IX

Washington D.C. - An hour later in the communications room Stone is awaiting a transmission from Hudson expecting to hear that Shadow has completed the mission. After twenty minutes of waiting Stone begins to get impatient.

"What is going on?"

"The train could have been delayed." Dyson says not knowing that Stone was really talking to himself.

"Possibly but Hudson would still have checked in." He says as he begins pacing the room while the worst begins to occupy his thoughts.

Finally the call comes in, while still on edge Stone allows himself a sigh of relief as Dyson encrypts the line.

"Hudson what took you so long, that train was scheduled to leave almost an hour ago?"

"Deputy Director Stone, this is McCabe. The mission is a bust, the target was waiting for us." McCabe says frantically.

"What's your status?"

"Status sucks sir. Three casualties, Agents O'Bryan, Jones and McCaffrey."

Stone winces at hearing that one of his good friends was killed in action as a result of his order; now wishing he'd never sent them over there in the first place Stone quickly musters control of his faculties.

"Hudson and Anderson were both wounded but the Iranians took them as prisoners." McCabe says.

"Wait, you're alone!?" Stone replies.

"Yes sir, I wanted to help them sir I swear I did but there were at least twenty or more hostiles. Then Hudson spotted me from where I was watching and told me to go."

Although still wrestling with his own guilt the anguish in McCabe's voice is evident. "It's okay Andrew it's not your fault, Hudson told you to go so you could let us know of the situation. Do you understand me, the fault is mine not yours."

"Yes sir."

"Do you know where Khalid's men took them?" Stone asks.

"Affirmative, I overheard Khalid order them back to his outpost for interrogation."

Damn.

"McCabe please tell me you're on that train." Stone says rubbing his forehead right above the bridge of his nose.

"Negative sir, I missed it. After they took Hudson and Anderson prisoner they swept the area looking for me, I didn't think my chances would be good if I tried to escape in the van so I took off on foot. I didn't make it back to the train station until after it was long gone. I figured Khalid might send a unit to search the station so I found a place to lie low until the next train comes through." McCabe explains.

"Do they even know you fled the scene?" Stone asks.

"I'm not sure sir, while Hudson and the others were pulling out me and Jones were laying down cover fire. We took out several hostiles but I'm not sure if any of the surviving hostiles recall seeing two snipers. If so then when they foumd Jones' body they'll know one's missing." McCabe replies.

"When does the next train come through?"

"A little over two hours from now."

"You be on it you understand me?" Stone orders.

"Yes sir, what about Hudson and Anderson?"

Still rubbing his head Stone closes his eyes silently praying for Hudson and Anderson. He knows that Hayes won't approve him to send in another team to rescue them.

"Director Stone, are you still there." McCabe says.

"Wait one." Dyson says to him clearly seeing that Stone is considering his next move.

"Just do as I say McCabe, when the train stops in . . ." Stone looks up at the map of the region on the central screen. ". . . Qom I want you to get off and find a place to hide yourself until I contact you."

"Copy that, what about my rifle. Should I hang on to it?" McCabe asks.

"Only if you can do so without drawing attention to yourself."

"Understood, shouldn't be a problem with this baggy disguise."

"Alright, we've got you're homing beacon locked in, just get to Qom and wait for me to contact you. Hopefully we'll have a plan in motion by then. Good luck Andrew." Stone says.

"Thank you sir, McCabe out." McCabe disconnects the call switches his translator back on as he settles in for the next two hours.

Stone walks into Hayes' office to report the situation.

"I assume we have Khalid in custody by now?" Hayes asks while reading a file as Stone walks in.

"No, it went south."

Hayes looks up at Stone and says. "How south?"

"Three dead, Hudson and Anderson were both wounded and have been taken prisoner."

Hayes puts the file down and removes her reading glasses. "Who made it out?"

"McCabe, he's alright and has escaped capture for the time being. However he missed the train out and is waiting for the next one. Once he arrives in Qom I told him to await further contact." Stone explains.

"Qom? Tell him to stay on the train until he reaches the gulf and get him out of there!"

Although he knows it's probably futile Stone has to try. "Why bring him all the way back if we're going to mount a rescue mission?"

