Chapters 31-34 of Tessa and The Stranger in the Plane

Posted by Goodsport from adsl-216-102-199-185.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net on September 07, 1999 at 23:01:53:

: Chapter 31 [If There is Any DoubtÖ] (written by the Fiddler)

: Fiddler walked across the street and into a shop of sorts. Speaking in fluid Polish he asked:
: "Do you have a phone?"
: "That depends on what you need to use it for." The shopkeeper answered, smirking.
: "I said: Do YOU have a PHONE?" Fiddler practically whispered in an icy-soft tone.
: "Yu... Yess sir..." the shopkeeper stuttered as he lifted a phone from behind the counter, placing it right in front of the Fiddler.
: Spinning up a number in the old rotary-style phone, he gave the shopkeeper a look that said: 'get lost.' Upon noticing the look the keeper did just that, and went into a back room.
: Switching to English, the Fiddler spoke into the phone as he heard the line go live.
: "Deirdre, this is the Fiddler I need some things."
: "What kind of things?"
: "Equipment mostly, though I am going to need some hardware along with it, you got any connections with arms dealers over here?"
: "Okay, yeah, Let's see... Where are you."
: "I don't know, some little shop in Warsaw."
: "All right, listen up. I have somebody you can get a hold of...."
: She went on to explain how to get there and told him that this guy could provide about anything he needed.
: "There is one other thing I need Deirdre."
: "What's that?"
: "You, I need YOU over HEREÖ in case Nobody figures out that this is more than just another intelligence game with Micah's people."

: - - -

: "How long will recovery be, doc?" Indiana Jerico asked with a worried look on his face.
: "Iee doen know," the doctor replied in heavily accented English, "too, meybee tree weeks. An' den ony... uhhh... how you say... no much?"
: "Limited." Jerico offered.
: "Yah, limted uuse."
: Sighing Indy Jerico stepped out of the hospital room as he lifted Meg's cell phone.
: "Short RoundÖ Jerico here. We are at the hospitalÖ Meg's hurt. I'll come get you. Be there in a few.... Shorty...? Is anybody there?"

: - - -

: Holding their breaths, Aragorn, Indy, Goodsport, and Short Round waited in silence. Each of them was thinking as loud as they could:
: "Please don't notice the trap door! Please." Then realizing how worthless such a thought could be they re-thought it and started thinking: "D@mn that phone, why had it rung at such an inopportune time?" Whoever had called them couldn't have had any idea what terrible timing they had.
: Holding the phone tightly to his ear, Short Round could hear Jerico on the other end, but couldn't reply for fear of being heard by the goons who were walking just above their heads.
: Moving down the tunnel in the near-complete darkness, Indy waved to the other three to follow him. Finding a sharp corner in the tunnel not far from the trap door-entrance they had been standing under, an idea hit Indy. Turning around he walked back to Shorty, took the phone from him and punched in a number that made the phone ring as though somebody was calling to it.
: As soon as it rang, he tossed in directly under the trap door and pushed his three companions around the corner in the tunnel.

: - - -

: Stepping into another shop, much like the one he had made a phone call from, the Fiddler looked around, taking the place in, then stepped up to the counter and slapped it several times very quickly.
: "I'm coming, I'm coming!" came a voice, speaking Polish, from some other room of the shop.
: "Hurry up, I don't have a lot of time!" called the Fiddler, showing no emotion at all other than those manifest in his choice of words.
: Walking up to Fiddler a little old Polish man asked:
: "What can I help you with?"
: "I need equipment and arms and you are going to give it to me."
: "Who says so?"
: "Deirdre does." Retorted the Fiddler, noting the fear that momentarily washed over the old man's face at the mention of the name Deirdre.
: "All right what do you need?" The old man inquired, still speaking Polish.
: "I need two Glocks, a 19 and a 26, a shoulder holster for the 19 and an ankle holster for the 26." Pausing to see if the old man had any objections, the Fiddler studied the old man's face before continuing, "Four mag holders and four 10 round mags for the 19, plus one 17 round mag with one of those 2 round extensions. Oh, and ALL the magazines need to be drop-free. A flack-jacket, level 3. A MP-10 with...."
: The Fiddler went on to tell the old man everything he needed. When he finished the old man turned around without a word and walked into the back room. He was gone for almost ten minutes, then he returned carrying a large cardboard box that now contained all the equipment the Fiddler required.
: "Load the mags!" the Fiddler commanded, then without any reservation, took off his jacket, his shirt and undid his jeans, pulling them down to his knees. Slipping the flack-jacket over his undershirt and boxer-briefs, he pulled his pants back up and put back on his short-sleeved collared shirt. He then grabbed the shoulder holster from the box and proceeded to put it on. Replacing his jacket, he slipped one of the 10 round magus into the 19, worked the action, pressed the ma-release lever, caught the mag, replaced the shell that had been chambered, and then shoved the mag back into the pistol.
: "You wouldn't happen to have some cars out back would you?" The Fiddler inquired as he completed arming himself by loading the Lock 26 and strapping it into the ankle holster he had placed on his ankle, under his pant-leg.
: "Yes... But..."
: "An Audi, what kinds of engines you got in your Audis?"
: The old man described the engine of the only Audi he had.
: "That ought to do where are the keys...? Oh and one more thing I need a CD."
: "In case my car is bugged, then they can't hear whether your engine is running or not, right?" The old man asked as he smiled, then continued, "That car is not bugged, trust me."
: "Just get me a CD!"
: "Okay, you got any preferences?"

: - - -

: Half asleep, Tessa felt the ring being slipped from here finger, but in her partial-subconscious state the thought had no meaning.
: Kneeling beside Tessa, The Man with The Hat slipped the ring into his pocket. He then rolled Tessa onto here stomach and pulled her arms behind her onto her back. Next he grabbed the cord from his teeth reached down to tie her hands together. Suddenly, as he started to wrap the cord around her wrists, her left hand broke free of his hold, shot up, and grabbed him by the neck.
: He felt himself being jerked over her body and landed face-up on the other side. Instantly, she was on top of him, with both her hands around his neck.
: He swung a blow at her, but her arms got in the way making it glance off her harmlessly. He felt her grip tighten, and the world grew dark, then light, then dark again. He knew he was about to faint, but for all his struggling, nothing seemed to help.
: "If I let go, will you tell me why you impersonated Goodsport?" Tessa yelled, "JUST SHAKE YOUR HEAD!"
: In the panic that came with the cutting off of air, The Man with the Hat shook his head 'yes.'
: Slowly Tessa released The Man, and he began to breathe again.
: "All right, now tell me," Tessa inquired, pulling her pistol from her pocket and pointing it at him.
: "I impersonated him because we didn't know how much you knew. See, we thought the 'bad guys' had contacted you first, so I impersonated one of the 'bad guys' whom I thought you would think was one of the good guys..."
: Interrupting Tessa demanded, "then why were you just trying to tie me up?"
: "It was for your own good. I had to take you to hiding place so you couldn't be captured and used against us."

