Chapter 10

It was early but it was force of habit that had Sari up and looking out the window. She had heard the description by Jimmy's kids. She hated to think that the worst had happened but she couldn't afford to waste time on the what ifs. That was the kind of thing that messed you up in the line of work that she did. She fished her phone out of her pocket and was surprised that she hadn't lost it and that it was still intact.

She flipped it open to take a look at the last text she had received. She had hoped that she would be forgotten or word would get back that she was no longer in the service. Yet it seemed that they were determined to keep her hands in the pot. She read the message again and she felt obligated to respond. She typed out her message and hit the send button and prayed that maybe with the chaos, the link was down. Then she would be left alone. She wasn't to get her wish.

Glad you made it. New orders for you: Listen.

It looked like an ordinary text but Sari knew what it really meant. She was actually surprised that she even got through at all. She sighed as she looked out at the sky. She remembered the first day she was issued her phone and what happened that day.

Sari had no clue why she was being summoned but orders were orders. She was to present herself in uniform at 0900. Well she was here and her natural curiosity was running amok. It reminded her of all the times Jake and Stanley goaded her into following through on that impulse whether it was with the bugs, the pranks or even the birds and the bees thing. She remembered how embarrassed she was when she asked questions regarding puberty.

It was a nice diversion until the aide to the CO said that she was clear to go in. She entered the office and was surprised to see the CO standing and looking like he was going to be thrown out of his own office. Her instincts kicked on and while she was tense enough to get into a fight, she knew that it wouldn't get to the level. It was force of habit after the training with the SEALS. She asked, "Sir?"

"Lieutenant, have a seat," the CO said.

Sari was quick to obey. She sat in the seat that she was motioned to sit in and placed her hands in her lap. She heard the CO walk out of the office and heard the door click shut. She turned her attention to the man sitting at the CO's desk. She had been left alone with a strange man and she didn't recognize who he worked for. She looked at him and took in the dark hair and eyes. He was wearing fatigues so she could assume he was in the service but appearances could be deceiving and sometimes they had visitors at base who opted to wear utilities. She didn't say anything and sat there. She wouldn't speak until she was spoken to.

It worked since the man gave a smile and said, "Letting the other player make the first move. Very good, Lieutenant. Tell me: do you know why you are here?"

"I was given orders to report here. Nothing else."

"And you didn't try to find out?" The question was asked in curiosity rather than in anger or anything else.

Sari looked at the man and replied in a firm voice, "I don't know what it is like where you are from sir but out here, you follow orders or people die. You don't question them and you try to carry them out within the best of your ability."

"So sometimes you don't exactly follow orders."

"There is leeway. As long as you complete the mission, you make the decisions," Sari replied firmly.

The man studied her for a moment. At first Sari thought she was going to get a telling off since she didn't exactly give proper respect when she spoke to him. It was a complete surprise when he merely smiled and replied, "Good. You are exactly as was described to us."

"Excuse me?"

"We've had our eye on you for a while now." The man flipped open a file and began reading, "Sari, last name redacted, twenty-nine, 5'4". Good vitals. Hometown: Jericho, Kansas; top of your class; superior in hand to hand combat; top shooter; recruited for SEAL training… 'shows ability to be a team player and on occasion rise to take command. Does have a tendency to reinterpret orders…'" He flipped the file shut and looked at Sari, "Not exactly complimentary and not exactly condemning either but you do have what we need."

"I don't understand." Sari still thought that something got back to the brass and she was in trouble for a decision she had to make.

"Let tell it straight to you Lieutenant: you were chosen from a list of candidates to be a part of a special organization. You are to be a part of one of the largest organizations to ever exist and our sole mission is to protect the United States."

Sari narrowed her eyes in confusion and suspicion. She had never heard of such a thing. "What do you mean?"

"Have you ever heard of Janus?"

Sari held the phone in her hand as she stared out the window. The minute she said the word 'no' she was treated to an advert of Janus. That sealed the deal and she was in. She had been issued equipment designed to withstand major disasters like EMP and the like. She still continued on the missions she and her team were sent on with an occasional separate order she was to follow. She had hoped that her service would be terminated when she handed in her forms to go on reserve. It appeared that she was not going to be let off the hook so easily.

"Hey, you hoping that thing is going to work just by looking out at the sky?"

