Disclaimer: I do not own Jonny Quest or any works of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos. I am making no money off of this and it is purely for fun and enjoyment.
A/N: 16FEB16: Perhaps a day late, but I went back and made some corrections. I added more dialogue at the hotel and added a scene at the end. I think it works better.
Chapter 29
As he strolled through the landscape, Benton Quest felt a sense of familiarity with his surroundings. He found himself in a field of knee high grass, gazing across the plains towards the distant tree line that marked the beginning of the deep, luscious forest beyond. The blazing sun warmed his cheeks and closing his eyes he lifted his head towards the sky, taking in the warmth of the bright, flaming orb as it burned a deep, brilliant orange.
Sighing with a sense of content that he had not felt in a very long time, Benton continued on his journey, not sure where he was headed, but also not caring.
A sweet honey-like voice filled his ears, "Hello, Benton."
Opening his eyes, he saw his wife, Rachel, before him. Her golden blonde hair and crisp blue eyes aligned perfectly to create a countenance of both beauty and intellect. Benton smiled warmly as he took in the sight of his one and only true love, the woman he would spent the rest of his days alongside. They stood in the same field where they had first met.
"Rachel," He breathed as he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close to him. As they embraced he could smell her sweet scent, her hair the pleasing fragrance of violets. The sight and smell of her intoxicated him to the point that he had no desire to ever let go.
After what felt like eternity, the two soulmates released their embrace, but held each other's hands gingerly as they strolled through the field.
"I've missed you so much, Rachel," Benton finally said after they had walked hand in hand for what felt like hours.
"I miss you too, Benton." Rachel replied, her voice smooth.
"But we are together again," Benton turned to look his long lost wife in the eyes. Placing his hands gently upon her smooth, porcelain like cheeks, he leaned in and kissed her with a passion that he did not realize was still within him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Rachel leaned into her husband and returned the kiss, with as much passion and desire as he had given to her.
"I'll never leave you again." Benton proclaimed.
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"How is he, Doctor?" Race asked, his concern for his friend was overwhelming.
The medevac helicopter had arrived on the scene in Innsmouth just moments after Benton had lost consciousness and had quickly loaded the wounded scientist on board and flown him to Boston Medical, where he had been taken straight into surgery. The helicopter, unable to take on any additional passengers had departed. Moments later, a National Guard UH-60 had arrived, another favor called in by Captain Edwards, and taken the rest of the team, minus the I-1 Agents and Heather, to the hospital.
Now, flanked on each side by Jonny and Hadji, Race placed a hand on each of the teen's shoulders as the Doctor entered the waiting room. Jessie stood next to Jonny, their hands intertwined. Jessie gave Jonny's hand a reassuring squeeze as the Doctor approached.
"It was touch and go for some time, but we were able to stop the bleeding," the surgeon, a young woman by the name of Doctor Rebecca Klaus, stated. "I don't know what was on that medicinal cloth that you used to slow the bleeding, but it worked. He's stable for now, but still critical. I'm going to keep him in the ICU for observation."
Breathing a collective sigh of relief, Race hugged the boys tightly as the Doctor gave them the news.
"Can we see him?" Jonny asked.
Doctor Klaus saw the pained look in the blonde teen's eyes, and while she was used to such reactions from family members, something about this young man's worried visage tugged at her heart strings. "I'll see what I can do. Perhaps for a few minutes. I'll come get you when I can."
"Thank you, Doctor Klaus." Race said.
"He's a fighter, that father of yours." The Doctor replied with a warm smile as she departed.
Overjoyed at the news, Jonny plopped down into his chair and buried his face in his hands, crying tears of happiness. Since the moment his dad had closed his eyes, Jonny had feared the worst. Even as they loaded Benton into the helicopter, stating he was still alive, Jonny thought he'd never see his father again. The fear of losing the only parent he had left was so overpowering that Jonny had succumbed to an anxiety attack and only after a plethora of reassurance and encouragement to stay strong from his brother and his own love, Jessie, was Jonny able to overcome the fear and recover his senses.
Jessie took a seat in the chair next to Jonny. She placed her good hand, her other arm had been set and placed in a cast, on his back. She rubbed her hand soothingly across his quaking shoulders and said, "Everything's going to be okay, Jonny. He made it and he's going to be alright."
Seeing his daughter comforting Jonny, Race felt his own heart skip a beat. Sensing the two young teens needed a bit of privacy, he looked at Hadji and said, "I should call Phil and give him the news. You want to help me find some coffee?"
Always the most observant of the trio of close-knit teens, Hadji caught on to Race's implication, "Of course, Race."
