IX

Washington D.C. – Late that night Hayes, Hudson and the others finally land at Andrews Air Force Base. After being shuttled back to headquarters to dump their gear and retrieve their own vehicles Hayes leaves a short message with the on duty comms agent for Grant. She then tells Hudson to report in at ten in the morning.

"What's gonna happen?" Hudson asks as he and Hayes walk to their vehicles.

"Grant will give him two weeks to resurface, that's the standard protocol. Unless we have a solid lead proving he's still out there or we hear from Michael himself we will have to declare him killed in action." Hayes explains.

"What about Robin? Stone usually keeps her updated on how long he'll be out of town on assignment."

"Do you know what he told her when we left?"

"Probably that the expectation was he'd only be away for a day or two. If she doesn't hear from him after a few days she'll start asking me questions."

"Avoid contact with her for the next twenty four hours, we'll decide then." Hayes replies.

"Copy that, get some rest."

"You too." Hayes replies.

"Hey Kida, I mean Kim. You did real good out there."

"Not good enough apparently." Hayes replies. "Stone is missing and Ellison is dead, we lost a lot of good men."

"I'm sorry about Ellison but they both knew the risks. Isn't that what you and Director Grant would usually say." Hudson says with a subtle smile. "Hey you saved my life and the other guys, thank you. We've just got to find Michael."

"I know, goodnight William."

"Goodnight."


The next day Hayes reports to Director Grant along with Hudson who stands in for Stone. During which Grant informs them that the media has already picked up on a story of a possible firefight rumored to have taken place between U.S. forces and Colombian cartels. After debriefing they begin working on locating Stone; they didn't even have to request permission from Grant, he gave express orders to do everything possible to find him. Two hours later Hayes summons Hudson to her office, he walks in noticing she has a sour look on her face.

"What's up?" Hudson asks.

"Well Grant was right about the media, it's all over the news." She says turning up the volume on the TV across from her desk.

"At least they can't prove what U.S. forces were down there." Hudson adds.

"Yeah but that's going to make sending a rescue team down there a lot more difficult, if we'd found Michael that is." Hayes replies.

"Any news on that front?" Hudson asks.

"Just bad news, the damn satellite the DEA was supposed to have over our heads down there, well it didn't even come into range of the city until an hour after the firefight."

"Crap, well we can still get eyes down there now and take a look."

"Hudson, it's been over twenty four hours since we left; don't you think local police and fire crews would have searched that area by now."

"It's still worth a look Kim." Hudson says sensing her growing aggravation.

"Alright, come with me."

Hudson follows her to communications where through a remote uplink they are allowed access to the DEA satellite. Once an overhead view of La Calera appears on the central screen Hudson retraces his steps from the firefight. Agent Dyson adjusts the view zooming in closer to sections of the city at Hudson's command.

"Okay this is where me and Jones and the others were holed up so the last time I saw Michael would have been about here." Hudson says finding the spot on the screen.

"Dyson, begin playing from the first moment the satellite came within range." Hayes orders.

"Yes ma'am." Dyson replies.

Once the pre-recorded images begin playing Hudson points out a pile of debris in an alley near where he last saw his friend.

"There, that's where the grenade blew."

"Is it just me or does the debris look like its been cleared away?" Hayes says.

"What do you mean?"

"Well it looks to me like someone was pulled out from under the debris. Can you enlarge that image Dyson?"

"Absolutely."

"Did you happen to notice what kind of grenade it was?" Hayes says looking to Hudson.

"Negative."

"Well then I might be wrong but look, it's scattered everywhere." Hayes says pointing out on the screen.

"You think he's alive, that he was pulled outta there by local rescue teams." Hudson asks.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves Hudson, it could have easily been the cartel that dragged him outta there, not to mention it also could have been his corpse. Dyson send this image over to forensics. I want them to dissect it for me, have them research debris patterns from the results of every type of grenade blast possible and have them report to me directly with their findings." Hayes orders.

"Shall I inform them of your theory ma'am?" Dyson asks.

"Affirmative and label it high priority."

"Yes ma'am."

"Hudson I want you to start checking the local hospitals and police stations in that area for reports of anybody fitting Stone's description that may have come through there within the last thirty-six hours."

"I'm on it."

"And Hudson." Hayes says stopping him as he heads for his desk. "Don't forget to check the morgues too."

"I understand."


