Chapter 4

Irina moved through the doorway, pausing to glance over at Jack. He had been lucky. Damn lucky. She closed the door softly behind her. Walking back down the hall toward the kitchen, Irina considered their options. They couldn't stay here forever. Doing so could cause undue attention to Carmelita. Irina liked the old woman. Despite a shaky start, she was beginning to see just how capable and caring the doctor was. *It's a rare thing,* she thought, *to see such devotion in another human being.*

The aroma of freshly-brewed coffee wafted down the hall, and Irina found Carmelita in her kitchen, watching over a pot of brewing coffee. The elderly doctor eyed her over her thick glasses, "You have spoken to him? That is good. Come and sit, we can have coffee."

Irina eyed the pot with interest, and took a seat at the little wooden dining table. "That smells wonderful, Senora," Irina said. The adrenaline rush of earlier gone, she felt the urge to sleep dragging at her. "And yes, I have spoken to him. He's improving, if his attitude is any indication."

"He will be well. Slow these next few days, perhaps lightheaded. You may stay as long as you wish, my home is yours."

Irina nodded. She rose to help Carmelita with the coffee. "There aren't a lot of people who would have done what you have-debt or no debt. Aren't you concerned about the possible repercussions?"

"I am old," Carmelita shrugged. "I have nothing to fear. And I owe Juan the lives of my child, and now my grandchildren. He is a good man, but no one looks out for him. He is..." she smiled, "Adopted, you may say."

Irina chuckled "And I'm sure he could not wish for better aunt." She paused thoughtfully, pouring a measured amount of the freshly brewed coffee into her mug. "He *is* a good man," she said softly.

"Si," Carmelita agreed and took a sip of her coffee and eyed Irina over her cup, collecting her thoughts. "It is good. He needed you last night; it was a close thing. Just a little further to the side," she held up her hand, indicating a small gap between her thumb and forefinger. "Just a little, he would have been gone in minutes. I'm glad you were watching for him."

Irina's had closed about her cup convulsively. She brought it to her lips for another drink, covering the slip. "Well, I'm sure you're the only one."

"The deed was good, no matter who is not thankful. And who would not be? Juan has enemies I'm sure, who want him dead. But his friends will thank you." Carmelita took a seat across from Irina. "Something lies between you two," she said, her gazed fixed intently on Irina. "I see it with the eyes of an old woman who has looked at death and life many times. There is a great pain there, but something also that ties you to the other."

"Ah. That is a very long story, Senora."

"And you do not have to say, Senora." Carmelita reached out and patted Irina's hand. "I am only glad for him that he does have a friend who saves his life. And glad for you that he would do the same. And more than that, well, I shall light a candle for you in church tomorrow," she said with a wizened grin.

Irina didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the comment. She stared at Carmelita for a moment. "Thank you for the vote of confidence. I have a feeling I'll need it." Her gaze shifted to the partially open door of the surgery.

"You do not believe me," Carmelita said. "But I understand. You care for him, I see that. I hope he treats you well."

Irina frowned slightly. "As well as he can, I suppose."

Carmelita frowned as well. "Juan... does not let anyone into his heart. I see glimpses of it, sometimes. It was a beautiful thing once, but now," she trailed off. "Hidden. I hope to live to see it one day."

"Me, too, Senora. Someday."

"You are weary," Carmelita said kindly. "You should rest now. I shall go into town, and get food and some new clothes for both of you. And see if any dangerous gossip has found its way here."

Irina rose and put her cup in the sink. "Thank you again for your hospitality. If there is any way I can repay you-"

The old woman held up her hand. "There is no 'pay this' and 'owe that' between friends, Senora. Just have a rest and the world may look different when you wake."

"I'm sure you're right," she replied. Irina headed up the stairs to the bedroom.

Irina stripped out of her clothing, grateful for the coolness of the sheets.

Her mind wandered to the surgery, where Jack was still fast asleep. She'd been shocked to see him at the compound, and not just because of his sudden appearance.

Jack looked brittle, somehow, broken. The man she remembered from a year ago had been angry, but not defeated. Irina's lips thinned. She wondered how she'd looked to /him/. Did she have the same hollow-eyed gaze, the same frailty?

She brushed the thought aside, too exhausted to follow it any further. Sleep was dragging at her, pulling her down into a warm cocoon.

"Senora Laura, I think we have a problem."

Irina jerked awake and stared hazily at Carmelita. Sitting up, she scrubbed her hands over her face. "What's wrong?"

"I went to town, while you were sleeping. In the cafe, I overheard the baker say that there were strangers in town, asking questions about other strangers that may have arrived last night."

"Have they connected you to us?" Irina was already pulling on a pair of loose-fitting pants.

The elderly woman shook her head. "No, I do not see how they may have. You came in the night and have not left the house, there is nothing to make even my neighbors think you are here."

