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I'm sorry if I haven't been able to respond to your review's still thank you so much for continuing to follow this story and happy thunderbirds day! (Just a warning that this one is a little dark and some may find it upsetting but i promise to follow it up with lightness)

Harsh bright lights and white washed walls invaded his vision as he tried to open his eyes, the smell of charred flesh and smoke was overpowering despite the underlying clinical aroma. It made him feel sick, he grimaced squeezing his eyes shut as something transported him, the momentum underneath rocking him along. He peeled open his eyes again. There was a flurry of activity, people swarming around just outside his vision, talking in concerned tones – giving rapid instructions. Something was obstructing his face, he tried to yank it off the but his limbs felt like lead. He gave up and turned his head barely maintaining consciousness confused and disorientated, then he saw her. Mavi. She was laid out on a gurney with a team of medics in camo gear, disposable aprons and blue gloves. She was unconscious and deathly pale, her hand hanging limply off the side of the bed. One medic held her head secure whilst the doctor carefully inserted a tube down her throat. Scott looked down and saw a nurse trying to cut off her uniform but from the legs down it was impossible, Mavi's legs were bloodied, the green overalls now black and tarlike where skin should have been. Suddenly the beeping that resonated in his ears flatlined, the sound now a shrill cry in comparison. The team rushed forwards, clustering around her. "Vitals have crashed, she's not breathing. No pulse. Start the defib." The nurse began chest compressions whilst the doctor took the fib from his assistant. "Stand back." He instructed. "Clear" Scott watched her lifeless body arch upwards at the shock before she dropped down again unresponsive. He tried to get up, why couldn't he move? "Mavi!" he ripped off his mask and started shouting, his cannula line getting tangled.

One of the nurses noticed and quickly came to his side, swishing the blue curtain around as she did so. He tried to scrabble off the bed but was forcibly held back. "Captain, settle down; your injured." Either she was strong or he was weak from exertion. He fell back on the trolley defeated, the pain overwhelming him. His chest burned but his leg raged like fire itself.

"Mavi" he croaked, he could feel himself sliding back towards oblivion again as the medic quickly replaced his mask and straightened out his drip. He was paralysed with fear for his friend. The whites of his eyes and his tense body radiating the distress that he couldn't seem to voice. His breathing was erratic, he felt like the air was being sapped out of him. He was semi-aware that several people were now working on him. His shirt had been opened and nodes were being stuck on him; more wires. Someone was cutting around his leg. He couldn't feel his leg but he could feel the tension on the clothing they were taking off. Why were they all on him? They should be with Mavi. The whole world lost focus, faces that were clear moments before became blurred as did their arms and hands that were passing over him in quick succession. He suddenly felt removed from the situation a peaceful blank feeling gently started to relax his body before flickering at the edges of his mind. He slipped away blue eyes closing, long, dark eyelashes resting on his cheeks.

Mads looked around the ward at the blue and white walls devoid of anything interesting. He was sat watching as his Captain a medically induced peaceful sleep after surgery. The doctor warned he would awake soon and Mads was dreading it. He didn't want to be the one to shatter that peace but he deserved to be told by a friend and not by a medic. He looked at his watch. It had been four hours since they had brought them in. Mads hadn't slept at all as soon base had been secured and he'd been debriefed he'd come straight back here. The Doctors explained Tracy had received a second degree burn to his entire calf and first degree burns to his hands. The doctors were amazed he hadn't been reacting to the pain, it would have been excruciating. Mads figured he must have been pumped on adrenaline and intent on completing the mission he'd set himself which was to get to the infirmary. Once he'd completed that goal his body and mind were spent and that's why he had collapsed. Mads knew Scott's actions had saved hundreds of personnel here at the base. Only five people had been killed, fourteen injured. It was a miracle it wasn't the whole squadron and more. He played with the dog tags around his neck, he was never good at waiting.

