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  Sitting up, he rumbled, “I’ve slept in worse places.” He watched the nurse for a moment, seeing that she was the supervisor. “How is Khat doing?” He stood up, stretching fitfully, moving his hand down Khat’s damp arm.

  “The good news is her temp hasn’t climbed,” Celeste explained. “I’m not a doctor so I can’t say more than that.”

  Mike rubbed his eyes and studied her in the silence. “Well, this is just between you and me. What else?”

  Celeste smiled a little as she gently lifted Khat’s head and neck, removing the ice pack and replacing it with a new one. “I personally think your lady has the heart of lion. I think her heart will beat back that infection. You just stay with her because her vitals are much improved over yesterday. She knows you’re here, even if she’s unconscious and caught up in the fever combined with the shock of surgery.”

  Mike gave her a grateful look, feeling a powerful surge of hope in his chest. “Thank you,” he said, his voice suddenly thick with emotion.

  “I’ve seen a lot of patients in ICU,” Celeste told him quietly, positioning the dry ice on either side of Khat’s slender neck. “Your lady has red hair for a reason.” She grinned. “She’s a fighter.”

  Mike pushed his fingers across his brow. “You don’t know the half of it.”

  “Don’t need to. It’s just a feeling around her that I picked up on.” Celeste touched Khat’s other hand and gave it a little squeeze. “I’ve found in the twenty-some years I’ve been a nurse that the single most important thing to a patient pulling through is love.” She held his moist stare. “And touch. So, keep doing what you’re doing, Petty Officer? Remain, as much as you can, at her side.”

  Chest tight, Mike was so damn close to crying that it was embarrassing. Choking back a sob lodged in his throat, he was afraid to speak.

  “You have two visitors. Emma and Khalid Shaheen? They’re asking permission to come up here to see you and Khatereh. Will you authorize that or not?”

  Mike rallied. Emma and Khalid. “Yes, they’re like family to us. Tell them to come on up?”

  Celeste nodded. She pointed to several chairs outside along the light blue wall. “I can only allow one person at time in here, so why not have them wait there? There’s coffee and tea in our lounge, too.”

  “Will do,” Mike answered, feeling new hope race through him.

  She left the ICU unit. He never realized how much he needed some support until right now. Turning, he leaned down and kissed Khat’s lips. They were warm. Brushing his thumb across her pale cheek, he whispered, “I love you, angel. You made it through last night. Keep fighting for us. Emma and Khalid are here. I’m going to let each of them come in and sit with you for a bit. I know you’ll like having their company.”

  As if to confirm it, Mike lifted his head and saw her pulse lowering even more. Perhaps out of relief? He wasn’t sure. Turning, he saw the elevator doors open. Khalid stepped out with Emma. Khalid was in a US Army olive green flight suit. Emma, who had a worried look on her face, was in the blue flight suit she wore when she was flying their helicopter for their charity. Mike squeezed Khat’s hand, and he said, “I’ll be right back. Emma and Khalid just arrived…”

  Moving out of the room, Mike met them outside the door. Khalid shook his hand. Emma hugged him. Mike closed his eyes for a moment, feeling Emma’s strong arms hold him tightly, as if to feed him hope. Releasing Emma, he gestured to the chairs.

  “Thanks for coming,” he said, his voice strained, as they sat down. “Have a seat.”

  Khalid stared into the ICU at Khat. “I’ve been flying missions. I just got back here to Bagram and Emma called me and told me about Khat. How is she doing?”

  Mike explained everything, keeping it to the short version. Emma’s eyes filled with tears.

  “May I go in and see her, Mike?”

  “Sure,” he murmured.

  Khalid placed his hand on Mike’s shoulder. “Why don’t you and I go down to the cafeteria and get some breakfast? Emma can stay with Khat.”

  Emma stood up and said, “Good idea. Mike, you need some break time. Have you had a shower or anything?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I got cleaned up yesterday after I arrived.”

  Khalid stood. “Come on. Khat’s in good hands with Emma at her side.”

  Reluctantly, Mike stood. He felt infused with their care and kindness. “Yeah, okay. Emma, If anything changes…”

  Emma nodded. “I know where you guys will be. I’ll get a hold of you, I promise.”

