“You cannot,” Fadiyah said, shaking her head. “It is not clean.”
“Don’t care,” Jet said, sounding like a petulant child.
“La yakun alttifl…” Fadiyah said, telling Jet not to be a child in Arabic, forgetting for a moment that Jet understood Arabic.
“Can if I wanna,” Jet said, grinning and opening her eyes to look up at Fadiyah, her eyes sparkling with humor.
Fadiyah closed her eyes, shaking her head, then opened them again, and looked down at Jet. “You must get up,” she said, her tone brooking no argument.
“Fine,” Jet said, exasperated.
Fadiyah moved to help her but Jet held up her hand.
“I can do this.”
“Like you could stand and walk by yourself?” Fadiyah asked, her own eyebrow raised.
“That’s just wrong,” Jet said, narrowing her eyes at Fadiyah.
“What is wrong?” Fadiyah asked, still trying to get accustomed to Jet’s phrases.
“You kickin’ a sista when she’s quite literally down,” Jet said, quirking a grin.
“I did not kick you,” Fadiyah said, her look aghast.
“Never mind,” Jet said, too tired to try and explain
Once again, using her hard acquired upper body strength, Jet pushed herself into a sitting position. She waited until her breathing calmed again, then she reached up, grabbing the end of the bed’s wood base. Tightening her grip and then concentrating on nothing but sending every ounce of strength she had to her stomach muscles, she pulled herself up to standing.
Fadiyah watched in amazement, seeing the muscles in Jet’s arms and stomach contracting and straining with the effort. It was obvious that Jet Mathews was very strong, despite being so badly injured.
It took a few more minutes, and her allowing Fadiyah to help her take the steps back to the bed, but Jet made it.
“That was fun,” Jet said breathlessly. “Let’s do that again in about three hours.”
“No,” Fadiyah said simply.
Jet chuckled at the look on Fadiyah’s face.
“Four?” Jet queried.
“No,” Fadiyah answered.
“Five?”
“No!” Fadiyah exclaimed, a grin starting on her lips.
“Okay fine, tomorrow,” Jet said, sighing.
“Maybe,” Fadiyah said.
It took another week, but Jet was eventually able to get up and walk with relatively no effort. She had to stay in the room they were in, though. She couldn’t be observed either by the men in the household, or more concerning, anyone outside that could tell ISIL about her.
It was two more days, before Jet told Fadiyah that she needed to leave.
“Leave?” Fadiyah repeated, looking worried.
“Fadi, I need to get back to my unit,” Jet said. “Every day I stay here, I’m putting your family in greater danger.”
“How will you get back?” Fadiyah asked.
“It’s only about a forty click hike,” Jet said, shrugging.
Fadiyah looked back at Jet like she thought Jet was insane, which indeed Fadiyah was wondering if that was the case.
“I can do it, Fadi,” Jet said. “You don’t have to worry.”
Fadiyah shook her head, not wanting to think about Jet trying to walk all that way or what would happen if she failed.
“Did I get here with anything?” Jet asked. “My pack, my gun?”
“Yes”, Fadiyah said, nodding as she got up and left the room. She came back in with both Jet’s pack and her rifle.
Jet moved to sit up, taking the M16 rifle in her hands. Fadiyah watched in fascination as Jet removed the ammunition magazine from the rifle, checked it and then set it aside. She then began turning nobs, and pulling the trigger as well as the charging handle on the top of the weapon.
What is that you are doing?” Fadiyah asked, pointing to the rifle.
“I’m doing what’s called a function check,” Jet said. “It’s to make sure this baby fires when it’s supposed to. It can be the difference between a long healthy life and a quick death by enemy fire.”
Fadiyah nodded, surprised that she’d somehow managed to forget for a few moments that Jet was a soldier. Not that it was an easy thing to forget, she still wore the camouflage uniform pants and her dog tags.
