Desperate Situations

by Holden, Abby

  Jake narrowed his eyes. "I care."

  Cowboy's eyes flicked around the area, but no one was around that he could see. He sighed. "Yeah, I know."

  "She said something?"

  "No, but I know her." He squatted down, looking under the fuselage.

  Jake hesitated, then squatted down too, acting as though he was helping him. "Is she in danger?"

  "Like today is different from the others?"

  "What?"

  "Look, leave it go. And leave her go, pardner. Trust me, you don't want this."

  ***

  The next day Jake noticed that Cowboy was gone in the afternoon. He flew out once more in the evening to return after dark.

  The last time Jake met him at the hanger door. Their eyes locked.

  Cowboy shook his head and moved around Jake into the hanger. "Corn!"

  "Yeah?" The mechanic hurried out from the other side of a helicopter.

  "Have Death prepped and ready to go at first light. Fully fueled. I'll be leaving 'fore the birds are awake." Cowboy turned to see Jake staring at him.

  CHAPTER 10

  At first light, Jake was sitting in the crew/cargo area of Death―his gun and pack near him, dressed in hot mission gear. His head snapped up as the door to the back of the chopper opened and Cowboy almost jumped ten feet in response. He smiled at the surprised pilot.

  Cowboy hesitated for just a second then dropped his duffel bag next to Jake. "What ya'all doin' here?"

  "Something's wrong."

  Cowboy hesitated again, then sighed. "Yeah."

  "Tell me."

  Cowboy glanced around then motioned for Jake to follow him. As he did the pre-flight, he spoke softly. "She missed two rendezvous. Two."

  "And?"

  "There was only two scheduled." Cowboy glanced at Jake then continued with pre-flight.

  "So this is unauthorized."

  "Ya bet your ass, pardner." He smiled at Jake then glanced at the main building. "And I need to get outta here soon, afore the big bosses see me."

  Jake glanced into the back of the Pave Hawk. "Ammo?"

  "Fully loaded."

  "Then let's get out of here."

  Cowboy stopped Jake with a hand. "It might be your job."

  Jake nodded.

  Cowboy smiled again. "Hop in. Ever take a joy ride in your youth, Cupcake?"

  "Nope."

  "Well, just think of this as taking Daddy's car out without permission. When we get back, our asses'll be licked with a hickory switch, but it's usually worth it." Cowboy patted Jake on the back. "Let's just hope we come home with the prize."

  ***

  The two men sat in silence all day. Jake sat with his legs over the side of the chopper, occasionally swinging them. His eyes continually panned the hillsides. It was boring and mind numbing.

  Cowboy returned from a bush nearby and sat next to him. He checked his watch. "She's not goin' to make it. We need to be leavin'. Damn it, are we in for an ass chewin'." He sighed deeply.

  Jake let out his breath in frustration too.

  "I just don't know what to do." Cowboy ran a hand through his hair. "The first pickup was compromised. This is the secondary, but I can't come back here 'gain. Even today was too risky."

  Jake glanced at him then returned his look back to the hills. "What's the contingency plan if she can't make the secondary rendezvous?"

  "There isn't. She's on her own."

  "Is this standard procedure?"

  "Yeah. The bosses'll write her and Gunner off tonight. Within a week, there'll be no indication that she even worked for them." He stood up. With a last look into the deepening shadows of the mountains, he intoned softly, "Goodbye, Meg. God be with you where ever you are."

  Jake stood up too. "Are you just writing her off too?"

  "What'da ya want me ta do?"

  "We have tomorrow off. We look for her."

  "Where?" Cowboy asked.

  "What was her assignment?"

  "I don't know."

  Jake could feel his blood coming up. "Cut the bullshit."

  "I don't know. I dropped her and Gunner two valleys over." He pointed to the west. "That's all I know. The pick up was in the same valley. When I returned the next day, all I saw was locals swarmin' the hillside. I didn't even put down. I couldn't. Next morning, I showed up here."

  "What was she to do?"

  "I don't know."

  "Guess."

  Cowboy made a face. "Look pardner, I have no idea what she does. And I don't wanta know. She's the best pilot I know, but I don't delve into her other life."

