Cayden Daniel Faireborn was shaken awake by a hand on his shoulder. He slowly opened his eyes, and his father's silhouette came into focus. He blinked a few times, for his sight to adjust to the darkness. He glanced to his right, spotting his mother asleep on the hospital bed and he recalled everything. Jaye had tormented them all to exhaustion! It had taken double the amount of time the tests required to be performed due to her wrath. Even Dr. Heart became a victim, finding herself ducking from Jaye's missile! Which in this case happened to be the water pitcher next to her bed.
And the test results had caused him great worry! They discovered that she had a thick underline stomach wall, but also other organs too held the same diagnosis! Whoever had tampered with the medications had caused his mother harm and potentially placed her life in jeopardy! He had checked the cancer but found irregular cancerous cells. And he wished Dr. Heart's Japanese medical expert would contact him, so he can share his findings.
"Danny, go home and rest. I'll take it from here," Flint told his son with gentle eyes.
Cayden yawned. He must had fallen asleep on the chair and didn't realize it! "What time is it?," he sleepily asked.
"It's 0100 hours," Flint informed him. "Go home to Colly."
0100 hours! raced in his mind. So much for a nice night with my wife! Colleen and the girls would be sound asleep.
Cayden rubbed his eyes. "All right, Dad, But call me if she wakes up or if she has any sudden pain."
"Don't worry, her Gaelic cursing will be heard all the way to your quarters!" Flint chucked as he watched his son shake his head.
The young doctor stood up, allowing his father to take his place. But before he left, he went to the closet and grabbed an extra blanket and covered his father, making sure he was also taken care of for the night.
"Need anything else, Dad?" Cayden asked. He checked the IV and made certain there was enough pain medication to last for the remainder of the night
"Will you go home before I take this cane and whack you in the head!" Flint threatened, waving his cane at his son.
"Where's Eryn?" he asked, checking the heart monitor and the other machines.
Flint patted his son's arm. "Don't worry. Eryn is having a sleep over with Rowan and the twins at the Hausers."
Cayden's eyes widened. "Are you sure that was a good idea?"
"Well, they are not here, so that means everything is going well!" Flint answered. "Now go home!"
"Fine! Fine!" Cayden said defeated. He glanced once more at his mother, before bending over and kissing her check. He then made sure his father was comfortable one last time before he left the room and exited the Infirmary.
The cold wind woke him as he ventured toward the barracks and toward his quarters. He hoped that his mother's condition improved. A knot formed in his stomach. What if the wrong medication had done irreversible damages? He shivered at the thought. Tomorrow, he would double and triple check everything again! And he made a mental note to contact the Kampo specialist once again.
Entering the barracks, he headed for his quarters and slowly opened the door, being careful not to wake up his wife. All he wanted right now was to shower and lay in bed with her with his arms around her. That's all he wanted!
The suite was dark and he walked toward the bedroom before he showered. He switched the small lamp on the side table, not to awaken Colleen but found the bed empty! He turned around and went back to the living room, believing she had fallen asleep on the sofa, but found that also unoccupied. He then checked the twins room and still no sign of his wife or twins! He waved off the feeling of her leaving again with the girls.
"Maybe she is with her parents?", he mused. He didn't want to call her in fear of waking the others. Maybe the Hausers were still awake? He knew Duke at times slept late due to work related matters.
Leaving his suite, he ventured toward his In-laws and softly knocked on the door, hoping his wife would answer but it was a wide awake Scarlett in her robe instead.
"Cayden?" Scarlett said surprised. "Is everything with your mom all right?"
"Sorry!", he apologized, "I didn't mean to disturb you at this time but I wanted to check on Eryn and also see if Colleen wanted to come home."
Scarlett looked at him confused. "Cayden, Colleen isn't here. I thought she was at your quarters, asleep. That's why we thought best to keep the twins for the night."
His throat went dry and tried to conceal the rising panic in his chest. "She's not at our suite! I was just there!"
"Shana? What is going on?", came Duke's voice behind his wife.
Scarlett turned to her husband. "Cayden can't find Colleen!"
"Uncle Con, she is not at our suite and I thought she had come here!"
"Okay. Don't panic!" Duke said. "Maybe she's with Jeffrey and Reena?"
"At this hour!?" Scarlett blinked at him, becoming worried. "This isn't like her, Con!"
Cayden entered the suite. "Where can she be? I told her to return to the suite. And she is not there!"
Duke frowned. "Let me get Breaker on the intercom. We'll get to the bottom of this." He then turned to his wife. "Call Jeff, maybe she is at their suite!"
After calling the second Hauser couple, it was confirmed that Colleen Faireborn was not with them! And a few seconds later, the intercom echoed throughout the base.
"COLLEN FAIREBORN. PLEASE REPORT TO DUKE'S QUARTERS IMMEDIATELY!"
