Black Mesa
Tansy and Becca looked up to see Nathan, Skunk, Travis and Conrad walk into the main room. Tansy rushed over and gave all the men a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve been worried sick.”
Mo gave Tansy a squeeze. “You knew we would be back late. We had to drive toward Colorado in case anyone tried to follow us. We turned around as soon as it was dark enough. Everyone else stuck to the plan I'm sure.”
“Has anyone else made it back yet?” Skunk asked casually.
“Not yet. You guys are the first group back.” Becca said quickly. “Were you successful? Did you get everybody out?”
“Yes. They were successful.” Frank said from the entryway.
With a glad cry Tansy ran to him and threw herself into his arms. “I love you! I love you!”
Frank held onto Tansy and closed his eyes in relief. “I was so glad to see these guys. But I am so much more grateful to see you.”
Matt and Mikhail walked into the room and made their way around the reunited couple. Becca gave Matt a hug. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks.” Matt said as he hugged her back.
“Mikhail!” Tansy said as she pulled out of Franks arms. “Thank you for bringing my Frank back to me.” She wrapped her arms around him.
Mikhail gave her a brief squeeze and then stepped back. Clearing his throat he looked around. “Is the rest of your family back yet?”
“Not yet. I expect the rest of our family will be back soon.” Becca said firmly. She glanced at her watch. “It’s just a few minutes past ten. Is anyone hungry?”
They had just sat down to eat when they heard Grumpy barking. Dinner was forgotten as the rest of the family walked in.
Kristen was glued to Maddie’s side and as she rushed across the room to hug Matt. Matt laughed as he enfolded both women in his arms. Shade walked over and wrapped his arms around the three of them while Grumpy sniffed Mikhail.
Mikhail shifted nervously as the dog circled around behind him. Deciding he was alright Grumpy nudged his head under Mikhail’s hand. Mikhail scratched behind the dogs ears as everyone else welcomed the latest arrivals home.
Suddenly the room grew quiet and Mikhail looked up to see everyone staring at him.
Kristen walked forward and grabbed him by the hand and dragged him across the room.
“Shade, Maddie. This is Mikhail. He planned the break out and without him we would never have succeeded.”
Shade stuck out his hand and Mikhail took it. Giving it a firm shake he started to let go when Shade jerked him forward into a bear hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Mikhail grunted.
“You’re squishing him.” Kristen chastened Shade.
Shade immediately let go. Maddie stepped in and caught Mikhail in a hug that rivaled the one Shade had just given him.
“Thank you Mikhail. Without you the kids would surely have gotten themselves caught or worse. We owe you so much.”
Mikhail awkwardly patted Maddie’s back as he struggled to take a breath. “It was my pleasure.” He managed.
Maddie let go. Taking his face in her hands she kissed him on the cheek. “You are an extraordinary young man.”
Mikhail felt himself starting to blush. “As I said, it was a pleasure.”
Matt reached out his hand and Mikhail cautiously slipped his hand into Matt’s. “I’m too cool to dole out hugs, so you’re safe.” Matt grinned impishly.
Mikhail nodded.
“Matt!” Kristen rolled her eyes. “I’m not too cool.” She threw her arms around Mikhail’s waist and squeezed him. “Thank you for getting my family back.” She whispered into his chest.
Mikhail felt his heart shift. He hugged Kristen gently. “You are most welcome.”
Trevor clapped Mikhail on the shoulder as he let Kristen go. “Thanks man.”
Mikhail nodded.
“So what’s for dinner?” Leon asked as he eyeballed the food set out on the table.
“Always thinking with your stomach.” Mo said as he caught Leon in a headlock. “We’d better get you fed before you start eating the furniture.”
As Mo led him still in a headlock past Mikhail Leon raised his hand. “Thanks for everything.”
As Mikhail sat at the table he looked around. This was what a real family was like he thought. It wasn’t about being blood related. It was about how people treated each other. It was about how they stood up for each other, took care of each other, and loved each other. Travis caught his gaze, “Welcome to the family.” He mouthed.
Mikhail gave an old world nod of thanks.
Tansy and Becca looked up to see Nathan, Skunk, Travis and Conrad walk into the main room. Tansy rushed over and gave all the men a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve been worried sick.”
Mo gave Tansy a squeeze. “You knew we would be back late. We had to drive toward Colorado in case anyone tried to follow us. We turned around as soon as it was dark enough. Everyone else stuck to the plan I'm sure.”
“Has anyone else made it back yet?” Skunk asked casually.
