It's been exactly two and a half months since I found out that my husband was alive. It still fills strange calling Luke that. I guess we didn't have that much time to really get used to a different shift in our relationship. Just two days ago, Ira Stella called me and told me that I would be able to come and see Luke. 

        So, we all piled in two cars and started driving. It would have been faster to fly, but Mom wasn't that big on heights. Everyone took turns driving, so we made pretty good time. Once we pulled into the base, I dropped everyone off at the hospital and went to park the jeep. I knew that I was just stalling for time. But I was afraid. 

        I parked the jeep a good distance from the door. Slowly shutting the door behind me, I lock the jeep and start to walk. Several people glanced at me, but I didn't look at them. Ten minutes later, I stop in front of the information desk. "What room is Captain Luke Stella in?"

        "Room 417 Ma'am." The nurse tells me and I nod. Walking to the elevator, I press the call button and wait. The door finally slides open. I step in and hit number four. Suddenly, a soldier running towards me caught my eye, so I placed my hand across the door to wait for him. He gave me a smile as he stepped in the small box. 

        "What floor?"

        "Fourth."

        "Same here." I give him a smile and let it drop quickly. His eyes would dart to my arm and then back to the door. By the time we reached the fourth floor, I was so glad to get off of that elevator. Making the search take another minute, I finally come to a stop just outside the door of 417. 

        Looking down the hall, I spot my parents and Luke's in the waiting room. The guys must be having a little confab, I think as I step closer to the door. I come up short when I hear my nickname. "Where's Ace?" Luke asked and I felt my heart flutter. How I have missed his voice. "Oh, she'll be here in a bit. She had to park the jeep." 

        "So Luke, where are you taking Ella on the honeymoon?" Silence filled the room and I listened harder. "Listen here guys. I know that I have a crush on Ace, but seriously the teasing and jokes have to stop. As long as we're a team, I can't ask her out and you know it."

        "What are you talking about Luke? You and Ella got married before we left out." Luke laughed. "You're joking right? We've only been a team for three years guys." I felt as if my heart was being shattered. Whatever happened to Luke during the time he was missing, it wiped away most of the years from his memory. 

        "We're not kidding Luke."

        "Wait, you're saying you don't remember marrying Ella?"

        "That's what I saying." Making a decision quickly, I open my mouth and slip both the engagment and wedding ring off my hand and slipped them into my pocket. Making some noise with my feet, I knock on the door. As I enter the room, I make sure to conceal what I'm feeling. 

        I flash the guys a smile that I wasn't feeling before looking at Luke. I almost died at the sight of him. Gone was the healthy man I said goodbye to so many months ago. Lying on the bed before me was a shell of what he had been. His leg was in a cast as well as his right arm. He had multiple cuts, scars and brusies all over his face and chest. He looked like death. 

        "Hey Tech." He gives me a smile. "Ace, 'bout time you got here. I was starting to think you ditched on me." I chuckle, hoping it sounded natural. "You couldn't lose me if you tired and you know it." Everyone laughed and I looked at John, Sam and Jason. "Could y'all give me a few minutes with Luke?"

        "Sure Ella." They reply at the same time and leave the room, shutting the door behind them. I sit in a chair beside the bed. "How are you feeling?"

        "I've felt better. I haven't told the guys yet, but Doc said I have amnesia. He said that there's a good chance I might regain my memories, but there's a small chance they'll be lost forever.." I just nod at him, not knowing what to say. Shifting in my chair, Luke's eyes see the empty sleeve. "What happened Ace?"

        I shrug slowly. "On our last mission, I made a few mistakes. A sniper had the bead on John and I stepped in the way. Infection set in before we got back and by then it was too late." 

        "That's too bad Ace."

        "Yep. They discharged me. Now we're just waiting on you to get well enough to travel. The guys and I plan on taking you on a road trip to my hometown for a while." Standing to my feet, I place my hand gently on his shoulder. "So you rest up now Tech. That's an order." He chuckles softly and whinces. "Yes Ma'am." I watch as his eyes drift shut before leaving the room. 

        Once I was out in the hall, I look the three guys in the eyes. "I want y'all to keep an eye on him at all times." 

        "Where are you going?" John asked, grabbing my arm. "I need to go on a run. If y'all need me, call." I say as I head towards the stairs. Right now, the elevator was just to slow. Running down the stairs helped a little, but it wasn't enough. As I strode out of the hospital, I turn left and kept walking. I had a destination in mind and I wouldn't stop til I got there. 

        Thirty minutes later, I was stepping into the dimmly lit room of Tiny's Place. Not many people on base knew of the joint except for most of the older personnel and a few of the youngers who trained under them. The whispers started by the time the door closed. Everyone that was a regular recognized me. Nodding at Tiny, I head to the back corner and to my table. 

        Tiny had my order sitting before not ten minutes after I sat down. Picking up the steaming cup of coffee, I smile at him. It doesn't take the rest of the room to go back to what they were doing before I walked in. By closing time I was on my nineth cup of coffee. 

        Tiny made his way to my table and sat down. "So, rumor has it that almost a year ago when you left the base you were engaged." He say and looks at my hand. "Yet when you come back, there's nothing on your finger." Ignoring the hidden question, I look Tiny in the eyes. "Have you ever been married?"

        If he was surprised by my question, he didn't show. He blinked and I saw such raw sadness in his eyes that it almost took my breath away. "It was many years ago. That was the best ten years of my life...You know," he says blinking rapidly, "In all the years you've been coming here, I've never seen you drink more than five cups of coffee. Must be on tough problem."

        "You could say that."  I tell him as I drain my cup. "I was engaged when I left here. We got married not to long after that. We had a few days after that together before he had to leave for a mission. Almost a month passes and not a word. Then I get a call." Tiny stays silent as I talk, and I know that he's listening to every word I'm speaking. 

        "They told me he was killed in action. So, I spent the next 11 months trying to convince myself that he wasn't coming back. One day out of the blue, I get another call. Only this time they tell me that he's alive. So, I came down here to see him only to find out that the last ten years or so he doesn't remember ever happening. If he doesn't remember on his own, or if the memories never come back, I stand the chance of losing him" 

        Tiny stands up and takes my cup. He starts walking back towards the bar. "Colonel, you're going to need a lot more coffee for this problem." He says as he fills it back up and bring it to me. "Yeah, that's not all." I mutter starting into the darkness before me.