Page 12 of The Entire Team

“I just take drugs until the feeling goes away,” Sylvie deadpanned. Stitch grinned, which felt like a huge win because he was so quiet. The rest of the team laughed.

A floor LPN came in, “visiting hours is ending, guys.” He looked around the room, bags, wrappers, containers spread throughout the room that already had more people than it was meant for. “Wrap all of this up, huh?” The guys set about neatening the room.

Genie aimed at Sylvie, “Rave said you get released tomorrow. Where are you staying?” Rave growled at his team leader.

Tech and Red pulled Rave back to help them clean up. “Leave her be for a minute. Genie can handle it.”

“Yeah, he sized her clothes perfectly as far as I can tell,” Flash poked. Stitch got his hands on Rave as he lunged. Red and Techpushed in opposite directions. Tech pushing Rave and Stitch toward the door, Red getting in Flash’s face and sending him toward the window.

The LPN came down the hall seeing three of the guys pushing out of the room loudly. “What is going on?”

Tech snapped his fingers, “Mark Wahlberg.”

Stitch and Rave stopped in their tracks, looking at the LPN. Stitch tipped his head, “His skin is darker.”

“Not as tall,” Rave contributed. They all nodded.

“Thanks,” the LPN ushered them back into the room. “This is a hospital. I see we’re cleaning but you can’t act like animals. And time really is up.” Looking around and finally seeing his patient. “Sylvie, are you good? Do you need anything. Shift change is gonna slow everything down shortly.”

“Ice,” Rave interrupted.

“Can I get some sleep and pain meds, please?” Sylvie said privately.

He nodded subtly to her and headed out of the room. “Ice,” he motioned toward Rave. “And you all need to leave,” he motioned toward all the rest of the team. He got an echoed ok as he walked up the hall and laughed.

14

SYLVIE

When the LPN got back with the meds and ice it was just Sylvie in the righted room. “You ok?” Sylvie looked up at him as she emptied the med cup and grabbed the water on her tray. “They seem intense. Pretty sure there were at least three fights in the time they were here.”

“Too much testosterone,” she rolled her eyes. “But I don’t think you can ask for a better example of friends. They took me in and have stayed.” He smiled. She changed the subject, “And how is your family?”

Rave had walkedthe team out. When he came back Sylvie was stepping out of the bathroom. Genie had done a god job. She had changed into a grandpa sleep set; button up shirt and matching shorts. His mind immediately wandered to slowly unbuttoning that shirt and pulling off those shorts. She moved to the side of the bed, walking past him, “It’s all yours.” Snapping out of his thoughts he shifted uncomfortably. He was glad her back was turned to him; she hopefully didn’t see what she did to him. He had a feeling it was going to be awhile before they could explore any more of the chemistry they had on the ship. Heslipped into the bathroom and came back out. She was in bed, with only ambient light left in the room. He laid down on the pull-out chair. Forty-five minutes later he felt Sylvie looking for space. He reached for her, pulling her down beside him. She was cold, and he could feel the hair at the back of her neck was wet; she’d had a bad dream. He tucked her back against his chest and pulled the blanket she had over them both. Too early, Rave’s alarm went off to get to PT. He got off the chair as carefully as he could, trying not to disturb her. She settled into his warm spot. On his way out he brushed his lips across her forehead, she humphed in response. “I’ll be back in a couple hours.”

15

RAVE

“Did you guys talk last night? Are you sure this is what you want?” Red asked as they were driving into Tripler.

“No, she was pretty much in bed when I got back.” He sat on the other question as they went through the security gate. “She was amazing on that ship. We had moments and she made me feel alive and she was free. She still has the same fight. One look at her and I can forget all the shit we do.”

Red looked at him through his Jeep. “Ok, let’s go get her.” They walked in the front and saw Sylvie heading into the office to the right. Both followed her.

“Excuse me, you can’t just walk in,” one of the Soldiers tried to stop them just inside the door.

“No, we’re with her,” Red paused long enough to answer pointing in the direction of Rave. Sylvie was seated at a desk trying to explain what was happening. Rave came up behind her, the woman at the desk looked up and would not take her eyes away from him. Rave sat down next to Sylvie and Red took his spot. Sylvie looked around her when the woman didn`t resume. They all looked equally confused.

“Excuse me,” Sylvie looked at her. “They’re discharging me, and I don’t know where I’m reporting.”

“Why aren’t you going back to the unit you belong to?”

“I was on an exchange program, doing a sea tour. I got sent here for treatment and it was like an expedited transfer. So, I don’t know if I go back to the Navy or to an Army assignment.”

“Were you assigned a Special victim lawyer?”

“I guess,” Sylvie flipped through the business cards she had. “Here.”

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