Welcome back my friends. Here is theee one and only chapter 5. I just realised each chapter gets longer and longer. First 2 were about 6k words, then chapter 3 was 7k and chapter 4 was 8k. So, if I keep going at that pace, I'll have 10k words done on chapter 6 lol. But anyway, yeah, I'll shut my dumbass up now. Enjoy reading!

Sitting down in the cargo with the other 19 men, Lincoln was close to shitting himself with what he was about to do with his fellow comrades. In the cargo Lincoln was sat next to Jack and on that other side of Jack was Peters and Adams. Adams was sitting the closest to the cockpit with Connors who was also going with them on the mission.

They all had their rucksacks filled with their gear and weapons.

Connors then shouted to everyone despite of the loud noise from the plane engine and the cold air they could feel inside the plane "Alright listen up! We're going to land on an airway in an abandoned military base Basara isnae occupying!" Connors shouted as best as he could. Adams then took over "After that we'll make our way to the station where our men are being held and wait for the paratrooper's command to head in once they've jumped from their plane with their parachutes. They'll keep an eye outside for us as we breach inside and take out any tangos trying to enter while we're inside"

Adams and Connors started breaking everyone up into groups on which entry points to take. Lincoln and Peters were going to take the front while Adams and Jack were going to take the back of the building. The paratroopers were then going to parachute down and cover them for any of the militias coming for them "All understood?" Connors shouted.

Everyone agreed in unison "Right! Let's get oor gear on lads!" Connors shouted once more. Everyone started to open their rucksacks and pull out their gear.

Inside was the standard army trousers, shirt, armour, helmet, boots, gloves, radio and guns. The guns were Colt M4A1 rifles with a scope, flashlight and laser attachments. Their secondary weapon was a SIG-Sauer P226R pistol. There was also ammo inside for the guns that would attach onto their belts and body armour. Lincoln geared up and slipped his secondary into his holster attached to his belt. Everyone was now ready and just waiting to land. Lincoln held his Colt rifle tightly as he was trying to focus. This is one step up from the terrorist attack in London. This time he is going to be in a different country again with the slight chance not making back.

"We're landing!" Adams shouted as he got word from the pilots.

They touched the airway, the cargo shaking as the plane slowed down on the airway. The plane came to a stop and the back of the cargo opened allowing the men to exit. Everyone exited the cargo, leaving their bags and just leaving with their guns. Once Lincoln stepped out, he felt a blast of heat and looked around to see the base really was abandoned. Some air hangers were rusting and the grass around them had overgrown everywhere.

"So are we just gonna start walking-"

A few armoured vehicles came driving into the base, alerting the men by taking aim at them with their guns. But Adam stepped out in front of them "Stop!" he yelled as he threw his hands up in front of his men "It's alright. They're with us!"

The armoured vehicles came up to them and stopped with their lights beaming at them, almost blinding them since it was dark and the only light they had come from the cargo in the plane. Out came a dark-skinned man dressed in almost the same gear as Lincoln and his men. He walked up to Adams while holding an AKM rifle. The man smiled and pulled Adams into a hug "Adams my man! It's been forever!" Adams laughed and hugged the man back "Zidan! Fucking hell it's been years mate!"

A few people were confused and stopped aiming at the men. Adams pulled out of the hug and put his arm around Zidan while looking at his men "This is Zidan. We met back when I first served in the army! I met him when were in the middle of a fight and I couldn't bring myself to shoot him" Zidan then cut in "Yeah because I'm too handsome to die!"

Everyone laughed at Zidans little joke "Yeah right haha! Ever since we've stayed in contact over radios. He's one of the leaders in his own rebel against the government and army. He's gonna help us get our men back!"

"That's right. Me and my drivers will give you all a ride!" Zidan yelled once more.

"Alright! Let's go get our men!" Adams yelled to his men as they all split up into the vehicles Zidan brought over for them to use. Lincoln got into one with Jack, Peters and Adams. It was almost like they were their own close group as they weren't close with the other men. Jack held his rifle in between his legs as Lincoln held his on his lap with his hand still on it, not wanting to let his guard down. Jack however was calm as anything, same as Peters and Adams. Adams was sat in the passenger seat next to Zidan who was driving and Lincoln sitting in the middle of Jack and Peters. As they were driving out of the abandoned base, they got into the streets which were quiet. Too quiet.

Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of cigarettes. He took one out with his mouth and offered one to Lincoln and Peters. Peters declined one but Lincoln happily took one and held it between his lips, already trying to inhale the tobacco. Jack laughed seeing Lincoln basically breath through the cigarette. He then pulled out a steel zippo lighter and flicked it open and started lighting his and Lincolns cigarettes.

Lincoln inhaled the tobacco and nicotine from the cigarette, his nerves calming down a little. Jack took a small puff and took the cigarette out his mouth holding it between his fingers "That doing the trick is it?" Jack asked Lincoln.

Lincoln laughed a little and nodded his head "It's doing something" he said with the cigarette still between his lips, puffing the smoke "How come you don't want a smoke, Peters?" Lincoln turned his head to Peters with the question.

"My wife wants me to quit. Said she can barely be near me when she smells it on my breath and clothes when I'm back" Peters explained to Lincoln and Jack "How's it been so far?" Adams asked from the front seat "Yeah, it's alright. Not addicted or anything, but I do have the occasional smoke you know"

Lincoln felt a little bad he was smoking in front of Peters who was trying to quit "So isn't it bad we're smoking in front of you?" Lincoln asked him "Oh no. At least I can tell her when I get back that you guys were smoking in front of me"

"Won't she think you are lying?" Zidan asked from the driver's seat "I've never lied to my wife. She trusts me and I trust her"

"That's a nice way to look at it Peters" Jack said as he lifted the cigarette back to his lips and puffed it a couple times"

Before they knew it, Zidan was now parked outside the police station a few doors down. The street was very, very quiet, they never spotted one single body their whole drive. Behind them was the rest of the men in the vehicles.

Zidan then turned around "This is as far as me and my men will take you. We'll do our best to give you a ride back, but once you get in there, you must find your men and get out as fast as you can alright?" Zidan informed them "We'll do our best" Adams told him "I'll owe you one for this mate" Adams said as he held his hand out to Zidan. Zidan shook Adams hand "It's my pleasure"

Everyone exited the vehicles and gathered around, standing a little bit away from the police station that looked deserted. Suddenly Adams radio went off. He grabbed it and held it close to his face "Repeat?"

"This is lieutenant Andrew Croft. We were spotted and are in the middle of-"

*bz-zzz- s-sshsh*

Static was filling the radio "Hello? Fuck" Adams put his radio away "We'll have to do this without them then, let's get a move on" Adams whispered to his men as they all made their way to the station. The more they towards the station, the more Lincoln felt his back shiver with fear that something wasn't right.

*FLASH FLASH FLASH FLASH*

Zidan and his men were flashing their lights and then drove up to them and surrounded them.

"Zidan! What the bloody hell are you doing?" Adams shouted a little to Zidan in a whisper voice, trying not to alert anyone else.

Zidan then got out his vehicle and suddenly, the buildings windows were busted open with guns aiming out of them. More men came out from the ground floor and from alleys aiming their guns. Zidan walked up to Adams "You and your men drop your guns and we won't kill you and your men" Zidan

Everyone had aimed their guns but didn't fire yet. Adams was the only one who didn't raise his gun. He lifted his hand up "Drop your weapons" Adams then put his rifle and side arm down on the ground.

Lincoln and everyone else was confused, but seeing as they were outnumbered 20 to 50, they had no choice but to follow Adams command. They all placed their rifles down and Zidan's men came over and picked them up and took them over to their vehicles.

"Zidan. What the fuck is this?" Adam asked as Zidan just smirked at Adams "Did you really think I'd betray my country like this? Haha! I'm still in the army you fucking idiot" Zidan walked up closer to Adams "I knew when you called in that favour, I would use this moment to do what you did to my men" Zidan then pulled one of the men from the group and kicked behind his leg, causing him to fall to his knees in front of Zidan. He then pulled out a knife and held it to the soldier's neck.