  Emma stepped into the dimly lit ICU, her expression sad as she went to Khat’s bedside. Picking up Khat’s hand between her own, she whispered, “Khat? It’s Emma. Khalid and I are here. I’m going to sit with you for a while. Mike needs to get some breakfast and then a shower.” She wiped tears from her cheeks with her other hand as she sat down in the chair. “You hang in here, Khat. Mike loves you. And we do, too. We want you back with us.”

  *

  KHALID SAID LITTLE as Mike ate like a horse. He’d been flying an Apache at another combat engagement and on his way back for refueling at Bravo, heard about the firefight going down at the village where Khat was being cared for by the Shinwari villagers. He noticed the tightness in Mike’s face, the desolation in his brown-gold eyes, the way his mouth was set. Khalid remembered all too well when he was falling in love with Emma. She had been kidnapped by Taliban and he starkly remembered what it had done to him. And to Emma. Luckily, Emma had escaped using her own wits and courage. Mike was in a different and far more difficult situation with Khat.

  Khalid drank his coffee and sat in the large, noisy chow hall. Mike had found a place against the wall so he could always look out into the area and observe. It was a SEAL thing, Khalid knew, and not a bad one. They were always at risk no matter where they were at in Afghanistan. Even Bagram was not safe.

  “Will Khat wake up on her own or do they have her in a medically induced coma?” Khalid asked.

  “No, she’s not in a coma. Dr. Mason wasn’t very hopeful about her chances,” Mike muttered, pushing his emptied tray to one side. He wiped his mouth with a paper napkin, wadded it up and threw it on the tray. “The nurse supervisor said she was unconscious from the infection, high fever, plus the trauma of surgery.” He picked up his coffee.

  “What can we do to support you?”

  Mike gave his friend a grateful look. “Just being here is a help, Khalid. I know you and Emma are damned busy with a lot of other commitments.”

  Khalid gave him a lazy smile. “Never too busy to help a friend. I’m off the flight roster for the next two days. Emma has no more flights to villages for the next week. Can we come in here and spell you? Give you a chance to eat, go shower or just take a walk?”

  Mike nodded. “I’d like that. I know Khat loves both of you, and right now the more people who come to sit with her is a plus. The nurse supervisor was telling me earlier that in all her years of experience, the ones in ICU who made it had loved ones present.” His mouth set. “And I don’t want to leave her alone if I can help it.”

  “Then we’ll make it happen,” Khalid murmured. “Did you get any sleep last night?”

  Cranking his shoulders to rid them of the tension, Mike said, “More off than on.” He shook his head, staring down at his coffee cup. “I’d doze off, snap awake, thinking she was dead, get up, make sure she was still breathing and then lay my head down on her bed again and doze off. It was like that all night.”

  “I can stay as long as you need me this morning. They do have a room where family can get some sleep in a good bed.”

  It sounded tempting. “Thanks, but I feel like Khat’s going to come out of unconsciousness sometime today. I want to be there when she does.”

  “You know Emma and Khat are close. We’ll set up a schedule where you get breakfast, lunch and dinner with one of us and the other will stay with Khat. Okay?”

  Mike nodded, pursing his lips. His voice was gruff with barely controlled emotions. “Yeah, t
hat would be great. Thank you…”

  *

  EMMA SMILED WARMLY and stood up as Mike pulled open the door to the ICU unit.

  “You look better,” she murmured, releasing Khat’s hand and stepping out.

  Mike had eaten a ton of food and then had a shower. He felt a helluva lot better. Stronger. “I am, thanks. Any change?” he asked, gazing at Khat.

  Emma nodded. “The nursing supervisor for this new shift is Major Linda Black. She came in to check on Khat. She’s very nice, Mike. Linda said her vitals are stable and that’s a hopeful sign she’s battling that awful infection.”

  “I just wish Khat would wake up.”

  “The fever has to break first. That’s the best sign that could happen,” Emma said. “At least, that’s what Linda told me.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Mike said, “I have a feeling she’ll wake up sometime today.”

  Emma stepped outside the unit and he moved into it. “I’m going to catch some breakfast at the chow hall here at Bagram. We’ll swing by before we leave? Make up some kind of schedule so we can spell you?”

