Chapter 17

It was the sounds of morning that caused Hesh to wake up. He squinted at the light and looked upwards to find that he was in a tent… somebody's tent. He made a slight grunt as he lifted his head to look around rubbing his head. Through the entrance he could see people milling about through the slit but no one came near his.

A slight whine caught his attention and he turned to see Riley on his left. The dog was lying down and watching him with that mournful expression that had gotten him many an extra biscuit from the guys at Fort Santa Monica. Reaching over but not fully sitting up yet, he reached over and rubbed the dog's ears, "I guess they liked you huh boy?"

Riley made a slight moan as he panted. He lifted his forepaw and put it on Hesh's outstretched arm. It was awkward but it was okay. Hesh merely chuckled as he lay on his back to stare up at the roof of the tent. Sighing, he slowly made the effort to sit up.

It wasn't too bad even though his muscles felt a little sore. His shoulder ached and when he reached over to feel it, he felt the bandage and the dull throbbing. He didn't feel sick and his abdomen felt okay. He went over and did a checklist of his person before attempting to get to his feet and crawl out of the tent.

He found that most of his equipment was still there except for his guns. Figures. But they didn't find the tomahawk he stashed in his pack. That was good since he wasn't too confident in being able to get across that it wasn't his but hers. His Kevlar vest was gone though why had him baffled a bit unless it was classed the same way as his guns.

Looking around he could tell that this tent was pretty spacey and concluded that it belonged to someone high up on the food chain wherever he was. The stuff was mostly utilitarian like the sturdy cases to house equipment for transport, a lantern for nights… stuff to use mostly. There was an odd collection of jars filled with stuff and Hesh didn't want to begin guessing at that. The pallet he was sitting on was fairly large… like two people could fit on it.

Adjusting his position, Hesh reached for his boots to put on and lace up. It was slow going since his shoulder throbbed but he got them on and beckoned Riley to follow him as he crawled out of the tent. He was in some sort of camp and from the looks of things, a militaristic one. He noticed a few men dressed like the pictures of the guerillas he saw in his high school textbook once patrolling and going about some business. There were women around but most were concerned with keeping the camp functioning and there were a few children around but they were practicing drills.

He felt out of place and that was the plain and simple truth but he was also at these people's mercy. They had his guns and if he tried to leave… good luck to that. Still Hesh went with first instinct and that was to observe and gather what he could about where he was at. Maybe he might be able to find his guns and the rest of his gear and leave. He motioned to Riley to follow and started a cursory exploration of the camp.

He was not given much of any attention for the most part and he didn't know whether or not that was a good thing or a bad thing. By ignoring him, then he could get into things and get what he needed and leave while making sure he wasn't watched. The downside was that they could be pretending to ignore him and were pretty much watching his every move. It was the latter he was willing to go with since he occasionally caught a glance. The one thing that was a constant was Riley.

Riley stayed beside him and by observing the dog, Hesh could say that they meant him no harm; they weren't a threat. If it had been an enemy Riley would have torn their throat out or snapped the neck with his jaws. As it were, things were indicating that this camp was a friendly.

The stares increased as he walked around looking lost and Riley just trotting along happily. Hesh noticed that the camp looked like a whole village with the amount of people there. Yet the kids that were around were older… maybe the youngest he saw was ten give or take. He also noticed that the women were older like grandmothers or aunts that you tolerated the sticky kisses from. He also noticed that a couple of older men, one probably his Dad's age if he was still alive and one probably his own age, looking at him and talking to each other.

Hesh felt his throat convulse when they didn't bother to hide that they were studying him. It was probably ridiculous to think that they were plotting to kill him. The younger one certainly seemed to be looking at him like he was a threat. Logically that was sound to think since for the most part anyone here in the camp could decide to attack. He didn't panic though but merely stared back. He couldn't hear and even if he did, he wouldn't understand what they were saying. He knew that they definitely weren't speaking Spanish; nothing the people he heard talking when he walked by indicated as such.

Hesh sighed as he looked around and then turned to find the old man standing close and looking at him. He blinked since he didn't know what to do about that or what to say. He looked up and saw the younger one glaring at him. It was then he heard the older man say in Spanish, "How are you feeling today?"

Hesh stared at the older man. He picked up that he was being asked a question but his Spanish was lousy and regretted that he didn't pick it up better. He didn't say anything but looked at the old man.

"How are you feeling?" The question was asked again. This time it was in English.

"I'm okay," Hesh replied automatically as he looked around and still found the younger one glaring daggers at him. It was then he realized that the old man spoke English and his gaze shot to stare at the old man. He asked, "You speak English?"

"A little. El Halcon helps with that," the old man replied as he studied Hesh. He seemed amused and yet pleased at how Hesh was acting. He held out his hand and offered, "I am Cezar."

