5 years before present day/ November 19th, 2012/ 17:23 hours
Everest's ears were ringing and she only just realized she was on her back. There were still large amounts of explosives and she could see stream clouds from the RPGs pass over her head. She tried to find her helmet, but it was nowhere within arm's reach. Her left shoulder began to hurt. When she bent up to check it should could hear discombobulated voices from behind her.
"Dude! She's still alive!"
"Husky! Hold on!"
She tried to see who it was but two arms grabbed her arms started to pull her back. Bullets began to fly and hit the two who were helping her.
"Man down! Man down!"
Another voice, this time unrecognizable shouted at them in a foreign language. She looked down and saw three men she could recognize as hostile. One of them looked at her and took out a knife. She tried to pull back but it was no use. She was doomed.
"Rangers inbound!" She heard and only saw the three hostiles drop down, lifeless.
"Medic! These guys are still alive!"
She heard running and someone slide right by her. When she turned she saw one of the best sights she'd probably see in the entire God-forsaken country.
"Hold on, soldier, I've got you," Smiled the medic.
He checked her wound and poured some sort of powder on it then took some heavy gauze and wrapped it around her bloody shoulder. He picked her up, bridal style since he knew fireman's wasn't going to help her wound one bit.
There he ran to a helicopter and shouted at his escorts, "You two stay here and help out the other two, get them on the next chopper, this one's full!"
"Got it, doc!" They replied.
He and two other medics were tending to two other soldier's wounds. When she looked him in the eyes he gave her a light, comforting smile.
"Hey there, what's a pretty face like you doing in a hellish place like this?" He grinned.
She chuckled weakly and replied, "Checking out the boys. Especially medics."
He laughed and started to tend to her wound more, "Is that so? Not very many soldiers want to see a medic. Especially in here."
"Shame, there missing out," She smiled.
"Hey, don't fall asleep," He warned, "Might fall into a coma; I don't know if you got a trauma or not. Just try to stay up for as long as you can."
"That's not going to be hard. Not when I'm staring at you," She jested.
Although it was just jokes flying around, she couldn't help but wonder if she meant it. She never flirted with anyone, much less a medic cutting her clothes off, stripping her bare.
"Well, maybe I can… take you out for a… dang these are tough… for a drink some time. When you make it."
"I'm remembering that," She smiled suggestively.
A few hours later and she was in the aid station getting operated on. She only had an open wound on her shoulder and something on her leg. It was just bits of shrapnel from a hand grenade. It would restrict her from walking. Still, she was glad to be alive.
November 22nd, 2012/ 09:42 hours
Everest woke up to a bunch of doctors and nurses shuffling about. There was shouting—not in a panic but because of noise—and groaning all through the tent. It was extremely hot inside and fans were blowing everywhere. She examined her surroundings this time more alert, like having plenty of hours to sleep. A familiar face showed up after helping another patient with a leg injury.
He noticed her and smiled warmly, "Ah, she's alive. How you doing, girl?"
She smiled back and replied, "Just waiting for the drink you promised me. When do I get that, handsome?"
The medic looked around and shrugged also taking a look at her clip board, "How are you feeling?"
"Like a new woman," She replied.
"Well, I could take you now," He grinned putting it down.
"Sounds good," She tried to get up but the pain in her leg stopped her, "Ow."
"You okay?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," She replied, "Shrapnel wound on my leg is stopping me."
"I'll get a wheel chair," He smiled.
He came back and helped her in it then pushed her out. Outside was no better that inside the tent. Still hot as hell and breezeless.
"Who are you by the way?" She asked.
"Sgt. Benton, Doc Benton to everyone else. You can call me Marshall."
"Marshall?" She echoed, "That's a nice name."
"You'd be the second to think so," Marshal laughed, "No one seems to respect the name around here. I just go by Doc Benton for them."
"Who was the first?"
"My brother, Chase. Not an official or blood brother but, you know: friends. He's not here right now. He's out there, watching our boys in the city. He's a sniper, see? Considered a living, breathing legend too. Sharp eyes and never misses."
"What about you?" She asked.
"I'm a medic, as you already know. I'm not a bad shot myself. Otherwise I'd probably not hit those three guys trying to kill you."
"Thanks," She smiled.
"It's my job," He assured.
"I'm Everest by the way. Pvt. Everest Winters. Friends call me Husky."
"Mm, that's a nice name too," He smiled.
"Glad you think so, handsome," She grinned.
He laughed and said, "You keep that flirting up, and I might actually fall for you. That's dangerous ground, Miss Winters."
"Hey Husky!" Someone yelled.
She turned and grinned, "Do-Good, Strat!"
They waddled over to her and greeted her, "She's still alive, how ya doin'?"
"Fine, you guys look like crap though," She jested.
"It's Afghanistan. It'll do that to ya. All's we got was a few hits to the stomach and legs, what about you?" Strat asked.
"Shoulder and lower calf," She replied.
"Got it," Do-Good smiled, "Hey, you the medic we get to thank for helping our little girl out of that mess?"
"You could say that," Marshall replied.
"Where you takin' her?"
"Mess tent for a drink. Well, not a proper one. Unfortunately, we don't have alcohol and I never specified so…"
"Nice," Strat smiled, "Well, take care of her. We're trusting you, doc."
"Don't worry, she's safe with me," Marshall said patting her shoulder.
"Ow," Everest covered the area he pat and laughed, "Carful doc."
"Oh, sorry," Marshall chuckled, "Let's go."
"See ya, Husky," Do-Right waved and went on his way with Strat.
"Not a proper one, huh?" She questioned with a grin.
"Yeah, sorry," He scratched his head, "You probably couldn't have it anyway, meds and all."
She laughed and shook her head, "It's alright; I don't drink anyway."
"Neither do I," He shrugged.
Everest laughed with him. During their time in the mess hall, she actually found that he was pretty likable. They had gotten to know each other for a few weeks and something began to develop. Whatever it was, it would be nothing but trouble if someone figured out about it. That went for the both of them.
