Chapter 1
Beca's POV.
I opened my eyes and groaned. I covered my eyes with my hand. My hand felt heavy. I looked at it and saw an IV. "Shit..." Not again.
"Don't curse..." I heard the familiar serious voice.
"Sorry sir..." I mumbled wincing as I touched the painful bump on my head.
"So how are you feeling soldier?" My commander asked as I looked up at him. He wasn't wearing his uniform which meant that I wasn't in our camp…
"Fucked up..." I grumbled looking around the room. I was in the hospital, as I had expected. I was the only one in the room and there were postcards and flowers that filled up most of the tables.
"Sorry..." It smelled like sick people. It made me feel sick. "What happened sir? How are my men?" Commandant Johnson sighed. He leaned against my bed looking away from me. I knew I was about to hear bad news... "How many...?" I asked in a breath.
"All of them... Except for Jesse..." I closed my eyes and sighed. Then I smiled a little. Jesse, unbreakable Jesse... "What happened?" I opened my eyes and looked at my commandant. He looked so tough and hard but he was a really good guy. He had trained me, pushed me to my limits and across them.
"You guys were on patrol." Then I remembered getting ready and having a conversation with Swanson...
"Hey Mitchell!"
"What is it Swanson?" I asked as I walked through the camp. I heard him run up to me and then found him walking next to me.
"How are you and Nick?" I kept walking without answering his question. "Beca?"
"It's Mitchell for you..." I said sternly, not looking at him as I answered, which was rude I knew that but I had to hold up my solemn image so that the other soldiers would respect me. Not that I needed to act tough to get their respect… Ever since the first moment I got to our camp my men had respected me. They listened to me and saw me as their leader. Not bad for a 5 ft 2 tall woman right?
"Fine, Mitchell?" I sighed and stopped walking as I looked at him.
"We're fine Jesse."
"It's Swanson..." He had this stupid smirk on his face which made me want to punch him. "So what are we doing today?" he asked clapping his hands together as we continued walking.
"WE are doing nothing today. Me and my men are going on patrol close to the enemy. I want you to stay here..." I walked into my tent and grabbed my stuff for the patrol.
"Oh come on! I want to come!" Jesse whined.
"No Swanson. You're staying here today."
"Why?" I pushed him against the side of my tent my arm against his chest and held out my fist to punch him.
"Because I say so. Is that understood?" I hissed.
"Yes." He mumbled turning his gaze away from me.
"Yes what?"
"Yes commandant Mitchell." I sighed and let go of him and continued grabbing my stuff.
"I'm still coming. You're not my mom." He stated stubbornly. God I was going to punch that kid in the face some time soon.
"Thank god I'm not..." I grumbled as I swung my back pack over my shoulder. "Do whatever you want Swanson, but don't say I didn't warn you." I said as I left my tent. I heard a victory shout and shook my head laughing.
"How is Swanson?"
"He's okay no serious injuries." I nodded. I tried to sit up but a sharp pain ran down my leg.
"What the?!" I winced as I pulled away the covers. I found my leg in some kind of case. "What the f*ck happened to my leg?!" I asked as I tried to remove the case.
"Mitchell!" He grabbed my hand. "You got shot in your leg." He sighed and let go of my arm when he was sure I wouldn't touch my case again. I looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"Are you serious?" I couldn't remember getting shot in my leg.
"You got shot just above your knee so you're lucky."
"If you can call it lucky..." I mumbled. "When can I go back?" I asked serious. Now he looked at me like I was crazy. "What?" I furrowed my brows irritated.
"Your dad doesn't allow you to go on another mission..."
"So?"
"So you're going home when the hospital lets you go." The commandant stood up and walked to the door without saying another word.
"What am I going to do at home?!"
"He signed you up for some classes..." I sighed. He turned around again walking away.
"Wait!" I called after him before he could leave the room. "Say it..." I said through my gritted teeth
"Say what?" He looked confused but he knew what I meant. He had avoid the subject the moment I woke up. "Say it... Please... Say he's dead..." I heard him sigh and he moved back to my bed again. He lay his hand on my shoulder and looked hurt...
"I am really sorry Beca..." I nodded and swallowed my tears.
"It's okay... We weren't even a real couple..." I whispered, a lump in my throat as I tried to hold back a sob.
"I'll be back soon." I just nodded. "I'm sorry Beca for everything that has happened to you... You have been one of my best commanders so far."
"Thank you sir. Could I have moment alone now sir. Please..." I begged my voice sounded smaller than I wanted it to sound. He nodded and gave my shoulder a short squeeze before he left my room. Then I was alone.
"You're not going to cry Mitchell!" I ordered myself, the same way I had always encouraged my men to stay strong in or after battle. "The crying is over! You are not crying!" I tried to convince myself...
"I shouldn't have taken him on patrol... I am so sorry Nick..." I whispered as the tears started to roll and I just let them. "I'm so sorry..." I said and I cried.