You didn't stop fighting. Just then, the end of the solar eclipse was another unpleasant surprise for those creatures and when the sun's bright rays finally touched them, their black skin began to burn under your eyes, along with their stifling growls of pain; some of them tried to fly away, interrupting the hunt to return into the depths of the underground, but they were stopped by the fire, which immediately flared up on their wings and the rest of their horrifying body. Until just their ashes remained scattered on the desert soil.

This time, it was over. And for real.

The house was half-destroyed and you just wanted to rest against a wall for a second, but you didn't, not when your eyes noticed a body lying on the floor and not very far from you...

And your heart stopped when you saw Jason.

Without thinking about anything else, you rushed to kneel beside him and with your hands on his chest to try to wake him up.

《I-if it's a joke it's not funny...!》  But unfortunately it wasn't and right there, you didn't feel any air coming out of his nose or mouth.

《No no no no wake up marine, come on!》  You screamed as you held his dirty and scratched cheeks inside your warm palms, trying to give him mouth-to-mouth breathing just then...but even after you were out of breath, nothing happened, as his eyes were stayed closed.

《JASON!!!》  Your panicked screams caught Nick and Salim's attention and despite the sergeant's request to move away, you just stood there, waiting for Jason to open his eyes again...

Just a few minutes ago, you had seen him push the creature away from you when had tried to attack you on the ground and with no more flares in hand. So, you weren't able to see the fight, but you were sure that Jason's condition was the result of it, as well as of your mistakes. If you had responded correctly to the vampire's counterattack, instead of falling to the floor, Jason wouldn't have been forced to run to your rescue...

And you clenched your fists nervously because of that and stopped thinking when Nick shook his head, in an attempt to keep his own pain suppressed when he was forced to announce the bad news.

《...there's no more heartbeat. I'm sorry Y/n, but Jason...he is...》

You collapsed into a low cry, without him being able to finish the sentence. Meanwhile, Rachel and Eric were left petrified, they just couldn't believe that First Lieutenant Kolchek was really dead. But Nick's words and your sudden reaction made them realize it was all true; Eric just complained to himself, shaking his head at the same time as Rachel sat down with her fingers pressed against the temples.

Knowing that comforting words would be useless now, Salim stood silently behind you, looking with a pained expression on the same man who had pulled him out of that hell, despite all the differences that split them and all those attempts to make them enemies...but fortunately, they were unsuccessful and Salim really wanted to enjoy this unique moment with him, before separating from each other.

[May your soul rest in peace, warrior.] He prayed softly in his own language.

Without saying any word, you just wrapped his motionless body in your arms as much as you could, with your forehead below his chin and without your tears ceasing to flow down your cheeks.

《S-stay with me, Jason...》  You sobbed in the hollow of his neck, where you could still perceive his smell and although it was mixed with the dust, you still liked it. Definitely, you didn't want to accept this, not after everything you two have been through together...not after he confessed his feelings for you and not after there were still things you hadn't said yet.

《D-don't leave me too, please...》  You stared at his expressionless face with all the pain of the world inside your chest.

And everything you felt for him.

I...I love you Jason...love you so fucking much...

You said that softly and against his shemagh, as you squeezed it weakly in your fingers. Of course, you were ignoring everything around you, even the fact that you had won against the vampires and no one had tried to say a word of comfort to you.

Nothing made more sense if the man you knew you loved and who had protected you all this time was dying there, without you being able to do anything to save him. Just then, you felt a hand caress your back but you didn't react, as you thought it was Salim, although he hadn't moved in the least.

《...》

《...really?》

With the crying marks on your face, you suddenly raised your head when you heard that voice and immediately caught his big, choco eyes staring intently at you.

《J-Jason!?》  You blinked when Nick yelled that, as you straightened your back but without taking your hands off him  《Man, you're alive, we thought we lost you!》

《Tsk. Sorry to disappoint ya buddy, but I'm fucking fine!》  With his weight on the elbows, Jason quickly moved his gaze from you to his friend as he left a satisfied grimace on his face.  《Just took a quick nap. Can't get rid of me that easily.》

At that point, Sergeant Kay came over to give him a hard pat on the shoulder, which made him definitely grumble in pain, but it was nothing to worry about, not anymore...it was just a miracle that Jason had recovered, you thought happily and never stopped staring at him with your eyes and mouth open.

