FRAGMENTS ; Simon Riley

Chapter 25.

ROSALIE.

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"My entire sky craves only your star."

LAYING down, lazily, on the bed, it seemed to be in paradise again. Lost in my dreams and the warmth that engulfed me protected me, just like everyday. Only a few rays of sun peeked from the grey closed curtains of the room, letting a mysterious magic hang in the cool air.

A familiar scent lingered in the air around me, something that smelled like pure love and affection, a connection between souls.
A low hum rumbled from my chest as I stirred, my head was laying somewhere warm and comfortable, making me want to stay put forever. A steady heartbeat, lulling my body to relax and be at peace.

"Love, the alarm went off fifteen minutes ago." Again? I thought you knew I wanted to stay here.

"Five more minutes.." I protested quietly, earning only an amused chuckle. Then a sweet melody came out, our sweet, sweet melody. The one I always found myself humming. Even now.

A hand snuck inside my disheveled hair, caressing my scalp just the way I adored. This man made me so weak. How could I even move after getting those scratches?

"You're going to be late for work."

I know.. five more minutes, please?

"And I need to train Claire, come on, get up baby."

I thought he knew I despised her presence around him--though I trusted him with my whole being, I didn't trust her.

"Claire? Seriously?" I asked, raising my gaze to meet his, only to find his frowning expression, disappointment written all over it.

"She stayed by my side. You abandoned me. Remember?"

What? I never did..

"Simon, what are you saying?"

"You left me alone for two years, Rosalie."

My eyes fluttered open, rivers of tears running down my cheeks as small sobs escaped my lips. I sat up from the bed, my chest rising and falling quickly. It felt real, too real. The room was dark, the only source of light was from the moon shining above the tiny window.

Silent cries filled the cold air, I was hugging my knees, rocking myself softly to soothe the ache in my chest and the dizziness. It wasn't real. 

Three days had passed, Simon was still away while I was helping around the base. I'd often catch glimpses of Claire, being the perfect sergeant, guiding teams and offering herself to fill out reports -- the classic, the one that could've taken any man away. As if she hadn't done that already with me.

I couldn't blame her for being pretty and gentle-hearted, one of Simon's weaknesses.

My nights went on with nightmares, memory lapses, memories coming right back, then tangling with dreams that left me wide awake for the rest of the night. I had stopped taking my medications, I didn't need it anymore, it was useless.

I was suffering from constant headaches and aches, but as soon as I gazed at the lucky charm on my rifle, my nerves soothed.

I had detached the rose from the rifle and attached it to my dogtag's chain, so that I had it everywhere, finding myself fiddling with it every now and then. I felt like I was slowly going crazy. Was it worth it to accept the position on the team? 

And even tonight, I was awake at four am already, on my feet, making my way to one of the vending machines to grab a coffee. We were in the middle of nowhere, snow covering every corner, it was damn freezing.

Teams came and went away, loads of soldier getting rushed to the medical wing.

I'd occasionally go and help out, when the work got too much or some nurses were tired, I was always ready for action.

Until today, an emergency calling over.

I was rushed in the meeting room, still in my uniform, stained with blood and antiseptic. Everyone was around the table, looking at Price with concern, "We have his location, he hasn't moved from that damn tunnel for weeks."

"Did the mission go well?" I asked, among the silence, everyone's head turning towards me. "It was tough--we lost many men, but most of the teams came back safely to the base." My heart fluttered, my hands started shaking in the pockets of my uniform.

"They're.. back?"

"Yes, they just had landed. You should probably rush there to help out the injured from Medevac." At Price's words, I immediately turned on my heels and excused myself, my feet guiding me towards the exit of the building.

I could feel my heart beating against my chest, the sounds around me fading, my mind focused only on the thought of him. Please, make him be okay. Please.

Don't take him away from me again, not again.

I hadn't noticed the momentary shortness of breath, as I ran through the crowd of soldiers who were ready to leave on other missions, and others who had just returned, exhausted and dirty.

I was almost to the landing point, and I recognized some familiar faces -- including Claire's teammates. So he had to be there, surely.

For a millisecond I had a glimpse of his skull mask, his broad figure getting down the chinook, the usual M4 hanging from a shoulder. Wait for me, I'm almost there, please. His eyes lurked around the crowd, before they met my desperate gaze as I pushed past soldiers.

"Sergeant Nova! We need help here-"

"The lieutenant is injured, I'm sorry. There are other nurses in the medial wing." I immediately brushed off someone's request, since when did I become selfish?

Simon stood there, his gaze softening beneath the mask, before he started to walk towards me, "Sergeant Nova- It's urgent, this soldier might lose an arm!" I was caught between saving someone's life and finding happiness again.

Just as I was about to reply, a hand tugged my wrist, the soldier on the stretcher begging me with his eyes to help him.

And when I turned my gaze back on Simon, Claire was standing right in front of him, checking frantically for some injuries. It felt like a stab in the chest -- why was she getting so close to him? Knowing that his wife was back in his life.

"Okay.. I'll be right with you. Bring him in the emergency room." I murmured to the soldiers, observing my husband walk away with his sergeant, side by side.

Was I too late?