Chapter 6 - The Rescue
Rick's Story
March 7, 1944
They had landed near Camp McArthur thirty minutes ago, but they still had to
go through many security measures to be allowed into the camp. Although if
anybody had seen the soldiers at McArthur they would probably figure these
guys were not really concerned with those that may invade the camp by truck.
General Reyes and Mr. Stackhouse had been nice enough to vouch for Rick as
he made his way into the camp, trying to make sure that his son was alive.
As he passed the plane yard looked out to see nothing but rain, mud,
shivering bodies, it felt great to be back in England.
He was scared. For the first time in nearly eleven years Richard O'Connell
was scared. He didn't allow himself to be scared when he had to leave Evie
on this ship, he didn't allow himself to be scared when he found out that
Alex might be dead. He couldn't, if he had allowed his emotions to take
over than he wouldn't have been able to function and keep everyone else
around him alive. Even when Evie had been "killed" he didn't allow himself
to be afraid, pain of loosing her yes, but not fear. He had to push that
aside for his son and brother-in-law. He got scared when he saw Evie alive
again. At that moment, the thought of loosing her again was what kept him
up most of the night.
Now that he was about to see his son for the first time he allowed himself
to be scared because there was no one there that he had to be strong for
and he could allow that fear to overtake his body and mind. He hadn't even
noticed when they finally pulled up to the back entrance to McArthur. He
couldn't even feel himself step out and follow Reyes and Stackhouse inside.
He did register all the men sitting in what was now the mess hall, but he
didn't register their faces he was looking for his son, he was looking for
Alex. He did hear Reyes call out to someone, but he didn't hear a reply
until the man was standing next to him.
"Mr. O'Connell, this is Lt. Gabriel Scott, he was the one who accompanied
your wife on her journey over to America, he is also a friend of Alex."
Reyes explained. Rick looked up at him, "You went with my wife?" "Yes
sir, and if you will follow me I will take you to where Alex is at." Rick
still didn't let the relief flow through him, he allowed hope, but relief
as far as his son was concerned would not come until he had him in his arms. They walked a series of stairs that led to the bunks that the soldiers were staying in. Neither man said anything, waiting for the reunion of Father and Son.
Lt. Scott opened a heavy oak door and stepped in to let Rick follow him.
"He is over there." Gabriel said as he pointed to a figure sleeping on
fifteen cots over. With measured assurance Rick walked to his son,
Lt. Scott bowed his head and left, allowing the two men to have privacy at
what must be a great reunion. Rick registered the gesture but kept walking
towards the sleeping figure. When he got close enough to see, his body
shook with relief at the sight of his son. He sat down next to him
watching his chest come up and then go down. The purest sign that his only
son was alive and well.
He wasn't sure how long he was there, but it seemed like only seconds until
he saw the butterfly movements of his son's lashes against his cheeks.
Alex's Story
March 7, 1944
When he opened his eyes the first thing he thought he would see was the
blank wall next to his cot, not a body. When he registered that this was a
familiar body he thought it was Gabriel, but when the body whispered,
"Alex" his eyes brought into the focus, not Gabriel, but his dad. "Dad?"
he asked. It was then he felt the crushing embrace of his father and then
he brought his arms around and crushed him right back.
He couldn't believe that his dad was right in front of him. Neither did
his dad by the looks he was giving him. They spoke in unison, "How?" They
both smiled and Alex let his father speak first, but Rick couldn't speak,
couldn't find the words to let his son know what happened and the relief he
felt in seeing that his son was alive and well. "Well one of us should say
something soon..." Alex said. Still not one took the advice there was just
too much to tell.
"Are you hungry?" Alex finally asked. Rick hadn't even thought about food,
"Yes, I am." he replied. "Good, we can go down stairs and get something."
They walked down the stairs and were headed to the mess hall when Lt. Scott
came rushing in their direction heedless of their presence. "Gabriel,
what is going on?" Alex asked. Gabriel stopped and turned back. "An
American troop is joining forces with our bomb squad and I am to lead it."
Alex looked at Rick and vice versa, "Can I join?" Alex asked. "Yes, Rick
you are welcome to stay here or you can come with us." Rick nodded his
head and followed.
After the meeting Rick and Alex went back to the bunks to get some rest,
but Alex couldn't rest and decided to pace until he saw a slip of paper
and thought struck.
March 21, 1944
1999 Willow Rd.
Savannah, GA
Getting the mail had become one of Evie's favorite things to do since
Jonathan had come back to her when she went and got it. She tried not to
hope too much, but she just couldn't help it, hope was all she had left.
Still, it was a very beautiful day outside and tomorrow she was going to
see her first baseball game. Not only that but it was played by women,
filling in for the men who had left to join the war. Emma was delighted and
had invited both her and Jonathan to join her family.
