Thunderbirds and The Tracy Family are the creation of Sylvia and Gerry Anderson

Chapter 76

"Captain Conley thought you might benefit from having a male nurse see to your needs, Lieutenant….so here I am…..and since I know your name, Lieutenant Tracy, I guess I'd better introduce myself," Cass explained and tried to be amiable.

Scott continued to fix him with a cool stare. "Don't bother on my account," he returned dryly, for he had no intention of being pally with this guy. "Just do what you have to and leave."

Cass drew a calming breath and raised his eyebrows slightly. He certainly had his work cut out and was going to need every ounce of his patience. Undeterred he carried on. "My name's Cassidy…..Cassidy Grey Wolf…..but everybody calls me Cass. And yeah….I'm a full-blooded Oglala of the Sioux Nation, in case you're wondering," he said, cheerfully introducing himself.

"Well, I wasn't," Scott replied bluntly.

"So…what can I call you? Your first name's Scott….right? Lieutenant's kinda formal," Cass asked, as he continued to try and establish some point of contact.

"Lieutenant will do just fine," Scott responded coldly and he turned away as if to emphasize his point that he didn't want any contact.

Cass set about preparing for his task by, first of all, making sure the table where he had set the basin was well out of his patient's reach and then raised the bed to a more comfortable, working height. With the door having been closed to afford his patient privacy he began the bathing routine with practiced ease, taking great care when it came to around Scott's ribs. He continued to try and engage his surly young patient in conversation as he worked.

He had winced at the young man's determined attitude but he wasn't about to give up. "Say….I hear your call sign is Timber Wolf. My family are named for the wolf so I guess that makes us wolf brothers, huh," Cass tried hopefully.

Scott turned and fixed him with a continued cold stare. "I guess it doesn't," he replied icily. He was surprised, though, to find that Cass was remarkably gentle with him when it came to washing around his ribs and his right shoulder for he had half expected a no nonsense guy kind of wash. "Besides….I already got four brothers….don't need anymore," he added, though for the life of him he couldn't think why he had offered that spontaneous information. There was something about this guy that bothered him, not in an uneasy way, perhaps it was the fact that Scott had almost felt compelled to offer the information about himself when he had determined he didn't want to strike up any bond of friendship.

Cass smiled quietly and didn't waste the opportunity. "Hey…I got three. I'm the oldest….and every last one of em has been a right pain in the old Indian butt….know what I mean….but I guess that's younger brothers for you. Say…you the oldest?" Cass asked, trying to keep his chat casual.

A hint of a smile pulled at the corner of Scott's mouth; he nodded and for a moment in time he almost felt normal, just two guys discussing the annoying habits of younger brothers. In fact, under normal circumstances, he thought he would actually like Cass, the kind of guy you could kick back and drink beer from a long neck bottle with but then, this wasn't normal circumstances; he was in pain and he didn't want to open up about himself or anything else.

Now that he seemed to have made a small opening in the ice wall Cass carried on. "My people believe that the earth is our Mother and that everything is related…part of each other……that all men are brothers," he ventured, watching Scott's reaction closely as he continued his task.

The remark didn't fail to have its effect. As easily as he had let down his guard Scott quickly threw it back up again and giving Cass a cold, hard stare he let out a contemptuous laugh. "You think all men are brothers, huh! You trying telling that to those people…..try telling the people of that village that those men were their brothers," he shot out angrily and forgetting that he was saying more than he wanted.

Cass stopped what he was doing for a moment, knowing sadly that he was hitting this young man in the seat of his pain. "You have seen some bad things, Chey'nah…..your pain is strong," Cass ventured, wondering if Scott was prepared to open up yet about what he had seen.

"You're damn right I've seen some bad things…..so don't go givin me that 'all men are brothers' crap…because all men ain't…..trust me," Scott spat out bitterly, though he wouldn't go into detail.

