by Pilot
Lt. Craig Garrison's attention was drawn to his dark companion. Chief had suddenly straightened and was listening to something that was still beyond Garrison's range. "Chief?"
"Somethin's coming," he said in that soft drawl of his.
"Trucks?"
Chief shook his head. "Car, couple a' motorcycles. Travelin' fast."
"That's them," Garrison confirmed. He blinked the beam of his flashlight across the wide road. A second beam answered, telling him that the other three men in their compliment were ready. They sat in silence until a minute later, when the other men could hear the approaching vehicles as clearly as Chief did. Holding his rifle at the ready, the Warden could well imagine what was going on across the road. Casino and Goniff were no doubt edgy, impatient to get the attack over. The shadow of a smile crossed his face as he thought of Actor, forced to deal with the two more 'animated' members of their troupe alone. Then headlights cleared his mind of anything not directly related to the mission.
Beside the regular soldier, Chief sat almost casually, holding his own firearm at the ready. Garrison knew that his knife his preferred weapon was also within easy reach in its sheath on the man's forearm. The Indian lifted his rifle as the headlights blazed into view scant yards away.
Shooting rapidly from their hiding places and catching the Germans in the crossfire, the men of the special unit made quick work of the enemy. Garrison registered pain as a bullet ripped through his side, but adrenaline coursed through his body, keeping him on the move. Less than a minute had passed before the only bullets were coming from Garrison and his men. Standing, the Lieutenant shouted to the others. Silence fell almost immediately and the three men across the road came into view.
While the others made certain none of the prone Nazis were 'playing possum', Garrison rifled through the car, and then through the coats of the dead men inside. He was looking for a packet a very small, very vital packet that could mean a turning point for the allies.
"You're bleeding," Actor stated as the taller man came to stand beside him.
"Took a chunk out of my side is all, I'll be fine," Garrison was too bent on finding the thing that had sent them on this mission. "I've been hurt worse, I -- FOUND IT!" He crowed triumphantly. Standing away from the deceased officer he had just frisked, Garrison shined the flashlight on the papers to confirm what they were. With a satisfied smile he fastened the wallet back and smiled at the Italian, "mission accomplished. Let's get out of here. Casino, Goniff, Chief..." Suddenly he stopped. Something was wrong.
"Lieutenant?" Actor questioned. He reached out a hand, thinking the blood loss had made the other man feel faint. Garrison waved him off.
"Chief?" He called. Goniff, Casino, Actor, all within plain sight. Where had the youngest member of their operation gone?
All four men began looking around. Goniff's voice broke the silence a few seconds later. "Warden!" The others converged on the little Englishman. He was staring at something no someone -- on the ground.
"CHIEF!" Garrison fell to his knees beside the other man. "Give me some light!" Actor and Casino retrieved the flashlights and held them so that Garrison could get a better look at the other man. Chief's upper chest was covered in blood; more was oozing from a bullet wound. His usually dark complexion was waxen, his breathing shallow. Taking hold of the wounded man's face, Garrison spoke softly, "Chief? Can you hear me?"
It took several seconds before the injured man showed any sign of hearing him. His black eyes opened slowly, starring unfocused toward the sound of a voice. "..hear y'," he slurred. "...hurts...".
"You took a bullet, " Garrison explained. "Stay with us, okay? There's a safe house a few miles away. We'll get you there and you can rest. Chief? Did you hear me?"
"Yeah...'sokay I sleep a little?" He mumbled.
Garrison nodded, "you rest, we'll take care of things."
While Goniff and Casino checked out the German vehicles, Garrison and Actor managed to get a field dressing on the Indian. It was only after they had lain him back on the ground that Garrison would entertain any suggestion of having his own wound tended to. By then he had to admit that he was light-headed, the world shrinking to a narrow tunnel before him.
"Warden, if you don't lie down, we're going to have two men out of commission," Actor warned. He pressed the soldier to the ground. Garrison, feeling weaker than he wanted to admit, did not protest. The roar of two engines scant moments later brought his attention back from the fog that seemed to be surrounding him. Goniff and Casino pulled the two motorcycles up next to the other three men.
"Looks like a bullet caught the car's engine, it ain't goin' nowhere, baby," Casino explained as they dismounted. "We're gona have to make it outta here on these."
