At first Chris didn't hear the gunshots, when she did her brain wasn't able to function properly. She'd been trained for 5 years for this type of situation, but as soon as she heard the first shot fear coursed through her, followed closely by adrenaline.
"Incoming!!" she shouted, she looked around and saw with some degree of comfort that her squad members hit the ground, slinging their weapons into the pocket of their shoulders and returning fire. Her eyes scanned behind her, looking for Erik who had returned to the Humvee for something. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw him crouched behind the humvee giving her the thumbs up sign, telling her he was okay.
Great, now all she had to do was get her and her 3 companions out of there. Easier said than done! She scanned the horizon, hoping to catch a glimpse of their attackers. But all she saw was sand…
She blinked when a trickle of sweat dripped into her eyes, burning. Bringing her own weapon up to her shoulder she took it off safe and looked down the barrel, looking out the forward sight…hoping.
Suddenly it got quiet…too quiet. She knew they were regrouping. Chris knew she how to get them out of there, as the senior NCO she was in charge…meaning 3 lives were being held in her hands.
With that sobering thought she yelled to Saunders and Evans, when they both turned to look at her she indicated they were to retreat to the humvee, she would lay down cover fire should the need arise. With practiced precision the men made their way back to the vehicle using the tiresome but somewhat effective 2-3 second rush. Crawling, jumping up and sprinting for 2-3 seconds before hitting the ground…repeat until insane, or safe whichever comes first.
Once she saw them safely inside the armored vehicle along with Erik she made her move. Unfortunately that was exactly what her attackers had been waiting for. As soon as she started sprinting a spray of bullets followed her. She hit the ground, cursing and trying to see where the bullets were coming from. She heard the familiar sound of the M-16's response to their hostile actions, smelled the gun powder. She began to craw again, but at this rate it would take entirely too long. Risking her life once again she leapt to her feat as quickly as she could with all her gear on and ran like she never ran before.
Everything happened so quickly…
She heard the shot…
Felt the burning sensation in her calf and shoulder…
Hit the ground, hard unsure of what just happened.
She heard three distinctive cries of disbelief from the three men sitting inside the Humvee watching in horror as two rounds hit their mark. Returning fire and receiving none in return Saunders and Erik sprinted from the vehicle to Chris's side.
She struggled to open her eyes when she heard Erik's desperate voice pleading with her to open her eyes. With much effort she managed to open her eyes, finding herself looking into Erik's panicked, heartbroken golden/green depths.
"Oww" she finally said, eliciting a small smile from Saunders who was monitoring the bleeding from her leg and shoulder.
"Just hold still Sgt, I want to control the bleeding before we try to move you. I'm going to have Evans call for MEDEVAC"
"No!" Chris shouted, though it took what little energy she had left. "No, just take me back in the hummer"
"Sgt, it's going to be a bumpy ride. I don't want to risk…"
"Soldier!" Chris reprimanded hotly "You will do as I say! I don't want a damned MEDEVAC! I want you to help me onto my feet and drive the damned Humvee"
Erik and Saunders began to protest but Saunders was cut off by a murderous glare from Chris. Erik looked down at her helplessly "Ch-Sgt Davies please be reasonable" he pleaded.
Chris shook her head "No! Get me in that vehicle now. Before they start snooping around! That's an order private!" she shouted at Saunders.
Erik and he carefully lifted Chris and hurried her to the Humvee, propping her in the back seat before speeding off back to the FOB.
Three days later Chris finally came to…
She looked around slowly, her whole body felt heavy. She remembered getting shot, passing out in the humvee. But the rest of the time is a blur…she didn't appear to be in the aid station at the FOB but in a hospital room.
"Good! You're awake" someone said from the other side of the room.
Chris narrowed her eyes at the speaker, her vision still a bit blurred.
"Where am I?" she rasped.
"Bethesda Medical Center, Maryland"
"Maryland?" she repeated dumbly.
