I Missed You

Chapter 1

The mission was one they had expected. When they had had an automobile accident on their way to a briefing another team, led by Captain Lowry, had been sent. These men had disappeared and had been assumed captured or dead. OSS Agents were each told they were expendable and that rescue was not to be counted on. For whatever reason, Command wanted to know the fate of these men. Their mission involved following in their footsteps to their destination and then determine their fate. Casino asked if they were to rescue the guys. Major Johns had glared at him and then at Garrison. The Lieutenant took this to mean, 'if you can't control your men you don't deserve to be in command'. It must have irked him to have his orders to disband their team countermanded.

Major Johns was to arrange for transport to the airfield so the five men headed to the exit. As they left the building Chief looked skyward. Goniff saw the look and he too looked up but saw only afternoon sky. Meanwhile Chief continued to look until the Air Raid siren started up. Garrison immediately turned around and headed back into the building followed by his men. They followed the crowd as they headed for the bomb shelter in the sub-basement.

As they were about to enter the shelter it was Goniff who noticed Chief hanging back. He had gotten as far as four steps from the bottom. There he stood as the stragglers passed him. "Come on Chiefy. It'll be safer 'ere."

Instead of following he turned back and headed back up. By this time Garrison had stopped and turned to see what Goniff was talking about. He told his men to go ahead and find a spot to sit, that he'd be right back. He reached the bottom of the steps and called to his Guardian.

Chief heard the voice but he kept going back up the steps.

Again Garrison called and he began to follow. Chief slowed and he was able to catch up with him by the next landing. Everyone else was below so they were alone.

"Chief?" said Garrison quietly. He knew there was a reason.

""I can't go in there," he said tensely.

Misunderstanding Garrison tried to reassure him. "No one knows who you are. Just stick with me."

Chief just shook his head and glanced back down the stairs. He was starting to breathe faster. He was worried or scared. Chief did not scare easily but there was something about this situation that scared him. He turned to go back up the next flight as Garrison grabbed his arm. He was able to feel the tension before Chief shook him off and started up the steps two at a time. Knowing the others were safe he followed his Guardian.

"Chief, what is it?" he called out. They were far enough away from the shelter that the Lieutenant figured they were safe to talk. "You think something's going to happen?" Did Chief have premonitions? Is that why he did not want to enter the subterranean room? How could he be safer outside than in the shelter? Was he trying to get clear of the blast? "Chief, wait." He ran after him.

Chief reached the ground floor and ran towards the street entrance with Garrison several strides behind. Expecting it to open, he took a quick look over his shoulder before he threw himself at the door and crashed. His head hit the locked door as the breath was driven out of his lungs and he slid to the floor. Garrison was far enough behind that he was able to stop before he suffered the same fate.

"Chief?" Fearing the worst Garrison knelt beside the crumpled body and placed his hand on his shoulder. Garrison's heart was pounding from the exertion of running up the steps and with the way Chief's head lay he could see the pulse in his neck was also accelerated but slowing. His had to be from fear as well; he had seen the look on the man's face when he had turned back to look over his shoulder. Why? What had scared him so badly that he had run like that? Maybe he shouldn't have followed but why would he be afraid of him? It didn't make sense.

The prone man groaned and he began to move so Garrison tried to help him until he realized Chief was trying to get his knees under him without raising his head from the floor. He was trying to get into the Guardian position of submission. The two words he heard tore at his heart.

"Not again." It was a plaintive plea filled with pain and anguish.

"Chief, it's all right."

By this time the Guardian was in position but he was trying to pull away from the hands he felt on his arms.

"Chief, it's me, your Hearth," he said as he lowered his head hoping the Guardian could see who he was. "I won't hurt you."

Chief stopped struggling and he turned to look. Were those tears in his eyes? "My Hearth?" That was definitely hope in his voice.

"Yes, your Hearth. Let's get you sitting up." He gripped his arm and helped him sit up with his back against the door.

"Do you hurt anywhere?" It was a stupid question; the man had just run, full tilt, into a locked door but he had to get Chief focused. Garrison watched the man's face seeking a clue to his behaviour and his present state of mind. All he saw was confusion and a grimace of pain as he felt his temple. Finally he turned to look at him. The terror was gone and Garrison wanted to be sure it stayed gone.

"We're not there are we?" He was uncertain and looking for conformation.

"No, we're at OSS Headquarters in London." That was all he had time for before the first of the bombs detonated. They were far enough away that neither man was worried, yet.

Eerily, Chief turned his head, listening, and he smiled. "I'm not there." He sounded pleased.

As incongruous as the smile was, Garrison understood. Something had triggered a flashback to the time he had spent at G-CAT. Whatever had happened there had been worse than the threat of being bombed. The sadness of that thought must have shown on his face because when he looked back Chief's smile evaporated, being replaced by worry.

