He's not the first. Not even for that particular reason. A lot of men left their girls at home and she and Peggy get the same sort of looks, far off gazes and faint sad smiles. It's sad. Sweet.

Yes, okay, a little annoying, like Peggy always used to insist. But Stephanie's learned to pick her battles and sad, lonely boys far from home aren't the most important target in front of her these days.

So for this man and his look and his sketchbook, she can smile and nod and be the best soldier she can be.