Off Limits (13 page)

Tears welled into Alex's eyes as she looked up at her father's grim features. “No,” she quavered, “I'm not going anywhere until I know what the Marine Corps is going to do with Jim McKenzie.”

He halted and stared at her. “Alexandra, what's gotten into you? Do you still have a fever?”

She wanted to cry, but didn't dare. Every time she got emotional in front of her father, he walked away from her, as if she wasn't worthy of his attention. Clamping down on the cauldron of emotions roiling within her, she rasped, “My fever's gone, Father. I've got enough antibiotics in me to kill a horse. My shrapnel wound is fine. I'm clear-headed.”

“Sweetie pie, don't concern yourself with this McKenzie fellow. He's trying to change his mind in midstream. This conscientious objector routine is just a cover to get out of doing his duty. Let the corps handle it and let's get you home.”

Her heart jagged with anger and fear. “Father, I'm staying. I'm over eighteen, and I decide where and when I'm leaving Da Nang. I spent a week with that man, and he's one of the most courageous and kind human beings I've ever met. I'm not abandoning him when he needs me.”

He stared down at her. “Alex, you obey me.”

Alex held his glare. Rarely had she stood up to her father about anything—except her degree in nursing. “I will not.”

“You're being disrespectful to my wishes.”

Alex's eyes widened. Her voice strangled with anger, she said, “If it was Case or Buck, you'd be slapping them on the back for making a command decision. But since it's me doing it, you think I'm being disrespectful.”

“Young lady, you are way out of line.”

Alex heard the tremor in his voice as it grew deep and defensive. “A man's life is at stake, Father, and I'm not letting him down,” she continued heedlessly. “He saved my life. I'll be damned if I'm going to let the Marine Corps railroad him! Jim has every reason never to fire a rifle again!”

With a curse, Vance shook his finger at her. “Alexandra, you stay out of this!”

“No.” For a moment, as she watched her father's square face turn a purple hue, Alex wondered if he was going to reach out and strike her. It wouldn't be the first time, although her brothers had been struck many more times than she had, growing up. Hiram Vance was known on the Hill for his short-fused temper, his opinionated stance and his bellicose personality. He was even more single-minded when dealing with his family. Alex watched his hands slowly ball into fists. Would he hit her in front of all these marines?

Her mouth dry, Alex held her father's black glare. She watched as he flexed his fists. The rage in his face was consummate, and inwardly, Alex tried to steel herself for his explosive tirade. Jim had faced the enemy for her—he'd risked his life to get her sulfa drugs and take her to the firebase. She could do no less for him now.

“This isn't the time or place to correct you,” he rasped, glancing at the tent full of wounded marines, most of whom were now watching the confrontation with open curiosity. “What are your plans?” Hiram ground out.

Alex set her mouth, and her eyes narrowed. “To help Jim any way I can.”

He advanced upon Alex, towering threateningly above her. “Young lady, under no circumstances will you embarrass me. Do you understand?”

Refusing even to wince, Alex held her father's stare. He had always been overly worried about public opinion, but then, Alex reminded herself bitterly, her father was a politician. They had to be responsive to the public. “Whatever I decide to do will be on my own,” she said, hoping the quaver in her voice wasn't obvious. “I'll leave your name out of it.”

Her father whirled around and stalked out of the tent.

Alex released a ragged sigh. The marine in the next bed, his leg in a suspended cast, gave a soft whistle. She looked over at him. He couldn't have been more than eighteen.

“Man, that was some kind of stand you took, Miss Vance.”

Alex heard the admiration in the marine's voice. Shaking visibly, she lay back down and shut her eyes. Her entire world was coming apart. It had been no surprise that her father didn't see Jim in the same light that she did. As Alex lay there, trying to pull herself together for the coming fight to save Jim, she knew in her heart that this argument with her father was only the beginning. Hiram Vance prided himself on winning—on always having the last word. This was only the second time in her life she'd stood up to her powerful father.