"Hey, Ponchita," Race said as he stepped over to his daughter. "I'm going to make a quick call to Corbin and then find some coffee and maybe a snack or something. You two going to be okay for a few minutes by yourselves?"
Jessie nodded, giving her father a thankful smile, "We'll be fine, dad."
Race placed a hand on Jonny's blonde head and said, "Hadji and I will be right back, kiddo."
Feeling Jonny's head bop beneath his strong hand, Race nodded one more time to his daughter and quietly exited the waiting room with Hadji in tow.
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The grass upon which they sat was warm, the sun still high in the sky, shining down upon Benton and Rachel, heating up their hearts and their love for one another.
"I can stay like this forever," Benton said as he gently took Rachel's chin in his hand. Turning her towards him, he gazed into her life filled eyes, "I never want to be without you again, my love." and kissed her gently on the lips.
She returned the loving deed, but as their lips parted, Benton saw a sadness in her eyes that bothered him deeply. "What is it?" He asked, alarmed by her sudden change in demeanor.
"We cannot stay together, Benton." Rachel whispered, averting her eyes from his own.
"Why not?" He was genuinely perplexed.
"You don't belong here, not yet." Rachel replied.
"I don't understand."
"Our son needs you still. Jonny needs you still." Rachel replied. "As does Hadji. Your place is with them now, not here with me."
Benton trembled at her words, "I want to stay with you."
Taking his hands in hers she replied, "I'll always be with you, Benton. I always have been and I always will be. Just as I am always with Jonny. Even Hadji, a boy I've never met, but love just as much as you do. I will always be a part of all of you."
"I don't want to leave you again," Benton's lips trembled as tears welled up in his eyes. "I lost you once, I don't want to lose you again."
"You will never lose me, Benton," Rachel replied, her voice kind and filled with such loving conviction that Benton knew she spoke the truth, "I will always be with you. And when the time is right, we will be here again, together like this again."
"Why not now?"
"It cannot be now, it is not the right time." The sadness in her eyes was gone, replaced with a look of content. "Now is your time with Jonny. He is becoming a man and he needs you to be there for him as his father. To guide him along the path to manhood."
Accepting her words, Benton's thoughts drifted towards Jonny and Hadji. He had sacrificed all he had to ensure they were safe, but now, he was being given another chance to be with his boys. "I understand, Rachel."
Standing Rachel pulled Benton up with her, then placing her hands upon his bearded cheeks she said, "Go now, Benton. I will be here when you do return. But I will also be here," She placed a hand over his heart, "always until that day comes."
Fighting back tears, Benton embraced his wife, not wanting to let go, but knowing that he must. As she pulled back from him, their eyes met again, leaning down he kissed her passionately, enjoying the sweet taste of her lips one last time.
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Seeing their father hooked up to the monitoring equipment filled Jonny and Hadji with both relief as well as grief; relief that he was alive, but grief due to the sacrifice he had been willing to make in order to save them. Approaching, Jonny gingerly took his father's hand in his, staring at his father's face, wondering what was going through his mind at that moment.
"Dad?" Jonny whispered gently, giving his father's hand a soft squeeze. "Can you hear me?"
Benton's eyes shifted back and forth beneath their lids; Jonny waited, but his father did not open his eyes.
Glancing over at Hadji, Jonny gave his brother a nervous look.
Hadji smiled warmly back at his brother, "He will be okay, Jonny." Hadji replied delicately. "We must give him time to recover. What is important is that he made it."
Jonny bit his lip, trying to ward off the tears, "I know, Hadj." Looking back at his father's face, he squeezed the man's hand one more time. "We'll be right here with you, dad. So please, wake up soon. Come back to us."
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The Intelligence One Crime Scene Unit out of Boston had been brought in to process the scene and were currently working diligently to catalogue the chaotic mess, the job made even more difficult by the snowfall.
As the snow continued to blanket Innsmouth, Director Corbin stood at the entrance to the pier. Agent Harris and Agent Massey stood next to their superior and the three surviving agents stared off at the horizon. The evening chill sent a shudder down Phil's spine as they watched the waves gentling lapping towards the shore.
"What were those things?" Agent Massey asked quietly.
"Things that should not exist." Phil replied.
The men fell back into their stoic silence, letting the sound of the waves fill their ears and calm their minds. A moment later Massey reached into his pocket and withdrew his vibrating cell phone. Looking at the caller he said, "It's Bannon." then handed the phone over to Phil.
Heather watched the three agents from a distance and as she saw Phil walk away to answer the call she made her way around the working crime scene techs towards him. He was putting the phone away as she reached his side.
