Next
"Marcoooo! Pizza here!" Jackie shouted while placing the food and drinks on the living room coffee table.
The young man was in the bathroom again, "Thanks, I'll be out in a minute." Marco had a hard time being around her. It was nice to see her, but all he wanted to do was be alone.
His right hand was trembling and he needed to calm his nerves. He stepped out into the bedroom and reached for his duffle bag, inside was a flask with some Jack Daniel waiting from him. Without a second thought, he downed the burning liquid.
"Hssssss…" The brown liquor gave him a warming feeling, he looked over at his hand to see the twitching had slowed down.
"Better than nothing." The flask was shoved deep into the bag before departing the room.
"Well, there you are." Jackie heard his prosthetic limb clanking along the wood floor.
Marco gave a nervous smile, "Here I am… so let's eat?" This whole situation still felt weird for him, he looked over his body and thought he should change.
Jackie saw this and reached out to grab his hand and pulled him over to the couch, she immediately smelled the strong scent of alcohol on him. "You're a whiskey man, huh?"
He gave her a shy grin, "Yeah, it helps… with, you know…" Marco points to his face and leg.
All she could do was smile, "If it helps, I think scars are rad!" Jackie showed off some of her own.
"Ouch, that one looks pretty nasty?" Taking one of her cues, Marco ran a finger along the scar that was above her left elbow.
"Hurt like hell when it happened, the injury knocked me out of the X games sadly." Jackie was a rising star in the extreme sports league.
"I could only imagine, but you did take the gold last year for snowboarding." Marco had kept up on what was going on with his classmates after leaving.
"You saw that?" She was really shocked to hear. Being selected for the USA Olympic team and taking the gold, was her highest life achievement. It was why her skateboard shop got so much business.
Marco rubs the back of his head with a nervous grin, "Ehhhh yeah, the guys in my team didn't believe I went to school with you… and I had your sport illustrated pin up posted next to my desk."
Jackie liked hearing that, "The one of me at the beach laying on a surfboard or the one of me in my running track outfit?" Both photos had high compliments from the magazine readers.
He was sweating now, "Both of them…" They started to giggle.
"I'm glad to hear that, I even said a few things about you in the interview." The conversation was starting to get risky.
"I didn't want to think you were talking about me…" Marco pulled back a little as he grabbed a slice of pizza.
"The one that got away, that was about you." Jackie smiled and chewed on her pizza.
"Hehe…" All he could do was let out a nervous chuckle.
"Anyway, seeing how you know what's been going on with me…" She was giving him a hint to open up a little.
Marco looked down at the ground and groaned, "If it's okay with you, I really rather not talk about it…" he looked away from her.
…
"THE BIRD IS IN ROUTE, TELL LT HE'S GOING TO MAKE IT!" SFC Jame found Soldiers pumping at Marco's chest and placing tuner kits on his limbs as the medic was squeezing an IV bag.
"He's in bad shape, but we'll continue on." SPC Holt, the medic gave the IV bag to a Soldier as he started to remove Marco's body armor.
Other troops placed the three killed in action Soldiers, into body bags, "KEEP HIM ALIVE!" SFC James didn't want to see anyone else die in the forsaken shithole tonight.
The quick reaction force was dispatched from base to provide security. SFC James went over to the wrecked truck, the flames were starting to die down, "God damn it…"
A wrecker was on scene to recover the down MARP, everyone was staying busy as they hopped Marco would pull through. Something from the corner of his eye caught his attention.
"The hell?" He walked over to the items, it was Marco's right boot. It had his last name and blood type is written on it with a portion of his leg still in it.
"Get me a bio bag…" SFC James said to the Soldier next to him. He reached down and grabbed the limb, it was shredded to pieces.
...
Jackie understood and backed off the conversation, before she could change the subject. "*knock* *knock* Jackie, you home?" They heard someone knocking on her door.
"That sounds like Janna, I'll be back." Before Marco could protest, she was off the couch and out the door.
"Fuck…" Marco didn't want to be seen like this, he tried to make a run for his bedroom.
