OPEN !|! Just the way you are,,

[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] He just flashed her a quick grin, chuckling softly at her reaction. He hadn't meant much by it, it had simply always been in his nature to help. And yet, somehow he had killed as well. When he had to. The things people would do to save their own life were truly extraordinary, but he consoled himself with the fact it had been a few enemies or his whole crew, his friends who had become family. The smile faded a bit at that thought and even as she wandered away from the horse, he stayed at the fence a moment, mind lost. Then, the movement of her beckoning him out of the corner of his eye brought him back to attention and he followed, hands in his pockets. Never put off what you can do right away. He didn't have to even let her finish to reply, something a little off, a little bit different from the friendly gleam they'd held so far, not that anyone could really put their finger on it unless they'd been there. The men he'd fought beside, they recognized it, but since he'd come home no one else ever had. His mouth opened slightly to finish the phrase that had been pounded into his head, but he closed it again. She didn't need to hear the end. "You might not live to see tomorrow," didn't really fit this situation. He waited by the truck while she ran the business card over to James and Ralph, then backed away from it a bit as she came back, stepping slowly back to his truck. His crooked smile flickered back to his face, that smoething disappearing from his eyes as he refocused on the present and he shrugged. 'Course it still does. And I'd take a wild guess I'm hungrier. Haven't eaten since ten in the morning. The questino is can you put up with rude, loud, obnoxious interruptions from a baby squirrel who's certain he's no less than the center of the universe?

[feiara vd leyen]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, background: #330000][atrb=style, padding: 10px;] JUSTGONNASTANDTHERE ANDWATCHMEBURN - - - - - - - - - - - - but that's alright - - - - - - - - - because i like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there And hear me cry But that's alright Because I love The way you lie I love the way you lie - - - - - - - - - Fei smiled and said, "Well, we better not put it off then." She smiled and shut her door. She rolled the window down and looked at him, "Meet you at In N Out, I'm going to go get some grain really quick." With that she started to roll the window up, still looking straight at him even when the tint covered her face from view. She then turned her car on completely. Turning her radio up and pulling out of the driveway. She then turned left toward town. She lost sight of his truck when she reached the first four-way intersection as she had to go straight onto the freeway instead of banking a left toward the In N Out burger. She merged into traffic at a moderate speed. She then decided to slip on her seat belt, which her truck had been reminding her to do since she'd pulled out of the drive. The stupid binging was annoying her enough to where she actually stuck it on. She pulled into the slow lane as she reached the exit before hers. Then she stuck on her blinker when she finally reached her exit. She pulled into the dirt road and down the long segment of barren flats before she reached Cal Ag. She turned into their drive and parked the truck real quick. She then walked into their building and got her order of Five Bags of Safe Choice, Three bags of Rice Bran, and three more bags of some sweet feed oats. She looked around while they rang up her order. She spotted some Platinum Performance All Around Care and decided to buy that. It was 140 bucks, not half bad. She thanked the lady and grabbed her yellow order sheet and headed out. When they had her things loaded she pulled out, waving a good bye and headed back toward the town. Five minutes later she pulled into the In N Out burger and parked her truck. She locked the doors and walked in. It was pretty busy so she decided she'd just have to get hers and she'd eat outside with him. "I'll have a double double cheeseburger, animal style please. Can I have a strawberry and Vanilla shake and some fries?" she said. "Sure, and will that be all?" the lady asked. "Yes please." "Ok your order number is 93." Fei grabbed her number and her receipt and walked over to where Gray was. And with a crooked little grin she asked, "What's up Doc?"

