The Colonel Vs. The Parson's Boogie Man Chapter 10
Recap: Colonel John Casey, Major Chad Shelton, and Pastor Annie Coburn are stranded in the middle of the Mt. St. Helen's forests with Casey near death from a stomach wound. Only an impromptu surgery among the forest trees has any chance of saving his life.
The sound was far off in the distance, a rhythmic swapping, even coming closer. He though it sounded so much like those pesky South California mosquitoes he fought every time he took out the trash behind the Buy More complex. John reached up slowly and batted the stupid pests away from his face, and he accidently swatted a human body next to him. Imagine his surprise when a head popped up above his chest, with a grunt and a cuss word.
"John, man, what are you doing? It's too early!" Chad moaned loudly and poked his brother's rib rather hard. "Roll over, you're stealing the blankets again." John hissed as his brother's hand came in contact with the bandages over his right lower stomach.
"Dear Lord, Chad, you are still a crab when you wake up. Hasn't the military taught you anything about discipline, or do I need to talk slower?" John teased, making his voice "dumb down", and tried to sidle his back up to the tree he was sitting against, and then he noticed a lump on his left. He looked at Chad, who was trying to stand up, and watched his brother's grimace at the busted rib, and the burnt hands.
"You doing ok, bro?" John looked a little concerned, but his brother said nothing and staggered off into the woods for a bathroom break. Then the lump on Casey's left began to move ever so slowly, brown eyes peeking out from under the emergency blanket. "Ow!" John exclaimed when a leg came in contact with his busted leg, and he poked the lump a little harder. "Watch it, buster!" John spoke a little harshly, and then he grinned as the cute face of his woman was trying valiantly to not yawn, and to open her eyes.
"John, is that you? Oh my Lord, you're alive." Annie jumped up and tested his forehead for any fever. His face was only slightly warm, and his blue eyes were clear and sparkly. He reached up and tried to get her to quite fussing around him. "Sit, Parson, geesh!" She plopped down beside him, and he leaned over, gingerly, for a kiss. She hungrily returned his kiss, and he pulled her head harder against his lips. His tongue demanded entrance, and soon they were gasping, craving the taste and touch of each other's hands and mouth.
"Hehem! Man, do I have to face you two sucking face so early this morning? God, that is so disgusting." Chad was standing over the two, his lips curled over in a sneer, and he was shaking his head. John growled, but Annie giggled and jumped up to place a quick kiss on Chad's cheek.
"My turn for the bathroom, boys!" She yelled, and took off behind some nearby bushes. "Not too far away, Parson. I hear tell there are some Sasquatches not far from here!" Chad laughed and called out to her, but the only rely was a roll of medical tape which flew through the air behind Annie and beamed him in his head.
"Hey, not bad aim, Parson. You're improving." John snorted as Chad rubbed the spot on his head, and then noticed the bandaged hands.
"How bad are your hands, Chad?" John pulled on Chad's flight jacket, and made him squat down beside him. Chad tried to pull away, but John growled again, and carefully unwound the strips of gauze until he saw the deep boils creased lengthwise along Chad's palms. He touched the wounds gently, and watched his twin's eyes dilate in pain. He then reached up and pulled his brother's shirt up and inspected the rib. Again Chad grimaced in pain, but tried to cover up with bravado.
"Bro, you're a little invasive today." Chad shrugged off John's hands, and stood up to go and make the fire for coffee. "Major, halt." The Colonel's voice rang out harshly just as Annie was stepped out from the bushes. She looked at the two men, both seething with anger, and then Chad did an about face, and smartly saluted his brother. Annie gulped but walked slowly to where John was trying to move up.
"Sir, yes, sir." He glared at the Colonel, but stood ramrod straight, in perfect attention. John rose slowly from his sitting, using the tree to brace himself. He refused Annie's hand, but his right hand grabbed his belly. He pulled himself up to his full 6 foot 4 inch height. His face softened at Chad, and he looked at the man he had come to admire greatly during this mission. "Let the preacher look at you, Major. And then let her make the coffee. She does a better job at it, soldier."
Chad released the anger he had at his brother, and then smirked. "Yes, sir, Parson Annie, ma'am!" He again did an about face, and marched to the campfire and plopped down by the ashes. He looked at Annie with a puppy dog face, and held up his burnt hands.
"Snarky, brat, snarky." John growled but his good humor had returned. However, with the additional movement, he began to slowly slump against the tree. Annie seemed delighted that the brothers were not fighting any longer, and after helping John sit back down, she went over to Chad, bathed his hands with bottled water, put some antiseptic salve on them, and rewrapped them. Chad nodded his thanks and began to try and gather some more wood for the fire.
