2014
The base was busy today... A new shipment of recruits had been brought to base to receive their orders, and meet their teams...
A group of soldiers had come back to base from their last mission.
Commanding Officers were on high alert, and barking orders...
A typical day if you ask most, but for you... It never seemed to end.
While there was no reeks of death, or cries in defeat... There was a mess to be had, and wounds to be tended to.
"Hey hun," the head nurse Stephanie steps into the med bay, giving you a sour look, "Looks like you've got one more who slipped between our fingers... Found him arguing with Laswell, she made me drag him here myself... I've got patients 3 and 4 to tend to... Have fun."
You hear the heavy set of footsteps and feel the air in your lungs turn to solid ice as you stare at the man.
Alex Keller.
He's popular around the base, friendly, charming and a flirt to boot... But god, is he handsome.
You've tended to Alex on more than one occasion, he likes to put himself in the line of fire protecting those around him.
And while you applaud his courage, he has become a frequent flyer of yours for a range of injuries...
Alex steps into the med bay, he's covered in sweat, grime, dirt, and blood; you can smell the smallest hints of gasoline and his cologne.
"Alex," you clear your throat, "What is it this time?"
Alex gives you his award-winning smile, stepping closer to you; you notice the limp – he's favoring his right side, with streaks of blood covering his shirt and caressing down his arm.
"Well, you know me, sweetheart... Took a bullet to the shoulder, and pretty sure I sprained an ankle... But some would say, I did it so I could come see your pretty face."
You're listening to him, searching for the items needed to get the bullet out of his shoulder and the dressings needed to help stop the bleeding, "Well you know the drill, vest and shirt off, so I can get a look at ya."
You hear him; his voice is perfect it would be hard not to stop and listen, it's smooth, yet rough...
You could listen to him talk for hours, though you refuse to tell him that.
Didn't need to fire his already huge ego.
But at least here, you've got his undivided attention.
"Well, Mr. Keller... As much as I like to see your handsome face," you slip your gloves on, "I do not like to see you injured... If you want to see me, you can ask me out on a date."
You stop in your tracks, mind going blank as it begins to process what you had just said.
His smile is coy, and mischievous, it's egotistical but so fucking handsome.
"You think I'm handsome?"
"Alex don't make me hurt you," you dare him to push your buttons.
He sits up a little straighter, beginning the process of removing his vest, then his shirt.
"Then let me take you out on a date."
"You're injured."
"How about after, I'm healed?" He tries to give you his best puppy dog look, and it's working.
You sigh heavily, grateful for the privacy, "I'll tell you what, Keller... You come back from your next mission, with no injuries, and you can take me out on a date."
"Deal."
2015
Gaz called him crazy.
Price wondered if he hit himself on the head.
Laswell is laughing as the whole scene unfolds.
"I can't believe I'm actually doing this," Alex takes a deep breath, feeling his nerves shake with anticipation.
It's a rare day, where Alex, Price, Gaz, and Laswell have been granted leave, and while most would go home for their leave, the team had decided to stay on base, due to the incoming storm.
"There's still time to make a run for it," Price sips on his coffee.
Alex looks at his teammates and friends, knowing they mean the best, and are trying to help settle his nerves.
"No," Alex sighs, running his fingers through his thick hair, "No... I'm doing this... She is the one – everything I could have asked for and more."
"Now you're going to make me sick," Gaz looks at the cards in his hands, as he plays a game against Laswell.
"Give him a break," Laswell looks up from her hand, "He's in love..."
Alex tunes out the conversation as he spots you in the faint distance.
It's your last shift before leave; you had planned to steal Alex for a bit, hoping to get some time with just you and him, without the constant interruption of Price or Laswell.
"There she is!" Alex seems overly excited, and suddenly feels overwhelmed as you make your way towards your little band of troublemakers.
"Like a kid in a candy store," Laswell lays down a card.
"$10 says he makes a fool of himself and freezes."
"$20 says he'll blurt it out."
Price seems intrigued, "$50, says he'll trip over himself getting to her."
"Screw you guys," Alex flips them off, making his way to you.
You greet him with a smile, "Hey handsome."
Alex stops.
Eyes blown wide with a mix of fear and excitement.
Alex knows he loves you, there was never a doubt in his mind; he knows you love him; you never fail to tell him every single day.
He knows he wants to call you Mrs. Keller; as tough as his exterior truly is, Alex is a hopeless romance when it comes to you.
He feels the heat of the ring burning a hole in his pocket, the longer the seconds tick by.
"Honey?" You step closer to him, reaching out for his arm, "Are you okay?"
"Willyoumarryme?!"
Laswell opens her hands, while Price and Kyle proceed with the fruits of her labor.
