A/N: Here's chapter ten! I'm overwhelmed by the response I'm getting to the story. Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I will say this about the previous time's challenge. If you read the reviews, you will see that one person got the answer right of who was supposed to take in custody of Alex at the end. I'm not saying which reviewer guessed it correctly until it's revealed, and for all you know it could technically be more than one person who guessed correctly. Oh, wait, that means that Alex would have to not be in Blunt's custody. Hmmm... But one person is right, so if you're curious... :p
Anyway, your challenge is at the bottom. Thanks to those who reviewed! My interview went well and decided to update today as a "reward".
THANKS TO JAYDEN95 FOR THE BETA! :-)
Alex leaned over and vomited into the nearby bucket. It was clear he wasn't feeling well. Barkley had gotten the bullet out of Alex's arm but hadn't really cleaned the wound, so so Eagle knew there was risk of infection. Eagle had been treated to some of what Alex had been going through, and knew there was no way in hell he'd let the man walk off with Alex if there was any other alternative that Eagle could think of…
… even if it meant that he paid the ultimate price.
Suddenly, it was as if Barkley was aware of the fact that Eagle was drifting off. He kicked Eagle in the leg. "How do I reach your sergeant?" he growled. "I'd like to have a little talk with him. How much do you think I can get for your ransom, huh?" he snarled.
The sergeant was one of the few people who had a phone in his office. Eagle couldn't help but wonder if it was for times like these. "You could call him but—" he was cut off by a new arrival.
"Glad you were able to get 'the goods' before I arrived," a man said as he came in. Barkley whirled around, only to see the other man. He visibly relaxed. "Welcome, glad you're back, sir. Is business better than ever?" he asked. The smile on his face made Eagle want to puke. He didn't like how things were going to go for Alex and him.
Where were Wolf, Snake and Fox? Hadn't they alerted the sergeant? Contrary to what Barkley probably thought, the hut wasn't that far from K-Unit's bunk. Alex hadn't had time to get that far. So where were his comrades? He desperately needed them! Eagle sighed quietly, shifting. He hated sitting still.
Especially when there was a gun pointed to his head and there was no alternative but to sit still…
"Indeed," the man responded. He smiled, ruffling Alex's hair. The kid pulled away from him abruptly. "Now, now, Alex, that's no way to greet your father."
Father? Eagle thought. Was his theory right? He had been exposed to dozens of acts of violence himself, yet even he was surprised when Alex was backhanded twice. "Welcome back, boy," the man sneered. He grabbed Alex by his chin and forced him to look directly into his eyes. "I never wanted you." He let Alex's chin drop. "You're worthless, you know that? Good for nothing." He gave a final kick into his side as he turned to the other man. "What's your plan for this other man? He knows too much."
Barkley shrugged. "Maybe you could use some free house help," he suggested. Eagle bristled at how the man talked about him like he wasn't even there, but bit his tongue. The last thing he wanted to do was make a dumb comment and end up dead.
"Maybe," the other man nodded. It was then that Eagle's mouth dropped open. "Tell you what. I'm going to go meet the sergeant now and say I'm here to pick up Alex. I'll raise a ruckus, and then we'll get the hell out of here. Sound good?"
"What about him?" the man said, pointing to Eagle. "We can't let him live – he knows too much."
A chill went through Eagle's spine as Blunt walked over to him. Blunt kicked Eagle in his leg, and then said, "What's your name?" he asked even as he put out his cigarette he'd just lit in Eagle's arm. The end butt was hot and dug directly into Eagle's skin.
A hiss came from Eagle's lips, but he didn't cry out. "Eagle," Eagle said, stubbornly refusing to give out his real name. He was backhanded against the mouth. The attack was so vicious that it sent him down to the floor, despite the fact that he'd had a pretty good balance. "What's your name?"
"Eagle," Eagle responded with a roll of his eyes. He wasn't going to admit that his name was really Michael Reed. No way in hell.
"I said," Blunt responded, grabbing a fist full of Eagle's hair and ramming his head against the pole, "Your name?"
"I told you already," Eagle responded as he spat out blood that seeped from him biting his tongue, "Eagle."
Blunt looked like he was about ready to attack Eagle again, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Look, I'll be here awhile, I'll work on getting the information. Why don't you go take care of the situation?"
"Sure," Blunt responded. Without a second glance at Eagle, or his son, he walked out of the door, slamming it as he went off into the night.
"I can't believe we're the ones looking for the damn kid," Wolf grumbled under his breath as he trudged through the dirt. "And Eagle. This isn't at all like him."
"I think this is your way of saying you're worried,'" Fox responded with a grin. He was always happy at a chance to annoy Wolf. Wolf rolled his eyes. Maybe he should be less snappy; his team mates always loved to piss him off. At least Fox did it more tactfully than Eagle.
Hell, Cub was more tactful than Eagle.
Fox sobered instantly at the shadow. "Wait!"
There was a man coming out of the house. He was wearing a dress suit. He carefully tucked his pistol into his jacket pocket. "Recognize him?" Fox demanded, his mouth dropping open.
"No," Wolf said, giving Fox a 'don't-you-dare-patronize-me-we-don't-have-time' look. "Do you?"
"That's the head of MI6!" Fox hissed excitedly.
"Yeah, we'll get you your signature…" Wolf started, and then stopped. "Damn, Fox! That's the kid's father, right, then?"
"Holy shit. What's he doing here?"
"Let's split up," Wolf responded. He pointed to the hut. "He was coming from there. Since you know him, you follow him and I'll check out the hut."
"FAB," Fox responded as he slipped after the man.
Or started too, anyway. Wolf grabbed his arm. "What the hell?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as if Fox had talked to him in some sort of secret code. "FAB? What the hell does that stand for…" he scratched his head. "Fine and bright?"
"Thunderbird thing. Don't worry about it," Fox responded, giving Wolf a patronizing smile as he made his way towards his former hero.
Wolf shook his head. Fox really did watch way too much TV…
It was with a renounced determination that he checked his pistol and walked toward the cabin. Always one for action rather than caution, he hastily turned the door knob and opened the door. He ducked instinctively when he heard the bullet fire, and then raised his own weapon.
Eagle was sprawled out uncomfortably on the floor, his arms bound behind his back. Cub's arms were also tied, and Wolf noticed that he had blood dropping from his mouth. Wolf leveled his pistol at the man. "I don't know who the hell you are," he responded, "but you have about two seconds to start explaining yourself before I arrest you for treason."
Challenge: Still ongoing. After hearing the author note, who do you think will get custody of Alex?
Do you think Wolf will be attacked?
Will Fox loose all respect for his hero when he hears the full story?
What will happen to Alex?
You don't have to answer all of the challenges, or any. I love any review of any kind. Thanks! Writer With Sprite
(For those of you following Hold Your Arms Steady: Chapter Nineteen Is Posted!)