FIC: With Full Honors (3/3)

[bugsfic]

These occasions had become rote for her, and she didn’t like that. Sometimes she even had to write the names down on a card to make sure that she didn't make a mistake. The last service a few days ago had been a hurried affair, with no bodies recovered, no family to take the folded flag--it had felt empty, as empty as the caskets.

“Ready, Tory

Comments

[kastari]

Now she knew what every move signified, her salute was crisp, she knew when the white gloves stayed on and when they came off. She supposed these were her people now; she’d joined the tribe.

Love the above section.

I really liked Kat. The following was heartbreaking:

She echoed, “So say we all,” as she came around the lectern and snapped her salute at Kat’s casket. The honor guard stepped up and began to fold the flag. Laura looked around the room. No one stepped forward, so she did. She held out her hands.

“Please. I’d be honored; today I am her family.” The sergeant of the guard gave her the folded flag and saluted.

This is excellent:

“You wanna do that talking now?” he asked, his thumb rubbing at her pulse point.

“We are talking.”

“Not what you wanted to talk about.”

“I thought you were the one who wanted to talk about it,” she said.

“I don’t have to talk,” he mumbled, “but I thought you might want to.”

Laura was the one to shrug this time, with one shoulder, as though shedding a heavy garment.

He smoothed his hand down her palm and off her fingertips as he released it. Quietly, he said, “Then we won’t. Maybe we should just let things rest for a bit. Let’s not say anything that will become definite.”

Sometimes Bill really is an idiot. But I love him, anyway. And so does Laura.

Great job, as usual.

: )

[bugsfic]

I've always appreciated how the show tried to show the military culture accurately, and a way to show its effect on Laura presented itself. I just love that scene in Flight of the Phoenix where they've named the fighter jet for her and wanted to do something similar.

Sometimes Bill really is an idiot.

I'm thinking a big galoot here. And it works. There's a sly dog under there somewhere too. ;)