Chapter 2

Jensen opened her eyes, then closed them again. The light was too bright and it gave her a headache. She opened them again and squinted around the room. She heard the beeps of the monitors doing their job checking her heart rhythms, blood pressure, and vital signs. The pain on the back of her right hand told her there was an IV in place. She tilted her head to see it was normal saline. She sighed and looked down. A hot pink cast covered her forearm.

"At least it's not Camo," she grumbled under her breath.

Ethan leaned forward in his chair.

"Jens," he said quietly.

She turned her head.

"Ethan."

"Welcome back."

She focused her eyes on him.

"How long have I been out?"

"About 6 hours. Dr. Campbell set your arm."

She held up her arm.

"Hot pink? Seriously?"

"I know you would have preferred Blueberry Digital, but they were fresh out."

She sighed.

"I don't suppose that I can be discharged and be on my way to San Diego?"

"That would be a Negative."

"I'm probably AWOL."

"I called your CO and explained."

"Thank you for that."

"So, they'll all be here tomorrow for your hearing."

"Great," she sighed.

"It will work out, Jens. Don't worry."

"It did for you, but the Army is more forgiving than the Navy. You know as well as I do, Command doesn't support Medical."

"No, they don't. But I have a good feeling about this for you."

"I wish I had your faith."

He slipped her hand in his. "You know you're a good doctor. If worse comes to worse, you can always find a job as a civvie."

She glanced down at her hand in his. She knew he was offering comfort, but she wondered if there was something more behind it.

"I know that's not the worst thing-"

"- But you think it is," he finished.

She nodded.

"I wanted to be career."

"So did I."

She looked up at him.

"You never did tell me what happened. I heard you were found not guilty, and you had taken off."

"I didn't take off. They reassigned me here. They made it perfectly clear that I will be here until my hitch is up."

"You like it?"

"It's not Afghanistan."

"That's not an answer and you know it, Ethan."

"I like it okay, but it's a different kind of war."

"And the people you work with?"

"Hardworking. Dedicated. You'd like them."

"I don't already. They didn't listen to me."

He smiled. "Of course they didn't. They were trying to fix you up. They were doing their jobs."

"Speaking of which," she indicated the cast. "How long do I have to wear this neon monstrosity?

"Six weeks. The good news is you won't lose any range of motion, so you can operate."

"Thank God for that. But this cast has to go."

"You hate it that much?"

"You know I'm not a girly girl."

"I'll see what I can do."

He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"I hope you're going to discharge me then."

"Nope. Internal injuries need to heal. You lost your appendix too."

"Seatbelt?"

"Yep. Now get some sleep. Doctor's orders."

She closed her eyes after he left the room. She felt lousy. She hoped that tomorrow would be a better day.