Chapter 22

"He's not talking."

"Well that was to be expected," Sequoia said as she looked around.

They had made it back to the village after securing the prisoner. It had been a welcome to the men from the village since there were families waiting for their loved ones. Sequoia got right to business by making sure the prisoner was secured. As she had promised, the prisoner didn't have to worry about her but the villagers and El Libertad's men. She left him in their hands.

It had been two days of interrogation and there was no sign of the prisoner breaking. Sequoia waited around with Hesh, Riley and Ash for company to see what they were going to do next. Logan had made the call to Merrick that they found her in the jungle once they arrived in the village since it was located near one of the old haciendas that had been liberated from Federation control. There were others but this one was the one that was current.

Merrick had been relieved that she had been found and it touched her that the old man actually had been worried. He tried to blow it off saying that it was because of her that he was down some of his best men. It was clear though that there was some relief but he didn't seem too happy when she said that she couldn't go back just yet.

It was a little bit nerve wracking since she expected the man to order either Logan or Hesh to place her under arrest. She maintained an impassive gaze when he said that he understood and said something that it would be difficult to pull out since they were about a few days into the jungle and in the heart of Federation territory. They could rendezvous with Kick and Keegan at a rally point but it was going to take some time.

Merrick didn't waste time telling off Logan and Hesh that they needed to rally with Keegan and Kick since they were about to be joined up with another team and it wouldn't do for people to wander around aimlessly. He mentioned that the time frame may need to move up or something like that. In any case it was a coded reminder that there was another team out there that was to bring her back and in chains. It meant that there wasn't a lot of time left for her to do this.

Being the responsible leader, Merrick made it clear that their prerogative was to bring back their missing teammate. They would go after Rorke later. However, even that man understood that it wouldn't be over until the man was stopped. He had Ajax killed and he killed Elias and would have killed everyone else if he did it himself. Sequoia knew that she was putting Merrick in a difficult position which was why she offered a way out for them all so her choice wouldn't come back on them.

Of course it had Hesh upset even though he had given his word to help her. She just wanted him to be sure of his choice and the consequences that would come with it. The same went to Harris, Skye and Logan; she wanted them to have an informed decision. It put everyone on tensions and she ended up hiding from them, including Hesh and she knew it was cowardice. Ash was her only company while she watched the village and El Libertad interrogate their suspect.

It was about halfway through the first day when Hesh found her with Riley and firmly sat beside her in the tree she was watching from. The dogs were on the ground waiting for any orders they may receive. Sequoia looked over at Hesh as he leaned against the trunk of the tree while adjusting his position on the branch with his expression fixed in a stubborn look that almost looked pissed. She said, "Stubborn ass."

Hesh looked back at her and replied, "I have to be. Because the person I love insists on doing things alone after everything."

Sequoia sighed since she heard the hurt in his voice. "I'm sorry, Shappa."

"What's wrong Hawk? You can tell me you know."

Sequoia sighed, "I know. But…"

"We made our choice. Merrick backs us up but you know he has to be official," Hesh pointed out. He watched as she looked towards the building where their prisoner was. "Me and Logan are not leaving you. And you know your cousin and Harris."

"I know. And I know that you also came here to tell me something."

Hesh sighed. He knew that she wouldn't miss much. In all honesty he had bene glad that El Libertad and the village took over interrogating the prisoner. He actually was worried at what she would have to do if she were to interrogate the bastard herself. She implied a little bit before they went to sleep at night and his mind filled in the rest with what he had dug up on Freefall. Still he couldn't hold back what he knew and said, "He's not talking."

"I expected as much," she replied after a brief moment. She looked down at her hands and sighed, "I guess Cezar asked you to find me?"

"No. No one asked, Hawk." Hesh looked down at the ground at the camp of the village. He didn't come to find her for that. "I came because I wanted to be with you. It just… happened to coincide with the fact that he is not talking."

Sequoia sighed. She knew that Hesh wouldn't even consider being the one to approach her and ask her to try her methods. She sidled over to sit next to him on the branch. She turned to sit cross legged but ended up dangling a leg down. "I know you wouldn't. I am sorry Hesh. It's just that, the only thing that hurts worse than being made to appear that I am a traitor is dragging down good men, especially one that I love, down with me and they didn't have to."

"But we chose to and… we did think about it and we can live with it." Hesh reached for her hand and held it in his. He rubbed his fingers over it to feel the contours and the bones underneath the skin. He gently began to massage her palm. "We all know that Rorke needs to go down. He's dangerous."

"I know."

