Mission Impossible: The Town
Paris pulled into the small town to get gas before he went to meet Jim at the lodge. A couple of weeks of vacation from missions sounded wonderful to him. The mechanic at the gas pump assured him he would give him some gas but check his car as well since the long drive took a toll on cars. Paris agreed and went off to get him a drink and use the restroom since he had a long drive a head of him. He sat at the bar in the fountain shop sipping on a fruit punch soda. The lady behind the counter was nice and Paris was glad to talk to someone until another couple came in to pick up their prescription. Paris ignored them until he heard the girl gasp and smoke began filling the room. He rushed to grab the girl from behind the counter as they all ran out into the fresh air.
When the mechanic came over, he asked if his car was ready. Before the mechanic could even say anything, Paris felt a gun being held against his side by the sheriff. Paris demanded to know what was going on, but the sheriff just pointed him in the direction of a white building. Since he didn't want any trouble, he moved with the sheriff going into the basement of the white building. Paris alarmed that he had stumbled across something he didn't want to, prayed that Jim would be able to figure out where he was. An old man in a doctor's outfit stopped talking to the group of people before he came over to stand beside them.
"What is the meaning of this?" The old man asked.
"There was an accident at the drug store I thought I bring him to you Doc." The sheriff remarked, "Should I get rid of him?"
"No, he's probably meeting someone at the lodge. Isn't that right?" The doc looked at Paris.
Paris remained silent leaving the sheriff to answer for him, "He told the mechanic he was going there. What should we do with him though?"
"Oh I have a way, take him to my office." Doc smiled, "I have the perfect new thing to use on him."
The sheriff took Paris back up the stairs and over to the second part of the house which he found was the doctor's office. The sheriff tied him down to the bed remarking the doc would be there soon and he would soon be wishing for death. Paris struggled against the ropes unsure if he wanted to stick around to know what they were talking about. But when he found he couldn't break his bonds, he just prayed that Jim would soon come looking for him and save him from whatever it was the doctor was going to do.
Hours later, Jim arrived in the little town concern written all over his face. Paris was supposed to get to the lodge earlier but he hadn't shown up. Jim waited a while before he returned to the nearest town hoping to see if Paris had gotten stuck there or delayed. When he saw Paris car off to the side of the mechanics, his heart jumped in joy at the thought that perhaps Paris just had car trouble. But upon not seeing his friend anywhere near the car, he felt a sense of dread come over him. He pulled up beside Paris car getting out, looking at the car to see if he could see anything wrong with the car.
"Can I help you?" The mechanic approached him.
"Yeah I'm looking for my friend. He owns this car, I was supposed to meet him at the lodge but he didn't show." Jim remarked.
"Oh I'm so glad someone showed up, Doc was getting worried. Your friend, he's not doing well." He remarked.
Jim felt his heart tighten, "What do you mean? What happened?"
"He was getting gas from me, but he wasn't acting right. Then he just collapsed on the way back from getting something to drink. Doc's said it was a mental breakdown or something like that."
"Where is he at?" Jim felt shock wash over him as he reached to steady himself on Paris car.
"That white building there." The mechanic pointed, "Doc should be in his office."
Jim thanked the man before he walked over to the white building. Even though it wasn't far away, he felt his legs getting heavier with each step. He couldn't imagine Paris having a mental breakdown, he was the strongest of his team members. And even though he never showed his emotions except on a mission, Jim knew it couldn't happen to Paris. It just couldn't, but in his mind he heard a voice saying it could. When he got into the doctor's office he spotted an old man in a white coat. Since he figured this was the doctor, Jim approached the man.
"Excuse me, the mechanic said my friend was here." Jim explained.
The doc looked up smiling, "Oh I'm glad someone has come, you see your friend has suffered a mental breakdown and I was hoping someone would get here."
"How is he?"
"Not well I'm afraid, I had to restrain him with the help of several men." The doc frowned.
"Can I see him?" Jim asked afraid the doc would deny him.
