32 Death and Destruction

You stand with the gun in your hand and watch as Nick leaves you hesitantly. You're still in shock and awe about the kiss that you've shared but you know that now isn't the time to think about things like that. You then give yourself another pep talk and return to Mark's that's laying on the table. You put the gun on the table and then check Mike's vitals. Then you return to his wound and see if the theory is still working. Everything looks good and you slowly walk toward the opening of the curtain.

You take the gun with you and point it as you walk, hoping that you don't have to use it. You know that you signed up to work in a warzone but you never thought you'll have the opportunity to use a gun nevermind to being in the midst of a battle. You walk toward the opening in the tent and then you peek outside. What you see shocks you to your core.

You see people and bodies laying on the ground. People are walking over them and running around. Suddenly the doctor inside you takes over and you run to the first patient you see on the ground. You know that you should be safe like Nick asked you to, but you can't stop yourself helping the man that was giving you food just this morning. You see him lying lifeless on the ground with blood pouring out on the ground.

You grab a few bandages and tools needed to help him. You quickly look around and point your gun as you walk. You reach him and bend down next to him, only to see that he was shot. You put pressure on the wound and do as much as you can for him. Suddenly you hear a few voices shouting the words you've prayed to hear.

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

"Clear!"

You know that everything is safe and you can move around freely to help the people lying around. Then Tracy appears at your side and you quickly move between all the patients. Nita then also falls in and you make quick work of it.

NICK'S POINT OF VIEW

Nick moves through the attackers quickly and efficiently, disabling them as he goes. He's fueled by the fact that they are destroying everything and everyone that he holds dear. His thoughts go back to you frequently and he can't take the thought that he wasn't there for you out of his mind. With one thought like that he finds it very easy to crack another attacker's neck or give a punch or kick.

He finds his team along the way and they work together making the camp safe again. Nick works his way back to the Admiral's tent. He goes inside and then calls out for the Admiral.

"Sir, Admiral, sir! Are you safe?"

The Admiral comes out around the corner "Yes, Master Chief. Thank you"

"Of course, sir! If you'll excuse me? I still have to check on a few more people?"

"Go, Master Chief"

"Thank you, sir"

They salute each other and then Nick runs to the tent where he left Helena. He gets to the tent and finds Sergeant Ray next to her. The Sergeant jumps up in salute when Nick comes into the tent.

"Sir, Master Chief, sir!"

"At ease, Sergeant! How's she doing? How long have you been here?"

"Uh, I just come in, sir?"

Nick bends down to Helena and still finds her unconscious. He feels her heartbeat and it's very faint. He whispers in her ear. "You hold on for me, baby"

He picks her up into his arms and walks as fast as he can to the hospital tent. He feels the pain in his leg. Now he also has a burning sensation but he doesn't show any pain on his face except the pain of seeing Helena in this state.

KIM'S POINT OF VIEW

You're busy stitching a patient's arm still lying on the ground when you hear a familiar voice. Your heart skips a beat at the thought that he's still alive.

"Kim! Dr. McPherson!"

You're alarmed at the tone of his voice. You look up and see this big man carrying a lifeless woman in his arms. You see his face is filled with concern and deep regret. You give the needle to Tracy and tell her to finish the stitching, running to Nick. You get close to him and see that he's shivering. Then you see who the woman is in his arms.

"God, Nick! I'm so sorry! Take her to my table in the tent"

You feel her pulse as he takes her to the table. He lay her down softly and then just stand next to her, holding her hand. You quickly inspect her wound and see that she needs surgery immediately otherwise it might be too late.

"Nick, she needs surgery. Will you take her to the other bed behind the curtain?"

"Yes, of course"

He carries her to the bed. You turn to look at him but your eye catches his wound, which's opened and getting infected. That means if he doesn't look after it immediately, he might lose his leg. You walk behind him and grab a pair of clean gloves after washing your hands. He stands next to Helena and he doesn't leave her hand for a second.

"Nick"

He answers you but doesn't look at you. "Yeah.."

You put your forearm on his back so that he could turn around. He turns around slowly and you see a tear forming in his eye. Your heart drops because you know he has deep feelings for her.

"Nick, listen to me. Now it's my turn. Now you have to listen and do exactly what I say, otherwise, Helena won't make it and you could lose your leg. I've got it now. I've got Helena but you have to let them look at your leg and clean your wound. Can you do that for me?"

He just stares at you but he nods his head in agreement. Just then Tracy walks into the room.

"Tracy, please look at Nick's wound and clean it, as quickly as possible?"

"Okay, no problem. Nick, if you could just follow me please?" She holds out her hand to take Nick's arm. Just as Nick walks out with Tracy like a man with no reason to live. You whisper in his ear.

"I promise to look after her, don't worry, okay?"

He turns his head and stares into your eyes. "Okay, thank you, Kim"

You watch as he walks out the door and then quickly turns to Helena laying on the table before you. You fight hard not to let your feelings get the best of you but you can't help thinking if the kiss that you had was only coming from your side and that he's not ready to let go of Helena yet. He must have deep feelings for her to shed a tear. You shake your head and start to clean Helena's wound to see how severe her wound is.

You see that the knife has raptured one of her vital organs and this needs intense delicate work. Luckily for her, this is your specialty. You were always called to surgery when the surgeon couldn't do the delicate work on the more fragile organs. You take a deep breath and focus all your attention on the work that's in front of you and not focusing on the thoughts that are going crazy inside your mind.