"Any news?" She asked.
"Benton is out of surgery," Phil answered and heard the woman sigh in relief. "But he's still critical and they are watching him closely." Phil breathed his own sigh of relief at the news. He was beating himself up with guilt at having left Benton's side and even though he did it in order to save Agent Massey, he still felt the tug of guilt for having allowed Benton to leave himself open for Melana's attack.
"That's good news," Heather said. When Phil didn't respond she noticed he was staring a few yards away, at the area between the warehouse and the pier.
Heather followed Phil as he strode over to the spot. She watched as he pointed at the ground and then addressed the crime scene tech that was working nearby. "Who processed this part of the scene?"
Heather glanced in the direction Phil was pointing and saw a rectangular patch of concrete where no snow had fallen. The strange sight gave her a fright.
The young female tech turned and glanced at the spot where her superior was pointing. "I did, Sir."
"What's this?" He asked.
A little perplexed by the tone of the man's voice she said, "I can't explain it, Sir."
"Was there anything here?"
"Excuse me?"
"Did you remove anything from this spot?"
"No, Sir."
"Phil, what is it?" Heather asked as she placed a comforting hand on the crook of his elbow.
As if he hadn't heard or felt Heather, Phil knelt down in the snow. Removing a glove he placed his hand on the bare slab of concrete. Excepting the strange area to be hot, which could explain the lack of snow, it was actually cold, far colder than one would expect it to be; a cold that shot through the Director's arm to the point that he snatched his hand away, a sense of panicky terror shooting through his veins. Standing, he continued to stare at the spot on the ground.
Seeing the man jerk his hand away from the ground and stand, Heather repeated. "Phil, what is it?"
Looking back at the tech, Phil said, "You're sure no one moved anything from here?"
Starting to think there might be something wrong with the agent, the tech gave him a funny look and said, "Sir, I'm positive. Nothing has been removed."
Taking a few steps back, Phil shook his head and willed himself to look away from the concrete. His eyes locked with Heather's and he saw worry gazing back at him. Finally explaining himself, Phil said, "This is the spot where Benton fell."
"Phil?" Heather spoke his name with concern.
"He placed the book, the book he used to summon the Elder Thing, right there." Phil said as he pointed, but did not look, at the spot. "He fell on top of it. Bled on to it. And now it's gone."
"I don't understand." Heather said.
"Neither do I. But the book is gone. Vanished."
Sighing he closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't get it, but something's just not right about it." Looking back at his companion, Phil took her hands in his and pulling her close he breathed, "Let's just get the hell out of this place."
Feeling the warmth of her body against his pushed the icy chill, caused by the concrete he had touched, from Phil's blood. Holding her tight, he kissed her deeply on the lips and felt her passion as she kissed him just as eagerly in return.
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Seated on the cold snow, hands bound by metal handcuffs behind her back, Anaya sneered as she watched Corbin and Heather embrace. However, as she watched the new couple, her hatred for them began to fade as she was overwhelmed by a deep rooted sadness. Not used to such feelings, Anaya tried to push them from her mind, but her attempts to do so were unsuccessful. As the couple kissed, Anaya realized that those two shared something that she had never known; love. The same love she saw between Jonny Quest and Jessie Bannon. The same love she knew that Benton Quest still possessed for his deceased wife, Rachel. A love that bound people together, even in the face of fear and adversity. A love that possessed a person's soul and would propel that person to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save the other.
Anaya felt tears forming in her eyes. She had never known love. Had never been loved the way these people were loved. She thought she loved her father and that he had loved her and Melana, but now she realized that what they thought was love was really hate. Her father had filled her head and her heart with hate her entire life. The same hate had consumed her sister, Melana, till the very end. And now, Anaya was alone. Her family was gone and the realization that her life had been wasted had finally sunk in. She would be locked up for what she had done and would never have the chance to know what true love really was.
Hanging her head, Anaya closed her eyes as the tears that rolled down her face stung at her flesh. Too late had Anaya Zin learned that love would always conquer hate.
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The mists swirled around Benton as he searched for an exit. All he could see was the hazy fog that filled the place he had found himself in, trapped in. he was desperate to escape, to find his boys, but the mists pulsed and grew thicker the further he traveled. They wafted about his head, enticing him to stop and lie down, to become one with the mists, to feel the peace that they offered.
Fighting against the sensation, Benton pushed forward. He had to escape. He did not belong here. He belonged with his boys.
Benton opened his mouth to call out for Jonny and Hadji, but the fog devoured his words. He choked on the acidic vapor as it pooled around his body.
