Sam knew he had to leave. He didn't care that he was still covered in the blood of Darren Kovacs. He knew if he didn't leave now the team would convince him to stay. As much as he loved them, Sam knew that if he stayed with them, he would break. He needed to go where he knew what he needed to do, where he just had to follow orders and not worry about talking someone down. He needed the Army.

Sam had snuck out of the barn with no one the wiser. He had turned on one of the showers before sneaking out to buy some time.

He drove quickly and arrived at his apartment. After a quick shower to clean off the blood he reached into the closet and grabbed the two standard military issue bags that he always had packed and ready to go.

Sam threw the bags in his car and drove.

x.X. Flashpoint .X.x

Ed walked into the locker room and his eyes grew sad as he saw Sam's empty locker. He turned to Spike and Wordy who were staring at the locker, "He still here?" Ed asked hopefully. If they could talk to Sam, maybe they could convince him to stay.

Spike nodded and Wordy said, "Shower." Ed grimaced, remembering that Sam was covered in the blood of his fellow former serviceman.

Ed walked over to the showers and stopped just outside the one that was running. "Sam, buddy, we are here for you ok. I understand this was a hard call for you but you can't just leave. We need you here, you are family. So please stay, or at least consider it. We can help you, I have this group I go to, cops and military guys, and we help each other through the tough stuff. Just come with me once." Ed paused, listening for a reply. He was surprised he didn't hear anything, not even a denial at needing help.

"Sam?" Ed called. "You still there Sam?" Ed heard no reply and stuck his head in the shower, it was empty. "Damn it Sam!" Ed called as he shut off the water. He slowly walked back into the locker room and sat down.

Spike gave him a curious look and asked, "What's wrong Ed? He throw you out?"

Ed sighed, placing his head in his hands, "He's gone."

Wordy spun around to face Ed and almost yelled, "What?! We have to find him!" Ed nodded in agreement before standing. "I'll grab Jules, you get Greg and tell Leah what's going on." Wordy continued as he was on his way out the door. He ran into Jules almost immediately.

"Hey Wordy, is Sam in there? I want to talk to him, get him to stay." Jules said after she recovered from Wordy almost knocking her over.

"He's gone Jules. He left and we didn't even know it. That man must be a ninja because he had to of walked past me and Spike to leave. But we need to find him before he does anything rash." Wordy rambled. Jules eyes widened when Wordy said that Sam had left.

Without thinking Jules ran to her jeep. She heard Ed telling Greg and Leah what happened as she ran past. She climbed in her Jeep and pulled out, knowing the others wouldn't be far behind her. She drove a fast as she could to Sam's apartment, hoping that he was still there when she got there.

Jules jumped out of her jeep as soon as she had it parked. She distantly heard two other cars pull up as she rushed in the building. She took the stairs two at a time and soon reached the right floor. She grabbed the key he had given her awhile back in case of emergencies and Jules was positive that this was an emergency.

She searched the apartment and Sam was nowhere to be found. She stood in front of the closet knowing that if she looked and what she was looking for wasn't there then Sam was gone. She heard the front door open and knew it was the rest of the team. She took a deep breath and opened the door. A sob escaped he lips when she saw the two bags were gone. She sunk to the floor and distantly heard someone asking what was wrong.

"He's gone, really gone." She looked up into Greg's eyes and whispered, "He went back."

Everyone heard Jules whispered declaration and they knew immediately what she meant. Sam had left to return to the Army.

Spike closed his eyes and sat on the bed. He slumped forward and placed his head in his hands. "God Sam, what are you thinking? You are going to get yourself killed out there. I can't lose another friend Sam, I can't." Spike whispered.

Leah placed a comforting hand on Spike's shoulder and looked around the room. The team all looked devastated. She hadn't known Sam for very long but she knew he was a good man and he was like family to the rest of them. Leah knew that with Sam gone she would have to hold this team together if anything happened. She had to keep them together, only if because one day Sam might return and complete the family again.

x.X. Flashpoint .X.x

Sam straightened his clothes as he entered his father's study. The General looked up as he entered and looked pleased. "I'm glad to see you have come to your senses." He said rising from his chair.

"Yes Sir. If I may make a request Sir?" Sam paused and waited for his father to nod. "I would like to be placed in a different unit, one where I can't be found. I don't want the SRU team knowing where I am. It could interfere with my state of mind Sir."

General Braddock smiled, "Don't worry. I have an opening on a team for a sniper and you may just be the man for the job. If you are with them, you won't have to worry about your old team finding you. If you join them, you will no longer exist."