Strong

by Natalie Debrabandere

  Kate glanced down at her now as the officer shifted a little, her eyes still closed and her body a lot more relaxed now.

  She felt an almost irresistible urge to lie down next to her, to take her in her arms, to protect her against whatever was responsible for that mysterious flash of painful emotion she got in her eyes sometimes.

  Instead she gave her a pat on the arm and a gentle push.

  “Here you go captain,” she announced, rather more loudly than she intended to, hoping that it would help to dispel the multitude of questions bumping around her head, all those ones she absolutely knew Tyler would not want her to ask. “Bit better now?”

  Tyler sat up slowly. It was a real effort to get moving again. Kate's touch had been a mixture of strength and tenderness, gentle yet powerful.

  When Kate touched her, Tyler felt at peace.

  "Better,” she murmured. “Thanks doc.”

  Kate stared at her as Tyler glanced away, and waited until she turned to meet her eyes again.

  “Sure?” she asked.

  Tyler gave her a firm nod and she attempted a smile, but the shadows in her eyes were so pronounced Kate knew for sure it was a lie. An unconscious one maybe, but still a lie. This was a woman who was completely lost at sea and did not even have a clue she needed help. Kate leaned a little closer against her, and rested her hand gently against the side of her face.

  “Come back anytime,” she said.

  Tyler’s eyes almost closed under the soft caress, and then there was some loud noise outside, voices close by. Tyler flinched as if she had suddenly slammed back down inside her body. She stood up and for a second struggled to find her balance.

  “Thanks doc,” she said again.

  “Well, it is my job to look after the troops and make sure they are fit for duty,” Kate said dryly. “Hey. You need to rest more.”

  Tyler shrugged a little but did not comment.

  “I need to go,” she said.

  “So you said.”

  “See you later doc?”

  "I'll be here. Be careful."

  "Always."

  Kate nodded, and Tyler grabbed her rifle and walked out into the night.

  “So did you kiss her or what?”

  “No!” Tyler exclaimed. “It’s the third time you asked me that, give it a rest will you!”

  “What the hell is wrong with you Tyler?”

  “Shut up.”

  She had gone out to find Collins, scoured the whole of the compound until she finally came upon him sat on his own at the back of the shower block. Now he seemed intent on pissing her off and sticking his nose into her business.

  Pretty much his usual self then, she reflected moodily.

  He gave a wild laugh as Tyler shook her head in annoyance, and slapped her hard on the shoulder.

  “You might as well, buddy,” he remarked darkly. “Could be dead tomorrow.”

  “Thanks. That’s a cheerful thought after such a fucked up day.”

  “You know I’m right. I've seen the way you two look at each other.”

  Tyler stared at him as he drank from a flask, grimaced as whatever was in it burnt its way down his throat.

  “To Gary,” he said roughly.

  “To Gary,“ Tyler repeated. “Hey, do you even give a shit that you are drinking in front of your superior officer?”

  “No. Should I?”

  Tyler smiled in spite of herself.

  “Not tonight. Special circumstances,” she said.

  “I’m sorry that Gary’s suicide reminded you of Helen,” Ben said, and he took another sip.

  He did not offer to share with Tyler. He knew she never touched alcohol. He felt her stiffen as he mentioned the name of her ex, and was not very surprised when she remained silent. He felt her grow rigid next to him, and he sighed.

  “Do you miss her?” he asked, his tone more gentle this time.

  Tyler shook her head.

  “No,” she said sharply, wondering how it was possible that even after three years, the simple mention of Helen’s name was enough to make her break into a cold sweat.

  “Does she remind you of her?”

  “Who?”

  “The doc. Does she remind you of Helen?”

  Tyler stretched her legs out in front of her and rested her head against the wall. She felt herself grow warm and relaxed as she thought of the British medic, with her gentle yet uncompromising ways.

  She thought of the way Kate made her feel and she wanted to smile.

  “No,” she said firmly. “Kate is nothing like Helen.”