Between the two of them, they were able to get a respectable fire going, and after finding some coffee grounds and pot in one of the containers Chad had dropped from the helicopter, they were soon enjoying the warmth and the caffeine. Annie also found some instant oatmeal, and after giving both men pain meds, she made sure they all ate some hot cereal.
By this time a Huey helicopter flew very near to their location. The three of them looked up, and Annie began to wave to their rescuers, jumping up and down. Chad laughed at her antics, and tried to get her to sit.
"Pastor, they see us. They're just looking for a safe place to land. Why don't we get John ready to transport and clean up the campsite?" Annie obeyed, stuffing all the medical equipment back in the first aide kit and the camping kitchen gear in a container. Chad slowly moved around and got the garbage picked up, pouring the last of the bottled water and coffee on the fire. He kicked some dirt on it, and watched the last ember die out.
"Shelton, need your help." The Colonel was trying to stand, and Annie stopped her picking up and ran over to his side. He leaned heavily on her, still shivering and gasping from the pain. His hand touched her bare throat, and he startled, tracing where the necklace use to be. He frowned, and stared deep into her face.
"Beloved, your necklace I gave you. It's gone." Casey was not pleased, especially when Chad strolled up and punched his arm lightly.
"Hey, Colonel, don't get your knickers in a twist. Your woman did emergency surgery on your belly last night, and that necklace is what is currently holding your guts together. Now, what can I help you with?"
Chad hefted John's arm around his shoulder, and nodded to Annie to release him. Casey leaned onto his twin, and whispered into his ear, "gotta pee."
"Well, lookie there, Parson. The high and mighty N.S.A. assassin needs his incredibly handsome brother to help him pee." Chad whooped loudly, but slowed his pace to match the angry man he was holding up. Casey limped heavily on his leg, and each step was a painful jar up into his left hip. Annie thought she heard her man grousing a few choice words at his brother as the two crashed noisily into the bushes, and she giggled when she saw Casey deliberately hold his brother's side a little harder than necessary.
Five minutes later, the two men crashed back out again, Casey nearly doubled over with pain, but his bladder greatly relieved. Chad led him to the nearest tree and just as they were helping John down to the ground, several heavily armed men immerged into their campsite. They were greeted with two Sig Sauers cocked and aimed at their hearts by the men they had come to rescue. What surprised Chad and Casey the most was the Pastor Annie was also pointing Chad's Glock right along with them, her feet spread solid and both hands around the grip. Her face was set in a familiar snarl, and she was not backing down until all the people identified themselves.
"Dear God, what a woman." Chad sighed, clearly in amazement and reached down to help his brother up from the forest floor. Casey grinned widely, "You are not akidding, Chad." He tried to get up but a set of strong arms caught him before he collapsed to the hard forest floor.
"Easy, Colonel, easy." The familiar voice growled in his ear, and he stared at the amused grin of Colonel David Dixon, their brother. Annie came forward, her face screwed up in confusion, and watched as the three men hugged each other.
John reached out to catch Annie's hand, and he brought it to his lips, brushing it against his warm mouth. "Dave, meet the Parson. Parson, my brother Colonel David Dixon, stationed at Cheyenne Mountain."
"Ma'am", David's eyes, identical to his brothers, twinkled brilliant blue also, and he shook her hand respectfully. "John has told me good things about you, Pastor. I understand that in the sting your church building was torched. General Beckman and my C.O. General O'Neill are currently seeing if the U.S. military will release the 3 million dollars from Volkoff's arms payment to your church to help reconstruct the building. That along with the church's insurance should pay for a new facility. Whenever you need to return home, I will personally see that you are escorted safely home." Annie's hand flew up to her mouth, and she began to burst into tears.
"Oh, thank you Jesus." She whispered and leaned over Casey, now strapped into a gurney, giving him a huge hug. "You deserve it, beloved." Casey kissed her hand, even as he grimaced at the wound she had inadvertently bumped. She squealed and then jumped into Chad's waiting arms, and hugged and kissed his cheek. Chad kept hugging her, until Casey pulled her off of his body.
"Enough, Major". Casey growled and then Annie surprised them all by running to Dave's arms and hugging him. He seemed a little put off and then he leaned down and returned the hug. She pulled him to the side of the all the activity, knowing that both Chad and Casey were being taken care of.
