AN: Hello, everyone! I'm back! I'm starting to write again, and this time, I'm going outside my comfort zone and am trying new things. I plan to write new stories and even rewrite some old ones, but I can't wait to write this one for now. Just a side note, I still ship Gomer with Luanne and Vince with Bunny, but this is their story. To those who already read the first part of the story, I took it down and redid it, for I felt like it wasn't complete enough. I hope you guys enjoy my first fic to my new favorite show.

The two men sat on the floor of the food bunker. There was no sound made except the breathing coming from one another. Yet, that was deafening was deafening could get. How long have they been there by now? Two minutes? Two hours? Who knows? All they knew was they were stuck, and the silence was rather awkward and then some. Vince Carter laid his head back against the wall and only wondered to himself, 'Is this some sort of punishment for me? Can I not catch a break ever?'

Little did they know, they both were thinking back on the events that led to this predicament...

*GC*

Before the incident...

The sun rose upon Camp Henderson early on a Thursday morning in late March. Easter week was coming up, and a few of the Marines planned to return home. Before anyone could enjoy the comfort of getting to go home for the holiday, the group of Marines in Company B had to do their usual Marine duties. The day started off with the group getting out of bed and heading to the mess hall for breakfast. Gomer Pyle and Duke Slater grabbed their trays and stood in line for food. Gomer took in a big whiff and made an 'mmmm' sound.

"Smells like they've been cooking up something real good today, Duke."

"Let's just hope so," Duke replied. "I wonder what the cooks fixed up today. Last week's breakfast tasted like shit."

It was at that very moment one of the cooks overheard Duke comment and said in a sarcastic voice, "Aww, you want more? Here's extra, just for you, pumpkin!"

She gave him extra oatmeal on his tray along with a death glare, letting him know she didn't like his words or him. Duke just smiled out of embarrassment and muttered, "Sweet girl…"

Duke moved along the line, and Gomer said to the cook, "Just so you know, your cooking ain't that bad. Although the oatmeal could use more sugar, your cooking is pretty tasty to me."

"Aren't you the sweetest?" The cook blushed. "Here is an extra apple for you!"

As she placed an apple on Gomer's tray, he blushed and said, "Golly! Thank you so much!"

"Hey, Pyle," the guy behind Pyle snapped, "move it! We don't have all day!"

Gomer nodded to the cook and went on ahead. He caught up with Duke as they grabbed a seat with a few guys from their platoon.

"Gee, I wonder what Carter has in store for us today." One guy, Noah Mendes, a young Portuguese American private, muttered.

"I don't know, but I'm afraid to ponder too much on it." Another Marine, Tyler Jackson, an African American private, added.

"Aww, you know he don't mean it. He's only trying to make better Marines out of us." Gomer added in response.

The two just looked at him as if they were saying to him, 'You're kidding me, right?'

"There he goes, defending Carter…again…." Mendes said sarcastically.

"That's a shocker." Jackson rolled his eyes.

"But he is! He isn't that bad of a person if you just give him a chance." Gomer defended Carter again.

"Yeah, yeah, Gomer," Jackson responded.

This made Gomer frown. He didn't understand why the others felt the need to talk bad about their Sergeant. He glanced over a Duke who gave him a sympathetic look. Duke had heard the other guys talk bad about Gomer, calling him 'Carter's lapdog' or 'Sergeant's little bitch' when in reality, they knew Carter couldn't stand Gomer for the least bit. In fact, no one could understand why Gomer went out of his way to be nice, especially Duke. Hell, why was he even a Marine? He was way too sweet and kind to be there.

Once everyone in the mess hall was through eating breakfast, everyone walked back to their barracks. They all were dreading what Carter would have them do that day. It was when Sergeant Carter walked in on them in their barracks and yelled, "Attention!"

