Chapter 8

EIGHT

Liam's eyes darted to the girl in the rearview mirror. They'd been on the road for over an hour now, and Emma hadn't uttered a single word. She hadn't appeared to do anything except pet her lab, who seemed completely content sitting with his human despite the strange men around them. She clutched Ranger like he was her only lifeline, and in a way, he was all that was left of her old life. Ranger was a lifeline.

And you keep staring at her, that's not going to help a damn thing.

Liam physically couldn't seem to help himself. It wasn't that she was beautiful, though she was. It was the fact that she'd stayed alive, in a damn basement, for over two years all on her own. She'd endured mental trauma far worse than many had.

When the shit hit the fan she'd clearly chosen family over a stable young group —something that should have led to her death.

Does she have survival skills we don't know about?

Liam wouldn't know for certain until they'd spent some time together. Which they'd have plenty of because it took at least two weeks to cross the country with how difficult it was to find gas. Even having designated places they could stop along the way, they were far and few between once you weren't at ground zero.

So how has she done it?

Liam let his gaze watch her through the rearview again.

Her brunette hair cascaded down her back and swayed with every bump on the road, her hazel eyes dull as she stared out the window. Her tiny frame was tense, her right hand was clenched, white-knuckled, and her left pet the dog curled in her lap. She didn't look much older than twenty-five, yet her eyes told a different story. The story of a woman who'd been alone for too long.

"Chris," Liam said, his voice dropping into a low growl, "we need to pull over."

Chris glanced at him quickly before putting his eyes back on the road. "Why?"

"I just want to make sure everything is good. It's too quiet in the back and if she's uncomfortable around those goons, I'll offer her my seat—we'll put her hair in a cap, it'll be fine."

"Ten minutes," Chris relented.

The transport came to a halt in a clearing, some small trees obscuring them from prying eyes. Liam hopped out first, and the crisp air hit him like a slap in the face. He breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent of dirt and decaying wood mixed with the faint metallic tang of blood.

Taking just a moment to stretch his cramped legs before walking around back just in time to see Bash shoving open the door.

Liam was impressed Bash held the door, but Alex and William made no move to get up. Instead, they gestured for Emma to go first. She looked around hesitatingly and snapped her fingers, waking the dog who jumped off her lap.

As she made her way to the back, Liam extended his hand in a gesture of invitation. She hesitated briefly, unsure and hesitant, before accepting with a shy smile. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her small, delicate hand in his own. Her shy show of trust filled him with warmth and made his heart stutter just a little in response.

"Emma, stay with Bash, William, and Alex. Liam, I need you to come with me." Chris cut through the haze of attraction Liam couldn't afford to be in and let go of Emma's hand.

Liam strode away without looking back, leaving Emma alone with Bash who was perpetually scanning the horizon for trouble despite knowing they were safe for now in this small patch of wilderness. But even in this decrepit world where death lurked around every corner, strangely enough, Emma's presence made him hopeful once more—like maybe they could find sanctuary after all if they protected her well enough. She sat there dutifully by the brook, listening to its calming song as it danced over rocks and rippled against her skin when she dabbed her fingers into its cool waters.

They only moved about a hundred paces before Chris turned to him with eyes narrowed.

"Why did we really stop? Her being quiet isn't a huge issue." The scar on his cheek pulsed as Chris clenched his jaw.

"How did she survive for over a year alone?"

"I thought we were good with this. We left her alone with Bash. He would've caught wind of anyone moving. No one has followed us. No people on foot either. This isn't a trap."

Liam winced and adjusted his glasses. "No, not that. I mean, how has she survived? A dog and a single shotgun couldn't do it. She's likely been living in that basement only coming outside when she absolutely had to and probably got lucky."

Chris scrubbed a hand over the stubble on his chin and Liam could see the calculations running in his dark brown eyes. Eyes that never missed anything.

"You want to train her on something then? "

Liam nodded. "Not just me, though. I think we should all work with her a bit. Not that I'm saying she'll need any survival skills with us, but anything can happen. She could even decide to run off if she gets uncomfortable."

"You're not wrong," Chris let out a sigh and turned to look at them. "She's young. Same age as William if I had to guess, but that puts her nearly eight years my junior. If someone like me stumbled upon her with the wrong intentions. . . "

"I know." Liam interjected, finding the idea of Emma helpless repulsive. "Basic things. Selecting fruit. Navigating with the basic star points. Some defense moves. I'm not saying we turn her into us, but give her something."

