Group X: Sub Rosa

Chapter 10


GX HQ
Medical Section
Observation Room
8:28 PM

Ryan watched over her still form. His head at the edge of her bed. His hands tenderly holding her right hand. Over the last hour, he had quietly wept, the wet towel on the back of his chair.

So many tears over the past year
With her
For them
For their future
Alone

He had made peace with their good-byes last year. To do it again was unbearable. He thought they had more time. He was terrified. Did he have enough strength to see her, to tell her, to let her go once again? They had sacrificed so much for her. Was there anything else to give, to trade, to beg for her life?

He had to be strong for her now. She couldn’t do it alone. They had to be there for her now – all of them.

“I’m so sorry for everything.” He stroked her forehead, hoping she had heard him. “Remember the hospital elevator? You’re as beautiful then as now. Love at first sight.” He glanced at the monitor before closing his eyes to rest.

Ryan wasn’t a stranger to the medical equipment filling the room. He could run through most of the equipment in the room by memory, half-asleep. Intimate knowledge he gained when she became ill. After the doctor assessed her condition, he raised the head of the bed to 30°, remembering the position set by her previous nurses.

The noise bothered him the most – the constant humming from the monitors recording her heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation of her blood. He hated it because it meant the one thing he feared – Cassie attached to them again. The lifeline to him and this world. Something that could be as easily severed without vigilance.

A shift of a hand
A deep sigh
The flutter of eyes
A barely perceptible whisper

“Ryan?” Barely above the hum. “Ryan?” The voice became slightly louder.

Opening his eyes, not believing what he heard. In a hopeful voice, he asked, “Cassie?” All senses focused on her.

She moved her hand. “Ryan?”

He gasped, tasting salty tears. As in the past, he stroked her forehead several times, helping her focus.

“Sweetheart, you’re tired. Rest,” he coaxed, rubbing her right hand gently with his left hand, the back of his right hand wiping his tears.

A sigh. Another squeeze of her hand. Weary eyes opened. “Too bright… hurts,” she whimpered, her left hand shielding her closed eyes.

He released her hand, reached over her bed and switched off the overhead light. The light from the hallway lit the far corner of the room, reflecting soft light toward her bed.

She whimpered, her hand searching for him.

Pulling her shielding hand from her face, he stroked it – all was fine.

She blinked her eyes in anticipation of pain. None. She opened her eyes, focusing on his weary face. Her eyes asked ‘Where am I?’ A deep breath.

“Medical. You fainted three hours ago. How’re you feeling?”

She was lying on her right side, a pillow underneath her back. “Tired.” She grunted in pain.

He caressed her pale cheek lovingly. ‘What’s wrong?’ his hands asked.

She battled the sluggishness of her mind. Anxious eyes searched the room then shot to his eyes.

“Your sister was sleeping – standing up against the wall so I called Alex. She gave in after two minutes. He carried her out of here. Dead to the world.” He looked at his watch. “That was about twenty minutes ago.”

A weak smile. “Can’t resist the tummy rub.”

He stroked her pale cheek. “You always did. You’re stronger than her.”

Indecision filled his heart as he read the monitor. “Blood pressure’s lower than usual and heart rate’s a little fast.”

“Am I dying?” Her eyes locked onto his, searching his soul.

He stalled. “Sweetheart… you’re not dying.” On the monitor, her heart rate jumped up eight beats.

“The truth.” She saw his tortured soul.

For several seconds, he stared at the floor.

Guilt his mannerism screamed. “Ryan…,” she begged.

He looked at her face then at her abdomen.

She burst into tears, reaching for him.

Placing his head near hers
Weeping together again
Pain shared
A decision made

He wiped her tears with his thumbs. Disgust filled him, knowing he forced her into an impossible situation.

She stopped him, her eyes pleading him ‘No.’ He shook his head as more tears fell.

“He has to take responsibility. He deserves to kn–”

“No!”

He ran his hand through her hair. Contact. Missed it for months. “Honey, they wanted you dead. You served no purpose. I pushed you away… all those months. Only way to save you – let you go. Make you leave me.” He moved the wet strands from her face. “It was a test… you, me and him. He kept you safe.”

She turned away from him. “He betrayed me.” She twisted the end of the sheet, hearing SE’s voice echoing, “I love you, Cassie.”

He recognized her guilty mannerism. Rubbing her shoulder – his forgiveness. “Face the truth. I know you love him. Tell him about his baby.”

She faced him. “All lies. He betrayed me.” A deep breath. “I betrayed you – us. I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.” She heard herself saying, “I love you, Sabre. Always and forever.” Words she said only to Ryan.

“Blame me. I was his CO. I could have ordered him to bring you in. Instead I gave him my keys to your heart.” He pointed to the stack of files on the drawer next to him. “Copies of the reports I gave to the Echelon as well as his. I can read them to you or you can read them when you’re ready.”

She felt how deeply this deception cost him. She rubbed his chin – her forgiveness. Not for herself. “This is our baby, Ryan… our baby.”

A deception turned into their dream. Could they live with the cost?

Unable to process her request, not knowing if he could do this – raise another man’s child as his own and lie for the rest of his life – he needed time to think. “He’ll know… haven’t seen you in two months.” Initially, he regretted not taking Alex’s offer, but he dismissed it. He couldn’t look into the child’s eyes and lie about his or her father’s death.

She pulled his hand to her stomach. “Our baby.”

When he touched her, she pulled her legs toward her stomach in agony, closing her eyes and gritting her teeth. Something’s wrong… love you, Ryan.

“I need help in here!” He rushed to the door. “Doc!” He glanced at the monitor then her.

Seconds later, JTHeyman rushed to her left side. “Ryan, open up her chart!” He read her vitals on the monitor at the same time he punched a button, inflating the blood pressure cuff around her left forearm.

“Help… the baby…” She took several deep breaths, tears streaking down his face.

He gently pulled out the pillow. Slowly rolling her onto her back, he said, “I’ll do everything I can. Try to lie still.” Using his stethoscope, he assessed her lungs and heart.

Frantic searching. Finding the chart under the reports. “What do you need?”

“Blood pressure and heart rate. The computer isn’t set up y – damn computer tech got herself killed last week.”

Ryan knew one, but he’d be damned if he let SE anywhere near her. He scanned the list. “There’s a lot of them – every fifteen minutes the first hour… uh… every thirty minutes the next hour. Last one about –” He checked the clock. “– 40 minutes ago.”

He took off his stethoscope, placing it around his neck, weighing how much of the truth to tell her. He hated lying to her, even by omission, but he needed confirmation first. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but I will soon.” He turned to Ryan as he felt her head. “The first one and last three.”

“It hurts… I want… my sister.” She fought to control her breathing as her left hand gripped the sheet.

“I know it does,” he replied, knowing exactly how she felt. Been there. Done that. Still want the bastard that tagged me for cancellation. He’s going to pay.

He put aside his anger. The past could wait, she couldn’t. “Your heart and lungs are working fine. No fever.” He proceeded to check her pulses in both wrists.

“Honey, she was falling asleep. She’s with Alex.” Ryan ran his finger across the lines. “Okay… first one… 98 over 68 and heart rate of 88 NSR. Normal sinus rhythm?”

Her pulses were equally weak. “Yes. Go on.” He pressed the tip of her right index finger. It blanched for more than three seconds. This is not good.

“Kisirien!” He looked upward then back at Cassie.

“Q’s new name?” Cassie looked from JT to Ryan then back at JT. “Or new hot nurse?” Her eyes twinkled.

“I apologize for my language. It's a swear word I picked up from some Travellers in the summer before med school. Loosely translated, it's a vulgar comment on the perversity of the universe.” He glanced at the clock over her bed. “Only nurse around here is your sister. Hot headed and amazingly gifted with skills that a twenty-year veteran doesn’t have. Downright scary, your sister. Should be a doctor.”

