"Lieutenant Briggs. Medical." Barnes pointed at two other guys. "You two, go with him." His gaze landed on Hale. "My office. Now."
"Sir—" Reed started.
"Not now, Lieutenant Reed." Barnes turned to Elliot, his expression blank. "You're dismissed."
Dismissed. Like they didn’t both know this was about him too. His father's name was a shield even now, and Elliot fucking hated it.
"Sir, I?—"
"Dismissed, Lieutenant Shaw." Barnes' tone left no room for argument.
He wanted to argue, to insist he’d be held equally accountable, to face the consequences alongside Hale instead of being protected by his father's rank.
But arguing would only make it worse for Hale.
Elliot’s eyes dropped to where his hand was still holding Hale’s arm. He released it and stepped back. Hale’s expression was unreadable, lips pressed thin.
Elliot could do nothing but walk away.
The crowd parted to let him through. No one spoke. No one looked at him.
His mind was already ahead of him. Hale had assaulted another soldier. That was grounds for immediate dismissal, regardless of provocation. Barnes would have to report it. There would be a hearing. Hale's assignment could be revoked.
Everything he had worked for.
Gone.
Because of Elliot.
Because Hale had defended him.
Elliot found himself at the perimeter fence, the same stretch where they'd done night watch months ago. The mountains were stark in the flat morning light, the air cold enough to sting.
He braced his hands against the chain-link and forced himself to breathe.In for four, hold for four, out for four.
Hale had risked everything—his career, his future, his dream, because Briggs had said something crude about Elliot.
Imbécile.
Elliot should be furious. Instead, he felt his body react for entirely different reasons.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"You okay?" Reed asked.
"Fine."
Reed came to stand beside him, leaning against the fence. He didn't say anything for a long moment.
"Briggs’s an idiot," he said, finally.
"I'm aware."
"He was trying to get a reaction. Hale should've walked away."
"Yes." Elliot gripped the fence tighter. "He should have."
"But he didn't. Because he's—" Reed stopped, seemed to reconsider his words. "He cares about you, man. A lot."
