Chapter 2

Pain searing pain was all that John could feel. Confusion, noise, yelling, tugging and his name, people yelling his name. Then it was black.

More pain...yet he was too weak to move. He could hear a chopping sound and light flashes as his eyes tried to open. Then black again.

He found himself on that beach, on his board staring at the horizon wanting her to be on the beach. Savannah was all he could think of. What was she doing? What was she thinking? He remembered the vow he made to himself. Once he anonymously donated that money he would cut all emotional ties with her and let her experience a future with Tim and Alan. He had been raised with standards and morals. He'd do the right thing. But now that he mightn't see the next sunrise, he yearned for her. He needed to see her, to feel her, to look into her fathomless eyes and lose himself.

He assumed dreams like this only happened to the dying. Was he dying?

On the phone at Headquarters...

"Colonel Matthews yes they're transferring Sergeant Tyree back home. They can't deal with the injuries out here. No...to the top facility...yes sir he's still critical but they've managed to stabilise him. I will keep you updated on his condition. Yes I'll be going with him Sir. My tour's up anyway...yes sir. Goodbye," said Corporal Peter Ames as he hung up the phone. John and Colonel Matthews had become really good friends and colleagues. They had served together on a top secret mission and shared a certain level of understanding and brotherhood. Matthews was devastated to hear about John and he was going to pull all the necessary strings to make sure his "brother" had the best possible care.

At Sisters of Mercy Hospital...

The army medics had done a fantastic job patching John up. The bullet wound John received had shot right through flesh and had missed any cartilage or bone. But would leave a nasty scar. It was the other injury that had caused the panic. It had ripped through major organs and the medics' intervention had only just readied him for the trip to the U.S.

The doctors at MERCY were the best in the country and it had a special unit for returned soldiers. Doctors trained in warfare injuries and trauma, sometimes ex-soldiers themselves. They had seen everything and always ended up hoping they'd known more, or tried harder and been there sooner. John was being transferred to Mercy on the strict orders of Colonel Matthews. There was no time to waste. The Hercules landed on the rooftop heliport. The emergency team rushed over to the helicopter. John was alighted from the Hercules transport helicopter and with great urgency started his trip to the emergency unit. Doctors spoke to doctors, all sorts of tests were being asked for and taken as the doors closed on Ames.

Hours passed and Peter hadn't received any news. All they kept repeating was...he's still in surgery, still in surgery. 16 minutes short of 6 hours Ames was woken by a light and embarrassed shake of the shoulder.

"Corporal Ames?" said a pretty brunette, "Corporal Ames, you might want to wake up, Sargeant Tyree has just left the operating theatre and is in recovery."

Ames sat up quickly and furiously blinked his eyes whilst rubbing them, "Oh thank you...," glaring at her name tag. The nurse interrupted, "Nurse Shaw." "Thank you Nurse Shaw how's John?" he asked imploringly. "I can't tell you much. Doctor Andrews will be out shortly but I think everything went as well as could be expected," she said with a sweet smile that tried to hide a tinge of sadness.

Ames didn't know what to think, he bowed his head and said, "Thanks...I'll wait then." She nodded and touched his arm tenderly and walked away.

Minutes later Doctor Andrew walked out of the restricted area, pulling off his operating mask and rubbing his hair. He looked up and saw Corporal Ames in uniform starting to stand.

"Corporal Ames? I'm Doctor Andrews," he said shaking Peter's hand.

"Please to meet you sir, how's Sargeant Tyree?" asked Peter.

"I won't lie to you. This was a very difficult case. The internal damage was extensive. We managed to repair a lot of it. He has also suffered major blood loss and could be susceptible to sepsis due to the large amount of blood transfusion he was given. He did crash on us but we managed to revive him," Doctor Andrews saw the dejected look on Peter's face but continued, "but he seems to be holding his own. He's in recovery and unconscious for now. We can't foresee when he'll wake. I suppose it's a waiting game. He's a very strong young man. Not many would've survived this ordeal," he finished with an understanding grin.

Ames was very appreciative of the doctor's explanation and effort, "Thank you for all your hard work Doc. Just one question, will there be any long term effects?"

Doctor Andrews paused and answered, "Look the only aspect we're concerned about is the nerve and muscle damage the impaling has caused. He may have experience some pain in his right leg and will need the use of a walking cane for a while but we are quite certain and hopeful that it will heal completely in time with the right therapies."

"Thanks, Colonel Matthews is anxious to know some news. When will I be able to see him?" asked Peter.

Doctor Andrews looked knowingly at him and said, "Matthews and I go way back, tell him hi and he owes me a scotch. Then tell him I'll look after his boy. Ames go back to the barracks, get some sleep and come back in the morning." He patted him on the shoulder and walked away.

Ames did just that.