Raising Hell

Red Wine and Insults

ALEX'S POV

I hear someone cry out in pain and turn around quickly. I see Ben on the ground holding his cheek and Jake standing above him, rubbing his knuckles. I sigh and walk towards them. They both look up as I close in on them.

"I need to speak to both of you privately." I say smoothly. They nod and I start walking towards the tree line. I stop once were out of earshot of the other soldiers and turn to the boys. Ben still holding his face and Jake standing proudly.

"Do you two need to be put in separate corners?" I ask as if they were toddlers.

"Not if he keeps his mouth shut." Jake grunted and I shot him a glare.

"I can't have you two fighting all the Damn time. I can't babysit you anymore. Now get your shit together for tonight." I order and they both nod warryingly. As I walk away Jake grabs my forearm and pulls me back to him. I stand close enough to smell his scene of pine and his warm breath.

"I did it for you." He said. I nod knowingly.

"Thanks, but next time don't punch him." I command and he nods.

"Next time I'll let you do the hitting." He jokes. "You need some practice." I smirk and punch him in the gut softly. He grabs my hand and holds it. I look down at the grasp and quickly pull away from his hand.

"I have to go." I breathe and as I walk away he sighs.

****

As dusk settles and day turns to night the anxious men start to fidget. I watch as they chatter nervously and the sun lowers to the horizon. Sometimes I forget that somewhere else someone has a beautiful sun rise coming their way in a short while. We get the beautiful rays for some time until we have to give it up and pass it on to the next people. Then they get their short beauty. In a selfish way I want the sun the whole twenty four hours but then again every time that sun goes down a second chance is created.

"Alex?" One of the men call to me. I jump in surprise and turn my head to their direction. "You ready to head out?" He asks. I nod and get up from the rock I was sitting on. I stretch my back and look outwards to where we will be walking. In the distance you can see buildings and for some people, their grave stone. We begin to walk and catch up with the other teams. We reach them and walk in unison. The men are quiet and somber. Someone of them whisper amongst themselves. Some of them look straight ahead with faces of stone.

I walk with determination.

***********

JAKE'S POV

I have a physical pain in my stomach telling me to talk to her, but all I can do is stare. She walks with a swagger of confidence. She glances at the low sun periodically. Her braid swings behind her and her boots stomp on the dusty ground.

"Got a bit of a crush huh?" Someone asks me. I turn my head to see Will walking next to me. I glare at him and he smirks. "Relax. I am not looking for any trouble."

"What do you want?" I grumble and he chuckles.

"I think the question is, what do you want?" He argues and I look up at him. He motions his head at Alex and smiles. I look towards Alex.

"I am no love doctor but I am going to say you have a bad case that doesn't have a prescription." Will jokes as he walks away. I ignore him and continue to stare.

******

"Does everyone understand?" Alex asks the small group. We all nod together. She smiles sadly and then shakes the feeling and picks up her gun.