Shoo got another chappy for all you readers out there be sure to read and write a review if you want.

Chapter 45

Awe man it is so beautiful outside today. I couldn't ask for anything more than a perfect day like today. It's sunny with some clouds in the bright blue sky. It's warm but not too hot. After all the wind does help. And all I could smell is the salt of the ocean. I sat here in my cabana overlooking the ocean in front of me. To my right was a cocktail drink and some bottle water.

Yet I felt a yearning inside me to go on ahead and take a dip into the water from the beach. Awe man I missed the beach so much. I was about to get up when all of a sudden, I hear someone calling to me. I looked over my shoulder only to see no one. I just ignored it and was about to get up till I felt a hard nudge on my shoulder. Again, I hear my name being called again. The weird thing was that the nudge felt like it came from the front of me. It wasn't long till someone was shaking me from my shoulders calling my name as everything started to fade around me into darkness.

That's when I woke up for real. My eyes were getting use to the darkness as I see a silhouette of someone stand near me. "You awake now Reap."

"Nngg…, just give me a second I said out loud."" Who said that?"

"What did you forget me already Reap?"

"Well it would help if I had some light in here."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that here let me turn it on for you."

Of course, my eyes had to refocus again when the bright lights came on. In front of me was Jinx. "Oh, hey Jinx, um what do you need?"

"Just for you to get your gear, we are shipping out tonight."

"Tonight? How long was I out?"

"About four hours, it's now 0200."

Again, I tried to shake the cob webs from my head. Man, that was such a good dream too. But then as I regain my surroundings, reality started to sink in. Yep were still in Saudi Arabia. Then Strike comes into my mind all of sudden. "Wait what about the wounded Jinx?"

"Which is why I'm here Reap. You, me and every available hand are going to help load up the wounded on the first plane. The second is for us and any equipment. The third, fourth and fifth planes are for our armor, green shirts, any munitions."

"I see Jinx, let's get moving." Jinx just smiled to me as she placed a hand on my shoulder in much approval, as we left.

For the most part loading up the wounded wasn't that much time consuming as I thought. It basically came down to move them carefully and strap them down. But there were a lot of wounded Joe's and green shirts. I got to see Strike again, only she was fast asleep. Poor girl, she must have been very exhausted. I couldn't dwell on it too much since we all had a job to do.

Next plane came to stowing our gear. Which again didn't take long. No, the only thing that took its time was loading up armor and equipment. That was a challenge on its own. We basically load them up one at a time, while securing them with heavy duty chains. Of course, we made sure that all guns were unloaded and no rounds were chambered in.

It took a few hours to load that stuff up as well. I mean we were airborne close to 0700. By then everyone was pretty dame out of it. So, sleeping was coming very easily to some of us. The only thing was that in the plane that I was on along with the Joe's was that it was rather spacious. To put it in perspective we had a hundred Joe's at the start of this mission. Only forty of us was on this plane, that wasn't wounded. No KIA's this time around, which was lucky considering the fact that most of them got some nasty wounds from Cobra.

I had nothing but utter contempt for those assholes, as I sat here we a stern face looking towards the floor on this plane. I just sat here with my elbows to my knees, not thinking at all.

Yet right across from Reaper, is Cover girl and Jinx. They were sitting only one seat apart from each other. Cover girl herself was really out of it as well. Stretching herself out to get the final kinks from her body as she was about to fall asleep. That is until she looked up at the last second, only to notice Reaper with his stern look.

Again, Cover girl was about to shake it off and go to sleep. Only that it kept nagging her about Reap's concern face. Man, what's wrong with Reap, Covergirl thought to herself. I know its none of my business, but maybe I should let Jinx know about it. Since he does take a few lessons from her to relax I think.

Cover girl then looks over to Jinx. Hmm…I only hope that she just dozed off a second ago. She gives Jinx a good nudge or two to get her awake. Jinx looks over to Cover girl tiredly saying, "hmm what is it Cover girl?"

"Oh, nothing too serious, I hope. I'm just a bit worried about Reap over there."

