2OO3 :House Of Ashes:

』Confessions『

{[ I'm sorry, this is almost 5k words because I wanted Jason to get Eric to a point of a mental breakdown (so WARNING - Mental health and extreme panic attack) that took him longer to recover from and wasn't just anger. I also wanted to add a little Joey x Jason in because I ship them both, hence the title 'Confessions.' More so on Jason's part.

And  'ahbil' means stupid. ]} 

The Colonel was the first to look over the edge at the ridge while Jason went ahead and slid down to the case Salim was pointing at. Nick followed him down shortly after. When the Sergeant got to the bottom, he unclipped his rifle from the strap that held it and crossed it over his chest in its rightful spot, the stock snug to his armpit and his index finger relaxed near the trigger.

Jason knelt down and studied the case for a moment before sighing and brushing it off slowly with his left hand. He understood immediately what Salim was talking about, how could he not when he asked him the questions himself.

The Iraqi remained silent while watching them as Eric had finally decided to go down with them and look at it with his own eyes and for some reason, he went numb. He remembered when the ambush happened, he was so worried about Rachel, he was no help. He let Joey die. He let Merwin die. He let this happen.

"I'm sorry, Salim." Jason managed to say as he stood back up, it sounded genuine which caught Nick off guard and he stepped away to give the man some space because it was also a confession.

Salim's face softened a bit hearing this. So it was him. The Iraqi came down to meet them, now standing on the same ridge they ambushed the Americans from.

"Who shot the rocket at our helo?" Eric asked.

"I did. I had no choice." Salim answered him truthfully, but sternly. "You on the other hand... Did." He hissed at Jason, pointing at him. "That man didn't have to die today."

Jason instantly felt like Salim had rubbed salt in his wounds. It was yet another mistake to add on to the pile of his mistakes he's been trying to correct ever since he became a marine. But before Nick or Eric could defend him, Salim had already walked away and was heading down towards one of the Shepherd's huts to post up until it became dark.

Eric's gaze landed on Jason and the Lieutenant was at a complete loss for words. He only nodded at him as if to say 'join us when you're ready,' and the blonde turned to follow Salim down. Nick however, stayed with him. Although he remained silent, he knew Jason well enough to know when he wasn't okay.

"C'mon man, let's go." Nick stepped over to him and lightly nudged Jason with his elbow.

"You ever wonder what they would be doing if they were still alive?" Jason asked.

Nick's face dropped again, knowing that he was referring to both Joey and Nathan. "Jason...What are you talking about?"

Jason reached over without asking if he could even touch Nick, but Nick didn't seem to mind. He just watched him as Jason stuck his two fingers into his vest pocket and grabbed Joey's crucifix necklace. The Lieutenant adjusted it in his hand so that it was resting in his open palm, glistening in the sun. Nick breathed in deep as his eyes were on it too and the vision of Joey dying in his arms came back to him.