January 14, 2012/ 19:03 hours
"Get out! Get out! Medic!"
Everest couldn't run but she had enough tolerance to at least get away. She looked for Marshall, she didn't want to go without him.
"Marshall!" She screamed, "Marshall!"
She couldn't find him anywhere. Suddenly, before she could look any further, a mortar landed close and forced her back a couple of feet. She groaned and covered her shoulder since the impact banged it. It was fine but something else was wrong. She felt something wet and a bit sticky. It smelled like iron. When she pulled it to her eyes she knew she was bleeding. She started to choke and spit it out. She had wounded her throat. With the last of her airway she called for Marshall. He didn't come. She tried again, but still he didn't come. She cried thinking she was going to die. She whispered his name this time wishing to see him one more time.
"Marshall."
Then, when she closed her eyes, she felt someone grab him, "Everest! I'm here!"
He dragged her out of the mess of some tent and put her down to mend her throat. She cried seeing him.
"Marshall."
"Ssh, it's okay! You're going to be fine," He checked her wound and licked his lips, "It mist the most important stuff, but you still got some blood coming out."
He grabbed some gauze and put it onto her wound then tied it down just tight enough to keep her from bleeding out. She puked out more blood as soon as she was set up. Marshall's eyes widened.
"This is beyond my skill, Everest. We'll have to get you to an actual doctor. I'll get you on the bus."
"Don't leave me," She begged.
"Don't worry it's going to be okay," He assured her.
He picked her up and got her too the bus then heard the one word that would take him away from her, "Medic!"
"I've got to get him, I'll be right back!"
"No…Marshall…no!" She cried.
"It's going to be okay, he's just fight there!" He assured her.
She grabbed him and, with all the voice she had, barely let out, "Don't leave me!"
He stared at her and kissed her ignoring the blood and saliva coating her lips. She relaxed, but he pulled away.
"No! Marshall!" She tried to shout, but he couldn't hear it; no one could.
He ran to the wounded soldier, her hand stretched out to him begging, "Don't leave me!"
When Marshall had finally stabilized the soldier, he picked him up, fireman's carry, and started to run for the bus. She watched hopelessly when not a minute later a mortar hit his location. Everest cried and reached out to him. He and the soldier weren't getting up.
"Crap! We've got to go!" Shouted the soldier covering the bus, "The mortars are getting closer, get the wounded out of here, let's go!"
"Copy that!" The driver shouted.
The doors closed and he slammed the accelerator. Everest tried to detest but she couldn't be heard. Another medic began to tend to her wound, but she fought. She just wanted to die. Marshall, to her, was gone. However, in truth, he was only wounded. Marshall opened his eyes, his ears ringing and vision a bit blurry.
"Marshall!" Shouted a distorted voice, "Marshall! Marshall, get up! Get up! get up; get up; get up! Come on, we gotta move!"
"Chase?" He asked widening his eyes, trying to clear his vison, "What happened? Where am I?"
"I'll explain everything later! Let's go!" He dragged him to a jeep and drove off.
When Marshall's head injury was diagnosed, it appeared he had a minor case of amnesia. His short term memory was the only thing affected. Anything within three months was forgotten.
Present day/ November 23rd, 2017/ 13:00 hours
Everest waited in the waiting room—obviously—for Katie to call her in. It was about one-thirty in the afternoon, or thirteen hundred hours, which was the exact time of her appointment. That didn't just mean a meeting. As the C.I.A promised, she was trained, for about four months, and given a way into the P.A.W.S. However she was to keep her involvement in the C.I.A classified. Today was her "appointment" to her new team.
"Miss Winters," Addressed an assistant, "The Secretary will see you now."
"Thank you," Everest smiled.
She followed her to Katie's office. Katie was on the phone with someone.
"You sure? No, not for me, that's why I'm asking you. Alright see you then. You too, bye. Sgt. Winters, have a seat."
Everest sat down, but shook her hand before, "It's a pleasure to be here, ma'am."
"It's a pleasure to have you," Katie smiled, "We know each other so we'll just skip to the assignment. As I understand, you are under orders of the C.I.A to keep your agency quite. Do not tell anyone in your team of you involvement."
"Yes, ma'am, they went over that," Everest nodded.
"Good," She clicked on her computer, "I see you have quite a few injuries on record, all of them have heald?"
"Fully," Everest grinned.
"Oh, wonderful! That's a good deal," Katie celebrated.
"I had a good medic."
Katie nodded, "Well God bless him, wherever he is."
Everest chuckled and added, "He's probably not too far away. Dead or not."
Katie looked at her puzzled but chose to ignore it, "Well, off that. Your records show your pretty lethal and an expert shooter. We could use those but can you talk to people?"
"Ma'am?"
"Can you relate ease, can you talk to them? Understand them?" Katie asked.
Everest paused and replied, "I've been doing too much of that, actually. Whether I'm good at it or not is completely up to the person."
Katie smiled, "You'll fit right in around here. Unfortunately, I can't have you meet your team leader because he's in a meeting. That goes for second in command. You'll just have to meet the next best person. He's on his way up. You'll be placed in Alpha Squad, as you surely know. Good luck."
"Thank you. Uh, who is this… 'next best person'?" Everest asked.
A knock on the door and the assistant pulled it open. Marshall stepped in and apologized for his delay.
"Sorry I'm late; I had a mess to clean up with some boys. New recruits for Foxtrot Squad."
"That's alright, Benton. Please, take a seat," Katie laughed.
Marshall sat down and Everest's eye's nearly popped out of her head. Marshall looked at her and laughed to himself.
"Well, fancy meeting you here."
"You know Winter, Mr. Benton?"
"Just met her a few months back," Marshall replied, "Don't know if you remember that."
"Of course!" Everest grinned, "How do you do, Doc?"
"Heh, didn't forget that, eh? Well, I think this will be a short introduction."
"Then I'll leave you to it. Miss Winters, again, I wish you good luck."