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[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] Gray had done as asked, driving to the burger place to meet her there. He'd not noticed she hadn't put on her seatbelt immediately - probably a good thing. If he had, she would have gotten chewed out for it rather thoroughly. He'd ordered and been sitting on the table top of one of the picnic tables, feet on the part where he was supposed to sit, elbows on his knees with the fanny pack beside him. So far, not a single peep out of the little squirrel. Unfortunately, he was waiting far longer than he wanted to be. Him and waiting didn't mix well. They hadn't before the war, and even worse now. Little ticket number held in his hand, between thumb and forefinger, he'd ended up pretty much staring at it, though he didn't see it at all. Instead, he saw the light glinting off the paper and into his eyes, the glares from the metal around him. If it wasn't for the lack of sweltering hear and dirt crusting his skin, he probably would have thought he was back over there. The slam of a car door caused him to jerk back to attention, the briefest flicker of worry in his eyes before he remembered where he was and it was gone. He caught her voice just a moment after that and he looked up at her, faint smile creasing his face. The sky. Some clouds. Billions of atoms. Perhaps a satellite He replied, answering literally, his smile growing to his crooked grin, no teeth though. He knew what she was asking, knew how she wanted him to answer, but he needed to get his mind out of the memories somehow and dry, sarcastic humor was one of the best ways he knew how. That and taking care of animals were the two things that helped him forget the best. Then, there was a number called and he hopped up and off the table, striding off to get his meal, paying, then heading back, finally sitting properly at the table, though politely putting his food off to the side to wait for her to get hers. I suppose an appropriate question would be when you want to take me up on that massage. Yeah. Pushing the thoughts aside of the war, hoping she hadn't noticed the vaguely haunted look to his eyes when she had walked up to him at first, or that if she had she ignored it and didn't ask. It wasn't that he liked to keep it secret, he wasn't ashamed. It was just something he didn't talk much about, nor did he care to. Too many good moments ruined, and it all ended in pain.

[feiara vd leyen]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, background: #330000][atrb=style, padding: 10px;] JUSTGONNASTANDTHERE ANDWATCHMEBURN - - - - - - - - - - - - but that's alright - - - - - - - - - because i like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there And hear me cry But that's alright Because I love The way you lie I love the way you lie - - - - - - - - - Fei had noticed, but she'd learned long ago to give people their peace, at least in a public place like this. "Haha, well, let's get our food first, I'm not that easy," she said with a serious look, then she smiled and winked at him. One of the workers behind her called a number and she checked her card. Wasn't her number. She sat down and pulled out her phone, she checked her schedule for tomorrow. 6: Lesson with William Solmen and Star. 8: Check in on Ponies. 9: Talk to realtor about land for sale. 10: call G-ma. 11: Look at a possible horse for sale. 12: check out training Liza 1-3 free. 4-5: class at Community College 6-9: Horses. Tomorrow she'd have to remember to find some time for grocery shopping.... She then heard another number, "93!" Fei finished a quick text before she stood up, slipping her phone in her pocket. She walked over and grabbed her food, "Thanks." She looked at Gray, "Shall we sit outside?" she asked. It would be nicer outside, since it was just getting dark. She still had to go ride Donaire and Fantigo and walk De Oro around.. actually Fantigo needed a day off anyways and she'd probably just stick De Oro and Fantigo out in a pasture while she rode Donaire. "You sure I'm not keeping you from anything important?" she asked Gray as she sat down at a table under the last glimmering bits of sunshine.

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[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] Well, I would certainly hope not, or I'd have to re-think my initial opinion of you. He answered her reply with the dry comment, though the slight rise in his voice occasionally throughout and the smile on his face gave away that it was just a joke. He nodded at her question, gathering his food and heading out to find a table, though it probably would have been easier to just hop up in the bed of his truck. Still, he found one anyway, settling there, placing his food down, then the fanny pack. He took a moment to check on Dante, the little squirrel still sleeping soundly. Only then did he pay attention to his food, digging out his burger and taking a bite. He politely finished chewing before he answered her last question. I swear. Scout's honor, nothing important is waiting. And yes, I was actually a scout, unlike half the people who say that. He flashed that confidant little crooked smile again before taking another bite, twisting so his back was resting against the edge of the table top, using it as a chair backing and reclining back. His shoulders still stayed back, his back straight, of course. He rarely, if ever, slouched. That didn't stop him from tipping back and relaxing, though. There was a difference between correct posture and ridiculously beyond proper.

