Chapter 10 – One adventure after another

Fighting her way back to the prison while pushing the empty wheelchair, Annie was piecing together her plan.

When she had noticed Eyal's inanimate body, amidst the gathering of Polish soldiers, she had spotted two Russian soldiers among them. One on them was holding Eyal up. He had seemed familiar. When the ambulance attendant offered his hand to help her in, she had a flashback. That Russian soldier was one of two that was with Alexei Vershinin, her Russian interrogator while she was captive in Russia. That soldier had been with her and Eyal when Alexei had faked shooting them and permitted them to escape from Russia.

She knew she could not leave the prison without 'taking care' of that soldier. The reasons where multiple: He could identify her and Eyal; their covers for this present mission would be blown; Hans would be in even greater danger; Mossad and the German BND would be pointed at for intervening into Polish National Security plus the actions of Alexei, now Mark Sanderson, would be uncovered and his life could become a living hell as Russian FSB would be after him for lying to killing her and Eyal. Too much was as stake for her to follow Eyal's strike protocol to not return to the prison.

Coming up to the entry of the prison, two Polish guards stopped her. She explained to them, in fluent Polish, that she had wheeled out who she thought was professor Touch but as she had took off the blanket that was covering him a man had sprung up and slashed her arm. Now frantic and bleeding, Annie wanted to go back in and rescue the 'real' professor. The guards looked at her and didn't seem to know what to do. Annie upped her panicky state to hysteria, pushed them aside and made her way to the prison's entrance. She was stopped just at the entry and again explained her situation. This time, the guard took her by the arm that wasn't bleeding and got her to the administration office. Again she explained her story and put some 'tears' in as accessories! They asked Annie if she had a photo, she pulled out her phone and showed one that she had taken of Eyal and the group of student just before the visit.

The guard looked at her

"Did you know your professor was armed? A guard reported that the professor pointed a gun at him. We have not been able to find the gun but cannot take any chances with the fire and all. He will be detained till we can sort this out"

Annie had a prepared answer. She had guessed Eyal being armed might surface one way or another.

"Yes but it is a non-operative 9mm Luger pistol, made in Poland under Nazi occupation during the early part of WWII . . . maybe 1940-ish. The firing pin hole in the slide is welded closed, the chamber has a pin through it, and the barrel locking cam has been removed and replaced by a round steel dowel. He was thinking of giving it to the University for them to expose it. Look I have the case here, he took it out to show it to the students and I presume he just forgot to put it back in. He is a bit lunatic sometime. Yes that gun must still be on him but it can't be used to shoot no one. I think I might know where he put it."

One of Elisabeth student had brought that gun with him. He had wanted for Professor Anthon to evaluate it. He had given Annie his calling card with the gun and asked if she could have the professor look at it. Next he had suggested Annie meet up with him and they could discuss the gun…. and other things! Annie had taken the gun and agreed her not wanting to arise suspicion about the 'professor. She planned on asking Eyal if he could give a value to the gun then return it to Elisabeth. That gun was now the centerpiece of her plan.

A doctor had been called in to take a look at Annie's arm. Before re-entering the prison, she had purposely cut herself in soft tissue, nothing dangerous but lots of blood. As the doctor came near her, Annie just lost it. Her performance must have been worthy of an Oscar because they agreeded to bring her to the professor.

Eyal was detained in the medical ward. As soon as Annie saw him, she ran and flung herself on him. 'OK, he's breathing normally but unresponsive, he must be sedated'

"What did you do to him, he is very sensitive to any kind of medication. I need to know what you gave him, it might have an adverse reaction to some of his medicine. I have a list of his medications, it should be checked with what you are giving him."

The doctor picked up a chart, looked at it "Mrs.?"

"Jenny Lang, Dr. Touch personal assistant."

Annie flashed an ID card where it was clearly stated that the person to contact in case of the professor illness was – Jenny Lang – assistant physician. The doctor seemed satisfied with this information.

"Mrs. Lang, seems Dr. Touch has a couple of broken ribs. He resisted security and had to be sedated. It seemed he pulled the fire alarm and pointed a gun at guards"

"I'm sure he wasn't resisting, he had just suffered a mild asthma attack. He insisted I continue the visit, we left him in an old boiler room. We were assured it was OK. He always takes notice of fire alarms, just in case, it's a pet peeve of his. I presumed when he smelled the smoke he did what any normal human being would do… he sounded the fire alarm. Can you explain to me why soldiers attacked him?"