"ZIDAN NO-" Adams yelled but he was too late.

Zidan quickly cut across the soldier's neck, slitting his throat in one swift motion with the knife opening his neck. Blood poured from the soldier's neck, he gargled with his mouth filling with blood. He covered his neck but it was too late. The soldier fell to the ground on his stomach.

"YOU FUCKER!" Adams yelled but he couldn't attack Zidan as he was surrounded by 49 other men with their guns aimed at him.

A couple men moved the soldier and Zidan looked at the rest of the men "I count you brought 20 men, that's one down. How many will it take for me to make my commander proud? I think at least half, don't you agree?" Zidan cackled a little as he examined his knife with the blood on it.

"You, sick fuck.." Jack mumbled.

Zidan heard Jack and pointed at him with his knife "You want to say something? Hm?" Zidan without waiting for a response grabbed Jack and pulled him over to Zidan. He took Jacks helmet off and threw it to the side "You want to say that again?" Zidan held his knife across Jacks face.

Jack stayed quiet.

"Hm? You sure? I have your boy's blood on my knife. I think that deserves a little comment" Zidan pressed the knife against Jacks neck.

"NO"

Zidan stopped and looked up to see Lincoln running at him.

*PUNCH*

Lincoln punched Zidan before he could potentially cut Jacks throat, making Zidan fall to the ground dropping his knife in the process. A couple men came over and grabbed Lincolns arms and kicked him to his knees. Jack was pushed back with the other men who were then ordered to their knees as well. Zidan got back to his feet and looked at Lincoln "Hah! You got a good punch their kid. But let me show you how to punch properly" Zidan then pulled his fist back and punched Lincoln in the face.

*PUNCH*

"That's how you punch. Make your enemy bleed!" Zidan then punched Lincoln again in the eye.

*PUNCH*

A little bit of blood dripped down Lincolns cheek from his eye. Lincoln was doing his best to take the punches and not show weakness to Zidan. Zidan however, having a couple of scars on his face, knew what Lincoln was trying to do from experience himself "Isn't that nice, trying to prove you can take a beating huh?" Zidan looked up at his man and Lincoln was then being stripped of his armour and shirt. Once they were taken off Lincoln was kicked in the back to the ground on his chest and his arms were pulled behind him and held there while Zidan moved around "Let's see how much you can take then shall we?"

"DON'T YOU FUCKING TOUCH HIM"

Jack and Adams got up and tried to stop Zidan but they were also being held back by a couple of Zidans men who held their pistols against the back of their heads. This made them stop in their tracks as they were made to watch what was happening to Lincoln.

Zidan wiped the blood off from the soldier on his sleeve and then pressed the tip into Lincolns back. Lincoln was biting his tongue as he did his best to not let out any groans or pain to Zidan.

"He's a tough one I'll tell you that" Zidan said as he pressed the tip of the knife deeper into Lincolns back.

Zidan then trailed the knife along Lincolns back, like he was writing something on Lincolns back with the tip of his knife.

"ZIDAN...YOU MOTHER FUCKER STOP IT" Adams was yelling as he was being held back by one of the soldiers, same as Jack "YOU WILL REGRET THIS"

Zidan scoffed and turned to look at Jack and Adams and then looked back at Lincoln, finishing what he was engraving into Lincolns back. His men let go of Lincoln and Lincoln just laid in the dirt, still silent "He's a tough soldier. You've trained him well Adams" Zidan left Lincoln in the dirt as he aimed his knife at the rest of them "Now does anyone else want to try and stop me? Hm?" Zidan asked as he stretched his arms out.

Adams just stared at Zidan with the most hatred look on his face. Zidan noticed and laughed a little at him "Oh you hate me, don't you? You hate what I'm doing haha" Zidan laughed more as he walked up to Adams, who was still standing in place as the pistol was still pressed against the back of his head "Don't ever believe I will betray my country for you. That favour I did for you was a one time thing" Zidan walked up to Adams and pressed his knife into Adams cheek "And the SAS can brag about how they can take out an army with only one guy. Your two men couldn't make it" Zidan reached into his pocket and took out two dog tags and threw them to the ground in front of Adams...covered in blood "Your men are dead. They were all alone and so are you, no one to help you or save you"

Adams was silent when he saw the dog tags and saw the names on them. They were the men they were looking for. Adams looked back at Zidan and then spat in his face, but Zidan didn't flinch. He was getting ready to slit Adams throat.

