This is a "What Happened Next" for Combat! Rare Vintage…no copyright intended just borrowing the characters for a short time and making no profit in the borrowing. Some of the dialog will be taken from the actual episode with some altering by yours truly. I am new at this and as such this story has not been beta'd but I have tried to keep errors to a minimum. Thanks for spending a little time with me and hope you all enjoy this, for I enjoyed writing it very much.
CHAPTER 1
Caje let out a sigh as the Old Man maneuvered the old truck down the dirt track from the Winery. For a moment back there he thought the Germans were going to find out that they had hidden the Lieutenant in one of the barrels. When the truck wouldn't start he felt sure the krauts would find out but then the German Captain had ordered his men to give them a push and when the truck finally started Caje couldn't help but give a little cheer, of course he didn't let the Germans see him.
Caje: "Good luck followed us."
Old Frenchman: Yes, do you think your Lieutenant is alright?
Caje: "I don't know but as soon as we reach the meeting place we will check on him."
Caje: "Thanks for your help today Grandpa."
Old Frenchman: "You're welcome Grandson."
They drove to the area where they were to meet up with Saunders continuing on for a few minutes until the truck was well hidden from any German vehicles that might travel near. Once they had parked, Caje and the old Frenchman hopped out and climbed into the back. Locating the barrel Hanley was in they quickly pulled off the lid, as gently as they could lift the Lieutenant out easing him down onto the bed of the truck. Hanley was still unconscious and before Caje went to change back into his uniform he checked the man's pulse then placed a hand on Hanley's forehead checking for fever finding him warm.
Caje: "I will be right back Lieutenant just hold on and we'll get you fixed up."
After changing Caje grabbed his first aid kit and climbed onto the truck kneeling beside Hanley removed the Lieutenants jacket and shirt so he could see the wound better checking for an exit wound found none. The Doc could take care of the bullet but for now Caje cleaned the wound, poured sulfa on it and taking a bandage asked the Old Frenchman to support the Lieutenant as he wrapped it around his waist tying a knot over the wound hoping to slow down any further bleeding. After the bandage was in place he folded the jacket and placed it behind the unconscious man's head as a pillow.
Caje: Turning to the old man, Do you have a blanket in the truck?
Old Frenchman: "Yes, it is behind the seat, I will get it."
The old man returned a few minutes later with blanket in hand and helped place it on the Lieutenant.
Caje: Merci! Placing a hand on Hanleys chest "Sorry, I can't do more but the Serge and Doc should be here soon, rest easy."
While Caje and the Old man wait for Saunders, Doc and Garrett to arrive they took a moment to relax. The old man dozed in the truck seat and Caje sat near the Lieutenant keeping an eye out for any Germans.
Caje had been watching for a few minutes when he noticed movement from Lt. Hanley.
Caje: Lieutenant, can you hear me? Lieutenant?
Hanley woke with a start hearing an accented voice calling to him for a moment he thought the Germans were trying to question him again. Then he recognized the voice of his scout and blinking to clear his vision Caje's face came into focus.
Hanley: Caje, what are you doing here? "I told Saunders to get you men out, need to go before the Germans find you."
Caje: "Easy Lieutenant." "There are no Germans here…Saunders got us all out…try not to move too much the bullet is still in your side and we don't want it to start bleeding again."
Hanley: Where's Saunders and the rest of the men?
Caje: "They had to leave the winery on foot so it will take them longer to get here." Think you could drink a little water? (At his nod Caje held his canteen to Hanley's lips) "Drink slowly."
Hanley understood and after a few sips pushed the canteen away thanking the scout, closing his eyes briefly, trying to ignore the burning in his side, looked up met Caje's eyes.
Caje: "I know it hurts." "When Doc gets here maybe he can give you something for the pain, try and rest." A few moments later the man was asleep.
Placing a hand on the Lieutenants forehead noticed it was warmer than earlier and the man was perspiring {let's see if we can cool you off a little} taking the shirt he had worn while pretending to be the Frenchman's grandson he tore it into strips, taking one wet it down and started bathing the Lieutenants face.