THE DESERT DANCE

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The Desert

The four scrambled out of the crashed Huey.  Even though they were on the Saudi side, there was no telling what might happen. The last thing any of them needed was to be taken prisoner by Iraqis.  With the recent UN resolution, the Iraqi government would never believe that this was a site seeing expedition.

"We need to go this way." Bristow announced.

"Are you sure?" Webb asked.

"Positive." Bristow stated.

"My camera," Sam said turning back.

"Forget your camera." Webb yelled.

"Webb, what better way to prove that I am a journalist?" Sam snapped. "Keep going; I'll catch up."

"Get your camera." Webb said. Her mind works just like mine. "I'll wait."

Sam ran back to the Huey and grabbed her camera.  She also noticed a flair gun and grabbed that as well.  Webb was waiting for her, right where she had left him.  The Major and Lieutenant had continued ahead.

"Here, I thought we might need this." Sam said handing Webb the flair gun.

"Good thinking. Let's move." Webb said. "We need to catch up to them."

"Then I suggest you run faster." Sam said as she sprinted ahead.

Webb matched Sam's pace.  All he could think about was the work he had to do and the fact that he wanted to kill AJ.  This was not on his agenda, running through the desert with a smart assed journalist.  His trip was to be two, three days tops.  Now he been there for two weeks, why did he ever agree to baby-sit?

"Won't they just send someone to get us?" Sam asked.

"Yes, it's just a question of when." Bristow responded.

"Does this mean we are safe?" Sam asked.

"For the time being," Webb said, looking at the sky.

"It's going to get dark soon." Allen said.

"I suggest we find some rocks to set up camp. I'll radio the base." Bristow said. "Give them our location."

"Major, you might want to wait until it gets a bit darker, then you can use the stars as a guide." Sam said.

"Who are you?" Webb asked in amazement.

"My father was in the Army." Sam said. "We traveled so much, he taught me to use the stars as a map, when I got lonely for the states."

"She's right, it will be easier." Allen said.

They found a group of rocks and made a makeshift camp behind them.  Night was falling and it was getting colder.  Sam pulled her jacket around her and started writing on her notepad.

"Are you warm enough?" Bristow asked Sam.

"I'm fine and the only woman with three men. I am sure someone will keep me warm if needed." Sam joked and went back to writing.

"What are you writing?" Webb asked.

"My last will and testament," Sam replied. "Care to notarize it?"

"Excuse me." Webb said sarcastically.

"You don't like me very much do you?" Sam asked. "Don't worry the feeling is mutual."

"I never said that." Webb stated.

"You didn't have to." Sam replied. "You have yet to be civil to me since we met."

"Oh, and you have been such a lady?" Webb shot back. "Telling me what wine to buy, forgetting my name in the Admiral's office, always mouthing off."

"Well, you started it, with your condescending attitude." Sam said. "I was right about the wine, wasn't I?"

"I am not going to sit in the middle of the desert and argue with you." Webb said and started to walk away.

"Fine, no one asked you to sit with me anyway." Sam snapped. 

"Want to bet?" Webb mumbled under his breath.

"You know, I never met a guy I didn't like." Sam stated, "Until now."

Webb was tempted to say something but held his tongue and walked away.  He wanted to strangle this woman, and by the looks of it she wanted to strangle him.

"Major? Is there anything I can do to help?" Sam asked.

"No, it's fine.  Do you and Mr. Webb, know each other?" Bristow asked.

"We've had a few run ins." Sam said. "I find him a bit arrogant."

"Well, he doesn't have an easy job." Bristow replied.

"What does he do?" Sam asked with interest.

"I'm not sure, it's usually classified." Bristow said.

"Really? Interesting." Sam smiled.

"With the way you two snap at each other, I would have thought there was some history there." Allen added.

"Nope," Sam smiled. "Where did he go anyway?"

"He's on the other side." Allen replied.

"I hope he freezes." Sam said sitting down.

"I need to contact the base again," Bristow said getting up.  He attempted to make radio contact but was having trouble. "Allen, let me have your radio."

"Coming Sir," Allen said and got up.

Sam sat for a few minutes and then decided to go see what Webb was doing.

"Are you warm enough?" Sam asked.

"Fine, thank you." Webb said curtly.

"You know I am not a hard assed reporter, like you think." Sam said as she sat.

"No, what are you?" Webb asked.

"Most think a very nice person." Sam said. "What are you?"

