Author notes: Disclaimer: See chapter one. I can't for the life of me keep italics to indicate the Gaelic here so I'm using ~ ****** ~ to distinguish. Enjoy!
***************************************************************************
"Have you searched the entire estate?" Destro glared at Liam from Daniel's desk.
"Aye, laird, we've searched the estate and the village. She's not here." He replied, looking to Sean.
"I sent squads to the train stations, the bus terminals, and the airports. We have men at checkpoints on all roads." Sean turned to Ian.
"I sent men to search your Castle, including the grounds and the village," Ian fumed, walking towards a table. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the edge of the table. "She didn't leave on her own. She was sound asleep when I entered our room. Who ever has her is going to pay?" He growled.
"We'll find her," Destro placed a hand on Ian's shoulder, shaking it firmly. "I have my sources checking out a few leads as we speak. Who ever has her will pay, mark my words...this insult will not go unrewarded."
*****
"How is she?" Flint rushed forward, leaving Maggie and Scarlett standing to the side. "Doc?"
"I've got to get that necklace off her now," he raked his hand through his hair, looking down at the floor while he gathered his thoughts.
"But... you said we had to leave it on her..." Flint stammered.
"She's fighting it too much. I've got her heavily sedated...Maggie, could you find some cool cloths?"
"Yes sir," she ran off to the kitchen.
"Cool cloths? What's wrong?" Flint growled, reaching for the door.
"I need to know EXACTLY what happened before she collapsed," Doc stopped him.
"I told you...she saw my face," Flint sighed heavily. "Doc?"
"I need to get her to the base. This is beyond me," he bit the inside of his lip, shaking his head.
"We can't move her yet. Destro is tearing up Scotland trying to find her."
"If I don't get that necklace off her, it could kill her. What do you want me to do? It's your call." Doc opened the door, revealing her to be sound asleep.
"She's all right," Flint walked towards the bed.
"For now...I had to give her twice what I'd give you to calm her down," Doc fumed. "I don't know how long it'll keep her out."
"Take it off her...she wouldn't want this," Flint sat on the edge of the bed, tracing the back of his hand along her jaw.
"The last time I tried to remove it, it shocked her system. I'm hoping I've got her sedated enough to block that," Doc reached into his medical bag, removing a pair of bolt cutters. "I borrowed this from Mainframe yesterday when you brought her. Hold her up for me," he watched Flint lift her up, leaning her against his shoulder.
"She out cold," Flint scowled, catching her limp form from falling back as he held her against his shoulder.
"She won't be for long," Doc brushed her hair to the side, placing the cutters against the necklace. "Hold her steady."
*****
"What do you mean they're gone?" Destro roared, turning to face Sean as Ian reported Shipwreck and Beach Head's disappearance. "I gave you strict orders that they weren't to be left unguarded for ANY reason. DIDN'T I?"
"I had Kipling guarding them," Sean replied, shifting his eyes over to Ian. "I left him with specific orders not to leave them."
"Kipling claims another grenadier replaced him by Sean's orders," Ian fumed, handing his report over to Destro's waiting hand.
"Another grenadier?" Destro inhaled sharply, analyzing the information contained with in Ian's report. "Have some one find them...do not detain them. I want them watched CLOSELY."
"You don't think they have her...do you?" Ian cast a furled brow towards Destro.
"Never underestimate the Joes," Destro warned, walking towards the window. "I want to know which of them are still here...and where Flint is."
*****
"What do you have, Mainframe?" Flint growled as he stood over his shoulder.
"Check this out...it's unreal," he lifted a tray containing the necklace and set it down near one of his gauges. "See, look at the monitor," Mainframe pointed to the high pitch waves, rolling and spiking across the screen. "Its off the charts," he ran his index finger along the plotted graph illustrating the frequency levels. "Doc was right...too much power and it would make mush of her brain...uh...I mean," he grimaced at the glare Flint was giving him.
"When I get my hands on Mindbender, he's going to..."
"Flint, she's awake. I'd say we're past the trouble," Doc announced, approaching the two men.
"Awake?" Flint eyes perked up, forgetting his anger momentarily.
"Maggie and Scarlett are with her. I told them to keep it short and to let her sleep...I locked the window." He offered a hammer to Flint.
"I bet," Mainframe smirked. "Low Light's checking on the greenshirts handling surveillance."