Jet slid her ammunition magazine back into the bottom of the rifle and pulled back on the action handle to chamber a round, the weapon pointing downward the entire time. After clicking on the safety, she set the rifle aside and reached for her pack. She pulled out a khaki colored tank top and pulled it on over her head. She then rummaged through the pack, pulling out MREs, water packs, extra ammunition clips, a Kabar knife and sheath which she also set near her rifle. She also pulled out a first aid kit, and extra socks. Unfortunately, her radio had been in the Humvee when it had burned, having just used it to communicate with the base before they’d hit the first IED.
She looked at Fadiyah and saw that she was watching her with wide eyes.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Jet said, as she started to put things back in her pack.
“It does not look bad,” Fadiyah said. “I have never seen this up close. Only on soldiers going by our village.” She smiled softly. “Do you remember the day you played with the boys in the village?”
Jet canted her head. “You were there?” she asked, surprised. She realized she shouldn’t be, since there had been a few fully veiled women watching the minor soccer match she’d conducted. It had involved Jet and three other soldiers against at least ten of the village children.
“I remember your smile that day,” Fadiyah said. “And how you laughed and teased the children, making them giggle and scream in laughter. My little brother Abdul was one of those boys.”
“He was?” Jet asked, having not remembered that, although she’d only glimpsed the boy since she had been in the house.
“Yes, and he was so happy that day,” Fadiyah said, smiling fondly. “It was the first time I had seen him smile and laugh so much since our mother died.”
Jet smiled sadly. “I’m glad I could help,” she said. Then she gestured to her rifle. “I wish this wasn’t the only way we could help your country.”
“I wish that too,” Fadiyah said.
They exchanged a sentimental look then.
Jet moved to stand, setting her pack down next to her rifle.
“When will you go?” Fadiyah asked, her tone subdued.
“Tonight,” Jet said, picking up her watch and putting it on. “Late, so hopefully everyone is asleep.”
Fadiyah nodded, her look sad.
Jet smiled, taking solace in the thought that Fadiyah might miss her a little bit.
At midnight, Jet put on her boots and clean socks. She pulled on her camouflage jacket that still had her blood on it. Fadiyah stood watching her, her face full of concern.
Jet looked at Fadiyah, seeing that she was upset, and wanting to do something to help, but not sure what was wise or safe. Finally, throwing caution somewhat to the wind, she stepped over, holding her arms out.
“Will you permit me?” Jet asked Fadiyah, her tone respectful.
Fadiyah nodded sadly and stepped into Jet’s arms. Jet hugged Fadiyah to her, one hand on her upper back the other holding Fadiyah’s head gently. She felt Fadiyah tremble, and heard her sniffle.
“No tears…” Jet said softly.
Fadiyah nodded, keeping her head against Jet’s shoulder.
“I will miss you, Jet,” Fadiyah said.
“And I will miss you,” Jet said, putting her finger under Fadiyah’s chin to turn her face up to hers. “Thank you for saving my life,” she said, her tone grave. “I will never forget this kindness.”
Fadiyah pressed her lips together, tears in her eyes again.
“Stop that,” Jet said, smiling, even as she felt a lump rising in her throat.
She hugged Fadiyah again, then stepped back.
“I better go,” she said, pulling on her pack, and then p
icking up her rifle.
Fadiyah surprised her by reaching her hand up to touch her cheek. “Please be careful, Jet Mathews.”
“You be careful too,” Jet said, her look serious. “Make sure you use the double veil every time you leave the house, never forget.”
Fadiyah looked back at her for a long moment. She knew that Jet was telling her that for her own safety and it warmed her heart just a little more toward this brave soldier.
“I will not forget,” Fadiyah said, nodding.
“Good,” Jet said, smiling.
Jet walked to the door of the room. She looked back one last time, seeing Fadiyah standing in the middle of the room, her hands clasped together in front of her, her look still worried.
Jet winked at her, then stepped out the door. She left the house moments later, moving carefully to avoid making any noise. She spared one last glance at the house she’d been in. Taking a deep breath, she blew it out slowly. Then set her mind to the long hike she had back to Balad base.
Jet and Skyler were in Jet’s car the afternoon Jet heard that she was a go for going back to Iraq. She just needed to await final details.
“You should have them in the next two days or so,” Midnight said.
