by Angela Rush
Damn! He was overwhelmed. He wanted her, too, but was worried her feelings were all because he was the one who had rescued her from a hellhole. Would she realize that later and destroy him when she left him? What should he do? Savor her while he could? Or give up any chance at happiness? He should try to convince her take things slowly, give herself time to figure out what she really wanted, but the selfish, bastard in him wanted her more.
“God, sweetheart. Of course, I’ll have you. I will always be here for you.” Deadeye’s voice is about to break with the emotions flying around in his head. “When we get back, I will have a few days off before I will be back up for another mission. We can figure things out then, ok? Try not to worry.” He dips down to look into her beautiful eyes.
Elise nods in answer. Deadeye places a soft kiss on her forehead before releasing his hold on her. He turns to gather up the rest of his gear. He takes her right elbow in his hand as he leads her out of the barracks and toward the hanger where they would board the plane bound for Germany. His step is a little lighter now that he knows she wants to be with him as much as he wants her.
When they board the plane, Elise is still glued to his side. He can’t keep the smile off his face. As the others file onto the plane, Deadeye notices that Ace is grinning like a Cheshire cat. Tank, Hack, Virus, Straw, Mercury, Wallace, and Bull all find seats on the plane. Worm is carried aboard, and his stretcher is secured along one side of the plane. Deadeye takes Elise toward a long bench seat in the back of the plane. He helps her get strapped in before strapping himself in next to her. He intends to let her lay down and sleep once they are airborne. He is annoyed when Mercury, Straw, and Tank come back to take the seats near them. He wants to keep Elise to himself, but he won’t be rude to his men. After all, without their help he could never have rescued her by himself. He was indebted to them. Once they are in the air, he undoes his seatbelt and helps Elise out of hers.
“Do you want to lay down sweetheart? I know you must be exhausted.” Deadeye can see it in her eyes.
“I’m not sure I can sleep. I’m still a little shaken after everything.” Elise confesses softly to him. He nods his head in understanding. He wraps his left arm around her shoulders and pulls her to his side as his kisses her right temple. She melts into his side and it feels heavenly. He just holds her as the roar of the plane’s engines lull her to sleep. It’s a long flight so after a while he eases himself down onto the bench seat and takes Elise with him. He adjusts her so that she is mostly laying on top of him with her head on his chest. After basking in the glow of happiness at having her in his arms, sleep finally takes him.
Deadeye is awakened by Tank’s deep rumbling voice in his ear. “Hey, we are getting ready to land. You need to get her secured so you both don’t hit the floor when we touch down.” Deadeye is thankful for Tank’s insight and thoughtfulness. It would have been a rude awakening to be slammed onto the hard floor of the plane at touch down. Gently he tries to awaken Elise, thankful that this time she didn’t wake with a nightmare.
“Elise, sweetheart. We are about to land in Germany. Can you wake up for me?” Deadeye murmurs in her left ear as her head still rests on his chest. Her eyes flutter before opening fully. They are wide and fearful at first, but when they settle on him, she relaxes against his chest once again. It warms his heart the trust he can see in her eyes when she looks at him. She yawns then covering her mouth with her left hand and a shy smile crosses her face and her cheeks color with redness.
“Did you sleep well, sweetheart?” Deadeye asks her. She nods and begins to try to sit up. He helps her and notices his fellow teammates are watching them intently. He scowls at them until they turn their attention to other things and gives them a small measure of privacy. Once she is upright, Deadeye buckles her back into her seatbelt and prepares for the landing. As the plane descends, he takes her right hand in his left and twines their fingers together. She gives him a little smile and a quick squeeze of his hand. It assures him that she is ok for the moment.
When they land at the base in Germany, they are greeted by several officials including Elise’s brother, Edward. He is waiting near the foot of the stairs as they disembark from the plane. Deadeye was still holding her hand until she sees her brother. She turns loose of him and runs down the last few steps and falls into her brother’s arms. She is sobbing against him and Deadeye can’t help but feel a little jealous. He wants to be the one she seeks comfort from when she is hurting. He knows though that he can’t keep her from her own brother.