Garrison nodded. He was thankful at least that both motorcycles had sidecars. He started to rise, but Actor put out a restraining hand. "You lie still. We'll get Chief into one of the 'cars and then we'll get you in the other," his countenance warned Garrison that he would brook not argument. With a sigh, the Lieutenant relaxed against the ground.
Gently, the other three men lifted Chief. A weak cry of pain escaped the man's lips as they moved him to the sidecar. Managing to slide the young Indian into the car, they wrapped him in one of the officer's coats that Goniff had liberated from it's dead owner. The blond stayed next to him, supporting Chief's limp body, while the other two went after the Warden. Garrison protested as they lifted him to his feet, but leaned heavily against Actor's shoulder as they walked him to the other car. Lowering him to the seat, they wrapped a second dead soldiers coat around him. Garrison tried not to focus on the large dark stain across the back of the leather.
While Actor mounted the motorcycle next to Garrison, Casino and Goniff negotiated a tandem mount on the other. The absence of their usual verbal sparring match spoke of their concern for the man who lay slumped in the sidecar seat. While Casino took the controls, the other man managed to keep himself balanced on the seat while holding on to their unconscious companion. Chief's head lolled against Goniff's leg. Engines spluttered to life once again as the small crew moved deliberately down the dark road.
After what seemed to them all an eternity, the faint lights of a tiny farmhouse gave them hope that they would soon have help for the two wounded men. Easing the two vehicles into the yard, the others waited while Actor hurried to the door. It opened a crack as he reached it, and he spoke rapidly to whoever was on the other side. After a minute, he returned to the others.
"Henri, our contact, is not here but the young woman inside says it is safe to stay here until the rendezvous," he explained to Casino and Goniff quickly as he helped the Warden, now only semi-conscious, from the sidecar. The other men carefully pulled Chief from the other car. No sounds came from the wounded man this time, a fact not lost on any of them. Actor maneuvered the Lieutenant toward the door. Garrison rallied enough to stumble along next to him. Goniff and Casino were close behind, Chief couched between them.
Once inside, they were greeted by a young woman in a well-worn gown, an equally used robe thrown over it. She moved quickly from the room as Garrison was lowered to a faded couch and Chief was placed on the heavy table in the center of the room. She was back quickly with a large bundle and a heavy woolen blanket. Handing the blanket to Actor to cover Garrison, she sat the bundle on the counter a few feet away from the table.
"I'll need water. There's a pump outside," she commanded in a voice that surprised them with it's decidedly American tone. Pulling her thick auburn hair back in a pony tail, she glared at the Englishman. "Water. Now!" Jumping as if he had been shot, Goniff hurried out the door that they had just entered.
"You, " she said looking at Casino, who was trying to stop Chief from bleeding, "get his shirt and jacket off." She unwrapped the bundle, revealing a set of surgical instruments.
"Hey, whoa! What do you intend to do, lady?" Casino asked.
"Stop the bleeding, or would you prefer he bleed to death?" Her tone was matter-of-fact.
"Do you know what you are doing?" Actor asked from where he was ministering to the Lieutenant.
"Yeah, do you?" She replied defensively.
Unfazed, the Italian continued. "Have you done this sort of thing before?"
"My Uncle has been in the resistance since the beginning of the war. I've taken out more than one bullet," she was bending over the wounded man. "From the looks of it, if I don't get it out pretty quick, he will bleed to death. Would you prefer that I wait until I get some credentials?"
"Just fix him, miss," Garrison instructed from the couch.
The room became a backdrop for a rather gory ballet. Actor cleaned and bandaged Garrison, slipping him out of his blood-covered shirt and into a borrowed work shirt that he had retrieved with the young woman's instruction. The woman had offered the use of her upstairs bedroom, but Garrison preferred staying where he was. Actor made the Warden comfortable on the couch, covering him in the warm blanket. Garrison smiled his thanks and slipped into an exhausted sleep. While the big Italian was busy with their commanding officer, the others had concentrated on Chief. With their help, the young woman had managed to remove the bullet, stitch him up, and clean and bandage the wound. Satisfied that everything that could be done had been done, she guided the three cons in carrying him to the small bedroom on the other side of the open fireplace. There they placed him on a soft featherbed, covering him with heavy blankets. None of them were happy to see how pale he had become, only a shade or two darker than the white bedding he rested on. Three sets of troubled eyes turned toward the woman.
