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Catherine tried to sleep but given the conditions and the fact Steve was avoiding her, made it difficult. She snuck up to where Steve had perched himself against a tree and crouched down next to him.
"I didn't want to hurt you, Steve" she repeated
"Yeh, you said that" his response was curt and she had to admit a bit unexpected
"I get it, you hate me. I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say" she was sad and annoyed.
"I don't hate you, Cath. Don't you see? That's the problem. I wish I could hate you. That would make everything so much easier. I tried to move on but it didn't work. Everything reminds me of you" he paused and turned to face her "I'm still in love with you."
She erupted in tears "I'm still in love with you too. I missed you so much, Steve. I think of you all the time. I hate that I hurt you. I know this is all on me, but if I could take it all back and turn back time; I would have never gone to Afghanistan in the first place. I am so sorry" she pleaded hoping he could forgive her.
"I understand why you did what you did. You would have never forgiven yourself if something happened to Najib and those kids. I wish you trusted me enough to be honest with me. I would have done anything to help you. Anything" he insisted
"I know that. That's exactly why I didn't tell you what was going on. I almost got you killed once because of this, I couldn't take a chance and risk your life again" she was crying as she spoke.
"I would have been willing to take that chance" he leaned in closer gently wiping the tears from her face
"I wasn't willing to let you take the chance. You deserve better". She pulled back just enough to prevent him from touching her
Just as Steve tried to form the words to respond, the clatter of helicopter propellers filled the air. Gun fire erupted as teams of soldiers repelled inside the camp. Steve and Catherine immediately sprung into action and using the distraction as cover, climbed the fence and made their way inside the compound. Steve signaled Cath to move towards the barracks. He was sure they would be hiding in there. Avoiding the spray of bullets and flash grenades, Steve entered through the front of the cabin as Catherine made her way towards the back. He was right, Voknel stood there unarmed.
"Hands in the air where I can see them" Steve shouted aiming his weapon
Voknel slowly turned to face him with his arms raised "this is not over", he proclaimed with confidence
From behind a cordoned off area, Nietsikova appeared with her arms locked around Catherine's neck and a knife to her throat. "Put the gun down Commander or I will slit her throat"
Catherine shouted "take the shot!"
Steve hesitated he wasn't sure he had a clean shot. "No, I won't risk it"
"DO IT!" Shouted Catherine "DO IT!"
By now another one of Voknel's crew had appeared and stood behind Steve
Steve hesitated but wasn't willing to take the risk. He began to lower his gun when the sound of laughter gave him reason to pause.
"Cowards" Voknel shouted with a snicker in his voice
Suddenly Steve raised his gun and fired hitting Voknel between the eyes and dropping him instantly to the ground. He immediately back kicked the man behind him causing him to drop his weapon. Catherine took advantage of the distraction and with an elbow to the gut and a twist of the wrist; she tumbled Nietsikova to the ground. Steve and the man engaged in a bout of hand to a hand combat while Catherine struggled to gain control and attempted to wrestle the knife out of Nietsikova's hand. Before she could succeed, Nietsikova managed to slice a gash on Catherine's neck. The blood poured as Catherine gained the upper hand and flipped Nietsikova on her back. Steve grabbed hold of the man's weapon and turned it on him, leaving him for dead. Dropping the weapon, he ran towards Catherine where he witnessed her slit Nietsikova's throat with one clear slice. Catherine leaned to whisper in her ear "Die bitch, die" as she held her down long enough for the blood to drain to her death.
The adrenaline rush quickly subsided and Catherine dropped to the ground next to Nietsikova. Steve bolted to her side and gasped at the blood that gathered. Most of it belonged to Nietsikova but the stream of blood from Catherine's cut was flowing quickly. He ripped off his shirt and bundling it into a ball. He covered her wound and applied pressure in an effort to stop the bleeding. She was awake but was losing a great deal of blood and was beginning to lose consciousness.
The room suddenly filled with American soldiers ready to assist. He shouted "MEDIC!" repeatedly until two soldiers ran to him. One carrying a duffle bag marked with a red cross and the other gently guiding Steve off to the side.
"We need room to treat her Commander" one of the soldiers commented
Steve stood to the side as he watched the men treat her wound and apply bandages.
"She's ready for transport" the medic announced as they placed her on a portable gurney
Steve ran to her side grabbing hold of her hand and squeezing it tightly. "You are going to be ok Cath, you hear me? I'm right here; I'm going to be right here by your side"
She tugged his hand and pulled him closer "Yes" she whispered "I would have said yes" were her final words before her eyes drifted closed and she lost consciousness.
