CHAPTER 6
Frank and Sab arrive at the Billings airport as it is getting dark. They went straight to the hanger where he was told the search and rescue crew was assembled. A man met him by the name of Scott Timmons.
"Mr. Donovan I presume." He says holding out his hand. "I'm Timmons head of Search and Rescue."
"This is Sabrina Kells." Sabrina shook hands with Timmons.
"I wish this storm would have let up sooner, but nature works on her own schedule not ours."
"We can help you with your search; we know exactly where my wife is." Frank replies.
"And how do you know that?" Timmons was skeptical.
"My wife and I own a ranch not far from here. We have a security system that includes the use of these bracelets." Frank showed him the bracelet he was wearing. "They have tracking devices in them, my wife has one on and we were able to find her on our way here by that."
"Maybe I should get one of those for my wife." One man comments.
"Just why would you need that type of security for a ranch?" Timmons asks.
Frank showed his badge to them. "My wife, and I are Federal agents and we need the security for our family."
"I take it you are a Fed too Miss Kells."
"Sort of." Sab sat down and opened her laptop to look at the signal from the bracelet again. "Frank!" She tried to control her excitement. "The signal has moved."
"How far?" Frank was looking over her shoulder. "Not far, but enough that it tells us she is alive." Sab replies.
"Someone else could have moved her." Timmons says.
"Then we know one or both of them are alive." Frank insists.
"There is something we need to tell you Mr. Donovan. We found the pilot to your wife's plane in a hanger shot. He's alive but barely."
"Then who was on my wife's plane?" Frank asks.
"I'm sorry to say we have know idea." Timmons replies.
"A mechanic found the other pilot bound and shot, he wasn't able to talk to us." Another man reports.
"When can we go rescue them?" Frank asks.
"We will be leaving at first light, but you won't, you'll stay here." Timmons orders.
"That's what you think." Sab says under her breath.
"I'm going with you so get use to the idea." Frank insists.
"If they are injured we will need all the room we can spare to carry them."
"Then one of your people can stay I am going." Frank argues.
"Is your friend always this insistent?" Timmons turns to Sab.
"He's my boss and yes he is." Sab replies.
Frank sat down next to Sab and looked at the signal. "I'm hurt you don't consider me a friend." Frank winks at her.
"Sorry, but I just meant that you are my boss first and foremost and the friend part I not sure of." Sab explains.
"Elaina and I both consider the team, which includes you, as friends." Frank replies. "I am only your boss when we are working. Technically we are not here on business. This is personal."
"Oh great, I'm doing this without pay? If I knew that I wouldn't have come." Her teasing made him smile.
"I'm glad you brought your sense of humor." Frank laughs.
"Me too, I think we both will need it before the night is over."
*****
The next day Andy showed up to find the team and Derek all sleeping near the phone. Monica and Alex had arrived late that night when Montgomery returned early.
Maria and Jake were curled up on the floor in sleeping bags and Derek and Cody had fallen asleep at the Operations Board. Alex and Monica had brought out cots to sleep on.
The phone rang once and no one was there when Cody answered it. "Wonder who that was?"
"That would be me." Andy stood putting his cell phone away. "I thought I would get you all up at once that way."
"I think I have whip lash from moving so fast, can I sue?" Cody asks holding his neck.
"Nope, sorry." Andy replies.
Someone's cell then phone rang.
"That's mine." Maria grabbed it and answered. "Hello?"
"Hello songbird, how are you feeling this morning?" Montgomery asks.
"I'm feeling better now that you called. I missed you while you were away." Maria mouthed Montgomery's name to them.
"Really? I'm flattered. Martin told me you had food poisoning or something. Are you going to be in today?"
"Yes, I'm very interested in talking to you about something. I have an offer to make to you." Maria replies.
"What is it"? Montgomery asks.
"I'll tell you when I get there; shall we meet in about an hour?"
"I'll be waiting. Good bye love."
"Goodbye." Maria hung up. "Yuk, he is hard to take before breakfast, actually he's hard to take period."
"Hey we have an email from Sab." They all gave Cody their attention. "They are going out at first light to rescue them. She says that they found the signal when they got closer and then Sab said she saw slight movement in it." It seemed that everyone let out a deep sigh of relief together.
