Chapter 33

Riedman felt rather than saw the "creature" , as he taken to calling his steel-faced captor, watching him intently. The creature was in another room, but, there was a one way mirror facing him. He felt like his captor was seeing him as prey about to become dinner. As the steel-faced creature that Riedman supposed was human, though, in his mind the jury was still out on that one, waltzed into the holding area, Riedman lifted his chin in defiance. He wanted the creature to know that he wasn't the least bit intimidated by him. And the four-star Army General was not intimidated. He'd survived nearly 30 years in the Army, Ranger and Special Forces training, six years in VietNam, one as an infantry officer, five as a prisoner of war and three ex-wives. By far, Riedman thought the three ex-wives were the worst. If he could survive them, he could survive anything. Riedman knew there was nothing this crackpot could come up with to gain the information he sought. Information about his pilot. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out why. Granted Caroline Bradley was a great pilot, had the makings of a wonderful commander, if she'd give up the cockpit. Though, he'd rather she didn't. Riedman knew he wouldn't be alive had it not been for the woman's fabulous flying skills. But, she just won't give up the cockpit. So, Riedman had to wonder exactly why this thing wanted his pilot.

"Tell me about that colonel flying you!" Steelface hissed.

"Or what?" Riedman hissed

"You'll know pain like you've never know before."

Riedman nearly laughed at this creature. Did this meglomaniacal sociopath really think that highly of himself. Well, he had another thing coming to him. He had nothing on the Vietnamese. Hell, Riedman still bore the scars where his Viet-cong captors had whipped him with razor sharp bamboo, hung him up by his thumbs and even tied him with parachute cord, all in an effort to glean as much information from him as they could. He didn't crack then and he sure as heck wasn't going to now.

"Tell me about your pilot. Where is she?" The creature hissed again.

"How the hell should I know?"

"You're her leader, don't you know where your people are?"

"I've been trapped here for the past four weeks and before that I was in a hospital for two months." Riedman spat out. "Why the hell do you want her anyway? She's just a pilot, nothing more."

"Just a pilot! She is not just a pilot!" The creature hissed, dragging out his s's. "She is the wife of my most hated enemy, the commander of G.I. Joe."

"The woman is divorced, her ex-husband is an investment banker. Couldn't take her being in the Army." Riedman responded, sticking to the story the Army had provided him regarding his pilot. It wasn't information sensitive to national security. "Bradley dumped him, and good riddance. The man was a sniveling idiot." He recalled the one time he'd met the man. It was true enough the man was large, but, he epitomized the term nerd, coke bottle glasses and, hell, even a pocket protector.

"You lie. Her husband is the commanding officer of G. !" The commander yelled, slamming his fist against a table just outside the cell. "You will pay dearly for your deception."

"Just try your best." Riedman countered laughing, knowing he had more willpower than this man had patience.

"Crimson guard commanders, he's yours. Get him to talk!" Cobra Commander walked out and he was replaced to two identical men, save for the locations of scars on what would be handsome faces if it were not for their arrogance.

"As you" Tomax began

"Wish my" Xamot added

"dear commander" the two men completed simultaneously. Riedman just looked at the two men in question and amusement. He was going to have fun with these two. A sneer crept onto his face.

Meanwhile-back at The Pit.

"We're what?" Courtney's voice bellowed throughout the living quarters as Beach trued to deliver the news of their marriage.

"I bought flowers, your favorite." He stammered, pushing the roses towards her. He was scared to death of this woman right now.

"Flowers? That's supposed to make this right?" She bellowed.

"No, I just thought I'd bring ya flowers, 'cause well, I wanted to. The timberwolf, that was supposed to break the news that we're married?' He said apologetically. "That and the rings."

"Rings? What rings?' She raised her eyebrows as he pulled out the jewelry boxes and handed them to her.

"And Courtney, I didn't know either until the General told me." He lowered his eyes in shame.

"I would've rather you had asked me, unless you weren't planning to." Tears started to fill her beautiful eyes. He couldn't figure it out, one second she was screaming at him, now, she was crying. Damn. He hated to see her cry.

"Court, I was plannin' on asking ya, Hell, I bought the diamond a month ago. Its just the state of North Carolina beat me to it."

"Really?"

"Really, now, since I can't ask you to marry me, I can ask if you'd stay married to me and if ya want a big weddin', we can still do that."

"Of course, you silly oaf!" With that, he blew out the breath he didn't know he was holding. "Wait, you're not doing this because I'm pregnant , are you?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"No! Courtney, I've loved you forever. I never imagined you'd give this uncouth country boy a second look."

"Oh you silly man! How could you think that? I like the uncouth country boy!" She laughed. "He's the sweetest man I've ever known." She put one hand against his cheek. "You, you know how to treat me and God knows, I love you for it!" She leaned in and kissed him.

"So, is that a yes?" One eyebrow raised in question.

"Yes. Now, kiss me again, country boy!" She smiled as his lips took hers.