Her pain eased slightly from the distraction. “Looking for a replacement? Look further.”

He smiled mischievously. “Retire? With all the excitement going around here? Not any time soon.” The smile disappeared. “Cassie, I’m the only one that knows your medical history. I can’t just up and leave you in a lurch. You’re more than a patient to me. You’re a friend.”

Touched by his comment, she smiled.

Ryan scanned the almost completed page, noting the important numbers. “94 over 70 and heart rate of 92 NSR... 88 over 65 and 99 NSR. Last one was 80 over 63 and 110 ST – sinus tachycardia.”

“Correct again.”

He glanced at the monitor, worry on his face. “It’s now 75 over 60 and 126 ST.”

Anxiety briefly crossed JT’s face as he pressed on her abdomen. She cried in agony. “I’m sorry, Cassie. Your heart is beating faster and your blood pressure is falling.”

JT slammed the intercom on the wall behind him. “Medical emergency! Surgical team prep the OR stat! Repeat! Medical emergency! Surgical team prep the OR stat!”

JT gently held her left hand as he rolled her back onto her right side. “Cassie, you’re bleeding internally. I have to operate. Do you understand me?” He saw her nod, fear in her eyes.

Ryan stroked her forehead. “Honey, Doc’s going to take care of you and our baby.” He looked at Doc, his eyes pleading for the truth.

He nodded yes. “We’ll do our best.”

She looked at Ryan and mouthed “Our baby?”

He nodded with a smile. “Our baby’s a fighter just like Mommy.”

JT took a syringe out of his pocket and injected its contents into a port on the IV tubing leading to her left arm. “This will help you sleep.” He noted the time on the clock above her bed.

Don’t let him hurt the baby, Ryan.

Not gonna happen.

“Will that drug affect the baby?” He wiped the tears on her cheeks.

“No, it won’t. I’ll keep a close eye on them.”

Within twenty seconds, she felt sleepy. “Doesn’t hurt anymore…”

“Mommy, are you sick again?” a two-year-old boy asked.

A two-year-old girl stood next to the boy. “Mommy, Daddy, we’re bored. We want to play with the baby.”

Cassie smiled toward Ryan’s right side. “Little ones, I’m sick, but the doctor will help me.”

Ryan turned to his right, cold air announcing their children. “Little ones, you can play with the baby when the baby’s older.”

She felt two little hands on her arm. “Listen to your Daddy. Mommy needs to sleep.”

“Daddy, we want to play!” exclaimed the twins.

JT followed Ryan’s lead as he looked through her chart. “Your twins have returned, eh? Little ones, let your Mommy sleep. She needs rest.”

Ryan felt his legs getting cold. “Okay, find your Uncle Alex and play nice with him. Leave your Auntie delly alone. You know she gets cranky when she’s tired and she has to help Mommy right now.”

“Yay! Uncle Alex is fun to play with!” the twins squealed in delight.

“Little ones, please be careful and don’t scare him this time. We love you. Give us a hug before you go.”

“We love you Mommy and Daddy.”

JT watched Cassie and Ryan hug the air. After she had the implant that saved her life, the twins visited almost continuously. It scared the hell out of him the first few times, but he got used to them. Stranger things have happened to him.

“We love you. Be nice to Uncle Alex. Be safe. Bye.”

Ryan stroked her hand. “Play safely, little ones. Love you both. Bye.”

They heard two sets of footsteps running toward the door. Cassie fell into a peaceful sleep. Her family there and they were safe.

Two days later…

Medical Section Anteroom
7:08 AM

“She wanted to talk to you,” delly said as she stood in the anteroom’s doorway. “Sabre_Edge, is that correct?”

He smiled slightly. “Yes it is. We haven’t been properly introduced.” He stuck out his hand. Bait

She shook his hand, watching his reaction. “Nice to meet you.”

He looked over her shoulder. “How’s she doing?” No one would give him any information on her condition.

She snapped her fingers, getting his full attention. “I’m exhausted – a three month assignment. We’re going to run through the rules one time only. If Ryan or Alex comes in here, you leave as per Cassie’s request. If she gets upset, I get upset. When I get upset, I start shooting and ask questions later. Next time bring your armor.”

“It squeaks too much, my lady. It’s at home.” He smiled warmly. Hook

She laughed for the first time in weeks. “Next time get some oil.”

“You look exactly like your sister.” His eyes wandered down, his mind comparing the sisters. Exact.

“Looks can be deceiving.” He’d be surprised at their differences. Look. No touching. Damn… She crossed her arms in front of her, fighting his attraction.

His eyes wandered back up. “Did she tell you anything about me?” He hoped she didn’t but he didn’t want to tell her the truth. If Alex knew he broke his promise, he’d be dead within the hour. Definitely interested, aren’t you, milady?

“Nothing other than you’re a friend and I thought I knew all her friends.” She bit her lower lip when she saw his approval. Cute… no… hot… too damn hot.

He needed more information on her. “I can be your friend too, if you want, my lady. Is there someone who can watch Cassie while we talk over a coffee?”

“You’re very smooth… I like that.” She smiled, trying to focus on his face and not wander down. Don’t look. Her eyes disobeyed her command. Not the first time or the last.

Got ya. He glanced over her shoulder before her eyes shot back to his face. “So is that a yes?” He turned on his smile. Come on. Go for it. I know that look. Found that chink in your defense. Time to reel you in.

Sis, stop it. I need to talk to him.

delly looked at her sister. Looking not touching. How well do you know him? Sizzling hot…

He enjoyed the view. Damn… how am I going to tell you two apart without enough information? This is going to be pure torture. He saw her wedding band, an exact replica of Alex’s ring, a few sizes smaller. So you like to look, but do you like to play? I need your dossier for comparison.

Stop drooling and that’s none of your business.

Oooo… you’re in a bad mood, you must be better.

And you’re in a hor –

Three months without Alex!

“We’ll see.” delly faced him. “Five minutes. If you need someone, hit the intercom on the wall or on the side of her bed. This new facility doesn’t have the monitors hooked up to Medical Central yet. Never have a tech when you need one.” She raised her right arm and looked at her watch, but still checked him out. Never place a scrumptious buffet in front of a starving woman. Gotta get out now. Alex, where are you?

Ryan said he’s busy checking out a new recruit… a female one.

No one lays a hand on my man and lives to tell about it.

Jealous much, big sis?

Shut up.

SE studied her profile. “I can take a look i –”

“Sis, I’ll be back.” Her intent to find more information on SE.

He watched her leave the room. Damn… though Cassie’s walk is a little bit sexier with her swaying. Gotta remember that. He wiped the drool from his mouth and put on his game face.

He stood at the edge of a precipice. Leap – tell her and face the consequences. Walk away – follow his orders and forget about her. Nothing but a footnote in his life. The heartache of never knowing, of never pursing the one he loved, always wondering what could have been. The price – his whole being – mind, body, spirit and soul. He was willing to pay the price, but he couldn’t lose her too. Opening his heart to her would make him vulnerable. Vulnerable could get him killed. Even worse – her. What happened before could happen again. This time, he’d die first. Now was the time to make a decision.

After noting the time on the clock above her bed and the monitors on her left side, he sat down on the chair on her right. Taking her right hand into his, he asked, “Cassie, how are you feeling?”

She opened her eyes. “You betrayed me, Sabre.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes from the emotional pain.

“It wasn’t like that. It was –”

She jerked her hand away. “Don’t touch me ever again.”

“I’m sorry, ho –”

Her eyes flew open in rage. “Were you ever going to tell me? You lied to me – how many – do you know how I feel?”

“Angry.”

