Success and Security

She stopped long enough to breathe and saw the skyline shine before her. The coffee's warm arms stretched up from her mug and wrapped her face up tightly while the snow tumbled toward the city street below and while James snored mightily in her bed. His over-sized white button-up - which she had earlier pulled over her shoulders - supplied little warmth, but it smelled like James. She was careful not to spill on it; his captain would not be pleased if he appeared on base disheveled. 

She put the mug back down on her coffee table and marveled at the quiet (despite the snoring) of the city and of her living room and of her own mind. The snow made everything look brighter and cleaner. The chaos of every day was masked and even her usually fluttering heart seemed to beat steadily. The newspapers that rested on her coffee table explained how sending more troops would ensure success and security, but she knew there was nothing else for journalists to write. The story was so familiar.

He fought the urge to wake until the scent off coffee and the chill of the empty sheets beside him forced his eyes open. He hated waking up alone almost more than he hated sleeping alone and he sat up.

"Good morning," she called. His eye had not yet adjusted, but he could see Emma in his mind sitting on the couch - hopefully naked - reading her book and sipping her coffee.

"Good morning," he smiled as he emerged, feeling only mildly disappointed that she was, in fact, not naked.

He poured a mug of coffee and sat down next to her on the couch, brushing her cold knee with his warm hands. He was always so warm. His hand found hers and squeezed it, knowing he with within his final hours of squeezing that hand for several months. 

"Emma -," he started, but she shook her head and quieted him.

She would not let him say goodbye.

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"Did you know, my sweet - yeah - that I once took the liberty of watching you in your sleep? I rolled over and over trying to touch your knees - yeah - underneath the sheets Trying to touch your knees"  - Saves the Day Third Engine

"Is it true that you like to sleep alone? Or is it what you just tell everyone?"- New Found Glory The Store So Far

"You say 'support the troops.' I do. I want them all brought back." - Kevin Devine No Time Flat