The doc nodded, "Of course, it might help calm him down."
Jim followed the doctor upstairs entering the first room on the left. When Jim peaked inside the room, his heart stopped. Paris was huddled in the corner, his whole body shaking and Jim could see that he had used the bathroom on himself. Paris barely glanced up from the area he was at before he was curling more in, as if he wanted to disappear. Jim wasn't sure if this was actually Paris, surly it wasn't. Possibly a look alike, but not the strong Paris he had known and seen as a brother. The doctor placed a hand on his shoulder bringing him out of his thoughts.
"I'm sorry, it's just a shock. What? How could this happen?" Jim asked.
"Who really knows, could be he had been under a lot of stress. He has been in that same spot since my nurse left him. After he attacked her, she refused to go back in there." The doc explained.
"What about his clothes? Is he really gone to have used the bathroom on himself?" Jim questioned a little upset that Paris had been left alone.
"I'm afraid it's a side effect to the breakdown, his mind isn't thinking straight. There's a small bathroom through that door but he doesn't want any of us to help him. I tried to get him into a new set of clothes but he lashed out as well." The doc pulled up his right sleeve showing scratches, "I left the clothes on the bed over there."
"Maybe I can try, can you bring me some clean water and a rag." Jim requested.
"Of course, I'll be right back." The doc nodded before leaving.
After the doctor had left, Jim stood there unsure how to go about this. He had only seen Paris like this on a mission and only because he was acting. But now he knew he wasn't and it scared him. Paris was literally shaking and he seemed to be sweating as if he had a fever. There were dark bags underneath his eyes and Jim wondered if Paris had slept any. He also saw liquid on the floor wondering if that was urine or Paris had thrown up recently. He stood there for a minute longer before he slowly moved over to Paris.
"Paris?" Jim spoke.
Paris looked up, "Jim?"
"Yeah it's me." Jim smiled, "Listen we are going to get you help. I'm going to get you help."
"Jim, you gotta get me out! The doc's evil! He's tied me down! He did something! Please Jim!" Paris practically screamed at him.
"Paris, you aren't tied down. You had a breakdown, but it's going to be alright. I'll get everyone together and it will be alright." Jim assured him.
The door opened as the doc walked in holding a bowl of water and rags draped over his shoulder. Paris shook his head moving into the corner, "No! Keep him away from me! Please Jim!"
Jim's heart sunk at Paris pleas as he rose to take the water and rags from the doc before sending him out of the room. Once the doctor was gone, Jim set the bowl of water down with the rags before he reached for the clothes. He started to turn when he heard Paris crying. He turned to see Paris trying to get his pants off but wasn't having much luck. Jim rushed to help him but the bathroom was on the other side of the room. Quick as he could, he rushed Paris to the bathroom setting him down on the toilet just before Paris couldn't hold it in any longer. Jim turned to give him some privacy but Paris grabbed onto his wrist crying and pleading not to leave him.
Jim assured him he wasn't leaving except to get the new pants. Paris sat on the toilet until he was done and allowed Jim to help clean him up before placing on the new pants. Sure that he was done, Jim helped him up and back into the room where he got him to lie on the bed. He told Paris that he needed some rest, but Paris refused pleading over and over to get him out of there. Jim told him he would soon as possible but Paris kept saying that the doc was evil and they were in an evil town where everyone was against them. Having felt the heat rising off Paris on the way to the bathroom, Jim took one of the dry rags dipping it into the water before he wiped his friend's forehead off.
When the water touched his forehead, Paris jerked away muttering that he was cold. Jim told him that he had a fever and the water was going to help him. The doctor returned shortly with the nurse and Jim found he had to practically hold Paris to keep him from running back to the corner. He kept talking to Paris until he seemed to calm down but Jim found he had reached out and grabbed onto his arm. Jim felt Paris squeeze his arm until he told him it was going to be alright. That he would take care of everything once he talked to the doctor.
"Is everything alright?" The doc asked.