"What else does she say Cody?" Monica went to look over his shoulder.
"Hey, some of this is personal." Cody replies. "I'll skip that part; she said that Frank insisted on going. No big surprise there. She'll get back with us as soon as she knows more."
"I don't know about anyone else but I feel a lot better now." Derek says with a sigh of relief.
"I feel better knowing they arrived in one piece, I guess Lady Hawk kept her promise." Maria says.
"Are we ever going to know her real name?" Cody asks.
"Not from me." Maria smiles. "I'm going to go change then go to work on Montgomery. I'm feeling very good and I think I will make progress with him. I can feel it."
*****
Maria and Jake went to the club. Cody, Andy and Monica were in the van watching and listening. Derek stayed with Alex back at the nest even though he asked to go with them; Maria thought it be best he stayed behind in case his father called.
Maria walked up to Montgomery and put her arms around him. "Hello Conner. I finally made it. My stomach doesn't like me being here but I wanted to see you."
"Are you sure you should be, you do look a little pale?" He asks looking at her.
Maria had put on a lighter make up to look that way and she was glad he noticed. "I'm fine love."
"You said you had an offer for me." Conner reminds her.
"Yes, I found out through the grapevine that you are in the smuggling business."
"Just what grapevine are you talking about, the one of miss information." Connor was annoyed.
"Now we both know that you are not innocent as you would lead me to believe. I have ways of finding out about people I'm interested in." Maria explains. "I have proof that you are a smuggler would you like to see it?"
"What is she up to? What proof does she have?" Andy asks from the van.
"You really don't want to know." Cody replies, knowing what Sab told him that they did yesterday morning.
"Yes I would like to see this proof, if it exists." Connor tells her.
"Jake, can I have the proof please." Jake opened the briefcase and gave her the copies they had made yesterday. "Here you go; I think these say it all."
"How did you get these?" Connor demands.
"I told you I have my ways. Now I would like to become a partner with you. My voice is not going to hold up much longer according to my doctor. I would like to have a nice little nest egg put back when that happens."
"And if I refuse to let you be my partner?" Connor was becoming defensive.
"There is no refusing me, you can try but I will just take you out of the picture and have the business to myself." Maria stares as she says it, letting him know she wasn't bluffing. "Do we have a deal Mr. Montgomery?"
"I already have partners; I will have to consult with them."
"Then do it. I will give you 24 hours to decide. I will see you tomorrow. I won't be singing tonight. I have other things to do." Maria and Jake walked out.
"Okay now what?" Cody asks Andy.
"Watch and see what he does next. Monica do you think he will go after Jake and Maria or make the deal?" Andy asks.
"I think he will go for the deal, he acts as if he really has feeling for her and if that is true he will want to give her what she wants." Monica replies.
"Especially if he values his life." Cody adds.
"I'm going back to the nest; I'll bring Alex back to relieve you Monica." Andy says getting up. "I wish there was someway to give you a rest Cody but I don't think there is."
"Actually there is, but Maria probably won't go for it." Cody replies turning to him. "Derek knows this set up as well as Sab and I do."
"Well we do have Frank's permission so I might bring him along." Andy took off.
"Good luck, he doesn't realize that Maria is just as protective of Derek as Elaina."
*****
At the Billings airport, Sab watched as Frank and the rescue team lifted off in the dim light of morning. When she couldn't see the helicopter any longer she went back to her laptop and stare at it in hopes of seeing any movement. The temperature had dropped really low and in the high mountains even lower.
"Come on Elaina you have to be okay." Sab realized she had said it out loud. She looked around to see if anyone had heard her.
She waited for what seemed to be hours but in reality it had only been 45 minutes, when she saw Frank's signal coming in close to Elaina's.
"You're about a mile out." She radioed Frank.
"Thanks, what about Elaina's, any change?" Frank radios back.
"Sorry none." After a few minutes Sab informed them they were over the sight. "You're right over them, do you see anything?"
"A lot of snow, but we are going down there." Frank replies. Suddenly the thought of Elaina's dream came to him.
Frank and the rescue team repelled down from the helicopter. As they went down closer it was easier to see the outline of the downed plane. Frank noticed that they barely stopped before going over into a deep ravine.
"Reese, do you hear something"? Elaina tried to get up but couldn't.
