Chapter 3 – Promises Made

The low-lying clouds had finally begun to clear, allowing the morning sunlight to filter through the dense canopy … in a few hours, it would be another sweltering, humidity-filled day. Kenny carefully made his way back to Leo's hiding place. "Hey, I'm back. I set off a couple flares. Hope our guys were watching. Leo?"

The injured captain didn't move.

"Leo?" he tried again, this time gently shaking his friend's shoulder. "Leo, come on, Pal. Don't check out on me now that we're so close to getting out of here." Kenny sat on the ground behind his friend and pulled him close. He stilled, waiting to feel Leo's chest rise and fall. Over the last few hours he noted that the Captain's breathing had become quicker, shallower, gradually more and more labored. "Hey there, Mac, come on. You're scarin' me."

The man in his arms stirred. "Ke … Kenny?" Leo swallowed hard as his eyes rolled open, fever-bright and unfocused.

Inwardly, O'Neal sighed, relieved. "Yeah."

"Gotta …promise me …"

"Leo, don't try to talk, just rest."

"Tell her … for me … Jenny … tell her … tried … get back."

"Goddammit, you hold on, Leo! You hear me?" O'Neal held him tight and whispered vehemently in his ear, "Don't you dare die on me now!"

Tears formed at the corners of Leo's eyes as he stared, unblinking at the small patch of bright blue sky above them. It would be so easy to give in, so easy to let go. Why won't Kenny just let me go? "Tell her … sorry," he finally whispered. "I … didn't … keep promise."

"Leo …"

"Things didn't … turn out … for … I … wanted to …" He stopped, unable to finish.

"You wanted to what, Leo?" Kenny asked quietly as he brushed his hand over his friend's forehead.

Leo slowly closed his eyes as the tears finally fell. "Ask to … marry me …"

O'Neal held Leo's head tight to his shoulder, willing him to pay attention. "Listen to me, you're gonna be able to do that. I sent up a coupla flares, remember? Help's gonna be here soon." He tried desperately to keep Leo with him, but deep down inside, Kenny knew he was watching his friend slip away. "Come on, don't give up now, not when we're so close. Please, Leo," he begged, "please hold on."

McGarry opened his eyes and stared at the man who had undoubtedly compromised his own safety to carry him through the jungle for the past two and a half days. There was still so much Leo wanted to do, so many things he needed to say, so much he'd left undone. But he too, knew the score on this one – he was fighting a losing battle. "I'm sorry … Kenny … just … too much … can't …" Leo let out a slow breath, as his eyes rolled back in his head.

Kenny watched, waiting for the man in his arms to breathe in. "Leo?"

Suddenly, the injured pilot jerked, sucking in a deep breath. "JENNY!"

"Shit, Leo!" O'Neal quickly clamped his hand across his friend's mouth, but the captain had already lost his battle to stay conscious. "Dammit. We'll have every fuckin' VC in country lookin' for us now," Kenny muttered.