"Thank you, ma'am," Everest smiled.
Then exited the room and took the elevator. For Everest it was awkward but to Marshall it was an exciting, new day.
"I have to say, I didn't expect a new member to join with us. No one seemed to reach our level. No matter how hard they tried."
Everest was still silent. To ease it she would nod or emote in some way.
"I'll warn you know, this is a pretty rough life. There's a lot you'll be asked of and more will be expected form you in this team. But don't get too scared, we've got your back. I hope we keep you, you seem like a nice enough person to work with."
Everest giggled this time, "I don't suppose you get a lot of those."
"No we don't. When I say nice, I mean tough. I don't really give a crap about your attitude unless it's costing us. Since I'm showing you around, I'm responsible for you. Oh, but don't get too uncomfortable with us. You're not the only female."
Everest relaxed, it was a bit of a fear-factor to be in a team full of guys who don't know her. She was used to being surrounded, but, in a team this small, it somehow terrified her.
"Really?"
"Her name is Skye," Marshall nodded, "She's like my little sister. She's really great. You'll love her."
"Do you?" Everest asked as a test.
He didn't fall for it, "Do I what?"
Everest rolled her eyes, "Love her, Do you love her?"
"Define love," He shrugged, "Do I love her to the extent I'm willing to get out of this team? Not quite."
Now what did he mean by that? Everest figured she wouldn't want to know.
"Do I love her because she's my friend? Almost but it's an undershot."
Now that could be understood. That just means he didn't want to be her friend. Or something of the sort.
"Do I love her because she's family? Absolutely. That is the love I have for her: brotherly love."
So that's what he meant then. Everest smiled satisfied. He kept his promise. Something he probably wasn't aware of. He seemed to forget everything else. Everest couldn't help but stare at him. She still couldn't believe it. He had forgotten all about her. All this time, she thought he was dead. She finds him and he doesn't remember her. She wanted to tell him everything, but she could only see him thinking her crazy. Now wasn't the time.
"Here we are, first floor. Come on, everyone's probably eager to meet you. Well, they probably would fi they knew you were coming. It was just a rumor till now."
Everest followed him and Marshall got the teams attention, "Listen up team, we've got someone knew."
The team looked up and greeted Everest. Zuma was the first to speak. She tried not to laugh at his odd speech.
"Hey, nice to meet you," He brought up a hand.
Everest shook it and snickered, "You too."
"What?" Zuma arched an eyebrow.
"Nothing," she replied, "My name is Everest; it's an honor to be in this team."
"Well, I'm Skye, it's great to see another female for once," Skye introduced with the brightest smile.
"I'm glad you're here," Everest smiled, "I've been an only female for far too long. It's nice to have on watching my back."
"Me too," Skye laughed coming up close, "And I have to say, these boys have been giving me a hard time with all their mess. I think you and I can beat some sense into them. You know?"
"All too well, sister," Everest chuckled, "I had three brothers and, God, they were the messiest things on earth. I swear, they're probably hoarders right now."
Skye laughed with her and added, "The only brother I've really had is Marshall, and he's actually pretty neat. Needs to watch where he's going though."
"Hey!"
"Amen! Skye! A-men!" Radar applauded from the distance.
"Oh that's Radar, intelligence officer and reserve operative," Skye introduced.
"Bonjour," He greeted with a nod of the head.
"And those two are Rocky and Rubble," Skye pointed at the weights.
The two were doing some workouts while waiting to get to work. But they both said a greeting.
"And… you'll meet Chase and Ryder later. Ryder's the leader, and Chase is our second in command."
"Speak of the devil; here they come," Radar pointed.
"Listen up!" Ryder called, "We've got multiple situations to cover today! Let's get to them and keep the peace!"
They stopped everything they were doing and followed him to the briefing room. Marshall motioned Everest to follow.
"Looks like were about to see what you can do," He smiled.
She chuckled and smiled back. Ryder put some papers on a board along with some mugshots.
"We have so far three with the thoughts that maybe more situations may take place today. So far, we've got three but expect more. We have a manhunt in the forest for a kidnapper who's got a kid, age twelve, blind, blond hair, blue eyes, Caucasian and has a limp. Marshall, can you identify why from this photo?"
Marshall looked at it and replied, "Sclerosis. Major case. Its arching his pelvic regions."
"Alright that's adding more to the problem. We don't know why the kidnapper took the kid but it happened and we're going to get him back to his mother. The suspect of the kidnapper is her ex-husband. However, he moved away from Adventure Bay City a year ago. It is unknown if he came back for the kid. He is located somewhere around Little Hootie Woods. We'll search there. Next, we have another drug dealer needed to be taken down. When we come back, were going to run threw some drills and practices, make a battle plan, and get this runt to prison. Finally, we have a violent woman keeping her husband hostage in her house. Suspected him of adultery, turned bad, daughter called the police and hightailed out. We'll split the team, I'm going to get this mother, Chase, you figure out how to get this kid. Any questions?"
Everest raised her hand, "What are the split teams."
"Ah, you must be Winters. Pleasure to meet you, I'm Ryder," Ryder shook her hand, "You'll go with Marshall, Chase, Skye, and Rocky. Rubble, Radar, and Zuma will come with me. Radar, you might be stretched thin but take your time, okay?"
Radar nodded, "Sure thing, boss."
"Alright, let's keep the peace, Alpha Team!"
The teams split, and went both south and west of the city. Little Hootie Woods was west. The woman's house was north, up in the less populated area. Police cars surrounded the area.
"Give me a sit-rep," Ryder commanded an officer.
"She's in the master bedroom with the husband. The daughter is over there. Mother's got a knife and keeping the father tied up."
"What windows are the maser bedroom's?"
"Ask the daughter. Her name is Carla,' Replied the officer.
"Alright, stand by for any escalations or movement in any other parts of the house."
"You got it."
"Alpha team, check the perimeter!" Ryder called.
Rubble and Zuma took off but Radar was still in his van. Ryder called him.
