Chapter 4

Thud.

Hesh shrugged his shoulders and opened his eyes in time to see Logan race up to the nearby tree and pull his hand axe free from the makeshift target. It had been two and a half months since he decided that he would follow Logan's lead and work to find her. He watched as Logan fingered the handle after pulling it free. Keegan had given it back to him after finding it on one of their recon missions back on the beach. Hesh thought Logan was going to so what she did and throw it at the wall but he didn't. Instead he started devoting training time with it.

Logan was glad to be out of the splint and sling. He didn't waste time working on his arm to strengthen it. He was glad that Keegan found his hand axe. He thought he had lost it on the train but by some strange bit of luck, that man found it and returned it. He had also found hers along with something else. Logan took the latter and held onto it, not sure about what to do with it. He looked over at Hesh sitting underneath another tree leaning against the trunk with Riley. He saw him shift and start to wake. He walked up to his brother and said, "Sorry to wake you."

Hesh gave a wave to indicate that it was no big deal. "Don't worry about it," he said and rubbed Riley's ears. He stood up and slowly stretched his muscles.

Logan watched his brother with a careful eye. Even though Carol had given her okay, he knew his brother. Hesh wouldn't be one to admit if he overdid it and was suffering the consequences. To Logan it seemed that his brother was on a mission to get well but make it a journey of misery. He knew that Hesh occasionally had a stomach muscle spasm that could get excruciating. He once heard his brother shift restlessly a couple of times at night in bed and trying to hide it.

They had done a pit run earlier with Riley. Hesh, as it seemed to Logan, was going through the motions like he was bored with the repetition but he put everything into it. He pushed himself hard just toeing the line with Carol's recommendations. Then when she was satisfied for the day… It was like Hesh was on some sort of robotic routine or something. It was like he was trying to make himself exhausted. It certainly showed after this last run and Hesh sat against the tree with his gear and dozed off.

Hesh finished stretching and picked up his rifle from the run. It was loaded but with nonlethals. His pistol did have live ammo just in case though people would say he was being paranoid. It was because of his lack of vigilance they lost one of their own. Everywhere was suspect until that bastard was taken out. After all they thought they killed him and he had the scars for the proof of that assumption. He needed the rest though and he relaxed enough to do that since they had Riley and he knew Logan would keep an eye out.

Looking over at Logan he caught him staring and said, "I'm fine. Ready for another run?"

"Trying to beat me?" It was automatic for Logan to counter but he also wanted to get his brother to be who he was.

"You know I can kick your ass," Hesh replied with a genuine teasing grin. He wondered why Logan always seemed to feel like he couldn't joke with him anymore.

"Oh I'm better and you know it." Logan couldn't help but grin since Hesh's was infectious. He could tell that he was in a teasing mood even though he was somber most of the time. He felt pleasure when Hesh's arm wrapped around his neck in a headlock. He couldn't help but grin.

"You think you're better?" Hesh held Logan in his headlock. His expression was tired but he was grinning. He brought up his free hand and gave a hard ruffle to Logan's hair. "What do you have to say about that?"

Logan felt his brother's hand on his head. He swatted at Hesh's hand to get it away but Hesh wasn't letting him go. He looked like he was flailing his arms like a rookie. He managed to get a grip on Hesh's arm and twist his way out of the headlock and bent Hesh forward with his arm back. "I say that you are getting soft old man."

Hesh huffed a little before twisting his body and grabbing Logan and pulling him forward and laying him flat on his back. He then pounced on Logan and pinned him. "I'm an old man?"

"Oh yes." Logan struggled to get an upper hand.

Hesh meanwhile managed to pin Logan's arms to his chest after flipping him onto his back. He was grinning at his brother as he adjusted his grip to keep his brother from squirming. "Ready to give up little brother?"

"Not on your life, big brother," Logan replied squirming trying to break free of his brother's grip. He could see that Hesh was going to keep going. He didn't mind and it looked like Hesh was having fun with it even if Logan sensed that his brother's thoughts weren't on everything. Still he would make the effort and get Hesh back to some semblance of the tough, strong and always a rock big brother he knew him to be. He managed wriggle enough to bring his legs up and pin Hesh's arms as he wrapped them around his upper body and squeezed. "You'll find I'm full of surprises."