  "Her other life?"

  "Ya just don't get it, do ya?"

  "Get what?"

  "She's a plant. Yes, she works for White Pine but she does more. Now do ya get it?"

  "She's a CIA agent?"

  "Boy, your Momma raised a slow one here. Yeah, she's a 'Player.' "

  Jake nodded to himself. He should have figured, but he couldn't think about that now. She was in danger, if not already dead. His eyes panned the area and he thought about the missions he'd been on.

  Most of them had been in valleys close to the drop off or pick up. This allowed for only a day's walk to the destination. That meant that whatever she was doing was probably in the valley between the two rendezvous. At least, it was a place to start looking. Jake returned his gaze to Cowboy as his thoughts simmered for a few seconds. "Will you fly back here tomorrow?"

  Cowboy's eyes softened. "Ya'all got it bad." His eyes locked with Jake's then he gave a slight nod. "If I can get a chopper out again, yeah."

  "Good." Jake grabbed a small pack from the back of Death. It contained MREs and other essential gear. As he swung it on, he grabbed the camouflage, floppy hat. "Meet me here, tomorrow night right before dusk."

  "What are you...?"

  "If this is compromised, go back to the first valley. They won't be expecting that." Jake grabbed his M-16. "If I'm not there, then watch the road. Have the military send out patrols on a regular basis. I'll travel down there."

  "Jake…" Cowboy saw determination in his eyes. "Okay. I'll be here." He held out his hand.

  With a quick nod and handshake, Jake took off at a trot toward the ridge that separated them from the other valley. He would use all of his training to find Megan. Jake had almost reached the edge of the clearing when he heard the helicopter take off. He paused once to watch it, then put his feet back into gear. Resting was not something he could afford right now.

  Jake continued to trot then realized that the helicopter was still hovering in the meadow. He stopped and turned, wondering why Cowboy hadn't flown off. Shading his eyes so he could get a better look, he saw the pilot concentrating on a spot on the side of the meadow just a short distance from him. Jake turned his attention to the same area.

  At first he saw nothing. Then he spotted movement. Within seconds, he saw a flash of reflected light aimed at the helicopter. Death settled back to the ground. Jake took off running toward the area where the light flashed. As he approached, he saw a smaller person emerge from the thick wooded area carrying a body.

  "Damn," Jake cursed under his breath and pushed himself harder. He noticed Megan slowing down even as she got near the edge of the meadow. The load on her back dipped as she stumbled. With a glance back to the helicopter, he saw Cowboy standing near the cockpit, blades twirling.

  Jake's eyes panned the area of the woods to make sure it was secured even as he ran faster. He saw no one in the vicinity. His eyes jumped back to his destination as he saw Megan stumble and fall, both bodies going down in a heap. Within seconds, he was at her side. "Chief?"

  She struggled to her feet. "Cupcake?" Her voice was hoarse.

  "Yeah." He pulled her up and steadied her. "Can you make it?"

  She was bloody, dirty and exhausted. Her clothes were ripped and her lips cracked, but she nodded with a determined look in her eye.

  Jake grabbed Gunner and swung him into a fireman's carry over top of his pack. He adjusted the w
eight on his shoulders and glanced at Megan.

  She picked up the pack she had been carrying and motioned for Jake to go. Megan gave a quick glance toward the hillside that she had just come down.

  "Company?" Jake asked as he walked, watching to make sure she was following.

  "Don't know." It was barely whispered.

  Jake glanced ahead to see Cowboy opening the back cargo door of Death then scrambling to the cockpit. The blades twirled faster as they got near. With a glance behind him, he saw Megan lagging behind. "Come on, Chief. Just a little farther."

  A weary nod was the answer.

  Jake moved faster and gently laid Gunner in the back of Death then ran back to Megan's side. She seemed hardly able to stay on her feet. He grabbed the pack from her and threw it into the chopper. As she stumbled again, he grabbed her collar. With a fast move, he swept her feet out from under her and carried her to the chopper.

  After getting into the aircraft, he grabbed a helmet and plugged it in, telling Cowboy to go and swung the door shut. With a passing glance at Megan, lying on her back breathing hard, he began checking Gunner.