  It was Collins’ turn to look at her. He had known Tyler for five years, worked with her for three. He had witnessed the carnage that had followed the end of her relationship with Helen.

  “Kate is okay, buddy,” he said. “Not some fucking crazy bitch.”

  “Hey,” Tyler snapped.

  “What? I’m right and you know it.”

  “I know it, I don’t necessarily want to hear you say it.”

  He smiled.

  “So."

  "So what?"

  "Are you going to kiss her or what? Cos I will if you don’t.”

  Tyler lowered her head and she started to laugh.

  “Good luck with that,” she snorted.

  Chapter Seven

  Kate was awake early the following day. She remained still for a little while, her eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of being warm and safe inside her sleeping bag for a few more minutes.

  More and more she was finding life difficult at Cobel. She knew she had lost her drive. She was still as dedicated to the soldiers under her care as she had always been, but she wanted to go home now. Too many years in too many war zones, and all she wanted now was to feel safe. She remembered what Tyler had said about not knowing why they were there anymore, and feeling fed up sometimes. Kate felt the same way. But she was getting out after this tour, and Tyler had not said anything about leaving.

  Stretching lazily, Kate turned over when she felt movement on her right, and she found her tent mate already up and pulling on a pair of shorts and a black Skins top.

  Kate watched her, her eyes lingering over the sleek muscles in her legs. Tyler looked up and caught her staring.

  “Hey, morning,” she said softly. “Sorry about the noise.”

  “That’s okay, I wasn’t sleeping.”

  Kate burrowed deeper inside her sleeping bag, watching Tyler as she reached for her running shoes.

  “I’m going for a run. You want to come?”

  “Shit. I knew you were going to ask me that.”

  Tyler shook her head with a grin.

  “This is not compulsory.”

  Kate groaned.

  “No, I’m coming,” she said firmly.

  She dressed quickly, brushed her teeth and followed Tyler out of the tent.

  “Wow, look at this,” Tyler exclaimed in surprise as they stepped out.

  She stopped and glanced at Kate, her face lit up by a brilliant and completely delighted smile.

  “I don’t know about you, but I was not expecting this.”

  Everywhere was quiet out, and the entire camp was coated in a thick layer of frost. It looked just like snow. And it made everything appear very pretty and peaceful.

  Kate filled her lungs with crisp, clean morning air, and she allowed herself to rest a friendly arm around Tyler’s shoulders.

  “Looks like home,” she said softly. “It’s beautiful.”

  Tyler nodded and remained still, breathing slowly, a little bewildered at how good Kate’s embrace felt. She knew it was a completely innocent touch, the simple need to be close. She looked at the medic, gave her a smile and returned the friendly hold. It felt like the most natural thing in the world when Kate turned to face her then, and wrapped her arms around her neck.

  Tyler closed her eyes, and her brain switched itself off all by itself.

  “You smell nice,” she murmured.

  “It’s the Body Shop lotion you gave
me.”

  “Oh yeah? That’s nice.”

  Kate tightened her grip on Tyler and ran her fingers along the back of her neck, enjoying the feel of soft, hot skin beneath her fingertips. The touch was too gentle and deliberate to be anything but a caress. Yet Tyler did not move. Kate let her fingers drift up into her hair, and she smiled.

  “You're nice, captain,” she said softly.

  Tyler took a deep breath and shifted a little closer still. She got a sudden flash of home in California, and the small path that led down to the beach and the ocean. She got a glimpse of Kate walking ahead of her on the beach, turning round to smile at her, opening her arms to her.

  Startled, she let go.

  Kate said nothing but she gave her a lingering look. She looked sad, and Tyler felt concern for her all of a sudden.

  “What‘s wrong, Kate?” she asked.

  Kate gave a little shrug and sighed.

  “Nothing,” she said. “Just feeling a bit homesick, that’s all.”

  Tyler’s expression grew pensive.

  “I know,” she said gently. “But you haven’t got long to go now, right? You’ll be home in no time.”

