I really, really like this one! You do a great job of incorporating snippets from Billy's past. I love how the ending section of the story begins the same way the beginning one did. And I love how Billy concludes that he's found himself a family!

All of the characters seem so much like themselves, and the way Billy's comrades respond to his injury is so characteristic of them. Haha, and so is the way Billy responds. It seems very Billy-like that one of his first thoughts upon realizing what happened is "shish kabob." Ouch!

Ah, this story was just great! I think my favorite part were the interactions in the second half; especially the hilarious food discussions. You deliver this with such a wonderfully dry sense of humor too, as in Casey's remark about the food mistakenly delivered to an ICU patient. And then this:

""Well, Billy's been a pretty effective potato chip in the field, then," Michael says."

That was awesome, I literally laughed out loud (waking everyone in the middle of the night here).

Thank you for such excellent entertainment with just the right balance of angst, friendship, and humor.

Great story. :) Really emotional. Loved the "Casey felt like he'd just kicked a puppy," line. :P

You really like to hurt Billy, don't you? Not that I'm complaining... LOL!

Enjoyed reading this one too! Loved the revolving POVs.

And fics like this are all we need too...

You know how much I LOVE this story. Angst galore and Billy in dire peril! What's not to like? I LOVE the tension you build when both halves thinks the other halves are dead. I LOVE that you have Billy put on a brave face for Rick's sake even though he doesn't believe he'll live to see a rescue. It's SO POIGNANT and SO Billy! I also love that you have Billy recall past falls as his POV. It's just a wonderful insight into his thinking.

Fave parts:

"I would recommend against moving." Casey's voice is wry, but there's definitely concern underlying it, which is generally not a good sign.

Billy blinks a few times, sucking in harsh, shallow breaths as his vision clears and he flinches away from an onslaught of light.

Casey's hand is unyielding, so Billy settles for rolling his head to the side, grimacing at the slight movement, which sends sharp pain through his body and twists dangerously in his stomach. After a moment, he cranes his head back slightly, catching sight of Casey perched at his side.

Casey's face is taut, and he looks both tired and relieved. "Of course you'd pick now to wake up," he says.

Billy manages a wan smile. "I have been told my sense of timing is impeccable."

"Impeccably annoying," Casey agrees, but the sarcastic bite to his voice sounds forced.

At that, Billy frowns, remembering this time to keep himself still. "Pryce?"

"Michael's getting him secured as we speak," Casey reports.

Billy's brow creases somewhat. "I'm afraid I let him get the best of me," he says, feeling sheepish.

Casey's face betrays no emotion. "A momentary lapse," he says by way of assurance. "Happens to the best of us."

The gentleness of it is almost surprising, and the disbelief eclipses the pain for a moment. "Is that an admission of weakness?" he asks.

Casey's lips quirk into a small smile. "Well, it happens to the rest of you, anyway," he says. "And in this light and the unknown terrain, he had the upper hand. Son of a bitch knew just where he was taking us."

Billy's joviality fades as fresh pain ignites in his body. "I should have seen it coming," he grits out.

Casey shrugs. "We can discuss a new training regimen to get you back on your game later," he says. "Right now, I need you to focus on being still while we get you out of here."

- This moment between Casey and Billy is PRICELESS! I JUST LOVE IT! Hearing Casey make such concessions is just SO endearing!