Author's Note: I hope everyone out there is doing well during this COVID 19 pandemic. Based on the number of new reviews of previous stories, I assume people have extra time on their hands so I thought I would edit another story and post it. Hopefully it fills up some of your time. Stay well!
Jaz
I was beyond exhausted. We'd been running all over the globe for what seemed like months. Wait a minute. Now that I thought about it, it had been months since the mission tempo had accelerated. The guys looked much better than I did and that just pissed me off. I was the youngest so I should definitely be more spry than the rest of them. Able to last longer with limited sleep. Right? Apparently not.
As usual I was wedged in the backseat between McG and Amir while Preach drove and Top rode shotgun. Someday I wanted to make it into the front seat for one of these never ending drives as we made our way back to Base.
I found myself growing increasingly irritated as conversation flowed around me. I was sitting on what had to be the most uncomfortable seat ever made. How come no one else was complaining? In order to find a better spot, I shifted around bumping first into Amir and then McG.
"I need some space," I snapped.
Every head turned to look at me and even Preach spared a glance at me in the rear view mirror.
"Sorry, Jaz, I'm squeezed over as close to the door as possible," McG told me.
"As am I," Amir said.
"Preach, stop the car. I need to stretch my legs," I demanded.
"Can it wait until we get closer to the airfield?" Top asked.
He probably thought I needed to pee but I just needed out. Now.
"No. Stop now."
Preach, being a wise man, did pull over to the side of the road near a few trees. McG opened his door and got out of the Jeep to give me some space so I could slide across the seat. Just when I got to the door, I was hit with a sudden wave of nausea and dropped my head down on my knees.
"You okay, Jaz?" McG asked as he placed a gentle hand on my back.
"Just give me a minute."
I knew my voice was muffled but obviously they understood me. Things were starting to come together for me now. Clearly I was coming down with some sort of illness and the exhaustion, body aches, and irritability were all part of that process.
Once the nausea subsided, I pulled my head up and shook McG's hand off as it brushed across my forehead.
"I just need a few minutes," I told anyone listening as I stepped out of the vehicle.
As soon as my boots hit the ground, the dizziness and nausea struck again. I blindly reached out toward McG. He caught me and then swung me up into his arms. Considering the show I'd just put on, I wasn't surprised to hear everyone else rapidly exiting the vehicle.
"Jaz, what's going on?" Top asked.
I shook my head in response because I was going to throw up if I opened my mouth. Normally I would have smacked McG for scooping me up like a damsel in distress, but at the moment, I was grateful that he had.
"Let's lay a blanket down under those trees," McG directed, "The heat may have gotten to her."
"Um, guys, she's bleeding," Amir said in the distance.
"What?! Where?," Top snapped.
"I'm not sure but there's a small puddle where she was sitting. There's also a blood trail across the seat showing where she inched her way across to the door. She has a hole somewhere."
"Damn it," Top cursed quietly, "Fix her, McG."
"I'm on it," McG reassured him.
My back was gently settled on a blanket and I pried my eyes open at the feel of McG running his hands up my calves and thighs. When he got to my abdomen the sound he made indicated he had found what he was looking for. Pain washed over me and the encroaching darkness took me away.
"I need more gauze, Top," were the next words I heard.
I looked around and quickly noted that I was the center of attention. Everyone was leaning over me, which I hated, and I struggled to push myself up onto my elbows.
"No, Jaz. Stay down," Top ordered with a firm hand on my shoulder to make sure I did.
It was an order. No doubt about it, but we weren't in mission mode, so I didn't feel like I needed to listen. I tried pushing myself up again when he was distracted but this time I didn't have the energy.
"Lay it out for me, McG," Top requested.
"Large caliber hit on her left side. It's a through and through but she's lost a lot of blood and it's already showing signs of infection."
Top leaned into my line of sight and put a hand on my cheek turning my face toward him. His eyes locked on mine.
"Why didn't you say something, Jaz? We could have stopped a lot sooner. We're not under fire."
I licked at my dry lips, "Didn't know. No pain. Just tired."
He released me from his gaze and pinned McG with it instead.
"McG?"
He shrugged and said, "She's in shock so she isn't feeling the wound unless I'm pressing right on it. The pain will come later."
I didn't think I was in shock but my suddenly chattering teeth indicated he might be right.
"Cold," I stuttered out.
Seconds later a blanket was being tucked around me. I closed my eyes as a hand brushed across my cheek. Based on the size, it had to be McG's.
"Top, she needs a quiet place to rest and start to heal. Maybe a day or two," our medic told him.
"No problem. We're in friendly territory."
I heard Top walk away but I couldn't focus on the conversation he was likely having with Command because McG drew my attention.
"I've got you bandaged up, Jaz, and you're going to be fine as long as you listen to me. Once we get to a stable place I'm going to get you stitched up, cleaned up, and start some antibiotics. No jumping out of bed every time my back is turned, no taking out the IV once I put it in there, and absolutely no physical activity. You'll catch up on some sleep for the next couple of days and, when we get home, you'll stay in the recliner and sleep a few more days."
I was about to start complaining when Top returned, "We're all set for the best accommodations we've had in a long time. The Deputy Director knows someone who runs a resort about thirty minutes from here. Three beach side cottages have been reserved in her name and, McG, she's having more medical supplies delivered there for you in about an hour."
"Sounds great to me. A little vacation," McG said.
"Remember that you're not on leave. This is strictly a medical mission," Top emphasized.
"You are no fun at all," McG replied in a sad voice but with a wink in my direction.
They were being very entertaining, most likely for my benefit, but I was ready to get the show on the road.
"Help me up," I said as I shook in my blanket.
"Nope. I told you Jaz. You're going to rest," McG said before turning his attention behind him, "Preach, please lower the back seats so Jaz can lay flat back there. We can each take a corner of the blanket she's laying on and carry her over."
Preach was back before I knew it and they carefully pulled the blanket up utilizing it as a stretcher. I was tucked in the back with Top and McG on either side of me while Preach drove and Amir navigated. My nausea returned as we started traveling.
"I'm going to be sick," I whispered.
"If that happens, no big deal, but let's try and make you more comfortable if we can," McG said.
Before long I found myself on my uninjured side with my head on a blanket that had been folded and placed onto Top's lap. The nausea did start to fade in my new position and his warmth began to seep into me. Top carefully unraveled my braid and gently began stroking his hands through the heavy mass of my hair. It was more soothing than I would have expected and I let myself sink into sleep.