Disclaimer: Ok, I have been writing this damn thing for the past nine
chapters. If don't know it by now please refer to one of them.
A/N: I have finally bought a home computer and this will be the first chapter to be written on it. What does that mean? More chapters more often. Yeah!!
Hope and Memory
Chapter 10: A New Name
The sudden flash of memory had immerged quick, violent images of murder and death, explosions and fire all in living color. She didn't know what to make of them but they scarred her so much she barley remembered huddling in the small bathroom corner tears slowly running down her cheeks. There were no faces or names of the victims but their screams seemed real enough for her.
Then among the chaos of it all she felt the warmth of comfort and a small yet reassuring voice that promised her everything was going to be ok. She wasn't sure if she believed it or not, but accepting than the many alternatives. So with out any hesitation she sank into the warms and cried.
Gabe held the broken, scared young woman to his chest. He let her sob against him all the while gently cradling her in his arms and softly whispering reassuring words. All he could do for now was offer her hope. The memory would come in time.
Slowly her sobs lessened to a faint sniff or whine. The images gone now she reluctantly pulled back from his strong chest to look in his sky blue eyes. "Thanks." Her voice was hoarse and raspy.
Not saying a word Gabe picked her up and carried her out of the small bathroom and back to the bedroom where she could rest.
She loved the feeling she received when he picked her up. It was like being cradled in a big blanket of security. It was a known yet unfamiliar feeling one she was sure she hadn't received much of before the accident. But it was there now and she never wanted it to stop again.
He felt her relax in his arms and smiled. Poor thing, she tried to take on too much all at once. Reaching the bedroom he slowly laded her down on the bed.
Her arms tightened around Gabe's neck. She didn't want him to leave she couldn't let him leave he was the only thing that kept the flashes at bay. "Don't go." She stated softly in his ear.
"I'll be right back I have to see Red out." Gabe felt her arms loosen reluctantly and then fall from his neck to land softly by her side. "Five minutes Ok."
Five minutes it could have been two and it still would have felt like and eternity to her. She just felt so helpless with out him next to her to keep her safe. She didn't know why or even really care but it was a weakness she knew she would have to get over. Time she thought all I need is time. "Ok."
Gabe watch her eyes well in determination and knew that she would be Ok for the brief period he needed to see Gabe out. God she was remarkable he thought as he stood up gave her one last sincere look and walked out of the room.
Red Bud had watched the entire seen with a phage sense of deje-vu. He watched as Gabe walked back out of the bedroom with a determination in his eye and knew it was time for him to exit stage left. "Well it looks like you have everything under control."
"For now but she is still very fragile mentally." The body always heals faster and easier than the mind ran though Gabe's head. "And only time, compassion, love, and hope can heal that."
"Well I am sure she will get all of the above here, but fore me I should get going."
"I can't thank you enough bro." Gabe extended his hand.
"Any time my brother." Red Bud grasped Gabe's hand in a solid shake and pulled him into a quick one-arm hug. "Any where."
Both men released the other simultaneously and neither one having the knowledge of what to say next. Finally Gabe broke the silence. "Well bro, I have been giving it some thought and I want you to tell Dree you came to see me."
The caught Red Bud off guard at first after he realized what Gabe had in mind. "Will due. But I think he might be rather upset." A smile broadened across his face.
"Well that's just tough for him, because as soon as the girl is able I will be bringing her by the clinic to introduce her to everyone. She needs a family and friends but I dare not bring her to Crash. Those asshole who messed her up in the first place will be looking in places like that, plus I will need to bring back your supplies."
"Ok bro, you take care of yourself and that beautiful young woman." With that Red Bud grabbed his coat and walked to the door. "I'll keep in touch." And then with a quick second glance at the bedroom he walked out the door and closed it behind him
Gabe watched the door close and then re-locked it. Man his life had just done anther complete 180 and he hoped it was for the better. Putting the negative thoughts out of his mind he wandered into the kitchen to refill his coffee cup and got a glass of water for the young woman.