Cayden began to pace. "I can't just stand here and not go looking for her! She has got to be somewhere on base!"
"Let's not panic," Duke said, trying to keep the situation calm. "I'm sure she is somewhere on the base!"
"Maybe she went to get more marshmallows from the Mess?" Scarlett suggested.
But before Cayden or Duke could respond to the redhead counterintelligence agent, running footsteps came heard near by.
"Anything?" Jeffrey asked, entering the suite followed by Sky Dancer, who both looked hastily dressed.
Scarlett shook her head in dismay. "Have both of you seen Colleen tonight?," she asked at the embarrassed looking couple who had been interrupted by her call during a 'moment' only to receive a "No."
Minutes ticked by and still no sign of the missing strawberry-blonde.
"I can't take this waiting!" Cayden said frustrated. "I'm going to go search for her!"
"I'll get Apollo!" Sky Dancer took immediate action. "And get Athena too! We may need both dogs!"
Jeffrey nodded in agreement. "Get the dogs. I'll grab Wolfie too!
Duke nodded. "I'll search the offices, Sky Dancer search the hangars and training course. Kastor, search the training rooms and Infirmary. Cayden, search the Mess and the barracks! Shana, please stay here with the kids."
"DUKE!"
Everyone turned to find Beach Head holding on to his grandson who was half asleep running toward them.
"What's wrong, Beach?" Duke asked the drill instructor.
"The Top Command! They want an emergency meeting now with all of us!"
"Now?"
"Cobra! They threatened to invade Russia!"
Duke cursed under his breath. "Dr. Caveman, Kastor. I'm going to need you for the meeting."
"What about Colleen?" Cayden asked, looking at his father-in-law.
"I'll search for her!" Sky Dancer said, holding on to her silver locket.
"I'll help too! I can handle Athena," Scarlett added, she went around to head for the bedroom when she was stopped by her husband.
"What about the kids?" Duke asked her, holding on to her arm.
A hiccup sounded and both turned toward Beach Head's grandson and a cunning smile curved on their features.
Duke turned to Beach Head and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Beach, I am going to assign you the most dangerous mission I have ever assigned!"
"Anything! I'm ready!" Beach Head said, awaiting orders.
"Glad to hear, Beach!" Duke devilishly grinned. "Your mission is to protect six young soldiers-in-training by the codenames of Rowan, Eryn, Devon, Caitlin, C.J. and Mikey!"
Beach Head was floored. "Babysitting!" But before the drill sergeant could protest and try to squirm out of the predicament, his commanding officer's next words almost sent him over the edge.
"That's a direct order!" Duke commanded and left the suite, followed by Kastor and Dr. Caveman.
"Damn and Blast!" Beach Head grumbled, entering the suite, shaking his head.
"Rowan and Eryn are sleeping in Rowan's room! The twins and C.J are asleep in Jeffrey's old room! There are extra diapers in the bedroom closet!" Scarlett instructed him. "And don't lose a child, or you will find yourself being run over with a Wolverine!"
Before Beach Head could retaliate to her threat, she grabbed hold of Sky Dancer's arm and led the young pilot out of the suite, closing the door behind her to one irate looking drill instructor.
"I'm dreading tomorrow's PT session," Sky Dancer shivered, glancing at the suite's door, listening to the cries within.
"Never mind that!" Scarlett said. "Let's get the dogs and start searching!"
Together both women ventured to the kennel and retrieved Apollo and Athena who both were ready to work.
"Search the grounds. I'll search the barracks and buildings. Find anything, call immediately!" Scarlett ordered her daughter's-in-law. "And if we both come up empty, Duke will start a full scale search party!"
Sky Dancer nodded. "Good luck! To both of us!"
The search for missing clan member was on!
Scarlett watched the pilot head toward the obstacle area while she glanced down at the doberman next to her. "Athena, fuss!" She then recalled that the trained animal needed a scent to begin the search! Not risking to enter her suite with a not happy drill sergeant, she headed for her daughter's quarters instead! She took out the passkey and entered the darkened suite. It took her a few seconds to spot the penguin stuffed toy on the sofa for Athena to scent!
"Athena, such!" Scarlett commanded and the dog began pulling her out of the suite and out of the building, barking madly! The wind rushed to her face and a chill went down her spine. She glanced down and realized she still wore her robe! "Well, this isn't the first time I am running all over base in my robe!", she thought to herself.
The doberman led the worried mother toward the Infirmary, continuing to bark! She had caught her daughter's trail!
Scarlett entered the building, glancing about. "Athena, such!", she commanded the dog once again.
Athena started barking madly, and began sniffling the ground.
"What is going on out here?," Dr. Heart came out of one of the rooms, finding both newcomers.