  “That would be good,” Mike said, giving her a slight, strained smile. What would he do without good people like this in his life? He watched them walk toward the elevators and his heart swelled with hope. He’d also called his mother and father, Bedir and Annie Tarik, to let them know what was going on, as well. He didn’t want them to worry, either. His parents, who lived in Alpine, California, were relieved to hear from him, and they immediately said they would pray for Khat. Prayers were always good in Mike’s world, and he was humbled by his parents surrounding Khat with their love.

  Turning, Mike walked over and slid his fingers through Khat’s shining red hair. He kissed her hairline and stroked her cheek, whispering, “We’re lucky to have good friends like Khalid and Emma. They’ve got our back, angel. Now, I want you to keep fighting for us, for our love. My mom and dad are praying for you, as well. I’m right here with you every step of the way.”

  His breath caught. Mike’s eyes narrowed on her face. Did he just see Khat’s lashes move? And then he glanced up at the monitors—her temperature had dropped by two degrees! Heart pulsing with anxiety and hope, Mike touched her skin. It was no longer as hot. Her skin was dry. He pressed the buzzer, wanting a nurse in there immediately.

  Linda Black answered the call. “Can I help you?” she asked, coming into ICU unit.

  “Yeah,” Mike growled. He told her what he’d seen and what the monitors showed.

  Linda slid her hand over Khat’s other arm. “Her fever’s broken.” She gave him a huge smile of relief. “This is great news! I’m going to call Dr. Mason. You just stay with her. She’s going to become conscious very shortly…”

  Mike could barely hold on to the violent, writhing emotions in his chest. He watched Khat’s long red lashes quiver. He held her hand firmly, his other hand on her right shoulder. “I’m right here, Khat. You’re coming out of it. God, I love you. Keep fighting, come back to me…”

  Dr. Mason was in the ICU unit in five minutes flat, his face filled with concern. Nurse Black accompanied him, barely able to keep her smile hidden. Mike stood as the doctor took his stethoscope, listening intently to Khat’s lungs, touching her arm and then taking her pulse. Her lashes continued to move every now and again. Mike held his breath as the doctor studied the monitors and her chart.

  “Okay,” he said, “she’s made it through the gauntlet, Petty Officer Tarik. Your fiancée has just battled back from insurmountable odds.” He looped his stethoscope around his neck, smiling fully. “She’s quite a fighter.”

  “What now?” Mike demanded, his voice hoarse, his gaze never leaving Khat’s face.

  “We wait,” Mason said simply, his hand on Khat’s arm. “She’s coming out from the shock of surgery and her body has finally turned the tide against the infection. Just stay with her. Give Nurse Black a call when she opens her eyes, all right?”

  Nodding, Mike didn’t trust his voice, wanting to scream and shout for joy. “Okay,” he managed.

  “And, after she becomes conscious, we’ll keep her here for a bit. If she comes back strongly, I’ll authorize moving her to a private room on the next floor. Then, it becomes a matter of time, waiting to see how fast she pulls out of it.” Mason shook his head, awe in his tone. “I’m amazed. I really am. She’s a medical miracle of sorts.”

  Linda Black smiled a little. “Like Celeste told me this morning when we were making the shift change, it’s all about love.” Her eyes gleamed as her gaze settled on the SEAL. “You made the difference with your love for her, Petty Officer Tarik.”

  *

  MIKE SAT HOLDING Khat’s hand, his gaze flicking to the monitors every few minutes. Emma and Khalid had dropped by, thrilled with the news. They left him a schedule of when they would come and stay with Khat. It was now 1100, and he’d watched her blood pressure return to normal along with her pulse. She still had a fever of 101 degrees, but that was a far cry from where it had been. Now, her hands were dry, no longer sweaty. He was seeing gradual color seeping back into her cheeks, her flesh not as pasty. Anxiety chewed at him along with giddy exhilaration. Nurse Black had come in half an hour ago, warning him that when Khat woke up, she would be very disoriented. He should talk to her in simple, slow sentences because her brain was still in the fog of anesthesia. He was grateful for the nurse’s information. Mike so badly wanted to see Khat open her eyes and look at him.

  *

  KHAT HEARD BEEPS and sighs. She struggled to pull out of a darkness that surrounded her. The sounds caught her attention, but so did the feel of a warm, roughened hand folded around hers. Her pulse started to thrum strongly, a feeling of hope flowing through her heart as she focused on that calloused hand that cradled hers. She felt as if she’d been climbing out of a dark tunnel forever, no idea of where or why, just knowing that she struggled.

