“I wasn’t really assaulted. They weren’t exactly gentle, but I wasn’t beaten.” Elise whispers as her eyes fill with tears. Dr. Robertson truly looks concerned and compassionate as she makes eye contact with Elise. It makes Deadeye a little calmer knowing that Dr. Robertson is being patient and kind to Elise. Military doctors don’t have a reputation for being kind or compassionate for the most part.
“Do you mind if I call you by your first name?” Dr. Robertson continues when Elise shakes her head. “I have to know, were you raped? I’m sorry to be so blunt, but I’ve never been good at beating around the bush.” At this questioning, Elise again buries her head into Deadeye’s chest and his protective instincts rear their ugly head. He is pissed that Dr. Robertson would be so blunt when it was obvious Elise had been through Hell. He was about to protest when Elise began to mumble an answer. He had been standing next to her holding her while she sat on a gurney. He shifted to sit next to her and put his head down near hers.
“What, sweetheart? I didn’t catch what you said.” Deadeye tries to pull her back a little so he can hear her. She resists the movement, so he just wraps his arms around her again and rubs his hand up and down her back. He can feel her sobbing into his chest, and it angers him that he can’t take away her pain. He feels so helpless in this momen.
“Shush. Don’t cry. You’re ok, sweetheart. I’ve got you.” He murmurs whatever comes to mind as he tries to comfort her. After a few moments, she manages to regain some control over her emotions. She begins to pull back and he takes her head in his large hands, placing one hand on either side of her face. Using his thumbs, he tries to wipe away her tears as he peers into her eyes.
“You ok now?” He whispers to her as if they are the only people in the room. Fresh tears well up and fall down her face, but she nods anyway. It’s too much for him and he pulls her into his chest again as he tucks her head under his chin. She continues to clutch his sides in desperation. They sit that way for a long while and surprisingly Dr. Robertson is also patient while waiting for Elise to be able to speak. After what seems like forever, but not long enough for Deadeye, Elise raises to sit up while taking a couple of deep breaths. She wipes at the tears streaming down her face.
“The answer to your question is yes and no. It’s complicated.” Elise’s voice cracks again and Deadeye is ready to wrap her up again and demand they stop this right now. But Elise is stronger than he had first suspected. “He never raped me, but he forced me to do things to him and he touched me.” Elise hurriedly informs them. A breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding escaped Deadeye’s body in a rush. He hated with everything he was that the man had forced himself on her and just because she hadn’t been penetrated didn’t mean she hadn’t been violated. He knew she would have a very long road to recovery, but at least she wouldn’t have to worry about an unwanted pregnancy. Sexually transmitted diseases were still a concern, but it was something they could deal with.
“Ok, Elise. I think I have enough information now. I will still need to examine you, ok? Are you in pain? Any injuries that you are aware of?” Dr. Robertson moves next to the couple and begins to look Elise over as she asks questions her. Deadeye moves back a little to give the doctor room, but never leaves her side. It wasn’t like he could if he wanted to as she had a death grip on him. Dr. Robertson takes her time carefully examining Elise. She checks her ears, eyes, reflexes, listens to her heart, lungs, and abdomen. She examines all exposed skin and notes any abrasions and contusions. After Dr. Robertson had examined her except for the female exam, she informed Elise she was going to step out and order some blood tests to make sure she wasn’t too badly dehydrated or had any infections. She asked Elise to change into a gown so she could complete the exam. Elise nodded, but was again trembling violently against him.
Dr. Robertson and Ensign Stone leave the room after placing a gown and some sheets next to Elise on the exam table. Deadeye isn’t sure what to do now. He starts to get up so she can get changed, but she doesn’t release her grip on him. He sits back beside her, waiting patiently for her to say something. When he is about to think she isn’t ever going to say or do anything, she looks up at him.
“Thank you for coming to find me. I was giving up hope of every returning home. I’m sorry that I have latched onto you like a leech or something. It’s just that when I realized who you were, and you were looking at me so kindly I just needed you to keep me close.” Elise blushes and drops her gaze. Deadeye again takes her face in his hands forcing her to look at him.
“You don’t need to thank me, sweetheart. It was my job to find you, but when I took you in my arms to get you out of that Hellhole, I didn’t want to let you go either. Don’t ever be sorry for needing me. I will be here anytime you need me if there is any way possible. Even when we are out of here and back in the States, if you need me, I will always be there for you.” Deadeye isn’t sure why he is declaring his devotion to her, but he was sincere. He meant every word. “Now, will you be ok if I step out so you can get changed for the exam?” He didn’t want to leave her, but it wasn’t appropriate for him to stay during such a personal exam.
“Umm…Can you just turn around while I change? I…I’m still afraid. I need you close” Elise whispers as she looks at him with expectation. When he didn’t immediately respond to her request, she began to back pedal. “I’m sorry I’m asking too much. I’ll be ok.”
“No. You aren’t asking too much. I’m the one that should be sorry for not answering your question in a timely fashion. It’s just you caught me off guard. I want to stay with you. I don’t want to let you out of my sight for one second, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable after everything that you have suffered.” Deadeye tells her as moves closer to her. “I’ll be right here. I will make sure your privacy is maintained. It may be too soon for what I’m about to say, but I am not good at sugar coating my words. I believe in saying what’s on my mind. While I hope to see all of you someday, I would never disrespect you while you are hurt and vulnerable.” And with that Deadeye placed a lingering kiss on her forehead, before standing up and turning his back on her while she changed her clothes.
Elise was stunned for a moment. He was physically attracted to her? She definitely was attracted to him, but the thought he was also interested in her was a shock. She suddenly realized she had been sitting there like an idiot. She was supposed to be changing into the hospital gown. A few minutes later Dr. Robertson and Ensign Stone reenter the room. After ensuring Elise will be alright, Deadeye steps outside the door while the exam is performed.
