Boylan cautiously entered the infirmary after the Phoenix came to the bar bragging how Lucas shot Washington, but he pulled his shot and she was bleeding all over the place until Hooper ordered her removed to the clinic for treatment. He looked around until he found her in the rear out of sight with Nurse Ogawa working on her head. "How is she?"

Ogawa glanced up when she heard the distinctive Australian inflection in a man's voice, "If her swelling doesn't expand and I have to do something I've never done before like drill a hole in her head, she'll be fine in a few weeks."

"Just hope Lucas doesn't try and finish his job. I don't want word of this mentioned to anyone. Lucas might think she's dead and that's what we want. Keep her out of sight," Boylan instructed as he looked around. "I have to get back, remember not a word to anyone," and was gone leaving the nurse to get back to stabilizing the Lieutenant.

The bright lights were the first thing she saw when she finally regained consciousness with a moan.

"How many fingers am I holding up, Lieutenant," Nurse Ogawa held two fingers above Wash's face.

Wash tried to focus, "Three, maybe four, what happened?"

"Short term memory loss is to be expected. What's the last thing you remember?" the nurse tuned the bed on and made recordings of the Lieutenant's head for Dr. Shannon to examine when or if she ever returned.

"I was drinking at Boylan's," she moaned as her vocal cords hurt her swollen brain and gingerly touched her head, "what happen?"

"Lucas shot you point blank with a bullet. It grazed your skull and the compression blast at so close of range threw your head back and gave you a nasty case of whiplash," Ogawa turned the bed monitor off.

A memory flashed, literally as she remembered the flash, then nothing. "What did I do to piss him off that bad?"

"You helped the Shannon's to escape, don't you remember?" nurse Ogawa ran a cell rejuvenator over the injured part of her face. "This will take a lot of swelling down and most of the bruising away. In a couple days, nobody will hardly notice. I repaired the crease along your skull, but it may leave a hairline scar, but your hair should make it invisible."

Wash lay still, trying to place the events. "How long have I been here?"

"The Phoenix soldiers brought you here two days ago. You were out a long time. Tom Boylan has been by a couple of times checking on you. He's very worried."

Wash remembered Tom watching her back for days, talking quietly to her, while plying her with booze to keep her from doing something rash. For once she felt like she should have listened to the bartender.

She felt a prick, "This is for the pain, but I can't do much for the massive concussion, I'm sorry. I did give you a shot designed to take internal swelling down so it should help a little," Ogawa's shot took the pain away. "I'm going to get you some food. What do you think you can keep down?"

"I don't know, let me sit up," she let the nurse help her to a sitting position where she swung her legs over the side. A wave of dizziness threatened to make her pass out, but she fought through it. "Help me to the bathroom and bring whatever the Phoenix will let you have," Wash watched her leave knowing part of her weakness was from hunger. It'd been a good three days since she ate. Carefully she walked to the bathroom wishing for a cane as she almost fell several times.

"I went to Boylan's and told him you were awake. He's all tied up serving Phoenix soldiers and told you he'd try and get by before long. This is all I could find," Ogawa set a tray down and raised the bed to a sitting position. She sat the tray across Wash's lap and took the napkin covering the food and laid it across her chest.

Wash looked at the fare, "This will be fine, thank you," she picked up a cracker smothered with a spread made from smoked fish and took a bite. Chewing was painful, but she managed.

Suddenly Mira and Carter entered the rear area and looked at Ogawa, "Leave us," Mira ordered.

The nurse looked uncertainly at what she considered the leader of the colony who nodded so she retreated across the room.

Mira stood over the bed, "I was told you were here, and heard Lucas got to use you for target practice. I never wanted you dead and was quite impressed with the resistance you put up before surrendering the colony, and doing what Lucas ordered must have been hard for you. We'll be leaving today as our job here is done. My advice is go to the future. This planet is history."

Wash swallowed her bite and reached for the water on the table beside the bed. Taking a large mouthful she cleared her throat. "So you think you beat Taylor. I wouldn't rule him out so fast."