They sat there for a few minutes until Cezar came and asked her for her help. Sequoia sighed and looked at Hesh. He had no idea what she was going to do but… he would back her. He squeezed her hand gently, "Just don't lose yourself."

Sequoia nodded, taking in the full implication of that. She squeezed his in return and called down that she would help. She jumped out of the tree with ease, much like how she did when she was a little girl. She landed in a crouch position and stood up slowly. She was followed by Hesh, who managed to land on both feet. He paused to rub both Riley and Ash on the ears.

Cezar was rather reluctant to even ask her but he led Sequoia to where they were interrogating the prisoner. He said, "He refuses to talk. He wants to talk to you though."

"I'm hardly important," Sequoia offered automatically. In her mind she went over scenarios that were not going to head into the realm of torture. That was one line she wasn't willing to cross unless there was no alternative but she liked to think that there was.

"He only wants to talk to you, my friend. For some reason he thinks that you are the one that will listen."

"I'll listen but whether or not it will allow for a favorable action on him… that's another story." Sequoia paused on the outside of the shack that served as their version of the box.

Tomas was waiting outside. "He's not saying anything. He infiltrated my ranks and I want to know why."

"The most obvious is because you are a true threat to the Federation. The key was to break you down so that you would be fighting within and leave you open to be overwhelmed," Hesh offered. "The best way to bring down a threat is to make members turn on each other."

Tomas looked at Hesh. He had seen the younger Walker at work. The older one was a mystery to him. He couldn't figure him out and mostly it was because his mannerism, his posture indicated leadership but he hardly was giving that impression. He found it odd but he was willing to work with it.

"I agree," Sequoia replied. "Well I guess I'll go talk to him."

"You are sure?"

Sequoia looked at Cezar and then at Tomas. "Sometimes it's not about denial but giving what he wants. From there it is about playing it your way." She glanced around and then her gaze lighted on Hesh. "Maybe agree to disagree."

Hesh caught her gaze and held it. He nodded, knowing that she was intending to play this guy and probably saying a few things that she didn't mean. He was okay with that because he knew her. "Sounds right," he said.

Sequoia took that as her cue and nodded at the others before going in. She had Ash stay with Hesh and Riley since she didn't want distractions and she was certain Jorge didn't want to be on the business end of her bite. Both dogs had left a big impression. She pulled her pistol out of her belt and handed it over to Hesh. It gave her the opportunity to silently thank him for his understanding and he returned it by grasping his hand with hers.

The 'box' was rather primitive but effective. There were only the bare essentials so to speak meaning their prisoner was tied to a chair. It was like something out of those old movies but the reality was that those things still were done. And it was scary to go through. She remembered when she had to sit through interrogation. She was supposed to be a prisoner that was captured by the Federation and she was being interrogated for secrets.

The restrictions were limited in terms of physical torture. After all you didn't want a maimed interrogator since they had to be soldiers too. Also the mental torture was something that needed to be carefully monitored. Being tricked into thinking you were going to die or undergo the worst possible thing was hard on the mind. Ashford had been worried about her after that one since it was hard on her and the other trainee.

There are means of making a man falter and it doesn't rely on physical punishment little Hawk. I only tell you this because there are those that succeed in making men suffer because they are stronger.

Sequoia walked into the room and started pacing slowly. She kept her gaze on the prisoner, looking at him with a straight look. She had been taught how to hunt after all. It was what she did especially when the rumors of traitors swept through the Wall.

You may meet these men someday my precious treasure. They will show no mercy because they believe that by strength alone they can achieve victory.

Sequoia took her time observing the prisoner. He returned the look and mocked, "So you're trying to find my good side."

What they really are… they are cowards. True strength is not just physical or sheer numbers. It is the ability to use your mind, to see what so many overlook and use that against them. The worst weapon is one that comes from the self.

Sequoia let her gaze drift over the prisoner. Her reddish brown eyes looked over him like she was inspecting a horse or even the guns that had been taken in raids. She didn't show any expression. It was like when her team would bring her the traitors they found. It made most people uneasy since they couldn't tell what she was thinking.

Shield yourself my little Hawk. Do not let them see your true face. For just as you can use their own against them, they can do the same to you. You need to be able to see when you are being deceived.

Sequoia watched as the prisoner squirmed a little from her gaze. She had stopped her pacing and pulled the makeshift chair that had been left there from the last interrogator, probably Tomas. She sat it upright and slowly sat in it like she was going to eat at a table. She watched the prisoner and his movements. She could tell that he was unsure of what to think about the whole situation. More likely he expected her to walk in and they would converse.

You think you will earn your freedom just sitting there Little Charlie? Then prepare for disappointment.