As Chris kept his gaze focused on Emma, Liam couldn't help but wonder if he overstepped. The tension between them was palpable, and Liam could almost feel it crackling in the air like electricity. He shifted uneasily, trying to find a comfortable stance as he waited for one of them to break the uneasy silence. His eyes flicked back and forth between them, taking in every minute detail of their body language, searching for any sign of what was going through their minds.

"Chris?"

His leader looked back to him then, eyes set with determination. "We're going to need to stop here and there, anyway. That'll be when we'll train her—but only if she's open to it."

"We can start now if she agrees. This clearing is shielded by the most trees I think I've seen since hell broke loose."

"Liam, we've gone less than three hours." Chris's voice was a barely constrained growl warning Liam to be very careful.

"Right, and the next base is eight hours away. Give me just a little longer right now."

"Fine." Chris agreed so quickly Liam shook his head in confusion.

"Fine? "

"Fine, go get her consent. If you don't have it, we'll know she's not going to be a problem, and we will continue."

Nodding, Liam jogged back toward the quartet, which resulted in Alex cocking his gun.

"Chill, nothing is coming." to Emma. "Emma, I need you to follow me."

Liam spoke gently, guiding her away from the transport when she walked with the dog at her heels. His hand felt warm and rough against her skin in the cold air, their bodies close together as they walked. He could feel the shudder of her breath against him, smell the subtle floral scent of her shampoo as if she'd just washed before meeting them, mixed with the metal tang of blood from earlier.

The wind rustled through her curls, revealing hints of reddish brown amidst the chestnut waves. The others watched them go, some with curiosity and fascination.

They crossed the open ground, stopping just a few hundred paces from the truck. Emma's footsteps crunched softly on dead leaves while Liam's boots thudded loudly beside hers. It was quiet here, only the sound of their breathing and an occasional rustle from an animal caught in the bushes broke the silence. As they entered this hidden haven, she glanced around warily as if anticipating danger, even though Liam knew they were safe for now. He led her toward a group of tall grass near a babbling brook where they crouched down next to each other under its cover.

"Did I, did I do something to anger you all?" her eyes bounced nervously from Liam to Ranger and back.

"Fuck," Liam ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Not that at all. I wanted to talk to you about something a little delicate. Something I needed Chris to sign off on."

"Okay," she let the word draw out and uncomfortably toed at the grass.

"You've survived for over a year alone. But do you have survival skills? Anything that could protect you if we somehow do get attacked—or separated?" he bit back the assertion that she may bolt.

"I know how to hold my shotgun—but I've never shot it at anyone. I can check the toxicity of the air and I can grow crops. I also figured out how to raise farm animals inside a basement to have milk and eggs. Not all things I learned now, some I grew up with."

"And what about navigating the land? Striking back at an attacker? You hoped Ranger could do those things?"

A slight flush crept over her cheeks, and then her eyes quickly narrowed. "I'm not helpless." She bit back.

"I wasn't trying to imply you were, but I want to make sure you can handle yourself." Even when we get to where we're going, we have no idea what they'll actually do to you. "Basic skills. Small things. It'll help me feel better personally."

The wind whipped her curls around, and as she stared at him, he swore her hazel eyes shifted colors under his gaze. Ranger sat at her feet, his paw brushing Liam's leg.

Emma studied Liam with a cool expression, her jaw set stubbornly. "I can handle myself," she said firmly, her voice laced with determination.

Liam met her gaze with a hard stare, his own resolve unwavering. He knew that she was tough. Anyone who had survived on their own in this new world had to be—but he also knew that there were skills that could make the difference between life and death.

"Okay then," he said finally. "Prove it."

He watched as a flash of surprise crossed her features before she schooled her expression into one of determination once again. Without waiting for any further instruction, she stood up and walked away from where Ranger sat calmly at her feet.

"Stay," she commanded the dog firmly before turning back to face Liam. She took off jogging toward a nearby tree, quickly disappearing behind its trunk.

Liam raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn't expected her to take his challenge so literally. After a few moments, she reappeared from behind the tree, now wielding a large stick.

She moved fluidly, twirling the stick in her hand as if it were an extension of her body. Her feet danced gracefully over the ground as she swung the stick in front of her, repeatedly striking invisible targets.

Liam couldn't help but be impressed by her movements. She was amazing. He couldn't ignore that thought as he watched her.

It was clear that she had some sort of training or experience, but he doubted she'd ever used it or she would've listed it off a moment ago.