"Yeah, as soon as they removed the bullets from your shoulder and leg they sent you stateside for your recovery. They felt it would be better if you began your physical therapy here, rather than in a war zone."
"Sounds reasonable" Christina agreed tiredly.
She tried to sit up "What about my…Saunders, Evans and Mr. Montgomery?" she asked, suddenly very worried.
"They're fine! Worried about you. Mr. Montgomery was hesitant to allow you to travel but unfortunately he didn't have much of a choice" the nurse smiled grimly, as though remembering an unpleasant experience.
"He did arrange for his business partner to look in on you" she said as Nadir poked his head in the room.
"I'm glad to see you awake my dear. Erik was worried sick"
Chris managed a small grin "I'm tough, it's going to take more than a bullet to stop me"
Nadir grinned at her "Indeed, it took two" he teased, pulling up a chair next to her bed. She was still very pale but looked much better than she did when she arrived.
Chris attempted to move but winced as pain spread through her leg and torso. "This is going to suck" she muttered.
Nadir could only nod; the girl was in for a hard few months as she recovered.
"Erik wanted me to tell you he was worried about you, he wanted to return to the states but I convinced him to remain for the last 5 months of his contract."
"Thank you" she grimaced "I don't want him to see me like this" she whispered.
"I figured. If you need anything, you need not hesitate to ask. Though I doubt you are in need of much for now. It will be a week or so before you are released, after which you'll go through some vigorous Physical Therapy. But the doctor says there's no reason you shouldn't regain full use of your arm and leg"
"Well I guess this means I won't be re-enlisting" she joked wryly.
"Indeed not" Nadir agreed sagely.
Chris didn't deserve the hardship she would go through in the next 8 months or so. He only hoped she was strong enough.
3 Months Later
"Good Christina, you're doing excellent" Dr.Beverly said encouragingly
Chris clenched her teeth, sweat rolling down her face as she struggled to hold her weight up as she took halting, choppy steps.
As it turns out the bullet in her leg damaged some of the muscles in her leg, making her recovery a bit harder. Though thankfully for her strong stubborn streak she held in there, surpassing all expectations put to her by her Physical Therapist.
She had been discharged from the Army, honorably of course. She received the Purple Heart among other awards. She was settled back home, living with her brother Jason who kept looking at her as though she would keel over and die any day. Her parents had attempted to take her in, but she knew she would go nuts living under their roof again so she took Jason up on his offer. She was much happier with her older brother anyway.
Jason and Nadir watched from chairs on the other side of the room, every time Chris stumbled Jason's fists clenched harder in his lap. Nadir knew how it killed the young man to watch his baby sister struggle so. Erik had been asking after Chris ever since they'd loaded her onto a plane and flew her stateside. Nadir could hear the near desperation in his friend, knowing that his fear stemmed from the loss of his wife and child. Erik cared for Christina and he was so afraid of losing her.
As she neared the end of her session Chris was covered in sweat and was more than a little sore and tired. As she always was…
Jason handed her a bottle of water and gently wiped the sweat from her brow. She grinned at him, hoping to ease his tension. She hated the look of pity that glazed his eyes whenever he saw her struggle. Her shoulder had healed fairly quickly; she had a brace on her leg and needed crutches. Because of the amount of pain she was in when she was released from the hospital and the rigors of PT she had lost some weight, but it wasn't anything anyone was concerned about.
Surprisingly her demeanor was still as cheerful as ever, oh she had her bad days…everyone did. But she was determined to not let this bring her down any.
Chris wobbled behind Nadir and Jason as they left the Medical Arts building, the two were arguing about something…she stopped listening to their squabbles a long time ago; they reminded her of two little old ladies bickering about bingo.
"I don't think it's wise for her to be left alone!"Nadir countered.
"For god's sake she's nearly 26 years old!! She will be fine on her own for a few days!" Jason shouted.
"But she's…" Nadir stopped to look back at the object of contention.