"Radar, stretch your legs for two minutes and check the perimeter."
"You got is, boss-man."
Radar picked up his MP5 and opened the van then took to making sure the perimeter is secure. Ryder approached Carla, stopped the paramedics from checking her, and sat next to her.
"Carla, my name is Cpt. Ryder Mason, I'm here to help your parents," He said softly.
"Please, you need to stop my mother, she won't listen to him. Dad would never cheat on her!"
"Well, Carla, we hope to be sure she understands that and no one gets hurt. Can you tell me what started this?" Ryder asked taking out a notebook.
"Well, dad came home from work and everything was great. She was happy, I was happy; everyone was. He went to their room and she followed him and it was quite for about… three hours. Suddenly there was shouting, I went to go check and mom was… she was waving a knife around at him. He was tied up. There was a bra on the ground and his bag was opened. She said she found it inside. He tried to explain and promised he didn't cheat on her. I tried to explain it was mine but she won't listen. She knows how much I love dad and covered for him several times. It really is mine, I swear. I used that bag for a trip with my friends! I forgot to unpack it. I'm such an idiot!"
"No, Carla, you're not. This all just a misunderstanding that needs to be cleared up," Ryder said, grabbing her hand and comforting her, "Were going to do everything we can to help, I promise."
"Okay," She sobbed.
"How old are you?" Ryder asked.
"Sixteen," She replied.
"Sir name?"
"Revenson."
Ryder nodded, "So Carla Revenson, does your parents argue much?"
"No, there actually almost disgusting to watch," She giggled, "They rarely argue about anything."
Ryder nodded and Zuma called on the coms, "Ryder, the area is secure but I think I see movement in the back of the house, second floor window."
"That might be them," Ryder mused, "Zuma cane you see anymore?"
"No, the blinds are closed. I sure can hear her though," Said Zuma.
"Roger that, Zuma, stand by. If it escalates let me know."
Ryder stared at the house, there was no knowing what this would turn out like. He felt a challenge from a game of chess arise; which piece should he move first, though?
X
Chase, Marshall, Skye, and Everest arrived at the forest and parked at a national park, parking lot. Little Hootie Woods was one of two forests located on Adventure Bay Island. The other being Blackfur Forest. Little Hootie Woods was much larger, however. So finding the kidnapper and the kid he took would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Maybe vise versa being how the woods were infamous of their mudslides and somewhat dangerous falls.
"Alright, this is the location where the mother last saw the subject with the kid. We're going to find out where they might generally be and start looking. Radar, this is Chase."
Radar didn't respond for a few seconds, "I read you, what's up?"
"Is there any way you can track the subject from his phone?" Chase asked.
"If he's got it on," Radar replied, "Tracking… wait there's two signatures. They're far apart. It looks like they are actually communicating. I'm intercepting them now."
"I don't care how long it takes just be there!"Shouted a voice.
The other sounded a lot more shady, "Patience my friend, you're the one on foot here. I will be there on time, but I suspect your being followed by now. You should be careful, the prison you'll go to is not a friendly one."
"Just shut up and don't be late," Growled the kidnapper.
"Likewise my friend."
The call ended and Radar cursed, "I almost got them separated. I can't find out which one's the kidnapper, they're both stationary. You'll have to split up."
"Got it, Everest go with Marshall; I'll take Skye, let's get moving!" Chase ordered.
The four loaded up and took off to different directions according to the locked on targets. Marshall gave Everest a smile.
"First mission's pretty exciting, eh?"
"Mm, I've done plenty of this back on my day in the army. This is just review," She grinned.
They chuckled and continued to jog. Skye looked at Chase raised her eyebrows.
"Your setting him up, aren't you?"
He lifted an eyebrow, "What? Setting him up? Come on, Skye, this is serious, this is no time to talk about how I practically rigged the team set up to help my best friend get a girl which he really needs to get on with life. Besides, we may be breaking the rules, but Marshall respects them and he's not willing to risk his job because he likes a girl. Sheesh."
He shook his head and jogged the other direction. Skye smiled and shook her head.
"How do you know he likes her?" Skye asked running behind him.
"It's not so much he likes her it's the other way. You see, Skye, she practically stared at him the entire car ride. She also seems to mingle well with him. I think she's like you: she likes to ignore the rules and seduce her pray."
"I didn't seduce you," Skye laughed.
"Yes you did," Chase replied, "How you were walking should have been illegal. I could have been accused of ogling and sent to jail."
"Then that's your fault, you're the one who looked at the direction," Skye shot back.
Chase smiled and deflected, "Well, you're the one who winked at me."
Skye couldn't counter that one. She did wink at him after she caught him staring. That was actually the final straw between them. She would never admit it, but she did walk in her seductive way on purpose too.
X X X
Marshall and Everest jogged a couple of feet before settling and looking at a portable screen to find their targets. To Marshall the whole thing was a job, but for Everest it felt completely awkward. She didn't know how to talk to him or how to not act like she actually knew him for five years. Things like that scared people, which was the last thing she'd want to do to him. All this time she thought he was actually K.I.A. When she bumped into him a while back she had to restrain everything she had to not kiss him. However she wanted to know if she could jog his memory at all. Maybe she could tell him that way and it wouldn't be so awkward. But first, she wanted to know what he was doing all this time.
"So, Marshall, this the only thing you do for a living?" She asked.
Marshall nodded, "Yeah it's the only thing I can find that I'm good at. I was selected a while back to have a chance in getting in and I took with. Incidentally, Chase was too."
"Chase, he's your best friend?" Everest shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess it's pretty noticeable , huh?" Marshall grinned.
Everest shrugged again, "Yeah, sort of. You say it was the only thing you were good at. Were you a medic; did you stay a medic at all, if so?"
"No, as many lives I saved I lost and took three times as much. So, I decided to just drop it and give in to the fact I was more a professional killer than healer. What better to do that then Delta Force?"
"Delta?" Everest's eyes nearly popped.