Hayes pauses as she realizes Stone's intentions. "Michael, I can't in good conscience authorize you to send another team out there to be slaughtered. We already lost five men . . . " Seeing Stone is about to blow his top as well as her own insensitivity Hayes adjusts her comment ". . .three men, I can't let you risk more."

"Will and Gage aren't dead, they're wounded." Stone replies.

"Do you know how bad and even if so how long do you think they'll last without medical attention? We know the Iranians aren't going to treat them."

Stone remains silent for a long moment.

"You took a gamble and you lost and believe me Michael I know what you must be feeling. There's been many times I've been in your shoes, some of those times it was you that we had written off." Hayes says.

"We can't just give up on them Kim."

"If you have any other ideas I will be happy to hear you out."

"What about a prisoner exchange, Khalid's younger brother for Will and Gage. We can throw in Hadid too if they want him."

"While that may be why Khalid took them prisoner, I seriously doubt the White House will approve of setting free two terrorists." Hayes replies.

Stone says nothing for a moment then he asks her if he may be dismissed.

"Yes of course. I'm sorry Michael." She adds as he turns to leave.

Without looking back Stone says. "Don't be sorry for me Kim, be sorry for them."

Stone walks back to his office and is met by Sage on the way having just come off her shadow duty with Watts.

"I just heard." She says as she begins throwing out questions and ideas for a rescue mission.

Stone just waves her off informing her that he doesn't have the authority. She is about to form a rebuttal but Stone just continues on his way to his office closing the door to shut her out. Then he shuts the blinds on the interior window. He stares out at the city into nothingness trying to come up with a solution. When nothing comes to mind he walks back behind his desk and notices the picture of the original Shadow team members at the bowling alley and picks it up focusing on Hudson, Anderson and O'Bryan.

"I'm so sorry."

Without meaning too he lets his anger get the better of him and before he realizes it he sends the picture flying across the room. It hits the opposite wall and shatters. Regretful he walks over and begins picking up the shards of glass; he throws the debris in the trash and lies down on the sofa with the picture still in his hand. A few minutes later he hears his office door opening.

"Agent Sage I do not want to be disturbed right now is that understood!"

"No it's not." Stone sits up hearing another voice and sees Drake standing in the doorway. "I just heard the news."

"How did you . . ."

"Kyle told me." Drake replies.

"Remind me to have a word with Dyson." Stone says wondering how they all knew so quickly.

"With all due respect Michael he and Sage are a part of Shadow team, they have clearance."

Although he knows Drake is right it doesn't change his mood any. "Hayes won't approve, I already tried Drake."

"You gave up that easily huh?"

Insulted and shocked by the level of disrespect now coming from Drake, Stone quickly changes his tone as he rises from the sofa. "She's got a point Drake, they could already be dead! And even if they're not there's nothing to stop Khalid from putting a bullet in their heads at any moment."

"Shadow team has never left a man behind." Drake counters.

"Well you're wrong there." Stone replies putting the picture on his desk. "Five years ago Kim and Will left me in Columbia; they didn't know if I was alive or dead. You may not recall that because you were on another assignment at the time."

"I can't believe you, the first mission that goes south since you've become Deputy Director and you're just gonna cut 'em loose?" Drake says.

"That's what you're not getting Steven, as Deputy Director I've got to keep the big picture in mind now."

"You cold hearted son. . ."

"Get out!" Stone says interrupting him.

Drake hesitates a moment but finally leaves silently. Stone sits down behind his desk and angrily slams his fist down on it, frustrated that he can't do a thing to save his friends.

When her husband arrives home that night Robin immediately knows something is wrong. Stone's blank stare of desperation tips her off. "What happened?"

"William's mission . . . . " he unknowingly pauses for a moment, unable to seem to escape his friends fate. ". . . his mission went south, he and Anderson were captured."

"In Iran!?" Robin says shocked.

"Yeah, we've got that new kid McCabe out there alone and we lost three men, one of them was O'Bryan. Both Will and Gage were reported wounded when they were taken by the enemy so there's no telling if there are alive or for how long." Stone replies.

"And I'm guessing Kim wouldn't let you send a rescue team."

"How did you figure that out?" Stone asks.

"I married a spy." She replies gently touching a hand to his face.

