Soldier without his Detective

Chapter 13

First day on patrol today. I'm fine. Can't talk all day. I'll be able to text just before we go out, but I'll be too busy. Love you.

John sent the message then secured the phone in his belt. Bill was waiting for him in the doorway. Sami had already made his way down. John would be in charge of a small group of soldiers. His team consists of seven, including him. Sami would be with Kade Wright, Elliot Hancock, Charleigh May, and Pritha Andrews. They were a good bunch. John would be with Bill, they made up the medical team. They would be securing the area and helping anyone they found. John wasn't holding out on finding anyone.

They all clambered into the vehicle. Andrews in the driver's seat, Hancock beside. John sat in the back with the rest of the team. They joked around with each other. Sharing stories of life at home and life at war. They spoke of Wright's kids, and May's wife. John sat back, laughing and listening to his team. It was a long ride and he was glad to relax with his fellow soldiers. "I can't wait to go home to my kids. Feel like I'm doing them proud, you know?" Wright looked around at the teams nodding heads. "So, what about you captain? Got a lady waiting? Some family? Got a sister or something right?"

John's eyebrows raised. He didn't think he was that private. They only know about Harry? "Uh, yeah. Harry, my sister. Don't see my parents much. To be fair, hardly see Harry. Used to stay at hers when I was on leave. Curse of our occupation. Suppose I'll be seeing her less now. Moved into my boyfriend's flat." He was looking towards the floor as he spoke. He hadn't really thought of his family. Hasn't seen his parents in well over a year. "Wait. You're gay?"

John looks up into the eyes of May. His gaze flicked to Wright before it settled on Bill and Sami. They were red in the face as they tried to keep their giggles at bay. The others looked back at him, eyebrows drawn, mouth opening and closing much like a fish. "I'm bisexual. Did you not know? Really? Have you not heard me talk about Sherlock? I wasn't trying to keep it a secret." He lets out a small chuckle at the sound of Bill and Sami collapsing into a heap of giggles. "Sherlock?" Everyone turns to look at Andrews. Andrews and Hancock had been quite the entire journey.

"Sherlock? The bloke everyone has been going on about from med bay? That's your boyfriend?" Everyone turns their gaze towards John. The base had been raving about the mysterious Sherlock. No one knew who he was, where he came from, or where he went. They had started rumours that he was from another base. Or that he was a government official there to give a spot check. Everyone seemed to like him. Some of the men and women on base liked him perhaps too much for John's liking. Bill and Sami had managed to calm themselves slightly.

"Yeah. Sherlock from med bay. Didn't realise he was so famous," He gave a weak chuckle as he looked around at the team. "He'll like that. Can't stand when someone talks of me, but can't get enough when it's about him. How long?" It took them all a few moments to register the change in conversation. "About ten minutes now, cap'." They all fell into a comfortable silence as they rode through the desert.

They move through the buildings and the ruins. The village has been completely destroyed in the recent attacks. There had been soldiers helping evacuate, but they couldn't do much without causing injury to many more civilians. John led the team through the wreckage. They moved from room to room, checking. They had set areas to check each day. Then, come nightfall, they camp out so as to not waste time on travel. If they find anyone needing medical attention, John and Bill will patch them up then - depending on severity - call base for transport.

They didn't find anyone on their first day. They set up camp. Sami and John took the first watch. All was quiet. Their nights filled with jokes and stories in hushed tones. They would be on the move again at dawn.

I'm still fine. There's nothing here but brick and sand. I love you.

On the second day, they found a small family. With John in the lead, they walked through a destroyed house. They had been on the move for about three hours. No one was expecting to find anyone. As they split up in the house, Hancock came across a mother with two young children. Through the radio John heard the call for them. They had been up stairs. John climbed them and came face to face with Hancock. He sat with the children and mother, giving them a check up. Hancock stood as look out and called for transport.

They didn't find anyone else day two. The night was still filled with laughter and stories. However, this time, they had less to share and settled down early. Andrews and May took first watch that night.

Day 3. Yesterday we found mother and children. They're fine, sent to our base to check. I love you. I'm fine.

The third day they walked through the houses. Checking for anything. This time John heard the crackling over the radio. He made his way to Wright. Gun held aloft as he moved through the abandoned buildings. A wounded man lay on the floor by Wright's feet. John gets to work. The man had been shot, he was in a bad way. The hardest part of the job is making the call. He looks up to Wright. Words are not needed. John gives a slight nod and pulls out some morphine from his pack.

Everyone is quiet that night as they dig. Sami speaks of the unknown man in the shallow grave. John sends Hancock to rest when he can't sleep. He sits by the grave and Sami joins him. He hates making the call.

We found someone yesterday. We were too late. Sami prayed for him. I'm fine. I love you.

The previous days events had been brushed aside by the team as they carried on forward. They were all tired. They wanted their proper beds, a warm meal, shelter. They sat to eat lunch. Everyone kept an eye out, scanning the area, as they munched away. The group had grown more and quiet as the days passed. John is looking out to the horizon when he hears a gun cock. He swivels and draws his own as the rest of the team follow suit. No one knows what they're looking for. May holds up their hand. They had been first to pull out their gun. Weary eyes flicker around the area as a figure moves between the rubble. May looks towards John for guidance. He stands and adjusts his gun in his grip.

He steps forward. His team covers him as he moves towards the unknown figure. A hand raises. Small. "Come out! We won't shoot!" He puts on his best captain voice. A child. No. Two, one child holding the hand of a smaller child. The team lowered their weapons slightly. John drops him to the floor and pulls out some bandages to show the children. They move forward. The team forms a circle where they sit. One hand on the trigger, the other on their lunch. The children sit with John in the centre. Bill passes glances to make sure he is not needed. John pulls out the rest of his food and hands it to the children as he covers their wounds. He cleans their faces as someone calls for transport. They wave as the children leave. The team hands some food each to their captain. They keep moving.