“Not yet. You guys are the first group back.” Becca said quickly. “Were you successful? Did you get everybody out?”
“Yes. They were successful.” Frank said from the entryway.
With a glad cry Tansy ran to him and threw herself into his arms. “I love you! I love you!”
Frank held onto Tansy and closed his eyes in relief. “I was so glad to see these guys. But I am so much more grateful to see you.”
Matt and Mikhail walked into the room and made their way around the reunited couple. Becca gave Matt a hug. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks.” Matt said as he hugged her back.
“Mikhail!” Tansy said as she pulled out of Franks arms. “Thank you for bringing my Frank back to me.” She wrapped her arms around him.
Mikhail gave her a brief squeeze and then stepped back. Clearing his throat he looked around. “Is the rest of your family back yet?”
“Not yet. I expect the rest of our family will be back soon.” Becca said firmly. She glanced at her watch. “It’s just a few minutes past ten. Is anyone hungry?”
They had just sat down to eat when they heard Grumpy barking. Dinner was forgotten as the rest of the family walked in.
Kristen was glued to Maddie’s side and as she rushed across the room to hug Matt. Matt laughed as he enfolded both women in his arms. Shade walked over and wrapped his arms around the three of them while Grumpy sniffed Mikhail.
Mikhail shifted nervously as the dog circled around behind him. Deciding he was alright Grumpy nudged his head under Mikhail’s hand. Mikhail scratched behind the dogs ears as everyone else welcomed the latest arrivals home.
Suddenly the room grew quiet and Mikhail looked up to see everyone staring at him.
Kristen walked forward and grabbed him by the hand and dragged him across the room.
“Shade, Maddie. This is Mikhail. He planned the break out and without him we would never have succeeded.”
Shade stuck out his hand and Mikhail took it. Giving it a firm shake he started to let go when Shade jerked him forward into a bear hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Mikhail grunted.
“You’re squishing him.” Kristen chastened Shade.
Shade immediately let go. Maddie stepped in and caught Mikhail in a hug that rivaled the one Shade had just given him.
“Thank you Mikhail. Without you the kids would surely have gotten themselves caught or worse. We owe you so much.”
Mikhail awkwardly patted Maddie’s back as he struggled to take a breath. “It was my pleasure.” He managed.
Maddie let go. Taking his face in her hands she kissed him on the cheek. “You are an extraordinary young man.”
Mikhail felt himself starting to blush. “As I said, it was a pleasure.”
Matt reached out his hand and Mikhail cautiously slipped his hand into Matt’s. “I’m too cool to dole out hugs, so you’re safe.” Matt grinned impishly.
Mikhail nodded.
“Matt!” Kristen rolled her eyes. “I’m not too cool.” She threw her arms around Mikhail’s waist and squeezed him. “Thank you for getting my family back.” She whispered into his chest.
Mikhail felt his heart shift. He hugged Kristen gently. “You are most welcome.”
Trevor clapped Mikhail on the shoulder as he let Kristen go. “Thanks man.”
Mikhail nodded.
“So what’s for dinner?” Leon asked as he eyeballed the food set out on the table.
“Always thinking with your stomach.” Mo said as he caught Leon in a headlock. “We’d better get you fed before you start eating the furniture.”
As Mo led him still in a headlock past Mikhail Leon raised his hand. “Thanks for everything.”
As Mikhail sat at the table he looked around. This was what a real family was like he thought. It wasn’t about being blood related. It was about how people treated each other. It was about how they stood up for each other, took care of each other, and loved each other. Travis caught his gaze, “Welcome to the family.” He mouthed.
Mikhail gave an old world nod of thanks.
- Zags
________________________________________________________
Babylon, Iraq
“What do you mean they’ve escaped.” Brett asked ominously.
“All of the detainees, sir. Someone broke them all out. They were obviously professionals.” the General voice quavered as he delivered the news.
“All the detainees?” Brett asked his voice harsh.
“Yes sir. All...all of them.”
Silence stretched across the phone line as Brett grew even more furious. His fist clenched along with his teeth. “I am very disappointed in you General.”
“I’m sorry sir. As I said they were professionals.” the General tried to explain.
“And what are you General? Are you not a professional?”
“Yyyes sir.”
“How did these ‘professionals’ know where the high priority prisoners were being held General? Can you answer that question?” Brett grit out.
“Nnno sir. I can’t.” The General stuttered.
“I can. Someone on the inside was helping them. More than likely this Yates fellow. Arrest and execute him for treason against the Global Family.” Brett ordered.
“Yates is already dead. Shot by one of the people who...” the General was cut off by Brett’s roar of rage.
