My Soldier - Missing Home

Army Life

A/N ~~ Sorry I've been a little M.I.A been going through some stuff.. but I will reply to your comments later today as soon as I am home :) love you all! Hope your all having an amazing day <3



15th October, 2018

~~Day 10, Nepal~~

Normal POV

It's been 10 days in Nepal and I don't think we have stopped since arriving. I've been in the Medical centre everyday for at least 14 hours, but some of the days we have been here for even longer than that. The guys have been back in the village re-building homes for the local people so they have somewhere to sleep at night, as well as making some preperations to help re-build the School and Hospital, which are bigger and more complex buildings that are in need of more supplies to arrive. Trouble is, the roads are only getting worse so the supply trucks are struggling to make it through. The medical centre is waiting on some more beds, warm blankets and medicines but so far there is no sign of any of it all arriving anytime soon. The day we arrived we ended up staying at the medical centre until the early hours of the morning, helping Dr Karr to get a better system going with the constant arrival of people, we managed to get the main room arranged so all the people needing treatment are in sections ranging from minor to critical care. This way, we know where we need to be and where to send new arrivals. Myself and Dr Karr took on the more serious patients since he is very well trained in his field and he quickly learnt that I have a lot of experience in my field. Natalia got to work treating minor cuts and wounds around the other patients, and I can confidently say that she is doing an amazing job. She is impressing me more and more everyday and I am making sure to tell Charlie at every opportunity.

On the second day, Dr Karr introduced us to Dr Patel, another local Doctor who is also very well trained so she made sure to help in anyway she could with Natalia to help cover a lot more patients that are able to be treat and go home the same day. Thankfully, she also speaks good English so there is no hardship when it comes to communication between the four of us. I'm working well with Dr Karr, he was in his early 40's and small things about him remind me off Dad back home so we quickly fell into an easy, efficient rythm. As for Dr Patel, she was a little younger and seemed to quickly form a good bond with Natalia so things were working well in our two smaller teams. Plus, having a local Doctor with each of us meant we had a constant translator close by, which is always a positive thing. A couple of days later, the third Doctor came back from taking some time to deal with something personal. She didn't go into detail but by her tone of voice, it seemed serious and needed her urgent attention. I was a little surprised when I was first introduced to her, seeing she is English. She is small, blonde and younger than both the other Doctors. She told us that she studied medicine in India and came here to help where she could. She knows Dr Patel well so came here to help with her as soon as she heard she was here. She quickly fell into our rythm and became a Triage Doctor for the Centre so we would have a clearer idea on what each person needed in terms of treatment. This made things work a hundred times easier.

I fully expected the Doctors to want to rotate and take days off but none of them did. They were all so dedicated to helping they worked longer than we did. One of the Doctors stayed overnight to take care of the people who needed constant care so we often took shifts to make sure we all ate something during the day, stayed hydrated and to make sure the Doctors got some rest when they needed it. As much as I hated it, Charlie made sure myself and Natalia came back to the Base every evening to eat, shower and sleep so we wouldn't get ill from not getting enough rest. Kai and Tyler brought us to the centre every morning and picked us up when we were done for the day. It was nice having Kai as the team's main driver, seeing his face every time he would pick us up made me feel better and he'd always cheer us up on the way back to the Base on our bad days. Tyler was always on hand to fix anything at the centre being our engineer which came in handy more times than we'd prefer with the equipment we are relying on everyday. The guys always made sure to give us our space when we needed it when we got back but were always on hand if we needed them. We've already had some sights that I'd rather not remember. I have been expecting Natalia to struggle with some of the things we have had to see but yet again, she is impressing me by how professional she is when it comes to keeping her head in the job. I made sure to mention it to Charlie so we can both be on hand in case she starts to struggle at any point, something that is very common and needs to be handled with care by everyone.

