Marc walked over to Dave and put a hand on his shoulder. “It was a decision we both made. We thought our experience was unique. But after talking with Lisbeth, we found out we were wrong, but no one else came forward with any strange incidents after you came back from the mission. Until Lisbeth came to see Dave a few days ago. I see now, it was a serious miscalculation on our part. I need to know if either of you has had unexplained things happening to you since you returned from the flight over the time distortion.”
Paul and Rita shifted uncomfortably, but neither said a word. Lisbeth knew them well enough to know they were hiding something. “Guys. Stop acting like everything is okay.” Neither said a word. “Rita, you’re hiding something. You always bite your thumbnail when you want to say something, but you’re trying not to. And Paul, you look down and won’t look anyone in the eye when something is up. I’ve bunked next to you two for over three years now. I know you as well as you know me.”
“Well, you must have been keeping a big fucking secret if you got married to Stieg Warner. None of us even had a clue you knew him.” Paul leaned back in his chair and raised his eyes to meet hers. “Fess up. You tell us what happened to you and maybe I will tell you what’s been happening to me.”
“That’s fair, Lisbeth.” Jonas grabbed her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “You didn’t tell anyone either. It has to be hard on them. I watched Stieg, and it was heartbreaking.”
Dave sighed and moved empty chairs away from the table. “I think I should start this off. Sadie,” he held out his hand to the gorgeous dark-haired woman, and she came to sit beside him. Marc sat on her other side. They each took one of her hands in theirs, and they began to explain about the two timelines, the dreams and the fact they were now a family. Then Lisbeth and Stieg told their story. No one noticed that Chase had walked in and was standing by the door.
*****
“Wait.” Chase’s voice was quiet but got everyone’s attention. They all turned to look at him. “So, the time distortion was a rip between two different timelines, and if our counterparts were in the other chopper, their memories swapped with ours. On this side.” Chase’s legs were so weak he wasn’t sure if he could walk to the nearest seat. He felt his body sliding down the wall when Marc and Dave quickly stood and moved toward him. He looked up just as the men squatted down, one on either side of him.
Dave got to him first and reached a hand to his neck to feel for a pulse. “Chase? Where have you been? We’ve got Security Forces out looking for you. You’ve been MIA for nearly thirty hours.”
Chase looked up, fear nearly overwhelmed him. “What? I thought I just left a few hours ago. I, I was standing in the break room watching the news about Lisbeth,” his voice trailed off as his eyes searched the room. He finally spotted her standing next to her new husband, clasping his hand with a pale face and clearly upset. Behind her a large dark-haired male stood with his arms across his chest, studying him very closely. Chase batted the other men’s hands away from him.
“Stop. Just stop touching me. How could you keep something like this to yourselves? You were such a narcissist that you thought only you would suffer from,” he stopped talking and moved his hand to indicate everyone in the room. “Did you think you were the only one smart enough to be on that chopper in both timelines?” Chase pushed himself up from the floor and used the wall behind him to prop himself up.
“No, Chase. When we got back, I had a seizure in front of Tel, and since I was the only one to have a seizure, I just assumed I was the only one who was affected. We had no way of knowing at the time what the distortion was or that there were two timelines.” Dave was shaken. “But, you’re right. I was wrong to assume anything. I didn’t go to Barker because with Sadie being married in this timeline to another man, it goes against the military adultery law.” He shook his head. “I found Sadie within a few days. Lisbeth came to me on our first morning back to work. I thought if you or Paul or Rita had issues, you’d have come to me too.”
“Well, I guess you were wrong. See, I don’t have a sweet love story. Hell, the other me couldn’t have been on that chopper. I don’t know how that psycho ‘other me’ connected to me, but he keeps crossing over the timeline, and each time his connection gets stronger.” He looked up and saw his other self from across the timeline staring at him. Chase saw a smirk on Frank’s face as he strode toward him quickly. He knew he was going to take over his body again and fear slammed hard. “No!” He jerked and moved away from the advancing apparition of himself. He was too caught up in trying to escape his psychotic doppelgänger, which only he could see.
