Chapter 10 - What Had I Done

Nolan Iselin was held back by his grandparents and some of their neighbors who came running as they heard the noise.

Yelena finally realized what was happening. "Morris!" She uttered in a panicked voice.​​

"I'm fine, Captain. Are you hurt anywhere?" Morris grabbed Yelena on the upper arm and scanned her with a worry face.

"How could you ask me that now? You're bleeding!" Yelena yelled at him with a disappointed look on her face. But there was also a hint of guilty.

Morris laughed at her reaction. "Woah! What is this? You won't even bat an eye when my whole body was covered with blood during our missions. Now you lose your calmness just because of this little wound?!" He exclaimed with a playful smile.

"Do you want to die? How dare you make a joke in this situation?!" Yelena hissed.

"Don't worry, Captain. I'm still the same as before. I'm still the one who's willing to lay down his life if it's for you. So, this wound is nothing." Morris reassured her with a warm smile.

"You're an idiot! What if he hit you on the head? Besides your life is for the country, not me." Yelena said as she rise and help Morris.

"Then let me make a correction, Captain. I'm willing to lay down my life if it's for you or the country." Morris stated with a light chuckle.

"You're helpless." Yelena shook her head and shifted her gaze to Nolan, who was sleeping peacefully after a calming injection. She sigh and then look at Morris again. "Come, let's have your wound treated."

* * *

After treating Morris's wound and having another chat with the old couple, Yelena and Morris finally leave the house. They get inside the car and left for their home city.

Despite being injured, Morris insisted to drive the car, talking about a gentleman's duty and all. Rather than arguing with him, Yelena chose to just do as his wish.

Morris was always an obedient and devoted subordinate of hers in the Army who never went against her words even though they were the same age; but he was always so stubborn outside their work. But she cherished him more than any others. May be because they bore the same scar for years.

"Captain, do you really think Nolan Iselin will be able to recover after a few treatments? I mean, you saw his condition." Morris pointed out the thing that that happened just minutes ago.

When Mr. Iselin told them that according to the Doctor, Nolan might be able to recover after some treatments. But due to the high cost, they were unable to afford such treatments. Then Yelena promised them that she would pay all the medical costs and told them to start the treatment right away.

"They said that the reason Nolan went crazy was not because of some accidents or wounds in the head; but due to depression and traumatic events. This is our only hope for now, Morris. Unless we find another clue." Yelena recalled the actions of Nolan. "But we didn't completely failed today. His calm attitude changed as soon as I mentioned the two names. Did you still remember what he said?"

"I didn't see anything. Please don't kill me. I won't tell anyone." Morris repeated the words of Nolan.

"Exactly. We used to speculate many things before this. Did they offended someone or saw something that they were not supposed to see? Now it's clear that they came across something that they shouldn't see." Yelena stated firmly.

Now she was more ambitious than before. "Let's look deeper into all events that happened in the Army 6 years ago."

"I'll look into it. Take a rest while you can." Morris replied without much thought which earned him a sharp glare from his Captain.

"I should be saying that to you now. You know that we will be having a new mission after three days. Take care of yourself and rest until then."

Yelena's words were followed by a long and complete silence. The duo seemed to be lost in their own thoughts, thinking about the things they heard and saw at the Iselin's home.

They both knew that the person or thing they were after, will be very powerful and hard to handle than they could imagine. But what could they possibly do? They already chose to went down this path and there was no turning back. For them, it had already became their life mission.

"By the way Captain, do you enjoy your stay in Belden?" Morris break the long minutes of silence.

"Yes. I..."

Yelena suddenly realized something. Oh no! She had totally forgot about someone!

She thinks hard trying to recall just what had happened. She remembered herself sleeping soundly until it was very late in the morning. Then she received a call that wake her up and heard a voice from the other line that said, "Captain, I found him!"

After that, nothing else came to her mind. She hurriedly packed her things and rushed like crazy to the airport.

Yelena covered her face with her left palm and heavily sighed. "What had I done?" She muttered to herself.

Will that man wait for her? How will he think about her?

But then one thing came to her mind. He was from Edeladon. There was no way for them to meet again. So she decided to brush the feelings away and concentrate on her upcoming mission. But no matter what, she cannot feel at ease.

Morris shifted his gaze from the road to Yelena again and again. What's wrong with her? He finds it strange because he never saw her behave like that before.

* * *

Three days passed by uneventfully. Yelena had a good rest during those days and she also looked up from time to time, some events that happened in the Army 6 years ago. But she still didn't find any clue.

The meeting that she missed also kept bothering her. But she always tried her best to brush it off whenever it came to her mind. She will never meet him again anyway. But she somehow felt a pain in her heart.

It was the day to report in for her new mission after her leave of one week. Yelena smartly dressed up in her green combat dress as usual. After packing all the necessary things, she left for the base with her Red Wrangler Rubicon.

On her way, Yelena thought about what kind of mission would be awaiting her team. During the past year that she leads Team Delta, she was in all sorts of missions - rescuing fellow soldiers or civilians captured by enemy countries, hunting down the infamous national wanted criminals and more.

Though she joined the Army to discover the truth behind her brother's death, she already started to love her job. Serving the country brings her peace, which she was never able to attain before.

Yelena reached the base in no time and placed her things at her team's office. Then she went to the Commander's office. She was excited to meet her Maj. Gen. 'Uncle' again; but she was more eager to hear the details of her new mission.

She knocked the door and entered the room when she heard a response that told her to come in. She approached Maj. Gen. Lucian who was currently talking to a guest, but Yelena could only see the backside of the guest.

When Maj. Gen. Lucian saw Yelena, he smiled and said to the guest, "Here she comes, Your Highness. She is the one I'm talking about. The leader of the team who will be responsible for your safety during your stay here in Silveren."

Then the Commander rose from his seat and said to Yelena, "Captain Yelena, greet His Highness Crown Prince Felix Valestra of Edeladon. Protecting him from all dangers during his stay here is your team's new mission."

Yelena stood in attention and saluted the man who was called the Crown Prince of Edeladon. "I'm Captain Yelena Arista, the leader of Team Delta..."

Yelena could not finish her greetings as the man rose from his seat and turned around to look at her. The moment their eyes landed on each other; their calm face were replaced by shock and bewilderment!

Yelena slowly released her right palm which was in a salute position and stared at the man whom she stood up; while the latter stared at the woman who stood him up in surprise.

Only one thing came to their minds.

'It's him!'

'It's her!'