Home at Last

Jack collapses onto his bunk, exhausted. Training has drained all of the energy out of him. He can sleep for two days straight right now! He feels like a zombie, if not an empty shell of what used to be a man. However, because he needs to shower, Jack forces himself to get back up onto his feet. With sore legs and arms, he makes his way over to the bathroom. Tiredly, Jack strips out of his filthy clothes, which are stained with dirt and grass, leaving them scattered on the vinyl tiles.

The water shoots out of the showerhead, filling the room with hot steam. His tense muscles immediately relax as the liquid embraces his body. Thoroughly and speedily, Jack cleans himself, washing his flesh with a bar of soap. Then, he lathers some shampoo into his hair and rinses off, the muscles in his arms flexing, revealing how defined and toned they are.

A towel is securely coiled around his waist as he sifts through his bags for his pajamas. Perhaps he should have waited on the packing. After getting dressed in a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, he climbs back into bed, making sure to turn the lights off first. He pulls the blanket up to his chin and allows his eyes to flutter shut.

These last two years have been tough on him, there's no doubt about that. The experience, however, has helped mold Jack into becoming the strong and independent young man he is today. Although he is doing this out of his own free will, he can't deny the excitement coursing throughout his entire body at the moment.

The thought of being reunited with his family and friends back in Vermont has him rejoicing. It all seems so surreal. He still can't believe it. He's actually going home! Everything is finally falling into place for him. Not only does Jack have a job on a base stationed in South Burlington waiting for him, he has also been accepted into college! He can't wait to share the news with his family!

Yes, no one has knowledge of his return. He has decided to keep it a secret from everyone because he wishes to see their surprised expressions when he shows up at their doorsteps, unannounced. Being apart from everything he's ever known isn't easy. It hasn't been easy. Yet, Jack wouldn't trade the time he's spent in the military for anything in the world. He's met amazing people, who share the same visions as he does, and the experience truly is one of a kind.

And without knowing, he succumbs to sleep.

The next morning, a deafening air-horn jolts him awake. Jack nearly falls off the bed, and his frightened and startled countenance is absolutely priceless! His friends break out into rambunctious laughter as they hold onto their stomachs and wipe away the tears prickling out the corners of their eyes. Jack glares menacingly at them once he registers what is going on. "What the hell, guys. What are you doing?" he questions, a deep frown etched into his face.

"We're here to say our goodbyes, duh." Claudius Wright, the first companion Jack had made in South Korea, grins crookedly as he shrugs his shoulders.

"Yeah, you should be honored that we took time out of our busy schedules to drop by!" Simon, another one of his friends, exclaims dramatically.

Jack runs his slender fingers through his dirty blonde hair before he throws the covers off and rolls out of bed. His six foot frame has the two fellas cowering away. Maybe they shouldn't have used the blasted air-horn. Next, a warm and broad smile greets them and without warning, Jack throws his arms around them and drags them in for a hug. "Thanks," he says as he breaks away. "I'm going to miss you guys."

Claudius shakes his head. He's never been a big fan of being all sentimental and what not, but even he can't control his emotions. The three of them have been by each other's side since they became friends. They're practically inseparable. Goodbyes are never facile. "You can always Skype us, man. We aren't going to let a little distance get in the way of our brotherhood." A little distance? Try approximately seven thousand miles across the Pacific!

"Seriously though, you better not forget about us," warns Simon.

Jack gasps out loud. "I would never dream of committing such blasphemy," he states. "Without you guys, I don't think I would have been able to survive being on the other side of the world from my family."

"Same here, McKiernan, same here." Claudius retrieves something from his back. It's a small, brown paper bag stuffed with white tissue paper. "We got you a little going away present. Don't open it until you get back home, okay?"

Jack stares down at the token and a fuzzy sensation unfurls inside of him. "I won't," he answers gently, accepting the gift. They engage in one last hug, before Claudius and Simon leave. Jack gazes at the bag and a bittersweet taste dances on his tongue.

Once he is finished freshening up, there is a knock on his door. He goes over to answer it and his eyes round at the sight of the beautiful blonde standing on the other side of the threshold. "Karson?"

"Hey, McKiernan. I just wanted to come and say bye." She explains, curling a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Oh, thanks. If that's all, I have to get going." Jack is about to close the door, but she stops him by placing a palm against it and keeping it ajar.

"That's not all of it," she breathes. "I wanted to talk about us, too."

Unconsciously, Jack's jaw flexes. He's not going to lie. At one point in time, he did find himself attracted to Karson. However, overtime, he began to see her true colors. Let's just say he's glad nothing serious has ever taken place between the two of them. The furthest they've gone involves a little flirting here and there, but that's about it. He's dodged a bullet with this one.

"Karson, there is no us. I don't know how many times I have to tell you that. I hope this will be the last time I'll be seeing you. Take care of yourself."

Sometimes, Jack doesn't understand what kind of madness is going on in that girl's mind. What he does have conviction of is that he doesn't want to see her again. It would do more harm than good. He pushes the thought of Karson aside seconds later. He doesn't want to worry about anything else right now.

He's got a flight to catch.

After a fourteen-hour ride, the plane finally lands and the passengers file out the terminal. Jack steps out of the airport with his duffle bags and breathes in the Vermont air. His heart swells as his eyes take in the familiar surroundings.

Home at last.

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Author's Thoughts: Take this as my Valentine's Day present to you lovely folks <3 Just a sneak peek of who Jack is and what not. I will definitely not be posting anything else for this story until PST reaches forty or more chapters.

Please do leave comments and votes if you'd like! This update is dedicated to akaiiroses, CSkies13, and naughtymaknaes!