Miley's days were filled with reading, attending online lectures on veterinary medicine and getting to know the ladies of the SEAL teams. What started out as awkward became comfortable. Sometimes, a few of them would have work or school, but it seemed at least two of them were available daily to spend time with her. It helped fill the time and keep her worries safely tucked in the back of her mind. She did, however, remain vigilant and watchful for Loran or anyone who looked out of place.

They slipped into an easy routine over the next week. Each morning Miley awoke feeling the effects of Cowboy's lovemaking in the soreness of her body and the bed beside her already cold and empty. She knew he wanted to be there with her but his duty called. She was content to have him at night. It was enough.

Friday morning, she rose early and fixed a quick breakfast. Then she showered and got dressed for the day. There was a pet adoption event down at the dog park that she discovered earlier in the week and happily volunteered to help. Luckily, Annabeth didn't have any appointments this morning and both Olivia and Jessyka had the day off from their jobs. Miley felt only mildly remorseful at roping her new friends into helping as well. It gave her something to do, and she would be able to use her skills.

The morning went by quickly. Miley and Annabeth worked in the veterinarian tent giving shots and checking the animals over for their new forever homes while the others helped with the choosing pen outside. It was tedious work but rewarding. To see the cats and dogs loved by their new owners mended something in her soul. Between this and Alcide, she felt her faith in humanity restored.

Olivia stuck her head in the tent. "I'm going to get a soda. You ladies want anything?"

"Water," Annabeth called out as she held a wiggling mixed-breed puppy for Miley.

"Something with caffeine," Miley said as she carefully injected the animal with the vaccine.

"You got it," Olivia said as she withdrew.

"Up late?" Annabeth smirked.

"You can say that," Miley grinned.

"Yeah, those SEALs can be so intense at times." Annabeth exhaled dreamily. "I love it when Hick gets all possessive."

"Alcide isn't possessive." Miley checked the puppy over then signed the adoption health record. "Which I'm glad. I don't do possessive well."

"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," Annabeth's face fell. "Geez, I'm an idiot."

"You didn't. It's fine. You know, different strokes and all that."

"Hick told me what you went through. It was insensitive of me to say that. I really am sorry."

Miley smiled. "It's okay, Annabeth. Yeah, I'm still a little sensitive about things and I'm working through them, but you don't have to walk on eggshells around me. I know some people enjoy that whole control thing and it's all right for them. It's just not something I care for is all."

"I'll try to keep my opinions to myself," Annabeth answered with chagrin.

"Why start now?" Miley joked as she bumped her friend playfully, letting her know all was forgiven.

Their exchange was interrupted by an incoming call on Annabeth's telephone. "It's Hick," she told Miley with a broad smile as she stepped away to answer it.

"Miley?"

She looked up to see Olivia standing just inside the tent. Her face was tight, and she bit her bottom lip. The drinks were forgotten in her hands.

"What's wrong?" Trepidation churned in Miley's stomach.

"Do you have your phone off? Cowboy's trying to call you."

"I have it muted. Why?" She pulled it out and checked the screen. There were two missed calls and a couple of messages from Alcide saying the same thing - Call me.

Something cold gripped her stomach. Walking to the edge of the tent, she called him. It only rang once before Alcide answered.

"Hey," his voice was even, and that helped to calm her some.

"Hey. You were looking for me?"

"Yeah." Alcide hesitated a moment then continued. "There's no easy way to say this. We've been called up."

Miley knew what that meant; they were being called away on a mission. Alcide had talked to her about the possibility and what it meant. They would be gone from days to even months. She wouldn't know where they were or when they would get back. According to Annabeth, it was the worst part of being with a SEAL. At that moment, with dread coursing through her body, she had to agree. Fortunately, the other women had talked to her about this as well. It was important for him to know she was going to be all right with him gone. He wouldn't be able to concentrate on what he was doing if he was worried about her worrying about him.

"We knew it was probably coming. When do you leave?"

"Soon. Miley, I don't want you worrying about me."

"I'll worry. I would worry even if we weren't dating. But I have faith in the guys. I know you will keep an eye on each other. I'll be fine."

"I know." He let out a held breath. "I don't want you staying alone while I'm gone. Loran is still out there somewhere, and he might try to use this time to get to you. I know I didn't get a chance to talk to you about this, but I called in a favor. You remember Wolf from the other team? He and his wife Caroline have an apartment at their house in the basement. They want you to come stay with them while our team is gone."

Miley could hear the silent plea in his voice. Although she didn't want to be a burden to Caroline, she knew Alcide needed to know she was safely being watched over. "Okay." She swallowed and clenched the phone tighter in her hand. "You'll take care of yourself, okay?"

"Of course I will. You stay safe, Miley. I'll see you when I get home. I'll call you the minute I can, all right?"

Her throat threatened to close, so she cleared it. "Yeah, okay," she replied a lot more brightly than she felt. She heard Bruiser's voice in the background.

"I have to go, honey."

"Be safe, Lancelot. Come home in one piece."

"I will," he promised. Then he was gone.

She felt an arm go around her shoulder and turned to see Olivia and Annabeth standing there with concern on their faces. She could tell they were as emotional as she was. Throwing her arms around them both, the three hugged while Jessyka stood to the side, giving them a little time together. At that moment, the three of them were sisters on a level Miley had never felt before.

Presently, they disentangled their arms, and she wiped her eyes. "Well, looks like I'm going to be staying with Caroline for a while," she told them.

Jess smiled. "We'll do a girls-night-in tonight. It's what we do when our men are gone. We lean on each other, drink too much, watch sappy movies, so we have a reason to cry and miss our guys." She motioned for them, "Come on. The adoption is winding down. They can do without you for the last hour. I'll call Kason to meet us at your house to get some stuff."

"Okay," Miley whispered.

Annabeth grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Sounds like fun. We'll drunk call Joselyn and pick on River. We'll have our own little team mission."

"Yeah, all right," Miley told her as she got her things together. Standing there with her cell in her hand and her new friends surrounding her, Miley's awareness suddenly flared. She wasn't just infatuated with him; she was in love. He said she had snuck in under his radar, worming her way under his skin. However, he had been the real thief - creeping into her life and stealing her heart. She looked down at the cell and considered calling him back, to tell him how she felt. Setting that thought aside, she tucked it into her pocket. That was something that had to wait for when he came home.

Olivia looped her arm in Miley's and gently guided her out of the tent to the parking lot. As they walked, her thoughts returned to Alcide. He was going to be gone for who knows how long and she wouldn't know if he was all right until he returned. Her stomach clenched again, but she put forth a smile. She didn't want the others to see her upset. On the outside, she remained calm, but inside, she was terrified for him. She knew he would come back if he could... but that was the problem. What if he couldn't come home?

Miley threw that thought away. He deserved more. He deserved knowing she was waiting for him to come home. He deserved knowing she was as strong as he believed, able to take care of herself no matter what. The funny thing was, no matter how strong she said she could be, in truth she was weak, but only when it came to Alcide Montgomery.