This is where people misunderstand war. When you attack another country for its resources, you are the pirate. But when you protect your country from the pirates, you are the hero.

My family says they are proud of me. Of course, I would rather hear this than the contrary, but I cannot say that I am proud of myself, so I find that I cannot 'talk about it'.

The bad thing caught you.I’ve never retreated in my life. I’ve never backed away from a fight and I’ve never cowered in fear. Ever. That’s not who I am. But I’ve been in combat long enough to know that when something unbeatable chases you, you do the only thing you can do.You run. - Gabe

My mother describes me as 'a real hero . . . just like your grandfather'. But I do not know what to do with this accolade for her son, other than let her have moment, or it helps her back here.

Maybe it was time to cut the strings of everyone’s expectations and free-fall for once in her life

He’d never be the kind of man she deserved, whole and strong, not physically and mentally crippled.

Kiss after wet kiss, he devoured her, almost a full year of pent-up desireunleashing in one terrible flood.

The war had changed him, inside and out, in ways he could never have fathomed.

And in that moment, he knew one thing. If it was possible to slay his dragons, he’d do it. For her.