My shoulder is starting to really hurt. I feel myself starting to break out in a light sweat. I hate this, I want my arm back. I am sick and tired of depending on people. I want my pain meds. Sawyer pushes me back to my room and helps me into bed. I stare at the ceiling angrily and mutter a reluctant thanks as he heads for the door.
I stare hard at the ceiling, trying hard not to think. Its impossible. Fuck! I feel tears running down my face again. What the fuck is wrong with me? I need control. I can do this. My shoulder is really starting to hurt. In a way, it feels good. Better than the dark numbness that keeps sucking me down. I need the pain. I need to feel something, anything even if its just pain. I decide to help it along . So I sit up and stagger to my feet. I check the time, only five pm. Bitchzilla won't be here till six. I walk over to the ensuite and slam my shoulder into the tiled wall. Lights flash before my eyes, pain literally detonates and explodes in my shoulder. I feel myself going down and then everything is black.
I came to slowly. I remember feeling surprised I was still around. I hear angry voices nearby but can't make out the words. I feel like I am floating. I decide to get up and see who is hollering. Its not Grey, that I am sure of. I go to swing my legs down only to find I can't. They won't move. I panic and try to lift my head and that won't move either. Then Flynn is in my face. For some strange reason, I still can't make out his words but the sound of his voice is comforting, regardless. I want to figure this out. I need to figure this out, but then I'm floating again and I just drift away.
Cpov
I get off the phone with Gates. He's providing helicopter transport from the roof of Escala to a private ranch in Western Washington. Gates is also providing a small army of security. I never thought I would be calling him, practically begging for help. The Moving Company has reluvtantly provided a surgeon and a nurse for the next seven days. The incident tonight with Taylor was not as serious as we first feared, but it was still damn scary. The surgeon gave us hell for leaving him alone. He explained how the brachial artery was slightly torn. If the sutures rupture, he's dead. Today they loosened. Its been repaired but they are keeping him under for the next five days.
Its been strange to see Taylor like this. I am having a lot of trouble understanding and dealing with his issues. I know I haven't really dealt with half of the shit I have found out but I also know I need Jason Taylor. Take this mess. I would have told Jason to get us out of Escala now and he would have found a way. Welch tried to tell me it was impossible. For a normal person, it was impossible. Then I thought, what would Jason do? He'd use his connections. So I used mine.
Flynn is having sessions with one of us almost constantly. Due to the very complicated security threat, I sent his wife and kids to England to visit her family. Welch is certain whatever is going on, it isn't over.
We're leaving Escala at three a.m. I wish we could take Ana with us so I would be sure of her safety. Instead I will rely on Gates. I know I can count on him. He met Ana once and like every other male who's ever met her, he fell in love immediately. We need to figure out why someone wants Ana dead. It makes no sense but there is no time to dwell on it. I need to bring Welch up to date and have him coordinate with Gates team.
Tpov
I'm floating. I'm cold. I try to open my eyes but its a no go. I can feel and hear wind, so I must be outside. Then I hear the chopper. Shit. I know where I am now Forward Operations Base Alpha. We're bugging out. Local rebels are overrunning the base. I need my weapon. I struggle to move. Someone is holding my hand, trying to reassure me. I still can't open my eyes. Weird. It feels like a woman, it feels so familiar. She strokes my face. Its comforting. Its a woman, must be a nurse. Shit, I must be wounded. I feel myself moving, the sound of the rotor blades getting louder and louder. I feel myself falling again. Fuck. I hate Afghanistan.
Wpov
Gates sent three birds to take us to the ranch. One for passengers, Grey, Flynn,Gail, Ryan, Reynolds and myself. The second chopper was for the extra security that Gates provided. They will provide primary security at the ranch. Our guys need to stand down for a bit. The last chopper was for electronics. We left nothing behind. Every lap top, hard drive and cell phone came with us. For the first and only time Escala will be dark. No one will be there manning security. What we couldn't take, I destroyed. I'm just grateful we all made it out alive. There is a forth helicopter. Its a med evac I arranged with The Moving Company. Sawyer and Taylor are aboard along with 2 nurses and a surgeon, Dr D.
Flynn and I both disagree with keeping Taylor sedated 24/7 for five whole days. The surgeon, Dr D, argued back the artery has been repaired twice in less than 72 hours. If it fails again, because of movement, it won't leak blood, it will rupture and gush blood. Taylor would be dead before the doctor could grab a scalpel. So, Taylor has become Sleeping Beauty. Sometimes he becomes very agitated. Gail sits with him then and talks to him. It seems to calm him down. Too bad it doesn't calm her down. She always leaves him sobbing. Grey won't tell her what Taylor said but he did advise her how he no longer believed they had an affair.
The pilot has informed us we will be landing shortly. Maybe when we have all had eight hours sleep, we will be able to think more clearly and figure out who the hell is attacking us.