Homecoming

She climbed down off the bus and waited as the driver got her single duffle bag out of the compartment before starting away from the bus station.

It was around 8 in the morning and the sun was warming the fall air.

She had opted out of wearing her dress uniform; she always preferred the fatigues anyway.

:Lawndale.: She thought with a fond memory.

:No ticker tape parade I guess.: She thought as well.

She started walking down the street and had to keep reminding herself to not march.

Lawndale hadn’t changed much since the last time she was here and some how that helped.

Her walk took her past the old high school that was a bustle of activity; youthful faces turned to look as she walked by, brought out some many memories.

When she started into the neighbor hoods and suburbs, her heart started pounding.

:No one has mowed the grass yet.: She smirked inwardly as she walked past the sculpture sitting in an ill kept front yard.

She knocked solidly and waited.

“If you want money, I sent the payment in.” A male voice said from the other side of the door after two minutes or so.

“But I just wanted your autograph.” She joked.

The door cracked open and smooth shaven face peered out, before the door swung open and she was pulled into a bear hug.

“Ouch, hey stop that.” She mock protested.

“Sorry, I’m just surprised to see you, Come in.” He said letting her go.

She followed him into the living room that was cleaner than she could ever remember it being and lowered her bag off her shoulder to the floor.

“How they hanging Trent.” She said and wanted to bit her tongue.
:To long only talking with my flight crew.: She heard groaning in her head.

“That’s a good one Daria.” Trent said with a chuckle.

“How are you doing?” Daria asked.

“Pretty good, I just got out of the shower, time for work.” Trent shrugged.

“Work as in a job!” Daria exclaimed surprised.

“Ya, after I took over the mortgage on this dump I figured it was time to stop fooling around. I’m still doing music but at night or on the weekends.” Trent defended weakly.

“That’s cool, is Jane here?” Daria asked.

“Nah, she’s got a place downtown, off of Dega Street. I got the address right here somewhere.” Trent said looking around before spotting a pad sitting on an uncluttered desk and picked it up nodding.

“Here we go.” Trent said as he copied the address to another page and tore it out then handed it to her.

“Thanks.” Daria said with a smirk.

“I hate to chase you off but work calls, I get off around 5 so maybe we can all get together and hang out.” Trent said.

Daria shouldered her bag and smiled over at him. “Well at least they got you wearing pants when you answer the door.”

Trent blushed red as she hurried out. :God I waited years to get him like that.:

She read the address and saw the phone number listed as well but having not needed a private form of communication for the last 5 years had stopped her from wasting the money on a cell phone.
:I’ll need to correct that soon.: She thought as she headed back the way she came.

Her Marine issued combat boots made loud stomping noises on the sidewalk as she turned on to Egypt Ave off Dega Street and started checking the names of the buildings. She had made it two blocks when a shout called to her from across the street and she turned.

Jane Lane was running across the street, still looking like a misunderstood teenage artist. Pants seemed to be the only change from the style she had favored throughout high school.
“Daria.” Jane said as she finished crossing the street and grabbed her friend in a bear hug spinning her around.

“Jane.” Daria deadpanned.

“You’re not going to act like you aren’t glad to see me are you?” Jane laughed as she set her down.

“I’m very glad to see you. I stopped by Trent’s first thing.” Daria smirked.

“Did I forget to mention in my letters that I moved?” Jane chuckled.

“Yes you did. I see he’s working and shaving now.” Daria said as she re-shouldered her bag.

“Having a kid will do that to a guy. Dawn wouldn’t let the baby go into the house until he started keeping it clean. Now she even lets him spend the night sometimes.” Jane said proudly.

“Don’t mean to be rude but is there someplace around here to eat, I haven’t eaten since I got on that damn bus yesterday morning.” Daria stopped her.

“Of course, what are you in the mood for, we have pizza and then we have everything else.” Jane replied.

“Pizza is good.” Daria answered.

“Follow me my lady.” Jane bowed dramatically and led the way down the sidewalk.



A few minutes later, they were seated in a nice mom and pop pizza joint waiting for their orders to come out.

“So I hear you’re a big hero.” Jane pressed.

“What?” Daria said surprised.

“Kevin got back about 8 months ago. Post traumatic stress disorder or something. He said he ran into you about two years ago in Iraq.” Jane explained.

“Just doing my job.” Daria shrugged.

Jane flashed to the conversation she had months before.