"Why what do you mean," as Jinx started to look over to Reap? "Oh, I see what you mean." Jinx sighs a bit to herself seeing Reap with that look like that. She then turns her attention to Cover girl. "Hey don't worry about it ok just gets some rest, I'll handle it." Cover girl just nods in approval as she too was falling asleep.

Again, Jinx sighs a bit to herself as she looked up again seeing Reap with his disconcerting look. She quickly unstraps herself from her seat and slowly and carefully stood up. Even in mid flight walking inside a plane could be unpredictable, especially from turbulence. So, she made use of loose hanging packing straps to get herself to other side of the plane where Reap is sitting.

To her surprise, Reap hasn't even notice her presence yet. She was practically standing in front of him. So, to get his attention, Jinx lightly taps her foot on to Reap's. It worked well to her satisfaction as Reap looked up to her. "You mind if I join you," Jinx said happily.

Mark quickly got out of his train of thought, when Jinx tapped on his foot. He then nodded no to Jinx. This was a rather weird surprise even for him. I mean shouldn't she be sleeping right about now.

Jinx quickly sits right next to Reap. It was a nice secluded spot since the next Joe over to them was four to five seats down in either direction. Yet as soon as she sat down, she sees Reap to continue to bend over to rest his elbows on to his knees thinking in deep thought.

"Burning the midnight oil, I presume" Jinx said playfully. Of course, to her Reap's response was less than receptive to her. Instead all she hears is a slight grunt from him in response. She frowns a bit hoping that everything is ok. I bet he's just worried about Strike and his friends, Jinx thought to herself. Jinx then places her hand on Reap's back side rubbing it in a circular motion, hoping that it'll relax him a bit and coax him to open up to her. "Whatever is bothering you Reap, you know you should never hold it in."" I'm always here incase you need to talk." She waited a minute or two hoping he would say something. When it felt to her that Reap wasn't going to open up jinx was going to leave him be. That is till she heard a soft voice from him.

"I'm just a bit worried about Strike and the others."

Jinx looks over to Reap once again thinking of the right words to say to him. "It's ok to be worried about Strike and everyone else."" But you should be confident that they are in the best of care."

"I just wish we could just talk out our differences with Cobra, but even I'm a fool for thinking that. They won't stop will they."

"I wish it too that we could try and talk it out myself. But its just that they can't be reasoned with. They have to be stopped, otherwise innocent people will get hurt, Jinx added." Mark continued to slump over getting more depressed about the situation, when he added a few more words. "I think I'm doomed to do this forever Jinx."

"Hey come on Reap you can't think like that. You got think more positive. And for starters, why don't you get some shut eye for now. Trust me you'll feel a lot better when you're rested."

Mark just nodded in response as he leaned back ready to get some sleep. Yet when Jinx was about to get up to go back to her seat, Mark requested something from her. "Hey Jinx."

"Yes, Reap what is it?"

"You think you just stay here for a little while longer?" Jinx just smiled to him, while nodding to him.

It wasn't long now till Reap started to catch some zzz. Jinx as well was dozing off too but only for a short moment. She was interrupted when she felt a small thud on her left shoulder. She looked over only to see Reap resting his head on to hers. Now I know why Reap wanted me to stay put, so I could be his pillow so to speak, as Jinx mutters to herself.

Twenty hours pass on by and the Joe's are still stuck in mid flight back to the pit. Usually on long flights like these, they would often be given a snack, a chance to stretch their legs, and a bath room break. Of course, this was no pleasure cruise for them, but being stuck on a plane for twelve hours or more would make anyone a bit cranky.

For the most part everyone would wake at certain time during the flight via from a vibrating watch. It works just like clockwork for everyone as the Joe's started to awake from their slumber. Jinx herself was waking up slowly but surely. Oddly enough she didn't feel Reap's head on her shoulder as he did before hours ago. Instinctively she looks down the plane thinking that he might have gotten up earlier. Yet when she turned her head slightly to the center, that's when she saw Reap.

Only something was different. To her he looked like he was doing some sort of strange exercise to get his blood flowing. But looking at him a bit more deeply, she smiled to him. She knew exactly what he was doing. He was meditating in his own unique way. Reap was dancing.