Zidan pulled the knife away from Adams cheek as he heard laughing from behind him...Lincoln was still laying in the dirt but he was laughing for some reason "H-haha...you really have no idea who you are fucking with Zidan" Lincoln then pushed himself up to his knees and turned around to face Zidan. With incredible amount of pain Lincoln was experiencing, Lincoln took a breath "The SAS are stronger with each other. We don't need one soldier to take out an army when we have help from each other...and our other allies"

Zidan walked away from Adams and up to Lincoln, grabbing his hair and making him look up at Zidan "What are you talking about boy"

Lincoln smirked a little at Zidan "One thing you should know about us Zidan...is that we're never alone"

*FLASH FLASH FLASH*

Three Apache attack helicopters were flashing down at everyone outside the station and the paratroopers were falling down slowly with their parachutes and firing their handguns.

*BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG*

A few of Zidans men were shot in the head and body, causing them to run around and fire up at the paratroopers and helicopters who were also shooting with their M230 chain guns. They shot at Zidans vehicles.

*BOOM*

One of the vehicles exploded from being shot at by the chain gun. Zidan let go of Lincoln and so did the other men who were holding Adams and Jack. Zidan tried running to one of the vehicles that didn't explode but was tackled by Lincoln. Zidan's knife slid out of his grip allowing Lincoln to flip Zidan over and start throwing his punches at his face.

*PUNCH*

"THAT'S FOR BETRAYING US"

*PUNCH*

"THAT'S FOR OUR SOLDIERS"

*PUNCH*

"AND THAT'S FOR CUTTING MY FUCKING BACK YOU PRICK"

*PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH PUNCH*

"LINCOLN THAT'S ENOUGH"

Both Adams and Peters pulled Lincoln off Zidan but it was too late. Zidan's skull was caved in from Lincolns punches, making him bleed from his eyes, nose and his head. Lincoln had really beaten Zidan to death without any mercy for him.

"Fucking hell" Jack said as he looked over at Zidans face. Lincoln didn't try fighting Adams and Peters, he was just standing as he looked at Zidan.

"Oh fuck..." Lincoln looked at his fists, all bruised and covered in Zidan's blood on his knuckles "What did I do...oh my god" Lincoln was shaking a little.

"Hey hey Lincoln it's alright. It's okay mate" Peters told him as he moved him away and Adams picked up Lincolns shirt and handed it to Peters to put on his back.

They were then approached by the paratroopers as all of Zidans men had either ran away or were killed by the chain gun or the paratroopers.

"Everyone alright?" One of the troopers yelled out over the sound of the helicopters. The 40 paratroopers were covering Adams men as they waited for transport. Adams spoke with the lieutenant of the troops and Peters was sitting with Lincoln on one of the debris from a building. Jack then came over as he was about to light another cigarette in his mouth. Peters noticed and held his hand out for one. Jack was confused "I thought you were quitting"

Peters shook his head "I can't wait till I get back home to my wife; I need one right now" Peters still held his hand up for one. Jack didn't fight with Peters on it and handed him the one Jack lit. Lincoln was however just sitting, looking at Zidans body as his corpse just laid there, not moving any time soon. Or ever.

Peters noticed this and decided to take out another cigarette and light it. He handed it to Lincoln who just took it on instinct and started puffing it slowly. Surrounded by smoke from Peters, himself and Jacks cigarettes. The mix of tobacco smoke, dead bodies, blood and noises of the helicopters that were guarding the men until transport came, it was a tough moment for Lincoln.

