Finally some good news. Oops is that giving too much away? I must admit that I have no medical training other than what I see on the TV. Does that qualify? So all medical mistakes are mine. Thanks for the reviews. Keep them coming. Enjoy. Cathy

Raiders Folly

Chapter 14

If Doctor Blackwell felt intimidated as the six disheveled men descended on him shoulder to shoulder he didn't show it. Instead he focused on the Major standing to the side of the group. "Your man came through the surgery well Major, despite the added complication of the pneumonia. We were able to re-inflate the lung and repair the damage to the rib. Of course he is still a very sick young man. We have him on a high dose of antibiotics to fight the fever and pneumonia but I feel with time and rest he should make a full recovery."

"Alright," Casino sank down into the nearest chair which just happened to be the one recently vacated by Major Richards.

"See I told you mate," Goniff slapped Casey on the back, "Chiefy'd pull through."

Over whelmed, Casey could only nod his head vigorously in reply although the smile on his face was just as vocal.

"Thank God," Davies muttered quietly.

Actor sighed in relief, a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth before his eyes caught those of Garrisons'. He squared his shoulders and stared defiantly at the Lieutenant before turning sharply on his heel and returning to his seat in the armchair, failing to see the nod of acknowledgment or the disappointment reflected in the blue eyes.

The relief Garrison had felt moments before at the doctor's words was ripped from his heart with Actor's rejection. Garrison dropped his eyes to the floor for a moment, drawing in a deep breath before lifting his head and focusing on the doctor. His issue with Actor would have to wait. "Doctor, when can we see Chief?"

"It will be at least another hour Lieutenant, barring complications. He is still in the recovery room and then he will be moved to a private room. I'll have a nurse come and get you when we have him settled in his own room. Now you must excuse me. I have a patient to tend to." Doctor Blackwell nodded his goodbye and left the room.

"'Ey Actor, what does barring complications mean? I thought the doc said Chiefy'd make a full recovery." Goniff asked.

Actor looked around the expectant faces and sighed. "It means that Chief has just undergone major surgery to repair the damage to his lung and rib and like with any surgery there is always the chance that something could go wrong."

"Like what?" Casino demanded.

"He could have trouble waking up from the anesthetic, his lung may collapse again, the pneumonia could get worse."

"That's more than enough information thanks babe." Casino slumped further into the chair he was sitting in.

"Well you did ask Casino." Actor pointed out reasonable.

"Yeah well…" Casino began to retort but was cut off by Major Richards.

"All right gentlemen, seeing as we have some more time to wait, perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me the rest of the story. Now if I remember correctly, I believe Goniff was telling me about their escape."

Goniff sighed but took up the story once more. "We ditched the ruddy truck and continued on foot to the rendezvous point. Mosby patched up Blake's shoulder and then they 'ightailed it out of their Sir. That was the last I saw of them."

"And what did you do Goniff." Richards asked.

"Waited for the Warden of course."

Richards nodded. "Lieutenant?"

"Actor, Casino and I hid the staff car Casino had procured in the woods and walked the last mile to the rendezvous point where we found Goniff. Shortly after our arrival, Sergeant Davies arrived with a warning that a German patrol was headed our way."

Richards turned to Davies. "Where were Chief and Private Durrant?"

"About three miles from our position Sir. Chief had passed out and Casey and I couldn't carry him any further. I left them and went in search of the LT."

"Very well. Lieutenant please continue."

"Yes Sir, We hid amongst the trees. The Krauts found the dressings Mosby had left behind and they followed Mosby's trail."

"You didn't try to stop them Lieutenant?"

"No Sir, we couldn't do it silently, there were too many of them and I didn't know how many other patrols were in the area. And I had Chief and Casey to consider also." Garrison shrugged, "Besides Mosby and his men had a couple of hours head start on the patrol."

Richards raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

"After the Germans had left, we followed the Sergeant back to where Chief and Casey were Sir. Actor did what he could for Chief and then we moved out and headed for Laon, as per our orders." Garrison waited but Richards remained silent. "We were about twenty miles from Laon when Chief passed out again. There was no way he was going to make it back to England without medical help and some sort of transport so Actor and I continued on to Laon alone. I found some transport and Actor managed to locate a doctor's office and obtained the needed medical supplies including some penicillin Sir."

"What on earth was a country doctor doing with penicillin?" Richards demanded.

"I asked myself that too Major Richards," Actor's deep cultured voice spoke for the first time.

"And your conclusion Actor?" Richards enquired.

"He had to be a collaborator Sir."

Richards nodded in agreement. "Do you know his name? I'll have him taken out."