"I heard that you wished to speak with me," Sequoia began as she adjusted her position. "If that is the case, then out with it."

Jorge looked at Sequoia, not sure about what her game was. He had been told that she was able to withstand most things thrown at her verbally. At least he would buy some time. He looked at her, "Where to begin then? Would you like to hear about my repressed childhood?"

"If you wish to waste my time, then I will go." Sequoia made to get up.

Jorge thought she was bluffing but when she got to the door, he sighed, "Wait. Wait. I'll talk."

"You will," she said more of an affirmation. "You will."

"You're looking a little lost there, Logan."

Logan blinked as he heard Skye's voice enter his thoughts. He looked over as he adjusted his grip on his gun. He was on a patrol just to make sure that things were okay around the village. It was something to do and he really didn't want to be under the scrutiny of the people. Besides Kick and Keegan were on their way down.

Seeing that he had been rude he said, "Just thinking and too much as usual." He gave a crooked smile at that to show he was fine. "You doing okay Skye?"

"I'm fine. I'm the fucking pilot after all and I'm fucking bored," she replied, not afraid to use vulgar language in front of the Walkers. She had heard her cousin use such but only sparingly and even then she still was more reserved despite other things. She sighed, "Logan, is there something wrong?"

"Being more blunt than usual. Makes me wonder if you are yourself,' Logan teased, well aware that he couldn't keep that game up for long. He sighed as he continued to walk the path they had taken. "Just thinking. Now that Merrick knows we found Hawk, it won't be long before Command finds out and directs the other team to us. Either that or… Rorke finds us first and…"

"You're concerned that he will find you and Hawk first."

"How can't I not?" Logan paused to look at Skye. He thought about what he was going to say since what he knew… It was personal in most respects but it was something that most of the Ghosts knew about. "You weren't there Skye but I was there and heard as plain as day that he wanted me and Hawk."

"Isn't it not a hard blow if you can take one of your enemy, and turn them?" Skye looked at Logan and waited for an answer. It probably was mean to press but in all fairness he opened the door to this. She knew like everyone else that they were on borrowed time now since they found her cousin. Once Command was informed, then they would be ordered to bring her back and treat her like a prisoner.

"True but… Rorke had his eye on me and Hawk for a time and probably on Hawk a little bit longer." Logan ran a hand through his hair and looked around. "I noticed when we captured Rorke at a Fed platform after our Caracas gig. The way he looked at her and then on the plane… I thought Hawk was someone else then. I can't describe it but it was like two people that are the same but opposite ends found each other. It sounds weird I know…"

"You mean like when two hunters meet," Skye said as she started playing with her hands.

"I don't know what that means." Logan shook his head at that. He had no idea what Skye was talking about. "All I know is that whatever happened then… that's what made Rorke fixate on her and me. Then when we were prisoners in Vegas, the order was given that me and Hawk were to be taken alive."

"Do you think that Rorke knows about her father?"

"He knows Colonel Charles Williams but… I don't think he made the connection," Logan replied after thinking for a moment. He then looked at Skye and added, "But I wouldn't put it past him to figure it out. He's been a step ahead of us since we joined the Ghosts. Yet he calls her Little Charlie like she's a protégé but not family."

"It's not much but maybe that is all that is needed," Skye offered. "As long as he doesn't think of her as her father's daughter… And I think it would have gone a lot worse if he had known." She didn't have to spell it out since she knew that Logan would understand. While it was on occasion annoying, sometimes it was better to not discuss the events that had happened. "What I am sure on is that I am glad she escaped."

"Same here." Logan shuffled on his feet and started walking again. He didn't have to look to know that Skye was still following him. She was like a shadow but it was reassuring in her own way and it helped. "I'd hate to think of having to come up with a plan to break her out… and I'm glad that Hesh didn't see her when I did."

"Why? You said yourself that she fired towards you, not at you and that she let you go after she caught you. She let you go to give everyone a message." Skye frowned at Logan a little, wondering what was going through his head. "Why Logan?"

"Because… he wouldn't have understood why at the time I think. And he would have been confused at seeing her… looking cold and like nothing mattered. I know it was an act but at that moment… I'm just glad he sees her now free. I'm just upset that this shit is going on."

Skye was silent, wondering what Logan meant. He had been in thought when she found him so he could have gone back on that route. She discovered he was pretty smart and in that quiet way of his. It was no wonder her cousin teased him the way she did and they were close like siblings. She was finally to get her reward for her patience when Logan said, "They're gonna ask Hawk to interrogate the prisoner."