“The whole area was hot and my squad got cut to pieces, I mean just me and my fire team were all that was left. We sent off the call for evac and started pounding the sand to put some distance between us and the natives. I heard the chopper coming in and sent Myers on ahead to lay down some smoke and started to get Colister and Bracken over the hill. Colister was out, grenade went off two close and knocked him out and Bracken took two rounds to the leg so I was carrying him and dragging Colister. We crested the dune and saw the chopper. It was a Huey, one of those Indian named ones that are setup for search and rescue. I knew they were under orders to not sit on the ground two long so I broke into a run. I lost my grip on Colister but I couldn’t stop so I kept running. I got to the bird and tossed Bracken to the medic and headed back to get Colister. I figured that with only one person slowing me down I could avoid the enemy until we could call for another pickup. I got to him and tossed him on my shoulder and turned back to see the pilot air jumping across the sand to close the distance a little. I started running toward the bird and that’s when the shooting started. Must of been a platoon of regulars on the top of that dune and they were really trying to down the bird.”

Kevin paused to take a drink.

“Orders were to take off, every ground pounder knows that. If the bird is under fire, it’s got to go. But it didn’t, the door gunner with the 50 cal and some grunt in the back with a SAW started laying down cover like pros. Even the medic was returning fire with a M-4. When I saw the pilots chart window open and heard the roar of a 45 I knew I was going to make it. They weren’t going anywhere. There were bullets buzzing around like hornets and I was sure I was done for, right up until I got on skids and they pulled me and Colister inside.”
Kevin smiled and took a bite out of his plate of noodles.

“Weren’t you scared?” Jane asked.

“All the time.” Kevin responded.

“I mean what if one of them had the bullet with your name on it.” Jane said surprised.

“That ain’t the one to be scared of. Nothing you can do about that one. It’s the ten million or so that are just marked occupant that always scared me.” Kevin chuckled and threw his smile at her.

“So the chopper got you back to base or whatever.” Jane asked.

“Well first the pilot was a little annoyed so they laid down all their rockets in both pods before opening up with the mini-gun. Cut them down to chunks before heading off to the forward mash.” Kevin said.

“When did you find out it was her?” Jane smiled.

“During the flight back, I stuck my head up into the cockpit and offered to buy a drink to the gutsiest flyboy I ever saw and she turned and hit me with that deadpanned look and turned me down. Said she didn’t drink with quarterbacks.” Kevin roared with laughter.

“Did you ever see her again?” Jane laughed with him.

“Nah, them jarhead pilots were always being moved around to where ever the action was hottest.” Kevin shook his head.

“So that’s how you got some of them medals.” Jane said.

“Nah those are for tossing darts.” Kevin dismissed. “I just did my job.”

“I’ll have to look him up.” Daria said bringing Jane back as the pizza arrived.

“He works at the school, assistance coach or something. I thought you weren’t getting here until Friday.” Jane asked.

“They let me out of the hospital two days early.” Daria shrugged.

“Are you going to re-enlist?” Jane said shyly.

“No, it was suggested that my injuries would prevent me from being placed into combat again, which means I would be hopping supplies from one base to another. I took the civilian pilots license and walked away with 5 years of pay, pretty much untouched.” Daria said sadly.

“You sticking around town for a while?” Jane pressed.

“I need to rest for a while, it was pretty bad. So catch me up on the town and your life.” Daria demanded.

“I have a shop where I sell my work and take commissions for portraits. Prints and Pictures, I do the prints and Charles does the pictures. We’re doing ok, work is really steady. He’s married now to Andrea and she still works at the discount store but she’s the manger now.” Jane said.

“Anybody special or are you just stringing along a whole herd of guys.” Daria joked.

“Someone special.” Jane choked, blushing slightly.

“Who?” Daria pressed.

“Later. You know who you want to ask about.” Jane said evilly.

“Fine, how’s Quinn?” Daria sighed.

“She is doing great. Fashion Dreams is the best formal wear shop in town. They pretty much owned the fall festival at the high school and Quinn’s a good little ant putting money aside of the slow season. She’s got Tiffany and Stacy and a few other girls working for her now.” Jane answered.

“What about Sandi?” Daria asked.

“She has her own place, Fashion Palace or something at the mall, she’s doing ok I guess. I saw a blouse I wanted so I figured I would get it and the little dictator threw me out. Said she didn’t want my kind in her store.” Jane said before wincing at the words.

“I thought she would have been thrilled to get a chance to dress you up. … What do you mean your kind?” Daria asked.

“You remember all the rumors that used to go around school about us?” Jane sighed.

“What about you and me, you don’t mean she still believes … is there something you’re not telling me.” Daria slowed and took a drink from her soda.

“Her name is Lorena, we’ve been together for two years now. She was in Quinn’s class and she introduced us, she also works for her.” Jane said and Daria noticed the almost song like fashion Jane said the name.

“I see you left a lot out of your letters.” Daria sighed and pulled another slice of pizza over to her plate.

“I didn’t want to bother you with details.” Jane shrugged weakly.

“More guys for me.” Daria replied with a grin.