: - - -

: Sliding the 'Blaze Of Glory: Young Guns II' CD into the CD player of the Audi as he drove out of Warsaw, the Fiddler skipped to Track #6 and turned the volume way up.
: He then turned the brief case on the passenger seat toward him and opened it. As expected, there was a laptop inside with a cell phone hook-up and cell phone attached to the modem.
: Picking up the phone, he punched in Deirdre's number again.
: "You have more people over here, don't you?"
: "Yes Fiddler, I do."
: "So where are they?" Fiddler queried.
: "Well, Jerico is on his way to some hideout where my men have Aragorn and Goodsport pinned down in. You can go put a bullet through his head for me on your way to the cave."
: "A'right, how do I head him off?"
: Explaining where Jerico was headed she then added, "he's driving a red BMW."
: The music had been blaring in the background the whole time. Hanging up the phone next to the laptop, he took the next right and started following the instructions Deirdre had given him.

: -----

: Chapter 32 [Strategic Withdrawal] (written by Short Round)

: BOOM!
: The goon-like troops made their way through the trap door with guns raised, ready for action!
: "Shorty," Goodsport whispered to the frightened 13 year old, "whatever happens to us, stay right here and hide!"
: Short Round didn't like the sound of that. If Goodsport had died, it would have been like taking away half of him. Goodsport was like a big brother to Shorty, and he like a sidekick to his elder companion. But a feeling told him it wasn't the end.
: The lead goon of the mysterious raiders signaled his men to pause while he observed the corridor for anybody. When he saw that there was no one, he gestured his men to follow him as they ran down he corridor, making a big racket.
: Some of the troops stood guard stood outside the entrance of the hideout, while several of the others combed the place for any clues of their targets' whereabouts of what had become of them.
: "Hey look!" a troop yelled at his companions while storming the hideout., "Lookie what we got here! The little guy would've got in deep s****t if we hadn't arrived when we did!" The troop gestured to James and Brett Lambert sitting in the cell, all bound and scared for their lives.

: - - -

: "Come on ShortyÖ answer!" Indiana Jerico nervously said in the corridor of the hospital. Jerico tried calling again which left him with no answer. Jerico finally gave up and slipped the cell phone back into his left jacket pocket.
: "Perfect!" Indiana Jerico said. Indiana Jerico paced the corridor nervously.

: - - -

: The moment was getting tenser by the second. Indy, Shorty, Goodsport, and Aragorn could hear the goons coming closer and closer!
: The head goon put his hand up for his men to stop, as they came to a dead end of the secret cellar corridor. The lead man observed the room carefully. They were sure this was the only place they could have gone. They had crates and boxes stacked up all over the place, a work bench in the far right corner with a few tool's and an unfinished project that had collected dust from some time. A small alcove covered half of the room on left wall within it, and it was stacked with smaller crates and other equipment. The only sources of light were a small light hanging from the ceiling and the goons' flashlights.
: "Comb the place," the lead man said, "they have to be here. And when you find them, shoot to kill!"
: Indy could hear one of the men coming near the crates they were hiding behind, close to the work bench. Indy knew it best that they run into this room for a better ambush since it had more cover to hide behind. Indy suddenly came up with another crafty idea. Indy had noticed one of the ammo crates had hole in it from pesty rats. Indy wasn't too fond of rats, but he'd make an exception for being with them at the time if it were his life on the line like right now. He took one of grenades from the ammo crates and pulled the pin. He was holding the release lever so it wouldn't go off just yet. He quickly grabbed a jar from the workbench and put the grenade in it, so the walls will hold the release lever down. Indy noticed a troop was coming nearer to the crates they were behind. Aragorn got ready. As the trooper was visible, Aragorn made his move! He grabbed him and pulled him behind the crates. Covering his mouth, he squeezed a pressure point on the trooper's neck, which knocked him out cold. Goodsport gave a lopsided grin at Aragorn, while Shorty, wide-eyed from the tense moment, was staring in disbelief as they came as close as it gets to being found and possibly turned into a pinyatta for bullets. Indy fixed the jar containing the grenade carefully and quietly on top of a crate while him and the rest of the gang snuck from their hiding place. Shorty went and carefully took the knocked out cold troop's rifle. Indy and the rest were about to turn head towards the alcove when suddenly they were face to face with one of the goon's!
: "What's that!" Short Round yelled, pointing behind the soldier's shoulder. The soldier turned briefly and flew into the crates as the butt of Goodsport's gun came down up on his left temple.
: "Their over their shoot em!" a troop yelled.
: "Get down"! Indy said while the first shot's were fired from the troops. Short Round ducked behind a crate as the shot's repeatedly were fired throughout the room! Short Round finally had enough courage to pear over a crate, when suddenly two bullets bit into the wood of the crates, inches near his head. He heard a groan as Goodsport took a shot to the to his shoulder.
: "AAARRRRGGGGGGGGGHHH!!!" Goodsport yelled in pain.
: "GOODSPORT!! NOOO!!" Short Round yelled, not paying any attention to the ongoing battle.
: "Buddy," Goodsport said with a slight wince "Stay down, try not to--" Goodsport's sentence was interrupted with a loud pain filled groan!
: Indy shot off two guards while a few of the others hid behind crates to take cover. In anger Short Round stood up from behind his crate, his rifle in hand and furiously tried to shoot off a few bullets giving a warrior's cry! He shot at a crate, which fell and crushed the main leader as he furiously shot off a few rounds at the ceiling, causing debris to fly everywhere.
: "You sunuva b-" Short Round was interrupted as a bullet knocked him off his feet.
: Indy knew they were losing, having almost lost Shorty and Goodsport, he knew he still had himself and Aragorn, then he remembered what he set up: the grenade! He suddenly aimed his gun at the crates and failed at shooting a few rounds then he noticed he had to reload! Luckily, Aragorn picked off a few troops leaving Indy time. Suddenly he heard the noise of more footsteps as more troops barged in, apparently the ones who were outside guarding the hideout. Indy had a new magazine, and he started firing at the crates again, when suddenly the explosion sounded, killing off almost all the guards and troops! Suddenly they started shooting off and successfully picking off one guard after another. Then the unthinkable happened: they ran out of ammo! The guards came rushing at them, their guns raised at them at point-blank range. Indy and Aragorn closed their eyes as they heard gunshots! The last thing they were ever going to hear, they thought. Nothing happened.
: Silence. Then the sound of footsteps. They both opened up their eyes to see all the guards sprawled all over the floor with bullets embedded into their bodies. Then they saw two men in Wested jackets; while one of them was Indiana Jerico, the other looked like a geek from the sixties or seventies.
: "Lucky to be alive," Jerico commented with a slight chuckle.
: "Who's this guy?" Aragorn asked.
: Troops, much different from those of the goons came barging in. They were obviously on their side.
: "The name's PowersÖ Austin Powers, baby!" the guy answered, shaking hands with Indy and Aragorn.
: "Hey! Aren't you from the indyfan.com forum?" Indy asked in surprise.
: "As a matter of fact I am! I recently got an ICQ from your friend Indiana Jerico here, and I came as fast as I could on my jet plane, baby!" The British agent said with glee.
: "You arrived at the last minute!" Indy hollared.
: "But we came... Yeah, baby!!" Austin Powers said.