The doctor just shrugged his shoulders "Sorry no, I wasn't there"

A guard took over "Mrs., you said you might know where the gun is?"

"Where is his oxygen tank? Annie asked

The doctor brought Annie the small portable tank.

Annie nervously grabbed the tank fumble with it, trembling she dropped it on the floor…. The guard was quick to pick up the tank and the non-operative pistol that had fallen out.

"Oh god I'm sorry, I'm such a klutz when I'm nervous. Is that the pistol you saw? Look at it, Professor Touch assured me it could not be used. Do you think I could work for him if he had guns? I'm scare of my own shadow! I have all the papers, registration and all with me if you want to look at them. We have a plane that leaves tonight; the professor has an important conference tomorrow. With his bad health and your manhandling of him, he is going to need all the rest he can get. Please let us return to our hotel or the hospital where I could get him some medical help."

Annie was now armed and dangerous. She had switched Eyal's gun with the non-operational one. Now to get to that Russian soldier before he got to Eyal/her or had a chance to report to his superiors in Moscow. Didn't know how she was going to silence him but she knew there was no other way.

The doctor asked if he could finish taping her arm. She acknowledges and just as he was done, Annie feinted nearly fainting and asked to go to the rest rooms.

"Never could stand the sight of blood even mine, I'll be OK. Just would like to freshen up and put some cold water on my face. Also I would like to call the German Embassy. Professor Touch really needs to get out of here. It seems that I will need some consulate help."

The security guard pointed Annie in the right direction "I will have you escorted to the rest rooms. As for the Embassy, yes, it would be the next logical step.

As they were approaching the rest room, Annie saw a Russian blue kaki uniform. As soon as Annie spotted the Russian soldier, he saw her too. 'Annie think and think fast or you and Eyal are as good as dead!'

And then she saw a tattoo on the soldier wrist and that was enough for her to elaborate a little charade that she hope/needed to work!

"That man has the same tattoo as the guy that attacked me. Dr. Loud wasn't resisting, he was being attacked by this man because the Dr. could identify him as being with the man that took his wheelchair to escape. I bet they are the ones that started that fire. He's not a soldier…. he's the one you should be arresting."

Annie made a move for her pocket and, as she hope the Russian soldier would do, unholstered his pistol…..thinking Annie was reaching for a weapon. As soon as he did and pointed his gun at Annie, he was gunned down and Annie… well she simulated fainting … again!

"Joan would be proud … the guy is permanently silenced and I didn't shoot a single bullet."

Annie was rapidly escorted to the infirmary. This time all were concern and apologised to her.

The doctor was going to give Eyal a shot but Annie stopped him.

"What are you giving him?"

"Mrs. Lang it is just an antidote drug called naloxone. It provides rapid reversal of Midazolam's narcotic effect. The incidence of decreased respiration is low using Midazolam. Do not worry, I will give the detail of what we have given him in order for you to get him properly treated for that broken rib. I will not risk giving him anything for the pain or try to reduce the fracture. All I will do is stabilize his rib cage with so you can get him to his chosen physician."

"Thank-you, I would like to call consulate, we have a plane to catch and the clock is ticking."

A man dressed in suit and tie appeared "That won't be necessary Mrs. Lang. In the light of what happened it is now clear that the Professor was more of a victim than a culprit. You are both free to go. We would like to extend our sincere apologies for what you have experience. Could I be bold enough to ask a favor of you as to not talk to any media about what happened in the last hours? The fire, shooting and death of our prisoner is news enough. It would help if we could leave out two civilians being implicated and hurt."

"Do not worry, I will not elaborate and I'm sure the professor will agree. He does not like to attract attention nor does he seek publicity so let us say what happened in Warsaw will stay in Warsaw."

Eyal was awakening and Annie made sure to 'get in his face' as to say. She knew he would be in retaliation mode so better for him to realize that SHE was in control of the situation. Looking directly at him she also notice his eyes dangerously darkening as he saw her. His thinking being that Annie had not, as usual, listened to his very stern directives.