Jinx looked over to her left and her right to see if anyone around her notice the spectacle before her. Not surprisingly to her some Joe's were looking at Reap with a curious and strange eye to him. In fact, she saw Duke coming near to Reap trying to get his attention to see what's up. She knew she had to intervene, since Reap was in a state of complete Zen.

In an instant she waves off to Duke to get his attention. "Stand Fast Duke, Reap is ok."

"Are you sure about that Jinx? Because he looks to me that he might have a screw loose."

"Its quite alright Duke, Reap is meditating."

"Meditating? I thought meditation was for people siting cross legged and humming."

"Well actually Duke meditation can take many forms. In Reap's case his Zen form happens to be dancing. I assure you he is quite alright. It may seem a bit chaotic to you, but if you look closely to Reap especially at his eyes, you can see that he's in his own Zen like state."

All right, well if ever comes to just make sure he eats his sandwich ration and gets more rest in. We won't be due for another eight hours or so."

"Will do Duke." And just like that Duke takes off to other side to inform any of the Joe's who might be curious with explanations in tow.

It didn't take long for Reap to stop and go back to his seat dead ass tried. Of course, with Jinx's ever so watchful eye she made sure he ate his ration before then.

After twenty-four hours had pass the Joe's had finally made it back to the pit. It was 21:00 hours on the dot when they touched down. Feeling refreshed with plenty rest and some food in his tummy, Reap was ready to go at a moments notice.

His first task other than getting his gear down, was to help out with Lifeline and the other medics to get the wounded down and into medical Asap. Priority cases were first and foremost, since they had to be prep for surgery. Mark knew well that Strike was going to be one of those who were on that list. So, he made dame sure that he got to her first.

And just like before Strike was resting comfortably. She looked much better that previously before when she was wounded and losing blood. Deep in his heart he wanted to stay and help out any way he could, but duty calls for extra help like him. For the next five hours he was putting up equipment and tanks. By the time he was through it was already 0200. Again, he wanted to go to medical to help out Strike, but was over taken by his own weariness.

Naturally Jinx was there to make sure he got to bed first and foremost. It didn't take long till Mark started to catch some zzz's yet again. After a few more hours pass on by Mark once again was feeling fully rested again only after five hours of sleep.

He got up quick and quietly hoping he wouldn't wake up his roommate Dusty. Yet he didn't have to worry about that either. Mainly because Dusty was also included in wounded list. From what he heard he gotten some flesh wounds on his thigh and shins on his left leg. So, he'll definitely be out for a couple of weeks.

When mark made it to morning mess to get some breakfast, he noticed how empty it was. There was only a hand full of Joe's and green shirts in here. A part of him told him that most likely they were still resting. But the other part told him the harsh fact that a lot of them were in medical getting their wounds treated.

For the first time since he could remember, Mark was alone again. Heck even all of his close friends were in medical. Strike, Lady Jaye, Tunnel Rat, and even Dusty. I just ate in complete silence. I had to figure a way of keeping myself busy and not thinking about my injured friends. So, for starters I head to the recreation room to watch a little bit of day time T.V. it sucked to say the least nothing but soap operas and talk shows.

I just got out an went about for a stroll, which oddly enough took me to medical. This place was packed with a lot of green shirts and some Joe's. I tried to visit some of my friends, but to my dismay they were either resting or where heavily sedated to keep the pain down form their injuries. Seeing Lady Jaye in a loopy way was saddening to me. I couldn't even tell if she knew that I was there. So, I quietly make it to Strikes room.

Just like any other medical room, it has just plain white walls, a t.v., and medical equipment. Just the standard stuff like I.V. drips and heart monitors. I see strike in a medical gown, though near her left shoulder has a rather thick bandage. She was resting very peacefully to say the least. I looked over her chart, as it noted that she had some minor surgery done to remove a bullet or two near her shoulder.