“I can’t thank you enough, Midnight,” Jet said, her tone sincere, her eyes shining as she drove.
“Thank me by coming back in one piece,” Midnight said, grinning at her end of the phone. “Kash will kill me if I cost her her best asset.”
Jet chuckled. “Roger that, ma’am,” she said.
“Be safe, Jet.”
They disconnected then. Jet looked over at Skyler and could see Skyler’s tension instantly.
“You know I gotta go, Sky,” Jet said.
Skyler didn’t answer for a long minute. She just looked over at her, her eyes searching Jet’s face as she drove.
“You know that there’s a high possibility they’re already dead,” Skyler said, her tone gentle, but knowing it needed to be said.
At a red light, Jet closed her eyes for a moment, blowing her breath out and nodding. “Yeah, I know that,” she said, her tone hurried.
Skyler nodded. “You may not find anything at all.”
Jet narrowed her eyes, still looking forward at the road, but nodded again.
“What’s the plan?” Skyler asked. “If you do find them?”
“Get them to Balad, and then to Tehran.”
“How?” Skyler asked, narrowing her eyes.
Jet shrugged. “Probably by chopper,” she said and immediately saw the look in Skyler’s eyes and started to shake her head.
“No!” she said sharply.
“A Blackhawk is faster than a Huey, Jet, you know it.”
“No, Sky,” Jet said, still shaking her head.
“I can get you to Tehran in three hours. A fully loaded Huey will take around five. How long you want to torture those people who’ve probably never been in a chopper? And how much chance of getting shot down do you want to take?”
“Fine, then I’ll get a local Blackhawk pilot,” Jet said, nodding.
“No,” Skyler said, shaking her head. “No one else is flying this mission with you. You need me.”
“I’m not dragging you into this, Sky, you’ve already done enough!” Jet yelled, as if her volume alone would change Skyler’s mind.
Skyler face remained completely impassive, her light blue-green eyes simply looking back at Jet calmly, which only infuriated Jet more. She whipped the car into the parking lot of the store they’d driven to, threw it into park and jumped out. She immediately began to pace furiously, mad at herself for telling Skyler about taking a helicopter to Tehran. She should have known that Skyler would see that as a sign that she was supposed to help her. Skyler Boché was one of the best Blackhawk pilots Jet had ever seen, everyone said it. The accident that had downed her chopper had been unavoidable and should have killed the entire crew. The fact that three of them originally survived was a miracle and a testament to Skyler’s flying skills.
“So fucking stupid!” Jet screamed at herself as she paced, her boot heels striking the pavement.
Skyler got out of the Maserati, standing with her arms folded on top of the car. She watched Jet pace back and forth furiously. Skyler had an amused look on her face and began nodding at people passing by who were staring wide-eyed at the crazy woman pacing and cussing to herself.
Finally, Jet turned to face her. “You can’t go, that’s it,” Jet said authoritatively, making a cutting gesture with her hand.
Skyler simply curled her lips in a grin.
“Don’t fucking do that!” Jet yelled, startling a little old lady walking by carrying a little dog in her arms.
“Jet…” Skyler began, trying to reason with her.
“Don’t fucking Jet me either! You’re not fucking going, Skyler. That’s it!”
Skyler shook her head, watching and waiting for Jet to run out of steam. It took a while, but she finally did, and she lit a cigarette, taking long drags to try and calm her nerves.
“Figure it out yet?” Skyler asked, her tone mild.
“What?” Jet asked, her tone still sharp.
“That I’m going no matter what you say,” Skyler said, her tone still even.
“Why?” Jet asked plaintively.
Skyler looked back at Jet, her look both considering and wretched.
“I left you once,” she said, her tone serious, “I won’t let you leave me now.”
“Sky, you’re getting married in two months,” Jet said.
“I know,” Skyler said. “Devin and I already talked about it; she’s behind me on this too.”
“Did you tell her it might be a one way ride?” Jet asked.
Skyler nodded, her look telling Jet that she should have known better.
“And she’s okay with that?” Jet asked.
