Chema was training with Phoenix, detection of explosives and narcotics. Phoenix was doing an excellent job by identifying each substance, weapon or finding a target.

"How fast can she run?" said a voice behind him.

Chema turned around and saw Denahi approaching him with two water bottles.

"30 miles per hour"

"Woo, that's pretty fast, water?"

"Thanks"

Both men gave a long sip at their bottles since the temperature was high.

"Hey I...I just wanted to thank you for yesterday."

"Well what did you want me to do? Let the RPG reach you?"

Both chuckled, Chema was a nice guy and a good soldier. Normally Denahi wasn't that friendly with the rookies at first. When Kenai was assigned to the team Denahi wasn't the annoying, goofy and teasing brother he knew. He was cold, grumpy and took everything really serious. You couldn't even tell a joke because he would immediately reply: Do you wanna get us killed? Then stop behaving like a toddler and focus on the godamn mission.

With Koda and Bucky was the same thing when they entered the team. But for some reason it wasn't Chema's case, maybe because he proved himself yesterday by putting Denahi's life before his own. Or maybe it was something else.

"How long have you been in the Navy?"

"I applied at the same time as Sitka. So that would be like...seven years... I think."

"Wow, that's a long time. And why the Navy? I mean, did you ever want to go to college or, start your own business?"

"My dad was in the Navy when I was a kid. My mom was a nurse, but I admired both of them. So, I said to myself, why to pick one when you can do both."

That was a clever choice. As long as he was comfortable with his career.

"What about you?"

Chema wiped his brow, grinning as he thought about how to answer Denahi's question. It was rare for him to get this sort of one-on-one moment, especially with Denahi, whose tough exterior was slowly starting to soften around him.

"Oh, my story's not as interesting as yours," Chema shrugged, giving Phoenix a quick scratch behind the ears as she sat patiently by his side, panting lightly in the heat. "I actually wanted to be a veterinarian when I was a kid. Always loved animals, you know? But then… well, life happened."

Denahi raised an eyebrow, genuinely interested.

"What kind of life are we talking about?"

Chema chuckled and took another sip of water, pausing as he watched Denahi's eyes fix on him intently.

"I grew up in a rough neighborhood. It was just me and my mom. We didn't have a lot, and it felt like every day was about just getting by. By the time I was old enough to go to college, I realized what I really wanted was something that'd give back. I joined the Navy because I wanted to protect people. And then… I got the opportunity to work with dogs, and it was like everything clicked."

Denahi nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"I get that. Sometimes it feels like we're just carrying on a legacy, right?"

"Exactly," Chema replied, nodding enthusiastically. "And I mean, I don't regret it. You find family here, you know? People who would die for you without a second thought. That's rare."

Denahi's gaze softened.

"Yeah, it is."

There was a comfortable silence between them for a few moments as they looked out over the base, watching Sitka and Kenai on the other side, going over some tactical maneuvers, while Koda sat nearby, polishing his weapon and grinning at something Kenai had said.

Phoenix whined softly, snapping Chema's attention back. She glanced up at him with eager, alert eyes, clearly ready to get back to work.

Denahi grinned.

"She's got more energy than you, I bet."

Chema laughed. "Oh, absolutely. She'd run circles around me if I let her." He gave her a hand signal, and Phoenix immediately focused, ready to follow his next command.

"So…" Denahi started, shifting a little, "do you ever think about what you'd do after all this? Like… go back to that original plan? You could still work with animals, start that vet clinic someday."

Chema thought about it, running his hand over the worn leather of Phoenix's collar.

"Maybe. But I think I've found my purpose here. Phoenix and I… we're a team now. I can't imagine leaving all this behind just yet."

Denahi nodded, understanding.

"I get it. The mission, the guys… it becomes home in its own way. But… I think you'd make a good vet."

They shared a small, meaningful glance, one that lingered just a bit longer than either of them expected.

Before either of them could say anything else, a loud whistle sounded from across the base.

"Hey, lovebirds! Are you coming, or are you too busy swapping life stories?" Koda's playful voice rang out, and Chema and Denahi broke into smiles, glancing away from each other.

Chema rolled his eyes.

"Let's go before they think we're really 'swapping stories.'"

As they joined the rest of the team, Denahi felt a warmth he couldn't quite explain. The unexpected comfort and ease he found with Chema was something new, something… worth exploring, perhaps. He tried to shake off the feeling, but it lingered, quietly tugging at him as they rejoined their brothers for the next phase of training.