Chapter 5 – Safe and Sound

It was ten the next morning, a plane landed at Mildenhall and taxied to a stop on the apron. Fifteen men got out and walked across the tarmac to the main building. Rick and his crew watched as the Leader thanked the team of young soldiers, he shook each one's hand and gave them a big smile. "Drinks are on me, Saturday night in The Doves."

One of them grinned. "You're on Boss. Get there early and bring lots of money, we'll bring a thirst." The men climbed into one of the waiting trucks and were driven away.

The Leader turned to the airmen, indicated his remaining team mates and the second truck. "They'll get you to the hospital." He turned to the three men. "Thanks for everything, I couldn't have done it without you."

The New Yorker laughed. "You're welcome Geronimo, that was much more fun than a couple days in London. Drinks on you?" The Leader nodded.

The Italian waved the aircrew towards the truck. "Come this way and we'll get you checked over."

The Leader put a hand on Ricks arm. "You need to go to the hospital?" Rick shook his head. The Leader pointed to the jeep. "Come with me then." They climbed in and the jeep roared off down the road.

Goniff watched the vehicle disappear in a cloud of dust, he smiled and thought how happy the Warden was going to be when he saw his brother, he corrected himself, brothers safe and sound. Now all that needed to happen was for Rick to find out who it was that had rescued him, he would have loved to have seen his face when he did.

GG-GG-GG

Rick sat in the jeep and watched the countryside pass by, he turned to the Leader. "Where you taking me?"

The young man concentrated on the road, his black hair whipped in the slipstream. "Takin' you to Hampshire to your family."

Rick looked at him in surprise. "How do you know where my family is?"

A pair of amused, dark brown eyes glanced quickly at him, the Leader smiled. "Trust me, I know where your family is."

Rick relaxed and sat back in his seat, he did trust this quiet, deadly soldier, he knew he wouldn't hurt him and he'd felt safe with him at his side deep in the middle of enemy territory. Again he thought to himself who is this man? He realised he'd get no answer from him.

Four hours later the jeep pulled into a driveway and stopped outside a large house. The Leader waved a hand at the building. "This is where you get out Rick."

Rick looked at the man who had rescued him and brought him home. "Come in and meet everyone, I'm sure they'd like to thank you." The Leader shook his head. "Then at least tell me your name." Another shake.

The Leader looked at his watch and frowned. "I gotta get back. See you around Rick." The jeep revved and disappeared down the drive in a cloud of dust.

GG-GG-GG

Mary heard the roar of an engine outside, she walked to the door and opened it just as Rick was going to knock, she screamed and nearly fainted with shock.

George, Craig, Trish and Laura rushed to the door to find out what was wrong, they were surprised to find Rick standing there holding his mother in his arms. George stepped forward and guided both of them into the house, he closed the door and drew them both into a hug. "Ricky, thank God you're safe. We weren't told you were back, we've been so worried."

Trish and Laura waited for their turn to hug Rick, closely followed by Craig. Mary indicated for them all to go in the living room and sit down.

Craig looked at his brother in amazement and offered a cigarette. "What happened Ricky? When did you get back?"

Rick collapsed into a chair and lit the cigarette. "I only just got back this morning," he glanced at his watch. "Four hours ago. The guy that got me out of Germany brought me straight here."

George sat down. "Tell us what happened Son."

Rick looked at his family. "We were shot down over Dortmund. Seven of us got out before she crashed. We were captured and taken to Dulag Luft for interrogation. On the third day this tall, scary SS Officer came in and took us away, he said he knew I was a General's son and he was taking me to Berlin. We were on the road and stopped because one of the trucks got a puncture. Suddenly the convoy was attacked by a group of five men dressed as Germans, they killed all the Krauts. They said they were Special Forces, it turned out the SS Officer was part of the team. They drove us away south to Switzerland and brought us back. It was strange, the leader of the group who rescued us seemed to know who I was, he was American, but most of the others were Brits. I didn't get their names but they called him 'Boss'."

Craig's head shot up. "Boss?" He grabbed his brother's arm urgently. "Ricky, tell me, was he early twenties, dark hair, carried a knife in a sheath on his right arm?"

Rick nodded. "Yeah, he was pretty handy with it too, he was the one who killed all the guards in our wagon. I never seen anyone fight like him, he was fast and deadly. All the men on the team carried knives like him. You know him Craig?"

Craig looked at his parents' shocked faces and then back at Rick, he nodded his head. "You know him too, but you haven't met him yet, that was Rainey, our brother. The men with him must have been one of his Navajo teams."

Trish put her hands to her mouth in shocked amazement. "Rainey went to Germany and got Ricky out?"

Rick gave them all a confused look. "That was Rainey? Why didn't he tell me who he was? Why didn't he come in when he dropped me off just now? He just said he had to get back."

The Garrison's looked at each other. "Rainey was here?" Craig exclaimed, he groaned as he realised. "I gave him a couple day's leave, it's over by now, Rainey's going to be arrested for going AWOL." He looked at his watch. "He's been gone fifteen minutes."

Mary looked at George. "We've got to do something. We can't let Rainey be arrested, not after bringing Rick home."