The combination of the hope left her with a good feeling and only expanded
when she saw the old mailman, Arlie. "Good Afternoon Arlie, how are you
doing?" she called out to him. "Just fine Mrs. O'Connell, and I have a
letter in here that you might want to read." he said walking up to her and
giving her the stack of envelopes. "Thank you Arlie." she said looking
through them. "Your welcome, Mrs. O'Connell, see you later." She smiled
at him, "Yes, I will see you later." However her attention returned to the
letter addressed to her in very familiar script, Rick's.
Jonathan came out of the main hall, "What do you have there?" he asked.
"A letter from Rick." she answered and went into the parlor to read the
letter.
Dear Mum,
It has been a very long time since I have been able to write you. There is
so much to tell, but I do not have time in this letter to tell you any of
it. Except for the fact that Dad is here. He showed up early this
morning, but now we have been recruited for another mission. We will be
helping the Americans, or they will be helping us. Have hope mother, we
are doing really well, everyone's been doing really well and we actually
feel we might have a chance to win. Dad is waking up, he might want to
say a few words. I love you Mum. See you very soon. Love, Alex.
Evie,
I love you. I know that I have written in the past, but I'm not sure if
you have received those. I want to come home to you so bad, but our son
has once again thrown himself into danger. He didn't have to take that
mission with the Americans but he did and I can not come home when I have a
chance to make sure he is okay while I am here. Also Gabriel Scott has
taken the mission and I feel indebt to him for taking care of you. (I know
you don't need anyone to take care of you, but I just worry sometimes.) I
hope to see you, but until then I love you.
Love Forever,
Rick
Evie's eyes were filled with tears when she read the last word, Rick. God
she missed him! Now not only are her boys in trouble again, but they went
willingly. She wondered if Emma had received a letter yet, she would have
to ask her tomorrow. Jonathan finished reading the letters, "Godspeed" he
said aloud and then left the room. She wondered if she would ever see her
family again. Little did she know that thousands of miles away her family
was thinking the same thing.
***Author's Notes: I know this was short, but if I finished it with
Chapter 6, than it would have been very long and I didn't want to do that.
The next update will be the Conclusion, and I already have the beginning of
it up on my site. That's actually why this chapter forever, but that is
another story that I don't have time for. Thank you for the reviews.
Rick's Story
March 7, 1944
They had landed near Camp McArthur thirty minutes ago, but they still had to
go through many security measures to be allowed into the camp. Although if
anybody had seen the soldiers at McArthur they would probably figure these
guys were not really concerned with those that may invade the camp by truck.
General Reyes and Mr. Stackhouse had been nice enough to vouch for Rick as
he made his way into the camp, trying to make sure that his son was alive.
As he passed the plane yard looked out to see nothing but rain, mud,
shivering bodies, it felt great to be back in England.
He was scared. For the first time in nearly eleven years Richard O'Connell
was scared. He didn't allow himself to be scared when he had to leave Evie
on this ship, he didn't allow himself to be scared when he found out that
Alex might be dead. He couldn't, if he had allowed his emotions to take
over than he wouldn't have been able to function and keep everyone else
around him alive. Even when Evie had been "killed" he didn't allow himself
to be afraid, pain of loosing her yes, but not fear. He had to push that
aside for his son and brother-in-law. He got scared when he saw Evie alive
again. At that moment, the thought of loosing her again was what kept him
up most of the night.
Now that he was about to see his son for the first time he allowed himself
to be scared because there was no one there that he had to be strong for
and he could allow that fear to overtake his body and mind. He hadn't even
noticed when they finally pulled up to the back entrance to McArthur. He
couldn't even feel himself step out and follow Reyes and Stackhouse inside.
He did register all the men sitting in what was now the mess hall, but he
didn't register their faces he was looking for his son, he was looking for
Alex. He did hear Reyes call out to someone, but he didn't hear a reply
until the man was standing next to him.
"Mr. O'Connell, this is Lt. Gabriel Scott, he was the one who accompanied
your wife on her journey over to America, he is also a friend of Alex."
Reyes explained. Rick looked up at him, "You went with my wife?" "Yes
sir, and if you will follow me I will take you to where Alex is at." Rick
still didn't let the relief flow through him, he allowed hope, but relief
as far as his son was concerned would not come until he had him in his arms. They walked a series of stairs that led to the bunks that the soldiers were staying in. Neither man said anything, waiting for the reunion of Father and Son.
Lt. Scott opened a heavy oak door and stepped in to let Rick follow him.