"I'm going to check on her," Flint stated, walking towards the door.
"Flint?" Doc called over his shoulder.
"Yeah?"
"Don't rush her...she's not sure of who she is or who any of us are," Doc warned.
"I'm going to see how she is."
"Don't push her to remember," Doc pressed.
"I won't..."
*****
Flint slowly pushed the door open, standing back to watch Scarlett and Maggie. He looked to the bed. "I thought Doc said she was awake," he walked past Maggie.
"She dunno' us," she caught him by the arm.
"Why don't the two of you get some rest? I'll sit with her," he smiled down at the older woman.
"Aye...that sounds good. Come along lass," she wrapped an arm around Scarlett, leading her from the room. "Ye call us if ye need anythin'," Maggie called over her shoulder.
"Yes," he nodded, dragging a chair to the side of the bed. He sat watching Jaye turn in her sleep, snuggling her face into her pillow. "Hey beautiful, you had me worried," he murmured, leaning closer to her. He reached to caress her cheek as a slow smile formed on her lips. "Doc says you're going to be all right, sweetheart." He leaned down, brushing a kiss across her brow.
"You're here?" She smiled, fighting to open her eyes as she reached her hand up to trace his jaw.
"I wasn't planning on going anywhere," he whispered softly, smiling down at her.
"Just a dream," she sighed, stretching her hand behind his neck to pull his face down to hers. "Why?" She lightly brushed her lips over his, increasing the kiss as he responded. She heard a deep growl coming from the back of his throat. Stunned that she wasn't dreaming, she snapped her eyes open, pushing herself away from him.
"Allie?" Flint reached for her.
"Who are you?" Her eyes widened as she backed herself up to the headboard. "BRIDGET!" She yelled, trying to get away from him.
"Easy sweet..." He caught himself. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"Who are you?" She frantically grabbed the blankets to her.
"Allie," he moved closer to her. "You know me...think."
"Why are you calling me Allie? That's not my name. I don't know you...I thought you were...Connor?" She looked towards the door. "BRIDGET!"
"Yes milady," Scarlett rushed into the room, standing behind Flint.
A memory of Scarlett standing with Flint and Duke flashed before her. "You know him?" Ailíse pointed to Flint.
"I...ah..."
"Answer me...do you know him?" She snapped at Scarlett.
"Is evera' thing all right?" Maggie called from the doorway with Doc behind her.
"No, everything is NOT all right," Ailíse lifted her hands to her temples. "My bloody head's ready to explode," she grimaced.
"Doc," Flint called over his shoulder, pulling her into his arms.
"Let go of me," she pummeled his chest, attempting to escape him.
"All right," Flint released her, watching her scramble off to the other side of the bed.
"Wait outside," Doc nodded towards the door. "You remember me?" Doc carefully approached her.
"You're the doctor I saw a while ago with Bridget and Maggie," she clenched her eyes tight, fighting a painful migraine.
"Sit down," Doc guided her to a chair.
"Only if you tell me what is going on," she hissed, shielding her eyes from the lights in the room.
"Fair enough," Doc reached for her wrist. "You're pulse is racing," he frowned, placing his stethoscope in his ears. He grabbed the blood pressure cuff from his bag. "I need you to calm down...no one is going to harm you," he reassured her.
"Who is he?" She flinched, feeling the cuff tightening around her arm.
"Calm down and relax," Doc attempted to soothe her.
"Why does he say I know him...do I?" She frowned, looking up at him. "Where's my uncle? Where's..."
"I need you to calm down right now," Doc growled. "Do I have to sedate you?"
"How dare you take that tone with me?" She snapped. "Bridget...find my uncle immediately."
"He's not here," Scarlett stepped forward.
"Ian?" She watched Scarlett shake her head no.
"Who IS here?" She cast an icy glare towards all of them.
"It's just the three of us and..." Scarlett began to reply.
"Where are we?" She pulled her arm free of Doc to stand.
~"Yer home milady," Maggie switched to Gaelic as she placed her hand on her arm. ~
~"Home?"~
~"Aye, milady"~
~"And where is Ian?"~
~"I dunno milady...your husband brought you last night."~
~"Ian brought me here?"~
~"Nay milady...you saw him when you woke."~
~"That can't be...I've never laid eyes on...oh my God," she paled, falling back to her chair. ~
"Maggie, what did you tell her?" Scarlett raced between the two women.
