Maureen Stackhouse turned from the funeral car and looked at her daughter. Tears welled in her eyes again at the site of her little girls distress. "Chris?" she asked "Yes ma'am?" replyed a young man in naval uniform. "Chris" repeated Maureen. "Will you do me and Bob a great favor and bring Lucy home? The house is only a few blocks away. Guests will be arriving soon and we have to go. I don't want to rush Lucy. I think the walk will do her good." Maureen took hold of the young officers hands "This has hit us all hard. I never expected to lose my son so young. Jeremy and Lucy were so close I guess she wants to stay with her brother a while longer." "Yes of course Mrs Stackhouse, it's the least I can do" Maureen Stackhouse gave the young man a hug and a kiss before getting into the black limo.

Flight LT Chris Burnett was the best friend of Jeremy Stackhouse. They'd grown up together, joined the navy together and ended up as flight partners on the "uss Carl Vinson". Burnett had watched his friend get executed by Serbian forces after their F18 was shot down during a recon mission over Bosnia. The death of Stackhouse had not been in vain thanks to Burnett who had recovered a disc of photos which had been taken on the mission that showed a mass grave which would hopefully convict someone of a war crime and also the death of Stackhouse.

Chris walked up to Lucy. For once he was lost for words. Lucy looked at him "Hey" she said, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands " I've run out of tissues" Chris reached into his trouser pocket "Here it's clean" "Thanks" said Lucy, taking the hanky from him then wiping her eyes again. "You're mother has asked me to walk you home"

"They wouldn't let us see him. They put him in a sealed casket with a poxy flag on top. They wouldn't let us see him. They said it would be too upsetting. You know what's upsetting me? The fact that I hadn't seen my brother for nearly a year and I'll never see him again and I never got to say goodbye!! But hey we get to keep the flag!!" cried Lucy her eyes full of tears and her voice full of anger and sarcasum.

Lucy fell into Chris's arms and wept. Chris held her tight and stroked her long brown wavy hair. He'd always had a soft spot for Lucy and it hurt him so much to see her like this. He knew he had to look after her now for his dearly departed friend "Stakes".

"I'm so glad you're here. Please,don't let go yet,just hold me,please" sobbed Lucy

After a couple of minutes had passed Lucy broke away from Chris's embrace. Chris smiled at her and Lucy managed a smile back. "Fancy a walk?" he asked "Yeah, come on lets go" answered Lucy taking his hand "Goodbye bro" Lucy looked at her brothers grave one last time before walking hand in hand with Chris.