Chapter 2

Kirby had kept an eye on the Lieutenant and watched as the man sat down. 'Yeah, it's going to be a long walk back, going to be up to ole Kirby to make sure we get back, Lieutenant isn't going to be much help. He'll try but with the concussion and how bad those ribs are bruised…well, let's just say he'll try and ole Kirby will be right there to help.' Not long after he found the packs, the carbine, his browning and helmet, unfortunately he couldn't find the Lieutenant's helmet.

Kirby made his way over to the Lieutenant and quietly tried to get his attention. "Lt. Hanley, I found our gear." Lieutenant?

Hanley raised his head at Kirby's voice...What?

Kirby caught the dazed look in the man's eyes and tried to get him to focus. Hey Sir, you thirsty? How about some water? Sitting the gear down he took the canteen from his belt and offered it to Hanley, for a moment he wasn't sure the man would respond then the green eyes blinked.

"Yeah, I could use some water." Taking the canteen he took a long drink then passed it back closing his eyes for a moment…Did you find the weapons and packs?

"Yes Sir," weapons don't look damaged but haven't checked the packs yet, couldn't find your helmet."

"Damn, that's the third one I've lost in two weeks."

Hanley looked around stopping when what was left of the winery came into view. Corporal Velasquez sure knew what he was doing only a crumbling foundation was left to indicate a building had ever stood on the hill, scanning the rubble he figured any German's that survived would have already left the area.

"Kirby, I'm going to check around, if there were survivors then we need to get an idea of what direction they went." Can you check the packs? Kirby nodded as Lt. Hanley started a slow patrol around the area.

Kirby sat the packs on the boulder vacated by the Lieutenant, going through each one putting the unusable items to the side and repacking what could be salvaged.

Hanley didn't find any tracks in the dirt and what Germans he did find wouldn't be going anywhere, making his way back to Kirby he paused to catch his breath…Hows it look Kirby?

Kirby glance at the Lieutenant. "Lost some rations, coffee pot, coffee and your cigarettes are done for" (pointing at the two packs that lay crushed, holding back a grin when the Lieutenant let out a soft "Damn Krauts") "Everything else is in good shape, can put the extra ammo from your pack into mine, it'll make it easier for you to carry yours." (Hanley caught the smaller man's eyes) "Lieutenant you have bruised ribs and we have a ways to go, it'll be hard enough without the added weight from the ammo hitting your side every time you take a step."

"I appreciate the concern Kirby but what if we get separated, wouldn't do much good in a fire fight if I run out of ammo and can't reload."

Kirby frowned, "But Lieutenant"…

"Kirby, it's alright, I'll carry the extra ammo."

"Yes Sir" (giving the magazines back to the Lieutenant wait as he put them in his pack) "I can't give you anything for pain Sir because of the head injury, I'm sorry."

"That's alright Kirby, I'll have to manage without." Picking up the carbine he checked it over, grabbed his pack throwing it over his left shoulder then glanced at Kirby. "Let's go."

"Yes Sir" {still think I should carry the extra ammo, he's right about being separated but I hadn't planned on being separated}

They head south, moving toward base, hopefully the trip would be clear of Germans. The sun was bright and a warm breeze kept the men comfortable but it didn't ease the ache of sore ribs and bruised bodies a few hours into their walk the Lieutenant's pace which had started out steady was slowing down noticeably, glancing over at Hanley, Kirby noticed the perspiration beading his face and by the tightness of the man's jaw could tell he was hurting.

Kirby caught the Lieutenant's eyes…Sir, could we take a break? "I know I could use one."

"I was just going to suggest that."

Catching sight of a fallen tree a few yards from where they stood the two men made their way over and sat down. When they were seated Kirby glanced at Hanley.

"Lieutenant, on a scale of one to five what would you say your pain level is?" "Don't tell me you're alright, I can see your pupils are still uneven and those bruised ribs are probably acting up."

Hanley hesitated for a moment before responding. "Alright Kirby, here's my situation." "One minute I can see fine and clear, the next I'm seeing double or everything is blurry, if I move wrong I get dizzy which is doing a number on my stomach, my head has been pounding since I woke up and I'm doing my best to keep from being sick because I know how painful that can be with sore ribs." "On a scale of one to five, let's go with four but it doesn't matter because we still have to make it back to base and as you said it's a three day walk, I appreciate the concern but there isn't much we can do about my situation."

Kirby stared at the Lieutenant for a moment taking in the information he noticed the head wound was bleeding again and the Lieutenant wasn't breathing very well.

"Ok Lieutenant, shallow breaths remember? "Here take a drink then we need to clean that cut, should also check your side."

Hanley took a long sip from the canteen then handed it back…How are you doing?

"Better than you at the moment Lieutenant." "By the way, thanks."

Hanley raised a brow…For what?

"For pushing me behind cover back there, that's probably how you got hurt trying to protect us and I just wanted to thank you."

Hanley held the mans gaze for a moment. "You're welcome." There's a stream a few miles from here, remember we stopped before (at Kirby's nod) we'll take a break there." (Checking his watch) "We should be there within an hour or so, holding his side gave Kirby a tired smile, second thought it might take two."

Hanley grabbed the Carbine as he stood, settling it on his shoulder then bent down to pick up his pack, as he tried to straighten up a wave of dizziness hit, his vision blurred, stomach protested, closing his eyes quickly tried to ignore the nausea {not sure how many more times I can do this} he felt an arm wrap around his waist providing support. When he opened his eyes, saw two of everything, with a frustrated groan closed them.

"It's alright Sir, give it a minute" {Damn he's pale as a ghost} a few moments later the Lt's face regained some color and Kirby handed him the pack.

Hanley thanked him. "We need to move out while I can still see straight which at this rate won't be long."