"The truth tis' all."
"He's the... one I saw in... my dreams," Ailíse muttered under her breath, staring straight ahead towards the door. "You knew this?" She looked towards Scarlett. "How did I get here?"
"Doc...you better bring him back," Scarlett nodded towards the door.
She watched Doc open the door and saw Flint pacing in the hall. The two exchanged words before they reentered.
"Maggie...Bridget, come with me," Doc guided them towards the door as Flint knelt in front of Ailíse.
Another flashback hit her as he took her hands in his. He saw something in her eyes. "Allie?"
"Why did you bring me here?"
"I wasn't about to leave you with him," he fumed, locking eyes with her.
"My uncle didn't tell me...about you...I'm handfasted to Ian," she grimaced, attempting to sort through images hitting her mind.
"You're uncle doesn't know about us...but your father does," he delivered the words slowly.
"My father's dead...my uncle told me," she pulled her hand away from his, settling back in her chair.
"Your father's alive and well...so is your mother." Flint growled softly.
"You're lying! Why would my uncle lie about my parents being dead?" She glared back at him, raising her chin indignantly.
"So, he can...look I can't tell you everything. You have to remember on your own...gradually." He swallowed a lump forming in his throat.
"And you're supposed to help me, is that it?" She narrowed her eyes on him.
"Yes," he reached to caress her cheek.
"Please leave...I need to rest," she pulled away, frowning towards the door. "I don't know how I know you...or what you are to me. I know what Maggie said but...how could I forget that..." She lowered her eyes to the floor.
"I'm here now," he lifted her chin, locking eyes with her. "You will remember everything. Why did you run before?" He nodded towards the window.
"I saw you...I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing...too many images were hitting me. I was remembering the handfasting but when I looked up, I didn't see Ian...I saw you," she shuddered, wrapping her arms across her chest. "None of this makes sense," she gulped, clenching her eyes closed as she tilted the back of her head against the chair.
"Hey," he reached up; caressing her cheek with one hand while the other brushed her hair back over her ear. He smiled as she tilted her head to rest against the hand that had swept her hair back. "Doc's here. You've got me and.... the others."
"I don't..."
"Shh...Allie, honey, trust me," he grinned, looking up at her. "I'm going to send Maggie back in while I check on a few things."
"The Joes? What are you doing about them?" Her eyes pleaded as she grasped his hand in hers.
"They're not out to harm you," he reassured her, leaning over her.
"My uncle said..."
"Your uncle was wrong. The Joes had nothing to do with your accident." He stared directly into her eyes, leveling his voice.
"How can YOU be so sure of that?"
"I can't tell you. You have to figure that one out," he winked, grinning back at her.
"Great," she sighed heavily, cradling her head in her hands.
Flint knelt down to her level. "I'll be down the hall if you need anything," he smirked. "Now, get some sleep," he nodded towards the bed. "Doc said he wants you taking it easy for a while. IF you get another headache, you're to tell someone immediately."
"Look...I don't even know what to call you. Connor doesn't fit you any longer...it never did," she scowled, receiving a lopsided grin in return.
"It'll come to you. In the meantime, get some sleep and no more long walks." She watched him stand to leave.
"Why should I trust you?" She called to him as he reached the door.
"You know," he chuckled, opening the door.
"Arghhh," she growled after him. ~"Of all the insufferable"~
*****
"Maggie? Can you sit with her for a while? I have to check in," Flint pulled the door closed behind him.
"Aye," she smiled, walking towards the door.
"Maggie," Doc stopped her. "She has to remember on her own."
"But she was upset...ye were scarin' 'er," she defended.
"What happened?" Flint scowled, focusing his attention on Scarlett.
"She told her she wasn't married to Ian," Scarlett shifted her eyes from Maggie to Flint.
"Maggie, you can't tell her anything," he growled. "Do I have to call Jason? We brought you to help her since you know her past and the family history."
"I was only tryin' ta 'elp."
"If you want to help her, don't tell her anything else," Doc added. "She needs to remember on her own. If she tells you something that ISN'T true, then you can set her straight. But no more volunteering information; is that clear?"
"Aye...I'll hold me tongue," she nodded, entering the room.
"What else did she tell her?" Flint hissed, folding his arms across his chest. His knuckles whitened as he tightened his fists.
