Page 8 of The Entire Team

She wrinkled her nose and avoided his eye contact, “yeah.”

“Hey,” he tipped her chin up with his hand. “Don’t get shy with me after that. That was fucking amazing. I definitely want to continue exploring this.” She wanted some privacy and a chance to think. “I’ll wait outside.”

10

RAVE

They stopped back through the ship after their mission. SOAR was able to refuel and they were able to shower and refit. After initially talking with the CO they headed for food, knowing they wouldn’t get a lot of time. The team took a circuitous route to stop by the Clinic. Rave was obviously hoping to see Sylvie again; the guys just wanted to razz him about it. When they stepped in, they were greeted by a Corpsman. “Can I help you? He asked.

“Is Sylvie around?” Rave asked, as the guys fanned out around the room.

“She was transferred off the ship a few days ago. How do you know her?”

“Why?” Genie interrupted the question. The team’s ears perked up.

“She slipped, fell down a flight of stairs heading into the main aircraft bay. Doc,” he motioned toward a back office, “got her transferred back to the States. Now how do you know her?”

“We met her on our way through last time.” Tech answered. Pulling the Corpsman’s attention in another direction.

The doctor stepped out of the office. “Can I help you?”

“We were looking for Sylvie,” Rave responded.

“Ah, yes, I needed to transfer her after she got hurt.” The team looked at him suspiciously. Sylvie hadn’t struck them as clumsy. “I was sorry to lose her she was a great medic. Able to work on her own, which I don’t always get. As you are friends, you should be able to contact her and get any other information you’re looking for.”

The guys smiled. “Smooth, doc.” Genie answered. “Thanks for the information. We’ll reach out now that we can.”

As they backed out of the clinic and headed to a mess deck they continued amongst themselves. “You got her information before you left, right?” Tech asked.

“Sure. I haven’t heard from her yet though.”

“Well, don’t wait. If she got hurt, she may be delayed getting to her stuff and she likely needs help.”

“Do you really buy that?” Red asked.

“I think either way, she’s definitely off the ship. The closest facility is Tripler.” Genie answered. They settled down to eat. Finishing up their rest stop and regathered with the SOAR crew to get home.

11

SYLVIE

Sylvie had managed to get her cell phone turned back on and was going through the normal catch up of emails, updates, and texts. She’d already been at Tripler for a week in the Med-Surg ward, not sure when she’d be able to leave. She was trying to get herself together and starting to worry about what would happen to her when she was released. She was almost through her emails and came across one from Rave.I guess his mission was pretty short, she thought as she opened it.

We got back and you weren’t on the ship. Running is useless. I’ll find you. N

She had just opened a reply box when her phone started to ping as text messages came in.

Where are u?

Are u ok?

I need your room number; they’re trying to stop us.

She dropped her phone, started to work her way off the bed. They were coming and she did not want to look as bad as she felt. She could not be bedridden when these guys showed up. She had almost gotten her feet on the floor when her doorway darkened.

“You didn’t fall,” Rave said looking at her. The right side of her face was a massive bruise, her eye swollen shut. Stitches around her eyebrow ridge reaching her cheekbone. She was guarding her left ribs. The team finished pushing Rave in and saw the same thing. For a second time around her they were speechless.

“What the fuck!” Red muttered, his voice hard. Clearly, she’d been right. That anyone would do this to a woman was bad enough; and they saw it regularly; but a Sailor was too much.

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