Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Drew

D rew had always prided herself on her exceptional skills and unwavering confidence. She had faced countless high-pressure situations, never once doubting her abilities. That was until she met Lieutenant Colonel Isabel Oakley.

She knew she was in trouble right from their initial interactions, even though they kept it strictly professional. However, she realized that she couldn't deny the spark she felt whenever Izzy was nearby. As they worked together, Drew found herself drawn to Izzy's intelligence, leadership, and compassion.

Lately, though, she had begun to experience unfamiliar emotions. She felt vulnerable, uncertain, and questioning. For the first time in her career, she doubted her capabilities, especially in the field.

The loss of Sergeant Thompson had hit her hard. Drew knew she hadn’t really done anything wrong on that mission, she had made a split second life or death decision that had likely saved a lot of other lives, but still she felt deep pangs of guilt over his loss.

During missions, Drew's mind wandered to Izzy, wondering what she would think and say. She hesitated, second-guessing herself, which had affected her performance.

They had been at the base for almost three months now, and talk was already going around about both of them, so it was no surprise that after returning from a flight, fatigue setting in as she made her way to her quarters to grab some rest, she overheard a conversation that made her heart skip a beat.

A group of young privates fresh out of training huddled in the corner, speaking in hushed tones. Drew's ears perked up as she caught snippets of their conversation.

"...can't believe Major Mitchell is still leading ops," one of them said. "She's always second-guessing herself now."

"Yeah, and it's all because of the Lieutenant Colonel," another private chimed in. "She's clearly got a thing for her, and it's affecting her judgment."

Drew felt a stinging sensation as if she'd been punched in the gut. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. These young soldiers, barely out of training, were questioning her abilities and attributing her supposed decline to her relationship with Izzy.

She wanted to confront them and set the record straight, but something held her back. Maybe it was the exhaustion, or maybe it was the nagging doubt that had been creeping into her mind lately.

Drew slipped away unnoticed, her mind reeling with the conversation she'd overheard. Was it true? Was her relationship with Izzy affecting her performance? And what did the rest of the team think?

As she trudged back to her room, she couldn't shake off the feeling of self-doubt that had been creeping in since she met Izzy.

Once inside, she paced back and forth, her eyes fixed on the floor. "What's happening to me?" she muttered to herself. "I've always been a top-notch operative. I've never let personal feelings get in the way of my job."

She stopped pacing and stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. "But that's not true, is it? Since I met Izzy, everything has changed. I've been hesitating in the field. It's like I've lost my edge."

Drew's voice rose in frustration. "I need to get my head back in the game. I need to prove to myself and everyone else that I'm still a top operative, no matter what's going on in my personal life."

She took a deep breath and mentally retraced her steps to every mission since she met Izzy. "Where did I go wrong? What could I have done differently?"

As she analyzed her actions, Drew realized that her doubts and fears had been simmering beneath the surface, waiting to boil over. "I need to confront this head-on. I need to prove to myself that I'm still capable, still professional."

With newfound determination, Drew stood up straight, her eyes locked on her reflection. "I will do better. I will not let my feelings compromise my job. I am a professional, and I will act like it."

Even as she slept that night, Drew knew this was just the beginning. She had a long road ahead of her, one that required her to confront her doubts and fears to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.

The next day, Drew sat at her desk, staring blankly at the transfer request form in front of her. She had been agonizing over this decision for weeks, but she knew it was the only way to maintain her professionalism and protect her relationship with Izzy.

She couldn't bear the thought of breaking up with Izzy, not after everything they had been through together. But she also knew she couldn't continue to serve alongside her, not when her feelings were so strong.

With a heavy heart, Drew filled out the form, requesting a transfer to a different unit. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she hoped it would be the best solution for both her career and the possibility of a relationship with Izzy.

As she signed the form, Drew couldn't help but wonder how Izzy would react. Would she be fine with the transfer, or would she feel abandoned? Drew pushed the thoughts aside, knowing she had to prioritize her own needs.

She took a deep breath and stood up, trembling, the form shaking slightly in her hand. She would submit it tomorrow, and then...well, then she would wait and see what happened next.