"We couldn't tell. They were speaking in Gaelic," Scarlett rolled her eyes. "She's too close to the family. You have to remember she was her nanny..."
"HER NANNY?" Flint's eyes went wide as he dropped his arms to his sides and turned for the door.
"You didn't know?" Doc stared in disbelief.
"No...Jason didn't say a word to me. I thought she was Amanda's maid from the castle," he fumed. "What else didn't he tell me? Scarlett, see if you can't get any more details out of Maggie. I've got to check in with Hawk."
*****
Scarlett waited in the doorway, watching Flint lean on the edge of the desk. She gulped at the sight of the warrant officer waving his hands before distancing the phone from his ear. Flint took a deep breath, cradling the phone beneath his chin. Nodding replies, she saw his free hand gripping the edge of the desk. His knuckles whitening before he slackened his grip, raising his hand behind his head. Looking towards the ceiling, he rolled his eyes in prayer like fashion, willing an end to the tirade he was receiving.
She backed out of the room to allow him some privacy.
"Have you seen Flint?" Low Light placed his hand on her shoulder, startling her.
"He's on the phone with Hawk," she whispered with a start. "You just took 10 years off my life."
"Sorry," he shrugged. "I've got the grunts settled a safe distance from the gates and at various checkpoints. COBRA...Grenadier...ain't nobody gett'n in here with out me knowing," he smirked, glancing towards the door. "How long's he been on the phone?"
"A while..."
"That ain't a good sign," the sniper curled his lip, slowly shaking his head. "How's she doin'?"
"Better...what are you doing here?" Doc walked up to them.
"I came to check in with Flint. The main house is quiet."
"You need to leave, now. If she sees you..."
"She didn't recognize Flint," Scarlett interrupted.
"Mainframe said he's studying that whachamajigger you took off her. She still doesn't know?" Low Light sneered. "Damn COBRA. She's got to remember something soon...right?"
"It's hard to say," Doc glanced towards the upstairs. "She's got bits and pieces of it. She has to piece it together."
"Kind a like a jigsaw puzzle," Scarlett interjected. "Wait," she raised her hand, halting the conversation. "I think he's done with Hawk," she spotted Flint walking towards the windows.
"Flint?" She tapped on the doorjamb. "Everything ok?" She noticed the darkening scowl cross his face.
"No..."
***************************************************************************
"Have you searched the entire estate?" Destro glared at Liam from Daniel's desk.
"Aye, laird, we've searched the estate and the village. She's not here." He replied, looking to Sean.
"I sent squads to the train stations, the bus terminals, and the airports. We have men at checkpoints on all roads." Sean turned to Ian.
"I sent men to search your Castle, including the grounds and the village," Ian fumed, walking towards a table. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the edge of the table. "She didn't leave on her own. She was sound asleep when I entered our room. Who ever has her is going to pay?" He growled.
"We'll find her," Destro placed a hand on Ian's shoulder, shaking it firmly. "I have my sources checking out a few leads as we speak. Who ever has her will pay, mark my words...this insult will not go unrewarded."
*****
"How is she?" Flint rushed forward, leaving Maggie and Scarlett standing to the side. "Doc?"
"I've got to get that necklace off her now," he raked his hand through his hair, looking down at the floor while he gathered his thoughts.
"But... you said we had to leave it on her..." Flint stammered.
"She's fighting it too much. I've got her heavily sedated...Maggie, could you find some cool cloths?"
"Yes sir," she ran off to the kitchen.
"Cool cloths? What's wrong?" Flint growled, reaching for the door.
"I need to know EXACTLY what happened before she collapsed," Doc stopped him.
"I told you...she saw my face," Flint sighed heavily. "Doc?"
"I need to get her to the base. This is beyond me," he bit the inside of his lip, shaking his head.
"We can't move her yet. Destro is tearing up Scotland trying to find her."
"If I don't get that necklace off her, it could kill her. What do you want me to do? It's your call." Doc opened the door, revealing her to be sound asleep.
"She's all right," Flint walked towards the bed.
"For now...I had to give her twice what I'd give you to calm her down," Doc fumed. "I don't know how long it'll keep her out."
"Take it off her...she wouldn't want this," Flint sat on the edge of the bed, tracing the back of his hand along her jaw.