Pushing away, Benton fled. He fled for not only his life, but the lives of his sons. As he ran, he felt a presence in the mists.
Terror. He was not alone.
Legs pumping, arms jarring, Benton attempted to outrun his fear.
A chilling laughter poured forth from the mists. It came from all directions and no direction. Paralyzed by fear, Benton trembled as the massive form of the Great Cthulhu materialized from the hazy fog.
"No!" Benton cried.
"Welcome, Benton Quest." Cthulhu chuckled with a sinister growl.
"I killed you. I destroyed you."
Laughing the Great One replied, "That is not dead which can eternal lie."
"It can't be." Benton questioned.
"We are one now." Cthulhu offered. "Join me in Emptiness."
"No, you're dead." Benton stammered as the fear engulfed him.
"We both are." Cthulhu laughed.
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"He's crashing!" A nurse yelled as the monitoring devices attached to Benton Quest alerted the medical personnel of his predicament.
Doctor Klaus ran into the room and saw that Benton's vital signs had flattened.
"Get the crash cart!" Klaus ordered.
As the team complied, Klaus went to work on Doctor Quest.
"Come on," She breathed. "Come on."
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"Come with me, Benton Quest." Cthulhu bellowed. "I offer all you've ever desired. I offer fantasy."
"No!" Benton cried, but was drawn towards the hulking mass of his enemy.
Cthulhu beckoned him forward with a flick of his ghastly talons. "You shall love me as they love me."
"I can't." Benton fought against the pull. His throat constricted with terror, he couldn't breathe.
"Benton," another voice from the mist; Rachel's voice.
"Rachel," Benton exclaimed, "Where are you?"
"Be gone, woman," Cthulhu demanded. "This is my domain, not yours."
"Silence, Beast." Rachel's voice ordered, causing Cthulhu to visibly shudder.
"Do not listen to him," Rachel said to Benton. "Move past him. The way out is beyond."
"Do not help him," Cthulhu stated. "He must find it on his own."
"You cannot stop him," Rachel told the Great One. "He gave himself to Yag-Sobdahl."
"Yag-Sobdahl exists no more." Cthulhu countered. "He is mine now."
"He will never be yours, Vile One." Rachel told the creature.
Cthulhu howled, "You cannot deny me my revenge, woman!"
"You cannot have him and you know that." Rachel replied.
"Help me, Rachel." Benton pleaded.
"Move past him, move beyond him." Rachel's words faded back into the mists. "He blocks your path, but you can move. Go. Find the way out. Find our boys."
The form the Great Cthulhu shimmered and disappeared, leaving Benton alone to find the path.
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The following day, Race brought the teens back to the hospital. Doctor Klaus had reported Benton's progress, to include when he had momentarily flat lined, but as he had been monitored throughout the night, he had stabilized, with no other negative incidents. The other good news that the surgeon had reported was that Benton had awoken, but only for a few moments. The news was hopeful and Race felt that the worst of Benton's conditions was behind him.
As they made their way into the small room off of the ICU, Jonny smiled as he saw his father. While the Doctor appeared to be asleep, Jonny could tell that the color of life had returned to the older Quest's face.
Both Jonny and Hadji came alongside their father's bed and each took one of Benton's hands into theirs. Race and Jessie stood in the small doorway at a respectful distance.
"Dad?" Jonny said as he gave his father's hand a gentle squeeze.
Groaning, Benton's eyelids fluttered.
"Father, it is your sons, Hadji and Jonny." Hadji said softly.
Eyelids heavy, Benton slowly blinked as he awoke. Unsure of where he was, Benton blinked again as his vision began to focus. Turning his head slightly, his gaze fell upon Jonny whose face was a mix of sorrow and joy. On his other side was Hadji, his face etched with similar emotions as his brother.
"Jonny," Benton whispered. "Hadji. I've found you."
"Dad!" Jonny exclaimed as he gently wrapped his arms around his father's neck.
"Where am I?" Benton asked.
"You are in the hospital," Hadji explained, "But you are going to be okay."
Breathing lightly, Benton attempted to recall the ordeal that had resulted in his ending up in a hospital bed. The details were fuzzy, but what he could remember frightened him.
Feeling his father tense, Jonny leaned back, "Dad, its okay. You're safe now. Don't worry anymore."
"You're safe as well, son." Benton said. His eyes looked across the room and saw Race and his daughter, Jessie, standing there with looks of relief upon their faces as well. "Jessie too."
"We all are, father," Hadji said as he patted his father's arm. "Thanks to you. What you did was very brave and very selfless. I am proud to call you my father."
