Twenty-eight year old Abigal Brown weaved her way thru the maze of tables in the bar. She couldn't keep from laughing as Tom and Sam argued over the chess match. She knew of the significance of the game and just watching them play seemed to bring Cole closer to her. The sound of the door opening aroused everyone's attention. In unison, Abby, Tom, and Sam called out "Cole" as he walked in. The three of them rushed over to him and took turns greeting him. The patrons in the bar, mostly vets, all raised their glasses to Cole and his safe return. Abby noticed Cole winced as his father squeezed his shoulder. "You've been hurt," she gasped as she saw a small drop of blood seep thru his shirt. "Nothing major," he said smiling at her.

Oh how his smile brighten her world and damn did he take her breath away. It was all Abby could do to keep from pulling him close to her and kissing him. Knowing that Cole had been wounded while on his mission almost killed her. She followed behind the six foot tall hunk of a man as he and the older men headed for the bar. The chess game would be put away until Cole departed again.

Cole's sandy blonde hair had grown out some since he had left. His hazel eyes told of the stress that he had been through and was still suffering from. His face showed signs of fatigue and that it had been several days since he'd been able to shave. Her heart skipped a beat just from being near him. Abby could see the signs of PTSD written all over him. She, along with the older Taggert's, knew that they would need to tread lightly around him. When he was ready, Abby would be there, ready to listen with nonjudgemental ears like always. She just hoped that she would be able to help heal the emotional wounds as easily as the physical ones. Her love for Cole ran deep and strong. Nothing he would tell her about his mission would ever make her stop.

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It's only funny until someone gets hurt, then it's hilarious!