"The last time I tried to remove it, it shocked her system. I'm hoping I've got her sedated enough to block that," Doc reached into his medical bag, removing a pair of bolt cutters. "I borrowed this from Mainframe yesterday when you brought her. Hold her up for me," he watched Flint lift her up, leaning her against his shoulder.
"She out cold," Flint scowled, catching her limp form from falling back as he held her against his shoulder.
"She won't be for long," Doc brushed her hair to the side, placing the cutters against the necklace. "Hold her steady."
*****
"What do you mean they're gone?" Destro roared, turning to face Sean as Ian reported Shipwreck and Beach Head's disappearance. "I gave you strict orders that they weren't to be left unguarded for ANY reason. DIDN'T I?"
"I had Kipling guarding them," Sean replied, shifting his eyes over to Ian. "I left him with specific orders not to leave them."
"Kipling claims another grenadier replaced him by Sean's orders," Ian fumed, handing his report over to Destro's waiting hand.
"Another grenadier?" Destro inhaled sharply, analyzing the information contained with in Ian's report. "Have some one find them...do not detain them. I want them watched CLOSELY."
"You don't think they have her...do you?" Ian cast a furled brow towards Destro.
"Never underestimate the Joes," Destro warned, walking towards the window. "I want to know which of them are still here...and where Flint is."
*****
"What do you have, Mainframe?" Flint growled as he stood over his shoulder.
"Check this out...it's unreal," he lifted a tray containing the necklace and set it down near one of his gauges. "See, look at the monitor," Mainframe pointed to the high pitch waves, rolling and spiking across the screen. "Its off the charts," he ran his index finger along the plotted graph illustrating the frequency levels. "Doc was right...too much power and it would make mush of her brain...uh...I mean," he grimaced at the glare Flint was giving him.
"When I get my hands on Mindbender, he's going to..."
"Flint, she's awake. I'd say we're past the trouble," Doc announced, approaching the two men.
"Awake?" Flint eyes perked up, forgetting his anger momentarily.
"Maggie and Scarlett are with her. I told them to keep it short and to let her sleep...I locked the window." He offered a hammer to Flint.
"I bet," Mainframe smirked. "Low Light's checking on the greenshirts handling surveillance."
"I'm going to check on her," Flint stated, walking towards the door.
"Flint?" Doc called over his shoulder.
"Yeah?"
"Don't rush her...she's not sure of who she is or who any of us are," Doc warned.
"I'm going to see how she is."
"Don't push her to remember," Doc pressed.
"I won't..."
*****
Flint slowly pushed the door open, standing back to watch Scarlett and Maggie. He looked to the bed. "I thought Doc said she was awake," he walked past Maggie.
"She dunno' us," she caught him by the arm.
"Why don't the two of you get some rest? I'll sit with her," he smiled down at the older woman.
"Aye...that sounds good. Come along lass," she wrapped an arm around Scarlett, leading her from the room. "Ye call us if ye need anythin'," Maggie called over her shoulder.
"Yes," he nodded, dragging a chair to the side of the bed. He sat watching Jaye turn in her sleep, snuggling her face into her pillow. "Hey beautiful, you had me worried," he murmured, leaning closer to her. He reached to caress her cheek as a slow smile formed on her lips. "Doc says you're going to be all right, sweetheart." He leaned down, brushing a kiss across her brow.
"You're here?" She smiled, fighting to open her eyes as she reached her hand up to trace his jaw.
"I wasn't planning on going anywhere," he whispered softly, smiling down at her.
"Just a dream," she sighed, stretching her hand behind his neck to pull his face down to hers. "Why?" She lightly brushed her lips over his, increasing the kiss as he responded. She heard a deep growl coming from the back of his throat. Stunned that she wasn't dreaming, she snapped her eyes open, pushing herself away from him.
"Allie?" Flint reached for her.
"Who are you?" Her eyes widened as she backed herself up to the headboard. "BRIDGET!" She yelled, trying to get away from him.
"Easy sweet..." He caught himself. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"Who are you?" She frantically grabbed the blankets to her.
"Allie," he moved closer to her. "You know me...think."
"Why are you calling me Allie? That's not my name. I don't know you...I thought you were...Connor?" She looked towards the door. "BRIDGET!"
"Yes milady," Scarlett rushed into the room, standing behind Flint.
A memory of Scarlett standing with Flint and Duke flashed before her. "You know him?" Ailíse pointed to Flint.
"I...ah..."
"Answer me...do you know him?" She snapped at Scarlett.