"I've done everything I can. I don't know if it's going to be enough or not, " she did not pull any punches. "All we can do is keep your friend comfortable now. The rest is up to him."
Morning found Casino and Goniff dozing in chairs at the table. They had recently returned from hiding the motorcycles nearby so that there would be no sign that this house held any connection with the dead Nazis nearby. Actor was leaning against the couch, keeping a watch on Garrison. Their hostess was sitting with Chief in the next room. Dozing, Actor started as he felt something touch his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw Garrison staring at him. His eyes were glassy, but he was alert.
"Good morning," Actor said lightly.
"Where's Chief?" Garrison questioned in a raspy voice.
"In the next room. The young woman of the house tended his wound last night. She is with him now." Actor tried to sound more reassuring then he felt.
"How is he?" Was Garrison's next question.
"He is still alive, " Actor hedged. "He seems to be resting comfortably."
"But?" Garrison's eyes bored into his. Actor knew that he had no choice but to be honest.
"But," he groaned inwardly at having to give the man the rest of the news, " it does not look good. He lost a substantial amount of blood last night, and I am not certain that we can know exactly what the bullet did inside without a surgeon's expertise."
Garrison sighed and leaned back against the couch arm. Closing his eyes, it was obvious to the con how difficult it was for him to process all of this. Finally he opened his eyes. "I'm going to go see him," it was a statement of fact.
"Lieutenant, you need to rest," Actor protested.
Glaring at the other man, Garrison pushed himself up until he was sitting against the couch's arm, his eyes closed against pain and nausea. Letting the waves of vertigo wash over him, he took a few deep breaths and opened his eyes. Finding that he could manage movement if he was slow and deliberate, Garrison struggled to rise from the couch. Sighing in resignation, Actor offered his hand, which Garrison took gratefully. Once on his feet, the Warden fought to stay there, even against the threatening darkness. Leaning on the other man, he moved gingerly toward the next room.
The young woman greeted them with a steady stare. "You need to rest," she admonished the paling Garrison.
"I'm fine. How is he?"
"He's still alive," she said in a soft voice. "He was mumbling a little earlier, but nothing coherent. He hasn't made a sound since. Like I told your men, I don't know if what I did will be enough or not. When are you scheduled to leave?"
"Not until tomorrow at the earliest," Garrison answered.
"You can't get someone here faster than that?"
Garrison simply shook his head. A movement he regretted as another wave of vertigo battered his ebbing strength. Actor's tightened grip told him that he looked as unsteady as he felt. The young woman rose quickly and helped the Italian seat him on the straight back chair . She pulled a damp rag from a basin of water near the bed and gently mopped the beads of sweat from his face.
"You really should lie down, you know," she admonished softly once more.
"I...I needed to check on him myself," he motioned toward the bed without moving his head this time. "I'm responsible for his life."
"How about your own? You can't do anyone any good if you collapse. You've seen him, now let's get you back in the other room so you can rest. If there's any change at all, I'll let you know." She ran the rag across his cheek; it's coolness a welcome respite from the heat he felt from within.
"Okay, I guess you've got a point, Miss sorry, I didn't get your name." He didn't see Actor's face color behind him. None of them had bothered to ask her name before this.
She smiled, "DeVoe, I'm Henri's niece, but you can call me Eddie." She put a hand out, grabbing Garrison's in a surprisingly strong grip. "Pleased to meet you Lieutenant Garrison."
"Eddie?"
She grinned sheepishly. "Edwina, but no one calls me that!"
"Eddie," Actor interrupted, "your accent "
"Don't sound like a native, huh? I come from the states."
"The states, what on earth are you doing here?!" Actor was taken aback.
"Long story," she replied. "The short version is that my parents died when I was 15. I came here to live with Uncle Henri and his family. They were my only living relatives. His wife, Aunt Marie, became ill and died a year later, and then his sons went off to fight when the war started. I thought about leaving then, but when Uncle Henri joined the resistance I stayed to help --." she broke off when she noticed Garrison. He was deathly pale and slumped in the chair. "Hey, that's it, you're going back in and lie down!"
Garrison started to protest, but wasn't certain he had the strength. Instead he allowed Actor to help him to his feet and guide him back to the couch. The other two cons were rousing from their naps.
"'How's Chiefy?" Goniff asked. Both men were trying not to look worried, but failing.
"There is not much change," Actor answered as he tended to the Lieutenant.
"How're you, Warden?" Casino asked as he came to stand next to the couch.