"Dr. Touch thank god you are finally awake! Do not worry, all is now OK. You were hurt but it was all a misunderstanding. We are free to go. Do you have the contact for that private ambulance you had called when you suffered you asthma attack while visiting the prison? I'd like to call them it seems you missed the first one that came for you."

Another suite and tie had just appeared "No need Mrs. Lang. Dr. Touch I came to tell you that a Mrs. Elisabeth called wanting to know if her guests were OK. We explained that the Dr. had suffered a fall in the panic caused by the fire and that he might have broken ribs. She has organized for an ambulance to come for you. She also wanted me to tell you that the paramedic will have your 'special extracted weed formula' for your asthma. The ambulance should be arriving any minutes now. Please, again, we apologies for any inconvenient."

Annie was relieve. Elisabeth had just given them word that an extraction team was in place. She made a note to send her a lovely gift!

Eyal looked at the suit and tie guy then at Annie, shook his head and said "Don't quite remember what happened but it seems my dear assistant has full CONTROL over this situation. She is ALWAYS so caring and well organized. What would I do withOUT her!"

Annie had to bite her lips to stop the smile that wanted to creep up in her face. She could feel Eyal boiling from the inside and he had the dark and deep stare that just needed a small spark to light up that simmering mood.

Eyal not knowing what had happened and seeing the prison administration and security at Annie's feet must be generating one big question in his mind 'What in the hell is going on here?'. Annie was sure Eyal would understand and approve of her ignoring… as always… his instructions. Well at least she hoped he would…!

The doctor taped Eyal ribs and with Annie's help, put him in the wheelchair. They were finally ready to go. Annie still had to push down a smirk from gaining her lips. By now she knew Eyal was more than livid, he was fuming and had the noisy and rhythmic breathing to prove it. That in itself fortified his cover but it wasn't quite the asthma that was making him wheeze and Annie knew it! She was actually asking herself if she should get into that ambulance. 'Well at least if I need medical help it will be near'

The ambulance arrived and picked up Annie and Eyal. Elisabeth was dressed as a paramedic. As soon as Eyal was in the ambulance he pulled on Annie arm to sit her down quite forcibly

"Annie Walker, what in the hell happened in there, I want ALL of it and I want it NOW"

Elisabeth gave him a swat that landed on his shoulder and made him wince in pain. "Eyal that is no way to talk to that girl. She just risked her life for you. You would probably be in the same hell hole your asset was in or worse quite dead so swallow that male proud of yours and say 'THANK-YOU Annie!"

"It's OK Elisabeth, think I have some explanations to give to Eyal and when I'm finished if he's still mad, you can swat him again because then he'll deserve it!"

Annie explained the chain of events to Eyal but she knew she was pardoned as soon as she mentioned recognizing a Russian soldier that was with Alexi when he helped them escape from Russia. His facial expression changed and Annie knew she was in the clear….!

"Mrs. Annie Walker, you are becoming quite good at this game. I'm impressed, you did well, very well. End game, our covers are safe, asset extracted, problem witness permanently eliminated and no blood on your hands. That tattoo stunt was brilliant, good spy craft! I surely would have used a lot more gun power but that would have resulted in a much direr situation. With you tactic we were ushered out with excuses for the inconvenients they caused us…. Brilliant and …..Neshama, I'm sorry…. your decision to ignore my directives was the right one."

Eyal kissed Annie on both cheeks. Annie noticed that he was in pain and that his breathing was labored.

'Eyal are you OK?"

"Yes, don't worry, I have a couple of broken ribs and that kind of injury is quite painful. Elisabeth was is the news on the extraction team?"

"Eyal …I spoke to Robert at MI-6. Didn't feel right contacting Mossad without speaking to my agency. Mossad might not like hearing you were working with me (MI-6) and Annie (CIA) so I preferred talking with my boss. He arranged everything but you might not like it: Mossad needed two agents out of Russia. They were imbedded with the Pussy Riot while the Olympics were presented. Now they have to be urgently extracted. Since England hosted the previous Olympic, MI-6 was granted more access and less scrutiny than any other country, making it quite easy for MI-6 to extract your agents. In exchange MI-6 wanted you asset – Hans. So they dealed: MI-6 will be picking up Mossad's two agents in Sochi, Hans will be turned over to MI-6 and Eyal you will be escorting these two agents back to Tel-Aviv. A personal plane from MI-6 will be waiting for you at the Warsaw Chopin airport. Sorry it's was the best I could do since I really didn't know the time you would have to get out of Poland. Hans was in my care so I needed to act quickly."