Somewhere east of Bogotá, Colombia – After receiving the report yesterday that the agent evaded Diego's men once more by using the river to escape, the Talon finally decided it was time for him to get out of the country. Before leaving Diego informed him he would send teams of his men out to search the nearby towns along the path of the river searching for the American. The Talon thanks his friend and boards the private four-passenger jet he chartered and within minutes is airborne.


The next day as Hudson continues sifting through police and hospital reports from La Calera he feels his phone vibrating. Before answering he checks the number on the caller ID and realizes it's Robin. He refrains from answering it and just as he's about to go speak to Hayes on the matter he is summoned to her office on the PA.

"What's up?"

"Forensics proved my theory, they said the debris pattern was inconsistent with the blast of an HE concussion grenade."

"So we know Michael was under that pile of rubble and that someone pulled him out of there. That leaves us with the cartel then, because I've come up empty checking the hospital, police and morgue reports." Hudson replies.

"Great, and we still don't know if he was even alive when they pulled him out." Hayes adds.

"Speaking of which," Hudson says holding up his cell phone. "I just got a call from Robin. He's officially been missing over seventy two hours."

Hayes exhales deeply before deciding their course of action. "Alright, let her in on what's happened, leave out the details though."

"Of course but that may be moot if she's been watching the news." Hudson replies.

"I understand."

"Okay, I'll go over there tonight."

That evening Hudson drives over to Robin's apartment unannounced and knocks on the door. Robin opens to the door to find Hudson there and blank expression comes over her face. She says nothing as she places her hand over her mouth dreading what he is about to tell her. She walks into the living room leaving Hudson to show himself in, he closes the door behind him as he walks in.

"Is he. . "

"Missing." Hudson says interrupting her.

Knowing what she must be thinking Hudson does his absolute best to keep some hope alive for her.

"Missing?" she says as she turns to face him. "What does that mean, is he captured, can you go look for him, is he even alive?"

Hudson helps her find a seat as fear begins to overcome her.

"We did go look for him and we're still actively searching for signs that he may have survived but we just don't know at this point." Hudson explains taking a seat next to her.

"What happened?"

"You know I can't give you details Robin."

"Dammit William I don't care about the details just tell me what happened." Robin says trying to hold back a swell of tears building within her.

"We were in a firefight, we were ambushed and it got messy. We were losing men left and right. Michael and I went after our target as he tried to escape and we got separated. The target threw a grenade towards Michael, I did see him move in an attempt to avoid the blast but he ducked down another alley and I didn't see what happened."

This time Robin can't hold in her emotions any further; Hudson puts his arm around her comfortingly as she cries. After a few moments she collects herself and asks what the next step is.

"We wait, in the meantime we'll keep searching for indications that he made it out alive." Hudson says. .

"You can send search teams to look for him right."

"No, that place is in chaos right now. There's no way we can get back in to go look for him, at least not for awhile and especially when we have no leads that he survived." Hudson explains deciding it's best to leave out the fact that they know he was pulled out of the rubble.

"What are the chances that he went unscathed?" Robin asks.

"Zero."

"Zero?" she says shocked by his blunt response.

"Robin if he didn't sustain any injuries after the grenade went off he would have contacted me and we would have gone to get him. Not to mention the fact that he would have still been in the fight."

Robin sits there on the sofa for several minutes not saying a word; her mind just trying to process the fact that the love of her life might be dead and there's no way to know for sure.

"Where is he, what country?"

"You know I can't tell you that." Hudson replies.

A long pause passes between them as Robin eyes Hudson warily.

"You guys were in Colombia weren't you?" she asks finally.

Hudson exhales sharply not surprised in the least. "You really shouldn't watch the news quite so much."

"Colombia." Robin says as the grief overcomes her. "So what now, how long until he's declared dead?" she finally says.

"The agency will give him two weeks to resurface. He's been in worse situations Robin."

Lie number one. Thought Hudson.

"If he's alive he'll do everything in his power to make it back to you. You have to believe that."

Hudson stays with her for another hour, they have a cup of tea and he finally leaves once Robin voices her intention to go to bed early. He gives her a hug promising that he'll inform her the moment something happens. Robin walks into her bedroom and collapses on the bed fearing the worst. She says a prayer for Michael then cries herself to sleep.