Hesh was indeed surprised by Logan's move especially when he found that he couldn't move his arms though he tried. They both ended up tugging on each other until they fell to the side and neither one was inclined to let go. Riley had trotted up and was barking or licking encouragement to both brothers. Their faces were full of drool and fur but neither was going to concede.

"I do have to admit that I have never met a more stubborn pair of brothers."

Logan looked up blowing fur out of his face. He didn't relinquish his grip though and said, "Hi Skye."

Skye grinned at the Walker brothers writhing in a very bad contortionist act as she called Riley to her. The German Shepherd came up willingly and she gave him a scratch. She chuckled as both brothers were trying to get the other to let go and neither were succeeding. "Hi Hesh."

"Skye," Hesh grunted as he tried twisting but that only seemed to press them harder into the ground.

Skye kneeled and watched, amused at the whole thing. It was like the stories her mom told her about her and her cousin and how they used to race across the plains and the tricks they would pull on each other. Her mom looked up to Sequoia even though she was older, way older. It had Skye feel even more guilty about how she treated her cousin and even though they were able to forgive… she felt it wasn't enough but she had to be strong.

The Ghost Keegan told her what he knew and what happened when they were on the beach recovering the Walker boys. She found that Keegan had been keeping the identity of the one called Rorke from her and it was probably more for her protection; he told her more than he should have but she figured he had weighed his options and judged her character. To him he was taking a risk telling her things. Merrick certainly wasn't happy about it but it worked out to some degree.

Merrick managed to pull strings and she was a part of the team in a sort of unofficial-official way meaning that she would fly him, Kick and Keegan on the recon missions and on occasion be asked to participate, which was fine since Owens was just as good a pilot as she was. So she had an excuse to be around the Ghosts while they tracked down where Rorke took Sequoia. She also spent time more with Logan since Hesh seemed inclined to be less sociable while enduring PT. He wasn't rude or mean but he seemed occupied in his thoughts and for Skye it didn't take a genius to figure it out. He was blaming himself because he deeply cared and she suspected was in love with her cousin.

Logan had managed to tell more about Rorke and what had happened. She encouraged him to talk about how he felt and what he was planning to do. He became reluctant about discussing anything like that. She understood though. When the time came she would do what she could to help. Right now she could be a friend to them both. That seemed to help with Logan who would occasionally joke with her like he did when they first met and a little bit with Hesh who seemed inclined to let her stick around because she would talk to him about nothing important and he listened, occasionally saying something that was usually what he picked up from his own training or what he learned from Sequoia.

She watched as the two brothers were on their sides and struggling. She grinned as she rubbed Riley's ears, "Maybe one of you should concede."

"No way. I'm winning this," Logan said as she adjusted his grip and not really going anywhere.

"Pfft," Hesh replied, "You only kick my ass because I let you."

"I guess you think you're fucking generous."

"I'm a saint."

Skye laughed at them as they groused at each other. She watched them roll on the ground a little while longer before saying, "Okay it's a tie this time around. Please stop. You're making me die of laughter here."

Hesh immediately released Logan and rolled to a kneeling position. He said, "Don't ever say that," and stood up and started walking away.

Logan was on his back and propped himself up as he watched his brother walk away running a hand through the two month growth of hair in its bristly cut. He sighed as he watched Hesh walk back towards the pits.

"I'm sorry," Skye said as she came to stand by Logan. She chewed her lower lip as she watched Hesh with a look of concern.

Logan stood up and brushed himself off, "No, don't be. He's… just sensitive."

Skye looked at Logan and asked, "Has he talked to anyone?"

Logan knew what that meant. He had avoided pressuring Hesh into it since the first time someone suggested it. It had Carol scowling at everyone since Hesh ended up shouting at the intern and actually scared the crap out of him with the sort of equivalent of a tantrum. He even snapped at Carol when she brought it up saying that it was none of her damn business and that she should stick to physical injuries. He replied, "No."

"He should."

"Not the best idea. Merrick forced him into one session and Hesh was silent the entire time," Logan explained as he sighed and picked up his gear. "Believe me Skye, when Hesh says no and is determined, you better be prepared for trench warfare. I just learned how to push the right buttons to get him to consider."

"So can you do that here? He seems distracted." Skye knew it was inadequate. She was no shrink but she could see that Hesh needed to talk to someone. If not Logan than someone he trusted enough to tell his worst fears or what had him so antsy.