"I'll live," Garrison groaned. Once he was lying down he looked around the room, "who's on guard?"
"Ah...well..." Casino stammered.
"You mean we've been here for...how long? And no one has been keeping watch?!" Garrison's voice rose menacingly.
Casino held his hands up in defeat. "Hey, look Warden, we hell, we're used to Chief handling that!" Garrison's only response was an icy glare. "Okay, okay, I'm goin'" he hurried out the front door, only stopping long enough to grab a rifle.
Eddie looked up from her sewing at a faint sound from the bed. Chief was awake, starring around him in confusion. She took one of his hands in hers, drawing his attention toward her. "Hello. You're safe...Chief? It's going to be okay. My name is Eddie, you're in my home. Your friends are in the next room. She spoke softly, trying to orient the man to his surroundings. "Do you understand?"
He nodded. "How long," he asked in a hoarse whisper.
"Not long, only since last night a few hours," she paused. "Would you like something to drink?"
A second nod. Bringing him a glass of water, she lifted his head, helped him drink, then lowered him back to the pillow. Chief's eyes closed. She thought he had gone back to sleep until
"The Warden okay?"
"Who?"
"Garrison," he answered. He had a sudden recollection of seeing the other man hit during the fight.
"Oh. Yes, he'll be fine in a few days. He lost some blood, but the wound isn't bad. He's resting in the other room, "she assured him.
Again Chief nodded. This time he did drift back toward unconsciousness.
Eddie watched him for a few minutes until she was satisfied that he was sleeping once more. She slipped from the room, going to where the Lieutenant was resting. He started to rise as she entered the room, but she put out a hand to stop him and knelt next to the couch. "Lie still. I just wanted to let you know that he woke up just now. He seemed coherent, and remembered you getting shot. He asked about you specifically."
"Is he still awake?" Garrison questioned.
"No, he fell back to sleep. I thought you'd like to know, though," she looked him over carefully. "How are you?"
"Tired of answering that question," he quipped. Smiling, he continued. "I'm tired is all. I'll be fine tomorrow."
Eddie looked doubtful at his estimate, but didn't argue.
Returning to the subject of Chief, Garrison said, "next time he wakes up, I'd like you to come get me."
"Got'cha," she smiled. Patting him gently on his uninjured arm, she rose and went to the stove. Goniff was stirring a big pot. "Smells good," she admitted.
"'Course it does. It's me specialty," he beamed. Then he added, "hope you don't mind me making m'self at home."
"Not at all. I never did like to cook. If someone else wants to do it, I'm more than happy to hand over my apron!" She laughed.
Goniff smiled and then sobered. "How are they, Miss?"
"Your louie should be up and around in a day or two. Chief," She shook her head. "I still can't tell. I'm sorry."
Goniff smiled at her. "Now don't you go apoligizin' for anythin', miss. Ain't no one could a' done more for 'im."
Eddie smiled back, " thank you. And for goodness sakes, call me Eddie." She dipped a spoon into the kettle, tasting the concoction. "That's good!"
Chief awoke again in the afternoon. His eyes settled on the young woman he vaguely recognized from before. Her head was lowered as she worked on a piece of cloth in her hands. She looked up as he made a small sound. Dark blue eyes greeted him, peering out of a sun-kissed face that was framed in auburn curls.
"Hello again," she said with a smile.
Chief found himself smiling back. "Could I have a...drink?" He asked.
"Sure," she brought a glass to him, once more helping him to sip the cool water. Resting him once again on the pillow, she dabbed his face with a damp cloth.
"Feels good," he murmured as the coolness washed over him. He closed his eyes as she ran the cloth across his neck, chest and arms. Finished, she sat back and watched him for a minute. Feeling eyes on him, Chief opened his once again.
"You feel up to company?" She asked.
"Guess so," he replied hesitantly.
Hurrying from the room, she went to where Garrison rested on the couch. He was awake and looked at her expectantly.
"He's awake; would you like to see him?"
"Yes," Garrison smiled and eased himself off the couch. Refusing assistance, he moved stiffly to the other room. Chief's eyes met his, the two men exchanging relieved looks. Garrison dropped heavily to the chair, grimacing as the move jarred his injured arm.
"Y'okay?" Chief asked.
"I'm okay," Garrison answered. "The question is, how are you feeling?"
"Been better," Chief admitted.