"If you're hearing things so am I." Reese got up slowly and made his way to the opening that wasn't there anymore due to the snow. He dug a little and the snow came into the plane opening up to the morning sky. "Seems like company's coming."
"Damn and this place is a mess they should have called first." Elaina jokes.
The rescue team filed in with Frank being the last one in. "Hey Lady, nice landing spot."
"Come here you." He knelt down beside her and she put her arms around him so tight he couldn't breath.
"Trying to squeeze me to death?" Frank says as she loosened her hold on him.
"I'm just so glad to see you." She kisses him.
"Come on, let go so they can look you over." Frank insists. "Seems this is what your dream was about." Frank said to Elaina she just shrugged her shoulders.
"How did you find us so fast after the storm? I know the emergency beacon wasn't working." Reese informs them.
"You never told me that brother." Elaina was angry.
"Take it easy, we found you because you forgot again." He picked up her arm and showed her the bracelet.
"Thank God for my being forgetful." Elaina smiles.
"Sab, she has a broken leg, cuts and bruises and feisty as ever." Frank informs her.
"That's great news; tell her I'm happy she's okay."
"Just a second you can tell her yourself." Frank gave Elaina the headset.
"Hello Sab."
"It is so good to hear your voice." Sab says wiping tears from her eyes.
"It's good to hear yours too, thanks for helping find me so quick."
"It was all you, if you hadn't left your bracelet on, well I'm just glad you did."
"So am I. When you tell everyone we're okay tell my kids and Maria I love them and will see them really soon." Elaina replies.
"Will do. I need to say something to Frank." Sab tells her. Elaina gave the headset back to him.
"What do you need Sabrina?" Frank asks.
"Cody sent an email. Maria's made her demands to Montgomery and they're watching him closely.
"Copy that." Frank replies.
"We better get them out of here." Timmons says.
"How do you feel about a helicopter ride?" Frank asks.
"As long as it doesn't crash, I don't care."
******
The phone rang back at the nest; Derek grabbed it before Andy could. "Hello."
"Hi Derek, I have some news for you." Sab's voice was full of excitement.
"Hang on a minute; I'll put you on the speaker. Okay ready. Please tell me they're okay." Derek says.
"Yes, they are pretty beat up but they are going to be okay." Sab replies.
"Yes! I knew they would be." Maria hugged Derek.
"Your Mom said to tell you she loved you, Sarah and Maria and will see all of you really soon. Is Cody there?" Sab asks.
"No, he and Monica are watching the club." Derek replies.
"Okay I'll email him. Bye for now guys."
"Thanks, bye. I feel like celebrating, think Mom would want a party?" Derek asks.
"I'd hold off on that, she's probably not in the mood right now." Jake suggests.
"You can plan one, but don't set a date for it until you talk to them." Maria tells him.
"Derek, how would you like to go with me and Alex and give Monica and Cody a rest?" Andy asks watching Maria's expression change.
"I don't think he should get involved in this." Maria says.
"We have Frank's permission to let him go and we can't burn out Cody. We may need him later if Montgomery should try anything. It will just be a couple of hours." Andy states.
"I still don't like the idea." Maria protests.
"Maria I'll be fine, I know how to use the equipment and Cody does need a rest."
"Fine go ahead, but be very careful."
"Yes ma'am." Derek kisses her on the cheek.
"You're very protective of him. You'd make a great mom yourself." Jake says to her.
"We have phone calls to make, so let's do it." Maria seemed to ignore his last statement.
"Yes boss." Jake says sarcastically.
******
Later that day at the airport in Billings, Sab, Frank and Elaina wait for their plane to be refueled.
"I still think it would be a good idea if you stayed at the ranch a few days and got some rest." Frank insists.
"I'm going back to see my kids and no one is going to stop me." Elaina replies. "I'll be fine; I had a lot of rest waiting on you to find me."
"I don't know why you try to get her to stay; you know how she is, Boss." Sab adds.
"I told you, we are not working, you can call me Frank."
"Or pain in the ass is good too." Elaina says laughing.
"Very funny, Lady. I could have used your other nickname but I didn't. I'm a gentleman." He kisses her. "You know Sab doesn't even consider me a friend." Frank pouts.