The girl lay on the bed and listened to the entire conversation. Tears coming to her eyes at the bond these to wonderful people had and the unknown hardship that seemed to exist between them. And the thought of her bringing in more saddened her. She watched as Gabe walked back into the room exactly four minutes and twenty seconds after he had left her. It was funny but she hadn't even realized that she had been counting.
Carefully Gabe set his coffee and her water on his small nightstand next to the bed. "I thought you might be thirsty." Gabe than helped her to sit up right so she would be able to drink.
"Thank." She replied to both gestures and settled back against the pillow covered headboard. Not knowing what else to say she just sat there and excepted the glass of water he handed. She didn't even realize how thirsty but before she knew it the glass was empty.
Gabe watched her drain the glass in record time. "Wow! Slow down you are going to make yourself sick."
"I fine." She replied to his statement. "I was just thirsty." And with that she handed him back the empty glass.
"You want any more?" Gabe asked taking the glass.
"No, I'm fine now."
"So I was thinking you need a name. It's going to get rather annoying for you to have me calling you hey you all the time."
She smiled at this. I do need a name but what hell I don't even think I would still be alive if not for you and your friend. "Why don't you pick one and I will tell you if I like it."
Gabe was surprised by this comment but honored that this young woman trusted him that much. Only one name popped into his head it. "Anne." He stated confidently.
"Anne," She didn't know why but it fit. " I like it, but can I ask why that particular name." She watched as a small amount of regret cross his face. She instantly wished she hadn't asked. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No it's okay." Gabe said this to reassure and steady himself more than her. "You have the right and so did she." He sat down in the small bedside chair. He was silent for a moment and then he started the story.
"A few years ago I was in the US Armed forces. I had joined about four years before the pulse. I had already had 3 years of medical school and my martial arts background yearned me a job in a Special Forces combat rescue division. The country was still in chaos and there were many outbreaks of riot and looting. In one of my many missions to calm down these riots and to reinstate order I happened upon a little girl. She had to be no more than eight. Three of the looters were taking turns raping." Tears ran down his cheeks and his voice quivered. "I killed them all I won't go into how but I made them suffer. The little girl was a mess broken arm, cracked ribs. Her forehead was busted open. This tiny sweet innocent little girl just laying there in the mud her breath hash and gurgling. I wrapped her in my over shirt to ward off the chill. As I did this her eyes opened. She looked right into my eyes smiled said thank you and died."
Tears flowed down Anne's cheeks. She looked over at Gabe and saw he was crying too. Slowly she held out her hand know that now he needed some comfort.
Gabe grasped the hand firmly. "That was the first time in my life that I watched the light flow out of an undeserving life. It happened again a little over a year ago, but I don't want to talk about that right now."
Now Anne understood why he had helped her. She also understood why he had given her this name. He hoped that if she lived so would the little girl in sprit anyway. As for the other incident he mentioned she wasn't going to press at least not at the moment. "It's a great name Gabe. Thank you for every thing you have done. And from now on please call me Anne."
Gabe just sat there in silence the tears had stopped but the hurt hadn't. Then with out warning he did something he hadn't done in quite awhile.
Anne watched him get up from the chair his hand still holding hers. The look he was giving her said he wanted to lie down. She hesitated a moment and than began to shift over to make room. He crawled into bed with her and pulled her gently to him.
Gabe was glad she accepted his offer to lie down. He needed the same comfort he had given her and she was willing to oblige. He cradled her gently being careful of her wounds. He felt her meld against his body her head on his chest.
She listened too his heartbeat as she lied there not wanting to move anymore. They had both had a ruff couple of days and she for one thought sleep would be real nice right about now. So with out another thought she closed her eyes and let the thump, thump, of Gabe's heart is her last sound heard before sleep drug her under.
Gabe heard her breaths become shallow and knew she was asleep. Actually that wasn't a bad idea he thought and with little effort he joined Anne, at that thought a smile crossed his face, in the world of dreams.
