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Chapter 2In the Woods

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"Sam…Sami…Sami, wake up!" She slowly opened her eyes to see the voice that was hovering about her.

"E-Eagle…" she groaned as she awaked. Something–no, everything hurt. She felt blood trickle down her face and then a warm hand to wipe it. She looked at where she was. Eagle had her propped up at an angle, not fully on the ground, but not sitting up either. They were in the middle of the forest, alone. He was bleeding but he didn't seem to hurt as bad as she was.

"Quiet…you need to rest." He laid her down with her head resting on a smooth rock. She hated this. She hated having to be taking care of, even if it was Eagle. But, what could she do? Even, with all her pride, Sami knew she needed help now. She groaned softly and fainted out of consciousness.

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She awoke suddenly. She noticed that a lot of time had passed. Last time she was awake, the sun was at its highest point in the sky. Now, it was becoming night. She looked, but there was no sign of Eagle. She felt better than she did earlier, and she was able to get up into a sitting position.

She scanned the fading forest. Nothing, not even an animal stirred. She then looked as a figure approached from the left. "Sami…you're awake again."

"Yeah…" She felt better but she could hardly speak. She didn't feel anymore bleeding, but there was still pain. She pushed herself to get up, but was quickly pushed back down by Eagle.

"Don't. Stay down. You're in no condition to get up." She felt insulted, but willingly stayed down. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." She gave him a weak smile.

"Good." He reached down into his pocket to get something, half of some kind of food bar. He handed it to her. "I hope you like chocolate."Her smile got wider. Like chocolate? She loved it.

"Thanks." She ate the bar, savoring each bite. Eagle sat and arranged nearby twigs and rocks in an orderly fashion. He took a lighter out of his pocket and lit the twigs making a campfire. He looked back up at Sami.

"I put a call in to my troops. They should be here within a couple of hours."

"Look, Eagle, I'm sorry…" She blushed and looked down.

"For what?"

"I never meant to be a burden for Green Earth…"

"Forget it."

"But, I-I let us get surrounded…"

"Let it go. Everyone makes mistakes. But it turned out alright."

"But—"

"Sami, I'm saying this just to help heal your wounded pride. By bringing us supplies, you've increased the morale of Green Earth troops immensely."

"Thank you." Her face was growing more red, but she didn't care anymore.

"No, thank you. The supplies should help ease our burden." They both looked down at the fire. The woods were silent for a moment. "Sam, there's something that's been bothering me."

"What is it?"

"What happened between you and Sonja?" Sami looked up at him, shocked. That was an odd thing to ask.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, I saw the picture of you and her on your desk. You two seemed like best friends." Sami's mind went back to the past.

"Well, we were roommates at the Academy about five years ago."

"Roommates?"

"Yes, best friends, but rivals as well."

"How could that be?"

"We were always competing against each other. 'The Intel Princess vs. The Infantry Princess'." Sami smiled and looked down at the blazing fire. "But they were always friendly competitions."

"Then what happened?" Sami let out a deep breath.

"Nothing. We're best friends, but we don't act like it. Most people assume we hate each other." She placed her head in her opened hand. Her fingers moved softly as she felt a bandage over where she was once bleeding.

"It's not the best bandaging in the world, but it'll suffice until we get you to an actual medic."

"Thanks…"She was embarrassed, ticked, and thankful all at the same time. She was embarrassed that she needed his help, ticked that he had helped her, but thankful that he did it anyway. They both looked up as they heard the APC roaring in the distance. Eagle stood.

"That's must be them." They were still for a moment as the APC came closer. It stopped about five yards away from them. Jess got out.

"I'm surprised you actually fell out of an aircraft!" She mocked him.

"Jess…" He lowered his voice.

"Stop. He did it to save me." Sami tried to stand again.

"Sami, no, don't—" It was too late. She was already up.

"Commander! Commander!" A marine came running from the APC. He stopped in front of her. "Ma'am, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." She glanced over at Eagle. "But I could use a little medical attention…"

"So, you're the Orange Star infantry commander." Jess looked at Sami. "We have a medic in the APC for you." Sami nodded. She went to walk to the vehicle, but found it hard. The marine propped her up and helped her walk to the APC. "You fell out of a copter for her?!"

"Yes, she helped bring us supplies. She didn't deserve to just fall and die like that."

"Yeah, but in bringing them, she caused us a heck of a hassle."

"But the hassle was from events she couldn't see beforehand." Jess tilted her head, but then turned and walked back to the APC. Eagle followed behind.

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The APC was now packed. Sami took up almost one whole side, as she was lying with her legs stretched, which were now being bandaged by a Green Earth medic. Jess, Eagle, and the Orange Star Marine sat across the vehicle. Two soldiers rode in the front of the APC.

"How's the fighting been in the other counties?" Jess asked.

"All of the others are nearly liberated, all that remains is Green Earth." Jess nodded as Sami spoke. "I'd be glad to offer my assistance, as soon as I get my troops back into fighting condition."

"So, we're going to have to wait a while then?" Jess' voice again had a mocking tone.

"It won't take as long as you think," Sami retorted. After that the APC remain quiet for the rest of the ride, except for soft grunts from Sami as she continued to be bandaged up.

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