“Enough with your excuses!! You are obviously too incompetent to fulfill the demands of your job!!” Brett raged. “Someone will be there to relieve you of your command before day’s end!!” Brett slammed down the phone.
Beyond furious Brett slammed his fist into the wall next to his desk. Turning swiftly he picked up the phone again. Dialing Oklahoma City he ordered the Generals replacement on a jet immediately. “And Director Clay, your first duty is to put a bullet in that idiot Generals head. I want to see it too. Video conference me when you execute that moron!”
“What do you mean they’ve escaped.” Brett asked ominously.
“All of the detainees, sir. Someone broke them all out. They were obviously professionals.” the General voice quavered as he delivered the news.
“All the detainees?” Brett asked his voice harsh.
“Yes sir. All...all of them.”
Silence stretched across the phone line as Brett grew even more furious. His fist clenched along with his teeth. “I am very disappointed in you General.”
“I’m sorry sir. As I said they were professionals.” the General tried to explain.
“And what are you General? Are you not a professional?”
“Yyyes sir.”
“How did these ‘professionals’ know where the high priority prisoners were being held General? Can you answer that question?” Brett grit out.
“Nnno sir. I can’t.” The General stuttered.
“I can. Someone on the inside was helping them. More than likely this Yates fellow. Arrest and execute him for treason against the Global Family.” Brett ordered.
“Yates is already dead. Shot by one of the people who...” the General was cut off by Brett’s roar of rage.
“Enough with your excuses!! You are obviously too incompetent to fulfill the demands of your job!!” Brett raged. “Someone will be there to relieve you of your command before day’s end!!” Brett slammed down the phone.
Beyond furious Brett slammed his fist into the wall next to his desk. Turning swiftly he picked up the phone again. Dialing Oklahoma City he ordered the Generals replacement on a jet immediately. “And Director Clay, your first duty is to put a bullet in that idiot Generals head. I want to see it too. Video conference me when you execute that moron!”
- Zags
_______________________________________________________
Black Mesa
Kristen bound into the main room and made a beeline for Maddie and Shade. “Good morning everyone!” She hugged Maddie and turned to Shade. Jumping up she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Shade caught her and with a laugh gave her a squeeze. “Good morning Kristen. You’re in a good mood this morning.” He set her on feet. Looking at the joy shining on her face he quickly gave her another hug.
“I am. The Lord is so good to us. We have so many things to be grateful for.” Kristen nodded. She walked over to Matt and gave him a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re home.”
Matt held her close as he felt tears threaten. “Me too. I missed you.”
Kristen snuggled in for a moment longer and stepped back. Turning toward the table she walked over to Frank. She leaned down and plopped a kiss on his cheek. “Welcome Frank. I’m so glad you and Tansy are here.”
Frank swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you Kristen.”
Kristen turned to Tansy and gave her a kiss and a hug. “I’m looking forward to spending time with you Tansy. We’re going to have so much fun.”
Tansy smiled at Kristen’s enthusiasm. “I’m certain we will.”
“Good morning Leon.” Kristen said as she teasingly reached for a piece of bacon on his plate.
Leon let out a squeak and leaned protectively over his plate. “Get your own food Kristen.”
Kristen swatted Leon’s hand and snagged a piece of bacon. Quirking an eyebrow at Leon she slowly lifted it as if she was going to take a bite. At the last second she flipped it toward Grumpy. The rottweiler deftly caught the meat and settled down to eat his treat.
Lips twitching Leon let out a dramatic groan. “My bacon! You fed the dog my bacon!”
With a laugh Kristen ruffled Leon’s hair and made her way over to Nathan, Renee and Mihkail.
All three of them had been hunched over one of the computers and had turned to witness Kristen’s antics.
Renee watched Kristen as she feinted a punch to Nathan’s belly. “Made you flinch!” She said triumphantly when Nathan sucked in a breath. Wrapping an arm around his waist she gave him a squeeze.
“No you didn’t.” Nathan denied, as he grinned down at the teenager. He wrapped his arm around her and with one of his legs tried to trip her.
Kristen quickly moved to counter the move and both of them found themselves on the floor in a tangle of arms and legs.
“How’d you so that?” Nathan gasped.
“I have no idea.” Kristen grunted as she sat up.
Renee reached down a hand to help Kristen up. “Neat trick. You’ll have to show me how to do it.”
“I would if I knew what I did.” Kristen laughed.
“Actually it would be best if your opponent were the one on the ground while you remain on your feet.” Mikhail said solemnly.