: - - -

: Soon outside all the goon's guards and troops lay sprawled on the plains, limp and dead.
: "So who were these punks?" Short Round asked.
: "They are called the Spectre. Sent by Nobody and Deirdre. But Shorty, our mission is not complete ye-" Indy turned to see Short Round not there. Short Round was walking towards a few of the troops who were with Mr. Powers. Short Round tapped the shoulder of one of the thugs the troops were holding. As the thug turned around, revealing the face of Brett Lambert, Short Round slugged a fist at him, knocking him out cold.
: "SHORTY! What do you think your doing!?" Indy said running to Short Round who was continuously kicking Bret in the stomach.
: "This is for my nose--" Short Round was interrupted by Indy.
: "Shorty your even now let it go!" Indy madly said at Short Round.
: Short Round clutched his side as Indy turned him around.
: "Ouch Indy watch it, it's still sore!" Shorty said.
: Shorty hadn't been wound but luckily a bullet hit the rifle, catapulting his little body.
: "Sorry bud!" Indy said.
: Goodsport was being taken care of as it is also.
: "So Indy?" Shorty asked, "Where do we go on from here?"
: "Wherever the road takes us," Indy answered, "but we still can't waste too much time. Shorty, get our stuff!"

: -----

: Chapter 33 [Clash of the Titans] (written by Indiana James Lambert & Brett (Yasim) Lambert)

: Brett and James Lambert were being interrogated by Austin Powers and his groovy swinger shock troops while Aragon, Indy, Short Round, and Goodsport drove their convertible to the nearest hospital.
: "All right, you uptight squares! I want you to answer some groovy little questions for me so I can get back to my penthouse and shag with Felicity!" Austin Powers said to Brett and James.
: "Okay, who does number two work for?"
: "Huh?" Brett said with a confused look on his face.
: "Number two? Huh?" James mumbled.
: "Answer me!" Austin demanded.
: "Go spit!" James said, reciting one of his favorite lines from the Lethal Weapon movies.
: Before Austin could interrogate further, a loud explosion rocked the room. It destroyed an entire wall, and sent debris and dirt everywhere. Brett and James seized the opportunity and escaped out the wall. Behind them the shaky roof collapsed, knocking Austin and his troops unconscious.
: "Now I'm pissed, Brett. I'm pissed." James said to Brett, irritated.
: "Let's go get us some a--holes!" Brett said in pure Lethal Weapon fashion.
: Brett and James walked over to a Motorcycle equipped with a sidecar, just like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The two debated on who should drive.
: "I'm driving!" James yelled!
: "No, no! I'm driving!" Brett retaliated!
: The two finally decided that James would drive. Brett sat in the sidecar.
: "Now, which way do we go?" Asked Brett.
: "I don't know, I'm just making this up as I go. Wait! Look at that dirt road! Fresh with tire tracks!" James said enthusiastically as he revved the engine. The pair blazed at lightning speed to catch up with Aragorn and his associates.

: - - -

: Aragorn adjusted the rear view mirror. "What's that?" he yelled.
: Goodsport, Indy and Short Round turned around to see James and his brother gaining on them in a motorcycle.
: "Lamberts! Their persistence surprises even me!" Aragorn chided.
: James pulled up beside the car in a high-speed chase of death.
: "I gotta ask you a question," Brett yelled as he grabbed Short Round's arms, "how's your nose doing?"
: Indy grabbed Short Round's feet, trying to pull him back in the car. But Brett overpowered Indy as he pulled Short Round into the car with him. Brett grabbed the back of his head and slammed him into the surface of the sidecar.
: "Brett!" James yelled at him.
: "Huh?" Brett mumbled.
: "We can do this somewhere else. Besides, he's not going anywhere," James said with a twisted grin.
: The motorcycle went off the road and onto an old farmer's path.
: "We have to stop them!" Indy yelled.
: "No! We have to get Goodsport to the hospital before the bleeding gets any worse!" Aragorn commanded.

: - - -

: Brett and James stopped at a deserted barn. They tossed Short Round into the hay. He moaned in pain and shook in fear. Brett picked him up with one hand and set him down in a chair in the corner.
: "This is for kicking me in the stomach!" Brett yelled as he punched him hard in the gut. Shorty moaned in pain and fell off the chair.
: "Get up," James said as he pulled Shorty back on the chair.
: Brett and James then took turns giving Shorty a beating.
: "Ahh, my knuckles are sore!" James said, rubbing his hands.
: "Let's take five," Brett suggested.
: James tied Shorty to the chair, which was in turn tied to the wall.
: "You know, let's go a little easy on Short Round. He could make a good hostage, and we could get a lot of green," James said to Brett.
: "Yeah, that would be great! We could live on a tropical island with E.T. servants and beach parties with a whole bunch of chicks, and maybe we could get that Meg chick to come along," Brett said excitedly.
: They looked at Short Round, and each brother gave an evil grin in his direction.

: -----

: Chapter 34 [That Was ThenÖ] (written by Indiana Jerico)

: The taxi driver announced that they've arrived at the hospital.
: "Sir?" the taxi driver repeated in Polish. "We have arrived."
: "Huh?" Jerico said, broken out of his revelry. "Oh, sorry." He reached into his pocket and paid the fare. Then, he stepped out of the taxi and into the hospital door, roses in hand.

: - - -

: While he was on the elevator, his thoughts drifted again to the events that have transpired so far.
: Who were those guys? he thought. Contrary to what Indy said, they were not the Spectres. He and Aragorn already disbanded those a year ago. But Indy had been right. The people who attacked Aragorn and the others followed the same tactic, used the same guns, and dressed exactly like the Spectres. His mind drifted to a possible theory: what if the Spectre never disbanded in the first place? They were a group of mercenaries, who goes to the highest bidder. What if, after being suppressed a year ago under Nobody, they transferred to another group? Now he was definite: a third group is involved.
: Then there was also the matter with Brett. He couldn't believe he did what he did. He'd known Brett for two years now, and he had learned to trust him, along with Aragorn and Micah and Michaelson. He still couldn't accept that he went with the bad guys, even if one of them was his brother. That's why he immediately left for the hospital without so much as a word to anyone. He can't trust himself not to do anything bad against Brett.
: Then, as if noticing for the first time, he noticed a lump behind his back. He reached back and drew the thing out. It was the book written by Tolkien - the one he had confiscated when Indiana James was captured at the hiding place. He cursed. He had forgotten to tell the others about the developments he and Meg found! He made a mental note to tell them soon.