Sari turned to see that Jake was awake. He was looking better than he was the night before. She smiled, "You know me, always an optimist."

It hurt that she was keeping something from Jake but it had been made clear from the beginning that her involvement was completely secret. She trusted Jake though but she didn't want him involved and she wasn't even sure what she was supposed to do except for that order she had been given. She was supposed to listen. Apparently Janus knew something about what happened and wasn't telling and they needed more information. She could do that but it felt… wrong.

Jake noticed that something was up with Sari. Sure he taught her how to perfect her poker face but she still let a few things through especially if they really bothered her. He figured that she might be worried about the little girl that he had given the trachy to. Sari always had a soft spot for kids and he wondered how she really fared doing that humanitarian stuff in the third world countries and the like. He chose to ignore it more for her sake and replied, "Tenacious is what I would say."

Sari was sure that Jake suspected something and she was grateful that he was being circumspect with it. "Now you're making fun of me JJ." She gave a mock pout for good measure.

Jake chuckled. "No I'm not and you know it."

Sari laughed with Jake. "Alright, you got me. Oh your mom brought these over. I'm guessing you're being let out of house arrest?" She pointed to the clothes that Gail had brought over that morning. Sari had just woken up and stretching her muscles after having sat in the chair all night and noticed Gail.

Jake noticed the clothes. "Did she tell you to do anything?"

Sari tried to look innocent. "No. Just to let you know those were available."

"You aren't that good at lying."

"I'm a genius since I learned from the master," Sari teased. She gave a slight sigh as she looked out the window. There was something about the day that seemed off. "I think something is up. I can't put my finger on it. Get dressed and we can figure it out."

Jake followed Sari's gaze out the window. She was right. Something was up outside. "Sure thing princess."

Sari looked at Jake, "Meet you outside JJ and maybe I'll have the coffee." She gave a slight grin and left Jake to change.

It didn't take long but just a little bit longer than usual since Jake had to be careful because of his leg. His head was doing better and he felt ready to jump into the fray and try to reduce the chaos that occurred from yesterday. He was sidetracked by April who did a spot check mostly on his head and let him go.

Jake knew where Sari had headed. She had been looking at the sky and there was one place that a person could get a good look and that was the roof. It was a steep climb and it was a bit hard on his leg but he toughed it out. He pulled himself up the steep ladder until he reached the highest point. It felt like he had been climbing a mountain again like that one time in Afghanistan.

As he expected Sari was standing on the roof and staring. Jake pulled himself up and moved to stand beside her. Together they looked at the sky. Jake could feel his eyes widening in surprise and shock. He glanced at Sari and he recognized that look. It was the same one she used to get when she was really scared and that was only when the bastard stepfather of hers rounded on her. He had vowed to do what he could to make sure that she never got that look ever again in the bastard's presence but he was helpless when it came to something like this. She was handling it pretty well though.

What they were looking at was the sky in the direction of Denver. Hovering over where that city once was they saw dark grey clouds and they could almost hear the distinct rumbling sounds of thunder. A storm was coming and it was heading straight towards Jericho and it wasn't one of those spring rains or anything nice. It could spell trouble.

"JJ, you should let the mayor know. I gotta check on Ryan," Sari said as she was still staring at the storm coming their way. She had a vague idea of what it could be. Funny how the things you only read about came to life.

Feeling slightly numb, she walked over to the ladder and slid down. She had practiced since you never know when you might be stuck on a battleship or something.

"Sari."

Sari looked up at Jake who was going to follow her. He was looking at her with a look of concern. He then said, "It'll be okay."

Sari grinned up at him, "I know. It's just different seeing something that you only read about. I'll check on Ryan and I'll be back to help with whatever we need to do. Okay partner?"

"Deal."

~0~0~

It was warm and dark. No light was coming in and it felt like hell. Bill cracked open his eyes and could only see the darkness. He had no clue if it was still night or if daylight had come. What he was sure of was that he had been tricked along with Jimmy and now the both of them were bound and gagged in the back of their own squad car by two felons whose prison bus crashed. They probably killed the sheriff and who else.

Bill wiggled his fingers and he felt fabric. It felt like the t-shirt that he wore under his uniform but it wasn't his. It was more likely Jimmy's. He gave a tentative poke with his fingers to see if Jimmy was okay. He was given a poke in return. At least Jimmy was okay.