Part 2

After lunch they started walking and soon enough Daria found herself standing outside Fashion Dreams. It was a hole in the wall shop that promised to make it’s customers dreams come true.

“Wait here.” Jane ordered and pointed next to the door.

She opened the door and stepped in, holding the door down.

“Hey Quinn.” Jane called out.

“Hey Jane I can’t afford to air condition the outside. Close the door.” Quinn’s voice came through the air.

“I got a package that got delivered to my door by mistake. I need some help bringing it in.” Jane lied smoothly.

“I’m not expecting anything. If this is another dead animal from Sandi I’ll…” Quinn said as she stepped outside and saw her big sister.

“DARIA!” Quinn yelled and grabbed her into a hug.

“I missed you too.” Daria said, trying not to cry.

“I got to go, time is money or something.” Jane said ducking out of the shop with purple lipstick smeared into her red. She quickly headed down the sidewalk before yelling back.

“Tonight at the Downtime, my treat for dinner, 7.” Jane called.

Daria raised her hand and noticed Quinn doing the same and laughed lightly.

“I can’t believe you’re back.” Quinn said as she pulled her sister into the shop.

“I told you I was coming back to Lawndale.” Daria said as she dropped her duffle next to a chair as she looked around.

“On Friday, I thought you would change your mind.” Quinn said almost bouncing.

Daria saw a collection of girls at work hemming and adjusting gowns.

“Let me introduce you, everyone this is my sister Daria. Daria, this is Tiffany and Stacy, I’m sure you remember them and that’s Lorena and Jennifer they went to school with us.” Quinn gushed happily.

“Hi.” Daria said slightly embarrassed.

“Welcome back.” Stacy said nicely as she finished a dress.

“How are we coming?” Quinn smiled.

“Looks like that’s everything for the Fielding Prep order. Once we finish up these ones, we’re done.” Stacy answered.

“Ok, everyone take your time but when it’s done, take the rest of the day off, with pay.” Quinn smiled.

“Want me to finish off your dress?” Stacy said pointing to a vacant table.

“Please Stacy.” Quinn nodded.

Daria watched as the blond haired girl tried to convince Tiffany to come out to celebrate with her only to be rejected politely.

“One of these days.” The blond said.

“Maybe.” Tiffany agreed with a smile.

“The great Daria, I really wanted to be able to hate you.” Lorena said and Daria noted the purple lipstick.

“I’m sure you can find a reason if you really want to.” Daria smirked.

“That would take effort.” The punk haired woman said with a smile.

“You already sound like a Lane.” Daria said shaking her head.

“She told you, thank god. I wasn’t relishing spending a few days in the closet until she got the nerve.” Lorena said, sound relived.

“She did, you got a great girl there. Did someone already give you the protective speech?” Daria joked.

“Yes, break her heart and we’ll bury you in the bridesmaid dress in the Morgendorffer’s backyard. I haven’t seen the dress but how bad could it be?” Lorena laughed.

“It was bad.” Daria replied with a smile.

“No it wasn’t, you just got stuck with a lousy seamstress who didn’t want to do her job so it didn’t fit right.” Quinn said from behind her.

“You looked great in yours.” Daria conceded.

“She looks great in anything, I hate her.” Lorena said pleasantly.

“Oh you two, c’mon let’s get you back to my house and we can give you sometime to rest and get settled in.” Quinn dismissed smiling.

“We can talk later, I have all the dirt on Jane throughout high school and college.” Daria promised as Quinn started dragging her away.

“Everyone calls me Lore and I pay well for blackmail evidence.” Lore said nicely as she seal the dress she had been working on into a garment bag.

“Ok, Just because the boss is all happy doesn’t mean you gals can be late tomorrow. Tiffany that means you.” Stacy said as she quickly and expertly finished the last dress.

“I’m … riding … with … Jennifer.” Tiffany answered.

“Ok that sounds good, she gets here to early and your tend to be late. Even it out and everyone is happy.” Stacy grinned.

“You just love having power don’t you.” Lore said looking at Stacy.

“Of course and I had a very good teacher, she taught me everything not to do.” Stacy chuckled.





Quinn and Daria walked down the street, heading for Quinn’s car until Daria spotted Prints and Pictures and pulled her sister inside. Jane was picking out a background with a family but Charles, formerly known as Upchuck was sitting behind the counter assembling a camera.

“Oh my eyes are in heaven, can I be lucky enough to catch the rare Morgendorffer sisters together.” He exclaimed.

“Hi Charles.” Quinn said.

“Hey UpCh…Charles.” Daria said feeling strange using his name.

“ It’s alright, a few people still do that, you never meant it as insulting as most did. I hear you had your self a few adventures since I last saw you.” Charles said politely and Daria decided she would never make the slip again.

“Just doing my part. Are these night vision?” Daria asked looking at a picture mounted on the wall.

