^^^^
Quantico Marine Headquarters
“What do you mean she may be coming out of it?” George paced around his house as he spoke on the phone. He breathed hard. “All right. Look, don’t take a chance. O.K.? Let her come out of it. We weren’t expecting her to slip into that thing anyhow? Of course we were expecting her with us.” George was silent and listening. “We don’t need her. I have another plan. They know I have someone working for me or at least we think they do. If they don’t, someone will figure it out. No . . . no. I won’t take that chance with you. I promise. I’m going to use the fact that I have you in there as leverage. I need to call upon you again. Can I?” George nodded with a smile. “Good.” He heard a knock at his front door. He walked to it and opened it. “Look, I have to go. My assistant just walked in. I’ll call you when I get situated. Be careful. I mean it. Take care.” George disconnected the call and turned to Jeremy. “Yes.
It’s late. What’s up?”
“Sir, the men are here to load your bags.”
“Bags?” George asked clueless.
“Yes, for your trip.”
“You mean bag. One and it’s not packed yet.”
“But sir,” Jeremy said, “the train is due and they’d like to load it.”
“Tell them to load it for crying out loud. When I go tomorrow, my bag will go with me.”
“Just trying to help your trip go smoother.”
“There are other things that could have made this trip go smoother, but . . . I appreciate the thought.”
Jeremy paused in walking out. “Really?”
“No,” George said. “I was being polite.”
Jeremy said nothing further as he walked out. He wouldn’t let George bother him because he knew that the days to come would be peaceful ones--not to mention less stressful ones--while George was away on Society business.
^^^^
Bowman, North Dakota
Hal snapped his chair forward from the back legs he teetered it on and leaned forward, extending out a notebook to Sgt. Ryder who sat on the floor of the front porch with him. “Do you suppose I’ve worded this too formally?”
“Probably.” Sgt. Ryder didn’t even look at what Hal wrote. “You do everything so formally.”
“I do not. Listen to this.” Hal sat back. “On this date . . . I left it blank . . . an agreement was reached between the leader, Chief . . . I left blank . . . of Beginnings Montana and Captain Hal Slagel of The United Western Alliance. The following terms were agreed upon by both parties and this agreement shall remain in effect for two years from the date of this agreement with an option to renew at either parties request.”
“Formal,” Sgt. Ryder said. “What are the terms?”
“O.K., here’s what I’m offering.” Hal cleared his throat. “The United Western Alliance, in exchange for food shall provide Beginnings with workers for the maintenance and cultivation of the fields, plus workers which Beginnings deems comparable for a price of food. Meaning . . .”
“Meaning.” Sgt. Ryder rolled his eyes. “We help them work the fields but they need it to compensate for the extra food they have to grow. So what is Beginnings getting? More workers. Fair exchange, we know they run a minimal staff for the industry they are building there.”
“Shall I continue?” Hal asked, didn’t get an answer, but continued anyhow. “UWA workers can be exchanged for other workers at any time at the UWA discretion.” He didn’t get a response from Sgt. Ryder. “In exchange for medical care over and above necessary treatment, the UWA shall provide Beginnings with added protection to their security walls. Pretty good huh?”
“Health care.”
“A must. Perhaps Blue can get some experience there.”
“You should put that down.” Sgt. Ryder said with sarcasm.
“I will. Thanks.” Hal made a notation. “This isn’t final yet.”
“I completely understand. Anything else?”
“I thought this would be a bonus. Beginnings can request of the UWA, ‘X’ amount of men, if needed, in their battle against The Society.” Hal flipped a page in his notes. “Elliott? Do you think we should, as a bonus, offer some assistance in training their men? They may need it.”
“They may. I’d put it in.”
“I will.” Hal wrote down. “The last thing I have so far is . . . Any UWA worker who does not abide by Beginnings rules cannot be shot.”
Sgt. Ryder quickly looked back at Hal. “Shot? Where is that coming from?”