  It looked like most of the blood had come from him. Jake ripped open his camouflage shirt to reveal a makeshift bandage on his chest. A closer look at the 'bandage' showed it to be Megan's black T-shirt. It was crusty on the edges and he left it alone. It didn't look like he was bleeding anymore, but Gunner was unconscious.

  Jake adjusted Gunner's body so that he was lying flat with his feet elevated. He covered Gunner with an emergency blanket. As he turned his attention to Megan, a voice sounded in his ear.

  "What's the verdict, Cupcake?"

  Jake shook his head. "Gunner's in bad shape. Some sort of wound to the chest. Ghost bandaged it but it looks bad. I can't get a good look because it's crusted over. It's best to leave it as is. I'm checking on Ghost now." He leaned over Megan, shutting off the intercom. "Chief?"

  Megan opened her eyes.

  "Are you okay? Any wounds?"

  She shook her head.

  Jake reached into the cooler and grabbed a water bottle. He sat next to her and lifted her head, holding the bottle to her lips. "Take a drink, Chief. Come on."

  The water splashed onto her lips and she became more alert. She eagerly took more into her mouth.

  "Easy. Go slow, Megan." Jake spoke with a smile. "You're dehydrated. Take it slow." He keyed the intercom. "Cowboy, Ghost seems to be okay. Exhausted and dehydrated, but no wounds."

  "Thank God. I'ma taken us directly to the military base for Gunner," Cowboy said then clicked off.

  Jake smiled at Megan who was looking at him. "You need a better contingency plan. Always be prepared. We'll talk about this later when I can be the bitch I need to be." He winked.

  "Okay, Mr. Boy Scout." Megan tried a smile then took another drink of water.

  "How bad are Gunner's injuries?"

  "Bad," Megan said after a swallow. "Gunshot to the side of the chest. One to the upper right shoulder." She glanced over at Gunner. "Tell Cowboy to light a fire. Death can go faster than this."

  Jake smiled as he hit the intercom button. "Ghost says to light a fire, Cowboy."

  "Tell that purty, little Darlin' back there to stop back seat driving," Cowboy said even as he increased speed.

  Jake relayed the message and saw Megan's exhausted face form a half grin. She gave a sigh and closed her eyes. He gently pulled her onto him, so her head was cradled in his lap, as he continued to give her drinks of water. "Easy Chief. You're safe. Just relax."

  Megan opened her eyes to look at him. "Thanks for the pick up, Cupcake."

  Jake winked again. "It's my job. Never leave a man behind."

  ***

  Before they received word about the two injured from the doctors at the military hospital, there were two people waiting with them. One was Massod. He took Cowboy aside and yelled at him. Jake had never seen the Afghan so mad. The other one was the mysterious man from the rooftop. He didn't speak.

  Finally, the doctor walked into the waiting room. "Mr. Iniguez is in critical condition. He's still in surgery. We'll know more about his condition when the surgeons get done. However, he lost a great deal of blood. Both gunshot wounds did massive damage. Ms. Cartwright is stable. She'll be able to see visitors in a few minutes." He turned and left.

  The mysterious man looked at Masood then turned to Cowboy and Jake. "Masood, I need to speak with you. Cowboy, head back to base. McGrew stay." He followed the doctor.

  Jake glanced at Cowboy who stood staring at the mysterious guy's back.

  Cowboy shook his head, catching Jake's eyes. With a look to be careful, Cowboy quickly left the room.

  Following his exit, Jake narrowed his eyes. What is going on? He brought his gaze back to Masood, but the head of the base was staring out the window. Jake sat back and crossed his arms.

  A few minutes later, the doctor stepped out and motioned to them.

  Jake stood and followed Masood into Megan's emergency room. Standing off to the side was the mysterious man. Jake looked him in the eyes, but he was unreadable. Next his eyes panned to Megan. She met his glance then looked down at the floor.

  He was puzzled, but decided to follow her orders for once and keep his mouth shut. This time her advice seemed fitting. He stood on the side of the room opposite the mysterious man and stuck his hands in his pockets.