“Yes, it’s a picture of Baghdad during one of our bombing attacks. It was taken by one of my favorite photographers.” Charles said.

“It’s not Baghdad, it’s Fallujah but it is by Chris Hondros.” Daria said.

“You have heard of him.” Charles said looking surprised.

“Little town just south of Najaf, I had to pick up a Navy pilot and Hondros before the enemy found them. He took a few pictures from my chopper.” Daria shrugged.

“You met him!” Charles almost cheered.

“Not really, just talked some while we were heading back to base.” Daria replied casually.

“Ok, that’s enough making Charles jealous.” Quinn laughed.

“Is there any chance you might want to come by and tell me about it?” Charles asked.

“Sure but it was a pretty boring trip.” Daria agreed.

Quinn dragged Daria out of the shop as she waved to Jane who was trying not to laugh.





Daria came out of the shower and dressed in military issue underwear and pulled on an under shirt before sighing and moving to the door.

“Quinn, could you come here for a minute.” She called down the hall.

She listened and heard the steps before Quinn knocked and asked through the door.
“Is everything OK?”

“Just something I want to get out of the way, I’m not wearing much but come in.” Daria said and stood next to the bed.

Quinn walked in and Daria had to give her sister much respect that she didn’t cry out when she saw her.

The accident hadn’t been anywhere near as bad as it could have been but it left its mark. Her left side took all the damage, from her shoulder that was a giant red puffy scar, to her leg that was almost covered in them as well.

“They look so funny because of the skin graphs, I have to wear these pressure cuffs when I sleep to try to get them a bit more normal looking. It’s just my arm and leg, and a small one on my hip, everything works. I wanted you to see now instead of later.” Daria said grabbing her pants and pulling them on.

“I knew it was bad, I looked up injuries like that on the Internet. You were really lucky.” Quinn said wiping at her eyes.

“I know.” Daria said shaking her head as she pulled on the button up fatigue top and quickly buttoned it. She went to switch her rank pins from her other shirt and paused, her captain’s bars went onto the night table instead. Her wings were even harder to not put on.

“Are you wearing that to dinner tonight?” Quinn asked and Daria had to smile.

“Well to be honest, I don’t have anything else. I went in with one outfit and the Corps gave me everything I needed for the last 5 years. I have four sets of marpat and my dress uniform and one older set of fatigues for working out in and my spare flight suit.” Daria answered.

“Tomorrow, I’ll take you shopping after I close the shop.” Quinn groaned, shaking her head.

“I’d like that.” Daria smiled.

Quinn froze and turned. “What?”

“I said I would like that. You and me doing something sisterly.” Daria replied.

“Wow, I don’t know what to say.” Quinn said tearing up.

“I spent the more than four of the last 5 years in the desert taking fire from people I didn’t hate, trying to further a goal I didn’t agree a hundred percent with and if nothing else it showed me how important family really is.” Daria said carefully.

“Then why?” Quinn asked.

“Because what I was doing wasn’t a gray area. I was saving people’s lives every day and that was worth it, worth any doubt I ever had about why we were there.” Daria answered.

“I was proud of you, no matter what Mom and Dad said, I was always proud of you.” Quinn said softly.

“I know and that counted for a lot.” Daria said.

“Are you going to go see them?” Quinn asked.

“I don’t know, they wouldn’t let me have visitors until I got back to the states but even after I wrote them and told them I was being discharged for my injuries they still didn’t write back or call.” Daria said trying to control her temper.

“I’m so sorry.” Quinn cried grabbing onto her sister.

“You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” Daria said as she held onto her sister.

“Is that a gun?” Quinn said looking at the bed as she wiped the tears from her cheek.

“M1911 .45 cal handgun. It was Grandda’s. Grandma Ruth let me take it when I went to visit her after flight school.” Daria answered.

“God you’re making me cry like a baby, let me go fix my makeup.” Quinn said before darting out of the room after catching her smeared makeup in the wall mirror.

They got into Quinn’s car and headed into town until she pulled into a strip mall and Daria saw the sign for Downtime.

“What kind of place is this?” Daria asked.

“I don’t really know.” Quinn admitted. “It’s unique.”

“Let’s go see if Jane is late yet.” Daria laughed.

Part 3

Daria tried to take in the large dining area and found she couldn’t get her mind around everything she was seeing.

“What in the name of hell is all this?” Daria said turning in place to look at the hands coming out of the walls and furniture connected to the ceiling.

“It takes some getting use to, but the food is worth it.” Quinn said and pointed toward the back and Daria spotted Jane and Lore.

“She doesn’t have any other clothes does she?” Jane asked shaking her head.

“Not one bit.” Quinn said and handed a twenty to Jane.