"Don't leave the clinic or I might take a shot at you," Mira threatened and without another word spun and stalked off. Carter was slower to follow.

"Washington, I'll be rich in the future. Look me up and we'll party," he followed Mira.

Nurse Ogawa hurried back, "That is one scary woman," and took the empty tray. "I would take her advice and stay here."

"I'd feel better if I had a weapon."

"Take this," Ogawa handed her a pill, "it's a combo pain and sleeping pill," two pills were dropped in her open palm rendering her asleep within minutes.

It was dark when Wash woke again. The pain in her head was excruciating, but she struggled out of bed, leaning with her hands on the firm mattress until she was sure she wouldn't fall down from the spinning room. Using the restroom, Nurse Ogawa was present when she returned.

"Lieutenant, the Phoenix and Sixers just pulled out of the colony. They never said a word to anyone, just left."

Washington looked around for her footware, "My boots?"

Ogawa hurried back with them while Wash waited in a chair. "You're in no shape to leave. Boylan spread around that he called Taylor and our side is coming home. They'll be here sometime tomorrow."

"I'll be working until he arrives then," Washington stood and almost fell over. "Can you get me a cane?"

Ogawa returned with a cane and her personal items including the tag the Phoenix made them wear. Leaving the tag on the table Washington made a call to the remaining soldiers to report on the double to the main plaza. She stationed guards and ordered inventory of all weapons while her people were amazed that their Lieutenant could take a shot to the head and be issuing orders two days later. Her already inestimable contribution to the colony made her a giant of a figure among the soldiers and colonist alike, but to have her leaning on a cane like what she went through was nothing had her people in awe.

Slowly, she climbed the steps to the Command Center alone after dismissing her people to their tasks. Lights were left on and the place a mess, but Taylor's desk survived the bombing. There was nothing they could do even if the Phoenix returned. The gate was broken in an up position and Wash didn't want any more blood on her hands. Through a haze, she started her report that Taylor, a stickler for proper protocol, would expect to be done.

Sergeant Thomas entered with the inventory report and Wash's own pistol and holster. "A huge arsenal of weapons is in the armory. I've dispersed them and told all civilians who owned a gun to come and retrieve their weapons."

"Did they get to the weapons in the caverns?"

"No, our supplies underground are safe."

Wash was hungry again, but didn't want to stand and her head was making its demands for more painkiller. "How's the food situation?"

"I don't know. I think we have our own food as the Phoenix wouldn't eat it."

"I need to trouble you for something to eat. Are there any vendors out?"

"People are looking for food. I'll go find something."

"Nurse Ogawa, Lieutenant Washington," she spoke into her radio.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant."

"I need you to bring me some painkiller for the next few days so I don't keep bothering you."

"Alright, I'm on my way."

Washington felt better with the hard melon and fruit Thomas brought and the pain meds made her report writing bearable. The sun was creeping over the mountains when she decided to try standing again. The same dizziness threatened her stability and once again she leaned on the cane until it became part of the background nuisance. Walking on to the balcony she watched the sun rise and got her first good look at the destruction wrought on her home. She knew Taylor would be sick and dreaded meeting him with her failure.

The colonists were moving below and many waved with shouts of glad to see her back on the balcony instead of the intruders. She would have joined them, but more work was waiting and she wasn't sure she could manage the steps down with her vertigo severely hampered by the incessant faintness. Looking over the balustrades edge made her want to fall so she kept her gaze at a distance.

She saw Boylan making his way through the breakfast crowd. He looked up towards the Command Center and saw her. With a smile he bounded up the steps and rushed over. To her surprise he bequeathed a huge hug with a kiss to her cheek.

"We did it, Lieutenant," he released her, "at least Taylor followed your advice and blew Hope Plaza from what I overheard the Phoenix soldiers say as they vacated our home."

"But look at the mess they left," Boylan looked at the carnage with her.

With a smile, he tried to cheer her up, "Nothing we can't rebuild." He looked critically at her wound, "You shouldn't be on your feet with that nasty looking crease."