Alex's shoulder ached badly, but her heart hurt worse. Between her father and Jim was a chasm. How could Jim be so sensitive, gentle and thoughtful when her father was the opposite? Finally Alex drifted into a restless sleep, where she dreamed of Jim McKenzie, of his soft smile, the teasing light in his dark blue eyes and his incredibly gentle touch. A fierce love blanketed Alex, her sleep deepened, and in her dreams she saw them together—and happy.

* * *

“Corporal McKenzie, you're under arrest for desertion and insubordination to a superior officer.”

Jim stood in the headquarters tent of Da Nang, brig guards on either side of him as Major Dover read the charges. Exhaustion lapped at him, but he stood at attention the best he could with his aching leg. Yesterday he'd taken off the makeshift splint because it was falling apart.

The door to the tent was jerked open. Lieutenant Matt Breckenridge entered, his face set and grim as he approached Jim.

“Major, what's going on? I understand my man just returned from that hill. He's in need of medical attention.”

Dover glanced at Breckenridge. “Captain Johnson on Hill 223 put your man on charges for his actions during a recent firefight, Lieutenant.” He handed him the orders. “Before you get your hackles up, I suggest you read this.”

Jim glanced at Breckenridge, relief flowing through him. Two days had passed before the hill had been secured from the attacking VC. The only thing on Jim's mind now was Alex. How was she? He knew Captain Johnson would slap him in leg irons as soon as possible. Jim had already resigned himself to his fate. He saw his lieutenant's face grow hard.

“Major Dover, I request that Corporal McKenzie be given over to me. I'll be responsible for him while he's here in Da Nang awaiting court-martial.”

“Sorry, Lieutenant, but that's not in the rule book. Corporal McKenzie is going straight to the brig here on base to await deposition of this matter.”

Breckenridge glared at the officer. “With all due respect, sir, Corporal McKenzie suffered a broken leg while on patrol. Look at him. He's got other wounds. I demand he be taken to the MASH unit first to be cared for.”

Dover shrugged. “Fine. He's your responsibility in that arena, Lieutenant. Get him medical attention, then these brig guards will escort him to his cell. Those are my orders. Do you understand, Lieutenant?”

“They're perfectly clear, sir.” Breckenridge looked over at Jim. “Let's go,” he ordered softly.

Limping badly, Jim followed, the brig guards remaining close by. They left the tent, the hot sun feeling good to Jim. He took a deep, steadying breath of air.

“I'm glad to see you, sir.”

Breckenridge looked at him grimly. “Same here, Jim. I'm afraid you're not going to find too many friendly faces here in Da Nang. In fact, Miss Vance and I are your only supporters.”

“What about Miss Vance? Is she okay?” Jim asked.

“Yeah, she's going to be fine.”

“Did they ship her out?” Jim hoped so.

“No. She's remaining at the base in Da Nang.” Breckenridge glanced over at him sharply. “You've got two people who know you're not a deserter or a coward, McKenzie—me and her.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Alex Vance is refusing to leave Da Nang until you're cleared of all charges. She's a witness, if you will, in your defense.” Matt pursed his lips. “I've already talked to the CID people to see what charges are being pressed by this Captain Johnson.”

Jim nodded. “Yes, sir.” His heart somersaulted with joy and pain. “Alex is really staying here?”

“Waiting to see you.”

If only he could see Alex one last time. “Sir, could you let her know I'm at the MASH unit gettin' patched up?”

A slight thaw came to Breckenridge's narrowed eyes. “She's at the same unit you're going to. I'll make sure she knows you've arrived.”

“Thank you, sir.” Jim had spent a year with Matt Breckenridge and his recon team. He knew the officer was an honorable man with clear-cut values. “I'm sorry to put you in this jam, sir.”

Breckenridge smiled briefly. “Don't be.”

Jim stared at the officer. “I refuse to pick up a rifle again, sir.”

“I know that.” The lieutenant's mouth compressed. “We each have our limit. You reached yours with Kim. Someday, I'll probably reach mine, too.”

It meant a lot to Jim that Breckenridge didn't see him as a deserter or a coward. “Thanks for understanding, Lieutenant.”

Breckenridge slowed and opened the door that led to the emergency-room facilities of the MASH unit. His gray eyes narrowed with intensity. “I'm going to do everything humanly possible to help you. But I'll tell you right now, I don't think it's going to be enough. I'm the one who's sorry. You're a good marine, and you don't deserve the way they're going to use you as a scapegoat.”