"No, Chief, you're here with me. Let's go back and sit with the others. They're…" The bombs were getting closer. This last blast shook the ground. "Come, we've got to hurry." He held out his hand as he started to rise but stopped when he saw the look on Chief's face as he looked past where he has squatted and saw the hallway they had come down. The fear was returning.

"You go, I'll wait here." His eyes never left the hallway.

Garrison squatted down again to block his view and said, "Come with me. You'll be safe with me."

Chief craned his neck and leaned to see past his shoulder then shook his head slowly.

"Those are just memories. They can't hurt you. The bombs can. Come at least to the stairwell."

Suddenly Chief, staring wide eyed at the hall, grabbed Garrison's arm almost pulling him off balance as he scrambled to get his feet under him. Garrison steadied himself then turned to see what had upset the Guardian.

"What is it?" he asked.

Chief was plastered to the door, pulling at the handle behind him as Garrison heard the footsteps coming down the hallway.

Realizing that escape was futile, Chief dropped to his knees and put his head on the floor. Garrison reached down to pull him up as Actor, followed by Casino and Goniff joined them in the vestibule.

"Warden, Chief?" said Actor clearly puzzled by what he saw.

"What'd you do to'im?" demanded Casino as he rushed past the conman to confront Garrison. Not waiting for an answer he squatted down beside Chief who was starting to sit up. Casino saw the stiffness and reached out to help him.

"It's all right babe. I won't let'im…" Seeing the look of pain on Chief's face he reached down and with him on one side and Garrison on the other, they got him to his feet. That accomplished he turned back to rail at Garrison.

Before he could start Chief said, quietly but with enough steel in his voice to get through Casino's anger, "Leave'im alone." Casino turned back to the Guardian so he added. "He didn't do nothin'"

The tension remained, much of it emanating from the Guardian. After two deep breaths he attempted to explain. "I… I didn't like it down there." The look on his face and the tension in his voice explained the rest. They all knew Chief would not admit to being afraid.

"So the Warden followed you up here to make sure you were all right?" offered Actor.

Not trusting his voice, the Guardian nodded.

Casino did not buy it. "So why were you kneeling?" He swung his glare from Chief to Garrison, They all knew he hated to see Chief kneel or so he said.

"That is not what is important right now. We should be returning to the shelter," said Actor hoping to divert Casino.

"It is im…" everyone cringed as a blast shook the ground. "It is important," continued Casino who would not let a bomb detonating close by divert him what was important. "He only does that," and he swung from Actor to glare at Garrison, "when he expects to be hit. So what'd he do that made you mad? Was it because he took off?"

They all ducked when the next blast rattled the doors.

"He didn't do nothin'", yelled Chief as he grabbed Casino's arm forcing the safecracker to face him.

"And you don't do that for nothin' either."

"And why is that important right now when we are under attack?" demanded Actor, his voice rising to be heard.

Casino just stood there glaring.

"'Cause Chiefy's our mate and nobody 'urts our mate, right Casino?"

All eyes, including Chief's turned to the Englishman. Actor looked impressed and Casino grinned in satisfaction.

"You just remember that, Warden. He's got friends who'll protect him."

Garrison was facing Chief so he saw the look of shock on his face. That was not what he expected. He also saw Goniff wink at the Guardian.

This time Actor was successful in getting everyone to head for safety. Chief even made it to the basement before he stopped. He told the others to go ahead but they just sat down on the steps. Another blast, muffled by the depth, forced Chief to move. His friends were not safe here so he took another step down and then another. Only Garrison heard the mumbled "I'm not there," as he moved up beside him. They made it to the sub-basement but the blast door was closed. There they sat and waited until the all clear sounded before returning to the street level. They were the first up so they waited.

"So what now?" asked Goniff. "We still going?"

"Hey, a little bombing never stopped a war," grumbled Casino.

They all waited for Major Johns to appear. He did not disappoint them.

"I thought you had already left."

"No, Sir. We were waiting for transport."

"Give me twenty minutes." With that he headed for his office leaving the team to wait in the lobby.

They waited. Casino was all for going for a drink but Garrison prevailed. Finally a Corporal arrived with a note for Lieutenant Garrison. The closest Airfield had been damaged in the bombing and a second one was waiting the return of a crippled fighter plane. The mission was on hold again and in the meantime they were to be transported to their base to wait.

When Garrison relayed the information Goniff asked, "Why don't we stay 'ere in town?"

"Army's not footing the bill," he said from beneath his brow, "and you would have to stay in the room."

The Englishman gave him a wry smile and said no more.

