Chapter 9 - One Hell of a Christmas Eve
As Lee and Rudolph made plans on how to try to get a rifle from one of the KGB agents outside, Amanda couldn't help but question why they couldn't just call a truce. It was Christmas Eve. What a sad world that on the most important night of Peace, these two groups of men were going to fight and possibly kill each other. Lee told her that it wouldn't work while Rudolph, believing she was Karen, felt she just didn't understand the situation at all. Lee told her to take cover so she did and couldn't see anything that was going on but there was a lot of shooting. Suddenly Rudolph went outside and a few second later, he helped Lee back into the cabin. It took Amanda only a second or two to realize that Lee had been shot and she ran over to help him sit down before he passed out onto the floor When she found out that there wasn't a medical kit in the cabin, she knew she needed to get the one out of the car. It wasn't going to be easy though since the KGB were right outside. Rudolph had gotten towels and pressed them against the wound to try to stop the bleeding. She could tell that Lee was in a lot of pain as he tried not to scream when the towels were pressed onto the wound. Instead, he lost consciousness. Amanda pressed her forehead to his as she tried to keep her emotions in check.
She got Rudolph to help move Lee to a chair and used a nearby hassock so that he was totally reclined. It was the best she could do since there wasn't a bed or even a sofa in the cabin. Then with Rudolph's help, she took off Lee's sweater and opened his shirt so she could get to the wound. It looked really bad but Amanda did the best she could to clean it. She used the towels to make a makeshift bandage to try to help stop the bleeding. She closed his shirt back up and wiped his head. He was beginning to burn up. She was so worried he would get infected and she knew she needed to get his fever down. She needed that first aid kit. These stubborn men would let each other die before they would call a truce but Amanda was not about ready to let Lee Stetson die. Trying not to be scared, she proceeded to tie a towel to the handle of the broom so she could make a white flag. Rudolph demanded to know what she was doing and then told her he wouldn't let her go since she was his daughter. It was time to end this charade so she told him the truth; that she was Amanda King and she worked part time for the agency. She then went outside while waving her flag. Her heart was pounding with fear. What if they shot her? What would happen to her little boys? She had to just have faith that it was Christmas, the most important time of peace.
She was so thankful that Dimitri listened to her vow of a truce so they could help each other. She helped him carry Ivan inside and then he took off for the car. After making sure the two wounded men were as comfortable as they could be, she sat down to face Rudolph. He had forgiven her for lying to him since he was in the business and understood that he had put them in a bad situation. When he asked her how she got involved with the agency, it brought back fond memories of meeting Lee and realizing that it was important work and though she would have rather been home on Christmas Eve, she was truly meant to be right where she was at that moment.
Dimitri came into the cabin and immediately both he and Rudolph pointed their guns at each other. Amanda reminded them both that there was a truce inside the cabin and was pleased when they both listened to her. She took the first aid kit and used the supplies to clean up Lee's wound better and get some antiseptic onto it. She wrapped it well and was pleased that the bleeding had stopped. She forced an aspirin down his throat and gave him a bit of water to make sure he swallowed it. His reflexes took over and he did as she asked while he never really gained consciousness. She then asked Ivan if she could help him. He was a little nervous but Dimitri said something to him in Russian and he relented. Amanda promised to be as careful with him as she could. His wound had also stopped bleeding and since Lee's pistol didn't give nearly the impact that their weapon had, his leg didn't have a lot of damage. Once they were back in the city, he would need a surgeon to take the bullet out but he would be fine. She cleaned the wound up and put antiseptic on it too and then used gauze to wrap his leg. He thanked her as she touched his shoulder in comfort. She offered him a peaceful smile and then walked back over to Lee.
After checking Lee's forehead and discovering that his temp seemed to be coming down, she asked the men if she could make some coffee for them. They all agreed that they would love a cup. She quickly went about making a pot and was just pouring the hot beverage into their cups when Lee woke up. He was shocked to hear that she had gotten everyone to call a truce in the cabin. In fact if Francine had been telling him this story, he doubted he would believe it. The KGB calling a truce when they had the upper hand just because it was Christmas Eve was unheard of. He shook his head in amazement from the thought. She told him to rest and not to worry; everything would be okay.
As she left Lee, she asked Rudolph if there was any food in the cabin since it was getting late and everyone would soon be hungry. He told her to check out the cupboard as it was usually stocked by the one who owned the cabin. Sadly the only thing in the cupboard was a couple of cans of beans. She got out a pot and began cooking them over the fire on the stove. As she began serving them, Dimitri got out a can of Herring and a flask of Vodka. Amanda never drank hard stuff and only on occasion even had a glass of wine. When Dimitri insisted that she drink his vodka, she took a big swig and swallowed; the liquid burnt her throat the whole way down and then gave her quite a jolt as it hit her stomach. She had never had anything like it before. Dimitri then shared the flask with Lee who gave it to Ivan and then Rudolph took it from him. Amanda ate her beans and then went over to Lee to try to convince him to eat some so he could build up his strength.