“Easy money.” Jane laughed as Quinn and Daria each took a seat.

“We went ahead and ordered some appetizers for everyone since she figured you two would be late.” Lore informed them.

“Thanks, Daria kept making me cry so I had to redo my makeup.” Quinn teased.

“Meanie, you made my boss cry, do it again.” Lore begged.

“Maybe later.” Daria replied as a waiter approached them to get their drink orders.

“I’m driving so I’ll have a diet soda.” Quinn ordered.

“Same here but make my soda full strength.” Lore ordered.

“Rum and coke.” Jane ordered.

“Four fingers of 151 and keep the bottle handy if my glass is empty then fill it.” Daria ordered and everyone looked at her strangely, except for the waiter who strolled away.

“Are you planning on feeling no pain.” Lore smirked.

“After a few years drinking with a bunch of guys I tend to have a high tolerance for alcohol.” Daria laughed.

“So what are your plans now that you’re back home.” Jane asked.

“Not sure yet, maybe get a job flying for someone, news or police.” Daria shrugged.

“What about school?” Quinn asked.

“I got my three 2 year degrees, that should help but I don’t think I could stand going back now.” Daria shook her head negatively.

“3.” Lore said looking surprised.

“Triple major, Creative writing, Literature and History.” Daria chuckled.

“That must have been heavy.” Lore said impressed.

“Luckily after I enlisted I talked Raft into converting me into the two year programs so halfway through basic I got the message I would be heading to flight school as soon as I wrapped basic. Just made flight height by 2 tenths of an inch. My drill decided he needed to kick my ass extra hard since I was going to outrank him the day after we graduated.” Daria laughed, smacking the table.

“So what rank are you?” Lore asked looking amused as Daria killed her newly arrived drink.

“Captain, 13th division, Marine Air Calvary Search and Rescue.” Daria said proudly.

“She won the navy cross twice and 3 purple hearts and …” Quinn started only to be stopped by a groan from Daria.

“Don’t, their just hunks of metal, the only one I care about is my wings.” Daria said shaking her head.

A drink suddenly land on Daria, soaking the back of her shirt.

She calmly stood up and unbuttoned her shirt and pulled off the digital created camo patterned shirt and hung it over her chair.
She stood there in the undershirt before turning back to the table, her face expressionless.

Jane gasped at the scar that was uncovered and Lore was looking around the room trying to see who had thrown the glass.

“Baby killer.” A voice came from the crowd and a woman stepped forward with a large looking fellow following behind her.

“Damn, it’s Marcy, Lawndale’s insane answer to Cindy Sheehan.” Jane cursed under her breath.

“You’re a cold bloodied murderer, killing innocent woman and children for oil.” The woman screamed as she approached Daria.

“Is there a specific murder you would like to discuss?” Daria said coldly.

“What?” The woman said confused.

“I have over three hundred confirmed kills, work with me here. Do you have a date we could cover or a location?” Daria asked sounding as nice as lemonade.

“All of them.” The woman rushed forward swinging her arm only to be tossed over a table.

“Fair enough.” Daria said as the hulking shadow decided to enter the fray. Daria laughed as he swaggered up to her.

“I ain’t gonna hurt you much shorty.” He slurred.

“I guess that makes you a gentleman.” Daria replied before stomping her left combat boot into his knee and struck his now much lower head with the heel of her palm four quick times. He fell over with a floor-shaking thud.

Daria grabbed her chair and pulled it out and sat down, she reached for her glass and found it had been refilled.
“Good service.” She muttered.

“What in every level of hell was that?” Lore said in disbelief.

“Ooh-rah.” Daria answered.

“Did you just kick two people’s asses without even breaking a sweat?” Jane said proudly.

“Serves them right.” Quinn smirked.

“Is there a problem here?” A voice said and an elderly man walked onto the floor and listened as one of the waiters gave him a brief description of the events that had transpired.

He walked over to the table and nodded to Jane and Quinn and turned to Daria, looking her up and down then spoke.
“If anyone ever gives you anymore trouble in my house, you let me know. Meals on the house tonight. Semper Fi.” He turned and walked away.

They ate quickly and left a huge tip before going out into the cold air, Quinn and Lore walked behind the two friends as they talked.

“I tried to join up you know.” Jane said after the small talk ran out.

“No way.” Daria laughed, feeling good from several glasses of hardcore.

“I showed up at your apartment after not hearing from you for three weeks and when Gwen said you had joined the Marines, I went down there and talked to Sergeant Richmond and said send me wherever you sent her.” Jane said shaking her head.

“What happened, you sober up.” Daria guessed.

“Medical exam, my hearing in my left ear isn’t good enough. It wasn’t Trent, I had a bad ear infection as a kid and it did some damage.” Jane said quickly defending her brother.

“Damn.” Daria said shaking her foggy head.