I just pull up a chair and sat down to look over her. Though I looked over her with pity in my eyes, I felt nothing but anger inside me. I wasn't just angry about those Cobra bastards that did this to her, I was angry at myself that I couldn't stop them in time. How can I be hers, if I can't even protect her? I have to be stronger…., NO I will be stronger. If anyone else was in the room right now, they would have seen to new found determination in eyes as I sat here.

That is until I get called on a few times by someone else. "Reap…..Reap….REAP!" I snap out of it and looked up only to Lifeline.

"Uh yeah?"

"You ok Reap?"

"Uh yeah, I'm fine it's just that I was thinking about lunch."

"Interesting I suppose. By the way I didn't even notice you came." Before Mark could response, Lifeline adds a few more words. "You don't have worry about Strike too much, she's going to make a full recovery. And before you ask Reap yes, she'll be out for a good while. We gave her some fairly strong sedatives to keep her comfortable."

"Oh, then I guess I should go then?"

"You don't leave Reap. I would actually encourage you to stay. You may not know it but often patients do often feel the presence others around them. You can sort of say that it gives them comfort when friends are around."

"Well if you want me to then. By the way is there anything you need help with?"

"Now Reap, you know very well you're on mandatory crew rest. So, my answer is no however you could visit with some others to make them feel a bit better."

"Sure, um I'll do that." Lifeline just smiled to Reap and left to go and do his rounds for patient checkups.

I looked over to Strike yet again caressing a side of her head. "Don't worry Strike I'll make it right."" I won't leave your side." Sigh, man what should I say to her now. Crap I can't even think of anything to say to her. I sat back in my chair thinking. I looked around thinking if I should watch some T.V., then after watching some random commercial about a supermarket, that's when it hit me. I looked all around Strikes room, thinking how bland it is in here. I mean its four white walls, a steel door, and meager furniture. Maybe if I add some color then, it could really bring some good warm vibes in here. That even Strike could feel.

I get up quick and let Strike know that I'll be back soon. I head out to the motor pool and garages to requisition myself a VAMP. At first Foster and Phillips were apprehensive about it but relented after I was going pull rank on them. Even though we are the same rank of P.F.C., being a Joe has more pull than what a green shirt would have. I didn't go too far off base, since I stayed within mile incase someone was keeping tabs on me.

After I disembark from the VAMP, I look over the desert before me. As harsh as it is, it also has its own beauty to it. I smiled a bit looking the desert and its natural plant life. I ready my standard issue knife and went to work on gathering as many wild flowers from the plants. I practically picked the entire rainbow of flowers. I worked for a good solid four hours. When I was satisfied of what I got I head back in no time. I skipped lunch and went right to work on making some bouquets of wild flowers to add color not only to Strikes room, but to every injured Joe and green shirt in medical. As for my make shift vase, I used old empty cans of spam. Personally, I never like the stuff, but a lot the older Joe's would inhale the stuff.

Again, it took me another few hours to get the arrangements down. When I was ready, I started to head down to medical with the flowers in tow. Yet once I came in, Lifeline was there to stop me. "What do you got there in the box Reap?"

"Well…um…, I was sort of thinking about what you said about keeping company and all. And I was thinking that maybe if there was also some color added in, it would help the injured with a brighter day I suppose. So, I made some flower arrangements to give to the wounded."

At first, I looked over Lifeline seeing how serious he usually is in medical. And I was fairly certain that I was going to get a good scolding, for bringing something from the outside, in a sterilized environment. Yet when he came over and looked into my box, he smiled to me. "Ah I see then, well I don't see a problem in that at all. Go on cheer up the wounded if you must." I just nodded to him and went about my deliveries.

For the most part it went without a hitch with my flower deliveries. I mean most of the green shirts and Joe's were still out of it. That is until I reached to Sergeant Jaye's room. I looked over her since she looked like she was still out of it. I quickly placed her flowers on her night stand and was about to leave. Till I felt I tug on my left wrist.

"You're not even going to say hello to me Reap?" I turned around looking at a mischievous smile from her.

"Hmm, so you were playing possum with me Sergeant?"

"I just wanted to see what you got me, and from the looks of it, it's flowers. Awe…how thoughtful of you Reap."

I put down my box and pulled up a chair next to Lady Jaye. "So are you feeling a little bit better today."

