The Rescue
Chapter 21
Inside the walls of the building, before all the gunfire had erupted, Michael felt elated with seeing Fi again.
It seemed to have been a lifetime since he had been with her. He held her in his arms now, and she was looking up at him, with love in her eyes. Tracing the delicate features of her face, his thoughts were only of her sweet body pressed against him.
"Come on, Michael, let's go," Fi said softly.
"I'll need some help," Michael hated to admit that, but he felt exhausted already.
He swung one arm over her shoulder as she helped him walk out of the room and down the hallway.
But unfortunately, despite his happy thoughts, his mind could not stop working and he could not push away the comments she made about her working for the CIA.
"Fi," asked Michael gently, as he walked unevenly, "Why? Why would you want to join the CIA?"
The minute he said the words he wanted to take them back. He felt rising panic within himself as he watched Fi stop to look at him.
"Fine thing to say to me now, Michael… after I rescued you!" Fi responded, every inflection in her voice throbbing with a rush of irritation.
Usually this was where Michael would back down and apologize, but not this time. After all, he would not even be in this mess if Fi had not decided to go out on her own without even consulting him. Michael had kicked, punched and pummeled his way into the spy business only to be served a burn notice and he wasn't going to let Fi suffer the same fate.
"Fi," he tried to say gently as he held her, "I just don't think the CIA may be the best fit for you."
And here we go, thought Michael.
"Oh, but it's the best fit for you?" Fi was almost breathing fire, "and how did they reward you for your loyalty? with a burn notice!"
"So of course, that makes you joining the CIA oh, so desirable!" Michael pointed out. He kept telling himself to let the conversation go, but he wanted to make his point what being an agent really entailed.
"If it means I could spend more time with you, yes!" she countered,"because at this point, we are never in the same room until you need me for a mission, that is!"
"I can handle myself!" Michael declared.
"Like now, as I help you out of the room?" Fi retaliated.
"Actually, Fi, did you see the two bodies I laid out flat on the floor back there?" Michael pointed back to the previous locked room, "Even in the condition I am in, I can more than handle myself. I was ready to escape on my own!"
"Really now?" Fi sarcastically said, "And how would you have handled all the agents surrounding this place? Probably would have been shot! But thanks to me and Sam, we have managed to break in and rescue you!"
Suddenly they threw agonized looks at each other.
"Sam!" they both yelled out in unison.
At the same time, they suddenly heard a series of gunfire and shouting coming from the inside.
Fi practically pushed Michael away from her, "I have to get out there!" she stated, "Sam and Roberto needs me!"
Michael didn't know who Roberto was, but he knew time was of the essence. He also knew he would be a hindrance if he accompanied her. He hated to send her out where there was gunfire, but he couldn't let his best friend be harmed either. He knew Sam would have a fighting chance with Fi and her Mossberg with thermal scope.
"Go Fi!" he said hurridly, "but come back for me."
Fi gave him one more look and her expression softened for a split second, "I will always come back for you, Michael," she stated and then she was gone.
Michael had no choice but to slowly make his way back to the room with Rugova. At Michael's entrance, Rugova had looked up in fear but his face relaxed when he saw it was Michael.
"She is gone? Your Angel?" he asked.
"She has others she must save," Michael responded, bothered that he could do nothing to help. He hated not being part of the action, but he knew he just needed to keep safe until she returned back to him.
He now regretted expressing his doubt about her joining the CIA. Where was his gratefulness? And why was it okay that he was a spy and not her? She has certainly proven her spy abilities with one mission after another. He now wished he could take back some of what he said, "Rugova, I told her I didn't like that she wanted to join the CIA…I blew it didn't I?"
"You do not want someone like her to be spy?" Rugova asked, "Why is that?"
Michael looked over to Rugova, shrugged and tried to act casual, "You don't know Fi….she hates paperwork."
Rugova shook his head and chuckle.
"Yes, I can see paperwork and her not so good, "Rugova noted, "but out there where it counts, she can handle herself very good."
"Yes, Fi is very capable," agreed Michael proudly, "She will get things accomplished."
Rugova nodded.
"She may be a handful, Westen," said Rugova, "but well worth the trouble, I think."
"Well worth it." Michael acknowledged as he looked out the door to where she last stood.
.
.
Estes was hovering over a fallen Roberto, a gun pointed to him. When Estes fired, Roberto had screamed out in pain.
Sam wanted to yell out his friend's name but he could not reveal his hiding spot. If it did, it would be over for Michael and Fi as well as him.
"One more chance... you better reveal yourself!"Estes screamed as he pointed the gun at the already-shot Roberto. Roberto was whimpering now. From behind the tree, Sam closed his eyes and tried to wish it away. He needed to think.
Where the hell was Fi?
"Mi Amigo," Roberto tried to yell out but his voice faded at the end, "Don't…listen to him!"
"I have shot out his knee!" announced Estes, "And if you don't come out, I will shoot the other knee!"
"Save yourself... Amigo," shouted out Roberto, heavily breathing with his voice sounding weaker.