Scarlett sent a half smile to the new doctor. "Sorry for this late night visit, but we are on a mission!" She watched the dog continue to sniff around the floor and another bark followed.
Athena looked up and began barking non stop, causing Dr. Heart to cover her ears from the sound.
"What is she doing?" Dr. Heart asked, watching the dog walk in circles and barking.
"Searching," Scarlett answered, then asked, "By any chance have you seen my daughter near the Infirmary?"
Dr. Heart nodded. "I saw her earlier this evening with Dr. Caveman! But then I had to run into a room and by the time I returned, she had left."
Scarlett nodded. "Athena picked up her scent here! So if she left, then she maybe somewhere else!"
"Scarlett, is there something wrong?" Dr Heart asked, noting that the other woman was wearing a robe!
Scarlett nodded. "We are not able to find Colleen."
Dr. Heart gasped. "She should be somewhere on base! She just can't vanish!"
But before the redhead could answer the doctor, a loud voice echoed in both their ears.
"SHANA! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!"
The both turned toward the voice and noticed Jaye on the bed in a room, and her eyes glued to them.
"Seems, you're awake." Scarlett entered the room and glanced around, finding only Jaye in the room, alone. "Has Colleen been here?"
Jaye looked at her funny. "Not unless she is under my bed!" She then changed her demeanor. "Wait, what's wrong?"
"We can't find Colleen," Scarlett released.
Jaye gapped. "What you mean!? Never mind, unhook me so I can help you search!"
Scarlett glanced toward Dr. Heart and gulped. Flint and Cayden would kill her if she allowed Jaye out of the Infirmary. "Don't worry, I'm sure she is somewhere. Why don't you rest and I'll return when we located Colleen."
"Shana, unhook me now, or there will be hell to pay!" Jaye threaten to her with a death glare. "I am going to search too!"
Scarlett shook her head. There was no way of fighting the Scottish woman. "Fine. But who is going to answer to Cayden or Dash?"
"Don't worry, Scarlett!", came from Dr. Heart, already unhooking and taking out Jaye's IV. "I'll tell them that she knocked me out while she tricked me changing her IV for an infection and escaped."
Jaye grinned. "See! It's all covered!"
"But you are not going out in that!" Dr. Heart scolded. "I'll loan you my coat!" She hurriedly left the room and returned with a warm coat, and handed it to Jaye. "Here!"
Jaye thanked the doctor and looked at her best friend. "Now, where?"
Scarlett tilted her head as in deep thought. "Mess Hall is my guess!"
They both bid a quick goodbye to Dr. Heart and left the Infirmary, Athena leading the way. Rounding the corner, they bumped into another person and dog.
"Anything?" Sky Dancer and Scarlett asked simultaneously.
"Apollo and I have not found any traces of Colleen so far!" Sky Dancer said, then did a double take. "Allie!"
Jaye took a step forward, her eyes narrowed. "Say anything and you may find yourself somewhere upside down!"
The pilot gulped. "Me? Never!"
"Allie and I are going to head for the Mess Hall. Can you search the barracks?" Scarlett requested to the dog handler.
"I was on my way there already to refreshen the scent," Sky Dancer informed her mother-in-law.
"Where is everyone else?" Jaye asked suddenly, glancing around, not spotting her husband, son or anyone else in sight.
"Meeting!" Scarlett informed her.
"At this hour? Why?"
"Cobra," came from both women.
Jaye growled. "Figures!"
Scarlett took lead. "Let's go! Reena, see anything and call me immediately!"
Sky Dancer saluted. "Apollo, fuss!"
She watched the other two women head toward the Mess while she headed toward the barracks. Suddenly, the dog stopped and sniffed the ground but then continued on, finding no scent.
Sky Dancer sighed. She had grown very concerned for her best friend. Her thoughts had drifted to unwanted ones and pushed them away. Colleen is fine! You will find her safe and sound! Her thoughts tugged at her, but her chest felt heavy. Either Colleen was asleep somewhere on base or something else had happened to her! And Sky Dancer did not wish the latter!
Entering the building and heading for her quarters, Sky Dancer continued to search around for her missing friend. She cringed at the thought of returning to the Hauser's quarters to get Colleen's scent from there but then remembered that Colleen had left her cardigan the other day in her suite! With new determination, she headed to her quarters and entered.
She remembered that she had placed the cardigan in her closet! With Apollo by her side, she entered her bedroom and strode to the closet. She opened the door and searched for the cardigan when her fingers touched something familiar. Her uniform.
Her quick eye glanced at her reflection on the dresser's mirror and gasped. She was wearing her husband's Joe PT sweatsuit set! Which meant, that Jeffrey Hauser at that moment was wearing her clothing at a Top Command meeting!
"Oh crap!", she muttered, shaking her head and pulled out her uniform from the closet. She quickly dressed but also placed her hand gun in the belt pouch, and added her tactical knife in her boot's side pocket.