After a few touching moments of their reunion, she turns away from Edward and reaches for Deadeye causing his heart to swell with pride that she wanted to be near him. He goes to her immediately. She grips his hand tightly as she turns back to face the men standing around watching everyone leave the plane. Worm is carried down to a waiting ambulance. Straw and Mercury accompany him to the hospital.
“Edward I would like for you to meet Warren. He and his men rescued me from the men holding me.” Elise’s voice cracks a little as she makes the introductions. Deadeye extends his right hand out to Edward who is eyeing him skeptically. Edward’s gaze drops to Deadeye’s and Elise’s joined hands. Edward gives Deadeye’s hand a firm shake as his eyes raise to meet Deadeye’s gaze. The two men size one another up as they shake hands. Elise’s soft sigh brings the men out of the trance they seemed to have fallen into. Deadeye gives her hand a small quick squeeze. She graces him with a shy smile. Her brother speaks up about that time.
“Elise are you alright?” Edward asks then turns to Deadeye before she can even answer. “Does she need to be seen at the hospital here?” Deadeye assures him she was thoroughly checked and medically cleared before they boarded the plane to come here.
“I can get us reservations at a top-notch restaurant here if you are hungry.” Edward says after a concerned look toward Elise. She has leaned into Deadeye and he wraps an arm around her waist supporting her weight with his body. Edward frowns at the obvious display of affection between the couple but doesn’t make a comment. They are interrupted then by a man from the airport approaching them.
“Staff Sergeant Vickers?” The man questions as he stops to stand in front of them.
“Yes?” Deadeye answers the man.
“I’m Lieutenant Stearns. I just wanted to let you know it will be tomorrow morning before we will have you ready to head back to the states. Do I need to make sleeping arrangements for you and your team?” Deadeye can tell the man is anxious to solve this matter quickly.
“Yes, please that would be helpful.” Deadeye informs the man. Stearns quickly turns to head back toward the hangers but is stopped by Edward’s commanding voice.
“We can put them up on base. There are several open bunk rooms.” Edward informs the Lieutenant who nods in response. He continues on his way toward the hangers to make arrangements for the marines. Deadeye’s attention is turned back toward Edward when he hears him speaking quietly to Elise.
“Elise, you can stay with me at my apartment until time for you to return here for the trip back home.” Edwards is telling her. Her eyes widen and she immediately looks to Deadeye. He can’t help but to give her a little smile. He wants to assure her everything will be ok, but he isn’t sure that is the case. Before he can respond, Elise is speaking.
“Edward, could Warren stay with us, too?” Edward frowns at her, but she continues before he can shut her down. “I would feel more comfortable with him there. It may seem silly to you, but he makes me feel safer after everything that happened.” Elise is trembling now, and Deadeye tightens his hold on her in silent support. Edward doesn’t look happy, but he nods in agreement. Edward would do anything to help his sister.
Elise can feel the tension between her brother and Warren. She doesn’t want to be the reason the two men don’t get along, but she knows Edward too well. He will never be satisfied with anyone she ever tries to date or have a relationship with. He has always been an overprotective big brother and will be more
so now that she has been taken hostage by terrorists. Elise isn’t sure she can explain how she feels, but she is drawn to Warren in an almost primal way. She needs to be close to him. His strength and confidence keeps her from falling apart after all that happened to her. She thinks to herself how she can explain it to Edward so that he will understand just how much she needs Warren.
Chapter 11
Deadeye’s priority is keeping Elise comfortable and making sure Worm is okay. Straw had called and said that Worm was in surgery. It would be a while before they had any news on his condition. Deadeye asks Edward to arrange transportation for the team to the hospital. After arrangements have been made for sleeping quarters and the team has been loaded up, they head for the hospital.
“Elise, you should come home with me while they are checking on their team member.” Edward instructions as Elise moves toward the transport the team was getting into. Elise whips around with wide shocked eyes.