Even though it was dark, Bill looked around to see if there was a way out. That is if he could maneuver around to reach the trunk release. It was hard since his hands were bound and the car was moving. That couldn't be good. If the felons were looking for a way out, once they were on the road, they could kill him and Jimmy and they would be defenseless. Bill hated that feeling and he wanted to fight his way out but he had his partner to worry about.

Bill sighed as he felt the heat come in. His head hurt still from the nice crack but he was more concerned about where they were and about Jimmy. It felt like when they were in high school all over again on prom night and what happened there.

After his first failed attempt at asking Sari out and the make-up that occurred afterwards, Bill decided to try again and ask her to the prom. He found her on the bleachers with her rat pack and he was ready for the jokes and side stepping. Jake and Stanley always did that when someone tried to be nice to her or even tried to pick on her.

This time though they smiled and invited him up. As it turned out Jake was busy with Emily and Stanley was with another girl and that left Sari up for the taking. Bill had more confidence in that Jake gave a go ahead nod. He took the plunge and she said yes.

Prom night came but it didn't go how he wanted it to. When he picked her up, her mom was nice about it but he had a bad feeling about her stepdad. He was polite but Bill could tell that Sari was on tenterhooks as she came out. She couldn't get out of that house fast enough.

The feeling left though as they got to the high school gym and started to enjoy themselves. Bill was glad to see her relax and enjoy herself. He thought her to be the prettiest girl there. He personally thought she would have made a better prom queen than what's her name. She certainly was better dressed.

They had a good time. Bill danced with Sari and of course her rat pack joined in and they passed partners around. He got a good view of when she danced with Jake. They fit very well together as they spun around and traded partners. It went well until Sari bumped into the prom queen and her date the prom king. Trouble would have certainly started.

Sari apologized for bumping into the prom queen but the bitch didn't want it. She got in Sari's face and asked who she thought she was touching her along with the loser. Bill watched as Sari narrowed her eyes and replied, "The only loser I see is a pathetic socialite wearing a cheap crown."

"What did you say?"

"You heard me."

Then the prom king decided to step in. Bill told him to cool it. It was fortunate timing that Jimmy managed to direct attention to it. The potential fight broke up and things continued on as usual. Bill had to use the bathroom and Sari went with him.

The prom king jumped him with his friends and started beating him up. They shut him in the janitor's closet locking the door. Prom king said, "Enjoy yourself in there. I'm sure me and the little slut you came with will have a good time."

That enraged Bill and he tried getting out but the door was locked. He didn't know how long he was in there but he felt relief to hear Sari calling for him. He called out to her and she tried to get the door open. As it turned out they were waiting for her. Bill pounded on the door as he heard the threats made by the prom queen.

The next thing Bill knew, he fell out of the closet after being let out. By whom he wasn't sure. What he was sure of was that he saw Jimmy looking a little beat up and Jake beating up the prom king and Sari was beating up the prom queen. She was saying, "You can say what you want bitch but no one says that about my friends." She emphasized it by giving a well-placed punch while saying, "Bitch."

Bill grinned to himself in the trunk. Sari had actually given the girl a black eye. He remembered the gossip that happened the next day. No one believed that quiet little Sari punched the prom queen in the eye and gave her a black eye. The rather cool and funny thing was that in spite of being ambushed and threatened and fighting, her dress didn't get messed up and not a hair was out of place.

After the fight, they left before they could get thrown out. They went to hang out at the hill overlooking the Richmond place. Bill thought that it was the best time ever even though things didn't go as planned. He remembered Sari asking him if he was okay and if Travis' boys did anything to him. He recalled feeling flabbergasted that she would even care.

"Hey, anyone who messes with a friend messes with me," Sari said as she handed a can of soda to Bill.

"You seriously consider me a friend?"

Sari looked at him with a surprised look. She replied, "Yeah. I have since you first asked me out. I was just really bad at explaining why I couldn't go out then. Besides I think you're cool."

"Really? What about your rat pack?"

Sari laughed before she whispered, "More like bulldogs. See the rule is anyone who messes with a friend messes with me and whoever messes with me messes with Stanley and JJ. So a win-win."

