Group X: Sub Rosa

Chapter 8


Bartender’s office
2:03 AM

“Cassie, wake up.” SE gently shook her as he looked at the security camera #2. “You need to wake up now.”

“Hmm…”

He shook her harder. “Cassie, wake up! You’re in danger.”

Cassie’s eyes shot open. “What?” She sat up and scanned the room.

Gone was the tiredness, the sadness, the longing for the past, her heart in control. Now her mind and instincts were in control. The bloodlust was back.

Cassie stood up and scanned the four security camera viewpoints on the television screen on the table across from her.

“See the three near the bar and the two near the back wall? They’ve been watching and waiting for you all night, Cassie. They were staring at us the entire time we were dancing. The two near the back wall have been talking into hidden microphones. I can’t tell with the other three because they’ve been moving around.”

“Crap… where’s the backdoor out of here?” Cassie studied the upper left and lower right hand corners of the screen.

“The only way out is through the office door, across the dance floor to the exit at the upper right hand corner. What do they want with you?”

Cassie followed the pathway in her mind as she watched the action outside. “Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

The coldness in her voice bothered him. “You were tired.”

“I’d rather be alive and tired then dead and well-rested.”

“Cassie, we need to call the police. They’re up to something. I can feel it.”

“No police. The phone’s probably tapped.”

“Are you crazy?”

“I’ve been called worse.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Don’t get your head blown off while crossing the dance floor.”

“Nice plan. Too bad you forgot to tell me to get my armor.”

Her expression convinced SE that it wasn’t the time for jokes.

“Follow my lead.”

“As you wish, my lady. I hope you know what you’re doing.” SE glanced at the security viewpoint of the men near the back wall.

Tf saw one of the men look in their direction. “Blinker, we’re being watched.”

“I know.” Blinker picked up a peanut then accidentally dropped it on the floor. He leaned down to retrieve it. “Boss, I think we’ve been made.”

“I’m sending backup now. They should be there in less than five minutes.”

“Tex, we might not have five minutes. They’re moving toward the office.”

“Distract them! We have to get Cassie out now!”

Tf and Blinker stood up and nodded to the bartender to tell him that they were coming to get more drinks. The bartender nodded in response. The duo moved quickly toward the bar, watching both the office door and the suspicious men.

“Tex, the office door just opened. That guy’s carrying her out. She’s totally out of it.”

“Move in!”

“Tf, I’m going to distract those guys.” Blinker headed off to the trio.

Tf rushed into SE’s path. “I’m a medical doctor. Does she require any medical attention?”

“No, she’s fine. She’s had a rough week and she’s exhausted.”

“Sir, I don’t think she’s tired. I think you drugged her.”

“I don’t like that accusation. I didn’t do anything to her.”

“Then let me check her out. I saw her earlier when she was dancing with you. Something’s not right.”

“Get out of my way. She’s my wife. I know what’s best for her.”

“That’s not what the bartender said.”

Cassie shifted her head. “Honey? Are we home? I’m so tired…”

“Ma’am, do you require any medical attention? I’m a medical doctor.”

“Not yet sweetheart. The doctor here is blocking our way.”

“I insist. Let’s go to the corner and let me check you out.” Tf moved his hand toward Cassie.

“I’m just tired. I want to go home now.”

SE stepped back. “She doesn’t need or want your aid.”

“Ma’am, you need to go to the hospital now. You’ve been drugged. I don’t know what he’s been telling you, but he’s not your husband.”

Cassie opened her eyes and glared at Tf. “I said I wanted to go home! Get out of the way!”

Tf stepped back when he saw SE’s gun underneath Cassie, pointed at him. “You were drugged. You have to listen to me Cassie. You’re in danger. It’s not secure here.”

Tf’s earpiece buzzed. “Backup got ambushed. You’re on your own.”

SE shifted Cassie to get a better aim. “Don’t listen to him, Cassie. He’s the one that’s dangerous.”

Tf continued to plead his case to SE. “You do not know who you’re dealing with. Cassie, come with me now. We have to leave.” Tf glanced in Blinker’s direction, hoping he was doing better.

Blinker managed to intercept the three men before they reached the bar. He hit one of them on the elbow. “Hey, you spilled my drink. You owe me!” He felt a weapon as he pushed the man.

“You hit me.”

“All I want is a drink, okay?” Blinker staggered forward as he watched Tf stepping away from SE and Cassie.

“Backup got ambushed. You’re on your own,” rang in his ear.

“Did you hear me? I want a drink!” Blinker grabbed at the man.

His partners drew their weapons on Blinker.

Blinker stepped back, mentally cursing their delayed backup. “Hey, put those away. Uh… I think I’ve had enough.”

“Hey, that’s enough for you!” called out the bartender from behind Blinker.

Blinker turned around as the bartender unloaded his shotgun at his direction. Blinker hit the deck and dragged himself to the nearest cover as the three men returned fire. Patrons screamed and scrambled for cover as the bullets continued to fly.

Tf dove over a table, overturning it for a makeshift shield. “Tex, we have a problem.” He fired to give SE, Cassie and Blinker cover.

SE dove for cover with Cassie in tow, sliding across the raised dance floor. SE shielded her with his body as he fired at the three men.

“We’re going to die,” cried Cassie as she saw that they were too far from the backdoor.

SE spied an overturned table about three feet from their location. “Well, yeah. But not tonight.”

“We’re outnumbered and outgunned, Sabre.” Cassie cursed herself for arguing against carrying her weapon.

“I’ll protect you. Run to that table.”

Cassie followed his finger and nodded. “See you soon.”

SE rolled to his right, firing at the locations of the five men as Cassie slid behind the table.

“Dammit Tex! WE NEED HELP NOW!” screamed Blinker as the bullets grazed his tuft as he finally found cover behind the bar.

“Be there in five minutes!” Blinker heard Tex cursing as he heard a car door slam.

Behind the overturned table, Cassie and SE caught their breaths. They couldn’t tell who was shooting at them at this second, but they needed to get out now.

SE pulled a 9mm from his right ankle holster. “Do you know how to use this?” He handed it to Cassie.