Cass just absorbed his angry young charge's outburst, knowing that he had held this inside of him and that this was probably the first time he had let out his venom. "I did not say all brothers were good, Chey'nah. Sadly…as with family…some brothers behave badly towards one another…..so it is in the family of man," Cass replied quietly. He continued on in his task.

Scott pulled his face into a heavy frown as he thought about what Cass had said and found he couldn't argue with it but he was not yet prepared to think that all men were brothers, not at this point in his life anyway. He didn't want to continue this discussion, thinking that somehow, Cass might be able to draw things out of him that he wasn't prepared to give. There was something that he was curious about, though and he couldn't help himself making a comment.

"So…what's with all this, Chey'nah…..you gonna chant on me!" Scott asked with more than a little sarcasm.

A beam of a smile lit up Cass's face and he let out a laugh. He liked this young man's spontaneous dry wit even though he knew it was laced with heavy sarcasm. "Heck no…..the Air Force frowns on chanting," he returned with a laugh and without thinking Scott found himself break into a genuine amused smile. "Naw….we save our chanting for the big, annual tribal meet. My people belong to Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota….biggest of all the Sioux Nation's reservations…..you heard of it?" he added, subtly trying to draw Scott out in conversation as he worked. Scott shook his head. "So….where's home for you, Chey'nah?" Cass asked casually.

As though Scott suddenly realised what Cass was trying to do his defensive wall went up again, he closed his eyes slowly and when they opened he fixed Cass with a cool stare. "So what is this Chey'nah? Why do you keep calling me that?" Scott asked coldly, though he couldn't help be curious.

Cass remained calm and serene, talking to him while he worked. "That is your name….that is what I see in you."

"And what does it mean?" Scott asked, pulling his face into a questioning frown.

"Hmm….there is no direct translation to your white man's language," Cass mused thoughtfully, as he again stopped what he was doing. "But it has the meaning of 'face of thunder'…..because of a….heavy heart…..he who is in anguish of soul," he explained in a quiet, reflective tone. "That is what I see in you, Chey'nah…..so that is your name."

As Scott listened the coldness left him and emotion filled him; he felt his eyes moisten, threatening to spill over and his lower lip trembled involuntarily. He had not expected to hear such an accurate description of how he felt and for it to be given a name, a name so very personal to him or he certainly would not have asked and who was this guy anyway that could see deep into his soul. Perhaps it was that about Cass that he found both compelling and yet disturbing.

But he determined he would not give in to his emotion; his instinctive need to protect himself coming into play. Scott closed his eyes and on opening them Cass could clearly see the coldness had returned, that ability to shut himself down being used to great effect. He also drew in a deep breath, which only served to cause him agonising pain in his ribs but he found that beneficial in that he could focus all his energy on riding out his physical hurting. But, the name stuck and, funny enough, Scott found it strangely comforting, perhaps because it was so deeply personal and he found he preferred it to his own name.

It saddened Cass for he could see what Scott was doing but he could not force the young man to open up, though he did find Scott's strength of will in shutting himself down remarkable for one so young. Cass was only halfway through his task and much as he had wanted to try to find a way through to the young man duties still needed to be finished, so preparing to do the lower half of his body Cass put his hand on the sheet to lower it.

"Whatda ya think you're doing?" Scott asked, his face frowned in consternation.

Cass raised his eyebrows in mild amusement. "Givin you the whole package, Chey'nah. Let me see…..last I heard the white man has a lower body and two legs just like us…..and I'm sure you ain't got anything different from us either."

"Well I can…do that…for myself," Scott responded defiantly, wincing at barely being able to move.

"Sure you can," Cass replied, trying not to smile at his stubborn young patient's obvious embarrassment for both of them knew very well he was not going to be able to manage anything. It wasn't the first time he had encountered this problem and he knew it wouldn't be the last. Cass put the sponge into Scott's left hand, stood back and waited.