“I’m not angry. I feel used.” She closed her eyes again, fighting the queasiness in her stomach.

“I wasn’t following – you’re not an assign – you have to belie –”

“I read your reports… Ryan turned them over to me before I asked him.” She pointed to the table to his left. “And he gave me his reports to the Echelon.”

“You can’t believe everything you read,” he blurted out on the defensive as he picked up the reports. He knew exactly which lines had reached into her soul.

Hatred burned in her soul. “Lies… it’s all in the reports. ‘I feel nothing for her. It’s only an assignment, sir.’ I really love this line you wrote. ‘Cassie, I’ve loved you from the second I saw you from across the bar. I never knew that I’d be able to love someone so completely… that I’d die for you.’ Would you even do that? I doubt it.”

“That’s the tru–”

“Truth? I’m dying.”

“You’re going to make it,” he said, denying that possibility. He set the reports down after reading his damning words.

“Maybe not tonight. Maybe sooner than that…”

Leaning forward. Moving his hands toward her. Stopping, unsure she was hiding a gun. “Believe in yourself. I’ll be here fo–”

Disgusted eyes stared back at him, burning into his soul. “Ryan’s always by my side. In sickness and health. You weren’t and never will be. He offered the truth before I could ask him. You? Excuses. If you love me then you’ll respect my wishes and my vows to him.” From underneath her gown, she pulled out a gold chain around her neck revealing her gold wedding band. She moved her ring over her heart.

He stared at the ring, undeterred. “I love you, Cassie. Listen to your heart. It’s telling you the same thing.”

“I did – I had every intention of pulling that trigger. You’re lucky I fainted. I wasn’t expecting – you shocked me when you walked in.”

His eyes followed the chain up to her face. “I didn’t know anything… about you and Ryan… only what was in your dossier. It was sketchy.”

Looking into his eyes, she recited her words. “I gave you my heart and you slowly twisted a knife into it. I gave you my mind and you played cruel games with it. I gave you my body and you took great pleasure in it. I gave you my spirit and you broke it. I gave you my hopes and dreams of the future and of a family and you trampled on it, calling it a childish fantasy. I gave you my soul and you utterly destroyed it. All these things I gave you freely. I have nothing left to give you and you have nothing else to take. The truth lies before you and you still can’t see it. You won Sabre. The entire game. You’ve done something no one’s done before – the Echelon is going to give you a medal – you destroyed me. You’ve come to gloat over your conquest. Now leave me so I can die in peace.”

The coldness reappeared, the voice at the bar. The woman he loved disappeared. “Look into your heart. It knows what you desire.” Two heartbeats. “Please give me another chance.” He hoped his words could convince that woman to reemerge.

“You destroyed everything we had or could have had. Our past was a lie. Our present is pain. Our future never existed.” Her energy was gone.

“Let me show you how much I love you,” he desperately begged.

His only chance
Kissing her with all his being
Giving her the courage to live
Pleading his case
One more chance

A high-pitched alarm went off.

Breaking contact, his head snapped up, eyes shot to the monitors. “Cassie? Cassie!” Irregular patterns crossed the screen. He placed his left ear near her mouth, turned his head to the right and placed his right index and middle finger on her right wrist below her thumb. No air. No chest movement. No pulse.

Looking at the clock, he pushed the ring aside and kicked the chair back. “7:15. Cassie, don’t die on me!”

He breathed into her once then started chest compressions in rapid succession. “One… two… Cassie, don’t die on me... six… seven… eight… nine… ten.” He breathed into her. “Cassie! Two… three… dammit… I need help here!” He lost count. “Help!” A breath. Deeper compressions. “Don’t leave me! Three… four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… ten. Breathe!” A breath. Stronger compressions. “One… two… three… four… fi… ”

“Get out of the way!” delly wretched him away.

JT shoved in the crash cart. “Get out of the room! We need space to work!” He powered up the defibrillator. “Are you okay?”

His body was shaking from the adrenaline and panic rushing through him. Unable to answer, he nodded his head as he stepped back.

“Cassie!” She hit the quick release on the side of the bed, immediately dropping the head of the bed, making it flat. “Cassie!”

SE rushed out of the room and stood in front of the large glass window. Silently he watched them work while the alarm wailed.

Now it was ending
Not quickly
Not silently
Not peacefully
Not in the future
Not later
Now

Gone was his hope
For a life together
Gone was the time
To explain everything that had happened
Gone was his chance
To receive her forgiveness

A few minutes later, he couldn’t watch. Pressing his forehead onto the glass. Listening to his heart breaking. Only if he had time. A chance to explain. A chance to win her back.

It was the sadness he felt. The overwhelming hopelessness. The despair of never getting back to normal. Desiring but never getting what others have. The incompleteness. The wound that will never heal. All of these things – his reality.

Only when he dreamt, he could get what he wanted, what he craved, whom he loved. Awake, he was alone. How do you tell her how much you love her? Only by showing her. Words can be interpreted in many ways. Subtle clues can be lost. No sublety in action.

He pulled out a small red velvet box from his pants pocket and flipped it open. “I was going to ask you to marry me two nights ago. Please come back.” A movie of images replayed in his mind.

The silkiness of her skin
The taste of her lips
Her faint floral perfume
Her smile on her face when he said
“I love you”
Her sweet voice proclaiming
“I love you always and forever”

He looked up at the clock above her bed. “7:28. Fight Cassie! Fight! Come back!” He pounded on the window several times before sliding down onto the floor.

Going through the memories of the past two months, he focused on the first two weeks. ‘They’re still looking for you,’ he warned to keep her from leaving him during her recuperation. It was difficult to keep lying to her, but he had his orders.

Worried about her condition deteriorating, he petitioned his commanding officer, Ryan, to move her to a different place. ‘No. She’s your responsibility, deal with it’ was his reply.

“I didn’t understand the coldness in his reply. Now I do.”

He closed his eyes as the memories jumped to the forefront.

Two months earlier…

SE’s apartment
8:22 AM

“Shh… the doctor is on his way,” SE repeated fervently, watching his alarm clock on the bedside stand. The red numbers slowly slipping by.

On the bedroom floor, he cradled a whimpering Cassie. Her soft calling of his name woke him from his light sleep.

“Help… me… Sabre…” The unbearable pain returned with a vengeance, drowning out his comforting words.

Two knocks on the front door.

“SE, I’m here.”

SE pointed his gun at the door. He wasn’t taking any chances. “It’s open!” He held her close to his chest, head pressed against his left shoulder.

After the older man entered the door, SE closed his eyes in relief as he lowered his weapon, but kept it close.

“Doctor’s here. He’s going to help you.” He eased his hold on her as the man entered the bedroom.

The man ripped open his black bag on the bedside stand, dumping the clock onto the floor. “I got here as fast as I could.” He saw her pale face as he reached inside for the suture kit.

SE repositioned the bloody towel on her wound. She cried out in agony. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” He rocked her gently, staining red another part of his sweatshirt.

“Cassie, I’m Doctor Doug Cooper. I’m SE’s friend. Do you want my help?” He dragged a chair from the corner and placed it on the left side of the bed.

She nodded yes at the kindly doctor. “No… hospitals,” she ordered through gritted teeth. She was screwed if she went there.

He ignored her comment. Time was not on her side. “Get the brightest lamp for me while I exam her wound.” He pulled out an alcohol pad and a syringe he had readied earlier.

“Don’t leave, Sabre.” She grabbed his left arm.

“I’m not going far. I trust him with my life so can you.”

A burst of pain. She released him. “Help…”

Cooper exposed her right forearm and gently rubbed a small area with the pad. “Pain medication.”

Oblivious to the needle prick, she desperately fought to stay conscious. Ryan, where are you? I need you.