Cassie released the clip into her left hand and checked it. She shoved it back in, assured of its supply. She glanced at SE and saw the surprise on his face. “That’s how they do it in the movies, right?”

“Yeah. You do know how to shoot?”

“I’ve played video games.”

“Cassie, this isn’t a game.” SE shook his head, wondering what kind of mess he was now in. “Just remember to point and shoot, but make sure I’m not in the way.”

“The safety’s off, right?”

“Yes.” SE dangled his car keys and remote in front of her. “I want you to have this. If I can’t get out, then find the black SUV in the parking lot.”

“Sabre, we’re leaving here together…” A bullet ricocheted past Cassie’s ear. “Shit! That’s too close.”

“That’s it. On three, you run and I’ll cover you. Get to cover then you fire and give me cover. Do you understand me?”

“Sabre… I’m scared.” She peeked around the corner of the table and saw movement toward them. “I shouldn’t have gotten you mixed up in my mess.” She took several deep breaths as she looked at the weapon in her hand.

“This? I’ve been through worse.”

She looked up and glared at him. “You’re lying.”

“Oh, yeah. Now you have to trust me. Run, find cover and I’ll follow you.”

Cassie looked up at the dance floor ceiling then remembered the umbrella next to her left leg. She grabbed it and checked it. “Good, it’s an automatic.”

“Cassie, what’s that for?”

“I hate rain.”

“It’s not raining outside.”

“Semper paratus.”

“Tempus fugit.” This brought a smile to Cassie’s face, one that he enjoyed seeing. “On three. One… two… three…” SE opened fire as Cassie ran for the three foot tall wall located near the backdoor.

Tf saw Cassie running and gave her cover. “Tex, where the hell are you?”

“It’s a green light! GO! GO! Dammit! GO!” Tf heard Tex pounding on the dashboard. “GO! Almost there!”

“Tf, I’m pinned down. I can’t cover them!” Blinker shoved himself closer to the wall, glass shattering above him.

“SLOW THEM DOWN!” ordered Tex as the screech of brakes was heard.

As Cassie was nearing the wall, she heard the bullets flying overhead. “SHIT!” She hit the automatic switch and the umbrella went up just as a shower of glass erupted above her. She slid behind the wall just as death began to rain.

“CASSIE!” SE didn’t wait for her to cover him as he ran toward her position.

“REPORT!” rang in Tf’s ear.

Tf covered SE as he dodged overturned chairs and tables. “They’re almost there.”

“Cassie!” SE took refuge behind a podium, ten feet behind and to the left of her position. The rain was over.

She gave a shaky thumbs up from underneath the umbrella before throwing the umbrella up and over the wall. SE ran when she began to fire.

Tf continued to give cover fire as SE reached Cassie. “Blinker, you okay?”

Blinker crawled carefully through the glass field on the floor. “Yeah, they stopped shooting.” Blinker peeked around the corner of a bar stool only to have a bullet rip past his tuft. “SHIT! They reloaded!”

A hail of bullets punctuated his sentence as Tf’s position became their target. “TEX! We need backup!”

“Cassie, you’re shaking. Are you okay?” SE put a hand on her right shoulder.

“I’m pissed. Told you that umbrella would help.”

“Remind me to always bring one.” SE pointed to the backdoor several feet behind them. “We’re almost there.”

“Tf, you should have brought grenades! You’re the weapons expert!” Blinker checked his clip and reloaded. “I’m running out of ammo, Tf.”

“Dammit Blinker, I told you to bring more ammo!”

“Hey, my tuft needed some quality time. Besides you’re the smart one that can make hair gel a weapon.”

“Don’t tempt me Blinker, you might not like it if I did that.”

“Tf, you’re breaking up.”

Tf smiled knowing that Blinker wouldn’t remind him about that. He looked around the corner and saw the backdoor open. “Tex, they’re out! Tex, come in!”

“FIND THEM! I’M TOO FAR!”

Cassie and SE ran into the crowded parking lot. Fortunately, the streetlights were out to give them cover.

“I don’t remember where I parked!” SE pulled out his the remote and pressed it several times as Cassie checked behind them.

“SHIT! I forgot to change the batteries!”

“You weren’t a Boy Scout, were you?” She saw that it was clear behind them.

“Nope.” He grabbed her hand. “I think I know where it is now.”

He pulled her toward the street, weaving in an out between parked cars. He pulled her down when he heard someone running from their right side. They waited as the footsteps receded then peeked to see a man running toward the front of the bar.

“I see it,” he whispered as he pulled her to the row of vehicles behind them.

SE wisely kept the headlights off as they drove off.

Cassie looked outside the window and saw several cars speed by them. “My sister had a 4Runner years ago. We’ve had a falling out…”

“I’m sorry to hear about that. Is there anyone that you want to contact?”

SE looked over and saw that Cassie had fallen asleep. At the stoplight, he took off his jacket and covered her. “Looks like someone didn’t wait for the green light,” he remarked as he went past an accident scene.

Tex stopped at the front of the bar to catch his breath. “Report!”

Blinker inspected the glass umbrella. “The bad guys are gone. It’s all clear now. Cassie?”

“Didn’t see them. I almost got killed two blocks back. Someone ran the red light.”

Tf found blood near the backdoor. “We'll find them. One of them is hurt.”

SE’s Apartment
3:54 AM

For close to two hours, SE had wound a trail through the rain-slick city streets in order to evade anyone on their trail. He was always going home using a different route due to his job. Now, he was certain he had lost whoever was tailing them forty minutes ago. Cassie was sound asleep even when he had to take a sharp left to evade them. If they had tried to run his tags, it would have lead to a large apartment complex on the other side of the city – one with a one acre parking garage and a guard at the front to keep out those who didn’t belong. He made several passes around his apartment complex to be sure. No one was waiting for them.

He shook her gently. “Cassie, wake up.”

“Mmmm…” Cassie turned her head to the right side and fell asleep once again.

SE scanned around them. “Cassie, why do you make it so hard?”

The coolness in the night air helped him wake her up to a semi-conscious state as they walked through the backdoor to his apartment. He was grateful they reached his door without running into his neighbors.