Garrison smiled," well we'll be getting out of here tomorrow. We'll get you back to England."
"Don't think I...can even make it ou-outta this bed," Chief protested.
"You don't have to worry about anything, "Garrison insisted. "You let us worry about getting you out of here. You're going back to England for some R&R."
Garrison and Chief exchanged small talk for a few more minutes then lapsed into an easy silence. Garrison sat at the bedside until the other man dropped back to sleep. Moving quietly, he returned to the main room. Actor and Casino sat at the table, eating bowls of the stew that Goniff had made. The little Englishman was no where to be seen; Garrison assumed that he was outside on guard. Eddie was at the stove, spooning up another bowl.
"You, sit, before you fall over," she insisted as she put the bowl on the table. Tiredly, Garrison slumped onto the chair before it. Picking up the spoon he began to gratefully empty the bowl.
By nightfall Eddie was becoming concerned. Uncle Henri should have been back by dusk. He rarely stayed away longer then he expected without finding some way to get word to her. She began punctuating her vigil at Chief's bedside with trips to the front window. After she had made several such appearances, Garrison spoke.
"Henri should have been here by now," he stated.
"Yeah," she admitted. "He said he'd be here before dark this evening."
"Maybe he just got delayed," the Lieutenant guessed.
"Mmmm...maybe, but I doubt it. He's never been this late before," she couldn't hide the worry in her face, and it rang clearly in her voice.
"Eddie " Garrison began.
She shook her head, " please don't. It's a war; I'm a grown-up. I know every time Uncle Henri walks out that door that...that he may not come home." She turned from the window. A weak smile competed with streaming tears for control of her face.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," Garrison said.
Another shake of her head. "You didn't." A sudden sound from the next room commanded everyone's attention. Eddie dashed through the open doorway, Goniff and Casino quick behind her. Garrison made his way more slowly. By the time he reached the other room, the two men were carefully lifting Chief to the bed.
"What happened?" Garrison asked.
"It would seem that your friend here decided to get up on his own," Eddie explained. She bent over him, examining the wound. "I'll need some fresh water and some bandages."
Casino and Goniff moved to fill her commands. Garrison moved closer, sitting on the other side of the bed. Chief looked awful. He had lost any color he had managed to gain since the shooting. He thrashed weakly, trying to fight off the woman's hands. Garrison grasped his shoulders, his voice commanding the semi-conscious and confused man's attention. "Chief! Listen to me. You need to lay still..lay still! You're gonna start bleeding again. Chief!"
Slowly the thrashing stopped. Black eyes fluttered open, their unfocused gaze struggling to find something familiar. Garrison continued talking to him until the other man finally seemed to see him. "Wa-Warden?"
"Yeah. What the hell were you trying to do?"
"Don't...know. R-remember I woke....up and wasn't no...one 'round...got worried...jerry..."
"The Germans haven't found us. We're all right here. You don't need to worry about anything right now but getting better, " Garrison growled.
"S-sorry Warden," Chief mumbled.
Garrison immediately felt guilty. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to take your head off. "
The two cons had returned by this time. Eddie gently cleaned and re-bandaged the seeping wound. Chief tried to remain quiet, but gasped several times during the process. Finally Eddie finished and he was allowed to relax once more.
I'm going to stay with him for awhile, " Garrison announced. Even Eddie could see that he was in no mood to be argued with. Only hesitating a beat she and the other two men left the room. Easing from the bed Garrison moved around to the other side and resumed a seat on the chair.
"Warden?" Chief called, suddenly finding no one next to him.
"Right here," Garrison reassured him. It took the injured man a few seconds to locate him. He relaxed as soon as he did. "You rest now. I'll be right here, " the Lieutenant promised.
"You oughta rest,." Chief responded. You got yourself shot....too."
"Just a scratch, I'm fine. Besides, I'm getting tired of laying around. Now rest. That's an order."
Chief started to respond, but exhaustion overtook him.
Fog and darkness. Somewhere in the gloom they waited. Waited for him to find them and lead them to safety. He could hear them calling his name, but couldn't locate them. Time was running out. Soon they would be beyond help. They called him over and over. "Garrison...Garrison...Garrison...Garri "
"...son! Hey, Lieutenant!" He opened his eyes to find Casino leaning over him.
"Casino. What?"
"We got company comin'" the safecracker informed him.