It seemed really light, had he not shut the curtains last night? He stirred, he felt comfortable yet there was a nagging feeling in his leg and his hands were stiff. Then he noticed his throat. It was like when he'd had tonsilitis as a kid but intensified. That's when he realised his pillow was too fluffy and he had sheets instead of a sleeping bag. Not good. He opened his eyes as the memories of the last time he was awake assaulted his senses. He scrabbled up but yelped as wires pulled. "Easy Captain, easy." Mads placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Scott looked confused noticing the stark blue of the hospital gown he was wearing under Mads hand. He felt the tightness of the tape across his cheeks where an oxygen tube remained below his nose. Mads helped sit him up and poured him a glass or water. He had to help Scott drink it. "Thanks. Where's Mavi, how is she?"

Mads took his time in placing the glass back on the counter. He was really hoping he wouldn't ask straight away but this was their Captain, he put everyone's welfare above his own. Mads sat down and drew the chair closer, it scraped along the floor metal on concrete. He tried to remain composed. "Scott, Mavi didn't make it."

Scott stared at him not seeing. "Oh" was all he could utter. He looked at his hands as they began to tremble, his eyes starting to burn more than his throat. His heart felt physically crushed as the pain in his chest swelled at the news. She was gone. He thought he had rescued her; he was so sure she would make it. He opened his mouth to say something but there was nothing. Tears came unbidden as the room blurred once again. Mads bowed his head, Scott looked so fragmented he couldn't bear it. "Did we lose anyone else?" Scott was afraid to ask but he had to know. This was on him. "Not from our air team no. Once those initial jets were down, they remained in the air in case of anymore incoming attacks till Major Newton brought them in once they lost contact with you. We lost five in total. Fourteen injured including yourself." Scott nodded numbly; he couldn't make eye contact. He sunk back into the pillow and stared down the ward away from Mads. "Captain." Scott turned back again despondently. "Don't think I don't know what your thinking, this wasn't your fault. If you hadn't brought us back when you did there would have been many more deaths, everyone's saying it." Scott couldn't trust himself to answer. Mads sighed. "Right sir, I'm sorry I've got to go. I'm meant to be catching some shut eye before the extended debrief at fourteen hundred hours." He stood to leave. "Thank you Mads" Scott said sincerely.

"Your welcome sir." He walked up past the exit just as the doctor came round. It was the same guy who tried to save Mavi. "Ah captain Tracy I see your awake. May I check your vitals?" He nodded mutely. The doctor conducted his check methodically. "Good; your vitals are regular and your hydration levels are returning to normal. You suffered a second degree burn to ten percent of your lower leg and first degree burns to your hands. You also suffered a degree of smoke inhalation but not severe. We'll keep you on the oxygen for the next twenty-four hours just to be sure your ok."

"When can I get out of here?" Scott's tone was motionless. His thoughts were still with Mavi. "At least two or three days." He replied making some notes on his paperwork. Scott sunk back further. "Are you comfortable or do you need more pain relief?"

"I'm fine." He rolled onto his side to face the wall.

"Very well, I'll leave you to get some rest."

The Doctor turned to go. "Why did she die?" He asked, his back still turned on the doctor. Scott's question stopped him in his tracks. He knew him and the woman had been brought in together. From what he understood she had been his first lieutenant. He steeled himself and turned round. "I'm afraid she had severe third degree burns and smoke inhalation. She died from toxic shock caused by the injuries she sustained. We tried to revive her for thirty minutes but there was nothing more we could do. I am truly sorry."

