Page 138 of Viral Justice

A flurry of movement at the edges of her vision caught her attention and pulled her further into the world.

There were people, lots of them, all in biohazard suits, rushing around with body bags on gurneys. A hand crossed her vision and she followed it back to her own left hand. An IV had been inserted and a tube led up to a bag of fluid, dripping its contents into her vein. Two other, smaller bags were connected to the IV tubing, also contributing to whatever was being administered to her.

A shadow crossed overhead. A tent, tall enough for a man to walk upright in, passed over her and settled around her. She wasn’t sitting up against the well anymore. She was lying down on a gurney. She tried to talk, but all that came out was a painful cough that wouldn’t let go of her lungs. She rolled to the right in an attempt to find a position that would allow her to breathe easier.

Hands supported her shoulder and back until the fit passed, then gently helped her to lie down again. Max’s face, distorted by the faceplate of a biohazard suit, hovered over her.

“Sergeant Stone, how do you feel?”

So, they weren’t alone.

“I haven’t really taken stock, sir.” She did an internal audit, but had no good news to report. “Breathing is difficult, chest is tight.” She coughed and something wet splattered across her face. She wiped it away with her free hand, and it came away bloody. “And this isn’t a good sign.”

“What did I say about dying?” Max demanded. “You’re not allowed to die.Ever.”

God, she loved him. “Honey,” she said conversationally, “I don’t know where you got them, but you can take the crazy pants off now.”

Instead of rolling with the joke, he paled and looked like she’d knifed him in the heart.

“Max? I’m sorry,” she said, shocked at his response. “I promise not to die.”

“She’s delirious?” asked a female voice.

“No,” Max replied. “She thinks she’s a damn comedian.”

The woman approached and nodded. “The tough ones are like that. It’s a coping mechanism for when shit hits the fan.”

“Hey, Dr. Samuels,” Ali tried to say between coughs. “Tough ones what?”

“People, soldiers, heroes,” the doctor replied with a tight smile. “Like you.”

“Give her a break, Grace,” Max ordered. “She’s had to put up with me and my lack of soldiering skills.”

“Ha,” Ali managed to say clearly. “You shot at two enemy targets and hit both.”

Max shook his head. “No, you’re right, Grace. She is delirious.”

Now who was the comedian? She wanted to ask the question out loud, but another coughing fit hijacked her body. Who knew how much longer she’d be breathing, let alone talking.

“Colonel,” she said, finally able to speak after several seconds of concerted effort. “Could I speak to you privately for a moment?”

Dr. Samuels looked surprised, but she quickly moved out of view.

Max looked at her questioningly.

“I don’t know how long I have, so I figured I’d better say this while I still can.”

“Ali, it’s okay. There’s no need to give me your report.”

Report? Either they weren’t alone or he was trying to put off the bad news. “You are the bravest man I’ve ever met.”

He stared at her like she’d just spoken gibberish. “What?”

“Didn’t you know? Brave doesn’t mean aggressive. It means putting other people before yourself, putting their safety before your own. You’ve never once hesitated to do that.”

His mouth opened and closed a couple of times before he managed to say, “Well, some might just call me...slow.”

“Tell them to talk to me. I’ll set them straight.” She smiled at him, tasting far too much iron on her tongue. “I love you. I wish we could have had more time together.”

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