Disclaimer: I do not own Matt Eversmann or Black Hawk Down. I'm using 'Black Hawk Down: A History of Modern War' by Mark Bowden and any details I remember from the movie. All details concerning the battle are the same. None of that has been changed. I do own this fan fic idea, Danielle Ashton, and Sarah Thomas.

Author's Note: Hey there everyone. This chapter focuses mostly on Matt and his ideas during and after the convoy ride back to the base. A bit of drama and a bit more cursing than I like to place in fics. I'm finally beginning to finish this fic up. Really have no idea where this might end, but I would love to see how many people are enjoying this fan fic. It gives me a warm feeling inside to see that many of the people who read this are complimenting me on it. Also, sorry for the extremely long delay in this chapter. I was thinking up new ideas for the story and then I got sidetracked with school work. Then it took me forever to write the chapter. Enjoy!

Matt Eversmann sighed as the convoy came to yet another stop on the dirt road. Bullets were flying everywhere and ricocheting off of buildings. Matt had relocated to somewhere a bit more protective on the humvee, but from where he was, all they were doing were going around in circles. He sighed as they made another turn down another dirt road.

God! We've got to be going around in circles. The crash site was one block down. How could they have possibly gotten lost already?

He grunted as they hit another bump and the pain from the jot racked through his body. The convoy continued to go down the dirt road until they made yet another turn. Constant turns and flying bullets began to overwhelm Matt's mind as the horribly long ride dragged on. A bullet was fired and made a small dent less than an inch away from Matt's head. He gasped, holding his breath before, moving his hand up to his head to see if he was all right. He brought his hand down to look at it.

No blood. Good. That means I'm not hurt. God damn it! This place is worse than hell.

A turret of bullets continued to be fired directly at the humvee that Matt was on. He put his hands over his head trying to protect himself as much as possible. The Somalis could hear screams of pain in the humvee and cheered in victory.

"Everyone all right?" a voice yelled back from the passenger seat.

Matt looked around from where he was. One man had been shot in his left shoulder, which was now bleeding profusely. Another had two shots in his leg, while the man next to him was obviously dead. The man had blood flowing down from his right temple all the way to his neck where it fell to the floor. Matt felt like retching at the mere sight of the others around him.

"We've got two injured," Matt paused before continuing, "and one dead."

The whole humvee went silent for a few moments. That was when they all recognized how quiet it had gotten around them. The driver and person in the passenger seat were looking around frantically, trying to see where the Somalis were hiding.

"Where'd all the Sammies go?"

"Have they left?"

Many of the men were shouting to see if the Somalis had truly left the convoy alone. Matt looked outside and saw that the streets were all empty. They were on the same dirt road as they were on before, or were they? He couldn't remember anything. Everything seemed the same: roads, buildings, people.

"Don't get your hopes up," shouted the driver, "they'll be back. Don't you worry."

At his words, another wave of gunfire was brought down upon them. Luckily, no one was injured this time, but everyone was shaken up. The convoy made a left turn and Matt finally recognized something.

This is Armed Forces Road. Why are we here? This is no where near either of the crash sites. Are they going back to base? What about all of those men still at the sites? What the fuck is going on?!

Matt was starting to get irritated by the whole situation. Everywhere around him was covered in grime or blood. Nausea began to creep up on him yet again. He grabbed onto his stomach, forcing himself not to lose everything he ate. All he wanted was everything to be like it was, calm and in order.

Not like this. None of this should have happened. What did I do wrong? The headphones in the Black Hawk. I ripped that out when I jumped. What about Blackburn? What could I have done to stop that from happening? He couldn't have fallen, he shouldn't have fallen. Would things have been different if I hadn't been given this job?

Doubts continued to swarm around in his mind. He didn't even notice when they arrived back at the base. Mentally he shook himself when men began to pull those on stretchers out. He was one of the first people to pile out after they were done. A medic ran up to him and he shook him off.

"Help them," he yelled at the medic, "I'm fine! Help them!"

Matt was pointing to men who were obviously beaten up more than him. He then looked at himself and saw that he was covered every inch by blood. The medic continued to pull him to a tent until he was shouting at him.

"I'm fine! Leave me alone! Help them!"