“I’m betting they shoot people who break rules like if they steal and such.”
“Why would you say that?” Sgt. Ryder asked.
“Well, think about it. You had a Beginnings man shooting dead men in the head.” Hal held out his hand as if to say, ‘see my point’.
“You’ve worked hard on that.”
“I needed something to help take my mind off our men leaving for the search tomorrow.”
Sgt. Ryder gave a confident look. “I have good feelings about that. A few days, a week tops, we’ll hear something then you’ll have leverage to approach Beginnings. Until then . . .”
“I know, I know. We’ll come off as crack pots. They won’t take us seriously. They’re so official in Beginnings. I think that’s why I’m working on an official agreement. They’re so organized. They make their own gas, they supply their own energy. Medical help is always there. They have ample food and no violence that we have heard. They have a good time. Even The Society has their high tech scientists. They started the steam engines trains again which, by the way, I want to highjack one or whatever you would call it. You think we could?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“How would we train for something like that?” Hal shrugged. “I think it would be fun. We’d have to wait until they run the lines closer to us.”
“Won’t be for a while. Our scouts say they only extended the lines as far as Alabama.”
“Anyway, you’ve got me off the subject.”
Wanting to say ‘me?’ Sgt. Ryder refrained. “Sorry. Go on.”
“Thanks. I guess . . . I guess with Beginnings and The Society like they are, I don’t want Beginnings to think I’m unorganized or not together.”
Sgt. Ryder laughed. “You? A little eccentric at times, yes. Unorganized no. If I may, I’d like to compliment you but I don’t want to hear any typical arrogant comments.”
“From me? Never. O.K., I won’t. Go on...”
Sgt. Ryder shook his head with a smile. “The UWA may not be as high tech as they are and we may be more old world than when the plague hit, but we are every bit as organized as they are. You got us all together. You have men who trust you, listen to you, and follow you. You have a leadership quality like I have never seen before in my life.”
“I do, don’t I?”
“See!”
Hal started to laugh and he gave a swift pat to Sgt. Ryder’s back. “Joking. Thank you. I guess I owe that to my father. He taught all of us boys to stand on our own and take charge. That’s the kind of man I remember him being, a leader.”
“Then that’s a fond memory and you should keep it that way, because that’s all we have left of our families, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Hel leaned back in his chair and picked up his notes again. “Sadly enough, it is.”
^^^^
Beginnings Montana
It was late, and Dean looked as tired and drawn as the day had been long for him. He hadn’t left Ellen’s side since she had shed her tear. Perhaps hope kept him there. That and the fact that he didn’t want to miss a single reaction she had. Not one. Even if it was a tear, Dean wanted to be there.
He sat in a chair, holding her hand, stroking her face. He held the position and never left no matter who walked in the room. He begged her in his mind and through his words, to just come out of it. He had spoken so steadily and so continuously, his voice was raspy.
“O.K.” Dean tried to clear his dry throat to make it clearer, but no
matter what he did, his words were sad. Even if he smiled when he said them, so many emotions came through in his words. “I’m pulling out all stops here, Ellen. I wanted to wait until you woke up, but . . . I have to tell you now. I have a surprise for you. They got new housing for us. Yeah, no more town houses for you, El. I got a house, a modular one, but big. It’s perfect for you El. You can decorate it, show it off. The house thing, it may seem so trivial or materialistic, but I wanted to give you something that would make you happy. It’s all for you. I hope . . . I hope you still want to live with me.” Dean kissed her hand. “I know you were staying with Henry to get some time for you over Brian, but when you leave there, I’d like you to come back with me. We were uh . . . getting it down pat pretty good, even though you bitched at me about the bubbles on the soap, and for coming home late for dinner. El . . .” Dean dropped his voice to a whisper. “The bitching may get to me, but don’t let me kid you. I acted . . . I acted like it didn’t matter to me when you moved back home. It did. Oh God, did it matter. I don’t think you realize how much it means to wake up and see you there. My sun rises and sets around you. I don’t know why you won’t come back to this world with me. Maybe you don’t think I’d understand. I do. I would. And if you’d just come out, El, I swear to you I will help you though this every step of the way. I love you.” Dean brushed his cheek against her hand. “I love you so much. I know I may never be the love of your life but know that you’re mine.” He raised his eyes to her. “You’re mine. You’re that reason that I even feel. We all need you out here, El. The kids need you. I . . . I need you. Did you ever hear the saying, ‘the half that makes me whole’? You’re it for me and until you come out of this, I just . . . I just won’t be whole.” Dean kissed her softly. “Come out for me, El. Please, come out for me.”