"Yes, I managed to get him to change his pants and get him back to the bed. He seems to have gotten a fever as well, but I wasn't sure if that was normal." Jim remarked.
The doc frowned, "I'm afraid it is normal, people with breakdowns tend to get themselves worked up so much that the body thinks they are sick. And in trying to fight off the virus that isn't there, it creates a fever."
"What can we do? Should we get a specialist here or can I take him home?" Jim asked.
"Please take me home Jim! Please, they are doing this!" Paris pleaded and screamed.
"I'm not sure if that would be a good idea, he might get in his idea that others are out to get him like we are. It has resulted in people killing themselves." The doc explained.
"Then we need to get a specialist right away." Jim replied ignoring Paris holding tightly onto his arm.
"My nurse will contact the nearest specialist, which hopefully can get here in the next day days." Doc nodded looking over at his nurse who nodded.
"Thank you, please do that right away." Jim pleaded.
The doc assured Jim the nurse would do that as they left the room leaving Jim alone with Paris once more. Paris seemed to quiet down once they were gone but still kept pleading for Jim to take him home. It hurt Jim that he couldn't agree but knew Paris was strong and if he could end up killing himself, and then he wasn't taking that chance. He continued to try and keep Paris fever down relieved when Paris seemed to drift off to sleep.
As the day turned to night, Jim continued to talk to Paris who would call out in his sleep pleading for people to help him. He tried to assure Paris that no one was there and that he was safe but Paris fever was high and the water didn't seem to help. The doctor came in after the sun went down with a tray of sandwiches and some juice telling Jim to eat. Since Paris hadn't spoken for a while in his sleep, Jim agreed as he began eating not realizing how hungry he was until he had ate half of it and drank the juice. A few minutes later, Jim began to sway feeling his eyes getting heavy.
The doc returned and escorted Jim to a room next to Paris remarking that he should get some rest. Jim not realizing how tired he was agreed but asked to be woken up if Paris got any worse during the night. The doc assured him that was fine but assured Jim to get some rest. Jim didn't have much choice as he laid down falling fast asleep. After the doc was sure that Jim was asleep, he moved into Paris room noticing his patient was awake. The doc smiled and couldn't help but watch as Paris got up and moved over to the corner trying to get away from him.
"Where's Jim?!" Paris shouted.
"Resting, but don't worry it's time for your medication." The doc smiled as the mechanic came in with the sheriff.
"No! No! Jim!" Paris screamed.
"I'm afraid he won't hear you." The doc grinned, "Men chain his ankle."
The sheriff and mechanic rushed to hold Paris while grabbing the shackle and chain that was hidden behind a false floorboard attaching it to his ankle. Paris struggled against him but he found his muscles unable to function as they had earlier on during the day. He knew they were going to give him more of that drug and he shuddered at the thought. All he could do was be held as the doc injected him before they released him leaving the room. Paris screamed for Jim but realized they had drugged Jim and he was on his own. Paris tried to remove the shackle but found he couldn't focus enough to find any of his hidden tools. He even tried to slide his foot out of the shackle but that didn't work either. Just caused him to get scratches on his ankle and he swore it was beginning to hurt when he moved. Too tired and unable to do anything, he just curled up on the floor falling asleep.
When Jim woke early in the morning, he noticed it was still dark out. He didn't hear anyone in the house stirring so figured they were all asleep. He decided instead of going back to sleep, to check on Paris and see how he was doing. When he got to Paris room however, he got alarmed that Paris wasn't in the bed, but on the floor once more. And to his horror there was a chain hooked to the wall which was wrapped around Paris ankle. As if he was an animal that was trying to escape. It was then something told him, this wasn't normal. Even if someone had a breakdown, surely you wouldn't chain them. You would secure them on the bed but not with a chain and shackle.
