Shave and a Haircut--Chapter Four

Mid-week on base was humming along. Teams were coming and going as usual. A few sprains and bruises livened the afternoon. Doc was in his office working on a new schedule for the following week. At the nursing station, I'Lee was updating files while Rhonda restocked transport kits. Brinn came running down the hall.

"Doc!" She bent over to catch her breath. "Beach sent me to tell you a team came in. They have gone to the gym to do stress relief. He wants you to come and monitor. Oh, and bring some kits."

The mahogany medic sighed. Why they insisted on this type of fighting, he would never know, but it worked to take the edge after a particularly rough mission. "Rhonda, prep Exam Two for triage, Exam Three for lacerations only. Then take a break until they start rolling in. I'Lee, take Brinn and a couple of kits and go observe. Radio me if anything drastic happens. I'll be prepping equipment and forms.

The taller nurse sputtered in protest. "Beach asked for you."

"And he can just deal. I'Lee has advanced trauma training and can make calls in the field. You watch and learn." He made shooing motions toward her. "Now go, before our Ranger has a cow."

The whole way to the gym the brunette nurse grumbled and harped about the medic's orders. Finally, the small statured nurse stopped. "Brinn, give it a rest. This is our job."

"No, it's Doc's job," she spat back. "You're just a nurse. Like me. He's supposed to be here."

I'Lee rolled her eyes and tried to let the insult slide. "Girl, just give it a rest." Hefting the two kits, she resumed her pace. The other woman followed with a grim look on her face. Noise spilled out from the windows as they approached the gym. The small nurse shouldered the door open and walked in. Brinn pouted outside.

The noise was exponentially louder in the building. The small nurse shook her head in dismay. Training, yes. She could understand. But brawling…she supposed it was good if it took the edge off of the men who lead such stressful lives. A hand waved at her and she made her way over to the Ranger.

"Where's Doc?" Beach narrowed his eyes.

"He sent me today, Wayne. Deal with it."

"Just you?"

"No, Brinn is outside, doing something."

The Ranger looked at the diminutive nurse with respect. She was still holding two twenty-five pound field kits, waiting for instructions on where to set up.

"Park your gear over there and I'll go get Squeaker."

I'Lee did a double take at the unexpected line. Watching as the drill sergeant marched across the gym bellowing for the recalcitrant nurse, she actually felt a little bit sorry for Brinn. That lasted all of ten seconds as said woman came running in and started griping at the smaller nurse for tattling on her.

As calmly as she could, the strawberry blonde ignored her supposed helper and opened the kits for use. She snapped on a pair of gloves and took up a good position to watch the action.

There were groups of two and three in various states of…not exactly fighting but not exactly training. Beach was now holding a punching bag for one of the two females who had gone on the mission. She was wailing on it pretty hard, slowly moving the Ranger back.

I'Lee recognized SE in his gear. Dressed in form fitting black, he was hard to miss. He was moving through martial arts calming exercises with his student Kam.

Her eyes moved to the next group of people. The brunette woman, Jaye, was using a quarterstaff against one of the other guys. The two slammed the rods together, blocking and parrying in a dangerous dance. Banged fingers, splints, possible broken bones.

The last group was four men, all dark headed and with full beards. The nurse paused. All the men except SE and Kam had dark hair and full beards. Undercover. The foursome was paired off using fists and feet. She pegged Ettiene right away as his hair was shorter than the others. He was fighting against Dell, a fellow Marine, and the two were out for blood. Break packs, ibuprofen. The other two men she couldn't tell apart. They too were engaged in hand-to-foot-to-hand combat. Ace bandages, more ibuprofen and break packs.

She turned her attention to Brinn who was standing mouth agape at the action. I'Lee cleared her throat. The brown headed nurse turned and glared at her.

"What?"

"Are you ready?"

"For what? These guys are good."