They had been friends until she left. Bill had a hard time understanding why and it hurt that she didn't see fit to say good-bye except by a note. Time mellowed out though. Even though he was a bit terse when Jimmy mentioned that she was back in town, deep down he was happy. He had accepted long ago that they would always be friends. He saw that Sari was not receptive and was outwardly friendly to everyone.

Bill thought it never occurred to her that there were people who really liked her. She was just a nice person. Even in school she tried to be nice to everyone, even the prom queen. Thinking about it, he just hoped that someone would catch on to what happened to him and Jimmy. He really wanted to see her again just to see her.

Jimmy had managed to open his eyes by then. He didn't like the fact that he was in the dark and in a small cramped space. If he were able to, he would move and probably in a panic. As it were, Bill was tied in with him and was sort of lying on top of him. He really couldn't move except for his fingers and he could touch Bill's shirt. To him Bill was being remarkably calm but then again they had no choice since their mouths were duct taped together. He flicked his fingers towards Bill.

Bill felt Jimmy's fingers brush his back. He turned his head towards Jimmy. He couldn't see him but it made him feel better about the whole thing. He returned the gesture to reassure Jimmy. He sighed through his gag. He could feel the heat rising in the trunk. It must be day time and judging from the bumping, they were on one of the highways, maybe one of the routes.

The wondering paused for a moment when Bill felt the car to slow down. They were stopping at the side of the road maybe. He could feel Jimmy tense up and he had good reason to. There was the possibility that they might be killed and dumped. However there was no way of knowing so Bill flicked Jimmy to signal him to be quiet.

Jimmy responded by going quiet and Bill strained his ears to hear better the conversation that had started. It was a bit hard to tell since they were stuck in the trunk but Bill thought he recognized one of the voices. He strained to hear better who was talking as the perps in the car talked to… Bill then recognized who it was. It was Emily Sullivan. This was not going to go well.

~0~0~

Robert Hawkins looked out at the sky as he made his way towards the main part of town to see if they needed some help. He could tell that a storm was coming. He made a slight nod since the storm would provide adequate cover for a job he needed to do later. Right now he could do what he could and get what he needed.

He knew that Mayor Green had procured the use of a ham radio. It was better than nothing and maybe he could get it to work and find out what was going on. He was expecting a message and he would rather be at the wheel for that when it came.

He made his way into town and surveyed the scene. It was different from the chaos that had occurred the day before. It hardly looked like it did when people were panicking. True there were still some vehicles about but it wasn't like before. The speech the mayor had given was a good one. While Hawkins was not one to trust anyone on the fly, he could tell that the mayor was a good man and he had the people his first thought. He had also observed the one called Gray Anderson.

Both were good men but they had different ways of handling situations. He could work with either one. It was just a matter of saying the right thing. Then there was the timing of the bus arriving with the lost kids. Hawkins had managed to catch a glimpse of the driver as he was helped out. He looked to be dependable too.

Then there was the girl named Sari. He ran into her when she was on her way home. He noticed that she too was on the bus but she hung back and in the shadows. She talked to him but he had noticed that she was careful with her responses. It made him wonder what she did for a living. There would be time to find out the longer he stayed in Jericho.

As it turned out, he ran into Sari as she was walking through town. IT was the second he had seen her walking in the same direction. He greeted her, "Hey, seems like things have calmed down enough."

Sari paused a moment to study Hawkins. She remembered seeing him the night before. In fact she had bumped into him. She replied, "A bit but it's just the calm before the storm."

Hawkins smiled a bit, "A peculiar phrase since it looks like a storm is coming."

Sari looked at Hawkins. He was new in town. That much she could ascertain. There was a distinct way he was talking though. She had heard it before and her memory knew where it came from. She would follow her last set of orders though and just play through like everything was normal. She was going to have to eventually tell Jake a few things but that would come later. Right now she was dealing with Robert Hawkins. She replied, "Well usually it is calm before a storm falls on Jericho."

"You seem to know quite a bit about that."

"Lived here all my life Mr. Hawkins."

"Surprised you remember," Hawkins replied with a slight smile.

Sari returned the smile with one of her own. "A gift and a curse; having a good memory. It's helped quite a bit. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see to some family issues. If you need to speak to the mayor, he is in town hall."

Hawkins let Sari go. He was intrigued by her and made a note to drawn her in. He then turned towards city hall to find out what the people knew. It was going to be another busy day.