"Elisabeth, it's OK. In no way am I mad or disappointed, I'm grateful for your help. Hans will be in good hands with MI-6 and knowing him, he fits right in with MI-6's ways of doing things. At Mossad, he was burned and him not being an agent, that meant he was out in the cold. I had plans to set him up with a new identity but MI-6 will just do it for me with the added bonus of him being capable of continuing being an asset. Elisabeth you know the rule of the game, Hans could no longer be an asset of mine. This way he gets to keep both his job and his lifestyle but on the down side, I lose a very good friend but that how it's going to go down."

"I'm relieve Eyal. Now back to the most important order of business: getting you guys out of here and on to that plane. Eyal , Annie, we must move fast. Hans is in a safe house near here. I got him basic medical treatment but he's going to need a lot more. Eyal you also seem in need of medical help. MI-6 is sending some supplies and the agent extracting you has some basic medical training. Hope that will be enough."

Annie eyes shot up "'The agent', do you mean this will be a one person extracting 'team'. We're talking three Israeli, one German and one American citizens plus two injure among us…seems MI-6 is walking on tin rope with this extraction.

Eyal rolled his eyes.. "Annie how many time has MI-6 made the news for an extraction going haywire… CIA on the other hand has quite a history of rescue missions gone wrong. Anyway it's out of our hands, we will work with what we get. Elisabeth is Hans OK to travel?"

"As far as I can see, yes. His worst injuries are a broken wrist and ankle, lot of contusions but no internal bleeding. By the book injuries for a standard interrogation: injuries not life threatening but very painful. Must admit the next steps would have been inflicting life threatening injuries because there was no more places on his body to inflict pain. His keepers where quite throughout. You got him out in the neck of time Eyal."

Eyal wince, Annie couldn't tell if he was hurting or if it was the news on Hans that cause him to react but she was worried about Eyal. His injuries might be more serious than he was letting on. He was (they all were) trained at keeping possible weak spots to themselves.

First stop was the hotel to get Eyal and Annie's luggage's then the safe house for Hans. Hans was in a better shape than when Eyal had first seen him. Elisabeth gave Annie the route plan and protocol for her to get to the MI-6 rendez-vous. Thanking Elisabeth for her help, they were off.

Eyal was worried "Annie we got to get ourselves a less visible vehicle. This ambulance could be marked and we would be putting our extractor and us in jeopardy. Let's stop here, you can go buy some basics for our ride home and I have a call to make."

Annie was more than happy to stop. They needed some food, water and she guessed over the counter pain killers. From experience, extraction teams never seemed to think that operatives they were extracting needed to eat and drink. So better stock up especially with her two partners being injured!

"Annie we meet back here in ½ an hour: No Annie the Terminator plans, am I clear?

"OK" and with a wink at Eyal she was off.

Half and hour later, Eyal had, as usual, delivered: They now had an old grey sedan as way of transportation.

"Eyal how did you manage this in so little time?"

"Contacts and a little bit of luck. Exchange our ambulance for the car. My contact was more than happy to make the trade, he's definitely on the better end of the deal. Mossad is not going to like my expense account on this mission."

"Here Eyal got you some over the counter pain killers. They're the strongest I could get, they work. I've used them once for a toothache and they killed the pain for at least a couple of hours."

"Thanks Annie but can't take anything that could cause micro bleeding. That could, let's say, create a problem with my kind of injuries. Let get going, Hans is sleeping, and they must have given him some strong pain killers or sedatives."

"Talking about injuries Eyal, would you like to read me in a bit more about just what YOUR injuries are and should I be worried."

"No and there is nothing for you to be worried about"

"Bullshit Eyal, you're hurting and I am worried"

"Annie let us get to our extraction point. I'm OK, you know I'd never put you or an asset in danger. I can get us safely to Israel, you got my word on that."

"I trust you Eyal but please promise me you will ask for help if you feel you need it. You planned every detail of this mission with no handler and very little help from your agency, I could never work like that. I don't have the contacts or the skills. But you can lean on me if needed, I'm here Eyal, like you once said "Use me".