Patiently, I'Lee handed the other woman a pair of gloves. "Put these on. Pull the break packs, all of them. And watch these two. They are pushing it." She motioned to the two Marines that were trying to kill each other. Even as she moved, the men came barreling out of their fighting circle toward the med table.

"Brinn, the kit!" The small nurse picked up the pack closest to her and scrambled out of the way while the other woman just stood there. The fighters crashed through the table scattering the contents of the second field pack

"Dammit! You two fools get that pack picked up." Beach was livid. "Brinn, hop to. You've got to think on your feet if you want to keep up here. Everyone, else, stand down." The last order was pointless, as all action had stopped with the crash.

Both Ettiene and Dell apologized to Brinn and began to gather the supplies but the taller nurse just stood there.

"Brinn! Get to work!" The Ranger got in her face. "You have to pull your weight around this unit! I will not tolerate slackers!"

"I…I didn't spill it." She was on the verge of tears.

"But you know how to repack it. Get. It. In. Gear! Now!" Beach was out of patience. "The rest of you, hit the showers. De-brief at 1700. Move!"

Everyone left except for the nurses and the two Marines. As the supplies were returned, Brinn slowly repacked the kit. I'Lee moved to help but a glare from the Ranger stopped her. He stood arms crossed with a scowl.

"Go back to the med ward and tell Doc he can stand down. These three will be along shortly."

The strawberry blonde nodded and went to pick up the undamaged kit.

"Leave it. Squeaker here can haul it back."

Outside the gym, the small nurse sighed. Brinn was a good nurse when she wanted to be but lacked discipline. Why was she working here if she wasn't going to apply herself to doing the job? These thoughts kept her occupied as she entered the med ward.

Doc was in his office and she delivered the message. He nodded. "Where's Brinn?"

"Ask Beach."

The medic made an 'Oh' face and sighed. "I wondered when this would happen. Okay. Tell Rhonda to put the extra supplies away. She has the evening shift so it won't be a problem. You get off in 30 so finish up your paperwork and get out before the fireworks start." At her look of protest, he stopped. "I'Lee, she's been on probation for a while. Several complaints have been filed. And I do know about that incident in Exam Two. You should have told me."

"I handled it." She flushed crimson knowing the excuse sounded weak.

Doc's kind gaze eased her discomfort somewhat. "It's not about you handling it. It's about a breach in ethics. And patient welfare. Think about it."

She returned to the nurse's station and stared at the files. When Beach came with Brinn in tow, I'Lee didn't look up.

"Chere, where do you want us to put these?" Ettiene's voice was quiet. She motioned them to follow her to the supply room. There were two spaces for the boxes and soon they were squared away.

"Thanks, guys."

"Nothin' to it, Miss I'Lee. We shoulda been more careful." Dell's deep voice was quiet as well.

The two took their leave and the small nurse put away her files. She talked quietly to Rhonda, filling her in on Doc's orders. Clocking out, she decided to walk to her quarters rather than hang around and change in the nurse's room.

So many thoughts were going through her mind that she didn't notice when Hector came up beside her.

"Hey."

"Mmm."

"You okay?"

"Not exactly." She looked closely at him. His eyes were brown. "Are you wearing contacts?"

"Yeah. I'll take them out in a bit."

"What was with the identical thing?"

He yawned. "We had to be several places at once. It was easier if we were interchangeable."

"So, the scruffy look is in now?"

"Oh. Yeah. It's the new clean."

"And you are gracing me with your scruffiness, why?" She stopped walking.

"I wanted to know if you would cut my hair. It's a pain like this." He scratched his head to make a point.

She reached up to touch his now out-of-control beard. "Oh, I don't know. It could grow on me."

"I hope not. You wouldn't look good with a mustache." That earned him a poke. "Ouch! The whole mission and not a scratch. I get here and you abuse me."

"What can I say?" She pointed towards his quarters. "You go shower and I'll—"

"Come watch?"

"Be over in twenty with my scissors."

"You're sure you don't want to come?"

