Author's Note: So, here's another short one. I wasn't going to post one today, but I don't feel good at all right now and I'm kind of lonely because my close friend didn't call me from out of state like she does every Saturday. Posting something on Fanfiction always gives me a boost, so I figured what the heck? I'll go ahead and do it. :P Hope you enjoy it! And I don't know if you picked this up, but the Commandant isn't just wicked to the bone. I kind of like him. And he will eventually become a very central part of the story with Jamie.

Jamie slowly came awake. He tried to ascertain his circumstances before opening his eyes. He was not lying on straw. He was lying on his side, on real sheets. He felt slightly refreshed. When he breathed it felt tight about his chest and sides, and by this he deduced he was wearing a bandage. He could feel the collar of his shirt about his neck. So then he had his shirt back on. How had that happened?

Someone very close by shifted. Quickly he opened his eyes to see who it was; he'd thought he was alone. There sat the Commandant by his infirmary cot. Jamie's eyes widened, but the Commandant smiled. It wasn't a predatory smile; it didn't seem threatening. But Jamie felt distrust at that unnatural expression on that man's face.

"How are you?" the Commandant asked.

"I don't know yet," Jamie answered warily. His eyes darted around the small white room once; the four other cots were empty, and no one was there save him and the Commandant. He looked carefully at the German. The latter smiled again, only this time it was a fleeting, sympathetic smile, before turning completely serious.

"You are not a fool, Major Jamie Stuart."

Jamie said nothing. The Commandant put a hand in his breast pocket and felt for something.

"I brought something for you," he said. He glanced toward the door to make sure no nurses were in the hall to witness what he was about to do. He drew out Jamie's gold ring and pressed it into Jamie's hand. "I couldn't bring your jacket; it would be noticed and would put both of us in danger and suspicion. But this is small. Your sweetheart would be proud of you for this morning. She would be proud if you wore her ring. That is where it came from, is it not? Your sweetheart in England?"

Jamie smiled a faint, mischievous smile at the memories surfacing as he looked at the ring.

"Yes. Gave it to me just before I was deployed to France. But Molly always was particular about things. I'd never hear the end of it if she knew I'd been wearing it at the quarry. You'd better keep it for me until I'm set free."

The German took the ring back and looked very grave.

"Until you're set free…yes. Until you're set free. I must go. I was making Sunday inspection of infirmary and only just had a moment to speak to you in private. Any time a nurse may come back in."

Suddenly his voice became louder and he spoke with the same commanding tone he usually did.

"You have four days abed, one day confined to barracks to rest, and the next day you must be back in the quarries, do you understand?"

"Perfectly."

"Good. And I sincerely hope not to see your name on the clipboards next Sunday."

And he left.

Jamie wondered what on earth to think.

Author's Note: For those of you who didn't catch the little crossover-type reference. Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Jamie in the War Horse Movie, also plays Sherlock in the series SHERLOCK. There is a girl who has a massive crush on him in SHERLOCK, named Molly. Hence, the name of his sweetheart in England in this fiction. ;) Little fun fact for you there.