(Sofia and Jamie in the picture above^)

Jamie's POV

A few months went by and I got cleared to go back to active duty. Jess and I decided to keep things completely platonic, and I apologized for being so short with her that day. I have an early meeting with my CO and a few other officers about things happening abroad. I get into my uniform and head to the office. 

"At ease," our commanding officer Captain Joseph Briggs steps into the small conference room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've gotten word that Russia plans to attack Ukraine in the new year. Ukraine hasn't specifically asked for American aid, but they are one of our greatest allies and we don't leave our allies with no help," he flips through his notes. "We will be shipping out tomorrow at 0600. Prepare what you need and say your goodbyes," he closes his leather bound notebook and we all stand at attention as he leaves the room. We disperse to take care of what we need. I instantly call my mom and dad for them to get home quickly so I can talk to them. Informing your family about deployment is better face to face rather than over text or phone, especially since we never know when either could be getting home.I grab all of my necessary items, mentally checking off the deployment list we get when undergoing our basic training. It's a lot, but you do it often enough you learn the best folding techniques to fit everything into one bag. I've only ever taken my olive GI duffle after I went on my first tour. 

Once my parents got home, I went to the living room and sat everyone down to break the news. My mom and Kim were devastated, my dad did his usual 'we understand' bit, and EJ was angry. He's been angry the past couple of deployments and it breaks my heart. We decided we'd go out for an early dinner so I'd have enough time to finish packing. Dinner with my family before I leave is always nice. We forget for an hour or two that our world will look a bit different for a few months to a year. I head straight to my room after we get back from dinner to finish packing my laundry list of items. While I grab a stack of my olive green shirts, I hear a knock on my bedroom door. 

"Come in," I continue rolling my shirts and filling my bag as best as I can "Are you almost done?"

 Kim sits on the edge of my bed and helps me fold a few sweatshirts. 

"Yep, I only have to make sure my toiletries bag has everything. What's up?" I continue moving around my room grabbing what I need. 

"How you feeling?" She inquires and it feels like a loaded question. 

"I'm fine, why?" I head to the bathroom to pack my toiletries. She shrugs, 

"You've been quiet since your accident and I'm just worried that you're going to leave here with regrets." I turn my attention towards my little sister and cross my arms. 

"What's that supposed to mean?" I give her a pointed look and she shrugs again. 

"Have you even told Sofia that you're being deployed and leaving tomorrow morning?" She presses and I scoff. 

"Why would I tell her?" I go back to grabbing my toiletries. 

"Jay, you can't tell me that you just stopped caring about her. She deserves to know you're leaving," Kim sounds frustrated and I don't know what she wants out of this conversation. 

"I'm not going to tell her. I didn't tell her any of the other times, so what makes this time different? It's better for the both of us. We're very different people who live very different lives," I throw my toiletries bag into my duffle and close it up. 

"So please, just butt out and leave it alone," I face my sister and she storms out of my room. 

The next morning I wake up with a weird feeling, but shake it off. I go with my family to the buses that'll take us to the airfield. Swarms of families and loved ones are saying goodbye to the hundreds of us going to Ukraine. I stand next to the bus and say my goodbyes to my folks. I grab EJ and hug him tight, and turn towards Kim who's fighting back tears. Before I can turn around, I hear my name being shouted.

Sofia's POV  

"Jamie!" I yell through the hordes of people saying goodbye to their loved ones. 

"Wait!" I run towards Jamie as he stands looking around for whoever is calling his name. 

I see Maureen smile at me as I run past Jamie's family. He sees me and drops his large duffle, preparing for my body to impact his. I launch myself towards him and capture his lips with mine. He holds my body close to his and deepens the kiss. I rest my forehead against his, trying to catch my breath. 

"I'm sorry," I whisper and he shakes his head. "Promise me you'll come home," I lean back and look at his eyes. 

"I can't promise that," he sighs. "I can promise that you've always had my heart and no one will have taken that away," he holds me close and the world stands still. We're broken apart by yelling to get on the bus. Jamie kisses me one more time, earning us a few whistles from some Marines already aboard the bus. 

"I'll be here whenever you get back, soldier," I walk backwards and meet Kim's arms as we watch Jamie board the bus. 

"He'll be okay," Kim says, hugging my waist. 

"He'll come home. He has too," I rest my head against Kim's and we watch the buses pull away. 

(Credits to @wolfsbane95 for helping me again)