Chapter 1: Introduction
The white walls of the hospital ward were struck with the dim glow from the overhead lights. The uniformity was interrupted by the stark, white bedsheets hung like flags of surrender, with every bed fully occupied.
Soldiers, both men and women, lay in various states of pain, their bodies battered and bruised from the brutal battles they had fought. The palpable fatigue hung in the air, heavy and oppressive, as the wounded warriors fought their own silent battles for survival.
“hold still
, Liz,” the medic whispered as he expertly bandaged up the wound on the side of her neck from a ricochet shot that had caught her off guard. The hot, sticky blood seeping through the gauze was a painful reminder “two inches to the right and that would have cut your main artery” – he added, tying off the bandage with practiced ease.
Liz grunted her acknowledgement, her dark eyes scanning the ward for any sign of her partner but he wasn’t anywhere around.
“alright you should keep that dressing clean for the next 48 hours-” the medic continued but she interrupted him,
“Have you seen Jager? He was right next to me when we got hit.”
The medic frowned, pausing his meticulous wrapping, “Let me check his roster, he might have gotten transferred to another ward.” Liz nodded, her heart heavy with worry. She hated it when they were separated, even if it was only for a short time she enjoyed his company both in the battlefield and in their private life. Back at the base, they would hole up together in their shared quarters, sharing meals, stories, and laughter; their bond growing stronger as the days passed.
The medic returned with a look of concern on his face.
"Unfortunately, he did get transferred to another Ward. I would suggest visiting him as soon as you're feeling up to it."
Liz sighed, nodding her head "Of course, thank you."
She put on a fresh new uniform and checked herself out with the medical staff. Her muscles protested as she got up, but she shook off the discomfort as she went to find Jager.
The hallway was busy, filled with the incessant sounds of medics and soldiers scurrying around, tending to their patients. Liz followed the signs pointing towards Ward 3 as she navigated her way through the maze of hospital rooms.
She finally found it, relief flooding through her as she saw his familiar form on one of the beds, peacefully resting. His had a white bandaid on his left cheek and a bandage wrap around the top of his head . She approached quietly, not wanting to disturb him, and pulled up a chair to sit by his side.
His short, raven black hair was even more disheveled than usual, but his chest still rose and fell with a steady rhythm .
She reached out, gently brushing his bangs off of his forehead, her touch light and feathery. His skin was warm and soft, and she smiled as she remembered the countless times they had spent entwined in each other's arms. Her heart ached for him and she wished they could be transported back to those peaceful moments.
A nurse came in to check on Jager and Liz stood up, feeling like an intruder in her partner's temporary sanctuary.
“He’s doing well. He woke up for a bit and drank some water, but he’s been sleeping soundly since then. He’s a strong one, I must say, most people would still be unconscious for days after taking a hit like that,” the nurse said, glancing over at Jager with a small, reassuring smile.
Liz nodded, her lips pressing together in a delicate frown. “I know, he’s always been a fighter.”
A hint of pride had sneaked into her voice as she talked about Jager. She couldn’t imagine a world without him, not after all they have been through together.
The nurse nodded, leaving a small cup of water on the side table before continuing her rounds. Liz sat back down and reached for Jager’s hand, gently weaving their fingers together.
The warmth in her partner's grip was instantly comforting,
and she could feel her anxious heartbeat begin to steady. She could only hope he would wake up soon, if only so she could make sure he was really alright.
Hours passed in a blur as Liz sat in vigil by Jager's side as he slept.
Every so often, she would run her fingers gently over the bandages covering his wounds, her touch seeking some sort of connection - desperate for any sign that he was getting better. But life in the military hospital was not kind, and the constant rush of medics and wounded soldiers going by made it hard to find any peace.
