Upon reaching the grounds of the dominating hotel grounds Jude led the way over to a seating area overlooking the famous Waikiki beach beside the black railings which ran along the top of the low pink painted wall. Under the shade of a large palm tree the two men had privacy in their area for most of the hotel patrons had left for the day sightseeing or had decided to sunbathe on the world renowned sands. After ordering two waters to quench their thirst after the short trek back from the cafe Jude tipped the Waiter and then glanced at his companion.
"I still get nightmares. Wake up sometimes and for a few seconds I think I'm actually back there."
"What happened over there is a part of us. It's the same for everyone who serves," Conrad acknowledged, "guess if it doesn't affect you you have no soul."
"You believe that?"
"People react differently but anyone who isn't upset or ....... disturbed by what they see in combat is stone cold. I knew a couple of guys who just looked on it as what happens in war. I know they never lost any sleep over the things they saw or ..... the things they did."
"I thought being a Medic would shield me from the moral issues," Jude sighed, "I was a fool."
"Once you go out with a Unit you're with them," Conrad acknowledged as he swirled the ice cubes in his clear drink, "damn the humidity here is as bad as it was over there."
"Yeah. That was another enemy. The weather over there. Most days it was was like walking around in a sauna," the Surgeon recalled in distaste, "I'm glad I packed shorts for here."
"Damn this place must cost a fortune," the Resident gestured to their plush surroundings seeking a change in subject, "how much extra did it cost to switch from the hotel the charity organized?"
"A few hundred," Jude lied easily for he had only booked the Hawaiian.
"I'll pay the difference," Conrad shook his head, "I usually don't stay in 5 star hotels with luxury gift shops."
"You better pick up something for Nic or she's going to be cheesed off."
"A fridge magnet?"
"Think she'd prefer something from the designer store we passed in the lobby."
"I'm useless with womens' fashion."
"Me too," Jude nodded before becoming serious, "you've never spoken about that day in the compound. You saved my life."
"It could have been anyone," Conrad shrugged.
"But it was you and you paid a heavy price."
"It was years ago. Why talk about it?"
"Guess because we never have," Jude explained as he closed his eyes and swapped the heat of the Hawaiian sun for Afghanistan in his minds' eye as the scene came alive .......
Afghanistan
Although it was day a darkness had descended as sand dislodged by numerous explosions blocked out the searing sun and helicopters descended to help. Jude was stunned momentarily but soon got his bearings and dislodged the form lying over him as he eyed the broken crate of medical supplies now strewn around the area. Moving cautiously once he realized he was uninjured the tall man yelled for help as he carefully turned the young Medic over onto his back. The obvious injury of a stick of wood sticking out of the mans' side was quickly packed as he was tossed a medical kit and two Soldiers helped him transfer the unconscious patient to a stretcher. Three hours later Conrads' wounds had been assessed and treated. The wood had missed doing any internal damage. The relief at that however had been shortlived when it became clear that one of the Medics' broken ribs had punctured his left lung. No doubt the force with which he had landed on Jude caused the injury aided by the falling crate. They had moved to a new compound via helicopter and the older man knew the days ahead would be hectic. Ten men had been killed in the compound and four locals had died. Although he had been kept busy helping other wounded Jude had made sure to check in on his saviour. It was not until two days later that the young man finally showed signs of returning to consciousness and the older man happened to be getting an update on his condition from the Doctor who was treating him. Captain Ben Murphy stood up after checking his patients' pupils before his hands were pushed away.
"Well what you told me about this young man is correct I see," Murphy grinned over at Jude who stood at the end of the bed, "he's going to cause me grief."
"Well I for one won't complain he's around to give you trouble," Jude admitted honestly for he had told the other man how the patient had been injured.
"You going to stay with him a while?"
"Yeah. I'm off duty. Figure it's the least I can do. Might appreciate a friendly face when he comes around fully."
"From what you told me he won't exactly see you as friendly," Murphy reminded humorously, "I'm on duty for the night so if he needs anything let me know. There's a spare cot there so you might as well use it."
"Thanks," Jude stifled a yawn.
"I'll see you later," Murphy saluted after a final glance at his restless patient.
Jude couldn't remember lying down but next time he opened his eyes Conrad was wide awake and talking to Murphy on the other side of the bed as daylight streamed in through the large window. Getting up stiffly he cursed quietly as he straightened his frame.
"You should have woken me," Jude groused as he walked over to the injured mans' bed glaring at the smiling Doctor.
"You were snoring so nicely we didn't want to disturb you."
"Real funny," Jude switched his gaze to the prone man for the first time, glad to see him finally alert even though it was obvious he was in pain, "when did you wake up?"
"When you started snoring," Conrad stated without mirth before looking at his Doctor to continue the argument that had been interrupted, "so when can I get out of here?"
"As I told you for the next few days you are on total bed rest. You were seriously injured. As you are a Medic I should not need to stress how important it is that you give your lung a chance to heal. As I told you we had you on a ventilator for a short while but luckily you were able to come off it after a relatively short time. For now I want you to take it easy. I'll be by on rounds this afternoon and we can continue this argument then young man."
"Thanks Doc," Conrad looked up at the older man contritely understanding he was only doing his job.
"No problem."
Alone Jude looked at his rescuer as he pulled over a stool and sat down by the head of the bed.
"So guess I owe you my life."
"It was nothing."
"Well I rate my life as more than 'nothing' so thank you. You could have been killed."
"Heard plenty were," the fair haired man noted solemnly for he had only just found out he had lost two friends who had been through Fort Benning with him.
"Phillips called in to see you yesterday but you slept through his visit. He told me about John and Mike. Sorry."
"So isn't it time you got some proper rest?" Conrad ignored the condolences, unwilling to dwell on his lost friends.
"I can stay if you feel like company."
"Nah man I'm good," the fair haired man insisted, "besides you need a shower."
"You saying I stink?"
"I'm saying my nose needs a break," Conrad began blinking as the medication Murphy had injected before Jude woke began to take effect.
"Get some rest. I'll see you later."
"No need to concern yourself with me," Conrad whispered out the words as his eyelids finally fell down for good.
tbc
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Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163
FanfictionConrad Hawkins has to contend with a longstanding eye problem which he tries to hide from his friends and colleagues due to his father drumming it into him as a child that illnesses and injuries are proof of weakness. His friends try to teach hi...
