1st February, 1919
We are in Valga now. It's on the Latvian border. Our boys have done good. They have fought against Soviet power and won. That is outstanding.
During those few weeks I have seen death and I have put people through pain. Some of those men were begging me to stop and let them die. I have always tried my best to let them stay alive, but I have failed multiple times. I have been the last person they see, before dying. It doesn't feel good. I don't know if it's good or bad, but I haven't seen any familiar face yet. It means that they are probably okay, but I do want to see them.
I heard that the schoolboys should be in Valga too, so I might have a chance to spot them. The newest information is that 6 boys got killed and 18 are injured. I hope Jethro, Tim and Tony are okay.
I lied, when I said that I hadn't seen anyone familiar. I saw Ducky few days ago, but then our paths went into different directions. He is fighting too, but on the other line. He is going towards Russia straight, we are near Latvia now. Actually Valga is a border town, half of it is Valga – on Estonian side and the other side is Valka in Latvia. It's in south.
"Jenny!" I hear Ziva calling me.
"Just a second," I say.
I finish cleaning the blood from the floor and table. Then I pull my coat on and I'll go see what Ziva wants.
Surprise, surprise ! Jethro, Tony and Tim are standing there with Abby, Kate and Ziva.
Jethro comes to me and gives me a hug. I bury my head on his shoulder on his coat. I pull away to meet his lips. I kiss him and I feel great about myself. As my hand move around his neck, I feel his gun. It's on his back. But he isn't wearing uniform – a regular winter clothing and his school hat. I guess they didn't have time to make the good suits and winter coats for soldiers.
I pull away and breathe. He takes my hand and we stand in circle. Tony is describing their adventures, but it's not like his normal self. He isn't too happy about it, because he lost a friend. One of those 6 boys was from his class. I feel for him.
"You didn't wait for me ?" Ducky asks as he comes closer.
"Hey Donald," Jethro greets their friend.
Ducky gets hugs from the group and joins in to talk about his own adventures.
"We are sent home," Jethro says out of blue.
"What ?" Ziva asks.
"Me, Jethro and Tim are sent to Tartu for vacation. Maybe they'll call us back, maybe not," Tony says.
"Are you gonna stay here ?" Tim asks.
"Don't know yet. We'll stay if they need us here," Kate says simply.
Silence falls over the group.
"Girls, we need some hands over there," the head nurse says from the train.
We give looks to boys before leaving them.
***NCIS***
"Jennifer, Abigail, Caitlin and Ziva, please come see me after you finish," The head of medical facility says to us after a day of cleaning wounds and taping people.
We changed a look and finished the work. Then we walked quietly to the room.
I knock and then open the door.
"You wanted to see us ?" I ask.
"Yes. I looked over your work and we appreciate the help, but the decision has been made. All students will be sent home for a vacation. If we need you, we'll let know. You'll go back to Tartu with the train tomorrow," she says.
We nod.
"That's it. You're free for tonight," she says.
We say goodnight and leave. We don't change a word, instead we walk to our room to change.
***NCIS***
The night passes fast and before we know it, we are on a train moving back to Tartu. It's early morning, so I am still groggy. Abby, Kate, Ziva, Tim, Tony, Jethro and Ducky are here with me. We all are half asleep, half awake.
Jethro's arm is loosely around me as I lean onto him and seek his warmth. I can't help but feel comfortable, so I fall asleep. I wake up in Tartu.
This time all of us take a different path to home. We don't know what's waiting for us, so we decide to find it out. Alone.