[feiara vd leyen]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, background: #330000][atrb=style, padding: 10px;] JUSTGONNASTANDTHERE ANDWATCHMEBURN - - - - - - - - - - - - but that's alright - - - - - - - - - because i like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there And hear me cry But that's alright Because I love The way you lie I love the way you lie - - - - - - - - - Fei smiled, "Oh really?" Fei smiled and watched a lady with her little kid walk by. The kid had three fingers in her mouth and she was staring at Gray with big eyes. Fei giggled when the little girl passed them. "Looks like you have a fan," she said with a giant grin. Fei then proceeded to take a giant bite of her hamburger. She chewed and swallowed but she was so hungry she just wanted the food in her stomach. She didn't eat like a pig though, she kept it nice and clean, to be polite. She smiled a little and dipped a fry in some ketchup. She then took a little sip of her milkshake. "So, what do you have going on tomorrow?" she asked casually as she rested her elbows on the table and... yeah she slouched.

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[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] He took another bite of his burger as he slipped his blackberry out of his pocket, flipping to the calender as he chewed, scanning through the appointments. He swallowed as he looked through the day, fairly uneventful. A day working out of the office, no barn visits. They were relaxing days, really. Allowed him to continue unpacking, for he had avoided it for quite a bit at first in exchange for getting everything set up in the world of work. Not too much. Orphaned filly getting dropped off bright and early, few hours of needles and checkups for some smaller four-legged friends, then some unpacking, since the house is half boxes still. He replied, locking the Torch's screen and slipping it back away into its holster, placing what remained of the burger down a moment and resorted to a couple french fries, followed by a sip of water. His smile twinged a bit, stuck between confidant and cocky, not quite sticking to either. Why? Have my amazing good looks earned me a stalker? The grin was interrupted by a sigh and roll of the eyes as the squirrel began to cry again and he unzipped the pouch, pulling the creature out before rummaging for the bottle, pretty much able to feed the rodent without even thinking about it by now. A few nights and days of this apparently enabled that. Then, the grin finally flashed on, his eyes looking up to peer at her through eyelashes as his chin stayed tilted down towards the animal in his hand. Not like it'd be the first time. Joking, of course. He'd never had a real stalker. He'd definitely had quite a few girls flocking after him in high school and post-secondary, but he'd bathed in the nervous giggles and the hair twirling because he knew exactly what it meant, and it had been something to lord over his brother for the short while that they both shared an interest in the opposite sex. Then, it had been a distraction from his brother's death. After the war, it had been ignored for a while while he got his mind back to where it had been before, for the most part. After that... well. He'd enjoyed the attention, but rarely acted. Too focused on his studies, everyone always said. Truthfully, he hadn't been fully over war, and he still wasn't. He had just begun to hide it better. Not to mention, getting pulling into that life of having a group of girls fawning over you? That had been what had done Jack in, and look where that had landed him. In a grave, just shy of eighteen years old. Sure, the accident wasn't his fault, not really, but he'd been drunk enough to not put his seat belt on. He'd been distracted enough by the pretty girls in the backseat that he hadn't watched the road. That wasn't about to happen to Gray. He'd flirt, he'd give them a little something in return, but he was never the "player" type. If they thought he was giving them something more than what he was, he pulled away, pushed them back and told them so. He'd broken a number of hearts this way, but he'd never felt a thing. They'd seen something that wasn't there, he'd told them the truth. They thanked him for it after the initial pain. Not openly, with words, but with the slight smiles, the glances that said he was forgiven. He never liked those moments, but he preferred that to leading them on some little game. It was, by far, a less cruel tactic, in the end.