“Chase.” Dave was trying to grab his arm, but Chase evaded his hands. He began to move around the room trying to outrun the man who would enter his body and take over. “Chase, just calm down. What’s going on? Talk to me.”
“Something you don’t understand. Your other self is just like you. Mine is a psychopath. Frank’s taken over my body once already.”
He watched Frank grin, “Do you really think these people will believe you? You just signed your own crazy papers. And I’m still going to have my last go round.” Chase didn’t know what he meant. He only knew he had to evade Frank.
“Chase. What do you mean? Is he here? Now?” It was Jonas who asked. Something in his face let Chase knew he believed him. Maybe it was the fear he projected, but the big German bodyguard seemed to understand.
“Yes. He took over my body. That’s why I don’t remember anything until a few hours ago. I don’t know how he did it. Unless he jumped into my body.”
“Good guess, Chase. I knew you were smart, even though you’re boring as fuck.” Frank sounded amused. “When I get inside you this time. I’m going to act just like you. They’ll never know. I’ve been in this cell too long. I need some fun. They’re going to execute me soon, and I want to go out on a bang.”
Frank laughed a terrible, horrible laugh. Chase knew if Frank got into his body, he’d never be able to live with what he did while he had control of his body. Everyone moved around the room, trying to stay out of his way. Stieg and Lisbeth moved toward the door, while Jonas had ended up further away from the couple. He jumped behind Lisbeth and jerked her from Stieg’s grasp and pulled her from the room. She didn’t scream as he thought she might. Everyone must have been so shocked no one moved but the big German motherfucker named Jonas. But Chase was faster, and he knew his way around the base.
Grabbing Lisbeth’s upper arm, he made it to the elevator in seconds. The door shut just as Jonas got there. Chase heard the man yelling in German before the lift moved quickly to the roof. Lisbeth was talking, trying to plead with him, but he focused on keeping his body and mind alert. He didn’t know how Frank had gotten control of him before without him knowing. Maybe he hadn’t been paying attention and Frank could sneak up on him, but that wasn’t going to happen this time.
The door opened, and Chase pulled Lisbeth behind him to his quarters, sparse as they were, he had his sidearm there. Lisbeth was fighting his advance to his quarters now, trying to pull herself from his grasp, he tightened his grip, still trying to pull her but not hurt her. “Stop fighting me, Lisbeth. I need your help.” He jerked her into the room and slammed the door. He did not doubt that the big German, and maybe even Dave would be knocking down his door soon. He was counting on it. She stopped fighting him.
“What’s going on, Chase? Why didn’t you just ask me to help you? I –”
Chase cut her off. “I don’t have time. Frank could get to me at any time. He’s a psychopath, a murderer and he can use my body. I need you to shoot me.” He handed her his gun. “You have to hurry. I’d rather die than let him hurt you or anyone else I care about.”
“What? No! There has to be another way.” Lisbeth looked horrified, just as Frank walked through the wall and into the small quarters.
“That’s a sneaky thing to do, Chase.” Frank looked pissed. His face was drawn, and he looked haggard. The energy he expended to stay in this timelin
e, must be taking a toll on him. “I don’t have much time left, and I don’t want to waste it.” Frank moved closer.
Chase backed away and into the corner. “Frank. I’m not letting you take my body. Shoot me, Lisbeth. Hurry! Do it, or he’ll kill you as soon as he gains control. Do it!” He was screaming and he knew he looked like a crazy person. Yelling at people no one could see, begging for a friend to kill him. “Do it, Lisbeth. If I ever meant anything to you in the past, you have to kill me. I’d rather die than have the things that monster plans to do on my conscious.”
“Aw, Chase. I’m hurt.” Frank’s voice was full of amusement. “I got us laid. You even got to shoot your jizz on that hooker’s ass. Felt good, didn’t it? We can work together, have some fun.”
Lisbeth was looking around the room. “I can hear him. I can’t understand him, but I can hear him. Like a buzzing in my ear.”
Chase was horrified when Frank moved next to Lisbeth. He ran his hand down her body while making crude humping moves against her. “She’s a pretty one, Chase. Ever fuck her?” Frank looked over to Chase. “You did fuck her! I remember dreaming about it. She was a good lay. All prim and proper then a wildcat in bed although it would’ve been better if she fought you. God, I love it when they put up a fight.”
