Kayla knew she couldn't cause any kind of scene in the main area. The fact that she was outnumbered didn't help either. Lopez flashed a weapon as well so that made it less likely for Kayla to try anything. She followed Javier, flanked by four goons with Chi-Chi bringing up the rear. They led her into the private quarters, away from the cabanas and common areas of Isla Amor. As they got closer to a residence, Lopez and two of the thugs peeled off, leaving Logan with the remaining two guards and Calderone. She knew that, even if she were successful in getting an opening, it would still be difficult to get away. If she were able to get free, there would be nowhere to go but the beach and try for some type of water escape. But, damn it, Kayla couldn't bring herself to just be accepting of the situation. If she got the chance, she would make an effort.
Chi-Chi opened a door and glared at the former CIA agent. With her head held high, Logan shouldered past her former teammate and walked into the center of a small room. It was completely bare except for a mattress in the corner. There were no windows, closets or bathroom. Kayla recognized it for what it was – a cell. She stopped in the center and turned to face her adversary. The door was left open, blocked by the two guards. Calderone stepped up to Kayla and grabbed the hem of her shirt, ripping it open. The snaps gave away easily, exposing her bra and bare chest.
She quirked a brow, "Satisfied?"
He reached forward and grabbed behind her, making sure she had no weapons, before responding, "I am now." Calderone then trailed his hand up her front and grasped her neck applying light pressure, "Still trying to control the situation I see."
"If you're going to kill me, Chi-Chi, just do it. The cat-and-mouse game never was your strong suit," she said condescendingly, swallowing against the former agent's grip.
He had the nerve to laugh, "Years ago I was supposed to kill you, yes. But, now, the CIA believes you're more valuable alive than dead." At her questioning look he continued, "The years you've spent in the private sector, you've gained contacts and knowledge that the Agency wants to tap. So, you actually get to use that information as a bargaining tool."
"Really," her tone mirrored her disbelief.
The laugh was mirthless, "Yes, we'll see if what you know gets you two hours of time in the yard or just a half-hour. But, have no doubt, I will enjoy extracting the information from you."
In one fluid motion, without warning, Kayla grabbed Calderone's belt loops and pulled him forward, thrusting her knee upwards into his groin. Chi-Chi doubled over and hit the ground. Logan advanced quickly and hit one of the guards in the throat. But the third man in the room was now ready. He grabbed Kayla's arm and turned her to face him, punching her in the chest. She staggered but fought back. Kayla felt the other goon now re-engage. She staggered him again with an elbow across the chest but still couldn't fight off the extra man. He caught Logan in a position that she couldn't break; her back to the room and Calderone.
Chi-Chi had finally regained his composure. He saw Kayla locked up with the guard and advanced on her. With a booted foot, he kicked out, viciously hitting her already tender right knee. The pain exploded and Logan went limp, dropping to her hands and left knee. The only thing on her stomach, the recently imbibed alcohol, rebelled. The response was immediate as she retched, covering the guard's shoes with stomach bile.
Calderone circled her, putting himself, once again, between Logan and the door. With a jerk of his head, he dismissed the guards. The one who had secured Kayla helped up his injured friend and exited. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to catch her breath but Chi-Chi didn't let up. He lashed out again, this time kicking her solidly in the ribs, flipping her on her back.
The Mechanic could only gasp for breath, curling into a ball trying to protect her injured knee and now aching ribs. Calderone stalked her, walking up close to her head. "You never learn do you, Kayla?" was the last thing Chi-Chi said to her before bringing his booted foot down on the side of her face, rendering her unconscious.
Nate Ford was pacing the room. He was still in the suite belonging to Hardison and Parker. The laptop the Hacker used to track the coms was on with all the boost and gain attributed to Kayla's earwig. He had finally managed to persuade the couple to pack and then leave him alone to monitor the unit for any sound their missing teammate might make. Alec had gone in search of Eliot who had yet to resurface after their initial confrontation. But he'd returned a couple of hours later, unsuccessful in his quest, so Hardison turned in for some rest. Parker had gone with Sophie to help her pack and to get Nate's things together. Then, those two would turn in to also get some sleep before their scheduled departure in just a few hours.
Kayla didn't know how long she had been out. She was now on the mattress, flat of her back. The pain, however, threatened to once again make her sick. She took several deep breaths only to feel her injured ribs protest. Logan realized her shirt was still unsnapped. Pulling it closed, she reached towards the pocket and sighed in relief. During the walk from the bar to her now prison, she had managed to slip the com into her pocket, snapping it shut. She was afraid it had been lost in the struggle but found it still secured in her shirt. She eased it out, slid it into her ear and took a ragged breath, "Hello? Can anyone hear me?"
