Monica perked up from her position on the couch as she heard the knocks, and ran her fingers through her hair before standing when Gray entered. She supported herself with an arm on the end of the table, "Mon," she tasted the name to herself. It had been awhile since she'd heard that name. To her fellow enlistees she had been called simply "Grey". It was nice to hear her friend call her by his own, special, made-up nickname once again. She had only tolerated Mon from him, to her teachers, parents, and other friends she was always just 'Monica'. 

The woman limped over to Gray, a smile spread across her face, "I know I do. But first, let me just look at you," she grinned, her eyes roaming up and down her friend. She ruffled his hair, "You're such a mess," she teased. He always seemed to be a little disheveled, but it was alright. It was one of the things that drew her to him. She was organized, quiet, and calm. He was wild, funny, and carefree. They had been a perfect pair. She wrapped her arms around him in another hug, this time she was able to use both arms instead of just a hand. The warm, fuzzy feeling was nice, it had been far to long since she'd had a proper hug. 

The woman made her way back over to the couch, "Take a seat. I was just about to get some food going," she pretended to think, "Let's see, I have some gourmet instant macaroni," she snickered, "Or some microwave lasagna. Your choice. You're the guest, after all," she teased. The woman turned and headed toward the kitchen, just so Gray didn't have to see her face as she winced in pain. Occasionally, a piece of shrapnel that was buried too deep in her flesh to remove would irritate her, and combined with the dull, throbbing pain that was always present in her healing muscles and tendons she almost had to sit down. 

"Hand me one of those," she motioned to her crutches, and when he obliged she tucked it under her arm and entered the kitchen. Two or three people was the very max the small island could fit comfortably, so it was a good thing Monica hadn't planned on having much company. 

"I know you're curious," she popped the food in the microwave before leaning back against the counter, "Fire those questions away," she sighed. It was time to come clean. 

"But hey, I also want to know what you've been up to," the woman smiled, "Got yourself a nice pretty wife, maybe some kids?" She half-teased. She expected him to at least have a girlfriend, he wasn't a bad-looking guy and his personality was flawless.