Dean said nothing as he stared at Ellen. He hoped and prayed that his words reached her. They didn’t. He didn’t get any reaction at all and his heart sunk. Slowly he released her hand and stood up. He stretched and walked to the door, closing it. Walking over to her bed, Dean reached for the light, turning it on. Dean moved to the other side of the bed, hesitated, then laid down next to Ellen. He scooted into her and draped his arm around her waist, laying his lips so lightly on her neck.
Upon his touch and hold, his body meeting hers, it was like every bit of tension in Ellen’s body disappeared. She gasped outward and her body backed more into Dean’s.
Dean shook when he felt her touch him, her arm clenched to his, pulling his hold more around her. “El?” Dean’s voice quivered. “Ellen.” He held her tighter, following the lead of what she wanted. When he did, Ellen cried out a heart breaking sob loud, long, and emotional. It shot through Dean painfully and he closed his eyes. His lips planted firmly to her cheek and if Dean could pull her inside of him, he would.
Ellen kept crying and sobbing. In a gentle, rocking, comforting manner, Dean clung to her. On the bed, they were intertwined, both physically and emotionally, joined in a moment that could never be taken from them. It was a gift to Dean, a release for Ellen, and a breakthrough for both of them. Dean reached out his hand. Ellen saw it, she took it, and she came back.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
September 5
Beginnings, Montana
One ring then two. Joe grumbled and Andrea sat up at the phone’s ringing.
“Joe, want me to get that?” She asked then noticed the time of four a.m.
“No.” Coughing once, Joe reached for the phone which sat charging next to his bed. He cleared his throat. “Hello.”
Softly Dean spoke. “Joe, I need you to come down to the clinic. O.K.?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Just get here.”
Joe looked at the receiver when Dean disconnected the call. “Shit.” Joe sat up and flung the covers off of him.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. Dean said to get to the clinic.”
“You think it’s Ellen.”
“I hope not.” Joe stepped into his trousers.
“Sweet Jesus.” Andrea closed her eyes. “I’ll say a prayer.”
“Please do.” Joe searched for his shirt. He just wanted to get dressed as fast as he could and get down to the clinic.
Jess had knocked on Robbie’s bedroom door at least five times and didn’t get an answer. Half asleep himself, Jess walked in. “Robbie,” he called out. “Robbie.”
“Huh?”
Jess knew he had to wake Robbie, so he turned on the light.
Robbie grunted loudly, sat up some, and rubbed his eyes. “What’s up?” he squinted.
“Glen from the clinic just called here. He said you might want to get down there right away. He didn’t say why. I asked if it had to do with Ellen and he said . . . he said yes.”
Robbie immediately sprang from the bed. “Shit. Thanks Jess.” In his boxer shorts only and his hair tossed about, Robbie, like Joe, scurried about the room for his clothes.
Jenny showed up at Dean’s house still wearing her long pink nightgown with the ribbon on the front, fuzzy bunny slippers peeked through the bottom. Her red hair pulled in a wild ponytail on top of her head and her nose still sported the sinus strip that helped keep her nostrils open while she slept.