Lincoln was rubbing the blood off his knuckles and saw how bruised they were. It's no wonder since he was smashing his fist into a skull that's hard as anything. Jack planned his hand on Lincolns shoulder, making him look up at Jack "We'll get you some help kid" after Jack told Lincoln that, the transport came in the form of four Sikrosky UH-60 Black Hawks. One landed while the rest stayed in the air as the attack helicopters spread out to cover more of the area. Once the first black hawk landed, the doors opened and inside was Connors who ran up to Adams "We have to move!" he yelled over the sound of the helicopters flying above them. Adams nodded and looked over at Peters, Jack and Lincoln, deciding to take them in the first.

Adams ran up to them and spoke to Jack who was the only one standing "You lot let's go! The others will take the rest of our men!" Jack nodded and helped Lincoln up and headed over to the helicopter, getting inside. Connors closed the door and gave the pilot a thumbs up. They ascending into the air and waited for the rest of the pilots to take the rest of the men. Connors was sitting in the back with them as Lincoln sat in the middle seat with Jack and Adams sitting on either side of him. Peters was sitting beside Connors across from Lincoln and Jack. Connors noticed Lincolns silence and looked at Peters who was still smoking his cigarette "What happened to Lincoln?"

Peters looked back at Connors and shook his head as he went back to puffing his desperately needed cigarette. Lincoln heard them and looked up at Connors from the ground "I might need a medic" Lincoln said as he jerked his head a little behind him, indicated he is injured from his back.

30 minutes later

After about half an hour of flying back, the crew landed on an HMS navy ship. The helicopter landed on the H pad and once landing; Connors opened the door allowing everyone to exit. A medic came up to them "Who's injured?" he asked "Not us son its him" Connors said as he pointed at Lincoln as they moved away from the helicopter as it started to take off for the next one to land with the rest of their men. They were leaded away and guided to the sick bay. As the medic guided Lincoln and the rest into this small room with a decent sized operating table and cabinets on each side containing what could be seen as the stuff a medic would need.

"Alright son. Just lay down on your stomach on the table and we'll get you checked out. Any of you know what happened?" the medic asked as he took out a pair of scissors and proceeded to cut Lincolns shirt off without making him take it off. He made Lincoln lay on his chest as he could see the blood making the back of his shirt wet.

"He got something carved into his back with a knife. Don't think he cut too deep but it was deep enough to make him bleed" Adams described to him.

Once the medic pulled away the shirt he cut up, all four men saw the writing on Lincolns back from Zidan, too stunned to even speak.

"Oh fuck" Connors whispered as he covered his mouth.

"What does it say?" Lincoln asked. The first words he spoke in over 30 minutes before arriving to the ship.

"Kid" Jack said as he was also in disbelief "Just fucking tell me" Lincoln demanded as he was getting pissed off at this point.

Adams sighed and put his hand on Lincolns shoulder "It says killer..." Adams trailed off after saying to which he patted Lincolns shoulder.

Lincoln was silent yet again. He didn't know what he could say or even do. The silence was broken by the medic "Okay I need room to at least stop the bleeding. Please step outside"

As they were making their way outside while the medic was getting some stuff out, Jack spoke "We'll be waiting for you mate!" they walked out giving the medic more space to work.

"It looks like you might be left with some scars on your back, sorry about that kid" the medic started to clean Lincolns cuts with some cold water from a bottle and some gauze pads, being sure to be gentle as Lincoln flinched a little when he applied it.

"So...I know you won't want to talk about what happened exactly. But I heard what happened, you got ambushed or something and the men you were rescuing were already dead before you got there" the medic talked as he kept treating Lincolns injury. Lincoln didn't think of anything from that moment other than his comrade dying and killing Zidan with just his bare hands. Lincoln looked at his knuckles again and when he did, the medic saw and stopped attending to Lincolns back and took his knuckles "Jesus mate you didn't think to tell me about this as well?"

