praying for Irwin and I as well. Irwin would also be in the same craft with Daniel. I wasn't quite sure what he would be doing as he waited for us to reach the shore. I didn't know if he had a belief or not. I wasn't sure why, but the topic just never came up. With this thought in mind I came up with a picture of him at least hoping he would come home alive. He would also probably be thinking about his mother, and what would happen to her if he didn't survive this.

Instantly I began to wonder what would happen to me. My family might be notified by my friends, that is if they made it. If they were notified I knew they would be devastated. I could picture my grandmother blaming herself for my death. She would believe that if she had done something, instead of being quiet, my death could have been prevented. My father would be furious, and if he ever found out that my grandmother knew where I was he would blame her too. My brother would miss me but other than that I wasn't sure what his reaction would be. I also wondered what the army would do with my body if they found me. What would they do with me once they realized that the soldier in their uniform was actually a woman?

I was drug out of my musings by my CO. "We are almost at the beach. Once we get there remember your training, head for cover and then meet up at the rally point," he said, and then paused to look at us. "You are all good men, good luck."

A feeling of dread washed over me. Captain Steel had always lived up to his name. This man seemed completely fearless, but he was obviously afraid. If he was afraid, what did that mean for the rest of us?

Quickly I said a prayer under my breath, "Watch over me Lord. Guide me and keep me safe. Watch over my friends as well, I have a feeling we all really need you."

No sooner had I managed to say this did we hit the beach. I held my breath as I waited for the door to be lowered. As soon as it did all hell broke loose. The men in front were instantly mowed down, and I froze. As blood splashed up from these men that I had lived with I could do nothing but watch. A few seconds later I felt someone grab the back of my pack.

"Over the side!" I could hear my CO scream overtop of the shells.

Seconds later I found myself being lifted and thrown over the side of the landing craft. Instantly cold water hit my face and filled my mouth. I began to sink to the bottom of the channel like a rock. Then finally my brain went into gear, and so did the rest of my body. I started to swim as hard as I could up to the surface. Finally I reached it and managed to take a gulp of air. After I had gotten a little air in my lungs my instincts pushed me to swim towards shore. I had made it only a short distance before I heard an explosion from behind me. Turning around I saw the landing craft I had just managed to get out of only moments before. It was on fire and sinking into the water. It didn't look like anyone had managed to get out of it except me. I felt guilt wash over me like a wave, and treaded water while I watched it sink. However, I watched too long because the next think I realized was another shell going off and then everything went black.

A/N: D-day is going to be a long part of this story, so I am dividing it into several parts. Here is the first part.

PS: You all have several chapters coming up before I will have to decide what to do with Alice (that's the new name I chose).

Your choices are:

1.) Going with the group to save Ryan

2.) Have her go somewhere else

Please tell me which direction you want her to go by either reviewing or voting on the poll in my profile.