Author's Note: Thanks for your continued support of this story. I appreciate the reviews since it proves someone is actually reading it. :) Unless the story decides to rewrite itself again, it should wrap up within three to four updates.

Jaz's POV

I felt hands on my body and lashed out. My fist bounced off someone a second before I got my eyes open to see it was McG. We were alone.

"Sorry, Jaz. Just changing your dressing."

"Wake me up before you touch me again, okay?"

"I check your vital signs a lot, Jaz. You'll never get any sleep if I do that for you."

"I guess I mean, if you are going to touch anything other than my arms and legs, wake me first."

"I can do that for you. How are you feeling now?"

"A little better. Not as dizzy as before but I haven't tried moving yet."

"Your blood pressure is climbing which is probably helping."

"Otherwise I hurt but not as bad as it was before."

Top walked up next to McG and looked down at me, "We're going to go home a little faster than we had originally planned. The good news is that we'll be home sooner. The bad news is that there'll be less time for you to rest."

"I'll make it. I don't know how much help I'll be with defense but I'll make it."

"We'll handle defense. I'd like to try and have you stand if you're up to it."

"Sure."

McG and Top helped me sit up on the cot. I stayed there for a minute battling the dizziness that seemed to plague me. Once I nodded they helped me get to a standing position and I took a few unassisted steps forward. I managed to turn back around to face the cot. I had hoped to do more but the dizziness was making it more of a challenge than I had expected. As my balance deteriorated they helped me walk back to the cot and got me settled on my back again.

"You did better than I thought you would Jaz."

I may have done better than they thought but not as good as I wanted or hoped. Already I was paying for that little bit of increased activity.

"When are we moving out?" I inquired.

Top looked at his watch, "Two hours. Get some more rest."

He didn't have to tell me twice. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to sink back under.

Dalton's POV

I stepped to the other side of the room with McG even though I was fairly certain Jaz was already asleep.

"She did do better than I thought. The fact that she can stand and take a couple steps is great. But we're going to have to carry her that last leg," McG started.

"I agree with you. I think the best bet will be to strap her to one of our backs. Like in Kabul. Her wound and the rib will be secured better that way than any other method I can think of right now."

McG agreed that I was right. Preach would probably be the best choice as he was an expert at carrying packs as heavy as Jaz over extended periods of time. He would be the one least likely to be adversely impacted by her weight.

I met with Amir and Preach separately as McG stayed behind with Jaz. I reviewed the plan with them both and Preach agreed he was the best option for carrying her on the final leg. However he voiced a worry that was on his mind.

"Adam, I'm concerned that this could be more than Jaz can handle right now. She could get into real distress before either she or we know it. She gets so locked into her goal that she pushes everything out of her mind including physical discomfort."

"I hear you. Exactly why McG's going to be monitoring her closely. Very closely."

Preach nodded his agreement of the plan and I went to join McG and Jaz to grab a power nap before we headed out.