When Connor arrived back to the base, after running from that farm as fast as possible. He finally let panic set into him and his senses. He must pay that kid back, or the boy could charge him for stealing. "Fuck": he didn't think this through, he was irresponsible, and he can't blame anyone but himself, "fuck" but he blames his potty mouth on Jeremy mostly.

Connor still was rather angry at his recruits however. When getting into their assigned cabin, his eyes land on the two young men who ran off with the food.

They didn't notice him until he was right next to them, fuming. They looked at him terrified, hiding some of the food they obviously took the liberty of keeping for themselves. He took in a deep breath, ready to express his feelings, But he calmed himself down, he was in charge of them, and this whole unit, he should have known better. Yelling at them wouldn't solve anything anyway.

So he doesn't give them anymore thought, and leaves them be, planning on ignoring the idiots for the rest of the week.

When he got back to his bunker, Micheal was already settled in. Sleeping in the darkness of the cabin, until Connor flicked on a lantern.

Micheal was lucky he was friends with Connor any how, he was able to pull some strings to let the lower ranking man stay in his personal cabin with him.

  Also the mere fact that Connor was even considered a higher rank confused him. He didn't know why he was upgraded, and why he was placed to a rank as high as second in command. There was no real indication as to why his superiors put him in charge, but he wasn't about to complain. "I'm already fucking it up" He Seeths.

To add to all this, when they were coming into this town, no one explained what was going to happen, the moment they got here, the army's packed up and left. As if they would rather be anywhere else then this town. Is it the people?

It still surprises Connor as to why the switch was so rushed. And the reason why he was left second in command, was beyond him. There was something shady about this place, why would the men here want out of the town in such a short period of time? And so out of the blew.

Why would they leave the base in the hands of less qualified troops? Before there was a count of 180 men keeping this base, but with the 2 units being the only ones here now, it is roughly 60. Was this job TOO easy? He had many questions that needed answers, but was snapped out of it when Michael awoke. "Could you turn off the light please?" He asked in a meek yawn, while wiping his eyes.

Connor thought about letting his companion sleep but he needed help more then anything.
"Michael" he said, making the man sit up, knowing Connor would only use his real name if it was important.

"I stole, Michael", Connor whispered, eyes glueing to the warn down floor boards. Micheal's eyes widen, confused and shocked. "its only been a day that we have been here! The head commander will kill you!" He urged in a quiet yell. "What was it? food? Some clothes? Maybe we can return it to the storage?." The younger man suggested, trying desperately to fix what has happened. "No no!" Connor shook his head, carding a shaky hand through his corse hair, "I didn't steal from the base!"

Connor defended, making the other boy breath out in relief. "I stole from a kid in the town." He answered instead, causing Micheal to choke on his breath. "THAT ISN'T ANY BETTER"

Connor flinched, looking guilty.  "I know I know! I just thought I could get more food for the men, it was selfish I know, and I didn't realize it was stupid, until the kid seemed very angry that I was in his garden, and ran at me with a shovel"

Micheal shifted uncomfortably, not knowing what to answer to that. "You took food from a 'kids' garden?" He asked looking tired, and bewildered. "Well not a kid, he looks a few years younger then me" Connor spoke below a whisper. Micheal thought about this for a second, then spoke up with, "Your only 22?"
Connor laughed, "yeah"

Micheal let out a breath he was holding, and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder "well.."
Connor looked up to his friend, ready for moral support.

"There's notin' to do." Micheal nodded to himself, as if he had everything figure out in life, and then laid back down to sleep.

The other man huffed and just got into his bed, after mentally cursing at himself for going to 'Boyf' of all people for advice, when the dude can't even put on a belt properly in the morning. instead, he lay awake, still thinking about what he must do.

"What would Jeremy do..?" He asked to himself, as a wave of sleep washed over him. His tired body shook to the cold Russian air But then it hit him, and he sat up in his bunk, he didn't have to think what he would do, he could just ask:

He remembered seeing the hooligans bringing in one of those 'cell phones', pretty easy to sneak in, they are as small as a large chaptered book. And only as heavy as a brick. Amazing, how technology has evolved.

Now he knew calling while at a base was against the rules but he already stole, so it wouldn't hurt.