“Edward, he was wounded while trying to keep me from being taken hostage again. I have to know that he is okay after his surgery.” Elise insists when Edward tried to keep her from going with Warren and the team. “He is important to me and to Warren. I feel responsible for his injuries. I will not stay behind.”
“Alright, Elise. I will meet you there in a little while. I have some things to finish here anyway.” Edward concedes reluctantly. They arrive at the hospital and gather in the waiting room with Straw and Mercury. Everyone is quiet and tense. As the time passes, the tension builds even more.
“What’s taking so long?” Mercury demands. “They said it would be like a 30-minute surgery. It’s been an hour and a half already!” Mercury is pacing the room and making everyone else more agitated.
“Sit down!” Tank exclaims. “You are driving us all crazy. It’s not going to make them update us any faster.” Mercury looks chagrined but takes a seat near the door. A few moments later, a man in scrubs enters the waiting room.
“Staff Sergeant Vickers?” the man inquires.
“Yes, I’m here.” Deadeye stands with Elise and heads toward the man as does the rest of the team. They all crowd around the man in scrubs. Each member wants to get closer so they can hear every word.
“Sergeant Chapman did fine during surgery. We were able to remove the bullet and repair the damage to the muscle. He was very lucky. It was very close to the artery, but fortunately for him not too close. It wasn’t damaged. He will be in recovery for a while and then be moved to a ward for the night, but he should be ready to travel in the morning. I understand your team is to head back to the States tomorrow?”
“Yes, that is our current plan.” Deadeye agrees with the man. “Will we be able to see him for a few minutes?”
“Yes of course. I will send the nurse to get you once he’s awake in recovery.” The doctor then turned and left the room. The team’s cheer was deafening in the small room. The men were all relieved and it was plain to see on their faces. A few minutes later, a nurse appeared at the door.
“Ok, two at a time, please. Follow me.” She turned to head back down the hall, not waiting to see who was going to follow.
“Deadeye you and Elise go first. Her brother will be here anytime to take you to his apartment. You don’t want to hold him up.” Tank tells his leader with a smile. Deadeye nods and taking Elise’s hand heads out into the hall to follow the nurse.
“Warren, I don’t want to keep one of the team from seeing Worm.” Elise tries to protest as they hurry down the hall, to the room where Worm was being cared for.
“Don’t worry about that. They will all have a turn.” Deadeye gives her a smile as he looks at her. He gives her hand a gentle squeeze. “Besides, Worm will feel special that you are coming to see him. He would rather see your pretty face than one of our ugly mugs.” Deadeye laughs when Elise gives him a stern look before rolling her eyes.
“Deadeye, there is not an ugly mug on your team.” Elise declares. Deadeye looks at her with a questioning look. “Every one of you is seriously hot. I’m sure women fall all over you guys when you go out.” Deadeye just grins and shakes his head, but doesn’t deny her words.
Worm was still groggy when they entered the room, but it was just as Deadeye had said, he was happy to see Elise.
“Hey, beautiful lady!” Worm exclaimed when Elise approached his bedside. “Best way to wake up with a pretty woman standing next to you.” Elise smiled at Worm’s antics.
“How are you feeling? Are you in pain?” Elise’s worried voice was quiet in the room. Deadeye leaned in to hear Worm’s answer. While Deadeye would never admit it, he had been very worried about Worm and the outcome from the surgery.
“I’m fine as frog hair.” Worm declares as he flings his arm wildly. “They gave me the good stuff.”
“I’m very glad.” Elise smiles at the him.
“Are you alright, Elise?” Worms asks. When Elise nods he continues. “Good. When I’m out of here we can go to diner and then dancing.
“Looks like you are ready for duty.” Deadeye smirks at Worm.
“Oh no. I need at least a couple of weeks off with my own personal nurse.” Worm slurs his words. “You know anyone who would want the job?” Worm cocks his head toward Elise and reaches for her hand. She laughs a little at his playfulness.
“No, but I’m sure Warren will find you just the right person for the job.” Elise looks at Warren. “Isn’t that right?” Deadeye nods in agreement. He turns back to Worm.