"Why would she, you're her boss?"
"You're her boss too and she considers you a friend." Frank was still acting sad.
"Hey, I never said I didn't consider you a friend I just think of you more as my boss." Sab explains.
"Ignore him Sab." Elaina says.
"I'm serious, why is it no one on the team considers me a friend?" Frank asks.
"Think back to how you treated them the first few months, you were a tyrant." Elaina replies. "You never opened up to them."
"I was starting to open up more to them. I just didn't want them to know that much about me; I am a very private person."
"I guess I kind of blew that out of the water when they met me." Elaina says.
"Just a little, I think there are still a few secrets left in our family closet."
"I can think of a few, Sab would you like to know them?" Elaina asks smiling.
"Oh no you don't?" Frank put his hand over her mouth. "Ouch you bit me."
"Don't cover my mouth up, I told you I'd do that the last time you tried." Elaina says.
"Behave, you two we are in public." Sab scolds them.
"Elaina are you ready to fly again?" A familiar voice asks.
Elaina looked up to see Lady Hawk in front of her. "Why are you here?"
"Didn't Frank tell you I'm your pilot?" She asks.
"No he didn't and I'm surprised he's letting you pilot any plane he's on." Elaina replies.
"I did it as a favor to you and Maria."
"Well I guess we should go then, crutches please." Elaina says as Frank helped her up.
Sab gave her the crutches and she started out to the plane. "You're pretty good with those."
"This isn't my first broken leg, but I do hope it is my last." Elaina replies.
Sab watched as Lady Hawk went ahead to the plane. "Elaina, what is Lady Hawk's real name?"
"Didn't she tell you? It's Sam Rawlinson."
"She's related to Andy?" Sab asks surprised.
"Yep." Elaina kept up her pace as Sab walked up to Frank.
"What did Lady Hawk do to you that you don't like the way she flies?" Sab asks.
"I made the mistake of making her angry by criticizing her landings when we worked on a case together. When it was over she took me on a few touch and go landings and I could barely walk for three days after that." Frank replies.
"Now I consider you a friend, because as my boss you would have said it was none of my business." Sab giggles as she walked fast to catch up to Elaina.
Frank and Sab arrive at the Billings airport as it is getting dark. They went straight to the hanger where he was told the search and rescue crew was assembled. A man met him by the name of Scott Timmons.
"Mr. Donovan I presume." He says holding out his hand. "I'm Timmons head of Search and Rescue."
"This is Sabrina Kells." Sabrina shook hands with Timmons.
"I wish this storm would have let up sooner, but nature works on her own schedule not ours."
"We can help you with your search; we know exactly where my wife is." Frank replies.
"And how do you know that?" Timmons was skeptical.
"My wife and I own a ranch not far from here. We have a security system that includes the use of these bracelets." Frank showed him the bracelet he was wearing. "They have tracking devices in them, my wife has one on and we were able to find her on our way here by that."
"Maybe I should get one of those for my wife." One man comments.
"Just why would you need that type of security for a ranch?" Timmons asks.
Frank showed his badge to them. "My wife, and I are Federal agents and we need the security for our family."
"I take it you are a Fed too Miss Kells."
"Sort of." Sab sat down and opened her laptop to look at the signal from the bracelet again. "Frank!" She tried to control her excitement. "The signal has moved."
"How far?" Frank was looking over her shoulder. "Not far, but enough that it tells us she is alive." Sab replies.
"Someone else could have moved her." Timmons says.
"Then we know one or both of them are alive." Frank insists.
"There is something we need to tell you Mr. Donovan. We found the pilot to your wife's plane in a hanger shot. He's alive but barely."
"Then who was on my wife's plane?" Frank asks.
"I'm sorry to say we have know idea." Timmons replies.
"A mechanic found the other pilot bound and shot, he wasn't able to talk to us." Another man reports.
"When can we go rescue them?" Frank asks.
"We will be leaving at first light, but you won't, you'll stay here." Timmons orders.
"That's what you think." Sab says under her breath.
"I'm going with you so get use to the idea." Frank insists.
"If they are injured we will need all the room we can spare to carry them."
"Then one of your people can stay I am going." Frank argues.
"Is your friend always this insistent?" Timmons turns to Sab.
"He's my boss and yes he is." Sab replies.