"Thank you" Scott replied curtly. Not trusting himself to say more. The doctor nodded and walked away. Scott was finally alone. There were a few more casualties in the ward but they were at the other end of the corridor and his curtain had been pulled across to offer him a scrap of privacy. How could she be gone? It was meant to be routine; he hadn't even had a chance to see her privately before heading out last night. Ever the professional she and he maintained their working relationship never messing around or being overly friendly in briefings, just the usual banter. The last time he had spoken to her companionably was at the mess hall yesterday evening over dinner. She had been talking about how she was hoping she would be granted leave to attend her sisters 21st and now she was never going home. He steeled himself waiting for the raw wave of emotion to pass. He breathed in deeper with a slight hitch. They had been inseparable since the day they had first met years ago when he'd transferred into her squadron fresh from Oxford. Never anything more than friends but it was a bond for life or at least it had been. Other friends had come and gone as he rose through the ranks but not Mavi, she had always been there to support him and he hoped she had felt that in return. She was the one he had confided in when his mother and grandfather had died. She was the one who gave him the strength to keep looking for dad when he disappeared. He closed his eyes. How could he have lost his mother, grandfather and best friend in under a year? Someone up there must really hate him.

XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXO

It was his second night in the ward. He hadn't been able to sleep, not when he knew she lay in the morgue nearby. He didn't like the thought of her being alone, he knew he was being stupid but he couldn't help it. She'd used her last words to tell him to leave her, she had never woken up to know he'd rescued her from the cockpit. He would have never abandoned her, he hoped in those last precious moments that deep down she would have known that. It was still semi-dark. He shifted onto his side, the movement sending a shock of pain through his heavily dressed leg. It had a special silicone webbed mesh on it which was coated in an anti-burn formula. Within a week it should be completely healed as long as he kept it dry. His hands had already begun to scab over the burns gel making light work of them. He took the oxygen tube off. His face was tight enough as it was without the tape. He scrubbed at the stickiness on his cheeks before scooting to the side of the bed looking for his clothes. He saw a fresh pair of joggers and a shirt had been left for him. He undressed quickly and threw the shirt on, the canula got in the way so he ripped it out, hissing as he did so. He grabbed some tissue off the side to stem the flow then gingerly popped his leg through the joggers. At one point the pain was so blinding he nearly fell over but he managed it stuffing his feet into his boots. None of his personal effects had been brought over apart from his phone which he shoved in his pocket. Mads had also left a packet of cigarettes' and a lighter which he gratefully pocketed. Now he had to sneak out. He was done being in here. He needed to be doing something constructive to take his mind off the pain, not wallowing in bed. The base was still reeling from the attack there was admin he could be doing at the very least and he should be supporting his squad.

He ambled down the dark ward. Most patients were still asleep but one or two watched him go. There was a medic in the office down the hall but he managed to slip past her and down the corridor. He was limping slightly; he'd almost made it when someone collared him. "Captain?" Damn it was the doctor who had treated him, did he ever go off shift? Scott thought. He turned around, the harsh white hospital corridor lighting making him look washed out. The doctor cautiously walked closer. "You know you can't return to active duty unless I sign you off, right?"

"I'm well aware Sir, but as you can see, I'm doing quite well so can you discharge me already?" Scott stood with his arms folded in a confident stance trying to look stronger than he felt.

"Come on, why don't you have some breakfast in my office and we will discuss your condition." He indicated back down the corridor. Scott frowned not an outright yes but not a no either. He conceded. He wouldn't get anywhere acting rashly. He had to prove he was sound of mind as well as physically able. An outburst would just get him signed off for longer. He ground his teeth as he followed the doctor.

They sat down in the small room; Scott did his best to hide the flinch as his leg knocked the chair. Luckily the Doctor was pouring a coffee. "I'm Sam by the way, I don't think I've had a chance to introduce myself properly yet." Scott nodded and gratefully accepted the coffee he'd had nothing but water since the mission. Sam had ordered some bacon sandwiches for them on the way over that an orderly brought in to the office before leaving again. He sat down and eyed him across the desk. "Captain I'm going to be frank but you should still be in bed. There is no way you are fit for physical duty yet." He gave Scott an appraising eye which riled him up somewhat.

"Respectfully Doctor, although I am not medically trained, I can see I am in no condition for PT and physical duty but I don't see why I can't do admin. There are records to maintain, debriefs to commence, I could be doing something whilst I'm healing. This base is short staffed as it is, all able-bodied staff will be needed on clean up and to conduct patrols."