Hesh looked at the proffered hand for a moment before gripping it himself. He gave his name, "Hesh."

"Interesting name for an American," Cezar replied. He looked at Hesh and asked, "You feel better today, yes?"

"I'm okay," Hesh replied. He couldn't resist rubbing his injured shoulder only because the bandage was itchy. He learned that you didn't scratch but rubbed to take away the itch. "Just itchy."

"Good. El Halcon will be pleased," Cezar allowed. He carefully scrutinized Hesh's appearance for any questions that may be asked later. "We were worried. The fever was persistent."

"Fever?" Hesh couldn't recall having a fever. In fact he was under the assumption that he had passed out for the night.

"You had a bad fever when you were brought in. El Halcon was worried. The gunshot wound was minor but…"

Hesh made a clearing sound with his throat. No doubt they would have figured out about his abdominal problems. He didn't want to discuss it since it was something he couldn't more or less control completely. Probably he threw up while he was semi-conscious or something. "Yeah um…" He wasn't sure about what to say.

"The bruises were rather extensive but no lasting damage," Cezar said more to put the younger man at ease. "Besides you're young. You bounce back as the expression goes." His lip twitched when Hesh's twitched slightly in the direction of a grin. "Now that you are all right, perhaps you may explain why you an American is here?"

Hesh looked around as if to search for an answer. He would have had one when Riley suddenly gave a bark just as a couple of dogs ran past. He took off after them. Hesh didn't think but followed since Riley was charging blindly into the jungle at the edge of the camp. "Riley. Riley, heel."

Riley ignored the command as he followed the dogs into the jungle. Hesh had no choice but to follow and it wasn't like he would let Riley wander around by himself. The experience in Vegas was a nasty reminder and he didn't want Riley hurt again. He called, "Riley."

Riley made a high pitched whine but it wasn't one that signaled distress. It was one that signaled recognition. Did that mean Riley found Logan and the others? Hesh was determined to find out. He needed to know that his little brother was okay. He followed Riley thinking the dog may have finally decided to forget his training. "Riley."

Coming up a slight rise that the dogs Hesh followed, determined to get Riley to slow down. Not used to the terrain, he ended up catching his foot and stumbled. The action caused him to fall and he slid down the other side. He attempted to slow his rate of descent by flailing his limbs to try and grab something or at least not be falling down too fast that he would cause serious injury to his person. It almost worked.

He ended up rolling the last fourth of the way down and ended up sprawled on his back and feeling like a total idiot. It was like being a rookie back in boot camp. He must have been out of it. He sighed almost angrily but he wasn't too mad when Riley came up with a new friend. Riley nosed Hesh near his temple letting the snot stick. The other dog merely sniffed as if trying to determine if Hesh was really a good guy.

Hesh sat up and extended his arm to allow the dog to sniff. It was probably foolish but it was a start to getting an animal to trust you. You had to let it take a whiff and get used to your scent; let it determine if you are to be friend or foe. When the dog didn't bite but rather turned away and headed into the brush, Hesh breathed a little easier. But he groaned when Riley barked at him and turned to follow the dog. "Riley," he grumbled in a low voice.

It was not the best in terms of tactics when Hesh crashed through the brush. He ended up stumbling to a stop when he realized that Riley led him to a person. He stood still, recognizing from behind that it was the same person that jumped that Fed that almost killed him. He shifted slightly but kept his limbs at an angle to indicate that he had nothing in terms of a weapon.

The stranger had been kneeling and petting a puppy that was licking their hand. Hesh watched as the stranger wiped their hand and slowly stood up. He said, "I apologize for intruding. I was trying to get my dog."

The stranger turned to face him. Hesh felt his breath take a sharp intake of air. He hadn't been dreaming or hallucinating at all. He stared wide eyed as the stranger faced him fully with a pensive and intensive look. It was like the eyes were trying to determine if he was real or not. He dared not breathe lest this was just a very elaborate hallucination. His throat convulsed and his body twitched, wanting to move.

The stranger walked slowly with the graceful stride that was attributed to them until they were directly in front of Hesh. He looked into their eyes and felt his throat quiver even more. He wasn't sure if he should say something or not. He didn't have to.

Slowly a hand reached up and touched him on his cheek in a gesture he knew well. He held still feeling that it was right. If he moved… The hand moved across his cheek, feeling the stubble, tracing the very faint lines of old scars; it traced the features of his face before reaching for his hair and gently ran its fingers through it.

Hesh couldn't hold back anymore and slowly reached out to the other's face with his hand. He paused only once to gauge the reaction and finding it favorable he touched the cheek with the back of his finger and stroked it towards the hair and felt the strands between his fingers. Looking at the face he finally said the first thing that came to mind, "Thečhíȟila… Sequoia."

"Thečhíȟila… David."

