Flashback IV

Sheldon and Penny come in sweaty and smiling from a morning of tennis, each carrying their own bags, Penny notices the woman, "It's out of order," she tells her.

The woman turns to the voice, and notices two people, "Yes, I can read the sign, I'm just pondering the implications."

Penny looks at Sheldon amused, "I think it implies that the elevator doesn't work."

The woman turns back toward the broken elevator before answering, "Again, I can read the sign. But the sign and the tape are covered with a slight layer of dust, which indicates that the elevator has been non-functional for only a limited amount of time. However, the dust along the floor and heavy dusting on the doors themselves indicate a much longer passage of time. This suggests either a remarkable passivity among the, I assume, 24 to 36 residents of this building based on the number of mailboxes and given typical urban population density or a shared delusion of functionality."

"And you are?" Sheldon wonders, given the way she dressed she could be from the federal government or a building inspector.

"I do apologise, Dr. Beverly Hofstadter," the woman introduces. Penny looked stunned, "You're Leonard's mother?"

Beverly waves dismissively, "Oh, I don't know if I am, but yes."

Penny smiles, clearly, Leonard isn't her only child or her favourite; being the youngest of three Penny can tell, "Uh, I'm Penny and this is my husband Sheldon, we're his neighbours."

"How do you do?" Beverly asked politely.

"It's nice to meet you. I can't say I know much about you, since other than sharing an apartment floor we aren't really friends with your son." Penny admits.

Beverly nods understandingly, "Oh, that doesn't surprise me. Leonard has always had a terrible time making friends and he naturally blames me for it. Oedipus complex, you know."

Penny looks at Sheldon for help getting out of that one but her husband just shrugs, "Uh, why don't you come with us? We'll walk you to the apartment."

Beverly sighed, "Oh, all right. Would you like to exchange pleasantries on the way?"

Penny brightened, thankful the awkward moment is over, "Yeah, sure, I guess." As Penny and Beverly start up the stairs together with Sheldon right behind them.

Beverly nods, "All right, you start."

Penny giggles, "Okay. You know, I've always been curious. What was Leonard like when he was little?"

"Oh, I think you mean young. He's always been little." Penny and Sheldon chuckle. Penny rephrases, "Right, okay. What was he like when he was young?"

"You'll have to be more specific."

Penny thinks, "Oh, um, okay, like, five or six. Five." She finally settles on.

Beverly responds straight-faced, "Oh, well, at that age he was well enmeshed in what Freud would call the phallic stage of psychosexual development. An outmoded theory, of course, but the boy did spend most of his waking hours with a tight grasp on his penis."

Penny and Sheldon laugh. Sheldon then asks from behind the two women, "Are you a psychiatrist, Dr. Hofstadter?"

Beverly turns to answer once they reach the second-floor landing, "Well, that is one of my degrees. My primary field is neuroscience."

"Do you know of my sister, she recently published an article in Psychology Today on emotional childhood welfare."

She had just read that article on the plane today, "Your sister is Dr. Melissa Cooper?" Sheldon smiles, "So you have heard of her."

"Yes, I have, and I believe most people have heard of you too; the famed child prodigy who eschewed physics for a life in the Marine Corps. Your sister's dissertation is legendary in our circles." Beverly practically gushed.

"Coming from you, that's most appreciative." "What do you do, dear?" Beverly asks Penny.

"I'm a production assistant for Walt Disney/ABC."

"That's very interesting. Most attractive females between the ages of 18-25 out in Los Angeles have a dream of being in front of the camera, but you prefer being behind," Beverly muses.

Penny chuckles, this woman is sort of like her mom only not as warm, at least toward Leonard, "That was my original intention but my husband reminded me that there was more that goes into making TV and movies than being an actress, plus there is more stability behind the camera than in front of it."

Beverly nods, "That's very practical reasoning." They reach the fourth-floor landing and Beverly bid the couple goodbye, "Lovely chatting with you both." She knocks on 4B as Penny and Sheldon say goodbye and head into 4A. Beverly waits in the hallway alone until 4B opens and Leonard's expression morphs into dread.

"Your neighbours are lovely people."

"Good to see you, Mother," Leonard sighs and lets her in.

***

"You know it makes me wonder what kind of life you're making for yourself, when at 27-years-old you live in a one-bedroom apartment with walls full of science fiction memorabilia and science toys," Beverly says as she looks around at her youngest son's living arrangements. "How do you expect to cultivate any meaningful relationship holed up alone?"

