Crossroads

Chapter 14

...

The nightmare screamed through her mind and she was panting when she woke from it, her heart racing as she gripped the sheet in her fists, searching the darkness for those who had hurt them. She couldn't see him and she needed to. She felt desperate and tried to get up, but her movement only caused her more pain and tears started in her eyes, confusing her. If he was gone, she should be angry, not weakened by tears. If they had killed him, she would know it, deep down inside she would know it. She should be doing something, but she found she had no strength and then the anger came and she fought back against the dark thoughts and images she couldn't get out of her mind. She heard the sound of what she thought was a chair scraping across the floor and she turned her head and saw the shape of someone backing away and then the soft uncertain sound of someone crying.

"Who's there?" She demanded, but she sounded weak and that made her angrier.

"Soldier."

His low, sad voice was oddly comforting, but his being here surprised her and she was disoriented, wondering again where she was. She heard him come closer and then felt his small, warm hand on her arm, his touch tentative and then it was gone. Reaching out for him in the dark, she heard him whimper and her heart stood still.

"Why are you crying," she asked, suddenly afraid of the answer.

"Mama's dead," he said, sniffling back tears as he came once again to her side.

"Oh Soldier, I'm so sorry," she whispered. "Where are we?"

"The hospital," he said, and she could hear a question in his voice.

"Where's Elan?"

"He's with Uncle Deeks," he said quietly, his hand once again lightly touching her arm.

"Are they okay?" Her need to know was overpowering.

"Yeah. Uncle Deeks has been sleeping most of the day," he answered. "You too. Elan told me not to bother you, cause you're hurt, but I wanted to see how you were."

"Thanks," she answered, smiling at his easy acceptance of kinship with Deeks.

"What for?"

"For letting me know Deeks is here and safe," she answered, taking his hand in hers. "How are you doing?"

He began crying again, and she experienced a deep desire to comfort him, but wasn't sure how to do that. She knew what it was like to lose the only person who mattered to you in the world. To know that the person you loved so deeply had died violently. She understood how shaken and frightened he was and that platitudes would do nothing to ease the pain he was going through, yet she felt somehow responsible for making him feel better and she wasn't sure where that instinct came from or exactly what she should do to make that happen.

"Vera shot her," he said.

She gripped his hand tightly when she heard the words come so matter-of-factly out of his mouth. He said it as if he wasn't surprised, as if he had been expecting it for some time and it made her feel for him. She lowered the side rail and slowly raised the bed until she could pull him closer, reaching up to wipe his tears and smooth his long black hair away from his face. She could feel him tense at the unfamiliarity of her hand, but he didn't back away, and she knew then why he had come. She leaned forward with some effort, ignoring the pain as she wrapped him in a hug, holding him while he choked out his anguish; clinging to her as she rubbed his back, trying to give whatever comfort he sought from her.

"I lost my father when I was a teenager," she said gently. "He was my whole world and I felt completely lost without him. I felt guilty. Is that what you're feeling Soldier? Because it wasn't your fault."

Soldier stopped crying at her last words, his muscles tightening as he pulled away from her and in the dim light she saw him turn away and struggle to open the heavy door, looking back briefly before running out. She fumbled around the side of the bed until she found a way to turn on some lights, and then quickly looked for a phone, finding her cell on the nightstand.

"Elan, you need to come," she rushed the words out before her voice faded, afraid that she had made things worse.

When he arrived he wasn't alone. Deeks limped in behind him, his face flush with concern. Just the sight of him made her crumble and she was barely able to explain what had happened. Elan hurriedly left to find his son, while Deeks leaned over and pulled her to him.

"Ssshhh, Kens," he whispered. "It's okay. Elan will find him."

"I know why he came to me," she said. "He came because I'm a woman. Why didn't he go to Lily? Why me, Deeks?"

"I don't think he feels as close to Lily. Anyway, she went with Callen and Joe to wrap things up with Campos," he said. "He needed statements and no one would talk to him until they were sure we were okay."

She leaned back then, to get a look at him, her eyes swimming with tears when she saw how badly he'd been hurt. She gently touched the stitches on his forehead and face and then looked at the heavy bandage on his chest and left arm. All of it came flooding back and she clung to him as she began to shake.

"He came to you because you two have formed a bond," Deeks said softly. "Admittedly, it was over pancakes, but hey, he's a kid."