When Hudson arrives home he feels an overwhelming sense of uselessness. Wishing there was something more he could do to find his friend he just sits in the living room staring at the wall, thinking. Soon after he finds himself looking at a picture of himself, Michael and the rest of the team at the bowling alley. He slams his fist down hard on the bookcase frustrated with the situation and at Stone for having so haphazardly pursued the Talon.

Stupid, stupid!


Two days later Hudson finally receives word from Drake. Having called to report in to Stone the on duty comms agent informs Hudson who takes the call.

"Where the hell have you been, do you have any idea what's happened recently?"

"Stone put me on assignment, where is he? He told me only to report back to him." Drake replies.

"Yeah I know, he wouldn't tell me what he's got you working on." Hudson gives Drake a quick rundown on the events that transpired in Bogotá, including their missing field commander. Hudson ignores Drake's cursing at hearing the situation. "Look you're going to have to let me in on this, until Stone resurfaces I'm acting team leader."

"Alright, he put me on a black op to gather some Intel." Drake says.

"That's it?"

"Well it's how we went about collecting the Intel that . . "

"Okay stop, don't tell me anymore right now. What's your status?" Hudson asks.

Drake informs him that he and his team have completed their objective and are just awaiting further orders.

"Alright get back here ASAP and report directly to me for debriefing." Hudson orders.

"Copy that, we've just gotta throw a fish back in the water and then we'll head home." Drake replies.

"I'm loving the sound of this already." Hudson says sarcastically.

Later that same day Hudson receives another call from Robin, he answers the phone expecting her to demand some kind of progress.

"Look I know you said you'd call me when you know something so I won't ask." Robin says her voice somewhat shaky. "I just wanted to know if you would like to get some dinner with me tonight. I just don't want to spend another night at home alone worrying myself to death about Michael."

"Absolutely, when and where?"

Robin gives him a time and a place and thanks him for being such a good friend.

"You know I'm always here for you Redbird." Hudson replies. "I gotta go, I'll see you tonight."

That night he meets Robin at a new restaurant in town called the Elephant Bar. They order drinks before getting a chance to look over the menu. Within a few minutes the waitress brings their drinks over just as they decide what to get for dinner. Once the waitress leaves with their orders Hudson takes a swig of his beer as he notices Robin plunging into her blue martini.

"Hey take it easy there, you know what they say about drinking on an empty stomach." Hudson says.

"Yeah, you feel the buzz a lot quicker." Robin replies.

Damn, she's having a harder time than I thought.

"Well take it easy or you won't be able to drive home tonight."

"I took a cab here, I didn't feel like driving." Robin replies.

"Smart girl, how was work today?" he says attempting to get her mind on something else.

"I was off today, I have a flight the day after tomorrow but I might call in sick."

"Look I know its gotta be rough for you, me too actually but the secret is to just keep your mind busy. Don't call in for your shift and when you're off just do what you can to keep your mind occupied. Work out, clean the apartment, hang out with friends, whatever it takes." Hudson explains.

"Alright I'll try, thanks William. I hate to ask but is there any news?"

"What did I just get finished talking about?"

"I'm sorry, I promise I'll wait for you to come to me with any news."

"Actually we do have a possible lead . . ."

Lie number two.

". . . but it's not concrete yet."

After dinner Hudson drives her home and sees her safely up to her apartment given her buzz from the martinis she drank at dinner.


Over the next week and a half he meets with her a few more times to have dinner. Growing more concerned with each meeting Hudson wishes there was some new development he could tell Robin about that would lift her spirits. He regretted having made up the story about their lead the first time they met for dinner but given her state of mind at the time he'd felt it would help. With each passing day he begins to wonder if he only succeeded in making things worse. However she remains true to her word refraining from asking him about the search for Stone, confident that he would tell her if there was something to report. However on this meeting she does raise a question concerning a new problem.

"Amberly has been calling me recently, the first time was to ask me if I wanted to go shopping with her. I did my best to convince her that I was busy but then she started asking about Michael." Robin explains. "I told her he's been on assignment for awhile and that I usually just keep busy with work until he comes home; which is actually true. Something tells me though that she's not buying it and I don't want to keep lying to her."

Noticing her becoming increasingly distressed Hudson sits beside her on the sofa and gives her a comforting hug. Especially now that she's feeling the same regret he is.

"I've tried not to think about it but I remember you said the agency will give Michael two weeks to resurface before they declare him dead."

"I know, he's only got forty eight hours left." Hudson says still holding her. "I guess we should tell her what's happened."

