A/n from Nat - Ok first I will beg for forgiveness. Yes it has been 4 months or so since we last posted a new chapter!
*Gets down on knees* Please forgive us! *whispers it was totally Pixie's fault* So anyway, this chapter only took us like 3 maybe 4 days to write and I had forgot how fun this fic has been to write!! I missed the characters so much! Anyway we had lost of fun with this chapter and I would like to point out a few things!
1 – Holsworthy is an actual military camp,
2 – No insult was to be made of the fires by mentioning them in this fic! I know they were bad, I got hit by some last year myself!
3 – We are not a doctors, We dunno what Harm should or should not be doing!!
4 – And yes, maybe I've watched Tomb Raider one too many times of late!
And last but not least, which has now become sort of our logo,
'This is our fic, Inconsistencies are someone else's problems.'
Hehehe, ok that's all for now, we will try and get our next chapter up sooner, or at least before the 4 month mark!
A/n from Pixie - In regards to point number 4, no copyright infringments are intended I swear! We just got a little carried away. Trust me, you'll know what we're talking about. There isn't much to say that Nat hasn't already covered.. but we do apologise for taking so long. But with Nat going back to school, and my new weird and wacky hours at work, there didn't seem to be any time to sit down and write. Oh, and in regards too Phantom not actually being a Major.. I applaude you on the pick up, because we didn't see it!
And yeah.. Don't forget to review and ENJOY!!!!
Feedback - Nat and I crave it.. feed on it.. breathe it. Without them we loose all insperation and we throw the fic away..... oh okay, maybe not, but PLEASE REVIEW!!!
*may have to resort to begging.. and you wouldn't want that now, would you?*
*Nat nudges Pixie* Oh be quiet and read the fic...
********
Harm blinked slowly, trying to wil himself awake. He felt like he'd just spent the last twelve hours binge drinking, and what was worse, he couldn't figure out where he was. He wondered what exactly it was he'd gotten up too last night, when a voice startled him.
"Good to have you back Captain."
Although not completely unfamiliar, he couldn't place the voice, and was determined to figure it out. He turned his head towards the sound, then concentrated every fibre of his being into opening his eyes. They felt like they were attached to weights, but he finally managed to raise an eyelid, taking on the blurry form of a female sitting relaxed in a chair next to his bed. He blinked, and the form came into focus. He tried to speak, to say her name, but his tongue felt like sandpaper in his mouth. He let out a unintelligible mumble, then worked some moisture back into his mouth.
"Fi."
Fi glanced up from the mag she was reading, let out a small smile, then turned back to it. Harm's discomfort seemed no matter to her.
"Where's Mac?" Harm closed his eyes again, finding the process of keeping them open much too difficult.
"Gone." Fi replied absently, flicking to the next page.
Harm paused for a moment, but the implications of that one word couldn't penetrate the fog of the fading drugs in his system.
"Ando and Phantom?"
"Gone too."
Harm didn't respond, feeling himself slipping into the warm darkness of sleep once more. It seemed easier to let it take over him then try to fight it.
"How long?" He mumbled into his pillow.
Fi paused before answering, "Just over twenty-four hours. I wouldn't worry Captain, Ando and….." she paused as she glanced at the Naval officer, rolling her eyes as he started to snore lightly.
********
The second time Harm woke up, he was feeling a little more human, but the hospital room was empty. The past few days were coming back into focus, but the whereabouts of Mac was still unknown to him. He couldn't even recall the conversation he'd had with Fi.
"Captain?"
He looked up at the doorway, Fi stood with a manila folder clutched in one hand, her long brown hair falling halfway down her back, the ends curling slightly.
She blinked tired eyes, the dark circles underneath telling Harm that the younger woman hadn't slept much since the incident.
"What's the matter?"
"It's been three days." Fi walked over to the bed, dropping the folder on Harm's lap, "We haven't heard anything." She dropped on to the chair, and ran a hand over her face, "They're never out of contact this long."
"Where did they go?" Harm asked, suddenly concerned.
"I'm not sure. They ran out of here they day you were brought in. The Colonel told me I should give you this."
Harm opened the folder, pulling out the ransom note. He frowned, then reached in again and pulled out an envelope. He pulled out the letter within and automatically his eyes went wide, "Oh my god."
"What is it?"
He handed Fi the two notes, and she skimmed it, "What dose this have to do with the kidnapper?" she asked, puzzled.
Harm pointed to the letter, "I received that from Renee a few weeks before the children were kidnapped."
He had to pause at that stage to explain to Fi who Renee was, then felt so stupid for not mentioning her earlier.
"Take a look at the handwriting in the two notes."
"It's the same" Fi shook her head, "It was right under our nose the whole time."
Implications were screaming at Harm, "Renee kidnapped my child."
"And the Colonels. But why was Brumby at the warehouse, if Renee wrote the note?"
Harm shook his head, "I'm not sure, but we have to find out. You have to get me out of this hospital."
"Sure that's wise Captain?"
Harm looked hard at Fi, "The woman I love is out there, probably in trouble, on the look out for a woman driven insane by jealousy. Not to mention your two friends. If we don't help them, no one else is going too."
