"Has anyone heard from Flint?" Duke stalked into the kitchen, surveying the room.
"Nay since 'e took Allie out fer a picnic yesterday," Maggie walked towards him with a cup of coffee, setting it down on the table.
"Picnic? Where's Low Light?" Duke frowned, scratching his head.
"He was following them," Mainframe shrugged, reaching for a scone.
"Great, let's go find Hansel and Gretel," Duke growled, grabbing Mainframe by the collar.
*****
"He's over there," Patrick hissed in Ian's ear, pointing to Beach Head disguised as Flint. They watched him shooting darts.
"Come on," he stalked forward, placing himself between Beach Head and the dartboard. "Seems to me your rather lost, aren't you, JOE?" He snarled, looking past Beach Head.
"Nah, just playin' a game of darts," Beach Head sent one soaring over Ian's shoulder, striking the bull's-eye while suppressing a grin. Ian shifted uncomfortably, stepping forward to grab Beach Head by the shirt.
"You've worn out your welcome. This is still McCullen land," Ian growled, shoving him back.
"Last time I checked, this was a pub," Beach Head shoved back. "I'll leave when I'm good and ready..."
"You'll be leaving now," Ian motioned to Sean and Patrick.
"Can't fight for yourself, pretty boy," Beach Head grinned.
"Oh, handling the likes of you isn't a problem," Ian drew back a fist and sent it flying.
Beach Head ducked, dodging under Ian's arm to catch him. Lifting him up over his shoulder, he threw him into Sean and Patrick.
"You tell Destro I'll be leaving when I'm damn well good and ready," he snarled back at the men sprawled on the floor before turning his back to retrieve his darts.
"I'm not finished with you," Ian clamped his hand on his shoulder, turning him around to face him.
Beach Head swept his forearm up, knocking Ian off balance and to the side. "I'm not looking for a fight."
"You can't have her," Ian lunged for Beach Head, striking his mid section and sending him back onto a table, shattering it beneath their weight.
"Hey, break it up," Shipwreck jumped over the banister at the foot of the stairs, moving in to back Beach Head up.
"YOU!" Ian growled, feeling Beach Head's knees propelling him back to the floor. He landed with a thud, feeling Sean and Patrick's hands lifting him up.
"C'mon Flint, he ain't worth it," Shipwreck scoffed, offering Beach Head a hand up.
"Now, ye heard tha man," the bartender growled. "Ian, take yer men or I'll be callin' tha Laird meself."
"This isn't over, JOE," Ian snarled as Sean shoved him out the door, passing an old man resting on a bench outside.
*****
"Allie?" Flint yawned, gently shaking her. She didn't respond. "Allie? ROISIN!" He yelled, shaking her in his arms.
"Yer bring tha whole 'ouse down wi' yer bellowing," Roisin scolded from the door.
"I can't wake her, what did you give her?" He growled, turning her face side to side. Her head tilted back, exposing her neck. Tracing his fingers over her throat, he felt her pulse, strong and steady. "Roisin?" He narrowed his eyes on her.
"It's jus' tha herbs clearin' 'er mind, tha's all. She'll sleep a bit," she chuckled, stroking Jaye's hair from her eyes. "Ye a bit too o'er protective, aren't ye?"
Flint snarled, causing her to laugh louder.
"Jason said ye were smitten wi' 'er," she shook her head, reaching into her basket once more for another bunch of herbs.
"Hasn't she had enough?" He frowned, watching her burn the last of the herbal remedy.
"This should ease tha' 'eadaches," she placed her hands behind Jaye's shoulders, lowering her back to the bed. "Let 'er rest..."
"We got company, Flint," Low Light called from the door. "Can she travel?"
"Leave 'er be," Roisin stopped Flint from lifting her.
"How many Low Light?"
"The grunts are saying two...wait," he rolled his eyes. "Never mind," he tapped his earpiece, backing out of the room while spewing a string of euphemisms.
"What?" Flint fumed, setting Jaye down.
"It's just Duke and Mainframe," he shrugged. "Damn grunts can't get it straight," he muttered under his breath. "How the hell could they mix those two up is beyond me?"
"How long before they get here?" Flint stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"ETA," Low Light eyed his watch. "I'd say 10 minutes."
"Get your gear together...Roisin, get her ready to travel. We're taking her out of here as soon as the others get here..."
"Ye canna' be serious, she's as weak as a babe," Roisin protested, blocking Flint's view of the bed.
"We need to move her to safety. I can't defend this place if the Grenadiers show up looking for her," he walked back inside the room, passing Roisin. "Low Light?"
