In any ordinary life (In any oridnary Book 1) (33 page)

“Fred you in front scope around and cover us if necessary. Bill help me with Eric.”

   Walking out in the open wasn’t something Jeanie wanted to face; the wooden structure seemed to drop into the side of the cliff face and dozens of burnt out personnel carriers littered the road.

Jeanie felt the panic well inside.

   Hiding behind one of the carriers Jeanie pushed open the wooden door, the boxes inside where stacked high and the smell of decay was highly present.  Taking the gun from her pocket she scoped out the first door she came to.

“Right in here put him on the desk. Where’s Fred?” Bill had started to bandage up Eric’s leg wound and as he fumbled around with bandages and dressings Jeanie had started to venture back out.

“I’m going to see where he is stay here” Checking the small corridor Fred was no where to be seen.

“Where are you?” hearing two shots Jeanie ran to the front of the burnt out carrier and as he fell Jeanie looked up the roof. The masked man walked around the top looking for any signs of life, Jeanie pressed her body into the overhang and as she saw him walk by she grabbed Fred’s shoulder and dragged him to the side of the compound.

“He I didn’t cause……frie…” without another sound he seemed to take his last breath, she wanted to cry she wanted to scream but she needed to help protect who was left.

   Going back inside the building Jeanie cautiously made her way back into the corridor, there was silence. Bill was sat on the chair and Eric was no where to be seen. Jeanie feared for the worst and as she spun the chair around, his head slumped and the blood filled his lap. Jeanie didn’t want to look or breathe.

   Hiding behind the door she heard voices counting the footsteps under her breath she mapped out their approximate location. Loading the gun she counted again.

Twelve steps to the door, five steps to the racking. Go Jeanie you need to go now!

Hiding between the stacked boxes she made her way down to the clearing. Eric stood in front of another man, fearing for his life she moved closer listening attentively to the conversation. “She’s here I brought her.” Jeanie needed to get closer and as she crawled through the slight gap she crouched down trying to hear more.

“You said we would be together…You said you’d love me….” Jeanie confused glanced over her shoulder; the man grabbed hold of Eric and kissed him passionately.

Jeanie gasped never experiencing anything like it before. Crawling further into the tetris of boxes she tried to make out the masked figure.

“I told you before I don’t fuck degenerates….”

“I’ve done everything you said I took his picture like you asked and I even got that bitch to plant it. I even delivered what you needed to Peterson.”

“My darling boy don’t you understand there’s a bigger picture and you are just a stepping stone in a long line of stepping stones and like I’ve just said. I don’t fuck degenerates.”

Jeanie closed her eyes hearing the gun explode and the thud of Eric’s body hitting the floor, the realisation set in that this had been an elaborate ploy to lure her here.

   Jeanie adamant to find out more kept the figure in sight and as she backed up along the short walk way, she felt a tight hand over her mouth. “Shhh” Jeanie held her gun tight and as he spun her around she froze to the spot John wiped the tears off her cheek.

“Are you ok?”

“What the fuck is going on….” John cocked his gun and pushed her against the wall of the crates.

“Can’t explain now just stay here…..” as he smiled Jeanie didn’t feel at ease, watching him disappear around the side of the crate she knew this wasn’t the end. 

   John walked around the compound, sliding around the office door towards the far end he saw a figure tied to a chair.

“Ahhhh the delightful John didn’t know you’d even make it across…..” John lifted his hands as the gun dug into his skull.

“Always a pleasure!”

“See I know she’s here. I can smell her. Can’t you? You’ve dipped in the delights of Jeanie before….Come out come out wherever you are….” Jeanie slid around the boxes out of sight; looking at the man in the chair she knew it was James.

“John I’m sure you’re aware of your honoured guest.”

“I know you don’t I?”

“John we’ve met a number of times before and in some very altruistic positions.” Throwing him to the floor he placed the gun against the man’s head.

“Jeanie…Jeanie…..you need to come out and play now James really needs you and John well probably not so much.” Firing a shot he hit John in shoulder and as she heard a thud John fell to the floor.

“You know I wouldn’t think twice about killing him. Lets face it he’s not important in the grand scheme of things. But James well he’s needed elsewhere!” Jeanie still hiding she slid her body through a small gap, holding her gun high she quietly stepped towards him.

“Hello Mike long time no see.” Mike held his hands in the air and as he smiled coyly he coaxed her anger.

“Are you going to shoot me Jeanie? Cause you know I’ve done all this for you!”