Eyal chuckle at her last words "Old and very pleasant memories Annie. I'm OK don't worry those lovely eyes of yours!"

Arriving at their extraction location both went into covert mode. They were instructed to park near a grey and red Pilatus PC-12 NG plane, simulate being lost and ask "Sorry we are lost, can you direct us to the nearest hospital". The MI-6 agent in orange coveralls would answer "I'm not from here but I have a map in the plane, come we'll take a look at it". Once the three were in the plane the mission was in the extractor's hand.

Annie was the first to spot the MI-6 agent. She looked at Eyal "Seems a bit short and small framed for an extraction agent. CIA sends more the bodyguard type."

"Well that agent had to speak Russian, be able to deal with FSB's Olympic paranoia, pass as a dancer in that Pussy Riot gang, know how to fly a 9 passenger single turbine plane and have some advance medical training…. Not your typical 'muscle' profile…"

At Eyal's description of the needed qualities, they both stopped talking, looked at each other and whispered "SHARON"

Taking a look at the figure that was messing in the plane's engine, Eyal was now certain, Sharon was indeed their extraction agent.

"This should be interesting, I get to see her "at work" so to speak. Annie I feel like playing a bit with this situation"

Annie had a mile long smile. "What do you suggest we do, Mr. Practical Joker, just hope she was not read in on who she was picking up?"

"Sure she wasn't, we were not and my guess Robert is having quite a laugh with his latest antics. How do they say in England "Robert is larging it up!"

Annie was laughing and Eyal was having a hard time to suppress his laughter, his ribs were quite painful.

"Annie, we both didn't have time to change, so we are still made up as Jenny Lang and Dr. Touch. Do you think you can approach her without her recognizing you"?

"I'm not that covert but from a distance I think I can manage it"

"Get her to come to the car, instruct her that your partner, not only the asset, also needs medical help immediately. Think we're in for an interesting showdown."

"Eyal just hope you're not asking for trouble"

Annie manage to engage conversation with Sharon and pass their coded bits of conversation without them seeing each other. After that bit of protocol Annie set up the urgency in her voice, telling Sharon that her partner was hurt and needed medical help. Sharon swore at not being informed of this situation, rapidly grabbed some medical supplies and ran towards the car.

"OK what the problem, you the Mossad one or CIA. Guessing the Mossad, you people always seem to have a death wish in your MO. CIA are more covert or manage to stay behind when all hell breaks loose."

To that Sharon pulled the blanket that was covering….Eyal….. Not a word came out of her mouth, she was frozen on the spot.

Eyal was having a hard time breathing and was holding his ribcage, how he would have loved to be able to laugh freely at the sight of Sharon's face!

"So I'm the suicidal type, happy to know what MI-6 thinks of Mossad, dammit that hurts"

"Eyal what are you doing here, I'm guessing Annie was the other actor in your little charade?" Annie sheepishly came out of hiding.

"Sharon, yes, and yes. Now help me out, I'm dying here, couple of broken ribs, had a little accident extracting my asset out."

"OK, Eyal you have some explanation to give me later. Now let's get down to business - Triage 101: Eyal you're talking so I'll take care of you in second place. Need to check on your asset, they tell me he was ruffed up pretty bad."

"He's suffering from typical interrogation techniques, broken right wrist and ankle, multiple cuts needing stiches but the bleeding is controlled and multiple contusions.

Sharon was checking Hans out as he came to, looked at her and said

"Pretty, cute, am I in heaven?"

"Not yet but if you don't stop that fumbling with you hand, I can send you there quite rapidly." Sharon pushed Hans hand off her 'derrière'

"If he's able to flirt, he's OK, now your turn Mr. Lavin. Annie can you help him take off his turtleneck. By the way nice disguise Eyal, you look like a boring OLD professor. Hope you don't want to keep the full beard."

Both Annie and Eyal (well the best he could) laughed.

"Sharon no need to examine me, I'm OK I'll get medical attention in Israel.

"Take that sweater off now!"

"Sharon"

"Eyal, I'll take it off myself if necessary, I need to take a look at your rib cage"

Annie helped Eyal and what she saw grabbed her. Eyal side was red, black and blue and there seemed to be a dent in his left side.

