Thank you for the wonderful response.
Steve and Frank followed the tire tracks for a few miles when they came across a small village. The truck they assumed belonged to those tracks was parked along the side of a small house. What they assumed was Catherine's motor bike sat in the bed of the truck. They could see movement, but had no way of knowing how many were inside.
"I say we go in hot" Steve announced as he checked the ammo in his rifle
"No way! That will get her killed. We wait, we watch." Frank felt slightly relieved that they knew where she was, but knew that if she was still alive, her extraction had to be done with precision.
"We can't wait! We waited long enough. You don't know what they could be doing to her. They may be torturing her, I won't let her go through what I went through, I'm going in" Steve darted up from his position and jogged towards the house.
"Steve, stop!" Frank took off after him, leapt forward and tackled him to the ground.
"Stop it!" He flipped Steve over and pinned him down "You need to stop thinking like her boyfriend and start thinking like the SEAL that you are. Don't you think I know what could be happening in there? She's my daughter, but we are going to get her killed if we just barge in there. We have no idea how many people are in there, or if she is still alive" Frank lectured as Steve listened, the frustration clear on his face
Taking a deep breath and a moment to let the words sink in he nodded "Yes sir. You're right. I'm sorry" Steve apologized
Frank stood up and offered his hand to help Steve stand. "Not bad for an old man, huh? Listen Steve, I know you love her and are worried. I am too, but we have to do this the right way. We have to rely on our training."
"You are right, sir, so what's your plan?" Steve asked
Sometime after midnight
Frank adjusted the night vision goggles as he made his way towards the house. Slowly creeping through the darkness, he carefully made his way to the back of the house. He ran his fingers across the stone walls, looking for an opening of any kind. He needed to find a way to look inside. He stopped in relief when his fingers discovered a crack between the stones. He peered through opening and observed the interior. The structure consisted of one room divided by a curtain in the far corner. There was one window that was boarded. He made his way around, hoping to get a better view. He paused to adjust the setting on his goggles, when he felt the cold metal barrel of a gun against his head.
"Do not move or I will put a bullet through your head" A female voice startled him. "Hand me you're gun and turn around slowly".
Frank reached behind him, handing her his rifle and with his hands raised he turned.
The woman's face was covered with a scarf that only revealed her eyes. She spoke "With one hand, remove the goggles" She demanded
Frank complied.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" She asked
"I can ask you the same question" Steve asked as the woman now felt the barrel of his gun against her head. "Put your weapon down, now!"
The woman complied.
"Turn around slowly" Steve asked as Frank retrieved the guns and aimed at her.
Steve reached towards her and unraveled the scarf that concealed her identity. "Mom?"
"Hello Steven" she smiled
"Wait a minute, this is your mother?" Frank lowered the gun as a puzzled look covered his face.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Steve snapped at her
"Does it matter?" She turned and faced the man behind her "Doris McGarrett and you are?"
Still puzzled by the events he stuttered as he answered "Frank Rollins"
"Oh, well Mr. Rollins, Steve… I believe I have something that belongs to both of you. Follow me" Doris casually walked inside the house, holding the door open, she gestured for them to follow. "Are you coming inside?"
Frank and Steve followed her as she carefully pulled a curtain aside. Fastening it against the wall, she revealed Catherine lying in a state of unconsciousness.
"Is she ok?" Steve asked
"She'll be fine. We found her unconscious, dehydrated and on the verge of starvation. She was a little anxious earlier so we sedated her so she could get some sleep. We are feeding her nutrients through the IV. She should be awake in a few hours and good as new in a few days" Doris reassured the men standing before her.
Frank knelt next to his daughter and held her hand as he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Thank you" he looked at Doris directly.
She nodded in acceptance.
"Doris, you said we, who are you here with?" Steve crossed his arms across his chest as he asked.
"That would be me" a male voiced boomed in the distance
"Joe!" Both Steve and Frank exclaimed at once
"Hello Steve" Joe approached the men "Frank Rollins, it's been a long time" Joe extended his hand
"I don't understand. Did Catherine call you? What is going on?" Steve was confused.
"We can discuss this in the morning. Catherine will be out of it for a while and you two look exhausted. I assure you, it's safe here. Get some rest and we will fill you in later" Joe tossed two sleeping bags towards their feet. "Get some sleep".