Corporal Peter Wesley had his orders. Drive to OSS HQ on Grosvenor Street in London, pick up a team and transport them to their base near Hartford, about 30 miles south of London. It was an easy job. He had driven Commandos and OSS agents to and from the nearby airfields and ports for almost seven months now. As a local boy, born and raised in London, he knew the streets and shortcuts, even so he had failed his first two attempts to prove he had 'The Knowledge' required to get his taxi licence. By the end of the war with all his experience driving soldiers around town he would try again and this time he would get his licence to drive a taxi just like his Da had before him.

Detouring around a street littered with debris the Corporal made his way to the address he had been given. When he pulled up in front he saw what he assumed was his fare. A tall blonde man in an American Lieutenant's uniform headed his way. He was followed by an even taller man wearing civilian clothes, not a suit but he was well dressed and he carried himself like a king. He too was looking in his direction. That meant a two man team.

Then a third man appeared heading… No, he was rougher dressed. Just a passerby. Oh, no, he was with the other two. Okay, three men; two in back and one up front. As the officer neared the jeep he stopped with a look of concern on his face.

"Lieutenant," started the taller man. His voice was rich, cultured and not American or English. He could not place the accent. "You go ahead and I will take the train."

"Not on your life. You'll look up a skirt and disappear." The second civilian spoke despairingly but he was smiling and the tall gentleman did not look to be offended.

A fourth man stepped up on the other side of the Officer and poked his head around. "I've got friends 'ere." An Englishman; that surprised Wesley. In fact he was a local boy. "I'll wait 'ere and you can pick me up on your way out." He was grinning and when he looked to Wesley's British uniform he gave him a quick salute. Wesley was startled; four men? This was going to be crowded. Then the topper. A fifth man stepped around the gathered men. He took one look and stepped up to the Corporal's door. A toss of his head indicated he was to get out.

"Sorry sir, but I 'ave me orders." Civilians did not order Army personal around. He watched the fifth man, another civilian, as he scanned the street up and down, then he looked down at him. His dark eyes were expressionless but Wesley felt uneasy. He looked to the Officer and said, "My orders are to drive you to your destination, Sir."

"It's all right," he replied. "I'll clear it. They obviously didn't tell you how many were going."

"No, Sir."

"Do you have a way to get back?"

"I can make my way."

"Thank you Corporal."

Corporal Wesley climbed out and stood on the sidewalk as the dark man sat in the driver's seat. The Officer sat in the other front seat and the three civilians climbed in the back. He stood watching as the vehicle pulled away, a bit fast for his taste but Americans were like that, in a hurry. As he turned toward the building where he knew he could call for a pick up, he had a horrible thought. What if they weren't all who he was supposed to pick up? What if he was supposed to take just the Officer? Those other civilians did not look right, maybe the tall one but the others? And five men? He would have been told to take a larger vehicle for five men… If he was wrong… Boy was he in trouble. And he had lost the jeep too.

The feel of control Chief felt as soon as he put the jeep in gear and released the brake was a balm to his tortured soul. Subconsciously he was trying to make up for his fear. No one respected someone who was afraid. By driving fast he was proving that he was not afraid. What happened back there in the basement … it was nothing. He was not afraid of anything.

Traffic was light so he sped up. Lost in the feel of freedom he almost missed his turn. Garrison told him to slow down which he did until they were out of the city. His speed crept up again as he let the wind on his face blow away the hurt. As he took a corner faster than he should have he reveled in the gasp from the back seat. They were afraid; he was not.

"Slow down or pull over," demanded Garrison.

That got through to the driver. The ultimate punishment was to be replaced as the driver. He slowed and kept it there.

When they reached their base, Chief drove up to the side entrance and stopped. The three men in the back climbed out. Garrison told them not to leave the premises but he remained sitting in the jeep. Garrison was concerned. He knew Chief liked to drive fast and that had come in handy quite a few times on past missions but there came a point where fast was just too dangerous. They had already had an accident with Chief at the wheel but that had not been the Indian's fault. This time it would have been at fault. He had to put a stop to this.

"It is one thing to risk our lives in the service of our country. It is another to be reckless right here in England. Either way, we're dead. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yeah."

Hopefully that got through to him. He did not want to have to do all the driving. He tried to catch the Indian's eye but he refused to turn, just sat staring straight ahead. That was all he could do so he left and went inside.

In his office he took off his jacket and removed his tie. A quick check with the Sargent Major and then, maybe something to eat. The British non-com had a message from the local school and several matters concerning the running of their base that he had to deal with before he could relax. Finally everything was taken care of so he headed upstairs to the cons' room to let them know that Mrs. G was going to prepare supper.

There was no one there. He checked the salon, the library, the kitchen… There was no one else, other than Mrs. G, in the house. The back patio was bare as was the courtyard.

The Officer was getting angry. He had expressly told them not to leave and they had disobeyed him. Heads would roll and if he did not find them the first head would be his own. That thought did nothing to improve his mood.