A/N: I have finally bought a home computer and this will be the first chapter to be written on it. What does that mean? More chapters more often. Yeah!!
Hope and Memory
Chapter 10: A New Name
The sudden flash of memory had immerged quick, violent images of murder and death, explosions and fire all in living color. She didn't know what to make of them but they scarred her so much she barley remembered huddling in the small bathroom corner tears slowly running down her cheeks. There were no faces or names of the victims but their screams seemed real enough for her.
Then among the chaos of it all she felt the warmth of comfort and a small yet reassuring voice that promised her everything was going to be ok. She wasn't sure if she believed it or not, but accepting than the many alternatives. So with out any hesitation she sank into the warms and cried.
Gabe held the broken, scared young woman to his chest. He let her sob against him all the while gently cradling her in his arms and softly whispering reassuring words. All he could do for now was offer her hope. The memory would come in time.
Slowly her sobs lessened to a faint sniff or whine. The images gone now she reluctantly pulled back from his strong chest to look in his sky blue eyes. "Thanks." Her voice was hoarse and raspy.
Not saying a word Gabe picked her up and carried her out of the small bathroom and back to the bedroom where she could rest.
She loved the feeling she received when he picked her up. It was like being cradled in a big blanket of security. It was a known yet unfamiliar feeling one she was sure she hadn't received much of before the accident. But it was there now and she never wanted it to stop again.
He felt her relax in his arms and smiled. Poor thing, she tried to take on too much all at once. Reaching the bedroom he slowly laded her down on the bed.
Her arms tightened around Gabe's neck. She didn't want him to leave she couldn't let him leave he was the only thing that kept the flashes at bay. "Don't go." She stated softly in his ear.
"I'll be right back I have to see Red out." Gabe felt her arms loosen reluctantly and then fall from his neck to land softly by her side. "Five minutes Ok."
Five minutes it could have been two and it still would have felt like and eternity to her. She just felt so helpless with out him next to her to keep her safe. She didn't know why or even really care but it was a weakness she knew she would have to get over. Time she thought all I need is time. "Ok."
Gabe watch her eyes well in determination and knew that she would be Ok for the brief period he needed to see Gabe out. God she was remarkable he thought as he stood up gave her one last sincere look and walked out of the room.
Red Bud had watched the entire seen with a phage sense of deje-vu. He watched as Gabe walked back out of the bedroom with a determination in his eye and knew it was time for him to exit stage left. "Well it looks like you have everything under control."
"For now but she is still very fragile mentally." The body always heals faster and easier than the mind ran though Gabe's head. "And only time, compassion, love, and hope can heal that."
"Well I am sure she will get all of the above here, but fore me I should get going."
"I can't thank you enough bro." Gabe extended his hand.
"Any time my brother." Red Bud grasped Gabe's hand in a solid shake and pulled him into a quick one-arm hug. "Any where."
Both men released the other simultaneously and neither one having the knowledge of what to say next. Finally Gabe broke the silence. "Well bro, I have been giving it some thought and I want you to tell Dree you came to see me."
The caught Red Bud off guard at first after he realized what Gabe had in mind. "Will due. But I think he might be rather upset." A smile broadened across his face.
"Well that's just tough for him, because as soon as the girl is able I will be bringing her by the clinic to introduce her to everyone. She needs a family and friends but I dare not bring her to Crash. Those asshole who messed her up in the first place will be looking in places like that, plus I will need to bring back your supplies."
"Ok bro, you take care of yourself and that beautiful young woman." With that Red Bud grabbed his coat and walked to the door. "I'll keep in touch." And then with a quick second glance at the bedroom he walked out the door and closed it behind him
Gabe watched the door close and then re-locked it. Man his life had just done anther complete 180 and he hoped it was for the better. Putting the negative thoughts out of his mind he wandered into the kitchen to refill his coffee cup and got a glass of water for the young woman.