As Cooper gently removed her sweatshirt, SE covered her with a clean towel from the pile on the bed. Before Cooper lowered her onto the bed, SE placed a folded white towel underneath her left shoulder.

“She needs to be in hospital.”

“No, Sabre…”

SE wrapped a towel loosely around the sweatshirt before depositing it on the floor next to the towel wrapped around her clothes. “People are looking for her.” He ripped off his blood-soaked sweatshirt and threw it into the pile. “I’m taking a quick shower.”

Cooper pulled out another syringe. “Antibiotic.” He saw her nod her assent.

By the time, he opened up the outer packaging of the suture kit on the bedside stand, a white-robed SE placed a floor lamp next to the bed. Cooper was briefly shocked when he saw SE pocket his gun. He was too focused on Cassie to notice it on the floor.

“How’re you feeling?” Cooper donned the sterile gloves and opened the rest of the kit.

“9 out… of 10.”

“So you’re familiar with the pain scale?”

“Too well.” She focused on her breathing as he carefully pulled away the blood-soaked bandage from her left shoulder.

“I’m going to make some breakfast, Cassie. Doc’s going to take care of you.” He crouched down next to the right side of the bed.

“Stay… Sabre,” she whimpered, fighting to stay awake.

“Stay. I need your help.”

“I… I got to make breakfast,” rushed out of his mouth as the vision appeared before him

Cooper knew it was hard for him to focus. “Do it for her.” He turned his attention back to her, watching her breathing. “Cassie, how are you doing?”

“Sabre… please,” she begged in a whisper heard only by him. She lost the fight.

“I gave her a lot of pain medication. Focus on her breathing.”

“Okay.” His reply was automatic as the past began to replay, hiding her.

Cooper placed a blue sterile sheet, the open square centered over her wound. “Remember how to count respirations?” He drenched the area with a reddish liquid.

SE closed his eyes, fighting through the smoky vision before him. It had been months since it had last appeared. “Help me, please,” he begged as the terrifying vision continued.

Faint smell of spilled fuel
Darkness covering the horror
Cries of “Mommy, help me.”
No comfort for the child

“Where are you?” Cooper asked, trying to shake the vision from SE’s mind.

The smell of blood, unmistakable
In the darkness
Bloody hands reaching for each other
Lives torn apart
Silence from the child

“I don’t know. It’s dark. I can’t see her.”

“Go forward. She’s right there. Focus on my voice.”

“Don’t leave me, Sabre”
“I’m right here. Hang on.”
Fighting through his pain to stay awake
“Our baby, Sabre.”
“Shh… It’s going to be okay.”

“I can’t!” He lost control of his breathing as he gripped the edge of the bed.

“Where are you?” He saw SE’s respiration rate spike.

Desperate to move, but unable
“Christina, stay awake.”
“Sabre, I love you.”
Her hands grew cold
Silence around him

“The darkness,” he gasped on the verge of hyperventilating.

The pain hit him as if it happened now. It had taken a year for his physical wounds to heal. Very little could be done for his emotional wounds. Cooper helped him through the worst, but he had to fight it daily.

“Follow my voice. Focus. Shake it off. I believe in you. Believe in yourself.” He hoped these words soothed him.

Pain in his heart
Overcoming physical pain
Two families broken
One lost a wife and a child
One lost a wife and an unborn son

“I’m trying.” He pushed away the vision.

“The darkness is fading. The light is coming toward you.” Cooper saw SE’s breathing slowing down.

SE saw the light through the darkness, illuminating an area surrounding him. “I see it.” He opened his eyes.

“Focus.”

“I see her.” The vision was slowly fading away. The darkness receded into the shadows of his mind.

“Where are you?” Cooper checked her breathing. It had slowed down.

“Across the bed from you. Cassie needs my help.”

Cooper made a final check of the instrument tray. “Do you remember how to count respirations? Can you do that for me… for her?”

“One minute?”

“Correct. Tell me when they’re less than ten. Do you understand?” Cooper saw him focused on her, determination in his eyes.

“Yes, sir. Under ten.”

“Very good. Begin.” Out of the corner of his eye, Cooper watched SE check his watch before glancing at her.

SE leaned on the bed, his left arm in front of him. He tapped the bed when she breathed in.

“Good. Keep counting. Her life depends on it.” All the instruments and supplies were complete.

Tap. “Yes, sir.”

Halfway through closing the wound, Cooper swore there were only six times taps in the last three minutes. He looked up and saw him staring at her. She breathed in, but he didn’t tap the bed.

“Are you still counting?” He put the needle down.

“Yes, sir.” Tap.

“You did a great job in cleaning and dressing this wound.” He wiped the edges with gauze.

“Thank you, sir.” Tap.

“She needs overnight observation. I’ve repaired the damage, but it’s deeper than I had expected.”

“They’re watching for her. This is the only safe place for her.” Tap.

“You’re taking responsibility for her life?” He checked for oozing. None.

“Yes, sir.”

He deposited the bloody gauze on the pile in the kit. “How much blood did she lose?”

“I changed her dressing three times in four hours. They’re near the towels around her clothes.” He pointed to Cooper’s right.

“Were they soaked all the way through?” Cooper glanced at the bloody pile.

“The last two, the towel… plus her shirt.”

He mentally added SE’s sweatshirt. “It stopped bleeding?”

He nodded yes. “Started twenty minutes ago after I unlocked the do – she was crying… I couldn’t stop the bleeding.”

“You should have called me immediately.”

“She never told me. Stubborn woman.”

“That makes the two of you. The bleeding’s controlled for now. She shouldn’t move that shoulder unnecessarily.” He watched her breathing. “When was the last time she ate or drank anything?”

“At least eight hours. She slept for four hours before I called you.”

“Later, I’ll set up an IV for her and stay while it runs.” Cooper saw the first aid kit in the corner of the room. “Do you know what are the signs of an infection?”

“Fever mostly… redness, swelling, pus, funky drainage or horrible smell around the wound.”

“Correct. I’m surprised you still remember.”

“Some things are unforgettable.” His heart ached as he watched her. “How much longer?”

“Probably ten to fifteen minutes. Can you stay focused for that long?”

“Yes.”

Satisfied with her breathing rate, he continued as fast as humanly possible before SE’s mind had a chance to wander.

SE opened a red plastic biohazard bag as Cooper dropped in the kit and gloves. Cooper took the bag from him and placed it near the bloody pile of towels. They carefully clothed her in SE’s flannel shirt for warmth. It was easier to check on her wound than with the sweatshirt.

“Doc, I owe you so much.” He moved a stray strand from her forehead.

“Let’s take this outside. She needs her rest.”

Cooper waited for him in the living room, leaving the bedroom door open. “She needs to be in a hospital.” He sat on the easy chair, positioned to watch her. He pulled out his notes.

“I can protect her here.”

Cooper sketched the wound on the diagram of the body. “You’ll look after her?”

“With your help, sir, if you wish.” He gently rubbed her left hand.

“I’ll do anything for you.” He wrote the depth, length and width of the wound in the empty lines below the drawing.

“I know... I didn’t want to involve – involve you, but she needed you.” He left her side, sighing.

“It was good for you to call me.” He made note of the time spent cleaning and suturing.

“She’s my responsibility, sir. I can’t fail her.”

Cooper saw the blanket and pillow on the couch. “Always the gentleman, aren’t you SE?” He noticed that SE had more than a passing interest in her. No doubts that she wasn’t a client in need of bodyguard protection. He knew SE never mixed business with pleasure. It would get him killed in his line of work.

He walked into the kitchen and stood in front of the cabinet. “I try, sir. Want anything to drink?”

“Water is fine.”

As Cooper watched him by the connecting pass-through, he went the sink and filled the glasses. Cooper noticed three new bar stools in front of the pass-through. SE had taken his suggestion to make his apartment less Spartan.

