CHAPTER SEVEN

"Yeah…it does come in handy Sarge." Tully stated relaxing a little further in his seat, closing his eyes against the glare of the sun.

"I can see where it would." Troy glanced at the younger man. Would you consider teaching the rest of us? "Hitch said you've been trying to teach him and he could probably use the edge."

At the questioning look on the young man's face…Troy continued. "Well, if your lip-reading skill helps you avoid getting shot sometimes then maybe it would help our youngest member get out of the way before an enemy bullet catches him."

Tully grinned. "Sure, Sarge."

They arrived at the hospital in good time…Troy parked the jeep near the Medical building and turned to his passenger, Tully had fallen asleep during the last leg of their drive.

Keeping his distance Troy called to the sleeping man. "Tully, hey Tully, we're here."

The young man straightened up quickly at Troy's call. "I fell asleep…sorry Sarge, didn't mean to."

"It's alright." Troy said gripping the man's shoulder lightly. What's say we go see how Hitch is doing?

With a grin Tully stepped out of the jeep, stretching for a few seconds before following the Sergeant into the building.

Stepping through the doorway, they quickly located Hitches cot, which was currently surrounded by four nurses. Exchanging looks Tully and Troy walked toward the young man meeting up with Moffitt as the Brit was also heading toward their fourth member.

What's going on with Hitch? Troy asked

"Oh nothing, our youngest has been entertaining the medical staff since he arrived especially the Nurses." Moffitt replied with a grin

"Why am I not surprised." Troy said with a smile.

Moffitt stepped closer to Tully. Are you alright?

"Yeah…we ran into a little trouble…but the Sarge has been taking care of me."

While Troy, Moffitt and Tully were making their way to Hitch, the Nurses moved away, heading for the exit. Hitch heard Tully's last remark and with a frown glanced at the bandage. "You were supposed to take care of the Sarge…are you alright?

Tully stepped up to the cot, located a stool and sat down. "I'm fine…a bullet scratched me during a run in with a few Germans."

Troy placed a hand on Tully's shoulder. "He did take care of me Hitch…that's how he got hit."

Are you alright Troy? Moffitt asked.

"Yeah…yeah…not a scratch but I think while we're here the Doctor should check Tully over, just to be on the safe side."

"But Sarge…"

"No buts,Tully." Moffitt stated. "Come along."

The Kentuckian looked from Troy to Moffitt then with a sigh stood up.

"I'll be back to check on you later Hitch." Bumping fists with his friend before allowing Moffitt to lead him away.

Troy took a seat on the stool…How are you feeling Hitch?

"Shoulder is a little sore but the Doctor says I'll be good as new in a few weeks. Looks like Tully will have to take over as driver for you until I get back." Is he alright Sarge?

"The graze wasn't deep, and his pupils are normal, other than a headache he says he feels fine." Troy said with a smile. "By the way I've asked him to teach me and Moffitt how to read lips and you are to improve on what skills you already have."

Grinning…Hitch caught the Sergeants eye. "You think his lip-reading skill is what helps him avoid being injured?

"I don't know but if it gives us an edge in surviving conflicts with our German friends then I'm all for it."

Fifteen minutes later as Hitch was telling Troy about a French Nurse having a crush on him Moffitt and Tully returned.

"Don't believe a word he says Troy." Moffitt commented as he approached the cot. "The French Nurse did not fall for our youngest's charms."

Tully and Troy exchanged grins then glanced at Hitch.

Hitch looked at each man then with a wide grin. Who was there: you or me?

What did the Doctor say Tully? Troy asked.

I'm fine Sarge. Tully began. "No concussion."

Moffitt interrupted. "Dr. Simmons recommended aspirin as needed for his headache and a good nights sleep but also suggested that we keep an eye on Tully for a few days just to make sure he doesn't have any delayed reactions."

I don't need... Tully started only to be interrupted by Sgt. Troy.

"We'll do as the Doctor suggested." Holding the younger man's eyes for a moment, when he received a nod from Tully the Sergeant turned back to Hitch. "You get some rest." he said, looking at his watch then at Tully. "We have time to get to the mess before it closes." Standing up Troy clasped the uninjured shoulder of his driver. "We'll be back to check on you in the morning."

Okay, Sarge...Hitch responded then glanced at Tully.

Troy turning to Moffitt, motioned for the Brit to follow him toward the exit but as they walked away, Sgt. Troy turned back briefly. "See you at the Mess Tully."

"I'll be there, Sarge." Tully responded watching as the two men left before turning back to Hitch. What's up?

Hitch scanned his friends features for a moment before answering. "Well, I'm going to be out of action for a few weeks because of my shoulder...just wanted to tell you to take it easy for the next few days...make sure you're alright...ya gotta be sharp out there until I get back."

"Don't worry Hitch." Tully said in a serious tone. "I might have a little headache off and on for a couple of days but the Doctor did give me clearance to drive and I know my limits."

"I didn't think you had any." Hitch said with a grin.

"I might push my limits once in a while but I do know them." Tully responded with a smile. "I'm going to get a bite to eat, then work on that "good nights sleep" Dr. Simmons recommended...in the morning, maybe you can introduce me to your French Nurse."

"Find your own." Hitch said with a laugh as Tully moved toward the exit...a few minutes later the youngest member of the Rat's was asleep.

EPILOGUE

7 Months later

"Moffitt look out." Troy yelled as he dove at the taller man pushing them both behind a large boulder, seconds later the sound of bullets could be heard as the enemy tried to take them out.

A few minutes later the sound of a .50 could be heard returning fire, then all was quiet except for the sound of an approaching jeep. Peeking from behind the boulder, Moffitt and Troy watched as Hitch parked the jeep a few feet from where the two Sergeants were hiding letting the engine run.

Hey, Sarge…you two ok? Hitch asked.

Troy and Moffitt emerged from behind the boulder and strolled toward the idling jeep.

"Yeah…we're good…what about you two?" Troy asked scanning both the drivers for injuries.

"We're alright…saw the Germans heading toward you so we hid the other jeep and came to help." Tully explained.

"I for one am glad you arrived when you did…if Troy hadn't pushed me out of the way I might have been hit." By the way Troy, how did you know they were going to shoot at us?

"While the soldiers were talking to their Commander, I read their lips and when he gave the order to shoot…I had a few seconds to get you out of the way."

Moffitt looked at Tully. "I knew it was a good idea to have you teach us how to lip read…this just proves it."

"Yeah…good thing you all caught on so fast…it really can give you an edge." Tully stated as he jumped down from where he had been manning the .50.

Troy took his position in the front passenger seat, while Moffitt and Tully took seats in the back.

With a "Let's Shake It" from Sgt. Troy, Hitch stepped on the gas…a few seconds later the Rat Patrol was on the way to pick up the other jeep and begin their next assignment.

THE END

Thanks for reading this episode of Rat Patrol…I hope you enjoyed it. In my first story for the Rat Patrol I gave Tully the ability to read lips and in this story we found out how he acquired the skill (in case those of you who have read my previous tale were curious). Thanks to all who reviewed and offered advice (I don't mind corrective criticism and it is appreciated). This was the second story I wrote for Rat Patrol and if my muse allows I'll get a third one written in a few months. Til we meet again…Take Care…Be Safe and Enjoy the Day!