That night Stone is unable to eat or sleep much, he works late in his study going over the mission plans continuously wondering if they could have done something different that would have prevented its current result.

More men, different approach, case the estate for a few days first.

Realizing none of it matters now and still unable to come up with a solution that Hayes might approve of Stone drops his head onto the desk in despair. Then he hears Robin's voice speaking through the intercom in the house.

"Michael are you down there?"

"Yeah."

"Come to bed sweetie, it's late.

Stone succumbs and shuts off his computer, when he gets upstairs he sits on the foot of the bed staring into space.

Seeing that his friends are clearly occupying his thoughts Robin sits down next to him and wraps her arms around him. "If nothing else we can pray for them sweetheart."

"I can't do it." Stone replies.

"Of course you can."

"No, I mean I can't leave him out there to die Robin, I just can't."

"I thought you said he could already be dead?"

"I have to at least try, otherwise I'll never be able to live with myself."

"Why, why you?" Robin asks. "I know you love him like a brother but why do you have to do this?"

"There's no one else sweetie, if Hayes had approved a rescue mission I would have gladly stayed here and sent an army after them."

Although unhappy that he plans to go rescue Hudson himself Robin understands all too well his dedication to his friends and family. "Alright, go get him but remember one thing."

"What?"

Robin takes his hands and places them on her belly. "This baby is due in less than a week . . . . . you have to promise me that no matter what happens out there that you will come home to me. I want this child's father there when she's born."

"I promise, I . . she!?" Stone says stunned. "It's a she?"

"She, he, whatever it is."

Stone smiles knowing Robin has been hoping for a girl. "I promise, I'll be here." He says wrapping his arms around her as he brings his lips to meet hers. "I have to go."

"What, now?"

"The sooner we get out there the better our chances of finding them." Stone says as he hurries into the closet to change. "I have to get to HQ and make some arrangements first."

"Okay, call me when you know what time you're taking off and I will come out and see you off." Robin replies.

Within moments Stone is dressed and on his way downstairs with a small duffel bag slung over his shoulder. "You sure you want me to wake you up just to come say goodbye, it'll be early."

"I don't care, I probably won't sleep much now anyway."

"Alright." He says reaching the door to the garage. "You realize I could lose my job over this right?"

"Of course!" Robin says jokingly.

Stone grins in response as he gets in his Blazer and drives away.

As he turns onto the highway Stone puts his ear bud in and voice dials Drake's number. Drake answers the phone half asleep and rolls over in bed to find it's well after midnight.

"Drake this is Stone."

"Lemme guess you need a sniper team deployed and it had to be at this hour." Drake says still a bit miffed over their conversation earlier.

"No, do you want to help me put together a mission to go get Will and Gage." Stone replies.

At that Drake becomes fully awake and he sits up in bed. "Are you serious?"

"I'm on my way to headquarters now."

"I'll meet you there."

"I need you to do something for me first, contact Watts and get him moving. Tell him to meet us in Shadow Ops at oh five hundred, I'll inform Sage." Stone orders. "And keep it quiet Drake, this will be a black op."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I'm acting against Hayes' orders, so don't tell him what's going on over the phone." Stone replies.

"I was wondering what had changed, I'm on it." Drake replies.

"Thanks, see you shortly."

Tehran, Iran – After being fully stripped and searched for further effects Hudson and Anderson are issued prison clothing and given less than substandard medical treatment then shown to their cell. They are thrown into a filthy joint cell with no bunks or plumbing, just two raggedy sleeping mats on the floor.

"Jeez what a shit hole and I don't mean the one in the floor." Anderson says sitting up against the wall.

After several hours their cell door opens and both of them are hauled up and marched into another room where they find Khalid waiting with several more of his men. At Khalid's order they force Hudson into a seat in the center of the room while Anderson is secured along the back wall by two guards. Two more grab Hudson's hands, ripping his injured arm out of the sling, and shackles them together behind the back of the chair.

Khalid walks up to Hudson who already looks broken and exhausted. Without saying anything Khalid clutches Hudson's shoulder fiercely where the bullet passed through. Hudson grunts in pain but endures until after several moments Khalid releases his grasp.

"If you think that was painful then it might be wise for you to consider answering my questions." Khalid says. "You were sent to kill me, yes?"

