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So it is official, I am the most horrible of authors!!! I am ashamed of myself for it taking this long to post. Bad Fiona (I smack my own hand) I am sorry that you all have been waiting this long. Anyway here is chapter 10 in all its glory. I am really sorry. And Loni there is a certain part in here for you....I think you will know it when you read it. :)
~Fiona
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Bethesda Hospital
ICU RM 1121
As I step out into the hall my cell phone rings. I dig it out of my pocket and flip it open.
"Rabb."
"Commander, its Bud. Sir, great news we think we have located the airfield where Chloe is being held." Bud Robert's voice is charged with excitement.
"That is wonderful Bud-"
Bud interrupts me in his haste to tell me the rest of his news, "We are getting ready to form a rescue attempt plan. Sturgis thought you would want to get in on this."
"Bud! Listen to me; we can NOT do anything yet." There is silence on the other end of the phone. "Bud did you hear me? We can't move yet, not until Webb gets back with me with some VERY important information."
"I'm sorry sir I don't understand, what does Mr. Webb have to do with this?" In the background I can hear Sturgis ask if he just heard Bud say Mr. Webb.
"Yes, sir. Cmdr. Rabb says that we can't make any move to rescue Chloe until Mr. Webb contacts him with some sort of information." Bud is addressing Strugis now. There is a brief pause and some indistinctive noise in the background until suddenly Sturgis voice fills my ear.
"What information, and how did Webb get involved?" Sturgis doesn't sound at all pleased by this new development.
"Listen that is where I went when I left, to meet Webb. He said he had vital information concerning the woman who is holding Chloe, and he does. Strugis, the woman holding Chloe may not actually be Karen Lowne; in fact I am hoping it isn't. Listen buddy I know this is a lot to ask of you but just sit tight until I get back, I need to tell Mac what is happening and then I will be right there."
"Look Harm due to the urgency why don't you just come
back here? I know that Mac can probably hear you and all, but..."
"No. Strugis Mac is awake! She just woke up like five minutes ago." I kick myself for not telling him that right off, I am being selfish, more than just me is worried about Sarah.
"Awake! That is wonderful!!! Tell her not to worry we will bring Chloe back to her. Well go see her and then get your six over here double time, alright buddy?" Sturgis' voice is a mixture of happiness and frustration, not that I blame him.
"Aye, aye, sir! I will be there within twenty minutes. Oh and Sturgis, don't mention Webb's name to anyone there, tell Bud not too either. I will explain when I get there." I hang up the phone and turn back to Mac's door to see the doctor and nurses coming out.
"Ah, Cmdr. Rabb. You can go back in, but just for a few minutes, she needs to sleep. Try not to cause her any stress, I know with what is going on that may be impossible but work with me here." Doctor Kevinson tells me.
"I will do my best. Doctor...is she going to be okay?" I am not completely sure I want to hear this answer.
"The fact that she is wake is a great sign. The swelling is coming down, and if it continues to do so I think her prognosis is great. It is still a wait-and-see situation, Commander. Try not to worry and no offense but you might want to try and get some sleep, you look horrible."
I smile slightly, "I know. Thank you for everything. Now I need to go tell her that everything will be okay with Chloe."
Dr. Kevinson stops me by reaching out to place a hand on my shoulder. "Will it truly? I mean with the little girl have you found her?"
"We think we know where she may be, but it is a sensitive situation now."
"Well good luck. I will check on the Colonel again soon." With that he walked away, leaving me to go to Mac.
I push open the door and feel my eyes fill with tears of joy. There is my Marine looking at me with those wonderful big brown eyes.
"Hey there Squid." She says softly. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I sit down in the chair near the head of the bed. "Well except for Chloe being gone. Mac, Sturgis just called me, they think they know where Chloe is being held--"
"That's great, so you are going to go get her right?"
I look at her, unsure of how to continue. "No, Mac, we're not. Not just yet." I hold up my hand to stop her protests, "Not until Webb gets back to me on who exactly it is holding her hostage."
"W-what do you mean?" Mac's voice is small and fearful.
"We thought we knew who it was, and then Webb contacted me. His sources tell us that we may have some problems. The point, Sarah, is that we know where she is and we will know for sure who is holding her before morning and then we can plan for a way to get her back here, with you safe and sound." While I was talking I have reach out to take her and in both of mine, squeezing slightly to try and reassure her with my actions as well as my words.
"So she is in danger?" The look in Mac's eyes is haunted and empty. "She is in danger because of me."
"Mac, stop it now! This is not you fault. It is not your fault some crazy lady decided to try and hurt you through Chloe. We will get her back, I promise. Sarah, you know I don't make promise I can't keep. Now try and sleep. Chloe will need you to be rested when we bring her here tomorrow." I stand, lean over her and place a gentle kiss on her forehead. My chest tightens with the enormity of my feeling for this woman.
