AN: As promised, here is the sequel to 'A Hero's Heart'. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1 – The Return

Dwyer Hill, Ottawa – Obstacle Course

"Move your asses! My wife can run this course faster than you!" Sergeant Matthew Taylor bellowed from the sidelines of the obstacle course.

"Is he crazy?" Corporal James fought the urge to stop, double over, and suck in several deep breaths. However, with Sergeant Taylor monitoring their every move he knew better. The sergeant took over training on the obstacle course three weeks ago and remained relentless.

"No, he's being totally honest." Master Corporal Logan Demers smirked as he ran alongside the younger soldier. Wolverine, nicknamed for his uncanny resemblance to the fictional character bearing the same name, chuckled. "His wife holds the female record for this course. No one has even come close to her time."

"You have got to be kidding me!"

"I don't have all day, men!" Matt fought the urge to laugh as he overheard Wolverine speaking with the JTF2 candidate.

Matt kept a close eye on all the candidates, taking their measure. After taking over the training, he carefully monitored the progress of the men in this group. Sam would be joining them soon, and Matt wanted to provide a list of possible men to join their unit.

As the last man sprinted over to the finish line, Matt strode over to join them. "Alright men. Take ten, and we will run it again."

Ignoring the groans and complaints, Matt grinned. A movement to his left drew his gaze. Upon recognizing the form walking towards them, Matt's face split into a wide grin. He looks better than ever.

"Phoenix, Wolverine, Treble, Falcon." Gaining the attention of the men in his unit he gestured towards the newcomer.

The group of weary soldiers immediately snapped to attention. As the officer approached them, all the soldiers brought their hands up to a crisp salute.

Returning the salute the lieutenant smiled. "As you were."

"Badass, man, it's good to see your ugly mug again!" Falcon clapped the man on the shoulder.

"Yeah, we sure have missed you," Treble commented in greeting.

Wolverine crossed his arms and grinned. "So, did they teach you anything new?"

Phoenix laughed. "Them, teach Badass something new? You have got to be kidding me!"

Lieutenant Samuel Braddock met the eyes of each man in his unit, his friends. "It's good to see you guys again."

Matt scanned his best friend from head to toe looking for any indication of long-lasting effects from previous injuries. "You good to go?"

"That's why I'm here. I thought I would join you all on the obstacle course."

"Man, it's good to have you back." Matt pulled Sam into a hug, slapping the other man on the back.

"Glad to be back." Eyeing his unit Sam threw out a challenge to his men, "You guys ready for another round on the course?"

"For you? Yeah!" Treble piped up, his customary ornery grin on his face.

"Oh, so you'll run it for him without complaint, but when I ask…" Matt crossed his arms and adopted a stern demeanor.

"Is my unit not listening to their second-in-command?" Sam's expression morphing to one of a hard-assed commanding officer, a posture mirroring the demeanor and stance of his late father General Nathan 'Ares' Braddock.

"I didn't say that." Treble raised his hands in front of him, palms out, noting the fire in his CO's blue eyes.

Matt shook his head before turning to the trainees, noting all still stood instead of relaxing as they were before Sam approached. "Looks like you men get a few more minutes reprieve. Stay here and watch a real unit run the course."

Watching the unit move to the starting point Moon grinned from ear to ear.

"What has you so happy?" Corporal James groused as he dropped to the ground, thankful the lieutenant walked away so he could relax.

"Other than the fact we get a bit more time to rest? That's Lieutenant Braddock, known as Badass Braddock. I had the privilege of witnessing his unit in the field. They are the best operators in JTF2. He's the reason I'm here today. Scuttlebutt has it that he recovered from injuries that would have put a lesser man down." Moon moved to the sidelines to better observe Braddock's unit as they ran the course. I hope I get a chance at joining his unit.

Intrigued by Moon's words, the rest of the JTF2 candidates joined him.

"So, we going for individual or team run?" Phoenix stretched his limbs as they lined up on the start line.

