Chapter 27
LOGAN
"I have to admit Goodman, the last time you were in my office for counseling, I was hoping this day would come.
" Major Kirk sat back in his chair, smiling faintly.
"Although I didn't expect you to want to be back in here so quickly.
I mean, most enlisted folks would prefer to never grace my office. Even Top, probably."
First Sergeant Austin chuckled, shrugging. "It's a culture thing, sir."
"Rightly so," Major Kirk replied. "Although I bet all of you are happy to be missing at least a bit of Motorpool Monday?"
"It could be worse, sir," Logan admitted. "So... I guess this is about my getting engaged?"
"It is," Major Kirk said, "which is why I pulled so many people from your chain in here."
It was true. His whole chain of command was one again together, not in the conference room but just Major Kirk's office. It made the office rather packed, and as Logan stood at ease on the other side of his desk, he was aware that he was definitely making waves.
This time hopefully in a good way.
"Thank you for taking the time, sir," he said, and Kirk nodded.
"Sort of have to. Goodman, as of Friday we now have a situation that needs to be addressed.
The rules on fraternization are clear. As long as you were simply dating Sabby Adams, Sergeant Adams could remain as your fire team leader.
But now... well, it was murky before, but it's pretty clear now. You're in a fraternization situation."
"Sir, can I say something?" Logan asked, and Kirk nodded.
"I know that the rules are the rules, but if I can just say, not because she's going to be my sister-in-law but because she's just a damn good leader and NCO.
No offense to any NCO in this company, I'm sure they're all good and have something to teach me.
But if I could, I'd still want to stick with Sergeant Adams."
"Dammit Hollywood, don't make me get emotional," Jess whispered, and Logan saw Top's lips twitch in the ghost of a smile.
"Well then, for formality's sake then I'll ask you," Major Kirk said. "Are you willing to break off your relationship with Sabby Adams, Goodman? If so, you can stay in Sergeant Adams's fire team."
Not if I want to survive to the end of business today, Logan thought in amusement, but he could see the smirk on Kirk's face. In fact, everyone was trying to repress their smile at the utter lunacy of Major Kirk's question. Everyone knew Logan's thoughts, and his answer.
"No way in hell, sir. Sabby's the woman for me, and after we get this all squared away and the wedding taken care of, my wife for life. Number one on my priority list."
"I like that, I'm going to steal that phrase," Kirk said.
"Wife for life... it's a good one. Maybe someday I'll get to use it.
Goodman, I'm impressed by your feelings and your honesty.
I've had too many soldiers under my command who get confused on things.
They think the bonds we forge here in green, the friendships and the memories, will sustain us the rest of our lives.
Speaking as someone from a military family, that's bullshit.
Goodman, as you move forward with this, I want you to keep your priorities straight.
Your family should always come first. Yes, there's going to be days that you'll work late, or you'll be tired from duty, but you're doing that so you can take care of your family.
Sabby, and if you choose to, your future children should always be first in your heart and in your mind. "
"Agreed, sir."
"Then comes your personal honor, and your bonds with the people around you," Kirk finished up. "Logan, I know you've only had one mission, and it was... how would you classify it, Lieutenant Parker?"
"Boring, sir."
"Probably missing a few colorful metaphors, but yes, boring," Kirk agreed. "Not every mission's going to be that way. So when you fight, you fight to come home, and to bring your comrades home. After that? Worry about what the Army thinks. Dealing with the Pentagon's my job."
Logan nodded. "Understood sir."
"Good. So this is a formal counseling stating that you are aware of things, and notification that you'll be transferring out of Sergeant Adams's fire team, and out of Sergeant Nichols's squad as well," Major Kirk said. Logan's face must have betrayed a question, and he paused. "Spit it out."
"Uh, well sir, where will I be going?" Logan asked. "Do you know?"
"Actually, I had a chat with Colonel Remsburg, and I'm keeping you here in Charlie Company," Kirk said.
"Our mission profile and the decentralized nature of what we do means that I don't have to send you to Alpha or Bravo companies, thankfully.
No offense to them, but I'm not going to just give away all of Sergeant Adams's hard work because you want to get married. "
"Cool, sir."
"Also, with marriage comes costs," Kirk said.
"I doubt Sabby's going to want the traditional white dress and chapel setup, but regardless marriages cost money.
While you get things squared away on the wedding, I'm also going to have your chain of command walk you through the process of getting housing or a housing allowance.
It's not great, but better than nothing. Also, what's your status on promotion?"
"I haven't really looked, sir," Logan admitted. "I've been keeping my head down, just learning my job."
"I have that answer, sir," Sergeant Adams said. "Provided Hollywood here keeps his nose clean and doesn't get any UCMJ hits, he can get a waiver to Specialist in three months. That college degree helps, and you can sign off on the waiver yourself."
"Then keep your act clean, Goodman. Speaking of your degree, I know you're probably way too early and busy to think about getting your master's," Major Kirk said, getting a small chuckle, "but what about taking on the schooling you'd need to become a Corporal instead of a Specialist?