“Cassie, we’re almost there.” SE unlocked the door and turned on the lights before leading her inside. “Cassie, we’re here.”

He grabbed her before she hit the ground. “Cassie?” He placed her on the floor carefully.

“It hurts…” she muttered as SE moved her left shoulder.

“You’re bleeding…” SE pulled off his jacket and placed it beside her. “I have to unbutton your blouse and check your left shoulder.”

“I trust you.” She grimaced as she felt him moving her.

“You should have told me.” Fresh blood oozed as he inspected it.

“Didn’t want to worry you…,” she gasped as he turned her and checked her back. “No… hos…pitals,” she begged.

After gently placing her back down, SE went to his bathroom to retrieve the first aid kit and towels. “Did you get hit? I didn’t see an exit wound.”

“No… it was the shower of glass.”

He placed a towel under her hurt shoulder and another across her chest. “This is going to hurt.” He opened up the peroxide. “I’ve got to clean it out first.”

She nodded as she closed her eyes.

As SE drenched her wound, she cried in agony as the liquid fire hit her.

“Shhh… almost finished. Cassie, stay with me.”

He picked up the peroxide cleaned tweezers. “Cassie, if I can’t get the glass out, I have to take you there.”

“Then make sure you don’t miss anything.” She closed her eyes.

Her mind shielded her from the pain, allowing SE to work in the silence. Within twenty minutes he finished his task and patched her up.

He picked her up and placed her on his bed. “Cassie, I’m done. I took out one large piece of glass. You need to go to the hospital. I don’t have a strong enough pain reliever for you.”

“I’m cold…” Her eyes begged him once again. “No hospitals… I can deal with the pain… only a six on a scale of zero to ten. Don’t need anything till I hit eight. Just need to sleep…”

SE pulled out his grey sweatshirt out of the top drawer. “How about this?”

“Got any sweatpants?”

“Yep. Sorry, I don’t have anything in your size.” He pulled out a black pair for himself.

“What about the fair maidens that you rescued? They aren’t hiding around here?”

Smiling, he knelt down and offered them to her. “The princess was in another castle and now I’ve found her.”

“You don’t have to do any of this.” She groaned as she sat up, holding the towel in front of her.

“You’re my responsibility, Cassie.” Satisfied that the gauze over her wound wasn’t drenched in blood, he carefully pulled the sweatshirt over her head as she dropped her bloody blouse and towel to the floor. Focusing on her face, he helped her with the pants.

“Thank you.”

He wrapped her clothes in the towel and pushed it aside. “I’ll get those cleaned in the morning.” He sat next to her. “Let me see that wound again. I want to make sure it’s okay.”

She nodded. “Done a lot of field dressings?”

He scrutinized the tape around the edges to see that they were secure. “Nope, first one. It’s fine.”

Cassie stopped him from pulling his hand away from her. “Sabre… I… want…”

“No, Cassie… not tonight…” He placed his other hand on hers. “I’m attracted to you, but I don’t want you to have any regrets in the morning.”

“Chivalry’s not dead.”

“Not yet. I’m going to sleep on the couch.” He helped her under the covers. “Just call me if you need anything.”

“Thank you Sabre. Good night.”

He turned off the lights after grabbing a blanket from the closet and his clothes. “Good night Cassie.”

“Please leave the door open.”

He nodded. “I’ll check on you in an hour.” He turned around and saw that she was fast asleep. “Pleasant dreams, Cassie.”

3 weeks later...

Small conference room in a hotel
5:28 AM

He sat across from his commanding officer, worrying that he wasn’t doing his job to their standards. He knew that if he didn’t complete this mission, he wasn’t going to be long for this world.

Shuffling papers, his commanding officer watched his movements.

Don’t sweat… you did everything you had to do. This is your first mission and briefing. Convey competence.

“I picked you for this mission because of your considerable talent in certain areas. Though this is your first mission, I have full confidence in you.”

“Thank you, sir. I will do my utmost best in completing this assignment.”

“Very good.” The CO pulled a pile from the stack. “You were thorough in your research as I can see.”

“Sir, the dossier was sketchy in some areas so I had to improvise.”

“Yes, I know that. There are some things I don’t even know. Only the ones above me know that.”

“Sir, may I ask a question?”

“You can ask, but whether the answer is to your satisfaction is up to you.”

“Why are we watching this person? Is there something else I need to know?”

A grim smile appeared on the CO’s face, changing his open demeanor.

Oh crap.

“You don’t question your commanding officer’s reasons. You’re lucky I’m not like the others… I let you make one mistake.”

The recruit gulped. “Sorry, sir, I wasn’t questioning your reasons, I just…”

“You don’t have the clearance. You know what you need to know. Nothing more. Is this assignment beyond your abilities? If it is, I have a desk job for you.”

“No, sir,” he replied resolutely, “I finish everything I start.”

“Very well. Getting back to this assignment’s objectives.” He pulled another sheet from the pile.

The recruit nodded as he ticked off the completed objectives in his mind. It was a fairly short list, but the remaining ones were the ones that were going to be the most difficult to accomplish.

“We need the information.”

A puzzled look appeared on the recruit’s face. “Sir, I didn’t see what information is needed from that incomplete dossier.”

“That’s a good question. I was waiting for you to ask me that. A good operative knows when to ask a question and for help. A dead one doesn’t. This person must trust you. You are to gain the security access codes from this person. You will do everything to get this information. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now how does she feel about you?”

“She said that she feels safe with me.”

“Keep working on her. The time table has moved up. You now have five weeks to complete this assignment.”

“I had a breakthrough last night.”

The CO raised his eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Yes sir, she trusts me implicitly now.”

“Very good. Keep working on her. How do you feel about her?”

“Nothing, sir. It’s only an assignment.”

“That may change over time. Very good. Keep up the good work. Dismissed.”

The recruit nodded as he took his leave.

“And Sabre…”

He turned around. “Yes, sir.”

“Always know where your gun is. You’ll never know when you’re going to need it to get out of trouble.”

“Yes sir.”

When he had left, the CO pulled open his top right drawer and took out his most precious possession. He wept, as he stared at it. “The choice is yours, Cassie. The choice is yours.”

