The next day Gage went to his sergeant with news of Jesse's pregnancy.

"So are you happy about this or is there something else to it?" He had seen too many young men get used and thrown away over the years to not be suspicious. Gage was an admirable young man who always seemed careful and squared away. He couldn't imagine him slipping even for a pretty face.

Gage shook his head, "I'm her first boyfriend, as she puts it," he said with a blush. Seeing the disapproval in his serg's eyes he quickly added, "She's twenty-five. She lost her virginity in college. Apparently it was a god-awful experience so she never did anything with anyone until I came along."

"I see. So how long have you known the girl?"

"Maybe seven or eight months. We were friends for most of them, she's the one who got me straightened out after the fire," he said sheepishly.

"That one. Well now that's different" he said with a smile. "I saw her with you, O'Connor, and Dresden didn't I, she had you all working out, what parts you could at least?"

"Yes sir, that's Jesse. She just marched into my room told me to stop acting like a baby and then said I reeked. Next thing I know she's giving me a sponge bath and telling me that my feet aren't burned so get up and walk."

Sergeant Mabry laughed, "Good thing she did too. Well now this is good news. Girls like her are rare. Congratulations son. You and I will work out any logistics regarding her doctor visits and things. Just give me a heads up. Dismissed."

Gage felt as if a weight had been lifted. His sergeant approved. To a marine that was damn near God's approval as far as the unit was concerned. Men followed the chain of command without question accepting their word as law.

He relaxed and got back to the task at hand a smile on his face.