Ford turned on a dime, lunging toward the computer. The voice was faint but there and before she could ask again, he responded, "Kayla, I'm here. It's Nate."
"Who…who else?" she stuttered.
"Only me."
"I am so sorry. God, I am so sorry."
Ford could hear her voice break, "Kayla, it's alright. It's bound to happen, the circles we run in. We're going to cross paths with friends as well as enemies."
"But they're safe?" Once again, the fear was a palpable thing in her tone.
"Yes, Kayla, perfectly safe," he reassured the Mechanic about Sophie and Parker. "You did exactly what I knew you could do. Knew you would do. You got them out. Now, where are you?"
She knew Ford couldn't see her but it didn't stop her from shaking her head as she responded, "I don't know. Somewhere in the private quarters but it doesn't matter. You guys are being watched. Even if you could get to me, there's nowhere to hide…nowhere to go." Kayla paused, "That's why I'll be taking this one for the team. And, I need you to make him understand that."
Nate knew exactly who 'him' was. He tried to interject a lighter tone, "Wow, Logan, give me a tough job, why don't you?"
He was pleased when she did chuckle but immediately concerned as she groaned, "Don't make me laugh. It hurts too much."
"How badly are you injured, Kayla?" The question was grave.
She hesitated, not wanting to admit how much trouble she was truly in. While Nate had said he was the only one on the line, she wouldn't take the chance Spencer might be listening. "Let's just say Chi-Chi has insured my coöperation as well as my obedience and leave it at that."
Nodding in response, Ford instructed, "Keep your com in. We need to stay in touch if we can."
"I can't afford to do that," she answered back. "This is my only lifeline. I don't want to run the risk of having it discovered."
"Kayla, you need to understand that we're not done here. The job isn't finished until everyone is together and safely home."
The frustration made her response sharp, "There is no job. I burned J.T.'s cover to keep him safe. Anything they might have used against the Baker's or the Habidi's is now leverage to keep them from talking to the authorities. There's nothing left." She swallowed, trying to moisten a dry throat as she added, "Cut your losses and get out. Get off this island, get on the plane and don't look back."
Ford shook his head. Even in her obviously less than perfect condition, Kayla was still protecting their cover. On the off-chance anyone did pick up this conversation, there had been no names mentioned. He was reminded again of just how good this operative really was. Nate started to respond when he heard her last whispered comment, "I'm so sorry I made a mess of things, Nate. Be safe." And, like that, the signal ended.
The fact that she had used his name, and his given name at that, made him acutely aware of how hurt and exhausted Kayla Logan truly was. Ford called out her name but when she didn't answer, he pulled off his Bluetooth in frustration. Leaning on the table, Nate didn't know why but he was surprised that the next voice he heard was Eliot's, "How badly is she injured?"
He shrugged, "She wouldn't give me a straight answer but I suspect it's serious."
"Where is she?"
Ford straightened up and finally faced the younger man. This was about to be another showdown. He answered, "She doesn't know."
"Well, let's get Hardison to triangulate or back trace or whatever the hell thing it is he does."
"It won't do any good. Logan pointed it out herself. We're all being watched. And, even if we could find her, we can't go to her." At Spencer's stare, he continued, "There would be no place to hide or hide Kayla."
"I refuse to leave her," the frustration in his voice matched what Nate felt.
"She understands, Eliot. She says to tell you she's taking this one for the team."
Spencer crossed quickly to Nate, "Like hell she is. That's her code for she's willing to die for the mission."
"We're not going to let it come to that," Nate assured. When Ford could still see the doubt and determination play across Eliot's face, he gripped the young man's arm, "What are you going to do?" Nate stepped bodily against him, "You start busting up this island and you cheapen the sacrifice she's already made. Kayla has done everything to protect our covers to insure we can leave without incident. Are you going to ruin all that?"
Spencer jerked his arm out of Ford's grasp, pushing slightly against his chest, turning his back on the boss. He paced the room and finally turned around to face Nate. His mouth worked but there were no words. Finally, he sighed in frustration, "No."
The older man released the breath he'd been holding, "I promise you this isn't over. We get back stateside, regroup and figure out how to get her." When Eliot didn't argue, Nate continued, "Alright. Go pack. The girls will come help with Kayla's…"
"I've got it," was all Spencer replied as he headed for the door.
Nate started to tack on a comment but was stopped by the slamming door. Hardison now stood in the doorway of the bedroom. He had heard most of Nate's one-sided conversation with Kayla and all of the discussion with Eliot. He finally made himself known when he asked, "Want me to follow him?"
Ford wheeled around, "No. He knows he can't do anything. That's what's eating at him."
"He's not the only one it's eating at, is he?" Alec parried.
Ford smiled ruefully but didn't answer.