“I begged, offered to clean bathrooms, fetch coffee anything.” Jane said her voice choking.

“I’m glad you didn’t go, I wouldn’t trade it for the world but there were some bad times and I saw a lot of people die and I helped a lot of people hurry along to what ever comes next. I wasn’t kidding in there, 321 confirmed kills.” Daria said gently.

“How many did you save?” Jane whispered.

“More than that, no one ever kept track of that number but I can get above 500 hundred just from memory.” Daria said proudly.

“Kevin told me something about the best survival rate or something.” Jane pressed.

“I never lost a chopper or a single member of my crew. Even through this, I kept my crew safe.” Daria said pointing with her right hand to her left shoulder.

“What happened?” Jane asked.

“It was suppose to be a quick drop off, then the gunship escorting us took a LAW and was gone. The other SAR pilot took a hit from the debris and panicked. He turned to quickly and drove his rear rotor into us. This is all burns from the sparks, my leg is almost as bad. It was friendly territory, some kid from Denver who decided that he was a Muslim and for him that meant turning his weapon against his own people. I’ll never know for sure since one of his platoon killed him before he could get off another shot. I managed to land before I passed out. The next thing I know, I’m being evaced back to the states and here I am.” Daria said sadly.

“Wow so you really are a hero.” Jane said and hugged Daria.

“No, I just did my job, I really loved to fly.” Daria said and they cried for a while.




They made their way back to the parking lot and Lore hugged Daria goodnight before driving off with an almost passed out Jane.

Quinn was quiet until they got back to her house and then turned to look at her sister and started talking.

“When you dropped out and joined, I thought it was stupid but brave and I understood why you might have wanted to. I didn’t care that Mom thought you were wasting your potential or that Dad thought you were ruining your life. When you started sending letters and they got mad when I answered the ones you sent to me, I freaked out a little. When they gave me the choice of supporting you or them, I left. I haven’t spoken to them expect once and that was after Sandi crashed The Fashion Kingdom, they expected me to come crawling back and the choice was the same, you or them. I had a chunk of money left over so I dumped it into Dreams and here I am. I want you to know that I never once even considered their demand.” Quinn said.

“Doesn’t matter if you considered it or not, I needed those letters and you and Jane and Trent were the only ones I ever got. I sent a hundred to Mom and Dad while I was over seas and not one answer ever came. You kept me sane.” Daria said.

“I love you Daria.” Quinn said with a smile.

“I love you Quinn and it’s going to be ok. I’m out of the service now so maybe they won’t be so uptight anymore. I don’t know if I can forgive them but I want to try if they’ll let me.” Daria said.

“Don’t get you’re hopes to high, they’ve turned into some really miserable people in the last few years. I hear that Dad’s business really pick up, and Mom made partner and they go around claiming that we robbed them blind. I spent two years in a junior college trying but I knew that there was no way I could cut it at a real school. Maybe if I hadn’t messed around so much in high school. I asked them for my college fund to help out when we were all going to start Fashion Kingdom and they laughed at me, then came the choice. They offered me the money for that. Daria I want to say I still love them but I can’t.” Quinn said looking ashamed.

“There’s a lot I don’t know but the next few days will decided what comes next.” Daria said thoughtfully.

“You don’t mind staying here right?” Quinn asked.

“It’s a nice how, whatever happened to the previous owner?” Daria said smirking.

“Some moron sold her a whole box of chocolate bars and she dropped dead eating them.” Quinn answered.

“Did they find out who it was?” Daria mused.

“No but it was someone in the senior class the year after I graduated.” Quinn said shaking her head.

“I miss flying already.” Daria said dropping onto her sister’s couch.

“What was it like?” Quinn asked.

“It was like being free, moving so fast that nothing could touch you. So high up that nothing can reach you. It was every kind of high and low all at once but better. It made me think that maybe you and your angels weren’t so crazy after all.” Daria answered.

“Thank you for coming home.” Quinn said taking a seat next to her.

“Thank you for having a home for me to come to.” Daria smiled.

“Daria.” Quinn mused.

“Ya.” Daria said wearily.

“Can I give you a makeover?” Quinn grinned.

Epilog

Daria stared at the wall, his medals hung in a glass case and clippings from several newspapers and saw her own name as well as Kevin’s showing up.

She was enjoying her self tonight and even with the shoulder scar showing, he didn’t stare. :At least not at it.: She laughed in her head.

“My wall of fame or shame, after you pulled my ass out of the fire, I started keeping track of you. I know how you got the second cross, the POWs and all but how’d you get the first one?” Kevin asked as he returned from his kitchen with a 5 gallon bucket filled with ice and bottles of beer.

“Luck.” Daria shrugged and accepted a beer before pointing to his bronze star. “How did you mange that one?” She smirked.

