You and John had known each other since you were 17. Met in basic, top two in your unit; you basically grew up together from there. He never loved anybody like that.

When you were lieutenants, you'd gotten injured bad. You were hospitalized and honorably discharged. Around the same time he'd been promoted to Captain, and although he tried to visit, and his work life had only gotten busier...

That was two years ago now. In an attempt to please his aging parents and kill his loneliness, he married. A fine enough, sweet woman who loved him to death for a reason he could not fathom.

Recently after hearing you were well, catching up on the phone, he wanted you to come over and see the house. Meet his wife.

But when you got there, while nice, she seemed quite nervous- almost uncomfortable at your scarred hand when it shook hers. She kept asking about your recovery and looking slightly odd over dinner, like she wasn't sure what else to talk about.

Price had been shooting her looks across the table the whole meal, interjecting twice already when she asked questions too personal. He had a tendency to be too defensive over you- maybe his own guilt for not being around enough when you were injured, or maybe his years of being smitten over you...

When you'd given your awkward answer to another uncomfortable question, she'd looked over at John as if she was shooting him a look of her discomfort. But he'd only returned it with a sudden, sharp huff of irritation.

"It's not his bloody job to charm you, Melanie," he snapped suddenly at her. "He's the best soldier I've ever worked with. Will you show some respect?"