Author's note. These stories were written before I had got a serious grasp of the complexities of the character of Ed Straker. Please forgive me. Archived here after reconsideration. All stories/art work etc available on my website: Lightcudder's World
October 2009
Thursday
The alarm sounded. A hand reached out, fingers groping until they found their target, then blessed silence. The arm slunk back under the covers, pulling the pillow closer to the tousled head. A snort of inhaled breath as the sleeper reluctantly emerged from the warmth and security of the bed.
The sheets were crumpled and irritatingly twisted around his legs. Alec grunted in annoyance and tried to extricate himself from the tangle, but he was unsuccessful. In the end he gave up. Opening his eyes he realised that he could see little beyond a blur. He rubbed his face, hands feeling the coarse bristles on his unshaven cheeks.
God, what time did he get to bed last night? He felt like death. He had to cut down on the alcohol.
Turning onto his side he leaned forward and stroked his fingers down the nape of her neck, then put his arms around her. He snuggled closer, murmuring in her ear and she giggled as his hand explored her warm softness.
The phone rang. Not just any phone. That phone; the one that he could not ignore.
'Damn.' He stretched out, pawing around until his fingers made contact. 'What.' he grumbled as a hand slid across his chest and fingernails dug into his skin.
'Colonel Freeman, this is General Henderson's office. The General would like to see you, alone, at oh nine hundred hours at his office. Please confirm your attendance.'
Alec Freeman opened his eyes and tried to focus on his clock. Eight o'clock. There might be enough time, if he really hurried.
'Tell the General I'll be there.' He put the phone down and sat up, rubbing his eyes in an attempt to get his eyes to focus. He stood up, tucking the sheets around his bed partner, now asleep again. Heading for the shower he pondered over the call. Why would Henderson want to see him? It was usually the big boss who got dragged across to the IAC building for interrogation. Alec Freeman had been to the offices about three times since SHADO began operations in 2005 and only on one of those times had he been by himself.
Of course, Ed had only just returned to SHADO HQ. Freeman had insisted that Ed should spend as much time as necessary recuperating, although he knew how unlikely it was that he would do anything as sensible as that.
It was more probable that Straker would throw himself into his work in an attempt to exorcise the demons that still haunted him. Alec Freeman, however, had other plans for his commanding officer. And his plans involved getting Colonel Rachel Philips to help organise Ed's life amongst other things.
He hurried through his shower, dressed and managed to get a quick cup of coffee before going out to his car for the drive to the IAC headquarters. Perhaps Henderson just wanted a friendly chat.
As if.
Chapter 1
The dark grey Saab pulled into a parking space and remained there, stationary, engine idling, exhaust quietly humming. The driver turned to his passenger. 'Okay. Here we are. What now?' his voice, although quiet and curious had an undertone of slight annoyance to it.
'Now we go inside and see this apartment.' She turned to face him, her long dark hair framing an oval face with deep brown eyes and a generous wide mouth.
He grimaced as if reluctant to get out of the vehicle. 'I'm not sure about this, Rachel. Base rooms are okay for now, really.' He looked out over the quayside at the heaving, grey, sullen water that seemed to reflect his own feelings.
It was still early on a miserable morning, overcast and chilly, and the apartments, converted from old warehouses, looked somehow cold and unwelcoming. He disliked the thought of further upheaval, of having to deal with the complications that renting a place out here would involve.
'Out. Now.' Her voice was sharp and incisive. He turned quickly towards her, taken aback by the unexpected command. 'You heard me. Switch off the engine, and get out. We are going to look at the penthouse whether you want to or not. There is no way you can go on living at HQ. I can't stand it there and I can get out by myself anytime I want to. You, however, are stuck in your rooms unless you're under heavy guard, and I am saying now that you are going to come with me to look round this apartment.'
He looked at her with an expression of resignation. 'You enjoy ordering me about don't you Colonel. Okay. Let's go and see this wonderful penthouse that is going to solve all my problems. I know you and Alec won't give me any peace until I do.'
Rachel hid a smile as she waited for the lift, the apartment keys in her hand. He stood beside her, unwilling to admit to his growing anxiety at having to use the lift, but also unwilling to disappoint her, after she had gone to the trouble of organising this viewing. The doors opened. He stepped in. Breathed deeply to try to dispel the slowly increasing panic. She didn't seem to notice.
Commander Ed Straker, ex- astronaut, Military Intelligence officer and USAF Colonel, stared tensely at the confining walls as he waited for the lift to stop and the doors to slide open.
'I hate lifts, even ones as large as this.' he confessed. He found it hard to keep from clenching his fists in apprehension.
Rachel sighed. 'Well, if you really want to look at this apartment then the lift is the quickest way up. Come on Ed, it's only for a moment or two; and here we are.' she remarked, heaving a sigh of relief as the doors slid open almost before the lift had come to a halt. For one moment she almost regretted bringing him here. It had not occurred to her that he would struggle with his overriding claustrophobia in such a spacious lift. It seemed nearly as big as her own room in HQ. She put her hand out and reached for his, and to her relief he smiled squeezing her fingers gently in apology.