Of course, Jason looked back at you again without forgetting that your little palms rested on his chest and without saying anything, he raised an arm to bring your upper body closer, squeezing you tightly in a loving hug.

《Hey you've to stop crying, don't want to see this pretty face like that, okay? I'm here with you now, sweetheart.》  Despite his words, you couldn't help but sob against him, so happy to hear his awful accent again.

And so happy to hear his heart beating next to yours.

• • •

Later, Colonel King got the call from air support, warning him of their arrival within a couple of hours and your team just decided to spend this time resting; during that, you and Lieutenant Kolchek were sitting side by side and with your weapons left on the ground, to enjoy that moment of absolute peace...without worrying who was watching him, Jason raised your hand to place a gentle kiss on your bruised knuckles, as you closed your eyes for a second, but enjoying the sensation of his lips on your skin in the meantime.

Salim couldn't help but smile in front of the American one's sudden tender manners, before averting his gaze elsewhere, particularly towards the light outside the house...definitely for him, there was nothing else to do but to go home.

《...where are you going?》  You simply asked by turning to him after he picked up his metal stake from the ground.

《I need to see my boy.》  The other answered you, now standing up and ready to cross the threshold of the door...well, until you and Jason decided to join him for the last time.

Definitely, you raised an eyebrow jokingly to see him with that dirty and rusty stuff in his hand, before telling you it would be his new souvenir, especially after an adventure like the one you had together...that way, his son would know what his father had gone through to get back to him.

《You were really amazing Salim, thanks for everything...and that's from me, I mean, for what you've also done for this little one here.》  Jason said with a true smile on his lips, before nodding the cap towards you and placing an open hand in front of the other soldier.

《Good luck, brother.》

Of course, the black-haired man smirked when saw your puffed face and accepted the other Lieutenant's hand gratefully.

《You too. Thank you for saving my life under there Jason, I'll never forget it.》

You witnessed their handshake, happy that things went to the right way between them; albeit short-lived, their gesture now belonged to two men who would never forget the deep respect they had for each other.

However, Salim was far from finished and moved his hand to receive yours as well. But contrary to his expectations, you shook your head and took a step towards him to hug him tightly; Salim was stunned for a moment, but then he let his big arms wrap around your small figure and in front of the silent gaze of the cap boy, suddenly starting to cough when he realized that hug between you two was going on too long for his liking...

《You wish Zain a happy birthday from me, okay?》  You said as you stroked his back and he nodded his head.

《Sure I will, thank you Y/n. And I wish you many beautiful things from now on...》  But behind you, Salim's gaze just fell on Jason  《Oh, and don't forget about this jarhead or he'll definitely be lost without you.》

You just laughed against his shoulder, but you could imagine the blush that formed on the marine's face, because he said nothing except scratching his nape nervously.

When you parted from Salim, he took one last look at both you and Jason before going out into the sun.

《Goodbye my friends.》  He finally announced, sure that he would never forget your faces and your great courage...and the friendship you three had built to face common evil, together.

《Eh, I'm gonna miss that son of a bitch.》  Jason said aloud as he watched the Iraqi one slowly walk away towards the desert valley, but you rolled your eyes after his bad choice of words.

But he was right, after all. Not even you would've forgotten Salim so easily and, who knew, maybe one day you would've found yourself again, hoping in a different space and time from this one...

And beyond any war.

《Anyway.》  The marine started talking soon after, getting your attention  《You didn't answer my question earlier.》

But you stayed perplexed, since you didn't remember doing anything other than crying...

《Uhm, what question...?》

But then, his answer came back to you after your obvious confession and the fire blazed in your cheeks again. Obviously, Jason had heard what you told him when he was unconscious and now he couldn't get those words out of his head.

《You know what I'm talking about. Need to confirm I wasn't out of my mind earlier, so say it again...》  Jason turned completely towards you, trapping you against a door jamb.  《Or I won't let you go for any reason Y/n. Not even if the helo comes at this fuckin' moment.》

Despite his threat, you didn't resist at all and just stood there, drowning more in those brown eyes of his, which were waiting impatiently for something to come out from your parted lips.