It was enough and both parties came together in a hug, Hesh felt the breath he had been holding release and the air flew into his lungs with a wave of relief and happiness. He had found her. She was alive. He pressed her to his body and placed a kiss to her temple. He murmured incoherently as he hugged her until she pulled back. The next thing Hesh felt was her lips pressing against his and he caved in to it, deepening it. Hawk was alive and he was there holding her.

Some people think talking is overrated and five months earlier, Hesh would have agreed. With most people he felt obligated to talk. With Sequoia, he wasn't. They had always reveled in each other's silence. It was comforting. It still was but with everything that had happened, there was room to have a little unease.

Hesh leaned against the tree that he had sat against and rested his head gently on Sequoia's while she leaned against him watching the puppy she had been petting earlier play with Riley and the other one. His arm was wrapped around her, not willing to let her go. He wasn't sure of what to say and there was a lot to say between them. He went with the easiest, "I missed you, Hawk."

"I missed you," Sequoia replied and she took in a deep breath of contentment. She felt Hesh's head resting on top of hers and admitted that this was very real. "I was worried about you and Logan… with what happened."

Hesh looked ahead at nothing and then replied, "Carol took care of us."

"Fucking little shit with a scalpel," Sequoia murmured with a slight smile on her face. She knew that Carol would come through. She closed her eyes and added, "I'm glad you're okay. It was hard not knowing but… I knew you and Logan were alive even though it was bad."

"It was… hard for us. For me." Hesh paused, not sure if he should say anything more. Her silence though prompted him to continue, "I wanted to go the moment I was awake but… as it was I would have keeled over the moment I left the infirmary. And I was reminded that you might not like that."

"If you are referring to being pissed over stupidity then you'd be right. But it's all right." Sequoia wrapped her left around Hesh's abdomen gently. "It's okay."

"Hawk…" Hesh shifted slightly to accommodate the new position that Sequoia had taken.

Hesh was silenced with a kiss to his cheek. He turned to look at her and she said, "I forgave you the moment I chose to follow." The hand that had been across his abdomen had moved to touch the side of his face. Her reddish brown eyes looked into his pine green ones. Her mouth twisted into a gentle smile before she continued, "I was angry because you tricked me and did what you did but I understand why you did it."

"I thought I was protecting you," Hesh replied as he gently grasped the hand on his face and held it in his own. His fingers stroked her hand, feeling the contours of her hand, feeling the faint calluses and scars. He could feel the bones of her hands with his fingertips. "I… made a promise… to Dad and myself. That was a bust."

"Why do you say that?"

Hesh looked at her. He wasn't sure if he should say anything. The last thing that he wanted was pity. He knew she would be the last person to give it but how much had her captivity changed things? That was probably what Ashford was talking about when she pestered him. He thought that she was picking on him because he was emotionally vulnerable and in a position to convince to do what Command wanted.

Sequoia though picked up on his hesitation and sat up so she was sitting on her knees and heels. Her hands were on her thighs as she peered at him, frowning when he turned his head away. She reached out and with her fingers splayed across his cheek, she gently brought his head to face her. When she had his gaze she said, "You did protect me."

Hesh was confused by that and countered with, "Hawk… I failed to do that. I promised to keep you safe and… He took you." He felt ashamed that his voice was cutting out and he sounded pathetic. The last time he did that was when Carol treated him.

Sequoia continued to stroke Hesh's cheek. "There are many ways to protect someone, Shappa," she said softly. She smiled at him as she ran the back of her finger on his cheek. "You did what you promised. Maybe not physically but… My faith in you and Logan coming for me. My love for you and your love for me…"

Hesh grasped her hand that was on his cheek and engulfed it in his. He sat up more to and grasped the other one. To hear that from her… She even said that she forgave him for what he did. His throat convulsed as a weight lifted off his shoulders but he still felt that this could have been avoided.

"I interfered by choice, Shappa," Sequoia said after the pause. She looked down at the ground to think about what to say about that. It was hard because she had talked to herself when she had been alone in the pit and what she would say. Looking up she saw that Hesh was looking at her expectantly. She explained, "I couldn't let you and Logan do whatever you planned to do. I just… had a feeling that something was going to happen."

Hesh looked at her. She was looking at nothing in particular. It became clear to him, "You came and made it so that he would take you and not Logan."

"I would have preferred that no one was taken," she replied as she sat back on her heels. She removed her hands from his grasp and put them in her lap. "I… meant what I said about Rorke earning the right to hunt me." She looked away and pursed her lips. "It was stupid… but I wanted him to leave Logan alone… and you alone."

Hesh blinked and took in her expression. Her admission hit deep. They both loved each other enough to do something like that. He couldn't be upset with her and she wasn't upset with him. He reached for her hands again and held them knowing full well she could do whatever she wanted to get away. He held on to indicate that he didn't want her to run. He tugged gently to pull her closer until he pulled her into an embrace. "It was hard to wait as long we did and it killed me to think about… what you went through."