Kristen made a face at Mikhail. “Nathan, and Matt have been teaching me some things. Maybe you could teach me how to fight a little dirtier.”
Mikhail inwardly cringed at the thought. He glanced around the room and saw the concern on everyone’s faces.
“All of us need to learn new ways of fighting.” Trevor said. “I could hold my own in a fist fight, but if it came down to knives I’d be toast.”
Conrad and Travis nodded. “We all need to know how to come out of a fight alive.”
Skunk and Mo both stood quietly as they watched Mikhail.
No emotion showed on the mans face. He had a blank look on his face, but the finger rubbing across his bottom lip betrayed his concentration on the matter.
“It’s true. Skunk and I could teach everyone a few tricks, but Mikhail, you would be the best teacher.”
Kristen stepped in front of Mikhail. “Please teach us.”
Mikhail looked down at Kristen. The thought of teaching the young girl how to use a knife to incapacitate or kill an enemy horrified him. He glanced at Renee. He imagined teaching her how to throw a knife with intent to kill. The thought sickened him.
“I for one would feel safer in the perilous times knowing I had the skills to successfully defend myself from someone who was trying to capture or kill me.” Tansy said.
“So you want me, the killer to teach you how to kill.” Mikhail said bitterly.
- Zags
_______________________________________________________
Babylon, Iraq
“Myers!”
Earl looked up from his computer screen to see his supervisor Lacy and a GF Colonel approaching him. “Yes, ma’am?”
“The Colonel would like to speak to you for a moment.”
“What can I do for you Colonel?” Earl asked.
Sitting down in the chair Lacy shoved toward him the Colonel got right to the point.
“You have heard about the attack on the facility in the Boise City area?”
Earl gave a nod.
“We understand you are from that area, is that correct?”
“Yes sir.”
“We have been unable to identify any of the people who attacked the Center. They uploaded a virus to the computer system that wiped all video footage clean. We do however have descriptions and sketches of several of the detainees who escaped as well as a couple of the assailants.”
The Colonel opened his briefcase and handed a file to Earl. “Do any of these people look familiar to you?”
Earl perused several of the sketches before he stopped to stare at one of them. Raw anger burned in his gut. “This is Shade Cooper. He lives on a ranch around 20 miles from Keyes.” Earl looked at the next few sketches. “This is his wife Maddie, and this is his son Matt.”
“Those are the names they gave the General in charge of the Center. However after the breakout we went to the ranch and there was no indication that anyone had been there in quite some time.” The Colonel leaned forward. “It’s obvious they are holed up somewhere in the area. We were wondering if you would know where?”
“Myers!”
Earl looked up from his computer screen to see his supervisor Lacy and a GF Colonel approaching him. “Yes, ma’am?”
“The Colonel would like to speak to you for a moment.”
“What can I do for you Colonel?” Earl asked.
Sitting down in the chair Lacy shoved toward him the Colonel got right to the point.
“You have heard about the attack on the facility in the Boise City area?”
Earl gave a nod.
“We understand you are from that area, is that correct?”
“Yes sir.”
“We have been unable to identify any of the people who attacked the Center. They uploaded a virus to the computer system that wiped all video footage clean. We do however have descriptions and sketches of several of the detainees who escaped as well as a couple of the assailants.”
The Colonel opened his briefcase and handed a file to Earl. “Do any of these people look familiar to you?”
Earl perused several of the sketches before he stopped to stare at one of them. Raw anger burned in his gut. “This is Shade Cooper. He lives on a ranch around 20 miles from Keyes.” Earl looked at the next few sketches. “This is his wife Maddie, and this is his son Matt.”
“Those are the names they gave the General in charge of the Center. However after the breakout we went to the ranch and there was no indication that anyone had been there in quite some time.” The Colonel leaned forward. “It’s obvious they are holed up somewhere in the area. We were wondering if you would know where?”
- Zags
_______________________________________________________
Black Mesa
“You’re not the only killer in the room.” Mo said softly.
Mikhail’s gaze went to him. He opened his mouth to speak but Mo held up his hand.
“Do you honestly thing I became the leader of one of Oklahoma City’s toughest street gangs through diplomacy? I killed to get it. I killed a lot. If somebody tried to take part of my territory, I killed to keep it. If someone tried to move in on my drugs, I killed them.”
Mo stared at Mikhail. “I lived my life with a gun in my hand from the time I was eleven years old. I’ve been shot seven times, knifed twice, and had more attempts on my life that I care to remember. And Skunk, he’s done his fair share of killing as well. He was my first lieutenant, ruthless as they come. Don’t let his joking around fool you. I’ve seen him take a gun out in the middle of a fast food restaurant and shoot somebody down just for saying something against the gang.”