"Apollo!" Sky Dancer placed the cardigan in front of the dog's nose, allowing him to get a good strong scent. "Voran!"
The doberman immediately sprang into action, pulling her out of the suite, down the hall, out of the barracks and straight toward the Infirmary. The dog entered the building barking madly, pulling his handler down the hallway, sniffling rooms, tracking down the scent.
The dog stopped for a moment to a wall, sniffed, gave out another bark before he continued down the hall and stopped at a closed door at the end, barking non-stop! Cayden's office!
Sky Dancer pulled out her hand gun and slowly opened the door, aiming for anyone in the room, but found it empty. Then turned and switched on the lights. She let out a long breath, nothing! She came up empty handed and failed. Again!
She turned to leave the room when her boot hit something, making it move across the floor with a ding! She glanced down and spotted a syringe! She went to pick up the item when her cunning eyes caught something else around it. A few long strands of hair! And she knew whose hair color that belonged too! Colleen's!
Apollo suddenly barked and she turned her head to see why her dog alerted her. He pawed on something under the desk and she reached out, taking hold of the thin metal object.
Examining the thin metal object, her mind concentrated to remember where she had seen it before. Think, Reena!
Then it dawned at her! She had seen this belt buckle before! When they all went riding at Double C ranch! She could feel herself rise up, starring at the buckle with a picture of a horse in her palm. Only one person could had worn this buckle.
Judi.
Did Cayden's assistant have anything to do with this? Without wasting any more time, and having bad thoughts take over her mind, she ran out of the office, down the hall and out of the Infirmary.
She remembered that the other women were at the Mess Hall and she ventured that way, her feet flying, her heart pumping madly in her chest.
"SCARLETT! LADY JAYE!"
Sky Dancer burst into the Mess, finding it empty and the only sound was the echoing of her own voice. Where had they gone too? She went to use her communication link when she realized she had forgotten it back at the suite!
If Judi had anything to do with Colleen's disappearance then her friend could be in grave danger. And if her hunch was correct, Judi could had taken Colleen to Double C Ranch! She headed toward the Strikers when a voice in her head reminded her of her punishment.
"You are grounded until further notice," and "You leave this base again without my knowledge and I will personally place you in the brig myself" rang in her mind.
"Duke!" Sky Dancer found herself uttering. She had to get Duke!
With Apollo at her side, Sky Dancer headed for the meeting room in the main building, and spotted two Greenshirts outside of the closed doors. She went to enter when both soldiers stopped her with the guns crossed across the door.
"We can't let you inside," one of the Greenshirts said. "Duke's orders!"
"I need to get in there!" Sky Dancer tried once again to bypass the guards but they blocked her path.
Frustrated, she looked side to side for any other entrance to the room but could not locate any, but her keen eyes caught on something! Shipwreck's poster for Movie night! She took hold of the poster and ripped it off from the wall. Taking out her pen from her dog training belt bag, she wrote down a message to Duke.
Colleen Captured. Heading To Double C Ranch! Need Backup! Sky Dancer.
"Apollo!"
The doberman came instantly at her side. "Give this to Duke!" She ordered the dog, placing the paper under his collar. "Sitz! Blieb!"
Apollo barked and stationed himself near the Greenshirts which both looked a tad nervous if the doberman would shred them to pieces!
Sky Dancer turned and ran once again down the hall and out of the main building. She glanced to the left and right hoping to spot Scarlett or Lady Jaye. She called out once more but the wind was her only reply. She then headed toward the Strikers, but something stopped her in her tracks. A Joe jeep had been left beside the Motor Pool and luck was on her side, spotting the keys in the ignition!
Getting into the vehicle, she felt the engine roar and the tires screeched as she drove away from the Motor Pool and headed for the gate. Time was running out! She prayed the meeting won't last longer!
The Headquarters gate came up closer. She honked the horn without stopping, the Greenshirts already dispersing and the gates opened, missing her jeep by inches! She glanced to the radio and picked it up the receiver. Breaker! He would sound the alarm! Why didn't she thought of it before and inwardly kicked herself.
"Breaker! This is Sky Dancer! Acknowledge!" She talked into the radio but heard only static. "Breaker! Acknowledge!"
More static came from the other end and she prayed the radio was not damaged and the reason the jeep was at the Motor Pool in the first place!
"Sky… it's… Bre—ker!
"Breaker! I'm heading to Double C Ranch! Tell Duke! Colleen's in danger! Judi may kill Colleen! Acknowledge!"
More static sounded from the other end and then Breaker's voice half sounded through the radio.
"Sky. He—rd Judi killed Colleen." Then the radio went dead and Sky Dancer cursed at it in Greek!
As the Joe Jeep speeded down the highway, it was up to her to find and rescue her friend, even if she died trying!