I Will Fear No Evil }{ For thou art with me/Shield

[Dexter Shield]

"Oh, I can see you still have fighting a plenty to do." said Shield, and he couldn't help but feel sorry for him, as the man kept on about final rites. "How about this" He offered, and squeezed Rogers hand, "Lord, watch over your child in his hour of need, and be with him through the many trials he will face. Protect him from death, and see that if it is his time to come to you, that he be properly received into your kingdom." He crossed his hand over Roger's body. "That ought to tide you overr until you are out of this mess," he said with a wink, and then he listened to what else the Lt. had to say.

"A farmer eh?" He asked, glad to have found something to keep Roger distracted, "I don't blame you for wantin to go back there." He looked away for a moment, thinking back to Whitefall. "There is something magic about helping things grow." He said with a sigh, and then looked back at Roger. "You seem like the type who would make a fine farmer. Strong, and you have that sorta feel about you." He smiled, "Maybe one day we can all be doing something as peaceful as farming." He sighed, "God willing."

[Roger Davis]

“Thank you…” Roger replied softly , closing his eyes briefly as the preacher concluded his blessing. It wasn’t what the lieutenant had asked for but it was good enough. Most ceremonies for the dead and
dying were of course for the benefit of the still living so Roger would not hold it against Shield that he did not want to write Roger off as dead just yet. A dead man would be forever in paradise while those who survived him would live many years with the loss and grief. There was no need to increase the shepherd’s emotional pain.

Roger tried to shake his head “no” but only moved ever so slightly and overexerted himself in the process. “I love the land and my, my family… but I don’t want to go back.” Roger said. “I’m needed here, and I’ll, and I’ll see this thing through… to its con-conclusion, beside my men. There is no place I’d rather be at this moment.” Well maybe he didn’t want to be lying on an operating table but he wanted to be on this battlefield fighting the good fight. “One day… one day I’ll go back home, but not yet.”

"Not in the cards, Davis" the surgeon interrupted and then turned to Boyd. "Get him back to regimental and then the first truck to the division hospital.

[Dexter Shield]

Shield nodded at Roger's thanks, it pained him to see a body so young torn so badly, and he sighed. "No need to thank me." He said forcing a convincing smile, "What else am I here for." He said with only a hint of sadness. He subsided to listen to Roger's next words.

It wasn't surprising at all to hear that he didn't want to go back home, not a bit. He chuckled at the determination that this man had, and the level of commitment to his cause. "You would make a good shepherd, if you settled down." He muttered, with an amused look. Then he spoke to Roger. "Well, if you ever are ready to settle down, don't be afraid to look me up." He smiled, "I'll be around." He gave the hand a final squeeze as the surgeon came up and began to talk.

As the men carried the Lt. away, Shield waved a farewell. "God Be with you Roger." He said, and then turned back to the rest of the work at hand. "I pray you find something more fulfilling that fighting wars to keep you busy." He shook his head, with a sad smile and then went back to work. More and more wounded were coming, and he would do what he could.

[Roger Davis]

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Roger said in a surprising moment of lucidity as they transferred him to an actual stretcher to carry him away. The surgeon was already finished and off to a new patient, the captain was still fuming and grumbling to himself, and the rest were hoisting the stretcher up and then out of the field hospital. "We will meet again." He called back. "God willing in this life... and if not, then in the next."