As the evening of May 21st began, Jacob looked across the camp. They had been in reserve for nearly three weeks now and while a few people were getting restless, most were still just happy that they were able to rest. The deaths of Nico, Godwin and Aladdin were difficult to swallow, even for the former commando, perhaps more so because one of them was a consequence of a rescue of one of their own. Neither he nor Neige, the only remaining snipers not in a command position, had barely said a word to Raz since then, considering it was his fault that they had to go chasing after him and lost Aladdin.

His eyes drifted to where Neige stood. The poor girl had taken it the hardest and had thrown herself into improving with a frightening resolve. Other than Claude and Kai, she only spoke to him and his wife, though he suspected that the reason she spoke to Karen was solely because she was his wife.

Finally, Jacob looked at Riley, and specifically the lack of Claude by her side. He and Raz had been called away for the rest of the day for Raz's insubordination during the battle.

The pair of arms snaking around his middle brought him out of his mind. "You doing okay, Love?" Karen asked her husband, "You were brooding again."

Jacob leaned into Karen's embrace, "Did I tell you how lucky I am to have you?" he murmured.

Karen smirked, "Only when you feel the need to remind me" she answered.

Jacob could hear the unasked question in his wife's words. "Just worried about Claude. I've got a bad feeling about his meeting."

Karen tightened her grip on him slightly, knowing that he was speaking from experience. She pressed her face to his and tried to smile. "I wouldn't worry. The brass may be old farts, but Claude's not a moron. He can tangle with the best of them. I bet he'll walk through those doors with a new set of bars on his shoulders, just you wait." She chuckled at her joke, and Jacob could do nothing but follow her lead. After all, what good would worrying do for Claude?

Leaving the matter behind them, they walked into the mess tent for the evening meal, finding most of the squad already there. After they grabbed some food, he joined their squadmates as Karen had to head over to the medical tent, though any hope for a quiet dinner had been quickly dashed as Miles turned to Jacob with a question that had been on his mind for a few weeks now. "So how did you end up with us? I remember you said that you had been a Special Infantry Commando and people don't just get demoted from SICs to Rangers."

A dark look settled on Jacob's face, "Because it was politically advantageous to see me sent from a prestigious military unit to a slightly less prestigious unit to appease the Gallian Official." he grumbled before leaning back slightly, "Not that I could have interjected if I wanted. I was still in critical condition from the last mission I had been a part of."

Zaiga was intrigued, "What was that?" he asked.

Jacob sighed, knowing that one way or another the word would get around, though he was surprised the rumour mill hadn't gotten around to it by now. "Boss took a mission that was far too difficult for us, but success after success inflated his ego. As such, we were sent on an assassination mission against Maximilian, the leader of the Gallian invasion."

Every ear and pair of eyes were focused on him now and Jacob had a feeling they would be disappointed with him. "His personal woman slaughtered us. I was the only survivor and that was more a product of luck than judgement. The invasion happened a mere two weeks later."

For the briefest of moments, Jacob wished that Karen or Riley had been in the tent to support him. That moment passed quickly as the many Gallians in the squad rounded on him. For a few precious moments, they limited their outrage to their words. But someone threw the first of what turned to many punches.

It wasn't until a loud, commanding voice shouted "STOP!" that Jacob could slump to the ground. He was in enough pain that he didn't hear what was being spoken around him and it was only when two sets of arms lugged him across their shoulders that he began to process things again.

It took him until they reached the medical tent before he was able to recognize his rescuers. "Claude? When did you get back?"

Claude grimaced as he set Jacob on a bed with the help of Riley, "About ten minutes ago." he replied before looking up, "KAREN!"

The urgency in Claude's voice, as well as the fact that the tent had been silent before he shouted, drew Karen and a few other medics over to them. Karen held his head while the other medics started bandaging and setting his bones. "Did the squad find out about your last mission?" she asked.

Jacob simply grunted and Claude sighed, "Any idea on when he'll be up and about again?"

The lead medic grimaced, "A week? Maybe a week and a half, depends on how well his body heals." she replied.

Jacob snorted, "Was always a fast healer, tenner on a week."

Karen and Riley smirked, "No bet." they replied together.

This brought a chuckle to Jacob before he looked at Claude, "So what happened at the tribunal?"

Claude pinched the bride of his nose, "I don't know how, but somehow the whole thing got turned on me. I've been assigned to clerical duties for two weeks."

Jacob frowned, as did a few of the medics, "That's odd. Raz was the one who disobeyed orders, not you."

Claude sighed, "I overheard a few of the officers saying that 'This was why Gallians shouldn't be put into command positions.'"

Jacob frowned, "Damn hypocrites, the lot of them. Accept the foreigner's aid, but shove all blame unto their shoulders if something goes slightly wrong."

Claude nodded and Riley laid her head on Claude's chest. It was then that Jacob noticed the glint on her hand, "Claude! You found a ring?"

Claude and Riley smirked, "We were wondering when you'd notice." He remarked.

Jacob rolled his eyes, "Well excuse me for being a little scatter-brained at the moment." he retorted. He threw his fist into the air in joy before biting back a dozen swears from the pain it generated.

After settling him back down, Karen looked at the couple, "So when is the big day?"

Claude looked at Riley, "We're probably going to have it in a few weeks, once Jacob is cleared." Riley finally said before looking at Jacob, "I'd like for you two to walk me if that's alright?"

Jacob smiled at her, "I owe it to Uncle Al to stand in for him. You are like my little sister Riley."

The small group remained together for the night, eagerly discussing wedding plans for Claude and Riley, and discussing lessons from Jacob and Karen's wedding to take in for them. The one thing they could be certain of was that though they would have to wait for Jacob to heal, it would be well worth the wait.

Well, I'm surprised I got this chapter done already, things have been hectic lately. The end of term approaches and my grandmother had an abnormal aortic aneurism and my grandfather needs 24/7 care. She's been in the hospital for a little over a week now and is already trying to get out and skip the rehab but life goes on.

Let's get to the reviews, shall we?

Nico came up in several reviews and let me just say this now: She, Godwin and Alladin will not be the only casualties from Squad E.

As for the romance between Jacob and Karen, well, the next chapter's A plot will be how Jacob and Karen met, started dating, and married while technically the B plot looks is Claude and Riley's Wedding.

Until Next Time: Stay Safe