A Secret Kept

By: AliasCWN

Chapter 3

"Hitch, take first watch. Tully, you go over both jeeps and make sure there aren't any more surprises tomorrow. I want to reach that base on schedule."

"Right Sarge." Hitch grabbed a rifle and headed for a hill.

Tully nodded and went to check the jeeps.

"Moffitt, find us an alternate route in case we're spotted. We'll stay on this course unless we run into trouble along the way." Troy paced the camp as he issued his orders. "I'll take the next watch, then Tully, then Moffitt, you take the last watch."

"What about me Sergeant?" Jerry asked. "I can take a turn on watch."

"We can handle it Jerry," Troy answered.

"I'm sure you can," Jerry replied, "but I'm offering to help. Take shorter turns on watch; let your men get some extra rest. They've been driving in this heat all day, I'm sure they're all worn out."

"They can handle it," Troy growled.

"But they don't need to," Jerry repeated. "It's your call Sergeant, but I'm offering."

Moffitt watched the range of emotions cross Troy's face. He was irritated with Jerry but he was trying to hide it. It was just another facet of the situation that didn't make sense. Troy was in a mood, yet he still allowed a man who wasn't even part of the team, to question his orders.

"Okay Jerry," Troy agreed. "You can take the first watch. We'll take two hour shifts instead of three. Hitch, you go second, then Tully, me, and Moffitt." Troy stopped pacing and faced the others. "Hitch, get our rations heated and then put the fire out. I don't want any lights after dark. Tully, make sure the jeeps are ready."

"Okay Sarge," Hitch nodded again.

Troy turned at the subdued tone used by his driver. "What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing Sarge," Hitch mumbled, "I'm fine." Hitch walked away before Troy could ask any more questions.

"What's gotten into him?" Troy asked Moffitt.

The Brit shrugged. "It seems he's worried about something."

"What?" Troy demanded. "If it's a girl…"

"It's not," Moffitt answered.

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know," the Brit responded, "he won't talk about it."

"Have you tried talking to him?"

"Have you?"

"I don't have time for this Moffitt."

"Perhaps you need to make the time." Moffitt glanced in the direction of the privates. "I think that may be part of the problem. You don't seem to have time for any of us right now. You give orders, you do your job, but you aren't really here with us at all."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You, Troy. You're distracted and cranky, and you seem to be avoiding us unless you want to complain or give orders. Tully and Hitch have both noticed it, and they are concerned about it. To be truthful, I've been trying to figure it out too. You aren't yourself."

"You're crazy!"

Moffitt smiled. "There have been some rumors among my British friends that suggested such a thing, especially among those who have met you. But that is neither here nor there, we were talking about you, not me."

"We were talking about Hitch."

"Perhaps, but it all comes back to you. Tell me Troy, what is really bothering you? Is it this mission? Is there more to it than you are telling us?" Moffitt paused at the change in Troy's eyes. "Ah! So that's it."

"I can't tell you Moffitt. You're safer not knowing."

"So you are trying to put it all on your own shoulders?"

"That's the way it has to be."

"No, it isn't. We're a team Troy. You can trust us. We can help!"

"I don't need your help with this," Troy insisted. "I just need you to trust me to do what I have to do."

"We do trust you," the Brit answered. "I'm not sure that letting you handle this alone is the best way to help you, but, I'm willing to do that, for now. Just remember, we are here if you need us."

"Thanks," Troy answered. "But that doesn't answer my question about Hitch."

"Hitch," Moffitt answered, "knows you well enough to know that something is bothering you. He feels that he may have done something to upset you. I told him it wasn't him, although I wasn't certain of that myself at the time, but he's still upset."

"What makes him think something is bothering me?"

"Really Troy," the Brit replied, "you haven't been acting like yourself at all."

"Oh yeah," Troy tried for a grin, "who have I been acting like?"

"Troy," Moffitt groaned.

"Look Moffitt," the other sergeant sighed, "I will explain everything later. For now, this is the way it has to be."

"You already said that."

"And I meant it."

"Very well," the Brit finally agreed, "for now."

"Now that that is settled, I'm going to grab something to eat and get some sleep. We should reach the base tomorrow. So far we haven't been seen and I'd like to keep it that way."

"I've plotted several alternate courses that we can take if it becomes necessary. This is the best choice by far, but not our only option."

Troy paused, "You already plotted other courses? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

The Brit shrugged. "You didn't ask." As annoyance flashed across the other sergeant's face, Moffitt continued. "You haven't exactly been open to conversations today. Hitch reports that you seemed fine when we left this morning, but something changed when we stopped to cool the engines."

"Why is he reporting to you?" Troy growled. "I think I need to have a talk with him."

"He was worried about you Troy. Giving him grief about it isn't going to help."

"He didn't have to go behind my back! If he had a problem with me, he should have come to me!"

"You weren't speaking to him, or anyone else for that matter!" Moffitt snapped. "What did you expect him to do?"

Whatever Troy was going to say, he didn't say it. He lowered his head and nodded. "I'll have a talk with him. I'll tell him there is nothing to worry about, I'm fine."

"You'll have to be more convincing with him than you've been with me. There are times when knowing each other so well may not be the advantage you think it is."

"I'll deal with Hitch. What about Tully?" Troy watched Moffitt's face closely. "What has he got to say?"

"You know Tully, he's a man of few words."

"But?"

Moffitt smiled. "I admit, there are other times when knowing each other so well does have its advantages. Tully is worried too. He hasn't said much, but you haven't exactly done anything to reassure either of them."

Troy shook his head. "I'll talk to him too."

"Let me," Moffitt suggested. "If I talk to them, they won't be able to ask you questions you don't want to answer."

"How are you going to explain it?"

"The concerns of one in charge. Your responsibilities are weighing heavily on your shoulders. You're having a bad day." The Brit smiled and shrugged. "Which would you prefer I use? Or do you have a better idea?"

"No," Troy shook his head, "no better idea. Use your own judgement, I guess any of them will do."

"None of them will satisfy them," Moffitt warned, "but it might buy you some time. I'll try to get them to wait you out. It won't stop them from worrying, but they won't do anything about it right away. When this is over, you owe them an explanation." The Brit paused to turn a steely gaze on Troy, "They deserve that much."

"Yeah," Troy scratched his head and nodded, "they do, and so do you. When I get it all figured out, you'll be the first to know."

"Fair enough." Moffitt nodded. Before he turned away, he paused for one more comment. "Just remember that we are all here if you need someone to help carry the burden."

"I know," Troy answered, "and Moffitt, thanks."

The British sergeant nodded, finally at a loss for words.

Troy helped himself to some cold rations and turned in for the night without speaking to either private.