Hudson remains silent for a moment, steadfast in his resolve.

"Answer." Khalid says.

"Go suck a goat or something." Hudson utters.

Without warning Khalid pulls a curved dagger from a sheath on his belt; he takes Hudson's chin in one hand and makes a quick but small incision on his left cheek. Hudson grunts in pain as blood begins to trickle down his face.

"Hey!" shouts Anderson as the guards move to restrain him. However with his injured leg he remains somewhat immobile.

Khalid turns his attention back to Hudson. "Answer the question."

"Do you really expect me to talk?" Hudson replies as the blood begins dripping off his face onto the floor.

Khalid clutches his face again making another cut next to the first one. Hudson utters an obscenity in response. While not willing to cooperate Hudson does realize that this is the best opportunity to learn more about the Jackhammer, regardless off his dire situation. Growing impatient Khalid places the dagger under Hudson's throat!

"Not to kill you." Hudson says remaining calm.

Although shocked that Hudson even gave him that much, Anderson remains quiet as he watches the scene play out.

"You're here to capture me then, why?" Khalid says still holding the blade to his prisoner's throat. When he gets no answer back in return this time Khalid sheaths the dagger and grabs a handful of salt from the table behind him and rubs it into Hudson's exit wound.

Anderson moves to try and intercede as he hears Hudson scream in pain but one of the guards kicks him in his wounded leg sending him collapsing onto the floor in pain.

"The Jackhammer, we think the Jackhammer is setting you up." Hudson mumbles.

"What are you doing?" Anderson says as he crawls back into his seat.

"Shut up!" Hudson replies. "It might be our only chance."

"Setting me up for what?" Khalid asks.

"Just think about what's been happening lately, he's playing you man. He may be playing both sides; I know you must be pissed at him after your brother was captured."

"Why should I believe you, you're just trying to save your own skin." Khalid replies.

"So don't, it won't make much difference in the long run for you. Do you really think you'll stand a chance if our two countries go to war?" Hudson replies. "Kill us, don't kill us; either way you'll likely never see your brother again."

Khalid thinks for a moment then orders the two men guarding the other prisoner to take him back to their cell.

"What are you doing man, are you crazy you can't deal with these guys." Anderson says as the guards begin dragging him out of the room. "Don't give them anything, you hear me!"

The doors shut leaving Hudson alone with his enemies. Khalid looks down at Hudson and says. "Let's talk."

By nearly oh five hundred hours Stone has the entire rescue mission planned out and organized. When Drake met up with him earlier before the others arrived he was not surprised in the least to find out Stone would be leading the mission himself. When Stone asked Drake to recommend two of his snipers for him to recruit to the mission he refused.

"Those guys are my friends too Michael, I'm going." Drake says.

"No way, not with that leg of yours. I'm sorry Steven but you'll only slow us down."

"I don't need this cane, it's just a fashion statement."

"Really?" Stone says sarcastically.

"Besides I'm still the best sniper Omega has got, I'm going. Not to mention the fact that you can't just ask two of my boys to join a mission that might end their careers. Sage and Watts are part of the team, they're committed and McCabe had no choice but to leave Will and Gage out there so you know he's in."

"Alright you're in."

As the hour draws to a close Stone stands in the middle of Shadow Ops as he addresses Sage and Watts whom have just arrived.

"I'm sorry to get you up so early but it was necessary." Stone says.

"What's going on?" Watts asks.

"I'm leading a rescue mission to go after Hudson and Anderson."

"Really?" Sage says as he eyes light up.

Stone informs them that he and Drake have been here at headquarters for the last three hours planning out the operation.

"Everything is ready to go and we can be in the air within thirty minutes but you need to understand something first. This is an unsanctioned mission. If we go, succeed or not we will most likely lose our jobs at best. So I'm asking for volunteers, if you choose to go you must be prepared to accept the consequences." Stone explains. "Kyle?"

"Oh I'm game." Watts replies.

"Sara?"

"Let's do it."

"Alright, you three get down to the armory and load up everything we need. I have something to do up here first then I'll meet you in the garage." Stone orders.

Drake and the others immediately file out of the room headed for the armory but Sage turns back at the last moment.

"Problem Sage?" Stone asks.