"It probably looks worse than feels," she brushed him off. "I've been up all night and need to lie down because of that…" she started to say something else then paused, then continued, "Tom, I need help to get down the steps. May I impose on you?" she smiled up to him.

With a flourish he offered his arm and guided her carefully down the steps. Casey was waiting at the bottom with his wide grin, "I don't care what anyone says, Lieutenant, your suggestion was what won the battle."

"Hind sight is the great teacher," she fell into step beside the wheelchair while Boylan stepped to the other side. Wash relied heavily on the cane and wished she could turn her neck to talk to Casey. "I have whiplash so can't turn my head," she explained, then went on with her train of thought. "There's so much I would have done differently, like surrender without a shot being fired to save the colony and warn Taylor sooner and I don't believe this war is over, just this round." She carefully sat at a table while Boylan hurried off to buy breakfast from a vendor. Returning with three plates, one perched on his arm with one in each hand, Casey took one fast and he placed the other in front of Wash.

"Coffee alright with everyone?" Boylan asked.

"Sure, I'm taking a sleeping pill and sacking out before Taylor gets here," Washington really didn't want to face him in the light of day when he would be in shock at the damage under her watch.

"You don't expect Taylor to take what happened out on you, do you?" Casey hoped he misunderstood.

Washington felt she may have said too much, "No, I disobeyed a direct order to join him and got shot. You know he hates insubordination and he won't care the circumstances."

Boylan chuckled, "Oh, we know, don't we?" he looked at Casey who grinned and nodded. "There isn't one of us who didn't get dressed down or extra duty for violating one of Taylor's rules."

"Do me a favor guys, change the subject to something more pleasant," Washington didn't like Taylor being talked bad about, even if it were true. She loved him quietly for years knowing he didn't share her feelings, but had to be content with her proximity to him being enough.

Washington made her way to her quarters, a small unit with a kitchenette, living room, one bedroom with an attached bathroom. They were some of the first units built for the officers once the fence was finished and it was alright to leave the safety of the caverns that ran underneath the colony. Several entrances to the system of caves were used as storage for the colony, everything from meat to Boylan's bar and liquor accommodation. When the Phoenix took over they put their soldiers in the enlisted units, sparing the officer's quarters, except Hooper who moved into Guzman's. Her place was searched and all weapons removed, but nothing else was touched. She knew Taylor's place was untouched because Lucas stayed there after asking her which one was his. She looked in his unit on her way home for a much needed sleep. Lucas threw things about, but the metals and memorabilia were still on the walls. She took the first shower since her ordeal and dressed in a pair of loose pajama bottoms and tank top. Taking a healthy dose of sleeping aid, she crawled into bed and passed out again.

The day was mercifully over for Nathaniel. The homecoming, the carnage, the mysterious discovery. The work crews got the gate down so the local wildlife wouldn't bother them tonight. He hoped the army leaving wasn't to draw him back to ambush the colony and finish his soldiers off, but they were far enough out, he'd have plenty of warning this time. Once again he made his way to his personal quarters. He'd stopped by for a shower earlier, passing Wash's unit near his with a heavy heart.

"Commander," he turned to the voice of Mark Reynolds.

"Corporal, what can I do for you?"

"Sir, I was with the guys and someone mentioned it was a shame to have lost Washington and the room burst out laughing."

"They felt the death of an officer was funny?" Taylor felt rage building.

"No Sir, they thought it was funny we thought she was dead."

Nathaniel felt confusion and his heart started beating rapidly. In a hoarse tone he stated, "I saw her shot myself."

"She was shot, but Lucas only creased her head. She was unconscious for two days and worked in the Command Center all night. According to Sergeant Thomas, she had breakfast with Durwin and Boylan and turned in right before we came home."

"And we're just finding out that she didn't die?"

"The word of her death was put out by you. Nobody in the colony knew about her supposed death and didn't mention it. They were so glad to see us that they forgot to mention who lived and died. We exchanged names and stories, but hers never came up until Quigs mentioned it."

Nathaniel turned in the direction of Wash's quarters. With long strides he marched to her door and started to knock, then stopped himself. He looked at Reynolds who followed him, "I'll take it from here."