Lincolns knuckles had swelled a bit from the bruising. The medic walked over and grabbed a couple of cold compresses from a small fridge "This'll help with the swelling and pain" he put them on Lincolns knuckles then went back to cleaning up Lincolns scars. After cleaning them with some cold water and patting it dry gently, he took out a sterile adhesive dressing and started to cover Lincolns back with a few of the big dressings. Once that was, he patted Lincolns leg "You can sit up now but stay on the table"

Lincoln did as instruct and sat up straight, still in pain in his back. The medic used a fresh piece of gauze pads and started to clean Lincolns gash above his eye. Once that was done, he threw away the bloody pads and his gloves "Right, you leave that on your back for two days. Try keeping it dry for those two days if you can. Maybe get someone to check if any blood is seeping through it then you would have to get them changed. But other than that, just leave that cold compress on your knuckles for another 15 minutes and you should be good to go. I'll send your friends in I need to check with my PO. Oh and" the medic opened a drawer and took out a tube of antiseptic cream "Apply this to the gash above your eye, I'll come back later to give you some stitches" the medic then left the room and after leaving, Jack, Peters and Adams walked in.

They men stayed silent as they saw Lincoln in his state. He wasn't looking too good physically. But mentally was the real question. What was going on in Lincolns head?

Adams then spoke to break the silence "Connors told us they retrieved the two men's bodies found buried behind the station" Adams told everyone "The paratroopers retrieved them and they're contacting the families of the men...at least we got them back to their families"

"We're all good though, right? We're not going to get court marshalled or anything?" Jack asked "No we won't. We didn't kill anyone or anything, and Lincoln is defended for killing Zidan because Zidan killed one of ours and two more. So, we're okay" Peters answered Jacks question.

Lincoln was opening the tube of the cream so he can apply it to his eye. Jack saw and took the tube from him "Come on man I can do it myself" Lincoln said as he tried to take it back. Jack refused and started to apply the cream to Lincolns gash above his eye.

"Mate, just let me. Just leave the compress on your knuckles" Jack laughed a little as he applied it and finished. Lincoln smiled a little "Thanks Jack"

"Any time kid" Jack then stepped back and leaned against the wall. Adams radio then went off "One sec" he then stepped out the room.

"So, what do we do now" Lincoln asked "We head back to the UK, we get some good food in us and just get on with our life" Peters told him.

"What about the men's funerals? Are we not allowed to attend?" Lincoln asked them.

Peters and Jack looked at each other and then back at Lincoln "Lincoln, we can attend but it doesn't seem fitting since we didn't really know them that well" Peters explained.

Lincoln nodded "I guess you're right" Lincoln sighed as he felt like he should be there even if he didn't know them "How long until we get back home?" Lincoln asked them.

Adams then came back into the room "We can either get a ride back home by the royal air force by getting on their ship and then get flown back by an airbus. Or just spend a few days on here"

After Adams announced their decisions which would've most likely been getting on the airbus from the air force, the medic walked in and obviously had overheard Adams "Sorry but I think its best I kept an eye on Lincoln. His back will heal but I might need to change his dressing and I need to stitch his gash and take the stitches out after a few days. So, I think its best he stays until we get back home if that's alright with you lot" the medic informed them as he took out the stuff he needed for stitching.

Lincoln looked at his friends who seemed to have met a fork in the road. Do they stay with their friend? Or head back home early leaving him on the ship with people he barely knows for a few days to get back to their families. Lincoln smiled a bit, almost as if he knew their final decision "I understand guys. You have families you need to get back to who are probably worried about you. I'll be fine here don't worry about me, seriously" Lincoln insisted for them to go.

Adams looked at Peters, they both have kids who don't see them enough as they should. Jack was the only one who shook his head no "You would do the same for us if we were you. We're not going to abandon you because we have our families. Yes, we should probably put them first, but we went through some serious shit there" Adams then stepped forth next to Jack "And you weren't even forced to come, you were the first to step forward and join and that made everyone else join as well" Peters also joined in "Even convinced Jack who was almost being a little bitch about it"

This drew laughter from the men, even the medic who was getting ready to stitch up Lincolns wound above his eye and laughing was really the last thing he needed to do.

"So, we can spend a few days here, we've done it before" Adams said as he looked at Peters who needed to his statement.

Lincoln felt like he could possibly cry a little. He nodded "Okay"

With that being done, everyone left to leave Lincoln to get his eye stitched up "You've got some good friends there son" the medic said as he began to stitch up Lincolns wound with the needle and string.

