Disclaimer: As in ch. 1
AN: If anybody gets confused by Albert's rank in this chapter. Go back to Ch. 23; I put an explanation note at the beginning of the chapter.
AN: Again, thanks for all the feedbacks and most importantly to my beta-reader, Sigma, for her help. I might…might be able to complete the story by next week during spring break. Hint…hint… keep those feedback coming in, folks and I think I might just complete the story *LOL* One other thing, I tried to get the time as close to reality as possible but nobody perfect. So please pardon me if you find the time a bit off. It's a fiction after all *grin* Enjoy the story!
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O830 Local time
Trey's room
Okinawa Naval Base Hospital
A knock on the door caught the room's attention as Captain Fox stepped into the door way, the sight catching her off guard. Matthew had already settled in the sofa in front of bed with his wife and daughter securely in his arm. Harm sat on the chair next to the bed while Mac sat on the edge of bed, stroking Trey's forehead every now and then. Two young boys were hovering at their uncle's side, engrossed with a Tomcat model as Trey smiled warmly at them.
"Good Morning, everyone." She finally said. "I'm here to check on the Lieutenant." She walked to the end of the bed and quickly scanned his chart. "Well, everything looks fine..." The doctor hesitated, not sure about whether to continue.
Trey smiled briefly at her. "Captain, whatever you want to talk about, you can do it in front of my family."
Sighing deeply, she nodded. "The swelling on your spinal cord is gradually decreasing, but I see that you still can't move your legs."
Trey closed his eyes as her words confirmed exactly what he had feared. From the moment the bullet had hit him, he had known that might have been the case, yet hearing it was just...
Mac gently squeezed his hand, trying to keep her tears at bay.
"Nevertheless, I still want a neurosurgeon to check on you. The Major is on his way here from Bethesda as we speak. I will have him come see you when he arrived."
"Is that even necessary?" Came the dejected response from Trey.
"Don't give up hope just yet, Lieutenant. I was told that the Major is one of the best neurosurgeons in the Navy. Give him a chance."
"I suppose it won't hurt." Trey shrugged very slightly after considering it for a moment.
"Great! I'll let you know when he arrives. You should rest. I'll check on you later." Captain Fox smiled slightly and strode out of the room.
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1200 EST
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
"Hey, Albert! You all right, buddy?" Bryan asked the tired-looking Marine major.
There had been a slight change in the plan. The copter had dropped them at Dulles Airport from where they'd caught a commercial transport to LAX. Bryan was then going to take a helicopter to the pacific while Albert was going to take another commercial jet straight to Okinawa.
"Yeah, I'm just tired, I guess. Isn't it time for you to go?"
"The copter isn't ready yet. They told me to wait here. When's your flight?"
He glanced at his watch. "Uh...30 minutes."
A young marine sergeant approached the men and came to attention.
"At ease."
"Commander Pike?" The Sergeant asked.
"That would be me."
"Sir, the copter is ready for you, if you would follow me."
"Right. Give me one minute." He turned to Albert. "Al, I don't know what's bothering you. You've been so quiet the entire time. I'm guessing that you're probably thinking about your brothers. The rescued POWs reminded you of them, didn't they?"
Albert looked ready to deny it, but Bryan held up his hand. "You don't have to answer that. Trey's ghost has been with you since I met you. A year ago, Matt's ghost joined in. You have to let go of your brothers' ghost, Al, or they'll eat you alive. Matt certainly wouldn't want that to happen, and, although I never met Trey, I'm sure he wouldn't want that either."
Albert sighed and nodded. "Thanks, Bryan. Go on, get going. I'll be fine."
"Good luck, Buddy. I'll see you later." He smiled before turning to the sergeant and heading for the helipad.
'Singapore Airlines Flight No. 29 for Taipei is now boarding. Passengers please proceed to Gate 103' The PA system blandly announced.
Albert took a deep breath, grabbed his gear, and dragged his six to the tarmac. Once seated on the plane, he glanced out the window and let out yet another sigh. At least no one was sitting next to him. The last thing he needed was someone asking questions about the military. His uniform had already attracted more attention than he wanted from the civilians.
After the usual delays, the plane was finally airborne, and Albert tried to get comfortable. However, his mind kept thinking about the past. Trying to ignore his thoughts, he reclined his chair slightly and tried to sleep.
The memories kept overwhelming him, though. It had always been the three of them -- Trey, Matt, and himself. They were as close to each other as it was possible for any brothers to be. Trey and Matt were always so protective of him, just as the trio had always watched out for the twins.
He could remember when they'd built, with their father's help, the tree house in their backyard. It was their special place, where girls were prohibited...it was still in that backyard.
Those had been such happy times for all of them. Then things had spiraled down when that first yellow envelope arrived informing them that Trey was MIA. Albert had only been 20 years old, barely a junior at Annapolis, and he'd returned home for that Christmas.
*Flashback* (Albert's POV)
22nd December 2027
1400 EST
Rabb Residence
McLean, VA
I smiled lightly as I saw my mother on the front yard watering her roses. I grew up hearing the now-famous story of a certain White House rose garden. She still loved the reminder the roses gave her.
"Mom!" I yelled, opening the gate.
