As with most stories on Literotica this one has elements that fit within other genres. However, I think that overall it is a Romance, so that's where I've placed it.
The storyline is from my own imagination so please don't tell me that the characters would or should have done this or that. The actions and reactions I've written fit with the way I wanted the tale to unfold. If you really hate it that much simply stop reading...
Comments on the actual writing are most welcome and if you spot a fault then it's all mine and I apologise in advance.
All the characters that engage in sexual activities are over the age of 18.
Enjoy.
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COMING HOME - Part 2
Chapter 03 - Sean
'Never forget.'
The single thought reverberated through Sean's mind as the train rattled along and he knew for certain the memory of Liam's dying words as he held him would stay with him forever.
"I'll tell her Liam, I promise." He murmured quietly to himself as he gazed into space.
"What's that son?" The old soldier sitting opposite him enquired, "What did you say?"
"Oh nothing. Just thinking, there's a buffet service on this train so maybe we should get a cup of tea?"
Sean looked up at Henry and made the suggestion, wanting to change the subject.
The older man grinned, "Good idea. Tell you what, you go and I'll pay. How's that sound?"
"It's a deal. Do you take sugar?"
Accepting the five-pound note from the old man Sean stood up and made his way through to the buffet car, reappearing a few minutes later with two plastic cups of steaming brown liquid that were obviously pretending to be tea.
"Here you go."
"Thanks." The old man accepted his drink gratefully, "So, what are your plans once you get home?"
"Well...." Sean started and they were soon absorbed in their conversation again, the time flying by so quickly that they hardly realised that they had arrived at their destination.
Disembarking from the carriage Sean said farewell to his new friend Henry, and lugging his bags across the concourse he checked the departure board to find the local trains that would take him back to his home town. Locating one that would be departing in a few minutes he found himself a seat and settled down for the trip.
This time his journey was a lot less interesting and he sat quietly by himself, observing scenery that he hadn't seen for eight years pass by as he got closer to his destination.
Staring aimlessly out of the window he heaved a sigh of regret and let his mind wander back once again to his recent past.
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The hours after the gun battle were just a confused muddle of a few vague sounds and images to Sean as he drifted in and out of consciousness; the voices shouting, the steady
'whump, whump'
of the helicopter rotors, the dazzling lights whenever he opened his eyes, all merged into one undefinable memory.
In fact, it was a full three days later before he finally opened his eyes properly, squinting against the overhead lights when he woke up in the base hospital at camp Bastion.
"Urrmmmmmm..... mmmmmmmmm."
Was all he managed to utter, the tube down his throat preventing him from speaking properly.
"Welcome back to the land of the living sergeant Parkes."
A soft female voice got his attention and he struggled to turn his head towards the pretty brunette nurse in fatigues, standing alongside his bed smiling at him.
"Errm... err... um... I...." He tried to speak but his voice came out as a strangled croak.
"Don't try to talk. You're safe in camp Bastion. Just rest until we get the tubes out in a bit." The cute nurse instructed with another dazzling smile and, relieved, he slumped back onto the pillow.
Making a note on his chart she took his temperature and pulse before busying herself tidying up his bedsheets, squeezing his hand as she fussed over him,,
"You're quite the celebrity you know? We were all very worried about you." She eventually spoke again.
Sean had no idea what she meant and just closed his eyes against the room as it swirled around in front of him.
"I'm Robyn, I'm your nurse." The brunette continued chattering as he lay back on his pillow, "Now just take it easy. The doctor will be around shortly to take a look at you."
Just as she predicted he saw the doctor, an army Major, a little while later and after that, when the tube down his throat was removed, he was permitted to take a few sips of water, although the drip in his arm remained. Now able to speak, at least hoarsely, Sean had been able to get an update from the Major on his situation.
The doctor informed him he had been brought back via helicopter to camp Bastion where he had undergone emergency surgery for his wounds. That had been three days before and he had remained unconscious ever since he had come out of the theatre.
"And my squad, the policemen? Are they ok?" He croaked to Robyn after the doctor had gone.