George looked down at his wife and smiled. "I know just what to do honey." He looked at Craig. "Can you catch up with Rainey and bring him back?"

Craig shook his head. "Not in your staff car Dad. It's too slow."

Trish tossed her brother the keys to her roadster. "You'll have no trouble in the Alvis, bring both of 'em back in one piece big Bro." Craig snatched the keys out of the air and ran to the door, seconds later they heard the powerful engine roar as the car launched itself down the road in hot pursuit of the jeep.

George walked into his office. "I'm gonna call Major Richards." Five minutes he walked back out. "All arranged, Rainey's gonna be staying here for a couple days, all Craig's got to do is catch him."

Trish's brow furrowed in thought. She turned to Rick. "You said you were taken away by a tall, scary SS Officer?"

Rick ground out his cigarette. "Yeah, but that was weird too. First him and a couple other guys were all in SS uniform then they changed into civvies, they came back with us as well. Turned out they were all Special Forces."

Trish smiled at Laura, Mary and George. "Let me see, was he very tall, about six four, aristocratic looking with dark curly hair and spoke with an Italian accent?"

Rick nodded. Mary cried out. "Actor! He was there too?"

Trish went on. "The other two were they a blonde Brit and a dark-haired New Yorker who looks and sounds as if he's come straight out of a gangster movie?"

Rick nodded again, he gave her a look of disbelief. "You know them too?"

Trish gave him a wide grin. "Oh yes brother of mine, we all know them. That was Actor, Goniff and Casino, Craig's gang of hoods otherwise known as Garrison's Gorillas, the best Special Forces team in the business. Rainey's the fourth member, he's Craig's scout, they call him Chief."

Rick thought for a second. "Never heard him called Chief, I'm sure one of them called him something else... Geronimo, that's what he called him."

Trish laughed. "Yeah, that's Casino alright, that's his nickname for Rainey." She looked at her parents. "Just wait 'til Craig finds out what his boys did on their time off, he'll either burst with pride or have a litter of kittens!"

George walked back into his office. "Just gonna make another phone call," he called over his shoulder.

GG-GG-GG

Rainey drove down the country road, trying to avoid the potholes, he glanced at his watch and frowned, it would be at least another three hours before he got back to the mansion and faced arrest along with Actor, Goniff and Casino for being AWOL. He looked in the rear-view mirror and saw a car rapidly catching up with him, its headlights were full on and the horn was blaring. "Someone's in a hurry," he said to himself and slowed down to allow the faster car to pass. He did a double-take as he recognised the Alvis, it raced past and squealed to a halt in front of him, he braked, switched off the jeep's engine and walked over to meet the driver who was running back towards him. "Craig? You tryin' to get yourself killed drivin' like that?"

Craig stopped in the middle of the road, crossed his arms, tilted his head and gave his brother a mock glare. "You're in big trouble mister."

Rainey nodded. "Yeah, I know, I'm AWOL."

Craig shook his head. "Uh uh, you're in bigger trouble than that little brother. Ma says to get your butt back to the house and tell her why you didn't come in with Rick." His stern look dissolved into a big smile. "I'm also under orders from Trish to bring you and the Alvis back in one piece. Sorry Rainey, we can't disobey two Garrison women, it's more than our lives are worth." He turned to go back to the car, stopped, walked back and held out his hand. "But first I've got to thank you for getting Ricky out of Germany and bringing him home. I should've been there with you."

Rainey took Craig's hand and shook it. "No, you were where you should've been, with your family."

Craig drew back to look into his brother's eyes. "Our family Rainey, I don't care what the Army says, you're a Garrison and you should've been with us."

Rainey looked down at his feet and gave a small smile. "Then who would've gotten Rick out? Things turned out for the best Craig, but I'm still in trouble, I really gotta go 'n get arrested."

Craig grinned. "Don't worry about being AWOL, Dad's arranging things with Richards. Get your ass back home now, Rick wants to meet his brother."

GG-GG-GG

The roadster and the jeep turned into the drive leading to the Garrison household, Craig smiled as he sounded the deep, sonorous horn to the rhythm of 'shave and a haircut', Rainey looked over and laughed out loud as he tooted, adding the 'two bits' in the jeep's higher tone.

The front door opened, Mary and George walked out to greet the arrivals. Craig got out, leaned on the bonnet of the roadster and watched as Mary gave Rainey a beaming smile and held out both hands. "Biyeʼ, welcome home."

Rainey pulled Mary in for a hug and kissed her cheek. "Shimá, it's really good to see you," he managed to get one hand free and extended it to George. "It's good to see you too Shizhé'é."

George took Rainey's hand and put his other arm round his shoulder, his voice was husky as he gave the newest member of the Garrison family a hug. "Son... thank you."

Mary looked up, her eyes were bright with tears. "The others are waiting inside, but George and I wanted to see you first and thank you for bringing Ricky home." She looked over at Craig and held out an arm. "Come here, you deserve a hug too for bringing Rainey back."

Craig smiled, walked over and held his arms out wide to embrace everyone. "I didn't do that much, but I'll take it."