Dixon leaned his head down nearer to her voice, and the two of them talked in hushed tones. Suddenly, he shot straight up and stared at the Huey, his face, cold as ice. Annie took his hand once more, and he nodded slowly, his shoulders slumping, as she shared with him the news of the brave death of his eldest son. He then straightened his spine, just as Casey does so often, and barked out new orders.
"Medic, make sure both the Colonel and Major are strapped down and ready for transport. Goodwin, LaChester, come with me." Dixon marched up to crashed chopper, and the three men tossed harnesses up and ascended on ropes into the belly of the machine. Annie watched them until the three disappeared and then she rushed up to another Marine and got his help to take her up to the cabin.
"Parson, stand down. This is none of your business." Dixon was livid that she had somehow showed up, right next to him. She adamantly shook her head, staring directly at him.
"Your son's body is my business. I will accompany your son until he is laid to rest with the dignity and honor given to any American hero." Annie spoke clearly and authoritatively, and glared right back at this man, so like her Casey. He nodded once, and she stepped out of the way, as the three men began to cut the piece of metal from the chopper's side. It took all their strength to pull his body off of the piece that had harpooned him, and at the sickening sound, Dixon wiped a few tears from his face and glanced at the pastor. She stood tall and strong, and began to sing in a clear, beautiful alto "Amazing Grace" so they would not have to hear the retched sound of flesh being ripped by the metal. The Colonel caught his son in his large arms, cradling the boy close to his expansive chest. He kissed the head of his eldest, and refused to let go for several minutes. As Annie's voice traveled over the campsite below, both Chad and Casey stopped the men carrying them and ordered them to stay put. Annie stepped forward slowly, and knelt down to touch his arm.
"The Major has his dog tags, Colonel. You have a wonderful son and I will never forget the care and respect he gave to my John. Thank you for allowing him to serve." Dixon choked back a sob, and he grabbed tightly to her, his face buried in her hair.
LaChester's radio spoke up, and he stepped forward. "Sir, we would be honored to help you carry the Sergeant down. McMaster says the chopper is ready to transport." Dixon rose, and steeled his body for the final journey for his son. With Goodwin and LaChester's help, they harnessed Daniel's body, and lowered him slowly. When they all repelled down, including the Parson, Casey's voice rang out, "Attention!" and every man stood, and saluted, including Colonel John Casey and Major Chad Shelton. Colonel Dixon and the Parson walked solemnly with his Daniel strapped to a stretcher, and the elder Dixon acknowledged each man's salute.
Chad and John were again laid on stretchers, and Chad commanded, "Head out, people." Annie continued to walk along with Colonel Dixon, but she glanced back at Casey. His head was bobbing with the movement, but he winked at her, and then closed his eyes, finally letting go of the fight.
Epilogue
Sgt. Daniel Dixon was laid to rest in Colorado National Cemetery, with full military honors two weeks later. The presiding pastor at the graveside was Rev. Annie Coburn, and gathered around the casket, was three identical looking men, standing straight and tall, two Colonels, and one major, all in full dress uniforms. Each man, so distinctive and yet so alike listened carefully to the words of the pastor, and all three seemed amazed when two generals also joined up to the ceremony, one a short, red headed Army General named Diane Beckman, and one a lean, grinning Air Force general named Jack O'Neill. Sitting in the chairs around the casket was a young blond haired woman who was leaning heavily on David's wife Janelle, and holding hands with three other children, all with brilliant blue eyes like Casey. After Annie sang "Amazing Grace" once again for the crowd, the American flag was presented to the blonde haired woman, who began to sob in earnest, clutching the triangle to her chest. Every military officer saluted sharply the flag, their eyes staring respectfully at the symbol of our nation. Taps was played by a lone Air Force musician, and as the last note reverberated through the cemetery, the color guard saluted the departed hero with a gun salute.
Annie concluded the service, and the Dixon's remaining three children put a single red rose on the casket, and turned to leave. Dave moved away from his brothers, and clasped the hands on his wife, and the two lovingly stroked the casket, holding tightly to each other, as they shared their deep grief. They then turned to Annie, and spoke words of thanks to her, and joined their other children to load up cars for the reception.
Major Chad Shelton went next, carefully laying a red rose on the casket, his head bowing for a few minutes his hands still in bandages. He turned sharply and saluted both Generals, who returned the salute, and Shelton stepped behind them, ever vigilant in protection detail.
Colonel John Casey came next. He limped carefully toward the casket, but stopped as he passed the tear filled face of his woman. He held his hand out to her, and she clasped it gratefully. Together, the two of them approached the body, and Casey laid two roses on it.