Skunk grimaced. “You don’t have to go into detail.” He muttered.
Mo took a step toward Mikhail. “But you have something to offer that I don’t. You know strategy. It doesn’t take much to drive past a rival gang’s crib and shoot the place up with automatics. And happening upon a rival in a club and shooting them on the dance floor doesn’t take any strategy. This ain’t no street war we’re in. We’re not protecting territory, or drug shipments. We’re trying to stay alive.”
Mo took another step forward. “You knew what to look for at the Center. You knew how to make homemade explosives that would blow with precision. You know how to make pipe bombs that will send people running every which direction. You knew our best shot was creating chaos, I would have just stormed the doors guns blazing. I went with my instincts and shot a man to take him down. That alerted another guard to our presence so I had to kill him. If I had thrown a knife, or taken him down some other way I wouldn’t have had to kill that other guard. But my instinct was to shoot. Guns are loud and they announce your presence. We need you to teach us not only how to kill silently if necessary, but to take somebody out of commission quietly.”
He took another step forward. “You don’t need to teach us because you were a killer, it’s because you’re our best shot of staying alive in a world where our odds of surviving are slim to none.”
Kristen reached out and touched the scars on Mihkail’s wrist. “You are a survivor, same as me. You know what it’s like to be held prisoner.” She raised her eyes to his. “Teach me how to fight. Teach me how to fight for my life and escape if I get caught. Teach all of us.”
Mikhail looked into Kristen’s too old eyes. The knowledge in them made his heart ache. He looked up and scanned the room. He saw no condemnation for what he had been. He saw acceptance.
He looked directly at Shade. He saw him nod. .”We are in a war. We all need every bit of knowledge we can have to increase our odds of surviving.”
“Very well then.” Mikhail relented.
- Zags
_______________________________________________________
The plane touched down at the small airport just outside Jerusalem. Andrew had sent Yoshi a message that they had been cleared for landing and the time he should arrive to pick them up. Mark parked the plane in the hanger Steve had instructed him to use and the small group prepared to disembark. Sam patted Mark on the back, "Good job getting us through all the fuel stops and dodging the many GF planes we encountered. God was clearly watching over us."
Mark smiled, "The cloaking device MD's man installed on the plane was the biggest help. It was a sad day MD, his wife, and all his crew were killed in the bombing. We could use them right now."
Sam place his arm protectively around Christina's waist as they made their way to the tarmac. He looked around with a sense of danger that might be lurking around every corner, but all seemed quiet. Andrew gave him a slight nudge, "Look over there, Yoshi's van is waiting for us."
The group quickly made their way to the waiting van as Yoshi emerged greeting each one with a hearty handshake. Andrew introduced him to Sam, Christina, Alexis, and Johnathan. Alexis gave him a hug, "Thank you so much for taking us in. We appreciate you and your family allowing us to stay with you for a while."
"No bother. Things are getting scary around here and there are so few safe places. Argyos continues his quest to kill the two witnesses, but their time has not yet come. We must be on our way before suspicion is aroused. Too many dangers being out in the daylight."
The group squeezed into the small van and off they went toward safety.......
Mark smiled, "The cloaking device MD's man installed on the plane was the biggest help. It was a sad day MD, his wife, and all his crew were killed in the bombing. We could use them right now."
Sam place his arm protectively around Christina's waist as they made their way to the tarmac. He looked around with a sense of danger that might be lurking around every corner, but all seemed quiet. Andrew gave him a slight nudge, "Look over there, Yoshi's van is waiting for us."
The group quickly made their way to the waiting van as Yoshi emerged greeting each one with a hearty handshake. Andrew introduced him to Sam, Christina, Alexis, and Johnathan. Alexis gave him a hug, "Thank you so much for taking us in. We appreciate you and your family allowing us to stay with you for a while."
"No bother. Things are getting scary around here and there are so few safe places. Argyos continues his quest to kill the two witnesses, but their time has not yet come. We must be on our way before suspicion is aroused. Too many dangers being out in the daylight."
The group squeezed into the small van and off they went toward safety.......
- P4H
_______________________________________________________
Black Mesa
Mikhail wiped a bead of sweat that rolled down the side of his nose with his forearm. The heat in the blacksmithing room was overwhelming. He looked over at Leon as he shifted the white hot metal in the coals.
Leon glanced over at him and grinned.
Leon was definitely in his element Mikhail acknowledged. While Leon had no skill with weapons, or any type of fighting for that matter, the man was definitely a skilled craftsman in the making of them.