: - - -

: The elevator stopped on his floor and he stepped out. He looked at the numbers on the door and stopped into the one marked "214". He opened the door.
: A doctor was taking notes at the foot of the bed. On the bed lay Meg, in white hospital garb. He smiled and approached the doctor.
: "How is she?" He whispered in Polish.
: "She's alright," the doctor answered. "The bullet passed clean through. She should rest, though."
: "Can I talk to her?" Jerico whispered again.
: "Sure," the doctor answered. "I will just check on her after a few hours."
: Indiana Jerico thanked the doctor. He walked to the side of the bed and sat on a chair. He smiled at Meg, looking at her green eyes.
: "You look gorgeous in white, have I ever told you that?" Indiana Jerico smiled. He brushed back a strand of hair from her face.
: Meg smiled back. She looked a little pale, but otherwise fine. "You never told me anything," she said. "In fact, you never trusted me."
: "I know, and I'm sorry," Jerico answered. "And to make it up to you, I got these. I know this is not much, but..."
: He showed her the red roses he bought a while ago while on her way to the hospital.
: Meg looked at them and her smile grew. "They're beautiful," she whispered.
: "Yeah, well I was going to buy you a whole truckload of 'em, but I remembered that Goodsport got my card," Jerico kidded.
: Meg laughed, then she winced as the effort brought a kick of slight pain.
: "Now, now don't exert yourself," Jerico said, holding her, "I see I'm gonna have to cut back on my jokes."
: Meg smiled and lay deeper into the fluffy hospital bed and pillows. She looked at Jerico. For a minute, neither said anything.
: "You were a fool to do that, you know," Jerico said, "Throwing yourself in front of me like that."
: "Don't flatter yourself," Meg kidded in a whisper, "I tripped."
: Jerico laughed, running his hand through her hair.
: "So this is how the famous Indiana Jerico treats wounded allies?" Meg asked.
: "You should see Aragorn," Jerico grinned. "He kisses the girls first and asks how they are later."
: Meg looked at him in question. Jerico laughed. "I'm just kidding. And no, this is usually not how I treat wounded allies. We just usually visit them in the hospital and fill them in on the recent events and then leave."
: "No checking up on their condition?" Meg asked. "No asking them how they are?"
: "No," Jerico said.
: "Cold," Meg said. "But why did you now?"
: "I don't know," Jerico said.
: "You know what they tell us in the academy about you two?" Meg asked. "That you're the best, but cold. Unfeeling for anything except the mission at handÖ especially you. Is that true?"
: "I would not know," Jerico said. "What do you think?"
: "At first, I thought they were right. Maybe I still do," Meg said. "Why do you act the way you do?"
: Jerico sighed. "I make it a point not to care for anyone in the organization, except those close to me, like Aragorn and Michaelson and Micah and, until recently, Brett."
: "Until recently?" Meg asked.
: "I'll fill you in later," Jerico said.
: "But why?" Meg asked. "Why can't you care for anyone else? Why can't you care for those who are new? Why can't you trust them?"
: "I trust them," Jerico replied, a little defensively. "I just don't trust myself with them."
: "With the women agents?" Meg asked.
: Jerico nodded, looking down.
: "Tell me," Meg said. "What happened?"
: "Her name was Katarina," Jerico started, his voice low, as if he was talking to himself instead of to her. "A new agent. Aragorn was off for a vacation with his family, and she was to be my temporary partner. She was Russian, and she was sweet. There was something in her...I can't describe what, but I started to care."
: Meg didn't interrupt. Jerico was looking out of the window, still sitting beside the bed.
: "She was new, and I taught her what she needed to know. We became close...closer than partners were allowed to be. We became lovers. Those were the greatest times of my life.... greater even than my achievements in the agency. I never thought I'd care for anyone the way I cared for her."
: Jerico sighed.
: "One time, we were sent on a mission to infiltrate Nobody's penthouse and retrieve some important documents. It was her first big case. Everything was going fine, like oiled clockwork. We got to Nobody's safe. She was an expert on locks... electronic, tumbler, you name it. Breaking into that safe was supposed to be a breeze for her."
: "But it didn't...?" Meg asked softly.
: "Nobody added a tiny laser trip on the safe. Katarina was nervous as hell, and she didn't see it. She set off the alarm."
: Jerico stopped. Meg didn't press him to go on, waiting for him to continue instead.
: "We got the documents and we were running out of the room, when a side door opened and Nobody's men came barging in. A shootout occurred. I desperately looked for a way out, and I saw another way out. I took her hand and led her towards the doorway. Then I felt her scream and go limp."
: Tears were on Jerico's eyes now, but he continued, choking on his words.
: "She'd been hit in the leg. I looked at our exit and carried her to it. But she stopped me. And she pointed at the door. It was the kind that can only be closed and locked on the inside of the room. And then she looked at me, and she sadly smiled. I knew what she was thinking, but I do not want to. I told her that we'd get out together. Men were starting to come by the dozen into the room. She kissed me on the lips one last time and she whispered.... she...loved me....and...and..."
: Meg comforted him, telling him it's all right. Jerico wiped away his tears and continued.
: ".... she pushed me out of the room with so much force... .I didn't think she had that much force.... and she pushed long and hard on the button. A glass door started to slide into place. I ran and tried to get in, but it was too late. I started shooting on the glass door, but it was no use. Nobody had it bulletproofed. I cried at her to open the door and, thumping at it with my hands. But she just smiled, and I could never forget her blue eyes as she looked at me. We looked at each other, each on the other side separated only by inches of toughened glass. And then...I.... I saw her eyes grow wide, and glaze as a bullet hit her on the back. I saw blood smudge the glass. And then another. And another. But she still looked at me, even as she started to slide against the glass door. I saw her die, Meg!! I saw her die, and I cannot do anything about it!! "
: Jerico was crying uncontrollably, burying his face in the hospital covers. Meg reached out to him and cradled his head as the agent cried like a child.

