Hearts
Note: So this was originally going to be the request fill from a previous part, but I decided against it. I felt it drifted to far from the request. However I put a lot of time and effort into it, so I didn't want to just give it up.
Price had asked her to join them as a field medic. Fucking hell, the offer was nice but Bailey was no soldier. Right now she was at a First Aid station, prepping the soldiers to be taken back to the unit to be treated further. Once she got the bandages on, and the worst of the shrapnel out, they were loaded into a bus or chopper and sent off. All she could do was hope Tracker was taking on the majority of the cases. Anything to keep Borne's hands off of them.
Outside was shouting, gun fire and explosives. Bailey would scream at all of them to knock it off if she thought it would actually do anything to give her an easier time. No wonder there were only two people at the aid station, any more and they would be too big of a target. She finished her another patient, ordering for him to be loaded up. At the station she could do as thorough of a job as she would like, the most she could do was extend their life long enough for them to reach the MASH unit. After that, it was up to the surgeons.
Another blast shook the station, making her flinch. She looked toward the source, but it was too far to actually see what had done it. Yet another kid was laid down on her table. The patch was familiar, and she was seeing them more and more. Fucking hell, shouldn't they have their own medics? Bailey didn't care, she wasn't about to turn the kid away. He wasn't going to make it to the MASH unit without some extra work.
"Doctor, you don't have time, patch him up and send him out." The other medic instructed.
"If I put him on that chopper half assed, there will only be shit." Bailey argued. The medic didn't try to talk back, this was the third or fourth one she insisted on working more extensively on. If they made it out alive, the medic wasn't about to argue. "Did this guy hit a mine or bellyflop on a grenade?"
God there was so much blood. At this point she couldn't smell anything else but blood and blackpowder. The guy was trying to talk, but Bird-Eye kept telling him to shut up and grit his teeth. Ten minutes. She needed ten minutes to finish this. Someone yelled that the chopper was taking off and on it's way, and the bus had to move out because of...something. Bailey couldn't make it out over an increased amount of shouting. It didn't take long for her to realize why the chopper and buss had fled. The shouting was in Arabic. Bailey paused for only a moment before her patient groaned. Focus, finish this and it won't matter who's shouting.
"Doc... just go." The patient groaned, before grunting from a piece being removed. A big piece that needed to be patched. Shit shit, something must have been knicked, there was too much blood. The door to the station was forced open, and Bailey heard guns being pointed. The medic next to her had his hands raised, thankfully no wounded on his table. They shouted at both of them to get on their knees, while Bailey ignored them. Put a gun to her head, see if she cared she would save this guy.
"Doctor on your knees." The medic told her.
"Buy me dinner first." She called back ignoring the take over. AQ had broken in, and were taking over the station. One of them went over and grabbed for her, but she shrugged him off. As soon as she did they pointed their guns at her. Thank god she got the bleeding to stop.
"Point all you want, I need to finish." Bailey told them, staying calm. The one that had tried to pull her off just stared her down before ordering something in Arabic. He gestured for her to get on her knees. "Wait your turn or give me a menu."
They didn't like that answer.
Tracker was up to elbows in human. He was relieved by some of the work being quick and easy. Everytime someone came to the table he silently thanked his fellow bunk mate. Meanwhile Borne was badgering away, commenting that whatever extra work Bird Eye had done could have waited.
“Pipe down Borne.” Tracker told him.
“You can’t talk to me like that, I’m ranking surgeon.” Borne argued.
“And your mouth is just as rank.” Tracker muttered. “Hurry on home Bird.”
“Sirs!” The corporal hurried into the room, a mask held over his face. “We have a problem.”
“Don’t tell me. The Leafs lost again?” Tracker asked, the nurse across from him smirking.
“No sirs. It’s Bird Eye.” Echo said. Tracker went silent stopping what he was doing. “They’ve captured her.”
Tracker’s face went pale. Born took advantage of the silence of everyone. “Karma catching up with her mouth.”
“Can it!” Tracker barked at him. “Echo find the Captain and tell him, I need to finish up here.”