Leon took the metal out of the coals and turned to the anvil and began banging on it with a small hammer. Mikhail watched as Leon patiently pounded away, sweat rolling down his arms and chest, his face wreathed in concentration. Several minutes later Leon plunged the metal into a bucket of water sending up a plume of steam.
Swiping at his brow again Mikhail worked the billows to stoke the heat in the coals as Leon put the metal back into the flames. When the metal was positioned to his satisfaction Leon turned to a worktable and picked up the soapstone and began honing one of the finished blades.
The light glinted off the edge and Mikhail shook his head. He took off his gloves and looked at the bandage on his thumb. He had received the injury testing one of the blades Leon had finished and the razor sharp edge had almost sliced him to the bone. Mikhail now tested the blades with chicken feathers. He picked up one of the knives Leon had fashioned and with his other hand picked up a feather. Running the blade in the opposite direction of the growth, Mikhail watched pieces of the feather float to the floor. He smiled at Leon as he set the knife back on the counter.
Mikhail considered himself to be a connoisseur of knives and even made his own blades, but the knives Leon created far exceeded Mikhail’s expertise. Seeing movement in the doorway he turned to see Shade and Maddie waving at him. He nodded and waiting until Leon paused in his work for a moment indicated to the other man that he was going to take a break.
Leon nodded absentmindedly as he bent back to the blade he held in his hand.
Mikhail hurried toward the door picking up his shirt as he passed it. Stepping in the coolness of the hallway he almost breathed a sigh of relief. He took the towel Maddie held out to him and wiped the sweat from his torso, face and hair.
He could feel the couple’s gaze on him and quickly put on his shirt. Buttoning it up he looked Shade in the eyes. He saw shock on the big man’s face. He turned to Maddie and saw her eyes had filled with tears.
“What happened to you?” She whispered horror in her voice.
Mikhail stood uncomfortably for a moment and finally answered. “It happened a long time ago. It is no longer painful.
“But, how, who..?” Maddie shook her head in disbelief.
Shade caught Maddie’s hand and gave a gentle squeeze. He could see from Mikhail’s shuttered gaze that he didn’t want to talk about the scars that crisscrossed his chest, back and arms. He knew the marks had been made by a whip as he had a scar across the back of one of his calves from a errant whip strike while herding cattle when he was a young boy.
“I’m so sorry dear.” Maddie apologized. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Maddie reached out with her free hand and wrapped her arm around Mikhail pulling him into a hug.
Mikhail reacted slowly, his arms wrapping around Maddie to return the hug. Over her shoulder he saw Shade give a small smile. Mikhail couldn’t stop the smile that came to his lips as he felt love swell for the motherly way Maddie treated him.
In the days since the breakout Maddie had nagged him, hugged him, chastened him and loved him as if he were her child. Mikhail had never met someone so loving and motherly in his life. While he outwardly acted unaffected, inside he melted each time Maddie “henpecked” at him as Matt called it.
Letting Maddie go he stepped back. “You needed to speak to me?”
Maddie nodded. She reached up and smoothed Mikhail’s flyaway hair. “I’m worried about Trevor.”
Mikhail stood still under Maddie’s ministrations as he answered. “He is very angry.”
“Yes he is. He won’t talk about what happened to Zoe and every time someone brings her up he leaves the room.” Maddie sighed as she straightened Mikhail’s collar. She stepped back and took Shade’s hand. “I have a huge favor to ask you.”
“What would you have me do?”
“I want you to pick a fight with him.”
Mikhail’s brows shot up.
“He needs to release all that rage, and a knock down drag out brawl is the only way for him to get it all out.” Maddie reasoned.
“Why me?” Mikhail said jerking his chin toward Shade. “Shade could more than handle himself in a fight.
“Shade would either bear hug Trevor or pin him into submission.” Maddie glanced at her husband. “Shade doesn’t cotton to fist fights, and neither do I, but Trevor is itching for one and you would be able to defend yourself better than any of us. Trevor would never forgive himself if he injured Matt of Nathan so the're both out. Leon obviously couldn’t hold his own with Trevor, and Skunk , Travis and Conrad are willing to do it, but Trevor will probably go through them pretty fast. He needs to vent all that rage so he can start healing.”
Mikhail cocked his head to the side trying to understand Maddie’s logic. He glanced at Shade. He just shrugged.
Mikahil shot him a look that said plainly he thought his wife was crazy, and Shade just grinned.