“For me you’ve done this for me! Don’t be silly Mike we all know you’ve never been able to think for yourself. Well I tell you what else you can do for me…” Mike grabbed her hand the sound of the shot echoed around the warehouse. As he punched her, Jeanie retaliated, kicking him in the groin punching him in the kidneys. Running for the gun he threw himself in her path, Jeanie slid along the concrete floor connecting back with her gun

“Get the fuck off me. MOVE now you fucking piece of shit…” Jeanie kicked him in the face and as her boot connected the blood spilled out onto the pale grey floor. Still leaning upright off the floor she signalled which direction he should move to.

“Back off Mike now...Make another fucking move you piece of shit and I’ll shoot!” Jeanie blooded rose to her feet.

“Stay on your knee’s put your hands behind the back of your head,” Mike spat away the blood in distaste at her getting the upper hand.

“You arresting me now Jeanie?” Placing the gun at his temple, Jeanie sneered

“Just tell me why? What did I ever do to you?” Mick spat again. “Jeanie...Jeanie don’t do it.” Holding his shoulder John stepped forward

“Let me take care of it….”

“Do whatever you must. I have more important things to take care of!” John started to tie his arms together cupping them behind his back Mike dug his elbow into John’s shoulder. Lunging for Jeanie she placed her hand in her jacket. The shots fired and he fell to the floor, gasping for breath Jeanie stood over him with her boot on his throat. Mick squirmed as she squeezed the breath out of him and as the short gasps came and went. Mick reached for her hand.

“You know this isn’t over don’t you.” Still with the gun in hand Jeanie pressed her finger tightly against the trigger.

“You know we will always be with you Jeanie…..” as he lurched again Jeanie pressed harder against his throat.

“You know Signthorpe did this to me seems befitting you should have the same fate.” John placed his hand over the top of her gun.

“Enough Jeanie that’s enough…” John couldn’t move her, she was killing him, squeezing every last breath out of him and John saw her intent

“Your better than this I know you.” Mike began to claw at the concrete beneath him easing her boot up slight he gasped for breath

“Remember P is for Partridge…. Jeanie” John placed his hands over the barrel pleading with her inner moral compass.

“Move away he’s nearly dead and your husband needs you Jeanie...” Stepping back she saw James still strapped to the chair, looking at Mike on the floor she couldn’t walk away.

You don’t understand.” grabbing John’s gun Jeanie stood over the top of him.

“ I won’t remember you…this is done now!” Shooting him point blank the blood washed over the floor in waves.

“I hope you can live with this….this needs to be the end Jea.”

Brushing his hand away she ran towards James and started to undo the ropes, “I knew you where alive.” No response came from James, checking his pulse she looked at John.

“He must have been drugged John you check him I saw a jeep outside I’ll see if I can start it…” John sat on the floor throwing his head back desperately looking for a cigarette

“.Is it done Jeanie?”

“I’ve done things in this war to another human being that didn’t deserve it. What I did to him I don’t regret.” John watched her run confidently towards the exit. Sliding in at the side of James he lay on the floor taking his last cigarette he lit it and watched the circles disappear.

“I don’t really blame you!”

Chapter 32

John lifted the lifeless body of James and dragged him across to the exit, hearing the jeep start filled both John and Jeanie with relief. Lying James down gently Jeanie checked his vital signs again.

“We need to get him back to camp we can’t be more than twenty miles away.”

“You know questions are going to be asked about the rest of your men you need a plan...” Jeanie wiped away John’s grasped more concerned about getting James back to safety.

“Then I was ambushed.” Jeanie stopped mid sentence, “Listen do you hear that...”

“Yes what’s over there...?” Slopping around the side of the jeep she cautiously looked across the compound.

“Fred but I thought.” Hearing the moan Jeanie went to the corner of the building still cautious in case it was another ambush. John following her lead stepped around her so he could see. The soldier was dragging himself towards the compound and from the pools of blood around him there wasn’t much time to spare.

“For fuck sake we can’t leave him,” Jeanie gave John a look of stupidity, Jeanie still cautious looked around the roof and as she reached for Fred she started applying pressure to his wounds.

“He’s got one in the shoulder and looks like one in his chest,” Fred coughed, as blood spattered from his lips Jeanie applied what pressure she could to his wounds.

“Sarge…it was…”

“Don’t talk I need to get you home quick…John on three…” as Jeanie counted John flinched in as much pain.

“I’ll look after him. Can you drive?” John punched the side of the jeep, “We have to talk!

“Is this the time John. Look where we are.”

“Just get him the fuck in so we can go…..” The jeep started to bounce away from the compound and as she looked back Jeanie knew whatever she felt had to die with Mick.

   Applying pressure to Fred’s wounds she forgot herself, as he placed his hand over hers she smiled sweetly hoping to provide some comfort. John could hardly focus on the road the blood pored from his shoulder and his hand had started to become numb.

