CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Actor greeted Garrison as he stepped into the bedroom. "Warden…it is good to see you are resting and looking a little less pale." How do you feel? He asked keeping his voice low.

"I'm good…well…as long as I don't move around too much."

"I've brought you something to eat and Chief has made more tea, placing the tray on Garrison's lap, Actor stepped back. "Try a few bites and see how your stomach handles it…as he spoke Actor placed a palm against the man's forehead. You still have a fever so make sure you drink all the tea."

For the next fifteen minutes the two men went over the extraction plan and what would happen once they were back home. The food stayed down and Garrison was able to finish off the tea…satisfied…Actor stood.

"I will be back in a little while to check on you…if you need anything just call."

"Tell the men, thanks for me…I appreciate everything you all have done."

"As we appreciate what you have done for us LT." Actor said holding Garrisons gaze. "Never doubt that." Turning he left the bedroom to join Chief at the kitchen table.

The next 24 hours were a little rough for the members of Garrison's Gorillas. The Warden's temperature spiked late Wednesday and for the time it took his fever to break the men were kept busy, trying to calm the man when nightmares invaded his fevered dreams…they were all relieved when the fever broke and Garrison finally fell into a restful sleep, he slept for sixteen hours straight.

Thursday was uneventful, the Warden slept through out the day...except for when one of the men would wake him to give him water or Actor would show up with a mug of tea and a small meal. The Con man would sit with the Warden while he ate, briefing him on what the rest of the men were doing and just keeping the LT company.

Friday morning James showed up early to inform Garrison that all was well and the extraction team would be waiting for them as planned, and that he would be leaving a few of his men to stand watch, soon after, the Frenchman took his leave. Currently Garrison was taking it easy…an earlier shower had him feeling cool and fresh...a warm mug of tea sat on the night stand, compliments of Chief...he was resting back against the headboard, eyes closed as he thought about the past few days. They had been rough but at least the men would be home soon...hearing footsteps approaching he opened his eyes.

Actor stepped to the head of the bed, examining the Warden's features he was pleased to see no sign of fever and the shadows had lightened under the man's eyes. "Well, I believe you are on the road to recovery...the Con man stated with a smile...though you should still take it easy for the next few hours."

"I'll get a little more sleep before we leave tonight…tell the men they can stand down...James has a few of his men keeping watch for us."

"They will appreciate that...it will be nice to get back home…seems like we have been away for a long time."

"I'll talk to Major Richards when we get back…request some down time for you and the men."

"That would also be appreciated." Actor said as he studied the younger man. "The rest would do us all some good."

"Oh…by the way, there's a bottle of wine in the cupboard, compliments of James, if you and the men would like to take advantage of his good will…feel free. Garrison said with a smile. Just stay alert and be ready to leave by ten pm."

"I will make sure of it." Actor said as he turned to leave. "Get some more rest…you will need the energy later."

After the Italian left the room, Garrison stretched out on the bed, body relaxing as he thought about home and the Mansion...within minutes he was asleep.

EPILOGUE

(seven hours before extraction)

Casino, Goniff, Chief and Actor stood around the kitchen table, an open wine bottle stood in the middle and four half-filled glasses sat next to the bottle.

"We was lucky that storm delayed our leaving a few days. Goniff commented. "Warden wasn't in any shape to lead us to the extraction location that's for sure. I was glad when his fever broke, wasn't getting much sleep at all...he wasn't.

"Ya got that right, Babe...Warden's finally been able to catch up on some missed zee's." Casino added.

"Yeah and we got a little r & r once he got past the fever, especially when James sent a few of his men to take over patrol for us." Chief added. "That was cool.

"Well it has not been a perfect situation but it has been a little restful…Actor raised his glass and when the other three men had raised theirs, gave a toast. "To storms... delays...concussions...fevers and the Warden all of which provided us with a little down time."

Tapping their glasses together and with a look toward the bedroom where the Warden was resting, a chorus of cheers rang out softly.

Garrison settled more comfortably against his pillows, each of his men had been in to check on him before gathering in the main room...he couldn't help smiling on hearing the toast…yeah, they were a little rough around the edges but they were his. With a sigh the Lieutenant closed his eyes, drifting off to the low murmurs of the Gorilla's voices, trusting the men to keep each other safe.

THE END

Thanks to all of you who took the time to read this tale…I want to thank those of you who left a review...THANKS! I apologize to those of you who had to search for my story...not sure what happened but I managed to fix the problem. I have watched every episode of Garrison's Gorilla's at least twice and though some episodes I enjoyed more than others the overall appeal for me was the interactions between the five main characters. Hope I stayed on canon with the men and you at least caught a semblance of their personalities as you read. From Garrison, Actor, Casino, Goniff and Chief as well as their Creators...Thanks for visiting with us...Til we meet again…Take care, Be Safe and Enjoy the Day!