"Where are they?" Molly screamed it over the thudding of the helicopter behind her.

"Get to the hospital!" Kinders shouted back. He held out his arm to give Molly her kit but she was already on the move. "Molly!" He shouted after her. The rest of section 2 sombrely disembarked the aircraft and began the long trudge back to their tent. Celebration should have been the mood. They got him! THEY TOOK DOWN BADRIA! None of the lads felt like celebrating. Not with the lives of their comrades in the balance, waiting for Lady Luck to cast her spell and swing them back into life, or drop her sword, letting them go.

Molly ran, sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her. She ran into the hospital, tearing round the corners of the long stark white corridors. The last time she was here with Captain James he was holding her tenderly.

"Jackie! What's happening? Where are they?" Molly shouted the words, exhausted from her journey and fearful of what she was about to hear.

"Calm down" Jackie tried to hush Mollys cry.
"His pulse his dropping" said one doctor across a hospital bed being wheeled out of theatre.
"Bossman." Molly stared at the man with tubes and wires coming out of him from every angle being wheeled past him at such speed she couldn't take in what was happening.
"Bleeding controlled Sir" another voice chirped from the moving bed.
"Is he gonna be alright?" Molly had tears in her eyes and a look of desperation about her. She was still wearing his blood across her body. Jackie shook her head unknowingly. She couldn't promise anything and it wasn't looking good.

Molly returned to her tent.

"How are they?" Kinders stood up.

"I, umm," Molly couldn't find the words.
"How's Smurf and the boss?" Mansfield Mike was looking at her with expectation in his eyes, wishing through his expression for her to tell him they were both fine.

Smurf was forgotten from her mind. She didn't even ask for him. She prayed for Captain James to live.
"Smurf? I couldn't find him. Captain James," her voice was shaken and flat as she trailed off again "he, umm, it's not looking good." She was crying, she realised when the warm tears splashed off her shaking hands. "He lost a lot of blood. Jackie said…" Molly's heart was beating so loud she's sure her fellow soldiers could here it pounding, BOOM BOOM BOOM. She felt a pain in her heart so strong that she couldn't breath.

Molly was having a panic attack.

She started to fall forwards. Kinders quickly grabbed her and ordered the other men nearby to help remove her battle kit.

"Breathe Molly, nice and slowly, in, and out. Innnn, and out." Kinders knew there was more than met the eye to Molly and the Captains frequent public banter.

She had just about caught breath when Smurf entered the tent. A sling concealed the bandages around his bullet wound. A cheer rang out around the tent.

"WAHEEEY SMURF!" so pleased to see him alive, section 2 were startled by his response.

"He's dying you little bitch. Stop crying, it's your fault he's dying!"

"Don't give me that shit Smurf, you shot at that innocent farmer, you started the argument that had him distracted! I saved you and not for the first time." They were shouting at the top of their voices.

"Yeah! Well maybe because the girl I want to MARRY AND THE MAN I LOVE LIKE A FATHER ARE SNEAKING AROUND BEHIND MY BACK." His voice was so loud now it must have been heard across the whole camp. The room was silent.

"Molly? You and the Bossman been at it?" Mansfield Mike asked, confused at what he'd just heard.

"Smurf, why can't you accept that you're my mate? WHY CAN'T YOU LET ME LOVE SOMEONE ELSE?"

"Calm down guys, everyone shut up!" Kinders interrupted "Molly, Captain James is married with a kid. What do you think you're doing?"

"He's not, they're separated, it's why he volunteered for this tour." Her voice became a whisper. "I love him."

Suddenly her whole body was weak. She trembled as her future fell out from under her. Smurf was beginning to pack his things. "Well I don't give a fuck anymore. They're sending me home so try not to kill the rest of my mates while I'm gone." There was silence as Smurf took his pack and stormed out of the tent.

The rest of the platoon stood staring at Molly. She lay collapsed in a heap by her bed. No one rushed to help her. No one ran after Smurf. No one knew what to do and everyone was scared that their next action would be the wrong one. Molly sobbed, choking on each gasp of air. It felt like a lifetime before two of the men picked her up and tucked her into bed. She could hear their whispers and the arguments growing. They all wanted someone to blame. She didn't care if they picked her.

She just wanted her Captain to live.