Well, of course, Lieutenant Scott Tracy being the strong-willed and independent-minded young man that he was he was going to prove that he could manage for himself, after all, he had survived over two days in the jungle with an injured comrade and an injury of his own. He was forgetting, though, that that had all taken a heavy toll on his body, on top of that he had been shot and now he no longer needed to push himself to the limits to survive his body was at the point of exhaustion.

With a determined effort Scott forced himself forward, his face taut and tight with concentration as he reached his hand down towards his leg. He could reach so far down his thigh and no further but by now his hand was shaking with the effort and the pain was too great from the pressure on his ribs. He sank back onto the pillows with a deep sigh and a groan and giving Cass an 'ok you win' look he opened his hand for Cass to take the sponge.

"The wolf is strong in you, Chey'nah," Cass remarked as he went on about his work. "I sense that in you…because I am wolf." Puzzled Scott asked him what he meant. "My people believe that we all bear the strengths and characteristics of the animals…..that we all have an animal spirit to teach us and guide us….if only we will open up our hearts and listen to our inner selves," he went on to explain.

"And you believe that do you?" Scott asked with a great degree of scepticism.

Cass smiled quietly to himself. He knew 'the white man' found their beliefs hard to accept or understand and nor did he expect them to. "There are many things in this world we do not yet understand, Chey'nah……the ways of the Great Spirit are a mystery and these are things that have been handed down to my people for many generations. You and I….whether you choose to believe or not….are truly wolf brothers, Chey'nah. The wolf is strong because he fights to survive…..and he survives because he is strong. He possess patience and great perseverance. He possess the skill to protect himself and his family and to provide for them for he is fiercely loyal and has a strong sense of family and a very strong sense of who he is. The Alpha Wolf is unafraid and confident in who he is….he is a strong leader and others follow him," Cass went on to explain and the more Cass talked the more Scott found himself becoming strangely interested.

"The wolf is unafraid in the hunt and he possess the ability to move unseen by his enemies…he possess the power to outwit his enemies and he strikes quickly and without fear," he continued and at that Scott flinched, as though Cass were talking specifically about him, as though Cass knew what was going on in his mind. "His greatest strength lies in the pack…..he is fiercely loyal and will do anything for his family…..and when he finds his mate he will bond with her for life…..when he mates…he mates with passion," Cass added with a quiet smile. "It is said, though, if he should loose his soul-mate he will howl with grief. The lone wolf….he cuts himself off from the pack…..his howl speaks of his loneliness and anguish….it is a haunting sound…but it is not good for the wolf to be alone….he needs the pack…he was not made to be alone. You have become like the lone wolf, Chey'nah…that is what I sense in you," he finished with sadness in his voice.

Much as he was interested a raw nerve had now been touched and Scott didn't want to hear anymore. "Spare me your homespun wisdom," he responded dryly.

"I just tell you what I see, Chey'nah," Cass replied with quiet serenity.

Scott fixed him with another cold, steady look. "I suppose you're gonna tell me you come from a long line of medicine men, huh," he retorted, the sarcasm in his voice quite apparent.

Cass beamed him a grin. "Hey….for a white man that's not bad. There have been, as you would call them, medicine men in my family for many generations…..but actually the medicine man is more like a doctor. Those who see visions….can tell dreams….can sense things…they are the 'holy men'….we call them Shamans. You must have the gift of insight too, Chey'nah," Cass explained, grinning at his young patients attempt to rile him.

"It wasn't that hard….I just figured that's what you were goin to tell me," Scott replied with a wearied sigh as though it should have been obvious.

"Ahh…but then the wolf is clever and cunning…..he is smart and reasons things out. I told you the wolf was strong in you, Chey'nah," Cass told him, unable to keep the huge beam of a smile from his face.

Scott closed his eyes briefly and took as deep a breath as he could manage without causing himself too much pain, he just couldn't win against this guy. "All right…all right…..so I'm a damn wolf. Well you know what happened to Little Red Riding Hood when she just kept right on talkin, don't ya!" Scott snapped irritably, eyeing Cass with a meaningful stare.

