FF_992224_ 7/13/2014
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone you recognize. Flashpoint and its characters belongs to its creator and producers.
Disclaimer 2: This is not a crossover. Any character names you recognize from any other TV series are just an attempt to honor those characters and not reproduce them.
A/N: Four more chapters after this one...
A/N2: So, you find out who he calls...
Looking down at the phone, Sam got a mischievous look on his face. He cleared his throat as he quickly dialed a number from memory.
"Sam…" Bill Braddock began to ask. He let his voice trail off when his son just held up one finger indicating that he wanted him to wait. His gaze sharpened as he saw Sam put the phone on speaker. Sam had everyone in the cabin's attention as the ringing phone could be heard throughout the plane.
A hesitant voice finally answered with," Hello?"
"Spike," Sam greeted cheerfully.
"Sam?" Spike gasped in shock.
"Yeah, man," Sam replied, "I thought you might want to know that your app worked."
There was silence for several long moments before Spike replied. "Do you still have it?"
"The phone?" Sam clarified. "Yeah that's what I'm calling you on."
Again there were several moments of silence. "Keep it safe," Spike admonished his teammate.
"I will," Sam promised.
"Sam…?" Spike began.
"I'll see you in about three hours, Spike," Sam cut him off, not wanting to get into any discussion of what had happened or how he was doing.
"Stay safe," Spike ordered, his voice unsteady.
"Promise," Sam replied softly. He ended the call and stared at the phone for a moment, before handing it to his father. He gestured to Greg Parker, and Bill passed the phone on as indicated.
Sam leaned his head back against the seat as pain and weariness swept over him. But a soft sigh was all he let pass his lips. He looked up when Mike Francis slipped into the seat next to him, a bottle of water and package of crackers in his hand. Sam didn't really want to eat anything, but he knew it was important to keep his strength up. So he accepted both the water and crackers, eating slowly to make sure they didn't make a return appearance.
Once he was finished with the crackers, Sam leaned back against the seat again, hissing as his torn back made contact. His father reached out, gently helping him turn his body just a little, so his back wasn't meeting the seat straight on. That alleviated some of the pain, but Sam knew he was just going to have to endure the rest until he'd given his report. It was important that the military officers understood the nature of Malik's offer and intentions. He let his eyes slide closed again as the weariness swept over him again, knowing that there were still several hours before they landed.
Sam was restless the rest of the trip, dozing lightly, but waking with cries of pain more than once. He was glad that the trip was over when Pat came out of the cockpit to let them all know that they were getting ready to land. It wasn't long before they were on the ground.
Norm Holleran's phone rang and he spoke quietly for a moment. He looked back at Sam and his father. "Steve Morgan is ready to come up and get you, as soon as we arrive at the hangar."
"No," Sam said forcefully.
"Sam…" Bill Braddock began.
"No," Sam insisted. "I didn't have a choice when I was forced on that plane to Afghanistan. And I didn't have a choice when I was pulled and pushed off. This… This is my choice. He can meet me at the bottom of the steps." Silence filled the cabin for a moment.
"Ok," Bill accepted quietly, his voice a little rough. He exchanged a look with Norm Holleran.
Norm quickly informed the welcoming committee of the change in plans.
Once the plane had reached the hangar and stopped, Pat and John headed towards where Sam still sat. The other four former POWs had congregated near the door, Rob helping Mark open it and double-check the stairs that led down to the pavement.
The JTF2 and SRU officers parted for Pat and John. It was John who spoke, as they approached Sam, "Hey, boss." He waited until Sam acknowledged him. "It's our turn," was all he said.
The others saw Sam's mouth twist into a smile, but he only nodded at the two officers. They quickly moved to his sides, crouching down so Sam could put his arms over their shoulders. They slid their inside arms around Sam's waist, taking care to avoid the areas covered by the bandages. The two officers slowly straightened up, helping Sam up with them. They slowed even more when Sam moaned in pain.
"I'm fine," he gasped out, knowing the pain wasn't going away.
It was Sheppard who responded. "You know, boss," he said, smirking, "that would be a little more convincing if you weren't moaning in pain when you said it."
Sam glared at him.
"I'm just sayin'…" Sheppard wasn't cowed by the continued glare. He looked across Sam to Pat. "Ready?" he asked. When the other man nodded, they continued to help Sam to his feet.
"He's got a point," Bill pointed out when Sam was fully upright and had regained his breath from the pain of the movement.
Sam just frowned at and then ignored his father; he was concentrating on moving through the plane without the moans that had accompanied the process of getting him to his feet. Bill smiled sadly at Sam's back and then followed behind. He blinked in surprise when he reached the top of the stairs behind his son. The four other officers who'd brought Sam to the American base were at the foot of the steps, two on either side. As Bill watched, they snapped to attention and saluted.
Silence fell when the welcoming committee recognized that something significant was going on. Sam started down the stairs, Sheppard in front, and Pat behind him to make sure he didn't fall. When Sheppard reached the foot of the stairs, he stayed there, the other four having left a short gap. He steadied Sam as he made it to the pavement, waiting until Pat was down. Both officers made sure that Sam was steady on his feet before stepping back and saluting with the rest of their comrades. Sam said something too low for anyone else to hear, but it didn't change the attitude of the officers honoring him. He unsteadily made his way through the short line of officers.