: -----

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: : Chapter 31 [If There is Any DoubtÖ] (written by the Fiddler)

: : Fiddler walked across the street and into a shop of sorts.  Speaking in fluid Polish he asked:
: : "Do you have a phone?"
: : "That depends on what you need to use it for."  The shopkeeper answered, smirking.
: : "I said: Do YOU have a PHONE?" Fiddler practically whispered in an icy-soft tone.
: : "Yu... Yess sir..." the shopkeeper stuttered as he lifted a phone from behind the counter, placing it right in front of the Fiddler.
: : Spinning up a number in the old rotary-style phone, he gave the shopkeeper a look that said: 'get lost.'  Upon noticing the look the keeper did just that, and went into a back room.
: : Switching to English, the Fiddler spoke into the phone as he heard the line go live.  
: : "Deirdre, this is the Fiddler I need some things."  
: : "What kind of things?"
: : "Equipment mostly, though I am going to need some hardware along with it, you got any connections with arms dealers over here?"
: : "Okay, yeah, Let's see... Where are you."
: : "I don't know, some little shop in Warsaw."
: : "All right, listen up.  I have somebody you can get a hold of...."
: : She went on to explain how to get there and told him that this guy could provide about anything he needed.
: : "There is one other thing I need Deirdre."
: : "What's that?"
: : "You, I need YOU over HEREÖ in case Nobody figures out that this is more than just another intelligence game with Micah's people."

: : - - -

: : "How long will recovery be, doc?" Indiana Jerico asked with a worried look on his face.
: : "Iee doen know," the doctor replied in heavily accented English, "too, meybee tree weeks.  An' den ony... uhhh... how you say... no much?"
: : "Limited." Jerico offered.
: : "Yah, limted uuse."
: : Sighing Indy Jerico stepped out of the hospital room as he lifted Meg's cell phone.
: : "Short RoundÖ  Jerico here.  We are at the hospitalÖ Meg's hurt.  I'll come get you.  Be there in a few.... Shorty...?  Is anybody there?"

: : - - -

: : Holding their breaths, Aragorn, Indy, Goodsport, and Short Round waited in silence.  Each of them was thinking as loud as they could:
: : "Please don't notice the trap door! Please."  Then realizing how worthless such a thought could be they re-thought it and started thinking: "D@mn that phone, why had it rung at such an inopportune time?"  Whoever had called them couldn't have had any idea what terrible timing they had.
: : Holding the phone tightly to his ear, Short Round could hear Jerico on the other end, but couldn't reply for fear of being heard by the goons who were walking just above their heads.
: : Moving down the tunnel in the near-complete darkness, Indy waved to the other three to follow him.  Finding a sharp corner in the tunnel not far from the trap door-entrance they had been standing under, an idea hit Indy.  Turning around he walked back to Shorty, took the phone from him and punched in a number that made the phone ring as though somebody was calling to it.
: : As soon as it rang, he tossed in directly under the trap door and pushed his three companions around the corner in the tunnel.

: : - - -

: : Stepping into another shop, much like the one he had made a phone call from, the Fiddler looked around, taking the place in, then stepped up to the counter and slapped it several times very quickly.
: : "I'm coming, I'm coming!" came a voice, speaking Polish, from some other room of the shop.
: : "Hurry up, I don't have a lot of time!" called the Fiddler, showing no emotion at all other than those manifest in his choice of words.
: : Walking up to Fiddler a little old Polish man asked:
: : "What can I help you with?"
: : "I need equipment and arms and you are going to give it to me."
: : "Who says so?"
: : "Deirdre does."  Retorted the Fiddler, noting the fear that momentarily washed over the old man's face at the mention of the name Deirdre.
: : "All right what do you need?"  The old man inquired, still speaking Polish.
: : "I need two Glocks, a 19 and a 26, a shoulder holster for the 19 and an ankle holster for the 26."  Pausing to see if the old man had any objections, the Fiddler studied the old man's face before continuing, "Four mag holders and four 10 round mags for the 19, plus one 17 round mag with one of those 2 round extensions.  Oh, and ALL the magazines need to be drop-free.  A flack-jacket, level 3.  A MP-10 with...."
: : The Fiddler went on to tell the old man everything he needed.  When he finished the old man turned around without a word and walked into the back room.  He was gone for almost ten minutes, then he returned carrying a large cardboard box that now contained all the equipment the Fiddler required.
: : "Load the mags!" the Fiddler commanded, then without any reservation, took off his jacket, his shirt and undid his jeans, pulling them down to his knees.  Slipping the flack-jacket over his undershirt and boxer-briefs, he pulled his pants back up and put back on his short-sleeved collared shirt.  He then grabbed the shoulder holster from the box and proceeded to put it on.  Replacing his jacket, he slipped one of the 10 round magus into the 19, worked the action, pressed the ma-release lever, caught the mag, replaced the shell that had been chambered, and then shoved the mag back into the pistol.
: : "You wouldn't happen to have some cars out back would you?"  The Fiddler inquired as he completed arming himself by loading the Lock 26 and strapping it into the ankle holster he had placed on his ankle, under his pant-leg.
: : "Yes... But..."
: : "An Audi, what kinds of engines you got in your Audis?"
: : The old man described the engine of the only Audi he had.
: : "That ought to do where are the keys...?  Oh and one more thing I need a CD."
: : "In case my car is bugged, then they can't hear whether your engine is running or not, right?" The old man asked as he smiled, then continued, "That car is not bugged, trust me."
: : "Just get me a CD!"
: : "Okay, you got any preferences?"

: : - - -

: : Half asleep, Tessa felt the ring being slipped from here finger, but in her partial-subconscious state the thought had no meaning.
: : Kneeling beside Tessa, The Man with The Hat slipped the ring into his pocket.  He then rolled Tessa onto here stomach and pulled her arms behind her onto her back.  Next he grabbed the cord from his teeth reached down to tie her hands together.  Suddenly, as he started to wrap the cord around her wrists, her left hand broke free of his hold, shot up, and grabbed him by the neck.
: : He felt himself being jerked over her body and landed face-up on the other side.  Instantly, she was on top of him, with both her hands around his neck.
: : He swung a blow at her, but her arms got in the way making it glance off her harmlessly.  He felt her grip tighten, and the world grew dark, then light, then dark again.  He knew he was about to faint, but for all his struggling, nothing seemed to help.
: : "If I let go, will you tell me why you impersonated Goodsport?"  Tessa yelled, "JUST SHAKE YOUR HEAD!"
: : In the panic that came with the cutting off of air, The Man with the Hat shook his head 'yes.'
: : Slowly Tessa released The Man, and he began to breathe again.
: : "All right, now tell me," Tessa inquired, pulling her pistol from her pocket and pointing it at him.
: : "I impersonated him because we didn't know how much you knew.  See, we thought the 'bad guys' had contacted you first, so I impersonated one of the 'bad guys' whom I thought you would think was one of the good guys..."
: : Interrupting Tessa demanded, "then why were you just trying to tie me up?"
: : "It was for your own good.  I had to take you to hiding place so you couldn't be captured and used against us."