5 weeks later…

GX HQ
Ryan’s office
4:58 PM

Cassie stared at the document in front of her. “Dissolution of Marriage. Ryan… I… it’s so final.”

“Isn’t this what you came back here for?” Ryan stood up from his chair and sat on the corner of his desk.

Cassie wiped her tears away once again. “Ryan… please… I can’t…”

He stood up and walked across the room to the bookshelf. “Didn’t you say that we’re over? Well, if that’s what you want. Sign it.”

Cassie watched him pick up their wedding picture. “I can’t do this…”

“Cassie, we were over a long time ago. I just didn’t see it.” Ryan laid it face down on the bookshelf.

Cassie crumbled. “No… You were there for me when I was sick. Please Ryan let’s take time to think this through.”

Ryan walked toward her. “Cassie, you were gone for two months. I thought about this day and night for that long. It kills me to do this, but if this makes you happy then so be it. I’ll live by your decision.”

She pushed the document off the table. “Dammit Ryan! I can’t throw away the last six years! Do something! Save us! I can’t do this alone! Please, Ryan… don’t do this… help me.”

“There’s nothing left to save, Cassie. I’m tired of it. You wanted out. I’m giving you a way out.” He knelt beside her.

She sobbed as she pulled him toward her.

“Shhh… it’s going to be okay.” Ryan kissed the top of her head. “We’ll talk when you’re ready.”

Ryan had to stop himself taking her into his arms and rocking her like he always had done to calm her down. He had to be strong now even when his heart was breaking. It was her decision now.

Cassie had calmed down enough and let go of Ryan as three quick knocks on the door announced a guest.

“Cassie, I’ve been expecting someone. I can tell him to come back. Did you want more time to compose yourself?”

Cassie wiped the tears onto her sleeves then pulled the wet hair away from her face. “I’m fine.”

Ryan stood up unconcerned about his appearance. “Come in.”

Cassie heard the door open and close. She moved a stray piece of hair from her face.

“This is my wife. Honey, why don’t you meet our newest recruit?”

Cassie stood up and turned toward the door. “I’m Cass…” Shock registered on her face a split second before her right hand went for her gun.

“Cassie NO!”

Cassie glanced over to Ryan, her hand shaking, disbelief in her eyes.

Ryan slowly pulled out her wedding band and showed it to her. “It’s your choice.”

She looked toward the door as she steadied her grip. “You… work for… us… you bastard… you work for us!”

“Cassie, listen to me. Sweetheart. Look at me.”

Tears ran down her face as she glanced at Ryan once again. She closed her eyes and cried; her hand still aimed in the direction of her betrayer.

“Cassie, honey, put the gun down. Let’s talk about this.”

She heard the waver in SE’s voice and snapped her eyes open. “You betrayed everything we had. I thought I loved you…” Her hand was now steady.

“He was just following orders, Cassie. He didn’t know about us. He didn’t know anything.”

Cassie continued to stare at SE. “It was all a game to you, wasn’t it, Sabre? I was just a plaything.”

“Cassie, that’s not true. Just look into your heart and you’ll know the truth,” coaxed SE as he took a step forward.

“You just ripped it to shreds. I swear I’ll shoot you if you take another step.”

“Sabre, I told you to always be ready. She’s an expert shot.”

“It would have been nice to put that in the file. I would have been more prepared for…”

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!” She closed her eyes and rocked back and forth in anger. “I waited for you for three weeks Ryan… three weeks… you never came… you never came!”

Ryan was worried about her state of mind. “That was not my choice, honey. Cassie, put the gun down. Honey, please, you have to calm down. Cassie, please… I’m worried about you.”

She opened her eyes and glared at SE. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now.” Her voice was steady and deadly serious.

SE blurted out what he had felt the first time he saw her photograph. “I love you Cassie.”

“If you did, you would have told me the truth.”

“Cassie, look at me now.”

Cassie turned toward Ryan, but kept an eye on SE. “Going to try to plead his case, Ryan?”

“No. Cassie, I'm giving you a choice.” Ryan held out her ring. “You can stay with me or go out that door with Sabre. It's your choice. I'll live with whatever you choose.”

Chapter 9


Mission Access Tunnel
4:33 PM

The Echelon, the upper leadership of Group X, thought delly needed field training to enhance her skills. For three months, she impersonated a military trauma nurse stationed in a war zone field hospital. She learned more about herself during that time than she had in her entire life. For a long period of time, she was living a nightmare, only thoughts of her family kept her sane. She had snatches of sleep over the last 72 hours. None more than ten minutes at a time with the ghosts of the past interspersed throughout that time. It was getting more difficult to keep her past hidden, to keep from haunting her, making her relive the tragedies that she had buried, hoping to forget.

Over the last hour, she felt something skirting the edges of her mind, teasing her. When she thought she caught it, it disappeared like mist. Hiding in the back of her mind, ducking into the shadows – something was not right.

“It’s so good to be home.” Emerging from the tunnel, she rubbed her weary eyes. Her backpack haphazardly on her back. Too tired to care. “Don’t want to do that again.”

She felt strong arms grab her around the waist. “Howdy stranger. Long time no see.”

She turned around with a smile. “Alex, baby, don’t do that to me! I could have shot you.”

“Always shooting first then asking questions last, honey.” He pulled her in closer, dropping her backpack to the floor.

“You got it baby.” She put her arms around his neck.

All was right in their world.

“I’ve missed you.” He put his forehead on hers.

Their hearts beat together once again, giving them comfort.

“Me too.”

“Sweetheart, I think we need to go shopping… you’ve lost some weight, haven’t you?” His smile beamed.

He understood her better than she did.

“Mmm… you treat me too well.” She leaned to her right side, off balance, breaking their contact.

He pulled her toward him, gently placing her head on his left shoulder. “Whoa, honey. When was the last time you slept?”

“Probably 72 hours ago… don’t really know. I need to sit down.” His strength and love surrounded her, comforting her from her nightmares.

Pulling her back, he kissed her forehead. “Okay, how about the Mission Access Room?”