Frank sat down next to Sab and looked at the signal. "I'm hurt you don't consider me a friend." Frank winks at her.
"Sorry, but I just meant that you are my boss first and foremost and the friend part I not sure of." Sab explains.
"Elaina and I both consider the team, which includes you, as friends." Frank replies. "I am only your boss when we are working. Technically we are not here on business. This is personal."
"Oh great, I'm doing this without pay? If I knew that I wouldn't have come." Her teasing made him smile.
"I'm glad you brought your sense of humor." Frank laughs.
"Me too, I think we both will need it before the night is over."
*****
The next day Andy showed up to find the team and Derek all sleeping near the phone. Monica and Alex had arrived late that night when Montgomery returned early.
Maria and Jake were curled up on the floor in sleeping bags and Derek and Cody had fallen asleep at the Operations Board. Alex and Monica had brought out cots to sleep on.
The phone rang once and no one was there when Cody answered it. "Wonder who that was?"
"That would be me." Andy stood putting his cell phone away. "I thought I would get you all up at once that way."
"I think I have whip lash from moving so fast, can I sue?" Cody asks holding his neck.
"Nope, sorry." Andy replies.
Someone's cell then phone rang.
"That's mine." Maria grabbed it and answered. "Hello?"
"Hello songbird, how are you feeling this morning?" Montgomery asks.
"I'm feeling better now that you called. I missed you while you were away." Maria mouthed Montgomery's name to them.
"Really? I'm flattered. Martin told me you had food poisoning or something. Are you going to be in today?"
"Yes, I'm very interested in talking to you about something. I have an offer to make to you." Maria replies.
"What is it"? Montgomery asks.
"I'll tell you when I get there; shall we meet in about an hour?"
"I'll be waiting. Good bye love."
"Goodbye." Maria hung up. "Yuk, he is hard to take before breakfast, actually he's hard to take period."
"Hey we have an email from Sab." They all gave Cody their attention. "They are going out at first light to rescue them. She says that they found the signal when they got closer and then Sab said she saw slight movement in it." It seemed that everyone let out a deep sigh of relief together.
"What else does she say Cody?" Monica went to look over his shoulder.
"Hey, some of this is personal." Cody replies. "I'll skip that part; she said that Frank insisted on going. No big surprise there. She'll get back with us as soon as she knows more."
"I don't know about anyone else but I feel a lot better now." Derek says with a sigh of relief.
"I feel better knowing they arrived in one piece, I guess Lady Hawk kept her promise." Maria says.
"Are we ever going to know her real name?" Cody asks.
"Not from me." Maria smiles. "I'm going to go change then go to work on Montgomery. I'm feeling very good and I think I will make progress with him. I can feel it."
*****
Maria and Jake went to the club. Cody, Andy and Monica were in the van watching and listening. Derek stayed with Alex back at the nest even though he asked to go with them; Maria thought it be best he stayed behind in case his father called.
Maria walked up to Montgomery and put her arms around him. "Hello Conner. I finally made it. My stomach doesn't like me being here but I wanted to see you."
"Are you sure you should be, you do look a little pale?" He asks looking at her.
Maria had put on a lighter make up to look that way and she was glad he noticed. "I'm fine love."
"You said you had an offer for me." Conner reminds her.
"Yes, I found out through the grapevine that you are in the smuggling business."
"Just what grapevine are you talking about, the one of miss information." Connor was annoyed.
"Now we both know that you are not innocent as you would lead me to believe. I have ways of finding out about people I'm interested in." Maria explains. "I have proof that you are a smuggler would you like to see it?"
"What is she up to? What proof does she have?" Andy asks from the van.
"You really don't want to know." Cody replies, knowing what Sab told him that they did yesterday morning.
"Yes I would like to see this proof, if it exists." Connor tells her.
"Jake, can I have the proof please." Jake opened the briefcase and gave her the copies they had made yesterday. "Here you go; I think these say it all."
"How did you get these?" Connor demands.
"I told you I have my ways. Now I would like to become a partner with you. My voice is not going to hold up much longer according to my doctor. I would like to have a nice little nest egg put back when that happens."
"And if I refuse to let you be my partner?" Connor was becoming defensive.
