𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋.
After over a decade serving his country in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gunnery Sergeant Nathan Grimes thought the battlefield was behind him. But when he's s...
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𝖲𝖢𝖤𝖭𝖤 2.1 King County, Georgia
"I should've known better than to think you actually went home last night."
Doctor Macones' voice cut through the low hum of machines, unimpressed as her eyes flicked toward the tangle of blankets and pillows stuffed into the chair beside Nate.
He stood out of habit, stretching stiff joints and offering a sheepish grin. "Good morning to you too, Doctor Macones."
She gave him a look—one that said she'd seen this before and wasn't buying it. "Tell me you at least ate something that didn't come out of a vending machine."
"The night shift nurses shared their dinner with me."
"Suck-ups," she muttered, shaking her head. "Let me guess—coffee and a muffin this morning too?"
"Cheese danish," he replied with a smirk.
Her eyes rolled, though her mouth twitched like she was holding back a smile. She moved around Rick's bed, checking his vitals and listening to his breathing.
"No chance he'll wake up anytime soon?" Nate asked, trying to sound casual. He wasn't.
"There's no sure way of knowing, Gunnery Sergeant. But you know that," she said, looping her stethoscope around her neck. "The surgery went well. Now his body just needs time to recover."
"I know, I just..." Nate looked down at Rick's motionless form. "Feels wrong to leave him like this."
Doctor Macones softened. "We all have our roles to play. Mine is keeping him stable. Yours begins when he wakes up—and when he does, he's going to need his brother strong and steady."
She looked him up and down before quickly making her mind up. "You're no good to anyone if you're running on caffeine and guilt. Go home. Sleep. Eat a real meal. Come back and say goodbye in the morning. That's an order."
Before Nate could respond, a familiar voice came from the doorway.
"Am I interrupting?" Shane stepped in, bouquet in hand.
"No, Deputy Walsh. I was just leaving," Doctor Macones replied with a polite nod. She turned back to Nate with one last pointed look. "Gunnery Sergeant Grimes—I don't want to see you again until this time tomorrow. I mean it."
And then she was gone.
"I agree with her, you know," Shane said, walking into the room. "You look like shit."
"Thanks," Nate muttered. "Didn't realize we were handing out compliments this morning."
"You know, I didn't think anyone could out-stubborn your brother. But you? You're making a damn good case."
"I'm not leaving him," Nate said flatly. "Not wasting time I don't have."
"You're not," Shane said, voice softer now. He eased up beside him. "You're just takin' a step back so you can keep movin' forward. Big difference."