She smiled at him, fighting the listing right sensation. “Yeah…”

He eased her to the room across the hallway and onto the couch. He sat next to her on her right side, his arms around her.

Closing her eyes
Leaning on his left shoulder
The nightmares returned
The sights
The smells
The fear
Death

Alex felt her uneasiness, knowing the emotional and physical toll from her stint. In the past, it helped her when she opened up to him, confiding in her experiences, healing her soul.

This time it was different. He felt it. He dreamt it. It gnawed at his soul. Now wasn’t the time to push if she didn’t want to tell him anything.

“Sweetheart, do you want to talk about it?” He hoped she would tell him what was bothering her.

His voice vanquished the nightmares, leaving the emotional rawness. “Alex, I don’t ever want to go out there again. We saved lives, but I can’t forget the faces… the ones we lost. When I close my eyes, I see them. They ask why they couldn’t be saved. I tell them we did what we could do.” She began to shake. “Then the voices… Alex… the voices… they’re calling me a murderer… broke my nurse’s oath… the voices…”

He pulled her into a protective embrace, trying to comfort her when there were no words to soothe her soul. He knew that the battle for her soul resumed. Her exhaustion, her traumatic experiences in the field and her past shattered the fragile peace between the two parts of her life – the healer and the operative. It was up to her to find a middle ground, a stalemate, or a decisive win. Otherwise, the war would continue unabated, tearing her soul apart.

He broke the silence after several minutes. He tried to get her mind off her private war. “Honey, there’s something I have to tell you.”

“What, sweetheart?” She felt Alex taking up some of her emotional turmoil.

“Hey girlie, long time no see.”

Turning to the door with open eyes and a wide smile, she said, “Tigs, girl... yeah.”

“Girl, you look like you laid siege on Rome with Hannibal then walked all the way back here. Wanna go to that spa with me? My treat.” The Cheshire smile appeared.

“Why can’t you say, ‘You look like hell’ like everyone else?”

Tigs looked at her nails. “That’s so ordinary. So spa… or spa? I think I need a manicure. Oh yeah, almost forgot.” She lobbed two cold cans of sweet tea at the couple.

The duo caught them with their left hands. “Thanks!” they exclaimed in unison.

delly put the can behind the back of her neck to soothe the aching muscles. “That feels so good. Alex said he’ll take us shopping first. His treat.”

Alex put his on the floor. “Honey…” a low growl voiced his opposition as his left arm snaked around her waist.

She looked at him with an angelic smile. “Sweetheart, we can go shopping for that new diamond ring you promised me. You remember it’s going to be our fourth anniversary, don’t you?”

He closed his eyes and slowly enunciated each word. “You never let me forget, dear…”

“Trouble in paradise?” Tigs looked up from scrutinizing her nails.

Alex, what’s wrong? Why are you acting like this?

I’ve been waiting for you for so long, honey. I wanted some alone time with you.

Alex, what else aren’t you telling me?”

It’s a surprise.

You know that I hate surprises.

You’ll love this one, baby.

We’ll see.

Admit it. You want to know.

Tigs watched silently. I wish they wouldn’t do that. I’m dying to know what they’re thinking about. Can’t they be like other twins and just finish each other sentences? On second thought… that would be annoying.

Let’s see if Tigs knows who she’s talking to. Her smile appeared.

Honey… Alex hated that smile. It meant trouble.

It’ll be fun. I bet she’s the only one who knows the difference between the four of us. I know she can take a joke.

Honey, you don’t have a gun on you, do you?

No, why?

Because I know you can’t take a joke.

I’d slap you if we didn’t have company, you know that, Alex. Taking the can off her neck with her right hand, she placed it on the floor.

That’s why my arm is next to yours, sweetie.

Hmph… Her fleeting scowl was directed at Alex.

Tigs waved her hands. “Hello… non twin here. Speak with your mouths not with your minds.”

“Sorry Tigs, she was telling me what she wanted.” Alex’s gaze told her “Please don’t do it.”

She smiled once again then turned her attention to Tigs. “So Tigs how do you know we’re not Cassie and Ryan?”

Tigs stopped looking at her nails. “It’s obvious. Cassie’s voice is a little higher than yours.” She looked at Alex. “Come to think of it, so is Ryan’s too. They’re both right handed… and more level headed then you.”

“Hey!” the couple exclaimed together.

“See what I mean. Hm… you’re the older twins. Ryan always sits to the left of Cassie and Alex is always on your right. You two were great at negotiating a price for that 4Runner you had years ago. So am I right?”

“Yes and how did you know about that?” She couldn’t remember when she told her that information.

Alex, hold me please.

He pulled her closer. Okay, I’ll try to get her off that subject.

“Cassie told me. You were there too. Don’t you remember the three of us went out about four months ago?”

She closed her eyes and leaned on Alex’s shoulder again. “I’m too tired to remember anything right now.”

“Wasn’t it that time when you were drunk, honey, and I had to come and pick up you ladies?”

“No one insults Cassie then me like that. He deserved more than that.”

“She took him down in less than five seconds… you’re dangerous when you’re drunk.” Tigs remembered this vividly. It took both Tigs and Cassie to pull delly off the guy before she got her hands around his throat. They both knew if that happened, the man was dead.

“After he insulted us, he threw his drink on my dress and ruined it.”

Alex looked at her, remembering that incident. “You cried for two days straight over that dress, sweetheart.”

“That was the first dress you bought for me, Alex. It took you months to find the perfect one.” She felt tears welling in her eyes.

Get her out of here, Alex.

He felt an overwhelming sadness from her. “Let’s forget about that now. Honey, why don’t you go to the spa with Tigs? I think you deserve it.”

Eyes opened, sparkling, but filled with unshed tears. A smile, edges tinged with sadness. A hug for him, window dressing for Tigs. Fleeting happiness. “Thank you sweetheart! Now you can go and look for a ring. You know what I like.”

“Thank you,” he mouthed to Tigs.

“Any time. Get her something nice,” she mouthed back.

“They want a debriefing tomorrow afternoon. I guess they think you need some sleep though I don’t think you’ll be getting much anyway.” Tigs nodded to Alex. “Talk to you two later. I’ll go make our reservations.” She saw Cassie nod enthusiastically and heard a mumbled “Thanks.”