[feiara vd leyen]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, background: #330000][atrb=style, padding: 10px;] JUSTGONNASTANDTHERE ANDWATCHMEBURN - - - - - - - - - - - - but that's alright - - - - - - - - - because i like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there And hear me cry But that's alright Because I love The way you lie I love the way you lie - - - - - - - - - Fei smiled and said with exasperation, "Because I'm totally into that stuff! Besides... It's not stalking... it's just admiring from afar... behind signs and bushes...." She cracked a grin and winked at him. She saw some random guy jog by and she remembered she had to stick some Gym hours in her schedule tomorrow.... She took a bite before she pulled her phone back out and stuck a reminder in there. Maybe she'd be bad and just not go... she hated the gym. She got a text just as she finished sticking that into her schedule. She smiled and then laughed at the text. "Sorry, inside joke...," she said a little sheepishly before answering. She got an almost immediate reply. She decided to reply later so she shut her phone and left it on the table next to her shake. She then took a sip of her shake, since it was close to her hand. "Hey by the way, I have a young client looking for a dressage and possible jumper to buy. If you hear of anything could you give me a call? She's going to need something somewhat safe and her parents are looking for things in the 20K area." She then realized she'd probably need to give him her number.... "Do you need my number?" she asked him. She figured he would....

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[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] Ah, right. So that's what they're calling it these days. I suppose it does sound a little more... legal. His grin stuck as he glanced down to the squirrel in his hands, still voraciously feeding on the milk in the bottle. He waited as she dealt with a friend messaging her, not really bothered by it. Some minded this whole technological age thing, but he didn't, not so much. It was when someone would blatantly stop in the middle of saying something that it bothered him. But this, this had come at a pause anyway, it was just fine. You'll probably hear of something before me, but sure, I'll keep my eye out. Here, just hold Dante for a moment... He handed the squirrel over, knowing the creature wouldn't mind as long as the bottle was kept within reach, and Gray held it carefully until Fei could grab it to make sure of that. Once he was certain the squirrel was secure and still feeding, he moved his hands away to dig his phone back out, flipping into contacts and sliding the screen up to reveal the keyboard. He typed her name in quick, then switched to the number spot, selecting "mobile" from the drop down list. Alright, number? It wasn't like they wouldn't be in contact anyways. He was the only vet in town, after all. Most could deworm themselves, but they needed a vet to at least acquire the yearly shots and things, and usually to administer them.

[feiara vd leyen]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, background: #330000][atrb=style, padding: 10px;] JUSTGONNASTANDTHERE ANDWATCHMEBURN - - - - - - - - - - - - but that's alright - - - - - - - - - because i like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there And hear me cry But that's alright Because I love The way you lie I love the way you lie - - - - - - - - - Fei smiled and craddled the frail creature in her hands. "Awww, you're too cute!" she said holding the bottle at an angle for the little demon. She smiled up at Gray, "Haha It's 805 - 440 - 5676. Its easy to remember." She glanced at her watch on the same hand holding the bottle. She'd had time and felt herself relax a little more. She could get very OCD about schedules. When he finally got the number in she said, "And if you need help with spelling my name it's F-E-I-A-R-A," she said slow enough for him to be able to type it in with ease. "You know this squirrel isn't that bad...," she said with a little smile down at Dante in her lap. She handed Dante over when he was done and sat there quietly before she picked up the remaining bits of her hamburger and finished it before she worked on the last few fries. She cleaned up her shake quick, making slurping noises with the straw. She smiled a little at her childishness and she stood up and threw her trash away. She then walked back to him. "So about that Massage...," she said before she sat down next to him, still admiring the little squirrel.

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[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] He typed the number in quickly, just checking the speling on the name since he'd already entered it. Tapping the save icon up in the corner, he slipped the phone away again. He slipped the squirrel back into his hands as he replied. You know how new parents hardly ever get any sleep until the baby starts to sleep through the night? That's pretty much my life right now becaause of him. I mean, I'd get occasional emergency calls in the night before, but it wasn't every hour, hour and a half, throughout the whole night, and it certainly wasn't every single night. I'm pretty sure even babies sleep longer than that, for the most part. He grumbled in reply, though to be honest he hardly minded the waking up part. It was more the cry he got owken up with that was going to drive him crazy sooner or later. Alarm clocks were made to be annoying. Squirrels, apparently, were made to be annoying as well - but they had the added unfortunate fact of hurting your ears and giving you headaches. He put the squirrel back in his fanny pack before quickly finishing off his meal, just shoving it all in the paper bag it had come in for now. No point getting up to toss it in the garbage only to come back. Mhm. The massage. Back to my original question. When?