"You can't Major Richards, even if he was a collaborator, which he isn't; he is the only doctor in the area. The French villagers need him Sir."

"And how do you know he isn't a collaborator Actor. Did you ask him?" Richards demanded.

"No Sir." Actor glared at the major. "Pierre informed us that he was working for the resistance, passing on information of their choosing to the Germans. In return for the, ah 'information,' Actor accented the last word, making it clear that the so called information was questionable at best, "the Germans supplied him with the medical supplies that he needed to treat the townspeople and ultimately the resistance."

Richards sighed. "Who is Pierre?"

Garrison picked up the story. "After we returned to the team and Actor had treated Chief we continued the journey by truck. We weren't far from Cambrai when Chief started having trouble breathing. Davies went in search of somewhere for us to hide the truck and the resistance in the area found him. Pierre's father Rui is the leader of the resistance in Cambrai and his uncle is the local doctor. They took us to a safe house where we stayed for several days while Marcel treated Chief and he rested. They told us that Mosby had been there and told them that there were no other survivors from the mission."

Richards nodded. "That was the first I knew of you and your men being missing. We received a message from the resistance telling us that you were all dead or captured and only Mosby, Blake and Brown had survived."

"And you believed the son of a …"

"Casino." Garrison warned sternly.

"Of course not. I was shocked but I couldn't believe that the Gorillas were dead or captured. It didn't make sense but as the hours went on and no word came through well…" Richards shrugged apologetically. "Mosby was actually in my office giving me his version of the story when I received word that you were all safe."

"Damn." Garrison muttered. "Mosby knows we're back." It was more a statement than a question so the answer surprised him.

"No he doesn't. For some reason I didn't see the need to apprise him of your imminent return." Richards smiled and was met with a returning smile from Garrison.

"I want him and his two men, Blake and Brown to face a court martial, Major Richards."

"So do I Lieutenant, after hearing your story. I knew Mosby's claims didn't add up but he and the other two stuck to the same story every time I questioned them and I had no real reason not to believe them. At least not until I received word that you were all safe." Richards paused, noting the relief in the six pairs of eyes watching him, "But you do realize that it is going to be very hard to convince a court martial panel of Mosby's guilt, especially considering his past record and his family history."

"What that his great grandfather was a murderer and criminal who served time," Casey scoffed. "Great family history."

"Well they do say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree Casey," Actor pointed out.

"And we're all cons and the brass doesn't believe cons. Right Major?" Casino growled.

"And that," Richards agreed tiredly.

Garrison sighed. At least with Major Richards believing their story and willing to back a court martial perhaps this whole sorry mission could come to a satisfactory end. "We have signed, written statements from Rui, Pierre and Marcel, corroborating our story Sir, and Casey thinks that they will be accepted if we can get verbal confirmation from the Resistance that they weren't written under duress."

Richards eyed Casey in surprise. "You were studying law before the war, weren't you son?"

"Yes Sir," Casey replied straightening his shoulders, keenly aware that the Major was yet to include Davies and himself in the court martial hearing.

"It might just work," Richards agreed as the door opened and a nurse announced that they could see Chief for a couple of minutes but only two at a time as he was still sleeping.

The seven men stood as one at the nurse's announcement and began filing out the door behind the nurse, all thoughts of the court martial forgotten. Major Richards was just about to pull Garrison aside when the Lieutenant reached out and laid a hand on Actor's arm. Sensing an undercurrent of unease between the two men Richards thought it prudent to depart and follow the rest of the team towards Chief's room. The story could wait until the morning or rather afternoon he corrected himself when he glanced at his watch and discovered that it was already past midnight and they had been sitting in the waiting room for several hours.

"Actor," Garrison began, sighing heavily when he felt the muscles in the tall Italian's arm tense under his hand. Determined to make his second in command stop and listen to him, Garrison refused to remove the offending hand despite the disdainful look Actor shot him. "I'm sorry Actor, you were right. I do know you better than to think that you would put Chief's life, in fact any of our lives at risk without good reason." Garrison paused and waited for a response from the man that was not forth coming. Actor remained silent and aloof staring down the empty corridor in the wake of the team. "Please Actor?"

Actor drew in a heavy breath, holding it for a minute behind pursed lips before exhaling noisily through his nose. "This team is based on mutual trust Lieutenant…"

Garrison winced at the formal address but acknowledged he had it coming.