"Ready when you are Lane." Kai says as he pops his head through my door in the tent at the Base. "I'll be out in a minute Kai, thanks." I reply and he nods before leaving me to packing the last of my bag. I'm sitting on my bunk, tired eyes and sore back but I know I need to keep pushing through. Being so busy has meant I have hardly been in touch with anyone from home, apart from a few messages to let everyone know I am okay and working none stop every day. I've had a lot of messages from Lizzie, updating me on what she is up too at home. She told me she was back in L.A yesterday after finishing filming on Friday, but not before having Dinner and a movie night with Dad and Maisie which made me smile instantly. I can't wait to hear her voice again, it's been too long since I was able to talk with her. I hate seeing her messages telling me she is missing me but I have to make sure the medical centre doesn't get too crowded or we'll end up having to be there for even longer than what we are now. Once everything is packed up in my bag, I take a minute to check my phone before leaving it in my locker so it doesn't get damaged during the day. As soon as I open my messages, I start reading through them all. A text from Dad checking in and a couple from Maisie telling me about her day. I smile to myself reading her messages before moving to read one from Tom telling me not to get shot which makes me laugh before seeing some from Lizzie. I open them and instantly my smile fades seeing her upset about leaving London. God this is so fucking hard..

I wipe away a stray tear from my cheek before I quickly send her a message in reply. I make it short, not wanting to upset her anymore than she already is. I make sure to tell her how proud I am of her and to remind her to take care of herself before letting her know I'm leaving to go to the Medical Centre for the day so she knows I won't have my phone. I let her know she is on my mind and I'm missing her before sending the message and getting myself ready to leave. I lock away my personals, grab my bag and go outside to meet with Kai, Tyler and Natalia. We load up and Kai begins the journey to the centre. "You sleep alright?" I ask Natalia, seeing her still tried eyes looking through the front window of the truck. "On and off.. The heat is messing with my body so much." She jokes making us all laugh and nod in agreement. "You'll get used to it eventually.." I begin before Kai decides to speak up as his eyes stay glued to the road. "We won't mind you stripping off at night Jones.." He jokes making Tyler burst out laughing as I just shake my head. "But then I'd have to kick your ass for looking at my tits Kai!" Natalia shoots back earning another laugh from Tyler as I nod and grin impressed at her. "Damn Kai.. That told you." Tyler teases making me laugh as Natalia looks my way. "I see your getting used to this lot already huh?" I ask making her laugh lightly and nod her head. "Hard not too." I chuckle and nod in agreement before the truck falls quiet as we get closer to the middle of the village.

"See you both later, stay safe alright?" I tell Kai and Tyler as they get back in the truck. "Always Cap." Kai winks as he climbs up into the drivers seat. "Take care you two." Tyler reminds me and Natalia before Kai drives away from the centre. We wave them off before I turn to Natalia, seeing her slightly sluggish demenour as she picks up her bag. "You alright?" I check in as we start to walk towards the office. "Yeah.. Just long days. I've never been on a job that has been this demanding. But I'll get used to it." She explains and I hum in agreement. "It's a lot to get used too and never be shy to ask for a break Jones. I need you healthy, so pushing yourself too much won't help anyone." I remind her, making her smile softly. "Thank you Lane. I will make sure to let you know when I need anything." I nod firmly at her words as we reach the office and go inside to gear up for another day. I slip on my gloves and look to see Natalia ready to go. "Make sure to stay hydrated and check in when you can alright?" I remind her and she nods her head confidently, knowing the drill by this point. "Yes Lane." I smile and follow her out the office door, locking it behind me to keep our gear safe before we move to get started. I spot Dr Karr treating our latest amputee who is waiting to be transported to a nearby hospital so that's where I head too first. "Morning Doctor." I greet and he quickly looks my way as I smile down at our young patient. "Morning Harley. How are you?" He checks like every morning with a friendly smile. "Peachy, yourself?" I joke like always making him smile. "I'm great thanks." He replies laughing lightly as he hands me the chart cautiously.