Elise has had exams before, but being all alone with complete strangers under these circumstances is over whelming. Thankfully both women were very kind to her. Ensign Stone stayed by her side and held her hand. Dr. Robertson explained every step of the procedure and gently warned her before doing anything. Elise was thankful for their kindness. She wasn’t sure she could have endured it without their kind support.
After the exam is done, Dr. Robertson opens the door and asked Deadeye to come back inside. Ensign Stone takes Elise’s blood and brings her some cargo pants and a Navy t-shirt. They start some IV fluids on Elise and Deadeye settles in a chair next to her bed while the fluids infuse. Dr. Robertson informs Elise that while she was somewhat dehydrated, she was otherwise in good physical health. It would be her mental and emotional health that might give her problems in the days and weeks to come. Deadeye thinks about the doctor’s words. He remembers how traumatized Charlotte was when they found and rescued her. He hopes he can Elise’s rock and shelter like Hawk was for Charlotte.
While they are waiting for her fluids to infuse, Deadeye tries to distract Elise from her recent ordeal. He asks her about her family and her life before coming to the refugee camp. Elise knows what he is doing and is thankful for the distraction.
“I recently completed Master’s in Social Work. I have an offer to work at a homeless shelter in Annapolis when I return.” Elise pauses for a moment. “I had a really easy life besides having cancer. My parents came from wealthy families. Edward, my brother and I never had to want for anything. I see people on the streets struggling to find their next meal and it breaks by heart. No matter what lead them to that life, they are still people. They need help.”
“You are a good and kind woman, Elise.” Deadeye tightens his grip on her hand. “Tell me about Edward.” Elise gives him a warm smile. She and Edward have always been very close.
“He’s a good man and was the best of brothers.” Elise chuckles at her memories. “Now not that he didn’t ever tease me when we were growing up, but he always looked out for me. He was already in the Army when I was diagnosed with cancer. He couldn’t come home, but called me at every opportunity to cheer me up.” She sits in silence alone with her thoughts for a few moments before continuing. “I was supposed to spend the weekend with him on my return to the states…before all this happened.” Elise’s voice had gotten softer. Fresh tears have formed in her eyes threatening to fall. Deadeye wishes with everything in him, he could remove her pain and suffering.
Chapter 10
A short time later,Elise is released from the hospital and they head to the barracks where she can shower and change her clothes before they head to the base airport to board a plane for the States. They are prepping Worm for the flight. They will be stopping in Germany for Worm to be treated and to change planes before returning to America. So, while Elise is taking a shower and changing, Deadeye calls Hawk via the satellite phone and updates him on the mission. The phone rings twice then a deep voice rumbles an answer.
“Hawk, here.”
“Hawk, it’s me. We have successfully secured Elise. Hussin is dead. I’m afraid there were several causalities including a young girl from the camp. She was dead when we arrived. I’m not exactly sure what happened, but I think Hussin’s men or maybe even Hussin himself killed her. They were using the girl to control Elise.” Deadeye’s voice cracks a little as emotion overwhelms him temporarily as he thinks about what Elise has endured. “Worm was wounded but he is doing great. We were attacked in the desert as we were making our escape.” Deadeye pauses to get his thoughts together. “Listen, we are stopping in Germany for a refuel and for Worm to be treated at the hospital there. Can you contact Elise’s brother? Edward Sommers. He is a Captain in the Army and is stationed at the base in Germany. I know she would want to see him.”
“That’s a good idea. He is aware of her situation and that we had sent you in to get her. I’ll update him with the expected time of your flight landing.” Hawk informs Deadeye. “How is she?” The concern in his voice is easy to hear. Deadeye is sure that Hawk’s mind has drifted back in time to when he saved Charlotte from an evil drug lord in the Columbian jungle.
“Shaken. Much like Charlotte when we found her. She’s been through a lot in a short amount of time, Hawk. I just hope I can help her like you were able to help Charlotte.” Deadeye confesses to his superior and closest friend.
“You are attracted to her.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement of fact.
“Yes. When I first saw her picture in briefing, there was something about her and now that I have held her, I can’t let her go, Hawk. I have to be honest. It’s scares me. I haven’t ever felt like this.” Deadeye blows out a frustrated breath. “Fuck, how did you do it? How did you not lock her away from all of us and keep her to yourself?” Deadeye huffs out a breath, again. Deadeye would never have confessed this to anyone else, but Hawk was his closest friend, even if he was his boss. “I know I have no right to her, but damn I want rights to her.”
Hawk chuckles into the phone. “Man, I know exactly how you feel. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. From the moment I kissed her hand in the café I wanted to tie her to my bed and never let her go. When we found her in the jungle even as bad as she looked, I wanted her more. I wanted to make her mine, mark her so no other man would even think about trying to take her. I wanted to keep her with me forever, but I knew I had to be patient until she was ready, physically and mentally. You will do the right thing. You are a good man, Deadeye. I know how you think, though. Don’t let your past keep you from finding happiness. You are just what she is going to need in the days and weeks ahead. Be patient. It will happen.” In the background, Deadeye heard Charlotte’s voice.
“Hawk, oh my god! Who are you talking to? Telling them intimate things like that about us.” Hawk is chuckling more. “It’s Deadeye, love. He’s found himself a woman.” Charlotte shrieks loudly.
“I don’t know, Hawk. Maybe I’m too old for her. She’s what, 27? I’m 42. That’s 15 years. She probably doesn’t want an old man like me.” Deadeye sighs heavily then is startled when he hears a soft voice.