Sequoia fell into the embrace and relished the familiar warmth she had missed. She was relieved that Hesh was alive and here in front of her. She had been worried when she found him in the jungle looking like something beat the crap out of him to the point that he vomited. The gunshot to the shoulder was minor but the fever and his twitches of pain were something else. But here he was; he was a stubborn ass. She sat back and said, "And yet with everything… I am glad that you waited to come here." She then paused and gave a slight grin and added, "Because I would have kicked your ass if you turned up a mess."

Hesh couldn't help but chuckle at that. It came like choked laughter. "Logan said the same thing when I woke up. Did you find him?"

Sequoia shook her head, "No."

Hesh sighed. He couldn't panic. Logan knew what to do. He would find a way. He said, "Logan knows how to survive. Dad taught us both."

Sequoia saw that he was trying not to panic. She recalled when Logan came back injured from his mission with Keegan. It seemed that something changed along the way. She could sense it but she wouldn't push it now. Instead she put her hands on his shoulders and said, "We will look for him."

"Skye and Harris are with him."

Sequoia couldn't help but smile and she replied, "Then I know things will be okay. Logan will find a way and Skye will keep him out of trouble. Harris… backup." She chuckled slightly thinking about the four of them together. She nodded, "It will be okay. We will find them."

Hesh nodded after a moment's pause. He looked at her. Her face was streaked with dirt and a couple of strands of hair were loose. There didn't seem to be anything that could have happened physically like scars from cuts and punches. It was just her. Reaching out, he hooked a loose lock of her hair and moved it so it was hooked behind her ear, not resisting running the back of his finger on her cheek.

It was bold for her but she didn't care. Sequoia leaned forwards and placed a kiss on his lips. Hesh responded by returning it and capturing her bottom lip as a gentle way of keeping her there. His hands snaked towards her waist and settled on her hips and pulled her towards him as he deepened the kiss. He felt no resistance even when she was in a position of straddling his waist and continued to kiss her.

Sequoia accepted his kisses and allowed him to pull her closer. She was well aware she was straddling his waist by the time they both broke apart for air. It was bordering to taboo in terms of Lakota virtue but she pretty much started trampling on it when they started sharing a bed before this and when she stayed by him the three days he was drifting in and out of consciousness.

"I missed you," Hesh breathed as he held her close. "So much."

"I missed you," she whispered back.

Hesh kissed her cheek and let the tip of his nose brush her skin. He took in her scent and the smoothness of her skin. He felt her kiss on his cheek. He wished that they could stay there longer but it seemed that they weren't to get that wish. A sound from Riley and the other dog caught their attention and Hesh reluctantly released her hips to allow her to stand. He got to his feet taking the proffered hand but didn't release it when he was standing.

Sequoia didn't mind when he didn't let go. She didn't want him to and she smiled when his fingers wrapped around hers. He gave her a kiss on her forehead and she intertwined their fingers. She turned when she saw one of the young boys who was a runner for the camp and he said something in Spanish. She replied and waited until he went back before saying, "I have to get back. I am needed to help in…" She wasn't sure how to explain.

"Are you with El Libertad?" Hesh figured he would ask. At least he would get some idea of what was going on.

"No," Sequoia responded as she led the way back to the camp. She hadn't released his hand and ended up tightening her grip slightly. "I… I am helping Cezar and his village along with a few others. Just getting rid of Fed presence." She stopped and sighed and turned so she was facing Hesh. "I owe them a lot. They risked their wellbeing to keep me from getting captured."

"I understand," Hesh replied. He truly did. It also explained why she didn't find a means to call in.

Sequoia looked at him deciding on how she was going to tell him the other reason she was still there and hadn't called in. The personal fear that she would be rejected because of what happened when she was supposed to be the lackey for Rorke was a side note. Her other reason was more along the borderline crazy. Still he had a right to know why she stayed and was still going to stay. Taking a breath she added, "And… I am hunting."

Hesh didn't need a detailed explanation for that. His expression became serious as he looked at her. "Rorke?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I know his kind, Shappa," she replied using his Sioux name. It was a comfort to use it and it put into context what she saw when she was Rorke's prisoner. "He is a hunter too but a predator and they are the dangerous kind. Him especially."

"Because he won't stop until his mission is completed," Hesh said with an understanding nod as he recited the basics of what a Ghost did. Dad had said the same thing when he told Rorke's story. There was more to it and it had to do with her and his brother. He remembered clearly what Rorke said about destroying their souls. He looked at her and said, "Then I guess we better find Logan and make a plan."

A/N: Okay folks here it is at long last: Hesh is reunited with Hawk and it looks like that there is still work to do but... Well ya gotta be happy right? Stay tuned for more on The Hunt...