I sat on Chic's couch, sobbing my eyes out as he comforted me. I felt kind of bad for crying to my boyfriend about my ex boyfriend being hurt, but, at the same time, I really didn't feel that bad because Jude was my best friend. I was worried sick about Jude. I knew that he said he was fine, and just got a little hurt, but I knew that he would water it down, and make his injuries seem less severe than they really were. The fact that he was injured in an explosion made me think that he was missing all of his limbs or something and I was terrified by that thought.

"I'm sure he's ok. They said he's fine, and even the telegram said that he was only injured a little." Chic told me softly. He rubbed my back as I sobbed into my hands, trying to calm me down.

"You don't know him like I do. He could have cancer and he probably wouldn't tell anyone. Even if he did, he would pretend like it didn't bother him at all. I've seen him do something like that. He's probably hurt worse than he's telling me." I argued, still crying.

"Hey. He's alright. He just needs a few stitches, then he'll be back. He said he wants to see you smiling. You don't want to let your best friend down do you?" Chic asked, cupping my face in his hands as I began to calm down a bit. I sniffed, and shook my head, looking up at Chic.

"Then wipe away these tears," Chic wiped his thumbs over my cheeks, wiping away the tears. "And put a smile on that face of yours." I nodded my head a bit and plastered on a sad, but relieved smile.

"Lovely." Chic whispered. Then he leaned forward and pulled me forward to kiss my forehead comfortingly. 

^^^

It had been a month since Jude got hurt, and I was having trouble with it. I would have panic attacks every now and then, and I would cry often. Chic offered me a lot of comfort, and I spent most nights snuggled up to him in his bed. He tried explaining the process that was probably taking place, and was causing the delay.

He said that they were probably putting him through a little bit of physical therapy, and that they most likely kept him long enough to take his stitches out too. He said that it would take time for Jude's cuts, and his ears to heal, and that they most likely just wanted to make sure that he was on the right track in the healing process. This comforted me a surprisingly large amount, but I just wished that it would go faster.

It was almost an entire month since Jude was hurt, and I was slumping through a gymnasium. Mandie had talked me into taking a physical fitness class after Jude left, thinking that it would help. It didn't. I rarely did anything in that class, and I was certain that the gym coach hated me because of it. However, on this particular day, I ended running across the entire length of the gymnasium.

I was just walking slowly, and lazily, while we were playing a sport. I didn't even know which sport we were playing, but it was a sport for sure. I was just walking around to make it almost look like I was doing something, but I knew I wasn't fooling anyone. I caught the sight of a figure standing in the doorway to the gym out of the corner of my eye. I wouldn't have given this figure a second thought, if it wasn't for the fact that it was dressed in camouflage. I took a second look, and I was able to identify the camo clad figure as Jude in his uniform, with all of him limbs fully intact. I just stared at Jude in shock, joy, excitement, and disbelief. He was looking around the gym, scanning every person in the room and looking over them to determine if they were who he was looking for. That is, until he caught sight of me.

Jude and I made direct eye contact, and I watched a giant grin split across his face. I smiled back and began running towards him as tears spilled from my eyes. Jude watched me run towards him and opened his arms out wide as I got closer. I bulldozed into him, jumping into his arms and wrapping my arms tightly around Jude's neck. I felt Jude wrap his arms around me and hug me tightly. I felt him lift my small figure off of the floor and spin me in a circle before setting me back on my feet. I tightened my hold on Jude, burying my face into his long hair. Jude pulled away from me when he heard me sniffle.

"You're crying. Why are you crying? I didn't hurt you did I? Are you ok Hun?" Jude asked, moving his hands onto my shoulders, and looking at me in concern. 

"No, no. It's just, you're back. And you're alive." I replied, smiling beyond control as more tears of joy spilled from my eyes. I watched as Jude's eyes brimmed with tears too and he hugged me again. 

I heard a some clapping behind us, but paid no mind to it. I knew that people video taped things like soldiers coming home, and I knew that people ate that stuff up, but I didn't think anyone else in the gym would care that Jude was back. I pulled away from him, and wiped my eyes with my arm. 

"Come on. You have to go see Mandie, and you have to meet Chic." I said with a sniffle, before leaving the gym, and taking Jude with me. 

Mandie screamed and jumped into Jude much like I did when Jude walked into her math class. No one seemed to mind the disruption, and Mandie didn't show any signs of planning to complete her time in class. Jude and I both seemed to know that she would be sleeping a lot easier knowing for sure that Jude was safe and alright.

It was less exciting and heart warming when Jude interrupted Chic's english class. I had kept Jude informed about how comforting, supportive, and understanding Chic had been while he was away. Jude understood that Chic was a vital part to any sanity I had left, and Jude, being the amazing friend that he was, thought that Chic was amazing for how much he had helped me. 

Jude walked into the classroom, with me a little ways behind him, and Mandie staying at the door. He surveyed the room a little bit before catching sight of Chic who was staring at him. Jude then ignored everyone else as he walked over to Chic, who stood up and faced him. Jude smiled at Chic, and held his hand out for the latter to accept.

"Jude Malkeroy." Jude stated. 

"Chicago Peace." Chic responded with a smile as he shook Jude's hand. "I've heard amazing things about you. It's an honor to finally meet you. Thank you for all that you've done for this country."

"I appreciate it, but really I should be thanking you. Brian told me about how supportive and understanding you were for him while I was away. He says that you really helped him out. I was able to sleep easier at night, and I was able to do my job better, because I knew that someone was taking care of the people who I love. So thank you Chic." Jude said with the most sincerity. Then, in an effort to show Chic how much he respected him, Jude took a step back, stood up straighter, and stood properly, than soluted Chic. Chic just stood in shock for a moment, before smiling and doing it back to Jude. 

"Wait a minuet here," I said, drawing Jude and Chic's attention. "Your real name is Chicago?" 

"Yeah. You didn't know that?" Chic asked with a grin. I just shook my head shyly, but smiled back nonetheless.

I was happy.