Skyler grinned slightly. “Well, I’m pretty sure she hopes I come back…”
A grin tugged at Jet’s lips then, but she narrowed her eyes. “You’re sure about this?”
“Yeah,” Skyler said. “If you’re going, I’m going.”
“Oh, I’m going,” Jet assured her.
“Then sign me up.”
Sebastian stunned Jet the next morning when he said essentially the same thing.
“What?” Jet asked, her tone disbelieving.
“I said if you’re headed over there, Jet Fire, then I am too.”
Jet stared at him openmouthed, blinking a couple of times.
“Did you really think I’m gonna let a Military Information Officer go to an ISIS controlled area without a Ranger on hand?” Sebastian asked, his tone chiding.
“This MIO knows a thing or two about combat,” Jet responded, her tone heated.
“I’m sure you do, little one,” Sebastian said. “But Rangers lead the way.”
Jet shook her head. “You’re all fucking crazy…” she said, her tone flabbergasted.
Sebastian grinned. “Army sticks together, Jet Fire. You should know that.”
Jet drew a deep breath in, blowing it out as she narrowed her eyes at him.
“You’re sure about this?”
“Yep.”
“You’re doing what?” Kashena screamed at him when he walked into her office an hour later for lunch.
“I take it you heard,” Sebastian said, grinning.
“Baz, I get the whole protective thing, believe me, I do…” Kashena said. “But you’re going to an ISIS controlled territory on the hope that this family is still alive?”
Sebastian nodded. “Yeah, that’s about the size of it.”
“What the hell are you thinking?” Kashena asked him.
Sebastian canted his head looking at her. “I’m thinking that if this was you, I’d have your back in a minute. This is a kid, Kash, and she needs a team she can trust.”
“She’s thirty Baz, hardly a kid,” Kashena countered.
“And you know that she’s operating under a cloud of worry and concern
,” Sebastian said. “She’s emotionally compromised on this one. She needs a safety net.”
“And that’s you?” Kashena asked, already knowing she was arguing a losing battle.
“Roger that,” Sebastian said.
“And I hear Skyler’s going too?”
“Sounds like it, yeah,” Sebastian said, nodding.
Kashena shook her head slowly. “You’d kick my ass if I did something like this…”
“No, I’d go with you to watch your ass.”
“True,” Kashena said, knowing she couldn’t argue with him on that.
Sebastian Bach took care of his own and the people he cared about. For whatever reason, he’d formed a quick and close bond with Jet Mathews. He also had a lot of respect for what Skyler Boché had been through in Iraq, so Kashena could see why he was volunteering for the mission.
“You bring those girls back,” Kashena said, her tone serious. “And you better bring yourself back too.”
“Ooah!” Sebastian replied, nodding.
That night Jet was surprised when she received confirmation details for the mission. She was going in as a reserve army officer; Skyler and Sebastian had also been classified as reservists. Jet wasn’t sure how that had been achieved so quickly. They were to fly out in two days at noon. She couldn’t believe it was finally happening. She just prayed that she wasn’t too late.
It took Jet all night to hike the forty kilometers to the base. Reaching the gate she told the duty officer about the incident and that she’d been in Raqqa for the last three weeks.
“We had you listed as killed, Mathews,” the duty officer said.
“Yeah, sorry,” Jet said, tiredly, “still alive.”
With that, she passed out. The duty officer barely had time to catch her. She woke in a hospital in Baghdad. The base doctors at Balad had taken one look at her still-healing wounds and immediately transferred her to Baghdad for surgery. She woke in pain, but was immediately given painkillers. After two weeks in the hospital, she was medically discharged from the Army, and she’d received a purple heart for her injuries.
The day before they were supposed to leave, Devin found Skyler outside washing her Nissan 370Z Nismo edition. She knew immediately that Skyler was mentally gearing up for the mission that lay ahead. Moving to sit on the driveway to watch her fiancée, Devin did her best to calm her nerves. Skyler had asked her about going with Jet, and while the thought terrified her, she also understood that Skyler felt a lot of guilt about not being there for Jet in Iraq.
Jet Blue (WeHo Book 5) Page 12