Mack was setting something up for Michaela, something to surprise her. He hadn't been happier since marrying her. He never felt a regret, simply enjoying his new life with her, when they actually managed time. Though thankfully things were slow, so he actually cooked her a dinner, and managed not to burn their home down. Now it was just waiting for her to get back.

So glad it's all finally over.

Mack had requested a bit of time off, it wasn't something he did often so he usually got it unless Tom and Katie needed him. Lyssie was off with Jackson for a bit, and Jenny wanted to stay with Kim for a little. That left him some free time to spend with his fiancee, who he decided to surprise. She'd wake up to a white rose next to her pillow with a note telling her to stay in bed.

He'd come up a few moments after with a tray, and breakfast in bed ready for her and smiled. He had actually cooked it with her having been teaching him a bit. He decided to impress her, or try.

"Hey beautiful."

01. My job.
02. Lyssie.
03. Jenny.
04. My friends.
05. My family.
06. Yes even Tiffy made me who I am.
07. Matt.
08. Katie.
09. Tom.
10. Michaela.
11. The Unit.
12. The Army.
13. My sniper rifle.

Muse | Mack Gerhardt
Fandom | The Unit

I never want to cry like this
Die like this

The moment Mack's world went black, and could barely hear Jonas calling out to him he knew he was dying. He started seeing the pained faces of those back home he cared about. He saw Lyssy and Jenny and the tears streaming down their cheeks calling out daddy. Then standing with them he saw Michaella, trying to comfort them when all she wanted to do was crumble and fall apart with them. Not getting the marriage she wanted to cancel out the first bad one, not getting to have a baby with the man she loved. He saw Tom, and Katie both trying to be strong for everyone else but he knew, he could tell losing him was almost like a repeat of Matt and it caused him to ache.

He fought and struggled to get back, but he felt like he couldn't find his way back. He felt lost and those faces began haunting him all over again. He wanted to scream out to them but he couldn't. He struggled working through his guilt over things he couldn't help. People lost he blamed himself for not saving. After each moment he learned to get through he felt himself getting closer to the voices around him. To getting back to his family. Struggling even when they thought him gone and had given up. He could almost see Jonas' face. The moment he gasped out and took a breath he could see the relief on the other man's face. When he got home he was greeted by Katie hugging him and sending him on to the imformary where his daughters and fiancee waited just glad to see him home. He hadn't wanted to die out there like that, he wanted to go down fighting, or to die at home with those he loved.

Muse | Mack Gerhardt
Fandom | The Unit
Word Count | 302

Mack and Michaela had gotten to the cabin and settled everything in, a few days off alone with no phone calls. Katie had promised she'd try at least, and they'd be back in time for Tom and Katie's wedding. They were relaxing outside and he checked his watch. He smiled to himself a bit as the time drew closer, he had to time things until he just decided to wait until after midnight so they could do the traditional sharing a kiss. He checked his pocket, good still there. He lazily looked over at her.

"Having fun yet Baby?"

01. Take care of my daughters the best I can.

02. To annoy Katie and Tom at least once a day.

03. To make Mike happy like she deserves.

04. To see my children do well in school

05. Finally sweep up the rest of the broken pieces left behind, and move ahead.

06. To never get a call that Lyssie has crashed her car.

07. To stay the same man I am now.

08. To always come home.

09. See Lyssie happy with her boyfriend. I'm not a complete evil dad.

10. To do my job always to the best of my ability.

11. To stop being so hard on myself, and take compliments better.

12. To be all that I can be. So sorry, had to do it.

13. Marry Michaela.

Muse | Mack Gerhardt
Fandom | The Unit

[locked to the unit and Lyssie]

Now here's a hard question and it all depends on what you call heroic. Flags and parades in your honor? People that care knowing how you died? I know I would rather die for something I believe in then watch the world pass me by. It's why I joined the Army, it's why I stayed with the unit. On the other side of that coin? I'd like to live to be old cranky bastard with my family around me.

I just know one thing. No matter how old I am when I die? I want to be seen as a hero in the eyes of those that matter the most to me. To my daughters Lyssie and Jenny. To my best friend Katie. To my commanding officer and friend Tom. To my girl Michaela. And to my unit. Whether I die out in battle, or when I'm eighty. That's all I'd want to be seen as. Mack the hero, that laid his ass on the line for home and country. One of the brave men that ran out where others wouldn't go, or couldn't and got his job done no matter the risk.

Muse | Mack Gerhardt
Fandom | The Unit
Word Count | 199

Bags packed and ready to go.

Katie: Florida Gators sweatshirt, and 300 cash. I'm lame I know.

Tom: Yeah at a loss so you just get 300 in cash plus this because it will amuse Katie.

Lyssie: *in her card is a set of keys and instructions to check the garage where she will find her car she always wanted* Love ya kiddo.

Jenny: an 80g iPod.

Michaela: I'm taking you away for new year's to a nice cabin by a lake. Just you and me. We already have the time off. Also I got you this and these

Jackson: I didn't know what to get you but figured this was the best thing. The trial is over, you make Lyssie happy. You hurt her? You'll have at least four people after your ass.

Cassie, Mike, need a favor please.

He got ready quick and grabbed the keys to the truck. He had to admit he was a little nervous, usually the words we need to talk didn't go well. He slipped into the truck thinking a moment. He knew a nice place to take her, so he drove over to pick her up. Smiling seeing her he leaned over and opened the door.

"Hey beautiful can I give you a ride?"

He chuckled softly and smiled leaning back.

Mack had spent a bit with Katie. He wanted to be sure he was alright and he knew Katie would call him out if he was acting differently. He'd called up Michaela to let her know he was back, and was alright for the most part. He knew the bruising was going to make her panic and he'd do his best to reassure her he was alright without really knowing himself.

He'd invited her over, and was just waiting for her to see them. Leaving the door open for her he went and took a hot shower. He knew she'd let herself in and come looking directly for him. Maybe he could be dressed and have a shirt on before then.

I really hate boats right now.

Spoilers for The Unit 4.04

Mack had left to go to the meeting and had gotten briefed. They were also informed they might be pulling out in a week or so and he furrowed a brow. He'd have to make sure Mike and the girls were settled and alright just in case. Though chances were slim he needed to be prepared.

He pulled up at home then and slipped out of his truck looking at the time. The girls would be gone already. So he headed up to his room and smiled seeing Michaela. It was their room now and he slipped into bed with her and pulled her close.

If he was going to have to leave, he would spend as much time with them as he could.

Mack had the house to himself for the night, the girls off at their friends. He had planned on ending up alone for the night but instead he was better off with Michaela there. He walked in with her and picked up some toys along the way chuckling and setting them down. He looked at her and smiled.

"Want anything Michaela?"

He pulled off his jacket then smiling softly as he watched her.

Great. She had to be there.

I might need use of a sniper rifle here soon.

The house is too damn quiet.