George lead them back into the house, they walked into the living room, Rick jumped up out of his chair and looked expectantly at the young, dark-haired man standing at Craig's side.

Craig put his hand on Rainey's back and guided him forward, his face wreathed in smiles. "Rick, I'd like to officially introduce you to Rainey Garrison."

Rainey held out his hand. "Rick."

Rick strode forward and threw his arms around his new brother. "Rainey!" He stepped back and took his hand in both of his. "I'd heard all about you and I can say, after seeing you in action, I can believe everything I was told is true. I've been wanting to meet you for ages, why didn't you tell me who you were back in Germany?"

Rainey gave him a half smile. "If some stranger in a Kraut uniform walked up to you in the middle of Germany and said "Hi, I'm your brother" would you believe 'em? I didn't know if you'd been told about me. I needed you to trust me so I left that bit out."

Rick considered what he said and grinned. "After the entrance you made I couldn't do anything but trust you, I felt I knew you somehow. How did you know it was me?"

Rainey laughed and indicated everyone standing round. "I know what a Garrison looks like. Almost thought it was Craig sittin' in the back of that truck, it threw me for a second."

George looked fondly at the two new siblings. "It seems you two have quite a story to tell. Ladies if you'll arrange some food I'll get out the Bourbon and you can tell us all about it."

Craig put his arm across Rainey's shoulders and looked fondly at his brother. "Knowing Rainey his side of the story will be. 'Went in, found Rick, got him out.' Am I right?"

Rainey nodded agreement. "Uh huh, sounds about right." He felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned to be engulfed in a passionate embrace, he tried to talk but a pair of lips pressed to his, he happily gave in, wrapped his arms tightly around Trish and kissed her deeply.

Eventually they came up for air, Trish put her finger on his lips and gazed into his eyes. "My hero, I'll thank you properly later on. A good, long hello, remember? A promise is a promise."

Rainey looked down at her and gave her the smile she adored. "Mmm, yes ma'am. I'd like that." She hit him playfully on the arm and then went out to the kitchen to help get the food ready.

Fifteen minutes later the table was loaded with sandwiches, nibbles, coffee and Bourbon, everyone sat round, George poured out generous measures of Bourbon.

Craig took a sip and looked across the table at Rainey, Trish was sitting next to him holding his hand tightly. "Rick said you had a team of four men with you and they all carried knives like yours, were they some of your Navajos?"

Rainey smiled proudly. "Uh huh, Navajo 5, George McAllen, Dalgleish, Edwards, Fuller. You remember them? They were the first team you met, Dalgleish was the boxing champion who thought he could take me down."

Craig thought back. "Yeah," he paused. "That was just after we got back from Caen." He gave an involuntary shudder. Damn, would he never be able to get that place out of his head? He looked over to see Rainey watching him with concern, he'd been the only one to notice what had happened. He gave him a small nod to reassure him he was alright. "It was a good idea to take them as back up."

Rainey picked up a piece of cheese. "They were already out there. They'd just finished a mission in Luxembourg 'n volunteered to help, we parachuted in 'n hooked up with 'em."

Craig tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "We?"

Trish gave a quiet chuckle. "The Navajos weren't the only back up Rainey had big Bro. Remember Rick said there was a scary SS Officer and a couple other men? Turns out all your guys spent their leave in Germany."

Craig stared incredulously at Rainey. "You took Actor, Goniff and Casino as well?"

Rainey shook his head. "Uh uh, not really. Told 'em I was going on my own 'n they sorta insisted on comin' along. Goniff said if Rick was my brother then he was their family too."

Craig looked astonished, he picked up his glass. "Just wait 'til I see 'em next week."

George sipped his drink. "Oh you won't have to wait that long Son. You can tell 'em tomorrow when they get here."

Craig choked on his Bourbon, he looked at his father in surprise, George gave him an innocent look. "I had words with Richards earlier and told him that as your team had been on a mission for me instead of going on leave they were still owed that leave and would be spending it here with you. He said as they were your responsibility, you were welcome to them!"

Laura patted Craig's arm. "It'll be great to see the boys again, Actor's such a nice, polite man."

Craig bent his head forward and covered his eyes. "Oh God!"

GG-GG-GG

Ten o'clock the next morning a staff car pulled up outside the house and three bemused men got out. The driver opened the boot and took out their bags, they looked around in confusion as the car pulled away.

"What we doin' here?" asked Goniff as he scrubbed a hand through his blonde hair and looked around.

"Damned if I know Limey." answered Casino. "We were just told to pack 'n be ready to leave."

Actor scanned the area and smiled as the front door opened to reveal Mary Garrison closely followed by George. "I think we are going to stay with the Warden's family for a while."

Casino turned, held his arms out wide and tilted his head to one side with a huge grin. "Mama 'n Papa Garrison! How you doin'?"

Craig stood in the doorway watching the scene unfold, he turned to Rainey. "I can't believe Dad arranged this and Richards agreed."

Rainey smiled gently and gave Craig a mischievous look. "A few day's leave with the guys 'n your family, what could go wrong?"

"I don't want to even think about it!" laughed Craig as he strolled over to greet his men.