Sam put his hands above his head and was about to come out when he heard another gunshot that made him jump out of his skin.
There was another agonized scream from Roberto. Sam felt his insides being ripped apart as he backed behind the tree again. Sam could hear the sound of men all around him, but could not see their positions, due to the darkness. It sounded as if there were many of them. His location would eventually be found out soon.
Formulating a plan, Sam reached down and found a loose big rock.
"I have a knife here," claimed Estes, "And I will cut out your friend's eye next!"
Crap. Sam thought, breaking out in a heavy sweat. He heaved the rock as hard as he could away from where he was hiding. The rock landed in some empty grass-filled empty lot with the tool shed.
Estes was momentarily distracted as his head turned towards the sound, "He's over by the shed!" he shouted to his men.
Four men scurried in that direction towards where the rock landed.
Sam didn't wait. He threw another rock that way and then limped quickly away from the tree. The darkness cloaked his movement and he made it to the side of the office building. It was getting even darker, which would work in his favor. Time was everything now, but Sam knew he had to save Roberto if he could. If it wasn't too late, that is.
Sam then threw another rock in another direction. Yeow! he murmured to himself as he almost yanked his shoulder from his socket.
Darkness had descended completely on the area. Sam could hear the someone shouting directions but could not figure out where any of the bad guys were. The voices sounded scattered as they tried to regroup. Confusion had set in.
Sam wasn't ready to show himself as of yet.
"I will take out your friend's eye now!"
"No!" Roberto shrieked.
As Sam peeked out from the side of the building, he could make out the back of the leader standing over the fallen form of Roberto. Sam was still sixty yards away.
The leader was now hovering over Roberto and Roberto seemed to be begging, but his voice was too soft to hear.
Oh, to hell with it all, Sam thought, not caring whether or not he became an open target as he limped quickly, showing himself in order to protect his friend. He could hear some smatterings of gunshot the moment he revealed himself.
Divine intervention must have been on Sam's side for all the shots had missed so far. Sam was able to limp quickly towards the leader. The closer he got to the leader, the better chance that there would be less shots fired his way, for his men would not want to hit their leader.
Sam was maybe three steps away when he heard someone shout out a warning to the leader. Estes turned and saw Sam, who was still a good 15 yards away.
In one hand Estes had a knife. In the other, he had a gun.
"Stop the firing!" he yelled to his men, "He's all mine!"
The words did not faze Sam; all he could think about was saving Roberto. Estes had a big smile and raised his gun right between Sam's eyes.
Sam saw the calmness in the man's demeanor and knew he would not miss. Sam would try for one last final leap. But right before Estes pulled the trigger, Sam heard what sounded like an explosion.
Everything happened so fast. The leader's chest was oozing blood as he went down. When he fell, Sam looked over and saw Harry Grant, holding the gun that had killed Estes.
"Tell me the direction of Agent Nut!" Harry Grant insisted to an open mouthed Sam, "I don't want her to shoot me in the back!"
"Her presence is the least of your concerns!" Sam shouted back, "Run for cover while you still can!"
Harry didn't need a second invitation as he dashed away. The barrage of gunfire began again.
Sam was too concerned with Roberto's condition. He rolled to the ground and used Estes' dead body as a shield for him and Roberto.
You know you're having a bad day where there is a dead body on top of you, Sam disgustedly thought to himself. With much effort he was able to wriggle around in order to check Roberto's vitals. Roberto was alive, but barely.
Then Sam heard a new set of gunshots, the kind that came out of a Mossberg.
Fi
Estes' men were running in all directions as they were methodically being gunned down. Some fired back. but they only shot randomly in the blackness of the night. One by one the bodies of Estes' men fell.
When no shots were being fired at him any longer, Sam flung Estes' body away from him. Sounds of sirens could be heard in the near distance. One dark official SUV vehicle came roaring up and drove through the gate, crushing it beneath its tires, followed by two more.
Then Sam heard another welcoming sound. From up above, a helicopter was hovering near him, so close to him that his clothes and hair blew incessantly due to the whirling blades.
Whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup...
It landed at last, its engines noisy and the blades continually rotating,
Agent Pearce hopped out of the helicopter came, fully equipped with her bulletproof vest. But the safety equipment was not necessary for the gunfire had already ceased. Fi had seen to that.
When Sam stood u,p he looked with relief as he could see a tired Michael and and a dark haired man emerge from the building. An exhausted Michael had his arm slung around the other man's. It was hard to see in the darkness of the night, but Sam could make out Michael giving a weary wave. When Michael was almost to Sam, he gave him a nod of acknowledgment.
By then, Fi had also joined them.
"Sam!" Fi said concernedly when she saw all the blood on Sam, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm alright," Sam said before pointing downward, "but Roberto's in a bad way."
"We've got this handled," stated Pearce as she signaled the medivac helicopter people. Pearce could not hide the smile at the sight of Michael, Sam and Fi safe and sound.
