CH54

"What in the world is this?" All of them were in the airport after Kate had managed to get one of those loaded credit cards. It wasn't a true credit card as such. So long as there was money in the account the card would work; no money and it didn't work. Still it was accepted like it was a credit card. It was easier to get and didn't require a credit check since she wasn't actually asking for credit. Kate put most of her $120 grand into it.

Alexis had purchased everything using her new local computer and now they were standing inside the airport looking at a section called TSA. There was a monstrous line leading up to a bank of machines. "They didn't have this before?" Rick questioned quietly as Alexis read the signs that were posted out front. "No. You got your ticket, checked your bags, and walked out to the plane. Showed them your boarding pass and got on the plane. What the hell is this?" Rick had argued that they could take their ship and go to Orlando. There was lots of water there for them to hide in. "And walk to where?" Kate had countered. Besides flying was easy and for the most part safe. It just took time.

Alexis was back. "It's a security line. They want a picture ID or passport, boarding pass, and then they search you and your luggage before you get even close to the plane." None of them had passports, but they did all have a picture ID. Kate had her drivers license updated and the others got a simple photo ID. It had taken them half the day. She had to take an eye and a sign recognition test as well as answer a twenty-five question quiz that she had to get twenty correct. She ended up only answering twenty-two of the twenty-five questions since she had missed three of them early on. Had a photo taken, laminated it on site, and they were all set.

They had to show them at the ticket counter just to get their tickets. "We better not miss our flight," Kate complained. They got in line and wound their way back and forth, back and forth till they reached the guy at the podium. He looked bored. He took their ID cards and boarding passes, shined a blue light over everything, circled a couple of things, made a mark and handed everything back and then took the next person.

Next came dumping practically everything they had on them into plastic bins and walking between two poles. Kate was singled out since little Rick was in a stroller that they had purchased that was being used to not just carry him, but his diaper bag, bottles of water, snacks that they hadn't yet eaten.

The stroller was searched, Kate was searched. "Stand here, spread your legs. Do you have anything metal on you?" He waved a wand all over her body. Then things went from uncomfortable to worse. Claire kept making the red light go on and a noise would sound. She kept taking things off and placing them into plastic bowls. "Perhaps you'd like me to strip and give everyone a show?" Claire had had just about enough of this.

Then it was Alexis's turn. "Come with me please." She was escorted to a side room. "Where are you taking my daughter?" Kate questioned a little too loud. She was conflicted. She had her son to take care of; she needed to put herself back together including her shoes; to not leave him and not let them take her daughter. "I'll be fine Mom, I can take them." Alexis knew her hand-to-hand training would help. Besides none of them looked to be armed.

Eventually Alexis came back out looking pissed as hell and yet unharmed, however, she started walking the wrong way. "Alexis!" Kate yelled at her. "I have to go back down to ticketing and check this." Alexis waved her medical bag at them and was escorted out of the security area.

While their watches had gone through the x-ray machine, they had not been singled out since they weren't explosive devices. Alexis had to go through getting her bag boxed and tagged. "On my way back," Alexis told them over her watch.

She was allowed to bypass most of it and eventually they were walking down the concourse looking for their gate number. Since they were late additions they didn't get first class. Kate didn't really want to know what a last minute first class ticket cost so they were herded like cattle into the economy section.

They were leaving at 3:30 pm and arriving at 6:36 pm. They were given a small snack, something to drink, and then had to wait. Little Rick had complained during take off and Kate was doing what she could to quiet him till Alexis reached over. "It's the air pressure." She gave her baby brother a pacifier which equalized the pressure in his ears quieting him, getting several thank yous from the surrounding passengers.

After getting their bags off of the carousel they headed for ground transportation where they found that Disney had a method to get them to their hotel. Everyone got a card and up to the top floor they went.

Green carpet, well mostly green anyway. Wood tables, burnt orange sofa with green throw pillows, wooden chairs with green cushions. They could see an A-shaped building not far away and watched as small trains on an elevated track went in and came out the other end.

Each bedroom had a king-sized wooden bed, the same green carpet, the same wallpaper on the walls, a wooden dresser. The bathroom was simple looking, nothing like the ones they had on their ship that was lying in little pieces on that cursed planet. A knock at the door had Rick answering it and an older woman rolled in a bassinet for his son to sleep in.

It was just after 8:00 pm. "Dinner?" Kate asked hopefully just as her son informed everyone he was going to be fed first. It was almost 9:00 and they were down in the lobby asking about where they could eat. They were too late for a dinner with a show, but made a reservations in two days for the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at 5:15. Still they needed to eat tonight and Rick chose the second he heard the magical word, steak. Shula's Steak House in the Dolphin Hotel. They were told how to reach the buses that would take them anywhere on Disney property they wished to go and that the restaurant was open until 11:00. They now had reservations for four at 9:30. "The buses run every few minutes, you'll be fine," they were told.