"Got everything," he nodded, presenting his rifle while slinging a rucksack over his shoulder.
"Time to go, babe," Flint grinned, scooping his arms under her as he lifted her up to his chest. "Roisin, open the door, please."
"If yer takin' 'er, I'm a comin' wi' ye," she rushed to gather her supplies.
"She'll slow us down," Low Light grumbled.
"Ye'll be movin' slow enough carryin' 'er," Roisin scoffed, falling in behind Flint.
"I've got a couple of grunts following at a safe distance," Low Light called over his shoulder to Flint. "You want me to carry her for a while."
"Just lead the way, I've got her," Flint tightened his hold as he stepped onto the rocky path leading out of the woods. "There's Duke and Mainframe," he watched them quicken their pace to meet them.
"What happened?" Duke rushed forward, blocking Flint. "Is she?"
"Out cold, she started having flashbacks yesterday before we heard reports of the Grenadiers near the main house," Flint gently lowered her to the ground, cradling her protectively.
"How long has she been like this?" Duke knelt down beside her, carefully studying her profile.
"Roisin's been taking care of her," Flint glanced over to the woman approaching behind them. "Roisin, this is Duke and Mainframe."
"Milords," she greeted them with a nod. "She shouldna' be out 'ere."
"How bad is she?"
"She's resting. The 'erbs I gave 'er will dull tha pain and give her time ta' focus. She be out fer a while longer," Roisin caressed her cheek, looking at Duke.
"Let's get moving before the Grenadiers return. Beach Head's in the village impersonating you until we can get her out of here. Let's head for the main house, if she's recalling things, it'll be a familiar setting," Duke patted Flint's shoulder. "I'll take her a while, if you want," he offered, catching Flint's scowl.
"Main house, why there?"
"Hawk's sending a surprise," Duke smirked. "Now, you want me to take her or not?" Duke reached for her.
Cradling her up to his chest, Flint cast a warning glare.
"Fine, don't forget I offered," Duke chuckled, taking the point. "You haven't been to the main house much, have you?"
"No," Flint nearly stumbled on a rock.
"Good, they're expecting her this afternoon with her...ah...you," Duke suppressed a chuckle. "The housekeeper's running the staff crazy organizing everything."
"Ah...why?"
"It's not everyday she comes home for a visit," Duke ducked under a branch, holding it back for Flint.
"Home...for a visit," Flint repeated weighing each word before sighing. "That's how she knew the cottage and the land," he groaned. "Any more surprises up Jason's sleeve?"
"Nah...he's in the States..."
*****
"You let your emotions rule you," Destro growled, slamming his fist down.
"Laird, it wasn't like..." Patrick stammered, defending Ian.
"ENOUGH! She's still missing...and," Destro paused.
"Laird?"
Raising his hand, Destro silenced him and turned his attention towards the door.
"Begging your pardon, Laird, you have another visitor," Sean blocked the newest arrival, the old man from the pub.
"Who?"
"I saw you at the pub," Ian pointed.
"Aye ye did indeed, milord," the man gingerly approached leaning his weight on his cane. "I come wi' news of tha strangers in the village."
"Very well," Destro directed him to take a seat before leaning against his desk.
"What could you possibly know that we don't?" Ian spat, dismissing the man's presence.
"Ian..." Destro growled. "Sit down, you may learn something here. Go on, * shifting his eyes from the mans face to his hands* what do you have for sale today, Zartan?"
"Zartan," Ian shot a glance to the withered old man.
"Yes, Zartan. Old men normally have age spots and wrinkles on their hands. You must be more vigilant, Ian."
"First of all, Flint would have killed you for mentioning her," Zartan scoffed.
"Would have?" Ian narrowed his eyes. "I would have finished him if it hadn't been for..."
"You weren't fighting Flint," Zartan interrupted.
"What do you have, Zartan? Or rather, how much will your information cost me?" Destro leaned forward, grabbing the mercenary from his chair.
"Let's see," Zartan brushed Destro's hands away, walking towards the windows. "COBRA Commander would pay me a hefty sum for delivering her to him, but I have more pressing needs at the moment."
"More pressing than money, hmmm?" Destro studied him carefully, "What do you want?"
"The Joe's have Zarana...I need to know the codes to get her out. Codes that Lady Jaye would know."
"Her memories are suppressed," Destro waved him off.
"No, they're not. You just have to ask her while she's under your control," Destro analyzed the situation, weighing the consequences.
"No tricks, I assure you. I need Zarana," he read his expression.