As soon as I read over his notes, I see why he was looking so serious when I arrived. His latest results are not looking good. "This is.." I begin quietly and I see Dr Karr nodding softly, knowing what I am going to say before I even say it. "I've been here during the night and it's been eventful." I nod in understanding as I flip the page to get a better understanding by his charts. I read over his vitals, seeing how his heartrate and breathing is getting worse from 24 hours ago. "What you thinking Harley?" Dr Karr asks as I try to come up with something to help him. "Let's up his pain relief then see how that helps. If nothing improves, I suggest packing the bottom of his leg and loosening the tourniquet slightly for an hour or two to relieve some pressure and swelling that could be straining his blood flow and therefore having an impact on his heartrate." I suggest and the Doctor smiles softly at my suggestion. "Great idea Harley. I'll get that in motion right away." I nod and put his charts back next to his bed, seeing the young man fast asleep. My heart breaking for him, he lost his leg trying to save his Dad from his home collapsing. Lost his lower leg in the process, as well as loosing his Dad. Poor kid. I pat his shoulder softly as Dr Karr comes back with some more medication for him. "We had a new arrival last night, young girl with a piece of shrapnel lodged in her back." Dr Karr begins to explain as he deals with the IV drip now in his hands.

"I removed the metal, cleaned and stitched the wound before giving her antibiotics but I have no idea how long she had been like that before they got her out and into the Centre so I don't know how severe her injuries internally could be." I nod and look over to find the girl, seeing her with an older man who must be her Dad. "I am administering antibiotics every 6 hours to help her body fight off any infection but her temperature is spiking every few hours still." I take in everything he is telling me before excusing myself to check on her myself. I approach where she is lying, seeing her Dad with red, bloodshot eyes looking down on her sleeping frame. "Hello Sir, my name is Harley." I greet and he looks over with a tired expression. "My name is Amar. Nice to meet you." His English is enough to get by thankfully, so I smile and nod my head. "Is it okay if I check on your little girl?" I make sure to speak clearly and slowly so he has the best chance of understanding me. "Yes of course." He steps aside and lets me near her bed, she is lying on her side so I carefully lift her top to check the stitches, looking for any sign of infection but everything looks good for now. I then check her vitals and notice her temperature is high. I move to read over her charts and see her medication is a little low in terms of helping with her high temperature. "I'm going to give her something to help with her fever. She's a little too hot which won't be helping her body heal." I explain and he nods with a small thankful smile. "Thank you Doctor." He replies softly making me smile and laugh lightly but I don't correct him since there is already trust built and he may not understand if I try and explain my official job title.

I leave the girl to check on some other patients as her new dose of medication begins to take effect, hopefully bringing her temperature down enough to let her body start to recover. I do what I need to do, cleaning and changing bandages as the day passes by. There is not as many new people coming to the centre now so we are feeling a little calmer and hoping the transport arrives soon for our more serious patients. It was supposed to be here two days ago but with the roads they are not getting anywhere right now. Once I have seen to everyone I need too, I return again to the little girl and to my surprise, she is awake. I can't help but smile seeing her alert and talking with her Dad. As I get closer, I see her bright green eyes staring back at me and I'm taken back by them. I take a second to shake away the thoughts of home creeping in before smiling as her Dad stands up to greet me. "Hello Harley.." He greets and I smile in reply. "Hello Sir, it looks like someone is feeling better huh?" I say light-heartedly and instantly he smiles as we both turn to see his little girl looking up at us. "Hello, what's your name?" I ask, hoping she can understand me. Her small smile makes my own grow as she looks right up at me. "Naya.. What's yours?" Her English is great, what a little cutie. "Nice to meet you Naya, my name is Harley." She smiles widely as I grab a thermometer for her ears. "Now sweetie, can I put this little end in your ear to check your temperature?" She nods adorably so I lean down and check her temperature, smiling as I see it's lower than earlier as I get rid of the plastic end in the nearby bin and take note of it on her chart.