After a few more minutes of this display, Emma lowered the stick and turned back to face him with a smirk on her lips. "Satisfied?"

"No, because you could've taught yourself that with no opponent—though I admittedly wasn't going to be the one to teach you anything of that nature."

"Oh," she set the stick down. "So, I haven't come into contact with anyone, but I've played like that since I was a kid, shooing the animals off."

"Emma, I need your answer. Do you want to learn more survival skills, or do you want me to shut up, throw you back in the truck with the boys, and tell Chris to start driving?"

"I want you to show me." She stared directly at him. "I want to survive and I suppose there's no one more qualified to teach me than a survival unit."

Liam's body relaxed with relief. She would learn to take care of herself, but it also meant she might bolt.

Don't think about that now .

He tapped the hidden earpiece. "Chris, give us five more minutes. She's agreed and I want to see something."

Chris nodded but said nothing.

"This is a good place to start. Knowing which fruits can be eaten—especially with the toxin making so many not edible—could be the difference between starving and not."

Liam could see at least two different berry bushes in the clearing and a leafy green that could be eaten if someone could get past the bitter taste.

"Most berries are exactly what they appear to be, but once plucked, you'll want to make certain their shape is as expected for the berry type and that only a sweet smell lingers when they are separated from where they grow."

He paused and made certain he hadn't done anything to confuse her. Her eyes were set on the bush in front of them.

"Hunting wastes ammo, and no offense, someone of your size isn't going up to an animal with a hunting knife. You can survive far better on berries and greens alone than on just meat. Care to try?"

"Ranger, stay." Emma responded in lieu of a response before moving past Liam and walking to the bush just ahead of them.

She wrapped her hand around a small red berry. After twisting it free, she tested its weight in her hand before slicing through the branches with swift precision and dexterity he didn't expect from someone who looked so small. Her movements were graceful, her hair falling softly around her face as she reached for the fruit, plucking them one by one and placing them gently in a pouch at her side.

The sweet scent of berries began to fill the air as she worked, the juices breaking free as they came off the branches.

He saw the determination etched into her features as she focused on the task at hand, ignoring the approaching high-noon sun beating down on them both. She glanced up occasionally without missing a beat in her harvest. Liam couldn't help but admire how adeptly she navigated this new world they lived in—resourcefulness was key to survival after all.

Soon enough, she stood up straight, a pouch full of freshly picked berries slung over her shoulder.

"Good job," he praised quietly, noticing how the sun glinted off strands of curly brown hair that fell past her shoulders. She grinned shyly at him.

"Gathering berries isn't exactly a post destruction skill." She shrugged. "We had bushes all over the farm."

Liam nearly smacked his palm to his face. Of course, this wasn't the skill to start with.

"I suppose you're right," Liam admitted reluctantly, "but it doesn't change the fact that you need to learn more survival skills if you're going to make it with us." His voice was blunt yet gentle as he met her gaze head on. "It's not just about finding food or water. It's about protecting yourself too."

Emma gulped audibly before nodding slowly, acknowledging his point. "Fair."

A rumbling in the distance reached Liam's ears, and his entire body went still.

He froze, eyes scanning the surrounding area as he tried to pinpoint the source of the sound. The ground didn't shake, which meant whatever was causing it was still some distance away, but that didn't mean they were safe. Liam knew better than to underestimate any potential threat in the world they lived in.

Liam's hand darted out and grasped Emma's, startling Ranger, who growled protectively. "We need to go back to the truck. Now." His voice was urgent as he looked into Emma's eyes, trying to convey the seriousness of their situation.

She nodded, and even Ranger gave his hand a gentle lick before the three of them moved back toward the truck.

As they hurried back toward their truck, Liam couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach. He had a bad feeling about this rumbling sound. They had encountered all sorts of dangers on their journey so far—from wild animals to hostile survivors—and he wasn't about to let his guard down now.

As they reached the truck, Liam quickly ushered Emma and Ranger in. "We need to move. Someone's coming." Liam jumped into the back and Bash knew to move to the front, grabbing his weapon off the ground.

"Don't panic," Chris hollered before jumping in the driver's seat.

William and Alex piled in the back and Liam slammed the door, locking it from the inside.

"That's a go!"

The truck fell into an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the rumbling engine and the occasional bump in the road. Emma didn't say anything more, and for that, Liam was grateful. His heart pounded in his chest, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just made things worse. They pulled into a small clearing as the sun began to set, casting an eerie red glow over the barren landscape.

