Here it is! the next chapter! there isnt much action in this chapter, but i like the emotion from the wquad members. anyways tell me what you think please!!!
It had been a day and a half since Wade had saved Harper's life and she was still unconscious. Poor Jackson was in a constant state of anguish. He hadn't left her side once since that terrible morning when the squad had stormed the machine gun nest. The privates had tried to get the sniper to get some rest on numerous occasions, but all he did was shake his head, all the while keeping his eyes firmly planted on Harper's still form.
Whenever Wade came to change the bandages he would wonder how Jackson was, but not ever ask. Partly because of the way Jackson's eyes never left Harper, but mostly because of the way he looked at him whenever his eyes did leave Harper. Wade knew the last person Jackson wanted to think about was himself so Wade kept quiet. Instead he chose to confide in the rest of the squad.
"Jackson isn't going to last much longer like this," said Wade coming back to the circle he, Mellish and Reiben had created.
Reiben leaned against the tree trunk and took a long drag off his cigarette then sighed. He glanced over at Jackson who was leaning over Harper clutching the cross he always had around his neck. His eyes were closed and it looked like he was mumbling something.
"Do you think that helps?" Reiben asked thoughtfully.
Mellish and Wade looked at Jackson.
"You mean does it actually work?" asked Mellish.
"I mean does it work for him," corrected Reiben blowing rings of smoke Mellish's way.
"I don't think it really matters, Reiben," said Wade plucking a blade of grass.
They all looked at Wade surprised. It wasn't like him to feel the hopelessness of war even on the worst days.
"I think as long as it helps Harper, then he can do whatever he damn well wants," said Upham from a nearby tree.
"Geeze Upchuck. Take it easy," said Mellish raising his hands in mock fright.
The outburst even made Miller and Horvath look up from their maps. Upham was never really outgoing. After he had been shut down by Caparzo and Mellish on his first day, he hadn't spoken much. Not even to his sister in law, though Harper hadn't made much of an effort with him either. From the very get go Upham had been made outcast in a group of outcasts. It was not a very good place and then on top of everything, no one really cared to hear his opinions so rather than get his head bitten off, he just didn't speak.
But now, with Harper hurt, he seemed to throw cares to the wind and was speaking his mind with a fierceness Reiben could only wish for.
"She will be fine, Upham," assured Jackson who had come up behind him quietly.
Upham jumped almost scared by his own name since he hadn't heard it in a while. Jackson patted Upham on the shoulder and sat next to Reiben, who passed him a canteen. Jackson drank deeply, then glanced around at the squad.
"So what have ya'll been talking about?"
Reiben snorted but didn't say anything. Wade glared at the B.A.R. gunner then turned to Jackson, now very serious.
"We just were wondering if… well…. If it really works," Wade said nodding to the cross Jackson was still fingering.
"If what work? Praying?" asked Jackson looking thouroly confused.
All the privates nodded looking like they actually wanted to hear anything Jackson wanted to tell them. Jackson sighed before continuing.
"It gives me hope fellas," he said at last. "You have to have something in this war to hold onto. This here cross-" he held it up so the wood shined in the noonday sun. "This cross is all I have right now."
He cast a quick glance back at Harper who looked like she might be asleep had they not seen what happened. But suddenly, almost as if Harper could sense all their worry, she sat straight up. The Rangers were so surprised that they didn't do anything at first. Only when Harper moaned and blood started seeping through the clean white bandages Wade had just applied, did anyone do anything.
They all jumped up at the same time and charged to Harper's side. Wade got there first with Jackson close behind.
"Easy," Wade said pushing Harper back to a flat position on the ground although she wasn't completely flat. Her head was resting on Jackson's lap.
Wade worked quickly. He unwrapped the wound that was bleeding. Sitting up that fast had caused the stitches in the bullet wounds in Harpers stomach to rip.
"Canteen," Wade said quietly.
It was handed to him and he slowly poured it over the wound making Harper jump then cringe. Jackson's hand found hers and he let his fingers entwine with hers. The squad made no comment. Reiben didn't even look twice at them. It was silently agreed upon by the squad that Jackson and Harper could be together all they wanted. Besides, Jackson hadn't had a girlfriend since before the war began so he was due.
"Defiantly have to remember to move slowly," moaned Harper in a raspy voice.
A nervous laugh went through the group of men. They weren't sure if they should laugh or be worried about her health. When they glanced at Wade for answers he was smiling at her comment, so they felt able to be more relaxed. All but Jackson. He looked sick. Harper happened to look back at his face at that second and said, "Jackson, I'm going to be fine. Right Wade?"
Wade glanced up almost surprised to be asked.
"As long as the wounds don't get infected," he said re-wrapping the wound.
"See Jackson," Harper said smiling back at him. "I'm gonna be back on my feet in a few days."
"Well actually you need to take it easy for a while," Wade interrupted glancing at Harper.
"Well I-"
"She will," said Jackson matter-of-factly staring hard at her.
Harper rolled her eyes but nodded. As Wade finished wrapping the wound on Harper's stomach Miller and Horvath walked up. Horvath had his nose in a map. The squad looked up curiously as they walked over. Wade looked at the map then at Miller's face warily. He didn't like that look on normal days. That look said, 'pack up we are moving out.' There was no way Harper could be moved without ripping her stitches.
"We cant stay out here in the open," began Miller.
Wade gave him a look but waited respectfully for him to finish.
"If any Germans come around here we are going to be caught off guard and get killed or captured."
Wade could see the sense in that, but still didn't like the idea of moving his patient just yet.
"Sir," Wade began in the most respectful tone he could find within himself. "I wouldn't advise moving her just yet. She just tore her stitches and she needs to rest. Just give the stitches a day to heal and-"
"We are right on top of one of the biggest trade routs for the Germans. Do you want to be here when a tank with 200 men guarding it comes through?" asked Miller glaring at Wade.
Wade shook his head, but still looked unsure about moving her. When she noticed all the controversy was about her, Harper immediately tried to get up to prove she could do it. Wade jumped on her at once and gently pushed her back down.
"If we are moving you wont be walking," Wade warned.
"You want to carry me?" Harper asked laughing.
Wade smiled.
"I could, but I'm sure Jackson would rather he did it."
Miller seemed to be getting more anxious by the second and said, "so its settled. We will move out in 10 minutes. We aren't going very far. Just to that tree line."
He pointed to a hill a few miles away where the squad could see a small line of trees. Wade had serious doubts Harper could make that in one trip. Even if she was being carried. But as always, Miller was right and even if he had made a stupid call that had almost gotten her killed in the first place. Though Wade didn't tell the captain that.
He also didn't tell anyone how worried he was about the only woman in their squad. She was a lot weaker than he would have liked her to be when they did decide to move her. Even though he was the doctor, it didn't really matter when Miller had set his mind on something, and he wanted to get to the tree line. Wade shook his head as he helped get Harper as ready as she could be to move. Cpt. Miller's last decision had taken away most of his credibility, in Wade's eyes at least.