《You weren't Jason, because I was serious when I said it...》  You answered, this time taking a step towards him and placing your hands on his gaunt cheeks.  《I love you Jason. And I'll repeat it as many times as you want...well, until you're fed up with that of course.》

When you said those words with twinkles in your eye, Jason looked seriously lost, just as Salim had warned you, but still so fucking happy; definitely, he couldn't find words to express himself properly.

《Sure as hell I'll never be like this with you, my little one.》

Without hesitation, the lieutenant placed his hands on your neck, just below your ears, leaning towards you for another longing kiss; you agreed more than willingly and when your lips met again, your fingers advanced to caress his short, brown hair that poked out from under the cap, finding them unexpectedly soft to the touch...definitely, Jason struggled not to force his tongue past your warm, parted lips, which were read as an invitation to do so, just like you tried to hold back any awkward sounds, so that others inside the house wouldn't hear you.

《S'pose it's okay to ask you for a date at this point.》  Jason asked a few inches from you and with his terrific dimples and smile in plain sight, as he played with your tuft of hair, just like you did with him.

《So? What'd you think sweetheart...》

He drawled with that low, southern voice of his and dammit, he was so fucking hot, you thought without taking your eyes off him and wanting to steal those naughty lips of his again.

《Of course! As soon as we take a good shower and change these filthy dirty clothes...after everything we've been through, we fuckin' deserve it!》  You snorted out carelessly, now with your fists on your hips and Jason curiously raised an eyebrow at hearing you speak almost like him.

He had Kolchekized you, that was little but sure!

Just then, the other three survivors joined you two outside the house as soon as they heard the sound of a helicopter's propellers approaching.

《Thank god...we made it.》  You heard Eric say as he looked up at the sky with a relieved expression on his face, the same one as you all and surely was a better person when he wasn't acting like a bitch...

When it landed, some soldiers came down to cover your shoulders as you got inside and you sat next to the open door and to Jason's right; on the other side, you caught an eye of Eric watching Rachel in silence, while Nick looked down on his own, probably intent on clearing his mind of certain thoughts.

That was a big mess, you thought...and now, it was up to her alone to make things right with both of them.

For your part, you were definitely over the moon...in all senses. Right there, you intertwined your fingers with those of your man, just sitting next to you, but you couldn't ignore the fatigue you had been carrying for a long time and so you let your head rest against Jason's shoulder, before closing your heavy eyes slowly.

Of course, he stood admiring your sleeping figure for a while, before leaving you a chaste kiss on the forehead and doing the same thing just then, as the helo crossed the horizon to leave that place behind.

Once and for all.

• • •

When the helicopter arrived at Camp Slayer, you thought it was over, until you realized that something was wrong...not only you were separated from each other, but the people who had showed up in front of you were wearing some kind of radiation suit with a gas mask in front of their faces.

《Y/n Hale, right?》  Suddenly, a woman's voice spoke, leading you to a table with a couple of chairs in the center of a small room and you just did it, even if you didn't understand shit about it.

《That's me. May I ask what's going on here?》  Because of the tension in your body, you didn't dare put your elbows on the table, clearly unhappy with the situation. It was obvious that you were going to be questioned from her, but you still didn't understand why they were here and why they were dressed as if they feared any close contact with you.

《CENTCOM has ordered my colleagues and me to report everything that happened here...and after seeing how your mission turned out.》  The masked woman began to explain as she sat across from you, ignoring the shouts in the next room, but you could recognize Jason's voice in their midst.

《So, I really hope for your cooperation Miss Hale. In this way, we can let you go sooner than you think.》

You were hurt, dirty and tired, but you had no choice but to do as she said and so you started telling your story in a calm tone...

The earthquake. The Sumerian temple. The archaeological expedition. The vampires. The spaceship. And the cocoons that your team blew up, you tried to give as many details as you could to convince her that all of this was the truth; Brook, or so you understood her name was, seemed to be listening to you, as she hadn't tried to interrupt you, but because of the gas mask you couldn't know what was really going on in these people's heads.

At that moment, another guy dressed in the same way approached her and both of them walked away, leaving you alone.

That's all? What the hell is going on and why doesn't anyone give a shit about our condition??