"There is no refusing me, you can try but I will just take you out of the picture and have the business to myself." Maria stares as she says it, letting him know she wasn't bluffing. "Do we have a deal Mr. Montgomery?"
"I already have partners; I will have to consult with them."
"Then do it. I will give you 24 hours to decide. I will see you tomorrow. I won't be singing tonight. I have other things to do." Maria and Jake walked out.
"Okay now what?" Cody asks Andy.
"Watch and see what he does next. Monica do you think he will go after Jake and Maria or make the deal?" Andy asks.
"I think he will go for the deal, he acts as if he really has feeling for her and if that is true he will want to give her what she wants." Monica replies.
"Especially if he values his life." Cody adds.
"I'm going back to the nest; I'll bring Alex back to relieve you Monica." Andy says getting up. "I wish there was someway to give you a rest Cody but I don't think there is."
"Actually there is, but Maria probably won't go for it." Cody replies turning to him. "Derek knows this set up as well as Sab and I do."
"Well we do have Frank's permission so I might bring him along." Andy took off.
"Good luck, he doesn't realize that Maria is just as protective of Derek as Elaina."
*****
At the Billings airport, Sab watched as Frank and the rescue team lifted off in the dim light of morning. When she couldn't see the helicopter any longer she went back to her laptop and stare at it in hopes of seeing any movement. The temperature had dropped really low and in the high mountains even lower.
"Come on Elaina you have to be okay." Sab realized she had said it out loud. She looked around to see if anyone had heard her.
She waited for what seemed to be hours but in reality it had only been 45 minutes, when she saw Frank's signal coming in close to Elaina's.
"You're about a mile out." She radioed Frank.
"Thanks, what about Elaina's, any change?" Frank radios back.
"Sorry none." After a few minutes Sab informed them they were over the sight. "You're right over them, do you see anything?"
"A lot of snow, but we are going down there." Frank replies. Suddenly the thought of Elaina's dream came to him.
Frank and the rescue team repelled down from the helicopter. As they went down closer it was easier to see the outline of the downed plane. Frank noticed that they barely stopped before going over into a deep ravine.
"Reese, do you hear something"? Elaina tried to get up but couldn't.
"If you're hearing things so am I." Reese got up slowly and made his way to the opening that wasn't there anymore due to the snow. He dug a little and the snow came into the plane opening up to the morning sky. "Seems like company's coming."
"Damn and this place is a mess they should have called first." Elaina jokes.
The rescue team filed in with Frank being the last one in. "Hey Lady, nice landing spot."
"Come here you." He knelt down beside her and she put her arms around him so tight he couldn't breath.
"Trying to squeeze me to death?" Frank says as she loosened her hold on him.
"I'm just so glad to see you." She kisses him.
"Come on, let go so they can look you over." Frank insists. "Seems this is what your dream was about." Frank said to Elaina she just shrugged her shoulders.
"How did you find us so fast after the storm? I know the emergency beacon wasn't working." Reese informs them.
"You never told me that brother." Elaina was angry.
"Take it easy, we found you because you forgot again." He picked up her arm and showed her the bracelet.
"Thank God for my being forgetful." Elaina smiles.
"Sab, she has a broken leg, cuts and bruises and feisty as ever." Frank informs her.
"That's great news; tell her I'm happy she's okay."
"Just a second you can tell her yourself." Frank gave Elaina the headset.
"Hello Sab."
"It is so good to hear your voice." Sab says wiping tears from her eyes.
"It's good to hear yours too, thanks for helping find me so quick."
"It was all you, if you hadn't left your bracelet on, well I'm just glad you did."
"So am I. When you tell everyone we're okay tell my kids and Maria I love them and will see them really soon." Elaina replies.
"Will do. I need to say something to Frank." Sab tells her. Elaina gave the headset back to him.
"What do you need Sabrina?" Frank asks.
"Cody sent an email. Maria's made her demands to Montgomery and they're watching him closely.
"Copy that." Frank replies.
"We better get them out of here." Timmons says.
"How do you feel about a helicopter ride?" Frank asks.
"As long as it doesn't crash, I don't care."
******
The phone rang back at the nest; Derek grabbed it before Andy could. "Hello."
"Hi Derek, I have some news for you." Sab's voice was full of excitement.
