Duncan had reviewed the previous 12 hours of security video footage in fast forward. Nothing. His monitors were well concealed but intended to watch for a particular threat - well two threats. One was to watch for gangs. The other was to watch for Eldorado. His old school considered him a traitor. And after the buzz going around about him being back for another year, he half expected drive bys. He had increased their scope to include the front is Isla’s home - just in case the idiots decided to TP the wrong house - or heaven forbid a gang go in shooting up the wrong place. He really wasn’t expecting a gang. It had been a year. But then his brother’s old gang was still functional and might hold a grudge. ++++++ It was Masumi who answered the door. Again, Duncan was right behind her. Masumi’s eyes twinkled a little, Duncan had been up early, taken care of the garden, worked on some sort of homework. Then he had been pacing all over the house carrying a tablet, occasionally beating himself on the head with it. Every now and then he would write in the air or make strange gestures. She knew better than to ask. He was just Duncan being Duncan. Masumi stepped aside the Duncan, glanced at his clothing and sighed almost unnoticeably. He was wearing a black T shirt and blue jeans - the same thing he wore the previous day. Only she reached out to tug on a sticker on his shirt which had the size and brand name information on it. Then she spoke gently. “Pants, rear left pocket.” Duncan reached back with his gloved hand to his pocket and flushed a little. There was a faint snapping noise and his hand came around with another tag. He gave an embarrassed smile. “I sort of forgot. Thanks Masumi.” Then he turned his attention to Isla. “Well, I have a few errands to run. But my homework is driving me nuts. I can use the break. I have no idea what sort of things you’d like to see. I do need to run by the Base and the Medical Center. I’m not sure if I can bring a guest on Base, but I’ll get something worked out if not. It isn’t for work. The Medical Center thing … Uhm, I said my Mom works with some kids. But you should know it is a terminal illness ward - Cancer. I’m meeting a patient who was in the hospital last year. She had leukemia and was going in for chemo. She just back for a check up. But she has been emailing and emailing hoping I’d visit.” Duncan was smiling. The smile was growing as he spoke. “The guys at the Base will probably come with me.” ++++++++++ Duncan’s car had all sorts of bells and whistles that most cars lacked. Probably the most impressive feature was the Heads Up Display on the windshield. But he shut most of it off from the start. The feature he left on was traffic info alerts. One of the features he shut off was some sort of advanced physics formulae. It didn’t take him long to get to the guard shack at the base. The guard knew him on site. But Duncan stopped and had to ask questions. “Sergeant, I’m not sure if I’m allowed to bring a civilian on base. I’m emancipated and work at Sandia Labs. And come to think of it, I never asked if she had her ID with her. Really though, I am just meeting up with Gunnery Sergeant Reese and he and some Marines are following me over to the UNM Medical Center. If it is NOT okay or even questionable, I can just park there in a visitor spot and have them come here. I have his contact info.” The guard nodded. “That’s probably best. I don’t think you can - not this gate. West Gate maybe. Go ahead.” Duncan nodded and pulled over. “Sorry Isla, forgot about the security stuff. First time I ever brought anyone over.” A few minutes later his cell rang and he answer. “Yes sir, Duncan here. Did they well you where we are? Good…” Several more minutes went by and Duncan got out to greet a tall Marine, and a few others. Duncan greeted the tall one as Reese. http://images.mstarsnews.musictimes.com/data/thumbs/full/110200/600/0/0/0/person-of-interest.jpg A shorter marine named Castiel, nudged Duncan and jerked his head ever so slightly at Isla. Duncan blushed and shook his head ever so slightly. It was so easy to read the unspoken conversation. The older man was teasing Duncan and basically asking why the hell not. “Now now, Casteel, let’s leave Mr Moran some dignity and let him work at his own pace,” Reese said in a low voice. “Compared to everything else he does this is a snail’s pace.” “Can’t rush research. Isn’t that right Duncan?” Reese never smiled. But it was clear he was amused or sympathetic. “Yeah … thanks. I’m supposed to give her a tour of the town.” “So can we hurry this along? That about it?” Reese asked with the same tone. Duncan nodded. “More or less. I am still faster than using a bus.” ++++++++++ Again Duncan rolled out, this time with a military van in convoy. When they got to the hospital the reason for the van made itself very apparent. One of the men hadn’t gotten out back at the base. This time he did - with serious difficulty. He had a new prosthetic leg and was clearly not used to it yet. Duncan glanced at Reese, then at the injured soldier. He clearly hadn’t expected this. One of the other Marines strapped on a military bag with a box in it. Duncan stepped forward and offered a hand for the man to shake. “Thank you for this.” The vet didn’t seem especially thrilled. One of the Marines asked he if wanted to use the ‘chair’ to make most of the journey. The man seemed to be about to say no, but slowly nodded yes. “But I want to walk in there. I guess I have to get used to this sometime.” They followed the man into the hospital. Duncan already had a good idea that Casey would be there as well. But he decided to call his mother. When she answered he asked, “We all good? Did you know Reese was on his way in? … Oh .. okay … there’s what? Oh … great. Wellll … I guess I should have expected that. Tell them to be not so conspicuous - or they could make things worse - and I mean bad worse.” Duncan listened for a moment. “Exactly right. Should I warn him? Might be best. “Guys … News is in there. Seems they wanted to do a follow up story on Casey. She was the first recipient of this program and they got wind I was going to be here.” He looked at the wounded soldier. Sir, they normally record these visits. But it isn’t usually the news. Just record keeping. Are you going to be okay with this?” The soldier looked around. Then he nodded and stood a little straighter in his seat. “I’m a Marine.” Reese had remained back, closer to Isla. He leaned over and spoke in a low conspiratorial tone. “You seem unaware of this program. Duncan started it - a year ago. He could barely walk himself. Bears for Courage. We sponsor Toys for Tots, a Christmas thing. Casey was a 7 year old going in for chemo for leukemia. She was terrified about it. Duncan went and got ahold of an unnamed teddy bear his mother had made and gave it to the girl dressed up like a Marine. He tried to stitch the uniform by hand himself - with his left hand messed up. The recipients get to name the bear. “Anyways, Duncan came to us and asked for help with his idea - by getting wounded vets like that man there to be the donors. The bears are hypoallergenic, each handmade and unique as possible.”