So that was why she never saw him at any bases, he was out in a bout doing more important things. She let her surprise be noticed, maybe too much.
"So being a Ranger wasn't enough, huh?"
Marshall turned and looked at her oddly. She realized she had slipped and her throat became dry, seeing him stare at her like her did. She kept her cool, didn't apologize, and waited for his to say something.
"How did… how did you know I was a Ranger?" He finally asked, breaking the silence, "I don't remember ever telling you that."
She took a moment to laugh, angrily, in her head and say to him in her imagination, "you wouldn't." In fact, she could say many things to him right now. All of them, angry, all of them, hurt. He didn't remember times they had with each other, the things they shared… He didn't even remember her as a patient. Ever Doc remembers those. Instead, she kept her cool and in the two seconds of silence she shook her head and replied to him.
"Marshall, every good soldier knows what they want to be looks like. I always wanted to be a ranger but I can't, because I wouldn't be able to handle the training. It's too much. I've seen a lot of Rangers with your same exact build. However, they tend to look the same with the Delta so I would never have anticipated you being one. In fact, my first guess was that you were a Ranger. Second would have to be a Marine, third, an Airborne. But, I think I figured it out, that you were a Ranger."
Marshall's confusion turned into a grin and a surprised, in fact impressed, nod, "Wow. The only other person I knew could do that was Chase. Your probably one of the best additions we had in this team since Radar."
"There were others?" Everest asked.
"Yeah, but, like a said a while back, they left. Couldn't handle the responsibility."
Everest nodded, "So how long were you a ranger?"
"Ten years," Marshall replied, "One of them's pretty fuzzy. I lost five weeks of my memory due to a mortar shell."
Everest's eyes popped and her emotions eased. She felt a wave of relief hit but disappointment followed. If he lost his memory like that, he may never regain it. But, on the bright side, she knew why he didn't recognize her, and she knew he didn't forget on purpose. It wasn't his fault. She smiled, one disguised as sympathy, and apologized.
"I'm sorry. You must have forgotten a lot of important things those five weeks."
"Yeah," Marshall nodded, "I don't know why, but… I feel like I forgot something important that day I was hit. Even today it burns in my memory."
"Like forgetting a piece of your life?" Everest asked.
Marshall nodded, "Exactly! But it almost feels like… Ah, never mind. Forget it," He laughed it off.
She put up her hands as if she were stepping back and replied, "Sure thing, sorry I asked."
"It's fine, I feel like I needed to talk about it. To tell you the truth, I feel a lot better about it now."
"Well, I'm glad to have helped," She chuckled.
"And I'm glad you did," He added.
The silence returned and made the moment awkward for her again. She didn't see anything within the forest for distances, even though there were trees, and there was no movement. Were they off course? She didn't ask that, like she wanted. Instead, she indulged her curiosity about one other thing.
"So, you married off yet? A guy like you ought to have had a girl faint for you."
Marshall laughed and replied, "No, I'm not married. I haven't even dated, much less been in bed with a girl."
Everest laughed with him, but she hid her face and scratched her neck as it died down. Even if he did get his memory back, she'd have a hard time explaining what happened. One who is curious should just know that it would be fitting not only to ban alcohol but make sure someone didn't sneak any of it inside a certain medic's water canister. Who knows what could happen then? Well, she did.
"Oh, that's too bad. You ought to go looking for a girl," She grinned but only out of courtesy, don't you dare listen to that!
Marshall sighed, "I get that a lot. I think I should just fess up to it and say I'm not interested."
"What, in girls?" Everest jested.
"No," Marshall shook his head, "In a relationship. I don't know why; I don't have any good reasons; I just don't want to."
"Why's that?" Everest asked curiously.
Marshall shook his head, "I don't know. For some reason I feel like I'm just… waiting."
"Waiting?" Everest asked, "For who?"
Marshall shook his head again, clearly getting flustered now, "I don't know and every time I think about it I get upset. Look, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be taking this out on you. I don't even know why I'm telling you this."
Everest smiled softly and replied, "I d… contact! Over there!"
He turned and shouted, "P.A.W.S! Freeze!"
Whoever was moving took off on a run. He was holding something. It was the kid! Marshall quickly called Chase and took off after the subject. The ex-husband was confirmed. It was him.
X
After a couple of seconds Ryder took out a megaphone and called, "Mable Revenson! This is the P.A.W.S! We just want to talk! We're going to call your phone; you need to pick up!"
He nodded at Radar who called her phone on command. They waited and she picked up.
"Who is this?" She asked enraged.
"Mrs. Revenson, my name is Cpt. Ryder Mason. Is everything alright in there?" Asked Ryder.
"Alright? Alright! There's nothing alright with what this sicko did to me!" She screamed on the phone.
"Mrs. Revenson I know your angry but you gotta stay calm for me. I don't know if your holding anything or not but if you are and it's a knife you could end up doing something you'll regret later."
"The only thing I regret is marrying this thing for a husband!"
Ryder sighed and rubbed his face a little. He took a moment to think.
"Mrs. Revenson, do want to tell me what went on today? What happened that this had to take place. Why is your daughter crying? Why is she afraid?"
Mable clamed thinking about her daughter and asked, "Carla? Is she okay?"
"Carla's fine but she's worried that you're going to kill her father. Are you going to betray her like that, Mable? She needs her parents. She tried to tell you that bra was hers and not someone else's. Why didn't you believe her?"
"It's not her size," Mable replied, "There's no way it was hers. That wasn't her size!"
Ryder looked at Carla. She was talking to another officer.
"Rocky, can you go talk to Carla for me, please? She needs to explain why she has a bra size that doesn't fit her in his bag."
"Got it, Ryder," Rocky replied.
He made his way to Carla and tapped the officer. He greeted her, told her his name, and then proceeded to his questions.
"Carla, we looked into your story and you said the bra was yours, right?" Rocky asked.
"Yes," She nodded.
"You mother says it's a different size than yours. Why is that?" He asked.
Carla turned bright red and hid her face, "God, this is so embracing."