Lisbeth shook her head and brushed the air where Frank was standing. “He’s here, right here isn’t he, Chase? I feel – I feel him.”
Frank threw back his head and laughed. “I like her. When I take over your body, I’m going to rape and strangle her.”
Chase bellowed in rage. Before he could stop himself, he moved forward and grabbed at the gun planning to end it himself quickly, before Frank could jump inside his body. Just as he started to pull the sidearm from Lisbeth’s hand the door busted open pushing Lisbeth into his arms, Frank jumped in his body, and before he gave up control, he yelled for Lisbeth to run. Only then did Chase feel everything go black.
*****
Lisbeth woke up lying on the floor. Her head was pounding, and she tasted blood in her mouth. She opened her eyes to look around the empty room. The sound of fighting had her rolling over to all fours and trying to make it to the helipad. Dizziness hit her hard when she made it to her knees, but she forced herself to stand and stumble to the door. What she saw nearly stopped her heart.
Chase and Jonas were pummeling each other. It looked like one of those fighting competitions she was forced to watch when Paul had control of the TV in the breakroom. Chase and Jonas took swing after swing, at each other. The sound of their fists connecting with flesh, their blood poured from various cuts, bruises and swelling already showing on both of their faces. Jonas moved in a circle, bringing his leg high, connecting with Frank’s head. Frank stumbled but didn’t go down.
Frank grinned as he straightened and ran toward Jonas, fists raised, ready to strike. They didn’t waste their time talking as they beat the hell out of each other. Lisbeth knew Jonas was trying to save her, but so was Chase. Frank must have taken control of his body. She’d felt him somehow, touching her body, it left a trail of invisible slime on her that she couldn’t shake. He was sick and disgusting. She watched as Frank threw a punch, grazing Jonas’s chin.
Lisbeth wanted to scream or cry or both. She looked around the helipad, wondering what happened to Chase’s pistol. She saw it and started to dart toward it and grab it. She thought once she had it, she could toss it over the side of the building to keep it out of Frank’s hands. She had no doubt he’d use it if he got the chance.
But her body refused to move.
She heard a bone snap as Frank roundhouse kicked and connected with Jonas’s left forearm that he’d used to block the kick from landing on his head. Jonas dropped to a knee to dodge another kick. She must have gotten Frank’s attention. She had to get that gun. Forcing her body to move, she took off at a run toward the black pistol. He looked where she was headed and took off to stop her from grabbing the gun, but she was faster. She grabbed the heavy metal grip just as Frank made it to her. His grin was pure evil.
“You better shoot me, babe.” Time seemed to stop as she looked up to a man she thought she knew. He was panting, and his eyes had a crazy look she’d never seen in Chase’s eyes. Chase had always been quiet, respectful, intelligent and kind. Nothing about the man in front of her showed those qualities. He reached to take the gun just as she backed up and fell. He stomped hard on her arm with one foot and kicked her hard in the ribs with the other. It hurt too much to scream, but she held on to the gun. Frank bent over to grab the gun, but Jonas was on him before he got near it. She could hear the fight continue but was doubled over in pain.
The door opened from the stairway that led to the floors below. She heard multiple feet running in their direction but couldn’t catch her breath enough to roll over and look. Gentle hands rolled her over and helped her to sit up. “Lisbeth.” Stieg’s voice was full of concern as he helped her sit up. He took the gun from her and slid it in his waistband before gently picking her up and placing her on his lap. He leaned against the wall, cradling her in his arms.
“Don’t let them kill Chase. It’s not him, it’s Frank.” She knew she didn’t make sense, but she hurt too much to talk. Behind her, she could hear Frank cussing and screaming as he was restrained.
“They won’t kill him, Lisbeth. Dave and Jonas have him in cuffs. Marc, Rita, and Paul are doing some research with the Beings. I think they are taking him to the closest facility. It’s going to be okay, baby.” He held her gently and rocked her.