"I see your point," Emma finally spoke. "I need to be trained because I don't even know what set the five of you off." She wrapped her arms around herself. "And that bothers me."

"No one could've been prepared for what happened three years ago. The entire accidental explosion triggered worldwide destruction. Fuck, even some of the military didn't know what the fuck to do." Chris's voice floated from the front, their speed making it a little hard to understand him over the noise of the wind rushing past.

"Chris, can we make camp here?" Liam asked, noticing the small house coming up on the right. "No lights and nothing in the area makes it unlikely someone is in there. "

Chris glanced around, taking in their surroundings before nodding. "It'll do, Bash and I go first."

They rolled silently closer until Chris stopped before the house and killed the engine. As per protocol, Liam sat with the others, waiting for an ambush. When one didn't come, Chris and Bash left the truck, reappearing a few minutes later with the all clear signal.

Emma startled when Chris flung the door open, and Liam barely held back his small laugh.

"Emma, please stay inside. When we're set, Liam will get you."

"Time to learn about the stars," he winked at Emma. "It's too clear a night, something that's not common anymore."

Liam moved with the practiced ease that came from almost two years of creating a camp at an abandoned location.

The night was quiet, save for the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. Liam moved with the practiced ease that came from almost two years of creating a camp at an abandoned location. They had all learned to move quickly and quietly, setting up camp in record time. The truck was parked beside the small house, providing some cover and shelter from the wind.

"Emma," Chris called. "It's safe to come out now."

When a small brunette head of curls popped out the back Chris waved the small pack in his hand. "Mess kit. We don't like ‘em much, but no time to hunt right now. Can you start on making dinner? Ration pack Delta, the one with the green label?"

Emma hopped off the back with Ranger on her heels.

She nodded her thanks and got to work once inside where the small fire would burn for just a little longer, her movements tentative but efficient. Liam couldn't help but admire her as she focused on the task at hand, her hair falling in messy strands around her face as she worked. His stomach twisted in anticipation of what the night would bring .

They huddled around the fire, eating in silence. The flames cast dancing shadows across their faces, making them appear more haggard than usual. Emma picked at her food, eyeing each man warily.

"We won't bite... well, not all of us," Alex quipped, winking at her. He nudged William, who rolled his eyes.

"Ignore him," William said, side-eyeing Alex. "He hasn't seen a pretty girl in way too long."

Liam shot them both a glare, silently reminding them of their deal. They knew better than to mess around with their newest teammate. Not when they needed her alive and cooperative.

After the meal, they cleaned up their mess, and Liam approached Emma. "Ready for that lesson?"

She looked up at him, her hazel eyes filled with trepidation and Ranger didn't even budget, clearly content with Liam now. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Liam led her away from the house, but not far enough that the others couldn't lend a hand if anything went south. The burn of the other's stare as they watched could have melted his shirt, but Liam ignored it. Liam knew they were all thinking about what would happen tonight, and he couldn't blame them. Emma was the first female they'd come across in months, of they would all hope for more.

Moonlight filtered through the dust-strewn air, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. He turned to face her, his heart pounding in his chest. For the moment, she depended entirely on him for survival, and he wasn't certain he liked the way that felt.

"Emma," Liam began, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he were afraid of disturbing the silence of the night.

It was the same silence that threatened to choke them all with fear and uncertainty—silence Emma had lived with for so long .

She nodded, her eyes never leaving his face—full of trust and determination. The corner of his mouth turned up slightly at the sight; she was a fighter, this one. He took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand.

"First things first," he said, trying to keep his tone light and casual. "We need to find our way around when it's dark without a flashlight or fire that could draw unwanted attention." He pointed up at the sky where millions of twinkling lights blanketed it like diamonds on velvet. "Those are our guides." His fingers traced shapes in the air, mimicking constellations they would use to navigate their way out of a hypothetical situation.

"The Big Dipper here . . ." He extended an arm, indicating a group of stars shaped like a ladle. "And Orion's Belt over here . . ." He moved to another section of the sky, showing her how they could find north by using the stars' positioning by using the other constellations.

She didn't speak, but he somehow knew her eyes moved with his fingers through the sky. It was strange how even in this new world where everything felt so different, there was still something strangely familiar about sharing knowledge like this with someone else—like reconnecting to their lost pasts.

"Those constellations may move as the seasons shift, but they stay together. They weave a glorious pattern through the night sky, but Orion will always be beside his companions." The way my unit is always together. "They will guide you. That," he pointed up and to the left, "is the North Star."