She started to cry when she heard the door close.

“Okay, honey. Let it all out. You should have told me about the dress. I didn’t recognize it because it was all ripped up.”

“I want to go home.” She put her head on his heart and wept.

“One day…” He held her close and rocked her back and forth.

She had brought a few mementos of their life with them – her teddy bear, family pictures in a small album and that dress – little things that wouldn’t arouse too much suspicion. Alex knew she was putting on a front for Cassie. Alone with him, the front tumbled down. Losing that dress was almost too much for her. It meant that another part of their lives was gone, their past slowly being erased.

He never liked the idea of going to the other side, but Tex had left them no choice. She wasn’t ready for her sister to go. He wasn’t ready to see his brother face life alone. When Cassie was diagnosed with a degenerative disease, Tex offered her a chance – as soon as TEX perfected the technology – to be cloned. Cassie vehemently argued against and delly countered her. Cassie said that there was one more avenue to pursue. delly pushed that this was the only one left. When the argument escalated into physical blows, the brothers separated the warring sisters but not before receiving their share of punishment from their wives. After spending several days in the TEX infirmary due to their injuries, the sisters finally came to an understanding.

Alex saw the change in her even though she denied it. At times, Cassie confided in him that she was worried about her sister’s mental state; her behavior frightened her. It was getting hard for Cassie to wall off her sister’s rage. On the outside, delly seemed normal. On the inside, it was a different matter. She was slowly losing her grip on sanity. She refused to talk to Cassie or Ryan about this sensitive issue.

Alex was terrified if he wasn’t there for her. Only he could get through to her when she was enraged. He hoped his wife would get better. The only way – Tex apologizes for everything that she perceived was his fault. She had never forgiven him, but Cassie had a long time ago. All they could do was to watch, wait, and hope for the best.

Over the past two months, Alex sensed delly’s emotional wall starting to break. Hoping this was finally the time. A chance to talk about her feelings. Uncovering the wounds. Working through the pain. A chance to heal. This was their moment. Alone.

They had been through so much over the past year. Cassie was getting stronger, but he didn’t know if she was strong enough without delly beside here. He prayed that Ryan was doing the right thing. If delly knew about what had happened to her sister, she would never forgive him or Ryan.

Alex and delly watched over their younger siblings and did everything they could for them. They always put the happiness of the younger ones over theirs – that was their duty. Now they needed each other.

While she slept, he murmured, “Honey, you need some sleep. Time to go to bed.”

“No,” she protested through her sleepy haze, content to sleep in his arms, having missed their physical contact.

He smiled as he rubbed her back, trying to wake her up. “Sweetie, you’ve been sleeping for about ten minutes now.”

“Your brother’s office… closer than yours.” He could carry her. She didn’t care where, just that they were together.

“But I have a bigger couch in mine.” This comment usually woke her up, but not this time.

She felt a wave of confusion hit her, waking her up. She almost bolted out of his arms.

“What’s wrong?” He grabbed a hold of her, steadying her.

She looked around the room frantically. “Is Cassie here? Where’s your brother? Alex…”

“She’s with Ryan.” He pulled her closer once again, her face paled by the second. “What? Talk to me, sweetheart. You don’t look good.”

“It’s Cassie. Talk to me!”

He saw alarm in her eyes. “She’s talking to Ryan – his office – waiting for you.”

“You’re lying…” Absolute panic hit her as she felt Cassie’s rage. “Cassie, no! Cassie!” She pushed him away and stood up, her arms crossed in front of her. “What did he do to her!”

He stood up, recognizing her aggressive stance, ready for violence. He held his hands up in the air, not wanting to provoke her more. He took a step back, ready for her attack. “I wanted to tell you earlier… Ryan’s given up on them, honey. Kids…”

Her arms dropped to her sides, her stance eased down a few notches. “Explain later. Let’s go!” Her weariness evaporated.

Together, they took off down the hallway, ignoring the stares.

Their moment together – shattered
Their emotional walls – raised again
Their focus – their younger siblings
Their vow – to protect them
Their happiness – secondary to duty
Their duty – take the bullet for them

Cassie, calm down. You haven’t recovered yet. She looked toward Alex. He ran step for step next to her.

Where were you when I needed you?

I just got back.

Little bro, now delly’s going to kill me and you. Couldn’t you have waited a few hours?

I’m sorry. It had to be now.

He betrayed me, sis. He betrayed me.

What? Calm down! Don’t do anything. Please, little sister.

Alex, I don’t care anymore… I’ve lost her… a long time ago.

Dammit! Fight for her! Don’t give up! We’re almost there.

Silence caused Alex to snap his head to his right. She wasn’t there. Skidding to a stop on the smooth tile floor, barely keeping his balance, he looked behind – she was sliding down the wall, face contorted in pain.

“delly!” He ran to her side and helped her to the floor. “What’s wrong?”

“Too tired… can’t block her emotions… almost blacked out.” She closed her eyes to help her focus. “Help me up, we got to go now.”

“No, you’re going to rest first. You can’t help her if you can’t even help yourself.”

She hit him with everything Cassie sent her plus her own rage. The blast shattered Alex’s shield before he could reinforce it.

Stunned momentarily, he closed his eyes and put his hand on the wall to steady himself. “Okay! I hate it when you do that!”

She glared at him. “Help me up.”

“In a minute… I can’t even stand up right now,” he replied, shaking his head to vanquish the stars swirling in front of him. He cursed himself for his lax preparation then he quickly put up a wall before she could mount another attack.

“Fine.”

“Be quiet, honey.”

“Don’t tell me to shut up!”

“I just did and I’m going to continue to do it. You shouldn’t have hit me with that.” The stars were almost gone.

“Only way to hurry you up!”

“It didn’t help now, did it?” To buy Ryan some time, he flashed the smile that irritated her.

She hated that smile and wanted to slap it off his face every time it appeared. “Quit arguing and help me up.”

Still feeling unsteady and in range of her fists, he tried another tack. “So are you too tired for the fun I have planned later on?” His smile was still beaming.