Accepting he would get no help from Shade he looked back at Maddie. “I don’t understand your logic, but if you think it will help…” Mikhail trailed off.
Maddie gave him a quick hug. “I’ll go tell the other boys you’re on board.” She hurried off down the tunnel.
Mikhail watched her go. “I do not understand your wife. She dislikes fighting, but wants me to pick one.”
“She’s a woman.” Shade said as he sauntered off after his wife. “They don’t make a lick of sense, but they’re usually right about this emotion stuff.”
Mikhail let out a snort as Shade disappeared around a curve.
- Zags
________________________________________________________
Black Mesa
Renee stared at the computer screen and typed in another code. For the last few days she had been trying to decipher the security codes to unlock the location of many of the detention centers.
They needed the information on each of the centers so they would know first, where they were located and second what kind of security was in place.
Frustrated Renee saw another error message flash on the screen. She dropped her face into her hands and let out a sigh. ‘This is gonna take a miracle.” She thought to herself.
Vaguely she heard raised voices behind her but her focus was so concentrated they barely registered. She tapped the computer keys, her thoughts whirling as she tried another password.
She felt someone grab her arm and jerk her out of the chair. With a yelp she stumbled into Nathan as he dragged her backwards and pressed her against the wall, his body in front of her as if to shield her.
“What are you doing?” She asked mystified. Then she heard the sound of fists meeting flesh. She peered around Nathan and saw Trevor land a punch to Conrad’s face.
She blinked hard as she watched Conrad stagger back and fall to the floor. She tried to shove Nathan away from her. He just pressed her back into the wall more securely.
“Nathan! Let me go.”
“No.” Nathan said grimly.
“Why are the boys fighting with Trevor?” Renee asked her eyes wide as she saw Mo hit the floor.
“Because he needs to fight.” Nathan answered, wincing as Skunk took a hard punch to his gut that knocked the air out of him.
Renee noticed that Matt and Frank were shielding Tansy on the other side of the room. Tansy watched the fight, her eyes sad, but stoic.
She turned her head to see Shade had his arms wrapped around Kristen to keep her from interfering. Leon was nowhere to be seen and she assumed he was in the blacksmithing room.
She saw Mikhail step toward Trevor and she stiffened, her heart began to pound with terror. She looked at Kristen and saw the younger girl stop struggling to get free from Shade’s grasp. Maddie reached over and ran her hand down Kristen’s hair as she watched the fight unfold.
“Why isn’t anybody doing anything to stop this?” Renee demanded.
No one answered as Trevor and Mikhail circled each other slowly.
Mikhail’s eyes never left the taller man. Trevor’s eyes flashed with fury as he snapped a kick to Mikhail’s midsection.
Spinning away the blow glanced off Mikhail’s hip. He staggered one step, and raised his arm to block the punch Trevor aimed at his face. With his other arm he shoved Trevor back and the bigger man let out a bellow of rage.
Renee cringed at the sound and watched in horror as Trevor charged Mikhail.
The men crashed into one another, Mikhail gripping Trevor by his left arm and flipping him over his shoulder. Trevor hit the floor with a thud, and immediately rolled, his arm sweeping around to land a punch to the back of Mikhail’s knee.
Feeling his knee buckle Mikhail dropped, his hands out to keep his face from hitting the solid rock floor.
Trevor dove on his back fists flying, landing hard punches to the back of his head, back and ribs.
Mikhail twisted and slammed an elbow into the soft tissue under the ribs and Trevor’s breath whooshed out with a grunt. Mikhail slammed his elbow into the same spot a second time and reared back for a third strike when he felt Trevor’s weight shift to the side.
He saw Skunk had caught Trevor around the chest and lift him off his back.
Trevor struggled in Skunk’s grasp and threw his head back.
Blood flew as the back of Trevor’s head slammed into Skunk’s nose. Letting go Skunk staggered back his hands covering his broken nose.
Mikhail quickly rolled to his feet and shoved Trevor from behind.
Spinning around like an enraged bull, Trevor started throwing wild punches. Mikhail moved around him in circles, deflecting punches and kicks. He never returned a punch, just defended himself until what seemed an eternity later, Trevor’s rage was finally spent. With one last weak punch Trevor dropped to his knees, his chest heaving as he gasped for air.
Nathan stepped away from Renee and she hesitantly took a step toward Trevor. She looked at Maddie and Tansy as they both went to the kitchen area.
Kristen burst from Shade’s arms and ran to Trevor throwing her arms around his neck. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged Trevor close. His arms wrapped around her as a sob ripped from his throat.
