Sergeant Higgins/ Iron Man Lovestory

Retirement

"I thought, well hoped, that I would have to leave you all behind when I'm well over fifty." Lenna said to her brothers in arms. "We all hoped so." Wilson said and patted Lenna's arm. "Careful, Wilson! My balance is a bit off." Lenna laughed and hit the ground with her crutch. "I'm being flown out today, back to our lovely homeland. So the last toast is for you, to Roberts and that I don't have to attend any of your funerals after his." Lenna said raising her flask up into the air. "To homeland!" she said before taking a shot of the burning liquor.

Lenna sat on the co-pilot's seat. "Sergeant Higgins. My honour to return you back to the USA." the pilot said when he boarded and stood before her. "It's good to go back. Is Nelson secured?" Lenna asked and gave him a quick nod, allowing him to sit. "Yes he is. There are two doctors with him." the pilot said while starting the plane. They were up in the air before she knew.

The fifteen hour flight was silent, the radio went off twice during it but nothing special. They landed in DC and Lenna was supposed to be taken home from there, only she didn't have a home to go to. Her mother had died about four years ago, she hadn't heard from her sister since her mother's death and her father was some drunken man wandering the streets somewhere.

She watched as the ambulance took Nelson to the hospital. When Lenna saw his family she waved them over. "Hello, I'm Sergeant Higgins. I am terribly sorry about what happened to Nelson." Lenna introduced herself.

"I'm his wife. Do you know anything about Jim's condition?" the woman asked. Her tears were forming in her eyes.

"The doctors in Afghanistan said that he should be fine after a long recovery. If you need anything find me or talk to your local veteran center."

"If I may ask what happened to you?" the woman asked while looking at Lenna's crutches. "My leg got damaged. But even with me awake Nelson got away with much less injuries." Lenna sighed. "They told us that someone threw their body over him for protection... Was it you?" the woman asked with tears in her eyes. "Uh... Yeah." Lenna mumbled uncomfortably. When the woman suddenly started hugging Lenna she didn't know what to do. She put one hand around her and gently caressed her back with it.

"Sergeant Higgins, where would you like me to take you?" the driver asked. Lenna gave him her mother's address, not knowing what she would find there. The man nodded and started driving. "Sir, how long will it take?" Lenna asked, nervous about seeing her childhood home again. "You may call me Happy. And it will take about an hour." the driver said smiling at her. "May I ask you what happened to you?" Happy asked. "Well, I'll have a metal leg soon... But it's fine! Really. I lost it during my last mission."

"May I borrow your phone? I don't have one that works here." Lenna said. Happy nodded and handed her his cellphone.

"Hey, sis."

Lenna? Oh god, it is soo good to hear your voice! What's up?

"I'm coming home. Well I'm going to mom's house right now..."

I'm here. We bought it after she passed away. Me and my husband Mark.

"When did you get married?"

Two years ago... I'm sorry that I didn't invite you... I thought you wouldn't care...

"It's fine. Don't worry. I was just surprised a bit. Congrats lil sis!"

Thanks. I'll see you soon.

"See you..."

Lenna handed Happy his phone back and sighed. She was sad that her own sister didn't tell her about her wedding. "Guess the army took more from me than I thought..." Lenna mumbled to herself. Happy heard it but didn't say anything not knowing the woman beside her very well, yet.

---

"Do you require assistance, Sergeant?" Happy asked while opening the car door for her. "Negative." Lenna replied shortly. "Call me when you need a ride." Happy said. Lenna nodded before throwing her bag over her shoulder and hopping towards the house.

"Oh my god! Lenny!" a short woman with brunette hair emerged from the house and hugged Lenna. "Wait! Don't fall!" she yelled when Lenna lost her balance and grabbed her by her shoulders. "Good to see you too, Han." Lenna laughed.

---

"Are you sure that you are fine on the couch?" Hannah asked worriedly. "Han, my leg is hurt, not my spine. I have slept in worse conditions." Lenna laughed. "If you say so... I still can't believe that you are back." Hannah sighed and caressed Lenna's arm gently. "Me neither." Lenna smiled. "I'll go now... Have a good night's rest." Hannah said and went upstairs. Lenna sat on the couch and rested her arms on her knee. She sighed deeply and took off her army jacket and pants. The long green shirt covered the place from where her leg was cut off. She layed down and pulled the blanket over her.

---

"Higgins! Look at me! Focus!"
Lenna felt her body burning.
Everything hurt.
She saw Nelson's dusty face before her.
Lenna rolled off Nelson and stared up into the sky that looked like it was going to take her body inside itself.

---

"Oh god!" Lenna woke up with a jump. She hoped up but fell down on the floor. The lights turned on and Hannah was instantly at her side. "Why didn't you tell me that you were MISSING a leg?" Hannah asked worriedly while helping Lenna up on the couch. "Didn't want to worry you..." Lenna said and stared at the ground in shame. "Lenny..." Hannah started but Lenna cut her off harshly: "No, don't pity me. I'm fine!" She stared into her little sister's green eyes. They were filled with care and sadness. "Han... Back to bed. That's and order." Lenna finally said and put her arm around her sister. Hannah wiped a tear and hurried back upstairs.

---

"I'm guessing you don't have any other clothes... So I found you these." Hannah said and put a pile of clothes on the coffee table. "Thank you." Lenna said with a yawn. Her sister went to the kitchen while she sat up. There was a pair of huge sweatpants and a large t-shirt.

"So I'm guessing they are Mark's clothes?" Lenna said while hopping into the kitchen and sitting down on a chair. "Yeah, mine would be way too small for you." Hannah laughed. "So when will I meet him?" Lenna asked.

"He is on a business trip right now. He won't be back until the end of next week." Hannah sighed. "I hope he doesn't hurt you. I should probably tell him about my career in military." Lenna thought out loud. "Believe me, he knows. I threaten guys with you... Only you are my big bad brother Lenny in those stories." Hannah confessed. Lenna laughed out loud while Hannah blushed chuckling quietly.