Smiling at the boy's words, Benton tried to remember more. "All that matters is that our family is safe."
Doctor Klaus tapped Race on the shoulder. "Mr. Bannon, that's enough for now. He needs his rest."
"Understood, Doctor. A few more minutes?"
Klaus smiled warmly and said, "Only a few. As he recovers he'll be moved to more private accommodations."
"Thank you, Doctor." Race said before turning his attention back to the people that matter the most in his life.
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"How are you feeling, dad?" Jonny asked as he stepped into the hospital room.
It had been just over a week since Benton was admitted to Boston Medical on the brink of death. His recovery had been sketchy the first couple of days since the surgery, but as the days continued on, he quickly regained more and more of his strength. If all was well, the Doctors told him that he could be released in the next day or two.
"Better, Jonny, that's for sure." Benton replied when he saw his son enter. "Where are the others?"
"They're on the way," Jonny took a seat in the chair next to his father's bed. "Race is supposed to be meeting up with Director Corbin later today."
Benton nodded. As the days had worn on, more and more of Benton's memories had returned. The entire ordeal had taken a huge toll on him, physically, emotionally and mentally. While he knew that he would have to open up about this incident and his feelings eventually, now was not the time he wanted to do so. From the beginnings with Rachel's death, to Doctor Zin's actions and those of his daughters, to Harold Steinbeck's murder, to Damascus and Goodwin, to Sheppard's betrayal in Antarctica, to the capture of Jonny and Jessie by the Zin sisters, to the summoning of the Elder Thing, and the destruction of the Great One, Benton's mind was a flood of turmoil that he just could not handle at the moment.
Pushing the thoughts from his mind, he turned his attention back to Jonny. "How've you been holding up, son?"
Jonny shrugged, "If they'd only let me stay here with you…"
Benton gave his son a little grin, "You know how hospitals are when it comes to the rules, Jonny. Besides, watching me sleep most of the days away cannot be very fun."
Jonny responded with a lopsided grin. "Yeah, but still,"
Benton saw the hesitation in his son's body language. "What is it, Jonny?"
Sighing, Jonny took a moment to compose his thoughts. "I've just been nervous lately. You know, afraid."
"Jonny," Benton started, but his son continued on.
"Dad, we came so close to losing you. My mind just has a hard time accepting that. I have a hard time accepting that. I've already lost one parent, I don't want to lose the only one I have left."
Jonny's words tugged at Benton's heart strings, "Son, we don't have to talk about this right now if you don't want to."
Jonny remained silent for a few moments, his eyes lowered to the floor. Without looking up at his father, he confessed, "When we were back on the plane in Antarctica, I heard what you told Race."
Benton inhaled audibly; he had no idea that Jonny had been awake. "Jonny, I,"
Looking to meet his father's gaze, Jonny's eyes were wet with tears. "Now I understand why you never told me what really happened to mom."
Benton felt ashamed, "I didn't know how to tell you. I was being selfish."
Jonny stood and walked over to his father's bedside, "No you weren't, dad, you were protecting me. And just like the other night, in that god forsaken village, you stared that abomination in the eyes and sent it back to the hell it came from. You were ready to give your own life to save the rest of us. To protect me one last time."
Benton was at a loss for words. Staring into his son's eyes, he saw an immediate change in the boy's demeanor. No longer was Jonny Quest the young boy that Benton never wanted to let go of; he was a man that Benton was proud of.
Leaning down he wrapped his arms around his father, the man that he loved and admired more than any other man in the world, and said, "Everything you've done was to protect me and that, to me, is about as selfless as one can be."
Holding his son tightly, Benton cried.
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Back at the hotel, Jessie found Jonny in the lobby. He was seated at one of the bar tables near the window, gazing out at the people and cars that moved hurriedly along through the falling snow. He nursed a glass of soda and his small basket of French fries appeared untouched.
Walking up to him, Jessie climbed into the chair across from him and said, "How's it going, Hotshot?"
Turning his attention towards the red-head, Jonny smiled. "I'm alright, Jess. Just exhausted." Nodding at her cast he added, "How's the arm? Has it started itching yet?"
"Ugh," Jessie rolled her eyes. "Not yet. I am not looking forward to when that starts!"
Jonny chuckled, "I bet."
Changing the topic, Jessie said, "It's great that your dad is going to be released soon. I imagine he's ready to get home."
"We all are, Jess." Jonny agreed.
"How are you holding up?" Jessie prodded gently.
