Chapter III:

It wasn't nearly so bright as it was the last time he'd opened his eyes. It was still drafty, but a faint heat passed over him. It was dark outside, judging by the fact that no light was filtering in through the cracks in the boards covering the window. Many of the other men were asleep. Wolverine glanced right and saw Jean sitting between the two men who had been injured in the same accident as he. He almost wished then, looking upon them, hearing their pained cries, that he hadn't gotten lucky with his healing factor. He'd never earn a medal for bravery and honor because he'd been injured in battle. How can he even return to the war, now that he was a part of this accident? The other two men were going to die because of it, there was no doubt there. How would it look if he returned, not even a scar on him?

"It's a known fact that if you think too hard your eyes'll cross an' you'll be stuck that way forever." He wasn't sure why, but for some reason, Wolverine was comforted by the sound of her voice. He'd dreampt about her earlier that day... he was on the battle field, wounded, in dire need of assistance, and it was she, and not Jean, who came to his aide. Of course, he'd never tell her that. What good would it do? Besides, even he didn't believe in it. He blamed it on the medication. "Could you imagine facin' tha Germans cross-eyed?" Setting a tray down on the table -- a tray which, he could not entirely disregard, was covered with food -- she held up her arms like she was holding a gun, then crossed her eyes and staggered about some. "Ah'll get you! Jus... Jus come into focus first..." Hearing him chuckle made her break into a smile, and Wolverine had to admit, it did her justice. She was beautiful. "But enough of that! Ah brought you some dinner. Thought you might be hungry..." He didn't even try to hide the needy look that must have passed over his face just then. "Of course... if not... Ah did skip dinner today..."

"I skipped dinner the past week, if I remember correctly." To his surprise, she seemed to ponder his rebuttal a moment or two. He was sure there was no way she could defend that remark.

"Well. You've got me there." A moment later, she carefully wrapped a hand around his arm, as though he really had burns there. He couldn't help but notice she had on a pair of gloves still.

"Isn't this your break?"

"Yeah, so?"

"What's with the gloves?" Her face seemed to pale, but then again, it could have been the lighting, since the room was only being lit by a candle beside each bed.

"Oh that..." She got him into a comfortable sitting position and slid the tray over his lap. "Old habit Ah guess... sometimes y'never know when they'll come with more casualties..." She watched him eat a moment, before standing to her feet. "Are you a card player?"

"What kind of sergeant would I be if I wasn't?"

"You promise not to cheat?"

"What kind of man would I be if I promised that?" There's the smile again, the one he'd been aiming for.

"Ah'll get tha cards."

"Ah'll be waitin' right here." She shot him a fake glare before turning around and walking out of the room. Content with himself and actually somewhere close to happy for the first time in a long time, he concentrated on eating the soup that was provided for him, and waited for her to come back.

She finally did, gloves removed and in her pocket. She stopped beside each bed, asking each man if he was all right, and if he needed anything. Most said "no," and she was able to move down the line rather quickly. The trouble began, when she was with the man right beside Wolverine. She'd turned to go, when suddenly, the man reached out and grabbed hold of her hand. She cried out in surprise and tried to pull away, but he had a rather tight grip. At last she pulled away, holding her head, looking absolutely horrified. Wolverine sat up more, his eyes darting back and forth between her and the man. The man had collapsed against his pillow, gasping for air. She, in turn, took one look, and ran out of the room. The faint sound of footsteps on stairs was heard, but only in Wolverine's ear. He wanted to go to her, but he knew he couldn't. Besides, he was too curious as to what had happened to the man.

A tall, lanky man rushed out from behind a door, two nurses scurrying to keep up with him. His brown locks were parted down the side, and flipped over toward his right eye. He had glasses on, which was nothing out of the ordinary, considering he was a doctor. Most doctors Wolverine knew had glasses. He also had a large, white overcoat pulled on over regular clothes, each pocket seemingly overflowing with paper, pens, and other useful and essential equipment. Wolverine faintly heard the man mutter, "Not again..." before stooping beside the man and slipping a respirator over his nose and mouth. One of the nurses patted the soldier's hand, while the other pulled a jacket on and went in the direction Wolverine's nurse had run. The nurse beside the man, he noticed, was Jean. She glanced up at the moment he looked her way, and quickly frowned. The next instant, she moved around the bed and pulled the covering around it, blocking Wolverine from seeing any more of the scene. He frowned a little, and looked down at his tray of food. It would be cold by now, but it was still ten times better than the warm stuff they had on the front. Picking up his spoon, he began to shovel the food into his mouth at an alarming rate. He never realized how good real food was... not until he'd been deprived of it for months.

He'd just finished eating when his nurse re-entered. She was visibly shaken, and he watched her, hoping she'd come over and give him some sort of explanation. At last she came over, and bent to pick up his food tray before turning to go. "Hey, wait a second. What was that all about?"

"Ah... Ah'm not sure... Ah think they said he had a sudden heart attack..."

"You're lyin'. What really happened?"

"Ah have a lot of work to do... we just got a call that three more truck loads are coming in with casualties..." She was slowly relaxing, and he noticed she had pulled her gloves on again. Seeing the doctor Wolverine had watched before, she stiffened and paled slightly.

"Sit down."

"Ah'm sorry... but... whether you think it or not... you are not mah only patient."

"You promised me a game of cards." He knew he shouldn't be hassling her, especially since his injuries were only fabricated. Impatience always got the best of him though, and pretty soon a scowl passed over his face as she turned and left. He knew he wouldn't see her again that night, at least, not face to face. She had her work to do, and for now, he supposed he'd have to let her do it. Tomorrow, though, he was going to get some answers out of her.