"The brightest star in the sky," Emma added with a small smile. "I remember some things from school."

He smirked. Of course, everyone knew that fact.

"Then you know that way," he gestured to a slightly duller and smaller dot, "is Venus. You must always know the direction you wish to go. We're going east, which means the North Star needs to be here." Liam shifted his position to face east from the North Star.

"This is a lot more complicated than a quick lesson."

"And if you're lost, this is the best chance for surviving and finding where you once were or continuing the journey to where you want to be."

As their eyes met, she seemed to be searching for words, her parted lips conveying a sense of urgency. The silence between them was charged with tension, and Liam couldn't help but fixate on her full lips. Each breath she exhaled lingered in the air, adding to the mystifying atmosphere that enveloped them both.

Get a fucking grip, he hissed at himself, forcing away any ideas that Emma could be more for him and his unit than a way to a better life.

"Here let me show you another way."

Liam began with the basics, drawing a map of the stars on the ground with his finger, ignoring the way the dirt didn't give as much as he wanted.

Some dirt crumbled under his touch as he traced out the Big Dipper and the North Star, the most important constellations for navigation in their world.

Emma knelt beside him, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder and she seemed to note every point he explained and practiced finding them in the sky.

"Is this making any sense?" Liam knew navigation like the back of his palm, but even his unit knew the basics.

She nodded slowly as he showed her how to use landmarks to orient herself when she couldn't see the stars clearly.

"Like this one," Liam pointed to a crooked tree branch near them, "that marks due east, and that rock formation over there is north."

As they practiced together under the starry sky, their breaths came out in frosty puffs. The cold night air nipped at their cheeks and noses. Liam's skin tingled from both exposure and anticipation; he felt electric with it. He couldn't wait for her to fully trust him so they could escape with their crew and head to the next village together.

Liam could feel her attention wandering back to him, away from the sky or the ground, as he caught her looking at him from time to time and had to force himself not to return the gaze lest he lose focus on what mattered: keeping her alive.

"Do you trust me enough to walk a little farther out?"

"I don't think I have a choice."

"With us, you will always have a choice. Have a voice."

"Then I trust you."

"Time to test it out." He stood and offered her his hand.

Unlike yesterday, she ignored it and stood, the fire he'd come to realize must be part of her personality shining through just slightly. He moved cautiously away from the house, keeping it close, but farther now, making her landmarks different.

"Now, we don't have a blindfold," Liam said as he stopped their walk. "But I want you to close your eyes. I'll spin you and then you'll help me navigate due east with the stars."

She did so without any questioning glances around her and Liam's stomach rolled with discomfort. After less than a day it seemed Emma came to trust them. That could be deadly if they weren't who they were.

Gently, he set his hands on her shoulders and began twisting her counter clockwise, ensuring she would not trip over her feet. He wasn't counting, but figured eight or so spins would be enough and stopped, helping to hold her upright.

"Okay, then, navigate us due east." He knew that if she looked ahead or squinted, she would make out the dark shapes of the house and truck. For her sake, he hoped she wouldn't .

Emma took a deep breath and focused on the stars above her. She remembered what Liam had taught her about finding landmarks and used that to orient herself. He hadn't moved them so far away that she was lost, but in a new setting, she wasn't sure how good at this she'd be. Stars weren't her thing.

"It's. . . that way," she pointed confidently toward the stars on their left.

"Correct." Liam smiled at her and Emma couldn't help but feel a sense of pride wash over her. "Now, let's try walking in that direction."

With Liam's guidance, they started moving toward the east. Emma could feel his hand on her back, lightly guiding her as they walked over uneven ground. She trusted him completely, knowing that he wouldn't let anything happen to her.

As they walked, Emma couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. The night was quiet except for their footsteps and the occasional hoot of an owl in the distance. It was a far cry from the chaos and danger she had left behind.

"I wonder what it must have been like to live out here in the quiet without the danger," Emma said softly.

Liam chuckled beside her. "It has its perks."

"Oh?"

Liam nodded and the small smile he continuously gave her seemed to make Emma question her choices in being alone with a handsome, caring man. A man she likely would've fallen for before the world went to hell.

"Before all this started, I was like you. I farmed. My family was pretty good at it, but we used mostly machines and no animals. It was quiet when the machines weren't going."

The house was close enough now that the blurry outline she thought she saw a few hundred feet back was the house.

"And how did you join this band of merry men?"