Quiet as he could, he moved over to Paris alarmed that Paris was shaking and he had gotten sick once more. And his pants were soiled so he knew Paris hadn't been able to get to the bathroom. Jim cursed the doc and whoever else had done this to his friend. Gently he reached to shake Paris but became alarmed at how hot he was. Too hot for him, and Jim knew he had to get Paris out of there as quick as possible. Upon close examination of the shackle, Jim noticed a bruise was forming on Paris ankle and it looked swollen. Paris had probably tried to get out of it last night and Jim wished he could take it off. But he knew the doctor had to remove it to keep up with the idea that Paris had a breakdown.
Although he didn't want to leave Paris, Jim sneaked back to his room when he heard noises from downstairs. He went to his room and laid on the bed acting like he was still asleep. He heard his door open for a few minutes before it shut back. Once it was shut, Jim listened through the walls to see if they were going to hurt Paris. He heard Paris crying out for him, but knew he couldn't just rush right in or else they would keep him there as well. When he didn't hear Paris crying anymore and heard footsteps going back downstairs, Jim let out a sigh of relief. He would wait a few more minutes before he went downstairs to talk to the doc. He had to get the team there and fast if they were to get Paris out and figure out why their friend had been targeted.
After an hour had passed, Jim felt it safe to go downstairs where he found the doctor sitting at his desk. Jim asked if Paris family had been notified yet about the attack. The doc looked stunned and shook his head commenting he didn't know there was any family. Jim explained he had a brother named Willie and adopted brother named Barney. The doc nodded and assured him he could use his phone if needed. After the doc left to give him some privacy, Jim called Barney glad that he picked up after the first couple of rings. Since he knew they probably were listening in on the conversation, Jim spoke in code glad when Barney seemed to understand what was going on. Jim explained that his brother Paris was in the doctors office with a mental breakdown. Barney assured him he would contact Willie and they would arrive as soon as possible. Jim thanked him before getting off the phone going back upstairs to Paris room.
When he walked in he was relieved to find Paris on the bed, but a little upset that his friend still had his soiled clothes on. Since his clothes were in the car and he hadn't changed his clothes, Jim used that as an excuse to go to his car grabbing his suitcase. Once back, Jim gently woke Paris explaining he needed to get him cleaned up and put in some more clothes. Paris barely nodded but began closing his eyes. Jim reached out to shake him but pulled back realizing that the fever was still upon him. He cursed under his breath knowing the doc wasn't going to give him anything to help.
With some maneuvering, Jim got Paris clothes off before he went into the bathroom to wet a towel that was hanging up. Slow and easy, Jim got Paris cleaned up before he placed some boxes and pants back on Paris, leaving a shirt off. With Paris skin so hot, Jim didn't want him to get any hotter. He washed off the mess off the towel before he rewet it once more to begin trying to cool down Paris skin. He continued to do this for most of the day assuring the doc he was fine every time he came to see him. Paris came in and out of consciousness muttering about the evil agents going after the Russian defector. Jim took down some notes of everything Paris said knowing while it might be the fever talking; there was an Russian agent that had defected to their agents.
Paris and Willie both showed up that evening, rushing into the doctor's office. Jim went down stairs to greet them and introduce them to the doc. Then he took them upstairs where Jim was alarmed that Paris was over in the corner again. Willie and Barney went to help them but Jim stopped them. He explained that the doc was an enemy agent had injected Paris with some medication that would make him look like he had the mental breakdown. Willie asked how he knew. Jim explained all of Paris symptoms from the fever to the chills and him having vomiting and diarrhea. Barney nodded questioning how they were going to get Paris out. Jim pulled out the sheet of notes he wrote down handing them to Barney asking if he could leave town and see if the information he got from Paris was true.
Barney nodded he could be able to do that and questioned if he should get some more agents involved. Jim agreed but told Barney to get to the police department in the next town since the sheriff there was one of their agents. And he could come in and get them since he noticed the whole town always went into the basement of the building they were in each afternoon. He had watched from the window the previous night deciding they probably were talking about the mission. Barney left and assured them he would return that afternoon with all the police they would need. Willie and Jim nodded before they slowly moved over to where Paris was shaking on the floor.
"Paris, it's Jim and your brother Willie. Listen you have a high fever and we need to get you back to bed." Jim reached out to touch him.