"Eyal why you didn't tell me it was that bad" Annie was horrified at what she was seeing.

"Dammit, you have a flail chess don't you? How can you still be standing, Eyal" Sharon was prodding him making him gasps for air at her slightest moves.

"Annie let's get them both in the plane. Don't want to risk the airport personnel spotting you. Have I known there would be two injured I would have set up the plane with its two stretcher. Eyal will be better lying down so Hans will take a reclining seat."

Entering the plane, Annie and Eyal were impress with the accommodations.

"Sharon, does MI-6 always extract injured agents with this piece of equipment. Never seen such a nice looking plane. CIA is never going to get this type of gadget!"

"It's one of our finest toy, it's a day, night, and all-weather aircraft. Best of all we can tailor all of its 330 cubic feet of cabin volume to our mission's requirements: from a nine-passenger transport to a full cargo or any other combination layout: Convert it to an ISR or SAR platform with the stealthy, deployable Spectre EO/IR sensor lift and operator console (meaning eyes in the sky and/or surveillance mission): Transform it to a medevac or air ambulance. There's even a utility door for airdrop and jump operations. I just love to fly it, no need for a co-pilot!"

"Sharon, you have two other passengers, Mossad agents, on this plane?"

"Oh yes, B& B are sleeping and will be sleeping for a bit. I exchange their beverages for a magical potion of mine. They're in the second set of seats right behind you. Just follow the alcohol smell and you'll find them soon enough"

Annie looked at Sharon and asked "B & B?"

While helping a spaced out Hans in his seat and checking him out fully Sharon smiled at Annie "Short for Barbie and Bimbo"

"Hey Mrs. Welby you are talking about two Mossad agents"

"Eyal if those two are agents, Mossad has a serious recruiting problem. Here I found these listening and recording devises on them, pretty sure these girls where only props and those little gadgets they had on them did all the spying."

Eyal took the devices and looked at the girls.

"Don't recognize them but interesting costume they have on. By any chance do you have the same one under you coveralls Sharon?"

"Eyal what I have on is not important, I'd like you to lie down so I can get examine you more closely and get you settle.

"Hans would be better lying down. They gave him some sort of sedative, he's been mostly out of it since we left the safe house. Better he rest and I'll take one of those very comfortable seats."

"Eyal, Hans is quite comfortable where he is and if ever he wakes up, the view of B & B will surely distract him. He'll be just fine. You on the other hand need a bit more care. I'm surprise you able to stand and talk. Please just lie down. If you prefer I can rise the back of the stretcher so you won't be flat on your back."

Eyal finally sat on the stretcher and Sharon helped him get settle. Taking a careful look at him she turned to Annie:

"Annie, we have two options: we abort this mission and get him to the nearest hospital and that leaves those two bimbos and Hans stranded, in my book that's not a viable course of action. I purposely damage a part in the plane that I knew would take some time to fix but I can't stall for more that another hour or so. All is fixed and running but airport personnel think I'm waiting for this broken piece of equipment. Our second option is to think of a way to pull those banged up ribs back into place!"

Eyal held his hand up "Can I have a say in this discussion"

"NO" Both Annie and Sharon looked sternly at Eyal.

"It will be a pressurize 5 hour ride Mr. I know my body. Haven't you heard of possible pulmonary embolism or worst collapse lungs?"

"Sharon can you explain to me what is happening. I see Eyal breathing… his chess is expanding as it should but his left side is going inward … not normal and it's freaking me out, what happening?"

"I'll make this short: a very dangerous process is happening, because his inner left side separated from the rest of his chess wall. In other words, Eyal breaths and his chess expands but his left side not being attached to the rest of his rib cage caves in. At one point, if not treated, the left side is going to stop his lung from expanding and without medical attention, he'll die. It's a lot more complicated than that but in a nutshell that's what is happening. Need to pull out those three ribs but how?"

"Sharon, you know I need mechanical ventilation, the quicker you get me to Israel, the better. Look I'm conscious, responsive and plan on staying that way. Get this plane in the air… in other words ... do your job, that's what you have been tasked with, Mrs. Welby .. do it. Don't try to come up with a big fish of an idea, it's impossible to give me the help I need"

"Jesus, Eyal you're just gave me one. Annie need your knowledge of the Polish language. Seen some kids fishing in a pond at the end of this runaway, just behind those trees. Here are some chocolate bars I brought just in case my passengers would be hungry. Want you to exchange all of them for two of the biggest fish hooks they have and some fishing line. At the same time move the car in the airport parking lot, it will be less visible there."