Cass threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh. "Oh that is good…..that is real good. Yes…I have heard of your white man's story, Chey'nah," he replied, smiling at his patient's dry wit, though he knew Scott probably meant it for real but it didn't bother him for without Scott realising Cass had got him talking.

Cass returned his stare and held it and so began a battle of wills with neither intending to back down, eyes of steel cold, cobalt blue against piercing yellow wolf-like eyes. What Scott didn't know, though about the wolf was that this fixing of your adversary in a stare contest was usually a bid for dominance, to see who would be the Alpha male, the top dog; the one who looked away first would be admitting defeat, accepting a lesser position. The wolf has an innate ability to hold a stare for the longest time so, perhaps, Lt Scott Tracy really did have the wolf in him for he seemed to have perfected that ability, although all he knew was that when he fixed someone with a cold, hard stare it made them feel uncomfortable and they would usually look away.

But seemingly not this time and try as he might Scott knew that in Cass he had met a man who would hold his gaze and besides, he had neither the energy or inclination to play this game anymore. Scott closed and opened his eyes slowly, breaking the stare and turned away without realising the significance but to Cass, who smiled quietly to himself, it was a hopeful sign, a sign that this young man was willing to be broken and if he could be broken then he could heal.

With that part of his task now done Cass prepared to turn him as he was going to have to change his dressings anyway. Putting a pillow under Scott's left side for support Cass gently rolled him over just far enough to allow him to wash his back. After that Cass set about changing his dressing with Scott involuntarily sucking in a breath as his wound was bathed causing Cass to apologise for any discomfort. When all was done Cass rolled him back, put up a new IV bag and did all the other necessary duties, including adding the latest information to his datafile. He finished by clearing everything away and left the room.

Within a short time he was back with breakfast and since Scott was still not in a position to feed himself, his right arm being virtually useless with his broken collarbone and his left stiff and sore, Cass sat on the side of his bed and fed him. This morning it was a creamy porridge for Scott was still on a light, soft diet with only having regained consciousness and with their unusual and abnormal jungle diet he had to build up again to solid food. While Cass fed him he regaled Scott with stories from his people, Indian folk stories and legends that would be told around the camp fires and Scott had no choice but to listen, being as he was a captive audience, which Scott would swear Cass was enjoying to the full.

Some of the stories Scott was a little dubious of, like the one about the warrior ancestor, also a Grey Wolf, who rode into battle against another tribe. He was shot with a dozen arrows and, apparently, with them still sticking in his chest and back he went on to win the battle. He rode home, the medicine man removed them, the Shaman did his thing with prayers and chants and the warrior survived. He was then given the name, Anaka'hoya. When Scott asked suspiciously what that meant, Cass, with an absolutely straight face told him, 'He who leeks like a sieve'. Scott choked on his mouthful of porridge at that and eyed him coolly but Cass was adamant that was what was told him as a boy.

With breakfast over Cass left Scott to rest and he soon fell into another restless sleep. Throughout the morning Cass came in to check on him and it was on one such occasion that Cass got to know just how quick and stealthily this wolf could strike.

He could feel the humid heat, hear the birds in the trees; the crack of snapping undergrowth told him someone was coming. In his mind Scott was back in the jungle and he was aware of a presence very close to him. He had to stay calm, devoid of all emotion; he had to strike to protect them, to keep them from being captured. Without feeling any pain Scott shot out his left hand and gripped his attacker firmly by the throat and began to squeeze. In his mind he saw the enemy, he saw 'Charlie', he could hear him choke; he saw again what happened in the village and he squeezed harder, as though making this one pay for what happened there.

It was only when strong hands gripped his arm and a choking, rasping voice called him Chey…'nah did Scott snap his eyes open and he was pulled back to the present. It took him a few moments to realise he wasn't in the jungle but was safe in his room and with horror he realised he hadn't his hand on 'Charlie's' throat but on Cass's and he was turning shades of red. Scott let him go immediately; beaded with perspiration and fearful panic in his eyes at what he had done without thinking, what he could have done.