Paris gave a cry as he fell over struggling to go backwards but only collided with the wall, "No…no more…Jim! Jim help me!"
"Paris, it's us. No one is here to hurt you, we are here to help." Willie crouched down to his level.
"No I don't want it….Jim!" Paris cried out.
"Paris!" Jim shouted waiting until he seemed to come out of it, "Easy, it's just me. Look your brother Willie is here."
"Willie?" Paris looked confused before he managed to see both of them throwing his self at Willie, "I want to go home!"
Willie grabbed Paris trying to ignore the intense heat coming off of him, "It's alright, big brother Willie is here and we are going to take you home soon. Come let's get you back to bed. Do you mind if I carry you?"
"I'm not baby," Paris pouted but realized he couldn't get up, "Alright."
Willie picked him up in his arms lifting him into the air before he carried him back over to the bed. Gently he laid him down while Jim rushed to get the rag wet again wiping Paris down from head to his waist. Willie questioned how high the fever was but Jim shook his head wishing he knew. All he knew was that the fever was very high and they needed to keep it down as quick as possible. Willie nodded assuring Jim they would check it soon as they got out of the town and to a safe place. Jim decided they could go to the lodge since their rooms were going to be available for a week and they hadn't even used one day. And if they needed more time than that, they would explain to the IMF the problem and ask for more time.
That evening, Jim and Willie took turns watching out the window while also keeping Paris cool with wet rags. Just like before the whole town began going into the cellar of the building and right on time as well. Soon as everyone was in there, Barney showed up with the whole police force surrounding the building. While the police were taking care of the town's people, Barney entered into the room assuring Jim and Willie that the police in California had picked up the two assassins before they had the chance to kill their target. Willie looked at Paris flushed skin asking how he was doing. Jim shook his head stating the fever was dangerously high and they weren't sure what medicine had been used on him.
Willie left the room stating he would find out what medication the doc had used on him while Jim and Barney helped Paris to the car outside. Jim gently woke Paris up explaining they were going to take him out of there. Although he was feverish and his muscles were weak, Paris attempted to sit up on his own but ended up needing help from Jim and Barney. They got him up but soon as Paris weight hit his bruised ankle he cried out. Jim cursed and wanted to smack himself for not remembering that Paris had an injured ankle. He explained what had happened to Barney who in turn wanted to go out there and hurt each of the townspeople.
Jim told him they would get what was coming to them, but their first priority was to help Paris. Jim told Paris to lean on them as they helped him out of the room and down the stairs going out of the building. Paris let his friends help him out of the building making sure he kept the weight off his bad ankle. He couldn't quite remember how he had injured it but knew he had and that it hurt. When he got outside and saw the doc, Paris tried to move away from everyone but Jim and Barney held him steady. They assured him the police had the doc and that he wouldn't be escaping. Willie approached them with a bottle of medicine that the police had gotten off of the doc.
"It's Malaria mixed with a compound so Paris looked like he had a mental breakdown." Willie explained, "There's no antidote however, apparently it's just got to run it's course."
"Then we will take him to the lodge and stay with him until he's back to normal." Jim stated.
"Come on Paris, we are going to take you to a place where you can rest." Barney assured him.
"We going home?" Paris asked.
Willie frowned, "No, not home but we are going on a vacation."
"Alright," Paris began shaking again, "It's cold, why is it cold. Are you guys cold?"
"You're very ill Paris, but we are going to take you where you can relax and get better." Jim smiled.
Together they got Paris into the car with everyone, deciding they would come back for Jim's and Paris car later on since the town would now be deserted. With Barney driving the car, Jim was in the passenger seat with Willie and Paris in the back. Willie had Paris lying down on the seat, his head on Willie's leg telling Paris to go back to sleep until they got to the lodge. With the fever too great, Paris didn't have a choice as he shut his eyes going into a fevered sleep. Willie kept a hand on Paris arm to let him know he wasn't alone.