'There are three apartments on this floor; the largest, the one we are looking at today, has great views. It's also very convenient from the security aspect; in fact I think the smaller one next door to it would make a suitable base for the protection detail. Your government readily agreed to fund the extra agents to be assigned to you, and you will get to meet some of them tomorrow.' She was amazed that he hadn't objected to that last point. Perhaps the recent events had made him realise the error of his ways when it came to personal safety. In the past he had made appoint of rebelling against having any security detail when living in his converted farmhouse.
They were on the top floor of the apartment block. She unlocked the door to the main apartment and ushered him through a small entrance hall into a practical open plan living area, decorated in the modern fashion, neutral colours as bland and inoffensive as possible. The room was spacious, and he was surprised to find that it was already furnished in a style remarkably similar to his old residence. It seemed very familiar and comforting, and immediately he felt as if he could relax here. Turning round to look at the whole room he was surprised to find a Clavinova in one corner, with sheet music on the stand. And he noticed other signs of habitation; fresh flowers, today's newspaper, clean mugs on the worktop in the kitchen.
'Colonel Philips?'
'Yes?' All innocence and wide-eyes, but he noticed that there was a smug look of satisfaction behind the smile.
'Would you like to explain exactly what is going on here? Why have you brought me to see an apartment that is not for rent? It's pretty obvious that someone is already living here.'
'The reason is that, yes this has been rented out. It's the new SHADO safe house and, hopefully you are going to be its first occupant. Alec and I decided when you were in the hospital, that you needed somewhere to stay while your house was being rebuilt. We found this place and decided it was perfect as a short term solution. I've had great fun ordering stuff for you. I tried to get it as similar to the style in your farmhouse so it would feel comfortable. I didn't think you would be happy if I bought a Steinway without consulting you, so you will have to make do with a Clavinova until you can choose your own. So, what do you think?' she waited, worried that she had pushed him into this, that he would resent the intrusion into his privacy.
As he looked around his analytical mind assessed the practicalities, the security implications and the advantages of finally, after so many weeks, having a place to which he could retreat, lock the door behind him, and relax. South facing, with huge almost floor to ceiling windows overlooking the quayside, and a large screened private balcony it seemed an ideal short term residence. Hateful though the lift was he knew that he was unlikely ever to have to go in it alone, and besides he liked using stairs; he enjoyed, and needed, the exercise. Colonel Philips, in her role as SHADO Security Chief, had organised his protection detail and he knew how stringent it was. It was acceptable though; he had been through more than enough recently, and he knew that the protection detail would take one worry off his mind for the time being. He turned to her. Smiling.
'I think it's perfect. Six months should see me through until the farmhouse is finished. I also think renting the other flat is an excellent idea. I really don't want security all over this place. The only concern I have is regarding the other apartment on this floor. It could be potentially embarrassing if I bump into the occupant when I'm being shadowed by a couple of burly agents with earpieces and shoulder holsters. The Secret Service is not renowned for the ability to blend in with its surroundings.' He grinned at the thought.
'Oh, there's no need to be concerned about that. SHADO has done a full G6 on the new leaseholder and has given their approval.'
'You're hiding something.' He stared at her quizzically, blue eyes meeting brown.
She grinned back. 'Meet your new neighbour, Commander. I move in as soon as my furniture arrives, probably by the end of next week.'
He stood still, his expression one of stunned silence, and for one long hideous moment she thought that she had made a dreadful mistake, both in arranging this transfer for him, and for intruding on his personal space by moving so close.
Then a wide, joyous smile lit up his face. She had not seen him smile with such sheer pleasure before and she realised that it was all going to work out just fine.
'Come on.' She led the way, 'let's look round the rest of this place. You haven't seen the balcony yet. It's much larger than mine and looks over the quayside.'
He looked round the expanse of the waterfront development, at the wide open space, the freedom to move. He would be able to go running at dusk and dawn, be able to sit on the balcony and watch the activity on the marina, and hopefully, to share some evenings with Rachel.
'I shall have to find some way to say thank you for finding this place and getting everything organised. Any suggestions?'
''Oh I think you owe me a meal don't you? I seem to recall that you abandoned me last time.' She grinned up at him. 'And I always enjoy shopping so it was great fun getting things for you. I'm afraid SHADO accessed your bank accounts to fund these purchases.'
'Oh, so you liked spending my hard earned cash?' he joked. 'I was beginning to wonder why you were interested in me.'
'Guilty as charged m'lord. Don't worry, I didn't spend too much.' she laughed. 'This place is ready for you to move into as soon as you want. I've organised security, the windows have been replaced with bullet proof glass and the balcony has protective screens. We are just finalising details for the guard post next door, but that will be ready by tonight. You could go back to base, pack your bags and move in here this evening. Everything is ready for you. Even the kitchen is fully stocked'
He looked at her thoughtfully. 'I hope you will be able to spend some time here with me. That is, if my protection detail allow you in.'
'Oh I don't think there will be any problems there.' she replied wryly, 'after all I am going to responsible for preparing the rotas.'
'Well then, perhaps you can arrange to be on my evening shift. It would be infinitely preferable spending the time with you rather than having a couple of anonymous guards standing watch outside. What do you think?'
She glanced up at him beaming with pleasure. 'Oh I think that can be sorted quite easily.' and he took her hand and gently, leaning down to kiss, pulled her close to him.