She choked out a soft laugh at that and got control of herself, wiping away the sudden tears and looking him over once again. He was only wearing blue scrub pants, leaving his upper body bare, so she could see the massive bruising on his body, especially on the left side. He was holding his left arm gingerly, but wouldn't let go of her hand.

"Are you really okay?" She asked. "You look awful."

"I look better than you, Fern," he said with a gentle smile that faded quickly as he looked down.

She could see that he was trying hard to control his emotions and she wondered what she looked like to make him look away from her.

"I should have gotten to you sooner," he whispered.

"Stop it, Deeks," she said sharply, angry that he was blaming himself.

"I hated to see his hands on you," he said, kissing her tenderly at her hairline, his warm breath soothing as he held her.

"I felt so helpless," she whispered. "I missed my shot, Deeks, and he could have killed you."

"Hey, you did great," he said as he stroked her cheek. "You got away from him and your shot distracted him, and if you hadn't done that..."

She saw the raw anguish in his eyes and a desperate fear she hadn't seen before. She wanted to comfort him, to say something that would erase that wounded look on his face, but the words wouldn't come, so she kissed him gently, letting her lips linger on his as her fingers caressed his jaw and found their way into his hair.

"When I got near that compound, I just felt so empty, Kens," his voice breaking at the end. "I needed you to be alright and the thought of what that animal might have done to you tore me up inside."

"I'm okay. I'm okay," she whispered. "I'm here. With you."

"God, Kens. I wanted to kill him. I needed to kill him, and I wanted him to suffer for what all of them did to you," he said, looking at her with a depth of malice she had never seen in his eyes before.

"Deeks...Marty. Let it go. Please," she begged, wanting him to return to that funny and sweet, kind man that she knew so well and loved so deeply.

They held each other, kissing tenderly as they tried to get the last twenty-four hours into perspective, to realize that they had survived all the terror and would be able to go on with their lives. Kensi pulled away first, still bothered by the missing pieces of what had happened to all of them. She needed to know it all in order to process it and to understand how it had affected Deeks and Soldier.

"Tell me what happened," she said.

He nodded and told her all of it, and the tears came when he spoke of Bella's sacrifice. When she'd first met her and seen what she had allowed herself and Soldier to go through, she felt nothing but contempt for the woman. Her own mother had thought only of herself and had abandoned her, and she had thought Bella would do the same, but in the end, she had died to protect her child and that stunned her. She had been wrong about Bella, making her question whether she might be wrong about herself as well.

"She loved him," Kensi said.

"I watched her die, Kens," he said. "And all I could think about was my own mother. It made me wonder how often she protected me from my dad without me ever knowing about it. Maybe I was too hard on her. Maybe I blamed her more than I should have."

"You were a kid. You didn't understand anymore than Soldier does," she said. "He's blaming himself too, Deeks. He thinks her death is his fault. You saved your mother, but he couldn't save his."

"He had no chance to save her," Deeks said. "It happened so fast even Elan couldn't prevent what was happening."

"That won't stop him from feeling guilty," she said. "That, I do know."

"Kensi, he came to you because he sensed your empathy," Deeks said softly.

"I think he came to me because I reminded him of his mother," she reasoned. "Because I'd been beaten just like her."

Deeks nodded and reached for her, holding her as that thought settled into her mind, making her long once again to comfort the boy.

"You'd make a good mother, Kens," he whispered into her hair. "Don't you know that?"

"I'm not so sure," she said. "But if you give me some time, I promise to think about it. Maybe even consider that I might not screw it up."

"Okay," he said with a warm smile. "I'm a patient man."

"Good."

"Kens. I want you to know that whatever you decide, I'm okay with it," he said as he kissed her gently. "I love you, no matter what. After yesterday, I'm not going anywhere without you."

"Good to know, Uncle Deeks," she smiled and reached out to caress his cheek.

"I have two nephews to spoil," he laughed. "That should hold me over for awhile."

Kensi felt a twinge of unease at his comment, knowing he wouldn't give up his dream so easily. He had pursued her with an easygoing determination and she had no doubt he would demonstrate the same persistence in trying to convince her that they should have a child. She let the thought of a child linger in her mind and it didn't feel as odd to her as it had in the beginning. She would pondered the possibility. She owed him that.

...

Elan tamped down a sense of panic as he searched the hospital for his son. The boy had been distant with him since his mother's death and he was trying very hard to understand why, but it still bothered him. Now he had run and he could understand that, and it scared him. None of them had any experience with children, so there was no one here to go to for advice. He could call his uncle, but he had to find Soldier first. He had to make sure he was safe.