“Helen and I missed you last Thanksgiving and Christmas.” He was concerned about the lack of contact. The only thing he knew was that he was with a new security firm. No details.

He put the glasses down next to the sink. “I was working. I didn’t want to be a bad reminder.”

“It’s been two years, son. You barely survived. The others in the other vehicle weren’t as fortunate...”

“It should have been me.” Staring at the floor, the aching pain returned. “He lost his entire family.”

He put his pen down, his full attention focused on him. “Look at me.”

Their eyes met. “I failed her…”

“No. You gave us what we’ve always wanted – Christina was happy with you.”

“I should have done more. I’m a failure… your only child… couldn’t protect her… couldn’t… ”

“We gained a son – the one we dreamed of – the best man for Christina.”

“I tried my best… wasn’t good enough.”

“Son, stop blaming yourself.”

“Should have done more.” Turning away, he crossed his arms.

Touching his robe
Christina’s birthday gift to him
Her final gift
Unleashing memories
Burying him
Sadness claiming him again

“She wasn’t alone.”

“Dad, the van came out of nowhere…” He put his hands on the sink as the image returned then vanished, leaving him emotionally raw.

“You died that night.”

“Should have left me dead.”

“It wasn’t your time.”

“Should have made time to come and visit you both when she wanted.”

Hopelessness shrouding him
Cloaking him in despair
Making him helpless
Searching for comfort
Finding none

“You did the best you could.”

“Now, she’s gone.”

“You treated our Christina like a queen.”

“She deserved it and much more. Today’s our fourth anniversary. I miss her so much, Dad.”

“You’ll always have her in your heart, son. We miss her too. It’s a heartache that will never go away.” A montage of Christina’s childhood flashed through Cooper’s mind.

He turned around, eyes full of tears. “It’s not fair.”

“Life’s never fair.” A sigh. A glance at Cassie. “If you had died, who would have helped Cassie?”

Silence.

“Son, she wants you to move on with your life.”

“I know, it’s just…”

“I approve of Cassie. I know she would too.”

“No one’s called me Sabre since Christina.” He wiped the tears on his sleeve.

“Cassie did… three times.”

“It’s not time yet.” He glanced through the door, watching her intently.

“I’ve gave you my blessing years ago. Cassie doesn’t have a ring mark. She’s free.”

“Only if she wishes.”

“That’s what won us over – the way you treated Christina – never forceful and always followed her wishes.”

“She’ll always be my queen.” He closed his eyes as Christina’s smiling image appeared.

“You’ll always be her knight. Her memory will live on in your heart, son. Share her with Cassie so she will never be forgotten.”

“Cassie might not like that.” Her image vanished. Opening his eyes, he saw Cassie fidgeting in her sleep.

“She needs to know what you’re feeling. Do you want to win her heart?”

“What about Christina?”

“Now she lives in our hearts… in our minds… in our memories. We all love her. Cherish the time you’ve shared.” A sigh. “Tell her when you think she’s ready. Don’t compare the two because Cassie will always lose.”

“How do I know if I’m ready?”

“Listen to your heart. Only then will you know.”

They heard her calling softly, “Sabre… Sabre…”

Two months later…

Medical Section Anteroom
10:38 AM

“… Edge?” delly called from the doorway.

Silence answered her.

She went to her right side, noting her vitals on the monitor. “Cassie, I can’t let him upset you again. Please, I almost lost you.”

He saved me. Cassie was resting comfortably, saving her strength.

She wrote down the information in her chart. “If he upsets you again, he’s going to get lead poisoning.”

What happened to my sister that was drooling over his sizzling hot body? You kidnapped her?

“Get serious, little sister. He’s the one that almost cost you your life. No one hurts the people I love and gets away with it.”

He saved me, sis.

She placed the chart on the bedside table. “Fine. He can’t stay long. Where are our guys? They just disappeared.” She smoothed out the edges of the bedsheet. “Can’t you open your mind? I hate talking like this. People can listen in.”

She smiled. Hell no. You do it to me all the time.

“Touché, Tweety Bird, touché.”

delly walked through the doorway. “SE, she wants to see you.” She scanned the anteroom, puzzled that he had vanished. She found him in a daze on the floor, his back against the wall underneath the window. “Hey, you okay?”

The daze dissipated. “Tired… prepping for a mission. I need sleep.” SE hoped she couldn’t see through his lie. He was worried about Cassie, but Alex made it clear that he was to stay away from her.

“Only way to survive here… be prepared.” She stood in front of him, her arms crossed in front of her, examining him like others that had gone before her. “That’s why you were in Ryan’s office?”

He wasn’t ready for her impending interrogation. “Getting some last minute instructions.” He stood up hastily, the red velvet box dropped to the floor.

She smiled, knowing exactly what it contained. “So who’s the lucky lady?”

He watched Cassie, not paying her attention. “What?”

She picked up the box and opened it. “Oooohhh… nice ring. She’ll be a very happy lady. I wish Alex got me one like this… going to be our fourth anniversary soon.” A glance at her sister. “Hey, why don’t you show this to Cassie. It might cheer her up. She and Ryan have had a rough time. Their second anniversary just passed.” She closed the box, the image burned in her mind.

His jaw dropped. “Uh... ” He faced her. “I can explain…” He opened his right hand. “I can explain everything,” he blurted out.

She handed it back to him. “I don’t need explanations. You’re not the first guy or the last one who’s feeling this way. Just don’t leave her at the altar, okay.” Her smile widened as she fought back tears, remembering a different place and time.

He quickly shoved it into his shirt pocket and buttoned it. “You weren’t supposed to see that.” He didn’t see a weapon on her, but he wasn’t taking any chances. “Scout’s honor.”

“She’s waiting for you. Don’t be long.” She saw him nod. Hmmm… Ryan and Alex should have been here by now.

Safe for now. He watched her turn right at the hallway door.

Walking into her room, he announced from the doorway, “Cassie, I’m here.”

She opened her eyes and right hand. “Sabre?”

He gently took her right hand. “Yes, it’s me.”

“Thank you.”

He saw her wincing from the pain. “You need rest. I’ll come back later when you’re stronger.”

“Might not be… a later. Talk now.” She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, her pale hand pressing the ring to her heart.

“Save your strength. I’l –”

“Make peace…with my family… please.”

“I’ll respect your wishes, Cassie. I almost lost you…” A deep breath. “Do you love me?”

Brown eyes locked onto blue. “I love Ryan more...”

No waver in her voice or eyes. Almost a knockout blow. Reeling from her proclamation, he rallied back. “Let me make this up for you.”

“I for… give you, Sabre. Friends?”

A second chance. A reprieve.

“Friends.” He kissed her forehead. “I will always be your knight, my princess. Rest. Pleasant dreams.”

“Visit me, Boy Scout.” A faint smile appeared on her face.

“I will.” They’d have a hard time keeping him away.

“Ahem… visiting hours are over. She needs her rest.”

He turned toward the doorway. “Thank you for letting me see her.” His smile beamed at delly.

A cold murderous glare cut through him. Gone was the woman he saw earlier. Oh shit. Time to change tactics.

“Sis…”

She looked at her little sister and rolled her eyes. “Fine.” Her dead eyes targeted him. “SE, thank you for saving her life. I owe you.”

Death locked onto him. He had to leave now. “Just make sure she gets better.”

She took out a syringe from her pocket. “Little sis, I need to give you something for the pain.”

He smiled at Cassie again then left.

“Sis, why is it every time I ask Ryan or Alex about that recruit, they get angry?” She injected the contents into her line.

“First mission… I was his wife. Alex… knew, not Ryan.” She closed her eyes. Her eyes would betray the truth.

“And?”

“Passed… with flying colors.” The darkness soothed her.

“And?”

