Justin was pissed.  Brian had no intention of keeping in touch with him.  He had just dismissed their entire time together in captivity as just "fucking".  How could Brian be so smart, yet so stupid at the same time.  Justin would not be reduced to begging Brian to have a relationship, especially when he wouldn't even acknowledge that he had any feelings for him. 

Once they were led to the clinic, Brian and Justin were relieved when they were assigned to different rooms.  It would have been awkward, in a weird deja vous kind of way, if they were housed together.  Plus it seemed that they were no longer on speaking terms.  

Brian was not the only one Justin was angry at.  The brunt of his anger was directed toward himself.  How could he be so foolish as to fall in love with Brian?  The man was a sex machine, and clearly not remotely ready for a mature relationship.  Justin realized he had two choices, he could hang on to his feelings for Brian, and the belief that he really did feel the same but was afraid to own up to it, or he could let go and move on.  Justin decided on the latter, and tried to focus on his future, a future without Brian.  

Justin successfully managed to avoid Brian all week.  Tomorrow he and Brian would return to their respective hometowns.  He was a little sad, but decided to focus on the positive things he had to look forward to when he returned to Alpharetta, Georgia.  Justin was informed that he was going to get a hero's welome, with a parade and everything!   He couldn't wait to reunite with his family, and his friends.

One of the first things Brian did when he got to the clinic was to request an HIV test.  He was relieved to find out he was negative.  At least he was sure he hadn't exposed Justin to anything life threatening.  Brian spent the week trying to forget about his ordeal.   He tried to return to his old self, and in doing so, fucked a couple of orderlies, and one male nurse.  However, even though Brian got off, it wasn't the same.  His mind kept comparing every trick to a certain blond haired, blue eyed sergeant.  He was no longer content with the nameless faces whose bodies he used as a vessel for pleasure.  Justin had ruined that for him.

Brian's nights were sleepless.  He didn't know if it was because he was in a strange country, or because he had grown accustomed to Justin snuggling up to him.   Brian kept trying to tell himself that it was just their dire circumstances that had made the attraction between them so strong.  But the unsettling thought of never seeing Justin again was forcing him to rethink his theory.  

It was the day before Brian was to go home, when he ran into someone that would cause him to make a life altering decision.  He was taking a walk, and a young nurse stopped him exclaiming, "Lieutenant Kinney, you look well, for someone who almost died."  

"Excuse me, do I know you?", Brian said, not wanting to be rude.  

"Sort of", she replied.  "I was in the operating room, when they declared you dead."  

Brian was intrigued.  "But then I was resuscitated by the brilliant medical staff."  

"Yes, but only after your friend held a gun to the doctor's head, and demanded that he try to revive you.  You're very lucky that your friend did that.  He saved your life."  

Brian couldn't believe what he was hearing.  'Justin held a gun to the doctor's head?  <i>He</i> was the one who really saved his life?'

"Well good luck lieutenant", the nurse said, leaving Brian standing there in a daze.

Justin had his things packed, and was ready to board the plane.  However, he suddenly realized that he couldn't leave without saying a proper goodbye to Brian.  After the hell they had been through together, he deserved that much.  Justin went to his room, but was upset to learn that he had already left.  Frantic to find him, Justin started to search the entire clinic.  Not a trace of Brian.  

Justin was disappointed when he had to board the plane, without getting his chance to speak with Brian.  The plane was small, and he was told that only two other passengers were on board.  Justin was shocked to see that one of them was Brian Kinney.

"Brian, what are you doing here?"

"I decided to hitch a ride to Georgia.  Pennsylvania is so boring."

"Why Georgia?"  Justin asked, totally confused.

"Well, if you must know, I decided to give us a chance.  I found out what you did for me in that shit hole hospital in Iraq.  You saved my fucking life."

Justin shook his head.  He couldn't believe Brian's arrogance at times.  "Get off the plane!" Justin yelled, becoming visibly upset.

"What?"  Brian questioned.  "I thought it was what you wanted."

"It is.  But I don't want you to come to Georgia to be with me because I saved your life, and you feel you owe me something.  I want you to be with me because you care about me, and want to build a future with me."  

"But I..."

"Look Brian, go home.  I understand that you appreciate what I did for you.  But I want much more than that from you."

Brian decided that he wouldn't be able to convince Justin of his sincerity right at that moment.  So he gave Justin one last look, before he left the plane without saying a word.  

The plane took off with Brian looking on, leaving him with a feeling of despair.