"Does your tummy or head hurt at all Naya?" I ask and she shakes her head no. "What about any other pain? Does it hurt anywhere else?" I ask and she nods her head before looking between me and her Dad, obviously not sure on how to tell me. "Can you point to where it hurts for me?" She nods and points to her back, exactly where I was expecting her to point too. "That's okay sweetie. Do you feel too hot or too cold?" I check and she shakes her head. She is so cute I can't cope. "Okay does anywhere else hurt other than your back?" She shakes her head no with a small smile so I smile back as I write everything down before putting her chart away. "Your doing amazing Naya. How old are you?" I ask and she holds up 4 fingers and her 2 thumbs. "Your six! Wow that's great." I say excitedly making her giggle adorably. "Your funny.." She tells me in a soft voice making my heart grow a million times bigger at how cute she is. "Who me?" I joke looking behind me before turning back making a funny face which makes her giggle get louder, catching Natalia's attention as she walks past. "What's so funny over here?" Natalia asks looking down at Naya with a huge smile. "Well hello cutie, what's your name?" Natalia talks to Naya, making her giggling continue as I turn to Amar. "Your little girl is doing great. As soon as the transport gets here, she will be moved to a nearby hospital but things look okay with her for now." I explain and he reaches out his hand for me. "Thank you very much. Thank you." He shakes my hand before smiling at me. "It's my job Sir. No need to thank me." I assure him before he turns back to his laughing daughter. I take a moment to look down, times like this making all the stress and long nights totally worth it.

~~Monday Morning, L.A.~~

Lizzie POV

I finally let my eyes drift open slowly, my body still aching from the flight and on-going tiredness I've been feeling lately. Once my eyes are open fully, I slowly roll over to check the time on my phone, seeing it is late morning makes me feel a little better. I unplug my charger and roll back into bed, not having anything to get out of bed for today means I can just stay here for as long as I want too. I know I have to start unpacking at some point but for now, I am staying in the comfort of my bed. I open up my phone and instantly my eyes fall to a message from Harley. It's been hard not hearing from her everyday but the messages I do get have been comforting. I can't begin to imagine how bad things are over there so I understand why she hasn't been in touch so much but I really just want to hear her voice. I read over the message a few times, seeing her words makes me smile. I can't help but worry at how much she is working but I know there is no telling her to try and slow down. Her words bring me so much comfort as I read them over and over again before sending her one back. After I do, I move to reply to other messages and e-mails as my body slowly wakes up more. I see a message from Ashley checking up on me so I make sure to tell her how I'm doing and that I got to L.A safely before my body becomes a little restless eventually. I slowly get up and out of bed, heading to the bathroom to start getting ready for the day, even though it's nearing lunch time by this point I still do my morning routine then head towards the kitchen to make a coffee and a late breakfast.

After something to eat, I can't help but notice the bags sitting in my living room waiting for me to unpack. I hate this part of coming home but I know it needs doing today or else I'll have to do it in between work and meetings. I sluggishly make my way over, looking in each bag and suitcase and moving them to where they need to be before starting to unpack everything. I start with the kitchen, unpacking everything I took to London, as well as everything else I ended up buying whilst I was over there. I make sure everything has a place and is put away neatly before moving to the living room to unpack my picture frames and little things I have acquired over the last few Months. I can't help but smile as I pull out my new ornament I bought whilst I was in Cornwall with Harley. As soon as I put it down next to my TV, I start to let my mind wonder to the weekend we spent together. I can't wait to go back there one day with her, there is still so much she has to show me, as well as teaching me how to Surf. I snap myself back to unpacking as I finish in the living room and then move to my bedroom. I look at the bags sitting waiting for me to unpack and decide I need another coffee to get me through it all. I make myself a cold coffee then walk back to put some music on before getting started. I sort through my clothes that are already in my wardrobe first, piling what I want to keep and what I don't want anymore then making room for what I need to put away. I start with my bigger suitcase first and begin sorting everything into piles. I hang up what needs to be put on a hanger then fold what needs to go into a draw. Then, as soon as I move onto my next bag, I suddenly stop in my tracks at the first thing I pull from the bag..

