Janet Evanovich owns all rights. Original characters: Colonel Davidson,

Jae Davidson, Soo Min Davidson and Miri Sihn.

A Walk Through Hell

Chapter 13: Destiny

I stand in the shower of my hotel room, my skin raw from scrubbing the filth from the polluted river from my body. I lean my head back into the spray, washing the soap from my hair. The mixture of heat and exhaustion making my lids grow heavy.

I had spent the last several hours taking stock of our situation. I arranged for our flight to Sammok, South Korea; where we would return the two young girls to their families. However, leaving them there unprotected had weighed heavily on my mind. Anything of any monetary value that I could give them would be seized upon their arrival. I searched for loop holes to supplement them somehow. I spoke with my lawyer, working out the logistics. My heart felt lighter with the progress we made, the girls and their families would never want for anything again.

We learned that the injured woman's name is Miri Sihn, a 21 year old South Korean native. She was sold to traffickers by her parents after refusing to accept an arranged marriage proposal. She was sold for 500,000 Korean Wons, or 430 American dollars. She was to be delivered to a forty nine year old Chinese farmer, where she would serve as his slave in all regards. Binkie's face had grown dark with anger as she told her story, his jaw clenched tightly. I had watched as he took her hand in his, whispering to her adamantly "Your worth far exceeds ANY amount of money." Miri had blushed at his words, once again brushing Binkie's hair back away from his forehead. The gesture seemed so natural, so routine, as if they had spent years comforting each other.

Jae told us of her mother's death. For the last two years of her life Soo Min had been addicted to crystal meth, the drug of choice in Korea since the Korean War. She finally succumbed to her addiction last year, leaving Jae to fend for herself. After her mother's death, Jae went to the local shelter for help, only to be pawned off as a bargaining chip. However, this turn of events would finally bring an end to a father's search for his daughter.

Jae was thrilled with the idea of moving to the U.S. She dreams of going to college to study medicine. I plan to make those dreams a reality. No expense would be spared in her education. The Colonel and his daughter had a long road of healing ahead of them; but I know that Jae's life will be fulfilled in ways she has never imagined. I watched as they smiled and laughed together, reconnecting after so many years apart; the resiliency of youth aiding Jae in her first steps towards a new beginning.

I step out of the shower, quickly towel drying and dressing. I grab the remainder of my personal items, shoving them into my duffel bag. I am anxious to get to the airport; our flight is due to leave in two hours. I exit my room, walking down the hallway towards Binkie's suite. I knock once before letting myself in, pausing in amusement as I take in the scene before me.

Binkie's face is flushed with warmth as he is being doted upon; His blue eyes captivated on his care taker, dimples peeking through with his bemused smile. The overall affect making him appear much younger, like a love sick school boy.

Miri sits perched on the side of Binkie's bed, spoon feeding soup to him. She had ordered it from room service, promising Binkie's rapid recovery.

"This soup is really good. I've never tasted anything quite like it." Binkie chivalrously complements her choice of dish, swallowing another spoonful. "What's in it?"

"It's called Bosin-Tang." Miri smiles warmly, pleased with his approval. "It's made of soybean paste, garlic, ginger, green onion, red pepper and dog meat."

Binkie quickly turns an alarming shade of green, valiantly keeping a smile plastered onto his face; trying desperately not to offend her. "Dog meat…" he echoes her, his expression looking strained as he swallows roughly.

"Umm hmm, my ancestors believed that the ingredients help to warm the stomach and increase physical stamina. I would have preferred to have given you Gaesoju… but this will have to do." Miri sighs regretfully, tipping another spoonful into Binkie's taut lips. His eyes watering slightly as he forces the soup down his throat.

"Oh… and ahhh… what exactly is Gaesoju?" Binkie asks warily, trying unsuccessfully to sound nonchalant.

"It is a fermented wine, made with boiled dog penis… it is very effective in supplementing energy and restoring body heat."

Lester barks out a laugh, quickly trying to disguise it as a cough. "Well, I for one think Binkie needs all the help he can get… it would be such a shame to settle on the soup alone. I would be more than happy to go and get a bottle of that wine for you. After all, Binkie's health is at stake here and it would really be no trouble at all…"

"NO! No no, it's fine really. I feel MUCH better already!" Binkie quickly interrupts, his face panicked. "Actually, I've never felt better." He smiles manically at Miri, sitting up to showcase his instantly restored state of health.

"Oh, I don't know… you still look a little piqued…" Lester muses, his voice dripping with feigned concern.

With Miri's head turned the other way, Binkie discreetly pins Lester with a murderous glare, mouthing "You're a fucking dead man!" to him; his hands tightening around an invisible neck.

Binkie's hands drop quickly into his lap as Miri turns back to him. "Are you sure? I think he's right you know, the wine really would be helpful and…"

"Really, I feel great… The soup definitely did the trick," Binkie smiles genuinely as he sees the now empty bowl.

Miri frowns slightly, debating the truth behind his words. "All right then, but tell me right away if you start to feel cold or tired."

"Okay, I will… I promise," Binkie's eyes take on a dream like quality as he listens to her speak, the boyish smile making its reappearance.

"Miri… I'd like to take a look at your foot if that's okay. I have all of the stuff that I will need to wrap it in the room next door. It will be much less painful for you once it's stabilized." Bobby asks, tentatively holding his arms out to lift her.

