Beck shot a glance through the glass of his office. He was glad to see Heather on the other side of it. She was at her desk, working. True, they’d moved her desk so it was right next to his on the other side of the glass, but she had started working - when she felt up to it - at her own desk. She sensed him looking and shot him a small smile. That ( Read more... )

Major Beck was sitting on the front porch of the house with Heather, enjoying the sunset. Heather’s morale - hell, his morale - had improved greatly since they’d found the bastard, apparently in town as a spy. He’d taken several hours to die, and Kenchy hadn’t wasted any pain meds on him. Edward was sure that that was a violation of the Hippocratic ( Read more... )

  Captain Larry Baker was preparing his plane for takeoff after unloading his cargo in Jericho when he noticed the unusual nature of his passengers for the return trip. Major Beck was pushing a pale woman in a wheelchair; behind him was a older woman in scrubs carrying two civilian duffle bags. The party was finished off by a Lieutenant Posly, ( Read more... )

They were at the monthly town barbeque when it happened. A tradition born out of the new way of life, it was the social event where people could relax, dance, play football, date, and enjoy fresh meat instead of salted or smoked ( Read more... )

The first time a child had run to greet Heather, just after leaving the hospital for the first time, Edward had cringed, and began to warn him off; her parents, seeing his reaction and knowing Heather’s condition, tried to call him back. But Heather had greeted her former student with open arms, pulling him in for a hug. As they watched Heather ( Read more... )

“ - And that’s where we stand as far as resources, sir.”

Colonel Nelson nodded. Overall, he was impressed. They had taken very little and turned it into a lot. These houses, for instance, were a clever use of under-utilized property.

Just then, he heard a whine from the bed. A puppy had just accidentally rolled off of the body pillow she had ( Read more... )

It was in the middle of a meeting when it happened. This meeting was too large to be held in their room, so they were in the living room. Heather was there, curled up on the couch next to Edward under her quilt. It had worked out well - instead of being seated by seniority, as was typical, those officers Heather did not know well sat further away ( Read more... )

He came back into the bedroom to find Heather quietly sobbing on the couch, and immediately felt guilty. He’d done his best to have a quick shower while she slept, and he’d left the door open so he’d hear her if she had a nightmare. He immediately went to her side and put his arms around her, waiting for her tears to stop.

“Heather, I’m sorry. I ( Read more... )

It was the most unusual military base he’d ever seen - because it consisted of a block of upscale but neglected, empty houses that had been converted into barracks. He’d missed the conversion, being in the hospital with Heather, but he’d been kept up to date on its progress. Heather had been interested in the progress reports, too, since it had ( Read more... )

The corporal stopped the vehicle at the hospital and stepped out. Colonel Markham, Texan guard, followed.

“What are we doing here? I want to talk to Major Beck.”

“This is where he is.”

“Is he injured?”

“No.”

“Then why - ?”

“He’s with Heather.” Corporal Jones pointed out a door.

“Knock, or else?” asked the colonel, referring to the sign on ( Read more... )