Harley's Surfer T-shirt..

I can't help but hold it in my hands as I try and stop the tears brimming in my eyeline. Instantly my heart sinks as I can't look away from the t-shirt in my hands. It is the t-shirt I wore the day we went to the beach in Cornwall. It's the t-shirt I am wearing on the picture I posted in Instagram when we went public together. I don't think she even knows I have it with me, not that she would be mad, I constantly steal her clothes from her and all she does is smile that cheeky smile of hers. God I miss her.. I bring the t-shirt to face and take in her smell. That familiar aftershave she wears hitting my senses along with her natural smell, causing the tears to start falling down my cheeks. I've been trying not to cry over missing her so much but sometimes, I can't control it. I know it will get easier, but right now, in times like this I just let my emotions out anyway I can. It hurts more to hold them back. I hug onto the t-shirt before going through the pile of her clothes I have to put away. Hoodies, t-shirts, even joggers I have worn and stolen from her at some point all in this bag. There are even the clothes she has left with me in the apartment in London for when she stayed over here so when she comes here, she has clothes to change into. I love having her clothes here, a little comfort to know she will come back to me when she can. As I am folding her clothes, I can't help but wonder what is going to happen when she comes home in 3 Months. Will she come stay with me or stay at her Dad's back in London? She doesn't actually have her own place so there is nothing stopping her coming here at any time. Then my mind comes up with something I never expected it too.. The idea of her moving in so soon.

I snap away the idea, knowing it is way too soon to be asking anything like that. But the thought of having her here with me when she gets back is constantly on my mind. Maybe we can make some arrangements and she can stay here for some time to make up for her being away for so long? My tears are replaced with a smile at the thought of her being here with me every morning, going out together in L.A. and not worrying about being seen anymore. My heart racing a little at the thought of being so open and free with her. I let my mind wonder as I unpack most of my clothes and put everything away, then putting my bags and suitcases away, hopefully not needing to move anywhere else anytime soon. Once that's done I go back to my kitchen, knowing I need to go shopping for food. I walk around and make a list, already dreading leaving the house at all but it has to be done. As soon as I know what I need, I go to get ready, changing into some leggings and a vest top before spotting Harley's really comfy grey jumper in the wardrobe. I slip that on over my head, letting it hang off me but instantly I feel comfortable in it. I go back to slip on some shoes and get my purse and sunglasses then head to my car. I feel shaky as I get inside and put my sunglasses on, remembering how much worse the paparazzi are here in L.A compared to London. Something I have to get used to again being home. I set up my phone and buckle in my seatbelt, taking a deep, calming breathe before starting the engine and leaving my driveway. Hoping this little trip is uneventful and stress free..


~~Day 11, Nepal~~

Normal POV

"So bye, bye Miss American Pie..

Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.

And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye, Singing this'll be the day that I die.. This'll be the day that I die.

Did you write the book of love, and do you have faith in God above, if the Bible tells you so?

Now do you believe in rock and roll, can music save your mortal soul. And can you teach me how to dance real slow.."

