Reasoning behind why Mike went back for Nick

Rating: Null/10 (21 December 2011)

#4)
Mike and Nick had a strong bond before they went into the war and a clear (and yet unspoken) understanding of each other and their boundaries. Back home Nick was involved with a woman named Linda and they were clearly happy, and Mike had strong feelings for Linda as well. She had some feelings for Mike, but Mike never acted on his urges because Linda was with his best friend. He strikes me as the kinda of guy who might act on his feelings for her if she was dating anyone else but because she was with Nick he wouldn't touch her unless Nick was out of the picture. Before Mike and Nick went to Vietnam they made a promise to each other that they wouldn't leave the other behind. I think after the game of Russian Roulette on that river, something in Nick cracked. It took a little while to set in but it definitely got to him-- and something in his friendship with Mike had changed and they slowly started to part ways (It also didn't help that they was physically parted as well when the helicopter only took Nick with it.) When Mike returns home without Nick, he avoids his own homecoming party-- then goes to visit Linda the next day. He acts a little more forward with his feelings toward her and under the assumption that Nick is probably dead because they didn't return together... Mike and Linda become more comfortable with each other, even though it is apparent that Mike is guilty being with Linda since he left Nick behind. When he visits Steven in the hospital and finds out that Steven has been receiving money from Vietnam-- he immediately realizes its from Nick, and that Nick is still alive. So he gets Steven out of the hospital and puts Linda on hold- then goes back to get Nick. He returns to get him because he feels guilty for leaving him after making that promise with him and probably feels somewhat responsible for what happened because of the stunt that he pulled to save them from the game of Russian Roulette.