Drew's mind raced with possibilities as she lay in bed that night, her thoughts consumed by Izzy and the uncertain future ahead. Would they make it work despite the distance? Or would the transfer be the end of their relationship?

Only time would tell, but Drew knew she had made the right decision for her. She loved Izzy too much to risk losing herself, and she needed to find a way to balance her heart and duty.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't even see or hear her comms device beep. Just as she was about to submit the transfer request form, her comms device beeped for the third time, and that was when she saw it. She hesitated, her eyes hovering over the screen as she answered the call.

"Major Mitchell, we have an impromptu mission briefing in five minutes. Report to the operations room immediately," the voice on the other end said without preamble.

Drew's heart sank. She had been so close to going through what she had written as her reasons for requesting a transfer before submitting the request, and now she had to put everything on hold.

She dropped the form on her computer and closed the file, trying to push aside the frustration and disappointment.

Duty called, and she had to answer.

Racing against time, Drew grabbed her gear and rushed to the operations room. Out of breath, she burst through the doors and took her place alongside the other team members.

Izzy, already seated at the front, gave her a concerned glance before turning back to the mission briefing.

"Intel suggests a high-value target has been spotted in the vicinity of the old warehouse district," the briefing officer said, pointing to a holographic display projecting a 3D map of the area. "We need to extract the target and bring them in for questioning."

Drew listened intently, her mind racing with the mission parameters and potential risks. She knew this was an opportunity to prove herself, to show that she still had what it took to be a top operative.

As the briefing concluded, Drew felt a surge of adrenaline. She was ready to put her doubts and fears aside and focus on the mission.

"Let's gear up, team," Izzy said, her voice firm and commanding. "You guys move out in ten."

Drew nodded, already mentally preparing herself for the challenges ahead. She would put the transfer request on hold for now and focus on the mission. But she knew that this was only a temporary reprieve, and soon, she would have to face the uncertainty of her future once again.

Determined to prove herself, she took charge of the mission, her mind focused on the objective. She led the team through the warehouse district, her senses on high alert, scanning for any signs of the target.

As they approached the designated location, Drew's instincts kicked in. She signaled for the team to fan out, covering all angles, and then she moved forward toward the warehouse where the target was said to be at, her weapon at the ready.

The team, led by Drew and Smith, approached the warehouse with caution. Intel suggested that the high-value target, a notorious terrorist leader, was hiding inside.

As they entered the warehouse, Drew's team fanned out, securing the perimeter. Smith took point, moving stealthily through the shadows. Drew covered her, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

Drew's voice was low and steady. "Clear left. Clear right. Smith, check that corner."

Smith nodded, moving to the corner. "Clear."

Drew's gaze swept the room, her eyes locking onto a figure in the shadows. "I've got something. Smith, cover me."

Smith moved to Drew's side, her weapon trained on the figure. Drew crept forward, her movements fluid and deadly.

"Target acquired," Drew whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's our guy."

Smith's heart raced as Drew took charge, discharging orders with precision. "Patel, get the package ready. Rodriguez, cover our exit. Smith, let's get him out of here."

But as they reached the center of the warehouse, something went terribly wrong. A loud creak echoed through the space, followed by the sound of footsteps. The target's guards had been alerted.

Smith froze, her hand raised in a warning. Drew's heart raced as she realized they had been compromised. The guards emerged from the shadows, their weapons drawn.

In the chaos that followed, Drew's training kicked in. She took down several guards, but Smith was nowhere to be seen. Drew's heart skipped a beat as she frantically scanned the area.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse, followed by the sound of Smith's voice. "Drew, I've got the target. But we need to get out now!"

Drew sprinted toward the sound, her weapon at the ready. She found Smith pinned down by enemy fire, the target struggling in her grasp.

Without hesitation, Drew laid down a withering field of fire, clearing a path for their escape. But as they made their way out of the warehouse, Drew realized that Smith’s arm was bleeding profusely.

Their mission had gone sideways, and they needed to get out fast before things got any worse.

Drew scanned the perimeter. "Alright, team, let's move out. Drew, take point with Drew. Patel, cover our backs. I'll take the center with Smith."

She knew the team’s tactics, and she trusted her instincts.