"We?" Robin says pulling slightly out of his arms. "You mean you would go with me to tell her?"

"Of course, besides it's standard protocol for the agency to inform next of kin."

"Okay, well when should we tell her?"

"The day after tomorrow, when they declare him . . " Hudson lets his sentence trail off knowing Robin will pick up on it anyway. "You're not working that night are you?"

"Not that night, I have an early flight tomorrow and will get back in town that afternoon." Robin replies.

"Okay, we'll just go over about seven, don't even tell her that you are coming over that would give her an indication that something is wrong."

"I got it."

"Okay well I guess I will see you the day after tomorrow then." Hudson says as he walks towards the door.

As he drives home the realization finally begins to sink in that Michael didn't survive and that things will begin to change from this point on. Although up to the task of taking over Shadow team, provided Grant approves, Hudson never wanted it to be under these circumstances. When he arrives home he notices he has three new messages on his answering machine. He hits the play button then walks into the kitchen and grabs a beer from the refrigerator. He takes a drink as the first message begins to play from his brother Alex; with his best friend on his mind he continues drinking down the beer not really listening to the machine. He walks into the bathroom as the next message plays in sequence; after relieving himself he washes his hands and kicks off his shoes then grabs the beer bottle where he'd set it down. The machine begins playing the third message as he drinks down the last of the beer. He's about to undress for bed when he suddenly realizes its Michael's voice on the machine. The thought doesn't quite register in his mind at first but he quickly realizes it's a brand new message! He bolts into the living room and hits the replay button to hear the message in its entirety. It says:

"Will, this is Michael. I need your help man, I'm in Saltillo, Mexico, about two hundred miles South-Southwest of Laredo, Texas. I don't have time to explain how I got here but I've got no ID's and next to nothing in cash. You gotta get down here and get me across the border. I wouldn't fly commercially though, I think I'm being followed, I'll be waiting for you at the Guadalupe International Airport, it's on the north side of town. One last thing, don't tell Robin wh . . "

Realizing his machine cut Stone off Hudson curses under his breath. Luckily though Stone got the crucial details across before it happened. Hudson immediately picks up the phone and dials Hayes' cell phone. "Kim he's alive!" Hudson says ecstatically.

"What, how?" Hayes asks.

"There's a brand new message on my machine from like two hours ago! Hudson gives her a rundown of the details and he pulls his shoes back on and prepares to leave. "I'm leaving right now."

"Okay what do you need?"

"A flight to Laredo, Texas and a small prop plane waiting for me when I arrive." Hudson says.

"All of our aircraft are out of the city or in maintenance, I can get you on a military flight but it may not be 'til morning." Hayes replies.

"Then get me on a commercial flight out of Dulles within the hour and clearance to board with my firearm."

"Alright I'm on it, call me back when you arrive."

As Hudson hangs up the phone he quickly packs a small overnight bag, ensures that he has his government identification on him then heads out the door towards Dulles International Airport. He calls Hayes back as requested and she advises him that the Chief of Airport police and the TSA's are aware of his credentials.

"There's some bad news though, I could only get you as far as Nashville tonight, are you sure you don't want to wait until morning to leave?" Hayes asks.

"Yes, at least I'll get halfway there tonight, it'll reduce travel time in the morning."

"Understood, did you tell Robin about this?"

"Hell no, I'd just gotten home from seeing her when I got the message. She's working tomorrow through Thursday afternoon anyway. Besides if I'd told her she'd beg me to come."

"Smart move."

"No kidding, we made plans to go talk to Stone's cousin Thursday night to break the news to her. If I'm lucky I'll have Stone at her front door by the time I'm supposed to pick her up." Hudson explains.

"Sounds good, I wasn't able to make any progress tonight with renting you a plane but I'll be on it first thing in the morning. Good luck William, bring him home." Hayes adds.

"I will."


The next day Hudson arrives in Laredo just after eleven o'clock. He gets a shuttle to a smaller private airport where a single prop Cessna rental awaits him. After preflight inspections Hudson taxis out to the runway and takes off. The navigation system on board the aircraft plots his course to the Guadalupe International Airport at one hundred eighty-six miles. About seventy minutes later he begins his descent towards the airport; after gaining clearance from the tower he lands and taxis towards a private terminal on the opposite side of the airport from the commercial lanes. He brings the Cessna to a stop and cuts the engine, before exiting he checks that his 9mm Glock is loaded and then secures it back in his shoulder holster.