"Always lead by example, let's show them how real teamwork achieves goals." Sam grinned as he too made use of warm-up exercises.

As the unit prepped to run the course, Sam noted General Marsh approaching. Rising to his full height he faced the general and offered a crisp salute, his unit following suit.

"General," Sam's smile permanently affixed.

"As you were, men." General Spencer Marsh ordered as a smile lit his face observing his top unit back together. "Braddock, you're not wasting any time in whipping your men back into shape."

"Just learning how far Taylor's brought them while I've been gone, Sir." Sam grinned at his best friend, earning him a smirk and a stifled laugh in return.

"I welcome the chance to observe you in action. Carry on." General Marsh nodded at the men before walking towards the covered pavilion a short distance away to observe.

"Ready?" Sam met the eyes of each of his men, earning a nod in response. "Let's go."

Sam and his unit shot off the starting line.

The first obstacle, over under bars, posed no challenge whatsoever to the unit. The men navigated the obstacle with speed and ease borne from experience. Working their way through the challenges each man drew on their strengths to assist and encourage the rest of the guys.

Monkey bars over a pit of mud, a challenge which bested the trainees often, were made to look like child's play as the men sailed over the obstacle, grins on their faces. The rope bridge, cargo net, and army crawl under the barbed wire were all handled with the same ease as the first few obstacles.

"They make it seem so easy," James muttered under his breath.

Unwilling to tear his eyes away from Braddock and the rest to supply an answer, Moon grunted in agreement.

Sliding to a stop at the bottom of the wall, Sam crouched and interlaced his fingers in front of him. Matt, next to approach the wall, assumed the same position. Falcon and Treble barreled towards the barrier, maintaining their momentum. Placing his foot in Sam's hands, Sam stood and launched Falcon to the top of the wall. Grasping the wood with both hands, Falcon pulled himself up and lay across the thin wall. Treble stepped into Matt's hands and upon being launched upwards grasped Falcon's hands. His teammate pulled him up and over the wall. Treble dropped to the bottom and paused to wait for the rest of the unit.

Wolverine placed a foot in Sam's hands, appreciating the boost to the top. Falcon's grip on his hands remained firm as he crested the top of the wall. Jumping to the bottom he turned his gaze to his teammate atop the structure.

"Your turn." Sam nodded to Matt and shifted his position.

"See you on the other side." Matt backed up several paces before running towards Sam.

Sam boosted Matt to the top of the wall. Once Matt's foot left his hands Sam stood, ran back several feet, then turned to face the obstacle. Pouring on as much speed as possible, the lieutenant barreled towards the wall.

His hands gripped the top as his feet sought to find purchase on the wall as Falcon and Matt grasped his wrists to keep him from falling. Although Sam remained perfectly capable of scaling the wall on his own, a smile formed knowing his unit had his back. Once Sam reached the top, all three men dropped to the ground, and the unit sprinted to the finish as one.

The cheers from the gathered trainees reached their ears, and all smiled as they paced and worked to catch their breath.

Moon observed with wide eyes. The teamwork in this unit only increased over time. He wished now more than ever to be assigned to Lieutenant Braddock's unit

"That is, I believe, a new unit record for the course. Fabulous job men." General Marsh congratulated the men with a wide grin. "Lieutenant, I need to speak with you in my office after lunch."

"Yes, sir." Sam tracked the general as the other man returned to his office. His gaze landed on three figures heading their direction. He hit Matt's arm and when Matt's brows furrowed he gestured towards the newcomers.

Matt's face split into a wide grin when he recognized the approaching figures. He and Sam strode forwards, meeting their guests half way.

Jules beamed as she, Sadie, and Suzie approached the obstacle course. Her husband sailing through, a bright neon sign indicating his body healed, spread warmth through her. As they got closer Jules wondered when her daughter would notice Sam. It didn't take long.

"DADDY!" Sadie went from walking calmly next to her mother to running at top speed across the expanse separating her from her father.