“Which captain?” Echo asked.
“The British one, the only other captain in camp! Go!” Tracker said. Echo hurried out before hurrying back in.
“Tell him that you need to finish or tell him Bird Eye is captured?”
“About Bird Eye! Shift it!” Tracker shouted, sending the young corporal into a sprint.
Alex, Price, Soap, Gaz and Ghost were outside, playing with a couple of the kids in camp. Johnny was showing them some football tricks with Kyle and Alex making a big deal of every goal the kids scored. Price and Ghost watched them, taking advantage of the shade.
“Never hurts to see what we’re fighting for.” Price commented.
“Not at all.” Ghost agreed.
“Laswell mentioned the unit locating the families, and one of their former nurses runs a shelter for the women and children in need of help.” Price said. Farah was trying to assist with the same but she was still confined to her bed. Getting a couple of young visitors herself.
“Sirs! Sirs!” Price and Ghost turned hearing the sound of a running footsteps and the cry of a young corporal. Echo skidded to a stop, winded from his hard sprinting.
“Corporal?” Price asked. He was in a state of worry, raising the captain’s concern.
“The first…the first aid station… Bird Eye…” Echo had to brace himself, Ghost getting him to sit down. “It’s Bird Eye…she was needed at the first aid station. And the station…was taken over.”
“By who corporal?” Price demanded.
“AQ.” Echo answered. Both men tensed and shared a look.
“Bird didn’t come back on the bus? You’re sure?” Ghost asked.
“Honest sirs.” Echo said, looking like a kid who just admitted to stealing a cookie.
“Where is the first aid station, are there maps?” Price asked.
“Y-yes sirs in the office.” Echo said.
“Get them, laid out and get a jeep ready.” Price ordered. Echo was off like a shot, and Price called his men away from the game. The three apologized to the kids for leaving, assuring them they’d be back. They recognized the captain’s tone. They had work to do.
Graves had just arrived, driving with one of the buses loaded with wounded. He was unceremoniously shoved in. At least he could keep some of his boys safe. He was fortunate himself to make it out alive. Imagine his heart rate when he saw the 141. Graves had stepped into the office and saw the men looking over a map of the area he’d come from. Before they could object to his presence he spoke up.
“If you need any of my men, they’re at your disposal, but a majority of them are needed in pre-op.” He explained. The men stared a little stunned by his presence.
“You were up there?” Alex asked. Graves shrugged.
“Not long enough.” He admitted. Echo hurried to him seeing his struggle to stay standing and giving him a chair. "Whatever you need, I do what I can."
"You're saving your own skin." Soap commented.
"My boys were up there, along with good medics from this unit. I'm getting them back one way or another." Graves argued. "I'd prefer them alive."
The five men stood debating it with silent looks. Echo stood next to Graves, awkwardly. "Couldn't hurt to have extra hands sirs. B-but that's just my opinion."
"Could use an extra gun." Kyle mentioned.
"Farah is still out of commission, I hate to admit it but Graves would have knowledge of the terrain over there." Alex added. Price stared at Graves, almost glaring at him. One downside, Graves wasn't exactly untouched. He would need some recovery time, which gave them a chance to come up with something, brief him, and take him along.
"You pull anything..." Price warned.
"Only the trigger on AQ." Graves said. Before Price could officially agree, Graves added, "I didn't get a good look, before being loaded on the bus, but they came from the North."
The team was silent as Echo left the room. Echo was pretty good at ducking out to avoid trouble, and Borne was going to be pissed. Tracker might want to come along as well. Price's men looked to him for orders.
"Fine." Price said biting back some pride. "Show us."
Graves dragged himself out of the chair to look over the map. Alex looked around and found some bits and pieces to mark the aid station on the map. Graves marked where the enemy had come from, more possibilties were narrowed down. They'd have to scout the area for survivors anyways, but having an understanding of the terrain was crucial in case Al-Qatala decided to come back and finish the job.