He walks into the private terminal and finds the café inside filled with people; he takes a quick scan around the room looking for Stone but finds no trace of him. Unknowingly as he walks on further into the building a man appearing to read his local newspaper peers over the top of the page watching Hudson closely through a pair of sunglasses. As Hudson moves further down the hallway Stone continues to watch his friend's back through the transparent walls of the café. Once confident that no one is tailing his friend Stone puts down the paper and rises from his seat.

With no signs of his friend and finding the rest of the private terminal near empty except for airport staff Hudson begins to wonder if he has just been led into a trap. Suddenly Hudson feels a hand on his shoulder, he spins around ready to block an attack and even prepares to counter when the unknown assailant stops him in his tracks with a defensive block of his own..

"It's good to see you Will." Stone says.

It takes Hudson a few seconds to realize he's looking at his best friend. Torn between feelings of relief and those of anger he grabs Stone by the denim shirt he's wearing and draws him into a hug.

"Michael! You stupid son of a bitch!" Hudson says expressing his frustration and relief at the same time. He releases him from the hug and looks over his friend's filthy appearance. "Good lord I didn't even recognize you, you look horrible. What's with the ugly ass beard?" Hudson says noticing the thick accumulation of hair on his friends face.

"Cover, I haven't had much time to shower or shave in the last week or so." Stone replies still wearing the same clothes he took from the safe house in Bogotá. "Look I'll tell you everything once we're airborne, let's just get the hell outta here."

Within ten minutes Hudson lifts the Cessna back into the air headed north back to Texas. Once their course is set Stone begins to fill his partner in on the events of the last two weeks.

"The last thing I remember was trying to escape the blast radius of that HE grenade; then the next thing I know I've got a hood over my head and the those cartel thugs are dragging me out of a vehicle." Stone explains.

"I think a brick wall came down on top of you and shielded you from most of the blast." Hudson explains as he tells Stone about Hayes' theory and the research the forensics team did on the blast zone.

"I'm not sure how long I was out, the next thing I know I'm waking up blindfolded and in pain and thrown into a shallow pool. Then I see the sniper that hit us in La Calera, it was the Talon." Stone says.

"Figures, then what?"

Stone continues his account from that point up to when he escaped the cellar and eavesdropped on the Talon and his drug lord contact.

"So that's why we couldn't find your tracer, he was smart to burn your clothes." Hudson adds.

"Yeah but guess what, I know who he is now." Stone says with a big smile on his face.

"What, how?"

"When I was eavesdropping on the two, the cartel head mentioned that he knew the Talon's father. Apparently his father was a contract killer named Falcon Brock, so now we've got his last name. All we have to is have Watts run a search on the Falcon and we'll find out everything we need to know about the Talon." Stone explains.

"You really think the Falcon's identity, even though you have his last name, will be that easy to find online. If he's was an assassin surely he remained off the grid just like the Talon does." Hudson says.

"You bet, because the Falcon was taken out by the CIA when little Brock was seven years old. They'll have a file on him on somewhere."

"Sweet! Well while you were missing Drake and I spoke about the black op you sent him on. By the way, that was a good idea. Kidnapping Alan Sharp and making him think Drake was the Talon." Hudson says.

"Thanks, did it work?"

"Hell yeah it worked, Sharp spilled his guts. He said Croft is using the Armbrust for an assassination in Atlanta."

"Who is the target?" Stone asks.

"Sharp didn't know, however he did say that Croft had been doing some online reconnaissance on local area hospitals. We've already begun an investigation to try and determine whom his target could be." Hudson explains.

"Good, well it looks like this month hasn't been quite so bad after all." Stone replies.

"Tell that to Robin, she's been going crazy with grief man."

Stone hearts sinks having heard that from someone else. Over the past several days his thoughts have rested with Robin more times than not but knowing she hasn't been handling his absence well hits him hard.

"Michael, did you hear me?" Hudson says.

"Huh, what I'm sorry." Stone says snapping out of his trance.

"I said tomorrow night me and Robin planned to go tell your cousin that you have been missing. You know the agency was going to have to declare you dead by tomorrow." Hudson explains.

"I lost count of the days awhile back but I figured I was running out of time."

"Hopefully we'll get you back home in time to be at her doorstep by the time I'm due to pick her up."

