The numbers on the monitor climbed back up into the safe green.

Her oxygen came up with it.

Sarge sank back into the chair with her clutched to his heart and pulled her, once more, down into the rhythm of his breathing.

Within two minutes she was asleep again, as though none of it had happened.

The room was dead silent except for the hum of the machines. Sarge lifted his head and looked at Sterling.

His face was gray, sweat running off his chin, his whole huge frame shaking now with the adrenaline draining out of it.