Jim understood only too well. The corps had a proud tradition to uphold, and with the war starting to escalate in earnest, they didn't want a black eye in the media with a marine refusing to bear arms against the enemy. As he hobbled into the facility, greeted by nurses in green shirts and slacks, Jim knew his freedom was at an end. All he wanted—all he needed—was to see Alex one last time. He was about to ask, when Breckenridge gripped his shoulder.

“I'll go find Miss Vance for you.”

Tears stung Jim's eyes and he quickly looked away from the marine officer. Breckenridge was the kind of man Jim would have died for, if necessary. The fact that the officer would put his career on the line to defend Jim was simply amazing. Breckenridge understood why Jim could never pick up a rifle again. And so did Alex. But they were the only two people in the world who ever would.

The brig guards remained at the tent entrance, never taking their eyes off Jim as a doctor and nurse maneuvered him around on a gurney. He lay quietly, knowing the medical team would x-ray his leg, make a cast for it and patch up the various other wounds he'd gotten in the past couple days on that godforsaken hill.

Tiredness lapped at him. As they wheeled him down the hall to the X-ray room, he closed his eyes. Like everyone else, he'd only gotten snatches of sleep in the last forty-eight hours. In moments, Jim spiraled into an exhausted slumber, oblivious to the building storm that surrounded him.

J
im was jolted awake as they wheeled him out of X ray and back to the emergency room. To his surprise, he saw Alex waiting for him, draped in a long, light blue cotton robe, her left arm in a clean white sling. Jim couldn't hide his reaction to her. Even though the brig guards were watching him, disgust written on their every feature, and his skipper was there, too, Jim couldn't control the gamut of emotions rushing through him.

Alex's gray eyes shone with love, the welcome in them undeniable. Jim sat up. He wanted to protect her from himself, from what he knew was going to happen to him.

“Jim?”

He winced inwardly, the quaver in her low voice tearing at him. As she drew near his gurney and held out her hand, he took it.

A lump formed in his throat. “How you doin', gal?”

“Okay. I was worried sick for you. I heard the VC almost took back the hill.” She choked back a sob. “I had these horrible dreams that you might be killed.”

The ache to sweep her into his arms was overwhelming. Just the feminine strength of her fingers made him want to cry. Clearing his throat, Jim forced a slight, one-cornered smile for her benefit. “I made it back alive, that's all that counts. Look at you, all gussied up. Your hair's washed. I didn't realize it had gold threads of sunlight in it.”

Jim sat up on the gurney, still dressed in his filthy, foul-smelling clothes. Alex realized that he was beyond exhaustion, his eyes red-rimmed and dark. He desperately needed a bath, some sleep and some food. His face appeared even more gaunt than she recalled. She rallied beneath his teasing. She wanted badly to reach over and kiss him but didn't dare under the circumstances.

“What are they going to do with you?”

Jim glanced over at Breckenridge. “After they make a cast for this leg of mine, they're taking me to the brig.”

“No!” It was an animal-like cry. Alex whirled around and pinned Breckenridge with a pleading look.

“How can they do that, Lieutenant? Jim saved my life! Doesn't that count for anything?”

Matt walked over to where she stood. “I'm doing everything I can to help him, Miss Vance,” he assured her.

“But,” she whispered distractedly, “his leg.”

“If he walked in here under his own power, the major figures he can walk over to the brig and stay there instead of here at the hospital,” Breckenridge said unhappily. “I'm sorry.”

Alex saw the genuine regret in the officer's eyes. She turned back to Jim, her grip on his hand tight. “I'm going to help you, Jim. I swear I will.”

“Listen to me, gal, no one can help me now. The best thing you can do is board the next freedom bird out of here and go Stateside. Go back to the real world and forget about me.” It hurt to say those words, especially when he didn't mean them. The stubbornness he saw in Alex's face told him she wasn't going to listen anyway.

“No! The way they're treating you—treating this whole situation—is
inhumane!
I won't stand for it, Jim.”