Chapter 4

At the farm

The night was brilliant and clear. Every star shone and glistened, and the moon looked upon, but didn't smile. Savannah was with the wrong man celebrating her anniversary. 7 years since she saw him walking into her life again wanting a friend to share the loss of his father. 7 years they'd been apart and never a day went by that she didn't want him back. This she only confessed to the moon and in her prayers. She was lonely after he re-enlisted and Tim needed help. She tried to rationalise her choice so many times and it did keep her sane and focussed on Tim and Alan. But now, now that Tim was well, now that John needed her, she was confused. Her mind wandering always distant. Tim had noticed the change in her and as always gave her space. Savannah would either get over it or talk to Tim about it. She never kept anything to herself, or so he thought.

"Hey, great meal Savannah and thank you for tonight," he said lovingly.

She looked up at him after placing her wine glass down, "It's my pleasure...we are actually celebrating twice tonight. Not only 7 years married but you're cured Tim, who would have thought after everything we've been through, you're cured."

"It does feel good to know that I won't need any meds, no therapies or constant visits to the doctor's. I can concentrate on this place and pull my weight, spend more time with Alan," and he paused took her hand kissed it and continued, "be more a husband to you."

Savannah blushed. Oh my goodness, be more a husband. Things had changed now. She couldn't continue and she needed to find excuses until she had made a decision.

"Oh sweetie...it's been a long day and I think we should take it easy," she said hopefully. A sincere look of disappointment flashed across Tim's face. This angel had been in his life for so long and not until now, now that everything was sorted, could he truly be there for her. Yet it was not to be. He had waited so long a little more wouldn't hurt, "Ok, you're right. What do you say I help you tidy up and we watch our favourite movie?"

Savannah was relieved, "That sounds great," as she got up to start to clear the dishes, "oh and by the way I need to go to town tomorrow," she finished.

"To town why?" Tim asked more out of curiosity than anything else. Savannah was caught unprepared. She should had thought of something before hand, how stupid. She felt guilty. Guilty for wanting to see a friend in hospital. But she knew it was more than that. She could've waited another day or two and used the groceries excuse but John was on her mind. There'd been no news from the hospital and she was so anxious. The need to see him was strangling her, wrenching the life out of her. She had to go so the lie had to happen.

"When I was coming back for you at Mercy, I ran into Belinda. You probably don't remember her, she helped out that summer with the house constructions," Tim shook his head, anyway she continued, "ok, anyway her mum's in hospital. So I thought I'd pop in see her mum and maybe have lunch and catch up on old times." She smiled but it was a nervous smile. She was convinced Tim would see right through her.

"That's great if you can support Belinda. You of all people know what it's like. Is she sick?" he asked. Oh great more lies...she needed to make up something. No she would say the truth, well in a stretched sort of way, "She was involved in an accident. Belinda didn't go into too much detail she was sort of in a rush," she concluded. Tim seemed to believe her. She had dodged the first bullet.

"Is there anything you want me to pick up while I'm in town?" she asked whilst placing the dishes in the dishwasher. "Oh maybe some condoms," Tim said with a playful smile on his face. Suddenly a clatter of china was heard in the kitchen. Savannah had dropped a couple of the dishes, "Oh crap! A couple of condoms hey? OK" she answered nervously. Tim rushed in to make sure Savannah was fine and smiled, "Honey I was just joking...when you're ready. No pressure OK?"

Savannah nodded and looked at him lovingly, "It's not that I don't want to but it's been such a long time and you've been so sick that I haven't thought of you in that way. It's just going to take some getting used to."

She was hoping that he wouldn't take it the wrong way. He didn't. He gave her a hug and said, "Like I said, when YOU are ready. I love you forever and always. That's all that matters." Then he kissed her and went to put on the movie.

Savannah leaned on the counter and breathed deeply. She didn't know she could keep up the charade but she was going to. Her need to be with John now was greater than anything else. She would tell Tim the truth soon, but not now.

The next day

She had climbed into her car having made sure that Tim and Alan were going to be fine without her. She had had a good run along the freeway. All she could think about was John and seeing him all broken, a shell of the boy she had met for the first time 9 years ago. The way he coyly smiled at her. He was so sweet. He had saved her bag from complete disaster and emerged from the water like a god. His body glistening and shimmering, so perfect and virile. Now not so perfect. Life had left too many scars but John was her love.

The letters RSRC flashed in front of her. She hadn't been paying attention. She was nervous but OK. She walked in and straight to ICU 3. Nothing had changed. The machines were beeping, the tubes were all in place and there he lay. Still. Quiet. Vulnerable.

She walked over to the chair, placed her bag down and picked up his left hand, "Hey John, it's Savannah. Funny who you meet in the hospital now days. I saw Karl last time I was here. He's looking well. He's really worried about you and so am I. You've been asleep over 2 weeks. I think it's time you wake up, huh?" She kissed his hand, so cold and lifeless and sat still, quiet and vulnerable.

