The bell twinkled, announcing their entrance. A young woman with brunette wavy hair looked up from wiping down the polished wooden counter.

She looked up, eyes sparkling and a playful smile on her lips. "Well, hiya there boys!" she called out, waving.

Andy smiled at Duke and sauntered over to the counter, leaning over. "Hey missy."

Blythe rolled her eyes, putting her delicate hands on her hips. "What d'ya want?" she asked as Duke scooted a stool over.

"The usual, thank you." Angel said, placing a few coins on the counter and winking.

Blythe turned her bright eyes to Duke, her eyebrow quirking. "The usual for you as well I suppose?" she smiled. Duke nodded, eyes crinkling in delight. It was weird how Duke found the quirk of her eyebrow was adorable.

"Alright, I'll be right with you boys soon." She turned, winking slyly at Duke before leaving.

"See, what did I say?" Angel commented, leaning back against the counter in a relaxed way, "She likes ya."

A flush crept to Duke's cheeks and he ducked his head, "Shut up, mate. Or else." But it was an empty threat, as it is with any friends.

The bar was loud and noisy, with the strong scent of beer and cigarette smoke. Jett's eyes traveled around the crowd, spotting some fellow aviators.

"Hey," Andy suddenly said, now holding a glass bottle of beer in his hand, "You up for a game o' pool tonight?"

Duke turned, thanking the waiter who gave him his root beer. "Umm," he made show of thinking about it. "Sure."

Angel grinned and clapped Duke on the back, causing a bit of the root beer to spill, "I knew you was gonna be a great friend, Jett."

Jett smirked, sipping his drink leisurely, "You can never pass a request to play pool, especially when you win every time."

Andy gasped in mock hurt and disbelief, "You don't win every time!"

Duke arched an eyebrow at him. Andy laughed, "Okay, but you are pretty good."

Jett rolled his eyes, glancing back at Blythe who was now taking the order of an older gentleman. She was so slender and delicate…yet so feisty when it came to men harassing her. He almost laughed when he remembered the first time he'd met her. That was one crazy night.

Duke probably could have stayed there all night if Angel hadn't grabbed him by the wrist and started pulling him through the crowd.

"Woah, hey, slow down!" Jett yelped.

"Nah, there's a pool table that's finally open!" Andy called over his shoulder. Jett laughed, holding out his drink so it would spill sticky soda everywhere.

It was a long night, and Duke could finally kick back and relax. He lay in his bed, a thin blanket covering him as he stared up at the ceiling, hands behind his head.

Andy was out like a light underneath him, snoring loudly. He was a great guy, even if he was a little…crazy sometimes.

Duke let out a soft breath, turning over the day in his mind.

If America joined the war…would he fight? Yes, he supposed he would fight. The Military was the one who was sending him. When he had joined the Navy, he knew what he was signing up for. He knew that if war would ever come, he would give everything he had to protect his land.

He remembered the stories and history lessons of America fighting for freedom and independence. That was basically what the South Vietnamese people were doing, fighting for their freedom. And if they needed help doing it, then he was going to help them. Just like how the French had helped America in their time of need.

Of course, he knew that war wasn't the answer to everything, but if that's what would have to happen for peace to come, then so be it. And now, he had someone he was fighting for.

Blythe.

Duke smiled as he turned over to his side. Maybe he was in love. Maybe one day he could marry her and have children with her, and they'd grow old together. But that was for the future. Right now, he had to focus on finishing school and whatever else may happen after that.