Upon hearing his baby girl and her taking off towards him, Sam left his unit at a run to meet her. The two came together with squeals of laughter and joy as Sam scooped Sadie up in his arms, and spun her in circles.

"Daddy, I missed you!" Sadie cried into her father's shoulder as he held her. Her arms wrapped tightly around Sam's neck, and she squeezed tight.

"I missed you too, baby girl!" Sam buried his nose in her hair as he stopped spinning and held her close. The feeling of his daughter in his arms rivaled only one other, his wife in his embrace.

Jules approached the father-daughter reunion with tears in her eyes. Her arms snaked around her husband and child, and she leaned her head on Sam's shoulder. The family remained that way for several moments, uncaring who watched.

When Sadie's tears subsided, Sam leaned back to gaze into her blue eyes. He placed a kiss on her cheek and smiled at her. "Hi."

"Hi, Daddy." Sadie beamed as she hugged Sam once more before turning her attention to Matt and Suzie who stood a few paces away, hugging and kissing. "Ewww…"

Sam burst out laughing at Sadie's response. "What's wrong, Munchkin?"

"Kissing is gross!" Sadie declared.

"Oh, really?" Jules' eyes lit with mischief as she met Sam's gaze. Their lips met in a tender kiss.

"Mom!" Sadie wiggled out of her father's arms and stalked away with arms crossed to where the rest of the unit waited.

"Hey there, Sadie." Falcon crouched down to be on Sadie's level.

"Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Matt, and Aunt Suzie are disgusting," Sadie announced with a wrinkled nose and hands on her hips.

Falcon stifled a laugh at the seriousness on Sadie's face. "Well, then come say hi to the rest of the guys, so you don't have to watch."

Sadie turned her back on the couples, placed her hand in Uncle Falcon's and went to greet the rest of daddy's friends.

Sam reluctantly pulled away from Jules after a brief hug and kiss. Personal displays of affection were allowed while in uniform, however, they must remain short and discreet. Relieved Matt remembered the rule, as both men grinned at one another.

"Come say hi to the guys." Sam placed a hand on the small of Jules' back.

Sam and Jules fell into step beside Matt and Suzie as they headed towards the rest of the group.

"Jules, glad you're here." Falcon pulled Jules into a one-armed hug.

Suzie and Jules were greeted similarly by all the men. Each equally enthused about meeting the women in a non-life threatening situation.

"How long are you guys here for?" Treble leaned against a pillar holding up the pavilion.

"The weekend. Team One is back on shift bright and early Monday morning." Jules wished they could stay longer, but at least Sam would be allowed to come home every weekend. Over the last three months, while Sam went through Officer Training School, they managed to speak on the phone or over skype almost every night. But, now they were back to reality. It just remained to be seen what the new reality would be as the threat against their family was gone, at least they hoped.

"So, I'm guessing we won't see much of our LT or Sarge over the next two days." Wolverine's eye's waggled and a grin spread slowly across his face.

"You better watch yourself, corporal, or I'll remind you who possesses the female record on this course." Suzie's voice lowered as she stepped closer to Wolverine. "And I'll do it in front of the entire class of trainees."

Laughter erupted at the expression of horror on Wolverine's face.

"Let's get out of this sun and grab some lunch." Sam scooped up Sadie and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Daddy is hungry."

Dwyer Hill, Ottawa – General Marsh's Office

"Lieutenant Braddock, here to see General Marsh as ordered." Sam offered the corporal a small smile.

"If you'll have a seat, Lieutenant, he will be right with you." Corporal Megan Lynn couldn't help the smile. Picking up her phone she called into the general's office.

Hitting the speaker on his phone, Spencer answered the call. "General Marsh."

"Sir, Lieutenant Braddock is here."

"Thank you, corporal. Give me two minutes then send him in." Spencer signed the last of the forms on his desk, slid them into the proper folders, straightened the stack, and placed them on the corner of his desk.