: : - - -

: : Sliding the 'Blaze Of Glory: Young Guns II' CD into the CD player of the Audi as he drove out of Warsaw, the Fiddler skipped to Track #6 and turned the volume way up.
: : He then turned the brief case on the passenger seat toward him and opened it.  As expected, there was a laptop inside with a cell phone hook-up and cell phone attached to the modem.
: : Picking up the phone, he punched in Deirdre's number again.
: : "You have more people over here, don't you?"
: : "Yes Fiddler, I do."
: : "So where are they?" Fiddler queried.
: : "Well, Jerico is on his way to some hideout where my men have Aragorn and Goodsport pinned down in.  You can go put a bullet through his head for me on your way to the cave."
: : "A'right, how do I head him off?"
: : Explaining where Jerico was headed she then added, "he's driving a red BMW."
: : The music had been blaring in the background the whole time.  Hanging up the phone next to the laptop, he took the next right and started following the instructions Deirdre had given him.

: : -----

: : Chapter 32 [Strategic Withdrawal] (written by Short Round)

: : BOOM!
: : The goon-like troops made their way through the trap door with guns raised, ready for action!
: : "Shorty," Goodsport whispered to the frightened 13 year old, "whatever happens to us, stay right here and hide!"
: : Short Round didn't like the sound of that. If Goodsport had died, it would have been like taking away half of him. Goodsport was like a big brother to Shorty, and he like a sidekick to his elder companion. But a feeling told him it wasn't the end.
: : The lead goon of the mysterious raiders signaled his men to pause while he observed the corridor for anybody. When he saw that there was no one, he gestured his men to follow him as they ran down he corridor, making a big racket.
: : Some of the troops stood guard stood outside the entrance of the hideout, while several of the others combed the place for any clues of their targets' whereabouts of what had become of them.
: : "Hey look!" a troop yelled at his companions while storming the hideout., "Lookie what we got here! The little guy would've got in deep s****t if we hadn't arrived when we did!"  The troop gestured to James and Brett Lambert sitting in the cell, all bound and scared for their lives.

: : - - -

: : "Come on ShortyÖ answer!" Indiana Jerico nervously said in the corridor of the hospital. Jerico tried calling again which left him with no answer. Jerico finally gave up and slipped the cell phone back into his left jacket pocket.
: : "Perfect!" Indiana Jerico said. Indiana Jerico paced the corridor nervously.

: : - - -

: : The moment was getting tenser by the second. Indy, Shorty, Goodsport, and Aragorn could hear the goons coming closer and closer!
: : The head goon put his hand up for his men to stop, as they came to a dead end of the secret cellar corridor. The lead man observed the room carefully. They were sure this was the only place they could have gone. They had crates and boxes stacked up all over the place, a work bench in the far right corner with a few tool's and an unfinished project that had collected dust from some time. A small alcove covered half of the room on left wall within it, and it was stacked with smaller crates and other equipment. The only sources of light were a small light hanging from the ceiling and the goons' flashlights.
: : "Comb the place," the lead man said, "they have to be here.  And when you find them, shoot to kill!"
: : Indy could hear one of the men coming near the crates they were hiding behind, close to the work bench. Indy knew it best that they run into this room for a better ambush since it had more cover to hide behind. Indy suddenly came up with another crafty idea. Indy had noticed one of the ammo crates had hole in it from pesty rats. Indy wasn't too fond of rats, but he'd make an exception for being with them at the time if it were his life on the line like right now. He took one of grenades from the ammo crates and pulled the pin. He was holding the release lever so it wouldn't go off just yet. He quickly grabbed a jar from the workbench and put the grenade in it, so the walls will hold the release lever down. Indy noticed a troop was coming nearer to the crates they were behind. Aragorn got ready. As the trooper was visible, Aragorn made his move! He grabbed him and pulled him behind the crates.  Covering his mouth, he squeezed a pressure point on the trooper's neck, which knocked him out cold. Goodsport gave a lopsided grin at Aragorn, while Shorty, wide-eyed from the tense moment, was staring in disbelief as they came as close as it gets to being found and possibly turned into a pinyatta for bullets. Indy fixed the jar containing the grenade carefully and quietly on top of a crate while him and the rest of the gang snuck from their hiding place. Shorty went and carefully took the knocked out cold troop's rifle. Indy and the rest were about to turn head towards the alcove when suddenly they were face to face with one of the goon's!
: : "What's that!" Short Round yelled, pointing behind the soldier's shoulder. The soldier turned briefly and flew into the crates as the butt of Goodsport's gun came down up on his left temple.
: : "Their over their shoot em!" a troop yelled.
: : "Get down"! Indy said while the first shot's were fired from the troops. Short Round ducked behind a crate as the shot's repeatedly were fired throughout the room! Short Round finally had enough courage to pear over a crate, when suddenly two bullets bit into the wood of the crates, inches near his head. He heard a groan as Goodsport took a shot to the to his shoulder.
: : "AAARRRRGGGGGGGGGHHH!!!" Goodsport yelled in pain.
: : "GOODSPORT!! NOOO!!" Short Round yelled, not paying any attention to the ongoing battle.
: : "Buddy," Goodsport said with a slight wince "Stay down, try not to--" Goodsport's sentence was interrupted with a loud pain filled groan!
: : Indy shot off two guards while a few of the others hid behind crates to take cover. In anger Short Round stood up from behind his crate, his rifle in hand and furiously tried to shoot off a few bullets giving a warrior's cry! He shot at a crate, which fell and crushed the main leader as he furiously shot off a few rounds at the ceiling, causing debris to fly everywhere.
: : "You sunuva b-" Short Round was interrupted as a bullet knocked him off his feet.
: : Indy knew they were losing, having almost lost Shorty and Goodsport, he knew he still had himself and Aragorn, then he remembered what he set up: the grenade! He suddenly aimed his gun at the crates and failed at shooting a few rounds then he noticed he had to reload! Luckily, Aragorn picked off a few troops leaving Indy time. Suddenly he heard the noise of more footsteps as more troops barged in, apparently the ones who were outside guarding the hideout. Indy had a new magazine, and he started firing at the crates again, when suddenly the explosion sounded, killing off almost all the guards and troops! Suddenly they started shooting off and successfully picking off one guard after another. Then the unthinkable happened: they ran out of ammo! The guards came rushing at them, their guns raised at them at point-blank range. Indy and Aragorn closed their eyes as they heard gunshots! The last thing they were ever going to hear, they thought. Nothing happened.
: : Silence. Then the sound of footsteps. They both opened up their eyes to see all the guards sprawled all over the floor with bullets embedded into their bodies. Then they saw two men in Wested jackets; while one of them was Indiana Jerico, the other looked like a geek from the sixties or seventies.
: : "Lucky to be alive," Jerico commented with a slight chuckle.
: : "Who's this guy?" Aragorn asked.
: : Troops, much different from those of the goons came barging in. They were obviously on their side.
: : "The name's PowersÖ Austin Powers, baby!" the guy answered, shaking hands with Indy and Aragorn.
: : "Hey! Aren't you from the indyfan.com forum?" Indy asked in surprise.
: : "As a matter of fact I am! I recently got an ICQ from your friend Indiana Jerico here, and I came as fast as I could on my jet plane, baby!" The British agent said with glee.
: : "You arrived at the last minute!" Indy hollared.
: : "But we came... Yeah, baby!!" Austin Powers said.