The group stood at attention as Carter yelled, "Alright, you knuckleheads, listen up! I just want to start by saying these barracks look like shit since the last inspection! As you know, I am not happy with any of you! On that note, we have a long day ahead of us! So get your hiking gear on and move it!" Carter yelled.

As they got ready, Mendes walked over to Gomer and instigated him by saying, "He ain't a bad person, huh?"

"Fuck off, Mendes." Duke defended Gomer, making Mendes laugh and walk off.

"One of these days, I'm going to deck him so hard. God help me if I get arrested and discharged for murder," Duke whispered to Gomer.

*GC*

Once the platoon got into their hiking gear, they started to fill up their canteens with water.

"I want to see everyone fill up those canteens! It's going to be a scorcher today, and I don't want any of you dumbasses to pass out from the heat! I don't want to hear any of you complaining about the heat either! No one forced you to join the corps!" Carter shouted.

Jackson commented to another private and laughed only for Carter to shout, "What the fuck is so funny, Jackson?"

Startled, Jackson turned and muttered, "Nothing, sir!"

"I thought so! The only one makin' jokes here is me! So full up your canteen and get your ass in formation!" Carter shouted at him.

As Carter's back turned, Jackson mouthed, 'Bastard,' and got into formation. Gomer almost felt bad for Jackson, but at the same time, he should not have made Carter mad. Once everyone was in formation, Carter started off his rant by saying, "Alright! Now I understand Easter is coming up, and some of you are looking forward to goin' home to your mommies and daddies! However, no one ain't goin' home just yet, so get that thought out your minds! You are here to be Marines! M-A-R-I-N-E-S! MARINES!"

Gomer raised his hand, making Carter sigh an exasperated sigh, "What, Pyle?"

"Sergeant, what if some of us don't have mommies and daddies to go home to?" He asked.

"Pyle, I don't care, and I don't want to hear stupid questions, alright?" Carter shouted to him and turned to everyone else. "Just so you ass hats know, I'm in a rotten mood right now, and I don't want to have to deal with stupidity of any sort! Now let's move!"

The platoon started to hike as Carter counted to keep them in step. The hike started easy but soon began to pick up with slanted hills and inclines. Carter's goal was to have these men feel sore by the end of the hike. He was really in a bad mood and needed to take it out on someone. The mixture of the hills and the heat made some of the men start to throw up their breakfast.

"Let's go! Move it! C'mon!" Carter shouted.

Gomer was starting to move slower than usual. He had a hard time catching his breath and had to stop. Duke stopped and caught up to him.

"Hey, you okay, buddy?" He asked.

"Yes, Duke." Gomer smiled. "Just catching' my breath is all."

"Pyle, Slater, what is this? There is no time for girl chat! Pick up the pace and start hiking! This is a hike, not a social club!" Carter yelled.

Duke decided to help Gomer on the steep hill. The hike started to get more manageable by the end. The men were out of it once they got back to their barracks. The men thought the hell was over, but boy were they wrong! Carter was having fun with this. He now made them do 50 pushups since he considered that the weakest hike he had ever seen in his life. Gomer started coughing in the middle of his pushups.

"Whoever is coughing can stop now!" Carter roared.

"Sorry, Sergeant. I'm just…." It was no surprise who was making all the racket.

"Of course, you'd be coughing, Pyle." Carter stood over him. "Because you like to make noise, I'm going to make you do 50 more."

While the others stood in formation, Gomer had to do 50 more pushups as 'punishment.' Once he was done, he was panting even harder. Carter figured he pushed him hard enough. After that, he made his men stand there in the sun for five extra minutes until he decided to dismiss them.

"Alright, everyone. Hit the showers and get cleaned up. Dismissed!"

The platoon started to get ready for the showers while talking bad about Carter. Duke walked over to Gomer just to see if he was okay.

"You sure you're okay, pal?" He asked.

"Yes. Just feeling dizzy is all." Gomer replied.

Duke made him take a drink of water, and the two sat for a bit before it was okay to get up and get ready to shower.