"Hey, I have friends," Leonard defended, "And for your information Mother, I live like this

because I want to, not because society expects me to." Beverly tuts, "Why are you always so defensive?"

"Because all you do is criticise me!" Leonard yells then his eyes widen and he slaps his hands in disbelief over his traitorous mouth.

Beverly chuckles at her son's actions, "I am not criticising you, Leonard, I am merely stating facts. In the four years since you moved out here, you've never visited me once, we've exchanged exactly three Christmas cards, and the last time I visited it was to help you move in, but other than that not much has changed. You're as anti-social as ever; I mean, even your new neighbours admitted to not being friends with you, but clearly, there's some history behind their rather frosty mention of you, since I got the distinct impression they are a very nice and welcoming couple."

Leonard sighed, he didn't need a lecture right now, "What are you doing here, Mother?"

"I'm actually here on business. Caltech and UCLA are conducting a joint psychology seminar panel which I'm a part of and I've recently published a new book that my publicist believes would benefit from a round on the late-night circuit."

"You don't intend to stay with me do you?"

"Of course not, your one-bedroom apartment and lack of feminine care products are hardly suitable. I've already checked myself into the Sheraton, I just came for a visit."

"More like check up on me," he grumbled under his breath.

"Oh, before I forget dear, Michael and Amanda both send their regards—" "Here we go…" he interrupts his mother under his breath.

"And wanted me to pass on some news since you don't seem forthcoming. Your brother successfully argued his first case in front of the United States Supreme Court. That is where he met Leslie. She was co-counsel. I believe an engagement is imminent. And your sister finally got the FDA to fast-track a diabetes medication she'd been working on for approval. If approved, this drug could prevent 70-75 percent of all future diabetes cases nationwide."

Leonard sulked, he was never going to be as ambitious as his siblings or as successful; as a kid, he would stay up to hear the Nobel Prize announcements and dream about winning one, but the way his career was going he'd be lucky to keep his job. In the last six months, he's had six projects and five failed replications. Gablehauser was currently not happy with him. The only successful one was one he completed after a team at Cal-Berkeley replicated it and published their findings first. That was still considered a failure. "Uh-huh."

Beverly rolled her eyes, "Well, I can see you're in no mood for company. I'll see myself out." She leaves, and Leonard sighs in relief.

Beverly had finished up her first seminar at UCLA and was about to head to the Hollywood Masonic Temple for the taping of her interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, however, before she could call a taxi, a car drove up and told her they were her ride. She was surprised to see it was Penny, but then remembered that the blonde told her she was a production assistant which is in her job description.

During the 40-minute drive over to the studio, Beverly discovered that the reason her son didn't

have any sort of relationship with his neighbours was that he tried and then later concealed the fact that he stole their mail. Beverly could only shake her head at the revelation and apologise for her youngest. She also discovered just how much the young couple in 4A love each other because being a psychiatrist she couldn't help but slip into that analytical part of her work when talking to people. The couple were young but seemed immensely mature, and Beverly found out why.

"You and Sheldon, was it, seem very secure in your marriage, care to tell me why? After all, not many couples, especially young ones have a firm grasp on their marriage so early—not many young couples get married so early either."

Penny smiled wryly, facing the road, "I knew when he asked me to be his girlfriend that we would be together forever. I met him through a mutual friend in 2005—he's also a Marine, and just so happens to be Sheldon's best friend. Sheldon treats me like no guy ever has. I liked him immediately but, in high school, I had so many boyfriends that just wanted to be with the hot cheerleader that I was initially resistant to his charms even though he was incredibly smart; and after dating so many dumb jocks that was the first thing I looked for. But still, I sort of resisted.