Heedless of the dizziness and pain, Garrison leapt from the chair and followed the other man from the room. A backward glance assured him that Chief still slept.
In the main room, the only light came from the fireplace. Goniff was pressed against the far wall, watching out the window. Actor and Eddie were engaged in a hurried conversation near the door. Eddie had pulled a robe over her clothes and Actor had opened and untucked his shirt. The tall man looked over at the soldier with a nod. After working so closely for so long it was as if they could read one another's mind. Garrison immediately understood what they were doing. Retrieving a sidearm, the Lieutenant took up a position near the window where Casino now stood.
The sound of motors announced the arrival of the Germans. Just after the engines died, Actor pulled the front door open and he and Eddie stepped through to the small porch. The big man greeted the officer in charge in flawless German.
"Good evening, Major."
"Good evening," the officer replied.
"May I be of service?" Actor asked, playing his role of innocent farmer to the hilt.
"A patrol was attacked yesterday, all members killed. The incident took place just south of here. Did you hear anything?"
"No, sir. My wife and I were away yesterday. My wife's mother is ill "
The other man held up a hand for silence. "Then you have not seen anyone or anything unusual?"
"Nothing, I am sorry," Actor's submissive tone was perfection.
"I would assume, in that case, that you would have no problem with our searching the property." It was not a request.
"No, no problem at all Major," Actor responded with no hesitation. He felt Eddie's grip tighten on his arm and squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Sending his men off to search, the Major leaned casually against the hood of the staff car, watching the two people on the porch. Leaning close to Eddie, Actor whispered, "Be ready." She answered him with a smile.
The German soldiers soon returned, reporting their lack of success. Turning his attention back to the couple he said, "I assume, too, that you have no problem with our looking through the house."
"Of course not, Major," Actor turned as he spoke. He made certain that he was between the woman and the German soldiers. As they entered, he glanced quickly to each side, moving only his eyes. Goniff was standing at the ready to their right; Casino and Garrison to their left. Safely past the threshold, Actor grasped Eddie and they both dropped, rolling away from the line of fire.
Garrison and the other two men opened fire as soon as Actor and Eddie rolled to the floor near Goniff. Bullets were flying in every direction. The only sounds were those of hot metal screaming through the air and men screaming in anger, aggression and fear.
Unseen by the men at the window, one of the soldiers had crawled to the house. Suddenly he appeared in the window in front of Garrison and Casino. Before either man could react however, the hilt of a knife appeared in the man's throat and he fell backward with a gurgle. Garrison risked a look behind him. Chief was sliding to the floor.
The fighting ended; the German soldiers dead or dying. Casino and Goniff eased out the door to make certain that they no longer posed a threat to the small group. Garrison hurried to Chief's side. The man was slumped against the wall; his eyes were closed, his chest heaving from exertion. The white bandage was growing dark as the wound opened once again. Touching the man's arm, Garrison spoke softly, "Chief?"
With a soft mumble, Chief's eyes opened slowly, "Warden? Look out!" He tried to rise. He was seeing the German again in his mind's eye, his confusion making it seem real.
"Take it easy, it's over. You got him, " Garrison reassured him. "You're bleeding again. Let's get you back to bed."
"No time Warden, " Casino yelled as he ran back into the house. "One of the krauts managed to get a message out. He was still transmitting when we got out there."
"Damn!" The Lieutenant exclaimed. "Okay, we go now. Actor, help me get Chief to the car. Eddie..." he stopped, looking at the woman. "Eddie, you're coming with us. It's not safe here anymore."
She nodded agreement, "I know. I'll be out there by the time you're ready to go." She ran toward the stairs that led to her room, the robe flapping around her.
Hurrying as much as possible, Actor and Garrison lifted Chief and carried him to the German staff car outside. The officer called to the Englishman as they passed, "Goniff, go collect as many of the medical supplies as you can."
"Right, Warden," came the reply as he sped off toward the house.
They managed to get Chief into the back seat. Garrison, his side protesting it's abuse, climbed in next to him, supporting the once more unconscious man. Casino was behind the steering wheel, the engine running. Actor stood guard next to the car. Goniff flew back through the door, hurriedly gathered supplies filing his arms. True to her word Eddie was fast on his heels, her arms filled with hurriedly gathered belongings. Goniff leapt into the front seat, pausing only long enough to pass some of the supplies back to Garrison. Eddie dumped her bundle to the floor of the car and crawled onto the seat next to Chief. Actor joined the other two men in the front, and Casino aimed the car toward the road.