Henry jolted in fright when he saw her then, before commenting, remembered he summoned her for a favor. “Thanks Jenny for hurrying over.” He exchanged places with her at the doorway.
“Not a problem. I’ll just crash on the couch.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know what’s going on.” Henry flew out, pulling the door closed.
Jenny plopped on the couch, shut of the light, fell sideways, and was sleeping again before she hit the cushion.
Wearing an unbuttoned white shirt over his tee shirt, Joe walked down the dimly lit corridor of the clinic. He moved fast, but not too fast, because a part of him was still afraid of what Dean was going to tell him.
“Dad!” Robbie’s voice echoed in the empty hall.
Joe stopped walking and turned. Robbie was racing down and behind him, Henry had entered the clinic. Joe waited for them.
“Dad, what’s going on?” Robbie asked.
“I don’t know.” Joe lifted his hands. “Did Dean call you?”
“No. Jess said Glen did.”
Henry joined them, out of breath. “Glen called me too. He didn’t say anything, just that it had to do with Ellen.”
Joe shook his head. “Well that’s more than I got from Dean. Let’s go. It’s time to find out.”
Together, the three of them walked down toward Ellen’s room. When they got there, Dean was coming out and he pulled the door closed. He wasn’t expecting to see Joe and the rest in the hall so soon and it showed on Dean’s face, along with something else.
Joe took a step to him. “Dean?” Joe spoke soft looking at Dean’s face. His eyes were red, his face drawn. “My God. Were you crying? Oh my God.” Joe lost his breath.
Robbie and Henry started talking rapidly and panicked at the same time. So much so, that Dean didn’t understand them.
Dean held up his hand. “No, listen.” He took a second in thought. “Yes I was crying, but not why you think. Ellen . . . El’s come out of it.” As he thought would happen, the three rushed to her door. Dean stopped them. “Wait. Please, just wait.” He waited until they stopped. “The reason I was so vague is because I don’t want this out of control. Ellen has come out, yes, but for the next few hours her situation is delicate. She’s upset and cries easily. I’ve given her a mild sedative to help.”
Henry didn’t understand this. “A sedative. Why? She just came back to us.”
“She’s not sleeping, by no means. She hasn’t said much,” Dean said, “and that’s what I want to speak to you about. No questions, absolutely no questions to her about what happened to her or to Frank. Nothing. In this time frame right now, if by chance she doesn’t remember anything, I don’t want her to recall it and slip away from us again. When I see she’s more stable,
we can ask her. Until then, nothing. Let her be the one to talk. Just be a sense of support.” Dean moved back to the door and opened it.
Joe walked in first. He wasn’t supposed to show emotions but he couldn’t help it. Ellen lying on her back, propped up, and seeing her raise her eyes to him caused Joe to rush to her side, sit on the bed, and take her into his arms. “Oh God.” Joe held her tightly and Ellen clung back.
“Joe.” She only said his name and then she stared to cry. “Oh Joe.” She cried harder.
“It’s all right.” Joe spoke soothingly, his hand cupped her head, holding Ellen’s face tightly to his. “It’s all right. I’m right here. Look whose come to see you.”
Robbie and Henry both moved apprehensively to the scene and closer to the bed.
Ellen pulled some from Joe and saw Henry first.
“Hey El.” Henry smiled. “I missed you.” He reached out his hand to her. Ellen clenched it and pulled Henry to her. Joe moved from the way to let Henry embrace Ellen. So as not to upset Ellen anymore, he pulled back. “I don’t want to hog this moment either.” He kissed her on the cheek then stood up.
Ellen saw Robbie. It was obvious how hard she swallowed and her eyes welled up again. Her breath shivered when Robbie sat near her on the bed.
Robbie didn’t understand her reaction. She wasn’t reaching to him like Joe or Henry. Did she remember how scared he was when he found her? How he avoided the room. At that moment, Robbie was afraid to say anything. He laid a trembling hand on Ellen’s face. “Welcome home.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 369