However, there was an unspoken trust forged pretty much the minute we met, maybe you can call it love at first sight or whatever but the more time I spent with him the more I knew that this man would never hurt me, never debase me, never make me question his love and that made me give mine to him fully and pretty quick. He was the one that convinced me to stay at Nebraska and finish my degree rather than drop out and drive out to California and try my hand at being an actress while waiting tables—I mean I heard stories of that happening so I figured, why not me? He told me he loved me three months after we began to date, no guy had ever said that to me so quickly and meant it. I told him I loved him too—it was the first time I said it and meant it too. We, uh… rounded home after that. He proposed to me a week before his second deployment to Iraq, I didn't even hesitate to say yes. The second he dropped down onto one knee and grabbed my left hand, I knew. I remember that proposal like it was yesterday. He fought in Ramadi for eight months. I hated watching the news during that stretch and just prayed to God nightly that his mother wouldn't call me and tell me he was dead. In July, he was shot in the shoulder during a firefight while rescuing a squad mate. When I asked him about it he called it a 'flesh wound' like it was a Monty Python sketch or something. He was out of commission for a month, but he stubbornly demanded to be allowed back to fight because he supposedly told the medic, 'it's just a flesh wound'. He was on the battlefield when Ramadi fell into coalition hands. I don't know what exactly happened the rest of the time other than what I just told you, and the only reason I know it at all is that while he was in recovery he told me he was injured saving a friend via a rare Skype call we had. After that, I was so scared. My fiancé, the love of my life could have died before we

ever got together, so I made a promise to myself and to God that for as long or God forbid short our

time together is I will love him the way we both deserve to be loved. Because Sheldon is more than my husband; he's my best friend, lover, my key support system, and sounding board. I know I drive him crazy sometimes, but I've never had somebody look at me like he does; all of me, you know the real me. Not just the pretty, happy blonde everyone expects me to be but, also the girl who likes baseball, horses, tennis, classical Greek literature, and more. Sheldon… he is in short, my other half, and I will make anyone who decides to come between us pay dearly because I nearly lost him once I won't allow it to happen again, not if I can help it."

Beverly was stunned into silence. She hadn't expected that from the pretty, young woman. "That… that is an amazing story. No wonder you two are so secure in your relationship."

The rest of the drive was done in silence except for the radio. Once they were at the studio, and before they parted, Beverly gave Penny a hug extending her well wishes along with a copy of her new book with something written in it, saying, "My son seems to have, what I believe is a slight infatuation with you, and while Leonard isn't very thorough in his plans—the mail fiasco being a prime example—he is tenacious, therefore if he causes problems for you or your husband you may

use the techniques in this book to deal with him or you may call me and I'll deal with him. He seems to fear me, while simultaneously wanting my approval," Beverly shrugs, "I sometimes wish he would pick a lane and stick to it."

Penny laughs and takes the book with her thanks before departing.

After returning to work, Penny forgot about the book until she got home, Sheldon wasn't. He had called her and said he was, "Stuck in the worst I-5 traffic jam since the Northridge earthquake shut it down." She opened her bag and took out the book and laughed at the title, Needy Baby, Greedy Baby. Penny opened it and inside was the note she saw the older woman write before giving her the book, "Penny, You are a remarkable young woman. I wish you and Sheldon many good years ahead, but if that idiot son of mine gives you trouble don't hesitate to give me a call" then below she wrote her office and cell number. There was also a dedication to Leonard, "To my youngest son, Leonard, you may think I'm unloving, but without you, this book wouldn't exist. For that, I love you." Penny laughed. Maybe she was wrong about Beverly; the woman wasn't cold, you just needed to find her vibe. She thinks maybe that's where Leonard went wrong, he thought his mom was one way and tried too hard and ultimately ended up hating her.

"God, look at Gablehauser over there talking up my mom," Leonard groused to his friends, looking over at the faculty table where the Department Chair and his mother were laughing and having lunch.

Howard glanced up really quickly not interested in the slightest, and then went back to his Salisbury steak, "Uh-huh."

"Must be really annoying, huh, seeing someone already involved being hit on by someone else," Raj said.

"Yeah," Leonard agreed, "Tell me about it."

"And that's different from you hitting on Penny how?" Raj asked giving his friend a significant look.

"Now wait a minute, I'm totally different—" Leonard started to defend himself.

"How? She's married. I told you she was. And instead of respecting that, the first thing you told me after you just met her is that she was going to be the one you were going to marry and that your kids would be and I quote, 'smart and beautiful'. Then when you found out that she really was married and met her husband you demeaned him and continue to, and even went as far as to steal their mail. Like who even does that?" Howard listed off.

"Dude, did you really say and do all that?" Raj asked. "Yeah, but…," Leonard tried to defend himself.

"Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?" Raj asked disgustedly. "Listen, it's not as bad as it sounds—"

"No, it's worse, because you're a hypocrite," Howard nods over toward the faculty table, "I'm sure it's uncomfortable watching Gablehauser make your mom laugh and all, but he's not saying 'marry me and have my kids'. He is probably making a joke about work or about her seminar." Howard then turns to Leonard, "You, meanwhile literally have denied all sense of reality when it comes to your neighbours. You called Sheldon an airy jarhead and he turns out to have a doctorate in physics

—at 16. You said that you think Penny deserves someone better, like you; but who better than a guy who risks his own life to save a friend, not once, not twice, but every time he goes into battle? That's his job and you know what, he's good at it. Meanwhile, your sorry ass hasn't been able to replicate an experiment in six months. How does that make you better than him?" Howard looked pointedly at his friend.

Leonard glared at his friends. "Why are you ganging up on me?" He whined.

"Because Sheldon, Penny, and their family are nice people. And Sheldon and Penny truly love each other, so whatever your attempts were to try and, I don't know, hook up with Penny; they reek of desperation. You need to get over whatever fantasy or whatever it is you have regarding her because I can tell you there is no way in hell Penny is going to leave Sheldon for you or anybody else. If you had accepted that invite after paintball you would've seen that too." Raj said; Howard nodded in agreement.

Leonard sighed. Whether it was one of resignation and defeat, his friends couldn't quite tell.

Flashback

Kandahar 2001

War. When Sheldon joined the Marines he had done a full review of all U.S. military activities since April 30, 1975—the Fall of Saigon and the literal last chopper out of Vietnam—the last protracted war the U.S. fought in, so he wasn't ignorant to the United States' use of power projection and missile strikes, in addition to international coalitions for Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait. But on the whole, the U.S. had been content being on the defensive side of things, until September 11th. The second the towers fell he had a feeling that September 11th was his generation's Pearl Harbour. And he was right. Because barely a month later, war was declared in Afghanistan on Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, the groups the U.S. government said were primarily responsible for those attacks on New York, Washington DC, and a botched one in Pennsylvania.

They weren't fighting a dictatorial tyrant, with delusions of world domination, they were fighting what appear to be a group or groups so diametrically opposed to their way of life for whatever reason and whose sole purpose is to cause as much pain and destruction—as if there weren't enough in the world already—as they could with guerrilla tactics. This isn't new, plenty of armies throughout history have used unconventional warfare when faced with a larger, more well- equipped foe. The North Vietnamese came straight to mind, they used the media to win the war of public opinion long before that tank breached the gates of the Independence Palace in '75. Mao's Chinese Communists during the Chinese Civil War essentially let the Nationalists tire themselves out by defending China during WWII and acting as a friend during the world war only to drop the hammer on Chiang Kai-shek's forces four years later. Even the American Colonies used unconventional means to win the American Revolution; Washington crossing the Delaware on Christmas, the use of the Minutemen, ammo raids on British positions, and spying. But all these examples had an end goal, Sheldon doesn't think the people he's about to take up arms against have an end goal other than unlimited death, destruction, and chaos for all those involved. He doesn't have time to wonder how long this will take—because that's not his job. His job is to carry out whatever mission is given to him to the best of his ability with the least amount of casualties to his side and civilians.

Two months after the Twin Towers in New York fell, he was in South Asia preparing to take the last city under Taliban control. On the plane ride over, the only thing he could think of were the

last lines of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, "I'm in a world of shit… yes. But I am alive. And

I am not afraid." He isn't because it is his time to lead—he had made Sergeant in April and now it was time to prove his mettle. Michael was with him, and so was Gunner. In this strange and unfamiliar landscape at least he had people he knew he could trust. And he'll get them home, come hell or high water.

The first thing Michael said to him when they landed was the astutest thing he'd ever heard in his life, "We ain't in Kosovo no more." And that was the truth. In six months in Kosovo, they were primarily on a humanitarian mission, and never even fired their weapon. This was definitely not going to be like that.

They established contact at Camp Rhino on November 25, two days later were joined by an Australian SAS unit, and his unit saw their first real action. He and Michael meanwhile had been on the scope for the last day and a half mapping out position points and advancement lines.

Sheldon was exhausted. But being with his friend—his brother—beside him he found an energy that he never knew he had. Scientifically, he knew that was called adrenaline but even adrenaline ebbs away eventually, this almost manic level of energy he felt definitely wasn't it.

