The pain, the blood, and the fire were just a few things I saw and remembered. I also saw my best friend die in that crash. Everything was too much, and I sat up from bed screaming. I looked at the time. Three in the morning, I sighed, and got out of bed. I changed into my gym clothes and grabbed my keys. I jumped in my jeep and hit the road. I was starting to get used to sleepless nights.

Jeremy’s P.O.V

“What do you mean, training?”

The producer sighed.

“In order to pull off this military role, we want you to train with a special-forces officer for six weeks. It’s a tough training but it will be worth it in the end.”

“Alright I guess I can deal with that. Where and when?”

He handed me a piece of paper.

“Here is the address to the estate, when you get to the gate, ask for Rowan.”

“Rowan, is the soldier?”

“Yes, and one of the army’s finest.”

“Alright, I’ll head over there after I go get some things at my house.”

“Good, and I wish you the best of luck.”

“Thanks.”

I left the producers office and headed back to my house to pick up everything I would need for the next six weeks.

Rowan’s P.O.V

It was ten o’clock that same morning when my new trainee would arrive. I was working freelance for movie studios training their stars to pull off hard military roles. I was standing on my porch with my German shepherd Apollo next to me. I saw a car pull in the gate and watched it pull up to the front of the house and the man that stepped out was none other than Jeremy Lee Renner.

Jeremy’s P.O.V

As I got out of the car, I noticed a woman in her late twenties to early thirties standing on the front porch. I grabbed my bags and walked up onto the front porch and smiled at her.

“I’m Jeremy Renner. I’m looking for a Rowan Cullen. My producer said I was to meet him here.”

She nodded.

“Come on in the house, and we can get started.”

I followed her into the house and set my bags down where she motioned for me to. She stood in front of me and extended her hand with a small smile.

“I’m Rowan Cullen. Welcome to my home.”

I shook her hand but stood there stunned.

“You’re Rowan?”

She chuckled.

“Yes I am. I get this reaction a lot. And yes I am the delta team sniper.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, what is your rank?”

“Captain.”

She picked up my bag and dumped it out on the table. She took out the clothes, and set them in a pile then took out all the things I was used to having with me.

Rowan’s P.O.V

“What are you doing?”

“You are at boot camp basically. And you are going to have to live without the same things I did. No phone and no outside contact for the first three weeks, then we can work on things. There also will be no TV for the first two weeks, but you can have it after a week if you meet my standards.”

“Okay… I guess I can live with that.”

“Good.”

I handed him a pair of uniform pants and tee shirt.

“You can take your things to the bedroom third door on the right at the top of the stairs. Then change and meet me down here. We have a busy day ahead of us.”

“Okay.”

He disappeared up the stairs and I went and put Apollo’s harness on him. About fifteen minutes later he came down the stairs dressed in a military uniform very similar to the one I had on.

“Glad you are all ready. We are going to go for a run.”

“How far are we going?”

“Four miles. It’s the usual training run for the unit I was in.”

He seemed a little shocked at that statement.

“Look if you don’t want to do this, I’ll call the producer and tell him to find someone else to train you. It makes no difference to me.”

“No I’ll give it a try.”

“Good, now I expect you to keep up.”

He nodded and I grabbed Apollo’s leash and walked out the front door with Jeremy right behind me.

Jeremy’s P.O.V

I had no idea what her problem was. She seemed like a nice enough person when we first met, but now that we are out here running, she is a totally different person. My producers never told me I was going to be trained by a woman. Not that I had anything against her but something was off, and she seemed to have mood swings or something. As we were out running, I saw several photographers taking pictures of us as we ran.

“Rowan, what are we going to do about paparazzi?”

“They won’t bother us, but if you are so worried about them taking pictures of you during your boot camp I’ll go take care of them.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“No worries. Keep running, and I’ll catch up with you.”

I did as she asked and kept going. Ten minutes later, she was back running by my side.

“All taken care of. They won’t bother us at all.”

“What did you do?”

“Simple. Threatened to have them thrown in jail.”

She and her dog moved up to run a little ways in front of me. She didn’t seem like much of a people person, so I just left her alone, and did what she asked.

Our run ended at a huge swimming pool in her back yard. She stopped to take her dog off its leash before taking off her boots, and socks.

“Same with you. Shoes and socks off.”

“Why?”

“Rule one, don’t ask why just do it soldier.”

So I did as she asked and stood watching her.

“Do what I do.”

“Okay…”

She dove into the pool, and started swimming to the other end.

“Get in now!”

So I dove into the pool after her and swam the length of the pool. When I reached the other side, she was already out of the pool watching me.

“We need to work on your swimming skills.”

“I think I would do better if I hadn’t just run four miles.”

She extended her hand to me and helped me out of the pool.

“So far so good with you. This is just a little bit of what we are going to be doing for the next six weeks. I do this every morning, unless I go to the gym. Anyway go shower, and change then meet me in the kitchen and we can eat.”

“Sounds good. Thank you.”

“Of course. Now go.”

Rowan’s P.O.V

I watched as he walked into the house and up the stairs. My housekeeper was going to blow a fuse when she saw the wet marble. But that wasn’t what was bothering me. Jeremy seemed to know something was up, with me, and it worried me. I climbed the stairs with Apollo at my side and entered my bedroom. I shut the door and walked into the large bathroom. I took off my wet clothes, and stepped into the shower. The hot water felt good on my skin. After last night, I still felt on edge. I couldn’t get the images out of my head, and I couldn’t risk breaking down in front of him. I mean I broke a punching bag this morning, and that wasn’t exactly normal, but just something that happens when I have a really rough night.

I finished my shower, and changed into a pair of jeans and a tank top before slipping on a pair of sneakers. I braided my wet jet-black hair and walked downstairs. Apollo never left my side, and I headed into the kitchen where my chef Angelo was working.

“Captain Rowan, you look lovely as usual.”

“Angelo you flatter me. So what’s for lunch today?”

He laughed as he turned back to the stove.

“Fresh tuna steak, over a salad.”

“Sounds good to me. Has our guest come down yet?”

“No not yet.”
“Thanks, if he comes in tell him I’ll be out back.”

“Of course.”

“Thanks Angelo.”

I walked through the large house and out into the huge back yard. I still don’t know why my parents ever gave me this place. Maybe out of pity or just because they wanted to, I was here living the painful life of a former soldier, and they were on the beach in Florida, or in a villa in France. Not so bad, but there was still something missing. Nothing had been the same since I returned, and since the accident in Iraq. I wasn’t the same either, and I hadn’t been since Jessie died. He was the best friend anyone could ever ask for, and sometimes I wish it had been me in his place.

As I walked through the yard, everything was quiet and peaceful. It was a nice feeling, to be alone. I walked to the dog pen in the back where my other dog Jay was. I let her out to be with Apollo, and then started back to the house. I saw Jeremy on the balcony of his room, watching me. I acted like I hadn’t noticed and walked straight back into the house.

“Lunch is ready Rowan.”

“Thanks Angelo. Let our guest know, would you?”

He nodded and headed off the get Jeremy. I went and sat at the table and waited for him to join me. When he did we had a quiet lunch, and didn’t talk much. Which was totally fine with me, but apparently not with him, but he never said anything.

 (I hope y'all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it -- CG)