Some of that is because the spouse gets tired of wondering if her husband - or wife - will live through the shift and come home at night. Some is beca...se of extended missions. And then there’s the phenomenon resulting from people living and working together closely and putting their lives in each other’s hands. When you know your partner is literally willing to take a bullet to protect you, relationships can become close. Very close. Extremely close. Sometimes even closer than the relationship. Drake wasn't there anymore. It was also strange how little I had seen Mrs. Drake and her two children mourn. Personally, I had never been close to the man. About two in the morning Mrs. Drake came into my room and awakened me. "Eric, do you mind if I speak with you awhile? I feel so strange. Is it okay, Eric?" "Of course, Mrs. Drake. Please, do what you want. It's alright, ma'am." Mrs. Drake was a beautiful woman of forty-five. She had kept her hair long, and wavy. It was brown and soft as. I led here across the yards... I wanted to take her to the shed just so we can be alone together but she quickly pulled on my arm. As i turned around she jumped into me her legs around my waist and arms hugging my head and neck. I caught her as she smiled at me face to face in my arms. We kissed, a beautiful kiss in the rain from two young lovers sharing a once in a lifetime opportunity... and let me tell you. It is one that i don't think has been beaten to this day. I could feel the energy. Two stern-faced humans stand on either side of the fort’s raised portcullis. They’re suited up with green leather armor, drawn tight around their arms and legs, emblazoned with the King’s crest on the chest piece: a mythological harpy devouring a serpent.“Hail, recruit!” The leftward guard raises his right hand to a closed-fisted chest salute. His hand obscures the harpy’s head. “What are your orders?”The young man stares up at the chiseled guardsman. And says nothing. Perhaps a bit stupefied.