Page 78 of Honor Code

"I couldn't stand the thought of losing you," he began, his words stilted. "Ellie, it made me realize… I love you. I don't know when it happened, but sometime over the last few weeks, I fell in love with you. I know you deserve better than me, but I just wanted you to know that."

She stared at him, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"You're my hero, Phoenix. You know that, right?"

He looked away. "But I can't make you happy. I'm a soldier. It's the only thing I know how to do. You hate danger."

"But I love you."

His head shot up to look at her. "You do?"

"Of course I do. You've made me realize I don't have to be afraid anymore. You've taught me that there are men out there who won't hurt you, who will protect you no matter what. That means more to me than any occupation you might have."

"So you're willing to look past it and… and be with me?"

She gave a soft laugh. "I'm very much looking forward to getting out of here so I can show you just how willing I am."

Phoenix leaned in and kissed Ellie. Once he started, he found he didn’t want to stop.

"Excuse me, sir. You can't do that in here," a nurse interrupted.

Only then did he release her, stepping back as Ellie burst out laughing.

The nurse, trying not to smile, added, "I'm glad you're feeling better. You'll be discharged later today. Just need a few more hours to make sure everything's okay with your vitals and there's no nasty side effects from the poison."

"Thank you," Ellie said, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

Phoenix pulled a chair close, still holding her hand. The hospital room, with all its beeps and that clean, sharp smell, suddenly didn't seem so cold. He felt lighter, like he could finally breathe after being underwater for too long. For the first time since that mess in Basra, he wasn't looking over his shoulder. He was looking forward. Ellie had done that for him.

She was more than just the woman he loved. She was his salvation. Ellie had shown him he was worthy of happiness and could be the man he’d always aspired to be. With her, he felt like he could take on the world, like the past was just that—the past. The old ghosts would always be there, but they didn't define him anymore.

Leaning close again, this time mindful of the nurse still in the room, he whispered, "I love you. And I promise, I'm always going to be here for you."

Ellie's smile was all the reply he needed, her eyes lit up just for him. "I know," she whispered back. "Because that's who you are, Phoenix. My hero, my love, my everything."