She sat on the dusty floor, resting her head back against the now cool white bricks. She dragged her right heel backwards and forwards in the grey dust, the dust cloud surrounding her, making her cough.

"Thank goodness for American troops," Gareth's loud voice boomed across the now quiet site, "Quit dragging your heels, the dust has only just settled."

She rolled her eyes and took the bottle of water he offered her, downing half of it in one go. She enjoyed the feel of the cold droplets slipping down her throat and looked up at her boss,

"Did they bring any food?" She asked, a smile on her tired face,

"Of course... they're going to cook up a BBQ soon, so go and shower that dirt of your face, you might find a man,"

She bent her legs, pushing up with her hands so she was standing next to him, "Thanks for the water, come and get me if they start the food without me,"

"And the man?" he teased, "You are a female you know,"
She glared at him before shoving him firmly, "Quit winding me up,"

She gratefully accepted the cigarette the American soldier offered her, leaning back heavily against their makeshift hospital,

"Thank you, although it does nothing for the thirst in this heat," she commented, a smile on her face,

"I don't suppose there's a spare cigarette going?" An unfamiliar voice asked deeply, "You know I wouldn't evern consider sparking up in the UK," he smiled charmingly, at the two people in front of him.

He held his hand out and shook hers firmly, "I'm Sam Strachan, the new medic, you must be Connie?"

"Got it in one," she nodded, "This is Adam, he's here for a couple of days. Has anyone shown you around?"

"Gareth about an hour ago," he smiled, inhaling the cigarette deeply, "This place is totally different from Ghana, that's for sure,"

"A bit less green, I'd say," she nodded, pulling at her shorts as they threatened to ride even further up her legs as she sat crossed legged on the floor, watching as the two men joined her.

"What brings you out here Sam Strachan?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, secretly admiring his broad, strong shoulders, and the way his eye lit up as he spoke,

"I'd worked in Ghana for two years and made the mistake of having a relationship with a nurse over there." He stubbed out his cigarette, burying it under the dust that scattered easily with the wind, "Let's just say things became a bit strained to say the least,"

Connie laughed lightly, "As far as I know, the nurses out here are mainly men, and the few women are married, so you should be safe on that front."

"So what about you Connie, how long have you been here?"

"A year last month," she replied, stubbing out her cigarette and leaping up as she heard the familiar sound of the helicopter looming over head.

He was impressed by her speed as she jogged quickly over the large helicopter, stepping back and clipping up her hair as it slowed and began to land.

"Welcome to hell," she uttered as she was joined by at least eight other medics.

"Can anyone cannulate?" He yelled over the noise of everybody working,

Connie nodded and took the patients arm, cannulating quickly and apparently easily, "Done," she nodded,

"Thank you," Sam replied.

"Okay, I need the equipment for a chest drain, suction and an intubation kit," she yelled, winking at Gareth as he second guessed what she needed,

Sam couldn't help but watch as she skilfully inserted the chest drain, intubated and began to suction the patient all without a moments thought,

"If you're impressed by that, you should see her in theatre," Gareth nodded at Sam, before throwing him an arterial line, "Help Anna out with that line Strachan."