"Yes Sir. Permission to tell the Shannon's?"

"Everyone seemed certain she was alive?"

"She came out of the clinic last night using a cane and giving orders. She stayed up all night, even wounded, according to everyone who was here and they had nothing but high praise for her."

"No, I'll tell Shannon's if there is something to tell," he still didn't quite believe Reynolds unless it was witnessed with his own eyes. He watched Reynolds walk back in the direction of the barracks and unlocked his Lieutenant's door. He hadn't been inside her place for years, making her off limits for anything except platonic friendship. Lately, he had thoughts on her that went well beyond platonic, but he never acted upon them, just content to watch her from a distance, knowing she had his back. The closest he came to crossing that line came at their parting when he wanted to hold and taste her lips for the first time.

He looked around at her simple place that was neat and walked silently to the bedroom where the door was closed. He paused and said a silent prayer, 'God, let her be in here and alive.' He pushed the door open. The room was dark and he couldn't see anything so reached for the light switch. With the illumination of the room in a soft light, he saw her on the bed, laying on her side with her back to him. Cautiously he approached her bed. Before he reached the edge she rolled over with her pistol aimed at his midsection. They looked at each other, absorbing the sight.

Finally Washington lowered her weapon, "Sir, welcome home. Sorry I wasn't able to meet you, but I had to lie down."

"Wash, I thought you were dead," he sounded amazed and his voice was soft and low as if speaking to the dead.

"Now that you woke me, I need help up," she slipped the pistol back under her pillow and struggled to the edge of the bed. She put her legs over the edge, "I have to let the world stop spinning," he watched her push mussed hair out of the way.

Carefully he moved her hair aside until he saw the raw scar that started at the temple and ran about five inches along the left side of her head. "You said something to Lucas and he shot you. I saw your lips move. What did you say?" he let her hair go reluctantly. It was softer than he imagined and he would like to run his fingers through her ebony strands.

"I don't remember," she was telling the truth. She lost the part of her memory of the events after she parted from the Shannon's. All she could remember was a bright flash. Maybe when the concussion abated, her missing memories would return. "I'm ready," she held her hands out for him to help her to her feet.

He pulled her up and into his arms, "I thought you were dead and mourned your loss. I didn't know you were alive until Reynolds heard it in the barracks a few minutes ago or I'd have been here sooner."

His arms around her was a dream come true and she returned the gesture and stopped when he made a sound. She lifted her head, "Are you injured?"

"I let Lucas get a little too close," he pulled out of her arms and lifted his tee-shirt so she could see a bandage, "knife to my side."

She tried to shake her head and let out a moan herself. He immediately forgot his pain, "What's wrong?"

She chuckled and reached for her cane, "We're quite the pair of leaders. I have whiplash, a concussion and raging headache. Excuse me," she brushed by him to the bathroom to take care of business. He was in her living room when she came out. Following the light she saw him standing in her living room, making it look even smaller, and went to her kitchen for water and the pain pills.

He watched her walk, leaning on the cane, "Shouldn't you be in the infirmary?"

She swallowed the pills, "My bed is more comfortable," she looked at the time, ten at night and he must be exhausted with missing a night's sleep. "You need to go to bed."

"I'm scared I'm asleep and you're just a dream I want to have."

Wash thought of a solution, "You can sleep on the couch, but I'm going back to bed."

"Or I could lay on your bed, no hanky panky, I promise."

"I don't care," secretly she was thrilled. Maybe he was wanting more than their current relationship.

He turned the light off and followed to her bedroom where she turned her bed lamp on so he could dim the main light. She went to the far side and crawled back under her cover leaving half the bed for him. He sat on the edge and with much pain removed his boots, "I'm going for your pills." When he returned, he saw she succumbed to the pills and was asleep again. He reached out and ran a hand down her arm, feeling the silky softness. Not since his wife had he touched a woman in such a fashion. He laid down over the cover and turned the light off. Soon he felt the pull of the sedative mixed with the painkiller. He wanted to fight it, but sleep won. As he was going under, he reached for her hand and held it tightly and fell asleep.

TBC