"Sounds like a plan, thanks for being there for her Will."

"Your welcome."

"Wait tomorrow night? Why aren't we heading back to D.C. right away?"

"Detox, you know the drill. We'll spend the night in San Antonio and head out tomorrow, besides Robin's working until tomorrow afternoon anyway.

"Why San Antonio?"

"When Hayes and I spoke this morning so she could give me the details on my charter she mentioned that Laredo doesn't have a medical facility that's apart of the program, if you know what I mean." Hudson explains. "We can't have you going John Doe in a local hospital now can we."

"I suppose not."

"So what happened, why did it take you so long to resurface." Hudson asks.

Stone continues his story where he left off previously and explaining how after escaping the cartel a German missionary doctor treated his wounds and gave him a ride back into town.

"I made my way back to the safe house for Banner's abort kit and . . ."

"Banner's what?" Hudson asks.

Realizing Hudson wasn't in the room when he had that conversation with Banner Stone quickly explains then continues.

"Anyway when I woke up on the bus we were near the coast; I was able to buy passage onto a cargo ship headed for Jamaica and had some trouble with these three Colombians that kept hassling me about something. At one point they cornered me above decks and I had to put the hurt on 'em. Kept wondering if they worked for the Talon or his cartel friend. That's why when you walked in the terminal I didn't meet you right away; I just wanted to make sure we weren't being followed."

"Smart move."

"Well after we made port in Jamaica I didn't have enough cash to buy passage on another boat so I stowed away on one headed for Mexico. I kept considering calling for help but I figured I'd have to wait it out until you arrived anyway. In the meantime if those thugs were following me I'd have been a sitting duck, so I thought it best to keep moving. Anyway on the next boat a member of the ship's crew discovered me." Stone explains. "I still don't know why he didn't report me but he brought me food and kept me hidden from the rest of the crew. In return I worked off the favor by helping him with his duties below decks. He even gave me some cash when we came to port. I got off the ship when we arrived in Tampico and hopped on the first bus northbound and wound up in Saltillo."

"Wow." Hudson replies.

"You know aside from Robin what I found myself thinking about most while I was out there on my own was you guys. When I left that message on your machine I wasn't even sure if you had made it back alive or not. For the life of me I couldn't remember any of the numbers to headquarters." Stone explains. "By the way, after what happened I don't blame you guys for leaving me. I know I was a question mark and I would have gotten on that plane too."

"Well as it turns out we didn't get on the plane." Hudson replies.

"What?"

Hudson begins his account of the last few weeks starting from when they got separated during the firefight. Everything including Hayes' bold move to rescue him and a group of agents, Ellison's death and their unusual route home.

"Ellison was killed?"

"Yup, Hayes took a big risk coming after us. During our extraction I spotted the Talon again, he's the one who shot Ellison."

"It's all my fault, I proposed the whole damned operation. And for what, seven good men dead and we still don't have the Talon in custody." Stone says.

"Don't beat yourself up, every man there knew the risks." Hudson replies trying to assuage his friend's guilt.

"Man this guy seriously needs to be put down." Stone says.

"We'll get him, now that we have a lead to his identity he can't run forever. Hey you would be proud of Kim though, she showed some real guts out there."

"How is she doing?"

"Okay, I mean losing a friend is never easy but just before he died apparently he refused to bring up the base camp team to support the rest of the agents at the refinery." Hudson explains.

"What?"

"I didn't find out until after he was dead but when we arrived at the airport with more wounded Hayes and Banner got into it over the op being a bust and that's when she mentioned it. I almost lost my temper with Banner myself during the exchange."

"Wow."


When they land almost two hours later in San Antonio Hudson finds a rental car already awaiting him. They get in and Hudson drives Stone to a private medical facility in town; before going inside Stone pulls the Walther from the small of his back and places it inside the glove box.

"Where did you get that?" Hudson asks.

"From Banner's abort kit." Stone says smiling.

When they walk into the building Hudson identifies himself and within moments a nurse greets Stone by his last name and abruptly puts him into a wheel chair. The nurse wheels Stone into a room where a team of doctors, nurses and other medical technicians begins examining him. Over the course of the next three hours the medical staff administers a plethora of tests and treatments; everything from vaccines of every kind, blood samples to ensure he is free of any poisons and even a biometric scan to prove his identity. Finally as his release seems imminent Stone notices Hudson entering the room.