Eddie took some of the bandages from Garrison and set to the task of checking out Chief's injuries. She looked up at Garrison with no small relief, "it's not bad, it's already stopped bleeding."
Garrison nodded. He did his best to keep the Indian as protected as possible from the rough jolts and jarring of the wild ride they were on. He was glad that Chief was unconscious for now.
They continued their high-speed escape in anxious silence. Garrison and the young woman supported the con between them. From time to time Eddie checked the bandage, but it remained clean. She also checked the Lieutenant's bandage. His side had, as Goniff would refer to it, 'sprung a leak' during the skirmish. Garrison refused her offer to change it, however, insisting that Chief might need all of the supplies they had with them.
They all sighed with relief when they finally reached the rendezvous site. While Casino and Goniff drove off to 'ditch' the car down the road. The rest of the company took cover in a nearby stand of trees. It would afford them cover while giving them a clear view of the tiny inlet where their transportation would come. The two men lowered Chief to the soft carpet of moss and leaves while Eddie followed, her arms filled with medical supplies and clothing. Taking care to protect the bandages from the ground, she unceremoniously dumped the rest of the bundle to the ground. Pulling the robe she still wore off, she covered Chief's still form with it. Then she stared pointedly at Garrison. "Time for some attention to that wound, Louie, " she said in a no-nonsense tone.
"Eddie " he began.
"Shut up and sit down," she said simply. "I'll rip up my clothes if need be, but you are going to get that bandage changed."
Exchanging a quick smile with Actor at the mental picture her comment painted in both their minds, Garrison surrendered himself to her attentions. His own attention remained on Chief, however.
As she finished re-bandaging his side, Eddie saw where his gaze fell. "His heartbeat is steady and his breathing is okay. All in all he seems to be in pretty fair shape. A lot better than I expected. I think that as long as we can stay here and keep him quiet, he might just make it back to England for that R&R."
Garrison smiled, then turned his attention to Actor. The other man had taken up a position nearby where he could watch the road without being seen. "Anything?"
"No. I think we are still in the clear. How long before the transport gets here?"
Consulting his watch, Garrison sighed, "we've still got about 9 hours. I'll feel better when Goniff and Casino get back."
Actor smiled, "if they get back, and do not kill one another first!" He stood. "I think I'll go up the road a bit to keep watch."
"Be careful," the soldier said to the retreating back. Actor waved a hand as he moved carefully along the trees.
Eddie picked up a sidearm and handed it to Garrison. Finding another one for herself, she sat where she could see both the road and the two wounded men.
"I'm sorry," the soldier said suddenly.
"Sorry? For what?" She questioned.
"We've managed to do a pretty good job of turning your life upside down in a very short time."
She shook her head, "no, you didn't. My life pretty much went crazy a long time ago. Just like a lot of folks caught up in this war."
"You'll come back to England with us," it was halfway between question and command.
Another shake of her head. "No. As much as I hate what's going on, I can't leave."
"You can go back home."
"No. Not right now, but perhaps soon," her tone was wistful. "For now I'll go to the men Uncle Henri works..." She paused, a look of pain washing across her face. "Worked with. I'll do what I can to help end this war."
Casino and Goniff returned some time later. They and Garrison sat together talking while Actor continued to stand guard. Eddie was bathing Chief's face with a rag dampened in the nearby water when she noticed that his black eyes were opened and he was watching her.
"Where...are we?" He whispered.
"At the rendezvous spot. We're waiting for your transportation back to England." She answered.
"Goin' home," a flicker of a smile crossed his handsome face.
"Yeah, you're on your way to some much deserved rest," she agreed.
"Seems like...I ain't done nothin' but...sleep," he replied.
"I think the Louie and Casino would disagree with you there," she insisted. "You saved their lives back there."
Chief looked slightly confused the events at the house fragmented memories surrounded in fog. He remembered sounds...gunfire. He remembered a face hidden beneath a Nazi field helmet and framed in a window. He could feel the heft of his knife...saw it suddenly protruding from the enemy soldier. He could remember little else. Touching the knife's hiding place, he groaned. "My knife."
Casino detached himself from the group and sauntered over to where they were. Squatting down next to the other man, he said, "did I hear you say something about a knife?"