“Go sleep on that couch in your office, Alex.”

“But I haven’t seen you in three months!”

“Want to make it four?” She shot him the stare that he hated.

“Will you ever let me have the last word?”

The stare remained on her face.

“Fine!”

“Now help me up.” A smirk appeared on her face as she raised her arms.

Alex stood up, his feet now steady. “You are a cruel woman.”

“Only when I have to be.”

“Ditto.” Alex jerked her up.

“Ow!”

“Sorry, honey.” He let go of her, cursing himself for not noticing her exhaustion.

“Yeah, right.” She closed her eyes from the pain in her weary arms.

He embraced her and kissed her forehead. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry my brown-eyed hottie with dangerous curves on a sexy body. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m very sorry.”

She held onto him tightly as tears began to trickle down her face. “I missed you, my green-eyed hottie with an incredible body. I want time… just the two of us. No worries just for a little time.”

He wiped her tears away. “First, we have to take care of the younger ones.”

“We always do.”

Together, they hurried down the hallway, hoping they were in time. Their footsteps breaking the eerie silence. The silence they both felt and dreaded. The one emanating from their siblings’ minds.

Within a few minutes, they arrived at Ryan’s office. Neither bothered to check if the door was unlocked. She stood on the left side as Alex kicked down the door.

“Move now, Sabre!” Ryan warned, feeling his brother’s presence.

Without hesitation, SE moved to his right, milliseconds before the door shot open, the doorknob slamming into the wall

“Cassie!” delly ran through the doorway, belatedly remembering her medical equipment in her backpack.

Ryan looked up from the couch as delly ran for his desk. He chose his words carefully. “She fainted, delly.” As he caressed her left hand, he replied – in what he hoped was in a neutral tone – “I don’t know what happened.”

Alex watched from the doorway surveying the scene. SE was at his nine, entranced in the action unfolding. Cassie and Ryan were at his ten. delly at twelve. He checked his six. No one.

She retrieved her stethoscope from Ryan’s bottom desk drawer then dashed across the room to the couch. “Dammit, Cassie! Ryan, she wanted to shoot you! What the hell did you do to her?”

Ryan wisely got out of her way, knowing her protective nature toward Cassie, needing time to think. She knelt beside her sister and quickly assessed her condition, pushing away her own fatigue. The ghosts retreated to the shadows to wait.

“She was very upset.” Vague, but the truth as much as he was going to tell her at this moment.

Ryan glanced at Alex briefly. Get him the hell away from here before I do something I’ll regret. Is delly armed?

No, she isn’t. Will do, little brother. You know I’ll always take care of you two. Alex glanced at Cassie’s gun near Ryan’s foot.

Ryan kicked it under the desk next to the unsigned document. Thank God for small favors or else I’d be dead now.

Likely me too, little bro.

SE glanced from brother to brother then sister to sister. Twins… going to be fun telling them apart. A small smile briefly escaped when he focused on the sisters.

“Little sister, wake up. Talk to me. Are you okay?” She gently shook her sister’s shoulders.

Ryan kept his distance, cognizant of her temper and her tendency to lash out. “How’s she doing?”

“Her pulse is faster than her normal.” She gently stroked her forehead. “Sweetie, look at me. What’s happening to you?”

Alex cupped SE’s right elbow, pulling him to the doorway. “Come with me.”

SE pushed him away. “No, I’m staying.”

Her sister’s gentle shakes slowly roused her from the darkness. She opened her exhausted eyes, her eyes trying to focus on her surroundings.

delly pulled out the earpieces so she could hear her without the distortion. She glanced at Ryan. Their eyes met. He turned away just like Alex when he felt guilty. Dammit, what did you do to her! She turned her attention back to her sister.

Cassie focused on her. “Sis, is that really you?”

She smiled faintly, hearing the weariness in her sister’s voice. “Yes, it is. So is this how you welcome me back home after being gone for three months?” She felt her forehead. No fever.

“Damn… forgot you were coming home today… busy.” She blinked her eyes and took several deep breaths. “Where’s Ryan?”

“I thought Alex told you… hell I barely remember my name right now… need sleep.” delly sensed confusion from her and looked up at Ryan, coaxing him to answer her. Explain later.

He nodded as he knelt down and tenderly held his wife’s right hand. “I’m right here, honey.”

“Do you remember what happened?” delly watched her sister’s reaction intently, hoping her questions would be answered. Over the last few weeks, she felt a change in her sister’s emotions – for the better. During the past year, she saw the rift widening between Cassie and Ryan. She wanted to be a mediator, if they needed one, but The Echelon refused to hear her request to delay her assignment.

“I’m so tired. Did I fall asleep? What’s going on?”

“Little sister, you fainted. You’re in Ryan’s office.”

Dammit, Alex, you should have warned me. Cassie’s in no condition to handle this right now.

Honey, I promised Ryan that I wouldn’t interfere.

We’ve already interfered in their lives, remember?

I know that far too well. Why do you think Ryan waited this long?

Hmph…

Ryan carefully weighed what he could tell her and not alarm delly. “You were out for five minutes, honey. I caught you right before you hit the floor.”

Still confused, Cassie stared at her sister. “Why don’t I remember anything?”

“I don’t know. You need to be seen by Doc. I just got here.” Panic crept into her voice.

delly looked at Ryan before proceeding on a delicate question. “Cassie, you know that in our family history that fainting is part of pregnancy,” she whispered so that only the three of them heard.

Cassie looked at Ryan with wide eyes. “We haven’t been together since… ” Her eyes drifted toward the doorway. “No! No!”

Alex shot SE a murderous stare, readying himself for action. SE was unaware of the impending violence. His attention zeroed in on Cassie.

Alex checked his six again. Thankfully, it was clear. Gimme me the signal, little bro. I can take him out right now. No mess.

Stand down, Alex. We have to think about Cassie right now.

Let me eliminate the problem now.

No. Stand down.

No way.

Ryan glared at him. Stand down! He saw Alex flexing his fingers as he silently edged toward an oblivious SE. I mean it!

