Part 8...


0830 EDT
Bethesda Naval Hospital

Room 212...

"And how are we feeling this morning Gunnery Sergeant Galindez?" A nurse called cheerily as she walked into the hospital room and over to the window, opening the curtains.

Victor muttered something rude in Spanish, his voice thick with sleep and rolled his head to the side slipping back into a doze.

"Not much of a morning person, are you Vic," Austin cooed running her fingers over his face gently.

"Wanna...sleep..."

"I just came to tell you the doctor will be in at about 1000 and after he examines you he will be signing your release papers."

Victor opened one eye a slit and looked at the nurse. "Home?"

"As long as there will be someone there to help you the first few days, yes we're planning on releasing you."

"I'll be there with him. I have today and tomorrow off," Austin answered missing Victor's frown.

Austin seeing him so weak and basically helpless was not what Victor Galindez wanted. If they had been married, or dating longer he might have felt differently, but that wasn't the case. "You should be at work."

"The Admiral gave me today and tomorrow off," Austin replied her tone confused. "You didn't have a problem with this last night."

"I wasn't thinking straight last night."

"Oh."

"Well I suppose Tiner can check in on you then or something. Maybe Harriet," Austin got out of the chair and went to the small closet where she'd left her jacket and purse the night before.

"Aus, wait," He didn't want to see her go away when she was so obviously hurt. He didn't want to hurt her and the more he thought about it the less he wanted to be alone. He'd been alone most of the time after he'd been shot in the six and he'd gotten bored and lonely. If Austin was around they could cuddle together on the sofa or in the bed. Besides, if his mother found out what had happened and that he was alone Victor could almost guarantee that she'd be on his doorstep and he didn't need that much TLC.

"No, you're so concerned that I'm not working I might as well go in. I'll stop by after work and get my bag. I'd hate to infringe on your private space."

Oh hell, Victor thought to himself. If Austin walked out the door now they were through. She was way beyond angry and he couldn't blame her one bit. He had been a jerk.

"Could you excuse us for a minute or two, Ma'am?" he asked the nurse.

"Certainly. Just buzz me when you're finished and I'll come back in to check your blood pressure and pulse."

"Austin, come back here please."

"No."

"Aus, please..." Victor coaxed.

"You hurt my feelings," Austin accused moving a step or two closer to the bed.

"I'm sorry Aus, I do want you around. It's just that-well, I'm a Marine-"

"And Marines are tough and strong and never need help?" Austin finished for him crossing her arms over her chest.

"Something like that...sounds stupid, huh?" Victor chuckled.

"It is stupid," Austin cried feeling tears spring into her eyes.

"Hey...Aus, come here," Victor called softly holding a hand out to her as the first tear slid haltingly down her cheek.

She walked to the bed and dropped into the chair again pressing her face into her hands while she sniffled and cried.

"I'm sorry Austin...please don't cry...please," he pleaded.

"I-I thought...we...had a relationship," Austin sniffled lifting her face to look at him.

"We do, we do. I was just being a jerk earlier," He wiped the tears from her face leaning forward to press his lips against her cheek. "Just think about all the snuggling we can do with no interruptions once we're home."

"That might be nice," Austin nodded.

"I agree Miss Bradford. How about you go freshen up a little and I'll get the nurse in here again so she can do what she needs to do."

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0900 EDT
JAG Headquarters

Falls Church, Virginia...

"Good Morning People," AJ called as he stepped into the conference room for the daily staff meeting. He looked around the table noting Austin's normal spot was empty. Good, he'd been worried she might come in anyway despite his order. She'd told him, on more than one occasion, that technically he had no authority over her and she obeyed his orders out of respect. He really liked her spunk...too bad she was young enough to be his daughter and involved with Gunny.

"Sir, where is Miss Bradford?" Loren Singer asked.

"I gave her the day off Lieutenant. Is that all right with you?" AJ questioned raising an eyebrow at the pushy young attorney. Singer hadn't made much attempt to hide her anger at Austin getting an office of her own while she was still relegated to the bullpen.

"Of course Sir, I didn't mean anything by what I said. I just wanted to be sure someone didn't need to go remind her it was a staff meeting."

"Let's get started. First I'd like to let all of you know that Gunny won't be in for the rest of this week probably. He was the victim of an attempted mugging last night. He's fine...a little bruised but when I talked to him a little while ago he said it was no worse than the way he felt during boot camp."

"Sir, may I interrupt for a little bit?" Harriet requested politely.

"Of course you may Lieutenant."

"I just wanted you all to know that I am getting a sunshine basket together for Gunny. It's in the breakroom and Lieutenant Roberts and I are going to bring it by his home after work today. That's all I had to say sir."

"Thank you Lieutenant, that's an excellent idea you had. I'm sure Gunny will appreciate it very much."

Isn't that sweet. Maybe I should put in some condoms so he doesn't get his new girlfriend in a family way, Loren Singer thought nastily. She hated that Austin was with the Gunny. She'd been thinking he might be fun for a little relaxation and then Roberts' stupid cow of a wife had introduced the Marine to Austin. It had been all over after that, not that she'd caught them in the supply closet in a compromising position or anything, but every time Austin walked through the bullpen Gunny's eyes were on her. It just wasn't fair.

"All right people...let's get to work," the Admiral ordered making Singer jump when she realized she'd missed the entire staff meeting.

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