Bringing your travel plans up to Elvis had been nerve-wracking, unsure of how your boyfriend would react to the news of you leaving for a week.

The Colonel, ever present in your and Elvis's business, had been overjoyed at the news.

"Perfect! We will take the tour to Texas, pick you and your, uh, friend, up and continue on our six week foray around the country!"

Elvis had been less than enthusiastic.

"I know is only for a week, Y/N, but it already feels like a lifetime."

His strong hands had cupped your cheek gently as he spoke, eyes filled with sorrow. You couldn't help but feel the same.

"I have to be there for Candy, Elvis. She really needs me right now."

Elvis had smiled, kissing you sweetly.

"You've got the biggest heart I've ever seen, baby. You be good now, okay?"

You nodded.

"Keep it to three, remember?" You reminded him softly, and he had agreed, pulling you into a tight hug.

Now, you sit on a plane heading towards Fort Worth Texas, head leaning against the open window. Candice sits soberly beside you, glum as ever.

You feel terrible for her, frightened for her brother. You've both seen the broadcasts from Vietnam, painfully aware of the horrors that are taking place in a far away jungle. You reach out to take her hand, offering a soft smile.

"We're all arranged to stay on base for the week, there's lodging for families there." You tell her.

She nods, pulling at one of her dark curls nervously.

"Do you think they'll let 'em take gifts with them?" She asks. You think for a moment.

"I can't see why not."

Candice removes her hand from yours to rummage around in her carryon bag, pulling out a silver necklace with a small pendant dangling from it.

"It's the Saint Christopher metal my grandmother gave me when our father died." She explains. Her eyes water a little.

"It's supposed to protect whoever it's given to."

Candice looks to you, and you give her a smile.

"It's beautiful, Candy. He'll love it."

She smiles back, bringing her hand up to swipe at her eyes.

"God, I'm so sick of crying." You both laugh a little.

The pilot comes on over the intercom, informing you that you'll be landing soon.

Candice sighs, placing the metal back into her bag.

You wrap an arm around her shoulders, shaking her gently.

"Hey, Reggie's gonna be so happy to see you Candy! We're gonna have blast before he leaves, right?"

You try to keep you voice light and encouraging, and it seems to work because Candice gives you a small smile, nodding her head. For a brief moment, the future looks positive.

*

*

*

Reggie is a lot taller than you thought he'd be. He meets you and Candice at the base airport, looking sharp in his army issued suit and hat.

His complexion is a little lighter than Candice's, but besides that their resemblance is uncanny. Same almond shaped eyes, bright smile, high cheekbones.

Candice rushes down the steps, arms flung open wide as she jumps into her little brother's arms.

You follow behind, picking up Candice's thrown carry-on with a smile.

You stand to the side as they have their moment, noting how tight Reggie is holding his big sister. It makes your heart break a little.

You miss Kerry.

After a moment or two, Reggie and Candice break apart. Candice gestures towards you with a smile, cheeks sparkling with tears.

"This is my best friend from L.A.-"

"Y/N!" Reggie interrupts, and it takes you by suprise.

Reggie laughs at the expression on your face.

"You're all over the newspaper's, Elvis's new girl!" He explains, putting his hand out to shake.

You take it in yours, surprised expression turning into a light blush.

"Man, when I found out my sister was hanging with the King I almost lost my mind!" Reggie exclaims good naturedly. "I was so jealous."

Candice elbows him lightly.

"Don't badger her with questions now, she's missing him enough as it is."

You gape at Candice.

"Candice!" You hiss, embarrassed. Reggie and Candice just laugh, and Reggie leads you both to a waiting car.

"C'mon, I'll show you guys to your room."

The car takes you to a lodging section, tiny little buildings all in a row. The sign beside the first building reads Civilian Housing, and you see a couple of other family members milling about outside or carrying luggage inside.

"Do a lot of families stay here?" You ask.

Reggie shakes his head.

"Only the family members of those who are about to be deployed, for the most part they're pretty empty.

