On Fire

“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, that 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.”