  “Yes. But what about you?”

  Tyler hesitated.

  “Well, I'm doing back to back tours, so...”

  Kate winced and averted her eyes quickly. She should have known. The thought that she would go home and leave Tyler behind in deadly Helmand was not something she wanted to dwell on just now. Or discuss.

  Tyler seemed to read her mind.

  “Can I help change your mood?” she asked.

  Kate raised an eyebrow, and her eyes sparkled in anticipation.

  “You certainly can. Taking me back to bed?” she said hopefully.

  Tyler burst out laughing.

  “Nope!” she exclaimed. “Taking you for a run. Works every time. Come on, doc!”

  The compound was approximately the size of two football fields put together, and as Kate quickly found out, more than enough for Tyler to take her mind off things in a way that only a true runner would enjoy. Which Kate definitely was not. They warmed up slowly, and then picked up the pace for the next twenty minutes, staying close to the inside walls. Tyler chatted away happily for most of the run, while Kate struggled to get enough breath to keep up with her.

  “Enjoying it?” Tyler asked at one point.

  “Enjoying is not the word,” Kate gasped, earning herself an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

  “Nearly done. Stay with me!” Tyler instructed.

  And then she flashed her a little grin, and took off ahead of Kate.

  The medic was not one to get dropped easily though. She gritted her teeth, focused, and managed to keep up with Tyler for the final few minutes, even giving her a sprint as they finished. She was feeling rather ecstatic when they finally slowed down to an easy jog, heading back to their tent across the compound.

  “Oh, boy, remind me not to do that again,” she exclaimed, struggling to catch her breath.

  Tyler glanced at her, smiling, noting the look of utter relief on her friend’s face.

  “Well done!” she told her, laughing. “I take it running isn’t your thing then?”

  “Not hard to spot. Yes, I hate it,“ Kate admitted.

  Tyler shot her an admiring look.

  “You’re very good, especially considering that you don’t like it,” she remarked. “What’s your favourite sport?”

  “I like to row,” Kate replied. “Get you in a boat, and I can show you some real pain,” she added with a mischievous little smile.

  “Guess I‘m lucky the Helmand river is out of bounds then, uh?”

  “Yes, You have no idea!”

  Tyler laughed and turned to stretch, and Kate touched her shoulder lightly.

  “Did you get to speak to Ben last night?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “And is he okay?”

  “Yeah, he’s good. Thanks Kate.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m good too,” Tyler assured her.

  She bent over to grab her ankles, and Kate sighed.

  “You can say that again,” she muttered.

  “What?”

  Kate blushed, but she was saved from answering by one of the guys from 2 platoon running toward them. Tyler’s expression changed immediately, and her eyes hardened a little as he came to a stop near them.

  “You’re needed in the Ops room right away, captain,” the man informed her.

  Kate watched Tyler run off with him, feeling the familiar tension in the pit of her stomach. Something dodgy was going on. Deciding against a much needed shower, she went into their tent instead and changed quickly into her patrol kit, pretty certain that they would be going out shortly. Then she went to join the other medics, and waited for news.

  She was losing track of time at Cobel, her life revolving around food, exercise, treating the locals, and intensely stressful outings where the marines tried to draw out the Taliban, and for the most part, succeeded.

  On paper their mission was a hearts and minds campaign. And it was. But as Tyler had explained to her bluntly one day, their other objective here was to kill as many of them as possible, until one day they either left for good, or there were not enough of them left to plant IEDs. Then the farmers could start moving around freely again, the villages could start to rebuild their markets and places of work, and children and coalition soldiers could stop being blown up.

  “Bit of a suicide mission, don’t you think?” Kate remembered asking.

  Tyler had simply shrugged.

  “We are tasked to disrupt. So this is what we do. Most of the times we win.”