She put a hand to her head. "Why do I put up with you?"

"I thought we established that."

"Refresh my memory."

He spread his arms out wide. "Because everybody needs a wookie."

"No, but you're looking pretty close."

"I can get closer." Hector leaned toward her waggling his eyebrows.

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Right now, you are fuzzy. You need a shave something fierce and the hair…the hair…" She trailed off, realizing he was staring at her. "Ooookaaaay. I'll go change, you go shower, and no comments."

He winked and grinned before heading back to his quarters.

shavehaircut

Twenty minutes later, she stood at the door. Voices inside indicated the sailor was in an argument with his parrot. She knocked. "It's open," was the muffled answer. Tentatively, the small nurse opened the door, expecting chaos but Hector was standing there in jeans and a white tee holding a very irate Polly. "He's having a bad day. I got back and he didn't recognize me at first. Let me put him in his perch for the night."

I'Lee came all the way in, closing the door behind her. She laid her bag with scissors and blades down and walked over to look at the picture wall while he took care of the bird.

"Soda?" He stood next to a small fridge. She shook her head 'no' and he shrugged. Crossing over to the bed, he grabbed a blue button down to throw on over his white tee shirt.

"Hair, remember." I'Lee found her voice. "And I see you didn't shave."

"I thought maybe…" He stopped in front of her, indicating her blouse. "Purple is a good color on you. I like it, your Highness." He walked toward the bathroom, leaving her blushing.

How does he do that to me? I'Lee took a deep breath to calm herself. She followed him. I can do this. "So, a shave and a hair cut?"

He scratched at his neck. "Please?"

"All right. Did you already wash your hair?"

He nodded.

"Can I wash it again?" She made scratching motions with her fingers. "It will feel good."

"Any excuse to play with my hair…"

She smirked back. "Of course."

Hector retrieved his shampoo from the shower and leaned over the sink. "Just don't drown me. That would be bad."

I'Lee turned on the water. While she waited for it to warm up, she took her time tucking a towel around his shoulders and neck. She grinned as he shivered where she touched him. Hopping up onto the counter, she began to cup water over the back of his head, letting it run through the dark strands. She hummed quietly to herself as she worked a small amount of shampoo into his hair and began to massage his head. He sighed and relaxed. She let her nails tease the sensitive part of his neck and he tensed up.

"I'Lee…" There was a warning tone in his voice.

"Relax, Sailor Boy, I'm almost finished."

He mumbled under his breath, "I'm almost finished."

She cupped more warm water to rinse his hair. When she was done, he stood up and looked at her with blue-black eyes.

"Don't play with me…" He whispered.

Water dripped from his face and she traced a drop with a small finger. "I don't play." She pulled on the towel around his neck and drew him to her. He tried to pull back but she held tight. "Don't run from me, Hector." She put both hands on his chest and ran them up to his neck.

He drew a sharp breath and closed his eyes. "I'Lee…" The word came out in tortured moan.

Drawing his face to hers, she placed a gentle kiss on his forehead and then pulled him close. Whispering in his ear, she said, "This is what you do to me, just by being you. You'd better be ready."

He nodded slowly and encircled her with his arms. She could feel his heart racing. Hopefully, she hadn't scared him. That thought quickly left her mind along with all reason when his hands made their way to her hair. He tightened his grip and gently moved her to where he could see her face. He looked at her lips and then into her eyes. "May I?"

"May I what?" She held her breath.

"May I kiss you?"

Suddenly, tears flooded her green eyes and she nodded.

"You're sure?"

Her response was to pull him to her. He slowed the draw and softly touched her lips with his own. It was a delicate thing and I'Lee wondered fleetingly if he'd actually done it. That thought was gone in the next second as he repeated the action. He held her face still and traced her cheekbones with his thumbs. Her green eyes were dark as she watched his face. He looked at her with amazement.