“Tell me yours and I tell you mine.” He laughed.

“Fine but yours had better be good. I was in country for about a month when the whole air group got sent out to assist in a retreat. It was amazing, 8 SAR and maybe a dozen Super Stallions, the Wolf Pack. Two attack choppers were escorting us and it was just so incredible seeing all that metal flying. Well I’m sitting on the ground ready to start loading and the radio starts squawking. Three heavies inbound, they took out one of our escorts before anyone knew what was happening. The second one lasted long enough for me to get in the air. It was going to take at least a minute before anyone could rabbit so I radioed in and told flight command that I would try to buy them some time to get off the ground. I took down the first one with my rockets; they didn’t think they needed to worry about a little search and rescue bird. The other two started taking me a bit more serious but they made a huge blunder. One of them started pacing me, keeping me from being able to lose the second one. It was just flying along side like we were friendly, but they were blocking the line of fire for the third bird so I had my door gunner open up the side door and start blasting with the .50 cal. I called for Mikey, he was my grunt, to grab the thumper. I still don’t know why we had it but one shot ignited the leaking fuel from the extra tanks they were carrying and scratch two heavies. Well the third pilot wasn’t that good so I got behind him and finished him with the mini-gun and a few more missiles.

After that I picked up the survivors from the second escort and confirmed there weren’t any from the first and then I landed and called for loading. The embedded press made a bigger deal out of it than it really was. I traded my gold bars for silver ones and got my picture taken with some big shots and that was that.” Daria shrugged and nodded to Kevin to fill his end.

“Baghdad, the city was pretty much ours but as we were cleaning out one of his palaces and started taking fire. Couldn’t have been more than three of them but they had the second floor and were raining lead down on us. I opened up with my SAW just as I took a burst to the chest. Some how as I fell to the ground, with my finger still pulling the trigger I got all three of them, through the floor. That was it, pin a medal on me.” Kevin laughed.

“Says on the wall, you pulled three wounded men out of the line of fire afterwards, despite having took four to the chest yourself.” Daria said pointing at the newspaper clippings.

Kevin blushed and sat down on his couch and sighed.

“Truthfully, I thought the vest had stopped them, until I started getting dizzy after it was over.” Kevin shrugged.

“Sounds like you deserved the medal, I still remember you going back for that guy.” Daria said raising her beer to him.

“They kicked me out you know.” Kevin said after returning the raised bottle.

“I don’t see it that way.” Daria said sitting on the other end of the couch.

“Psyche discharge. I was fine on duty but I couldn’t handle the down time. I’m still waiting on someone to show up with my orders.” Kevin said sadly.

“Tell me about it.” Daria pressed.

“Same as everyone with PTSD, nightmares but I’m lucky, I have a built in escape as part of the nightmare.” Kevin chuckled.

“What?” Daria said interested.

“You, every time the dreams start getting to bad I can hear those chopper blades coming to pull me out. The pilot never leaves, always sticks around until I can get on board.” Kevin answered.

Daria didn’t answer but she smiled at him.

Kevin took a long pull on his beer and leaned forward to grab another before sitting back just in time for two bare feet to land in his lap.

“Someone is taking advantage of my hero worship I see.” Kevin joked as he started rubbing her feet.

“Hell yes.” Daria laughed.

They continued talking and she felt something that gave her an idea. His hands had moved up to her ankles and calves before she decided to act.

She pushed her foot against him and made up her mind.
“I think I might have some orders for you Sergeant, Do you think you’re up for them?” She said amused as she rubbed with her foot.

“Think so but you might have to explain it to me with small words.” Kevin responded

“I think the biggest ones are four letters so we won’t have any trouble.” Daria smirked as she moved and straddled him.

“I think I can follow you.” Kevin said as he moved his hands to her waist.

She pulled off her shirt and tossed it behind her, she let her hand graze the scar before wrapping them around his neck.

“We can turn the light off if you want.” She said as she started kissing his neck and shoulder.

“Only if you’re tired of looking at my ugly face.” He answered.

Kevin returned her kisses before pulling slightly back.

“We would never work out would we?” He asked.

“No but I think we both want this and I know it would do me a world of good.” She admitted.

He seemed to think for a moment.
“If you want me to stop.” Daria started only to feel one of his arms pull her tighter, holding her in place.

“Ok then grunt show me how you can be all you can be.” She laughed against him.

“Damn jarheads.” He returned with a kiss.

“Ooh-rah.” She moaned against him.

Look at the Past

Seeds are planted.

Daria sat at her favorite table in the library waiting for her new charge, third year and she might as well been teaching half her classes. College wasn’t any different from high School, just different faces and the work was a joke.

“Miss. Morgendorffer.” A voice said from behind her.