As the hours ticked by, she let herself drift into a half-sleep, leaning against the hospital bed, her head propped on her arm. As she rested her mind began to wander, to relive memories of them together.
next morning Jager woke up feeling much better, his cold blue eyes opening slowly as he saw Liz sprawled on a chair by his bed, her head resting on her arms. Her long, black hair curtained her face, and her chest gently rose and fell with even breaths.
His lips quirked into a small smile as he took her in. Even at rest, Liz radiated strength and determination, her presence quietly reassuring. He reached out, gently brushing her hair away from her face, his touch causing her to stir.
She opened her beautiful brown eyes, gazing up at him with a tender vulnerability that always made him feel protective.
"Feeling better, Liz" he asked softly, squeezing her hand affectionately.
She nodded, sitting up in her chair with a yawn, "Just glad to see you're okay."
A shadow of concern crossed her face as she examined his bandages, her fingers gently tracing over the wraps. The way her eyes lingered on the white gauze reminded him that she was always worried about him. But she was not one to fuss over injuries, her tough exterior betrayed by the gentleness of touch.
Jager felt a surge of affection, these moments alone with her were becoming his favorite part of every day.
Liz reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. "I missed you.", she murmured, tracing the curve of his thumb with her pinky.
He chuckled and replied, "I missed you too.” Jager gently sat up, wincing slightly as the bandages around his chest pulled. Liz’s eyes narrowed with concern, but he dismissed it. “I’ll be alright, just need to heal up a bit.” Jager assured her.
Liz looked relieved, but the concern remained in her eyes. just then a nurse
walked in, her brisk footsteps and efficient demeanor announcing her arrival before the curtain fully opened.
"Good, you're awake," she stated, her gaze flickering from Jager to Liz. "How are you feeling?" she asked, addressing him directly as she checked his vitals and the readings from the health chart
"Sore, but good." Jager answered, shifting his weight a bit to test out the stiffness he felt.
The nurse nodded, taking note of his answer "well your being discharged to day as of 10:30 ."
A wide smile spread across Liz face and she squeeze his hand, her happiness radiated towards him. A familiar fluttering tickled Jager's heart but he ruthlessly squashed it down.
It was important they stayed focused, and emotions were unpredictable.
The nurse finished her assessment. "The two of you take care of yourselves, and each other," she said, giving them both a knowing look before she left the room.
Liz glanced at Jager, her eyes sparkling with excitement. The pair retrieved their personal belongings from the footlockers at the end of their beds and then made their way out of the ward, careful to navigate around the medics and soldiers still going about their duties.
The crisp, morning air greeted them as they exited the hospital ward and the warm, golden hues of the morning sun bathed over them, lifting the stillness of the morning and marking the start of yet another day.
Liz inhaled deeply, a smile playing on her lips.
The fresh air invigorated her, awakening her senses, and energizing her spirit. Jager's warm presence next to her brought a sense of comfort that she longed for.
“Wanna get a bite to eat?” he asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
Her stomach growled in response, making her chuckle “I must say I am a little famished.” She teased.
They started making their way to the mess hall slowly. Liz rested her head on his shoulder as they walked, the warmth radiating off his body was soothing.
“Did you have any crazy dreams while you were unconscious?” she asked, her voice soft and inviting.
“Not particularly, I mostly just remember worrying about you.” He confessed and she let out a sigh to ease her mind. She liked knowing that he cared.
It was a simple, yet profound truth that brought her strength. The bond the two shared had only deepened over the years; their experiences, both life-threatening and joyous, had fused them together.
"Just worried about me, huh?" Liz teased, eyeing him with a sly grin she tapped him on the shoulder with a light punch “dummy” she said with a light blush on her face . “I was worried about you too, but I had complete faith in your indestructibility.”
Jager chuckled, his gaze warming. He enjoyed their easy, joking banter. It was refreshingly normal, a reminder of life outside the chaos of military. A moment of peace as they walked together.
As the entered the mess hall, Liz recognized some familiar faces, her eyes flickered around the gathering space where soldiers and medics gathered for meals.