In the early hours before dawn, the light was on in the second floor window of the yellow house on Kington Rd. Inside, Major Kaillan Winters was getting ready to go to war. His fiancée, Rachel, sat idly on the edge of their bed, watching him pack silently. She would sniff her nose and wipe her eyes occasionally, but kept all words to herself. Finally, when there was nothing left for him to pack, he sat next to her, taking her hand in his.

They were both silent, neither finding the right words to say, staring at the painting of Blue Boy, something Kaillan had insisted on getting. Rachel leaned her head on his shoulder, "You couldn't get them to wait just a week?"

Kaillan sighed, "Rach, it's the military. You can't call and tell them you need another week off." He kissed her hair, "Terrorists aren't going to stop themselves."

"No, I know," she said, "but it's our wedding."

"We can get married first thing when I get back." He said, hugging her to him, "We can have balloons and tables with those blue flowers you wanted as centerpieces, a huge congregation. We'll invite the whole town."

"Not the whole town, you clown!" she said, gently slapping the back of his head, "Just our family and friends. The people we actually know."

He laughed, "There see, it'll give you something to do while I'm gone. You can get rid of all the wedding decorations that I picked out and you hated. Take Virginia out to one of those bridal expos, she'd love that."

"Virginia was ready to have the wedding for us. She wants to get married so badly." Rachel laughed, "If she could she'd probably throw me out of the way and marry you herself."

Kaillan wrinkled his nose, "That crazy sister of yours as my wife?" he tickled her, "No way! You're the only one for me, doll."

She stopped laughing and held his face in her hands, "Promise me you'll be safe over there."

"It's a war zone, doll," he started, but when her face fell he said, "but I'll have, like, forty other guys with me! And Scooter, that crazy son of a bitch won't let me get into any trouble."

Rachel smiled, snuggling closer to him, "It's four-thirty."

"We've got to get going, or I'll miss my flight." Kaillan said.

"Oh darn." Rachel said standing. She softly kissed his cheek, making her way to the bathroom, "Do they allow personal objects on base?" she called.

He picked up a bag saying, "It depends on what you're talking about."

Rachel came out of the bathroom slowly, holding a stuffed lobster up by her face, waving its claw at him, "Pinchers wants to come with you."

Kaillan felt a smile posses his features, "I didn't think you could part with that lobster."

She strode over to him, placing the beanie lobster in his side pocket, "I think I can manage for you, dear."

He smiled, taking her by the shoulders and embracing her, "I'll come back to you, I promise."

She didn't say anything as he scooped up his bag and headed out the door. She followed him and gracefully slipped into the passenger seat. They drove in comfortable silence to Fort McCoy, the only military base in Wisconsin.

They went through the familiar check in and search, and were ushered out onto the airfield. Around them, soldiers and their families were hugging and saying their goodbyes. There wasn't a dry eye on the entire base.

Kaillan gently set his bag on the ground and took Rachel in his arms. He held her until it was announced to start boarding the plane. He sighed, feeling her leave his arms. He wished he could hold her forever and let no harm come to her. The truth was, though, that this could be the last time he ever saw her.

"Rachel-"

She pressed a finger to his lips and shook her head, "No, I don't want you to start on the speech. That only makes it feel like you won't come back. Just tell me you love me, and I'll see you when your tour is over."

Kaillan couldn't help but smile, "I love you Rachel. With all of my heart, I love you."

Rachel smiled through her tears, "And I love you, Kai." She hugged him briefly and then stepped back, watching him gather his things. He saw Scooter out of the corner of his eye, and was nearly tackled to the ground in a hug. "You big oaf!" Kaillan laughed, punching Scooter in the arm.

Rachel laughed, "Don't you let him get himself killed, Scooter."

"Don't worry, ma'am, I won't even let him out of my sight." Scooter said, putting a hand over his heart.

"Hey man, let's get going before they get impatient." Kaillan said, motioning toward the plane.

"Bye Rachel." Scooter said, lifting his hat to her.

Kaillan gave her one final kiss before joining Scooter. They briskly boarded the plane, but before Kaillan passed through the door, Rachel called to him.

He looked toward the buildings where she stood, "Yeah?"

"Don't let anything happen to Pinchers or I'll skin you!"

He laughed, "You have my word!" and with that, he boarded the plane headed to war.

Rachel put a hand to her eyes to shield them from the rising sun, and watched Kaillan's plane soar past her and the other families. All of them waved and cheered, calling their last goodbyes even though the soldiers couldn't hear them.

Long after the families dispersed, one could still find Rachel standing in the same spot, still staring at the place where Kaillan's plane had long ago disappeared.