Homecoming
: : Summary : : Following on from "If I don't leave now" this sees Rick & Evelyn separated by
circumstance, still unmarried and Evelyn in a quandary.
Evelyn sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her packed trunk and wondered how on Earth her life had encountered such a
dramatic turn of events in just a few short months. She bemoaned her situation. It astounded her how quickly she gone
from being a proper, studious librarian, to desert explorer, to pregnant! Almost being offered as a sacrifice to living dead
along the way, no less!
Over the last week Jonathan had continually questioned her reasoning and tried relentlessly to get her to stay. On one
occasion she almost gave in to his persuasions. But without Rick, she believed this country would prove too difficult to
remain as she was, and her decision to leave had not been made lightly. In the back of her mind she hoped that, if he was
still alive, he would follow her to Scotland, but right now this seemed too much to wish for.
The creak of the door being slowly pushed open made her a little uneasy. She stood and walked to the foot of the bed.
"Jonathan? Is that you?" There was no answer. "Who's there?!" she demanded. She saw a man's rough hand creep
around the door and hold it steady. She took a pace backwards. "Rick?" She ventured softly. Still no answer. She placed
a hand to her chest and continued to step away, when the intruder made himself visible and stepped into her room. He was
dressed in a pristine Legionnaire's uniform, but ginned lecherously at her. "Get out!" She ordered, but the soldier kept his
his glare on her and rubbed his chin appreciatively. "I demand you leave this instant!" She insisted nervously, but he
continued to approach, grinning at her.
"Jonathan!' Evelyn's voice cracked as she realized she had nowhere to run. "JONATHAN!"
"Nobody here but you and me, pretty one." He wasn't more than twenty-five and by all accounts, he could even be
described as a decent looking young man. But appearances can be deceiving and Evelyn saw a dangerous glint in his
eyes. He meant to do her harm!
"I'm warning you! Leave now!" Evelyn had backed herself into the wall and she desperately searched for some sort of
weapon to defend herself, but there was nothing at her fingertips.
Her predator was upon her now, his breath filled her nostrils and his face was inches from hers. "Get out! Please!"
"Now that's not very nice! I've heard you're normally very friendly to us soldiers" He leered at her, holding her chin in his
hand, "How about you be friendly to me, hey?" He slid a finger down her cheek and she squirmed with revulsion. She
managed to push him back just slightly and slap his face which only resulted in him pressing her harder against the wall.
"Oh! A fighter, are you!"
Evelyn pleaded again with the soldier, "You're drunk. Just turn around and leave, now. Stop...stop, I won't say a word
about you ever having been here."
He laughed, "Good!" and feigned a look of innocence. "I've heard of the favours you offered to our loyal Captain." He
smirked and continued to look her over, "I'm a loyal soldier too. Favour me."
"JONATH...."
He pressed his whiskey soaked mouth over hers, suffocating her cries for help as she struggled against him. He ripped
at her blouse, tearing the buttons away and pushed his hand against her skin. Her efforts to scream were still muffled
and she was choking for breath. She was defenceless, pressed rough against the wall and terrified. Suddenly
remembering her child, Evelyn attempted to squeeze her hands between them in an effort to protect her belly, but they
were shoved aside and she became horribly aware that this cruel savage had opened his trousers. Her skirt was being
wrenched higher, the fabric tearing and he was forcing his calloused hand between her legs. She struggled as much
and as hard as she was able, but was completely overpowered! The humiliation and terror she felt when he succeeded
in scraping his hand upon her underwear was unbearable. Her mind imagined the violation she was to be submitted to,
then she forced it to go blank.
There was a deafening noise and a cry of pain! All at once, the hands left her and she dropped to the floor. Someone
else had entered the room! She could hear raised voices and struggling, but she kept herself curled up in the corner, her
eyes squeezed tight, her hands over her head, tremblilng!
Her name was being called. A gentle hand to her shoulder made her thrash out and push it away.
"Evie! Evie!"
