Tim stumbled up the forested hill. James grabbed Tim's wrist, steadying the teen.
"Careful, Camera-boy." James said quietly. The sun had just kissed the horizon. The rain-heavy clouds hung low over the darkening sky. Mists gently chilled the group as they limped onwards.
"Cap," Cruz called from somewhere to Tim's left, "We're gonna need to stop soon. The lil' lady looks about to faint." Tim bumped into James as the soldiers stopped. Only a hand clamping down on his arm kept Tim from falling. Todd forced Tim to look at him. Tim wet his lips as he stared at the soldier with half-lidded eyes. Todd sighed.
"Carry her. We can't stop here." Todd ordered. Tim righted himself with much difficulty. Todd shook his head.
"Come 'ere, Camera-boy." Todd offered his back.
"W-what?"
"Piggyback ride. You do know what that is, right?" Todd half-growled, getting annoyed. Tim didn't have the energy to argue, so he looped his arms around Todd's neck, still clutching his camera tight. The heat from Todd's body and his smooth gait lulled Tim to sleep.
"Hey, Camera-boy... Camera-boy... Wake up." Tim stirred. He lifted his head from where it was pillowed on Todd's back.
"We're stopping for the night, kiddo." Todd said gently. Tim slid down from the soldier's back, stumbling when he hit the ground. A half-dozen soldiers, not including Todd who was talking to Lois, bustled around, setting up makeshift shelters out of fallen branches or clearing the ground to make a more comfortable bed. Tim watched their movements with eyelids drooping lower and lower.
Lieutenant Alexander James knelt next to the sleeping teen. He went to pick up Camera-boy.
"I'll get 'em" Captain Jason Todd said, placing a hand on James's arm. James nodded and moved back to allow the captain to lift the younger man into his arms. Jason settled the youth in one of the shelters. He lingered there for a moment, studying the gentle face of the sleeping teen jealously. The young man was relaxed, even in the middle of a battle zone. He had no idea of what could happen. Jason envied his innocence. He brushed the thick, messy bangs from Camera-boy's face.
Shaking his head, Jason went to check on the rest of his squad.
"Cap." Sergeant Marcus Cruz called. Jason strode over to him. Cruz was staunching the bleeding on the arm of Corporal Lawerence Evans. Jason glared at the lowest ranking member of his team.
"Why didn't you tell anyone you were injured?" Jason asked, deceptively calm.
"I-"
"You can die from that and we don't have any way of getting you to a doctor." Jason growled. Evans hung his head.
"Sorry, Cap'tn."
"As far as I can tell there's no shrapnel in the wound, but..." Cruz trailed off. Jason nodded.
"Do what you can." Jason cast a concerned glance over his soldiers.
"Cap," Master Sargent Benjamin Torres came up behind Jason, "Who's taking first watch?"
Jason glanced around, taking stock of everyone's conditions.
"I will. Get some sleep, Torres. You're second. Martinez will be third." Torres nodded and moved off. Jason settled down to watch over his squad.