"Curious as to what caused this change in you." Webb replied.

"Are you always such a jackass?" Sam shot back, as she got up and walked away.

"Danaher, hold up." Webb said, realizing he had been rude.

"What do you want?" Sam asked turning back.

"I don't quite understand you." Webb said.

"What's to understand?" Sam asked. "We're stuck in the desert; it's getting colder by the minute and… Forget it."

"Finish," Webb said.

"What for? You are probably the most constipated person I have ever met." Sam said.

"Are you always so snappish?" Webb asked.

"Me, I react to the treatment I get." Sam replied. "I know your type; I bet I could tell you all about you."

"Go ahead." Webb dared.

"Privileged childhood, born with a silver spoon in your mouth, private schools.  Ivy league and I would bet money that you work in intelligence." Sam said. "Am I right?"

"Almost," Webb said, "The spoon was platinum."

"Forgive me." Sam said. "So what do you do?"

"Classified," Webb stated.

"Off the record?" Sam asked.

"You're such a reporter. Let me tell you about you." Webb said.

"Go for it." Sam said.

"A daddy's girl, opinionated and strong willed. You were raised all over the world, a true Army brat. You were a wild child.  I bet the MP's had to bring you home more than once." Webb said.

"Pretty good," Sam replied. "You forgot one thing."

"What was that?" Webb asked.

"I'm always right." Sam smiled.

They sat in silence for a bit, neither happy about the situation or the company.

"This is not how I expected to be spending my evening." Webb said looking at the sky.

"Aww, did the poor suit have a date?" Sam said sarcastically.

"Are you always so obnoxious?" Webb asked.

"Are you always such a pompous ass?" Sam snapped back.

"You're impossible. Why did you take this assignment anyway?" Webb asked.

"I'm a reporter." Sam said. "I go where the good stories are. My articles have been picked up by the AP."

"I know, but your column isn't just about the military.  You write about everything." Webb said.

"You've read my column?" Sam said with a smile and softer tone.

"As always, when you see a member of the military, active or retired, thank them.  They are the reason for your freedom." Webb quoted.

"Wow, you really do read it." Sam said.

"I didn't put it together until AJ told me you were a reporter." Webb said.

"How long have you been reading it?" Sam asked.

"Since you started, I especially liked the one about you and your father." Webb said. "It was touching."

"That was my fourth column. No body read me back then." Sam laughed.

"I did. I actually like your style." Webb said.

"Hey, did you smile." Sam said. "You should do it more often. I bet you have the kind of smile that makes women swoon."

Webb looked at Sam and gave her a half a smile. "Nope, I was wrong." Sam teased.

"Excuse me." Bristow said. "We were able to reach the base; they will send someone out at sun up."

"Sun up?" Sam groaned. "Can we build a fire?"

"The Lieutenant is working on it." Bristow said.

"Any idea why they were shooting at us?" Webb asked. "We weren't in their air space."

"No clue Sir." Bristow replied. "But I can guarantee State is going to want answers."

"You could say that." Webb replied.

THE NEXT MORNING

Webb, Sam, Bristow and Allen had agreed to take turns watching the fire while the others rested.  They were cold and tired, but confident that they would be rescued at sun up. 

"Did you sleep alright?" Bristow asked Sam as she got up.

"Just wonderful. Maybe we can call them and tell them not to come until tomorrow." Sam smiled.

"I can't wait to tell my wife I spent the night with Sam Danaher." Bristow laughed.

"Does she know I am a woman?" Sam asked arching her eyebrows.

"Yes, she is a big fan so she would get a kick out of our meeting." Bristow said.

"Oh really?" Sam laughed. "So, Major where are you from?"

"Originally from Minnesota, but my family lives in Warner Robins, GA now." Bristow replied.

"Well, I guess I need to take a trip to Warner Robins." Sam smiled. "I haven't been to Warner AFB, in a long time."

"That would be great." Bristow replied. "If you could…"

"I'll see your family and tell them you're just fine." Sam said as she got up and started pacing.

"Are you ok?" Bristow asked.

"Actually, I have to go." Sam stated.

"Go?" Bristow asked.

"Yeah, go." Sam emphasized. "I was thinking of just going back by those rocks over there."

"Ok, be careful." Bristow said.

Sam went to take care of things, when Webb woke up. "Where's Danaher?"

"She had to take care of something." Bristow said with a small smile.