"Ah-ha! Found you, mister!" Janna was at the door pointing at him like an inspector had captured a jewel thief.
"Eh… hey Janna…" Marco was in midstep looking over to his bedroom and the woman.
Her joy was a reputedly stopped when she got a better look at him and his new leg, "Oh big guy… what the hell happened to you?" She walked up to him as Jackie followed.
"It's… it's… it's nothing… really…" The young man had a hitch in his voice. He felt like he was being scolded and didn't understand what.
He tried to leave the room, but he couldn't move his body. All he wanted was to disappear, it was one thing for Jackie to see him like this. He always had a soft spot for her and was happy to see her again.
Not to say he didn't feel the same way for Janna, but how she was looking at him… it was the same way the doctors and physical therapist would, "I'm okay… really…" Hot tears were streaming out of his eyes as Marco smiled at them.
His heart was pumping like hell feeling so exposed and out in the open.
…
"CLEAR!" A doctor shouted out loud as everyone removed themselves off of Marco's lifeless body. His body convulses after the massive electrical shock to restart his heart.
BEEP…
BEEP…
BEEP…
"Okay, we got him back, keep on working on that leg." The team of doctors around Marco continued to work on him. That was the third time he had flatlined on the table, it was a race against time to control his blood loss.
There was blood all over the ground as his body was surrounded by medical equipment, the damage to Marco was far worse than anticipated. His right knee was beyond saving, serval ribs were broken and punctured his lung, the right arm was broken in two places and his right eyes was bearly hanging on. Last was the second to third degree burns covering forty percent of his body.
He was a bloody mess...
…
"Is he going to make it doc?" SFC James was in a bed at the field hospital that was working on Marco. One of the doctors would come out from the surgery room to keep his unit updated, it has been six hours from the start of the surgery.
"It's still touch and go in there, he's eating up all the O positive blood we have in stock. As soon as he's stable enough, we're going to get him sent over to Germany for more surgeries." Many of the Soldiers from Marco's unit were waiting outside the tent.
"Shit… is there anything we can do?" SFC James still couldn't believe what had happened, his hands were covered in aid bands with first degree burns going up to his elbows.
"Not at this moment, but it would be a good idea if the LT had an escort when we fly him out. Would you be able to go with him? You're in no condition to be part of any missions with your own injuries." The SFC looked down at his hands.
"Yeah… I think I can be there for him." The whole situation was a shit show, Marco's unit would lose two of their most seasoned Soldiers. Not to mention the other four troops killed in action.
"I know it's hard to hear, but the two of you need to go back stateside and heal properly, he's got a long road ahead of him to recovery. I'll be in touch when we're ready to move Lieutenant Diaz." James sat in the room alone listening to Marco's heart monitor.
…
"Janna… I-I-I..." Marco was finally able to take a step backwards from the women as his eyes became blurry from the tearing welling out...
"Hey, hey, hey it's okay…" She could see the hurt in his eyes, the young man wasn't ready to be seen like this. Janna just charged right into his place like she owned it and witness something very personal to him. This is why he left after bearly eating his meal, this is why he had the limp and why he kept his hand and face covered.
The Filipino knew he was in an accident, but Marco never went into details, "No… it's not… I don't want to be seen like this! I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO LOOK AT ME LIKE YOU ARE!" He kept backing himself into the wall behind him as his anger takes control.
"I'm sorry! I just want to be here for you, Marco!" Janna was closing the gap with Jackie watching the situation unfold. She wanted to put a stop to her friend's movements, confronting a combat vet about his injuries, can stir really bad memories.
But also, Marco had to know there were people that cared about him no matter how he looked or what had happened, "I DIDN'T ASK YOU OR JACKIE TO COME HERE. I JUST WANTED TO BE FUCKING ALONE! SEE THE TOWN ONE MORE TIME BEFORE I FUCKING ENDED IT ALL. GOD DAMN IT, NOW FUCKING GO!"
The women gasped after hearing that, "What did you say you dumbass?!" Janna was now in face, Marco thought just yelling would get them out. It always worked when the therapist came to check on his mental status.