Captain Bailey groaned, her head throbbing. Patient. Was her patient okay? Bailey forced her senses back and looked around. The room was dark but she could make out some dim light. She hissed from pain, noticing her wrists were tied with coarse rope. Fuck, she could deal with that later. Right now, she was concerned about the people laying in rows in the room. There were a couple of men with weapons by the doors, with small windows letting a bit of light in. Bailey had been tucked in the corner, sitting against the wall. Her shoulder hurt though. Her leg too. Oh that's why, they had bandages... over her clothes which still had some blood stains from wounded. If some idiotic AQ medic thought this was a good idea, she was going to give him a full lecture on blood types and transfusions.
The patient. Where was the patient? Keeping her movement careful and slow, she got to her knees to check the man closest to her position. Could she be so lucky? Well she'd gotten captured, so debatable. It was hard to make out features, but it wasn't her last patient. Bird looked up to make sure the AQ guards weren't paying attention to her. Next one down the line. Nope, not hers. Same patch though. If her ex had actually brought his forces into her shitty paradise he was going to get a much harder lecture... or a good night depending on how this went.
There he is. Just conscious enough for her to get his attention. "Hey bud. You still with us?"
"Y...ye...."
"Good. Listen the hotel doesn't have our room ready yet, once housekeeping is done we'll get you checked in yeah?" Bailey said, taking a moment to glance around the room. Her throat was dry, head still pounding. Was her vision blurring or was the room starting to spin? The Shadow gave her a nod and she gave him a nod.
Someone shouted, and Bailey looked up. A guard had spotted her. She stood up slowly following the guards angry gestures. The only thing Bailey could do was hope a few of them understood English, and thankfully one was able to translate. Bird was ordered to face the wall, hearing some guns click. Bird shut her eyes.
Then there was a loud blast. A flashbang.
The six men made it out to the aid station a few hours later. A few of the doctors and nurses came with them, tending to any wounded that hadn't been captured. Graves was focused on helping his Shadows while the 141 secured the area. Tracker had come along, running up ahead to the first aid shelter, hoping his comrade might still be there. Alex followed close behind, and Tracker stopped at the door.
The tables were covered in blood stained clothes. Pieces of shrapnel and bits of bloody cotton littered the ground. Tracker rubbed his eyes whilke Alex went past him. Wasn't the first time he'd been to a place like this, but it didn't make the second or third time easier.
Alex crouched noticing some details. Tools had been scattered on one side of the room but not the other. There were some streaks in what little dust was one the ground. Someone had been dragged. On the messier end of the room, there was a blood stain on the floor. A hand print.
"Tracker." Alex said, getting Tracker's attention. He gestured to the handprint. Tracker went pale. Tracker looked at Alex who remained expressionless. Then Tracker left the station, needing air. A wave of emotion came over the Captain as he tried to brace himself, trying to rid himself of the worst case scenario. Captured. Echo said captured. He had to remember that.
Alex came out as the 141 closed in on the shelter. Alex spoke to Price directly and quietly. "No sign of the medics, but they were here. Dragged off."
"The 627 are loading up wounded and casualties." Kyle said, coming up next to Price. Alex looked deep in thought.
"Something on your mind Alex?" Price asked.
"Why not kill them? Take out two medics, eliminate the first aid station, get more ground." Alex questioned. Price picked up on what Alex was suggesting. Just in case.
"Sergeant." Price said. Soap looked up at attention. "Check their inventory, see what supplies they might have taken. Ghost go with him."
"I'll come." Tracker spoke up, dragging himself over to the two men. "I know what they would want."
Graves came over to Alex, Kyle and Price. "There's good news and then there's well... not sure what kind."
"Good news first." Alex said.
"Anyone wounded has a fighting chance, and they're being patched and loaded up to go back to the MASH. Casualties are being taken back so their families can be informed. A low number considering how long they were out here with their injuries." Graves reported.
"The other news?" Kyle asked.
"The numbers are small. There were still wounded when I left, and not enough of them have been loaded up." Graves explained. Price didn't need clarification. AQ had taken hostages.