Irina nodded. "How many of these 'strangers' are in town now? Did the baker say?"

"No. I did not ask, I wanted no one to notice me. It is hard to say," Carmelita stared out the window thoughtfully, her chin resting on her hand. "It would only take one stranger asking questions to start these stories in town. But it is wrong to pretend that there is only one."

"You're right. One or twenty, it doesn't matter. I'm sorry, Senora. You've been very kind. But I think we should leave. The longer we stay, the more dangerous it becomes for you." In two quick strides, she was at the door. She took the stairs at an easy clip. "Can Jack be moved?" She called back to the doctor. It was only a courtesy question. Jack would *have* to move, whether he was ready or not. The familiar surge of adrenaline chased away the last of her exhaustion. She'd crash later, she knew, and crash hard. For now, she couldn't afford to dwell on weakness.

Carmelita trailed after her. "No, he should not be moved. But he will have to. I will give you all the supplies I have for him, Senora."

"Thank you." Irina raced down the hallway and into the surgery, and behind her, Carmelita followed with a large, black bag. While the doctor rapidly dumped medical supplies in the bag, Irina bent over Jack.

He lay prone on the table, his breathing shallow, but even. She felt a twinge of regret at having to wake him.

She leaned over and gripped him gently by the shoulder. "Jack, wake up. We have to go. We've been followed." Her voice was low so as not to startle him, but no less urgent.

It took some time and a great deal of shaking before Jack stirred. His eyes were unfocused, his skin pale. "Trouble?"

"Maybe. People are asking questions in the village."

His bleary eyes met hers. "I have to trust you again."

Irina fought down a flash of irritation. "It's your choice, Jack, as always. But we *do* have to move. *Now.* Do you understand?" Her tone sharpened as she saw his eyelids flutter.

Jack pushed himself into a sitting position and pulled out his IVs. "Is our location compromised," he asked thickly.

"Not yet. But I think it's better that we leave before anyone sees us, or notices a break in Carmelita's routine."

"Agreed," Jack said. He pulled off his oxygen tube and pulse monitor. Seeing Carmelita moving around the surgery, he said, "I'm sorry, Tia."

The doctor stopped for a moment and laid a hand on Jack's cheek. "Tsk. Do not worry for me, Juan el Toro. Just regain your strength." She smiled fondly at him. "I will pack a lunch for you both, for your journey."

"Gracias, Carmelita. Vaya con vios," he said with a brief, ghostly smile before the old woman turned away and went into her kitchen.

Irina noticed his pallor, and gestured toward the wheelchair. "Can you stand?"

"I'll make it." Jack swung his legs over the side of the bed. He eyed the wheelchair with distaste, but did not protest. His good leg barely supported his weight, but he stumbled into the chair and sat. "I need my pack. Carmelita has it."

Irina nodded. "I'll get it." She wheeled him to the back door. Circling around so she could face him, she said: "I need to go get the Rover. Will you be all right?" Jack's eyes were still dilated, she noticed, and he seemed to have trouble focusing them. *Damn. Well, at least he's not feeling any pain,* she thought.

Jack grabbed her wrist, "Don't leave without the bag."

Irina glanced down at the hand gripping hers, and then back up at Jack's face. The haziness was gone. In its place was a kind of manic clarity. What was in that bag, that he thought he had to guard it with his life? "We won't, Jack. I promise."

His lip curled, but he nodded. "Let's go."

Irina snapped her wrist to the side and then in, breaking his hold on her. Without another word, she turned on her heel and strode toward the kitchen. Carmelita stood at the counter, finishing up one last sandwich.

"Senora, it's time for us to go. You've been a good friend to us. I wish I'd had the chance to get to know you better. But staying longer would only put you in danger." Irina smiled grimly. "And Jack would kill me if that happened, comprende?"

"Comprende," Carmelita said with a smile. "You are a good friend to Juan, even if you two argue with every word. You are both alike in many ways, a panther and a bull. Have patience," she advised as she handed Irina the large duffel bag containing medical supplies and a smaller satchel of food.

Irina laughed. "That man excels at trying my patience," she replied. "I've waited this long for him, I can wait a little longer." She laid a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Thank you. Jack is already in the car. He mentioned a bag, something he had given to you for safekeeping?"

The doctor blinked for a moment, considering, and then came to a conclusion. "Si. His black bag, I placed it in my closet. He told me it was very important, Senora. Take it to him. Tell Juan I will be safe, he worries too much. As soon as your car leaves, I'm going to the house of a friend across the street. I can watch my house without fear from there. Goodbye Senora."

"Goodbye, Carmelita. Be well." Irina was relieved that the doctor wouldn't remain at her home. Even with the extra protection that Irina intended to provide, there was still a risk.

Ascending the stairs, Irina located Jack's bag and then dashed back out to the car. Two minutes later, they were on the road to Lima.

To Be Continued