She looked at him sadly and took hold of his hand again.
"One of the police officers was killed along with the young Marine you were holding. Other than that, everyone else is ok, just a few cuts and bruises."
'Liam. Liam Frane.'
That had been his name and Sean remembered that he had told him he would be ok even though he had realised there was no hope. He had hardly known the eighteen-year-old but it hadn't mattered, he had been a Marine and that was all that counted.
"His name was Liam." He told her for no reason.
"I'm sorry." Was all she could say, tucking in his sheet before moving away.
'I promised him I'd speak to his mother.'
Over the next two weeks of his stay in the base hospital that one thought remained with him, giving him the motivation to get better as quickly as he could.
He had soon found himself looking forward to his nurse, Robyn, doing her rounds, enjoying the banter and mild flirting that accompanied her visits.
Then, suddenly without any warning, she was gone.
When he asked, he was simply told that she had returned to the UK.
It wasn't long after that that the doctors decided he was sufficiently well enough to be flown home to the naval hospital in Gosport, where he could complete his recovery and rehabilitation.
The flight had taken best part of a day. Heading first to Cyprus where he transited for several hours before boarding a second plane bound for the UK.
It was here that he had unexpectedly met up with Robyn again.
He had only been at RNH Haslar for two days when she had appeared on the ward, greeting him with a broad grin.
"Well, hello again Marine. Are you stalking me?"
"Wha.... what are you doing here?" Momentarily lost for words Sean had eventually managed to stammer, "Why'd you leave Bastion?"
Giggling like a schoolgirl her cheeks coloured, "I was due to rotate home and I got posted here. When I saw your name on the ward roster, I knew I had to come and say hi."
His face broke into a broad grin at her answer, "Well I'm glad you did."
They chatted for a while before she had to go back to her duties but she promised she would drop by and see him as often as she could.
It quickly turned out that as often as she could was actually each day, sometimes more than once, and he had found himself starting to think of her as more than just a nurse.
Undertaking daily physiotherapy sessions, he had made quick progress and within a couple of weeks at Gosport he was walking, albeit with crutches, and able to get around the hospital.
"Fancy a walk to the coffee shop?"
Robyn was off duty and had dropped by to see him when he blurted out an invitation to go out and get a drink.
She had smiled coyly, "Are you asking me on a date Marine?"
"Err...." Sean had blushed at her question, "Err.... What if I said yes?"
"Then I'd accept, take hold of your arm and we would stroll happily to the café."
"In that case it's a date."
Giggling she had helped him up and, once he was on his crutches, they had slowly made their way down to the hospital coffee shop.
"What took you so long to ask me out?" Robyn asked once they were settled at a table.
"I umm... I wasn't... I mean I didn't..." Stumbling to put together a coherent sentence he stammered, blushing scarlet.
"God, that's so cute. My big tough Marine is embarrassed." She chuckled kissing him on the cheek.
Smiling ruefully Sean shook his head, "You're a bad girl do you know that?"
Slipping her arm through his she pouted and looked up at him, "Does that mean I get punished later?"
Laughing he found himself drawn to her parted lips and, unable to stop himself, he leant closer and gently kissed her.
"Mmmm, that was nice. I should tease you more often if that's what I get for it."
Sean laughed, "Careful. Next time I might spank that cute bottom of yours."
"Promises, promises." Robyn joined in the friendly banter.
The easy conversation continued for the next hour as they sat and drank their coffee before she escorted him back to the ward.
"How about tomorrow?" He asked hopefully as she went to leave.
His question got him another quick kiss on the lips.
"I'm on shift at two so how about eleven?"
It had turned out to be the first of several dates.
Initially it was just to the coffee shop or a walk in the gardens but as he continued to recover, they had started to go further afield and had eventually taken a stroll down to the local pub one evening.
"You're walking so much better." Robyn told him, holding onto his arm as they strolled slowly along.
"The physio is really helping. She had me running for five minutes today."
"That's great, you'll be out of here and back to your unit before you know it."