"He is over there." Gabriel said as he pointed to a figure sleeping on
fifteen cots over. With measured assurance Rick walked to his son,
Lt. Scott bowed his head and left, allowing the two men to have privacy at
what must be a great reunion. Rick registered the gesture but kept walking
towards the sleeping figure. When he got close enough to see, his body
shook with relief at the sight of his son. He sat down next to him
watching his chest come up and then go down. The purest sign that his only
son was alive and well.
He wasn't sure how long he was there, but it seemed like only seconds until
he saw the butterfly movements of his son's lashes against his cheeks.
Alex's Story
March 7, 1944
When he opened his eyes the first thing he thought he would see was the
blank wall next to his cot, not a body. When he registered that this was a
familiar body he thought it was Gabriel, but when the body whispered,
"Alex" his eyes brought into the focus, not Gabriel, but his dad. "Dad?"
he asked. It was then he felt the crushing embrace of his father and then
he brought his arms around and crushed him right back.
He couldn't believe that his dad was right in front of him. Neither did
his dad by the looks he was giving him. They spoke in unison, "How?" They
both smiled and Alex let his father speak first, but Rick couldn't speak,
couldn't find the words to let his son know what happened and the relief he
felt in seeing that his son was alive and well. "Well one of us should say
something soon..." Alex said. Still not one took the advice there was just
too much to tell.
"Are you hungry?" Alex finally asked. Rick hadn't even thought about food,
"Yes, I am." he replied. "Good, we can go down stairs and get something."
They walked down the stairs and were headed to the mess hall when Lt. Scott
came rushing in their direction heedless of their presence. "Gabriel,
what is going on?" Alex asked. Gabriel stopped and turned back. "An
American troop is joining forces with our bomb squad and I am to lead it."
Alex looked at Rick and vice versa, "Can I join?" Alex asked. "Yes, Rick
you are welcome to stay here or you can come with us." Rick nodded his
head and followed.
After the meeting Rick and Alex went back to the bunks to get some rest,
but Alex couldn't rest and decided to pace until he saw a slip of paper
and thought struck.
March 21, 1944
1999 Willow Rd.
Savannah, GA
Getting the mail had become one of Evie's favorite things to do since
Jonathan had come back to her when she went and got it. She tried not to
hope too much, but she just couldn't help it, hope was all she had left.
Still, it was a very beautiful day outside and tomorrow she was going to
see her first baseball game. Not only that but it was played by women,
filling in for the men who had left to join the war. Emma was delighted and
had invited both her and Jonathan to join her family.
The combination of the hope left her with a good feeling and only expanded
when she saw the old mailman, Arlie. "Good Afternoon Arlie, how are you
doing?" she called out to him. "Just fine Mrs. O'Connell, and I have a
letter in here that you might want to read." he said walking up to her and
giving her the stack of envelopes. "Thank you Arlie." she said looking
through them. "Your welcome, Mrs. O'Connell, see you later." She smiled
at him, "Yes, I will see you later." However her attention returned to the
letter addressed to her in very familiar script, Rick's.
Jonathan came out of the main hall, "What do you have there?" he asked.
"A letter from Rick." she answered and went into the parlor to read the
letter.
Dear Mum,
It has been a very long time since I have been able to write you. There is
so much to tell, but I do not have time in this letter to tell you any of
it. Except for the fact that Dad is here. He showed up early this
morning, but now we have been recruited for another mission. We will be
helping the Americans, or they will be helping us. Have hope mother, we
are doing really well, everyone's been doing really well and we actually
feel we might have a chance to win. Dad is waking up, he might want to
say a few words. I love you Mum. See you very soon. Love, Alex.
Evie,
I love you. I know that I have written in the past, but I'm not sure if
you have received those. I want to come home to you so bad, but our son
has once again thrown himself into danger. He didn't have to take that
mission with the Americans but he did and I can not come home when I have a
chance to make sure he is okay while I am here. Also Gabriel Scott has
taken the mission and I feel indebt to him for taking care of you. (I know
you don't need anyone to take care of you, but I just worry sometimes.) I
hope to see you, but until then I love you.
Love Forever,
Rick
Evie's eyes were filled with tears when she read the last word, Rick. God
she missed him! Now not only are her boys in trouble again, but they went
willingly. She wondered if Emma had received a letter yet, she would have
to ask her tomorrow. Jonathan finished reading the letters, "Godspeed" he
said aloud and then left the room. She wondered if she would ever see her
family again. Little did she know that thousands of miles away her family
was thinking the same thing.
***Author's Notes: I know this was short, but if I finished it with
Chapter 6, than it would have been very long and I didn't want to do that.
The next update will be the Conclusion, and I already have the beginning of
it up on my site. That's actually why this chapter forever, but that is
another story that I don't have time for. Thank you for the reviews.