Choking and gasping for air Cass rubbed at his throat and realised what a dangerous moment that could have been but he in no way blamed Scott for what just happened, instead he blamed himself for not thinking that Scott would suffer from flashbacks. He had seen it happen before and should have known, he put it down to the fact he got careless.

"Gawd Cass…..are you Ok? I…I…don't know….what…I. I was back there….I thought….I thought you were 'Charlie'…..couldn't let us be…..I'm sorry….I'm so sorry…..gawd I could have killed you," Scott apologised repeatedly. His mind was in turmoil for the dream had been so vivid. What if he could no longer tell the difference between dreaming and waking? Was he going crazy?

It was a few moments before Cass could find his voice as he drew in gulps of air. "Say….that's some….grip….you have there…Chey'nah," Cass gasped with a half-laugh, surprised at the strength of the grip around his throat and also the speed at which it happened. "You really do move with the stealth and ability of the wolf, don't you," Cass thought to himself. "No…it is I…who should…apologise, Chey'nah. I should not have tried….to be silent around you. I should have woken you first. I brought you some ointment to put on your side….and when I saw you asleep….I did not wish to disturb you for I know you have not slept well. I thought…I could put it on for you to give you some relief while you slept. It is I who am truly sorry, Chey'nah…..I should have known…..you have nothing to blame yourself for," he explained and apologised, not wanting Scott to be suffering anymore than he already was by feeling guilty for his instinctive actions, because that's all they were.

It had been as he said. Cass came back to Scott's room with some ointment he thought would be beneficial for his patient's tender ribs and when he saw him sleeping so seemingly peaceful he didn't want to disturb him, knowing that Scott wasn't sleeping very well. So Cass had approached him quietly, sat down on the bed and was ready to apply the ointment when all of a sudden he felt a hand round his throat. He was thankful that when he managed to rasp out his name that Scott woke up and he made a mental note to make sure he always talked to Scott first when he approached him in future if he should seem to be asleep.

Cass could see, though, that the incident had upset Scott and he reassured him that it was all right, that after what Scott had been through flashbacks were a perfectly normal occurrence and that with time they would subside. He also discussed with his young patient the nature of flashbacks and how real they could seem.

"Are you Ok now, Chey'nah?" Cass asked with gentle concern to which Scott nodded that he was. "Then I'll put some of this on for you…..it should help ease your pain," he added. Sitting down on the bed he started carefully rubbing in the ointment.

There was nothing that could ease his pain, Scott thought to himself but he knew, of course, Cass was referring to his physical pain and he was surprised that a short while later it did seem to help.

"So what is that?" Scott asked, pulling his face into a questioning frown for it didn't look like any of the regular ointments he had seen. "That some of your medicine man stuff?" he inquired, having observed that Cass had opened a small clay pot, releasing a pleasant herbal smell.

Cass grinned. "If you like. It's a special herbal ointment that my people have used for many generations. It aids the healing process because it contains only good things that our Mother Earth has provided. The Elders send me a regular supply and Captain Conley doesn't mind me using it because it's only herbs and most of my patients say they have found it soothing," Cass replied.

"So it doesn't come with chanting prayers and waving feathers over me then," Scott retorted a little sarcastically.

Cass beamed him a good-natured smile. "Hey…you've been watching way too many movies, Chey'nah. Of course….if you really want the whole package!" he returned cheerfully which almost got him a smile from his patient.

Once Cass had finished Scott closed his eyes to rest, hoping that he would leave him alone for a while for he knew Cass was determined to get him into conversation and probably to get him to open up and for that he was just not ready. He didn't seem to have his eyes closed two minutes when he heard someone come into his room yet again.

"Just leave me alone…will ya…..why can't ya just leave me alone," Scott sighed irritably without opening his eyes.

"Well that's a nice way to say hi to the buddy you carried all over the jungle and made eat bugs," a familiar voice called out.