A single knock sounded on his door. "Enter." He rose and walked around his desk.

"Sir, Lieutenant Braddock reports as ordered." Sam came to attention just inside the general's office.

"At ease, lieutenant. Please, have a seat." Spencer gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Sam relaxed and took a seat. Being back in this office, the one once occupied by his father, brought back a plethora of memories. Drawing in a slow, deep breath, Sam took a moment to center himself and bury his emotions.

Seeing the flash of emotion in Braddock's eyes, Spencer allowed the young officer a moment to compose himself. Choosing to lean against the front of his desk, instead of occupying the chair behind, Marsh noted how quickly Braddock gathered himself. He is going to be one fine unit commander.

"First, I want to welcome you back. I am pleased your injuries healed."

"Yes, sir. All set and ready to return to full active duty." Sam squared his shoulders and met the general's gaze.

"Wonderful. As promised you will have the first pick of the graduating trainees. Their final phase of training begins tonight. I need your decision by Tuesday. Simply inform my office of your selection before you break the news to your rookie."

A wide smile crossed Sam's face and lit his eyes. "Thank you, sir. Sergeant Taylor has been observing the men and has a list for me to consider. I will let your office know my decision shortly."

Turning to his desk, Marsh picked up the stack of files on the corner. "Now, on to other business. First, here are the service files for each of the men in your unit. I am fully aware of the fact you already know those under your command. However, each CO gets a copy of the files. If you have a question about anything contained in them, don't hesitate to come in and we will chat."

Sam took the offered files and set them in his lap. He didn't anticipate there being much contained in them he didn't already know. "Yes, sir."

"Last order of business. I have changed your orders." Marsh allowed a wide grin to show. "I am sure you have heard the whispers JTF2 is planning to move our operations base."

" Only rumors, sir." Sam's brows furrowed. Are the rumors true?

"Let me give you the facts. As of last week, a new, state-of-the-art training facility for JTF2 was completed at CFB Trenton." Marsh paused a moment to let the news sink in.

Sam's mind whirled at the news, but only for a moment. I will be two hours closer to my girls! Sam's brows rose, and his eyes widened.

Marsh smiled as understanding lit Braddock's eyes. "I am beginning the process of moving units there, starting with yours. Support personnel is already in place and preparing for your arrival. Upon selection of your new unit member, your entire unit will transfer to Trenton. You will report there a week from Monday. All the information you require is in this file."

Sam took the offered file, opened it, and briefly perused the contents.

"The transition will come with its own set of challenges, but I trust we will make it work. If you find you lack anything upon your arrival at Trenton, inform my office. Any questions?"

"Not at this time, sir." Sam met the general's gaze. "I look forward to walking my unit through the process of breaking in the new facility."

"Just don't actually break it." Marsh chuckled.

Sam joined in the laughter and stood when Marsh pushed off his desk.

"That is all for now. Enjoy the weekend with your family, lieutenant."

"Thank you, sir." Sam snapped to attention before pivoting and striding confidently out the door. A wide grin permanently affixed. He just received orders to move closer to his family. Not much could top that news.

Tall Pines Bed and Breakfast, Ottawa– Braddock Suite

Sam settled the blanket over a sleeping Sadie and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Moving to the door, he turned and simply gazed at his daughter.

"She's so precious when she's sleeping, isn't she?" Jules came up behind Sam and slid her hands up Sam's arm as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

"She is always precious to me," Sam whispered as he relaxed into Jules' touch. "I've missed so much…"

"Hey…" Jules turned Sam around and gazed into his blue eyes. "Don't dwell on the past. Look to the future. You are moving closer to our home in Toronto. That makes being you so much easier. We can easily travel the two hours on the weekends or meet somewhere in the middle when possible. Granted, it's still two hours away. But, in my mind, it's only a couple of hours. Not days away."

