Prompt: Fainting

Carter had been sure he'd never make it back home. His head felt so heavy, dizziness a steady company. His whole body was aching, sending chills down his spine one moment, unbearable heat rushing through his system the next second. He wasn't sure how long he would be able to remain upright. Sweat glistened on his feverish brow and his breaths came out in short gasps.

Put one foot in front of the other, he told himself, grabbing a tree trunk to get his balance when the dizziness became too much. He should have never gone on that mission, at least not without companionship. But he just couldn't deny the Colonel's orders. The Colonel had said this mission would be as easy as pie.

Cake, Andrew, he heard Newkirk correct him in his head. He sure would be furious when he'd see him in his condition. Or concerned. Probably both.

Carter looked up and saw the tree stump a few feet in front of him, which was good because his vision started darkening around the edges and breathing became even more stressful.

Finally, he thought and climbed down the tree stump with his last strength.

HhHhHh

It was the third time in ten minutes that Newkirk had looked at his watch.

"Where is he?" Newkirk said to no one in particular, nervously shuffling his deck of cards. He was sitting at the table in the main barracks, Kinch and LeBeau beside him. Newkirk felt anxious right now. Somewhere in his mind was always this nagging fear that Carter might have been picked up by the Gestapo for interrogation whenever the young sergeant went alone on a mission. Carter being tortured was the worst thing Newkirk could ever imagine. Only the thought of it made him sick. Kinch took a sip from his coffee before he spoke softly to calm Newkirk's nerves.

"I'm sure he's all right, Newkirk. He should be back soon. Besides, he can take care of himself, you know?"

Newkirk put the deck down and gratefully took one of the cigarettes Kinch offered him. He lit the cigarette and inhaled deeply. He blew out a ring of smoke before he continued talking. "I know, it's just strange having him not around," he mumbled.

"Pierre, don't tell me you actually miss his chattering," LeBeau joked.

"Of course not!"

Kinch smiled at Newkirk's reaction. "Why don't you admit that you're worried about Carter?"

"I'm going to look for him," Newkirk grumbled putting out his cigarette. He hated being laughed at. It made him feel weak. Therefore he pushed himself away from the table roughly and gave Olsen, who just happened to stand in the way, a hard shove.

"Hey!" Olsen protested but Newkirk ignored him. He slammed his right hand on the false bunk bed and headed down the tunnel to flee this conversation. He jumped from the last rung and gave the wall beside him a good kick. He swore under his breath, a good way to let out his anger when he suddenly saw Carter. Newkirk rushed towards his friend.

"Where have you been?!" Newkirk snapped.

"I don't feel so good, Peter," Carter muttered, leaning heavily on the wall for support.

Newkirk's anger immediately morphed into concern and he took a closer look at Carter. Even in the dim light he could see beads of perspiration on his brow even though the Corporal knew it was cold outside. Carter was also swaying dangerously. Newkirk slowly helped him sit down on the floor before he could collapse, back resting against the wall. He could hear Carter's strained breathing and as he knelt down to his friend he could feel the heat radiating from the young sergeant.

"What happened?" he asked. "Did the mission go wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?" Newkirk's questions were urgent. He didn't want to admit it, but now he was really worried.

Carter shook his head and winced in pain as he did so. "The mission was a full success. I'm just feeling under the weather, I might have caught the flu or something. I'm sorry to bother you but could you help me get upstairs? I only want to get some rest. Sleep it off, you know."

"Sure, mate. I'll give you a hand." He helped Carter stand up, then gave him a strong arm for support and together they climbed up the ladder. For the rest of the night not once did Newkirk leave Carter's side.