At that Scott turned immediately, his eyes and face already filled with emotion, as he heard the familiar voice. He had almost forgotten Jez was going home today and was told they would try and get Jez to come to see him and spend some time before he would leave. He looked now to see Cass wheeling in his friend, his right leg in a cast and outstretched on a support. The emotion that was threatening to overwhelm him, the emotion he had denied himself for so long, finally spilled out. Wet tracks stained his cheeks with the tears he could no longer contain at seeing his friend and remembering that the last time he saw him was in the back of the Huey, unconscious, shivering with fever and being frantically treated by the medic before he himself passed out and now here he was, looking so well. All the memories, too, of their few days in the jungle came flooding back, from when he first found his friend and treated his injury to when he felt him lifted from his shoulders.

"Hey….you're….looking….you're looking good buddy," Scott choked out, giving his friend a weak smile.

On the other hand Jez was shocked to see his friend looking so, so exhausted, weary and in pain. It hadn't escaped his notice the dark circles under Scott's eyes telling him his friend was not sleeping well and he winced at seeing the heavy bruising on his ribs, knowing his friend had carried him with that injury and that he must have been in pain. More than that, though, Jez had been shocked to hear Scott had been shot almost at their point of rescue for at that time he was well and truly out of it and had no idea of what was happening. He had been amazed and overcome with emotion to hear how Scott had got up again with him still on his shoulder, knowing at that time his collarbone was broken, and got them both to that Huey. His only memory was a vague recollection of voices and the hypnotic whomp, whomp of rotors as he drifted in and out of consciousness. After coming round the next day from surgery and with his fever under control he had asked every day about his partner and was relieved that Scott had finally woken up. He couldn't wait to come and see him and hoped he would be able to before he had to leave.

Now here he was and on seeing his friend, who had tried so hard to shut himself down, let go to his emotion caused him to give way to his own, for after all, this was the guy who had saved his life, without him he would not be here and, as well as that, it was down to Scott that he wasn't going to lose his leg. Jez choked back a teary smile at seeing the pain his friend was in as he tried to shuffle himself closer to the edge of the bed to get nearer to him.

Cass manoeuvred the wheelchair as close as possible with Jez facing him and lowered the bed to allow the friends their emotional reunion and he nodded with quiet satisfaction to himself at seeing his young patient finally give way to some emotion. He knew there was hope for the young man; it would just take time. Securing the brakes Cass left them to it and went about his other duties.

Having positioned himself at the edge of the bed Scott held up his left hand, his arm bent at the elbow and supported on the bed. Jez immediately grasped it with his own left hand in a firm, tight hold that says, 'hey, we made it, it's good to be alive' and the two men, unable to speak for a few moments, overcome with being reunited, just nodded those unspoken words, knowing they had been through an experience that would forever bind them together; they had been to hell and back and lived to tell the tale.

"Hey man….it's so good to see ya," Jez said through an emotional laugh while still gripping his partner's hand, the kind of laugh that says, 'I never thought I would see you again'. "I couldn't believe it when they told me you had been shot…..oh man….how did you ever get up….I had no idea," he added incredulously, amazed at his friend's strength of will. "You saved my life, buddy….and I….don't know….how I can….ever repay you," Jez choked out, as the emotion overwhelmed him again and his eyes shone with tears of gratitude.

"Hey….we're partners…remember. I wasn't…gonna let them…..take us…..let them…take us. Told ya I was….gonna get you back," Scott replied, wearied already by his emotion and the effort, giving Jez a weak smile.

"Yeah….you sure did….didn't ya," Jez beamed a huge grin but he was moved by his buddy's condition and could see that it had all taken its toll on him. He guessed, too, that Scott was still torturing himself over what happened and, of course, there was what he had seen in that village that he would not tell him about. "You know you did what you had to do, buddy……you had no choice…..and look I don't know what you saw out there….I know it mustta been bad….but there was nothing you……," he went on to say encouragingly and full of concern but he didn't get to finish.