"They're not just my friends...they're my family"

4 days later

It was now 8am. After spending a few days on the ship, spending time with the crew, eating possibly the decentness meals they could ever get in the army. Even ice cream which made Lincoln a bit happy since he hadn't had ice cream in years. Lincoln also spends the four days on the ship wearing a black royal navy hoodie they luckily had on board in Lincolns size. Lincoln still however wore the brown trousers he wore on his way to Iraq; they didn't have any trousers for him on board sadly so he had to keep wearing the same trousers and boxers. They were washed regularly but he had to keep a towel wrapped around his waist while they were getting washed and ironed for him. He had wanted to do it himself but from what everyone heard happened to him, they insisted to do it for him. Adams, Peters and Jack were the only ones to stay with Lincoln for the few days while the rest of the men left to take the airbus back to the UK. Lincoln couldn't really blame them, he didn't know him, they didn't know him, he would've done the same he couldn't lie.

Lincoln felt like he was back home when his sisters were wanting to take care of him if he just got a paper cut. That episode had me dying bruh.

Once they arrived in England, Lincoln was ready to leave. He said good bye to the crew and the medic who helped take care of his injuries. Lincoln for a minute was expecting a bit welcome party from the UK for what they did, but there was no one waiting for them. Lincoln remembered this would likely never reach the public eye of the UK or even Iraq. As far as they know, something happened Iraq leaving a few people dead and a whole lot of noise made. Once both Lincoln, Adams, Peters and Jack left the boat, one of the familiar vans they use came to pick them up. They entered the van and Lincoln immediately sighed as he tilted his head back hitting the wall of the van inside.

"Land!" Jack yelled in delight.

This made them laugh "Fuck yeah mate. I need my bed" Adams laughed as well.

"I need to hug my wife and daughter" Peters joined in.

"I need to see about getting a house" Lincoln joked a little "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. You looked for any yet?" Jack asked Lincoln as he suggested Lincoln looks for a house.

"I have absolutely no clue man. I haven't even looked at houses" Lincoln admitted.

The van started to drive to only where Lincoln presumed was the base "Who we dropping off first?" the driver asked from the front seat.

"First?" Lincoln said puzzled "We're getting dropped off then they'll drive you back to the base, since that's their final destination anyway haha" Peters joked. Lincoln rolled his eyes "Of course"

"I can already tell my wife will be wanting us to talk about what happened. Not sure I can tell her anything other than 'at least I'm alive' ahah" Adams laughed.

While the men talked about their wives and kids and how they can't wait to see them, Lincoln was thinking of how he would see about getting a house. Or an apartment, he didn't know yet.

1 hour later

After an hour of driving, the van then stopped outside of a detached house with a blue Ford Mondeo and a Suzuki GSX-S1000GT black motorbike. Once the back door opened, Adams got out the van and looked at everyone "I'll see you men in a bit" he winked as he then closed the doors and made his way up to his house. Lincoln got a good look before Adams closed the door; his house looked nice given he is family man.

"Didn't know Adams rode a motorcycle" Lincoln chuckled a little "He sort of went through a midlife crisis before buying it. Once he reached his 30s after having two boys he just went and bought a bike" Peters explained.

"What did his wife think?" Lincoln asked "Only God could tell Linc. Only God could tell" Peters laughed a little near the end.

20 minutes later

The van stopped once again stopping outside a rather small house but with a big front yard. Peters opened the van then stepped out "This is me" Lincoln looked out the door and saw in Peters front yard was a pink playhouse, a swing set and in the drive was a white Toyota Hilux pickup truck. Almost immediately from when Peters exited the van, the front door to the house opened and standing in the middle of the frame looking out towards them was a mid 30s lady. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans with an oversized flannel on and a pair of slippers. Not the ideal look but she was in her own house who cares. She also had blonde hair that was tied into a bit of a messy bun and she also wore glasses that were sitting on top of her head.

She smiled as she saw Peters but from beside her a little girl peeked out. "Daddy!" the girl yelled as she ran from her mum and started to run over to Peters. The speed her legs could take her was incredible as she ran across the grass and jumped up into Peters arms.