Yet he couldn't do it now, people would see him, and well— Time zones. so he went to sleep.
~~~

Early in the morning he wakes up, before any of the other soldiers, which is saying something. Around 3:45 AM. He knew the time difference between Russia and America would make right now, in America, be at around noon.

Connor didn't bother to fix his hair, while he is fully aware of his dark circles. He forgets his jacket and just goes outside with his black undershirt and uniform bottom with combat boots. Not realizing this fatal mistake until the cold air hits his skin. It was rather chilly out, but he has a mission to accomplish.

He didn't bother knocking when coming into the boy's cabin. Seeing the two sound asleep with potatoes scattered around them. He woke up one, and asked for the phone. The man was too hazy from the early morning rise, and too intimidated to say other wise. He gave Connor the brick phone and passed out seconds later.

It took Connor a little bit to memorize the phone number, but when he did, It took a few calls until he got a answer.

"Who is this?" A annoyed voice came out from the phone. Connor answered. "It's me" it was simple but Jeremy always knows, and in some way Connor could feel a smile over the phone. "Hey man! Wow how has it been? You got my letters right? Riiiight Jet Jet??" Connor groaned but nodded, and— soon realized that didn't really work over the line.

"Yeah, but I have a question that only you can answer."

"Right on, shoot"

And Connor went into detail, talking about what had happened, even the things he was rather ashamed of, and after a long pause of silence, Jeremy spoke. "It sounds like you gotta keep that promise with this kid, I don't really know what to say to get him, to be able to fully repay him, but if you can find clues about him in that town it might work, it doesn't sound so big, so people probably know each other."

Connor stopped a second of fidgeting and realizes something. "Oh! I think I know where he would have been before!"

"Far out" Jeremy says satisfied.
After thank you's and good byes where Exchanged, Connor placed the phone under the unconscious mans blanket, hoping that he could sort it out himself when he awoke.
~~~

Connor remembered seeing the boy in that girly outfit, at the little shop placed the middle of the town.

He also remembered the cute girl that worked there. And when he arrived, sure enough, there she is, standing behind the counter, with a bored expression plastered onto her face. He gets out of the mind set to flirt with the girl, and reluctantly dove into questions after approaching her.

He had to start a conversation, but instead he fell straight into asking as much as he could about the boy. The girl seemed unnerved by it, but answered either way.

Apparently his name is Evan, and he doesn't live alone, two other people. 'Supposedly' they feed the community, which Connor finds rather unnecessarily, he is sure the forces provide enough food for the people here.

He learns random facts about the boy, like his age, and when his birthday is coming up, which is soon. That he has been here since birth and that his parents died only about 4 years ago.

The girl happened to know a lot about this boy, but seemed more bothered that Connor was so interested in him out of nowhere. He didn't understand why that would be.

After knowing quite a lot of information about this stranger, that he had stole from, he is surprised that the boy is known for being helpful and kind, and not so violent.

He didn't get to see that side of him unfortunately.

"So what does he buy most of the time?" Connor questioned, and she looked around, with that weird jealous look on her face that he still didn't quite understand why it would be there.