"You good?" Duke asked again, getting an 'mmm hmm' out of Gomer. "Okay, what is up Carter's ass today? The hike, the pushups, making you do 50 extra…has he not gotten laid in a while, and he's taking it out on us? God, no wonder Bunny dumped his ass."

"Miss Bunny broke up with him?" Gomer seemed shocked.

"Yeah, and I can see why she did." Duke snarked.

"Be nice, Duke. Sergeant Carter is going through heartbreak." Gomer softly said defensively.

"I don't understand why you feel the need to stick up for him, Gome. It's not like he sticks up for you."

"But he is our Sergeant, and we should still respect him," Gomer told Duke, who just rolled his eyes in his face.

"Oh, Gomer, grow up," Duke said in a snarky voice. "You try and see the good in everybody, but when in reality, everyone is not as good as you think they are."

Gomer made a solemn face at Duke's harsh words, which made Duke all of a sudden feel terrible snapping at his friend.

"I'm sorry, buddy. I just care for you too much that I would hate to watch the world bend you over and screw you."

Gomer looked at his friend and gave a weak smile. Duke placed his hand on his friend's back and muttered, "Come on," as he helped him off his seat, and walked over to the showers.

*GC*

After the long hike, Carter himself took a shower and got himself cleaned up. As he was dressing, thoughts ran through his mind. The Sergeant thought about his and Bunny's final breakup. He didn't want it to come to this, but all they were doing was fighting, and it started to get unhealthy on both parts. What was worse was she met someone else shortly after their breakup. To Carter, it felt like someone throwing a bucket of water in his face and laughing about it. He was humiliated. Once he dressed, he started on the paperwork that was left on his desk to do. The Corporal, Chuck Boyle, noticed him in his thoughts and asked, "You okay, Vince?"

"Yup. Same shit, different day, Boyle." Carter answered with an eye roll.

Boyle shook his head and asked, "Is this breakup getting to you?"

"Three years, Boyle. Three long years I gave her. All we did was fight and fight and fight. Then she ends it with me, and then she meets someone new a few days later..." Carter rambled on.

"To be fair, Vince," Boyle stated, "when both of you got into a fight, both you and her would see other people and try and make the other jealous. Did you really think that relationship would have worked out in the end? Both of you made the right choice to end the relationship. But..."

Carter raised a brow when his friend paused. Boyle took a breath in and shook his head as he added, "But her finding someone new after a few days is wrong. I understand why you are upset, but don't take it out on Pyle or anyone else."

"Anything else?" Carter asked sarcastically.

"Nope. That's it." Boyle stated and got back to his work.

Carter rubbed his temples and got back into his paperwork. At that moment, Gomer walked in.

"Excuse me, Sergeant?" He started.

"Yeah, what is it, Pyle? I'm sort of busy here." Carter snapped.

"I just wanted to say that I heard the news and that I'm sorry," Gomer stated.

"For?" Carter was confused.

"About you and Miss Bunny. I can't imagine what heartache you are going through…I just can't imagine. I always thought you two might be married one day and start a family…" This made Carter go crazy.

"Pyle, I don't appreciate that my personal life has gotten around the base. And for you to walk in here to blab something stupid, like you always do, IS NOT WHAT I WANT TO HEAR! Now unless you really need something, which I know you don't, GET OUTTA MY SIGHT!"

"But, Sergeant…" Gomer pleaded.

"I mean it, Pyle! I want you out! Out! Out! OUT!" Carter's bellowing made Gomer quickly run out of there.

Boyle looked at Carter and snapped, "Was that necessary?"

Carter rubbed his temples again and started, "He drives me crazy. I swear it takes a lot in me not to punch him in the throat."

"Well, I will agree…Pyle isn't bright, but I wouldn't take it that far. I mean, it's a little harsh if you ask me." Boyle chuckled a little.