  But today their luck had turned. 3 platoon were stuck on the edge of the green zone, fighting a group of about thirty rebels, and they had taken a couple of casualties. Air support were busy helping a group of Royal Marines thirty miles away and would not be able to divert to their position quickly. Tyler’s troop was being sent out to provide additional fire power. Suicide mission or not, Kate was in on it. And so just over forty five minutes later she found herself right in the middle of a huge contact.

  Two guys had been shot, one in the leg, but he was stable. The other one had lost his thumb. He too would be okay. But shortly after Kate got on site, she heard the dreaded shout of “medic” once more.

  Ducking and zigzagging so she did not get shot herself, she quickly made her way to the injured soldier. She gasped when she saw the size of the hole in his neck. She recognised him instantly. It was Sam, one of the guys she had met on her first day. He was from Chicago, and his mother was from York. He had chatted to Kate happily about her hometown, and revealed that he was also into rowing. This was his first tour of duty.

  Adrenaline flashed hot and cold through Kate as she assessed him quickly. She could see his artery had been severely damaged, but if she could stop the flow of blood and the Chinook was quick enough he still had a chance.

  She got on top of him and dug her knee into his wound.

  “Tyler!” she called.

  "Right here, Kate.”

  Tyler was right behind her, as always. It did not matter how many things she had to get right when out on patrol, what busy and complicated mission parameters she had to coordinate, she never strayed too far away from Kate. She always kept a close eye on her to make sure that she stayed safe.

  Kate was well aware of it, and if any of the guys had behaved that way with her she would have resented it. But she liked to keep a close eye on Tyler as well, and so she was happy to let her think she was getting away with it.

  “What can I do?” the captain asked.

  She appeared calm, and her voice was controlled as always, but she took one look at the injured soldier and all colour left her face.

  “Grab some tape in my bag, we need to pack the wound and stop this bleeding,” Kate told her.

  “Okay.”

  “GET DOWN!”

  Kate heard the warning as the same time tha
t Collins knocked her roughly to the ground. Bullets were flying, kicking the dirt all around them. When Kate glanced up she saw that Tyler was now on top of the injured man, lying on top of him with her elbow in his neck. Her full attention was on him, and she appeared to be totally oblivious to what was going on around them.

  Fear squeezed its hand around Kate’s throat.

  Next to her, Collins lay on his stomach returning fire like a madman.

  “Monster call sign, Monster call sign,” he was yelling on his radio at the same time, “we need all your firepower on grid reference 250835.”

  His voice was drowned out by the roar of an F-16 jet fighter flying above them. It flew low and hard and aimed his weapons at the grid reference Collins had just given them. Kate did not stop to watch the rest of it.

  She crawled back to Tyler and her casualty.

  “Will you get down!” she exclaimed.

  “I can‘t stop the bleeding, Kate,” Tyler replied anxiously.

  “Let me do it. You get me some tape.”

  Kate grabbed her by the wrist as she was crawling away, and looked deep into her eyes.

  “Watch yourself,” she ordered.

  Tyler nodded and disappeared. She was back with the tape after a few seconds, and Kate took it from her and started packing the wound. She worked quickly, but she made sure that the job was done properly. She was aware that the shooting seemed to have stopped, and in the distance she recognised the sound of a rescue Chinook approaching. Tyler was kneeling next to her, waiting, her face pale as she watched her wounded colleague. Her eyes were unusually unfocused and distant, and Kate did not like to see that look on her face. She gripped her shoulder and flashed her a reassuring smile.

  “Hey. He has a good chance, okay? I need to talk to the medics on the Chinook.”

  Tyler shook herself.

  “Sure, I‘ll put you on.“

  Kate filled the crew in, making sure that they were ready for transfusion and got as much blood ready as they could.

  “Sam, can you hear me buddy?”

  Collins was talking to the casualty now. The man was barely conscious but Collins was talking to him, his face intense, his mouth close to his ear. “Think of Melissa and the kids, okay?” Kate heard him say. “You fall asleep now you won’t wake up again, you understand? You stay awake, buddy, I‘m not fucking kidding.”