"What's the difference?" Alex asked. Graves shrugged.
"Estimate maybe... 10-15 shadows. Plus however many ULF." Graves said, just as Tracker, Ghost and Soap returned to the group. "The upside is they're likely still alive, but if they don't have proper doctors or supplies then it's another story."
"They have supplies, they nearly cleared everything out." Tracker said. "And they have Bird Eye, so a doctor won't be a problem."
"Bird was here?" Graves asked. That peaked some interest in all of them. Tracker nodded in confirmation. Graves shoved the notion aside, acting as if the question had never been asked. Honestly Price didn't care about his personal problems anyways.
The tracks were still visible, they had their target. They needed to move and fast. Something else was going on, but none of them wanted to think of what they might do to her.
In the jeep Graves was with Kyle, Alex and Price. Soap and Ghost were in the other vehicle, comms remaining open. Alex decided to address the elephant in the room. “You know this doctor?”
Graves honestly wanted to ignore Alex. “Had an occasion to run into her.”
“More than once?” Kyle asked from the front seat.
“…something like that.” Graves said. Neither Alex nor Kyle believed it was just that. Price turned and led the jeeps down another road, listening in. Alex looked to the commander, brow raised.
“You and Farah? Anything there?” Graves asked. Alex took that as a sign. He didn’t need to be a profiler to pick up on Graves relationship with Bird. Nor did Kyle.
Bird sat down, exhausted now. God they were giving her everything. Right now she would take anything to go back to the swamp. At least she could rest. Another of her captors came in and she requested another minute.
“You speak English?” She asked. The captor nodded. “Thank god. Could do without more shouting from your cheerleading buddies. Do me a favour, tell them to piss off.”
The man urged her to get back up and come with him. Bailey complied.
Soap exited the vehicle with Ghost. The two of them were counting ahead, while the other four stayed back.
“Keep up Soap.” Ghost told him. A small settlement was nearby, and plenty of guys with guns. Ghost set of his gun, watching them through his scope, while Soap watched with binoculars.
“See anything?” Soap asked. Not much. It could simply be an outpost, a large checkpoint, anything. They needed more signs. There were some vehicles, that looks like they’d been shot at, but still nothing definitive. If it weren’t for the weapons they would seem like regular civilians.
“Ghost, sit rep.” Price radioed.
“Estimate about 10 men, no patrol, more inside the buildings. Two battle worn vehicles, only half of them arm visibly armed.” Ghost reported.
“Any sign of the captives?” Price asked.
One of the doors opened, and another unarmed civilian stepped out. Something wasn’t right. There was more to do this. The vehicles were damaged but vehicles at the war zone were in a far worse state. “There’s two larger buildings, could be holding them there.”
“Ghost.” Soap said, getting the lieutenants attention. “South East Building.”
Ghost turned his attention to the second largest building. A woman stepped out with a man escorting her. There was a child in her arms. Couldn’t be more than a few months old. “Price we got something.”
“Send traffic.”
“Mother just existed the south east building, new born, couldn’t be more than a few months.” Ghost reported.
“Not first time kids have been dragged into conflict.” Graves radioed.
“She exited with a male, a medic likely from the aid station.” Ghost reported.
The four men shared a look from where they waited. What the fuck?
“Do you think…” Kyle started.
“They took the supplies, and two medical professionals.” Price said. Graves picked up on what was being suggested.
“So my men are hostages?” Graves questioned.
“That’s the odd part.” Alex said. “How much medical training do they have?”
“Basic first aid training, enough to recover their brothers off the field.” Graves said.
“What are your orders sir?” Soap radioed. Price looked between his men before radioing Soap and Ghost. “Sit tight, we’re on our way, weapons down, do not engage.”
“Copy.”
Price took the initiative with Alex to approach the settlement. Price raised his hands Alex, following his leads. The civilians pointed their weapons in a panic, seeing two armed men. Price explained his side of the situation, that there were four more men past the tree line, ready to fire if the men didn’t comply.