"I don't want to talk about it," Scott responded coldly.

"But Scott….maybe if you talk….let it out….hell…get angry if you want….I'm listening….I'm here for you, buddy…..," Jez urged him for his heart ached for his friend's turmoil.

"I told you I don't want to talk about it…I don't need to let it out….and I'm not angry……in fact I'm not anything at all….so just drop it will ya," Scott shot back testily, his face set like stone, showing his displeasure. The only anger he was feeling was that people now seemed to think he should talk about it, as if that was going to make it all magically disappear, for he knew he could expect visits from the resident psychologists and he knew that Cass was trying to get him to open up. Well, the last thing he needed was psychoanalysed by anybody, he had managed perfectly well all these years keeping his feelings to himself and this would be no different. He groaned with the pain his outburst had caused him.

"Alright. Hey I'm sorry, buddy….I didn't mean to upset you….I just thought…," Jez winced at his friend's response, apologising sincerely.

"Yeah…me too. I didn't mean to go off on ya. I guess I'm still tired….and I just don't want to talk about it," Scott returned the apology to which Jez nodded his acceptance.

"Say…I hear you're getting the Medal of Honor, buddy…..you sure as hell deserve it," Jez said cheerfully to change the subject, little knowing how Scott felt about it, though it didn't take him long to feel he had put his foot in it again as he saw his friend wince and his facial muscles twitch.

"I didn't need a medal for saving your life, Jez," Scott responded, pulling his face into a frown. "So…just what did you say in that report of yours, buddy?" he asked with wearied sarcasm, knowing the information hadn't come from him.

"Of course not….but like I said…you sure as hell deserve it. And I just told the truth, buddy….that's all….cus I kinda figured there might be a few things you would leave out. And don't expect me to apologise either….cus I ain't. You're one hell of a guy….and the bravest man I know…Lt Scott Tracy and I'm proudda you, buddy," Jez stated adamantly and with a great deal of pride as another flood of emotion rose up in him. "Now you can bawl me out if you want….go right ahead if it makes you feel better…but I know what it cost you to get us outta there…..and I told you I was gonna make sure everybody knows what a gutsy guy you are. You saved my life, man and I ain't ashamed to say this...but I love ya, buddy," he added, unable to contain his strength of passion.

For a moment Scott was stunned. "Hey….I was only askin…..," was all Scott managed to get out before both men, eyes glistening with emotion, let out a short laugh for which Scott suffered the consequences.

A short while later Cass brought both men lunch, putting it on the over-the-bed table that he brought into place and offered to stay to help Scott with his.

"That's Ok, Cass….the pleasure's all mine. Do ya know this guy made me eat bugs and….snake! He makes a mean Jungle Mash, though….don't know what was in it and I don't want to know," Jez grinned and turned up his nose in mock disgust as he first looked to Cass then to his friend. Now he wanted to return the favor, seeing Scott couldn't manage and remembering how his buddy had kept him warm and fed him when he just wasn't able to do it for himself.

Cass nodded his agreement, guessing that it was important for Jez to be able to do something practical for this man that had done so much for him. "Jez….there's nothing with snake, man….you want to try Rattler sometime….my people do a mean Rattler Roast!" Cass beamed back a grin.

"Hey….can you believe this guy. He eats snake…..and nobody's forcin him!" Jez laughed, directing his comments to Scott.

Scott turned to give Cass a knowing look. "Oh yeah….I believe it. Nothing about Cass surprises me," he remarked with subtle sarcasm to which Cass grinned and gave him a little acknowledged bow.

Cass was genuinely impressed to hear of his young patient's survival skills and hunting prowess. "Like the wolf you are a skilled hunter and provider, Chey'nah. You must give me your recipe for Jungle Mash….and I'll tell you how to roast a Rattler," he said cheerfully, as though it was the sort of thing you eat every day.