Meanwhile every since Lee had woke up, he watched what was going on in the cabin as if he was in some sort of dream or The Twilight Zone. He just couldn't believe that Amanda had pulled off getting them all to call a truce. Christmas really didn't matter when it came to the spy business. His mind once again wandered to the fact that he had endangered Amanda and this time on Christmas Eve. This simple assignment had made it so she wouldn't be spending Christmas Eve with her two boys and maybe would never see them again. He should have insisted to Billy that they found some other way. He had liked watching her do her job when she convinced Rudolph that she was his daughter though. He could tell that Amanda must have told him the truth as Rudolph was already calling her Amanda.
Amanda came over to Lee with a plate of Beans. Boy did he hate those things. Traveling with the Colonial in the service, he had more than his share of them and he swore he would never touch the slimy things again. Now Amanda was trying to convince him to eat them for her. He tried to divert her by apologizing to her for dragging her into all of this. She took it all in stride though and as she was telling him it was okay, he realized that he had had only had one swig of the vodka. He even agreed to eat those stupid beans if he could have more. He allowed Amanda to feed him like a child because he couldn't have made himself eat them. After they were gone, she borrowed the flask and poured some into a cup for him. Lee insisted that she pour herself a cup of it also.
It didn't take long for the vodka to help ease the tensions in the cabin. Amanda found herself laughing at Lee's silly stories while Rudolph and Dimitri seemed to bury the hatchet. Soon everyone began making toasts and then Amanda noticed it was snowing. After making a toast for peace on Earth and good will toward men and Women, she wished everyone a Merry Christmas and then suggested they sing Christmas Carols.
There was no way for any of them to know that the KGB had a squad hiding in the bushes while an American squad hid behind rocks just to the left of them. As they heard the Christmas Carols being sung, all the military men on both sides lowered their rifles. It was Christmas Eve and many of them had young kids at home or at least wives waiting for them. No one wanted to die on such an important holiday.
Inside the cabin, Amanda sat down beside Lee while Ivan began playing the harmonica and everyone was singing Christmas Carols. The vodka had definitely loosened everyone up and they continued singing Christmas Carols as midnight approached.
Suddenly there were voices outside singing too. Rudolph ran to the window and was shocked to see that there were both American and KGB soldiers who had stood up and began singing the carols in harmony with the people in the cabin. In fact they all seemed surprised to see each other. The singing stopped as both squads pointed their guns at each other. No one wanted to be the first one to shoot though and soon they began discussing how they should call a truce. Amanda stood in the window and watched with pride as each of the men lowered their weapon and stood facing each other.
"We will not shed blood on Christmas" The KGB squad leader said. "We will retreat and let you leave the area. We suggest you do it quickly though before our head of command sends in others to do what we will not." The soldiers than turned around and headed into the darkness.
The head of the American squad came into the cabin and Amanda explained to him what was going on and how both Ivan and Lee needed to be seen by a doctor. The men found some pieces of wood to carry the men out on and soon everyone was heading for the jeeps. "My car!" Lee suddenly said. "We can't leave my car up here!" One of the soldiers offered to drive it back. "You be careful with that car." Lee said in a rough voice.
"Of course sir." The soldier replied. Another soldier said he would ride back with Dimitri in his truck. Amanda gave Dimitri a hug and thanked him for his kindness.
"It is me who needs to thank you. You are a remarkable woman." Dimitri said as he hugged her back. "You take care of those two boys of yours. Perhaps one day we will meet again."
Amanda smiled and said "Perhaps we will."
The walk out of the woods was peaceful as everyone continued humming Christmas Carols the whole way out. They soon arrived at the jeeps and Lee was placed carefully into one of them and Amanda climbed in beside him. About an hour later, they arrived at the hospital and Lee was rushed into surgery to remove the bullet. Amanda called the agency and was surprised to find out that Billy was still there.
"Sir, it is Christmas Eve. Shouldn't you be home with your wife?" Amanda asked.
"Mrs. King. Thank God you are okay. Is Lee with you?"
"Yes, well sort of. He's in surgery right now. He was shot in the shoulder by an automatic weapon but I've been told he will be okay."
"What happened out there?" Billy asked.
"Sir, I think I will let Lee explain it. I really need to get home but I'm going to wait until Lee is out of surgery. I'm sure my family is wondering why I didn't make it home on Christmas Eve."
"I'm sorry Mrs. King. Of course, I will stop in and see Lee in the morning. Get some sleep and oh, Merry Christmas!" Billy said.
"Merry Christmas Sir."
A short time later, Lee was moved to recovery and his doctor came out to talk to Amanda.
"He's going to be just fine. Thankfully the bullet didn't do any permanent damage. He will be out of commission for awhile but once it heals, he will be as good as new. We'll keep him for a few days since he would have a hard time getting around but he'll be out before New Year's Eve."
"That's great news." Amanda said. "Thank you Doctor. I think since he will be out of it, I'm going to go home and try to get some sleep before my boys wake up."
"Good idea Amanda. Ask the nurse at the desk for the direct line to Lee's room. She should know where he is being moved to by now."
"Thanks" Amanda said and then got the phone number from the nurse. She remembered that her car was still at the agency. The snow had made the roads a little slick though so she decided to leave it there and call a cab. It would be good to be home.
TBC