The girl lay on the bed and listened to the entire conversation. Tears coming to her eyes at the bond these to wonderful people had and the unknown hardship that seemed to exist between them. And the thought of her bringing in more saddened her. She watched as Gabe walked back into the room exactly four minutes and twenty seconds after he had left her. It was funny but she hadn't even realized that she had been counting.
Carefully Gabe set his coffee and her water on his small nightstand next to the bed. "I thought you might be thirsty." Gabe than helped her to sit up right so she would be able to drink.
"Thank." She replied to both gestures and settled back against the pillow covered headboard. Not knowing what else to say she just sat there and excepted the glass of water he handed. She didn't even realize how thirsty but before she knew it the glass was empty.
Gabe watched her drain the glass in record time. "Wow! Slow down you are going to make yourself sick."
"I fine." She replied to his statement. "I was just thirsty." And with that she handed him back the empty glass.
"You want any more?" Gabe asked taking the glass.
"No, I'm fine now."
"So I was thinking you need a name. It's going to get rather annoying for you to have me calling you hey you all the time."
She smiled at this. I do need a name but what hell I don't even think I would still be alive if not for you and your friend. "Why don't you pick one and I will tell you if I like it."
Gabe was surprised by this comment but honored that this young woman trusted him that much. Only one name popped into his head it. "Anne." He stated confidently.
"Anne," She didn't know why but it fit. " I like it, but can I ask why that particular name." She watched as a small amount of regret cross his face. She instantly wished she hadn't asked. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No it's okay." Gabe said this to reassure and steady himself more than her. "You have the right and so did she." He sat down in the small bedside chair. He was silent for a moment and then he started the story.
"A few years ago I was in the US Armed forces. I had joined about four years before the pulse. I had already had 3 years of medical school and my martial arts background yearned me a job in a Special Forces combat rescue division. The country was still in chaos and there were many outbreaks of riot and looting. In one of my many missions to calm down these riots and to reinstate order I happened upon a little girl. She had to be no more than eight. Three of the looters were taking turns raping." Tears ran down his cheeks and his voice quivered. "I killed them all I won't go into how but I made them suffer. The little girl was a mess broken arm, cracked ribs. Her forehead was busted open. This tiny sweet innocent little girl just laying there in the mud her breath hash and gurgling. I wrapped her in my over shirt to ward off the chill. As I did this her eyes opened. She looked right into my eyes smiled said thank you and died."
Tears flowed down Anne's cheeks. She looked over at Gabe and saw he was crying too. Slowly she held out her hand know that now he needed some comfort.
Gabe grasped the hand firmly. "That was the first time in my life that I watched the light flow out of an undeserving life. It happened again a little over a year ago, but I don't want to talk about that right now."
Now Anne understood why he had helped her. She also understood why he had given her this name. He hoped that if she lived so would the little girl in sprit anyway. As for the other incident he mentioned she wasn't going to press at least not at the moment. "It's a great name Gabe. Thank you for every thing you have done. And from now on please call me Anne."
Gabe just sat there in silence the tears had stopped but the hurt hadn't. Then with out warning he did something he hadn't done in quite awhile.
Anne watched him get up from the chair his hand still holding hers. The look he was giving her said he wanted to lie down. She hesitated a moment and than began to shift over to make room. He crawled into bed with her and pulled her gently to him.
Gabe was glad she accepted his offer to lie down. He needed the same comfort he had given her and she was willing to oblige. He cradled her gently being careful of her wounds. He felt her meld against his body her head on his chest.
She listened too his heartbeat as she lied there not wanting to move anymore. They had both had a ruff couple of days and she for one thought sleep would be real nice right about now. So with out another thought she closed her eyes and let the thump, thump, of Gabe's heart is her last sound heard before sleep drug her under.
Gabe heard her breaths become shallow and knew she was asleep. Actually that wasn't a bad idea he thought and with little effort he joined Anne, at that thought a smile crossed his face, in the world of dreams.