As he exited the stairwell from the roof, he thought he caught a glimpse of him in the cafeteria, and even though he had checked it earlier he quickly veered inside and stopped. His son was standing in front of a glass case filled with slices of cake and pie, his forehead and hands pressed against the glass. He had refused dinner earlier, and Elan smiled as he approached him cautiously, knowing how hungry he must be.

"Chocolate cake or peach pie?" He asked softly.

"Just looking," Soldier said stiffly, moving a step away.

"The apple pie looks pretty good too," he said. "But, I'm going with the chocolate cake. We can share or you can order one for yourself."

Soldier finally looked at him, his face and eyes curious, his chin quivering slightly.

"You don't have to be nice to me anymore," he said softly, turning to look in the case again.

"Why?" Elan clinched his fists at the sadness and resignation in his voice.

"Cause you'll go home to that ranch," he whispered. "And I'll be here in jail."

Elan was so shocked by what he said, he couldn't get any words to come out until he saw the tears on his son's face. A deep-seated anger flushed through him and he reached out and pulled Soldier into a fierce embrace, before kneeling down in front of him, holding onto his arms so he wouldn't run again.

"Who told you you were going to jail?" He asked.

"Vera and Billy," he answered, looking sadly at the floor. "They said if I ever told anybody about what they did, or if anything happened to them, I'd go to jail."

Elan wrapped his arms around his son and lifted him off the floor, not caring that people had to walk around them or stared at him as his own tears came.

"They were bastards and liars, Son," he croaked out. "You are not going to jail. Do you hear me? You are coming home with me."

Soldier's arms tightened around his neck, and he felt him tremble and then relax, almost going limp as silent tears soaked his shirt.

"Believe it, Son," Elan said firmly. "I will never lie to you."

Soldier leaned back and wiped his face, nodding shyly as he smiled.

"Can I have the chocolate cake?"

His question made Elan laugh and hug him again, before putting him down and motioning to the man behind the counter. They took their cake to a table in the corner and ate in silence. Elan could tell the boy had more he wanted to say, but he didn't push him, leaving him to sort out his thoughts as he went to get a cup of coffee, bringing a soda back for him.

"She'll be all alone," Soldier said as he fiddled with the straw for his soda.

"Bella," he said softly.

"Mama will be here and I'll be far away," he said, looking sadly at Elan.

"We'll take her home, too," he said.

"We can do that?"

"We can and we will," Elan promised.

The boy looked relieved and a slight smile graced his face, but it was fleeting, replaced by a serious look that held a question.

"Can I call you Papa?" He asked shyly, fixing him with a hopeful look.

Elan choked up at the question, a broad smile the only answer he was able to express, other than to nod his head. He watched the hopeful look in the boy's eyes slowly fade, replaced by caution and a hint of doubt and he knew there was something still bothering him, something deep he wasn't ready to share. He told himself to be patient, that this parenting thing was a learning experience and that after yesterday's shock, Soldier had a lot to deal with. He knew the healing would take time, so he let it go, content with the small steps of progress that had just been made. Happy that his son wanted to call him Papa, the smile returned to his face and they sat quietly together until Lily and Callen found them.

"We're all in the clear," Callen told them, grimacing as he took a sip of the hospital's bad coffee. "Hetty not only called Lieutenant Campos, but the Chief of Police and the Attorney General of the state. Impressed the hell out of the detective and scared him too, I think, but with all the evidence his men discovered in that office, he was pretty much smiling from ear to ear."

"We stopped by the veterinary clinic on the way back, Soldier," Lily said softly. "Cisco will be fine."

"I miss him," Soldier said. "Is Ernesto going to jail?"

"He agreed to turn state's evidence and I'm pretty sure they'll grant him immunity for his testimony," Callen told him.

"You coming back to the ranch with us, Callen?" Elan asked.

"No, I'm catching a commercial flight back tonight," he answered. "Sam says we caught a case. The big guy needs his partner. The good news is, Hetty is letting you use the jet to take you all back to Wyoming, whenever Kensi and Deeks are released. They still have a week left of their vacation and she's given them an extra week so they can fully recover."

"I don't know how to thank you for coming," Elan said as he gripped Callen's forearm. "I don't think all of us would have made it out alive without you and Joe."