"…and if that trust is not shared by all the team members then the team can no longer continue to perform. For whatever reason, you placed me in the position as your second; to make decisions when you are not present, unable to or not sufficiently knowledgeable of the situation…"

"And I stand by that decision Actor." Garrison interrupted. "You made the right choices regarding Chief's treatment…"

Actor continued, ignoring Garrison's interruption. "…you were not present either time that Chief asked, no begged," Actor corrected, "not to let him die in France. You didn't see the look of despair on his face or the depth of fear in his eyes. Two looks I have never seen Chief disclose before…"

"…I shouldn't have put you in that situation Actor; I should have seen that something was seriously wrong before it went as far as it did, but dammit Actor." Garrison glared at the Italian conman, "You didn't trust ME enough to tell me that you thought Chief was injured in some way. Like you just said, trust works both ways."

Actor sighed, allowing some of the tension to seep from taut muscles. "I didn't make this decision lightly Craig. I was aware of the risks and so was Chief."

"I know you didn't Actor, I just wish somebody had told me what was going on a lot earlier."

"In hindsight you are right, I should have told you earlier but you had enough to worry about coordinating both missions, freeing Mosby and his men and getting us all home in one piece and there was very little you could do to help Chief anyway." Actor paused and offered a small shrug. "There was very little I could do to help Chief either."

"You did more than any of us Actor. You got Chief home alive and that's really all any of us can ever ask of you." Garrison held out his hand.

Actor studied the proffered hand for a moment before accepting the firm shake.

"But I swear Actor, if any of you pull another stunt like this ever again…"

"I don't think you need worry on the score again Craig. I think we have all," Actor stared meaningfully at Garrison, "learnt our lesson this time."

"Not all," muttered Garrison. "We still have to see Mosby, Blake and Brown get what they deserve."

"What about Davies and Durrant," Actor asked as the two men began to move unconsciously towards the end of the corridor.

"I don't know yet. I'll have to speak to Major Richards about that but I feel they more than made up for what they didn't say or do before we left with their actions since arriving in France."

Actor nodded, "Chief would never have got out of the munitions factory alive without their help and I can't help but think that he will not press charges against either man for what happened here before we left."

Garrison snorted, "I know damn well he won't."

"Then I see only one problem." Actor observed dryly.

"And that is?" Garrison queried with a raised eyebrow.

"Casino." Actor stated. "He has been very protective of Chief ever since this mission started and he won't blindly accept the fact that Davies and Durrant may go unpunished.

Garrison stopped walking and ran his hands through his hair. "Let's worry about that when the time comes. If we can get dishonourable discharges or brig time for the other three maybe he'll be happy with that."

"Maybe." Actor replied doubtfully.

Major Richards had been keeping an eye out for the two men as the rest of the Gorillas and the two Raiders spent a couple of quiet minutes visiting Chief. He hadn't been in yet to see the man but if the look on Goniff and Casey's faces was anything to go by it wouldn't be a particularly pleasant experience; not that seeing him as he was rushed past him on his arrival had been any better. Richards caught sight of the two men walking together down the corridor and sighed in relief at the more relaxed demeanor of both men. It appeared that whatever had been causing the tension between the two men had been resolved. The last thing he needed now was his top team to be at loggerheads with one another, especially if they were to successfully bring charges against Mosby.

"Lieutenant, Actor," Richards acknowledged the two men as they came to a halt beside him. "Everything alright?"

Garrison nodded, "Yes Sir, have you been in to see Chief yet?"

"No, I was waiting for you Lieutenant. Why don't you and Actor go in. I can wait and then you should all," Richards inclined his head towards the slumped forms sitting in the chairs several feet away, "go back to the mansion and get some sleep. We can continue the discussion later today."

Garrison saluted as Actor pushed open the door. "Thank you Sir."

"Lieutenant," Richards called, stopping Garrison's entry into the room. "You do realize I am going to need a statement from Chief before we can press charges against Mosby."

"Yes Sir." Garrison acknowledged tiredly before following Actor into the dimly lit room.

Garrison stood silently beside the door of Chief's room and watched as Actor read through the medical reports hanging from a clipboard at the foot of the bed. "How is he?" Garrison asked quietly as he moved across the dimly lit room to stand beside the bed. Chief was resting against a mound of pillows in a semi reclined position. Garrison noted the breathing sounded better, still raspy but without the harsh, strangled gasping and wet cough that had plagued him since they had left Laon. Even though he sounded better, Garrison had to admit that Chief didn't look any better. His cheeks were sunken hollows, still flushed red with fever; the dark lashes rested on even darker smudges under the closed eyes and he'd lost weight, a fact that even the stark white bandage wrapped around the dark chest couldn't hide. Without conscious thought, Garrison rung out the cloth floating in the bowl of cool water sitting on the bedside table and reached over to wipe the beads of sweat pooling on the furrowed brow.