"Very well, you'll have the codes once I have her returned safely."
"Nay since 'e took Allie out fer a picnic yesterday," Maggie walked towards him with a cup of coffee, setting it down on the table.
"Picnic? Where's Low Light?" Duke frowned, scratching his head.
"He was following them," Mainframe shrugged, reaching for a scone.
"Great, let's go find Hansel and Gretel," Duke growled, grabbing Mainframe by the collar.
*****
"He's over there," Patrick hissed in Ian's ear, pointing to Beach Head disguised as Flint. They watched him shooting darts.
"Come on," he stalked forward, placing himself between Beach Head and the dartboard. "Seems to me your rather lost, aren't you, JOE?" He snarled, looking past Beach Head.
"Nah, just playin' a game of darts," Beach Head sent one soaring over Ian's shoulder, striking the bull's-eye while suppressing a grin. Ian shifted uncomfortably, stepping forward to grab Beach Head by the shirt.
"You've worn out your welcome. This is still McCullen land," Ian growled, shoving him back.
"Last time I checked, this was a pub," Beach Head shoved back. "I'll leave when I'm good and ready..."
"You'll be leaving now," Ian motioned to Sean and Patrick.
"Can't fight for yourself, pretty boy," Beach Head grinned.
"Oh, handling the likes of you isn't a problem," Ian drew back a fist and sent it flying.
Beach Head ducked, dodging under Ian's arm to catch him. Lifting him up over his shoulder, he threw him into Sean and Patrick.
"You tell Destro I'll be leaving when I'm damn well good and ready," he snarled back at the men sprawled on the floor before turning his back to retrieve his darts.
"I'm not finished with you," Ian clamped his hand on his shoulder, turning him around to face him.
Beach Head swept his forearm up, knocking Ian off balance and to the side. "I'm not looking for a fight."
"You can't have her," Ian lunged for Beach Head, striking his mid section and sending him back onto a table, shattering it beneath their weight.
"Hey, break it up," Shipwreck jumped over the banister at the foot of the stairs, moving in to back Beach Head up.
"YOU!" Ian growled, feeling Beach Head's knees propelling him back to the floor. He landed with a thud, feeling Sean and Patrick's hands lifting him up.
"C'mon Flint, he ain't worth it," Shipwreck scoffed, offering Beach Head a hand up.
"Now, ye heard tha man," the bartender growled. "Ian, take yer men or I'll be callin' tha Laird meself."
"This isn't over, JOE," Ian snarled as Sean shoved him out the door, passing an old man resting on a bench outside.
*****
"Allie?" Flint yawned, gently shaking her. She didn't respond. "Allie? ROISIN!" He yelled, shaking her in his arms.
"Yer bring tha whole 'ouse down wi' yer bellowing," Roisin scolded from the door.
"I can't wake her, what did you give her?" He growled, turning her face side to side. Her head tilted back, exposing her neck. Tracing his fingers over her throat, he felt her pulse, strong and steady. "Roisin?" He narrowed his eyes on her.
"It's jus' tha herbs clearin' 'er mind, tha's all. She'll sleep a bit," she chuckled, stroking Jaye's hair from her eyes. "Ye a bit too o'er protective, aren't ye?"
Flint snarled, causing her to laugh louder.
"Jason said ye were smitten wi' 'er," she shook her head, reaching into her basket once more for another bunch of herbs.
"Hasn't she had enough?" He frowned, watching her burn the last of the herbal remedy.
"This should ease tha' 'eadaches," she placed her hands behind Jaye's shoulders, lowering her back to the bed. "Let 'er rest..."
"We got company, Flint," Low Light called from the door. "Can she travel?"
"Leave 'er be," Roisin stopped Flint from lifting her.
"How many Low Light?"
"The grunts are saying two...wait," he rolled his eyes. "Never mind," he tapped his earpiece, backing out of the room while spewing a string of euphemisms.
"What?" Flint fumed, setting Jaye down.
"It's just Duke and Mainframe," he shrugged. "Damn grunts can't get it straight," he muttered under his breath. "How the hell could they mix those two up is beyond me?"
"How long before they get here?" Flint stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"ETA," Low Light eyed his watch. "I'd say 10 minutes."
"Get your gear together...Roisin, get her ready to travel. We're taking her out of here as soon as the others get here..."
"Ye canna' be serious, she's as weak as a babe," Roisin protested, blocking Flint's view of the bed.
"We need to move her to safety. I can't defend this place if the Grenadiers show up looking for her," he walked back inside the room, passing Roisin. "Low Light?"