Paris arrived in the town to get gas but instead found himself surrounded by the whole town yelling that he was a spy. Paris shook his head swearing he was going for vacation up at the lodge. But they didn't believe him and soon put him in a small room, barely with enough space to walk around in. And with him being tall, he found he had to get on his knees in order to be a little more comfortable. He pounded his fists against the door until they bled but no one helped him.
"Please I'm not a spy, let me out!" He screamed.
"Let me out!" Paris bolted upright realizing he was in a bed and not a small room.
Where was he and how had he gotten there? The town, he remembered the town and being drugged before everything went hazy. He could recall the doc telling him something important that he had to remember and Jim was there. Jim! Where was Jim, had he left him? No Jim wouldn't do that, but where were the others. He could have sworn Willie and Barney had been there as well. He had to figure out where he was and quickly in case the doc came back or someone who knew who he was.
With more strength than normal, Paris got out of bed starting to stand when his ankle protested. He grabbed onto the bed to keep from falling when he noticed his ankle was bandaged up. Who had done that for him and when had he hurt it. Also why couldn't he remember much of what happened to him? Also the room he was in seemed to be very cold and he needed to figure out why. With holding onto the furniture and the walls, Paris managed to make it to the door getting it open. More cold air seemed to hit him as he opened it, but he soon realized he was in a sitting room of some kind.
"Paris! You shouldn't be up!" Jim shouted entering the living room followed by Willie and Barney.
"Where are we?" Paris asked, "Why am I cold? Why you guys got it cold?"
"It's not cold Paris, you were drugged. Do you remember?" Willie questioned.
Paris shook his head but stopped when he realized it was hurting, "Wait, the doc? He did something. They were going to kill someone! Jim we have to stop them!"
"Easy, everything's been taking care of. But we need to get you back to bed. When we got you here last night, your fever was 104.5. We had to put you in an ice bath in order to bring it down, but it's still dangerously high." Barney stated.
"My ankle?" Paris looked down puzzled.
"The doc put a shackle on your foot, in your drugged state you tried to get out. It's not broken, just sprained some but it will be alright in a few days." Jim assured him.
With the help of his friends, Paris was able to get back into bed and was covered up with a couple of blankets when he began shivering. Jim pulled out the thermometer running it across Paris forehead until it beeped. Jim frowned as he told them that Paris fever was about 103.8, which was still high but not as bad as it was before. Willie ran to get some a cold rag before he came back and laid it on Paris forehead. Paris cried out flinching from the cold but quieted down when he was assured it would help him. After a few minutes of his friends talking to him, Paris was able to go back to sleep.
Paris stood facing the doc, "Let my friend's go!"
"Why so they can destroy my plans? No I don't think so Paris." The doc smirked, "Plus I'm not holding them hostage, they are actually with me."
"No, your wrong. They aren't with you!" Paris shouted, "Jim, Willie, Barney tell them it's not true."
"But I'm afraid it is Paris, why don't you join us?" Jim questioned.
Willie nodded, "Yes Paris, it's much easier if you join us."
"Come on, it's not hard." Barney smiled.
"No, it's not true. You can't be with him." Paris backed away but hit the wall.
"If you won't join us, then we have to get rid of you." Jim held up a gun.
"No Jim!"
"Jim!" Paris jerked awake when he heard the shot.
"Easy Paris, I'm right here. You were just having a nightmare, you're safe." Jim assured him.
"Where?" Paris looked around.
"We'll at the lodge, you had a high fever a few days ago, but luckily your fever broke this morning. Our doctor explained you might have nightmares for a few days later due to the drug but you are on the road to recovery." Jim assured him.
"Hey Paris, your awake!" Willie shouted when he entered the room, "How are you feeling?"
"Better, still tired." Paris said.
"You should get some more rest, we are going to stay here until you are back on your feet." Barney remarked coming in after Willie.
"Thanks for all you did for me." Paris smiled before he yawned and went back to sleep knowing he was in good hands and his friends would be there once he woke.
The End