"Alone?" Fi sighed, shaking her head. "You know, after spending so much time with Ando and Phantom, I've forgotten what a rational decision looks like. No point in looking for one now."
Harm smiled at her and she stood up.
"I'll go make the arrangements Captain, just sit tight."
*********
"We have to check out that hotel. Find out what Mac knows, maybe it'll tell us where they went." Harm, his arm securely tucked against his chest to save him from anymore pain, walked swiftly out of the hospital with Fi.
She struggled to keep up with his long strides in the car park, then nearly ran into him as he stopped suddenly.
"Keys?"
Fi let out a short laugh, "I don't think so Captain. You are in no position to drive."
Harm stared at her, but Fi held up her hand, "Ah! No argument Captain. Either I drive or you walk."
Harm let out a frustrated sigh, then moved to the passengers side.
They drove in silence to the hotel, and Harm moved as quickly as he could to the front desk.
The woman behind the counter looked up and smiled sweetly, "How may I help you?"
"I'm Captain Harmon Rabb, Navy JAG. I need to know if there was a woman staying here under the name of Renee Rabb."
The woman frowned, "There were three women here a few days ago, asking the same thing.
"Sarah Mackenzie." Harm confirmed to her, "We need all the information you gave to her."
The woman nodded, "They asked for phone records, visitors…"
Harm cut her off, "Yes we need everything."
Fi offered the correct identification, and the woman didn't ask any questions, then the both of them got cracking.
**********
"This has to be it." Fi pointed to pointed to a number on the list that had been called more then any of the others, "Agent Kender got back to me and it's from a cabin near Mt Sugarloaf.Its all bush. Where else is the perfect place to hide a few children?"
Harm sat, his head against the wall, eyes closed. He really was in no condition to be out of bed, especially now his pain killers were wearing off, but he refused to be anywhere else. "How far?" he asked tiredly.
Fi shrugged, "Couple of hours. A plane would be better, but with Phantom missing I'd never find a pilot so fast, and I'm certain the scrub near there's gonna be pretty dense."
Harm nodded, lifting himself out of the chair, "When do we leave?"
***********
Above the Pacific Ocean, on their way to Australia, Clayton Webb and Admiral Chegwidden talked quietly. Contacted over 24 hours ago with the position of the cabin in the middle of the bush were they were positive Renee was hiding out, the two men hadn't spared a second rushing to Australia, knowing that what ever the girls were running into, it wasn't going to be pretty
***********
A few hours later, Fi and Harm travelled down a small dirt track, barely wide enough to fit their 4WD. They'd gotten directions to the cabin by the local ranger, who had assured them that the run down house hadn't been used in years. He also made a passing comment about bush fires, as there was one raging up a few miles from where they planed to be. If the winds stayed the same, they wouldn't have to worry.
Fi glanced at Harm, who's face showed his sheer determination. He was sweating in the heat, not being used to Australian summers, and also from the pain of his shoulder. She saw in him the same stubbornness of all dedicated Military people, and her thoughts turned to Phantom and Ando. She knew they could take care of themselves, but they'd never been up against psychotic mothers set on revenge before. She hoped they wouldn't do anything stupid.
***********
Clayton Webb watched the satellite photos in regards too the bush fires, his brow creasing.
"What is it?" AJ asked
Clay shook his head, "The winds changing. Look."He touched the screen where the fire raged now, then traced his finger down it's new predicted path....right over where the cabin was.
AJ swore, and Clay pulled out his cell phone, quickly typing in Fi's number. He cursed as that damned phone lady informed him that the mobile he was trying to reach was out of range,then turned to AJ, "She must be there with them. We have to get them out of there."
AJ didn't bother asking how as Clay started pacing the plane, "We need… a helicopter. Something to get them out quick without having to land."
AJ nodded, then pointed out a problem, "One helicopter isn't going to fit the five of them, and the two children."
Clay nodded sharply, then a small smile appeared on his lips, "I've got an idea."
********
Fi brought the car toa stop when they caught site of the cabin through the trees, thinking that she wouldn't alert anyone in the cabin if they walked up on foot. She opened the door and stepped out, then turned as Harm sucked in a lung full of humid air, "Ugh.. is it always this hot here?"
Fi didn't answer, her attention drawn elsewhere.
"What is it."
Fi held up her finger, "Do you smell that?"
Harm paused, and then shrugged, "All I can smell is the heat."
Fi shook her head, turning to look the way they'd come, as Harm started getting impatient, "What?"
"Bushfire..." she said slowly, frowning and trying to see through the trees.
"The ranger said the fire was miles from here..."
Fi pointed to the trees, "The winds shifting. It's coming this way."
Suddenly a gust of wind blasted through them, sucking, what was left of the moister out of the air, and Harm caught whiff of the smoke, "What do we do?"
Fi shook her head, and started walking towards the cabin, "There's nothing we can do. Common, the sooner we get out of here, the better."
Harm and Fi moved as fast as they could, and Fi's trained ear picked up the crackling of the fire behind them. She didn't bother telling Harm just how much danger they were in, the American was under enough stress as it was. She spotted the clearing that the cabin was housed, and signalled Harm. They approached cautiously, every sense alert, but the area seemed deserted.