   Reaching camp and throwing the vehicle to the side of the medic’s tent, he fell out of the door already dazed and dizzy from the blood loss. Jeanie had already organised a stretcher to get Fred out of the back and as the next wave came for James he opened his eyes.

“What the fuck happened with this lot…” Snapping back into focus Jeanie tried hard to explain.

“We were ambushed we just didn’t stand a chance. The private has been shot in the arm and chest and they took our medic we think he’s been drugged. He’s just not with it but he’s just opened his eye’s.” Seeing John being helped by another soldier she took over trying to avert any more questions.

   Seeing the injured and dying in front of them John lay himself down on the nearest stretcher, “Soldier…Soldier you need to take him to…sorry Sir I didn’t see I thought.”

“Where do I go I just need something for the pain?” Flustered he ushered John into the wash room.

“Can you take off your jacket and shirt…umm looks as it has it gone straight through pretty clean. Has he had any pain relief?” Jeanie helped him take his clothes off, seeing his pain she answered for him. “No sir. I took over as the other medic was needed.”

“Don’t move anywhere I’m going to need you. I’ll get you some morphine”

“You owe me again Rutherford.” Jeanie smiled not wanting to argue or correct him.

“OK lets have a good look. Bite down hard on this.” Jeanie scrunched up her nose as the medic prodded and poked at the wound.

“Artery is in tacked looks as though it’s mainly superficial.” As the bullet fell in the pan, Jeanie kept pressure on the wound.

“Ok I’ve stitched you up right you…drop those I need you to wrap him up I haven’t got time I have to go sir I’m sorry.”  Leaving Jeanie alone she could see John become docile as the miniscule amount of morphine kicked in. John was laboured and heavy eyed and almost the most compliant she had ever seen him be.

“Apparently I have to wrap you up tell me if it hurts.” Taking off her jacket she lay out the dressings and as she started to wrap the bandages around him John rested his head on her shoulder.

“You can’t do that John what if someone comes back”

“I don’t care tell them it was a request from an officer they all think we are fucking interbred anyway...” Jeanie smirked knowing the drugs where doing there job.

“Ok sir you wounds are dressed your head is heavy and I need to check on James….” John caught her fingers and as he fumbled them between his own he contemplated his words carefully.

“I’m sorry I should have done better I tried to protect you.”

“It should be me. I should be saying thank you. I have my family back because of you. Please don’t apologise I understand…” John placed his hand around her waist pulling her back into him.

“Don’t go yet please I just need,” Jeanie stroked his hair around his ear

“You need a haircut…” Johns head still resting in the nape of her neck felt comforting and his words echoed sincerity. Feeling close to him felt right and wrong but finding James had also confused her more.

John stroked her hip drinking in her comfort feeling the kiss on her skin Jeanie had to catch her breath.

“John please someone could come back at any minute…” Resting his head on her chest he counted her heartbeat.

“I don’t want to loose you again…” Jeanie swallowed deep, just as she had travelled to war to save James; John had done the same for her.

“Why do you make me so confused…?” There was no sarcasm, or smart comment and he knew he would never get this opportunity tell her how he felt and make her understand.

“After all this I’ve followed you half the way around the world just to make sure you where safe. It would have killed me knowing you where in danger and I couldn’t help you. I’ve never fucked up as much as I did with you but I’ve never loved someone this much either and I know your going to walk away from me but I just want you to understand that I will always love. Even when you tell me I shouldn’t I just want you to know that I’m always here for you whenever you need me.”

“I appreciate everything you have done for me and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I love you. I think I owe you that.” Stroking her face she kissed his finger tips. Feeling his kiss on her cheek the sentiment of the moment pulled on her heart strings. Taking her jacket she slipped out of the side sheeting and as she stood outside in the chaos inside her own mind she felt at peace.

   Walking past the next makeshift medical wing, a gentleman sat outside with a cold compress and a pained look

“Someone looks as if they have had a good night on the tiles,” James lifted his head and looked at the soldier.

“What? Sorry do I know you….”

“That depends.” James looked painfully at her face.

“You seem vaguely familiar.”

“Glad to know.” Taking a drink of the water canteen, James seemed more confused by the riddles.

“How’s your head?  Did they tell you what he had given you?” James still looking deeply at her was vacant.

“I don’t understand.”

“Ok I’ll help I’m the soldier that found you. You where pickled on something and I just wondered if they knew what they gave you?” As her words clicked into the puzzle Jeanie took off her jacket, the unmistakeable scars which run around Jeanie’s collar bone and shoulder jolted James like a bolt of lighting.

“What’s you name?”

“Sergeant Jack Rutherford of the Engineering division at you service.”

“How did you get that scar?”

“This one well not that long ago some crazed psychopath tried to kill me and doctor I knew saved my life. I suppose would have been dead if it wasn’t for him.”

