Ch.22 Recovery

Riggs

Since mission in Spain, it's been really slow here.

Well maybe not. 3 of the unit leaders are still in recovery which means the soldiers in our units have nothing to do and cannot go on a mission.

I wanted to send them home for the next few weeks but we dont have the resources.

We were in Spain when a war broke out. Some are saying it's the next World war. By the looks of it, they're right.

Which means us soldiers are going to be short handed. The government will focus their spendings on civilians and active duty soldiers. If they need us, they'll come get us.

"Sergeant, How are you feeling?" A newer recruit followed me around, asking me if I felt better every single day. He was probably trying to help speed along the process so he can get some work.

"I'm better. Not cleared to go back to active duty just yet so." I shrugged and sat at a bench nearby.

"Anything I can d-"

"Private, do you have a girlfriend?" I held my hand up to block the harsh rays of the sun.

"Yes sir, well, a wife sir." The kid stood straighter.

"I thought so," I pointed to the light circle around his ring finger.

"Go write her a letter or a poem or something sweet and mail it home." I smiled at him at his face lit up with excitement.

"Yes sir. Thank you." He saluted me and walked off towards what could only be his cabin.

Now that the fly is out of my hair, I can go see Dylan.

I stood and walked towards the therapy center.

She's been in here the last few weeks, trying to recover.

Physically? She still has a few bumps and bruises. Mentally? She's scared. Frightened of new people or anyone touching her.

Dylan, well she's in rough shape to say the least.

"Riggs." Avery nodded at me as I passed by.

We were also in rough shape. We didn't seem to see eye to eye on things nowadays.

We keep getting into petty arguments about our units or Dylan or even what to eat.

"Sergeant Perish,She's in therapy right now." Margot greeted me.

I had threatened to get her discharged and blacklisted if she even looked at any of us the wrong way.

I had that power now.

"How long till she's done?" I squared my shoulders and looked over at the little white tent.

"About 15 minutes,sir." Margot handed me the sign in sheet. Probably to prove she wasn't bullshitting.

"Gotcha. I'll be back then." I gave her a smile and walked away from the makeshift counter.

15 minutes. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?

A muffin from the cafeteria? Quick chapter in a book? 10 minutes by myself with a playboy magazine?

The first option would probably be the safest so I can get Dylan something to eat. I've been trying to fatten her up but the stress just keeps eating away at her.

"Riggs! Hey. Where you off to,Mate?" An Australian recruit named James came jogging over to me.

James has been like a shadow to me. He's always here helping out if I need it or spewing random Australian facts.

"Just the cafe, you need something?" I hitched my thumb in the direction of the big brick building.

"Aye, I wanted to get some bangers and mash." James winked at me and started walking towards the mess hall.

Australians were weird.

"How's Richards?" He asked once we were in line.

"She's hanging in there." I reached over the metal tray slider and grabbed 2 blueberry muffins and 2 water bottles.

"It'll get better, mate. Give it time." James threw me a smile and left the line.

"I hope so." I mumbled.

—-

Dylan

"You did extremely well today, Love. I'm proud of your progress." Renae, my not shrink but shrink, gave me a light hug as we exited the tent.

"Me too." I smiled at her and rubbed my arms.

"My next Patient is already waiting so I must go. Take care, Dylan." Renae gave me a sweet smile before escorting a girl into her tent.

I looked around me to see where Riggs was but I couldn't find him.

"Riggs?" I asked and took a few steps forward, which lead to me accidentally bumping into someone.

"I'm sorry, Miss. You okay?" The man held my arm.

Breathing suddenly felt too hard to do. My sight began to cloud with panic.

"Please let go." I huffed and pulled my arm.

"Are you okay?" He asked and dropped my arm.

I took a few steps away and began to hyperventilate.

Where's Riggs? Why isn't he here?

"Nurse!" The man walked over to me.

"Dylan, breathe." Riggs was now in front of me, hands on either side of my face.

"I-I can't. It's too hard." I felt light headed.

"Yes you can. In and out like we practiced." He had helped me through more panic attacks then I can count.

"In," he took a deep inhale and I did the same.

"Out," then we both exhaled.

We did this a few times before i finally calmed down.

"Where were you?" I asked in a shaky voice.

Riggs pulled something out of a bag and sat it in my lap. I looked down to find a muffin.

"So you left me here alone, for a fucking muffin?" I scoffed and stood up.

"Dylan, wait!" Riggs called as I stormed off.

I hated being alone out here.

I wiped tears from my eyes and walked down to headquarters.

Maybe I just needed to get back on the sattle. Avery said when I was welcomed to run a unit by myself when I was better.

"Dylan." Riggs caught up and was now walking beside me.

"I fucked up, Im sorry. I just wanted to get you some breakfast. You haven't been eating lately and I dont kn-"

I stopped and turned towards him, "I dont need a father, I need a supportive boyfriend. Ill eat when Im hungry, Ill sleep when Im tired, and Ill work when I want to fucking work."

"Fine." He shook his head and went off in the opposite direction.

Im being irrational and I know it.

Its just hard.