"Is evera' thing all right?" Maggie called from the doorway with Doc behind her.
"No, everything is NOT all right," Ailíse lifted her hands to her temples. "My bloody head's ready to explode," she grimaced.
"Doc," Flint called over his shoulder, pulling her into his arms.
"Let go of me," she pummeled his chest, attempting to escape him.
"All right," Flint released her, watching her scramble off to the other side of the bed.
"Wait outside," Doc nodded towards the door. "You remember me?" Doc carefully approached her.
"You're the doctor I saw a while ago with Bridget and Maggie," she clenched her eyes tight, fighting a painful migraine.
"Sit down," Doc guided her to a chair.
"Only if you tell me what is going on," she hissed, shielding her eyes from the lights in the room.
"Fair enough," Doc reached for her wrist. "You're pulse is racing," he frowned, placing his stethoscope in his ears. He grabbed the blood pressure cuff from his bag. "I need you to calm down...no one is going to harm you," he reassured her.
"Who is he?" She flinched, feeling the cuff tightening around her arm.
"Calm down and relax," Doc attempted to soothe her.
"Why does he say I know him...do I?" She frowned, looking up at him. "Where's my uncle? Where's..."
"I need you to calm down right now," Doc growled. "Do I have to sedate you?"
"How dare you take that tone with me?" She snapped. "Bridget...find my uncle immediately."
"He's not here," Scarlett stepped forward.
"Ian?" She watched Scarlett shake her head no.
"Who IS here?" She cast an icy glare towards all of them.
"It's just the three of us and..." Scarlett began to reply.
"Where are we?" She pulled her arm free of Doc to stand.
~"Yer home milady," Maggie switched to Gaelic as she placed her hand on her arm. ~
~"Home?"~
~"Aye, milady"~
~"And where is Ian?"~
~"I dunno milady...your husband brought you last night."~
~"Ian brought me here?"~
~"Nay milady...you saw him when you woke."~
~"That can't be...I've never laid eyes on...oh my God," she paled, falling back to her chair. ~
"Maggie, what did you tell her?" Scarlett raced between the two women.
"The truth tis' all."
"He's the... one I saw in... my dreams," Ailíse muttered under her breath, staring straight ahead towards the door. "You knew this?" She looked towards Scarlett. "How did I get here?"
"Doc...you better bring him back," Scarlett nodded towards the door.
She watched Doc open the door and saw Flint pacing in the hall. The two exchanged words before they reentered.
"Maggie...Bridget, come with me," Doc guided them towards the door as Flint knelt in front of Ailíse.
Another flashback hit her as he took her hands in his. He saw something in her eyes. "Allie?"
"Why did you bring me here?"
"I wasn't about to leave you with him," he fumed, locking eyes with her.
"My uncle didn't tell me...about you...I'm handfasted to Ian," she grimaced, attempting to sort through images hitting her mind.
"You're uncle doesn't know about us...but your father does," he delivered the words slowly.
"My father's dead...my uncle told me," she pulled her hand away from his, settling back in her chair.
"Your father's alive and well...so is your mother." Flint growled softly.
"You're lying! Why would my uncle lie about my parents being dead?" She glared back at him, raising her chin indignantly.
"So, he can...look I can't tell you everything. You have to remember on your own...gradually." He swallowed a lump forming in his throat.
"And you're supposed to help me, is that it?" She narrowed her eyes on him.
"Yes," he reached to caress her cheek.
"Please leave...I need to rest," she pulled away, frowning towards the door. "I don't know how I know you...or what you are to me. I know what Maggie said but...how could I forget that..." She lowered her eyes to the floor.
"I'm here now," he lifted her chin, locking eyes with her. "You will remember everything. Why did you run before?" He nodded towards the window.
"I saw you...I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing...too many images were hitting me. I was remembering the handfasting but when I looked up, I didn't see Ian...I saw you," she shuddered, wrapping her arms across her chest. "None of this makes sense," she gulped, clenching her eyes closed as she tilted the back of her head against the chair.
"Hey," he reached up; caressing her cheek with one hand while the other brushed her hair back over her ear. He smiled as she tilted her head to rest against the hand that had swept her hair back. "Doc's here. You've got me and.... the others."
"I don't..."
"Shh...Allie, honey, trust me," he grinned, looking up at her. "I'm going to send Maggie back in while I check on a few things."