Rocky knew then there was going to be a story not of his liking. He sighed internally and braced for the teenage girl story that would scar him of his future parenthood.
"I… it is mine. I just… My friend and I went on a trip and we talked about… you know… boys?"
Rocky groaned but not audibly. He needed to get this story from her to help the situation. Now would have been a good time for Skye to be here. Or maybe the new member Everest.
"And one of the things we came across was that boys like… bigger chests."
Rocky nodded as if to be engaging. He may have been hearing her out, but he was gagging inside.
Why me?
"So… well… I'm not very big and we really wanted boyfriends. So, instead of getting our original sizes we got one bigger and…stuffed them."
Rocky nodded, "That's good enough, did you get that Ryder?"
Ryder sighed and replied, "Whatever it was, I didn't hear it."
"I left the come on, you should have got that," Rocky mumbled so she wouldn't hear.
"Sorry, Rocky, but I didn't," Ryder shook his head.
Rocky groaned and replied, "She wanted a boyfriend and she got a size bigger then stuffed them with something, good?"
"Okay, bring her in she needs to be the one to tell that to her mother not me."
Rocky confirmed and brought her into the van. This was the most awkward situation they had yet.
X
Marshall and Everest took off after the man with the child in his arms. By now, Chase and Skye had caught up and were helping in the pursuit. He had nowhere to run except where he thought was his way out.
"Were gaining on him, don't let up!" Chase shouted.
They tried their best, but it didn't go without hazards. Everest slipped on some mud and it took her down a hill her shin scrapped against a sharp rock opening it up a little. It wasn't deep but it was still bleeding pretty bad. Marshall slid down to her.
"Just go! I've got her!" Marshall shouted.
The chase continued. Marshall leaned down to her.
"You alright?"
Everest breathed in sharply, "Yeah, I'm fine. It's my shin I scrapped it."
He looked at it, taking some scissors and cutting the pants to reveal it. The wound was pleading pretty bad. He dug into his bag and got something to wipe and clean the wound. He cleared some of the blood then disinfected what he could. It hurt enough to make her flinch like she leg was having a seizure. Finally, he took some gauze and bandage then covered and wrapped the wound.
"So that's why they call you doc," She smiled.
"Only Radar does," Marshall replied, "But it's nice that I know what I'm doing at a time like this."
"And it's nice to have someone who knows what they're doing at times like this," Everest smiled.
Marshall chuckled. Everest stared at him and his hands at work. One thing she remembered about his operating skills was how gentle he could be. It almost felt like a massage. He caught her staring and made the moment stop.
"Something wrong?" He asked.
She shook her head, "Nothing, just a memory." That you wouldn't remember.
He nodded in understanding and picked her up bridal style. The action surprised her but sent memories flying past her. It was short lived when he set her down on a rock.
"Okay, try to walk, the rock will support you if you find you can't do it."
She sighed and stood up. The shin felt fine, a bit enflamed, but fine. She nodded giving him the sign she was fine. By that time they got a message from Chase they got the kidnapper. They just needed to link up with Ryder now.
X
Ryder continued to talk to Mable and try to get her to stop her act and accept arrest. The sentence wouldn't be too long with what went on. She was fighting a bit, however, or was a bit hesitant. It was then when Ryder got a call that the rest of his team was coming and linking up. It only took an hour for that to happen. Still, Mable wasn't biting.
"Dang, this lady is resilient. I'm beginning to wonder if she even cares about this family anymore," Ryder ran is fingers through his hair.
"Alpha Team B is here," Rubble brought to his attention.
"But so is someone else," Rocky added.
Zuma looked over and put his hand over his eyes to block the sun, "It looks like another team. We didn't call for backup."
"No we didn't," Ryder agreed.
"Boss, we're being recalled. Echo Team is taking our spot here and we've got to rush to our bust. There's a firefight going on. A gang war just started.
"And the people rejoiced, singing halleluiah. This situation was getting fare too difficult anyway," Ryder sighed, "Alpha Team let's round up! Officer Thomas, get that guy and the kid and put them where they belong, we've got an emergency situation on our hands!"
"Copy," Replied the cop.
"Let's move team!" Ryder shouted.
The team loaded and took off. Marshall checked Everest's leg to make sure it was alright. Skye examined it.
"Looks bad," She commented.
"It's not that bad, not compared to what I got in Afghanistan," Everest smiled.
Chase called Ryder's com and notified him, "Ryder, Everest took a fall in the forest and her legs hurt pretty bad. What should we do with her?"
"I can still shoot," Everest protested being taken out of a situation.
Ryder wasn't thinking on it however, "Can you shoot a Remington 700?"
Everest nodded, "Yes."
"Chase, give her that and park at the distance, she's shooter today. Radar, you're going to need to take her place on breach maneuvers and counter strikes.
"Copy that, boss-man," Radar affirmed.
"Let's get over there and keep the peace, everyone!"
Chase parked at a nearby building the house still in view and gave Everest a rifle. Then he took off with the other three. The firefight was at full throttle now. There was no way to stop it without a fight.
"What do we do, Ryder?" Chase asked.
"I'm getting authorization from HQ about that," He replied.
The team stood idle behind cover and waited. Finally Ryder's hand went up and circled then pointed.
"Weapons free!"
The team pulled out and fired on several targets. Ryder ordered Chase to take a half of the team and take the house. Ryder and his team would try to force the road gang to surrender. Otherwise it was time to take them out. When he tried a few spotted him and opened fire. Zuma, being on his team, took out the shooter, getting attractions from more. Rubble joined him in the offensive, Ryder and Radar popping in and out one in a while.
"Throwing a flash!" Radar called.
"Cover up! Flash is close!" Ryder shouted.
The flash went off and caught them a bit but they were able to take out their targets quickly before they could recover.
"Move up!" Ryder ordered.
"More coming in!" Rubble warned, "I think they called for backup!"
"What's in there that they want so much?" Ryder asked.