Creeping up to the house, Fi signalled Harm to check the other side.
Harm did so, secretly surprised that Fi seemed so in control. He had long since stopped worrying about females in combat, but his experience had only ever been with military woman. Fi was a government agent, as far as he was aware, yet she commanded the situation like she had been doing it all her life. Checking the far side of the house, where the front door was, Harm confirmed that the immediate area was completely empty, but in doing so he noticed the air get thicker with smoke. Fi had been correct, even he could hear fire raging beyond his line of sight. He was suddenly concerned, the smoke was coming from where they'd left the car, but he didn't have time to ponder it when Fi arrived from the opposite end, weapon in hand.
Harm pulled out his own, and they moved along the building until they reached the door. Harm motioned Fi to open it, and he would go in. She nodded, reaching out to grab the handle, then pulled.
Harm cringed. Instead of smoothly opening, the door got stuck half way, and the noise of the wood scraping against the floor echoed through the clearing.
So much for the element of surprise, Fi thought, as she pulled harder against the door, but it refused to budge.
"You mongrels looking for some more?!"
Fi looked up at Harm, surprised. 'Ando' she mouthed, and Harm nodded. He gripped the door, and together then pulled again, and the door, scraping and screaming the entire way, finally opened enough for them to squeeze through.
Neither noticed the trees nearest to the house as they burst into flames.
Harm took the lead, down a small corridor, then turned into the nearest door, gun at the ready. The room was empty of people, a small table in the middle of the room with a few open packs sitting on it. He turned, and he and Fi headed to the next room.
Harm pushed the door open, gun first, and stopped short.
"Whoa, Captain easy!" Ando smiled, " I was only joking with that mongrels comment!"
She, as well as Phantom, Mac and young Harmon, were sitting in chairs in the middle of the room, their arms bound behind their back.
"I leave." Fi spoke, "And look at the mess you get yourselves..."
Phantom cut her off, "You can gloat later Fi, but get us out of here first. I've been smellin' that fire for the past half hour..."
"And we don't want to be here when it hits." Ando finished for her, as Fi knelt behind Phantom to untie her.
Harm rushed to Mac's side, his eyes wide with panic, "Where's Sarah!?"
Before Mac could respond, Ando caught is attention.
"Captain! Find out where those idiots put our packs. I'm gonna want my stuff."
Harm turned back to Mac quickly, "My daughter?"
"Renee's got her Harm. She's okay. Go!"
Harm nodded, then raced back into the corridor, then down to the second room, when a blast of heat had him retreating fast. A trendle of fire licked out from the doorway, and Harm bolted back to the room.
"The fire...."he was out of breath and had to stop, but it was enough.
"Hurry up Fi!" Ando yelled, "I don't want to be crispy fried chicken!"
Smoke started to fill the room, and Phantom's eyes went wide, "I'm too young to be a toasted marshmallow!"
Fi managed a choked laugh, before finally getting Phantom loose. Without pausing, Phantom rushed to Mac, and Fi to Ando, and both Marines were loose at roughly the same time.
Ando sprang from her chair, picked it up, and hurled it at the window, showering glass over herself. She pushed out the remaining pieces, swearing as she cut herself, then climbed through.
Phantom, crouching to breathe in the less amount of smoke as possible, gestured to Mac to be next, who carried Harmon tight against her.
They heard a crash from the corridor, and Harmon whimpered, wrapping his arms tight around his mother.
"Let go baby." Mac whispered to him, "Ando's going to catch you."
"No!" Harmon's face was streaked with tears, and he was nearly choking Mac.
"Harmon, please baby." She started coughing, trying to gently remove her son's hands.
"I apologise Ma'am." Phantom said, grabbing Harmon and forcefully removing him from Mac's grasp.
Harmon screamed as Phantom handed him to Ando through the window, and Mac followed quickly, taking her son out of Ando's hands before the poor Marine dropped the squirming child.
Harmon buried his head in Mac's shoulder, as Ando yelled at her to start running.
Harm was next, and he caught up to Mac quickly, and Ando watched them disappear through the trees, before turning to make sure Fi made it out okay.
They waited for Phantom, who managed to catch her leg on some glass Ando had missed and put a gash all the way down her leg, then the three of them ran after Harm and Mac.
Fi, rather breathlessly, pointed back to the cabin, which was now engulfed in flames,
"The car... is back.... there."
"You want to go back for it?" Ando asked sarcastically.
"Wouldn't have fit us all anyway." Phantom retorted, glancing behind her. They couldn't see the flames anymore, but the sound was almost deafening. They caught up with Harm and Mac, who stood in a small clearing.
"Now what?" Harm asked, out of breath.
No one spoke until Ando, unable to resist, raised her chin in Harm's direction, "I wouldn't wanna stand under that tree for much longer Captain. Drop Bears are shocking this time of year."
"Especially with the bush fires." Phantom continued, both girls completely dead pan.
"Drop Bears?" Harm asked, his eyebrow raising.