  She wanted to drag her eyes open but felt incredibly weak. Khat heard a man’s low, trembling voice speaking near her ear. She recognized Mike’s voice and fought even more. And then, Khat felt his mouth skim her parted lips. A heat passed from him into her, the kiss tender. Her nostrils flared as his mouth left hers. His low, deep voice called to her, the words garbled, but she felt the powerful feelings behind them. It made her fight even harder, using every bit of strength her weakened body had accumulated.

  When Khat felt his lips on her wrinkled brow, felt his warm, moist breath flow across her cheek, a new strength filled her. She heard her name being called and she fought to open her eyes.

  Mike watched Khat’s eyes barely open to slits. His breath jammed in his throat as he saw her gaze slowly move in his direction. He held her hand tightly, feeling his heart explode with relief. She recognized him! He could tell. Nurse Black was standing nearby, observing Khat’s progress, studying the monitors closely. She was smiling.

  “Khat?” he called, kissing her cheek. “It’s Mike. I’m here. You’re going to be okay, so stop fighting so hard. You’re safe and you’re with me.” And then he felt her long, beautiful fingers curve weakly around his. It nearly broke Mike. Tears burned in his eyes as he held her wandering gaze. She tried to lick her lips, but failed.

  “Could she be thirsty?” Mike asked the nurse.

  “Very likely, although she’s been given plenty of fluids intravenously. Most people, when regaining consciousness, are thirsty.” She poured water into a glass and added a plastic straw to it. Handing it to him, she said, “Place your arm around her neck and shoulders and slip the straw between her lips. If she can suck, that’s a darned good sign of progress.”

  Mike followed her instructions, grateful she was there to guide him. His hand trembled slightly as he picked up the glass. As he slid his arm around Khat, her eyes opened a little more, holding his. He grinned a little, seeing life in their depths, no longer as dazed-looking. “She’s coming around,” he told Black, placing the straw between her lips.

  Khat sucked strongly, wanting that
cold, delicious water. Nothing had ever tasted so good. She heard Mike’s voice, understood what he was saying. He was gently holding her in his embrace, allowing her to drink her fill. Khat heard another woman’s voice. She sounded happy, too. The water flowed into her dry throat and she finished off the entire glass.

  Linda Black filled the glass again for Mike as he held Khat. “She’s strong,” she murmured.

  Mike nodded. “She has the spirit of a snow leopard,” he murmured, watching Khat see the glass and recognizing it. Stunned by her alertness that seemed to be expanding by the minute, he wanted to cry with relief. Swallowing hard, he watched Khat capture the straw, gulping down more water.

  “Let her drink all she wants,” Linda urged. She moved toward the door. “I’m going to tell Dr. Mason.” She quietly left.

  Mike laid Khat back on the bed, moving some soft strands of her hair from her cheek. He gave her a tender smile. “Welcome back, angel.”

  She clung to his lionlike gaze, taking in a deep breath, her fingers finding his. “W-where?”

  “You’re at the Bagram hospital. You got here two days ago.”

  Lifting her hand weakly, Khat saw the IV in her arm. “What happened?” Her voice was raspy, and it hurt to speak.

  Mike slowly went over a very short version with Khat. At least, the part he knew about. He watched her eyes, her black pupils large, the dark green irises encircled by black outer rims. Khat was trying to process it all, but he could see confusion in her expression, and her brow wrinkled. “Hey,” he whispered, smoothing out the wrinkles with his thumb, “relax. You’re safe and I’m not leaving your side, Khat.”

  Dr. Mason entered.

  Mike gave him a warning glance. “She’s still groggy.”

  Mason nodded and went to the other side of the bed. He took Khat’s hand in his gloved one. “I’m your surgeon, Dr. Mason. How are you doing, Sergeant Shinwari?”

  Frowning, Khat croaked. “Okay…”

  Dr. Mason smiled a little, withdrawing a small penlight from his lab coat pocket. Leaning over her, he asked, “Open your eyes and look at me, please?” He moved the light across her pupils. They contracted from the light. “Good,” he praised. Straightening, he said, “I took out your appendix. I’m going to check the area.” He carefully pulled the sheet aside. The nurse brought Khat’s gown up to reveal her abdominal area.