Dropping the flannel to the floor James stood up. “Can you follow me please? I just need to look at something.” Jeanie jumped to attention catching her jacket and followed implicitly.

“I have heard that name before and I can’t remember where. You see I know of a woman who had that scar and everything is just so…would you mind me taking a look.”

“I’ve heard about your kind are you one of those doctors…” James taken aback and still confused on medication hesitated at her sarcasm

“You winked…Why?”

“Because I’ve been looking for you for nearly twelve months and I was told you where missing presumed dead but now I know it was all a lie.” James startled by the response shook his head in disbelief.

“It can’t be she’s…” Jeanie undid her shirt, revealing the bandages and bindings she had worn to keep herself hidden and as James ran his fingers over her scars his disbelief continued.

“It is you it can’t be.” wiping away the tears Jeanie placed her hand on his cheek. “I came all this way for you for us because I was told you where dead and I didn’t believe it” James wrapped his arms around her pulling her tightly around him.

“I can’t say I like your hair cut.” feeling James near her lifted the weight which had been sat on her shoulders.

   John’s words on the other hand still played over and over in the back of her mind. Closing her eyes she tried to enjoy James’s embrace and as the affects of the drugs wore off his legs seemed to buckle beneath him. “Come on sit down.”

“I’ve dreamed about being close to you. I’ve dreamed about what I’d say and I can’t remember a single word.” Jeanie grabbed her shirt still conscious of her surroundings.

“I have too but not here. We’re still at war and I’m still Sergeant Jack Rutherford Engineering division. I’m just glad that you’re alive.” Jeanie started to put her shirt back on as James caught her arm.

“You have sores under your arms and they need sorting Jeanie.” placing her hand over his mouth Jeanie frantically looked around to see if he had heard. “Jack remember to call me Jack. At the moment they aren’t important but when we are away from this war and safe at home we will sort all this out. I have to go I love you.” James breathed deeply unable to comprehend that she was there with him.

“I’m going to feel like this is a dream in the morning I love you…..” Grabbing her hand he kissed her unable for her to disappear without proof. “I needed to steal one just to make sure.”

“I really have to go. I love you...” Disappearing from sight she stood outside trying to pull back to Jack, she also knew that her evening infirmary trips were not over.

   Jeanie sat on the chair at Fred’s bedside all that night, knowing they needed blood Jeanie sat and gave what she could knowing he wasn’t just a casualty of war but another victim. He had served his country and fought for freedom and the person to try to kill him was on the same side. Thinking of a logical explanation had become difficult; the fucked up nature of what had happened due to two American soldiers had devastated too many lives.

   Sat in the darkened infirmary she watched the laboured breaths of her responsibility and she realised why Mike had wanted her to come to war. She now understood that death was so much easier to comprehend when it’s your day job. She had killed, Mike had seen her do it but, what he hadn’t seen was the guilt and anguish it caused and the tears she had cried the first time it happened. Death was inevitable everyday; happiness was hard to celebrate especially when you had blood on your conscious.

The blackened room with Fred befitted Jeanie’s thoughts.

“You still here you know he’s got to do it on his own now.” Jeanie smiled and scratched her head pulling at her collar as she stretched.

“Doesn’t matter Sir I owe it to him to be here.” Clutching a clipboard the doctor bowed his head.

“You’re the lad that brought the other doctor back as well” Jeanie

“Yes Sir.”  Trying to discourage the conversation she looked at the floor just wanting to be left alone.

“Your not supposed to be in here you know…” The doctor could see the anguish on Jeanie’s face; she just wanted to be their regardless of the outcome. “I suppose a few moments more won’t do any harm.” As the doctor left Jeanie sighed heavily resting her head on the bar on the bed feeling her sense of duty.

   As the skyline filled black and red, the rains fell heavier and the winds howled around the camp. When Jeanie emerged from the medical wing another day was looming. Sitting on the embankment Jeanie clutched at Fred’s tags.

“Tough night soldier?”

“Yes Sir.” Jeanie didn’t lift her head

“How’s James.” again Jeanie didn’t raise her head

“James is ok still dopey but ok.”

“You know it looks like you are disobeying an officer from where you are sat so I think you might want to jump to attention...” Brushing down her clothes she stood and saluted, “Sergeant Jack Rutherford reporting for duty Sir.”

John threw away his cigarette and buried them in the sodden ground.

“Ok Sergeant at ease walk this way…” Jeanie dragged her feet, over everything that had happened she should have been elated that Frank Signthorpe and Mike Kowalski where out of the picture for good. All Jeanie felt was emptiness and alone in the feeling that she had let her men down and Fred had died with it. 

“I need to get you out of here.”

“John we’ve been over this before.”