This is the final chapter. There is a sequel at the Sea Patrol site. There doesn't seem to be enough interest here to publish it and one chapter has too high a rating, anyway.

Chapter 10

Bomber had never been so grateful for Spider's ineptness. She practically swallowed her fist to keep from laughing. If he had a rifle in his hand she definitely didn't want a loud snort erupting from the bushes. She had no wish to be shot.

Buffer was sure X could feel the vibrations from his silent laughter as he fought to control himself, the movement creating ripples of pain along the length of his body. It was several very long seconds later before he could contain himself enough to call out in a hushed tone, "X. We're over here."

He heard her radio as she announced, "They're here. We have them."

Spider hurried over to where the pair lay hidden in the ferns just ahead of her.

"Bomb," he grinned, his joy at finding her evident. "You ok?"

"I'm fine, Spider," she said. "I'm not the one who got shot."

"Eh, yeah. How are you, Buff?" he stammered, turning his gaze to Buffer who was still on the ground, that fact alone telegraphing his response.

By this time Kate was at his side looking down at him as he lay at her feet. He was soaked and dirty from his slide into the ferns, as was Bomber who stood beside him. But whereas she looked fresh and alert, he was pale and drawn.

She shot Bomber a look of gratitude. She could hardly imagine the night she must have had hiding in the dark and dank jungle with a wounded man in tow. How they managed to get this far while eluding the rebels was a miracle and a tribute to the loyalty and determination of the young medic.

The crew gathered quickly around them, some with their focus on him, others facing outward in protective mode.

"How are you doing, Buff?" Swain queried first, taking a cursory look at his friend and shipmate.

"I'm fine, Swaino," he replied, his flushed face and haggard appearance belying his words.

Bomber hovered tentatively beside him.

"I stopped the bleeding and there doesn't seem to be any sign of infection, but I think he's still in a lot of pain," she offered.

"If he seems stable, Swain, we should get moving. You can give him a more thorough check when we get back to Hammersley," Kate interjected.

"He definitely seems stable. Bomber has done a great job of treating the wounds," Swain replied as he gave Buff a quick examination. "He'll have to be checked out at the hospital but he's good to go."

He gave Bomber a quick pat on the back as he stood up, and Bomber beamed under the unexpected praise. Even the XO gave her a quick, "Good job, Bomber."

"I hope the big guy didn't give you a hard time, Bomber," laughed Charge, giving her a quick smile as he approached with the stretcher.

Bomber quickly lowered her head as she snorted in reply.

Fortunately they were too engrossed in their efforts to notice her near strangled response.

Buffer responded with a quick, "Me? I'm a pussy cat," using their answering laughter to effectively cover both the reason for his own and the wry look he exchanged with Bomber.

Buffer considered refusing the stretcher they offered but for several reasons he complied: The smiling face of 2Dads as he approached Bomber being one of them.

"Hey, Bomber. Rough night?" 2Dads teased, a sly smile splitting his face.

Spider smirked at the insinuation.

"What exactly were you doing with Buffer all night?" He challenged crudely, a smug smirk turning up one corner of his mouth.

Buffer, overhearing the half whispered insinuation as they passed, growled," She was trying to keep my guts from seeping out through the holes in my body; alone, in the dark, surrounded by hostiles, while you were sleeping soundly in your comfortable rack! What do you think she was doing, you moron!"

The disgusted look on his face was mirrored by Swain and Charge's, and 2Dads was treated to a collective glare as the stretcher passed.

He had the grace to look shame-faced as he and Spider looked downward. He also had the good sense to say nothing else until Buffer was out of earshot.

He then added, "Gawd! He's even worse when he's in pain."

"Tell me about it," said Bomber, doing her best to keep a straight face.

She had not missed the quick half smile Buffer had flashed in her direction when the boys' eyes had hit the ground in embarrassment. Nor was she oblivious to the fact that he was feigning a much greater weakness than what he was actually experiencing in order to dispel any further speculation from the crew.

"Poor, Bomber," said Spider. "You must have had one hell of a night."

"Believe me, Spidey," she replied, controlling her face with the greatest of effort, as he gave her a quick supportive hug, "It was one night out I won't soon forget."