Okay I just finished my exam session so hopefully I'll have more time to update this. Enjoy :)

Carmen's POV

I opened my eyes feeling completely numb. Mo whole body felt really heavy and it was a little difficult to breathe. My vision was blurry, just like my memory, but I managed to understand where I was. I looked around and saw Angel walking around ward. I called him.

"How are you feeling?" Angel asked when he walked over to me.

"Oh, just great. I could go train with other soldiers." I said and he laughed at my sarcastic remark.

"I see." He said and gently stroked my hand. "It will be painful when the numbing medicine wears off. I took care of your wounds they will heal quickly, though your body will feel sore for a while so you'll stay here for three more days."

I tried to move in bed but it was too difficult. He helped me sit up and I knew he noticed tears forming in my eyes but I held it back. Things that were happening were painful not only physically but also mentally. I could barely remember what happened in last few days and it drove me mad.

"Don't be sad, princess." Said Angel and I forced a smile. "I'll head out now since it's almost lunch break. Of course I'll bring you something afterwards. I'm pretty sure you are starving."

I nodded thinking about food. I was starving indeed. Angel walked over to door and stopped before leaving. "Oh, and by the way, Scarecrow said he'd come to visit you when you feel better so I'll tell him you're awake. Also I brought you a book to pass the time."

When he left I looked around to see a nightstand beside my bed and a book laying on it. I carefully took it afraid of sharp pain piercing my body. It wasn't really that painful as I thought just a little bit sore. I read the title of the book. "Choke" by Chuck Palahniuk. I was always impressed with Angel's choice of books. It was something unusual but very interesting.

Time passed very slowly since I was alone and trapped in the bed. The book was truly interesting but I couldn't stop thinking about what happened. I had some images flashing in my head; cloud of dust, lots of blood, Scarecrow, Ghost I think; but it didn't fit in any full picture. Those fragments really scared me. We were on a mission as I recall but what happened, are others ok? Those thoughts really distracted me from the book.

Thankfully soon enough Scarecrow came over with plates filled with food. His face lit up with a smile when he saw me. "How are you feeling, dear?" he asked handing me the food.

"I'm fine." I responded. "How are others?"

Scarecrow sat on the other end of bed next to my legs. He took a deep breath before talking. "Everyone's fine more or less no serious injuries. Only two of us actually got hurt."

"Can you tell me what happened? I don't remember anything."

He nodded and I started eating my lunch. Scarecrow told me the whole story about our mission. The explosion, ambush, torture, our teammates saving us. Also about Roach going nuts over what happened with me and how much Captain scolded him. Those were only rumors that he heard from other soldiers but it made me feel better. I finished eating and put the plates on the nightstand.

"Angel said I'll be able to get out of here in a few days. Though I'm quite sure I don't look like I'm capable of anything right now."

"I know it's no comfort, but you look like a mess dear." he said and I smiled. "Look, kid, I can't go training with others so I'll stick with you until you get better and won't let you feel bad about yourself, ok?"

"Yep, company would be nice."

Three days passed very fast in Scarecrow's company. Captain came over to visit me once but I could see he was stressed out. And who wouldn't be with such things happening? Oh, I know! - My father. Old shit doesn't give a fuck about anything but his own damned ass.

I walked out of Angel's office just to see my so far closes superior. Scarecrow stood there with a cheeky smile. "How are you, princess?"

I jumped up with my hands in the air. "Ready to kick some ass!" I groaned at the feeling of my still sore body. "Well, ready to at least take that long awaited shower."

He laughed at me and started walking down to barracks. "Today is another laid back day without training."

"Why is that? I mean I would enjoy being lazy as hell for the rest of the week but I really need to get back in shape for fighting desperately."

"You're right. More battles await us and we need to be in best shape. Thing is Captain and Roach are on a mission. Russians stole an ACS module and they are retrieving it. And because of our unsuccessful mission Shepherd is sending some kind Private Allen undercover to Makarov." He explained when we reached the barracks.

"Our mission felt like a failure before we even left the base. I knew something was off." I complained. "Does this Allen guy know Russian? Or is he going to talk in English with his perfect American accent?"

"No idea." sighed Scarecrow.

"Okay, I'll go have a shower now." I said entering my room.

"We'll be in resting room. Come over whenever." He said and waved before leaving.

I surfed through my things and picked skinny jeans and a black tshirt. I walked to the washroom and put my clothes down next to the towels. I looked at the mirror and saw my face still covered with bandages. I carefully took them off to reveal a huge cut going down the side of my face. It was red and painful to touch. This will leave an awful scar I thought and without pitying myself I took off my clothes and got into shower.

20 minutes later I was clean, fully clothed and already going to the resting room. I carefully opened the door as if I was afraid of something. When I walked in the soldiers started cheering.

"Hey, princess, welcome back." said Archer making place for me on the couch.

"Back? I've never left you guys!" I said sitting down.

"When Captain was carrying you back you looked like you were going to leave us." Toad stated.

"Yeah, I know I look awful." I sighed.

"No you don't." said Scarecrow. "You know you are still the prettiest soldier in whole American army, Carmen."

I giggled and leaned towards Archer. "Mind if I use you as a pillow?"

"Sure, go ahead." he said and I made myself comfortable.

"Please don't tell me you are going to sleep again." said Meat. "You've spent almost four days in bed and you are going to sleep?" He walked up to me and started poking me. I tried to defend myself and hit him in the arm. "Stop it, you bastard."

"Make me!" he demanded and I started hit him a few times. Then Archer joined in and grabbed Meat's arm so he wouldn't be able to defend himself. Seconds later he was on the ground with Archer holding him pinned while I was poking him.

"I give up! I give up!" he shouted and we let him go settling back on the couch. Just as I was about to fall asleep with my Archer-pillow, Captain MacTavish and Roach entered the room. Captain walked up to me and patted me on the shoulder.

"Allen is now on his undercover mission and its outcome will decide where our battle continues." said Captain and I looked up to him to see a small smile. "Glad to see you alright, Carmen. Don't scare up like that next time, ok?"

I nodded and just seconds before I closed my eyes I saw Gary looking at me with both happiness and worry.