Hawk's brows drew together, a clear sign he was upset.
"How serious is it?" he asked Flint.
"I haven't seen her, personally, but from what I understand, it's minor. I plan on checking on her after the meeting."
Hawk nodded, his body relaxing. "Doc will take care of her." He chuckled. "God help the man," he added cryptically.
Flint figured it best not to ask.
"I trust Doctor Olivari is settling in? He was concerned about being under protective custody and continuing his work."
Hawk's face gave him away. "Oh yes, the good doctor and I talked. I have Shipwreck entertaining him until other arrangements can be made."
Flint tried not to smile. When a "visitor" was put under Shipwreck's care, it was usually because Hawk found the person annoying. He couldn't blame his CO, honestly. He'd had his fill of the doctor on the flight back from the Cobra base. It had prevented him from touching base with Lady Jaye, which meant he had no clue of her injury until Gung Ho had just reported it to him.
Flint waited impatiently until the meeting's end, his mind having a hard time staying focused.
Finally, it was done and he made his way towards Doc's domain.
He met Scarlett in the hallway. She gave him a tired smile. Gesturing behind her, she said, "Doc just finished with her. She's a little dopey, so I wouldn't stay too long. Keep the shop talk till later," she warned.
Flint gave a curt nod and moved past her. She looked back at him, smiling. She'll never know what hit her, she thought, shaking her head, wondering when they would both realize how obvious their feelings were for one another.
Doc looked up from his desk where he was typing his report when Flint walked in.
"I take it you saw Scarlett," he said, turning his attention back to his paperwork after he saw it was Flint. "Keep it brief. She needs to rest and Hawk's recommended keeping her sedated while she has to be in here."
Flint paused. This was the second remark someone had made about Lady Jaye and being in the infirmary. He turned to Doc, who was once again immersed in his paperwork. Shaking his head, he pushed it to the back of his mind.
He spotted Lady Jaye lying in one of the beds, a curtain half closed around her. Smiling, he made his way forward, noticing she had her eyes closed.
Her eyes opened when he pulled a chair up to her bed.
"Hey, there," he said softly. "How are you feeling?"
She was having a hard time focusing. Instinctively, she held out her hand, which he took in his. That seemed to help ground her, her muddled brain thought.
"Ugh. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. What the hell did Doc give me?" she asked groggily.
Flint shrugged. "Some sedative, he said. What is about you and clinics anyway?"
She made a face. "Can't stand them. Rather be dragged through the moors by a horse than be in one. Long story," she sighed. "Another time."
He squeezed her hand, smiling down at her.
"You make the report?"
"Yeah. The doc's being a pain in everyone's behind, but Hawk has Shipwreck entertaining him."
She smiled at that. "That tells you something right there."
His smile faded. "How's the side?" he asked, concern showing in his eyes. "I wish you would have said something."
She tried to shrug, but she flinched at the twinge of pain she felt. "Wouldn't have mattered at the time. Endorphins, you know," she explained. "Had to use them while I had them."
"Adrenaline," he smiled again, amused. "You were shot."
She turned her head, a frown on her face. "Oh, no, I'm not telling you what happened. Then all I'll hear is how women shouldn't be in combat, blah, blah, blah." She sighed. "I know how you operate."
He tried not to be offended, knowing whatever Doc had given her was lowering her inhibitions.
"Allie," he said, gently pushing a strand of hair off her forehead, "that's not how I feel anymore, especially after working with you, Shana, and Courtney. You know that."
"Still not telling you," she said, a sly smile crossing her face. She mimicked locking her closed lips and throwing out the key.
He shook his head, smiling. Impulsively, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Try to get some rest, Al," he told her. "I'll be back later."
She started to open her mouth, but then clamped it shut again. She gave him a frustrated look, then blew out a sigh. "Just promise to break me out, okay? I hate being in here!"
He ruffled her hair. "I'll see what I can do," he promised her.
He stopped by Doc's desk before he left.
"Knife wound, aggravated by a gunshot wound. It was a clean shot, though. No internal damage," Doc said, without looking up from his paperwork.
Flint started to open his mouth, but Doc looked up and smiled. "No active duty for the next two weeks, until I can see that it's healed properly. She'll be out of here tomorrow. I'm just keeping her overnight for observation. That answer everything?"
Flint closed his mouth and nodded.
Doc sighed. "I wouldn't keep her here if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Tell Hawk thanks for the intel on that."
Flint started to speak again, but Doc shook his head. "Don't ask."
He bent his head and continued to write, an obvious dismissal.
Flint shook his head, making his way down the hallway. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know anymore.