All she cared about was keep her head down. Safety was here in the corner, hiding.
Her brother called her again, quietly. "Evie, it's me. Jonathan." Placing the bed cover around her shoulders, he tenderly
encouraged her to look around at him. "You're safe now, Evie. It's me." He held his arms out to her and she threw herself
into them.
****
In the hours which followed, Evelyn was able to piece together the moments when her brother arrived. Jonathan had heard
her shouts for help and, with no time to spare, had burst into her room with the Fort Sentry in tow. The Legionnaire had
been shot in the leg by Jonathan before he was able to finish his attack on her, and was now in the city watch house
awaiting the Military Police.
Jonathan sat by her bedside for hours, comforting her and insisting that she see the Fort Surgeon. Eventually she agreed
which filled him with enormous relief. All the while, he had been secretly cursing himself for leaving her alone. More over,
he had been imagining ways of hurting O'Connell! He reasoned that without him, none of this would ever have happened.
****
For the next few days, the nervous Jonathan barely left her side and Evelyn was quietly grateful for his company. She
worried him somewhat. Since the attack, she had become withdrawn and only ate sporadically, and seeing that she was
still insistant on undertaking this journey of hers, she needed to keep her strength up and her wits about her. At the moment,
she was doing neither.
He knocked on her bedroom door and cheerily poked his head around the door.
"Just popped in to see if you're coming down for lunch?"
"No, I'm not all that hungry. But thank you, anyway."
Jonathan walked over and sat beside her "Not having second thoughts, are we?"
"What a luxury that would be!" turning to smile at him, then her mood altered and she stood and moved toward the
window "Oh Jonathan! How did I mess things up so awfully? It feels like I've been cursed to ruin everything and
everyone around me!" Jonathan opened his mouth to speak but quickly lost the chance as his sister continued to
ramble "Nothing's been right since I read from that bloody book! And now just look at me!" she waved her hands
at her belly and her temper changed again "You must be so ashamed of me, Jonathan. I've let you down terribly."
"No Evie, no! Not at all!" He placed a reassuring arm about her "Surprised me a little, perhaps, but you haven't let me
down." He took her by the hand and lead her to a chair "I'm sure it's me who's the big disappointment to the Carnahan
name. You just fell in love, that's all." She sighed and shook her head in annoyance. "Look, I don't know how all this true
love business works. But I'm sure if you hadn't been interrupted by a travelling band of bored mercenaries, things would
be a lot different now." He hugged her to his shoulder. "And I still believe that you leaving now is a big mistake. He didn't
want to go, Evie, and I'll wager anything you like that he's trying to get back." Those few last words almost stuck in his
throat. It was diffucult defending O'Connell to his sister. However, she was still oblivious to his true reasons for leaving, and
at the moment, he considered it best left that way. Trying to keep her in good spirits seemed more important.
"Well, if he is, he's going to be too late." she hiccupped
That was Jonathan's final effort to encourage her stay. He was now resigned to the fact that when and if O'Connell did
front up, it would be good ol' Jonathan left with the dubious task of informing him that Evie had hightailed it out of
Egypt to deliver his child to a Scottish orphanage! 'Serves him right!' he thought maliciously. Even so, he couldn't help
but consider that distinctive aspect of his life, where he was always called upon for assistance in the major dilemas of
other people's lives, while his own life remained largely untouched by such tribulations. He decided there was something
to be said for quietly sipping scotch in the corner as you watched the rest of world charge about in a panic. "What's say
I go down to the bar and bring us back a little something to wish you luck and bid you Bon Voyage, hey?"
"It's hardly a celebration, Jonathan!"
"No, that's true. But surely you could use the luck?"
She looked sideways and smiled at him "Alright. But just a LITTLE something!"
"That's my Evie!" he triumphed "I won't be long! And I'll lock the door behind me!"
