Unable to take the suspense anymore Devon stood up and gestured to Bess to keep and eye on Uly. After Bess silently nodded Devon headed over to the Med-tent. As she approached Julia and True she could see through the darkness the serious expression on Julia's face. As she reached them she called, "Julia?"

Julia looked up and saw the worried expression on Devon's face. "I have managed to remove the bullet, but he will need plenty of rest to make a full recovery."

True turned towards Devon and for the first time that day Devon saw a wide smile on the young girl's face as she said, "I was saying that she could count on me to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything."

"I am sure she can." Smiled Devon, full of relief.

"So when can I see him?" Asked True, "I will be quiet."

Feeling it was best for True not to see him until he was awake, but hearing the need in True's voice, Julia said. "I need to patch up Walman and Devon. When I have finished, you can some sit with him. Ok?"

Before True could respond Devon said, "I'm fine Julia. You don't need to …"

Julia cut her off and said, "You were hit with across the face. I need to check there are no fractures or any other complications. It won't take long. "

"She is right Devon." Said Yale who had emerged from the tent with Cameron.

"True, perhaps you can ask Walman to come over, it will be easier to assess him in the light of the Med-tent. Cameron, could you help him over?" Asked Julia

Happy to have something to do True hurried across camp followed by Cameron, whilst Yale and Devon helped Julia to her feet as Devon asked. "He is really going to be ok?"

"As long as he rests. He lost a lot of blood, but he escaped major damage to any organs."

As Yale departed to check on Uly, Devon and Julia entered the Med-tent. On arriving in the illuminated tent Devon glanced over at John who was sound asleep. She was relieved to see him looking better than she had expected. What concerned her however was the withdrawn look on Julia's bruised and pale face. As Julia began to scan Devon with the dia-glove, Devon asked, "So how are you doing?"

Without stopping what she was doing Julia quickly responded, "Fine," and kept scanning. Before Devon could say anything else Julia said. "You haven't broken anything, but it will be sore for a few days, I will give you some pain killers which will make it more comfortable. If it gets worse tell me." Devon nodded in agreement. Just then Cameron and Walman entered the tent, Cameron asking, "Where do you want me to put him?" As Julia instructed them over to the spare cot Devon made her exit. Cameron, who had managed to help a grumbling Walman to settle on the cot, followed her out of the tent shortly.

"You know there is no need for this Doc I am fine." Protested Walman as Julia began to run her scans.

"If you truly believed that you would still be outside the tent." Responded Julia.

"Yeah well I didn't want to argue with True, she was sporting the Danziger glare." Walman smiled before asking, "So will I live?"

"For now. You have a couple of fractured ribs and a mild concussion. Did you have the bone-healer vaccine back on the stations?"

"Yes."

"Ok, well they should heal in a few days, I will strap them up for now and give you some pain relief." After a brief pause she said. "Thank you." Seeing the slightly confused expression on Walman's face, she continued, "For pretending to be the doctor, for getting beaten up because of me."

"Julia, when Danziger and I found you running through the woods, escaping those bastards, I could not believe what they had done to you. No one deserves to go through what you did and I sure wasn't going to give them an excuse to cause you any more suffering." As he gave her free hand a slight squeeze and smiled he added, "I consider you and everyone else in this group as family. I was brought up believing that everyone has a responsibility to protect their family."

Julia returned his smile and said, "Still you could have been killed, thank you." Feeling her emotions get the better of her she paused and took a deep breath before saying, "Ok then lets get you patched up."


A/N: Sorry it is short once again, but I was away all weekend.