Enjoy! Thanks to all who reviewed for this story ^^

Part Two

Later Sam was chatting with a nurse in his temporary room when the Sergeant arrived. Sitting up a bit straighter Sam watched the older man's expression for any signs that one of the team – his family – might be injured. While Sergeant Greg Parker was concerned, the emotion seemed to be aimed specifically at Sam.

"Hey Boss, how'd everything go?" Sam asked carefully, wanting to deflect the concern a bit. Growing up in a military family Sam had never really gotten 'special' treatment when he was injured. The General simply told him to be a man about it – and his mother never treated him the same after his sister died.

Sure the concern from the team was nice, but Sam never knew exactly what he was suppose to do with it – how he was suppose to react or what the hell he was suppose to say.

Greg filled him in about the chemical attack and how everything played out. "There were a few people affected badly by the gas but the doctors seemed confident they could treat everyone." The Sergeant smiled a bit, setting the folded clothes he had been carrying next to Sam, "I thought you might want to change before we leave." He added kindly, already having learned that Sam wouldn't be staying overnight – though Greg had a strong suspicion Sam would be leaving against medical advice.

"Thanks." Sam shifted awkwardly, glancing at the doctor who had returned. "So, Doc, am I good to go?"

"I'll go get the paper work," The doctor nodded, than gave Greg meaningfully before leaving.

"I'll be right back." Greg informed Sam, who answered with a sigh and nodded. Once outside and alone with the doctor Greg didn't bother shielding his worried emotions. "So how is he?"

"He'll be able to return work soon, Mr. Braddock refused to be put under when we extracted the bullet. The slug had lodged itself in his thigh, but it was a small round and did minimal damage. As long as Mr. Braddock doesn't strain the injury over the next few days it should heal quickly – I'd say he could return to field work sometime within the next week or two."

Parker's eyes narrowed slightly, none of this information was secretive. "So why the privet chat?"

"I was concerned." The doctor dropped his gaze for a moment. "We drugged him up pretty good while we preformed the operation, he started talking with one of the nurses. Told her that she needed to 'tell the kid it wasn't his fault.' Mr. Braddock seemed very concerned for this child, however I was under the impression that two adults were grabbing for a gun when —"

"Yes, it was a friendly fire incident. Has he talked about the kid since?" Parker questioned lightly, already coming to the conclusion that Sam had been reliving something to do with his time in Afghanistan.

The doctor shook his head. "No, once the drugs cleared his system he seemed more within the present. Still, even the slightest flashback could be a possible sign of PTSD and since you are his commanding officer I thought it best that you were informed. If you want I can give you the names of some accomplished psychiatrists – "

Holding up his hand suddenly, Greg shook his head. "That won't be necessary, thank you. I will discuss this with him."

With a tight smile and a sharp nod the Doctor backed off and left Greg to think about what was said. A police officer with PTSD could be a tragedy waiting to happen. Parker, however, didn't think Sam was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. There would have been more signs before this. Even if Sam was having flashbacks they had never affected his work. Still, Greg knew he'd have to look into the accusation, for the sake of Sam and the rest of the team.

Walking back into the room Greg offered Sam a kind smile. Before anything could be said Sam interrupted him. "What? Am I pregnant? What's up with the whispers behind closed doors?" Sam had used the time alone to change into the clothes the Sergeant had brought him from his locker back at HQ. Currently he was buttoning up his gray over shirt while watching his Boss's reaction carefully.

Shaking his head, Greg chuckled lightly at the 'pregnant' comment before moving closer to his fallen family member. "Your doctor wanted to voice some concerns about something you said while they extracted the bullet from your leg."

Sam's eyes narrowed for a second until realization washed over him. "Oh crap, I was thinking about it, I didn't think I'd say anything though."

"Thinking about what, Sam? Something that happened while you served in the military?" Greg's heart sank.

"It wasn't a flash back," Sam sat up straighter, gripping the sides of the bed as his legs hung over the side. "I was just thinking about the last time I got shot in the leg like this." Sam pointed down to the bulk of bandage surrounding the bullet wound just under his loose fitted jeans. "It wasn't even a stressful situation like you might think!"

"After the day you had, and with you using your experiences in the desert to connect with the Subject – " Parker let his sentence trail off with a worried sigh.

"I know, but that isn't it. Okay, just hear me out." Sam forced his calm, "My unit were stationed at this village pretty far away from the danger zone. We were recovering, some of our guys had injuries, others had caught this virus that was floating around. Me and two other guys had made quick friends with some of the kids in the village. They were welcoming, appreciative that we were there – none of them were malicious, not even the parents."

Greg nodded, trying to figure out where Sam was going with the story.

"Us three guys were playing their version of soccer in the street. Someone, I can't get into details had left some of their gear to the side so they could move better. Anyway, one of the kids – couldn't have been more then five years old – got into this guy's stuff looking for candy. Those kids really had a thing for sweets – we always tried to have something on us, to gain their trust." Sam's eyes became thoughtful. "Instead of candy the kid found a hand gun, one of my buddies back ups. The kid had never touched one before, maybe a rifle, but not something so small. He must have switched off the safety when he dropped it, because it discharged."

Sam smirked. "We were such idiots, right? Not paying attention like that. I went down and the other kids scattered so fast it was like they had never been there to begin with. Us military guys lifted our guns, full combat mode checking for snipers or other threats. I noticed the kid crying off to the side first, and the gun on the ground. Pieced it together in my mind and told the others to stand down." Sam shook his head regretfully. "The kid was devastated, kept crying and apologizing over and over. His parents were devastated as well, begging for forgiveness. They thought I was going to have to kill the boy – some sort of retribution for being injured by the enemy's hands. Other villagers were under the impression that because of what had happened we were going to torch the houses."

Shaking his head Sam sighed and looked at his Boss with pleading eyes. "I was just thinking about how I wish that kid understood it was an accident. I never really got to stick around to make sure he was okay – we left the next day. With the drugs they shot me up with today, I guess it came out, but it wasn't because I have PTSD." He insisted. "The memories, they don't go away, but I'm still here in the present."

Parker nodded, "I believe you Sam, no worries. You went through a lot over there, it would be harder for me to believe that you didn't think about it from time to time. I just needed to make sure you were okay."

"Better then." Sam assured eagerly.

"Good," Greg nodded. "Now, let's say we get going, the Team is pretty eager to see you."

Sam blushed slightly, "Aw, they didn't have to stick around. It was just a flesh wound."

"Oh, they aren't at HQ, they're at the Goose. Something about 'if you get shot you buy the shots.'" Parker laughed.

Sam laughed and grabbed the pair of crutches he'd been issued. "In that case, lead the way!"

I'd be willing to write a brief scene at the bar…if people are interested. ^^

Hope you enjoyed my little story ^^

- Berry