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"Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Studios, or Animal Kingdom?" Kate asked as she pushed little Rick down the hall towards the elevator. In the end they asked someone at the front desk. "We have a six day park hopper," Kate replied. They all nodded yes to her question of, "First time here?"

"In that case I would suggest that you leave two days for Epcot, one day for each of the other parks, and then move around as you please on your sixth day. Go back to whichever park you liked the most. A park hopper allows you to enter and leave which ever park you choose as often as you please. Let me just check... Historically, Animal Kingdom has the smallest crowds meaning your wait times will be lower. Do you know where the buses that will take you there are located?" And she got her answer. "Please enjoy your stay, come and go as you wish. If you have questions just ask any cast member in any of the parks, they will do their best to help you or answer your questions. Be advised there are a limited number of rides in any park that are suitable for an infant to ride."

The ride was long and short at the same time. The walk just to get to the gate to insert their ticket into and place their forefinger on the blue light was long and they had to go through yet another security checkpoint before they even got that far. "What's with all the security Mom?" Alexis didn't understand. "I have no idea, it didn't used to be this way," Kate responded.

Just inside Alexis found maps of the park and got one for everyone. "It's bigger than I thought it would be," Claire commented. "This is just one of four parks and she suggested we give this Epcot two whole days." She was impressed. It was still more walking, see occasional wildlife, cross a large wooden-looking bridge and then right in front of them was the largest tree any of them had ever seen. "It says it's the Tree of Life." Alexis read off of her map. "It says there's a show, something called a It's Tough to be a Bug!" Alexis kept reading her map and led the way since she wanted to see what it was.

"They wouldn't!" Claire yelped as this little bug readied itself to hit them with stink gas. "OH DEAR!" Claire waved the air in front of her. Next was getting hit in the face with acid (just water). "That was pretty cool!" Alexis exclaimed as the show ended. She had loved it! "Please remain seated as we ask all the real bugs in the theater to leave first," the announcer said and soon everyone including them, felt a hoard of bugs scurry under their butts. It had everyone jumping, laughing, and giggling. "THAT WAS SO COOL MOM!" Alexis was liking Disney already and started consulting her map about what was next.

They saw places to eat and places to buy things. They walked through each and every place that sold things to see what they had. Pangolni Exploration Trail turned out to be next followed by Kilimanjaro Safaris. The Safari was bumpy and in some cases they got only a glimpse of some of the animals. They were all old news to Kate but totally new to Rick, Claire, and Alexis. A quick stop to check on little Rick and they were back at it.

Flights of Wonder, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Kali River Rapids (Where everyone got soaked to the skin thanks to waves of water crashing over them and having a waterfall crash right onto Alexis's head which had her laughing. Getting off the ride, "I'm soaked," Alexis stated as she stood there dripping water, but smiling wide. She was dry an hour later), Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. It was there that they found their first obstacle. Their son was just too small and young to go on the ride. So they traded places. Rick went with Claire while Alexis stayed with Kate and her little brother. Then it was their turn.

Kate and Alexis were both screaming at the top of their lungs and Kate taught her to raise her arms high instead of clutching the bar for dear life. "We have to do that again," Alexis exclaimed gleefully as Rick and Claire waited for them since the wait time was only ten minutes, most of which was spent walking through the maze to just get to the ride.

"THAT WAS SO COOL!" Alexis said when they met up again. Since they were in the area and it was time for lunch they stopped at Yak and Yeti Local Food Café .

The Boneyard, Finding Nemo the Musical, Primeval Whirl (Another ride that wasn't suitable for infants so Kate sat this one out. "You can watch him for the next ride babe," she told him when he objected to her deciding to sit with their son while they enjoyed the ride.), Tricera Top Spin (Only Alexis went on this one), Dinosaur "Back 65 million years to save the last dinosaur on this thrilling and sometimes frightening journey through the past and the dark." Alexis read off of the description in her map. It was another ride that was not for infants.

Rick and Claire went first and said nothing to Kate and Alexis who took their turn. "Is that what you had on that planet Richard?" Claire asked him after they were gone. "Pretty much, just without the vehicle, and they really were trying to eat you." Rick grimaced; he hadn't much cared for the ride. "Oh my word." Claire now had a greater appreciation for what her son and his family had gone through and hugged him from one side.

Little Rick started to get fussy while Kate and Alexis were gone. "He's clean and dry," Claire announced and tried to get him to take a bottle that only had water in it. It worked for a little while, at least until Kate and Alexis could be seen walking their way. "We're never riding that ride again. ...Ever!" Alexis announced vehemently. Claire stood to hug her tight and was hugged in return. "Thanks Grams." Everyone hit the restrooms while Kate nursed her son and put him back in his stroller to sleep. She silently agreed with Alexis – they were never coming back to this ride.

Festival of the Lion King, Greeting Trails. It was there that they finally stopped and met Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and others before walking over to an ice cream vendor. They did some shopping on their way out to get back to their hotel and rest for an hour before taking another bus over to something called Downtown Disney.