Matt was freaking out without realizing it. He was just too concerned with all of his men. The site of blood, broken men, and deaths was just throwing him into a whirlwind of emotions. He was being to vent out more and more on nurses and medics. A man soon came over a pulled him aside.

"What's your name sergeant?" asked the older man.

"Matt Eversmann."

"Well, Matt, you need to calm down."

"Roger."

"We'll fix them up," the older man sighed. "All you need to do right now is be a bit calmer."

"I am calm! I just want you to work on them!"

"Matt, listen to me. You need to calm down. What your men need to see right now is a stand up guy. Them seeing you nervous is making them even more nervous. They need you to be there for them."

Matt took a deep breath.

God! I'm making a fool out of myself. Can anything else go wrong? Great. Now I've cursed myself.

"I'm calm. Just please work with them."

"Sure."

The man left Matt standing there. Men sprinted past him. Others were protesting about needing help. Others were shouting out orders, trying to gain at least a decent grip on controlling the now hectic situation. Matt's head was pounding with the sounds and colors of the whole atmosphere. He was soon told to stay at the base. Tore between helping his men and fear, Matt did as he was told. He went into the hangar to maybe squeeze in some rest or to at least take something for his head.

When Matt awoke from his nap, his head felt worse. He sighed and forced himself to get up. Walking outside, he spotted that most of the men had left to return to the battle, while medics were trying to heal those who had returned with injuries. Matt, having nothing else to do, decided to see if he could be of any help at the medical center. He walked in to find Sarah in tears, head in her hands.

"Sarah?" he asked tentatively.

She shot her head up and he saw her bloodshot eyes. Sarah had no idea of what to do.

Great! Matt's here. Just what I need. The one guy who has a serious crush on me seeing me in tears.

"Sarah, are you all right?"

She couldn't take it anymore. All the pain, all the drama, it was too much. Jumping up, she ran into Matt's arms and sobbed into his chest. His first reaction was shock, but then he placed his arms around her frail body. He felt the ripples of her crying go through him.

What has she gone through to make her breakdown like this? I've never seen her so…unstable before?

Matt continued to ponder what had happened as he stroked her hair. It had fallen out of its ponytail a long time ago when she had been so busy working on different soldiers. Eventually, the tears slowed down before stopping. She had fallen asleep in his arms and he wasn't sure about what to do. Too many emotions had come over him. Grief, sadness, love, anger.

Who did this to her? Who could have done such a thing? They'll pay for this.

Matt was beside himself in anger. Little did he know that the person who caused all of Sarah's tears was in the room through the door in front of him or that there was nothing that the other could have done to stop this. Matt carefully, as to not wake Sarah, cradled her in his arms and brought her to the nurses' rooms. He knocked softly on the door where a single elderly lady opened the door.

"Yes?"

"I've got Sarah Thomas. I fear she's fallen asleep. Can you please led me to her room?" Matt asked, afraid that the elder woman would refuse.

The older nurse looked over Matt and then set her eyes upon Sarah. She had seen her before. She was one of the prettier nurses and easily hit on by the other soldiers.

"You know soldiers aren't supposed to be interacting with the nurses, correct?" the elder woman replied.

"I'm sorry. I was at the medical center," he began to explain, "and she was asleep so I figured I would bring her over."

"Come in. Her room's this way. Follow me please."

Matt followed the old woman, sighing and thanking God that he wasn't given too hard of a time. When he reached Sarah's room, the woman opened the door for him and he walked in. Placing Sarah gently on the bed, she stirred slightly in her sleep and curled up. He moved the blankets on top of her and brushed a few stray pieces of hair out of her face. His heart leapt when he saw the smile that crossed her face.

The older woman, whom he had completely forgotten about, cleared her throat and pointed towards the door. He did so obediently, afraid that she would rat him out for being in the nurses' quarters. That would most definitely get him in trouble with his superiors. He quickly left the building and returned to the hangar. A few of the men had returned by now. It was nearly nightfall and he could see a few flashes of light from where the battle was still raging on.

Author's Note: So ends another chapter. Please be a good reader and R&R. I love to see good reviews, but flame me if you must. If you are going to, at least make them worth my while and tell me how to improve the fic. Don't just flame saying I hated it. That just wastes yours and my time. Hope you enjoyed.