Coming Home

Sand. It had been a long time since I had had sand in every crevice my body had. Weirdly, it felt good. It felt right to have sands in my ass cheeks and between my toes again. It was like I was where I was meant to be. I was destined to be here: in Afghanistan with sand between body parts. This was who I was. I was a Marine, through and through.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to my team. It was so easy for me to get back on Force Recon. I had had so many years in the special forces division that they basically handed me the new job. I was so thrilled to be back. This was where I was destined to be.

"Welcome back, Captain." Someone clapped my back, someone I hadn't seen since that fateful night six years ago.

"Good to see you, Josh." I shook his hand. This man had been on my team. Unlike me though, he didn't chicken out after our team had basically all died or been injured. For him, it was just something to move on from. For me, I had been the team leader. Had I not made the decision to proceed, most of my team would still be here. Rae would still have her leg.

"It's good to have you back, Anderson. We've need a guy like you."

I smiled, flashing my teeth at him. "I appreciate that, Josh. But remember that I'm not a team leader anymore. I'm just here to do your communications and provide detailed information."

"I know." Josh nodded at the other guys. "But you're like a living legend amongst the Marines. They're pretty fucking excited to be working with you."

The other Marines on our team walked over to me, each smiling like the cat that caught the canary. I tipped my head at them. I guess my position from years ago preceded me. While I had been a decent team leader, I was by no means the stuff of legends. We liked to leave that to DEVGRU and the other SEAL teams. We were the thankless, silent warriors in the night.

"What made you come back?" one guy asked me.

"Once a Marine, always a Marine. This isn't something that leaves you, son. For six years, I've felt like a piece of me was missing. Now, I feel complete again. This is where I'm meant to be."

They nodded and continued asking me questions. I was happy to answer, feeling like I was with my family again. The Marine Corps was my family more than my actual family. The only downside was that Reaper wasn't here. It felt so strange to not have my Lieutenant by my side.
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"So, how is it?" Rae asked, voice strained. Matt sat behind her, arms crossed. Though he had had a moment of weakness right before I left, he was putting on a show like he was still pissed at me.

"It is Afghanistan, honey. It's hot, sandy, and in the absolute worst part of the country. But I wouldn't be any other place."

Matt snorted. "You made this very clear to us, Charlie. We fucking miss you."

"I miss you too, but I'm happy to be here. It's the first time I've felt like myself in a long time. This place needs me, and you two have each other."

"But we don't work without you, Captain," Rae said with a sad smile on her face. "How is the team?"

"Completely different. The only guy you'd remember is Josh. Apparently, I'm kind of a big deal over here for things I did years and years ago. I'm not even that well-known, love. I don't know why they know me."

Matt laughed, dimples flashing. It was good to see that he was finally dropping the overly macho act. He was really a big golden retriever of a man. "You'd think they'd be more in awe about DEVGRU or something than they would be about some washed up Marine."

I stuck my tongue out at him. Reaper was wearing off on me, clearly. "Rude. We may not be as glamorous or well-known as the SEAL Team Six guys, but without us, y'all wouldn't have been able to do a lot of your missions."

"Boys, no fighting." Rae smiled at me. "Are you team leader?"

It felt like a lump had entered my throat. Any time someone mentioned that position that was the reaction I had. I wasn't a fan, at all. I was a big, tough Marine. Nothing was supposed to get to me, no matter what I saw in war. But that position did. I still had the nightmares from losing my team six years ago.

"No, Josh is."

"Oh," Rae said, sounding confused. "Why wouldn't you be?"

"I didn't want that position. I've got to go. I love you, Rae. I love you, Matt." I didn't wait for a response, instead clicking off the Skype call. It was rude, but I couldn't deal with it anymore. Maybe I hadn't been as ready to come back as I thought I had been.

Notes

Short but important before the next few chapters.