Regrets and Finding Peace

[innitmarvelous_og]

I will always remember Jennifer's smile, her kindness, and her unwavering dedication to our cause. She was more than just a soldier; she was a friend, a confidante, and, to me, something more. Jennifer had captured my heart, and even though she is gone, my love for her remains just as strong.

I closed, and locked the old-fashioned journal someone had given me. After the destruction of our base, we had come to the Passages to regroup, heal, and begin the process of finding another base.

Hawk had noticed my pensive mood, and he sat with me in the barracks, offering a sympathetic ear, "What's on your mind, Jon?" he asked.

"Only how one of my biggest regrets of my life is always going to be how I waited until it was too late to tell Jennifer how I felt about her," I admitted, my voice thick with emotion, "By the time I had the courage to tell her, it was too later. I thought I had all the time in the world to tell her, but I was wrong."

Matt nodded understandingly, "I will always remember that it's never too late to tell someone how you feel, Jon. I know Jennifer's gone, but your love for her lives on. And who knows? Maybe she knew how you felt all along."

I gave him a hopeful look, startled by the possibility. "Do you really think so?"

My father's oldest and truest friend gave me a small smile. "I will always have believed that love has a way of finding a way, even in the most darkest of circumstances, and we're living in the darkest of circumstances mankind has ever known. We both know that Jennifer was a perceptive and an inquisitive woman. There's more than a very good chance she knew you felt without you having to say it."

I sat there, considering his words. "I will always remember how much I loved her, Hawk. But what am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to move on?"

Hawk put a hand on my shoulder. "You know I will always be here for you, Jon. We all will. And I know that Jennifer would want you to keep fighting. She would want you to carry on her legacy by never stopping until this war has been won."

I nodded, feeling a sense of renewed purpose wash over me, "You're right, Hawk. I will always remember Jennifer's courage and determination. She would want us to keep fighting, no matter what."

He smiled at me, his eyes filled with understanding, "And we will always be here for you, Jon. As a team, as friends, and as family."

As he finished speaking, I could hear Scout and Tank's voices as they entered our section of the barracks. They joined us, and together we talked about our missing teammate, and friend. I knew I would never forget what I felt for her, but neither will any of these three men who crying, laughing, and talking about her.

I... we will always remember Jennifer Chase.

We will always remember Pilot.