"Got everything," he nodded, presenting his rifle while slinging a rucksack over his shoulder.
"Time to go, babe," Flint grinned, scooping his arms under her as he lifted her up to his chest. "Roisin, open the door, please."
"If yer takin' 'er, I'm a comin' wi' ye," she rushed to gather her supplies.
"She'll slow us down," Low Light grumbled.
"Ye'll be movin' slow enough carryin' 'er," Roisin scoffed, falling in behind Flint.
"I've got a couple of grunts following at a safe distance," Low Light called over his shoulder to Flint. "You want me to carry her for a while."
"Just lead the way, I've got her," Flint tightened his hold as he stepped onto the rocky path leading out of the woods. "There's Duke and Mainframe," he watched them quicken their pace to meet them.
"What happened?" Duke rushed forward, blocking Flint. "Is she?"
"Out cold, she started having flashbacks yesterday before we heard reports of the Grenadiers near the main house," Flint gently lowered her to the ground, cradling her protectively.
"How long has she been like this?" Duke knelt down beside her, carefully studying her profile.
"Roisin's been taking care of her," Flint glanced over to the woman approaching behind them. "Roisin, this is Duke and Mainframe."
"Milords," she greeted them with a nod. "She shouldna' be out 'ere."
"How bad is she?"
"She's resting. The 'erbs I gave 'er will dull tha pain and give her time ta' focus. She be out fer a while longer," Roisin caressed her cheek, looking at Duke.
"Let's get moving before the Grenadiers return. Beach Head's in the village impersonating you until we can get her out of here. Let's head for the main house, if she's recalling things, it'll be a familiar setting," Duke patted Flint's shoulder. "I'll take her a while, if you want," he offered, catching Flint's scowl.
"Main house, why there?"
"Hawk's sending a surprise," Duke smirked. "Now, you want me to take her or not?" Duke reached for her.
Cradling her up to his chest, Flint cast a warning glare.
"Fine, don't forget I offered," Duke chuckled, taking the point. "You haven't been to the main house much, have you?"
"No," Flint nearly stumbled on a rock.
"Good, they're expecting her this afternoon with her...ah...you," Duke suppressed a chuckle. "The housekeeper's running the staff crazy organizing everything."
"Ah...why?"
"It's not everyday she comes home for a visit," Duke ducked under a branch, holding it back for Flint.
"Home...for a visit," Flint repeated weighing each word before sighing. "That's how she knew the cottage and the land," he groaned. "Any more surprises up Jason's sleeve?"
"Nah...he's in the States..."
*****
"You let your emotions rule you," Destro growled, slamming his fist down.
"Laird, it wasn't like..." Patrick stammered, defending Ian.
"ENOUGH! She's still missing...and," Destro paused.
"Laird?"
Raising his hand, Destro silenced him and turned his attention towards the door.
"Begging your pardon, Laird, you have another visitor," Sean blocked the newest arrival, the old man from the pub.
"Who?"
"I saw you at the pub," Ian pointed.
"Aye ye did indeed, milord," the man gingerly approached leaning his weight on his cane. "I come wi' news of tha strangers in the village."
"Very well," Destro directed him to take a seat before leaning against his desk.
"What could you possibly know that we don't?" Ian spat, dismissing the man's presence.
"Ian..." Destro growled. "Sit down, you may learn something here. Go on, * shifting his eyes from the mans face to his hands* what do you have for sale today, Zartan?"
"Zartan," Ian shot a glance to the withered old man.
"Yes, Zartan. Old men normally have age spots and wrinkles on their hands. You must be more vigilant, Ian."
"First of all, Flint would have killed you for mentioning her," Zartan scoffed.
"Would have?" Ian narrowed his eyes. "I would have finished him if it hadn't been for..."
"You weren't fighting Flint," Zartan interrupted.
"What do you have, Zartan? Or rather, how much will your information cost me?" Destro leaned forward, grabbing the mercenary from his chair.
"Let's see," Zartan brushed Destro's hands away, walking towards the windows. "COBRA Commander would pay me a hefty sum for delivering her to him, but I have more pressing needs at the moment."
"More pressing than money, hmmm?" Destro studied him carefully, "What do you want?"
"The Joe's have Zarana...I need to know the codes to get her out. Codes that Lady Jaye would know."
"Her memories are suppressed," Destro waved him off.
"No, they're not. You just have to ask her while she's under your control," Destro analyzed the situation, weighing the consequences.
"No tricks, I assure you. I need Zarana," he read his expression.
"Very well, you'll have the codes once I have her returned safely."
