Trustworthy help

18. Leave.

At work I get called in to the general's office. I knock twice 'luitenant Harris reports.' I say from outside the door. 'Come in luitenant.' I open the door and close it behind me. 'Have a seat.' The general says. 'Harris we got reports of one of our bases in Iraq being under attack. The numbers of wounded are adding up, and the surrounded bases can't keep up. It's a dangerous situation, and if we don't do anything soon, many lives will be lost.' I look at the general, taking in the situation He explained. 'We need help. We need your help.' I keep my face natural as I try not to get to worked up over it. 'You and your team are best qualified for the job. So my suggestion is, you go with your team and your medical team to help out.' I clench my jaw. 'My personal situation has changed, general. It's harder for me to just get my stuff and leave.' I say as I think of the situation corpse finds himself in at the moment. 'We all have a family, luitenant. Everyone stuck in that base has a family, friends, kids, or a relationship.' I stay silent at his words. It's not like I didn't know that.

'I got back five weeks ago. Is it really appropriate for me to leave? Marksen hasn't been deployed in a while, he's just as qualified for this job as I am.' I say. 'He's going too, but just him won't be enough. I know it's a lot to ask.' He says. 'General, I have someone I need to take care of who has way to many unsolved medical conditions. Next to that there's someone who just got diagnosed with cancer. I can't just leave. I'll have to think about it.' I say. 'Every second you think about it, there will be a fight in Iraq.' I get irritated now, so I stand up. 'If there's someone who knows that, it would be me. I risked my life out there two months ago, you really don't have to lecture me, general. I am a nurse. Not a soldier you can send into battle whenever you wish, I have my deserved time at home. If I want to go, I'll let you know. I have a team who needs to agree too.' With that I walk to the door 'you'll hear what my decision will be, general.' With that I walk out. These people only work a desk job. He doesn't know about war. He doesn't know how exhausting it can be.

I make my way to the training field and walk up to my team who is being trained by someone else. 'Attention!' The Sargent says. Everyone stops and turns to us. 'Morning fella's.' I say. 'Luitenant You're back!' Everyone walks up excitedly. 'I have to talk to you guys, please get in line.' I say. They stand in two rows, neatly equal distance apart like I thought them. 'Alright, listen up. The general has a mission for us. He wants us to go back to Iraq.' I pause, looking them over. They don't really react as they wait for me to explain more. 'One of the main bases is under attack. Many people got hurt already and the numbers are counting. If we don't step in, a lot of them will go home in body bags.' They still look at me and wait for me to say more. 'I know we haven't been home long. I know it's dangerous. And I know it's going to be a hell of a lot of work. But what do you guys say?' There's a short silence before the first speaks up 'where you go, we go luitenant.' I try to keep my smile back. I expected that answer. 'It's all in or all out.' I say. This means we're going. I apologize to corpse in my mind. It doesn't have to be long. Four weeks, tops. 'Are we in?' On of the team asks. 'Ohaa!' They call out in unison. 'Alright. Don't expect it to be long though, I have shit to do over here too.' I say. 'You got it ma'am.' I hear someone says. 'Jonsen, report the situation to Sargent Marksen. Everyone else, back to your training.' I order. Jonsen jogs off as everyone also gets back to what they were doing.

I make my way back to the general's office and hesitate before knocking. I really don't want to do this to corpse, but it's my duty to go. With pain in my heart, I knock on the door. 'Luitenant Harris reports.' The door opens, surprising me. 'Glad you're back. Have a seat.' I sit down 'I've talked to my team and they're willing to go. Though I'm not going any longer then four weeks.' I state. 'That's a very short time, luitenant Harris.' I lift one eyebrow 'do you want my team and me to help or not?' I ask. He takes a second before nodding 'very well. No longer then four week. I'll call you when the leave will be.' He says. 'Understood.'

I get back home, being greeted by corpse who opens the door before I can. He hugs me for a bit before letting me in. 'How was your day?' I say as I take my boots off. 'Fine.' It smells like food. 'Did you cook?' I ask. He nods and he walks with me to the kitchen. 'You didn't have to, wasn't it hard?' I ask. It looks and smells amazing though, and I was a little worn because of work. 'It was fine, are you hungry?' I nod.

I set the table and we eat. 'I'm going to go to my moms place for a while.' Corpse says. 'Will you be okay?' I ask. He shrugs 'I have to go.' I look at him. I do to, but I don't want to disappoint him. 'Corpse....' he looks at me 'I'm going back to Iraq.' His face drops as he stops his hand halfway of going to his mouth for a bite. 'They asked me to leave this morning. A very dangerous situation has created, needing everyone able to help.' He looks away. 'I'm really sorry. I told them I'm not leaving longer then four weeks, so it's not the usual time.' I say. 'When?' He asks as he puts his fork down and is still not looking at me. 'They'll call me. Somewhere around now till a week is usual.' He clenches his jaw. 'I'm sorry, I don't want t leave you alone but it's my job and my duty to protect them.' I say. He stands up and walks off without saying anything. I let out a breath and hold my face in my hands.

I really fucked up, didn't I.