Then she pointed. "Coffee" he looked at the direction her finger moved, and saw about 7 canisters of coffee left. After some contemplation, he pulled out the rest of the money from his Russian exchange and uttered. "I'll take all of it"
~~~

Connor slowly exited from the store, vaguely remembering where that garden had been.
Making his way up to the gate he saw the scenery of the town, really taking it in, the snow settling on the ground along the street.

He held the coffee tight, and started regretting not wearing a coat. He was snapped from his thoughts when a familiar fence came to view, he looked in through the bars and saw a man gardening, who he knew for a fact was not Evan.

He looked experienced with planting, being at ease, while working with the plants. The man seemed to notice Connor's presents, looking up from the patch of ground he was tending to. He stared at Connor, as if he already knew who he was. "The thief?" He asked, as if needing to make sure of his identity, while eyeing the coffee he held in both arms.

Connor gulped, well Evan must have told people of what has happened. Hopefully word won't spread to that girl in the market, or worse, his commander. But he complied and nodded.

The man got up from the ground and swept off the dirt from his knees of his worn down light blue jeans. He walked over to the fence and opened the gate.

Connor flinched, expecting to be punched or sworn at. But the man simply took the coffee from him, and beckoned him over. The man was a lot shorter then him, but seemed just as scary as Evan. Not even his small rimmed glasses could change that.

Connor was overwhelmed with confusion, but followed in, closing the gate behind him.
The man led him through the garden, patches covered in snow or weeds, it seem that they are running low on food.

Connor was taken to a faded red farm house, that seems to have been expanded on the sides with a different color wood, to make it larger, but looked slightly odd.

When entering the front door, the hall was connected directly into the kitchen. Someone was sitting there, as if waiting, and once again, it was not Evan.

A middle aged woman, stared at him with anger burning in her eyes.

The other man next to him no longer scared him, this woman radiated pure evil.
"So, this is our little raccoon? I only just find out that there is new military forces in town, and not even a hour later, one of their little pets sneaks into my fields."

Connor was taken aback by her tone. She seemed like she would kill him on the spot, any second now.

And for a woman who ethnicity looks to be African, her voice held a heavy Russian ascent, which just made her more intimidating.

"Jared, what did he bring as a piece offering?"
The man, well, Jared apparently, places down the coffee Connor had brought in.

She eyed the metal coffee cans the same as Jared had before.

"Coffee...?" She asked herself, as if just as confused.

Before he could say anything in explanation she continued to speak.
"Well. You must know that the old units promised to stay out of our home and crops, and just because your new, doesn't mean you may break those rules."

Connor automatically nodded, too afraid to speak to the woman.
"The names Alana." She spoke. "Well, what are you? Like a solider? A med? A cook?"

Obviously she didn't know much about the army, but he still answered. "I'm second in command for my sector, ma'am"
She was now the one taken aback,

"And you steal?" She seemed shocked for a moment, but then her face becomes rather amused. "A leader, who is a thief?"
She laughed out, as if that was the most ironic thing in the world.

"I don't usually do it! In fact I never had, I just thought my men... Could..." He stopped when remembering that these people apparently feed the whole town, and explaining his motives at the time, would make him seem more selfish.

But everything stopped when Evan walked into the tan kitchen, the room was already crowded, but he seemed to not notice. Connor hesitated to speak, and decided against it. The boy wasn't as scary as the woman, but there was something about how he carried himself, that made Connor worry, he didn't know what it was, but he worried.

"Coffee huh..?" Evan said, looking directly at the cans placed on the table, and then back up at Connor. "Well at least you tried" he said, with calmness in his voice, and levelheaded patients, but his eyes told a different story.

Uh, but it's not like Connor was staring at his eyes or anything.

Evan was wearing a pink lacy apron, over his t-shirt and baggy pants.
His outfit was rather similar to the women across the table. Connor's brows frowned, was this kid a Fag?

Wow that was rude.

"So, Mr...?" Alana asked, her attention moving back to the man in question. "Murph—errr, um, Heere.." He answered, the awkwardness of the room still crawling along his skin.

"Connor Jet Heere" Jared said from behind him, causing Connor to be startled. When did he get back into the room? He can speak? How does he know his name? The shorter man wrote on a note pad, causing Connor's anxiety to spike up.

"Um, I really wouldn't like my commander to find out about this, I deeply apologize, and I will do anything to repent."

Evan laughed softly, which caused Connor to be sent into a slight haze. He.. had a nice laugh.

"You make it seem like we run a monastery." Evan commented rolling his eyes. He continued to speak while moving from the table from which he hovered, to the sink of the kitchen. "I have no reason to be a taddel-tail. I do not speak for Alana or Jared however, for fair warning. But I'd rather not, see you, ever again." The younger man murmured, harsh and bitter. And Connor just stared at the back of the boy's head, who seemed to be cleaning vegetables.

  This is where the woman spoke up. "Actually, I feel he should help with the weekly rations, so he can see the damage he's done, we are lower now then ever, Evan you won't be able to give Veronica the extra food you promised. Mr. Heere, here should be the one explaining."

Evan groaned like a child, who had been scolded. "I'll deal with it myself Alana, we don't need him." He insisted. Connor could see the stressed, and uneven tenseness of Evan's shoulders.

"I know that." Her voice wavered, making the boy's body pause, waiting for a answer. "but it's a fair trade, and that's final." She spoke with a motherly authority over the boy. All Connor could see was the boy's body slump.

  "Alright, Jared go back to gardening" she ordered, and the man left the kitchen happily, not quickly, but still with the intent of leaving to room sooner then later.

"Evan dear, re-do the coffee Jared put in storage." The boy nodded begrudgingly, placing down his veggies in the sink, and whipping the droplets of water stuck to his hands, onto his apron.

"Connor, for you, I have many questions" she spoke with a suggestive tone, he simply bobbed his head up and down, staring into the eyes of the terrifying woman.
~~~

"In four days, you will help hall the food out from here, to Veronica's market. From there we will give out the food to the people, make sure they stay in a orderly line, and give extra food to the people who have sick relatives that couldn't come to the food collect." Connor nodded, memorizing the orders she had been giving him the past 20 minutes. Military prepared him for many things, but definitely not a angry Russian woman.

  "Veronica? Is she the girl who owns the market?" He asked, only now realizing he didn't know the mystery girl's name. Alana just rose a eyebrow to this, "is there any other markets in this town?" He simply took the hint.

"Alright, you must come to the barn, on Sunday, at noon." Connor nodded, noting that it was good it was in 4 days, they were getting training through out the week, the base needed to prepare for something. He knew he wasn't really supposed to leave the base, but he dug himself into this mess, he has to fix it.

So as she escorted him out, to where he sees Evan hunched over Jared, telling him to be carful with the roses. Connor walked by, and got to fully see Evan. The boy stood half a foot shorter then him, and for a 19 year old he seemed quite skinny, with long arms, but a strangely... Feminine like curvy body, yet still masculine enough to be aware it's a male.

Evan carded a hand through his messy blonde hair, before his eyes landed on Connor. He cocked a hip, and moved to the side as Connor walked passed them.

He stepped over Evan's oversized boots, that were way to big for the boy, looking scuffled and torn, most likely hand-me downs from Jared. He noted that.

Though it was the middle of the day, the sky had collected quite a few clouds. It was grey, and rather dark outside. It became colder, and Connor told himself he need to get to the base quickly.

Opening and closing the gate, he didn't bother looking back. It was now his second time leaving this garden, but this time he was not running.
~~~