Before I am able to turn away from the bed to go towards the door, she catches my hand. "Harm, I know if anyone can bring her back it's you I just wish I could do something to help too." She drops my hand and leans back against the pillows in defeat.
"Hey, there is something you can do. Pray, Jarhead! Pray for Chloe." I smile at her until she smiles back, and then leave the room.
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JAG HQ
Fall Church, VA
"I don't believe this! How reliable is this 'Contact'?" Detective Adams demands irritably.
"I understand you frustration. I really do, but I also know that this man is as good as his word on this. He would never put Chloe at risk. As I have told you if this really is Karen Lowne we have some more serious aspects to think about. As a plastic explosives expert she could easily booby trap the area where she is keeping Chloe, expecting a rescue attempt. If it isn't Karen Lowne, well then this woman is more unstable than we first thought. Either way we need to know before we proceed with any rescue attempt."
After I finish my monologue the room is silent, everyone is waiting for Adams reaction.
"Fine, what you say makes sense, except that I have no way of verifying the information that you have told me. But I guess if you trust this CIA agent, I really don't have a choice but to take what he says seriously. Did he say WHEN he would have this information for us?"
"By morning at the latest, in the mean time we all might as well try to get some rest. I know that I for one could certainly use with some rack time."
At the confused look on the Detectives face Bud intervenes. "He means sleep, Detective Adams. We could all benefit from some rest. There is another conference room down the hall where some cots have been set up for our use. There aren't enough for everyone but at least some could get a little shut eye."
"I agree, okay people, I need three volunteers to stay and monitor the phones. Dozer, thank you, you are in charge. I need two more; Langley, and Frohike, thank you guys. Everyone else find a spot and try to relax, we will meet back here at six a.m. or when we hear from the Commanders mysterious 'Contact'. Good job so far people." Adams rubs his hand over his face, and sighs. He turns towards me to say, "I think I am going to take my own advice. When you hear from your 'Contact' I will be in the other conference room trying to sleep."
As everyone but the three volunteers filter out, Strugis motions that Bud and I should stay for a moment.
"Okay Rabb, why doesn't you 'Contact' want us to use his name?"
"I am not sure, all he said was that he wasn't sure how secure JAG Headquarters was anymore. He said that it would be best for all involved if no one but us knew he was helping."
"Okay, well I guess I will have to live with that answer for now. How is Mac?" Strugis inquires.
"It is still a wait-and-see situation but the doctor said that the fact she is now awake is a good sign."
"That is great, sir!" Bud's smile was bright enough to illuminate the entire room.
As tired as we all were we lapped into silence, content to sit with our own thoughts. It was several minutes before any of us spoke. When that did happen it was Bud, who broke the silence.
"The Police officers involved in this have been incredibly good. These three guys who volunteered were the first ones here, other than Adams. They must be beat but they still volunteered, we could use men like that in the Navy."
I look over at the three of them sitting on the other side of the room. Dozer sits reading the newspaper, while the one Adams called Frohike seems to be taking apart some sort of electronic device. What a strange little man, he is. I dismiss him and look at Langley. The name fits him; he is tall and thin, rather gangly, with longish blondish hair.
"Well, maybe not exactly like them, the Navy would never allow Langley to wear his hair that long." I say with a smile.
"Yeah," Sturgis says, "I have never understood why some women find that attractive. I know if I were a woman I would want any man I dated to look like a man, not a girl." He chuckles.
"I'm a little worried about you Sturgis. Just how much time have you spent thinking about that?" I smile over at him. "Should we tell Bobbie to cut her hair?"
"Ha, ha. You know what I meant." Turner glares at me.
"Well, sirs, I am going to my office to try and rest. I will see you both at 0600 if not before." Bud stands and leaves.
"I think we should both do the same." Strugis announces.
I can't resist teasing him a little more, "Geez, Strug, now I'm REALLY worried, first the talk about you being a woman, and now you want us to go sleep with Bud in his office!"
Strugis glares at me before replying, "Cute, Rabb. I am glad to see you still have a sense of humor, we will see which one of us is the girly girl on the basketball court next week. Now I am going to my office!" He walks away chuckling.
I get up as well, there is nothing more I can do until Webb calls. I wish I could go back to Mac and sleep in her room, but I know that when Webb does call I will need to be here. I sigh and go to my office. I plug my cell phone in to recharge making sure the ringer is on, before settling into my chair and propping my feet up on my desk. I might as well try to get some sleep.
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I humbly ask you to read and review...even though I have been a terrible author by not posting more often....but maybe if I get lots and lots of reviews I will be more motivated to find time to write. :) Thanks for reading.
~Fiona
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