"If you say injured I will gladly shove this crutch up your-"she was cut off from finishing her sentence by a glare from her brother.
"Chris! Mind your manners!" he scolded.
"Well at least tell me why you two are bickering about me again"
Jason and Nadir looked at each other nervously "Well…" Nadir began.
"Oh for-"Jason exclaimed "Chris I have to go out of town for a week on a business trip to Chicago. You'll be fine by yourself?" he asked.
Christina scowled at the two men "Of course! I'm perfectly capable to taking care of myself! I don't need a damned nursemaid!" she shouted angrily. "In fact, I'm ready to go back to my townhouse this weekend" she said defiantly. Jason and Nadir both started to argue with her, but were silenced by a glare.
Nadir gave Chris a kiss on the cheek "If that's what you want, call me and I'll send someone over to help."
Christina smiled at him "Thanks Nadir, I don't know what I would've done without you these past few months"
Nadir watched Jason drive away; making sure the car was out of sight before he pulled out his cell phone and called Erik.
As always Erik asked a million questions about Christina's condition, the care she was receiving and how she was feeling. Nadir was beginning to grow weary of the constant demands from his boss who refused to admit any feelings for the young girl, even though it was painfully obvious to Nadir that Erik cared for her…not that it was hard, Nadir was half in love with her as well…
As promised Christina was moved back into her townhouse that Saturday, with a slew of movers sent courtesy of Nadir and Erik. After a full morning of uncovering furniture, pulling more furniture out of storage and shopping Chris was feeling more than a bit sore and irritable. Jason had to leave early in the evening to catch his plane. He made his sister promise to call their parents if she needed anything.
Sitting on the couch, sipping a cup of tea Christina dismissed the last of the movers. All she wanted was some peace and quiet, it had been a long time since she'd been left alone and she wanted to enjoy the solitude. It was the perfect opportunity to think about all that had occurred in the last few months…something she'd refused to do since returning home from the Middle East.
The dull ache in her leg reminded her of how lucky she'd been, though at times it didn't seem like she was so lucky. Having to relearn how to walk, seeing the look on Jason's face whenever she stumbled or struggled. She hated seeing the look of pity on his handsome face; she didn't want anyone's pity! It was a useless emotion and she didn't have time for useless emotions! Chris felt tired; a deep down, bone deep kind of tired that hadn't gone away since she stepped foot in Afghanistan.
While she'd been in country she had been in charge of 8 people…a daunting task for anyone. She'd been responsible for their lives and wellbeing. On top of that she had to work with Erik…every day. At first it had been awkward and uncomfortable for both of them, while they struggled to learn how to interact with each other on a professional level, leaving out any personal attachments.
Christina smiled as she remembered the first few days…how she'd knocked over a table and dropped a 9ft section of piping. All because Erik had looked over her way.
She steadfastly refused to believe her feelings for him were more than platonic…then he would smile at her…a little half-smile that was meant for her and her alone and she would melt.
Then as the day's drug on they became more comfortable with each other, they stayed away from any conversation topics that could lead to anything personal. They found a comfortable camaraderie, often times staying up late debating procedure and technique regarding their assignment.
She missed him…missed him something fierce! She'd looked forward to seeing him after breakfast chow and getting to work, their lunches of MRE's (Meal-Ready-to-Eat) and then eating dinner together. It was a comfortable routine that she missed…she missed his wry sense of humor and the way his eyes would light up when she'd take charge of a situation.
Chris closed her eyes and leaned back against her couch, the only thing she could see of Erik now was the look of total desperation as he held her against him after she'd been shot. She wondered when he'd be home…if he'd be home, or if he would come home in a wooden box…like Rodney had.
That thought brought angry tears to her eyes; she'd refused to let herself feel for anyone because she couldn't deal with the thought of losing them. She'd lost too much already! Downing the last of her tea and hobbling up to her room, though it took her quite a bit to navigate the stairs she settled herself into her bed. The last thought in her mind was hope that Erik would come home to her…safely.