"Take care of something? You let her go off alone?" Webb snapped.

"She's right behind the rocks." Bristow said. "Sir, give her some privacy."

"What is she doing?" Webb asked, walking towards the indicated area.

"Do you mind?" Sam said as she was zipping up. "I had to pee."

"Excuse me." Webb said, obviously embarrassed.

"What is your problem?" Sam asked.

"I didn't think it was wise for you to be alone out here." Webb stated.

"What 5 feet from the rest of you?" Sam snapped, "Real danger there."

"Is there something wrong with a person being concerned?" Webb asked. AJ you are going to owe me big.

"A person no you yes." Sam stated. "Why did you go on the Huey anyway?"

"Classified," Webb stated.

"You really are a pain in the ass." Sam said walking away.

"Have you taken a look in the mirror?" Webb shot back.

Before Sam could answer, they heard the noise of an approaching aircraft.

"Salvation," Sam said to Bristow and Allen.

"I told you they would be here at sunup." Bristow said.

"I never doubted it for a second." Sam smiled.

They got into the helo, where blankets were provided and questions asked.

"What happened to the back up that was supposed to be coming?" Bristow asked.

"Sir, once the Huey went down, they went after the planes that shot at you." The Lieutenant on board advised.

"Did they get them?" Bristow asked.

"Scared the hell out of them, Sir," The Lieutenant replied.

"Any indication as to why?" Sam asked.

"No ma'am.  It was obvious you weren't in their airspace." The Lieutenant replied. "The CO wants to see you for debriefing as soon as we touch down. He wants you to join them, Mr. Webb."

"I figured as much." Webb stated.

"Ma'am I don't know who you know, but the Navy JAG wants to be notified as soon as you're safe.  So does the Secretary of the Navy." The Lieutenant informed Sam.

"Fans of my column," Sam laughed. "It's the price of fame."

PRINCE SULTAN AIR BASE

They returned to base and were given a hero's welcome.  Webb, Bristow and Allen were immediately taken to the base CO, and Sam was escorted to her room.  There she took a shower and then went to the mess.  Thirty minutes later, Webb walked in and sat with her.

"We need a favor." Webb stated.

"And who is we?" Sam asked as she lit a cigarette.

"The State Department," Webb announced.

"Is that who you work for?" Sam asked.

"It's classified." Webb answered. "Could you blow that smoke elsewhere?"

Sam just looked at Webb, with her chin resting on her hand; she puckered her lips and blew the smoke directly at Webb. "What's the favor?"

"You can't print what happened. You need to sit on it." Webb stated, with an aggravated look.

"Now why would I do that? This is a great story." Sam asked.

"It's a story, which regardless of the spin could jeopardize the weapons inspections." Webb advised.

"Well, what do you give me?" Sam asked, lighting another cigarette.  She really didn't want this one, but realized the smoke bothered Webb.

"What do you want?" Webb asked rolling his eyes.

"I want to meet Colin Powell, and I want a tour of the pentagon, the areas the press isn't permitted to go." Sam said.

"That's it?" Webb asked. "Done."

"I wasn't finished." Sam said. "I want to know what you do."

"That's classified." Webb said.

"Hello readers, imagine being in a Huey, flying over the Saudi desert with a Major, a Lieutenant and a pompous ass…" Sam began dictating into her tape recorder.

"Very humorous," Webb replied taking the tape recorder from her. "This isn't a joke."

"What do you do? Whom do you work for?" Sam asked, taking back the recorder.

"Are you always this impossible?" Webb asked, as he got up.

"It's a simple request, I'll start for you. I work for, now fill in the blank." Sam stated.

"You're insufferable." Webb said. "Will you sit on the story?"         

"Of course," Sam replied. What an arrogant SOB.

Webb walked away feeling as though he had gotten the last word.  Sam decided right then that she was going to find out all she could about Clayton Webb.  This was one story she was not going to sit on; Who is Clayton Webb?

An hour later Sam saw Webb walking with some two-star; I wonder what they are discussing? The men ended their conversation and Sam walked over to Webb.

"Webb, I have something for you." Sam said.

"What is it now Danaher?" Webb asked.

"I bet you get a lot of women with that charm." Sam shot back.

"I'm busy, what do you need?" Webb asked.

"I thought you might like this." Sam said, tossing him a roll of film and walking away.

"Danaher," Webb called. "Thank you."  Sam just smiled and continued walking.