Riley spits out some sand that got into his mouth as he looked down his scope. They were doing some recon on a target they were contracted to kill but Riley would rather be anywhere else. The sun was beating on Riley's back and because of the amount of camo he has on, Riley is sweating. He takes his finger off the trigger and uses his finger to wipe the sweat that threatens to fall into his eyes from his brow. "Are you almost finished? I'm hungry." Sam complained from beside Riley, because of their relationship Palmer was hesitant to pair them together on missions but Riley and Sam assured him that they can keep their emotions out of it when one of them got hurt.

"One last picture then we can go." Riley huffed out before Sam could respond Riley clicked the camera that was trained on the building. "Now, let's go. I think it's mail day as well." Riley commented as he lifted his gun and strapped it to his back, Sam smirked and pulled Riley in a quick kiss before lifting his gun just in case they ran into trouble on the way back to camp. "We're on our way back, we got the pictures," Riley speaks into his radio so Palmer wouldn't be surprised and try to shoot the two of them.

Luckily Sam didn't have to use it because they got back to camp unharmed, they waved to the soldiers that they passed as they walked towards where Lina and Palmer were sitting by a fire, the two of them had an MRE in their hands and they were eating out of it with a reusable fork. Riley sits down on the rock adjusting the gun that was still strapped to his before looking at Palmer. "You saved two for us?" Riley asks motioning to him and Sam. Palmer nods and reaches behind him to two MREs that Palmer had made when Riley radioed that they were on their way back. "Herr you go, beef stew is on the menu tonight for us four." Riley huffed before stabbing his fork into the bag and bringing a bite up to his mouth.

"It's mail day right?" Sam from Riley's left asks him after swallowing his bite. "Yea, I left yours and Riley's in your bunks," Lina says, they had shared a tent even before they got together so they knew that it wasn't a big deal if they kept sharing one as long as they were careful. "You want to go read them after we eat?" Sam looks at Riley, Riley nods. Sometimes before they burned the letters they would swap letters and let each other read them so they know what is going on in each other's families. "Sounds good." Riley takes a sip of his beer that was placed in the sand.

Riley half-listened to Lina talk about what she did while she was home when Sam piped up when he was asked by Palmer what he did. "I took Riley to meet my family." Palmer and Lina look between Sam and Riley in shock, Lina scoots forward and has a smirk on her face. "And, how did that go?" Riley shakes his head but has a small smile on his face. "It went well, I think at least. But dumbasser here said I couldn't go dancing because I can't dance." Riley stuck his tongue out at Sam who shoved him lightly. "You can't dance, you're a dumbass with two left feet." Sam snipped right back to Riley who had a fond look on his face. Riley looked up from where he was finishing his MRE to see Palmer staring at him with a smug look on his face. "What are you looking at?" Riley asks placing his now finished MRE on the table that was near them. "Nothing." Palmer shakes his head and looks back down to his food and finishes eating as well.

Riley shrugs and looks at Sam who hands him his MRE to put on the table so someone can throw it away safely. "Let's go see our mail." Riley helps Sam stand even though he doesn't need it, it's just an excuse for Riley to hold Sam's hand even if it is just for a second but no one but Palmer and Lina need to know that. Sam ever the gentlemen sped up so he can open the tent flap for Riley which made him roll his eyes fondly. "Thanks, such a gentlemen." Riley teased picking up his letter which was of course from his family, he reached up under his shirt and ran his thumb across his cross necklace before ripping open the letter.

Riley laughed and giggled as he read the three-page letter that his family sent, Maricela, Alejandro and Robin each got one page to fill out containing whatever they wanted that way Riley wasn't clogged with mail. Riley folded his notes and looked up with a smile on his face. "What did yours-" Riley cut himself off when he saw Sam with a single tear run down his face and hit the letter. "Oh my god, Sam." Riley placed his letters on his bed and walked over to Sma and sat beside him, he didn't care who walked in, he pulled Sam into his arms who fell aimlessly into his arms. "Can I see the letter?" Riley asked softly after trying to pull the letter away but Sam had a tight grip on it. "TT's dead," Sam spoke with no emotion in his voice, Riley sucked in a sharp breath and kissed Sam on the head. "God, Sam I'm so sorry. Do you want me to tell Palmer you need to go back for the funeral?" Sam gulped and pulled away from Riley, he shook his head and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"It's no use, they already had the funeral. Mom didn't want to tell me but Dad and Sarah thought that I should but only after the funeral so I couldn't come. I'm gonna go do the night watch." Riley opened his mouth to say something but Sam left the tent before he could, Riley pressed his lips together and grabbed the letter. As his eyes skimmed it Riley got sadder and sadder for Sam, he wants to be mad at Paul, Darlene, and Sarah but Riley understands where they're coming from. The end line said that they thought it would be better to wait until after the funeral because they didn't even know if Sam could come which was true as much as Riley hated to admit that. People had a hard time exiting deployment when a parent passed, it would be almost impossible for the government to grant Sam one for his aunt.

Riley sighs and runs his hand through his hair before tossing the letter back onto Sam's bed, the bed squeaks as Riley stands up. He parts the tent and walks out, it was quiet which meant everyone was in bed for however long they could sleep. So Riley was safe to sit next to Sam who was holding a gun, Riley kissed Sam on the cheek before putting his hand on his leg, just for comfort to let Sam know Riley was there for him without saying it.