Since meeting Mike in that Denton recruitment office, he and the Nebraska farm boy had been practically inseparable. Sheldon doesn't know when it really happened but he had long put his life in this other man's hands and somehow they've become practically brothers. He knows who on the battlefield he can trust implicitly. He thinks he can trace it back to that run just before The Crucible but both of them were green as fuck to what was coming. If he had to truly pinpoint when their bond strengthened it was probably during Jump School. He had agreed to go to Georgia after they returned from Kosovo and he was glad he did because the three-week course at Fort Benning taught him more about overcoming one's fear than anything else. And jumping out of a plane was addicting, if he wasn't careful he knew he'd be liable to ask for reassignment to a reconnaissance battalion because of airborne recon. But it was during Basic Airborne Course graduation that Michael found out his father had cancer and while this was the first time Sheldon had met the senior Clarke, he knew what his friend was going through. The family all thought that Michael breaking down after graduation was just relief but Sheldon knew better. He wasn't there when his own father got sick, but is eternally grateful to have a chance to say goodbye. Sheldon doesn't want his friend to do that, but he wasn't that kind of doctor either. Sheldon saw how much his friend's father's illness affected him, but the elder Clarke is remarkably resilient and after four aggressive rounds of chemo was in remission. Sheldon vowed then after hearing the joy in his friend's voice that whatever happens, he'll get his buddy home. He never knew how soon that would be because three months later, they were off into the unknown.

The engagement was short but lasting—thank God. Four Taliban commanders went down from his shot. Allowing his unit and the Australians to overrun and advance. He was just thankful none of the enemy combatants had RPGs, this time around. With his units entrenched and out of the line of fire, Sheldon called in an airstrike to clear the rest.

"They were like womp rats," Michael chuckled.

Sheldon chuckled too, "Are you insinuating that I'm Luke Skywalker?" "When you shoot like that I do, Sergeant."

Sheldon shook his head amused, "I had a pretty damn good spotter, so…" "You're too modest, Doc," Michael laughed.

"No, just tired," Sheldon responds with a slight smile, he had been up for 37 hours. They don't even let doctors operate after 36 hours.

"Okay, get some rest, chief. I'll keep watch for a bit." "I think you should, actually. You've been up longer." "Nah, I'm fine," Michael said stifling a yawn.

"See? Get some shut-eye, Marine. You're no good to me sleepy. That's an order."

Michael looks at his friend but acquiesces. He lays down for a power nap. Half an hour later he's shaken awake, "Wake up for the encore," he hears Sheldon tell him, he's up immediately.

Sheldon radios down to his units to, "Prepare Plan Kilo Alfa, enemy Northeast of your position. Advance on my signal to checkpoint Charlie." Ten minutes pass and still Sheldon and Michael only see the Northeast contingent. Sheldon radios down to start advancement.

"I count 20," Michael tells his friend through the binoculars as he watches the units move to checkpoint Charlie.

Sheldon nods from his scope, "Seems a bit small for a reinforcement group though."

"Maybe there's more in the back," Michael suggested, and Sheldon had to agree the mountains around Kandahar weren't as treacherous as the other areas Spec Ops hit earlier in the war but the ridge the 20 enemy combatants they can see standing on topographically led into a deeper valley.

"We need eyes on that valley behind them. Is AWACS up?" Sheldon asked.

Michael looked at his watch, "It's up, but it won't be in effective range for us for another three minutes."

"Shit, why aren't there ever tools around when you need them," Sheldon sighed, repeating a phrase he heard his father use more often than not. "Know any three-minute anecdotes?" Sheldon asked rhetorically still looking through the scope.

After Michael told him AWACS was in range he radios up for an aerial surveil of the valley, it was granted, but the report was grim; 26 personnel camps dotted the valley and three large munition caches. While his forces were potentially outnumbered he could take out the munition stockpiles which should even out the numbers. He radioed for an airstrike on the three munition caches, it was granted, and within less time than it took to cook a Hot Pocket, an AC-130 gunship was dispatching 155,000 pounds of American freedom.

Sheldon radioed his units to start phase three, advancement and further engagement to checkpoint Echo as he and Michael swapped their sniper gear for their M16A2s and headed down toward the ridge too. Once they met up with the rest of the unit, Sheldon prepped for phase four, direct engagement. According to the gunship's report, most of the camp was now on fire—that tends to happen when one blows up gunpowder.