"Oh yeah." Fi joined in, "Like Koala's, 'cept if they drop out of that tree they'll take your face off before you can even scream."
Before Harm could respond to that, the sound of the fire crackling behind them was replaced by something all of them, bar Harmon, recognised.
"Sounds like...." Phantom grinned.
"Helicopter!" Ando gave Phantom a high-five, and all five necks craned up too look at the sky.
But how would anyone know we were out here?" Mac yelled above the defining roar.
All three girls looked at each other, grinning from ear to ear, "Webb." they said in unison.
"But how?" Harm asked
"I'll explain later Captain!" Ando yelled as the helicopter landed, "Just get on the damn helicopter!"
Harm obliged, taking Mac by the arm and helping her in. He got in next, and then turned to offer his assistance to Fi, who graciously took it. He turned once more, but Webb pushed him back, sticking his own head out too address Ando and Phantom, "Sorry ladies! We're full!"
Phantom raised her eyebrow, "You want us to catch the next one Clay? Or did you forget about us again!?"
Webb laughed, "I brought you both a present!" he pointed up, ducking back into the helicopter as the door closed.
Both girls looked up to see a C-130 Hercules flying overhead. The heavy transport plane open it's tail gate, and let loose a very large, indistinguishable object.
----
Standing in the cargo area of the Hercules, watching the object float to the ground, Admiral AJ Chegwidden picked up a radio.
"Webb, this is AJ, the present has been dropped, I repeat the present has been dropped."
Webb's voice crackled over the radio. " Roger that AJ, I have the Colonel and Commander, and we are heading back to Holsworthy. See you there. Over and out."
-----
Ando squinted, then suddenly grabbed Phantoms arm, hard enough to bruise, "Oh my god!"
"Ouch! Hello, circulation!" Phantom pride open Ando's grip, "What is it?"
"He..." Ando shook her head in admiration, "You gotta hand it to Clay… he certainly knows how to keep a girl happy!"
"Dammit, stop keeping me in suspense! Wha...." Phantom suddenly went silent, as she caught site of what was heading in their direction.
Attached to a large wooden platform, falling gracefully with four parachutes, a Humvee landed practically at their feet. Ando stood there in mute shock, until Phantom clipped her over the head and started running towards it, "Common Ando! Or do you wanna hang around and see if Clay can bring you back from the dead as well?!"
Ando start moving towards the humvee. "But...did you...that was so cool!"
***********
Harm and Mac relaxed at the Holsworthy Military Barracks where the helicopter had landed after rescuing them from the bushfire. Mac sat in infirmary with little Harmon asleep against her, while she looked over Harm, who had been ordered by the on site medics that he was to rest. As Harm tried to sleep, Mac's head kept spinning with questions and problems, but the thought highest on her mind was the whereabouts of Ando and Phantom.
Webb had assured them the girls would be fine, and should arrive a couple hours after them, but as the four hour mark came and went, even Webb started to get worried.
The worst of them all however, was Fi. She knew more then any of them the chances the girls had of getting out of that bush fire alive, and although knowing the extent of both Ando's and Phantom's capabilities, she knew it would take a miracle to see them alive again. She didn't however, voice these fears to anyone, and instead found a relatively solitary area in the barracks, so she could beat her self up for thinking so stupidly. The last time she had told Ando that she didn't think she'd ever see them again, the Marine Major had given her a sound beating, assuring her that she and Phantom would ALWAYS return.
She moved to the back of the barracks, which over looked the bush, to find Clay staring out a the sky. Red and smoky from the fires, it was quite a sight, and Webb seamed captivated by it.
As a rule, Webb didn't worry, especially not about Ando and Phantom. But she knew they meant more to him then just your average run of the mill operatives. To them, he was like the elder brother they'd never had.
She stood next to him, and neither spoke or moved, until Webb placed his arm around Fi, trying to express how they both felt. She accepted his silent comfort, and they both leaned on each other for support. Both would be lost if Ando and Phantom didn't return.
They stayed like that for close to half an hour, before Webb withdrew and started walking back towards the compound, "We need to be going." he spoke, as Fi walked beside him, "Renee still has Rabb's daughter, and the longer we hang around here...."
He trailed off and Fi nodded, not responding. A part of her had already accepted that they might not return, but she still had hope... if only a little.
Harm and Mac unfortunately, didn't share that understanding, "We can't just give up on them!"
"We're not giving up on them." Webb tried to calm Harm, "Regardless on wether they make it back or not, us staying here won't help them. I think we should all head back to the hotel, get some rest, and start searching for your daughter and Renee tomorrow. The boys here will inform us when they get back, and they can catch up with us then."
Mac laid an arm on Harm's, "He's right. We can't help them by staying here."
Harm gritted his teeth, then nodded, trying instead to focus on his daughter. The sombre group gathered their things, and started the relatively short drive back towards the city.