Skye nodded once it was clear. She hated being the reasonable one at times but she learned once she joined the army and started her flying training that you had to have a cool head even under pressure. "She is an interrogator Logan. She was trained for it and from my understanding it was her job when she was stationed at Fort Santa Monica."

"I know that. But it isn't right. Why they hell is she helping these people?" Logan started pacing angrily. At least they weren't near the villagers since his outburst was bound to insult someone. "I get it because Cezar and his people hid her from Rorke after she escaped but…"

"Are you angry because she doesn't want to leave, angry at the interrogation or angry at something you've done?"

Logan spun on his heel ready to say something harsh to Skye. His finger was raised to gesture but he stopped himself. He motioned with his hand like he was going to make a point and his mouth opened but no sound came out. He had a few choice words to say but decided it was unfair to unleash it on Skye. He closed his mouth and turned around and started walking away. He didn't want to deal with this now.

Skye wasn't going to go down that way. She would prefer to crash and burn just as long as it was the right thing to do. She followed Logan, her feet working twice as hard to keep up. "Logan. Logan wait."

"Not now, Skye."

"Yes now." Skye stumbled through the brush and managed to leap and grab Logan. Having trained like her cousin and then improving in the army, she knew the dangers of grabbing someone that was trained to react to a threat was not a good thing. She was prepared for it and it came as a surprise when Logan merely turned but his muscles were tensed enough to strike if necessary. It gave her the motivation to continue, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Logan shook her off and turned away. He didn't leave though. He put his hands on his hips and let his gun hang from the strap.

"It's not nothing. Don't try that with me." Skye paused and then tentatively reached up and squeezed his shoulder gently. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Logan replied lowering his head the moment he felt her hand on his shoulder. He turned to face her and in doing so, he reached up and picked up her hand and held it in his. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself. I used to think that I knew more about Hawk than my brother and for the most part I did. It's what made it fun when he stuck his foot in it." He started rubbing her hand and felt the surprising smoothness of her skin despite the calluses from training and being a pilot. "Then learning what she used to be before we met… It stung and the more I think about it, the more I realize she was telling me but not telling me."

Skye was silent as Logan continued on. She was trying to focus on his words more since he was actually holding her hand and touching it that way. She liked the feeling and tried to convince herself that it was a means of him telling her what was on his mind. She didn't blame him really.

Logan knew that what he was saying was a jumble of everything that had happened the past few months. His brother had told him that he bottled things up too much. Maybe he did because when he let it out, it was an explosion that was almost like a raging fire that Hesh's temper tantrums took and it ended up surprising people. He was angry with himself because Hawk had told him what she did but in a way that didn't come out and say it.

Sweeping the wall… it was routine but sometimes it meant getting dirty to protect the civilians. At least I had a good team.

Logan continued to hold Skye's hands. It probably wasn't a good idea but he really did like her. He was attracted to her and she didn't make it any easier when she was persistent in being the voice of reason. He nearly came undone when she touched him the way she did on his shoulder. At least this way he wouldn't take advantage of her. "I'm just…"

It was surprise when Skye stepped forward and brushed her lips against his. It was soft and gentle and Logan had no problem accepting it. He returned it with one of his own and was surprised at how receptive she was of it. She broke it first though and cleared her throat looking away, "I'm sorry. I just… I followed because even though there is a sort of 'happy ending' there still are problems and then…"

"It's okay Skye." Logan chewed his lip and looked away. He felt his cheeks flush. "I shouldn't have done that but… I liked it and I've been wanting to ask you out…" He cut himself off once he realized what he said. Oh fuck, what did I do? I can't be doing this.

"Really?"

Logan felt his ears turn red. He didn't need to see them in a mirror. He felt the blush and knew that he was caught. "Um… Look. Skye, you uh…" He released her hands and took a step back. His teasing Hesh about his girl problems was coming back on him.

Skye felt her own blush creep up. It really was an awkward moment. But she didn't regret it and she hoped Logan didn't either. She had liked him the moment she met him and wondered if he would ask her out. It was disheartening though to be the grownup here as she reached out and grasped his forearm saying, "It's okay Logan. I liked it too and… I was wondering if you would ask. I guess time got away from us right?"

Logan didn't resist her grasp and looked at her smile as he heard what she said. He nodded, "I guess. Maybe when we bring Hawk home?" He shrugged.

Skye nodded in agreement as she smiled. The moment wasn't to last long when an explosion sounded. They looked around as people began shouting. What the hell?

A/N: Looks like Hawk is going to 'talk' to Jorge and some more Logan and Skye fluff. And something else is thrown their way. Stay tuned for more of The Hunt...