****
Almost ten weeks after he left to escort Lieutenant-Colonel Verdi and his Regiment through the lower Syrian terrain,
O'Connell all but fell from his camel outside the barracks at Fort Brydon. The wound to his shoulder had opened up
two weeks earlier while he was filling water bags in Ismailia, a mishap which worsened the infection to the already
weeping injury. He stepped towards the street trough and splashed water over this face and neck. His head pounded
with fever, his body ached and his vision was hazy, but he had made it back. Now all that was left was to get inside.
****
Jonathan gathered his change from the bar top and gazed out the window as he dropped the coins into his pocket.
Noticing the unshaven, dust ridden traveller using the animals drinking trough for his personal hygiene made him
screw his nose up in disgust. The man then rose to almost his full height and Jonathan let the last few coins drop from
his hand to the floor. "Bloody hell! It's O'Connell!"
****
"Just a few more and we're at the top" Jonathan encouraged as he and a poker buddy led Rick to the top of the stairs.
At first, he had ambled outside the Casbah to greet O'Connell with a piece of his mind, but quickly realized how severely
injured he was and returned inside to seek help. The reluctant assistant had been dragged from his barstool by Jonathan
and pulled into the street to aid in carrying the American up to the next floor.
"He stinks, Carnahan! I hope you're going to drop him straight into a bath!"
"Just here will do fine for now." motioning to Evie's door "Just lean him up there while I get it open." Rick was lucid
enough to keep himself upright against the wall and shrugged the man away, who was more than happy to depart.
Jonathan carelessly waved at him then turned to O'Connell, simultaneously fumbling with the keyring. "Well, it appears
you've made it back just in time to save the day." He uttered sarcastically.
"What?"
"Oh, never mind!. It's a long story, but we'll certainly fill you in later. You're back now...at least! So, Evie and the baby
will stay here."
"What!" Rick tried in vain to clear his vision and look directly at Jonathan "What did you say?"
Jonathan grimaced, then swapped it for a nervous smile. It was pointless! O'Connell had heard him well enough! He
thought of his sister and rolled his eyes. 'She hasn't told him!' he shouted in his head 'Never once! Not once, did she
say that she hadn't told him!' He then grumbled under his breath, "You two deserve each other!"
In a vain attempt to cover his tracks, Jonathan busied himself with the keys and prattled on as normal. "Nothing, nothing,
I must be confusing things somewhat. I was just thinking how excited Evie will be when she sees you." Jonathan
hurriedly opened the door "Now, I think we'd better get you lying down...before you fall down and bleed all over the
carpet!" Jonathan reached for Rick's shoulder to direct him into the room and called out for his sister.
****
"Oh Lord! Jonathan get a doctor, straight away!"
"Yes, Yes" Sighed Jonathan, "Of course...why not!" His sister glared angrily at him, but stern looks were having less
effect on Jonathan these days. He simply turned and went to do his sister's bidding. The last thing he needed right now
was for the American to die in her arms. There was no way he was letting O'Connell go down with hero status!
Rick sat hunched on Evelyn's bed and she began peeling away the filthy bandages from his body, revealing the wretched
state of his shoulder. The crude poultice was dried and he instinctively knocked her hand away when she tried to remove
it. "It's alright Rick, let me see it." He flinched as he allowed her closer inspection, but again pulled her hand down as she
began to work it free. "When did this happen?" she asked, taking care not to poke at the wound.
"Couple of weeks ago." he was struggling to stay awake. She looked up at him and touched her hand to his forehead. He
was burning with fever and his words were forced. He spoke with difficulty in a gravelle whisper, "What did Jonathan say
to me before?"
"About what?" Right now she was more concerned with the matter at hand than trying to figure out what Jonathan might
have said. Then it struck her! For a brief second her eyes flashed with panic "Don't worry about Jonathan right now, just
lie back. He's gone to fetch the Surgeon. He shouldn't be very long."
"Evelyn?"
"Shush now, just relax." She dabbed a damp cloth at his face trying to both cool and clean him. Rick laid back into the
pillows and the comfort engulfed him. He saw the worry in her face but couldn't really make out what she was saying.
