Chapter 3

I've got it! It's up. I finally got this chapter up. Thank you, Karma9 for all you help and advice. I hope this is good. New computer! (I don't own anything in GIJOE universe or it's affiliates. I just love to write.)

...

Cat pulled up the horse. She looked around carefully and noticed they were close to the road.

"I don't hear anything. I think we lost them." She looked back at her passenger. When Scarlett slumped a little, she started to panic. "Are you OK?" She jumped off and helped the slightly taller woman dismount. "You're bleeding!"

"I'll be okay as soon as we get to a phone." Scarlett held her arm.

"Until then, we need to stop the bleeding." Cat said as she dropped the reins and tore a piece of her shirt. She wrapped it around Scarlett's arm. She hissed as she lifted the arm and spied more blood. "It went all the way through."

Scarlett nodded. "I can feel the bullet in my side. I might have a cracked rib."

"I know it will be difficult, but you have to get back on the horse. It's a long way to the next phone and I don't think I can carry you when you get weaker."

Scarlett smiled. "Maybe I can get some rest against a tree and wait…"

"No, way, Jose. I'm not going to leave you!" Cat stood up and pointed. "Now, please excuse the disrespect; you will get on that horse and we'll go get some help!" Cat took a step, but stopped and looked down the road. "Never mind, let's hide." She grabbed up the reins and helped Scarlett to her feet as they ran back into the trees. As she pulled the horse as best as she could to hide it, she turned and saw the van, with Heavy Duty driving, go by.

"It's the guys!" Scarlett said as she saw the same thing.

Cat dropped the reins and, waving her arms, ran screaming to the road.

"Stop! Stop! Come back!" She skidded to a stop when the brake lights came on and the van started backing up. She ran back to Scarlett, who was laughing with relief.

"Somehow I knew that they would show up," Scarlett said as Cat helped her stand up and walk toward the road.

...

Breathing hard, Snake Eyes jumped back and raised his sword.

Storm Shadow gasped out his next words. "I will retrieve the women after I take care of you! They will serve Cobra better after Dr Mindbender and the Commander get done with them." He took a step forward.

Snake Eyes motioned one time. *Why?*

Eyes crinkling as he smiled, Storm Shadow said. "Let's just say that females are better for a new experiment that is being use."

"Snake, we got them and we're on our way back." came Heavy Duty's voice over Snake Eyes head set. Under his own mask, Snake Eyes . *Not today.* with that, he tossed a smoke pellet that carried a punch.

Storm Shadow coughed as he tried to clear his tearing eyes of the acrid smoke. He growled as he blinked again and again, but it still a few seconds to clear his vision enough to look around. He took a step, but stopped as a call come over his own communicator.

"Storm Shadow, where are you?"

"Not far, Commander." He glared in the direction of the road. "I was chasing two escapees."

"Well, get over here! I want to get these females we already have to the lab." Storm Shadow winced as he heard cursing over the headset. "How unfortunate that the nanomites I have are so inferior that only females are affected. Well, return. We will get more subjects later at the other places we've acquired."

"Yes, sir." Storm Shadow clenched his jaw, as he turned back toward the ranch house.

...

"I wondered why you showed up." Cat said as she and Ripcord helped Scarlett treat her wounds. She had been given a jacket to wear and Scarlett had a blanket wrapped around her.

Scarlett looked up at her and grinned woozily. "This was the first time I ever had to use the link alarm."

"Now, Scarlett, please, just rest. We'll get you to the 'Pit' as soon as we can." Ripcord said when they finished and he tucked the blanket around her.

Cat turned toward Duke. "But we didn't see Snake Eyes. Where was he when we left? Did he go after Timber?"

Heavy Duty spoke up. "He typed that you had gotten away on the horse and said for us to come back when we got you." He gave a quick glanced back. He, Ripcord, and Duke had been shocked and angry when they saw how the girls looked. Now, with Scarlett patched up as best as they could and sedated, he noticed that Cat was shivering. "Are you okay, Cat?"