"You can always count on me, Elan. You know that," Callen replied. "Being part of your family means the world to me. I'll come whenever any one of you needs me."

"Uncle Deeks told me stories about you," Soldier said quietly.

"Uncle Deeks?" Callen smirked at that. "Wait till Sam hears that one."

"He said you're his brother just like Uncle Joe and Papa," he said.

"I am," Callen answered with a slow smile.

"So, can I call you uncle, too?" He asked.

"Call him Uncle G, kid," Joe laughed as he approached. "Uncle Callen sounds way too formal for a guy without furniture."

"Wise ass," Callen sniped.

"That would be Marty," he shot back.

"How are they feeling, mon amie," Lily asked. "They were both sleeping when we left."

"I found Deeks in Kensi's room," Joe said with a sigh. "They both look like hell, but I just spoke to the doctor and he's willing to release them in a couple of days. Kensi's concussion was pretty severe and he wants to make sure that knife wound doesn't show any sign of infection. That bastard cut her pretty deep. The swelling in Deeks' knee has gone down, but if the dumbass keeps hobbling over to Kensi's room, I think the doctor is gonna lock him in his room."

Elan caught Lily's silent signal and he looked over at Soldier. The boy was staring down at the table and shaking, rubbing his hands up and down his legs over and over and Elan realized he was reliving it all. They were all used to firefights and their aftermath, but Soldier was still in shock and he wanted to kick himself for being so stupid.

"Cuz, enough," he said quickly, nodding toward the boy.

"Shit. Sorry Elan. I wasn't thinking," Joe said.

"Can you stay with Deeks and Kensi, Joe?" Elan asked. "I want to take Soldier back to the hotel."

He stood to go and pulled Soldier to his feet, breaking his trance and the boy looked around and blinked slowly as if waking from a dream and looked over at Joe and then at Callen.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help them more," he stuttered out, his chin quivering as his eyes filled with tears. "Please don't be mad at me. Please."

He took a wary step back from them and Elan realized Soldier had read the incensed looks on their faces as Joe talked about Kensi and Deeks' injuries and he thought the two men were angry with him. He had lived most of his life with the Freitas brothers and he expected to be hit whenever they got mad at him. Now he was reacting the same way to Joe and Callen. He thought they were going to hit him.

"Soldier. They aren't mad at you," he said gently as he sat down in front of him, resting his big hands lightly on the boy's shoulders. "These two men are good men, Son. They aren't like Billy or Eddie and Vic. They will never hit you. Do you understand? I trust them with my life and so can you."

Joe pulled out his cell phone and knelt down in front of the frightened boy. He held it up and spoke softly to him.

"This is a picture of my son Christopher. He's your cousin," Joe said. "I won't hurt you anymore than I would hurt him. You're safe with me, I promise you that. We're family, kid."

Callen looked stricken, keeping his distance as he spoke.

"I never knew my father, and my mother was killed in front of me when I was four," he said haltingly. "I spent a lot of years with people I didn't know, didn't trust. Some of them hit me if I screwed up. I learned not to trust anyone and I didn't until I met the people I work with. They became like family and Deeks...we became brothers along the way even though we're not related. He told me what you did, Soldier. You helped him when he needed it most. You risked your life for both of them and I won't forget that. I'm in your debt. Do you know what that means?"

"You owe me," Soldier said, making all of them laugh.

"Yeah, I do," Callen said.

"We all do, Soldier," Joe said, hugging the boy gently. "We all do."

...

The trip to Wyoming had been a blur for Deeks. Kensi had been in a lot of pain, worrying him and both had slept through most of the flight. When he had been awake, his attempted talks with Soldier had been difficult, the boy only giving one-word answers or not saying anything at all. He'd tried not to take it personally, but something wasn't right and he had searched his memory for anything he might have said or done to upset the boy, but nothing came to mind. He'd hoped George and Wyoming would work that special magic that had helped him so much when he'd first come to the ranch. His first sight of George when he'd gotten off the plane had filled him with the familiar feeling of comfort and peace he always experienced when he came here. It was a home he never thought he'd find with a family he would never take for granted. He had known exactly what to expect from the tall old man who hurried towards him and his smile had widened as he was wrapped in a smothering hug more gentle than usual.

Now, as he stood on the side porch of the ranch house with Elan and Joe, his mind once again took up the question of what was bothering Soldier. They had spent the morning at Bella's funeral and Elan seemed short tempered as they waited for his son to come out of the bathroom. He had been in there since they'd gotten back and George had convince the men to let him and Jim handle it, but Elan wasn't happy about it or the reception he'd gotten from Bella's family.