Over the period of time she was there, a few nurses came in and out, checking his vitals and smiling sadly at Savannah. She had to leave in a hour and she was dreading it. She extended her hand and touched his cheek, then ran her fingers through his hair. She got up and felt an overwhelming urge to kiss him. She leaned forward almost being drawn like a magnet, and tenderly and ever so lovingly kissed his lips. They were so dry yet so familiar. She ran her thumb over them and kissed him again, this time longer. The kiss lingered for what seemed a life time. Then she drew back, sat down and placed her head on his hand and cried. She needed him to wake.

She gathered her things and said, "John I'm going now. I can't come tomorrow. I haven't told Tim. I'll try and come the day after. Be awake for me. I love you," and with that she left.

John was somewhere. Back in some war torn country with noises and bombs exploding, blood splattering and bodies dying. Pain...he could feel pain and sadness. Then he heard an angel amongst the hellish chaos, John...be awake...I love you. Savannah? Was his Savannah here? No she couldn't be. She was with Tim and...but maybe she had found him. He knew she would if he needed her. The moon would bring her to him. So he knew he had to fight and come back for her, for his Savannah.

Later that day...

Corporal Peter Ames was on leave and was staying with his family not far from Mercy so everyday he would visit John and keep vigil for an hour or so and leave. He'd always report back to Colonel Matthews on John's status. Today he'd been held up and was late getting to the hospital.

"Oh Peter, you know that visiting hours are almost over?" said Nurse Lacey, whilst closing a binder.

"Come Lacey...I was held up and I'm leaving for Iraq in a couple of days. I need to see John. Pretty please..." he pleaded. His pleas were too sweet and Nurse Lacey let him through.

As he walked in he noticed there were no changes. So he went through his routine and started talking to John, "Hey you still asleep. Any visitors today? No, oh well I'm here. Nurse Lacey's sweet and really hot. I've got dibs. She'd choose me over you anyday anyway. Company's good, everyone says get off your arse and get well. Colonel Matthews sends his regards and says that he'll try to come down from DC as soon as he gets a chance and blah, blah, blah." His tone of bravado was more for John's sake than his.

Ames could really talk. John started to hear a mumbling noise and as he strained, he started to make out words. Those words became phrases. He heard Ames, it was Peter's voice. He strained harder and fought against the pain, the meds and the darkness that kept pulling him back and moved his hand. Peter wasn't paying attention, too busy talking. There were times when all John wanted to do was smack Peter over then head and say shut up! This was one of them. He was going to try again but it took so much effort. Maybe he'd try opening his eyes or speaking. His was exhausted from just moving his hand. He mustered up all his strength and slowly opened his eyes.

Peter saw instantly, "John, John you can hear me. This is good man. I'll call the doctor." John blinked once and kept blinking, but the pain was overwhelming. "Stay with me John. Hang in there the doc's coming. Man you're awake...you're awake. I told them back at the base that my talking would wake you only to shut me up," Peter said laughing at his own joke but out of sheer happiness and relief John had opened his eyes.

Doctor Andrews came running along with Nurse Lacey, "Hey Corporal Ames...is our sergeant awake?" It was more a rhetorical question. He went straight over to John and started prodding and poking, checking vitals and then turned to John.

"Well hello there Sergeant Tyree, you've finally decided to wake. Now everything seems to be going well, vitals all good. Now let me check your pupils response...oh excellent...," and before he could continue John interrupted, "...thirsty...". Well they were pleasantly shocked, "Thirsty? Yes Nurse Lacey please get Sergeant Tyree some water chips" said Dr Andrews whilst continuing to prod and poke. His lips had been so dry and the water chips were a welcome comfort. After John had finished, Dr Andrews continued, "Sergeant Tyree, do you remember what happened?" John looked around and saw Peter standing quietly in the corner and spoke softly, "Ambush ...explosion."

"Good son... there was an explosion. You are now in Sisters of Mercy hospital RSRC unity back in the States. You suffered a bullet wound to your collarbone and severe abdominal trauma. You gave us a couple of nasty scares. But I think you're over the worst of it. All you need to do now in rest and recuperate," Dr Andrews explained. John's eyelids were becoming heavy but he asked, "When can I leave?" That prompted a belly laugh from Dr Andrews and startled looks from both Ames and Lacey, "Not for a while John, not for a while. Just rest now and we'll see how you're going in the morning." On that note Dr Andrews and Nurse Lacey left, leaving Peter, "Well, well...good to have you back John," said said squeezing John's shoulder, "real good. Now you get some rest and I'll be back tomorrow. I have to let everyone know the good news," he gave him a tap and left, happier than he arrived.

He had come back...for her, for his Savannah.

Her mobile rang and Savannah froze...