*********
WOW.. I'm in shock! We actually managed to get thru that chapter! You guys have NO idea how much fun that was.. hehe. I'm going to be extreamly generous here, if any of you guys want an email next time we update, email me (Pixie) at capt_n_carter@gaters.net, or just say so in your review! (hint hint, nudge nudge)
We can garentee when that will be however..... ;)
*Gets down on knees* Please forgive us! *whispers it was totally Pixie's fault* So anyway, this chapter only took us like 3 maybe 4 days to write and I had forgot how fun this fic has been to write!! I missed the characters so much! Anyway we had lost of fun with this chapter and I would like to point out a few things!
1 – Holsworthy is an actual military camp,
2 – No insult was to be made of the fires by mentioning them in this fic! I know they were bad, I got hit by some last year myself!
3 – We are not a doctors, We dunno what Harm should or should not be doing!!
4 – And yes, maybe I've watched Tomb Raider one too many times of late!
And last but not least, which has now become sort of our logo,
'This is our fic, Inconsistencies are someone else's problems.'
Hehehe, ok that's all for now, we will try and get our next chapter up sooner, or at least before the 4 month mark!
A/n from Pixie - In regards to point number 4, no copyright infringments are intended I swear! We just got a little carried away. Trust me, you'll know what we're talking about. There isn't much to say that Nat hasn't already covered.. but we do apologise for taking so long. But with Nat going back to school, and my new weird and wacky hours at work, there didn't seem to be any time to sit down and write. Oh, and in regards too Phantom not actually being a Major.. I applaude you on the pick up, because we didn't see it!
And yeah.. Don't forget to review and ENJOY!!!!
Feedback - Nat and I crave it.. feed on it.. breathe it. Without them we loose all insperation and we throw the fic away..... oh okay, maybe not, but PLEASE REVIEW!!!
*may have to resort to begging.. and you wouldn't want that now, would you?*
*Nat nudges Pixie* Oh be quiet and read the fic...
********
Harm blinked slowly, trying to wil himself awake. He felt like he'd just spent the last twelve hours binge drinking, and what was worse, he couldn't figure out where he was. He wondered what exactly it was he'd gotten up too last night, when a voice startled him.
"Good to have you back Captain."
Although not completely unfamiliar, he couldn't place the voice, and was determined to figure it out. He turned his head towards the sound, then concentrated every fibre of his being into opening his eyes. They felt like they were attached to weights, but he finally managed to raise an eyelid, taking on the blurry form of a female sitting relaxed in a chair next to his bed. He blinked, and the form came into focus. He tried to speak, to say her name, but his tongue felt like sandpaper in his mouth. He let out a unintelligible mumble, then worked some moisture back into his mouth.
"Fi."
Fi glanced up from the mag she was reading, let out a small smile, then turned back to it. Harm's discomfort seemed no matter to her.
"Where's Mac?" Harm closed his eyes again, finding the process of keeping them open much too difficult.
"Gone." Fi replied absently, flicking to the next page.
Harm paused for a moment, but the implications of that one word couldn't penetrate the fog of the fading drugs in his system.
"Ando and Phantom?"
"Gone too."
Harm didn't respond, feeling himself slipping into the warm darkness of sleep once more. It seemed easier to let it take over him then try to fight it.
"How long?" He mumbled into his pillow.
Fi paused before answering, "Just over twenty-four hours. I wouldn't worry Captain, Ando and….." she paused as she glanced at the Naval officer, rolling her eyes as he started to snore lightly.
********
The second time Harm woke up, he was feeling a little more human, but the hospital room was empty. The past few days were coming back into focus, but the whereabouts of Mac was still unknown to him. He couldn't even recall the conversation he'd had with Fi.
"Captain?"
He looked up at the doorway, Fi stood with a manila folder clutched in one hand, her long brown hair falling halfway down her back, the ends curling slightly.
She blinked tired eyes, the dark circles underneath telling Harm that the younger woman hadn't slept much since the incident.
"What's the matter?"
"It's been three days." Fi walked over to the bed, dropping the folder on Harm's lap, "We haven't heard anything." She dropped on to the chair, and ran a hand over her face, "They're never out of contact this long."
"Where did they go?" Harm asked, suddenly concerned.
"I'm not sure. They ran out of here they day you were brought in. The Colonel told me I should give you this."
Harm opened the folder, pulling out the ransom note. He frowned, then reached in again and pulled out an envelope. He pulled out the letter within and automatically his eyes went wide, "Oh my god."
"What is it?"
He handed Fi the two notes, and she skimmed it, "What dose this have to do with the kidnapper?" she asked, puzzled.
Harm pointed to the letter, "I received that from Renee a few weeks before the children were kidnapped."
He had to pause at that stage to explain to Fi who Renee was, then felt so stupid for not mentioning her earlier.
"Take a look at the handwriting in the two notes."
"It's the same" Fi shook her head, "It was right under our nose the whole time."
Implications were screaming at Harm, "Renee kidnapped my child."
"And the Colonels. But why was Brumby at the warehouse, if Renee wrote the note?"
Harm shook his head, "I'm not sure, but we have to find out. You have to get me out of this hospital."
"Sure that's wise Captain?"
Harm looked hard at Fi, "The woman I love is out there, probably in trouble, on the look out for a woman driven insane by jealousy. Not to mention your two friends. If we don't help them, no one else is going too."