"Bout ready to go?" he asks.

"Are you kidding, I've got more holes in me now then when I was being shot at."

"Are we good to go?" Hudson says asking the nurse who taking a last check of Stone's vitals.

"Yes, he's all clear. Welcome back Agent Stone.

As they walk back out to the rental car Hudson tells him that while he was in treatment he called and reported in to Hayes.

"What did she say?"

"You're due in for debriefing at ten hundred Friday morning. By the way I ran out and booked us a room for the night and Hayes took care of getting us two tickets on a flight home tomorrow." Hudson says. "You hungry?"

"Starving? First thing's first though, I need a shower and a fresh set of clothes."

"We can take care of that. Tell you what, I'll drop you off at the hotel so you can get cleaned up and while your doing that I'll run out and get you a few things."

"Thanks man."

"No problem, just write down some sizes and what you want." Hudson replies starting up the car.

Hudson hands Stone one of the keycards and the room number when he pulls up to the front of the hotel. In return Stone hands him a slip of paper with his shirt, shoe and pant sizes on it.

"Just keep it simple, a pair of jeans, a decent shirt, socks, shoes and some boxers." Stone says.

Hudson looks at the slip of paper then looks at his friend with a curious stare and says. "Fruit of the loom?"

"I didn't write that . . ." Stone says suddenly realizing he fell for his prank as Hudson bursts into laughter. "Hilarious, dude I've been wearing the same freakin' underwear for almost two weeks, spare me the jokes." He says with a half smile.

Hudson continues laughing uncontrollably as he drives off. While his friend runs the errand Stone walks into the front desk and asks the hostess for a complete set of toiletries. He finds the room easily and within minutes is standing underneath the downpour of a hot shower. Relishing the sensation of his first shower in almost two weeks Stone makes no effort to hurry. He washes his hair and entire body thoroughly, completely using up the tiny complimentary bottle of shampoo. After the long shower and a shave Stone looks at himself in the mirror for the first time in a long while. Although several cuts and bruises still remain on his face, as well as his body, he is relieved to see himself looking back to normal. Just as he's combing his hair he sees Hudson enter the room with a large bag full of clothes.

"What's sounds good for dinner?" Hudson asks as he unloads the clothes from the bag.

"Anyplace I can get a big steak." Stone says ripping open the three-pack of boxers.

A little later the two friends sit in a local steakhouse and order a few beers as they look over the menu.

"Oh hell I already know what I want." Stone says.

Realizing this will be Stone's first decent meal in almost two weeks Hudson quickly scans the menu. "Go for it, it'll give me a moment."

"I'll take the ten ounce flat iron steak, loaded baked potato, add on a side of the grilled lobster tail and house salad with ranch dressing and the apple pie a la mode for dessert." Stone says to the waitress.

"Watch out man you're already drooling." Hudson says joking.

The waitress cannot help but laugh as she turns to take Hudson's order.

"Cut me some slack Will, I had snake for breakfast one day last week."

"Snake?" the waitress says unsure if the handsome blonde is joking or not.

Stone simply looks at her and says. "Long story."

"Okay I'll have those salads right out." She says after taking Hudson's order.

Stone clears every single plate that is brought to him, savoring every bite as well as going through two more beers in the process.

"That was so good, I'm stuffed." He says sitting back in the booth.


The next day they board the first flight headed for home, after a two-hour layover in Memphis they finally arrive back in Washington at Dulles.

"What time did you say you were supposed to pick up Robin?" Stone asks as they walk to Hudson's car.

"Seven."

"Then we'd better hurry, it's already fifteen after six."

Hudson makes his way across town to Robin's apartment with just minutes to spare.
"I assume you won't need a ride home tonight?"

"No but I will to headquarters tomorrow, my car and all my ID's are still there. I'll have Robin take me home in the morning so I can change, meet me over there a little after nine." Stone says.

"Sounds good." Hudson says pulling into a parking space.

"Thanks again Will, for everything" Stone says shaking his hand.

"Anytime brother, it's good to see you alive. Enjoy your evening, tomorrow we get back to work and find these two assholes." Hudson says.

"You bet, thanks again." Stone says. He walks up the steps to Robin's apartment and knocks on the door.


Inside Robin has been trying to prepare what she's going to say when she sees Amberly. She hears the knock on the door thinking it is Hudson coming to get her.

Here we go.

When she opens the door she receives the shock of her life!