Annie rapidly went about her tasks. Sharon checked Hans's vital signs and her two other guests who were still asleep, she was alone with Eyal. Sitting near him and shaking her head. "Eyal why didn't you tell Annie about the gravity of your injuries."

Eyal took Sharon hand "Sharon, my mission was to get Hans out, bottom line"

"You have a way of putting things that I can't argue with. I probably would have done the same. What are we going to do with each other?"

"Why don't you try giving me a kiss, been wanting one for a while"

Sharon went down to Eyal level "You know you don't deserve one but I also want one….."

Sharon gently pulled Eyal's head toward her and time stopped for the moment of a very passionate kiss. Eyal coughed and Sharon immediately broke the kiss.

"You OK?"

"The best I've been today, pluming is still in working order…by the way…"

"Funny, very funny, think of baseball or football statistics.. not going to happen Mr. Lavin. Let me examine you again. Your breathing seems to be getting a bit irregular and hampered, not good Eyal, not good"

Eyal might have been gravely injured but he was still in a flirtatious mood.

"Eyal can you stop, I need to listen to your lungs. If you continue your sexual bantering, I'm going to have to sedate you."

"I know full well you can't sedate me, I might need to force myself to breath… can't do that if I'm asleep"

To that an out of breath Annie returned and handed Sharon two huge fishing hooks.

"Sharon, what do you plan on doing with those things?"

"Well Annie, here is option # 2: I insert these hooks between and around Eyal bended ribs and pull them back into place. That way the pressure is off his left lung and he might just make it to Israel to receive medical treatment."

Annie looked at the hooks and shivered "You have a third option?"

"Yes, we do nothing and he'll probably die before we reach Israel"

"Sharon stop scaring Annie. We only have about ½ an hour left before they bring you that piece you asked for. I'm still conscious and talking, I.."

Eyal could not finish his sentence, he was having major pain and trouble with his breathing.

Sharon was quick to react.

"Annie give me a hand, get him lying flat on his back. It will give his lungs more place to expand and less pressure upon them."

Then speaking to Eyal "You OK with me trying this. It's going to hurt like hell but as I see it we don't have a choice. It's your only chance Eyal"

Eyal nodded and squeeze her hand.

"Now Annie get me the bottles of vodka the girls brought with them and pour them on Eyal chest."

"Sharon can you give him the same drug you gave the girls?"

"No Annie, can't give him nothing. He needs to stay awake and control his breathing. Also without careful monitoring I risk causing a respiratory depression that could kill him. Pure oxygen is also out of question again I can't monitor it. We'll certainly need the BVM at one point."

Annie looked at Sharon "BVM?"

"The portable Bag, Valve, Mask, it's called bagging a patient. A squeeze of the bags sends some air into his lungs. Annie, I going to need you but if you think you're not up to it might be better if you watch from the seat next to Hans."

"I'll be OK, what can I do to help. Should I hold his hand?"

"No, he might just fracture your hand by squeezing it. This is going to be VERY painful. Get some hand towels from that small closet and some cold water, he going to need cold compresses for him not to faint."

Sharon handed Annie some medical gloves to put on. Poured some alcohol on the first hook, gave Eyal a caring look, pushed his hair back, silently told him 'I love you' and began the task of inserting the first hook between Eyal ribs.

Sharon was talking out loud "Stay steady girl, push the hook into the cartilage, keep close to the rib bone for you not to puncture an artery, push it through the skin.. Yes it's out. "

She looked at Eyal "You ready for the next one"

Eyal swallowed and nodded.

The next hook was a bit harder to push through but with Annie help they pressed it through the cartilage and out of the skin.

Both time, Eyal had let out a couple of swear words in Hebrew.

"Damm that hurts a lot more than a bullet wound."

"Eyal, sorry but it's not over yet, stay focus."