Sheldon was expecting a contingent of fighters to rush them so he told the unit, "They're going to be really pissed so no prisoners. Shoot to kill."

The unit nodded and they began their ascent up the ridge.

A small wave charging at them with flaming rifles were gunned down, then another, and another. In all 19 people. But after that things got quiet, and this made Sheldon nervous. It wasn't until they crested the ridge and found out why, the enemy camp wasn't on fire, it was an inferno. Whatever the gunship hit it definitely contained more than just weapons.

"Check for survivors!" Sheldon told his unit.

After a 20-minute survey of the two football field long camp, they found 36 with second-degree burns. A medic attached to the unit said that three probably won't live through the night. They were three miles outside of Camp Rhino. They started back. Four hours later, the unit all accounted for and their 36 detainees made it back with the detainees taken to sick bay. After briefing the CO, Sheldon went straight to his rack.

Michael woke him up in time for a late dinner in the mess and told him, "Sergeant, you are one lucky son of a gun."

Blurry-eyed and hungry he asked, "Why's that?"

"Because a sudden rain storm came through while you were asleep, AWACS reports indicate that it put out the fire in the ridge camp we took because there was no way to put it out otherwise."

Sheldon chuckled as they headed into the mess, "What was it you told me in Kosovo? Life with me is never boring." Michael laughed.

The unit spent the next two weeks in clearing out a 400-mile stretch of Afghanistan from Camp Rhino to Kandahar Airfield and into the surrounding countryside, Sheldon had never seen so much close air support being used, but he was thankful for it. It definitely made his life easier. He wondered if his father felt like this during Vietnam, even though he knows his current situation and his father's in Vietnam are completely different.

When Kandahar fell, Michael was attached to another unit as their scout sniper. Gunner was his spotter when the last Taliban stronghold fell.

"Kinda reminds you of Battleship, doesn't it? We make our advancements but the big blow is called in. Then they tell you over the radio if it was hit or not." Gunner told him.

Sheldon chuckled, "I didn't have Battleship growing up, I was partial to Operation. My sister used the game's tweezers to pull a splinter out of my finger once."

Gunner snickered, "No wonder you're a doctor, Sergeant." "So is she, well, at least she hopes to be."

Shaking his head amused, "A family of overachievers, the lot of you, huh?"

"Sort of, my dad's premature death, and my sudden decision to join the military I think forced everyone to grow up. My brother is 'Dr. Tire', you know the tyre and wheel alignment chain. Apparently, he has a gift for finding tyre leaks," Sheldon shrugged.

Gunner laughed, "A trio of doctors and yet none of you practice. By the way, how did you call in all those airstrikes if you didn't know the terrain?"

"Well AWACS helps, plus, the point is a mission kill, not more destruction so it is simply about picking high-value targets rather than blanketing the countryside with missiles, bombs, and bullets. We tried that in the jungles of Vietnam and it didn't work; I don't think it will in the mountains of Afghanistan, either."

Gunner nods, "Student of history, are you?'

"A bit."

Gunner slaps his CO on the shoulder, "Whatever you need, Sergeant, count me in." "I appreciate that Neuheuser, I—"

They receive word over the radio that the operation is over, over 200 Taliban and Al-Qaeda operatives were captured. When they receive the all-clear, Sheldon turns to his spotter. "I need you to accompany me down from this hide and back to camp, think you're up for it?"

Gunner smiles, "I'll race ya."

Sheldon smiles, and he and Gunner walk down together.

Sheldon had spent plenty of Christmases away from home but never in an active war zone, but there was a first for everything. He had helped liberate a country from oppression and usher in democracy; it was a rather daunting thought. He wondered if this is how his Pop-Pop felt when he liberated France from the Nazis? He still has his issues with Christmas, mainly because he still can't forgive a mall Santa for not bringing him back his grandfather, but he has to admit despite being thousands of miles away in a war zone this has been one of the better Christmases he's had— he and his fellow U.S. servicemen and women gave Afghanistan one hell of a present at the end of the day.

He spent the next four months, splitting his time between insurgency combat missions and building a prison camp to house captured Taliban and Al-Qaeda detainees. When he was rotated out, Michael and Gunner had their stay extended another 45 days. He couldn't help what he told them when he left like a concerned parent, "Look out for each other while I'm not here." He knows the pair were mentally rolling their eyes at him as they saluted him. They are his friends so he won't tell them he knows.