She led the way, her weapon at the ready. She moved swiftly and silently, her senses on high alert. She kept her eyes fixed on Smith's back.

Drew couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She had executed countless missions, but this one felt different. The target, a man with a gaunt face and sunken eyes, seemed...altered.

At first, she thought it was just the stress of captivity, but as they made their way back to the extraction point, she noticed the target's behavior. He was docile, almost catatonic, and his eyes looked glazed over.

Drew's gut told her something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She glanced at Smith, who seemed equally perplexed.

"What's going on with him?" Smith whispered, nodding toward the target.

Drew frowned. "I don't know, but I don't like it. He's not reacting like a typical HVT."

As they loaded the target into the helicopter, Drew's uneasiness grew. She noticed his pupils were dilated, and his skin had a faint sheen to it.

"Patel, did you notice anything unusual about the target's behavior?" Drew asked, her voice low.

Patel hesitated. "Now that you mention it, ma'am, he did seem sedated."

Drew's instincts screamed at her to investigate further, but they were already en route to the debriefing site. She made a mental note to look into the target's medical records to see if anything could explain his strange behavior.

Her uneasiness lingered, and she realized she felt as if she were being watched.

"Smith, I've got a bad feeling about this," Drew said, her voice low and urgent.

Smith glanced at her, concern etched on her face. "What is it, Drew?"

Before Drew could respond, a hail of bullets assaulted them, ripping through the air with deadly precision. The team dove for cover, returning fire as they scrambled to regroup.

As they fought their way to the extraction point, Drew's mind raced. What was causing this feeling? Did they miss something in the warehouse?

The bullets kept coming, forcing them to move with precision and speed. Drew's team was well-trained, but they were outnumbered, and the enemy was closing in.

Just as they reached the extraction point, a rocket-propelled grenade screamed toward them, forcing them to scatter. Drew grabbed Smith's arm, pulling her to safety just as the grenade detonated, sending shrapnel flying everywhere.

As they caught their breath, Drew's gaze locked onto Smith's. "We need to get out of here."

Smith nodded, her eyes scanning their surroundings. "I've got the package. Let's move!"

That was when it happened.

A round of bullets had rained down on her, searing a deep pain as multiple rounds hit her, sending her crashing to the ground.

"Major's down! We need to extract now!" one of the team members yelled as they returned fire.

Smith rushed to Drew's side. "Drew, can you hear me? We need to get you out of here!"

Drew tried to respond, but her voice was barely a whisper. She felt her vision blurring, her body numb.

The team quickly regrouped, forming a protective perimeter around Drew as they called in an emergency airlift.

As they waited for the medevac to arrive, Smith held Drew's hand, her eyes locked onto hers. "Hang in there, Drew. You're going to be okay."

But Drew knew she wasn't okay. She felt her life slipping away, her thoughts fading to black.

The last thing she remembered was the sound of the helicopter's rotors, and Izzy appearing and calling out to her, "Drew, don't leave me!"

Then, everything went dark.

Drew lay in the hospital bed, her body wracked with pain and her mind foggy from the medication. But as she drifted in and out of consciousness, she became aware of Izzy's constant presence by her side.

At first, Drew thought it was just Izzy's duty as her superior officer, but as the hours passed, she saw her genuine concern. Izzy's professionalism was unwavering, but Drew caught glimpses of something more—a deep care and worry for her well-being.

When the medical staff came to check on Drew, Izzy was always there, asking questions, advocating for her needs, and ensuring she received the best care possible.

But when the room was empty and Izzy thought Drew was asleep or sedated, she broke down in tears. Drew, despite her haze, saw the raw emotion, fear, and love in Izzy's eyes.

Drew's heart swelled, realizing that Izzy's tough exterior hid a deep vulnerability. She wanted to reach out, to comfort Izzy, but her body wouldn't respond.

As the tears streamed down Izzy's face, Drew felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew, in that moment, that Izzy's feelings went far beyond mere professionalism.

And though Drew couldn't speak, she smiled inwardly, knowing that she was loved, truly loved, by the woman she loved in return.

Her condition took a critical turn as a massive internal injury ruptured, threatening to claim her life. Izzy sprang into action, calling for emergency surgery.

