A LITTLE DOWN TIME

Written by Wondering Amber

The characters of Lt. Garrison, Actor, Casino, Goniff and Chief are not mine...I am just borrowing them for a short time. No Copyright is intended and I receive no money for writing this. I haven't written for this TV Show before and hope I have captured a little of each man's personality. This story is complete...I never post one that isn't. Reviews are nice but I will leave it up to you the reader to leave one or not. May you enjoy and thanks for joining me and the guys.

CHAPTER ONE

Chief and Garrison took off running from the German compound once they had set the charges…if it worked out the way it was supposed to the charges would not go off until the two men were clear. Then again, assignments haven't been working out very well lately so why would this one be any different. They were only a few yards from the weapons storage building when the blast from the first explosion went off, knocking both men off their feet.

Garrison groaned as he lay on his back in the dirt, sitting up, watched as the flames shot toward the sky and heard the resounding boom of each explosive as it went off, within a few minutes most of the buildings were on fire which would keep the Germans occupied long enough for them to escape.

Turning to the other man. Chief…you alright?

For a moment, the Indian didn't say anything but once he was on his feet reached out a hand to help Garrison. "I'm ok…what about you?

Grateful for the assistance he let Chief pull him up, stumbling a little when he felt dizzy, leaning his forehead against the younger man's shoulder, closed his eyes for a moment.

Warden! Warden! Supporting the LT, Chief wondered if the man had been injured…glancing at the back of the blond hair he noticed a dark stain on the nape of the man's neck…with one hand holding Garrison up, used the other to check the man's skull, long fingers feathered through the short hair…applying a little pressure he traced a laceration maybe an inch and a half in length, the location of the injury had to have been caused by something sharp. Searching the ground where Garrison had landed, dark eyes fell on a jagged piece of stone, maybe nine inches in diameter, squinting he made out a dark stain glistening wetly in the moonlight. Warden…are you alright?

Garrison lift his head, blinking a few times before stepping back to focus on the Indian's features. "Yeah…I'm alright now, must have hit my head when I landed…just needed to get my bearings."

Chief held the older man's eyes but it was too dark to get a good look at the pupils…before he could comment the LT spoke.

"We need to get away from here before they come looking for us, let's get back to the truck and head to the safe house, maybe the rest of the men will be there when we arrive."

Chief had borrowed a vehicle earlier so they would have a means to escape once the assignment was over, it was hidden five miles from the compound and that's the direction the LT moved toward now. With luck, they would be back at the safe house in an hour or so with Actor, Casino and Goniff. The three men's assignment had been to go into town, gather food, supplies and a ride as they would be hold up in a safe house until they met up with the extraction team in a few days.

Reaching the vehicle in record time, Chief took the wheel while Garrison rode shotgun…as the LT leaned back in the seat he winced…with his left hand he felt around the back of his neck, breath hitching as he touched the base of his skull, Chief cast a side glance toward Garrison. Warden?

The LT looked up. "I'll have Actor look at it when we get back to the house…I feel fine except for a headache." Taking a handkerchief from his back pocket placed it over the cut lightly applying pressure.

Nodding, Chief focused back on the road ahead. "Should be there in less than twenty…at least we completed the assignment."

With a tired smile, Garrison agreed. "Yes…it seems our percentage of successes have been down lately."

"Do you think we'll get a break soon? We've been working non-stop …the men are feeling a little warn around the edges."

"I know Chief, if it was up to me all of you would get a week off after we get home."

The Gorillas (as the four men under his command were called) had been given back to back assignments since the group was brought together a year ago. They were tired, tempers were getting short and if he had to break up another fight between Casino and Chief he was going to shoot them himself. The team normally worked together flawlessly but lately, little mistakes had occurred with the men throwing blame at one another.

"I'll talk to Major Richards when we get back…see if we can stand down for a few days." Glancing over at the youngest member of the team he noticed the tired slope of his shoulders…if Chief was feeling the pressure then it was time for a break. Normally, Chief had energy to burn but lately he had become quieter, more reclusive and short tempered as well. "At least we'll have a few days to relax while we wait on our ride home, it's not ideal but it's better than nothing."

"Sure, Warden."

Turning toward the side window Garrison removed the cloth from his neck and pressed his forehead against the cool glass. The movement of the truck and his own wariness made it difficult to focus on the passing landscape, soon tired eyes closed and within moments the man dozed off.

Hearing the LT's breathing even out Chief glanced toward the Warden…the man hardly ever slept on an assignment only catching catnaps here and there…first one up, last one down. Always made sure the men were safe and together before letting himself rest…reaching over the Indian clasped the man's forearm giving it a small tug. Hey! Warden! Lt. Garrison!