"Alone?" Fi sighed, shaking her head. "You know, after spending so much time with Ando and Phantom, I've forgotten what a rational decision looks like. No point in looking for one now."
Harm smiled at her and she stood up.
"I'll go make the arrangements Captain, just sit tight."
*********
"We have to check out that hotel. Find out what Mac knows, maybe it'll tell us where they went." Harm, his arm securely tucked against his chest to save him from anymore pain, walked swiftly out of the hospital with Fi.
She struggled to keep up with his long strides in the car park, then nearly ran into him as he stopped suddenly.
"Keys?"
Fi let out a short laugh, "I don't think so Captain. You are in no position to drive."
Harm stared at her, but Fi held up her hand, "Ah! No argument Captain. Either I drive or you walk."
Harm let out a frustrated sigh, then moved to the passengers side.
They drove in silence to the hotel, and Harm moved as quickly as he could to the front desk.
The woman behind the counter looked up and smiled sweetly, "How may I help you?"
"I'm Captain Harmon Rabb, Navy JAG. I need to know if there was a woman staying here under the name of Renee Rabb."
The woman frowned, "There were three women here a few days ago, asking the same thing.
"Sarah Mackenzie." Harm confirmed to her, "We need all the information you gave to her."
The woman nodded, "They asked for phone records, visitors…"
Harm cut her off, "Yes we need everything."
Fi offered the correct identification, and the woman didn't ask any questions, then the both of them got cracking.
**********
"This has to be it." Fi pointed to pointed to a number on the list that had been called more then any of the others, "Agent Kender got back to me and it's from a cabin near Mt Sugarloaf.Its all bush. Where else is the perfect place to hide a few children?"
Harm sat, his head against the wall, eyes closed. He really was in no condition to be out of bed, especially now his pain killers were wearing off, but he refused to be anywhere else. "How far?" he asked tiredly.
Fi shrugged, "Couple of hours. A plane would be better, but with Phantom missing I'd never find a pilot so fast, and I'm certain the scrub near there's gonna be pretty dense."
Harm nodded, lifting himself out of the chair, "When do we leave?"
***********
Above the Pacific Ocean, on their way to Australia, Clayton Webb and Admiral Chegwidden talked quietly. Contacted over 24 hours ago with the position of the cabin in the middle of the bush were they were positive Renee was hiding out, the two men hadn't spared a second rushing to Australia, knowing that what ever the girls were running into, it wasn't going to be pretty
***********
A few hours later, Fi and Harm travelled down a small dirt track, barely wide enough to fit their 4WD. They'd gotten directions to the cabin by the local ranger, who had assured them that the run down house hadn't been used in years. He also made a passing comment about bush fires, as there was one raging up a few miles from where they planed to be. If the winds stayed the same, they wouldn't have to worry.
Fi glanced at Harm, who's face showed his sheer determination. He was sweating in the heat, not being used to Australian summers, and also from the pain of his shoulder. She saw in him the same stubbornness of all dedicated Military people, and her thoughts turned to Phantom and Ando. She knew they could take care of themselves, but they'd never been up against psychotic mothers set on revenge before. She hoped they wouldn't do anything stupid.
***********
Clayton Webb watched the satellite photos in regards too the bush fires, his brow creasing.
"What is it?" AJ asked
Clay shook his head, "The winds changing. Look."He touched the screen where the fire raged now, then traced his finger down it's new predicted path....right over where the cabin was.
AJ swore, and Clay pulled out his cell phone, quickly typing in Fi's number. He cursed as that damned phone lady informed him that the mobile he was trying to reach was out of range,then turned to AJ, "She must be there with them. We have to get them out of there."
AJ didn't bother asking how as Clay started pacing the plane, "We need… a helicopter. Something to get them out quick without having to land."
AJ nodded, then pointed out a problem, "One helicopter isn't going to fit the five of them, and the two children."
Clay nodded sharply, then a small smile appeared on his lips, "I've got an idea."
********
Fi brought the car toa stop when they caught site of the cabin through the trees, thinking that she wouldn't alert anyone in the cabin if they walked up on foot. She opened the door and stepped out, then turned as Harm sucked in a lung full of humid air, "Ugh.. is it always this hot here?"
Fi didn't answer, her attention drawn elsewhere.
"What is it."
Fi held up her finger, "Do you smell that?"
Harm paused, and then shrugged, "All I can smell is the heat."
Fi shook her head, turning to look the way they'd come, as Harm started getting impatient, "What?"
"Bushfire..." she said slowly, frowning and trying to see through the trees.
"The ranger said the fire was miles from here..."
Fi pointed to the trees, "The winds shifting. It's coming this way."
Suddenly a gust of wind blasted through them, sucking, what was left of the moister out of the air, and Harm caught whiff of the smoke, "What do we do?"
Fi shook her head, and started walking towards the cabin, "There's nothing we can do. Common, the sooner we get out of here, the better."
Harm and Fi moved as fast as they could, and Fi's trained ear picked up the crackling of the fire behind them. She didn't bother telling Harm just how much danger they were in, the American was under enough stress as it was. She spotted the clearing that the cabin was housed, and signalled Harm. They approached cautiously, every sense alert, but the area seemed deserted.