[feiara vd leyen]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, background: #330000][atrb=style, padding: 10px;] JUSTGONNASTANDTHERE ANDWATCHMEBURN - - - - - - - - - - - - but that's alright - - - - - - - - - because i like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there And hear me cry But that's alright Because I love The way you lie I love the way you lie - - - - - - - - - Fei smiled "I know how you feel. My grandma had a mare that had twins. The mare didn't make it but I was determined to keep the two foals alive. I stayed up every night for two weeks trying to save the colts...," Fei trailed off as she remembered finding the smallest colt dead and stiff in the stall corner when she'd drifted off in the middle of the night. That following evening the other colt had passed away quietly in his sleep. Fei had cried and cried and had said she'd never touch another horse. That was when her grandmother had given her Largo. Largo had been such an amazing little colt, but very hot headed and conceited in his good looks. She smiled at the memory of little Largo running around with the other colts. But every time he'd seen Fei he'd go bolting to the fence and nicker at her and nuzzle her. She had loved it. "Haha, we can wait until little Demon-Child here gets back to sleep. I need to make a quick phone call anyways," Fei said, standing up and walking over to her truck real quick. She unlocked the truck and hopped up on the drivers seat and rested her feet on the dash before she slanted her seat back. She then dialed a number and began talking with someone. "Yeah, I have everything all set up with Silver Spurs. You can bring a horse in at any time, you did send off those papers right? Good good. Well I have a possible horse to look at, I don't know, the lady seemed very unsure about selling.... The horse is gorgeous but- Yeah yeah, Haha. Well I know how you feel, I'm sorry Londar didn't make it. Yeah, well anyways, the gelding is over in King City when ever you're free we can go over and check him out. He's a black bay gelding with three socks I think and a blaze. He's got a nice trot. The video showed no canter or anything so I don't know what that was all about... yeah. Haha Tuesday? Tuesday should be good.... around 11 o'clock should be good. I'm glad you're moving out here! Yeah! No problem, see you later then. Bye!" Fei hung up and turned her key on the first notch so she could turn the radio on. With that she folded her arms and closed her eyes a little. She yawned as 'On the floor' by J Lo came on. She glanced over and used her booted foot to press the little arrow. 'Dreaming With a Broken Heart' came on and she left it. For a while she must had dozed because when she heard a light tap on her window she sat up with a start.

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[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] Dante had curled up in the fanny pack to sleep again rather quickly, but he'd waited, just finishing off his drink. She was still on the phone after all, no real point interrupting her. By the time he'd finished his drink and thrown out his stuff, she'd seemed rather relaxed, half asleep even. Still, although the town was small, napping in your truck in a parking lot probably wasn't the best idea. Halfway to her truck, his blackberry vibrated and he answered, not even checking the caller id. He never really did. He rapped his knuckles lightly on her window as he spoke. Graydon Taylor. Just a few short seconds later, it was as if someone had replaced him with someone different. His shoulders straightened further, if it was even possible. He stood taller, chin up, feet straight and each under the respective shoulder, like a soldier in a line up. Mostly because of who called. The same person who had given him his award when he was a soldier. That crooked smile fell to a serious line, bordering a frown. With all due respect, sir, I have a job here. I can't just up and leave and come to some award dinner to hand out medals. Given a few months notice, it wouldn't have been an issue, but- He got cut off and finally the corners of his lips twitched into a frown, not looking pleased but resigned to listen. For all his flippant attitude and jokes, he had become a soldier at heart. He listened to orders, and it was no longer a suggestion it would seem. He sighed. Fine, I'll be there. Have a good day, sir. As far as he was concerned, the conversation was finished. He pulled the phone from his ear and hung up of the Brigadier General on the other line. Probably not the wisest move, but they could do little to him now. He'd been enlisted, not commissioned. They couldn't force him back into a war zone. The phone got practically slammed back into it's holster, but then he dampened the anger, closed his eyes a moment. When he opened them again, that smile danced at the corners of his lips, even if it didn't reach his eyes at all like it had every time before. He was trying. It was a terrible act at being perfectly fine, but he'd never been much of a liar to begin with. I'm thinking the parking lot isn't the best place for a massage, but my place is free. Or I could follow you somewhere. Doesn't matter to me. Just like that, he brushed it off. Or seemed to, until you actually looked at him. There was that tinge of understanding in his eyes, something that said she could ask if she wanted to. He didn't keep many secrets. He didn't blurt things out at random, and some topics he avoided unless someone else brought them up, but not many things were kept entirely confidential. He just didn't like the feeling of avoiding a question, or that pit in his stomach when he lied.