"Thank you, Daniel. It was an honor to serve with you, son. I regret…" John shuddered, and Annie leaned into his side to undergird him. He smiled sadly at her, and then continued. "I regret that I did not have the good fortune of meeting you sooner. You and the parson here saved my life. I will never forget that." He bowed his head, and replaced his hat. The two of them stepped away, and as he turned, he also saluted the Generals. He introduced Annie to the Air Force General, and General Beckman gave the Parson a big hug, surprising her N.S.A. handler.
"Reverend, when this is all done and you are ready to fly home, I need to debrief you on some things." Beckman took her hand, and squeezed it softly.
"Yes, ma'am I understand." Annie looked a little taken back, but she calmed down when she felt John's reassuring hand on her back.
O'Neill smiled at the pastor widely, and Annie instantly took a deep liking to him. "Pastor, you did a bang up job at a difficult situation today. I hear you even tried some deep forest surgery on the big lug here!"
Annie giggled as John stiffened, and Jack shook hands with the Colonel. "John, she's a keeper. Don't let her out of your sight, and that's an order." John relaxed and then looked lovingly down at the pastor.
"Sir, I do not intend to. That's one order I can obey." He agreed wholeheartedly, and winked at her.
"Now, Reverend, Diane and I want you to know that because of Charles Bartowski and Sarah Walker's fine job at the sting operation in your hometown, both Volkoff and Dominquez are behind bars forever, and the 5 million dollars recovered has paid the debt on the Bartowksi's mortgage of $2 million. That leaves three million dollars for your congregation to rebuild their facility. But, there is a catch." The two generals were walking with John, Annie and Chad to their cars. Jack stopped and then grinned widely again.
"Not only must every congregational member put sweat equity into your new facility but there are three Coburn brothers that need to wield a hammer for a month under your command."
"What?" Both Chad and Casey sputtered, and then they both said it at the same time, "sir?"
General Beckman laughed and beaconed for her aide to bring a briefcase to her. She opened it and Jack presented Chad and Casey with new hammers from Large Mart, and a check for $3 million to Annie, who was grinned a little evilly at the news of the arrangement.
"Thank you, Jesus! Generals, I would be honored to give orders to the Coburn brothers. I have been waiting to tell them what to do for a long time!"
Jack laughed heartedly and the two generals left with the Secret Service in two unmarked cars.
David strolled up too, and he pulled out a hammer just like theirs from under the jacket of his uniform.
"May I report for duty in about a month, Parson? I need to make sure Dan's wife is ok and that our kids are taking Dan's death well." He grinned and clinked his hammer against his brothers then returned to join his family
"Well, boys, I am soooo going to enjoy this." Annie linked her arms in Chad's and John's and the three of them walked carefully to their cars. Suddenly, John stopped, and spun around.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Chad's got something for you, Parson."
Shelton began to look in all his pockets and then laughed and pulled out a new silver chain with a beautiful new cross on it. He passed it to John, who clasped it around Annie's neck and then leaned in to kiss it.
"It's beautiful, John. Thank you." Annie was in awe at the simple design.
"Oh, that's not from John, Annie. That's from me. He has that for you." Chad grinned slyly and pointed to his brother. When she turned around, John was kneeling carefully down on his good knee and was holding up a small, black velvet box.
"Annie, Chad told me I was pretty delirious in the forest. Something about the desert and sand, and all kinds of crap. But the one thing I was very sane about was wanting to ask you to marry me. Parson Annie Coburn, would you marry me?" He opened the box, and the sun caught the glint of a solitary silver diamond, in a carved band of white gold. Annie gasped and took the ring out. John looked expectantly up at her, and she screamed, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" and nearly bowled his over as she latched onto him. He slipped the ring on her left hand, and she cried again, clutching her hand to her chest.
"Congratulations, you two!" Chad laughed at Annie's exuberance, and he hugged her tightly too. When
he glanced down at John, he saw that the Colonel was having a hard time standing.
"Here, old man, take my hand. You are going to need all the help you can get to try and handle this spitfire." John begrudgingly took Chad's help, and stood up, slapping it away as soon as he was stable.
"Brat!" John growled at Chad, as he helped Annie into the Crown Vic.
"Geezer" Chad retorted as he got in the back seat and unbuttoned his jacket.
"Family!" Annie shouted, and both men agreed.
The End
What a joy this has been to enter into the world of John Casey and his brothers. Would you leave a review below? Your input and your critiquing are always welcomed.
