Marlene POV

When I arrived home, Skipper insisted to stay and look after me. He persisted until I said yes. He was trying to put some antiseptic on me. "No! I hate it! It stings!"

"If you want it to get better than you'll have to let me put it on!" Skipper yelled back.

"No! It hurts my leg!"

"But that means it's doing good and washing away the germs! So let me put it on or else you'll get hurt!"

"You won't hurt me. You like me too much."

"I am prepared to hurt you and I will if you mess around! So hold still!" I shrunk away from him and his harsh words. He sighed. "Please. It will help make sure the wound heals quickly. I'll try to be gentle." He gently dabbed the cut. I hissed in displeasure. "See! All better."

He started to wrap the cloth around my leg. He took extra precaution to avoid my cut. "Skipper, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for helping me." He stood up from my leg and smiled.

"You're welcome. Now. Rest. I'll check on you in the morning. If you need me, just call me on the talkie." I nodded and dozed off into a deep slumber.

Dream starts

I saw Skipper smash into the wall as the Sewer King hit him in the stomach. He tried to get up but slumped back down again. I tried screaming his name but no sound came out. I watched as the scene changed to see Skipper on a hospital bed. The team were crying around him. I didn't see me. I swirled around and I saw a grave. I gasped and lent down to see what was written.

Here lies Marlene.
Let her soul live forever.
She will be remembered.
Especially in Skipper's heart.

I turned around but Skipper was gone. When I turned back around, there was another grave next to mine.

Here lies Skipper.
The commando captain.
A friend.
Died of the loss of his friend, Marlene.

I kept on whispering "Skipper" over and over.

End dream

Skipper POV

I heard Marlene's voice over the walkie-talkie. "Sk… Skip… Skipper…" She whispered.

"Marlene? What's the matter?"

"C… Can you… come… b… b… back? I n… need… to see you." She sounded absolutely terrified.

I heard her burst into tears. "I'm coming Marlene." I checked the other bunks to see if the men were asleep. I quickly crept away.

I slid to her habitat and heard her sobbing. I slid up to her and wrapped her into a hug. "Oh, Marlene. What's the problem? You seem really upset."

"I… I had a nightmare. About you." She sniffed. She told me about the nightmare. I kissed her on the forehead and she leant on my chest.

"I won't let that happen, Soldier's honour. Now, let me have a look at your leg." I bent down to inspect her leg. It had started to heal up and the swelling had gone down. I sighed out of relief and looked at her. Her eyes were glistening from her tears and she smiled down on me. I stood up and stroked her cheek. I leant in and kissed her lightly. I wrapped my arms around her waist as she wrapped her arms around my neck. We stayed there for a while until I heard a cough. I swung around quickly and held Marlene behind me protectively. She shrunk away and backed up towards her bed for safety.

"Looks like we have some uninvited guests…"