Lizzy woke up in the medical bay. Her face was slightly bruised; her shoulder heavily bandaged. She had her own little closed off area. It felt nice. The doctor, she assumed, was outside yelling at someone. Figures pushed past the doctor and into Lizzy's corner. It was Hoffman, Anya and Marcus. Anya was apologizing to Dr. Hayman for Marcus and Hoffman.
"You are damn lucky to be alive," Hoffman snapped.
"Baird was supposed to have your six out there. What the fuck was he doing?" Marcus demanded.
Anya just smiled; she knew she wouldn't be able to get a word in. Hoffman and Marcus continued ranting about different things.
"And furthermore! What makes you think you can just dive off a fucking Raven! That's a damn good way to get yourself killed!" Hoffman added. He was fuming, or at least pretending to be.
"I'm glad you're still alive," Anya finished for them.
"Thank you, Anya. At least somebody is," Lizzy glared at Marcus and Hoffman.
"That reminds me. Where's Baird?" Hoffman asked Marcus.
"Hey, hey now. Just because I got shot doesn't mean you have to chew him out," Lizzy argued, "It's not his fault. We thought he got them all. If I catch either of you giving him a hard time, I'll crack your skulls."
Her shoulder throbbed. The doctor came in a ushered everyone out. She doubled checked Lizzy's wound before excusing herself. There were more important patients; nothing Hoffman could say would change that. They promised to release her to active duty again in a few days. Lizzy took another nap. Dreams and nightmares of old memories flooded her mind.
In passing, Margaret told her the men would be coming back from Aspho Fields. She was given time off to see them as they came in. Victor would be coming home. It had been a long time since his wife had greeted him as he returned. She wasn't about to start again any time soon. Busy, busy, busy.
Lizzy road a bus with countless other people. Carlos' parents weren't there; neither was Maria. Maybe they were already at the docks. Maria was probably with the kids. There was an even bigger crowd at the docks. Families greeted their Gears. Lizzy could pick out the Santiagos. Dom was hugging his children and wife. His father clutched Mrs. Santiago. Adam Fenix and Carlos were no where to be seen. Hoffman stood beside Anya. It looked like he had an arm around her shoulders. Marcus faced the water at the end of the docks. Lizzy pushed through everyone to get to him.
One faced echoed in her brain. His face was covered in blue tattoos; his hair was a firey explosion. An Islander for sure. She pushed him aside as well.
"Marcus," Lizzy said as she placed an arm on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," was all he said.
Marcus was clutching something, but he pocketed it. Lizzy pressed her face to his chest. He took her in his arms. Nobody bothered them.
From a distance, that Islander watched them. He felt a tug at his heartstrings. From his pocket he produced an old, faded picture. It was him, a woman and a baby. In that moment, the Islander was stricken with deep sorrow and regret. Maybe if he had brought his daughter into his life, things would be different for her. She wouldn't be heartbroken in that instant. Ultimately, he did nothing. He felt there was nothing to do.
Lizzy's eyes slid into focus as Dr. Hayman turned her light off. She jotted somethings down in a folder. Lizzy relaxed in her chair; Baird was waiting outside of Hayman's makeshift office. He had mumbled something about an apology after she was released.
"You, my dear girl, are damn lucky. That bullet was a hair away from your brachial artery. Right where the artery connects," she gingerly traced the Lizzy's artery, "To the neck. It missed that... Obviously, the bone as well. Tore right through your muscles up here..." Hayman pointed again.
Lizzy couldn't stop thinking about the lab coat. It was so fucking white. Hayman continued about exercise, medication, and taking more caution on the field. She then went on to explain that there was no surplus of medication Lizzy could have, so "if anything doesn't feel right, I've got some pills for that." Lizzy assured Hayman that she'd be fine. Lizzy was given some extra bandages, and instructed on how to change them.
Hayman snorted, "I better not see you in here for a long time."
With that, she was ushered out the door. More important patients, again. Baird was still waiting; he was fiddling with his Tac-Com. They walked around outside. People ignored them. Lizzy often wondered what they thought about the Gears. Baird thought about what to say. He seemed to have forgotten how to talk. They found a semi-secluded place to sit, so they did.
"Does it hurt?" Baird asked. Of course it does, are you fucking stupid?, he thought.
"Yeah. Well... It's better. Doc says it could've been worse. Missed my artery and bones," Lizzy shrugged with her good shoulder. Of course my shoulder hurts; I was fucking shot, moron, she thought.
"That's... uh... good. I wanted... Lizzy, um... Th-thank you." I sound pathetic. What the fuck is wrong with me?
"For what?" He sounds pathetic. What the fuck is wrong with him?
"For saving my life," Baird explained. What a fucking cliché.
"You were my partner. That's what you do for your partner; you protect them," she said dismissively. What a dumbass.
"Yeah, well... If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been in any danger anyway."
"Sure. Whatever. Look, Vic's waiting for me in his office. I gotta go. Reassignment," Lizzy stood.
"No more Delta for you, huh? Hoffman's gotta protect his little girl. Good riddance."
"See you around, Blondie."
With that, she left him. Baird sat there alone in silence for a long while. What good was a female Gear anyway? Liz was nothing special; just another stupid girl. Emotions flooded him, and it wasn't a good feeling.
A little later than I expected, but updated! Chapter four was revised to make more sense as well.