"What did Bella's father say that has you so pissed, Cuz?" Joe asked.

"He wants Soldier," he answered bitterly. "He blamed me for Bella leaving and he said it right in front of Soldier."

"He'd been drinkin', brother," Deeks said. "Soldier didn't want anything to do with him."

"Jim set him straight, Elan," Joe reminded him, "He has no real claim to the boy. Even his own son agreed you should raise Soldier."

"I know," Elan said, as the brothers closed in around him, hoping their solidarity would ease his anger.

"Elan, did I do something that upset Soldier?" Deeks asked. "He won't talk to me or even come near me."

"Something's bothering him," Elan said. "I noticed back at the hospital, but he won't talk about it."

"Kensi thinks he feels guilty that he couldn't save his mother," he told him.

"My god, why would he think that?" Elan said. "He had no chance and neither did I. She made that decision."

"Guilt isn't always reasonable," Joe said softly. "Just ask Deeks. And me. We blamed ourselves for deaths we had no way of preventing. It's going to take awhile, Elan. Get him to talk about it though, or it'll eat him up. We know."

Deeks limped gingerly down the steps, not wanting to relive the past horrors Joe's words recalled. He sought comfort in watching a couple of hawks ride the wind over the pasture as he leaned on the fence. There were still great swatches of snow scattered among the dry ochre grasses just starting to show new growth and he pulled the parka a little tighter as a gust of wind chilled him. They had gotten in so late last night and the funeral had taken up most of the day, so he'd had no time to even visit Sheila and her new foal yet, but the dogs bumped against his legs and Boo whined at his knee. He rubbed his hand over the sweet dog's soft ears and felt himself relax. The sound of the back door opening made him turn and he saw George and Jim Littleshield guiding Soldier down the steps and over to the gate. Elan nodded to him and he joined the parade to the barn.

"Kensi and Lily coming?" Deeks asked.

"Kensi said she was gonna lie down and Lily is staying in case she needs something," George informed him, his hand never leaving the young boy's shoulder.

The barn doors were both wide open and they were welcomed by pungent smells and the snuffling sounds of horses as they moved to the stall doors in anticipation of their arrival. Sheila whinnied loudly as Deeks entered and made his way toward her, her soft nicker making him smile as she nuzzled at his jacket.

"Hey girl," he said quietly, peering into the stall to look for Ruthie, her two month old foal.

Jim Littleshield joined him and George squeeze his neck as Sheila moved aside as little Ruthie watched them, her nose dark quivering as she hung back behind her mother.

"She's grown," Deeks said.

"She's a real sweetheart, son," George said. "A little shy yet."

Deeks was smiling broadly as he turned to look back at Joe and Elan, catching a look from Soldier that put him instantly on guard. He looked so worried and sad, as if he wanted and needed to run. Deeks took hold of George's arm and silently called his attention to the boy, knowing he would understand. He nodded to Jim, who grabbed a halter off the wall as the two men walked to another stall and opened it. Jim put the halter on a striking, brown and white Pinto mare, and as he led her out a colorfully painted colt followed.

Elan wrapped an arm around Soldier and steered him up to the horse, all of them watching as the boy's eyes widened and he smiled with pleasure as he ran his hands down the mare's neck. The colt was curious and moved boldly up to him, nickering softly, causing Soldier to laugh.

"This is the mare and colt I told you about," Elan said proudly.

"Dancer and Sarge," Soldier quickly said. "They're beauties."

Deeks had made his way over to stand next to Soldier, and George hung his arm over his shoulder. The boy stared at them for a few seconds, his smile vanishing as he took a step away.

"Sarge is yours, son," Elan said, unaware of the increasing tension.

"No. I can't take him," Soldier was suddenly surly and backed away.

"Why not, Son," Elan asked in shock.

"Because you all love Uncle Deeks," he said, looking angry and defiant. "I shouldn't have saved him. Mama would still be alive if I'd let Vera kill him. Mama died because of me and because of him. I don't belong here. You're all on his side. You care about him, not me."

"Soldier..," Deeks took a hesitant step toward him, everyone looking stunned as the boy lashed out.