: : - - -

: : Soon outside all the goon's guards and troops lay sprawled on the plains, limp and dead.
: : "So who were these punks?" Short Round asked.
: : "They are called the Spectre. Sent by Nobody and Deirdre. But Shorty, our mission is not complete ye-" Indy turned to see Short Round not there. Short Round was walking towards a few of the troops who were with Mr. Powers. Short Round tapped the shoulder of one of the thugs the troops were holding. As the thug turned around, revealing the face of Brett Lambert, Short Round slugged a fist at him, knocking him out cold.
: : "SHORTY! What do you think your doing!?" Indy said running to Short Round who was continuously kicking Bret in the stomach.
: : "This is for my nose--" Short Round was interrupted by Indy.
: : "Shorty your even now let it go!" Indy madly said at Short Round.
: : Short Round clutched his side as Indy turned him around.
: : "Ouch Indy watch it, it's still sore!" Shorty said.
: : Shorty hadn't been wound but luckily a bullet hit the rifle, catapulting his little body.
: : "Sorry bud!" Indy said.
: : Goodsport was being taken care of as it is also.
: : "So Indy?" Shorty asked, "Where do we go on from here?"
: : "Wherever the road takes us," Indy answered, "but we still can't waste too much time.  Shorty, get our stuff!"

: : -----

: : Chapter 33 [Clash of the Titans] (written by Indiana James Lambert & Brett (Yasim) Lambert)

: : Brett and James Lambert were being interrogated by Austin Powers and his groovy swinger shock troops while Aragon, Indy, Short Round, and Goodsport drove their convertible to the nearest hospital.
: : "All right, you uptight squares!  I want you to answer some groovy little questions for me so I can get back to my penthouse and shag with Felicity!"  Austin Powers said to Brett and James.
: : "Okay, who does number two work for?"
: : "Huh?"  Brett said with a confused look on his face.
: : "Number two?  Huh?"  James mumbled.
: : "Answer me!" Austin demanded.
: : "Go spit!"  James said, reciting one of his favorite lines from the Lethal Weapon movies.
: : Before Austin could interrogate further, a loud explosion rocked the room.  It destroyed an entire wall, and sent debris and dirt everywhere.  Brett and James seized the opportunity and escaped out the wall.  Behind them the shaky roof collapsed, knocking Austin and his troops unconscious.
: : "Now I'm pissed, Brett.  I'm pissed."  James said to Brett, irritated.
: : "Let's go get us some a--holes!"  Brett said in pure Lethal Weapon fashion.
: : Brett and James walked over to a Motorcycle equipped with a sidecar, just like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  The two debated on who should drive.
: : "I'm driving!"  James yelled!
: : "No, no!  I'm driving!"  Brett retaliated!
: : The two finally decided that James would drive.  Brett sat in the sidecar.
: : "Now, which way do we go?"  Asked Brett.
: : "I don't know, I'm just making this up as I go.  Wait!  Look at that dirt road!  Fresh with tire tracks!"  James said enthusiastically as he revved the engine.  The pair blazed at lightning speed to catch up with Aragorn and his associates.

: : - - -

: : Aragorn adjusted the rear view mirror.  "What's that?"  he yelled.
: : Goodsport, Indy and Short Round turned around to see James and his brother gaining on them in a motorcycle.  
: : "Lamberts! Their persistence surprises even me!"  Aragorn chided.
: : James pulled up beside the car in a high-speed chase of death.
: : "I gotta ask you a question," Brett yelled as he grabbed Short Round's arms, "how's your nose doing?" 
: : Indy grabbed Short Round's feet, trying to pull him back in the car.  But Brett overpowered Indy as he pulled Short Round into the car with him.  Brett grabbed the back of his head and slammed him into the surface of the sidecar.  
: : "Brett!" James yelled at him.
: : "Huh?"  Brett mumbled.
: : "We can do this somewhere else.  Besides, he's not going anywhere," James said with a twisted grin.
: : The motorcycle went off the road and onto an old farmer's path.
: : "We have to stop them!" Indy yelled.
: : "No!  We have to get Goodsport to the hospital before the bleeding gets any worse!" Aragorn commanded.

: : - - -

: : Brett and James stopped at a deserted barn.  They tossed Short Round into the hay.  He moaned in pain and shook in fear.  Brett picked him up with one hand and set him down in a chair in the corner.
: : "This is for kicking me in the stomach!"  Brett yelled as he punched him hard in the gut.  Shorty moaned in pain and fell off the chair.
: : "Get up," James said as he pulled Shorty back on the chair.
: : Brett and James then took turns giving Shorty a beating.
: : "Ahh, my knuckles are sore!"  James said, rubbing his hands.
: : "Let's take five," Brett suggested.
: : James tied Shorty to the chair, which was in turn tied to the wall.
: : "You know, let's go a little easy on Short Round. He could make a good hostage, and we could get a lot of green," James said to Brett.
: : "Yeah, that would be great!  We could live on a tropical island with E.T. servants and beach parties with a whole bunch of chicks, and maybe we could get that Meg chick to come along," Brett said excitedly.
: : They looked at Short Round, and each brother gave an evil grin in his direction.

: : -----

: : Chapter 34 [That Was ThenÖ] (written by Indiana Jerico)

: : The taxi driver announced that they've arrived at the hospital. 
: : "Sir?" the taxi driver repeated in Polish. "We have arrived."
: : "Huh?" Jerico said, broken out of his revelry. "Oh, sorry." He reached into his pocket and paid the fare. Then, he stepped out of the taxi and into the hospital door, roses in hand.