Renee walked forward and dropped to her knees next to Trevor. She put her arms around him and held him as he cried, her own eyes filling. She glanced up at Nathan, ‘I love you.” She mouthed.
‘I love you too.’ He mouthed back as he placed a comforting hand on Trevor’s back.
No one said a word as Trevor cried for his lost love.
Renee stared at the computer screen and typed in another code. For the last few days she had been trying to decipher the security codes to unlock the location of many of the detention centers.
They needed the information on each of the centers so they would know first, where they were located and second what kind of security was in place.
Frustrated Renee saw another error message flash on the screen. She dropped her face into her hands and let out a sigh. ‘This is gonna take a miracle.” She thought to herself.
Vaguely she heard raised voices behind her but her focus was so concentrated they barely registered. She tapped the computer keys, her thoughts whirling as she tried another password.
She felt someone grab her arm and jerk her out of the chair. With a yelp she stumbled into Nathan as he dragged her backwards and pressed her against the wall, his body in front of her as if to shield her.
“What are you doing?” She asked mystified. Then she heard the sound of fists meeting flesh. She peered around Nathan and saw Trevor land a punch to Conrad’s face.
She blinked hard as she watched Conrad stagger back and fall to the floor. She tried to shove Nathan away from her. He just pressed her back into the wall more securely.
“Nathan! Let me go.”
“No.” Nathan said grimly.
“Why are the boys fighting with Trevor?” Renee asked her eyes wide as she saw Mo hit the floor.
“Because he needs to fight.” Nathan answered, wincing as Skunk took a hard punch to his gut that knocked the air out of him.
Renee noticed that Matt and Frank were shielding Tansy on the other side of the room. Tansy watched the fight, her eyes sad, but stoic.
She turned her head to see Shade had his arms wrapped around Kristen to keep her from interfering. Leon was nowhere to be seen and she assumed he was in the blacksmithing room.
She saw Mikhail step toward Trevor and she stiffened, her heart began to pound with terror. She looked at Kristen and saw the younger girl stop struggling to get free from Shade’s grasp. Maddie reached over and ran her hand down Kristen’s hair as she watched the fight unfold.
“Why isn’t anybody doing anything to stop this?” Renee demanded.
No one answered as Trevor and Mikhail circled each other slowly.
Mikhail’s eyes never left the taller man. Trevor’s eyes flashed with fury as he snapped a kick to Mikhail’s midsection.
Spinning away the blow glanced off Mikhail’s hip. He staggered one step, and raised his arm to block the punch Trevor aimed at his face. With his other arm he shoved Trevor back and the bigger man let out a bellow of rage.
Renee cringed at the sound and watched in horror as Trevor charged Mikhail.
The men crashed into one another, Mikhail gripping Trevor by his left arm and flipping him over his shoulder. Trevor hit the floor with a thud, and immediately rolled, his arm sweeping around to land a punch to the back of Mikhail’s knee.
Feeling his knee buckle Mikhail dropped, his hands out to keep his face from hitting the solid rock floor.
Trevor dove on his back fists flying, landing hard punches to the back of his head, back and ribs.
Mikhail twisted and slammed an elbow into the soft tissue under the ribs and Trevor’s breath whooshed out with a grunt. Mikhail slammed his elbow into the same spot a second time and reared back for a third strike when he felt Trevor’s weight shift to the side.
He saw Skunk had caught Trevor around the chest and lift him off his back.
Trevor struggled in Skunk’s grasp and threw his head back.
Blood flew as the back of Trevor’s head slammed into Skunk’s nose. Letting go Skunk staggered back his hands covering his broken nose.
Mikhail quickly rolled to his feet and shoved Trevor from behind.
Spinning around like an enraged bull, Trevor started throwing wild punches. Mikhail moved around him in circles, deflecting punches and kicks. He never returned a punch, just defended himself until what seemed an eternity later, Trevor’s rage was finally spent. With one last weak punch Trevor dropped to his knees, his chest heaving as he gasped for air.
Nathan stepped away from Renee and she hesitantly took a step toward Trevor. She looked at Maddie and Tansy as they both went to the kitchen area.
Kristen burst from Shade’s arms and ran to Trevor throwing her arms around his neck. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged Trevor close. His arms wrapped around her as a sob ripped from his throat.
Renee walked forward and dropped to her knees next to Trevor. She put her arms around him and held him as he cried, her own eyes filling. She glanced up at Nathan, ‘I love you.” She mouthed.
‘I love you too.’ He mouthed back as he placed a comforting hand on Trevor’s back.
No one said a word as Trevor cried for his lost love.
- Zags
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