The air at the base felt thick with tension as Major John Egan stood outside, watching the horizon darken. His thoughts, however, weren’t on the war or the upcoming mission—they were on you. You were a nurse, someone he saw around the base, someone who gave him shy smiles but never lingered long enough for much more. Yet, those brief moments were enough to get under his skin, to make him feel something intense.

John had heard rumors. You were being given the option to leave, to be transferred elsewhere. The thought of it gnawed at him, and before he could even think it through, he found himself heading to the medical quonset hut where he knew you'd be.

When he saw you, your back turned as you sorted supplies, his heart thudded harder in his chest. He hadn’t planned what to say, didn’t even know how to put it into words.

“They told me you’re being transferred,” he started, shifting awkwardly. “You’re leaving.”

You blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in his voice. “I’ve been given the option, yes,” you said, your tone measured. “I’m still deciding.”

John’s pulse quickened. The way you said it, so calm and distant, only made his chest tighten more. How could you not see it? How could you not know what he was feeling? “You’re good at what you do here. We’d… miss you.” he said, his voice rougher than he intended.

You looked at him, a bit puzzled, as if his words didn’t quite register. “I’m sure there are plenty of nurses who can fill my shoes, Major—"

He clenched his jaw, frustrated by your humility. You didn’t understand. “It’s not the same,” he said, stepping closer, his voice softening. “You… it wouldn’t be the same without you here.”

The air between you felt heavier now, his words hanging in the silence. You blinked up at him, confused by the shift in his tone. “I’m just a nurse, Major.”

“No, you’re more than that,” he said, almost desperate now. “I’m just a cross-hair, I’m just a shot away from you.” He paused. “If you leave… it’ll break me.”