Jackie was just as close now, "Why would you come back home just to kill yourself? Everyone in this town knows and cares about you!" She remembered having a conversation with her uncle like this once… she also remembered being the first one to discover his body.
The Vitamin vet was battling post-traumatic stress disorder that went undiagnosed. Jackie found him in his full dress uniform sitting on his reclaimer in the living. He had placed his issued M1911 into his mouth and eat a .45 ACP that left a gaping hole in the back of his head.
She couldn't go through that again and lunged her body into Marco's, "I… I… I just wanted to say goodbye to everyone… just look at me…"
Janna squeezed herself into the hug as Marco raised both palms to his eyes. He hated crying, it made him feel weak. "That's doesn't matter you, idiot! You're still the same guy we grew up with!"
Marco felt her warm hand run along his sacred riddled face, "God damn it! I feel so fucking useless like this!" He rolled his right hand into a fist and smashed to the prosthetic limb.
The women heard the loud banging sound, Jackies grabbed his right hand and held it right. "Stop it! You're not useless!" She watched him lower his head to look at her.
Jackie could see his right eye were several shades lighter than the left. It was clear to see, the eye didn't go undamaged, he takes a deep breath and lowers his left hand, "I was a good Soldier before this happened… one of the best in my battalion. I was on track to make Captain next year and go to Special Forces school when we got back."
Janna whips away the tears on his face as he continued, "Everything happened so fast… one minute we were on the road heading back to base. The next I was on the ground watching one of my guys burn to death."
They gasped, but let him counting, "Fuck man! All I could was just watch him scream for his mother as he died… and for what? Nothing is going to change over there, we're just wasting our fucking time and dying for nothing. My mother was right, I should have never joined up because Star broke up with me…"
Both the women knew Star was a sore subject, they had no plans of bringing up the former Princess, "But I wanted to make something of myself, really see what I'm made of… and look where it got me. I can't walk through a metal detector without pulling off my leg first. Permanent hearing and vision damage, I wake up every night screaming on the top of my lungs covered in sweat…"
Marco realized he was talking too much as the girls looked at him with big puppy eyes, "I shouldn't be bothering you guys with all my baggage, just, please. Leave me alone…"
Janna and Jackie felt his body slump along the wall, "Talking helps, Marco. You don't have to keep this all to yourself. We don't we get you over to the couch?" Jackie said as she pulled one of his hands.
"That sounds good, come on big guy!" Janna pulled his other hand and they laid him on the couch. Marco was there just looking up at the ceiling as the tears contained raining from his eyes.
"Janna… go into my duffle bag and grab the flask, please." He needed a drink right now, more than ever.
She moved out into his room assuming the bag was there. As she opened it, Janna found his pistol sitting on top, "So that's how you planned it… not on my watch!"
The Filipino grabbed the gun and placed it into the waistband over the small of her back, "Hsssss! Damn thing is freezing!" The cold metal sent shivers up her spine.
…
"Is there anything I can do, Marco?" Jackie asked as she was standing at his side.
"I'm not sure there is anything that can be done for me…" Janna came into view and offered him the drink.
They watched him down the rest of it's contents, he dropped the flask on the ground and placed his right forearm over his eyes, "I'm really not in a talking mood right now and I need to go and get some groceries."
Marco then felt some sit by his feet and the channel was changed on the tv, "Jackie can pick up a few things for you. I'll stick around and be here when you're ready to talk." Janna grabbed a slice of pizza and flicked the channel again.
The fake blonde didn't mind and leaned over to place a kiss on his forehead, "I'll be back, just rest." Marco nodded.
…
A group of Soldier was in Marco's hospital room, "Before Lieutenant Diaz and Sergeant First Class Jame leave us today. We will be presenting the Purple Heart citation to Lieutenant Diaz." The Company Commander and 1SG were at his bedside with James standing with them.
The room was small, but Marco's Soldiers filled it and the hall. He was placed in an induced coma to not feel pain, his only sign of life, was his chest rising up and down, "Publish the orders." Everyone snapped to the position of attention.