Chief gave him a look that told him quite clearly that he was in no mood to play games. "Yeah...my knife is back there...stickin' outta some jerry."
"Hmmmm. This knife, could you perhaps recognize it?" Casino continued to taunt.
"It's my knife," Chief growled.
"And could this perhaps be it?" Casino held up the weapon that had saved every one of them more than once.
Chief smiled broadly. Reaching out his hand, he accepted the knife and looked up at Casino. "Thanks, Pappy."
"Anytime, babe," the other con slapped him on the leg and returned to where the others sat.
Eddie watched the exchange with some amusement. Neither man outwardly acknowledged that they cared about one another, but they managed to convey the message quite clearly.
Three times German vehicles passed by their hiding places. Each time they prepared to fight, but each time nothing happened. They managed to convince Garrison to rest for a little while, but he insisted on taking his turn standing guard. Chief slipped in and out of consciousness throughout the day. Sometimes he would know exactly what was happening. At other times he would awaken confused, not knowing where they were. He would be agitated, convinced they were again in battle. Each time Eddie would be there, talking softly to him until he calmed down. His mind would clear, and he would smile up at her. He didn't protest her attention. In fact it seemed to be something he grew to enjoy. The other men were not blind to the fact that, when he was conscious, Chief and the young woman did a lot of talking. Goniff declared that "Chiefy must be delirious, 'es never talked this much in 'is bleedin' life!"
"How much longer?" The young Indian asked during one of his clearer moments.
"Not much I imagine. The sun's going down and the Lieutenant said that the rendevous was set for 1900 hours."
He looked at her, remembering something he had heard earlier. "You ain't goin' back with us," he stated.
She shook her head, "I can't. There's too much to do here."
"But you'd be safe back in the states," he insisted.
"Safe yes, but how happy could I be; knowing what's going on over here?" She protested. "Maybe it would have been different if I had never been here, but I am...no, I need to stay here and try to help, however I can."
"England then. You could help there, and it wouldn't be as dangerous for you," his voice was shaky, his expression was one of concern.
Eddie smiled, taking his hand in hers, "hey, don't worry about me! I'll probably live through this whole thing and then get run over by a car or something." She laughed, but then sobered, "Chief, I need to stay here."
"It's just that...I think...no, I know...I'd really like to get to know you better, " the admission was almost as painful as the wound for the man who had kept a close check on such feelings.
To his relief, Eddie reached down and touched his face. "Me too, Chief. Me too."
A soft noise broke the spell. Both of them looked up to see Garrison standing over them. "The boat should be here within the hour. Eddie, are you sure you don't want to come back with us?"
She simply nodded.
"Okay then," he sighed, "we'll leave a gun and ammo with you then. You may need it." Turning his attention to the man next to her, he said, "you ready for that R&R?"
Chief's smile was tinged with regret, but he said only, "you better believe it!"
Soon the sound of an engine reached them from the sea side of their hiding place. Watching from the safety of the trees, the commandos did not reveal themselves until making certain that this was their ride home. Garrison slipped to the waters edge and conferred with one of the men from the little boat that would take them out to the ship which would in turn take them back to England. Returning to the others, he said quickly, "time to go home."
The next few minutes were a hurried blur as the men made ready to depart. Eddie hovered near Chief, supervising his trip to the boat. After he was safely tucked away on its floor she reached over and planted a light kiss on his lips. "You take care of yourself, hear?" Her voice caught.
"You too," he replied. He touched her cheek, then dropped his hand. "If you ever do decide to come to England, or back to the States..."
"Lets just say that if it�s meant to be, it will be," she said. Jumping to her feet, she hurried to where the other four men stood in a tight little group. Saying her good-byes to each man in turn, she reached Garrison last.
"Eddie," he began.
"Bye, Louie," she smiled. "Take care of yourself, and your men. You're a pretty special bunch of guys. And...make sure Chief gets that R&R." Garrison could see just the hint of regret in her face.
"I will. You take care of yourself, Eddie. If you ever need us, we'll be there." Garrison promised.
Nodding, she hurried away from the men, one hand raised in a final farewell, the other wiping furiously at her cheeks.
The four men joined their comrade in the boat, and they launched into the waves. Garrison sat next to Chief, supporting the still dangerously weak man. Five pairs of eyes focused on the little stand of trees for as long as they could make them out. Five men knew that there was a pair of blue eyes watching them as well.
The End