Suddenly, all your pains were come back and you just stood there, with your arms crossed in front of your chest, even though you wanted to get out of that quarantine zone. Damn, you had survived hundreds of meters underground, fought against vampires controlled by alien parasites, and now they were treating you as if you were a highly dangerous person! If you wanted to, you might as well have laughed in their face for all that bullshit...

Right there, you wondered where the others were and if Jason could hear you from there if you tried to call him...but you didn't, as the faceless woman came back to warn you that you would do some medical tests soon, to make sure your health wasn't compromised.

At this point, you stood up and placed your fists on the table, clearly offended by the treatment you were undergoing.

《Maybe, you didn't understand what kind of situation we lived and what we did to get back to the surface...》  You started saying in a serious voice as those dark pictures came back vividly in your mind  《But one thing is certain...here, under your feet, there are creatures that not even your dreams will ever be able to imagine and pray that every one of them is fucking dead down there!》

Strangely, the other woman said nothing, but they knew perfectly well what you were referring to, especially after the soldiers were back on the spot to take an intact corpse of one those things. And despite that, it was essential for them that the situation stayed under control, as if nothing had ever happened...

And as if you had never been there.

《According to your files, this was your first mission out of the country and as famous as your name may be in the US Army, you are still a very young girl and I can understand if this experience affected you both physically and mentally...but don't worry Miss Hale. Very soon, it will no longer be a problem for any of you.》

Agent Brook replied instead, before turning her back on you to follow your comrades' interrogatory and without needing to hear anything else from you...well, you surely wouldn't have done it, because you would've preferred a thousand times to save your last energies for yourself, rather than waste them on some pricks like them.

Unluckily, both their faces and their government agency's name were unknown to you, but now you were sure about one thing...

They were there to clean up all evidence.

• • •

It took a few days before your medical findings convinced them that no team member was infected and that day, you were allowed to walk within the perimeter of the base but without knowing if you would meet the others, as neither Brook, nor any other masked man told you anything about it. Luckily, your leg was healing well, but you were sure there would be visible scars on your right calf, and so was true for your face, though the slight bruises on your round cheeks.

Of course, there was still to be recovered, but at least you were no longer a piece of beaten meat like before! However, you still didn't know when you could leave the camp and the country to finally be able to go home...right now, you thought the lucky one was Salim, since he had managed to come back before all of you and hoped they wouldn't go looking for him...

Apparently, the Iraqis were still the main threat in this place.

At that moment, you were breathing the air of the inner garden adjacent to your hallway, but the breeze wasn't as pleasant as you thought...you still hated that infernal heat, after all, and you were hoping not to spend any more time there.

That evening, you decided to pay a visit to the barracks and take a relaxing shower, as well as a change of clothes; even though the sun had just set, there was no one around but you in that part of the building. Well, you didn't pay much attention to that and after such a long time, it was a pleasant sensation to feel the jet of hot water on your bare skin, although you still felt pain in some part of your body; moreover, the smells of the soap temporarily softened your troubled mind, until your own thoughts shifted on something else...

Or on someone else, to put it better. You were wondering where Jason was and if he was okay, especially after these guys had separated you from each other.

Well, thinking about him wasn't a good idea in that moment, as all the time you spent with him in the temple came back to your mind, just like your battles, talks...and the kisses and caresses you exchanged passionately with him.

There, you put one palm in front of your mouth while the other stopped the flow of water on you.

I can't believe I said it...now he knows that I love— Aaaah shit! What am I going to do now?!?

Immediately, the redness became evident on your cheeks, neck and shoulders and it wasn't just the hot steam left in there...the truth was, you couldn't stop thinking about the cap boy now and wished to see him soon.

Until you heard a sudden noise. At first, you thought it was your imagination, but then you heard the same click again, clearly coming from the changing room just outside the showers.

Someone had walked in there, you thought with your heart beating so fast. You should have asked who it was, but you didn't, because those noises reminded you those monstrous creatures and the silence that enveloped them in darkness.

I-isn't it possible, how can they be here?? No, it can't be true and now my mind is playing tricks on me, that's it!

But shivers of fear suddenly ran down your spine and you closed your eyes for a second, hoping to forget your nightmares which, on the contrary, didn't seem willing to stop tormenting you, preventing you from recognizing what was real and what was just your imagination...

...but, what if they were the same thing? You had no choice but to find out the truth, before you literally went out of your mind.