: : - - -

: : While he was on the elevator, his thoughts drifted again to the events that have transpired so far.
: : Who were those guys? he thought. Contrary to what Indy said, they were not the Spectres. He and Aragorn already disbanded those a year ago. But Indy had been right. The people who attacked Aragorn and the others followed the same tactic, used the same guns, and dressed exactly like the Spectres. His mind drifted to a possible theory: what if the Spectre never disbanded in the first place? They were a group of mercenaries, who goes to the highest bidder. What if, after being suppressed a year ago under Nobody, they transferred to another group? Now he was definite: a third group is involved.
: : Then there was also the matter with Brett. He couldn't believe he did what he did. He'd known Brett for two years now, and he had learned to trust him, along with Aragorn and Micah and Michaelson. He still couldn't accept that he went with the bad guys, even if one of them was his brother. That's why he immediately left for the hospital without so much as a word to anyone. He can't trust himself not to do anything bad against Brett.
: : Then, as if noticing for the first time, he noticed a lump behind his back. He reached back and drew the thing out. It was the book written by Tolkien - the one he had confiscated when Indiana James was captured at the hiding place. He cursed. He had forgotten to tell the others about the developments he and Meg found! He made a mental note to tell them soon.

: : - - -

: : The elevator stopped on his floor and he stepped out. He looked at the numbers on the door and stopped into the one marked "214". He opened the door.
: : A doctor was taking notes at the foot of the bed. On the bed lay Meg, in white hospital garb. He smiled and approached the doctor.
: : "How is she?" He whispered in Polish.
: : "She's alright," the doctor answered. "The bullet passed clean through. She should rest, though."
: : "Can I talk to her?" Jerico whispered again.
: : "Sure," the doctor answered. "I will just check on her after a few hours."
: : Indiana Jerico thanked the doctor. He walked to the side of the bed and sat on a chair. He smiled at Meg, looking at her green eyes.
: : "You look gorgeous in white, have I ever told you that?" Indiana Jerico smiled. He brushed back a strand of hair from her face.
: : Meg smiled back. She looked a little pale, but otherwise fine. "You never told me anything," she said. "In fact, you never trusted me."
: : "I know, and I'm sorry," Jerico answered. "And to make it up to you, I got these. I know this is not much, but..."
: : He showed her the red roses he bought a while ago while on her way to the hospital.
: : Meg looked at them and her smile grew. "They're beautiful," she whispered. 
: : "Yeah, well I was going to buy you a whole truckload of 'em, but I remembered that Goodsport got my card," Jerico kidded. 
: : Meg laughed, then she winced as the effort brought a kick of slight pain. 
: : "Now, now don't exert yourself," Jerico said, holding her, "I see I'm gonna have to cut back on my jokes."
: : Meg smiled and lay deeper into the fluffy hospital bed and pillows. She looked at Jerico. For a minute, neither said anything.
: : "You were a fool to do that, you know," Jerico said, "Throwing yourself in front of me like that."
: : "Don't flatter yourself," Meg kidded in a whisper, "I tripped."
: : Jerico laughed, running his hand through her hair. 
: : "So this is how the famous Indiana Jerico treats wounded allies?" Meg asked.
: : "You should see Aragorn," Jerico grinned. "He kisses the girls first and asks how they are later."
: : Meg looked at him in question. Jerico laughed. "I'm just kidding. And no, this is usually not how I treat wounded allies. We just usually visit them in the hospital and fill them in on the recent events and then leave."
: : "No checking up on their condition?" Meg asked. "No asking them how they are?"
: : "No," Jerico said. 
: : "Cold," Meg said. "But why did you now?"
: : "I don't know," Jerico said. 
: : "You know what they tell us in the academy about you two?" Meg asked. "That you're the best, but cold. Unfeeling for anything except the mission at handÖ especially you. Is that true?"
: : "I would not know," Jerico said. "What do you think?"
: : "At first, I thought they were right. Maybe I still do," Meg said. "Why do you act the way you do?"
: : Jerico sighed. "I make it a point not to care for anyone in the organization, except those close to me, like Aragorn and Michaelson and Micah and, until recently, Brett."
: : "Until recently?" Meg asked.
: : "I'll fill you in later," Jerico said.
: : "But why?" Meg asked. "Why can't you care for anyone else? Why can't you care for those who are new? Why can't you trust them?"
: : "I trust them," Jerico replied, a little defensively. "I just don't trust myself with them."
: : "With the women agents?" Meg asked.
: : Jerico nodded, looking down.
: : "Tell me," Meg said. "What happened?"
: : "Her name was Katarina," Jerico started, his voice low, as if he was talking to himself instead of to her. "A new agent. Aragorn was off for a vacation with his family, and she was to be my temporary partner. She was Russian, and she was sweet. There was something in her...I can't describe what, but I started to care."
: : Meg didn't interrupt. Jerico was looking out of the window, still sitting beside the bed.
: : "She was new, and I taught her what she needed to know. We became close...closer than partners were allowed to be. We became lovers. Those were the greatest times of my life.... greater even than my achievements in the agency. I never thought I'd care for anyone the way I cared for her."
: : Jerico sighed.
: : "One time, we were sent on a mission to infiltrate Nobody's penthouse and retrieve some important documents. It was her first big case. Everything was going fine, like oiled clockwork. We got to Nobody's safe. She was an expert on locks... electronic, tumbler, you name it. Breaking into that safe was supposed to be a breeze for her."
: : "But it didn't...?" Meg asked softly.
: : "Nobody added a tiny laser trip on the safe. Katarina was nervous as hell, and she didn't see it. She set off the alarm."
: : Jerico stopped. Meg didn't press him to go on, waiting for him to continue instead.
: : "We got the documents and we were running out of the room, when a side door opened and Nobody's men came barging in. A shootout occurred. I desperately looked for a way out, and I saw another way out. I took her hand and led her towards the doorway. Then I felt her scream and go limp."
: : Tears were on Jerico's eyes now, but he continued, choking on his words.
: : "She'd been hit in the leg. I looked at our exit and carried her to it. But she stopped me. And she pointed at the door. It was the kind that can only be closed and locked on the inside of the room. And then she looked at me, and she sadly smiled. I knew what she was thinking, but I do not want to. I told her that we'd get out together. Men were starting to come by the dozen into the room. She kissed me on the lips one last time and she whispered.... she...loved me....and...and..."
: : Meg comforted him, telling him it's all right. Jerico wiped away his tears and continued.
: : ".... she pushed me out of the room with so much force... .I didn't think she had that much force.... and she pushed long and hard on the button. A glass door started to slide into place. I ran and tried to get in, but it was too late. I started shooting on the glass door, but it was no use. Nobody had it bulletproofed. I cried at her to open the door and, thumping at it with my hands. But she just smiled, and I could never forget her blue eyes as she looked at me. We looked at each other, each on the other side separated only by inches of toughened glass. And then...I.... I saw her eyes grow wide, and glaze as a bullet hit her on the back. I saw blood smudge the glass. And then another. And another. But she still looked at me, even as she started to slide against the glass door. I saw her die, Meg!! I saw her die, and I cannot do anything about it!! "
: : Jerico was crying uncontrollably, burying his face in the hospital covers. Meg reached out to him and cradled his head as the agent cried like a child.

: : -----

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