He brushed the back of his hand against her abdomen, making her freeze momentarily. He forced a smile and lightly
squeezed the fingers of her free hand. That was all he could manage, he closed his eyes and yielded to exhaustion.
****
O'Connell's lapse of consciousness was a small mercy. It gave him respite, but mostly it permitted a more thorough
inspection of his injury without interference. The aid he'd received at Damascus was paltry in every sense, and it was
soon obvious that the pellet had not been removed. The infection was severe, bringing with it a heavy fever. Unfortunately
for the patient, he was not entirely comatose and the Surgeon's prodding brought him seething to life with a surge of
profanities! It was Jonathan who found himself with the uncertain task of restaining O'Connell until the ether could take
effect. Restraining is a loose description, as Jonathan would joke years later. For even in such a debiltated state, O'Connell
was not an easy man to hold down.
The stench which arose as the surgeon sliced into his flesh was staggering and Jonathan eventually had to lead his sister
from the room.
****
For Evelyn, it seemed too long a time before she was able to revisit his bedside. She had again declined a meal and Jonathan
had left her seated on his balcony while he returned to fetch and carry for the medic. It was evening before her brother
finally called to take her to see him.
The room had a curious smell of antiseptic and sweat. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him. The fresh bandages
about his chest and shoulders were stained with iodine, and although his wound had been flushed and dressed, the rest of
him was in an appalling state. She dismissed her brother thankfully then set herself to work. She removed the sheet covering
him, shocked at the state of his injured and bruised body. "Oh God!" she breathed, then proceeded to painstakingly wash
every part of him.
Careful to avoid the dessing, she gently moved the soapy sponge over his face and neck. She ran long strokes down his
arms to his fingers, oblivious to the water dripping onto her skirt. She was as particular with his body and legs, perhaps more
than was required, but it was neccessary for her. It was her personal remedy after such an abominable time. He was neither
able to speak nor listen, but she needed to touch and feel him, care for him, to be certain he was really there.
Searching through his rucksack she found his razor. Her mind was able to drift as she bathed him, but this required
concentration. She gingerly moved the blade over his features, relying on quick reflexes whenever he moved or twitched.
Although it probably wasn't the cleanest shave he'd ever had, she felt proud at not having nicked him.
Once satisfied with her efforts, she dabbed a towel at the still wet patches of skin then pulled the sheet and blanket up to
his chest. His clothes proved another problem. She wasn't sure whether to have them cleaned or burned! So for now, she
simply pushed them into a corner to be considered later. He was still feverish and his sleep was fitful. Occassionally it
seemed he recognised her when he tossed his head in her direction and he sometimes reached his hand to her. But he
never spoke clearly and it was mostly gibberish. She pushed an armchair to the bedside and settled herself there, stroking
his hand whenever he rested it near her. She watched him for hours. Eventually his breathing settled into a regular pattern
and he appeared to fall into a deep sleep. This night and perhaps the next, would be long and weary. She rested her head
against the chair and closed her eyes. For the first time in many years, Evelyn prayed.
****
"Evie....Evie" Jonathan gently touched her shoulder. "Come on, you've been sat in that chair all night." Evelyn stared
groggily at her brother and wriggled to straighten herself in the seat. "How much sleep have you had?"
"Enough. Is he awake?"
"No he's not...and no I don't think you have."
"I'll be fine, Jonathan. I only need to keep off my feet."
"Yes, perhaps. But I won't." He raised her by the hands to bring her to stand "You can bunk down in my bed for some
proper sleep." Evelyn protested, but he continued to lead her to the door. "Evie, it's not you who O'Connell's going to
drag over the coals if you drop from exhaustion...it's me!"
"Oh really, Jonathan! He's hardly in any state. Stop fussing!" she slapped at his hands almost losing her balance.