"This has nothing to do with Mavi? I believe you two were close?" Sam looked at him assessing his reaction.

Scott schooled his face and forced himself to take a bite of the sandwich even though the smell was making his stomach turn. "We were close but no it has nothing to do with her death if that's what your implying. I want to be able to serve and support my squad. I wasn't sent on tour to lie around."

"I was going to suggest medical leave." he tried tentatively, he could see how sensitive Scott was about the mention of Mavi, he was trying to shield himself in routine and normalcy.

"Respectfully Sir, my place is here with my squad, if you wanted me to take medical leave you should have sent me home while I was unconscious." He tried not to glare as he maintained eye contact. A ghost of a smile flickered across Sam's rugged features. Scott finished the roll and downed his coffee.

"Ok well let me examine you fully and If I think you're ok, I'll permit light duties only." Sam was still unsure but he was mindful of listening to the patient as well as his diagnosis. Scott was young and fit chances are light duties would be appropriate. He was more concerned about how his recent loss could be affecting his mental health. He made a note to recommend the counsellor service on base. Although he had a strong feeling Scott would object but he wouldn't be returning to operations until he did.

"Great." Scott replied ready for the exam.

Sam pointed at the bed and asked Scott to lift his shirt. He then used a stethoscope and asked Scott to breathe in and out a couple of times before then asking him to cough. Sam watched the rise and fall of Scott's chest as he listened. Satisfied he moved onto Scott hands. Turning them over to see the palms. The skin was raw and pink in places but there were no blisters or infection. His temperature was normal and his heart rate and blood pressure were good. Sam asked Scott to remove his trousers. Scott winced as he held the fabric away from his injured calf as much as he could. Sam gently prised the bandage off. Several blisters had popped causing the top layer of Scott's skin to slough off. Sam gently lifted the mesh off with gloved hands, Scott swore "Shit!" as it got stuck on a bit of skin. "Sorry! You know; you have an incredibly high pain threshold."

"Four younger brothers will do that to you." Retorted Scott, he'd taken a fair amount of beatings and being jumped on over the years. Sam laughed.

He applied a fresh dose of the burn cream and a new silicone mesh before bandaging it up again. He pinged off his gloves and threw them in the bin before washing his hands. Scott pulled his trousers back up over his hips and swung his legs over the side, gripping on to the edge.

"Well can I go now?" Scott was keen to get on, he could feel that breakfast might be coming back to haunt him soon.

"Yes." Scott hopped of the bed. "But there are conditions." Scott leant against it again.

"I'm listening."

"You are not to do any physical activity at all. No PT, no gym sessions, manual handling and certainly no flying! For at least two weeks. You are to complete your course of antibiotics and take your painkillers three times a day. You may still feel exhausted if you do, you need to speak to your superior about completing shorter days/ allowing for more breaks and I want to see you back here in three days' time to change that dressing. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Good here's your drugs and there is your doctor's report and note for your superior."

Scott folded it and placed it in his pocket then stuffed the drugs in the other. Scott extended his hand. "Thank you, Doctor and for the breakfast too."

"Your welcome." He opened the door to let Scott out.

Scott headed up the corridor ignoring the people he passed. He reached the exit, blinking in the already bright sunlight which was a sharp contrast to the clinical hospital lighting. He stood on the steps and lit a cigarette, he'd been craving one to help settle his anxiousness about getting discharged. He strode out and headed towards his superior's office, he didn't even know if it had survived the warfare of the other night, he was also assuming that the Major hadn't been one of the casualties. He had to at least report in before he returned to his quarters. He ought to debrief too even if he was shattered, it was protocol. He hoped Major Newton would forgive him for his attire, he was a mess. Maybe he should have gone to barracks first. He chucked his cigarette and stamped it out before rounding the corner to the offices. He did a quick dust down before he knocked once firmly on the door.

"Come in" a firm voice instructed.

Scott entered and stood to attention with a regimented salute even though it killed his leg. "Sir, Captain Tracy reporting."