Creeping up to the house, Fi signalled Harm to check the other side.
Harm did so, secretly surprised that Fi seemed so in control. He had long since stopped worrying about females in combat, but his experience had only ever been with military woman. Fi was a government agent, as far as he was aware, yet she commanded the situation like she had been doing it all her life. Checking the far side of the house, where the front door was, Harm confirmed that the immediate area was completely empty, but in doing so he noticed the air get thicker with smoke. Fi had been correct, even he could hear fire raging beyond his line of sight. He was suddenly concerned, the smoke was coming from where they'd left the car, but he didn't have time to ponder it when Fi arrived from the opposite end, weapon in hand.
Harm pulled out his own, and they moved along the building until they reached the door. Harm motioned Fi to open it, and he would go in. She nodded, reaching out to grab the handle, then pulled.
Harm cringed. Instead of smoothly opening, the door got stuck half way, and the noise of the wood scraping against the floor echoed through the clearing.
So much for the element of surprise, Fi thought, as she pulled harder against the door, but it refused to budge.
"You mongrels looking for some more?!"
Fi looked up at Harm, surprised. 'Ando' she mouthed, and Harm nodded. He gripped the door, and together then pulled again, and the door, scraping and screaming the entire way, finally opened enough for them to squeeze through.
Neither noticed the trees nearest to the house as they burst into flames.
Harm took the lead, down a small corridor, then turned into the nearest door, gun at the ready. The room was empty of people, a small table in the middle of the room with a few open packs sitting on it. He turned, and he and Fi headed to the next room.
Harm pushed the door open, gun first, and stopped short.
"Whoa, Captain easy!" Ando smiled, " I was only joking with that mongrels comment!"
She, as well as Phantom, Mac and young Harmon, were sitting in chairs in the middle of the room, their arms bound behind their back.
"I leave." Fi spoke, "And look at the mess you get yourselves..."
Phantom cut her off, "You can gloat later Fi, but get us out of here first. I've been smellin' that fire for the past half hour..."
"And we don't want to be here when it hits." Ando finished for her, as Fi knelt behind Phantom to untie her.
Harm rushed to Mac's side, his eyes wide with panic, "Where's Sarah!?"
Before Mac could respond, Ando caught is attention.
"Captain! Find out where those idiots put our packs. I'm gonna want my stuff."
Harm turned back to Mac quickly, "My daughter?"
"Renee's got her Harm. She's okay. Go!"
Harm nodded, then raced back into the corridor, then down to the second room, when a blast of heat had him retreating fast. A trendle of fire licked out from the doorway, and Harm bolted back to the room.
"The fire...."he was out of breath and had to stop, but it was enough.
"Hurry up Fi!" Ando yelled, "I don't want to be crispy fried chicken!"
Smoke started to fill the room, and Phantom's eyes went wide, "I'm too young to be a toasted marshmallow!"
Fi managed a choked laugh, before finally getting Phantom loose. Without pausing, Phantom rushed to Mac, and Fi to Ando, and both Marines were loose at roughly the same time.
Ando sprang from her chair, picked it up, and hurled it at the window, showering glass over herself. She pushed out the remaining pieces, swearing as she cut herself, then climbed through.
Phantom, crouching to breathe in the less amount of smoke as possible, gestured to Mac to be next, who carried Harmon tight against her.
They heard a crash from the corridor, and Harmon whimpered, wrapping his arms tight around his mother.
"Let go baby." Mac whispered to him, "Ando's going to catch you."
"No!" Harmon's face was streaked with tears, and he was nearly choking Mac.
"Harmon, please baby." She started coughing, trying to gently remove her son's hands.
"I apologise Ma'am." Phantom said, grabbing Harmon and forcefully removing him from Mac's grasp.
Harmon screamed as Phantom handed him to Ando through the window, and Mac followed quickly, taking her son out of Ando's hands before the poor Marine dropped the squirming child.
Harmon buried his head in Mac's shoulder, as Ando yelled at her to start running.
Harm was next, and he caught up to Mac quickly, and Ando watched them disappear through the trees, before turning to make sure Fi made it out okay.
They waited for Phantom, who managed to catch her leg on some glass Ando had missed and put a gash all the way down her leg, then the three of them ran after Harm and Mac.
Fi, rather breathlessly, pointed back to the cabin, which was now engulfed in flames,
"The car... is back.... there."
"You want to go back for it?" Ando asked sarcastically.
"Wouldn't have fit us all anyway." Phantom retorted, glancing behind her. They couldn't see the flames anymore, but the sound was almost deafening. They caught up with Harm and Mac, who stood in a small clearing.
"Now what?" Harm asked, out of breath.
No one spoke until Ando, unable to resist, raised her chin in Harm's direction, "I wouldn't wanna stand under that tree for much longer Captain. Drop Bears are shocking this time of year."
"Especially with the bush fires." Phantom continued, both girls completely dead pan.
"Drop Bears?" Harm asked, his eyebrow raising.
"Oh yeah." Fi joined in, "Like Koala's, 'cept if they drop out of that tree they'll take your face off before you can even scream."