"I'm doing ok, it's just couple of flesh wounds. Doc says that I should be out of here in a week or so. So, have you heard from Strike," Jaye asked in a concern tone?

"She got of surgery seven hours ago. She hasn't wakened up yet, but Lifeline says that she'll be ok."

"Hey don't you worry Reap, Strikes a tough gal."

"I like to think that, but she was losing a lot of blood when I was trying to patch her up."

Lady Jaye took some pity on Reap as she tries to ease him up resting her hand on his shoulder. "Hey don't lose hope Reap, she'll pull through."

Just then the door opened up, I didn't look up myself since I'm fairly certain that's Lifeline was coming in to do his rounds. That is until I heard a much different voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry Lady Jaye I didn't realize that you had company," Flint explained. I looked up only to notice Flint had came in. In an instant I stood up.

"I'm sorry sir, but you're not interrupting us."

"Reaper, just call me Flint that's all."

"I'm sorry,..um I think I should go," Mark said in haste. "I'm sure you two got a lot of catching up to do."

"Hey you don't have to leave, you can stay and give me some company," Lady Jaye insisted.

"No that's quite all right I still got to make my deliveries." And with that Mark made it out the door before Jaye could protest some more.

She then looks over to Flint saying, "now why did you have to go and scare off Reap like that."

"Well nice to see you too Jaye. So, how's my gal doing?"

Again, Jaye crossing he'r arms pretending to be disinterested saying, "I'm still waiting for that apology."

Flint just rolled his eye's adding, "alright I'll take you to dinner as soon as you get out of medical."

Jaye then looked over Flint with a nice smile. "Now's that's much better, come on over here you big lug." Before Flint could take a seat, he notices and admire the spam can of flowers next to Jaye.

"Huh flowers, were did you get these?"

"It was from Reap," Jaye said happily.

"He's really a good kid," Flint said with approval.

"Yeah he really is such a good boy Jaye added."

A little bit of time passed once I left Lady Jaye's room as I continued with my flower deliveries. It wasn't long now till I reached my final destination, Strike's room. I came in hoping that she would be awake by now, alas she was not. Such a sleepy head I thought. I mean she's been out for more than 24 hours. I sigh a bit to myself, yet I still set her flower arrangement near her. I had many colors of reds, yellows and even violets. I sit here for a good while keeping an eye on her. That is until I get a rumble in my tummy.

I checked my watch only to realize that it's 19:00 hours. Crap I didn't realize that I've worked myself all the way to dinner time. "I'll be right back Strike ok," I said out loud to her. I literally went and had a quick dinner of salad and meat loaf. I also snuck out a delicious brownie. It wasn't for me to nosh on, but rather for Strike. After all they are her favorite.

I was hoping to use it to coax her to get her awake. However, when I arrived to her room, Lifeline was setting up an extra IV needle for her. He noticed me instantly as I came in. So, I asked him what it was that he was setting up. "What are you doing Lifeline, what is that?"

"Good evening Reap. By the way the flowers are a huge hit amongst the Joes. So good job on your part. But to answer your question Reap, I just setting up a nutrient IV for Strike. She's been out for nearly 30 hours without any source of nourishment. So, this drip should sustain her, till she comes through."

"Oh," I said with some disappointment in my voice.

"Hey don't get depressed on me Reap, Strike will come to in no time. Now go on an take a seat ok."

I did as Lifeline asked of me, while he finished setting up the IV drip. As soon as he left I took out the brownie and placed it near Strike. Well so much for trying to get her awake by brownie scent. I continue to look over to Strike while touching her hands and hair. She had such a warm touch, even though she is still out of it. As for her hair. I started to tuck some of the loose strands behind her ears. I sat her looking over her, like a watchful hawk or dog. Till I started to succumb to my weariness.

Later on, during the night itself Lifeline was doing his rounds to check up on his patients. Armed with a clip board and a small flash light, he would often check off on the patients at hand, for all that medical jargon that most couldn't get.