When he reached Steve Morgan, waiting at the end with the stretcher, Mark and Mike, the two officers nearest, broke their salute and gently helped him up onto the stretcher and down onto his left side.
Steve heard Sam whisper, "Thanks for keeping your promise," to one of the officers.
He responded by laying a hand on Sam's right shoulder and saying, softly, "It was an honor and a privilege." Then he looked up at Steve and nodded to indicate that Sam was ready to go.
Mark also nodded in respect to Jules as she rushed to Sam's side. "Ma'am," was all he said, but he quickly moved out of her way.
Steve got the stretcher moving and the group headed over the where the ambulance was waiting to take Sam to the hospital. It had been agreed by all parties that Sam would be taken to St. Simons Hospital in Toronto. Quickly loading Sam into the ambulance, Steve waited for Jules to join him before moving inside himself. Spike closed the doors, and the ambulance made its way from the hangar to the hospital.
Mark and Mike rejoined the other four officers waiting at the foot of the steps, wondering what would happen next. They were approached by Spike Scarlatti and Ed Lane.
"Colonel," Spike addressed the group because he had no idea which of the officers was the colonel, "Generals Braddock and Forrester have asked that you and Major Sheppard join them, Major Braddock and Commander Holleran in the limo." He gestured at the Hummer limo that was parked near three black SUVs.
Mark nodded at the others, indicating that he wanted them to cooperate with the arrangements that had been made for them, before heading to the limo with Sheppard.
Spike continued, "If two of you will head over to the first SUV with Ed and the boss, the other two can take your pick of the other SUVs."
It was Pat James who asked, "And you are?"
"Sorry," Spike looked contrite. "I'm Constable Michelangelo Scarlatti, but my friends call me Spike."
"And which SUV is yours?" Pat asked.
"I've got the end one," Spike said.
Pat looked around at the others. "Do you mind?" When they shook their heads, Pat headed for the last SUV in line.
Spike looked at Ed for an explanation, but the other officer just shrugged. He didn't know why the man wanted to ride with Spike, but he was willing to go with the flow. The others split up with Mike and Aaron heading to the first SUV to ride with Ed and Greg, while Rob ended up in the middle SUV with Raf Rousseau. The JTF2 team split into the last two SUVs with Bryan Jamison and Pete Mills riding with Rob Parker and Raf Rousseau, and Sean Morrissey and Justin Carlson riding with Spike and Pat. The rest of the JTF2 team as well as the leadership of SRU Team Two were waiting at the hospital.
Inside the ambulance, Steve had started an IV and began checking Sam's vitals. He could see that the other man was in a lot of pain, and wanted to get approval to administer pain medication before Sam even got to the hospital. He was shocked when Sam refused the medication. Steve looked at Jules, at a loss as to why the other man was refusing the pain relief.
Jules was holding Sam's hand and after Steve's look, she silently met Sam's eyes. Seeing the grim determination there, she knew that this was not something that Sam would compromise on. She quickly shook her head at Steve, silently telling him to let it go. Steve didn't understand why the other man was refusing the medication, but he did know that if Jules couldn't get him to accept it, no one could. So he let it go. Sam squeezed Jules's hand in gratitude, knowing if she hadn't supported him, Steve would have continued to insist all the way to the hospital. Sam didn't know if he had the strength to fight that.
It wasn't long before they were in the Emergency Room, Steve passing on all the relevant medical information to the doctor there. Sam saw her frown as Steve said something softly. He had an idea he knew what it was.
The doctor came up to the stretcher he was lying on and said, "Constable Braddock."
Recognizing the Emergency Room Head, Sam replied, "Dr. Redfield."
The frown was still on her face when she continued, "Steve tells me you've refused pain medication." She watched Sam nod. "Care to tell me why?"
"I need to report," Sam said softly. He was holding back the sounds of his pain. "I have important information that must get to the right people. It's my duty."
"And you couldn't do that on the way?" Dr. Redfield asked.
"Not everyone was there," Sam insisted. "And I can't…" He turned his head away for a moment. "I can't do it twice," he finished.
Dr. Redfield saw the pain in his eyes before he turned his head away. She knew how strong the man in front of her was, so if he said he couldn't do it twice, he was probably right. She laid a gentle hand on his right shoulder. "Ok, then. We'll get you started on broad strain antibiotics, and I want you to take a couple over-the-counter pain capsules." She gave Sam a stern look. "That'll take the edge off, without compromising your focus or control." She waited while Sam nodded again. "And I'm going to be there while you're making your statement. I will be monitoring your condition and if I feel it warrants it, I'll stop the proceedings to care for your health." She gave Sam a hard look. "It will be at my discretion, do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Sam replied. "But I need you to understand the importance of this information. I need you to understand that it's vital for the security of our country." He met the doctor's gaze with a stern, determined one and didn't back down.
"Very well," Dr. Redfield said, "I think we understand each other."
A/N: And we'll hear a little more from Sam's perspective as he tells his story...