Final Chapter! Details for a sequal at the bottom

"You ready to get out of here, kiddo?"

"Ready as ever, Snakey-poo."

"The hell d'you just call m-"

"Cool it! Common Snake, kid just got off his deathbed!" Eagle gave Snake a good hearted shove.

Cub rolled his eyes at their antics, "I was hardly dying."

"Well," Wolf chimed in, "you damn well look like a corpse."

"Gee thanks, can we go now?"

Wolf sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and signalling that yes we can go now. Sometimes, Wolf couldn't decide whether he was the Unit Leader or Den Mother.

Cub uncrossed his legs and dropped the few inches off his hospital bed to the floor. He was already dressed in his army greens, and was ready to go. The slightly too loose army green shirt covered up the stark white bandages Cub now sported. The through-and-through bullet wound had been stitched up and wrapped, and Cub had finally been discharged. The doctor's at BB had been quick and efficient, but Wolf knew that Cub was dying to leave.

Together, K unit strolled out of the Med Bay. Cub happily pushed ahead, shoving his way out the doors. Wolf quickly followed, nearly bulldozing Cub over when the boy suddenly stopped just past the door stoop.

"Hey- kid, what are you doing?" His unit grumbled behind him as they too were forced to a stop.

Cub gave a confused grunt before sidestepping out of his way.

"You okay, Cubby?" Snake asked in all his Concerned Medic Glory.

"Yeah- yeah I'm fine, it's just," Cub squinted, pulling a hand up to shield his eyes, "it's just bright, is all."

"It's seven o'clock Cub, in the winter. The sun isn't even near us."

Cub shot Eagle a glare, though the effect was diminished as he was still squinting.

"Well," Snake said, putting on his reasonable voice, "Cub hasn't been outside in a while, it'll take some time for your eyes to adjust."

"Dandy," the sarcasm is strong in this one, "can we just go to the cabin please? I'm tired."

"Yeah, let's go" Wolf agreed. It wasn't often that Cub admitted a weakness, so when he did, Wolf was happy to accommodate.

Wolf woke up the next morning feeling surprisingly good. Maybe it had something to do with having his whole unit under one roof again- finally. Everyone was safe and sound and wrapped up in bubble wrap.

A quick glance at his watch told him that it was still a bit too early to be waking his unit mates. So, trying to avoid squeaky bed springs, he rolled over.

Shockingly, or maybe not so, Cub was already up and about. Wolf realized he was dressed, and if his damp hair was anything to go by, washed. Currently, Cub was rummaging through his duffel bag.

Not wanting to wake up the rest of the unit, Wolf simply watched as Cub pulled out a pair of classic, mirrored aviator sunglasses, holding them up in triumph before turning to sit on his bunk.

Cub glanced up, making eye-contact with Wolf. Wolf was displeased to note the dark bags under Cubs eyes only seemed to have gotten darker from yesterday. Cub, however, seemed unperturbed by his apparent lack of sleep. He smirked at Wolf and slid the aviators onto his face.

With the large, reflective sunglasses adorning Cubs face, Wolf almost thought he looked like a normal kid.

Scratch that, the military uniform kind of ruined 'normal'. However, with the glasses on (covering the purple bags and bloodshot eyes) and with Cubs newfound tan, he at least looked healthy.

Wolf watched as Cub lifted his left wrist, tapping it twice with his right forefinger. The question was apparent: Time?

Wolf looked at his watch again, time to wake up the unit. Instead of answering Cubs question, he simply plucked his pillow up and flung it directly at Eagles face. Eagle bolted up, spluttering. He turned a sleepy glare on Wolf.

"Morning to you too, Wolfy-poo."

They made their way to the cafeteria, running slightly late (Fox had slept in- bastard). They had been excused from morning parade though, so Wolf figured the Sarge wouldn't mind their tardiness.

Breakfast was a light affair, everyone cheered and wolf-whistled as they walked in. They grabbed their food trays and went to join J unit, who were also fresh from their hospital check ups.

All the senior units were glad to see Cub in one piece. They made their pleasure known by jabbing Cub between the ribs and socking him in the arm and generally causing Cub distress. Not that the kid seemed to mind.

The junior units mostly stayed clear. The incident from before Cubs absence, the confrontation and Stag being binned, was all too fresh in their minds.

With a little luck, Wolf thought, the maggots would leave Cub alone. Of course, Wolf realized, the recruits probably knew now that Cub could take care of himself.

During breakfast, a young soldier approached them with a message from the high ups. They were told to meet in the Sergeant's office as soon as convenient. Which, in army speak, means right now and yesterday, whether convenient or not.

Alex came to a halt behind Wolf, listening to the hollow taps as Wolf knocked smartly on the Sergeants door. A muffled 'come in' could be heard, and K unit quickly filed into the office.

They came to parade rest in front of the Sergeant Mathias Sanders desk. Sanders was reclined in his chair, feet propped on the edge of his desk as he read through some important report or other.

Alex was reminded of Blunt, how he would virtually ignore Alex while signing his death warrant. But then Sanders dropped the report, turning to give K unit his full attention, and the illusion was dispelled.

Sanders let his eyes drift over the unit, taking in their picture perfect stances and stoic faces. His eyes landed on Alex, and Sanders made an incredulous face. The Sergeant looked pointedly at the aviators that currently decorated Alex's face.

With a moment's hesitation, Alex removed the sunglasses. Squinting against the bright light that Alex didn't remember ever being this bright.

Sanders had some kind of reaction upon seeing Alex's bloodshot, tired eyes; but Alex missed it, still having trouble seeing past the glaring lights.

"K unit," Sanders barked, he never seemed to learn the term inside voice, "it has come to my attention that you have finished your refresher course, and have exceeded the three weeks of recruit training that was asked of you," he pauses, gauging their reactions. "In light of this, and in light of your recent missions, you have been issued two months of mandatory post-op and medical leave." Another pause. "Effective immediately."

Finally Sanders got the reaction he'd been pushing for. K unit was far to professional for any outbursts, but the raised eyebrows and shocked look in their eyes was the army equivalent to a shout of astonishment.

"I'll see you in eight weeks, dismissed." Sanders held out a folder, which Wolf quickly accepted. Then the unit turned to file out, Alex last in line.

"Oh and Cub?" Sanders called, just as Alex had his hand on the door, aviators having found their way back on Alex's face.

"Sir?"

Sanders gave him a long look, "Just, try to get some sleep, alright Cub?"

"Yes sir, of course sir."

"Dismissed. Good luck, kid."

Another sequel! Perfectly Fine is up.

Perfectly Fine will follow the aftermath of Alex's mission, and the effect it has on him and his unit.