To that Sharon took a round rod that had punctured hole all along it, she passed the fishing line through the holes and tied the lines tightly. Then she signaled to Annie to get ready with the cold water compresses. Pulling on the rod, Annie and Sharon saw Eyal ribs literally snap back into place. Sharon then secured the rod to the side of the stretcher and placed it so they could lessen or give more pressure on the fishing line and hooks.

Seeing that Eyal was close to fainting, Sharon got close to him

"Eyal, I need you to stay with me, fight it off, you can't faint, not now. Need you to concentrate on your breathing, it should be easier now. Come on Eyal stay with me. It's nearly over" Sharon kissed him softly and that seemed to get his attention.

"Annie going to need you to monitor his breathing."

Sharon installed the face mask and showed Annie how to work a BMW.

"Annie he has to breath regularly, if he want to go to sleep, do whatever you need to but keep him awake and if he has trouble breathing squeeze the bag a couple of time to help him but don't use it for a long period. He has to breathe on his own."

"The airport personnel is coming up to the plane, I'll go and meet him, whatever you do keep it quiet."

Sharon went out to greet the man and he handed her the piece of equipment she had ordered and also her flight schedule for her to fly out.

Sharon made sure everyone was secured, instructed Annie on how to take care of Eyal, checked Hans's vitals and just looked at B&B, they were still sleeping. Finally went to Eyal, kneeled besides him, took his face into her hands and kissed him lovingly. "You stay with me and do not stop breathing, that's an order!" He responded by giving her a wink and returning her kiss.

Sitting in the pilot's chair, she went through her before-takeoff checklist. Taking a huge intake of air to calm herself and "faire le vide" (empty her head) , she moved along the ground (taxiing) ,listened to the instructions of the control tower, revved up the engine, started to build up speed and she pushed the throttles to full power for takeoff, the nose of the plane began to lift off the ground and when the airspeed over the wings was high enough the plane lifted off the ground, she then retracted the flaps "We are now airborne Annie. How is he doing?"

"He's still with me and rolling his eye at us so he must be OK"

"Keep an eye on his left side, if the ribs cave back in put some pressure on the rod as I showed you. It will hurt and he'll probably talk to you in Hebrew but since you understand him, I sure you'll be able to answer his needs."

"Sharon the words he'll be saying won't be 'needs' and even if I understand them I won't be responding to them."

They both laugh, for Sharon it felt good to laugh, she had never been this affected by a medical act that she had to carry out but this was different. She was still shaking and that was not good with the job at hand. 'Girl find something to get your mind off Eyal. Got it I'll call Jacob. He needs to know he's going to need another handler for those girls and a special extraction for Eyal.'

Sharon radioed Jacob on the secure communication line they had establish.

"avr156, do you copy"

"avr156, I copy you"

"Got an unexpected surprise, you could have told me about the escorts of my new mannequin"

"Ah so you met our couple from Warsaw, were you surprised?"

"Just wait till I get my hands on you, you'll see how surprise I was"

"Now, now, no threats please, what is your itinerary"

"Am presently airborne, should be arriving in about 4 hours, will report went in your countrie's security fly zone. We have a slight change in plans: Need a new babysitter for the girls and a medical extraction for our favorite boyfriend, code 898"

"It this your way of getting back at me or you're serious ?"

"Quite serious, wouldn't not joke about this situation, get on it now avr156, over and out"

"Copy that, over and out"

Even if it was a secured line and Jacob was one of Mossad best security wise, either of them took any chances and had agreed to taking in coded phrases or words. The only hint somebody listening to the conversation could of guess this was a spy communication was the urgency code 898 but Sharon had no other way of explaining to Jacob the urgency of the situation….code 898 meant … passenger in critical condition.

Sharon as she had said the thee number had tears tickling down her cheeks, she hadn't told Annie but having experienced herself three episode of collapse lungs, she knew the statistic to surviving a flail lung and in Eyal case it was less than 25%. She also knew he knew these statistics.

The rest of the flight went smoothly and Tel Aviv was now in sight, she had tower communication and Jacob was in command. All was for the best …. But suddenly she heard Annie yelling at Eyal to stay with her, stay awake.

"Sharon, he fainted, he not responding"

"Bag him Annie and keep talking to him, I'm starting decent procedures I won't be able to guide you… I need all my head in order to get this plane down safely. Keep calm and do the best you can. I'm radioing in his condition, there will be help waiting as we land. May god be with us"

To be continued