"I was already in the Army when the detonations caused chaos. Not with Chris and Bash, but part of another unit. We spent weeks trying to track down who may have detonated all the bombs that never should have existed in the first place. When we failed, we were split out into units in need of navigation specialists."

Emma looked away, suddenly uncomfortable as the topic would turn to her next.

"How did you make the choice to stay with your father? You're barely younger than me, and I know most of my friends thought a giant orgy was the answer to wait out the toxin dissipating."

Emma didn't look up as she spoke, keeping her gaze on her dirt-crusted sneakers. "I didn't think it was something to party about. When the danger wasn't going anywhere, I couldn't leave my father, and I didn't want his last images of me to be as some tramp." Tears blurred her vision as she thought of her dad. "We were so close to the first blast it seemed to go right over us, leaving us in some sort of blessed bubble." She wiped at her tears. "A bubble that burst when the toxin invaded the atmosphere again, wiping out women within hours."

"Except for the immune."

Emma nodded. "Except us lucky immune who may or may not be able to carry kids." She heard the bitterness in her tone but she wouldn't apologize for it. It had been months since she'd really spoken to anyone and she'd never been good at small talk.

"I think you're something pretty damn special, surviving on your own like that. Keeping animals safe too."

Liam's compliments seemed to wrap around her like a warm blanket, and when she looked up, his smile made her stomach flip. His blue eyes looked so innocent behind the black plastic frames that she couldn't help but feel some of her anger chased away.

Against the backdrop of the night sky, the stars twinkled brightly above them, their luminescence casting a warm glow upon the otherwise empty land.

As Emma stood there, taking in the beauty that she had never seen in years, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for something so simple yet unknown. She hadn't realized how much she had missed this. The feeling of the cool breeze brushing against her skin, the sweet scent of wildflowers carried by the wind, and the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. The dying grass beneath her feet was crunchy yet comforting.

Liam shifted his weight, looking at her with curiosity in his eyes as he spoke softly. "You've never seen stars before?" he asked incredulously.

"Not like these," she replied, her voice low and hushed, gazing up at him with wonder radiating from within. The moon cast its silvery light on his face, highlighting every sharp angle and plane of his strong features. Emma could feel his closeness, his heat seeping through her clothes—it sent shivers down her spine. His arm brushed against hers and she bit her lip nervously.

"Hey, it's time to call it a night!" Chris's voice wasn't quite loud enough to echo, but it was loud enough that Emma jumped.

As it had the afternoon he responded to her call, it reminded Emma of the action heroes when they told everyone everything would be okay.

But, she didn't want to go inside. For the first time in three years, Emma wanted to be out. She wanted the crisp air on her skin and to stare up at the balls of fire in the sky that made up the stars.

"May I stay a little longer? I haven't seen the stars since the night before the explosion."

Chris's face twisted with uncertainty, but Liam stepped in swiftly, as he always seemed to do.

"I'll stay out here with her. I might not be Bash, but we'll be in soon enough. It's not like one of us won't be standing watch anyway. I'll take the first one."

Chris nodded, seemingly as won over by Liam as Emma found herself.

"Do you think we could do this?" Emma laid on the ground and asked as Chris began to walk away. The ground was lumpy and uncomfortable, but the view was stunning when she looked up and the twinkling stars.

Liam's laughter was like music and the air shifted over her as he laid on the ground by her side as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Do what? Spend the night stargazing?"

Emma nodded, smiling back at him. "Yeah, just like this. It's so peaceful and normal," she replied, taking in a deep breath of the air and regretting it immediately as the rot seemed to permeate her nose.

Liam's smile faltered slightly as he looked up at the stars. "I don't think I've done this since before I joined the Army," he said softly.

Emma's heart clenched at his words. She knew how much he had sacrificed for their country and couldn't imagine what he must have gone through during his time in the military. She reached out and took his hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Liam turned to look at her, his fingers intertwining with hers. They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other's company and basking in the beauty of the starry night sky.

"Thank you," Liam said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Emma looked at him curiously. "For what?" she asked.

"For agreeing to let me train you so I know you'd be safe if something goes wrong. And for bringing me out here tonight," Liam replied with a small smile. "For reminding me of how beautiful life can be. "

Emma's heart felt as if it swelled as she gazed into Liam's earnest eyes. She had never felt such a strong connection with someone before, and it both scared and excited her.

As they lay there under the stars, Emma couldn't help but wonder if this was just a fleeting moment or if there was something more between them. But for now, she was content and risked kissing his cheek before standing to go inside.