“A lady never tells…” She let the darkness take her.

“Pfft… when were you a lady?” She saw Cassie’s even breathing. “You got to tell me that story.”

Chapter 11

Present day…

Group X HQ
Mission Access Room
6:28 AM

SE rose in a panic, shoving the padd into his inside jacket pocket. Where is it?

Looking up and down the hallway, he searched for Eusti, unable to remember what Eusti had told him earlier.

“Now where did he go?”

He ran through the hallway maze toward the communications room. He skidded to a stop in front of the bank of monitors. Staring at the center screen, unwilling to turn it on. He touched the keyboard, remembering how he looped the live feed in the conference room. “I needed 21 minutes to get it done.”

“Poor Eusti, he’ll never know it wasn’t Alex.” SE smiled as he walked to the conference room.

The smile disappeared when his hand touched the doorknob. Indecision took its place – open the door to heartache or leave it closed, burying it.

“Sabre, I love you.”

Stepping back and looking around, he muttered, “No one. I’m hearing things.”

“Cassie, I’m sorry.” He touched the doorknob and opened it, ready for the consequences.

Group X HQ
Conference Room
8:43 PM

SE, disguised as Alex, stopped in front of the conference door. He checked his six. No one monitoring the conference room. Y, keep PieMan there just a little longer so I can get this done. He knocked on the door, hoping he’d be able to pull this off. This was the last chance to get what he wanted – Cassie.

He entered the room, surveying the positions of everyone. He took deliberate slow steps toward delly. He had to do this now. His window was closing. He didn’t know how much longer he could act like Alex before he made a mistake. Any mistake now would cost him his life. He saw the unspoken question in her eyes earlier. ‘Are you okay?’ She was suspicious and the only way he’d be able to get her was to take out the others.

He walked to her left side, handing her a padd. “Analysis confirmed on the residue. It’s him alright.”

He watched over her shoulder as she scanned the results. He checked the others. They weren’t paying attention to him.

She looked up at him, love in her eyes. “So everything has been triple checked?”

She blinked her eyes. Blue eyes? The edges are blue, but the rest was green. Overworked… seeing things.

SE saw something in her eyes questioning him. Time to act. “Three separate analyses confirm it. One more thing.” He ripped off the wedding band and threw it in front of dark and ST. The ring pinged against the edge of the pastry dish, landing between them.

Her eyes went to his ring finger. Got ya.

delly went for her gun. Nothing but air.

A click of a hammer. “Looking for this?” SE smiled evilly as she glared down the barrel of her gun.

Their movements caught the attention of the others. They looked up from their work.

“Shit,” she said softly. Her eyes went from the gun to SE’s eyes then back to the gun. Hatred for her.

“What’s the meaning of this?” A waver in Cassie’s voice as she saw SE’s smile.

“Lovers quarrel.” dark assessed the situation. Bad going on worse. Only delly, Cassie and Alex knew the code to get out of that room.

Space calculated the odds of getting the gun away from him. Not in their favor. “Power struggle for leadership.”

Defiant eyes shot a murderous glare at SE. “Where’s Alex?”

So you know. SE pulled out a second gun and pointed it at Cassie.

“What?” rose from the trio as their eyes went from delly to SE.

“You’ll be joining him soon.” Not a threat. A promise.

Blue eyes she thought. Surprise briefly appeared then vanished. It’s Sabre!

Shit!

“What the f… It can’t be unless… a clone. Brilliant.” His eyes neither affirmed nor disavowed her deduction.

Sis, I’m getting dizzy. Take a shot.

I’m going to hit you. I can’t control my hand. It’s shaking.

Take the shot, dammit! I’m going to stall him.

“On your knees,” ordered SE as his glare sliced across their faces. They were waiting for an opening – something he wasn’t going to allow.

Do it! Save yourself! I love you, sis.

No!

She stood up and faced him, smiling. She clasped her hands behind her. “Never.”

Tucked in the small of her sister’s back, Cassie saw a gun.

Her smile grated on his nerves. “Suit yourself. A final request, dellyone?” He wasn’t going to miss his target from this range.

“Sober_Edge,” she said matter-of-factly as she watched his eyes. “You didn’t think I would find out about him did you?” She smirked.

SE’s eyes wavered for a second. Time for action. She pulled the gun she hid in the small of her back.

ST and dark stood up, shaky from the drugged coffee. Semi-conscious, they dropped to the floor, taking them out of the equation.

He shoved her right arm upward as she fired a shot. She crashed to the floor from the drug’s effects.

An unsteady Cassie stood up, her left hand holding her gun. Her expression mirrored the one when he first betrayed her. He fired before she could get a lock on him.

She went down muttering, “SE?”

delly kicked SE’s right leg, sending him crashing backwards. She scrambled up, her unsteady hand reaching for the remote control. Her hand brushed against it as SE pulled her down. By the time, the remote control hit the floor, he had zip tied her hands.

He roughly turned her over. “Where we’re going, no one will ever find you.”

“Sabre, why?” The darkness was pulling her under.

“Because I can.”

The room was silent when he got to work.

Present day…

Group X HQ
Conference Room
6:33 AM

Silence greeted him as he opened the door. He walked through the doorway, leaving the door open. Eusti followed his orders – the conference room was spotless.

He looked at the ceiling. “delly, you sure used so many bullets over the years.” He moved in front of the chair closest to the door then looked up again. “It was almost too easy getting your gun away from you. Never should have taken my suggestion to keep everyone unarmed except you and Cassie. You almost got me then. Cassie’s my brown-eyed hottie with dangerous curves on a sexy body, not you. ”

Starting at this chair, walking clockwise around the square mahogany table, he mumbled, “delly was here, dark, ST…” He stopped in front of the last chair. “… and Cassie – had to get you out of the line of fire, my love.”

Closing his eyes, he knelt down beside her chair. “I never knew… should have checked… no time... you should have worn your flak jacket.” He rubbed his heart as the ache returned. “I failed again. I waited five long years for you. I couldn’t wait anymore. Now…” He wanted to see her once again. To beg for forgiveness. One more time. Not going to happen in this life.

Opening his eyes, he inspected the floor around the table. It was clean.

“You betrayed me, Sabre.”

His head shot up, barely missing the table’s edge. “Cassie?” He glanced around the room and through the doorway. Nothing out of the ordinary.

“I need to sleep… starting to hallucinate.”

He saw the TV, DVD player and the microphone on top of the karaoke machine. It brought a smile to his face, remembering a particular mandatory karaoke night. He couldn’t sing, but was goaded into singing a duet with Cassie. “A whole new world… that's where we'll be…”

He noticed a DVD inside. “I wonder what’s on this. I’ll have to check later.” He ejected the DVD and placed it next to the padd.

“SE, about time you got back.”

Momentarily surprised due to his preoccupation, SE jerked to his right. “Hey, where’s Eusti?” he asked as he saw Jorge leaning against the doorjamb.

Jorge saw his frazzled leader’s weary face. “I don’t know.” He tried to gauge if SE was prepared for more confusion. “Hey, I’ve got some bad news to...”

“Later. I need to find Eusti.” He looked at his watch.

“He was supposed to be at Access – waiting for you.”

“He was, but I forgot to ask him something.”

“You look like hell.” He swirled his coffee mug.

“Feel like it too.” SE snapped his fingers. “I remember now.”

“Are we still under Omega 1269?”

SE felt that there was something wrong with the room, but he couldn’t place what was different. “Yeah. I want a meeting when everyone gets back.” He ran away from the ghosts and toward his destination.

“Welcome back!”

“Thanks!” he called back right before he turned the corner.

Jorge was puzzled at his behavior. “He didn’t even ask about Cassie. I think I need another line of employment.” Looking at his mug, he rolled his eyes. “And I hate this!”