Rick came away with a green t-shirt that had the Tree of Life on the front. Alexis came away with a monkey that had golden hair highlights in his hair. It actually caused her to cry; her beloved Monkey Bunkey had been lost on that stupid planet. Claire came away with a Princess hat while Kate found Disney Monopoly and stuffed it into a carrying space on her stroller.

Alexis petted her new monkey all the way to their hotel. "I'm sorry pumpkin." He knew what that stuffed animal meant to her. He couldn't even begin to guess how many times he had washed it and sewn it back together. Alexis remained silent and wiped away a tear that had escaped. "Stupid dinosaurs," was all she ever whispered till they reached Downtown Disney.

"They're joking right? Does your planet have a fixation on dinosaurs?" Alexis demanded not really looking at anyone as they looked at the outside a of restaurant called T-Rex. They went inside just to see what it was like. "I'm not eating here Mom." Alexis looked at Kate with 'Please don't make me eat here' shining in her eyes. "Let's get out of here," Kate said and had to hustle to catch up with Alexis who was the first one out. "If only your planet knew what it was really like to have man-eating dinosaurs trying to kill you." Alexis kept her back facing the restaurant.

They found dinner at a place called House of Blues.

Kate - Street Tacos

Rick - St. Louis Ribs

Claire - Jambalaya Bowl

Alexis - Pulled Pork Sandwich and Buffalo Chicken Salad

Little Rick - Mother's Milk

They had three parks left in Disney before they moved to the next hotel and toured Universal.

Kate slipped in behind her husband as he just finished brushing his teeth. "How's Alexis? She's been tense lately." Kate spoke into his back. Rick spun in place and found that she was just as naked as he was. He gently tilted her head up so she could look at him. "Hurting a little. She lost Monkey Bunkey on that planet." Kate pressed her face into his chest. "OH NO!"

Kate had seen her clutching that washed and damaged monkey to her chest like it was the most precious item she owned. "Stupid dinosaurs." She agreed with Alexis's assessment of them. "I saw her leaving Animal Kingdom with a monkey. It wasn't the same one, but maybe that's a good thing." She kept speaking into his bare chest. "Alexis needs new memories, we all do. That planet almost killed us. If your father hadn't shown up..." She trailed off not wanting to think about what had been coming their way. "Admittedly not who I thought might find us," he remarked. She looked up at him. "Make love to me. I want to feel you, to know that I have someone I love who loves me back." She kissed his chest and held him close.

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"What have you two got?" Rita entered the house they were using in New York. "We've got another hit. Facial recognition. Javi and I waited for you before going there since it'll be too late," Kevin said. "Why too late?" Rita queried. "She was at JFK, likely already flown out by now," he told her. "Alone?" He shook his head. "The white male and two white females were with her and she was pushing the baby in a stroller. A big fancy one at that, not one of those cheap umbrella kind." He was familiar with strollers since Sarah Grace was still using one when she got tired of walking which happened a lot.

"You're with me, we're going to find out what the security cameras have. If she flew out find out how she paid for it. If we're lucky she's created a paper trail and we'll know where she went. And check with the airlines, find out what flights left near that time slot. It couldn't have been an international flight since it's not likely that any of them have passports," Rita told Javi. "Mike will be here in a few hours and Jack's on his way. We'll spread out as much as necessary. Forget our project; this is our top priority now." Rita walked right back out with Kevin behind her.

It took time to reach JFK and even more time to get security to cooperate and start looking for Kate. "There," Rita pointed. "The Delta counter." Kevin took out his phone while Rita followed her every move. Kevin was talking to Javi while Rita and he watched her go through security. TSA singled out the teenager who went all the way back to ticketing. "She had something on her that the TSA wouldn't let her take on the plane so she checked it." Rita followed her as she was escorted through security on her trip back.

Rita kept track of her all the way down the concourse. "Here, find out where this gate was flying to," Rita told Kevin who was back on his phone. Rita watched them sit there till Kate picked up the baby and took him into the ladies restroom with a diaper bag. "She's tending to the baby almost like its her own." Rita watched every move and every stroke Kate gave the baby with an occasional kiss to his head. "She's kissing the male and even hugging and kissing the teenager," Rita commented, not understanding. "Stockholm syndrome?" Kevin questioned while he waited for Javi.

Stockholm syndrome, or capture-bonding, is a psychological phenomenon described in 1973 in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with the captors. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors for an act of kindness.

"Orlando, it landed at 6:06 pm yesterday. Javi's running financials to try and find a credit card," Kevin related after hanging up the phone. "We need tickets to Orlando, let's go. Advise your wife that you're leaving the city on a case and that you're sorry for the short notice." Rita took out her own phone to inform Mike who would inform Jack when he could. "We'll purchase what we need when we get there." Kevin hustled to catch up to her since she was quick.