"There's also four unconscious men in the main building," Fi stated, pointing backwards, "That handiwork was done by Michael and me."
"...and you've done quite a bit of damage out here, too," Pearce stated to Fi, as she gestured towards all the fallen bodies.
"Truly like shooting fish in a barrel, only much easier and double the fun," Fi stated, looking quite pleased.
The emergency workers from the helicopter came with a stretcher and carefully placed Roberto on it so that he could be airlifted to the nearest hospital.
"Hey, you CIA hospital people?" Rugova asked Pearce and the two agents next to her, pointing to Michael, "Because this man need help, too."
All turned towards an exhausted Michael.
"It's nothing, really," said Michael attempting a brave smile, "nothing a little rest won't cure."
"No, Michael, you go," insisted Fi gesturing towards the helicopter, "I'll visit you soon."
Michael hoped it wasn't her excuse to get rid of him. He looked desperately at her, "Fi, we're good, right?"
He asked so softly, so reverently. It caused her to stand slightly closer to him as if drawn to him by a magnetic force. Her hand then unexpectedly reached up and touched the side of his face, her fingers curving over his cheek, her thumb intimately brushing the corner of his mouth. The gentle touch sent Michael's pulse racing.
"Michael, we're always good," she assured him.
Whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup...
"Go…go!" Pearce interrupted their moment as she pointed, "before the 'copter takes off without any of you in it!"
The workers had finished strapping Roberto in and just before they put him in the helicopter, Fi came over and touched a hand to Roberto's hand. Looking down his covered body, she could see blood seeping through the blanket. Roberto was covered in sweat.
"Roberto, I'm so sorry," Fi stated as she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you for helping to save Michael and Sam."
Despite his pain, Roberto smiled, "Ah, my beautiful Amiga," he tiredly pointed to his body, "All of this is just blood and flesh, but I like to think it is held together by a glue called friendship, yes?"
"Yes," Fi's voice was soft.
Then the Medivac loaded Roberto inside the helicopter. Meanwhile, Sam had gone up to the helicopter pilot and gave a proud salute.
The helicopter pilot reciprocated. He then gave Sam a quick lookover, "Looks like we should take a look at that leg of yours, too, soldier."
"Permission to board aircraft, Sir," said Sam, respectfully.
"Permission granted, " the helicopter pilot acknowledged.
"Please don't baby him," warned Fi, "before you know it, he'll insist on a hospital wing all to himself."
"Not quite, Fi" Sam stated, "all I ask is one bed in a tiny room, along with a pretty nurse."
Typical Sam.
"Just go, " she waved him away, trying not to show any emotions, "before I slap your injured leg again."
Sam smiled and lightly placed his hand on her shoulder, "Thanks, Fi, I just hope I won't take a turn for the nurse!"
She watched Sam limp into the helicopter while Rugova brought an injured Michael over. Rugova had paused so that Michael and Fi could have their last goodbye before they meet up again at the hospital.
"Fi…" Michael spoke, as a smile played on his lips, "you can be my back up agent anytime."
Fi actually blushed as she looked appreciatively at Michael.
"That is the romantic thing anyone has ever said to me, Michael."
"I love you, Fi," he said tenderly.
Fi's eyes were shimmering, "..Go now Michael...they'll take good care of you at the hospital, and I'll come for you as soon as I help clean up here."
He flashed her a meaningful smile, " It'll be a fast checkup, I promise. I need to be with you, Fi. "
"Just tell them you only hurt from the toes down," Fi suggested.
He loved her so much, "I promise I will."
Fi didn't know why, but she had to blink back tears as Michael slowly walked away, aided by his new friend.
Michael, Roberto, and Sam were all boarded safely the aircraft. Dust flew up from seemingly from nowhere as the helicopter lifted off.
Whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup-whup...
Whirling winds whipped her hair and clothes as the helicopter ascended. Fi brought her hand up to shield the sun from her eyes and watched the helicopter until it disappeared in the skies.
Meanwhile Pearce and her agents were already securing the grounds, a very easy chore thanks to Fi's targeting skills.
Pearce then turned to Fi. Relief washed over her face.
"That was some pretty good shooting you did there, Fiona," Pearce complimented.
Fi shrugged nonchalantly, "I can't help it if bad agents stand where I plan to shoot."
Pearce couldn't help it. She gave one of her rare smiles.
"Well, tourist Faith Armstrong," Pearce said, "Our work seems to be done here."
"Strong," Fi said to her.
This caused Pearce to look puzzled, "Excuse me? Did you say strong again?"
"Strong first name, remember?" Fi reminded her, "I like the name Zara."
At this point, Pearce thought that if Fi had wanted the name Spottymaple Treblewood, she would have approved.
"Zara, eh?" Pearce pretended to be mulling it over in her mind, "Zara Armstrong? Not bad…anything else I can do for you, Agent Glenanne?"
"One more thing," said Fi calmly, as she held out a reminder finger, "Can you direct me to the nearest nail salon? I think with all the shooting I had to do, I've managed to chip a nail."
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