Tactical Section
6:08 AM

Eusti, DMD, Y, HK, Noby, and SL4 were hard at work figuring out how someone breached their security and took down their communications. Searching through video, audio and the never-ending datastreams. Optimistism. Frustration. Lightheartness. The toll of the nonstop missions was getting to them. No end in sight. All of them agreed sooner or later that would have to stop. But who would stop the madness and at what price?

“So anyone want to talk about their Valentine missions?” HK drew a sad face on his datasheet.

“Current or previous?” Noby made a 45° fold.

“Hey, Protocol 3, Section 25 states ‘No full disclosure of the mission except to the commanding officer,’” recited Y from rote as she watched the video frame by frame.

The groans and rolling eyes started up immediately.

“Protocol police!” rose from the crowd.

“Quoting the Protocol is not permitted at this juncture.” SL4 rotated his plate, eyeing the slice of pie at his nine.

“A lady never tells.” Y stared at her screen, picking up a pen.

“You’ve seen our files except the ton locked up in delly’s office.” DMD underlined ‘End transmission’ on his paper.

“No, I review the files that delly gives me. All the files I get from her have pages of blackened out sections so I don’t know all the specifics of the case.” She circled a section on her paper.

SL4 stabbed the edge of the pie then smashed it to pieces. “You know enough.”

Noby finished the last fold. “Now this is a plane.”

“I’d tell you, but you’ll make me waste ammo later.” Eusti looked up from his screen and saw his plane. “Nice. Still don’t think it’ll get across this entire room.”

“I bet SE’s on one right now.” Noby flicked his wrist, sending the plane on it’s maiden voyage. “He gets the lion’s share.”

“Jealous?” SL4 took a bite as the plane looped once.

“No way! All those scorned women in one room… it would be ugly.” DMD caught the plane as it dove for the floor, yards away from clearing the room.

Y slashed the pen across the paper, ripping it in half. Control yourself.

“Anyone know where he went?” Noby looked for another sheet of paper. “Damn, that should have crossed the room.”

“Only our paranoid leader.” DMD flicked it back to Noby. “Good luck next time, man.”

Y crumpled the paper and threw it away. “Need to know basis.” She printed out a new copy. Have to control myself a little longer. Where are you?

“Since no one wants to spill about their Valentine missions, let’s go for dreams or nightmares.” HK saw heads shaking and murmurs of “No way.”

“Fine. I’m first. Man, I was on this bridge driving a van, right... Then, all of a sudden, I fall straight through it! There was no ground. I was just tumbling in this van through a grey void. I woke up in a cold sweat. That was scary.” The image of a van driving innocently then disappearing through the cement ran through his mind. “It was so real except the part with the truck disappearing.”

“That sounds like a bad video game, HK.” SL4 added more whipped cream.

DMD sipped his Pepsi. “Nightmares… I think this constitutes th–”

“So anyone think we need a change in leadership?” Noby searched their faces.

“You’d never get far.” Eusti turned off his monitor. He looked up at the empty OPS room above then his blank monitor.

Noby attention snapped to Eusti. “You like how it is now?”

Eusti pulled out a pile of paper. “I didn’t say that… I prefer to breathe.” Eusti continued looking for the communications breach.

“You always talk like this when they’re not here. When they are, you hide in the shadows. Indecisive, aren’t you?” Y put a mark on the paper to show where she stopped. She mentally added him to the list.

“Why do you always answer with a question?” Noby stood up.

“Am I?” Y saw Noby’s agitation rising. She wasn’t going to stop him this time.

“Stop it! Quit doing that!”

“You don’t have enough supporters so let’s drop this before someone lets it slip to them.” Y returned to her work.

“Stop with the ‘They can see us and hear us’ crap. It only scares the weak.”

HK shook his hands to get rid of the numbness. “I heard that someone took a peek inside one of those ever present boxes – hasn’t been seen again.”

“No one leaves unless it’s in a casket. Many have tried. None succeeded.” SL4 glanced around the room.

Noby sat down, searching for more paper. “Can’t we force her out another way? Protocol police?”

“Only the chief medical officer can do that.” Y was getting tired of this crap.

“That would have been Doc, but we lost him four months ago. Now delly’s the CMO.” Noby gave up his search. “We need to find a doctor quick.”

“JT saved nole.” SL4 stirred a dollop of whipped cream.

Eusti glared at SL4. He returned a disinterested expression. It’s all your fault we lost Doc. You never should have left his back.

“This is totally off the record so I know who to go after if this gets out.”

“Zip it, Y.” Eusti took command of the situation. “No more talk about leadership change. It took five of them to bring down the Echelon.”

“Those twins and SE, oh Keeper of GX lore.”

Eusti usually took exception for this distinction, but not this time. His eyes went from face to face. “No prisoners. No survivors. Enough said.”

“There’s more of us here now. We can take it.” Noby’s pleaded his case.

Eusti walked to the station on his right. “Enough of this before it goes to the top.”

“You going to tell her?” Noby’s eyes nervously surveyed the crowd.

“If she asks me…” Eusti’s glare slowly moved across his subordinates. “You’re overworked. It’s just words. Nothing. But Words. Get back to work.”

Several switched stations. New eyes. New tactics. New hope for a breakthrough.

Minutes of uninterrupted silence descended on the group. Several new lines of investigation were discovered. With time, they would be explored. Time was not on their side.

“Eusti! I need to talk to you in private now!” SE saw him standing over a panel, studying it intently.

The group looked up from their work. They hadn’t expected SE to show up any time soon.

SL4 put down his pecan pie and looked up from the communications record taken prior to their hit. “Hey, when did you get in?”

Y stopped the video feed of the hit on Tex. “Hun, you better sit down.”

“So much to tell you.” DMD sipped more Pepsi. He didn’t want to chance it with the coffeemaker.

HK looked up from the keyboard. “We need your skills now. Talk to the computer. Five hours and I still can’t crack it!”

Noby warned, “Don’t drink the coffee!”

SE glared at Eusti. “Eusti, now! What do you mean don’t drin – never mind.”

At Y’s prearranged signal, the group exclaimed enthusiastically, “Welcome home!”

Eusti looked up from the panel he was studying. “Your office?”

SE nodded, his arm outstretched toward his office. “Yes, now.”

As the two left their presence, the group exchanged glances.

Y looked at the others. “Guys, he didn’t look like that when he left did he?”

DMD put down his mug. “No, he didn’t.”

“I thought you were going to tell him,” HK pushed against SL4’s PIE hand.

SL4 got a bite in before it fell on to the plate, “Are you nuts?”

Noby went back to tracing the communications prior to the blackout. “Chicken!”

“I have more PIES to enjoy…. mmm…. pecan…” He sprayed on more whipped cream then took a bite.

Y stared down the hallway leading to SE’s office. “Always about your stomach.”

“You got it!”

DMD, holding his favorite pen with a golden shimmer, walked toward HK. “You should have told him, you have tact.”

HK stared at him. “The tact of when you told SE that the mission failed?”

DMD clicked his pen several times. “Dude, that’s low.”

Y sighed as she saw the door remain closed. “There’s no easy way to say it.”

HK gave up and closed down the program. “All you got to say is ‘SE, my man, while you were gone, Cassie got engaged.’”

“Kiss your head good-bye.”

Y looked down the hallway once again before moving closer to it. “That’s not the way to do it.”

“How would you approach this situation, Y?”

“First I get him alone and ask him how he’s doing. Ask him to please sit down because I had something important to tell him.” She crossed her arms, worried.

HK felt the munchies and wondered when it was the last time he ate. “Eusti’s doing that now.”

Annoyed with another dead in the security breech, DMD snapped, “Be quiet and stop interrupting her!”

“Can I continue, sur?”