Another man came out of the building and approached Price. “We have 10 of your men, they are unharmed. They won’t be if you don’t leave us alone.”
These people weren’t AQ. They couldn’t be, AQ would have fired on them by now. “Please sirs, we need them.”
“We’re not here to do harm unless we have to. Let them go.” Alex said.
“We can’t we need them.” The man said. Then the first aider stepped out seeing Price and Alex. He went to the man and spoke to him in Arabic. Price and Alex waited, guns still trained on them.
“Captain Price?” The medic asked. Price nodded. “Captain Bird is inside, everyone is safe.”
The medic spoke to the man who ordered his men to stand down. “We could use some more hands.”
Price and Alex looked at each other. “What exactly is going on?”
The rest of the men were called over and the men were brought inside. They weren’t sure whether to be concerned or amazed. In the building was a small clinic, patients laid on the floor and a few shadows trying to help their wounds. Some Shadows were laying on the floor, their wounds too great for them to move yet.
The first aider did their best to explain but kept being called away to help with a patient. The general gist was that all of them had been taken from the first aid station to assist with patients. The medical supplies were to aid wounded and sick Urzikstan civilians. AQ had been attacking but they were eliminated. Unfortunately, the people here had some issues with outsiders, and trust was a problem.
Graves scanned the large room noticing some curtains in the back. They’d seen mothers earlier, likely where they were resting. Graves knew he was already gonna be in shit for his Shadow’s actions. Price could hear Major Borne throwing a tantrum about giving aid and with stolen supplies no less. He could also hear Laswell reminding him the risks of the situation he was seeing.
Once the medic finished with a patient, he returned to the group. “I understand the risks captain, but these people needed our help.”
“You’re right they do.” Price said before turning back to his own men. “How do we help?”
“You’ll have to ask Captain Bird she’s taken charge of the operation.” The medic explained.
“Where is she?” Graves asked.
“Other building, she’s been tending to the mothers.”
Graves wasted no more time, with Soap and Price following. Alex, Ghost and Kyle got prepped by the medic, given instructions and gloves. Soap wanted to see what Graves was so worked up about, and Price wanted to keep Graves and Soap out of trouble. And Price was concerned about Bird. The building next door was practically empty. Surgical table with creates and make shift cabinets. There was a curtain and some shuffling sounds.
“Bird?” Graves called.
“What are you so-“ Soap started before Graves pulled back the curtain to find Bird sleeping on a cot. Her green jacket was laid over her, her shoulder was visible, along with the bandage. She looked so worn out and exhausted for half a second Soap thought she was dead.
Graves checked her pulse, to be sure. “Bird? Bird wake up.”
“Mmh… was having a good dream…” Bird said slowly opening her eyes. Once she saw the man waking her she scowled. “Never mind I’ve entered a nightmare.”
“Very funny.” Graves said rolling his eyes. Bird sat up and Graves turned away immediately while Soap leaned over to see Bird’s surprisingly healthy body. Even with the bullet wounds. Bird gave Soap a friendly smile, not worrying about decency. She was a doctor, she wasn’t that bothered. Meanwhile Graves was trying to get him to look away. Now it was Bailey’s turn to roll her eyes as she stood up, pulling her shirt back on over her sport bra.
“Phil, he’s allowed to look.” She said, pulling her boots back on. “You’ve lost your table, I can give it to whatever guest I choose.”
“Bailey.” Graves said, pinching the bridge of his nose. Soap turned back around to look at Graves. What the heck did that mean?
“I mean if you want a shower, you might be able to join.” Bailey said, lacing her boots. “Sound okay with you Soap, or do you prefer the boogie man under your bunk?”
Soap went red in the face as Graves turned to give Bailey a look. Soap cleared his throat looking away and to the door. Of fucking course Price was standing in the door way, arms folded. Soap had never felt his face heat up this much. Was he having a heatstroke? Unable to meet his captain’s eyes Soap looked at the floor. As Bird got up and passed Graves and Soap she gave the Captain a charming smile and a pat on the arm. “You’re welcome to watch.”
