She approached him as slowly as she could, removing her helmet as she went. She stood in front of him and looked at her feet.
"If you think for one second that you are going to receive any praise for that ridiculous stunt, you are sorely mistaken, Swan."
"Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir." She looked up at him for the first time and realised he had a slight smile on his face.
"That's what my Commanding Officer said to me when I went to get Humbert on our last tour, he was shot in the leg. Having said that, did you hear me tell you not to go up in that winch?"
"No, Sir." She said simply.
"Right, well I suggest you go and get some rest, Swan, you've had a long day." He said. She turned and walked back into the tent. The sound of the section coming alive and chanting 'She's one of the lads!' erupted from the tent.
"Thanks you bunch of tossers!" He heard her shout. He laughed and with that he walked back to his tent.
2 weeks later.
It had been quiet around camp without Cassidy but she was really beginning to enjoy the time in Afghan. She and the Captain hadn't really spoken since she got back from the hospital. She stayed out of his way as much as possible just in case. The gates opened as they approached from their patrol of the village. A truck was hovering just inside the gate and as it drove off, she caught sight of Neal with a massive smile on his face.
"Well, well, well look whose back!" Jones shouted from the front of the group. The lads all ran over and squashed him in the middle a huddle, welcoming him back. He laughed and joked with them and then turned to Emma when he was finally released.
"Alright gorgeous?" He winked at her as he spoke.
"Watch it mate, or you'll end up with another bullet in you." She joked and gave him a hug.
He walked to the Captain who shook his hand. "Glad to have you back, Cassidy." He said.
"Good to be back, Sir. I won't let you down again." Neal said.
"You're damn right you won't. Because of your stunt, Swan nearly got blown to pieces, she's lucky to still have her legs. You put her and the rest of your section at risk." He said a little more harshly than expected. Neal looked to Emma in shock, she didn't tell him about the mine, she knew he would feel guilty and he didn't need that on his conscience. "Swan! With me." He said. Emma followed him at a brisk pace, he led them into the medical tent.
"Yes, Sir?" She asked as he sat on the bed.
"I need you to take a look at my blisters." He said as he took off his boots and socks.
"Yes, Sir." She picked up some water, a cloth and some antiseptic cream, then dragged the stool over to sit in front of him. He put his foot up on the bed and she cleaned the wounds. "So, will I live?" He joked, she laughed and pressed a little harder with the cloth to agitate him. He hissed and flicked his ankle so the water jumped into her face. She spat and wiped her face.
"Urgh, really Sir? All due respect I do not want your dirty foot water on my face." He laughed and she giggled.
She finished cleaning them, then wrapped a bandage around his foot to prevent infection. "There we are then, fit as a fiddle again." She stood and moved the bowl of water onto the side. She turned her head just in time to catch him staring at her ass.
"Thank-you Swan." He said casually as he stood and walked out of the tent.
She realised she had been holding her breath and exhaled loudly as soon as he was out of hearing range. There was definitely something between them, she just didn't know what yet.