The operation was long and grueling, with Izzy working tirelessly to save Drew's life. Her hands moved with precision, her focus solely on repairing the damage.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the surgery was over. Izzy was exhausted, but her eyes shone with relief as she gazed at Drew's still form.

Thinking Drew was unconscious, Izzy leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Drew, my love, you're going to make it. You're going to be okay. I love you so much."

Drew, however, was not unconscious. She had been listening, and her heart swelled with emotion.

Tears streamed down Drew's face as she felt the depth of Izzy's love. She wanted to respond, to tell Izzy she loved her, too, but her voice was trapped, unable to escape.

Izzy, believing Drew was unaware, continued to whisper words of love and encouragement.

Drew's heart overflowed with joy, knowing that Izzy truly loved her. And as she lay there, she knew she would fight to recover, to be with Izzy, to tell her how much she loved her in return.

A few days later, Drew's eyes fluttered open, her mind groggy from the medication and sleep. She was met with the familiar sight of the hospital room, but what surprised her was who sat by her bed: General Jackson, her commanding general.

General Jackson's face was stern, but his eyes showed a hint of warmth. "Major Mitchell, glad to see you're awake."

Drew's mind raced, trying to remember how General Jackson ended up here in her hospital room. She recalled the surgery, the internal bleeding, and Izzy's words of love.

"Sir?" Drew's voice was weak, barely above a whisper.

General Jackson nodded. "I came to check on your progress, Major. You've been through a lot."

Drew's gaze drifted around the room, searching for Izzy. But she was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Izzy?" Drew asked.

General Jackson's expression turned serious. “Oakley is being debriefed, Major. She'll be back to see you soon."

Drew's eyes locked onto General Jackson's, searching for answers. What did he know about her relationship with Izzy? And why was he here in her hospital room?

But before Drew could ask any questions, General Jackson stood up. "Rest, Major. You have a long recovery ahead of you."

As General Jackson turned to leave, Drew called out, her voice weak but urgent. "Sir, wait!"

General Jackson turned back, his expression stern. "Yes, Major?"

Drew took a deep breath, her heart racing. "My transfer request, sir. I know it's been submitted."

General Jackson nodded, his eyes narrowing. "I'm aware of the request, Major. But I'm afraid it's been denied."

Drew's eyes widened, surprise and fear mixing in her chest. "Denied, sir? But why?"

General Jackson's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "Because, Major, I know about your relationship with the Lieutenant Colonel. And I won't be accepting your transfer request."

Drew's heart skipped a beat. How did he know? And what did he plan to do with this information?

"Sir, please?—"

"Major, I've known about your relationship for some time now. And I've decided to take no action as long as it doesn't compromise your duties or the mission."

Drew's mind reeled, trying to process this new information. What did General Jackson want from her?

"But, sir," Drew tried again.

Denied, Major. You're too valuable to this unit to let you go. And besides, I think Oakley would be lost without you."

Drew's eyes dropped, her heart racing with emotion. What did the general mean? And what did he plan to do with this knowledge?

However, she couldn't get any answer as the general instantly left the room, leaving Drew with the feeling that something was off. Why was he here? And what did he want?

As he left, Drew felt a mix of different emotions all at once. Relief, fear, and uncertainty were the topmost. But as she lay there, she began to process his words.

She realized that her secret was out, but instead of being punished, she was being given a chance to continue serving. Not only that, but she was allowed to maintain her relationship with Izzy.

A sense of calm washed over Drew as she understood that General Jackson's decision meant she didn't have to choose between her career and her love for Izzy. She could have both, as long as she kept her professional and personal life separate.

Drew's mind began to race with the implications. She would have to be more careful and discreet, but she was willing to do that to ensure her relationship with Izzy didn't compromise her professionalism.

A small smile crept onto her face as she felt a sense of hope. She could make this work. She could balance her love for Izzy with her duty as a soldier.

As she drifted off to sleep, Drew felt a sense of peace settle over her. She knew that as long as she kept her priorities straight, everything would be okay. She could have her love, her career, and her happiness.

When Izzy walked into the room, she had a warm smile. Drew knew she was ready to face whatever came next, as long as they faced it together.

"What did I miss?"