"Albert! I thought you said you wouldn't be here until Christmas Eve!" Mom grinned in delight, hugging me tightly.
"I wanted to surprise you." I grinned back at her.
"Go change your uniform. I made cookies this morning, and I'll get you some." Mom pulled me gently inside and started telling me all the gossip.
1445 EST
Happily munching the delicious cookies as I sat in front of the television, I was startled by the doorbell. I started to get.
"You stay where you are, mister. It's your holiday." Mom said with a slight smile.
I sank back to his chair and sighed. It was great to be spoiled. I was about to turn back to the TV when I caught a glimpse of a Navy-issue sedan in front of my house. Curious, I walked to window, but I couldn't make out who the passengers were because they were standing out of my view at the door. I suddenly had this eerie feeling, so I rushed to the door, just in time to see a Navy chaplain and a Navy Commander handing a yellow envelope to my mother.
God, no! Please, NO! That was all I could think. Yellow envelopes meant only two things to military family: one of their loved ones is either dead or MIA.
My mother just stood still in shocked silence. The Chaplain's words of comfort didn't seem to reach her as she put on her tough Marine façade that always helped her block her feelings. Murmuring her thanks, she closed the door and stood trembling slightly.
I quietly walked to her and put my hand gently on her shoulder. She handed me the envelope, silently asking me to open it. I swallowed past the lump in my throat and ripped it open. Hands shaking and voice trembling, I began to read aloud the letter.
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rabb,
It is with my deepest regret that I write this to inform you that your son, Lieutenant Harmon David Rabb, III, USN, is listed as Missing in Action..."
My voice trailed away; I couldn't read any more.
"Mom?" I said gently, and her Marine façade broke as she dissolved into tears.
I just held onto her, trying my utmost to take away all her pain. She had always been the strong one for us. Seeing her like this made my heart ache.
Why did it have to be Trey? Why? I recalled the painful story my parents had told me about Grandfather Rabb. About how my father took almost 30 years to finally find peace. Now, he has a lost son, too.
It must have been five more minutes that we stood there, my mother crying, me trying to soothe her. Finally, she straightened and wiped away her tears, reaching for the phone. My father's new nightmare began as my mother slowly dialed the number for his Pentagon office.
*End of Flashback*
"Sir, sir?!" A flight attendant was trying to get his attention.
"Y-yes." Albert jumped slightly as she broke him out of his memories.
"Are you alright, sir? Do you need anything?"
"No...Thank you for asking."
"Please fasten your seatbelt, sir. We're experience some turbulence right now. Let me know if you need any help." The attendant smiled and walked down the aisle.
Albert glanced at his watch. They had been airborne for over six hours now. He shook his head in amazement, deciding that he must have been asleep.
Pulling out his files, he began to go over the list of the rescued Lieutenant's injuries. He grimaced, imagining the pain that this man had endured. Yet, at the same time, he felt almost jealous of his family. This POW must have had some family. He was someone's son or husband or brother.
Albert couldn't help but to wonder what it would like to have his brothers all going home with him...he sadly dismissed the fantasy. It was virtually impossible that anything like that would ever happen. He wearily shut the file, not even glancing at the Lieutenant's personal information, and closed his eyes. Once again, his mind wandered into the past.
*Flashback* (Albert's POV)
2200 EST
5th January 2038
Rabb Residence
Bethesda, MD
I knew something wasn't right the moment I stepped into my house. I'd had an uneasy feeling all day, but it had suddenly gotten very strong.
I found Danielle sitting in the couch with Nicole at her side. Both of them had a puffy, red eyes, and it was obvious that they had been crying.
Setting down my briefcase and cover, I approached them. Looking quizzically at both of them, I hoped they would offer an explanation for what was going on, but instead they pulled me close and began to sob on my shoulders.
Naturally, I tried to comfort them, but I still didn't know what the heck was happening! Why on earth would both of them be sitting there bawling?
As my brother-in-law Mikey entered, bringing two glass of water, I looked to him for help. Instead of telling what was wrong, he looked away from me, a pained expression on his face.
By that point, I'd had enough of nobody telling me anything. Gently easing both women away from me, I turned to my wife, hoping for an answer. "Honey, can you please tell me what happened?"
She said nothing, just buried her face in Nicole's shoulder. It was obvious neither of them were going to talk, so I turned to my brother-in-law. "Are you going to tell me what is going on, Mikey?" I asked him, a little harshly as my patience began to wear thin.
I instantly regretted that I'd ever asked that question as the tough Air Force Major sighed and told me. "Matt...Matt went MIA, Al."
My heart seemed to stop as the meaning those terrible words sunk in. I couldn't believe my ears. It was impossible!
I sank deeper into the sofa and stared blankly ahead. Ten years ago, I'd opened the envelope telling us that Trey was MIA. Now, I was being told that my other brother was MIA, too.
I vaguely remember Danielle moving close to me and pulling me tight. Me...now, I was my parents' only son. The reality finally hit me hard, and I began to cry as I held onto my wife.
*end of flashback*
TBC….
AN: You know the drills, folks. Feedback time! *LOL* seriously, please share your opinions especially the POV part. It's my first attempt for POV.