Needless to say, he was still very prompt and quiet as he went about, after all it's 03:00 here in the pit. He came in quietly to Strike's room, since she was still fast asleep, while Reaper was dozed off as well. He checked off on his clip board the various things that he checks, blood pressure, heart rate, and any other vital signs.

As soon as he was satisfied Lifeline was about to leave, till he heard a faint moan. He turns around instantly as he notices, that the moan came from Strike. He watched her carefully as she started to come to. Lifeline watched Strike as she tried to move her left arm only for her to notice that it was hindered a bit due to her bandages near her shoulder. However, it didn't stop her from using her right arm to move the sheets and blanket from her body. He sees Strike rubbing her eyes as she was trying to get use to the lights in her room.

And at that moment that's when Strike looked up and noticed Lifeline. She smiled to him as he gave her a smile back to her. She was about to say hello, when instead she saw Lifeline holding up the universal sign to be quiet. Strike looked a Lifeline with a bit of a puzzled look on her face. Yet she got her answered soon enough when she saw Lifeline pointing to her right. Strike just turns her head towards the right to see what Lifeline is pointing at.

In that moment she wanted to say awe, instead she held it inside as she saw only few feet away from her bed side was Mark. He was sleeping in a chair, that looked a bit uncomfortable. Strike so desperately wanted to pat him on the side of his head, but just couldn't reach. I couldn't believe he stayed at my side the entire time. Strike was a little bit overcome by some tears of happiness. He really is a good guy. The other thing that caught her eye was an old can of spam, that had some flowers in it. Strike picked it up with some curiosity. She looked over to Lifeline for an answer, only to get another nod from that it was Mark.

He waited by her side and got her flowers, Strike thought to herself. He is such a sweetie. She really wanted to give him a big hug. Yet to her dismay she was unable to due to her injuries, but also it was late as well. She'll just have to wait for the morning in a few hours. Maybe she could get the drop on him. Yeah Strike was brewing a plan to get Mark good.

After a few hours, morning was about to start. Much like the rest of the Joe's in the pit, Mark was well disciplined enough to wake up on his own. Yet the special issued vibrating watch does help from time to time. Mark slowly gets awake stretching himself out. Luckily, he could sleep late since he and practically all of the Joe's were on crew rest since coming back from their long mission in Saudi Arabia. He peeks over to his watch to let him know that its 07:15. He then get ups to stretch himself even fully.

He then remembers why he's even in the infirmary, as he looked over to Strike with sudden urgency. Hoping that she has finally came to. Yet if wasn't meant to be as he saw her still sleeping. He sighs out loud as if he is losing hope. He bows his head down closing his eye's as if he was praying to her. In a soft voice he begs to Strike. "Please wake up Strike, please let me know that you're alright."

Only in that moment Strike was playing possum with Mark, as she opens one eye to take a peek a him. I got him right where I want him, Strike thought to herself. But also hurries since she is starting to feel guilty for torturing him like this. Strike then lifts her right hand as she cupped Marks chin lifting it up gently. "Mark, what have I told you about keeping that chin up."" No matter how bad things get, always keep your chin up."

When Mark felt his chin being lifted by a warm hand, he thought it was a dream at first. He was bit memorized as Strike spoke to him. It felt as if time was at a standstill. It had to be a dream he thought, until he felt a slight pinch on his chin. He froze for a short moment looking at Strike smiling to him.

She was about to say good morning to Mark. Instead he gave her a tight hug burying his head on her neck. Strike was really taken by surprise by Mark's reaction, even though she felt a little bit of pain from her left shoulder. But she ignored it. So, she patted Mark's head and back with her free right arm. "There…there Mark, it's ok I'm alright." Yet to her Mark really didn't want to give up on the hug. So, Strike did her best to coax him when he is ready.

When Mark finally let's go, he see's Strike eye to eye. And before she could say a word to him again, Mark plants a small kiss on her lips. "What was that for Strike asked."

"Because I missed you."

"Awe I missed you too you big lug." Just then Lifeline came in with an orderly. I wanted to stay some more with Strike, but Lifeline wanted me to get in a shower and some breakfast before I came back. So, I bided strike good bye with a promise of coming to visit her.