Sam tucked a stray strand of hair behind Jules' ear and cupped her cheek. "I still can't believe I'll be so close to you. It's what I've been striving for, and now that it's happening…"

"Let's enjoy the moment." Jules reached up, and her lips touched Sam's.

His arms snaked around Jules' waist, and he crushed her to him. Sam deepened the kiss as passion built. When he finally came up for air, he smiled. "Come on, let's go celebrate in our room."

Jules giggled, and Sam swept her off her feet. Carrying her to their bedroom within the suite, Sam kicked the door closed and proceeded to show Jules just how he meant to live in the moment… with great passion.

Tall Pines Bed and Breakfast, Ottawa– Taylor Room

Matt sighed with contentment as he lounged against the pillows propped up against the headboard. Lacing his fingers behind his head he observed his wife.

Suzie met Matt's eyes in the mirror of the dressing table as she brushed her hair. Even from across the room she recognized the fire building in Matt's eyes. He wanted her, most likely as much as she wanted him. Smiling, she set the brush on the table, stood, and walked to her bag where she retrieved a small black box.

Matt tracked Suzie as she sauntered from her weekend bag to the side of the bed. Perching on the edge next to Matt, she reached for his left hand.

His right hand snaked around Suzie's waist, Matt couldn't help his physical reaction with his wife so close. When she took his left hand in hers, he resisted the urge to let his pent-up sexual desires loose and waited to find out what his wife had in store.

Suzie traced where Matt's wedding band once adorned his ring finger. A hint of sadness entered her eyes as she remembered the phone call with Jules when the SUV her husband drove was attacked. Matt, despite his best efforts, lost control of the vehicle and it rolled. Although he lived to tell the tale, Matt ended up with several busted and bruised ribs, a fractured arm, and two messed up fingers. The doctors had to cut his wedding band off in the emergency room when swelling made removing the band impossible.

"Matthew Taylor, I love you." Suzie's eyes met Matt's and a smile ghosted across her features.

"I love you too, Suzie Taylor. With all my heart." The deep love Matt had for his wife shone in his eyes.

"You know…" Suzie swallowed hard as the memories of that day assaulted her. "Giving my permission for the doctors to cut your wedding band off your finger was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do."

"If they hadn't, I might have lost my finger," Matt spoke gently.

"I know." Suzie swallowed the lump in her throat as she gazed at the velvet box in her hand.

Matt squeezed Suzie's hand, a silent encouragement to continue. He wanted to know what the box contained.

"When I married you I promise to stay by your side. In sickness and in health. Through good times and bad. No matter what life throws at us." Suzie lifted her eyes and met Matt's gaze, love shining in her watering eyes. "No one bit of that has changed. You are the most honorable man I've met, Matthew Taylor. I am blessed to live life with you, to serve beside you, to love you.

"This…" Suzie opened the box, and Matt's breath caught at the sight of his wedding band nestled inside. "This is a physical reminder of my promise to you."

"Suzie." Matt breathed her name as she withdrew the ring.

"I found a jeweler able to fix your wedding band."

A tear tracked down Matt's cheek as lifted his hand.

"I want you always to remember how much I love you." Suzie slid the ring into place on Matt's left hand.

When their gazes met Matt pulled Suzie to him, and their lips met in a gentle, passion filled kiss.

Suzie drew in a deep breath several minutes later when they came up for air. "I have one more present for you."

"Oh yeah?" Matt's passion-filled gaze roamed over his wife.

Rising from the bed Suzie smiled seductively at her loving husband. "I picked up this little number the last time I went shopping for lingerie."

Matt's gaze remained on Suzie as she slowly untied her robe and let it slip over her shoulders and down her arms revealing the simple, barely there garment.

"Me like!" Matt grabbed Suzie, pulled her to the bed, gently laying her down as his hungry lips savored hers.

Husband and wife relished being in the presence of one another, conveying their deep, unwavering love and passion for one another.

AN: You know, I'm kind of enjoying this fresh air. I hope you've enjoyed the start to this new fic!