"There, you see." he scolded while steadying her. He pointed to the bed, once again defending Rick for her benefit, "He
might be out of action now, but he's going to get better! And I, for one, am not prepared to be on the wrong side of him
when he does. Now for once, Evie, do as you're told!"
****
Jonathan walked back into his sister's room and heaved a sigh as he looked over at the sleeping O'Connell. He'd struck a
bargain with his difficult sister that, while she slept, he would keep watch over the man and wake her when there was any
news. "Seems I'm still the bloody babysitter!" he complained and let himself drop onto the settee. He pulled across a
small table, drew out his hip flask and cards and proceeded to entertain himself.
The hours dragged into the afternoon. Every now and then his hopes lifted when the patient stirred, but it was never
anything to report. By now he was fed up and resorted to walking about the room loudly and clumsily. He stood by the
balcony door and drained the last from his flask when he heard painful coughs rising from the bed. Jonathan's smirk
reflected his satisfaction at this small victory.
"Aahh! So you've decided to rejoin the land of the living, I see. Welcome back!"
"Isn't this Evelyn's room?" Rick was squinting, trying to focus on Jonathan "What are you doing here?"
"Minding you."
Rick attempted to sit up, when the pained surged through his shoulder, forcing him to drop back into the pillows.
"Where's Evelyn?" his voice hoarse and dry from the effects of the ether.
"Sleeping in my room." Jonathan stood beside the bed and peered down, "All last night and into the morning she sat
in this chair watching you. The only way I could get her to rest properly was to promise to keep an eye on you while
she got some proper rest. Still, I think we'll let her go for a while as it doesn't look like you're going anywhere. How are
you feeling, anyway?" Sarcasm tinging his voice.
"You don't wanna know."
"Hmmm. Rather like the way you expressed yourself earlier when we set about fixing you."
"Is she all right?" Rick looked directly at Jonathan
"Yes! She is! No thanks to you!" Jonathan shook his empty flask then threw it aside disgruntled. He turned to
O'Connell and took full advantage of his current ability to stand over him. "One of your soldier friends came calling
while you were off saving your own neck! Right up into her quarters, if you please."
Rick felt his gut turn over.
"However, by the grace of God, I managed to get there in time with the Sentry and put a bullet in the bastard's leg
before he....well...before he....you know what I mean."
Rick went silent with guilt and anger, then again asked in a gravelled voice, "Is she all right?"
"Yes. Well, she's a bit better now. She's very shaken up by the whole business and hardly eats at all." Jonathan's
concern was alarming Rick. He had never seen the man look so pale as he did right now speaking of his sister. "Plus
she's almost beside herself about the state which you've arrived in!" then mumbling to the side "...amongst other things."
"What did you mean earlier? About a baby?" Every type of horror was running amok in his mind. She was attacked!
And how badly hurt was she, or the child?
"Oh, do you remember that?" Jonathan groaned. "Look, you and she can discuss anything you want to, I'm quite happy
to go and get her for you, but I'm staying right out of it. I'm not the messenger, O'Connell."
Rick was tiring of Jonathan's sarcasm, "Don't. Just throw my clothes over, I'll go to her."
Jonathan looked about the room in doubt. "Well I hope you've left clean ones about the place! Those over there could
walk out by themselves!"
"Will you just shut up!" He attempted to sit up and move from the bed, but the pain in his shoulder forbid it, forcing him
back down. He lay in the bed in a cold sweat, lashing obscenties at the seering wound.
Jonathan surveyed the situation for a moment with mild amusement, then rose from his chair. "Right then, I'll just pop out
and bring Evie back in here, shall I?"
Rick watched him leave the room, then stared back at the ceiling. Even for a seasoned soldier, these last few months had
proved a mammoth test of his physical perseverance. As for Evelyn, she had been totally unexpected. Now, if Jonathan's
badly timed announcement was correct, he was soon to be a father. A pleasant enough thought, but he needed to see
Evelyn. He wanted to hear it from her. He had to see for himself how badly hurt she was. He needed absolution!