"Yes, sir. My adrenaline level just went down, that's all." She pulled the jacket tighter around her. She tried to stand as the van slowed and Snake Eyes got in. *What happened to Timber? Do you know where he is?* her hands flew as she talked.

Snake Eyes grabbed her hands and held them until she calmed. He had her sit down and went to check on Scarlett.

"She's going to be okay as soon as we get her back to the pit." Ripcord said, after filling him in. His face showed only concern as Snake Eyes gently touched a now sleeping Scarlett's forehead, moving stray hair from her face. Ripcord and he looked at each other for a moment, and then Snake Eyes nodded.

"We're on our way to rendezvous with the Howler." Heavy Duty said.

"But…what about…" Cat started but stopped as she looked at Scarlett. She bit her lip as she pushed thoughts of Timber aside and considered how to help Scarlett. "Will she be okay until we get to the Pit? How long before we get there?"

"A few hours. Why?" Heavy Duty asked.

"If I can make a phone call, we can get her help in about thirty minutes. Will you trust me?" Cat moved to the passenger seat and looked at Heavy Duty.

"Gunshot wounds have to be reported in the US."

"Not if there are ways to get around it." She reached for the phone and started dialing before anyone said anything. Heavy Duty glanced her way when she began to speak in Spanish and at the same time, was signing.

[Cousin, I need your help. Are you near your office?] Cat paused. [No, not me this time, it's a friend. Uh-huh. We'll be there in about…] "How long before we can get to Oklahoma?" She asked Heavy Duty.

"Twenty minutes. We're at the Howler now."

[You heard?] Cat nodded. [We'll be there.] She hung up and looked at Heavy Duty. "Ready for the directions?" She saw Heavy Duty glare at her.

"First-who were you talking to?"

"One of my cousins. She and her husband are doctors. Well, actually, my doctors. They were employed by the company I work for…worked for, I mean, but they're still my doctors. She can keep things discreet, if need be."

Clenching and unclenching his jaw, Heavy Duty pulled the van into the hold of the Howler. "Okay, where do we head from here?"

Cat nodded when she suddenly noticed that Snake Eyes was holding out her boots. "My boots! I thought they were lost for good!" She jumped up and gave him a hug.

"Cat, we're waiting for the directions." Heavy Duty ordered

"Sorry." Cat gave the directions and turned to Snake Eyes. "Now, how do we get Timber back?"

...

Timber opened his eyes to the strange people that walked up to his cage door and took in the smells around him. He growled as someone opened a panel and shoved a bowl of meat and a bowl of water in. He gave them both a sniff but didn't touch them, especially the food. His masters had not given it to him and he didn't accept food from strangers.

"He still won't eat." Again, Timber growled at the strangers. The man, who spoke, smelled of other animals.

"Leave it. He'll eat when he's hungry. Maybe he'll eat after his fight tonight." The other man who answered smelled of cologne that stung Timber's nose. Timber moved to the back of the cage again and sat staring at the men.

"How do you know he'll fight?" Asked the first man.

"If he doesn't, he'll be killed. It's up to him, but the way he woke up from whatever they drugged him with, shows he's a fighter. Isn't that right?" He leaned down to take a closer look at Timber. "If he wins, he'll have been worth the two hundred I paid for him."

"I still think that was a lot for an untried animal, no matter how large it is.

"I think he'll be worth it. Did you see those teeth?" The man with the cologne stood up and pointed to another cage. "Let his first fight be with Bruiser; he's still young and this will be a challenge for both of them."

"What are we going to call him?"

As they stared at Timber, he growled at them again. He saw them smile as the first man said a word. "Lobo." Timber growled as they both nodded. When they walked away, Timber just sat and stared at the door. He got up only to sniff at his collar that hung on a nail outside his cage. It still had the scent of his masters. After taking a good whiff, he went to the back and lay down again. He would be patient as possible until he could make his escape.