"Hang on a minute; I'll put you on the speaker. Okay ready. Please tell me they're okay." Derek says.
"Yes, they are pretty beat up but they are going to be okay." Sab replies.
"Yes! I knew they would be." Maria hugged Derek.
"Your Mom said to tell you she loved you, Sarah and Maria and will see all of you really soon. Is Cody there?" Sab asks.
"No, he and Monica are watching the club." Derek replies.
"Okay I'll email him. Bye for now guys."
"Thanks, bye. I feel like celebrating, think Mom would want a party?" Derek asks.
"I'd hold off on that, she's probably not in the mood right now." Jake suggests.
"You can plan one, but don't set a date for it until you talk to them." Maria tells him.
"Derek, how would you like to go with me and Alex and give Monica and Cody a rest?" Andy asks watching Maria's expression change.
"I don't think he should get involved in this." Maria says.
"We have Frank's permission to let him go and we can't burn out Cody. We may need him later if Montgomery should try anything. It will just be a couple of hours." Andy states.
"I still don't like the idea." Maria protests.
"Maria I'll be fine, I know how to use the equipment and Cody does need a rest."
"Fine go ahead, but be very careful."
"Yes ma'am." Derek kisses her on the cheek.
"You're very protective of him. You'd make a great mom yourself." Jake says to her.
"We have phone calls to make, so let's do it." Maria seemed to ignore his last statement.
"Yes boss." Jake says sarcastically.
******
Later that day at the airport in Billings, Sab, Frank and Elaina wait for their plane to be refueled.
"I still think it would be a good idea if you stayed at the ranch a few days and got some rest." Frank insists.
"I'm going back to see my kids and no one is going to stop me." Elaina replies. "I'll be fine; I had a lot of rest waiting on you to find me."
"I don't know why you try to get her to stay; you know how she is, Boss." Sab adds.
"I told you, we are not working, you can call me Frank."
"Or pain in the ass is good too." Elaina says laughing.
"Very funny, Lady. I could have used your other nickname but I didn't. I'm a gentleman." He kisses her. "You know Sab doesn't even consider me a friend." Frank pouts.
"Why would she, you're her boss?"
"You're her boss too and she considers you a friend." Frank was still acting sad.
"Hey, I never said I didn't consider you a friend I just think of you more as my boss." Sab explains.
"Ignore him Sab." Elaina says.
"I'm serious, why is it no one on the team considers me a friend?" Frank asks.
"Think back to how you treated them the first few months, you were a tyrant." Elaina replies. "You never opened up to them."
"I was starting to open up more to them. I just didn't want them to know that much about me; I am a very private person."
"I guess I kind of blew that out of the water when they met me." Elaina says.
"Just a little, I think there are still a few secrets left in our family closet."
"I can think of a few, Sab would you like to know them?" Elaina asks smiling.
"Oh no you don't?" Frank put his hand over her mouth. "Ouch you bit me."
"Don't cover my mouth up, I told you I'd do that the last time you tried." Elaina says.
"Behave, you two we are in public." Sab scolds them.
"Elaina are you ready to fly again?" A familiar voice asks.
Elaina looked up to see Lady Hawk in front of her. "Why are you here?"
"Didn't Frank tell you I'm your pilot?" She asks.
"No he didn't and I'm surprised he's letting you pilot any plane he's on." Elaina replies.
"I did it as a favor to you and Maria."
"Well I guess we should go then, crutches please." Elaina says as Frank helped her up.
Sab gave her the crutches and she started out to the plane. "You're pretty good with those."
"This isn't my first broken leg, but I do hope it is my last." Elaina replies.
Sab watched as Lady Hawk went ahead to the plane. "Elaina, what is Lady Hawk's real name?"
"Didn't she tell you? It's Sam Rawlinson."
"She's related to Andy?" Sab asks surprised.
"Yep." Elaina kept up her pace as Sab walked up to Frank.
"What did Lady Hawk do to you that you don't like the way she flies?" Sab asks.
"I made the mistake of making her angry by criticizing her landings when we worked on a case together. When it was over she took me on a few touch and go landings and I could barely walk for three days after that." Frank replies.
"Now I consider you a friend, because as my boss you would have said it was none of my business." Sab giggles as she walked fast to catch up to Elaina.