"The Joes? What are you doing about them?" Her eyes pleaded as she grasped his hand in hers.
"They're not out to harm you," he reassured her, leaning over her.
"My uncle said..."
"Your uncle was wrong. The Joes had nothing to do with your accident." He stared directly into her eyes, leveling his voice.
"How can YOU be so sure of that?"
"I can't tell you. You have to figure that one out," he winked, grinning back at her.
"Great," she sighed heavily, cradling her head in her hands.
Flint knelt down to her level. "I'll be down the hall if you need anything," he smirked. "Now, get some sleep," he nodded towards the bed. "Doc said he wants you taking it easy for a while. IF you get another headache, you're to tell someone immediately."
"Look...I don't even know what to call you. Connor doesn't fit you any longer...it never did," she scowled, receiving a lopsided grin in return.
"It'll come to you. In the meantime, get some sleep and no more long walks." She watched him stand to leave.
"Why should I trust you?" She called to him as he reached the door.
"You know," he chuckled, opening the door.
"Arghhh," she growled after him. ~"Of all the insufferable"~
*****
"Maggie? Can you sit with her for a while? I have to check in," Flint pulled the door closed behind him.
"Aye," she smiled, walking towards the door.
"Maggie," Doc stopped her. "She has to remember on her own."
"But she was upset...ye were scarin' 'er," she defended.
"What happened?" Flint scowled, focusing his attention on Scarlett.
"She told her she wasn't married to Ian," Scarlett shifted her eyes from Maggie to Flint.
"Maggie, you can't tell her anything," he growled. "Do I have to call Jason? We brought you to help her since you know her past and the family history."
"I was only tryin' ta 'elp."
"If you want to help her, don't tell her anything else," Doc added. "She needs to remember on her own. If she tells you something that ISN'T true, then you can set her straight. But no more volunteering information; is that clear?"
"Aye...I'll hold me tongue," she nodded, entering the room.
"What else did she tell her?" Flint hissed, folding his arms across his chest. His knuckles whitened as he tightened his fists.
"We couldn't tell. They were speaking in Gaelic," Scarlett rolled her eyes. "She's too close to the family. You have to remember she was her nanny..."
"HER NANNY?" Flint's eyes went wide as he dropped his arms to his sides and turned for the door.
"You didn't know?" Doc stared in disbelief.
"No...Jason didn't say a word to me. I thought she was Amanda's maid from the castle," he fumed. "What else didn't he tell me? Scarlett, see if you can't get any more details out of Maggie. I've got to check in with Hawk."
*****
Scarlett waited in the doorway, watching Flint lean on the edge of the desk. She gulped at the sight of the warrant officer waving his hands before distancing the phone from his ear. Flint took a deep breath, cradling the phone beneath his chin. Nodding replies, she saw his free hand gripping the edge of the desk. His knuckles whitening before he slackened his grip, raising his hand behind his head. Looking towards the ceiling, he rolled his eyes in prayer like fashion, willing an end to the tirade he was receiving.
She backed out of the room to allow him some privacy.
"Have you seen Flint?" Low Light placed his hand on her shoulder, startling her.
"He's on the phone with Hawk," she whispered with a start. "You just took 10 years off my life."
"Sorry," he shrugged. "I've got the grunts settled a safe distance from the gates and at various checkpoints. COBRA...Grenadier...ain't nobody gett'n in here with out me knowing," he smirked, glancing towards the door. "How long's he been on the phone?"
"A while..."
"That ain't a good sign," the sniper curled his lip, slowly shaking his head. "How's she doin'?"
"Better...what are you doing here?" Doc walked up to them.
"I came to check in with Flint. The main house is quiet."
"You need to leave, now. If she sees you..."
"She didn't recognize Flint," Scarlett interrupted.
"Mainframe said he's studying that whachamajigger you took off her. She still doesn't know?" Low Light sneered. "Damn COBRA. She's got to remember something soon...right?"
"It's hard to say," Doc glanced towards the upstairs. "She's got bits and pieces of it. She has to piece it together."
"Kind a like a jigsaw puzzle," Scarlett interjected. "Wait," she raised her hand, halting the conversation. "I think he's done with Hawk," she spotted Flint walking towards the windows.
"Flint?" She tapped on the doorjamb. "Everything ok?" She noticed the darkening scowl cross his face.
"No..."
