FADE IN. EXT. DUSK. DERYN is sitting with her back propped up against a tree. ALEK is rummaging through the packs and pulls out a small first aid kit. NEWKIRK stands awkwardly watching.
DERYN
Ich glaube nicht, das ist eine gute Idee, Alek
I don't think this is a good idea, Alek.
ALEK
Warum? Du verletzt bist, ich brauche um es zu betrachten.
Und warum hast du auf Deutsch umstellen?
Why? You're hurt I need to looks at it. And why did you
switch to German?
DERYN
Weil er (glancing at NEWKIRK)vielleicht fragen, warum.
Because he... might wonder why.
ALEK, in understanding, looks at NEWKIRK.
NEWKIRK
What are you two blethering about ?
ALEK
Mr. Newkirk, could you go fetch us some water, please?
NEWKIRK, with one suspicious glance at DERYN and ALEK, heads off towards the faint sound of running water.
ALEK
Now will you let me look at your shoulder?
DERYN reluctantly unzips her jacket, and struggles with taking it off until ALEK comes over and helps. The shoulder of her shirt is soaked with blood.
ALEK (whispers)
Gottes Wunden...
He touched her shoulder and she winces. ALEK looks unsure of what to do.
ALEK
... Um, maybe you should take off your shirt...
DERYN (interrupting)
Excuse me?
ALEK (turning red and sputtering)
So I can take a closer look at your –your shoulder!
DERYN (blushing)
Oh- right. Still a Clanker at heart.
She fumbles one-handed with the buttons of her shirt, when that fails; she looks to ALEK for help. ALEK swallows nervously, and unbuttons her shirt.
DERYN (nervous laugh)
I hope Newkirk takes his time.
ALEK nods, his face still red, and helps DERYN out of her shirt. DERYN shivers, and wraps her uninjured arm across her chest.
DERYN
It's barking cold.
ALEK takes that opportunity to turn away and pull out a blanket from one of the packs and drapes it awkwardly around DERYN. She shifts it to expose her shoulder.
ALEK
Oh good, the bullet just grazed you.
ALEK begins to mop up the blood on her shoulder with a rag soaked in rubbing alcohol.
DERYN (wincing)
Blisters! That stuff's like ice!
ALEK (softly)
Why did you do it?
DERYN
Do what?
ALEK (begins to wrap a bandage around her upper arm, working his way up to her injury)
Push me out of the way and get shot?
DERYN
If I didn't, you could've been killed. If I had to choose between
loosing you, or taking a bullet in the shoulder, I'd gladly pick the
latter every time.
ALEK
I still feel guilty.
DERYN
Hey, dafty, (she reaches out and touches his face) I made the choice.
(she gently places a kiss on his lips) It's not your fault.
ALEK starts to respond, but he immediately falls silent when NEWKIRK walks back through the trees holding a canteen of water. He sits down on a rock. DERYN brings the blanket closer around her.
NEWKIRK
I think it's safe to start a fire. I shot one of the blighters, so I don't
think they'll be in any hurry to find us tonight.
ALEK
Could you do that for us, Mr. Newkirk?
NEWKIRK (with a sideways glance at DERYN)
With pleasure, you highness.
ALEK rolls his eyes, then turns his attention back to bandaging DERYN's shoulder.
ALEK (whispering so only DERYN can hear)
I may have run into a problem, Dylan.
DERYN (whispering back)
What is it?
ALEK (still in a whisper)
I'm not sure how to bandage your shoulder without moving the
blanket.
DERYN (whispering again)
Move in front of me and block his view.
ALEK (doing as she told, and still in a whisper)
You seem oddly calm.
DERYN
Would you prefer me to be hyperventilating?
ALEK
No thank you, Mr. Sharp… it's just, you're taking this whole thing…
rather well…
DERYN
What, you mean being shirtless in front of you?
ALEK
Um… yes.
DERYN
I'm just good at hiding it I guess.
ALEK finished bandaging DERYN, and hands her a different shirt, then gives her jacket back. DERYN stands up, and walks towards the fire that NEWKIRK had made while they were talking, and crouches near it, reaching out her hands.
NEWKIRK (shivering)
It really does get cold when the sun goes down, doesn't it?
DERYN
Aye.
ALEK
Do you have any idea as to where we are?
DERYN looks at NEWKIRK and does a one arm shrug.
NEWKIRK (matter-a-factly)
Italy.
DERYN snorts, which quickly turns into hysterical laughter. NEWKRIK and ALEK eventually join in and they end up laughing until they cry. FADE OUT.
