~PraiseworthySea's POV~

"Let's get going," Gutterman said.

I began to take a step. My body went forward, my feet stayed, and I almost got a face full of dirt if he hadn't made a mad grab for the back of my belt. I hung there for less than a second before he gave me a sharp upward yank. I gave an unladylike grunt.

"You all right?" he asked me once I was steady.

"Fine. Thanks. Where's my cap?" I purposefully searched the ground for it so he doesn't see how embarrassed I am. Can't believe I tripped on nothing.

"There it is." Gutterman pointed near the plane. It must have fallen when I got out. I scooped it up and placed it on my head.

"Where do you think you are going? The hospital is that way," he called to me.

I spun around on my heels and replied "I'm not injured, sick, or staying indoors. Nothing is wrong with me that going to the beach can't cure. I do not care what Pappy said for you to do Captain, but you can stay away from me."

"I am taking you to the hospital only because Greg ordered me to. If I had my way I'd be on the other side of the island to avoid you!"

"Great. Get moving! You probably have never followed an order before," I growled at him. I stalked off towards the general direction of the beach.

"Oh, you're not going to do that!" He ran to catch up with me and grabbed my wrist.

"Lemme go!" I cried, struggling. I couldn't hold back tears although I had been doing that since I had landed back on the ground. I was scared from what happened in the air and didn't want him to see me like this. Without thinking my other hand came out, balled into a fist, and caught him in the face. There was a loud smack. Blood oozed out of his all ready broken nose and some of it covered my hand.

Gutterman yelped and released my arm. My eyes grew as wide as saucers. I'd done it again!

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that, Captain. Honest," I said. This has been an awful day for me. I wouldn't have been surprised if he told me to go walk off the end of the pier.

Instead he spoke in a soft voice that was slightly nasally from his hand covering his nose "Can we make a truce? I promise to not to annoy you if you promise not to hit me. I don't think I can take any more."

With two fingers on my right hand I made an imaginary cross over my heart and then held my hand up. "I promise I'll try not to hit you."

He gave me a weird look.

"I've done that ever since I was little," I explained. His eyebrows went up to his hairline and I pointed a finger at him. "And don't you say littler!"

"All right all right," he said putting his hands up in surrender. Blood was all over his face.

"I guess we have to go to the hospital now, don't we?" I said sheepishly.

"Heck of a way to get you there, girly," he commented. We walked side by side to the jeep.

"I said I was sorry Captain. What more do I have to say?"

"For starters you can quit calling me Captain like that. It's Jim. J-i-m. It's very simple to pronounce."

"Jim, I'm sorry. There, are you happy now? And don't call me girly!" I said with a huff. We climbed in to the jeep and he started the engine up before answering me. "Okay. Now I better get you to the hospital quick or Pappy will have my hide."

The car lurched and sped across the road. I gripped the seat tightly with both hands.

"Slow down will ya! Otherwise we'll both have a real reason to be in the hospital!" I shouted through clenched teeth.


~Captain Gutterman's POV~

Morgan stifled a giggle as we walked out of the hospital doors. "What's so funny?" I demanded sourly.

"You run into trees often?" she asked me innocently, batting her eyes.

I glared at her and said "So, I've used it once or twice before."

"Most people use it once and get another excuse, not use the same one several times in a row," she pointed out, quickly returning to her usual self.

I was about to respond when I heard Casey calling her.

"Yes, Lieutenant," Morgan responded looking at Casey, who was directly in front of her now.

"Pappy would like to speak to you, so if you'll follow me." He motioned outside to another jeep and she went with him. I drove my jeep back to the motor pool with one question on my mind. Why would Greg want her?


~Major Boyington's POV~

Lt. Casey poked his blonde head into the radio tent. "Captain Assunta is here, Pappy."

I glanced up from my maps and thanked him before he left. Morgan stood right inside the door way and looked at me expectantly. "Well, why did you need me?" she asked bluntly.

"Are you alright? The last time I saw you, you were kind of pale," I asked, completely ignoring her question.

"I'm fine. Would you please answer me?"

"Jim did take you to the hospital, right?"

"Yes, he did! Now will you quit avoiding my question!" Morgan yelled, completely exasperated.

I shushed her and got to the point. "We're leaving in the morning."

"Really? Oh, Pappy that's great!" she exclaimed and surprised me by giving me a hug. She blinked when she realized what she had just done and quickly backed up. "Um, what time do I need to be at the strip?"

"Oh five hundred. French, Boyle, and Anderson are coming with us to fly cover." I glanced out of the tent and noticed that the sun was sinking in the sky. "I want you to go back and get some rest because it's going to be a long day tomorrow."

Morgan nodded before hurrying out. "Long day," I sighed and returned to reading the maps.