Chapter 8, Section 6

"Where are you going?"

Hawk's tone was gruff, but Stan didn't mind; he was just happy Hawk was speaking to him again. He pulled a khaki green jacket out of the battered metal chest at the end of his cot. Unlike Hawk, who slept in the officers' barracks, Stan was quartered with the other lowly non-commissioned soldiers. Rows of metal bunkbeds lined both sides of the room with barely enough space between them for a soldier to walk. Stan, of course, got a bottom bunk. No one would dream of sleeping with his bulk suspended above him.

"To see a friend."

"Cassie?"

"Yep."

"I'll come, too."

Hawk strode toward the door, leaving Stan hesitating awkwardly behind him.

"I don't think that's such a great plan," he said. The last thing he wanted was for Hawk to catch on to what he was doing. Besides, he wanted Cassie's attention all to himself.

"Why not?" Hawk turned around, one eyebrow raised.

"I...just want a little time alone with her."

"Fine. Have it your way. I just thought since I was driving to town..." Hawk dangled a set of keys and waited.

Stan sighed and rubbed his face. It would be so much easier not to have to walk and catch two buses after standing guard for two full shifts. "Fine," he said. "But buzz off if things get heavy. Three's a crowd."

Hawk laughed out loud but he wasn't smiling. "Sure thing, Stannen."



They parked around the corner and approached the brown shingled house carefully. Lights were on in several rooms and Stan led Hawk through the iron gate across the courtyard until they could see Lisa in the kitchen bending over the stove. Stan lifted his finger to his lips and pressed on, past the front door to the far side of the house where they came to another lit window. He peered in cautiously and saw Cassie sitting on the edge of a bed, leaning over someone. A woman. It must be her mother, Stan thought. Cassie smoothed back the woman's dark brown hair and kissed her forehead.

Stan tapped on the glass softly and Cassie jumped up off of the bed. He pressed his face to the window and waved, and her shoulders dropped with relief. She hurried over to push up the lower pane.

"What are you doing here?"

"We came to see you," Stan said. "Can you talk?"

"Lisa will hear."

"Come outside, then."

"I'll try," Cassie said. She slid the window down again.

Stan beckoned Hawk around to the front of the house where they waited in the shadows until she opened the door and came out onto the porch. Stan showed himself and pointed toward the street.

Cassie seemed agitated, but she didn't say anything until they were past the gate.

"Thank God you guys came. He tried to get me again today - and Lisa's nuts."

"Who tried to get you?" Stan leaned closer, but she didn't seem hurt.

"Fisher."