One loud voice could be heard, "The United State of America To all who shall see these presents, greeting: This is to certify that The president of the United State of America. Pursuant to authority vested in him by congress. Has awarded the Purple Heart Established by General George Washington At Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782. To 1st Lieutenant Marco U. Diaz, U.S. Army. For military merit and for wounds received in action in Bagram, Afghanistan on August 13, 2029. Given under my hand in the city of Bagram. This 16th Day of August 2029."
Marco's CO placed the medal on his chest, to everyone's shock. The Lieutenant raised his right hand slowly and saluted them. His hand dropped after a minute, "Take care LT, we'll see you soon." The CO gave his last words and left the room, Soldiers patted Marco's bed and departed.
SFC James stayed with him, "Looks like it just us now, guy."
He watched a doctor enter the room, "Sergeant, we're ready to move him, do you have everything you need?"
James grabbed his bag, "Let's get this show on the road…"
...
"I'm back!" Jackie closed the front door and placed the bag in the kitchen, "How's he holding up?" She was back in the living room finding Marco asleep.
"He passed out after you left, but he keeps mumbling and jerking around…" Janna was now sitting on the floor with her hand over his chest.
"Okay, you wanna help me put away the food?" Jackie threw a thumb behind her and wanted to talk to her friend.
"Sure, let's go." Janna hesitantly left Marco's side.
"What do you think we should do?" Jackie didn't know what to do next for him, but she didn't like knowing Marco's reason for being back home.
"It's simple really, I'm going to move in with him, I've been looking for a new place to stay at, anyway." Janna said like it was no big deal, as she would always do.
"Move in? Don't you think that's a little bold of you to make such a desition?" She might not like the idea, but someone had to keep an eye on him when alone.
"Do you think this is bold enough?" Janna pulled out the handgun and placed it on the counter.
Jackie nearly jumped out of her skin, "Is… is that his?"
"Yeah… Ohhhhh! Jack Danels! My fav!" The Filipino held the large bottle up in the air.
"I thought you would, and it was the drink that was in his flask." Both women put away the rest of the items.
They heard Marco walking over to them, "Sorry about that guys, I guess I was more tired than what I thought?"
They turned to greet him as Janna placed the gun back into her pants, "Hey there good looking, I'm going to head out and grab a few things!" She walked up to him and placed a kiss on his cheek before leaving.
Marco was just standing there frozen, "Few things? What does she mean by that?" He asked Jackie with a confused look on his face.
"Eh… it might be better if she tells you, can I get you anything?" She pulled out a bag of chips for him.
"I don't like how that sounds, I got things under control here." Marco reached over to the bottle of hard liquor.
The cap was spun off as Marco placed the opening into his mouth and walked back to the couch, "Your liver isn't going to like you if you keep drinking like that…" Jackie was concerned for his well being.
Marco plopped himself onto the couch and removed the bottle from his lips, "*burp* That's what all the docs been telling me."
He soon felt soft hands massaging his tense shoulder mussels, "Man! Your back is covered in knots!"
"Yeah… I get that a lot- OUCH!" Jackie was working a spot that's been killing him for months.
"Try and relax, I know what I'm doing." Marco shut his eyes as he was pushed forward a little more.
"Oh God… that feels really, really good!" He was putty in her hands, Jackie couldn't hold back her giggles.
"You know, I went to school to become a masseuse. I have the table over at my place and if you like. I can bring it over and give you a full body massage?" Marco was thinking over the idea, maybe he should take up the offer.
But he had a nagging feeling in the back of his head, "Maybe another time, but if you wouldn't mind..." He was trying to give her a hint to leave.
"Lower? Okay!" She happily started to rub his spine and the under pit areas, blowing of what he was trying to get at.
"That's not what ohhhhhhh!" He lost his train of thought as the pain he's been having, were subdued.
"Just chill dude, I got everything under control!" The fake blonde was really enjoying this.
Reaper- I decided to work on this story some more.