Silence was Alex’s response as he stopped within dangerous range. Ryan’s words couldn’t stop his course of action. Only a bullet.

Absolute panic on her sister’s face. “Calm down, Cassie.” The emotional tidal wave slammed her as Cassie began to struggle. delly closed her eyes, gripping the edge of the couch. “Starting… black out... again.”

“Cassie, honey, please, you have to calm down…” Fear raced through Ryan as he tried to calm his voice. He put a hand on delly’s shoulder to steady her swaying.

delly was afraid to restrain her, worried that it would hurt her more. Fighting through the emotional turmoil transferred to her, she gasped, “Calm her… down.” She struggled to focus, to rebuild the wall, to stop the flood of emotions. Swaying toward the darkness. The ghosts edging toward her. Defeat, a few seconds away.

Ryan gently pulled Cassie toward him, resting her head on his heart. “Shh… listen sweetheart…. Just listen…”

Cassie stopped struggling as she heard the comforting sound that she hadn’t heard in the last three months. When they were babies, the twins were comforted by each other’s heartbeat and would be found near each other when they were upset. When they grew older and married, their husbands’ familiar heartbeat comforted them. Alex had learned this much sooner than his brother and saved himself from delly’s almost continuous crying during a tragic period of their lives.

Alex checked his six then turned his attention back to the room. SE was still silently watching. “You don’t have a choice. She already decided. I don’t see you with her right now,” he growled.

Without breaking his attention on Cassie, he replied, “She’s confused.” He made note of Ryan’s actions, adding to the dossier he had in his mind.

Two weeks earlier, in the late afternoon, SE arrived home to find Cassie crying on the couch. Holding and softly talking to her didn’t work. The only answer he got from her was ‘He never came.’ Every time he said something negative about him, a new round of weeping would commence. His suggestion of going to the hospital was met with angry fists. Helpless, he held her throughout the afternoon and night as she wept inconsolably. Only when she was exhausted, did she sleep. As she slept, he wondered who he was and what he did to her. When she woke, she didn’t remember anything – it was as if, nothing happened. This disturbed him, but he didn’t report it. From that time, he watched her more carefully.

“Cassie, we have to get you to Medical to check you out,” she said softly as Ryan rocked her back and forth. The emotional waves lessened in intensity. The battering taken its toll in her soul. The ghosts retreated into the shadows. Once again waiting for an opportune time.

She opened her eyes. “Let’s go home… so tired,” she said weakly.

“We’ll go home soon, honey. Doc has to check you out first.” He kissed the top of her head. She looked so tiny and delicate in his arms, reminding him of the past year. He was afraid to relive it once again.

Alex forcefully removed SE from the doorway and shut the door. “That’s enough. Now you listen to me. Don’t you ever get near Cassie again. That’s an order.”

“You don’t know anything about this,” SE spat back, clenching his fists, itching for action.

“I know more than you think. I know exactly what’s going on.”

“Now do you?” taunted SE as he stared at the door, trying to listen to the conversation behind it.

Alex stood in front of SE. “Yes, I do. Every time my brother couldn’t face you, you talked to me. You can’t even tell the difference between us. Your observation skills are obviously lacking”

“That’s impossible.”

“Now is it? You didn’t even know that when I was just standing a foot away from you.”

“I’m not leaving her.” He looked over Alex’s shoulder at the door.

Alex slammed a distracted SE against the wall next to the door, his left arm against his throat – holding him upright. “Like I said suboptimal observational skills. You’re lucky you haven’t screwed up yet. It’s a miracle you’re still alive.” As he increased the pressure, he growled, “Now you listen to me. Stay away from Cassie and Ryan. My wife doesn’t know anything about this and she never will.”

“I love her,” he gasped as the pain shot through his head. He couldn’t catch his breath as the hallway began to spin slowly.

Your wife just told me that if she wasn’t married, she’d go after Sabre.

Alex rolled his eyes and increased the pressure on SE’s throat. “Dammit… what kind of spell do you have on women?”

Ryan, keep her in there with you while I take care of this.

I will. Get him away from here. We have to take Cassie to Medical in a few minutes when she’s calmed down. I don’t know what’s going on with her. I’m scared she’s sick again.

The older always take care of the younger. Remember that always.

I always do.

Alex glared at the door before pulling a semi-conscious SE down the empty hallway. He knew the perfect place for gently persuading SE to keep away from the sisters.

“Sis, let me hear your heart. It was so fast earlier.” delly nudged her sister’s shoulder in an attempt to slightly separate her from Ryan.

“No! I’m fine.” She held onto him, not wanting to let go. “I want to go home.” She buried her head in Ryan’s shoulder, his presence a comfort.

“Okay, sis. Get some rest.” Frustrated at her sister’s uncharacteristic behavior, she sat back on her heels. “Ryan, how’s her heartbeat and breathing?”

He felt her grip relax. “Slowing down, but still a little fast.” He rubbed his chin gently against her head. “Sweetheart, you’ll be just fine. We’re here for you.”

“Little sister, what’s wrong with you now?” delly looked at the closed office door. “Damn… if I weren’t a married woman, I would have jumped that babe standing at the door.”

Your wife just told me that if she wasn’t married, she’d go after Sabre.

Ryan stared at a smiling delly. “You don’t want to mess with the new recruit. You know how Alex is.”

“What? I was just looking. I wasn’t touching.” She turned her attention to Ryan. “Besides, Alex knows if he hurts that hottie, he’ll wind up in Medical where I can touch… uh… provide medical care for him. He doesn’t want that.” She stared at the door again, drool forming at the corners of her mouth.

“Alex has been telling me of his plans when you got back. Want to know?” He knew she couldn’t resist uncovering his surprises.

She never heard him. “Who is that guy and where’s he been hiding all this time?” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Ryan bought some time for his brother. “I think she’s asleep now. Why don’t you check her out before we go down to Medical?”

This broke the spell. “Good idea.”


Chapter 1                  Chapter 2                  Chapter 3

Chapter 4                 Chapter 5                  Chapter 6

Chapter 7                  Chapter 8                  Chapter 9

Chapter 10                Chapter 11                Chapter 12

Chapter 13

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