They stared at each other for a moment. Then Taylor charged him and wrapped her arms around him.
"Holy shit, its really you." She pulled away for a moment and looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Why'd you have to go and get taller idiot."
Travis wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back into a hug. "I missed you too Tay, I'm so sorry I left you alone."
When she heard that she started bawling into his chest. "I... I was so scared. After Cory died I thought I'd have to be alone forever. I'm so glad you're back."
They stood there for a while, just crying and drinking in each other's presence. Then SFC Smith spoke.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Sergeant Miller, we have an important question for you."
"I really don't think nows the best time Sergeant, can't you see im having a heartfelt reunion with my brother?"
"Yes, I see that. However before I leave you two to catch up, I need to ensure that this matter is taken care of."
Taylor sighed with resignation "Alright, let's hear it, whats so important that you have to ask right now?"
" Sergeant Miller, we are going to start producing more super soldiers like your brother here. Given your family situation, we thought it would only be right to offer one of the slots to you."
Travis' eyes went wide and his jaw dropped open.
"You want to make more of me?? And you want my sister to undergo that procedure??"
Before SFC Smith could say anything Taylor interjected.
"Trav, I'm my own woman, I can make my own decisions. Besides you dont know how bad things are out there, we're losing ground. Anything that gives me better odds of serving is a good thing."
Then she turned to SFC Smith.
"If i undergo this procedure will we get put in the same unit?"
"Yes, you will serve side by side with Mr. Miller here, along with all of the others."
"Then ill do it, when do I ship out?"
Travis was stunned
"Hold on, shouldn't you at least think about it first"
"Hey moron, I already lost you once. I won't do it again. Someone has to keep you alive out there, and who better to do that then me?" Then she turned towards Smith. "So? When do I go?"
He pulled out his data pad and typed in a few things then looked up.
"Sergeant Miller, you'll be shipping to an undisclosed location tomorrow, your flight is at 0230 so be at the airport by 0200. Everything is taken care of so just show your ID and they'll know what to do. Mr. Miller, you'll ship out to basic training in two days after we run some tests. Your ID will be ready and delivered to you tomorrow"
Travis looked at the clock and saw it was already noon.
"So we only have a few hours then?"
"Correct. I'll leave you too it. Mr. Miller I'll see you tomorrow." And with that, he turned around and left.
Travis watched him walk out, then turned towards Taylor.
"So what do people do for fun these days?"
She looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I've got the perfect place, come on!"
○○○
They stood in front of a batting cage, when Taylor turned and looked at Travis.
"Remember how the three of us used to come to places like this to blow off steam?"
"I remember you being utter dog shit at it yes."
" Hey! I've got 4 years of practice on you! Im gonna kick your ass!"
She stepped in the cage and raised her bat. A baseball came flying at her. With a swing professional players would be jealous of, she swung with all her might... and whiffed it.
"HAHAHAHAHA, what was that about kicking my ass?"
"SHUT UP, THAT WAS A WARMUP SWING!"
Taylor readied the bat again. This time when a ball came at her she smashed it into a sign hung on the netting that said "home run!" Then she turned to Travis and stuck her tongue out.
"Beat that loser."
"Oh? Getting rocky after one lucky hit huh? Let me show you what a real athlete can do."
They switched places, and Travis readied his bat. As the ball came towards him, it seemed to slow down. He swung with all his might and smashed the ball so hard the bat bent and the stitching came undone from the ball.
"Hey, you're not allowed to use super soldiers powers! Thats cheating!"
"I cant exactly turn them on and off dummy. And even if I could you never said I COULDN'T use them, so thats on you."
"You're so annoying" she said while grinning ear to ear.
○○○
After a few hours and a couple broken bats, they finally left.
"So, where to now?"
Taylor smiled deviously.
"You'll see, come on just follow me!"
They walked through the city, seemingly headed nowhere. But finally Taylor stopped in front of a skyscraper.
"You brought me to see a building?"
"No idiot, I brought you so we could go to the top and see the city."
They rode the elevator to to the roof, 250 floors up. When they stepped out, Travis was blown away by the view the city stretched out for miles, the sun lighting up the windows as it started to make its way towards the horizon.
"Wow, its gorgeous."
"I know right! I love coming up here when I need to remind myself of the good things in life. Its especially pretty at sunset."
They sat there in relative silence, just enjoying having each other, watching the sun set and the city bustle with people getting off work. Finally as night fully set in Taylor stood up.
"Well Trav, we need to get going. I have my flight early so I need to sleep."
"Alright let's go then."
They headed back to the hospital, where Taylor gave her brother one last hug
" I'm so glad to have you back. I'll see you in a couple months. I love you idiot."
"I love you too moron. We'll be back together before you know it."
And with that she jumped in a cab, and headed off. And Travis walked inside to start his path toward becoming a soldier.