"You don't think they were taking the law into their own hands and trying for a hostage rescue do you?"
Ryder shook his head and waved, "Wave off, we need to just wait for Chase! Chase! Do you read me? It's Ryder, look for hostages or shipment in the building! Whatever these guys want they want it bad!"
"Copy that, breaching the back of the house!" Chase shouted.
Ryder turned and two targets dropped that were aiming for him. He looked back and Everest was pulling back her bolt to load another bullet into her chamber. Ryder nodded in thanks. She nodded back.
Meanwhile, Chase set a charge on the door and broke inside as soon as it blew. There were a few guys inside trying to stop them. Marshall fired on two closest to Chase who fired on the upstairs inside balcony. Rocky covered by taking out three more guys who came in from door on the right and the room was clear except for the guys who were firing on the road.
"Ignore the guys up there, we're going downstairs!" Chase said, "Skye, cover us, Rocky, breach the door."
Rocky looked at Marshall and Chase who nodded and he kicked the door down. Marshall threw a flash bang. Rocky took cover next to Chase for the flash bang to go off and give them time to get inside. They found about half the house inside trying to fire on them but the flash was still lingering and they couldn't aim worth anything. They were easily taken down. Some of them surrendered, dropping their weapons and hands put up.
"Everyone on the ground, on the ground now!" Marshall shouted.
Rocky and Chase helped him subdue what was left. After that Chase looked around the basement and found a few crates. When he checked them he found a bunch of guns set inside.
"Okay, that's what they must have wanted," He nodded, "Ryder, we've found a shipment of weapons."
"Hold on Chase, that doesn't look like that all," Rocky grinned.
He lifted a gun and pat the board. It sounded a bit hollow. Chase grinned too and they broke a board.
"Ho, double steal," Chase chuckled, "They were obviously not very happy. Ryder, they had weapons and drugs. These guys were not happy with them."
"So, that explains why they are using so many men to try and get them back. I'm calling in backup, secure the house and hold it, were coming in," Ryder informed.
"Copy that, securing the house," Chase confirmed, "Let's take the house, Alpha!"
"What about these guys?" Marshall asked.
"Tie them to a pole and gag them. Cover their eyes. Let's see how they like it."
"Roger that," Rocky rubbed his hands together with a sinister grin.
After he was done, they weren't going anywhere. They had to wonder if the men could even breath. They sounded like it, so Marshall, being a bit more compassionate about it, didn't say anything.
They met Skye upstairs and told her the plan then continued to clear every room. That was followed by a quick sweep upstairs. The routine was simple: stack up, break down a door, take out targets. Last part excluded Skye. She was too hesitant to fire her weapons. She never killed anyone and she didn't want to start now. It was making her nervous. Should a door be open, the task was to throw a flash and shoot unless there were some takers for jail, to which they would subdue and tie up then move on. Ryder's team had by now gotten in and held off the other gang. More reinforcements came.
"They really want that shipment!" Shouted Zuma.
"No kidding, I've never seen a gang this angry!" Rocky called.
Marshall looked around and his eyes widened, "Where's Everest?"
Ryder looked around and saw her fending off some of the gang. They were beginning to approach her position.
He curst strongly and called her on the coms, "Everest! Where are you?"
"Still in the same place!" She replied, "I could use some help here! They're closing in on me!"
"Chase, Zuma, follow me! I'm going after her!" Marshall shouted.
Ryder didn't protest. When they looked at him and Marshall passed. He waved them off.
"You heard him! Get her!"
They took off with Marshall around back and fought their way through. They used whatever cover they could, which was very slim. They had to run from car to car.
"Dude, we can't get her with all this fire going around!" Zuma shouted.
"Marshall, we need another plan!" Chase agreed, "This car is getting shredded!"
Marshall nodded, "We'll throw some flashes and rush over. After that, thin them out and on three, were going to rush her to the building, no stopping!"
"Are you sure that's going to work?" Chase asked.
"I'm a medic, I almost never get hit anyway!" Marshall winked.
"Almost is the key word there!" Zuma said to Chase.
He nodded in agreement. They three took out flashes and threw them. When they popped the firing slowed and gave them time to get over. Chase thinned them out a bit so they wouldn't have as much trouble. When they got there another truck came with more guys.
"Is this a gang or a militia? Good night!" Zuma groaned.
"I don't even know anymore!" Chase called, "Marshall! That last plan is screwed over, what else have you got?"
"Just run!"
"What?' Everest asked.
Marshall picked her up bridal style and shouted, "On three."
She widened her eyes and begged, "Marshall, don't do it."
"One!"
"This is insane!" Zuma shouted firing his weapon.
"Two!
"Get ready, Zuma, were using flashes, throw them all!" Chase said taking all of them out and pulling the pins off.
"Three!"
They threw the flashes all at once making a rapid, random assortment of pops. Marshall took off at a run and Zuma and Chase ran right behind him, taking out any gang members along the way. When they reached the safety of the back of the house Everest requested to be put down.
"Put me down, please; just put me down."
She took a few deep breaths from the situation. She never had prayed never to have to go through that again.
"Where's our backup?" Rocky asked.
Ryder shook his head and replied, "It should be here!"
They fired their weapons, again without Skye, since she needed to watch the soon-to-be-prisoners. Marshall, Chase, Everest, and Zuma covered the back so they didn't get flanked. A dreaded feeling hit Chase when her realized he was out of MP5 rounds.
"Crap! Where's the other teams?" He shouted switching to his Glock.
"Here they come! Right side!" Zuma pointed.
The three truck pulled in and Carlos laughed, "Are we late?"
"A little too late," Ryder replied, "Good to see you Carlos."
"Likewise, were sweeping through the street, cover us. Tracker! Get that side!"
The two teams combined strength and fought off the rest of the gang. There was a big mess to clean up now. Ryder greeted Carlos once the job was done.
"Carlos," He smiled.
"Ryder, long time," Carlos shook hand with him, "Nice to see you in one piece."
