Shot Throught the Heart

three

The drive back home was quiet. Both of them were tired from the flight over and were just ready to relax. When we pulled up to the house I parked out front and helped them grab everything they brought with them. We walked inside together and I hung the keys on an empty hook by the door.

"Mom, I'm back." I said loudly into the house as Morgan and Rob followed inside behind me.

"She is a bit lost in her own world right now Dani, she'll come out and say hi later." Peyton said as she came around the corner.

"Morgan, Rob, this is my step-mom Peyton, Peyton this is my spotter Rob and my best friend Morgan." I said introducing everyone.

The intros didn't last long with both of them being used to usually cold military greetings. When it was over I brought them both upstairs and showed them to their rooms. Rob is staying in Dominic's old bedroom while Morgan is staying with me in mine. Morgan went into my room to start to unpack while I followed Rob. He put his bag down on the bed and turned to face me. He has a few scratches on his arms from the blow back the other day but he looks pretty fine.

"How's your head?" Rob asked and lowered himself down on the bed.

"Low grade concussion, the ringing finally stopped thank God. I'll be fine in few days. How are you?" I asked.

"My back took the worse of it. I'm going to be rearranging my belts and bag when we get spun up again. It's just sore." Rob said and reached around to rub the pain that's still lingering.

"It could also be the years of war catching up to us." I said and sat down next to him.

"Yea, that too." Rob said and sighed. "How's your heart?"

"Broken" I said quietly.

Rob didn't say anything else but just put his arm around my shoulder as my eyes teared up. He has been one of the constants in my normally wonderous life. Wherever I went, Rob was usually just a step behind. He's been one of the few good things the army has given me over the years. We went through Ranger school together and went on to our unit together as well.

After I got the call, Rob was the one who caught me when I fell to the floor and he was right by my side when I woke up in the med bay. I thought it was just a dream and then he told me it wasn't. That's when he told me we were going home, to be here for the funeral. We have been through a lot together, injuries, bad opps, getting stuck behind enemy lines, weddings, capturing high value targets, funerals, to many funerals and the birth of his kids.

I let Rob hold me for a few minutes. His big muscular arms making me safe and content at home and I just sagged against him. It only lasted for a few more minutes before Morgan walked into the room. She was quiet, unlike her normal loud self and I looked up at her.

"My turn" Morgan said and held out her hand for me to take. Rob gave me one last squeeze before letting me go. I got up from the bed and let Morgan pull me out of the room. We walked back to mine and once we got here I shut the door behind her and walked to the bed.

I didn't sit down, only watched Morgan as she walked over to me. She brought her hands up to my jaw and softly cupped it in her hands and my breath caught in my throat. Carefully, she turned it and got a better look at the scratches from the other day. Neither of us said anything as she inspected it for herself. When she was satisfied, Morgan's eyes met mine.

"We are both here for you and aren't going anywhere. Peter was our friend too. We want to honor him with you." Morgan said and swallowed. I bit my lip and nodded before Morgan pulled me into her arms.