Billy grows more concerned about Colt's health....
Disclaimer: The characters of Billy Collins, Michael Dorset, Casey Malick, Rick Martinez, HJ Higgins, Adele Ferrer, and Fay Carson are not mine and are the property of Chaos, Rat Productions, 20th Century Fox and CBS Television. This is speculative and fan fiction for the purposes of entertainment of Live Journal members only, and I am not receiving any compensation or consideration for this work. All plot situations and additional characters are mine and purely fictional; any resemblance to any real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Word Count: 1430
Rating: PG
Summary: Another mission goes well as Billy's concerns about Colt grow.
Loki stood, “Understood, sir.” The Director shook their hands, “Let’s get going then. Time grows short.” For the rest of the week, Ninja and Ender traveled to the Mideast and Asian teams, preparing them for the mission. They contacted Hopewell, sending her details of the plan and contingencies and the chips with instructions on implanting them in herself and the assets. Friday afternoon, Dumbo notified the team that a demonstration was occurring near the village where Hopewell and the assets were hiding.
Loki turned to Ender, “Make the call.” Ender nodded and pulled out her burn phone. In Russian, she said, “Zukovec, we’re tracking some demonstrators headed for the Qaddafi family holdings near a small village outside Zillah…can you get us a better satellite view of what’s going on?” She listened for a few minutes, “Wilson…he’s the man who’ll get you hooked up.” Soon, a satellite image of the area outside Zillah was on their screens. “Thanks, Zukovec…we got it.”
She nodded to Ninja, who picked up a phone. “Wilson’s making contact now,” he said. Loki, Ninja, and Ender watched the broadcast network feeds of the demonstration for several minutes and observed government troops moving in on the crowd of demonstrators. Ninja nodded toward Dumbo who turned toward his communication console, “Tracking them now…they’re splitting off from the crowd…” Ninja said, “Tell them to hold their position until the government troops engage…stay on the fringes of the crowd.” Dumbo relayed the instructions and acknowledgement from Hopewell.
The group watched as government troops engaged the demonstrators. Ninja turned to Dumbo, “Now…tell them to move now.” Dumbo relayed Ninja’s instructions, and they watched as Hopewell and the assets slipped between some nearby buildings and made their way to the pick-up point. “Hopewell, take cover!” Ender exclaimed, “Libyan air force is on their way, right over your position.” They watched as the eight dots representing Hopewell and the assets became stationary after finding cover. Ninja and Ender studied the satellite images and intelligence on movement of the Libyan air force. When they were satisfied that the air force was fully engaged around the demonstration near Zillah, they ordered Hopewell to resume moving toward the pick-up point.
After watching the dots move further into the desert, both Ninja and Ender suddenly stood and looked at each other. Ninja nodded to Ender, “I’ll contact the teams. They’ll be there.” Ender walked to a point in front of the screen, “Howler, I need satellite images for a twenty mile radius…all activity on ground and in the air.” Howler pulled everything up, and Ender studied the images. “Dumbo, get the Mideast team online,” she said. When Dumbo nodded, Ender spoke, “Change of plans. We’re relaying Hopewell’s coordinates. They’re being tracked by Libyan air patrols. We need to get them out fast.”
“We’re revving up now, Ender. Ready on your mark,” agent al-Shadir responded. Ender glanced at Ninja, who nodded, “Everyone’s in position, Ender.” “Mark,” Ender said. Over the speakers, al-Shadir responded, “Lifting off, now.” The team watched as dots marking the Mideast team’s ground and air personnel appeared on their screen. Ninja and Ender issued orders periodically, and soon, al-Shadir’s voice came over the intercom, “I have the packages…intact. What are your orders?”
“The Med…USS Lincoln standing by for you,” Ender said. “Acknowledged. Great to work with you, Ender! Thanks, HQ!” al-Shadir said. Six hours later, Loki, Ninja, and Ender met the chopper delivering the assets and Hopewell to MI6. Hopewell smiled as she exited the chopper, “Ninja! Glad you’re back from the US!” She smiled at Ender and offered her hand, “Ninja and I trained together when we joined MI6. I’m Mary Hopewell.” Ender shook her hand, “I’ve heard about you, Mary. I’m Colt.”
