Page 91 of Lieutenant

And I’m sure I look like shit.

I definitely smell bad.

I wouldn’t even hold it against them if they’ve already held memorial services for me. As long as they used decent pictures of me.

If they used crappy pictures, Iwillfucking killbothof them.

* * * *

I think I should be excused for passing out again. When I awaken, the world is moving. I feel it and briefly freak out, panicked that I’m back on the goddamned life raft.

I open my eyes long enough to see I’m being carried out of the sick bay on a stretcher before I close my eyes again. They’re taking me out first, apparently, but the movement and staring up at the ceiling makes me dizzy and makes my stomach roll.

In the distance, I hear a man screaming.

Sounds sort of like a familiar man screaming.

“Motherfucker, let me on thisgoddamnedboat rightfuckingnow!”

Oh, hey, that’s my husband.

I force my eyes open, but staring up still makes me dizzy, so I close them again. “Hope you grabbed my bucket,” I say. “I think I might need it. And I’d let the screaming guy on board, if I were you. As long as he’s my husband. Because if he is my husband, he gets mean and bitey.” Then I remember the crew can’t speak English, but I hear a chuckle and see the captain walking with us. He translates, and the crewmen laugh.

The captain calls out to someone.

They’re still carrying me when I hear more screaming, definitely what sounds like Carter-ish swearing, and then something that makes my eyes snap open.

“Pet!”

I hold up the arm without the IV as I start crying. I try to lift my head, but that makes me dizzy, too.

The men carrying my stretcher stop at the sound of footsteps pounding down the deck.

He’sthere.

RIGHT THERE!

Carter’s leaning in, cradling my face in his hands, kissing me…

Crying. His tears fall on my face as he sobs.

If I’m dead, maybe I hit Heaven after all.

Except…

“Owen?” I croak.

“Florida. I’ll get him coming here.”

“Here, where?”

He’s laughing and crying at the same time. “Fucking goddamned, beautiful, motherfuckingBorneo!”

“No shit?”

He’s still doing the laugh-cry thing. “No, shit, pet. You ended up in fucking Borneo.”

“Please tell me Daddy’s not here.”