That caught Price off guard. The three men shared a look with each other try to find out what just transpired. Okay no, focus on the Captain, or her work, helping, yep.
The men did everything they could, Bird giving them orders, Graves listening to every word. The shadows did their best. It was a lot of work, no wonder Bird had taken a nap. They were all exhausted by the end of it and Bird even had the chance to deliver a new born. Bird knew she would probably be in a lot of shit but fuck it.
Kyle came over and got her to sit down, give her some more medical treatment for her wounds. Now it was her turn for juice and cookies. Graves stayed in the room, wanting to keep an eye on Bird.
“So… what’s the story?” Kyle asked Bird, pretending Graves wasn’t in the room. Bird smiled sweetly, the way Graves used to miss. Kyle noticed her wrists were bruised. Not from hands at least.
“We were close.” Bailey said. “Careful with that stitch, the needles here are more leather than skin.”
“Why did they shoot you?” Graves asked.
“They were scared and one of them has an itchy finger. These people struggle with trust, the mothers have bastards, and some of them were forced into AQ.” Bailey explained gritting her teeth.
Kyle finished before looking up at Dr. Bailey. “You want some provacy with him or…?”
“Why you want to watch? There’s no popcorn.” Bailey said.
“Leaving.” Kyle said getting up while Graves sighed, dropping his head. Before Graves could say anything he was interrupted by Kyle remembering to close the door.
“Why are you look this?” Graves asked.
“Still haven’t found the solution?” Bailey teased. “Can’t help it, I’m part of the crazy generation, I was born a smart ass, and come from a long line of smart asses. It’s a wonder that donkeys don’t find me attractive. Then again.”
“Bird.” Graves said still leaning against the wall. “I’m serious.”
“You always are.” Bailey said. “It’s why we didn’t work.”
“That’s not the reason.”
“Then let me remind you what the reason was.” Bailey said standing up and limping over to the commander. “You wanted something, and I wanted something and we weren’t each others somethings.”
“Yet you came to Urzikstan.” Graves pointed out. As if Bird would give him the upper hand.
“I’ve been here longer than you, and working here on people. Saving lives and bringing new ones into the world all while being a pain in the ass to those who stop me.” Bailey said, lifting her nose. Graves would never understand how he could be taller than her and yet she could still stand over him. Graves stood up straight, matching her folded arms.
“Protecting people isn’t something you wanted?” Graves asked. Bailey sighed. Graves knew the reason, but it was something he believed in. Bailey held his arms. Graves remembered a pleasant night with her, when she did the same thing.
“Phil Graves… You’re a horse lover, not an ass lover.” Bailey told him. Phillip sighed laughing a little. Bailey smiled, knowing that would break his serious face. “I also don’t need you getting yourself killed by pissing off the Brit’s, one revolution is fine, we don’t need another.”
“It was work.” Phil said. “Business.”
Bailey smacked his cheek, just as Soap stepped in to check on them. Soap stopped dead in his tracks as Bailey smiled and leaned against Graves.
“Did you want to join in or spectate?” She asked. “Title fight after all.”
“The medic be needin ya Doc.” Soap said, looking at Graves who was looking the other way.
“I’ll be right there.” She told him. Soap shut the door, going straight to telling Ghost. Bailey pulled Graves face back over, to look at her. “You get your allies and enemies straight. Last thing you need is to be in the shower with your blood down the drain.”
Before Graves could argue, Bailey kissed him on the cheek and walked out. Graves watched her go, and shut the door behind her.
Taglist: @yourlovely-moon @kaoyamamegami @h0n3y-l3m0n05 @sans-chara @0wosugarmommymedic0wo @smitten-haematite-quartz @talia-the-gemini @yuki2129 @whitetiger846 @graystorm444 @chibiduck @reaperxxxxzz @danielle143 @sobbingnshtting @cringeycookies @cryingpages @dcnocap207 @reaper-chan666 @bestbookfriends @thriving-n-jiving @cutiecusp @shikigami-the-paper-spirit @lolyouranelf @theotheronedotorg