"I'm ready to start over, Jess." Jonny confessed. "With everything. I know why dad kept me in the dark about my mom. I know why he was willing to sacrifice himself for me…for us. I wish things were different, god I do, but they aren't. I'm ready to forgive him and move on."
Jessie smiled warmly at her friend's statement, glad that he had come to terms with accepting what had happened. "He did it out of love, Jonny. All of it."
"I know." Jonny nodded.
"And what you did, Jonny, for me…." Jessie averted her eyes from his as she spoke.
Reaching across the table, Jonny took her good hand in his. Jessie felt the warmth is his strong hands. "I did that out of love as well, Jess."
Blushing, Jessie turned her head. "I know you did, Jonny."
"I would do anything for you, Jessie Bannon." Jonny proclaimed.
"And I for you, Jonny Quest." Jessie replied with a breathless whisper.
"This is a crossroad," Jonny spoke. "One that I want to continue on with you. With you for the rest of my life."
"Oh, Jonny!" Jessie exclaimed. Jumping from her seat she went to him and wrapped herself up in him. She felt his warmth and his strength as he put his arms around her as well.
"I'm sorry I pushed you away, Jess," Jonny spoke against the side of her neck. "I'll never do that again."
"We'll get through this, Jonny," Jessie said, "together."
Race watched his daughter and Jonny from across the lobby. He smiled as he saw Jessie and Jonny hug.
"They are meant for each other," Hadji said. He was seated next to Race in one of the plush chairs. "They will get each other through this trying time."
Nodding Race agreed, "That they will, Hadji. And they have you as one of their pillars of support as well."
"Yes," Hadji replied. "I will keep them on the straight and narrow, Race. Do not fret."
Race chuckled. As the two men sat in silence, Race heard the wind rush through the door as Director Corbin entered the hotel. Race caught the man's attention and waved him over.
"Race, Hadji." Phil said as he removed his overcoat and sat down. "How you guys holding up?"
"Well enough now that father is recovering." Hadji said. Knowing the two men had business to discuss, Hadji added, "I should call home to check on my mother and Pasha. They are both concerned as well."
"Okay, Hadji." Race said as the young sultan stood and moved off out of ear shot, but still remained in the lobby. Looking at Phil, Race said, "You want a drink?"
"Hell yes I do." Phil laughed as he ran a hand through his hair, shaking the snow from his head.
"Be right back." Race said. At the bar, Race placed the drink order then went over to Jonny and Jessie. "Hey, kids. Phil is here," He inclined his head in the direction of the agent. "He and I have some things to discuss, but we'll be right here, alright?"
"Ok, dad." Jessie said as she went back to her seat across from Jonny.
"Hadji is calling home," Race explained. "When we're done, we'll get something to eat and then stop back by the hospital. Okay?"
"Sure, Race." Jonny agreed.
Race smiled and patted the young Quest on the shoulder before he turned back to the bar to retrieve his order.
Sitting back down with Phil, Race handed the man a glass of scotch.
"How are they holding up?" Phil asked as he sipped the drink. It burned in his stomach, but it was a welcoming feeling.
"They'll get through this, just like they always do." Race replied as he took a sip from his own glass. "It'll take time, for all of us, but we'll get through it, I have no doubt."
Phil nodded as he watched the two teens, their feelings for each other extremely evident in their body language.
After a few moments, Race said, "I read your initial report."
"As I expected." Phil replied dryly, knowing where Race was headed.
"Phil, look, I'm sorry about what I said to you back on the plane. I had no idea what you went through."
Looking away momentarily, Phil paused then trying to play it off he replied, "I appreciate that, Race, but really there's no need to apologize."
"Yes there is, Phil. I was an ass."
"Believe me, Bannon, the last thing I wanted to do was keep you in the dark about Benton's request." Phil said as he took another sip of the scotch.
"Did you know what he was going to do?" Race asked without accusation.
Shaking his head, Phil replied. "I suspected, but I didn't know for sure. If that thing hadn't of grabbed Massey, I never would have left Benton's side. Perhaps he wouldn't be in the hospital if I had kept my promise to him."
Race saw the guilt in his friend's eyes and offered, "You did what you had to do to save Massey's life. And Benton survived. Honestly, Phil, you shouldn't beat yourself up over it."
Shrugging, Phil replied, "I suppose so. I just hope Benton understands."
"I'm sure he does, Phil."
A burst of laughter from across the lobby interrupted the two men. Turning their attention towards the teens they watched as Jessie covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, as Jonny gestured wildly with his hands, a wide grin on his face. As he did, Jessie must have said something and Jonny shot her a lop-sided grin before feigning being wounded by her words. A moment later Jessie jumped from her seat and gave Jonny a hug around the neck, almost smacking his chin with her cast.