"You too, for a moment there I thought that sweep was going to be a bad idea," Ryder smiled.
"Yes well it wasn't the worst idea I had," Carlos chuckled.
Marshall and Rubble were helping Everest to a nearby ambulance to mend her wound better. Carlos looked at Ryder for an explanation.
"New member. She's pretty good but had a stroke of bad luck is all."
Carlos nodded, "Who is she?"
"Her name is Everest. Everest winters. She used to be an army sergeant. Got pulled in selection and made it through."
"Okay," Carlos nodded, "Well, I'd love to meet her, but I don't have the time."
Ryder nodded and looked around, "I see what you mean. How many do you think…"
"I don't like to think about I," Carlos interrupted, "It's bad for moral. That's how P.T.S.D develops. Just leave it alone, Ryder. You don't need to know."
Ryder nodded, "Well then, I'll see you later. Don't forget to fill out the file before leaving."
"You got it," Carlos nodded.
Ryder waved goodbye and turned his attention to his teammates. He approached watching the medic attend Everest's wound.
"How's she doing?"
The medic looked up and replied, "Fine, whoever patched her up cut my work by a lot. All I have to do is clean up and patch her again and she's good. Don't stand on it too much, you might hurt otherwise."
"Yeah, I figured that part out," She sighed.
"Well, I'm going to fill out that file they want and get us out of here," Ryder notified his team.
"Sure thing boss, we'll be here," Radar smiled.
A few minutes later and they were free to go. After going straight to the HQ to gear down they headed to Mr. Porter's for something to eat and to unwind. They tried to act as if the scenario they had didn't take place. The conversation of pasts was common among the Alpha Team. They asked a lot about Everest's which she obliged limitedly. Story by story, laugh by laugh, and hour to hour, the team thinned returning home in some way. Finally it was just Everest and Marshall. She shared her story on how she got to the P.A.W.S's list, excluding the C.I.A's involvement, and gave them a last laugh for the night.
"You know, you're a pretty great addition to the team. I think I've said a thousand times but I mean it. You really are," He laughed.
Everest sighed satisfied with her laughing of the day and replied, "And I don't know if I ever thanked you. So, thanks… a lot. I hope I can stay that way."
Marshall shrugged, "Who knows, you seem to be tough. That's what we need. Tough people.
She nodded and licked her lips, staring at her drink. Her proper drink. One she technically waited for for five years. Marshall messed with his too. There was an awkward silence between them. It was quite, just the two of them, in the dinner. Everest looked up at Marshall once in a while, but she would look back down in nervousness. He stared at his bottle for quite some time.
"You know, I knew a medic once," She started off.
She didn't know why she said that; she didn't even think it was time to tell him, but it just lolled out. He looked up at her, but said nothing.
"He was the most handsome guy I knew. Saved my life. I was wounded, here on my chest and shoulder. Still got the scar. My lower calf was also packed with shrapnel."
Marshall nodded and took a drink. Everest scolded herself for beginning this early. She was sweating and her throat was dry. She needed to take a drink to keep going.
"When I thought my life was gone from my grip and all was lost, no one could help me, my friends couldn't help me. It was just me and death now. Three bullets came from his sidearm and he gave me a second chance. He escorted me all the way to the aid station for operation. I owed him my life. He offered to get me a drink."
Marshall laughed and asked, "What kind of idiot offers a girl on meds a drink? That might not turn out good."
"Yeah, that's what his thought was too. So he didn't get me a proper drink, got me lunch instead. Said it was a bad idea because of meds. That's when something started between us. The more we talked the more we connected. It was like we were meant to be together," Everest was lost in her trance remembering the days when that medic was there for her.
"Broke the rules eh? Well I guess…
"Some rules are meant to be broken?" She finished, "That's what he told me. We did a lot on the station together, lunch, work… sleep."
Marshall scoffed at the last one. He again drank from his bottle.
"He watched my back every step of the way," She said before taking a drink.
"Well, hey, rule one…"
"Watch your buddy's back?" Everest finished again, "Yeah he said that one too."
Marshall was beginning to engage in the story more. Something was biting at him and he needed to figure it out.
"I was with him for a long time. I think I said I loved him at one point but I don't remember. Well, one day, there was an attack on the station and… I lost him."
Marshall watched her with a serious look. He watched her as she began to cry.
"I got wounded again and there was no coming back this time. Well, I thought that at the time. I cried for him so many times. I tried to find him but I couldn't. I lost a lot of blood and I told by self, 'You're going to die'. Then he came again. He pulled me out of a tent that I flew back in and patched me up enough to get me to a bus and to get out. But someone called medic and he had to answer the call… I still remember the promise he made me: he would come back… he would come back and he would make sure I was going to be okay. I begged him to not leave me. I watched him die when he tried to come back."
She was sobbing now and trying to keep it together. Marshall stood up and found a tissue box for her.
"Thanks… Now, this is going to sound crazy Marshall but I need you to listen. I need you to believe me. There were three things you need to know about him that I never forgot: he was a sergeant, he was a ranger… but most of all I lost him to a mortar shell."
Marshall's eyes met hers. He didn't know what to say.
"Marshall, those five weeks you can't remember were times of me. Times of us. I thought all this time you were dead. I understand if you don't want that anymore. I understand if… if you don't want to risk your job… But for my sake, for our sake… please… just believe me… I love you…"
Marshall took a deep breath and covered his face. His hands dragged down, the silence was unbearable to Everest.
Finally he spoke, "I don't know why, Everest, but…I think I believe you. For years I've been trying to understand why I felt like I forgot something. For those five long years I had wondered why it was so important to me. But… now that you tell me this I feel… relived."
Everest smiled and continued to cry. Marshall stood up and approached her to kneel in front of her.
"Everest… Adeline… Winters, I love you too."
Everest smiled and cried into his arms. When they pulled away, they once again looked upon each other like they once did five years ago in Afghanistan. And after those five years they finally shared a kiss. Marshall smiled in the back of his head. He finally got a girlfriend.