"I've tried," Logan admitted as he started walking in the direction Hesh had gone. He motioned for Riley to follow. "And to be honest I really don't want to. I just remind him not to be too bad with other people."

Skye frowned at that, "Why?"

Logan sighed. He never told anyone about his brother and his business. It wasn't theirs to know. He only knew because he pestered Hesh enough to stop being a bonehead. He was content with letting others speculate. He stopped to run a hand through his hair that he decided to let grow out. It made him feel better about the scar on his brow. He felt a hand on his shoulder and nearly jumped.

"Your brother cares for my cousin, doesn't he?"

"He loves her and… I can't tell you it all Skye. It doesn't feel right."

Skye nodded at that. She could understand that much. "Don't worry. I won't pry but I do understand the why. I won't say anything."

Logan looked at Skye and asked, "Do you blame us?"

"No," Skye said automatically and firmly. If it seemed odd, she didn't say so. Instead she said, "As funny as it sounds, I think some of it is my fault on occasion because of the way I treated her. Guilt and regret can look the same. In the end it makes us realize the things we don't appreciate until it is too late."

Logan couldn't help but smile at that. "That sounds like Hawk. I guess she did teach you a few things."

Skye smiled in return, "I actually surprise myself with how much I remember." She looked over to see Hesh head over to the pit. "Do you think your brother will talk to me alone?"

Logan looked over where his brother was at. He didn't want things to get ugly but if Skye was anything like his best friend in terms of being tough with the shit they got dealt… He pursed his lips. It was worth a try. "It's Hesh," he admitted. "He usually is good about recognizing when he's been an ass. What happened, he's only done that when it references to what you just said. Doesn't matter if it was in jest or not."

"Good to know."

"He'll listen, Skye."

"You don't have to defend him, Logan," Skye said looking at the younger Walker with understanding. "I understand it perfectly. If anything the way he is handling his grief, pain and guilt… that is something to be admired with our people though I suspect that means nothing to Tahatanskah since she looks for what is in the heart."

"Tahat… what?"

Skye realized that she had said her cousin's name in Sioux and Logan didn't quite pick up on it. She repeated the name and explained it. She wondered what was going on behind those brown eyes as Logan thought about it. Then it seemed like a light bulb went off in his head. She noticed his eyes seem to flicker with a plan as he said, "I think I know how you can talk to Hesh."

Skye frowned wondering what Logan was getting at. "What do you mean?"

"Trust me," was all Logan said as he motioned for her to follow.

"I see you still haven't signed the order."

Carol looked up from her paperwork at the man who looked like he was trying to be polite but it was clear he was stressed out. She took in a look and then bent over her paperwork and asked, "Which do you refer to?"

"You know damn well which one," Merrick replied. "I heard about the incident two days ago."

"I did too and I warned the staff to keep their gossiping traps shut." Carol finished catching up on the paperwork that she always put to the last minute. Even when she had her practice, she focused more on the doctoring than the paperwork. It was why Nina was the best secretary in the world and that was before ODIN. She made a notation and looked up saying, "And before you blow up at me, the answer is I won't."

Merrick looked at the older woman and wondered why the hell he even agreed to cut her orders to be here on the team as their medic. True he admitted that she was good at her job and brooked no nonsense from the team when they were injured but when it was turned against him… it was frustrating. He sighed trying to keep his temper and replied, "Doc, what happened two days ago wasn't the first time. Before that Hesh nearly broke some private's arm and that was during sparring."

"Boys will be boys."

"This isn't funny Doc."

"You're damn right, sir," Carol replied, not at all afraid to let her opinion be known. "It isn't funny which is why I am not forcing it on him."

"You know it is mandatory."

"And you forcing the issue without my say so really put things for a twist."

Merrick felt his face burn at that accusation, "Are you criticizing me for trying to make sure my men are okay?"

Carol looked up at the man. She was going to have to explain a few things and hopefully there would be a little understanding if not complete understanding. She closed the folder and put it away and stood up. She beckoned, "Care to take a walk sir? I want to show you something and we can talk without the busybodies."

Merrick raised his brow at Carol. She had a way of making you do things that you normally would resist to doing. It was no wonder that Sequoia always seemed to laugh when he asked her to be the enforcer on the Liberator. He followed though and they started walking down the halls of the established rehab hospital base. The rest of the team was on their portable base the Dakota. The why and the how, he had questioned but never got a straight answer for.