"I think you're right, Race," Phil said, waving a hand at the teens. "But are you ready for that?"
Race sighed as he shook his head, "I guess I have to be. But there isn't another kid in the world I would rather my daughter be with. They're happy together."
Phil took a sip of his drink then gave his friend a light punch on the shoulder, "I'm sure you have a few tricks up your sleeve for keeping tabs on them, Bannon."
"Do I ever!" Race proclaimed. "You jest now, my friend, but wait till your girls are older."
Setting his drink down, Phil raised his hands in defeat, "I don't even want to think about that!"
Another round of laughter from Jonny and Jessie drew Hadji to their side and the three teens carried on; laughing, smiling, and sharing.
Turning his attention back to business, Race decided to delve a little deeper with his friend. "Those fishermen, how did you know they could help?"
Phil shot the man a look as he picked up his glass. "You said you read the report, didn't you?"
Nodding Race said, "I did."
Looking back at his drink, Phil's mood turned somber, "So you know how I knew they could help."
"Phil," Race said, "Come on, man, you need to talk about what the Zins did to you."
"In the grand scheme of things, Race, it wasn't that bad." Phil countered. "We all went through a lot of shit during this ordeal. Not just me."
"Bullshit, Corbin." Race replied, not letting his longtime friend get away with diverting the conversation away from himself. "They tortured you, that's pretty bad in my opinion. Josh said you almost died."
"I probably would have if it wasn't for that fisherman and his family." Phil spoke into his drink. Sighing he said, "They say time heals all wounds, both the physical and the mental."
Race took in his friend's words and said, "Just don't keep this bottled up, Phil. You've seen what that does to people. We've lost enough friends to that kind of despair. Don't be one of them as well."
Corbin gave Race an upturned smile then returned to his scotch. "Thanks, Race. Seriously, I won't."
"We've been through a lot together over the years, but this," Race said as he enjoyed his own drink, "man, this takes the cake I think."
Phil laughed. "That's for damn sure. I don't know why, but nothing is ever dull when it comes to the Quests and Bannons."
"Jessie wants you to teach her how to shoot. She was impressed with your skills in Damascus." Race said with a grunt. "Doesn't want me to teach her, she wants you to teach her."
Laughing Phil said, "You teach her how to fly. I'll teach her how to beat her old man's time in the shoot house at the academy."
"Sounds like a plan." Race laughed and he realized it felt good to laugh again.
"And speaking of flying, they pulled The Dragonfly out of that retention pond you parked her in." Phil chuckled. "I think she's a lost cause."
"We'll build another one." Race said.
Seeing his friend lighten Race jabbed, "So where's that friend of yours? The reporter. Heather's her name, right?"
"She's at our hotel. She's actually waiting on me right now. We're going to head out to Innsmouth again."
"What the hell for?" Race asked with a look of shock.
"One of the reasons I came to see you, actually." Phil said as he pulled his phone from his pocket. After scrolling to the appropriate display he handed the phone to Race. Setting down his drink, Race examined the device and saw that it was a satellite image of a large section of barren grasslands blanketed with snow.
"What's this?" Race asked.
"Satellite imagery that was taken over the coordinates of Innsmouth." Phil replied.
Race glanced at the phone then back up at Corbin, "That's impossible. There's nothing here."
Phil shook his head, "I know. I want to go check it out. Heather, of course, insists on coming with me. Doesn't want me to go alone."
Handing the phone back to Phil, Race said. "Let me know what you find."
Phil nodded as he slipped the phone back into his suit jacket pocket. Finishing his scotch he said, "Thanks for the drink. I'll call you later to let you know if we find anything."
"Sounds good," Race replied as the two men stood. Shaking hands, Race added, "So you and Heather, huh?"
Grinning, Phil shrugged.
"Good for you, man," Race said. "You deserve it."
"Thanks," Phil said. "I never thought I'd date a woman that kicked me the first time we met."
Laughing, Race slapped Phil on the shoulder and said, "You always were a sucker for the feisty ones."
"Piss off, Bannon," Phil joked. "Look who's talking."
"What?"
"You and Jade?" Phil offered.
"Well," Race said with a grin.
"Exactly!" Phil replied. "You should give her a call when you guys get back home and get settled. You could use some…relief."
Laughing, Race walked with Phil towards the entrance of the hotel as the other man grabbed his overcoat and shrugged it on. "Yeah, well perhaps." Then added, "Just let me know about Innsmouth."
