I slung my M-16 over my shoulder as I walked to the jeep, not looking behind. I sat in the passenger's seat, waiting. Waiting for absolution, waiting for Derek … waiting. Then, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the seat when the driver's door opened. "Are you asleep?" a voice asked. When I opened my eyes, it was Derek.

"No, just resting," I said, turning in my seat to face him, watching as he slid into the driver's seat beside me. "Are you okay?" I asked. ...