  After everyone was in the room, the doctor spoke, "We aren't keeping Ms. Cartwright. I wanted her to spend the night for observation, but she's refusing. However, I don't want her doing anything strenuous for the next few days. The dehydration and exposure will cause general weakness for a couple days. She's to take it easy. The flight surgeon will have to approve her status again."

  Megan kept her eyes glued to the floor.

  Jake glanced at her then at the doctor. The doctor had basically been addressing the mysterious man.

  Megan looked up. "What about Gunner?"

  The doctor shook his head. "Touch and go. He lost a lot of blood and is still in surgery. At this point, it's a wait and see game. If that's all…" When no one had other questions, he left the room.

  Masood looked at Megan then spoke to the other guy. "There is a car waiting."

  Megan scooted off the bed and smoothed the hospital scrubs top that the doctor had given her. She motioned for Jake to hand her the body armor sitting on a table near him.

  "I got it."

  She nodded at him then glared at the mysterious guy. "Let's go."

  They stepped outside to find a van waiting. Masood climbed in first. The mysterious man motioned Megan to get in, then motioned for Jake.

  With a slight hesitation, Jake climbed in to find Masood facing the front in one seat and Megan facing back. Jake sat down next to Megan facing Masood. The mysterious man climbed in, shut the door and sat next to Masood. The van drove off.

  The ride was in silence as tension mounted. The mysterious man was staring at Megan, although his eyes were obscured by mirrored sunglasses that he put on as he exited the hospital. Largely they ignored him―as useless as yesterday's trash.

  They were almost to the base when Megan finally broke the silence. "What?" She addressed the sun-glassed, mysterious man. He said nothing.

  Jake got the impression that he looked at him, but the man's head hadn't moved.

  "Were you successful?" the guy asked Megan.

  "Don't you know?"

  "Indications would suggest that you didn't accomplish your objective."

  "Yeah well, shit happens."

  "So, you failed."

  "Yeah." Megan's anger increased. "Am I not allowed a failure every now and then?"

  The man frowned.

  "Look, you got a leak in the organization," Megan said. She crossed her arms. "The pickup was compromised. The target was alert and waiting. Someone knew we were going to be in those mountains. I'd like to know who."

  "I'll look into it."

  Megan huffed.

  "I think you should be pul
led."

  "Why?" Megan spit out.

  "Stress."

  "Stress? When isn't it stressful?"

  "You're under a lot of stress with recent events."

  "You mean my Dad offing himself?"

  "That would be one."

  "So, he shot himself. It was his solution to a terminal problem. Gotta give him credit for taking control of the situation." Megan uncrossed her arms and folded them in her lap. They were still except for a finger tap.

  Jake panned his eyes from her lap to the others in the car. He decided it was best to continue his silence.

  "Are you saying you don't care?" the mysterious man asked.

  "No. He was still my Dad, but I haven't seen the bastard in a couple of years. Not to mention shipping me off when I was young. It wasn't like we were confidantes or anything."

  Jake was impressed with her bravado, although he knew the real depth of her love.

  The mysterious man made it a point to let all know that he was looking at Jake.

  Megan looked Jake in the eyes, then turned back to the mysterious man. "What about him?"

  "Stress."

  Megan faked a laugh. "With Jake? Please!"

  Jake narrowed his eyes. It was obvious that he had been brought into the van for a reason and now he knew he would find out why.

  "We have been watching you closely for sometime," the mysterious man said to Megan.

  "So?"

  "You appear to be losing perspective."

  "Because I enjoy Jake's company? You've never cared about my friendship with Kelly."

  "There's a difference."

  "Really? So, I'm only allowed one male friend."

  "You've been slow."

  "I told you the last time, it'll be a mistake, but you didn't want to listen to me then." Megan leaned forward. "As I said, not everyone is suited for this. You know that."

  "Yes, I know. But I think he should be the one to determine that." The mysterious man once more turned toward Jake.

  Jake looked between the two. His eyes narrowed as he considered the conversation. Suddenly it struck him. I'm being recruited. And I bet Megan was supposed to have done it. His eyes rested on her, but she couldn't or wouldn't meet his gaze. He returned his gaze to the mysterious man.