Actor nodded absently, intent on deciphering the doctor's scrawl. "His temperature has come down several degrees since he was first admitted. They're giving him a high dose of morphine and penicillin. There were no complications with the surgery. The rib causing the problems was reset and the lung re-inflated. They are still draining the lung of the accumulated fluid and that will continue for a couple of days until they are sure there is no more fluid build up."

"So he's going to be alright?" Garrison asked as he sank into the chair beside the bed.

Actor replaced the clipboard on the end of the bed, taking a moment to study the slumped form of Garrison in the chair. "I believe so, with plenty of rest and care he should make a full recovery."

Garrison scrubbed tiredly at his face, "Thank God for that."

"He still has a long road ahead of him Craig; he is not going to get over this in a week."

"I know that Actor but with a pending court martial hearing hopefully Richards won't send us on any missions and Chief will have the time he needs."

"Speaking of Major Richards, he is still waiting outside. No doubt to ensure that we follow his orders to return to the mansion and get some sleep." When Garrison ignored Actor's prodding, the Italian moved around the bed and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "Come on Craig, there is nothing more we can do here tonight for Chief. What he needs now is sleep and so do we."

Garrison sighed but nodded in agreement as he pushed himself to his feet. He paused by the bed for a moment watching the steady, if somewhat slightly laboured rise and fall of Chief's chest. Garrison carefully lent over the sleeping form. "We are going to have a long chat about keeping secrets from your commanding officer when you're well enough Chief and don't you forget it." Garrison straightened, searching the pale face for any sign that the injured man had heard him. Satisfied that his threat hadn't disturbed Chief he moved quietly across the room and followed Actor out the door.

"We going 'ome Warden?" Goniff asked as Garrison exited Chief's room and closed the door behind him. "Shouldn't one of us stay 'ere in case Chiefy wakes up and needs something?"

"Chief will probably sleep all night Goniff," Actor replied.

"Yeah that's right limey, and I bet he'd rather have one of those pretty young nurses looking after him than having to look at your ugly mug."

"I'm not ugly Casino. Me mum calls me her handsome boy, she does."

"That's because she's as blind…" Casino began before a glare from Garrison cut him off in mid speech.

"This is not the time or place, so cool it both of you," Garrison threatened as he started down the corridor to where the major was speaking with one of the nurses.

"'Ow we going to get back to the mansion then?" Goniff asked as he trailed along behind the Warden.

Garrison groaned as he stopped walking and turned back to his men and the two silent raiders. Yet another flaw in his thinking and then there was also the problem of what to do with the two raiders. "I guess we go and roust out the car pool sergeant and organize a car."

"We could always nick one Warden." Goniff suggested.

"Yeah, you were pretty handy at nicking cars in France." Casino added.

"That won't be necessary Casino," Major Richards advised with a glare as he rejoined the group. "I took the liberty of organizing a car and driver for you tonight. He is waiting out the front for you."

"Thank you Sir," Garrison replied, saluting tiredly before he turned to continue down the corridor.

"Ah Lieutenant," Richards waited for Garrison to turn back to him before he continued. "Would you mind taking Sergeant Davies and Private Durrant with you? I haven't informed Captain Mosby of their return and under the circumstances I would prefer he didn't find out just yet."

"That won't be necessary Sir," Davies interrupted in an effort to deflate the rising ire he could see in Casino's eyes. "Casey and I can billet in one of the barracks here on base for the night."

"That is not satisfactory Sergeant. You and Durrant, along with Goniff are all eye witnesses to Mosby's treachery. Until this is sorted out you will both be safer staying with Garrison and his men."

"And what about Geronimo?" Casino demanded. "If you think they're in danger," Casino jerked his thumb towards the two raiders, "then so is the Indian and he's in no shape to defend himself."

"Casino's right Sir," Garrison stepped forward. "Perhaps we should stay here. I wouldn't put it past Mosby to try something if he finds out that Chief is in the hospital."

"Nor would I Lieutenant, given his dislike of Chief but I can assure you all that Chief will be well protected while he is here. Now go home, all of you and get some sleep." Richards sighed when none of the men moved. "That is an order Lieutenant and I won't issue it twice." Richards balanced on the backs of heels and then rolled onto the balls of his feet, hands clasped behind his back as he watched the six men move tiredly down the corridor. He couldn't help the smirk that lifted one corner of his mouth as Casino turned not once but twice to give him a warning glare. How things had changed he thought as he watched the men leave. In the beginning he doubted that they would live long enough to even have a civil conversation amongst themselves and now they were loathe to let each other out of their sights.