"No! I had to deal with him since basic training, and I still have to deal with him, so at this point, I'm up to here with his stupidity!" Carter practically yelled, holding his hand parallel with his nose.

Boyle made a face. He understood that Carter's heart was breaking, but he was irrational with his thinking.

"Is you being here, yelling and screaming at everyone, helping you any?"

Carter just rubbed his forehead.

"Maybe you need to take a week or two off come Thursday before Easter." The Corporal suggested.

"Why? Being here is my only distraction." Carter stated.

"Again...is you being here helping you any?" Boyle asked.

Carter looked down in disappointment. Boyle felt for him and shook his head.

"How about I take you out tonight, Vince? My treat." Boyle suggested.

Carter looked up and smiled, "I appreciate that. Plus, you're right; I need to get out of here before I go crazy."

*GC*

A few weeks went by, and the Marines of Camp Henderson did their usual duties. The long hikes were getting to the men, and Gomer still had difficulty catching his breath but didn't want to voice it. He just didn't want to upset Carter. He felt bad for him. Meanwhile, Carter was doing all he could to get over Bunny. From going to sleazy bars almost every night to having random one-night stands with women, he met, in which he found no fulfillment.

The Sergeant was doing paperwork and found that he couldn't focus on it. He then put it to the side started randomly sketching on a notepad when a thought came to mind...he had to get out of Camp Henderson; he just needed to be away from the area come Easter and maybe take two more weeks off. It would be nice to see his parents, sisters, nephew, and niece...especially his sweet nephew and niece. That's what he needed…a break all together!

*Easter week*

It was the week before Easter Sunday, and those who would get to go home were very excited to see the family they had missed. Those who had nowhere to go had to stay on the base and celebrate the holiday with each other. It was already noon that Thursday and Gomer and Duke were assigned to digging holes. As they were doing their job, Duke went on and on to Gomer about a girl he started seeing.

"I'm telling you," Duke gloated, "she's perfect! She's gorgeous, smart, and a nurse...I think I hit the jackpot with this one!"

"Uh-huh..." Gomer replied while digging.

Duke then remembers that Gomer just recently ended things with his girlfriend. Apparently, Luanne got a new job and had developed feelings for a new coworker, and they hit it off. Gomer was broken-hearted. Duke remembered how he and Gomer were at the Blue Bird Cafe, where Gomer had told Duke she called him to her apartment just to break up with him, and how she told him of how 'he is so sweet that he will make any girl happy.' Thinking back on this immediately made Duke feel bad for his friend.

"I'm sorry that I'm being insensitive," Duke stated. "I didn't mean to speak about Alana; while you are going through heartache."

"No, Duke. I'm happy for you...golly, I'm truly happy. You don't have to worry about me. It still hurts, but not like it was before." Gomer said with a sweet smile. "When do I get to meet this lady of yours?"

"Hopefully very soon. She's going back to New York for Easter, so maybe sometime afterward?" Duke suggested.

"Golly, that would be nice!" Gomer stated, making Duke smile.

Meanwhile, in Carter's office, the Sergeant was sketching away on the back of scrap paper when the phone started to ring. He then picked it up, anticipating what was to be said.

"Company B, Sergeant Carter speaking…Colonel Gray, how are you…no, I'm not going home until tomorrow afternoon…yeah…yeah…I can do that…yeah…yes, sir…"

Carter hung up his phone and got up from his desk to walk towards Gomer and Duke. Hell, since it is Easter week and all, why not be nice to Gomer today? Just give the Private a brainless and easy task.

"Attention!" He yelled as Gomer and Duke stood in attention. "As you were…"

Gomer and Duke got out of attention when Carter spoke again, "Slater, keep digging. Pyle, I'm relieving you of digging. You are to report to the food bunker."

"Gosh, Sergeant…what about…" Gomer was cut off.

"Perez will be taking over. Now head over to the food bunker. You're expected there." Carter ordered walked off.