“I’m going to find you, Lisbeth and when I do, sweet, little Lisbeth I’m going fuck you. Just like Chase did, only this time you’ll like it.” He began to laugh as Dave, and a few men in uniform dragged Frank from the rooftop to the stairwell. His maniacal laughter echoed off the walls before the door shut, blocking the sound. Lisbeth began to sob against Stieg’s chest. Her heart was breaking for the sweet man she had known, and she wondered how the man in the other timeline could be the total opposite of her friend.
Lisbeth moaned in pain when she was lifted from Stieg’s arms by medics. “I’m sorry ma’am.” The young man’s voice sounded sympathetic. “I know you’re in pain. Just lie back on the gurney, and we’ll get you to a waiting ambulance.” She tried to nod but hissed in pain instead. The only memory she had after Jonas busted down Chase’s bunkroom door was being knocked into Chase’s arms. After that, it all went fuzzy until she went to grab the gun.
Marc’s voice floated to her from behind her. “We’re taking the injured to the Being facility. Get her to the ambulance and someone will drive them to the proper location.” Lisbeth was in too much pain to be excited at the thought of going to an alien facility. She allowed the pain to lure her back into darkness.
*****
Once Lisbeth was in a room, she had to beg Stieg to find Jonas and check on him. He didn’t want to leave her, but she needed to make sure Jonas was okay. She even said she’d get up and go herself if he didn’t track him down. After arguing, to no avail, it was her tears that did him in. When she heard a noise at the door to her room, she saw Stieg pushing a wheelchair with a shirtless Jonas enjoying the ride. It was hard not to miss his smirk on Jonas’s handsome face. His washboard abs were partially hidden by the sling on his left arm.
“Hey, baby girl. You look a little worse for the wear.” Jonas stood up and walked to the bed and plopped down on the edge of the mattress. He made a small sound at the back of his throat as he reached his right arm up and lightly brushed her cheek with his thumb. “My poor girl.” He leaned over to kiss her forehead and kept his face close to hers. Stieg snorted behind him, but Jonas pulled back and gave her an exaggerated wink.
“Stop flirting with my wife, Jonas. God, you’re such a drama queen.”
She smiled at Jonas before reaching for his right hand, holding it between both of hers.
“Only you would have me parade you around the facility in a wheelchair with your shirt off trying to get attention. You don’t even nee
d that sling.”
Lisbeth heard the amusement in Stieg’s voice.
“The Beings were insistent that they examine Chase. Since Jonas fought with him to save a life, they wanted to treat his injuries. He’s fine. Not a scratch remains on him.”
“Awesome feats of heroism by a real badass doesn’t get me an Academy Award. And thanks to me, the Beings will be here to help heal Lisbeth too. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get to you before that asshole hit you in the face with his gun.” As if on cue, a tall white-skinned Being walked into the room. His hair was inky black, and his overlarge eyes were the lightest shade of green Lisbeth had seen. Jonas nearly purred when he walked into the room. The alien smiled as he approached the bed. His steps faltered briefly when he saw Jonas.
“Hello, Lisbeth, my name is Aaron. I would like to examine you and help heal those wounds.” Jonas moved from the bed and sat in the wheelchair. Lisbeth nodded, groaning at the pain it caused. Her body hurt everywhere, but her face and ribs were the most painful. It hurt to talk or have any facial expressions at all. She was fascinated when he opened a case and pulled out a silver half-moon-shaped object. She gasped after he pulled on it in several different places, a silver half sphere was placed over her head.
“Just relax, rest and breathe normally. This is a scanner and will let me know all your injuries and heal some of the smaller ones.” Lisbeth felt a slight tingle in her temples that traveled down her spine and then moved throughout her body. She closed her eyes and let the feeling wash over her and surprisingly, it relieved all her pain. Eventually, the tingling stopped, and Aaron removed the sphere from her head and gave her another smile.
“According to the reports, you were hit in the face with a metal object, the butt of an Earth sidearm. You were then thrown into a wall where you contacted with impact, face first. You were then assaulted with a boot stomping on your left arm and kicked in the ribs with steel-toed boots.” Aaron stopped and took a breath. Lisbeth could see true anger in his features.
My Forever Love (Crossing the Line Book 2) Page 11