No more pay, but you'd be eligible for becoming a fire team leader faster, and Sergeant's just a time in grade thing at that point.
Anyone who can plan an ambush of an entire platoon and then take down a captain at nine ball is wasting his talents just toting a rifle in my eyes. "
Logan shook his head. "No offense sir, but I want to stay in the unit. I don't want to transfer out like Bron Davis had to. If the choice is between staying in the unit and becoming a NCO, I'd rather stay in the unit as long as the Army will let me."
Top laughed. "Jesus Hollywood, you are a piece of work. Can I, sir?"
"Go ahead, Top," Major Kirk replied in an amused tone, and the first sergeant continued.
"Son, Davis was sent to BLC because his time was coming due," Top said.
"No matter what, his cycle through the 3/3 was done.
Not all BLC situations are like his. We can send you to BLC the next time we're in a red cycle, and while the rest of the squad gets to wash trucks and paint rocks, you'll get to go to school. "
"If that's the case First Sergeant, then yeah, I'm game," Logan said. "I mean... I've got some good role models to look up to... and maybe catch up to."
“I do believe he means you, Sergeant Adams,” Major Kirk said with a laugh. “And I like a good challenge. So… let’s keep you in third platoon then, Goodman. A little friendly rivalry to see just how far you two can push each other.”
“If he thinks he’s catching me in the gym, he’s got a lot of reps to do still,” Sergeant Adams said, earning laughs and ending the meeting.
Outside, the rest of the chain headed down to the motor pool while Adams pulled Logan aside to sit at the picnic tables for a few minutes.
“Relax, Nichols knows I’m doing this.”
“Not that you’d let that stop you,” Logan said. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted to thank you,” Adams said. “You didn’t just say that because you’re totally in love with my sister, did you?”
“Not a single fucking word about you and your leadership has ever had anything to do with my feelings about Sabby,” Logan said earnestly. “Seriously. I’d be on your team any time you needed me. In uniform or out.”
“Thanks… sometimes Jess Adams needs to hear that,” Adams admitted quietly. “So, once you’re officially someone else’s problem, you want to hang out at the house sometime?”
“Sure. You wanna teach me how to get jacked like you?” Logan returned. “Sabby likes me fit.”
“I’d like that,” Adams said. “Truth is, I’m sure Sabby’s told you a little bit about our family.”
“Just that your parents were fucking wrong to treat you and Sabby the way they did,” Logan said.
When Adams gave him a surprised look, he chuckled.
“I told Sabby that already. And I won’t bullshit you when I’m going to be joining the family.”
“Yeah well, about that,” Adams said, “I don’t know what the future holds for my parents, my sister, and I. I do know I’m glad to have you join us. It’s been a two woman party for too long now, and having a third person… feels like a real family again.”
“More than that,” Logan reminded her. “I’ve got my family in Fort Myers too.
So why not have a family meet-up? Thanksgiving’s coming up, right?
So you, me, and Sabby go down, meet my parents.
They do the whole classic Thanksgiving thing.
Turkey, stuffing, candied yams, all that sort of stuff.
Enough food to put even you in a food coma.
They’re not rich, but what they don’t have in a big bank account…
there’s going to be a lot of love there. ”
“Even for a muscle mommy butch-ish lesbian?” Adams asked softly.
Logan could see the vulnerability here. He wanted to put an arm around her, to tell her that she was now his sister too and he could love her like a taller brother, but he resisted the urge. She wouldn’t like that in uniform.
“Even for a muscle mommy and her two toned goth rock little sister,” Logan assured her. “Besides, the drive from here to there goes right through Columbia, South Carolina. And I just happen to know that one of your bucket list gyms is in Columbia. Spud?”
Adams gawked at him. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Logan nodded, grinning. “I was thinking we sign out on leave a day or two early. I’d make a pit stop for you if you wanted. Might have to coordinate it though, being Thanksgiving and all.”
“Smart man,” Adams said. “Okay. Let’s get your ass transferred, and when we’re off duty, I’m just Jess, okay? We can be family.”
“Okay,” Logan said. “Still going to respect you though. You’re my older sister now.”
“You better,” Jess growled playfully, adjusting her patrol cap. “Or else.”
“You’re wrong about one thing,” Logan said, and Jess paused. “On duty, we’re still family. Just a different kind.”
Jess offered him a fist, and they bumped knuckles. Even though she had relatively small hands compared to his, her knuckles were tough and hard, a clear reminder that she was a warrior and a woman all in one.
“So if I come over tonight, we can have a nice family dinner of… what do you eat for dinner?” Logan asked. “And what time?”
“Seven, and we tend to eat healthy.” Jess started walking down the sidewalk towards the motor pool. “But not always. Why?”
“Just curious,” Logan said. “Uh, what happens if Sabby and I want to… celebrate? You know what I mean?”
Jess sighed, then laughed. “Can’t keep kicking you two out to a motel, can I?”
“Nope.”
“Fuck it, I’ll go for a walk then, maybe go meditate or something,” Jess replied. “Just make sure of one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“You make sure my sister’s happy?”
Logan grinned. “I always do. Want details?”
“Hell no.”
* * *