"Hi there darling! Oh wow you got so big!" Peters chuckled as he picked his daughter up in his arms and looked at her "Did you get a haircut?"

"Nooo daddy! I get my haircut tomorrow!" she giggled a little "Oh of course how silly of me!" Peters laughed with her.

The girl saw Lincoln "Daddy who's that?" she asked as she pointed to Lincoln in the van.

"This is my new friend" Peters said "Come out guys say hi" Lincoln stepped out the van and so did Jack.

"His hair is so white! Is he an old man?" she asked as she was referring to Lincoln.

Lincoln couldn't help but burst out laughing "Hey I'm not that old"

Jack nudged him "At least you're still in your 20s" Jack laughed as well "This is Lincoln" Peters introduced "And this little monster here is my daughter Emma"

Emma stuck her hand out to Lincoln "Hi" she said quietly as she started to feel a bit shy.

Lincoln shook her hand gently "You remind me of my sister Lilly" Lincoln said as when he looked at Emma with her blonde hair that was tied into a pony tail. She was also dressed in a pair of shorts and a my little pony pink t-shirt. No shoes of course haha. Emma perked up a little "Is she the same age as me?" Emma asked Lincoln.

"Oh no she's 11, so just a couple more years older than you" Lincoln told her.

"That's cool!" Emma said happily.

Kids really do get excited about some things.

"And we don't need introduced" Jack laughed.

"Uncle Jack!" Emma said happily as she reached out to hug him. Jack took Emma from Peters holding her "Wow you really have grown, haven't you?"

While Jack and Emma were talking Lincoln leaned over to Peters "Uncle?"

"Oh yeah that's just something we have kids say for their parents' best friends"

No joke I thought my auntie from my mum's side was my mum's sister but nah she's just my mum's best friend. Fucking got me to say auntie when I saw her for about 14 years.

"Oh okay" Lincoln said.

Jack then handed Emma back over to Peters "I'm so glad you're back!" Emma said as she hugged Peters tightly. Peters kept his arms wrapped around her. Peters' wife then came up behind him and wrapped her arm around him "And he is staying forever!" she then attacked Peters with kisses.

"Ahh lads help!" Peters joked.

"Nooo you can't keep him forever" Jack laughed as he tried to grab him but his wife swatted Jacks hand away "No you had him forever already!" everyone was making jokes and laughing about it.

"I don't think I've seen you before" Peters wife said as she looked at Lincoln.

Before either of the men can introduce Lincoln, Emma already intervened "This is daddy's new friend...Li...Lin..Lincoln!" she struggled a little to say his name but luckily managed. She laughed and shook Lincolns hand "I'm Audrey"

"Nice to meet you" Lincoln smiled as he then pocketed his hands after shaking her hand.

"We're just about to have breakfast, do you want to come in for some? Or even just a cup of tea" Audrey offered the pair.

"Did you make your pancakes?" Jack asked without hesitation.

"You know I always do" Audrey laughed.

"Can't say no to that now can I" Jack laughed with her.

Lincoln was feeling a bit awkward on if he should join them. They've known each other longer than they've known him "You want to come in Lincoln?" Peters asked. They all looked at him.

"Well...i-" Lincoln got interrupted "Please Lincoln?" Emma said as she looked at him almost with pleading eyes.

"Dang it...you're just like my sister" Lincoln thought to himself "So what's in the pancakes?" Lincoln asked as he then closed the van door.

Jack smiled "They're amazing honestly" the group started to walk up to Peters house "Audrey won't share the recipe but you can tell she adds maple syrup and maple crumble bits to it when serving it, honestly amazing" Jack complimented them.

"And you will never find out the recipe" Audrey slapped Jacks arm a little with the back of her hand.

"Why does daddy smell like smoke?"

"WHAT?"

"Dang it"

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

THAT was something else ahah. Honestly could not have been prouder of myself. Hope you all enjoyed reading this as it was always fun to write. Getting back into the groove of writing now. Special thank you to those who have favourited and followed this as it means a lot.

That'll do for today, hope to see you all in the next one!