Daria stood and turned around extending her hand.

“Daria will be fine.” She said and at looked confused when she didn’t see anyone.

She caught the top of a head and looked down.

“Hi, call me Mitch.” The young man said with a smile, holding his own hand out.

She lowered her hand and shook his gently.

“Let’s get started then.” Daria recovered.

After an hour of working on 18th century history, she watched one of his wheels spin suddenly. She looked up and saw him leaning to one side to pull weight off that side of his chair.

She realized she had been staring at the wheelchair and blushed.

“I’m sorry.” She almost whispered.

“You know, if you just asked it would help you not stare.” Mitch said friendly.

“How?” Daria asked, knowing he was right.

“Afghanistan, I was a tank jockey in the army. Sniper took a shot while we were trying to repair a broken track.” Mitch said.

“You were shot!” Daria gasped.

“It was the army, that happens.” He smiled.

“Oh.” Daria said and looked down at the book in front of her.

They started studying again and he shook his head knowing it was coming, he didn’t have to wait to long.

“Why?” She blurted out.

“Why what? Why did I join, that’s easy, I was bored. Drifting around without a clue what I wanted to do with my life and the military offered money for school and training and a chance to do something different. The army because it was convenient and tanks because I liked the idea of having a lot of metal between me and the shooting.” Mitch shrugged.

“Aren’t you angry?” Daria asked.

“Hell yes but I wouldn’t be here now if it hadn’t been for the army. I was about to drop out of school and throw away my whole life just because I kept hearing I don’t know whispering in my head.” Mitch laughed.

“I can understand that feeling.” Daria mused.

“Look, I don’t want to push anyone into the service. It’s not for everyone but I’m glad I did and I can’t say anything bad about doing it. Hey I even got a hero for life out of it.” Mitch said honestly.

“Who?” Daria asked.

“The chopper pilot that pulled me and my crew out. Guy was nuts or something, flew right into a firefight and started loading us.” Mitch said, eyes shinning.

“That was nice of him.” Daria said looking thought full.

“I thought so.” Mitch said. “I spent years feeling empty and nothing filled it, not girls, not school and not other activities but the military did, it gave me purpose.”

“I could use a little of that myself.” Daria heard herself saying.






Decisions

Daria took the seat across from the recruiter looking hopeful.

“Good to see you again.” He said with a smirk, he knew when he had a fish hooked.

“I told you I’d show up.” She answered.

“Well Daria your ASVAB score was in the top 1 percent so I can pretty much guarantee you any training you want. One thing left, you have to make a choice, any idea what you want to do.” Sergeant Richmond asked.

“I was thinking about search and rescue or a medic.” Daria answered from across the desk.

“Well what are you looking to get out of the Marines?” Richmond asked.

“I want to do something hard, something new. What did you do?” Daria answered truthfully.

“I was a Stallion driver, a helicopter pilot.” Richmond answered with a fond smile.

“Could I do that, in the search and rescue?” Daria asked looking intrigued.

“Yep. It would be easier if you had your degree already, any information yet on if they can convert your credits to a two year degree program?” Richmond asked.

“Not yet but I put you down as the contact person when it or if it goes through.” Daria said.

“Ok, what it means is we’re going to process you as enlisted and hopefully by the time you complete basic we can offer you a commission. Are you sure you don’t want more time to say goodbyes before you head to Paris Island?” Richmond pressed.

“I’m already packed.” Daria said holding up her small bag.

“Alright, the bus leaves at 5, don’t be late.” Richmond stood and held out his hand to her as she finished signing the papers.

She took his hand and shook in as firmly as she could. “So that’s it, I’m a soldier now.”

“No, you’re a Marine.” He chuckled.






Flight.

Daria sat shaking in the seat as her instructor totaled up her points for her first flight attempt. The entire day had been her class’s first time in real flying machines.

:At least I didn’t crash into the roof of the PX like Jim.: She thought trying to control the tremors.

“Congratulations, I guess going last was lucky for you. You passed.” The instructor said from the co-pilot seat.

“What?” Daria said surprised. “I didn’t think we were being graded.”

“You aren’t, today, but as the training progresses this same exercise will be graded.” The instructor smirked.

“I thought I did badly.” Daria said as she stroked the control panel.

“Only person to take off and land by yourself and you managed to complete the course. First time flying in one of these?” He asked tapping the glass dome.

Daria nodded and felt her face start to ache, she realized she was smiling and had been for a while. “It was incredible.” She whispered.

“Oh god another soul hooked on flying, get out of here caterpillar.” He said and pointed toward the door on her side.

She climbed out of the Bell helicopter and pulled off her helmet once she cleared the blade range and walked to her classmates who were all waiting. They were staring at her with a look she knew well, that look that said they all hoped they wouldn’t be graded on a curve with her