[feiara vd leyen]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,400,true][atrb=style, background: #330000][atrb=style, padding: 10px;] JUSTGONNASTANDTHERE ANDWATCHMEBURN - - - - - - - - - - - - but that's alright - - - - - - - - - because i like the way it hurts Just gonna stand there And hear me cry But that's alright Because I love The way you lie I love the way you lie - - - - - - - - - Fei looked up at him with drowsy eyes. She seemed to realize where she was and she straightened herself, tucking her feet back under the steering wheel and she turned to look at him. She was about to answer him when she really looked at him again. "What's wrong?" she asked, her eyes concerned as she looked at him. His eyes seemed dull, cold, hidden like he was too far to reach, and his body language had changed completely. She suddenly regretted asking him, maybe he didn't want to talk about it.... She hadn't meant to be rude and she said so, "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry...." She set back a little, feeling uncomfortable and hoped she was allowing him some space to cool off a little as well if he was angered by her rudeness, not that he struck her as an angry person.... He just had a different air around him now... she could almost feel the strength.. the danger emitting from him. Like a loaded gun waiting for someone to pull the trigger.... She clicked her radio off, it had just turned to 'Mary Me' by Train and she felt it a little inappropriate for the moment.

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[Graydon Konrad Taylor]

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[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/2igiyh1.jpg] The forced smile fell away as she called him out on it. It wasn't like he hadn't seen it coming. Part of him hadn't wanted her to ask, of course, but he had rather suspected she would. Who wouldn't? Well, murderous psychopaths. She didn't fit that category, that was for sure. People in the same situation as him wouldn't have to ask, either, but she didn't fit there either. So, he had expected her to ask. He sighed, leaning against the side of her truck, staring off at nothing in the distance. When I graduated high school, I enlisted. Spent two years fighting as a soldier before I did something incredibly stupid. They considered it brave, awarded me a Distinguished Service Cross. They want me to stand on stage and pretend to be happy about handing out more awards to people who were just as stupid, but probably nowhere near as lucky. The cold tone from his phone call carried over to his explanation, though it was more bitter than angry. He hadn't liked being a soldier, not really. Not that he'd explain why he'd done it in the first place to her. That one, that reason, it was truly a secret. He didn't just not talk about it, he literally hid it from the world as best he could. One hand rose up to rub at the scar hidden under the shirt on his right shoulder, thumb traveling to run over the one a few inches away, below the collarbone. He sighed softly, remembering the day. It hadn't been pleasant. Lots of noise, yelling, screaming. The cries of the dying. The small, contain explosions that shot out bullets. The whizzing of the missile as it soared toward the cover, just as he dragged one of his men out. The man had lived, although the debris dug into his skin had left him with both his legs needing to be amputated. They said that Gray's emergency first aid had saved the man's life, and that there had been nothing he could have done for the rest of the troop beyond what he did, but he wasn't sure. It was a bit blurry, clouded over mostly by the distinct memory of each bullet digging into his upper body, the pain before he blacked out. He blinked, pulling back out of the thoughts. He finally glanced back over at her, a small reassuring smile on his face. It's fine. Nothing to worry about. We all have things we don't want to do in life. This'll just be one of them.