"Sargent Major," said Garrison after flipping the toggle on the intercom. When he was answered he told him to find the men and have them assemble in their room. After completing the call he felt bad that he had put the onus on Brit. All he could hope was that he had seen them go.

Twenty minutes later the men trooped into their room nonchalantly. There was no sign of guilt or smugness. They were clueless to what they had done. They went and sat down at the table.

"What is it, Warden?" asked Casino after he was seated.

The Officer stood glaring at them until he had his temper under control and they realized that he had something on his mind.

"There are rules that should be enforced, rules that all soldiers live by. Disregard these rules and you are punished. Because you are not soldiers I don't enforce some of these rules such as sneaking off base without permission. But, when I tell you not to leave it means, Don't Go Anywhere."

"We just went out to the stable. You told us…" started Goniff.

"I also told you not to leave the premises. That means this building."

"Come on Warden. What's the big deal? It's not like we took off or anything."

"It is a big deal. You've been briefed on a mission. That means you have certain information that if it got out or into the wrong hands could means lives lost. You have to stay inside."

"We're surrounded by guards. Who's going to get to us?"

"Those are the same guards you seem to delight in getting past on a regular basis." They had the decency to look abashed. "How many times have we gone into guarded bases, undetected?" No one answered, they got the point. "If we can, so can someone else." He looked to each man to make sure they understood. Chief had been looking at the floor and his eyes remained there. He understood. Next was Goniff but as he looked the Englishman's eyes drifted to somewhere behind him.

What were they looking at? Even Casino was looking and he looked pleased. Had Goniff's hand actually touched Actor's arm? What was going on?

Determined not to let them rattle him he said, "Next time, do as I tell you." With that he turned to leave and as he did he checked where they seemed to be looking. There beside the door was a pedestal with a statue on it. That was as it has always been but sitting beside the statue was a cat.

During a severe thunderstorm a tree was struck by lightning and the top had fallen down landing on and crashing through the stable roof. Chief had gone out to see the damage and had found a mother cat and her kittens. Without telling Garrison the cons had brought the kittens and the injured mother cat inside. They had then looked after the animals until Garrison had found out. He could not put the tiny creatures out with an injured mother so he had allowed them to stay. The mother cat was not a house cat and had originally objected to coming inside. When she did come in she kept to the shadows, hiding from everyone. She even waited until after dark to come and eat. Now here she was sitting on the pedestal.

When they had first seen her she was wet, muddy and bloodied. Now she was clean and beautiful. A calico, her nose and cheeks were white with a blaze up her forehead. Orange topped her head but her ears were black. Black also ringed her eyes like eyeliner. Her almond shaped eyes were almost yellow. Sitting there she was beautiful. Even Garrison stopped to stare as she sat there like a queen surveying her subjects. As they watched she blinked and lifted an immaculate white paw and gave it a lick in preparation for a good face wash.

Actor grinned. "I think Mother has had the last word," he said hoping to end the lecture.

Mother froze at the sound of his voice and glared at the conman.

"Yeah," said Casino. "And it was directed to you."

"Gentlemen," warned Garrison as he turned back to his men. He did not like being upstaged by a cat.

The silence must have alerted him because Chief was now looking at the cat too and he looked pleased.

"You are right, Warden," said Actor sincerely. "You did say to remain. I was not thinking of the security risk."

"Next time I tell you to do something…" The cons watched as Mother glared at them.

"Yes, Mother." The cons grinned, Garrison frowned. Mother continued with her wash.

Half way down the stairs he smelled it; roasted chicken. He inhaled and heard footsteps behind him. Chief must have alerted them. Supper was ready. Where the chicken had come from was not on anyone's mind. It was cooked and ready to eat. That was all that mattered. Five hungry men arrived at the dining room table.

The moment Garrison sat down and reached for his napkin the phone rang. The Sargent-Major, who had just joined them, ran to answer the call. The remaining men pretended it meant nothing but their movements betrayed their anxiety. Each grabbed a bowl and scooped a spoonful of its contents onto their plate before passing it to along. If it was on their plate, they got to eat it. The Officer was not exempt from the frenzy but he zeroed in on the meat and potatoes, passing on the mashed turnip and gravy.

"Sorry, Sir," said the Brit as he reappeared at the door.

It was as they had feared and Garrison stood up. Actor, who sat to his right, grabbed the Officer's plate and cutlery and handed them to him as he headed for the door. He could eat while he waited for the call to go through. They knew eating too fast was bad for the digestion but the alternative, not eating at all, was worse.

There was a time Casino would try to make book on whether it was a mission but they had lost interest in that long ago. The mission was back on.

Sure enough, Garrison returned looking grim. "We've got twenty minutes before transport gets here.

They ate quickly, cleaned up and headed for their rooms to get their gear.