Somehow they had managed to coax River back into her cot, the dead solider unnoticed by the crowd of doctor, their focus on another patient. River's mind had already wondered from his lifelessness and instead focused on her thunderous dream.

"Does any one intend to tell me what the hell is going on?" Colonel Potter asked crisply. He looked directly BJ, who had pulled the girl into his arms and tenderly carried her and back into post-op and set her back on the bunk. Sydney was right behind BJ, also asking for an explanation.

"I just went to the supply tent to stock up the cabinets." Nurse Kelly replied, who had been on duty explained. "She wasn't there I got back."

"Where did she come from?" Sydney asked, getting looks from everyone. "I get the feeling I missed something." He commented, smiling slightly.

"She came in with the wounded." Hawkeye answered.

"Yeah and besides that all we know is that she says her names River." BJ supplied also.

"And she's not quite right. She goes right over my standards." Klinger raised his right hand, twirling it in a circle beside his head, indicating she was crazy.

"So we called you. Maybe you can help her." Margret jumped in.

"Why don't you let me talk to her in private?" Sydney whispered to Potter who nodded and motioned for everyone to leave.

"Alright everyone, back to bed." Potter called.

As they all filed out Sydney took a wooden chair from another bedside and sat himself down. River seemed not to notice him or anyone else; she had gone somewhere else, deep inside her head to think.

"River?" Sydney asked when they where as close to being alone as they could. She turned at her name. "My name is Sydney. Do you know why I'm here?"

"They don't understand, they can't see."

"Can't see? What can't they see?" Sydney asked intrigued.

River leaned closer. "What surrounds us."

"You mean the war?" He looked at her, getting more questions then answers. She didn't respond. "How did you get here?"

"They swept the field, painted with blood, and all was empty, but still they fell, still it flowed." River tried to explain.

Sydney shook his head. "I don't understand." After a pause he asked, "Why were you screaming?"

Tears began to leak at the side of River's eyes. "Thunder shook with guns of war. They all cried into the night, but no body heard them." She sobbed.

"You had a nightmare?" Sydney questioned as he tried to sooth her, patting her back as he gave her a slight hug. Abruptly she stopped and Sydney pulled back to see how quickly her demeanour had changed. She let off the ghost of a smile, her eyes in shadow.

"There coming."

Klinger awoke to the sound of the phone ringing near his ear. This was no surprise to him, seeing as he woke to this almost every morning now. Grabbing it he heard the voice on the other end ask for Potter who was currently sitting in his office catching up on some late paperwork. It looked like he hadn't been able to get much sleep after he had been woken up earlier that morning. Patching through the phone he shook himself awake as best he could before heading into post-op. He had talked to Sydney after the Physiatrist had talked to River and asked him if it would be alright to let her stretch her legs. He'd thought that would be a great ides.

"Alright angel, how do' ya feel bought a look' see round the place?" He asked chirpily, grabbing hold of her arm and pulling her from bed. She made no reply but didn't protest at his actions.

"Lets go to the mess tent first, I'm sure BJ and Hawkeye would just love a visit."

Pulling her along they made their way swiftly to their destination, catching the attention of others who were also on their way to their breakfast. Pushing open the flap, Klinger lead River to the line up where he handed her a tray and began adding on food. River stood feeling out of place, though she was more interested in what sat on her silver tray then the stares of others.

"Ahh, come to join the rest of us civilised people for a bite or two?" Came the prominent voice of Hawkeye as he spotted them walking over.

"How are you feeling today?" BJ asked lightly.

River sat gracefully down opposite him, her eyes not looking from her tray.

"You know, if you stare at it for too long, it'll walk away." Hawkeye jibed, hoping to get a smile at least, but River seemed as unresponsive as yesterday. Winchester snorted from beside BJ at Hawkeye's lame joke.

At that moment, Sydney made his was into the mess tent and spotting them all, made his way over.

"It's good to see you getting some fresh air." He commented lightly at River.

She finally tore her eyes away looking at him with another one of her strange expressions.

"She's right you know." Hawkeye said, smiling, "Even though she hasn't said anything, we all know there are much fresher things then the air we're breathing here."

"And she's just the one to say something about it." BJ joined in.

"Has it ever occurred to you two numb skulls that the reason she doesn't say anything is because being in the presence of you two would dumb anyone into a deep shock." Came the snide comment of Winchester. "That or she's completely lost the plot." He shrugged, taking a swig of coffee.

"Now why do you say that?" Sydney asked, interested.

Winchester laughed nervously, "Let's just say that the closest thing she's had to a proper conversation has been defining words, thinking I'm not doing my job right and oh yes, lets not forget that lovely screaming in the early hours of the morning." Raising from his seat, his noise turning form his cup he said, "Now if you'll excise me, I have rounds to do." And with that left their company.