You hum in response.

The car stops infront of one unit further down the line, and Reggie hops out to open the door for both you and Candice.

It's nice, two beds and a dresser between them. You move to take your luggage inside, but Reggie beats you to it.

"I got it!" He sends you a bright smile over his shoulder.

Candice rolls her eyes, lugging her own bag in after him.

"My brother, ever the gentleman."

You giggle.

"What can I say, I'm a sucker for pretty girls."

This makes you flush, not wanting to be rude but feeling a little uncomfortable by the comment. Luckily Candice seems to notice.

"Hey now, she's spoken for. Didn't mama teach you better than that?"

Reggie laughs and rubs the back of his neck.

"Just trying to be friendly, sorry Y/N."

He looks sincere, so you offer him a reassuring grin.

"It's no problem. Just remember," you point a finger at him teasingly. "My boyfriend knows karate."

This makes you all burst into laughter, the mood lightened.

Maybe this week away from Elvis won't be as gloomy as you thought.

Later that night, after you've both settled in, the phone in your room rings. You pick it up, knowing exactly who it is.

"Hey, darlin'!" Elvis's voice comes in through the other line, instantly bringing a smile to your face.

"Elvis!" You exclaim, and he chuckles.

"How's my little one doing?"

You sit on your bed, turning onto your stomach with your feet in the air.

"It's not as bad as I thought it was gonna be, Reggie's real nice." You say. "He's a good kid, it's a shame he's shipping out in two days."

Elvis makes a sound of affirmation.

"You being good out there? No wild parties or nothin'?" He teases.

"No, nothing crazy. Reggie's taking us out to a bar on base tomorrow night, but besides that Candice is just spending as much time as possible with him before he leaves."

"You'll call me tomorrow night, won't ya angel?"

"Of course! As soon as I get home, baby." You tell him, kicking your feet in the air. You can hear the smile in Elvis's voice.

"Good, I look forward to hearing your voice." There's a shout in the background, and Elvis covers the receiver to yell back.

"I gotta go, baby. There's a few things I gotta look over in rehearsal tonight." He tells you, and your smile drops a little. You wish he was here with you.

"No problem, Elvis. Good luck with the show tonight, I'm cheering you on from here!" You encourage, and Elvis chuckles.

"Goodnight, darlin', be good!" He sighs. "I miss you."

You smile sadly, pressing the phone close to your mouth.

"I miss you more."

"Impossible, baby."

"Goodnight, Elvis."

"Goodnight Y/N."

You take a second to hang up the line, but eventually Candice comes into the room and you do.

Candice sighs as she sits on the edge of your bed, pink robe draped around her gently.

"So, what do you think of Reggie?" She asks. You smile, resting your chin on her thigh.

"He's nice, tall."

Candice chuckles, running her hand through your hair.

"He gets that from our dad. He was about 6'4 by the time he was sixteen."

You close your eyes, humming in response. The only light coming into the room is from the lamp in the corner, and Candice's fingers in your hair makes you feel sleepy.

"Damn, white people's hair is soft as Hell." Candice says suddenly, and it makes you laugh loudly. Candice joins in, lifting a strand of your hair.

"It's pretty, though. You ever think of dyeing it?"

You shake your head.

"Like the natural look too much." You tell her.

You both sit in silence. You think about Elvis, about his rehearsal and his show. You hope it's going well.

"You miss him, huh?" Candice says from above.

You open your eyes to look up at her and sigh.

"Yeah."

"You love him?"

This makes your face heat up, and you bite your lip.

"Well, the other night he told me he thinks he's falling in love with me."

Candice sits up straight.

"Really?"

You smile.

"Yeah!"

"But do you love him?"

The question makes you pause. You think back to the past month, how quickly your life had changed all because of Elvis. You think of the way he looks at you, how no man has ever looked at you with such kindness and softness. You feel safe with him, like the world can't touch you.

The answer is simple.

It scares you to death.

"Candice, I think I'm in love with him too."