HK gulped when he saw Y’s right hand inching toward her weapon. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

“Thank you.” Her hand moved away. “As I was saying, you say ‘SE, while you were gone, Cassie made a decision that will affect her life and yours. In your absence, she became engaged. She never said who he was just that she’s madly in love with him.’ Th –”

“I’d make sure he wasn’t armed first.” HK cracked his knuckles, his hands tired from typing.

Y glared at HK. “Then you offer your support when he needs it.”

“Y, you know how he feels about her. It’s going to kill him.” Noby was glad he wasn’t the bad news messenger.

“And he’s going to take out her fiancé.” DMD clicked his pen nervously.

Y glanced at DMD, annoyed at the clicking. “He’s going to have to find him first. Going to be messy.”

HK wandered to the corner fridge in search for something to eat that wouldn’t kill him immediately. “We’ll have peace at least for awhile.” He moved over delly’s spaghetti knowing that anyone caught eating her food would be relegated to painting duty for the next month. He found some jambalaya from the previous day and went to the microwave. “Aaah... at least SL4 hasn't gotten to it yet.”

HK remembered the day he prepared a large pot of Gumbo for the group only to find it missing. He later found the pot in SL4's quarters almost licked clean. He had suspected SL4 because of his love of shrimp.

Noby looked at the cafeteria video prior to nole’s demise. “You call this peace?” He paused it right before the explosion.

“Hey, I’ll take what I can get at this point.” DMD stared at nole’s coffee mug in the corner and sighed.

SL4 followed DMD’s stare and smiled. “What’s the matter? Afraid it’ll kill you?”

Y looked to him for an explanation. “SL4, I’m ashamed of you!”

“Hey, nole would have said the same thing.” A bite of pie. Satisfaction.

HK grabbed his warm meal from the microwave and looked upward. “Buddy, wherever you are, I hope you’re enjoying it.”

SE’s Office
6:45 AM

After SE went in first, Eusti closed the door but left it unlocked. “You better sit down. There’s something else I have to tell you.”

“I’m tired of this crap. Where is she? And that’s not a question!”

“There’s no easy way to say this. Stand, sit or whatever pleases you.” Eusti thought it was wise if he took a few steps away from him.

“I’d like to strangle you right now.”

Eusti was correct as he could see the anger in his eyes. “You can do that later.”

“Well?”

“Fine. A lot of things changed while you were gone.”

“Obviously.”

Eusti knew that SE was armed and didn’t want to die like the last messenger that brought unwelcome news. “Put your guns on your desk first.”

“Like hell I will!” SE slammed his fists on his desk.

Where’s my backup? Someone help me out here like we all agreed on. Eusti had a few choice words for them if he lived through this.

“You’re too late.”

“For what? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Cassie’s engaged.”

Eusti found himself on top of SE’s desk, fury wrapped around his throat. “Who? Answer. Me.”

Gasping for breath against the madman, he muttered, “Get... off... me...”

“SE, stop it!” shrieked Y as she pulled at SE’s shoulders.

“He..lp...” Eusti’s hands weakly pried at SE’s iron grip, his vision darkening, his thoughts on his beloved.

Several strong arms answered Eusti’s plea. Seconds later, he was pulled across the room. He stalked back and forth, his body visibly shaking and his fists clenched.

Y hoped she could help him calm down. She had seen him in this mood before. Now wasn’t the time. “Cassie never told us.”

His eyes called her a liar then flicked back to Eusti.

“Everyone out!” ordered Y as she stood in front of SE. “Look at me.”

He pointed an accusing finger at a semiconscious Eusti as HK and Noby dragged him out.

“No. Calm down and I’ll explain.” Y locked the door after them.

Raw emotion overtook rational thought. She watched him as reports, a pencil sharpener and a chair flew around the room. She stepped out of the way as several blue glasses crashed against the wall.

“Commander, sur – ”

“Don’t… commander… me…, Y….” He picked up a paperweight, a gift from Cassie, but put it back down.

A different tack. “Future commander Sabre_Edge, sur, compose yourself. We’re in disarray. We got hit and lost nole. Our communications and security were breached. Omega 1269 for another 14 hours. You’re the leader now. We need you.” She saw his tension decrease.

“Where’s Cassie?” He stared at the paperweight, eyes transfixed.

“Eusti told me that they’re at a safehouse. Alex took the sisters there before we got hit. They’re safe for now.”

He shoved the paperwork off his desk onto the floor. “Have they checked in?” He wasn’t going to tell her the truth.

“Sur, the communications are down. The protocol states that if communications are down to proceed with the Omega 1 –”

“Don’t protocol me, Y. I hate that crap.” He sat down at this desk and booted up his computer. “I’m tired. Almost got killed earlier. I get home and Eusti almost blows my head off. And now…” He swiveled his chair, leaning back and closing his eyes. He had work to do.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She slowly approached him, knowing that he was armed. Forgetting that fact once before almost cost her life. A mistake she won’t repeat.

Opening his eyes, he said, “Turn around first.”

She rolled her eyes then complied. “Every damn time… never fails,” she muttered.

He punched in his password into his computer. “They can get to me through you. I don’t want you to be a pawn.” He pulled his bottom drawer open, slid in the DVD and Cassie’s padd and retrieved a photo.

She crossed her arms in front of her impatiently. “You know that I’d never turn on you.”

“I know that. I want you to be safe. So did that bastard have a better ring than the one I gave her?” Five years he waited to give it to her.

She turned around in surprise. “You proposed to her?”

“The night before I left, but we were interrupted by delly and Alex… they always show up at the wrong times. I never got an answer.” He handed her the picture.

She was entranced with the platinum ring. A two-carat heart-shaped center diamond surrounded by blood red rubies. “Beautiful. She was wearing this.”

He smiled as she returned the picture. “Good or else I'd have to kill him… slowly and painfully. What’s the matter? Jealous? Don’t be,” he said smoothly as she walked behind him.

Her fingertips ran lightly across his broad shoulders, tracing every nook and cranny. “I’ve missed you, sweetheart.” She placed her hands inside his jacket and slipped it off, dropping it onto the floor. His weapon soon followed.

“I’ve missed you too,” he cooed, hoping she couldn’t see through his lie. “That feels so good.”

“Mm… hmmm…” She ran her hands lightly across his chest, discarding the pen in his pocket.

He turned around and faced her with his smile beaming. “Why go for the princess when I’ve already got the queen?”

“Everything going by our plan, my brave knight?” She sat on his lap, making it difficult for him to reach his ankle holster. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled from ear to ear.

“Yes, my queen. Soon we’ll get what we want.” Over the years, lying became second nature to him. At times, he found it hard to separate truth from fiction. Some times it was better to live the lie than face the truth

She loosened his tie and whispered into his ear, “Well, I want something right now.” The tie joined the gun. She draped herself over him.

“As you wish, my queen.”

Unknown location
6:31 AM

Her hand went reflexively to her abdomen as she fought through the pain. She opened her eyes blinking away the tears. The pain. The betrayal. Trust broken again. No more chances to be given. All were taken. Endgame.

The room was bare, a naked light bulb hung above her, illuminating her surroundings. Nothing to help her get out. Red pain drying on the wall. Hers.

The door to her right led to freedom, but did she have the strength to drag herself there?

“Sabre, I love you,” a dry voice croaked out. It sounded so foreign to her. Was it her at all?

She pushed her feelings for him away, but now they came back full force.

“You betrayed me, Sabre.” Her hand covered the only part of her body she was able to protect. “Death will be too good for you.”

She dragged herself up against the wall. “You’re so angry. You don’t know it was me.”

Deep breaths as she blinked away the stars. She dragged herself a few feet before collapsing. “Little one, someone will come and save us. Don’t give up.”

Darkness claimed her again.



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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