They walked for a moment until they came to a view window. Carol stopped to take a look and leaned against the sill. Merrick paused and looked. He spotted Hesh prepping to start another run but was stopped by another not sure if it was a mistake. He didn't know what it was with the women in Sequoia's family or the people she associated with that had to get under his skin enough to be let in on a few things. He watched as the pilot, that was pretty good in a fight, talk to Hesh.

"Seems that socially things have improved," Carol noted with a gentle tone. She then turned to look at Merrick who was watching. "Don't think I haven't been paying attention."

Merrick looked at Carol and leaned against the sill, "Hard to tell since you signed off a week early on PT but not this."

"I may have been a surgeon in a previous life but my calling was always towards GP and I didn't necessarily agree with the impersonal nature of things," Carol allowed. She gave a slight grin since she was recalling when her friend found out her little secret.

I guess you're not a little shit after all.

Merrick looked at Carol and asked, "Then why?"

"All med students are required to do a psych rotation and I have always had some ability to read people," Carol said with a shrug of her shoulders. She knew that Merrick wanted a detailed answer. She said, "I know you thought it was crazy that I didn't go harder on Hesh when he disappeared from the medical wing on two separate occasions but I have my reasons."

"Can you enlighten me because I am inclined to think that he is being irrational and a little hotheaded with this considering he has shouted at all of us on one occasion." Merrick crossed his arms over his shoulders and didn't flinch when she did the same.

Carol gave a slow smile and pointed out, "And he was sorry for it afterwards which tells me that it isn't a problem. He knows that his anger is misdirected and he tries to make up for it."

"Doc you're not a shrink."

"But he is my patient until I say otherwise. Logan too." Carol held her ground. She had done it multiple times and it was with a patient who insisted on getting back in the fight as soon as possible. She took a slight paused and then continued, "Physically they are both fine. Emotionally and mentally, they only have one thing on their minds and that is our mutual friend who is a pain in the ass."

"Some would say that it is unhealthy."

"Not really. I don't see a problem. The fact that Hesh twice got up and went to the armory by himself and started loading mags… It's mission oriented. Everything I've noticed the both of them doing is geared towards being fit to go out and find her."

"Any sign of bolting?"

Carol wasn't going to tell Merrick that was exactly what they were planning. She wasn't stupid since she figured out that Logan was the man behind logistics and Hesh seemed to be in on it though from her end it seemed that Logan was carrying the load. On that note it seemed that Logan seemed uncomfortable at times with doing a few things like whatever he was planning. Because of that, she concluded that it was usually Hesh that took the lead. It was a major upheaval for both of them and Logan was trying as well as Hesh.

Looking at Merrick she replied, "They aren't going to go off halfcocked if that is what you are asking."

"But they would do something?"

"Maybe," Carol offered with a shrug. She wasn't going to give them away but if it became a problem then she would have a say. "If they felt like they weren't going to get help from the rest of the team."

"We're doing what we can, Doc," Merrick replied feeling frustrated. At least he knew why and that Carol was keeping an eye on things here. "It's like the trail went cold. Kick and Keegan searched every inch of that damn beach."

Carol knew the details and she suspected Logan did too. More likely he gave an abridged edition with Hesh but she noticed a couple of times when Logan seemed down and it had nothing to do with PT or anything else. She suspected he was spying on the ops. She replied, "I'm sure about that. Perhaps now you might consider more eyes on the mission?"

"Can you honestly say that they are ready?"

"The longer they are here without the goal in mind… Might end with Hesh disappearing and not to the armory. But that is the worst case scenario."

"You are so comforting," Merrick said in a fit of sarcasm as he ran a hand over his head. "Hawk is a pain in the ass but… We all miss her and…"

Carol made a soft hum in her throat. She knew that feeling though hers were more motherly towards her friend. If anyone knew that secret then the whole image of badass Echo Three would be shattered forever as the joke went. "Start of easy. Let them go with Riley. Who knows?"

"Don't know if that will be possible. But I will consider it. I'm planning another recon based on what we have."

"It's a good chance."

"I'll consider it."

A/N: Two months and still nothing. What to do? Well at least some people are pushing towards a solution. We'll see next time on The Hunt...