Chapter Twenty-Two: All I Ask of You

Theresa pulled back the tent flap the constant soothing pressure of Bordon's hand on her shoulder, slightly holding her back. Her breath caught in her throat; and a chocked sob filled the small tent as she covered her face with her hands. He looked terrible as he lay unmoving in a small cot. His skin pale a translucent, hair disheveled, bare chest littered with cuts and wounds, and a bandage around neck that seemed to be bleeding through.

"He's in a very precarious state..." Dr Harrison's voice cut though her revere. "If he makes it through the night there is a good chance he'll survive but if not..." Theresa's head lowered as she cover her face with her hands, sucking up whatever was left of her tears, she grabbed a flimsy chair from the corner of the tent, dragging to his bedside she flopped herself unceremoniously on it. Leaning over him, she laid a small hand against his forehead. He was burning up!

"He has a fever..." she remarked to no one in particular. Bordon placed another chair next to hers, sitting down he smirked sadly.

"There's not much anyone can do now." Harold whispered, laying a hand on her shoulder giving it a slight squeeze. Her eyes looked over her shoulders; grasping Harold's hand she held it.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything..."

"Get me another blanket for him from my room…and a pipe...with tobacco lots of it.." he gaze never reached his as she smoothed the tattered bloody blanket they had laid over William, she let her finger linger on the bare skin of his chest for a second.

"Tobacco…Theresa..." Harold groaned...Women didn't smoke tobacco.

"Don't judge me…just do it." With a shake of his head Harold nodded and started to leave. "And booze. Lots and lots of booze." Theresa shouted over her shoulder. Tears springing in her eyes she gazed a Bordon a sheepish smile finding its way to her lips…"I have little to no coping skills…don't judge me..." Bordon chuckled patting her back.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

It had been a least an n hour; and still no sign of Harold. William didn't move or mutter anything. Hell; she would have thought he was dead if it weren't for his breathing and the slow steady beat of his heart beneath her hand. Bordon sat with her the whole time, she was surprised; they had never been what you would consider close, he was nice enough but now he was her only support system. She had cried in his chest, yelled at flimsy nurses as the jostled William when they changed his bandages, cursed God and all creation, and mutter indignantly about this 'hell hole of a past.'

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she and Bordon heard Harold enter none too gracefully, he handed her a plush clean folded up comforter. Nearly jumping up she stripped the tattered bloody one from William, settling with in the warm in her mind more acceptable comforter. Brushing a few bloody matted hairs from his lovely face she settled back into her seat at his side. Picking up his limp cool hand wrapping it in the safety of her two small ones. Her gazed landed on a single large cigar looking thing that rested in Harold's palm.

"I had to barter with a prostitute for this…you'd better be pleased..." Theresa chuckled, leaning it in one of the flames from the oil lamp she groaned.

"I am," smoke wafted from between her lips. "I'm going outside; I don't want him breathing this…Will you stay with him?" Theresa gazed up at Harold with wide eyes.

"Of course."

She was surprise a light broke over the horizon; standing outside the tent she breathed in the fresh dewy air. Bordon surprised her as he can to stand next to her plucking the cigar from between her fingers he placed it between his lips, taking a deep drag.

"He loves you."

"I know." She nodded hugging herself.

"We spoke...before the battle…He wanted me to give you this. Should something happen to him." Bordon fished in the pocket of his uniform he clutched something in his hand. Opening it he revealed a tiny pretty ring. Silver with three sapphires set in the metal. "It was his mother's…"

"What..." she whispered two small fingers plucking the ring from Bordon's palm she examined it closely.

"He wanted you…to be..his wife." Theresa's heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth to speak but Harold wide eyed face peeked out from the tent flap.

"He awake!" he shouted gleefully. "And he's asking for you." Harold smiled at Theresa. Still clutching the ring in her palm she nearly trampled the poor young man as she pushed her way past him. William still lay flat but his eyes were open and he offered a slow shaky smirk as she rushed to his bedside. Showering kisses down all over his face, her hand cupped his cheek as she kissed everywhere she could, his cheeks jaw, lips, forehead. All the while muttering under her breath.

"Lord, woman" his voice was horse and unsteady. "If I knew that this would get me such attention. I would hav-"cutting him off she crushed her lips against his.

"Shut up." She silenced him as she pulled away; sitting back down next to him. With cool shaky hands he took hers in his.

"I'll be fine." His icy gaze startled her, as he stroked the back of her hand reassuringly. He smiled as he pried her palm open seeing the tiny piece of jewelry she clutched. "ahhh." He smirked. "I see Bordon might have jumped the gun a little." Theresa blushed.

"Here it's yours." She tried to place it in his palm but instead he took it between his thumb and forefinger, sliding it on to the small ring finger on her left hand, she gasped.

"No, It's yours." He smirked tiredly. "I'm a fool; for not doing this sooner. I love you, you insolent wretch of a woman and I never want to leave your side." Tears slid down her cheeks as her eyes store down at the sapphires that glittered on her tiny finger.

"But I'm moody." She muttered her gaze meeting his.

"Yes; yes you are." He agreed.

"And slightly neurotic."

"True."

"Why would you love someone like that?" she gapped, tears streaming freely down her face; as he reached forward with a long arm cupping her cheek her pulled her to him.

"As you would say my dear: it beats the shit out of me." He chuckled deeply. "But I do, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life...doing ...all sorts of things to you." He smirked naughtily making her blush, as she pressed her lips to his gently.

"Ma'am; I need you to leave so I can change the colonels' dressings." Theresa stood ready to leave when Williams hand never let go of hers, it tugged her back.

"My wife can stay." His cool voice cut any protest from the poor old goat who shook his head; muttering something about 'damn kids'.