"Huh!" Jez said, screwing up his face in puzzlement. That last bit of conversation went totally over his head and he had no idea what they were talking about, though it was obvious Scott did as he caught the twitch of a tired smile.

"It's Ok….I'll tell ya later," Scott replied and he did, though he left out what the name actually meant, only that it was a Sioux name Cass had decided to call him by. Jez thought it was really interesting and wondered what animal he had in him. He was a bit concerned, when normally Scott would have joked with him and made some suggestions he made no attempt at all, but Jez put it down to that he was still just physically tired.

Cass left them to it and had to admit he found it a touching moment, when on turning at the door, he witnessed Jez tenderly and attentively feed his friend his lunch, which for Scott was a mashed down version of Jez's potatoes, vegetables, steak pieces and gravy.

They spent a good part of the afternoon together but all too soon Cass put his head round the door and told Jez it was time, they were waiting for him. He made the porter wait outside the room for a few minutes more to give the two friends time to say their goodbyes and both found it a lot harder than they thought. They knew, of course, this moment would come but when it arrived Scott found he wished his friend were staying and Jez was finding it next to impossible to leave his friend behind for that's how it felt to him. Scott would not and did not leave him behind and now he felt he was abandoning his friend when he needed him most.

With their eyes shining unashamedly with tears they, once more, gripped each other by the hand and said an emotional farewell as Cass reluctantly put a hand on Jez's shoulder, signifying it was time for him to go. Jez longed to be able to pull his buddy into a tight hug and not let him go but he knew it would be just too painful for him but one day, he promised, they would have that hug.

"Hey…you take care, buddy. I love ya, man….you know that….and I'll be seein ya Stateside," Jez grinned tearfully as he said his goodbye.

"Yeah….same here, buddy," Scott returned with a weak smile.

Scott watched Cass wheel him to the door where he turned, both men giving each other a final silent nod of farewell, unable to trust themselves to speak. Jez was handed over to the porter and then he was gone. The overwhelming loneliness that Scott suddenly felt was crushing, more than he thought possible and in a week's time his squadron would also be returning Stateside, leaving him totally alone. There was only one thing to do now.

Cass returned to Scott to see that he was all right and was concerned to see that his young patient had obviously shut himself down, his eyes now totally blank and emotionless as he stared at the window and no matter how hard he tried Cass could not draw a response from him. All he could do now was leave him to rest a while for it had clearly taken more out of him than Cass thought; then he would try again. But he never got the chance.

Early in the evening two officers were shown into Scott's room.

"Lieutenant Tracy….you have two visitors," Captain Conley called gently. She had been kept informed by Cass as to how he was doing and insisted these officers did not stay long. Of course they assured her they wouldn't but their visit was important and on seeing he was awake she decided to allow them a few moments.

"Thank you Captain Conley. We'll take it from here," the senior officer said, smiling politely at which Sarah left them to it. She didn't know why but something made her feel uneasy.

Scott turned to observe his latest visitors; it seemed he was fated never to get any rest for every time he tried someone would come to disturb it. What he observed was a rather nervous looking Captain and a Major whose smile was both false and insincere, he had also started tapping his swagger stick against his open hand in a sinister fashion. Scott brought his eyes up to meet that of the Major's and, instantly, every instinct and fibre of his being told him he did not like this man.

"Lieutenant Tracy….it's a pleasure to meet you at last. This is Captain Decker….and I am Major Bauer," the Major said, smiling as he introduced them, his voice dripping with sugary politeness.

Author's Note: The story Cass told Scott about the warrior, Anka'hoya, is totally made up from my imagination and does not, unfortunately, exist in Sioux folklore but it does sound like it could be true or should be true, don't it. The name by which Cass calls Scott, Chey'nah, and the explanation of that name also does not exist in the Sioux language but came from my imagination, from a vision, you might say! All things, though, related to the wolf and the belief of the Sioux that we can learn from and take the strengths of animals is true according to my research as is their use of 'medicine men' and Shamans.