The sun shone brightly through the windows as Beatrice entered room 103. Matthew, the young man who was missing part of his arm, had requested that she read to him. She was happy to comply, she didn't have much time to read on her own now, so why not do it with those who needed the company.

She sat down between the two beds, Jurgens still hadn't woken up yet, but it was a day after his surgery so Beatrice didn't feel the need to panic yet.

"What'd you bring today, Nurse Haldane?" Matthew asked, inching himself up the bed so he could sit up.

"Treasure Island," she smiled, holding up the brown leather bound book. She smiled at the boy on her left, "and please, call me Bea."

Matthew nodded with a smile, "Well, yes ma'am," giving a mock salute.

Beatrice smiled softly before opening up the book, flipping past the first few pages to get to the actual contents. Clearing her throat, she took a deep breath before reading softly aloud, "Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island," she began.

Watching Matthew in her peripherals, she could see that he was paying her the upmost attention.  She wondered if his family would read to him when he went home. She wondered how he would adjust to not having something as valuable as a hand.

"Bea?" Matthew asked, "Are you okay? You stopped reading."

Beatrice let out a single chuckle, wiping away the tears that dotted the corners of her eyes, "You're asking me if I'm okay?"

"It's not so bad, having one arm," the boy tried to cheer her up, "Although, it may seem like the end of the world, I can promise you I'll be fine," he held up the handless arm. Beatrice smiled, looking down at her lap and wiping her tears before looking back at him. Matthew had a cheeky grin on his face,"Besides, think of all the ladies I can snag back home with this, eh?"

Bea giggled, shaking her head, "You really are something, Matthew. Where'd you say your from again?"

"Phoenix," he smiled.

"Phoenix? Got a lot of girls that'll treat you well over there?" She asked.

"Not as well as you do, no ma'am," he shook his head, "but I think I'll be just fine, especially after your care."

Beatrice closed the book, putting her hands on her hips, "How old are you, Matthew?"

"I'm twenty one, Bumble Bea," He smirked.

Bea raised her eyebrows, "Bumble Bea, eh? That's a new one," she stood from the stool she sat on, placing the book on the table next to Matthew's bed, "I think I'm a little old for you."

"You don't look a day over twenty," Matthew furrowed his brows.

"That's very kind of you, but I'm twenty six," Bea smiled, motioning for him to let her see his arm.

"There's no way!" He practically shouted, and Bea shushed him with a giggle. He watched her redress his wound. Admiring the care she put into it, maneuvering his arm and wrapping it like he could break at any second, "I'm sorry about the other day," he said, "for making you cry, I think I was still in shock about," he gestured at his arm, "y'know?"

"You're fine, it's not your fault," she told him in almost a whisper, "I just get too caught up in my emotions sometimes."

"Bea?" He questioned and and she hummed in acknowledgment, "If any of these men give you trouble, you tell me about it, okay?"

Bea gave him a soft smile, tying off the gauze, "Alright, Matt."

"I think this stump could do some
damage, hm?" He said making a fist with his hand and getting in a fighting pose.

"Okay," she lowered his fist with a chuckle, "I think you'd better keep the fighting at bay for now."

A cough sounded from behind her, followed by a sharp intake of breath. Beatrice turned in shock, seeing the dark haired marine, who was just asleep moments before, staring back at her. She couldn't help but notice his eyes, a  bright, pale blue that she could almost get lost in. If it wasn't for the fact that she was currently in a panic,  "I'd hate to interrupt," he said in a raspy voice, "but my leg hurts like hell."

Beatrice gasped, "I'll get the doctor," she shouted while running out of the room as fast as she could.

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Fionn Whitehead as Matthew Douglas