The next two chapters are rather short as I wanted to give the illusion of time passing between Saunders last words to Hanley in this chapter, what happened the next morning beginning in Chapter 11 and the final exchanges and Epilogue in Chapter 12. Thanks for reading and spending time with me and the guys.

Chapter 10

During the next several hours Garrett and Caje took their turn watching over the Lieutenant…keeping him cool, giving him water when he would wake but the fever worsened…it was during Doc's second watch that the Lieutenant began sweating hard and his body to shake as the heat ran through him…skin was so hot when Doc applied a compress it would dry within minutes…he was restless and moving around so much Doc was afraid he would tear the stitches in his side.

Doc: "Come on Lieutenant…you just make it through this fever and when it breaks you'll be through the woods."

He tried to hold the Lieutenant down to protect the stitches but it just seemed to make the man fight harder…after a time he finally called to the other men.

Doc: "Saunders, Caje, Garrett, I could use some help here!

At the Doc's call all three man were awake and kneeling beside him and Hanley in a matter of minutes…

Saunders: What do you want us to do Doc?

Doc: "We have to try and keep him still Serge or he'll break the stitches for sure…you get by his shoulders, Caje, Garrett you take his legs."

As everyone moved into position Doc stayed on the Lt's good side.

Doc: "Ok you got to keep him down but try to be gentle we don't want to break anything."

For the next few hours the men tried to keep the Lieutenant immobilized but as the fever spiked it took all they had to hold him, by now the Lieutenant was drenched in sweat, his body shaking uncontrollably finally the Lieutenant went still but the men held on to him until the Doc told them they could let go… with a sigh he looked at each of them.

Doc: "The fever broke."

Caje, Garrett and Saunders sat back on their heels while trying to get their breathing under control watching as Doc examined the wound.

Saunders: Did he tear the stitches?

Doc: "It looks like I'll have to replace a couple but with him out it shouldn't be too hard on him…Garrett can you heat up some water?

Garrett: "Sure Doc."

Caje: "Serge, why don't I take a look around outside make sure we are still secure?"

Saunders: "Good thinking Caje but be careful."

Doc: "We need to dry him off a bit…don't want him to catch cold."

When that task was done they collected their jackets to use as a cover until the blankets could dry… Doc cleaned the wound with hot water and repaired the broken stitches eliciting a low moan from the unconscious man.

Saunders: "Easy Lieutenant…Just a few more minutes Doc will have you fixed right up."

After the medic had finished tending the wound and a bandage was put in place he sat back…

Doc: "I think he'll be alright now Serge... I'll keep an eye on him until morning, you, Caje and Garrett should get some more rest…I figure you'll want to get him back to camp tomorrow."

Saunders: "Yeah Doc that's the idea, barring we don't run into any Krauts on the way we could be there before night fall." Placing a hand on Hanley's shoulder he glanced at the sleeping man's face. Doc, you sure he'll be alright?"

Doc: Patting the Serge's shoulder as he stood. "Yeah he should be alright, a little rest and some antibiotics he'll be good as new."

When Doc moved away Saunders bent down close enough to place his forehead gently against the Lieutenant's now cool one and in a low whisper he spoke. "I'm glad you went the distance Gil I would have missed you, Brother."