It's over. We won. These are the facts that I repeat to myself over and over again as I clutch onto Aaron for dear life. We have made great strides today, but we have much work left to do. For now though, I decide to bask in our recent victory. I look down at the group of friends gathered below me, everyone is smiling except for Adam, who's expression is unreadable, and Kenji who can barely keep his eyes open.

"We should get Kenji back to base," I shout to the group below, "he looks like he can barely hold himself up." Hearing this Kenji slowly raises his head and half halfheartedly flicks me off. The twins simply roll their eyes and drag him towards one of the remaining tanks. All of a sudden I feel a pair of hands on my waist, and warm breath on my neck. I relax into his touch.

"You did it, love," he whispers directly into my ear.

I close my eyes and smile, "I couldn't have done any of this without you."

"Well I told you we would be unstoppable together," he whispers back. I turn and he takes my hand.

"Come love, we should be getting back to base soon too. You have to be exhausted." Together we walk towards one of the tanks, and head towards base. He pulls me into his side, and I sigh contently. Soon the soft rumbling of the tank lulls me to sleep.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

I awake in the morning curled up next to a warm body. I lift my head and admire Aaron's sleeping form. His features lack their usual seriousness when he sleeps, and his body seems less rigid. When he's sleeping it is one of the few times that he actually relaxes that and when he's alone with me. I smile as I reflect over how much he's changed in such a short period of time. He seems more open now, and he even smiles more, much to the other group member's surprise. Even Kenji asked the other day jerking his thumb in Warner's direction, "What's up with that guy?"

I notice one of his golden eyelashes resting on his cheek, when I reach over and brush it off he begins to stir. He opens one eye at a time and smiles his sleepy smile.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he whispers as he tucks a stray hair behind my ear.

"Good morning," I whisper back. He leans in towards me and kisses me on the forehead and works his way down to my mouth. I turn my head away before he can reach my lips.

"Excuse me?" he asks jokingly.

"I have morning breath right now; we can kiss after I brush my teeth." He rolls his eyes, but acquiesces.

"Well, I guess we better be getting up soon anyway, we have a lot of work to do today," he says as he swings his legs over the side of the bed. He turns to me expectantly, but I just snuggle back under the covers.

"It's only eight o'clock, can't we sleep some more?" I pout. He smiles and rolls his eyes.

"I'm afraid not, love." I ignore him and turn on my side.

"Get up or I will get you up," he says with false authority.

"Nope."

"Well...alright then, I think I know how to get you up." I can hear the smile in his voice. After a moment of silence I feel him pounce on the bed, and straddle me, effectively holding me down. I look up at his face, and see his eyes glittering with excitement.

"Last chance," he warns.

"Nuh-uh," I whisper back.

"Well, alright then," he drawls, "You asked for it." Before I realize what he's doing his hands are at my sides and he's tickling me.

"NO AARON PLEASE!" I scream gasping for air, "YOU'RE GONNA MAKE ME PEE!"

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What was that?" he responds. I try to say something else, but I can't stop laughing. Finally he releases me, and looks down into my eyes.

"What?" I ask smiling back at him and whipping the tears from my eyes.

"That's the most beautiful sound I've ever heard," he responds.

"What was?" I question, genuinely confused.

"You, laughing. I'm going to need to hear that much more often."

"After this war's over you will hear much more of it," I respond.

"I love you," he whispers.

I stare into his eyes for a few moments and then whisper back, "And I you."

Yay! Chapter one is up! Let me know what you think. As you probably already know this story will be first person and have changing PoV's. I have the rating set at T right now, but it may change to M later (nothing too explicit I just want to stay on the safe side). Anyways, thanks for reading and I'll see you next chapter!