I find myself humming along to the song playing into my ears softly as I am lying staring up at the roof of the tent above my bunk. Today has been one of those days that you can't let go off so easily. After a really positive day yesterday with little Naya feeling better, today we lost the young boy who lost his leg. His body couldn't take it anymore and he passed away just before we were due to leave the Centre. We did everything we could but nothing could save him. The transport to the hospital has still not arrived which is becoming alarming and some of the more serious patients are struggling with the wait. Seeing that young boy get moved out of the centre was when everything came crashing down on me since getting here and I can't switch off. My mind is racing with how many more people we could possibly lose between now and the transport getting here. Charlie seemed to pick up on my concerns during the meeting earlier and decided on taking a couple of days with the team to help with the road clean up so the trucks and ambulances have a better chance at getting to the village. Knowing the guys like I do, they will break their backs to get that transport into the village so I know if they are there, we won't be waiting too much longer. The next song begins to play into my ears and I've lost track of how long I have been lying here wide awake. I check my watch and see it's nearly midnight. Fuck sake. I check my phone and decide maybe some familiar voices might help calm my spiralling thoughts..

I slip into a hoodie and my boots then leave the tent, walking a small distance to where the guys have found the best phone signal to call home before dialling Dad's number. With the time difference, it should be nearing 06:00pm so hopefully they are both home. It doesn't take long before I hear a deep, comforting voice greeting me down the phone. The smile instantly growing across my face as he puts me on speaker with him and Maisie. Her overly excited voice making me laugh as we spend a few minutes just catching up on what she hasn't told me in her texts before they begin to ask me what it's been like here in Nepal. I tell them what I can without worrying them too much and they sit and listen as I talk about the Medical Centre. I hear some worried noises but they don't voice if they are worried or not to me. I tell them about Naya and instantly Maisie finds it adorable that I have told Naya about her. We spend some more time just talking as if we aren't so far apart before I tell them I am going to try and ring Lizzie. They instantly say their long goodbyes and come off the phone so I can try and reach Lizzie. Eventually Maisie stops saying goodbye and I come off the phone, already feeling so much happier hearing their voices. I just hope I get to talk to Lizzie now. I check the time and see it will be just after 12:00 in the afternoon in L.A. I click on her contact name and my nerves sky rocket. I hope she is free to talk. I take a deep breathe as I lift the phone up to my ear and wait for her to answer.. After what feels like a lifetime, I hear her beautiful voice in my ear and suddenly my emotions are at an all time high.

Lizzie - "Oh my god Harley! Hi.. I wasn't expecting you to call!"

Harley - "Hey baby.. Missed me?"

Lizzie - "More than I can put into words! Are you okay?"

Harley - "I am now hearing your voice.. How are you?"

Lizzie - "So much better hearing your voice Angel.. God I've missed you so much."

Harley - "I know, I'm sorry it's been so long. Things here have been.. Horrible here."

Lizzie - "Oh Harley.. You sound so tired. Hold on.. Isn't it like Midnight there right now?"

Harley - "Yeah I uh.. I can't sleep tonight."

"What's happened?" She knows me too well already. I instantly let out a sigh and begin to tell her about what happened at the medical centre today. She listens silently as I tell her before she quickly comforts me. I feel my emotions bubbling as I listen to her soothing words before I get her to distract me and tell me about what she has been doing. She tells me about anything she can think of to try and keep my mind occupied as I just lean back against the tree behind me and listen to her voice. Her voice is enough to make all my thoughts slowly fade away and brings me that comfort and peace I have needed since getting here. "Promise me your okay Harley." She says quietly snapping me from my calm place. "I promise, I'm okay." I hear a muffled sob down the phone which breaks my heart so I try and cheer her up, telling her about little Naya. Her mood picks up again as I tell her more about her which makes me smile. "She sounds adorable." I chuckle in agreement before a yawn slips past my lips. "Please go and get some rest Harley. As much as I would stay on the phone with you for hours, you need sleep." I nod to myself, knowing she is right. "Dream off me tonight?" I ask hearing her adorable giggling at my now very tired voice. "I always dream about you My Soldier.." We say a long, drawn out goodbye before reluctantly coming off the phone. I look out at the view over the hills and decide to kneel down and snap a pictures to send too Lizzie and Dad before going back to my bunk to try and sleep. My mind now in a much better place talking to my favourite people in the World as I replay Lizzie's voice over and over until I feel myself drift off to sleep..