“Seriously. Take it easy. Don’t give the nurses too much trouble, okay?” Worm nods sleepily. Deadeye and Elise leave Worm and head back to the waiting room. Edward is waiting for them when they arrive. Mercury and Straw head down the hall next.
“I’m glad to hear your man is doing okay.” Edward says after Deadeye has given an update to the team.
“Thank you. He’s a good man. We need him on our team.” The other team members nod in agreement.
Deadeye makes sure his team is settled before they leave for Edward’s apartment. The trip through the city doesn’t take too long. Soon they are trudging up the stairwell to Edward’s third floor apartment. It is a small place with an open combination living room kitchen dining area that the door opens into. Edward leads Elise to a small guest bedroom and shows them the extra bathroom next to it. His room is at the end of the short hallway that includes an in-suite bathroom. After the short tour of his space, they settle into the main area while Edward gathers some food from the kitchen.
“I’m sorry to have not have a hot meal ready, but I was in meetings most of the day.” Edward says with a smile. “We could go out if you want.” Elise is shaking her head, but then stops to look at Deadeye. He too shakes his head, no.
“I don’t think Elise is ready to be out in public just yet.” Deadeye informs her clueless brother. Edward eyes him, hard. He frowns but doesn’t argue. He brings them some sandwiches, fresh fruit, and vegetables. They eat in a tense silence for a while. Deadeye can tell Edward is uncomfortable and that he isn’t sure what to say or do to help Elise. Deadeye wishes there was some way he could ease the tension between them.
“So, Edward. How’s it going over here? Will you be stationed here for much longer?” Deadeye inquires to break the tension in the room. Edward looks up at him in surprise, but then as if he realizes what Deadeye is trying to do, he smiles and answers the questions.
“It’s been good, actually. I’m enjoying my job here, but I do hope to be back State side soon. I will be up for a move in a few months. I’m hoping to be close to Annapolis when I am reassigned. Mom and Dad were worried sick when I joined up. It would be nice to be close to them again. At least on the same continent. It would ease their mind some.” Edward concludes. He wisely left out any mention of being in danger from ISIS or the Taliban. Deadeye was thankful of his tact. He doesn’t want Elise to be reminded of her time in captivity.
Elise yawns, but tries to hide it behind her hand. Despite the nap she had on the plane, Deadeye knows it will take a l
ot more time before she has recovered from her ordeal. He doesn’t even know the half of what she suffered through. He will make sure she gets the rest and recovery she needs. Deadeye stands then and takes Elise’s hand.
“Time for you to get some sleep, sweetheart.” Deadeye says as he helps her to stand. The sweet look in her eyes as she gazes at him, takes his breath for a moment. They stand staring into each other’s eyes. Finally, she nods in agreement. Deadeye grabs her bag of belongings and leads her to the bathroom. She hesitates for a moment before taking the bag from his hand and turning to enter the small room.
“Hey, what’s wrong sweetheart? Are you going to be ok? Are you feeling sick?” Deadeye can’t keep his hand off her arm stopping her from turning away from him. Her eyes find his again and he notices the tears that have formed but she has refused to let them fall.
“I’m ok, Warren. I…I just really don’t want to be alone tonight.” She looks up at him with such longing in her eyes there is no way he can deny her. He pulls her close to him. His left arm around her waist with his right hand in her hair, stroking it gently. He notices Edward at the entrance to the hall giving him an evil eye, but Deadeye ignores him. Elise is much more important right now. She needs him and the comfort he can provide.
“You won’t be alone, sweetheart, I’m right here. I won’t go anywhere. Now go in and get yourself ready for bed, yeah?” Deadeye whispers into her ear before placing a kiss on her forehead. She nods against his chest and reluctantly pulls away with a shy smile before entering the bathroom and closing the door. Deadeye turns to face her pissed off brother. They need to settle this before Elise emerges from the bathroom.
“Not here.” Deadeye whispers as he passes Edward at the end of the hall. Edward wisely turns and follows him back to the dining area away from where Elise might hear their conversation. As soon as they are out of ear shot, Edward launches into him.