Mary stepped back and looked at both of them, “I see it…you are the perfect couple…just as advertised. Colt, I’m glad to meet the woman who tamed Billy.” Jack grinned as he approached, “Or the man who tamed Colt.” Hopewell stuck her hand out to Jack, “Nice to see you, Jack. She really as tough as our boy?” Jack nodded, and Billy grinned and said, “Tougher…well, most of the time.” Hopewell grinned at Ender, “Thanks, Ender…thanks for saving our bacon out there.” Ender smiled, “My pleasure. We’ll give you a ride to HQ.” On the way, Mary said, “By the way, Zukovec sends his thanks…seems this mission exposed a mole in their organization. He’s dealing with him as we speak.”
The next morning after a night of lovemaking, Billy woke to find Colt still sleeping. Quietly, he slipped out of bed and started coffee and a light breakfast. She stirred as he walked into the bedroom with the tray. She stretched, dashed to the bathroom, and emerged with her robe. As they finished their breakfast, Billy said, “Honey…I’m serious about you talking to John. Please.” Colt sighed, “OK, I promise. Now, can we get our workout started?” She kissed him and began dressing in her sweats.
After their workout, rides on Sheila and Dancer, and shower, Colt fixed lunch and prepared the dish she was taking to the Gastons that night. Billy watched as she worked a kink out of her neck and shoulder. He gently began massaging her neck and shoulder. She smiled and leaned against him, “That feels good.” He finished and put his arms around her. “You feel pretty tense. What’s going on, honey? Something worrying you?” he asked. She sighed, “I’ve just had some of those feelings lately…nothing strong or specific…just there.” He gently rocked her and kissed her, “I haven’t…just the usual worries and missing the twins while they’re at school.” She sighed as she leaned against him, letting the gentle rhythm of his rocking relax her; she just wished the feeling would quit nagging at her and go away.
That night, they enjoyed dinner with the team, the McLaughlins, the Gastons, the MacMillans, and their families. Colt was impressed with what John and Jo had done with their house and grounds. After Jo’s tour, Colt settled in a chair near the fire and sipped her brandy, enjoying the warmth of the flames. Gaston sat in a chair next to her, watching her closely. She shook herself out of her reverie and met his gaze. “Billy talked to you,” she said. Gaston smiled and nodded, “Not specifics…just that he’s worried. What’s going on, Colt?”
“We’ve spent a lot more office time. I haven’t been working out at my usual level, and I’m just stiff and sore more when the weather changes…that’s all,” Colt said. “How…specifically?” Gaston asked as he leaned forward. “Mostly the old wounds…neck’s stiff, fingers and shoulder ache…that sort of thing. John, it’s nothing more than what I’ve had since my first wound. The difference is I haven’t been training at the same level,” Colt said.
Gaston looked at her, “I want to see you first thing Monday morning. Billy’s old wounds haven’t bothered him like that, nor have any of the other men I’ve treated reported such symptoms. How frequently is this occurring?” Colt sighed, “Daily…lately. Wasn’t as bad today after I got in a good workout.” Gaston sat silently until she looked at him and said, “Colt, Billy said you were really tense today.” Colt sighed, “John, we miss the twins. We just came off an important mission. And…” Gaston raised his eyebrow, “And?” “I’ve had those feelings lately…nothing specific or strong…just nagging at me. I feel like I’m missing something…something important.”
Gaston nodded at Jo as she signaled him from across the room and stood. “Time to get the little ones to bed. First thing Monday morning…my office. If you don’t show, I’ll make it a medical order. We clear?” Colt sighed and nodded, “OK, John.” A few minutes later, Billy sat in the chair next to Colt and silently watched her staring into the fire. She sipped her brandy, took a deep breath, and looked at him. He smiled, and she said, “I’ll see John, first thing Monday morning.” “Thanks, honey,” Billy said, leaning over and kissing her, “Party’s winding down…ready to go home?”
She nodded, and they thanked John and Jo for a lovely evening. Gaston watched Colt closely as she put on her coat and leaned against Billy as they walked out. Jo looked at him, “Everything OK, love?” He smiled and kissed her, “Yes, love…great party tonight.” As he kissed his wife goodnight, Gaston lay awake thinking about what he observed tonight. Colt was clearly more preoccupied than usual, and she was moving more stiffly and carefully than he had ever seen her move since her last surgeries.