The Major looked up Scott had never seen him look so astonished. "At ease" Scott marginally relaxed into parade rest. "I heard you were still in the infirmary wounded."

"I was Sir until I was discharged for light duties this morning." Scott broke his stance to hand over the report before stepping back into position. He maintained his level stance, chin pointed slightly up and focused on the wall, he watched from the side of his eye as the Major read the report. "I suggest you go an get changed then you can report to the debrief at O fourteen hundred hours but first tell me what happened to you and your team that night." He gave Scott his full attention.

"Yes Sir. We headed out on routine patrol at O' two hundred hours, it was quiet sir, nothing to report. It was approximately O' four hundred hours when I received a code Bravo distress call from base. The call went dead before orders were given. Knowing that we were the only airborne squad I felt the most appropriate course of action was to return to base to support. So, I called my units back in and we formed a vic formation, combat box with the Alpha and Beta teams. I instructed Charlie and Delta teams to thatch weave from behind at my command. Initially we displayed a clear show of force and tried to chase them off as I didn't want jets falling on the compound however it became apparent, they were not going to move so I executed the thatch weave in front of us and we caught the remaining enemy jets in the confusion. There were four of them in total however, they also had missile launchers on truck beds outside the compound. They downed three of our jets; Lieutenant Allen, Myself and lieutenant O'Hara's. Officer Kent's jet sustained damage from the last enemy jet but remained airborne. I dispatched a jet and the two missile trucks before unable to do anymore due to the damage sustained in combat. My jet was on fire at the tail and it spread up the underside, the smoke covering my line of vision and invading the cockpit. I landed her and managed to get out before running for cover. I then saw O'Hara come in on fire before being targeted by three enemy shooters. I dispatched the three of them before they reached her, I then leapt up on to the jet as she was trapped. The hood wouldn't deploy due to the damage sustained. The cockpit was starting to ignite and the smoke was rife. She said I should leave her but I managed to get her out but she was unconscious." Scott paused. "lieutenant Allen and Airman Willis assisted me with getting her down and to a place of safety in the supplies building. We then headed out to get to the infirmary where we came across sergeant Watson of the U.S Marines and his team. They saw us in to the infirmary where I then became unconscious which concludes the report."

Major Newton gave him a critical eye. "You fail to mention that you sustained smoke inhalation and second degree burns yourself yet still managed to rescue a fellow pilot and get them to safety." Scott remained silent but nodded once. "Thank you. All I can say is that your actions ultimately saved this base, we have a lot to thank you for Captain. The fact that you were able to bring your squad of unseasoned pilots in and execute such a maneuver was exemplary. It is to be commended."

"Thank you, Sir." Scott replied stiffly. He didn't want a commendation it had been a joint effort of his squadron. He didn't want a commendation when he hadn't even been able to save Mavi. If anyone deserved it, she did. She should be honoured in death at the very least. "If I may suggest Sir, lieutenant O'Hara was instrumental in terminating two enemy jets and several hostiles in the process. It would be good to honour her actions too in memory."

"Yes, it's a terrible loss to the squadron, she was an excellent pilot and will be sorely missed. I will consider your recommendation."

"Thank you Sir. Has her family been informed of her death yet?"

"Yes, yesterday morning. Her funeral will be held in three weeks-time."

"If no one has come forward yet sir, I would like to represent our squadron at the funeral if the family will allow."

"I think that's an excellent decision and one I would warrant. I'll make arrangements."

Scott nodded. He didn't trust himself to answer.

"Your dismissed. See you at debriefing."

"Yes sir. Scott rose as quickly as he could and saluted before marching out.

"Oh, and Captain."

Scott froze and turned to face him.

"I have so many desk jobs for you, you're going to wish you were flying fit. So, rest up while you can."

"Yes sir, thank you sir." The more work the better thought Scott, routine and stability was what he needed right now. He ducked out of the office and grabbed the door closing it behind him.