Duke and Gomer exchanged glances as Gomer put down his shovel and walked towards the bunker.

*GC*

Gomer walked about the food bunker and was given instructions on what to do.

"So you understand? Go through everything and see what is expired, throw it in this trash bin, and put the fresh food into the bunker, and then you will be all done." Colton Sanders, another Marine who worked in the kitchens with Sergeant Hacker, instructed Gomer.

"Yes. But I have one question?" Gomer asked.

"What is it?" Colton asked him.

"How do you want this task done? Do you want me to organize it by date? How about by color? What if I organized it by…"

"You know what, I honestly don't care what you do," Colton replied out of annoyance. "Just make sure the bad is out, and the good is in. Okay? Okay!"

As Gomer started to work, Colton added, "Oh and one more thing…"

Gomer turned to look at him.

"MAKE SURE this door stays open. It doesn't open from the inside, and you will get locked in. Colonel Gray doesn't know about the door not having a handle on the inside, so don't say nothing. Okay!"

Once Gomer was alone, he observed the pantry. While watching, the Private then said to himself, "Well, it could use a lot of work."

*GC*

Three-and-a-half hours have passed, and Carter has yet to hear from the Private. As he was sitting at his desk with paperwork in his hand while smoking a cigar, he whispered to himself, "Son of a bitch. How long does it take him to organize a food bunker?"

He put out his cigar left his barracks just to look for his dimwitted private. He went around the base and found Duke.

"Slater, have you seen Pyle?"

"Not since you dismissed him, sir?" Duke replied. "Why?"

"Just asking." Carter walked off, leaving Duke to shrug and keep walking.

He then found Mendes and Jackson walking together when he came up to them.

"Have any of you jokers seen Pyle?" Carter asked the young Privates.

"Ain't my turn to babysit him." Jackson joked.

Carter rolled his eyes and kept walking.

When the Sergeant got towards the food bunker and saw Gomer still in the same position, organizing the food in the bunker, he shook his head, cursing under his breath.

"Pyle, you were supposed to be done with this hours ago!" Carter screamed.

"Oh, hey, Sergeant! I'm nowhere near done. You see, I had to organize everything, just everything! So I went ahead and organized it by expiration date, by month, what day it expires from, and get this…alphabetically. Just imagine walking into your food pantry and not being able to find what you want because your pantry is all messed up."

"Pyle…"

"I just don't know what to do with these pickles. This one is taller and skinnier, but this one is shorter and wider. I'm just so confused right now, Sergeant."

"Pyle…"

"But what if you want to pick out a jar and it doesn't look appealing to your eyes?"

"Pyle, no one gives a shit about the pickles! They will just grab a jar of pickles and leave!"

"But, Sergeant…" Gomer cried.

Sarcastically, Carter started to speak, snatching one of the jars from Gomer's hands, "I know…why don't we take this jar of pickles and put it on the top shelf…okay?"

That was when Carter took a jar of pickles and tried to reach up but found he couldn't.

"Damn it; I can't reach." He whispered to himself.

Noticing that Carter was struggling to reach the top of the shelf, Gomer grabbed the chair that was holding the door open and said to Carter, "Here, to help you reach better..."

Carter then turned and saw the heavy door close as he cried out, "No, no, no...Pyle, the door!"

Watching in horror, Carter saw the door shut close, locking them both in with no way out. Carter, looking at the shut door, his left eye twitching, said softly, "That chair was holding the door..."

Feeling guilty, Gomer looked at his Sergeant and soft said, "I'm sorry, Sergeant. I was trying to help. I didn't think you wanted me to pick you up, just like when Grandpa Pyle used to pick me up to put the star on the Christmas tree."

"No, Pyle, I wouldn't want you to do that. But you could've taken the jars from me…AND PUT THEM ON TOP OF THE SHELF!"

He hit the wall, causing a jar of olives to fall and smash, making him curse under his breath. That was when Gomer felt a pang of guilt.