"Will do." Phil said and with a wave towards Jonny, Jessie, and Hadji, he departed.
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Two days later, Benton was up and moving about, ready to be out of the confines of his hospital bed. He was still sore and stiff and he knew his full recovery would take some time, however all he desired at the moment was to be back home. He needed to engage his mind on something, anything, to get the thoughts of this latest ordeal out of his head.
"They're working on your discharge papers now," Race said as he handed Benton a bag with some clothes he had purchased for the scientist. "Should only be an hour or so."
"I am ready to get out of this place right now, Race." Benton sighed, but he knew that procedures took time.
"As are we, dad." Jonny agreed. After his talk with his father the other day, Jonny felt refreshed, as if the weight of the world had been graciously lifted from his shoulders. On top of that, his newfound feelings for Jessie gave Jonny a sense of peace and tranquility that he hadn't felt since he had lost his mother.
"I know, son," Benton replied.
"The important thing is that we are all safe and this nightmare has come to an end." Hadji spoke.
"Agreed, son." Benton said. But Hadji's words brought a dark thought back to the front of Benton's mind as he recalled the dream with Cthulhu and Rachel and Cthulhu's attempts to ensnare Benton once again.
Looking at Race, Benton asked, "So Corbin found nothing at all?"
Phil had stopped by the hospital prior to heading to Innsmouth to check on Benton and had mentioned his plan to go back to the town. Even before the other man left, something in Benton's mind told him that the I-1 agent would not find anything where Innsmouth had once stood. Race's report from Phil had confirmed that suspicion for Benton.
After returning from his trip to Innsmouth, Phil had told Race that the town was gone. Vanished as if it had never existed. "Nothing, Doc." Race said. "He said the road from the airport led straight to the ocean. No motel, no town, nothing."
Benton stroked his beard. Some unknown force had hidden the town, kept it invisible to the outside world. Benton deduced that perhaps that was for the best. The residents of Innsmouth did not desire any more outsiders intruding upon their lives and frankly, Benton thought, that was for the best for both Innsmouth and the rest of the world.
However, something still tugged at the edges of Benton's mind. Something that told him that even though all seemed right in the world, there was still a force, an evil and dangerous force, beneath the sea. He shuddered at the thought.
Seeing his father's reaction, Jonny asked, "Dad, are you alright?"
Giving his son a weary smile, Benton placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and said, "Yes, Jonny, I'm alright. Everything is alright."
"Let's go home." Benton said with a smile.
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Three weeks had passed since Doctor Benton Quest had taken his family home to Maine.
The morning was crisp. Benton had risen prior to the rest of the household that brisk, cold morning. Bundled up, with a mug of steaming coffee in his hands, Benton wandered towards the shoreline of his property. Standing on the edge, the lighthouse off to his left, he took in the peaceful serenity of his surroundings. Happy to be home, happy to be alive, happy to be with his children and his friends, Benton closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. On this morning, the scent of the sea no longer bothered him. No longer filled him with anxiety and fear.
Even in the cold winter morning, Benton felt the faint heat of the sun on his bearded cheeks as the brilliant orb began to rise against the horizon. Opening his eyes, he stared at the magnificent sight. A sight that he had shared on the shores of Palm Key with his wife, Rachel. The thought of her no longer tore at his heart because he knew she was still with him and would always be with him and their son, Jonny.
The sun made its ascent, bringing with it a new day and new beginnings. Benton took a sip of his coffee as he heard footsteps crunching through the remnants of snow that spotted his property. He did not turn. He knew who it was.
"Dad," Jonny said as he came up and stood next to his father. "Everything alright?"
Wrapping an arm around the teen's shoulders, Benton marveled at how much he'd grown. Rachel was right. Jonny was becoming a man.
"Everything is fine, son. Everything is just fine." Benton replied.
Jonny turned his eyes towards the sea and let the peacefulness of the ocean envelop him. "I remember when we used to watch the sunrises with mom." He said. "Are you thinking of her right now?"
"Yes, Jonny, I am." Benton fought back the trembling in his voice.
"Me too, dad." Jonny said as he leaned against his father.
"She'll always be with us, Jonny."
"I know, dad," Jonny breathed. "She always has been."
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In his house at R'lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.
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THE END
A/N: Thank you to all the readers that took the time to read my tale. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
A special Thank You to Goddess Evie for suggesting I revisit this story after I had finished A Daughter's Justice. Without her suggestion I probably would not have returned to this fic. So, I am very thankful to my friend for encouraging me to do so. As exhausting as it was to write some of these chapters, I am very glad I did.