With tears streaming down his face Soldier bolted toward the mare, vaulting easily onto her bare back, urging her toward the open door of the barn. He passed through the open gate beyond and raced out across the pasture toward the creek, as Joe grabbed the colt to keep him from following. Elan was already running to Crow's stall. Not bothering with a halter, he grabbed a handful of black mane and leaped onto the stallion's back, yelling and kicking him into a gallop as he chased after his son.

"Can you ride, Marty?" George asked. "Cause you'll need to be there to make peace with the boy. He's carrying a lot of guilt and you remind him of it whenever he looks at you."

"How do I deal with that? What can I possibly say?"

"He really didn't want you dead, Son," George said softly. "He just didn't want his mama to die. They both made tough decisions. He decided to save you and Kensi and now he has to face the consequences and learn to live with it."

Jim had saddled the speckled Appaloosa and with a little effort, Deeks climbed on and headed slowly out toward the creek, his mind awash with memories of that awful day in Truchas. He saw a flash of black out by the creek as Elan cut in front of the pinto, grabbing the halter and pulling the horse to a stop. He kept a slow pace, not wanting to arrive before Elan had a chance to talk with his son and calm him down. He understood how the boy felt, but deep down he feared that his perfect haven was in jeopardy. He could never ask Elan to choose between them. The boy was his son and they needed each other. He wasn't family, but Soldier was and if staying away from the ranch was the only solution, he would do that. He owed them both his life. He pulled the horse up, needing the time alone to look around, to savor the beauty and the memories of his times here. His pain now was more than physical, and his eyes became cloudy with unshed tears. He thought of this place as home. He had found a father here and to give it all up would wound him deeply, but now it was his turn to make a sacrifice.

Deeks stared out toward the creek, watching as Elan pulled Soldier off the mare and held him, then he turned the horse and headed back, tears blurring his vision. He tied the horse to the fence and stumbled toward the house, stopping several times to catch his breath. Boo bounded up and almost knocked him down, following him inside as he searched for the keys to the truck. He couldn't stay here now. He had to be alone, to mourn his loss by himself, to come to terms with the emptiness he was feeling. He should have known it wouldn't last. Things this good didn't last forever. He'd been blessed for a little while and now it was Soldier's turn.

"What are you doing, Son?"

George's voice startled him, but he couldn't look at him.

"I have to go," he answered, the words choked with tears.

"No you don't," he answered.

"Soldier needs this place," he said.

"So do you," George was behind him then, his hands settling firmly on his shoulders.

"Let me go, George," Deeks pleaded. "Soldier belongs here."

"So do you, Marty," George said softly. "You're my son and nothing will ever change that. This is your home. This is your family. Son, you've reached a crossroads. If you walk away from this family now, that decision will effect the rest of your life. Soldier faced his crossroad and made his decision and it cost him dearly, but it was the right one and he knows that deep down. Don't run, Son. Don't turn away from us. Stay here where you belong, where you're loved."

"You said Soldier will feel guilty every time he looks at me," Deeks turned to look into sadly into George's eyes. "How can I put him through that?"

"You know how heavy guilt can be," George said softly. "You faced yours here and laid it down, and so will Soldier. You leaving won't make it any easier on him. He needs to realize he made the right decision and seeing you everyday will help him do that eventually."

"What's going on?" Elan asked as he and Soldier stood in the open door.

"I'll leave if you want me to, Elan," Deeks said.

"You tried to do that once before," he answered softly. "We didn't let you leave then and we won't let you leave now. Soldier needs to learn what a real family is, just like I had to and just like you did when you came here. We stand up for one another and we work through our problems together."

"I'm so sorry you lost your mom, Soldier," Deeks said. "And I will go if you want me to."

"You'd leave your own family for me?" Soldier asked in surprise.

"If it helps you heal, I will," he answered.

Soldier had tears in his eyes as he walked up and stood in front of Deeks.

"Papa told me you didn't have a family until this one," Soldier said. "So you should stay."

"Okay." Deels smiled at his measured reasoning.

"Uncle G said he owed me for saving your life."

"Really?"

"So that means you owe me too, right?" Soldier asked, studying him closely.

"I do."

"Would you get me a dog like Boo?"

Deeks burst out laughing, hugging the boy to him as the family gathered around them. He knew how long the road would be for Soldier, but he also knew this family would walk with him every step of the way.

...

...

The End

...

Thank you to everyone who followed this story and to all of you who save it to your favorites or sent me those wonderful reviews and comments. I appreciated all of the encouragement.