"Question sir."

"Go ahead."

"You told William that you didn't think I was ready for a mission of this scale. Is it just that you can't ask anyone else or do you really think I'm ready?"

Stone exhales deeply and takes a seat, Sage follows suit and takes one across from him. "William is the best friend I've ever had, he's like a brother to me. It angered me that he would put me in the position he did but . . . . it wasn't fair to keep you out of the mission just because of the situation. You know Grant told me he had faith that I could do this job, he also said it wouldn't be easy. Well he was right." Stone says with a smile. "Look I don't know what's going on with you two, maybe you don't either yet. But if you two have found something special together . . . I wanna be happy for him. He deserves that but I have to objective now, I can't worry about just my team anymore. It's not even really my team anymore; it's Will's." Noticing that Sage has listened patiently Stone realizes he has yet to answer her question. "I do think you're ready and I also can't ask anyone else." He adds smiling.

"Forgive me for being blunt but earlier today, well yesterday, when you shut me out I thought you were just an egotistical jerk who wasn't willing to lift a finger to help a fallen soldier. I'm sorry if I ever doubted you sir."

"Thank you." Stone says. "I'm sorry too, we need you Sara. Will needs you."

"Let's go get him then!"

Sage runs to catch up with Drake and Watts down in the armory, before meeting them Stone writes a letter to Hayes explaining his actions. Although he knows she won't take the news well he decides it must be done. Using his access code on the keypad outside her door he enters her office and places the envelope containing the letter on her desk.

Once done he picks up the phone and calls home. "Hi sweetie, I'm heading for the airport now we'll be taking off in about thirty minutes."

Given the hour he reminds her where the private airstrip is as a somewhat groggy Robin responds that she is on her way. Although he didn't take pleasure in waking up his pregnant wife at five am she did ask him to, he does take some comfort knowing that he'll get to see her one more time before leaving the country.

Moments later Stone meets the others downstairs who are just finishing packing everything they'll need for the mission. A few minutes later Watts, Sage and the two former Shadow members throw the gear in one of the unmarked shuttle vans and head for the airport. On the way Stone grabs the Sat-phone they brought with them and asks Watts to secure the line out.

"Who are we calling at this hour?" Watts asks as he plugs the phone into a mount.

"McCabe, we need to let him know to stay where he is. He was ordered to get on the next train out of Qom headed for the Persian Gulf. If I recall the next train comes his way in about a half hour from now."

"Line secure, go." Watts says handing the phone back to him.

"McCabe it's Stone, is it safe to talk?"

"Yeah go ahead."

"Do not get on that train." Stone says.

"Why what's wrong?" McCabe asks assuming the train station is being watched or there are troops aboard waiting for him.

"Nothing, We're not pulling you out."

"What, why not?"

"Because we're coming to you and then we're going to rescue the others."

"Seriously?"

"Listen up Andrew, I can't explain everything right now but I need you to avoid contact with anyone else but me for the time being. I'll only be calling from this number until we reach you. Do you copy?" Stone says.

"Yeah, okay." McCabe replies although not understanding what's going on."

"I gotta go but we'll be in contact soon."

Twenty minutes later the four-man team is loaded up in the Gulfstream G550 and ready for boarding. Stone scans the tarmac for his wife's car but doesn't see it, assuming she fell back asleep after his call he turns around and starts up the boarding ramp. At that moment he hears a car horn sounding, he turns around to see Robin driving towards them. Stone runs back down the ramp to meet her as she brings the car to a stop. Robin slowly makes her way out of the car to embrace her husband.

"I was afraid you weren't going to make it." He says holding her.

"I love you, remember what I said. Don't make me go through this alone."

"I'll be here for you and the baby, I promise." Stone replies kissing her gently.

From the top of the boarding ramp Sage watches the happy couple and smiles at the beautiful sight; hopeful that she and Hudson might have a similar future together someday.

"I've got to go, I love you." Stone says.

"Alright, bring him back and be careful." Robin replies letting him slip from her embrace as he backs towards the plane. Once on board the hatch is secured as the G550 taxis out to the runway. Robin stands by her car watching the plane take off just as the sun begins to peek over the horizon. She says a silent prayer to keep him safe knowing this could be his most dangerous mission yet.