"When I couldn't see, I could only guess at what you looked like. I wanted to run my fingers over your face to try to see you," he whispered. He proceeded to close his eyes and lightly touched her eyes, nose, cheeks and finally lips. "I had no idea how beautiful a person you are both inside and out." Hector opened his eyes to see fresh tears trailing down. He leaned over and kissed the salty tracks. "I told you I play for keeps. Are you ready for me?"

She had no words. She had no idea it would be like this. Her lips parted to try to speak but he captured them in a third more pressing touch. Her hands came up to caress his face and she had to stop.

"Hector…"

"Mmmmm." He was rumbling.

"Let me see your face, the one I like."

He pulled back to meet her eyes. "Okay." He went to get a chair to sit in.

She prepared his face with hot water and applied lather to his neck. He watched her every move until she was ready. Opening her blade, she had to stop before starting. "It's not a good idea to make eyes at your barber when she's wielding a sharp object."

"Sorry, your Highness. I'll behave." He closed his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, she proceeded to clean his neck. When that was done, she turned her attention to his cheeks and jawbone. She cleared the spaces she was familiar with and took care not to cut him. Cleaning and closing the blade, she used her scissors to trim his mustache and beard. She then brushed the backs of her fingers over the soft hair and smooth skin.

He caught her hand. "Can I open now?"

"No," she whispered. "Let me finish up."

Nodding, he placed a slow kiss in her palm, the meaning more intense this time as he also kissed the back of her hand.

She repositioned the towel around his neck and made short work of cutting his hair. Using her fingers to style it, she teased him a bit by scratching on his neck until he started to growl. She removed the towel carefully so as not to spill hair all over him.

"Now can I open?"

She looked at him sitting there with his eyes closed. "Where do you keep your clean shirts?"

He raised an eyebrow but answered, "Second drawer on the right."

"Sit tight and don't peek."

"I already know what I look like."

"Just…humor me."

"Yes, your Worship."

"Darn straight, you scoundrel."

He grinned.

She went to the said second drawer on the right. It was full of semi-neatly folded tee shirts. White, white, more white. Work shirts. In the corner were two different colored shirts, one a dark blue and one dark gray. I'Lee decided gray would accomplish her goal.

She tossed the shirt into his lap and ordered, "Change shirts. Please." At his hesitation, she reminded him, "I've seen your scars. They don't scare me."

He pulled off the one and slid into the other. "Good thing the fashion police is cute. I don't know how much of this I could take."

"Ha, ha. I just wanted you to see something."

"I could if you let me open my eyes."

She pulled him up and stood with him before the mirror. "Take a look."

He took a long look in the mirror. He saw the woman next to him, her skin tone highlighted by the purple she was wearing. Her face was flushed as she watched him watch her. He then looked at himself. His eyes were clear, clearer than they had been in a long time. In fact, they had a similar glow he had seen once in a dream. He saw himself as clean and he felt whole, at peace.

A small voice spoke beside him. "Now, you see what I see."

His heart swelled and he pulled her into a crushing hug. He was about to say something when his watch beeped, reminding him of a meeting. "Of all the bad timing…" I'Lee's head shook against his chest and her shoulders moved with silent laughter. "Hey!"

She stepped back and bit her lips, trying to regain control. Waving at him to get ready to go, the strawberry blonde observed as he pulled on his blue uniform shirt and tucked it in. His watch beeped again, giving a five-minute indication.

"Can I call you when I get done?" he asked heading toward the door. She shook her head 'yes' and waited a few seconds before following him out.

"Hector?" Her voice was low and husky.

He froze for a moment before turning slowly to face her. She pointed to his feet which were bare, then to the boots she held in her hand. He came pounding back and kissed her hard. "See what you do to me?" Grabbing his footwear, he took off running toward his debriefing.

I'Lee leaned on the doorframe, touching her lips in wonder. A smile crept across her face and she closed the door to his quarters as she headed toward her own. It promised to be an interesting evening.