Miri's eyes swivel to Binkie, a look of unease on her face. He gives her hand a reassuring squeeze before speaking to her gently. "It's okay, you're safe. Bobby will take good care of you and if you need anything I'll be right here."

Miri searches Binkie's eyes for a moment, a look of complete trust and confidence washing over her features.

"Okay," she said softly, turning to give Bobby a timid smile.

Bobby picks her up carefully, carrying her out of the room; closing the door behind him.

Lester snorts from the corner or the room, his arms folded over his chest.

"Whipped," he teases Binkie, shaking his head.

Binkie glares back at Lester, daring him to say more.

"What? Don't tell me you're going to deny it." Lester raises his eyebrows incredulously. "Any man would eat THAT…" Lester shivers pointing towards the empty soup bowl, "Is obviously in love."

Binkie blushes, averting his eyes from Lester. "No, I'm not trying to deny anything. It's just that I… I don't really even know how to explain it. The second I saw her, I just felt this overwhelming need to protect her. There was this instant connection… like she's always been a part of my life. Like I had found a piece of myself that I hadn't realized I'd been missing. It felt like everything that has happened in my life was purposefully to lead me to that moment… to her…. God, I sound like such an idiot." He sighs, shaking his head in embarrassment.

"No… actually, I know exactly how you feel." Binkie stared at me, his mouth hanging open in shock that I would share such personal information. "The first time I saw Stephanie I felt the exact same way. In that moment I knew that we were meant to be together… that we were made for each other. It scared the hell out of me. I had never needed anyone before, never really wanted anyone before… and suddenly I couldn't live without her. I tried to stay away from her…, to deny my feelings for her and I ended up hurting us both."

I turned to look at Binkie, willing him to learn from my mistakes, "People spend their entire lives looking for that kind of love, that kind of connection. Take my advice and don't waste a minute of it; because if you lose her… you'll never forgive yourself."

Binkie's eyes are torn and pleading, "I don't know what to do, man. I can't leave her here… but I can't stay here either…" He scrubs his hands over his face dejectedly.

"I called in a few favors… I was able to access a birth certificate and passport for Miri. She is free to travel to the U.S. For some reason I'm thinking she would really enjoy Trenton…"

Binkie eyes widen in surprise, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Oh, thank God. I don't know if I'll ever be able to thank you enough. I hope that she'll agree… but if she accepts, I can guarantee you one thing… I will definitely be in charge of the cooking!"

I sink down lower into my seat, trying to give Binkie and Miri some privacy. The close quarters of the plane not helping in my efforts. I try unsuccessfully to tune out their voices but their words come unbidden to my ears.

"But… I want to stay with you." Miri whispers pleadingly.

"Listen… your apartment in the Rangeman Building will be right next door to mine. You can come over any time you want." Binkie rushes to appease her.

"Then why do I have to live next door." Miri chokes, hurt seeping through her words.

Binkie blew out a puff of air, lowering his voice further. "Miri there is nothing I would like more than to take you home with me… but it just doesn't feel right. The things you have been through, the way that you have been treated is appalling. I want to take things slow, to give you the opportunity to CHOOSE me. I don't want you to feel indebted to me in anyway. I want to prove to you that I am deserving of you. You are so beautiful Miri… I really want to do this right. To give you time to heal and to decide what you want out of life. No one will ever take your choices away from you again."

"But, I already…"

Binkie held up his hand to stop her protests. "I know… believe me I feel it too; but I need to do this. I was raised by a single mother and my respect for women runs too deep to take advantage of you in any way. Please Miri…"

"Okay, but I'm not going to change my mind." Miri finally relents, her tone of voice telling me that the current arrangement will not be in effect for long.

Binkie smiles warmly at her, putting his arm around her shoulders protectively. Miri snuggles into him, a happy sigh escaping her lips.

I contemplate Binkie's words and his actions over the course of the mission; his life defining the meaning of integrity. I make a promise to myself to further Binkie along in his career. A man of his caliber is irreplaceable. He has earned my respect and gained my trust; and I am proud to call him a friend.

I think of the atrocities that have brought us all to this point; the indescribable evils that we have faced.

I look at Binkie and Miri, the joining of soul mates; from halfway around the world, brought together by fate. Their lives destined to be entwined with one another.

I think of my relationship with my Babe. Had I not been brought to the brink of death I would still be hiding behind my walls of defense; denying myself and her, the future that is meant to be ours. In That moment, the one that I believed to be my last; everything around me came into focus, all that I could see, all that I could feel… was her. My hearts deepest desires and my life's greatest regrets taking the form of the woman I love. And suddenly, I realize that my worst nightmare has opened up an entirely new future for me; a future that I had only allowed myself to live in my dreams.

I look out the window of the plane, the sun burning a brilliant pink as it rises above the horizon.

The start of a new day, the beginning of a new life.

TBC…

*The soup and wine in this chapter are authenitic Korean dishes.

*I really did mean for this to be the last chapter, but as SueB clearly foresaw, the story wasn't ready to end quite yet. I hope you are all still enjoying this story! I personally have fallen in love with Binkie *Shhh! Don't tell Ranger!*

I would like to thank everyone who has left me a comment so far, I really appreciate the time you take to leave me your feedback. *hugs!*

Ranger and Stephanie's reunion up next!