Before Harm could respond to that, the sound of the fire crackling behind them was replaced by something all of them, bar Harmon, recognised.
"Sounds like...." Phantom grinned.
"Helicopter!" Ando gave Phantom a high-five, and all five necks craned up too look at the sky.
But how would anyone know we were out here?" Mac yelled above the defining roar.
All three girls looked at each other, grinning from ear to ear, "Webb." they said in unison.
"But how?" Harm asked
"I'll explain later Captain!" Ando yelled as the helicopter landed, "Just get on the damn helicopter!"
Harm obliged, taking Mac by the arm and helping her in. He got in next, and then turned to offer his assistance to Fi, who graciously took it. He turned once more, but Webb pushed him back, sticking his own head out too address Ando and Phantom, "Sorry ladies! We're full!"
Phantom raised her eyebrow, "You want us to catch the next one Clay? Or did you forget about us again!?"
Webb laughed, "I brought you both a present!" he pointed up, ducking back into the helicopter as the door closed.
Both girls looked up to see a C-130 Hercules flying overhead. The heavy transport plane open it's tail gate, and let loose a very large, indistinguishable object.
----
Standing in the cargo area of the Hercules, watching the object float to the ground, Admiral AJ Chegwidden picked up a radio.
"Webb, this is AJ, the present has been dropped, I repeat the present has been dropped."
Webb's voice crackled over the radio. " Roger that AJ, I have the Colonel and Commander, and we are heading back to Holsworthy. See you there. Over and out."
-----
Ando squinted, then suddenly grabbed Phantoms arm, hard enough to bruise, "Oh my god!"
"Ouch! Hello, circulation!" Phantom pride open Ando's grip, "What is it?"
"He..." Ando shook her head in admiration, "You gotta hand it to Clay… he certainly knows how to keep a girl happy!"
"Dammit, stop keeping me in suspense! Wha...." Phantom suddenly went silent, as she caught site of what was heading in their direction.
Attached to a large wooden platform, falling gracefully with four parachutes, a Humvee landed practically at their feet. Ando stood there in mute shock, until Phantom clipped her over the head and started running towards it, "Common Ando! Or do you wanna hang around and see if Clay can bring you back from the dead as well?!"
Ando start moving towards the humvee. "But...did you...that was so cool!"
***********
Harm and Mac relaxed at the Holsworthy Military Barracks where the helicopter had landed after rescuing them from the bushfire. Mac sat in infirmary with little Harmon asleep against her, while she looked over Harm, who had been ordered by the on site medics that he was to rest. As Harm tried to sleep, Mac's head kept spinning with questions and problems, but the thought highest on her mind was the whereabouts of Ando and Phantom.
Webb had assured them the girls would be fine, and should arrive a couple hours after them, but as the four hour mark came and went, even Webb started to get worried.
The worst of them all however, was Fi. She knew more then any of them the chances the girls had of getting out of that bush fire alive, and although knowing the extent of both Ando's and Phantom's capabilities, she knew it would take a miracle to see them alive again. She didn't however, voice these fears to anyone, and instead found a relatively solitary area in the barracks, so she could beat her self up for thinking so stupidly. The last time she had told Ando that she didn't think she'd ever see them again, the Marine Major had given her a sound beating, assuring her that she and Phantom would ALWAYS return.
She moved to the back of the barracks, which over looked the bush, to find Clay staring out a the sky. Red and smoky from the fires, it was quite a sight, and Webb seamed captivated by it.
As a rule, Webb didn't worry, especially not about Ando and Phantom. But she knew they meant more to him then just your average run of the mill operatives. To them, he was like the elder brother they'd never had.
She stood next to him, and neither spoke or moved, until Webb placed his arm around Fi, trying to express how they both felt. She accepted his silent comfort, and they both leaned on each other for support. Both would be lost if Ando and Phantom didn't return.
They stayed like that for close to half an hour, before Webb withdrew and started walking back towards the compound, "We need to be going." he spoke, as Fi walked beside him, "Renee still has Rabb's daughter, and the longer we hang around here...."
He trailed off and Fi nodded, not responding. A part of her had already accepted that they might not return, but she still had hope... if only a little.
Harm and Mac unfortunately, didn't share that understanding, "We can't just give up on them!"
"We're not giving up on them." Webb tried to calm Harm, "Regardless on wether they make it back or not, us staying here won't help them. I think we should all head back to the hotel, get some rest, and start searching for your daughter and Renee tomorrow. The boys here will inform us when they get back, and they can catch up with us then."
Mac laid an arm on Harm's, "He's right. We can't help them by staying here."
Harm gritted his teeth, then nodded, trying instead to focus on his daughter. The sombre group gathered their things, and started the relatively short drive back towards the city.
*********
WOW.. I'm in shock! We actually managed to get thru that chapter! You guys have NO idea how much fun that was.. hehe. I'm going to be extreamly generous here, if any of you guys want an email next time we update, email me (Pixie) at capt_n_carter@gaters.net, or just say so in your review! (hint hint, nudge nudge)
We can garentee when that will be however..... ;)