“And if I do get too loud, just nudge me. It’ll shut me up.”
Avery smiled and nodded against him.
“Avery?”
She wanted to tell him if he didn’t stop talking, she’d never get to sleep. But she simply said, “Yeah?”
“You’re incredible. I just wanted to make sure you knew that.”
She didn’t feel like she was incredible. Every muscle was sore, and she was way weaker than she wanted to be, and she knew it would take quite a while for her to gain back her strength and muscle tone. But hearing that from Cole was a balm for her soul.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“Good night,” Cole said.
“Good night.”
Rex couldn’t remember when he’d slept better. He woke up once or twice in the night, only to find that he and Avery hadn’t moved. She was still snuggled up against his side, sleeping soundly. The beam from the small flashlight illuminated the tent, and he could see that all was well. Gumby and Rocco were both sleeping and nothing seemed to be disturbed.
It had been a long time since he’d slept with a woman, but he couldn’t remember feeling as content as he had the night before.
Thirty minutes ago, he’d slipped out of the bunk and had quickly showered and gotten dressed. He packed up what little he’d brought with him on the mission and was ready to head out of Afghanistan whenever the doctor said Phantom was ready.
Rocco and Gumby had left to relieve Ace and Bubba at Phantom’s bedside, and they would all meet once Avery was up and ready.
Reluctantly, Rex crouched by the side of the cot and gently shook her. She hadn’t had nightmares last night, that he could tell, but he knew the possibility was still there for them to haunt her in the future.
“Wake up, Avery,” he said gently.
One second she was in a deep sleep, and the next she was sitting straight up on the cot, looking around in terror.
“Easy. It’s okay. You’re safe,” Rex told her.
He saw her take a deep breath. Then she looked at him. “At least I didn’t try to fight you off after you woke me up this time. Where is everyone?”
“They’re at the hospital with Phantom. We’ll head over there when you’re ready.”
Throwing the blanket off, Avery swung her legs around and stood. “I’m ready,” she declared, then swayed on her feet.
“Whoa! Slow down,” Rex chided gently. “It’s gonna take a while for you to get back to normal.”
She looked frustrated for a second before she rallied. “I’m good,” she said again. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”
“You were sleeping so soundly, you didn’t even twitch when I got out from under you, so I thought I’d let you sleep for as long as possible. It’s gonna be a stressful day.”
She sighed.
“Anyway, there’s no need to rush. Take your time getting ready. We’ll head over to the clinic to see Phantom, then talk with the base general and Trigger’s Delta Force team. They’re staying here for a while longer to see if they can find that asshole who spoke to you in English.”
“I’ll just be a second,” she reassured him as she hurried into the bathroom.
Five minutes later, Avery re-entered the main tent area.
“Done?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
She smiled. “Yeah, told you I would just be a second.”
Avery had changed out of her sweats and T-shirt into the tan camouflage uniform both the army and navy personnel wore in this part of the country. He knew she usually wore scrubs back in California while on duty.
“How’re your feet?”
“Good.”
“And your ribs?”
“Fine.”
Rex frowned. He figured she could probably have an ax sticking out of her head and she’d claim she was perfectly all right.
As if she could read his mind, Avery said, “Seriously, I’m good, Cole. I have a headache, but I figure that’s probably from reacclimating to food and everything. My ribs are sore, but nothing I can’t handle. I’ve got about a hundred bruises and cuts all over myself, but I’m alive, standing here after a good night’s sleep, and not buried underneath a huge mountain or being tortured for absolutely no reason at all. I’m. Fine.”
“If you start to feel pukish for any reason, you need to tell me.”
“Pukish?” Avery asked with a grin.
“Yeah, off. Weird. Sick. Uneasy. Pukish.”
“Got it. I will,” she said.
Rex much preferred to see her smiling than frowning or stressed. Unfortunately, he knew the meetings they had to have today would mean he wouldn’t see her grin again for a while.
“Should I bring my bag with me, or leave it?” she asked.
“Leave it here,” Rex said. “Someone will come over and grab all our stuff before we leave.”
They stopped by the chow hall to grab a quick breakfast. As much as Avery wanted to see Phantom, Rex knew she needed to eat something. It would be a while before he stopped feeling as if he needed to feed her every time she turned around.
After eating, they headed out of the mess tent and instinctively, Rex stepped closer to Avery as they headed for the clinic. He hated that he didn’t know who the traitor was. It could be that army private watching them while he was smoking outside a residential tent to their right. Or it could be one of the cooks from the chow tent. Or the naval officer who held open the door to the clinic for them. It wasn’t a good feeling not knowing who the enemy was.
They walked down the hall toward Phantom’s room and, to Rex’s surprise and pleasure, his teammate was awake and alert when they entered.
“Hey!” Avery said happily.
“Get over here,” Phantom growled.
Blinking at his friend’s aggressive tone, Rex followed close behind Avery.
The second she reached the side of the bed, Phantom grabbed her hand and pulled her down to him. His arms went around Avery, and he hugged her tightly.
“Thank you,” Phantom said gruffly into her ear.
Avery pulled back a bit and propped herself up with her hands on his shoulders. “You’re welcome,” she said. “Have you had breakfast? How are you feeling? Have they gotten you up and out of bed? How’s your urine output?”
He chuckled. “Yes, fine, yes, and I’m not telling you that shit.”
They grinned at each other.
“The doc says everything looks good, and he should be cleared to leave by late this afternoon,” Ace said, giving Phantom a bemused look.
Avery turned to face him. “I’m Avery. And you’re Ace?”
He nodded. “I am. It’s very good to see you, Lieutenant.”
“Avery,” she insisted. “I know we’re on base and all, but it seems wrong for you to address me by my rank after everything that’s happened.”
“Avery,” Ace agreed with a nod.
Bubba reached out a hand. “And I’m Bubba.”
“Hi,” Avery said as she shook the offered hand. Then she turned back to Phantom. “Did the doc have anything new to say about your artery and recovery?”
“That it was nicked, just like you thought. And that you literally saved my life by holding on to it with your bare fingers.”