...

"Ripcord, please sit down. You're making me nervous." Heavy Duty said as Ripcord passed in front of him again. He looked over at Cat who was curled up on a chair and was sound asleep; or so it seemed. Duke grabbed his friend and pulled him down to a chair.

"I'm sure the doctor is doing the best she can and will tell us something as soon as she comes out." Duke said trying to reassure him. They had been a little surprised when they landed near a field and a van had met them. Cat assured them that her cousins had the right equipment to do what was necessary and so they followed in their own van to the small clinic.

The door to the back opened and the doctor came out with a small smile on her face. Everyone jumped to their feet, even Cat who looked around a bit bleary eyed.

"She's stable enough for you to take her to your own doctor. She doesn't have a broken rib, or internal injuries, but she's going to need rest. I'm glad you stopped here; I don't know where you were going, but if she had waited a little longer, she might not have recovered quickly." She looked over at Cat. "Gatita, your friend is awake and is asking when she can leave." The doctor grinned. "She sounds very strong willed."

Heavy Duty approached the doctor. "Thank you, Ma'am, for at least closing the clinic for this…"

"I was at a family gathering when Gatita called. I know that she only calls like that in emergencies. Which reminds me," She turned to Cat. "Are you going to be able to come to the get-together?"

Cat sighed. "Can't, Prima, got to go back to report as soon as we get my friend to our doctor."

Disappointed, the doctor frowned. "I understand, but everyone still misses you. Are you sure…?" When she looked back and saw Cat's eyes, she nodded, understanding. "You may get your friend, she's ready to travel." She handed Heavy Duty a paper as he went by. "Your physician will understand these instructions. Have a good trip." When he went through the door, she reached out and gathered Cat in a hug. "Take care, Gatita. We'll see you when you get time." [Remember, we miss you a lot and still want to hear from you once in a while. Don't get hurt and we love you,] She said in Spanish.

[Love you, too, Prima. Tell everyone 'hi' and I love them.] Cat said.

Carrying a still groggy, but protesting Scarlett, Heavy Duty called to the youngest team member. "Cat, let's go. Thank you again, Doctor…?"

"Carrillo" She said and waited by the door as they went out, got into their van, and left. She sighed as she smiled. As Carrillo locked the door again, she looked back at her assistant and husband who stood in the inner doorway.

"She seems healthy and happy. It's been a while since we've seen her that way, hasn't it?" The man said.

Carrillo nodded. "That is right, Vida, and she is. We all saw it when she came to visit the last time. Why didn't you come out and greet her, Tomas?"

"What, and leave our patient all by herself to try and get up to leave? Besides, I needed to clean up so we can get back." He handed her a purse and reached back to open the door for her. "After you, mi medica."

"Gracias, mi Amor. Did you get our rings from the shelf?" Carrillo grinned as she was handed her wedding ring. "Let's go back to the party before they start worrying."

...

Heavy Duty turned to the highway. "How are you feeling, Scarlett?

Her words slightly slurred, Scarlett answered "I've been better, Heavy, but I'll live. Where did Snake go?" She lay on the bench.

Cat came up to her. "He took the bike and is following Timber's signal. He'll let us know what happens. Right now, we are headed for the Howler to take you back to the Pit." Cat said as she tried to get her comfortable. "You know him; he'll do what he can to do what needs to be done. You, right now, need to have Doc look at you and…"

"What about Timber?" Scarlett saw Cat's face become pained, before she gave Scarlett a smile.

"Snake is tracking Timber's signal. He'll tell us when he finds him. I trust my brother to get our partner." Cat tucked the blanket around Scarlett and made sure the pillow was adjusted under her head. "I trust him with Timber's and my life." She gave Scarlett a look. *He cares a lot about you , too*

Scarlett just smiled as she closed her eyes. "I know, I know." She drifted off.

Cat sat down and mused as they headed down the road.

Hope you like. Still working on #4 and hope to have it up soon. Enjoy!