by Laura Acton
A surge of possessiveness and a little anger rose in Dan. Scott had his arm around Lexa. Is he moving in on Lexa?
At Dan’s change in expression, William asked, “Danny, are you in pain?”
Dan stuffed the feeling down and deflected from his original line of thinking as he wrote down one word which would excuse his change in demeanor. He needed to know also. Dan wrote, Mom? He looked at the general with a worried look.
“She’s doing well. Becca and Ann are with her. Your mother wants to be here, but for her protection, she will stay in the safe house until we can get a bead on Pletcher and ascertain if Plouffe is still a threat,” William explained.
Closing his eyes, Dan experienced a sense of relief that his mother and sister are safe. His head lolled to the side as sleep beckoned him. Dan opened his eyes trying to ward off sleep. He still had more questions.
“When you can speak we’ll call her.”
Tears welled in Dan’s eyes, he couldn’t stop them. He nodded and closed his eyes as he turned his head away from the general. Dan hastily wiped them away—unwilling to cry in front of the general.
Perceiving the emotions Daniel tried to hold in William promptly changed the subject. “The examination of your service is underway. We will find everyone involved. The Chief of Defence Staff CDS selected a special group of investigators. They are led by Lieutenant Colonel Bonomi and will report directly to the CDS.
“Those found to be involved in criminal activities will be prosecuted by a tribunal convened by the CDS to maintain national security. You’ll be interviewed like everyone else … but not until you tell me you are ready.”
Dan got his emotions under control, and he opened his eyes. He wrote Me testify?
William sighed. “Maybe regarding Plouffe, but not Merrill. It depends on how you are doing physically and the charges lodged against others. The JAG may be able to submit your statements as evidence.”
Checking his watch, William realized a full hour had passed. Daniel looked rather drained, and his eyes blinked closed often. William ended their conversation with, “I’ve been thinking. Once you’re released, I’d like you to do your rehab at home. If the Pletcher situation isn’t resolved, I’ll have Mike secure the house and grounds so your mother can be with you.
“I just want you to think about it for now—don’t answer me today. We’ll have time to talk later. For now, though, you look like you could do with a nap. Bella will be upset with me if I keep you awake any longer.”
Dan scribbled quickly, Bella visit?
Grimacing, William shared, “Bella visited you in the ICU. But she is awfully sad she can’t visit you now. Caught a cold and she refuses to expose you to germs given your condition. She will visit soon but sends her love. Close your eyes and rest now, so I don’t incur the wrath of Bella.”
Dan closed his eyes and considered all the general said. So many trains of thought rumbled in his head. He reached for his button and dosed himself as he supposed it would feel awkward being home. He hadn’t been home since he arrived in Ottawa after Brody’s death—and then he only stayed outside.
The party before he and Brody deployed is the last time he saw his mom. Something inside him whispered it is time to go home. But can I really go home? Dan wondered as he slipped off to sleep.
Home of Marbella Ridgewater – Sitting Room – 2:30 p.m.
William hung up the phone after speaking with Yvonne. He closed his eyes and relaxed a moment. Talking to Yvonne always helped. The conversation with Daniel this morning had gone better than he expected. Probably due to the advice Yvonne gave him.
He had spoken to her about his idea to have Daniel come home for his rehabilitation. William initially cringed hearing the tremble in her voice—he made her cry. He never wanted to make Yvonne cry. Relief swept through him when she explained she was her happy and the tears were joyful ones. Yvonne then handed off the phone to Mike insisting they speak now to make plans in case Daniel agreed to come home—she wanted to be prepared.
Retired Sergeant Wilson Keswick entered the sitting room carrying a tray. The general still looked worn out. When he was a younger man, he had been in awe of the man as he rose swiftly through the ranks. In Wilson’s opinion, General William Arthur Broderick is the best General that Special Forces ever had. Some days Wilson wished he was still a young man and capable of being part of the Guardian Unit.
Some of his best years were spent leading one of the Guardian Units, but he also enjoyed his life now. Providing security for Grand Dame Marbella Ridgewater satisfied him. The grand lady, General-like in her own way, is also the sweetest, most caring woman he had the pleasure of knowing.
Wilson approached the general and stated, “Sir, Bella will be down in a moment. I brought peppermint tea.”
William eyed the tea, he wanted coffee, but Bella refused to allow him to have coffee after breakfast. He sighed. “Wilson, it’s just William or Will here. I’m no longer your commanding officer.”
“That may be true, but I’ll just stick with sir. I’m too set in my ways to change, sir,” Wilson said as he handed the general his tea.
“How about sneaking me some coffee. I could maybe order you?” William joked.
“Willie, don’t you be corrupting Wilson. I outrank you here.” Marbella Ridgewater glided gracefully into the room. As she sat down, she patted the side of her snow-white hair to make sure it was in place.
Bella’s assessing gaze swept over her godson. In her opinion, he is improving but still needed an iron fist in a velvet glove. Willie never takes proper care of himself. He pushes himself to the limits on a routine basis. Yvonne did what she could, but with Willie half-a-world away for months at a time, there is only so much Yvonne can do.
“How is Yvonne today?” Bella asked as she picked up her tea.
Wilson lifted up a cup of tea and sat down across from Bella in his favorite chair. They took afternoon tea together often—both enjoyed their well-established routine. More friends than employer-employee they didn’t stand on ceremony—Bella insisted. He resisted for a short time, but she is a force to be reckoned with, so she won swiftly. Wilson would gladly go to the ends of the earth to protect Bella.
“She was overjoyed and excited,” William said and sipped the peppermint tea wishing it was coffee.
“What made her happy?” Bella asked.
William set down his tea and looked into the caring brown eyes of his godmother. Bella would turn eighty next year, but she was spry and looked to be in her late sixties rather than late seventies. He couldn’t imagine life without Bella and hoped she lived well into her centenarian years.
“I told her I would arrange to have Daniel moved home to recuperate. And if Pletcher hasn’t been caught by the time Daniel is released from the hospital I would arrange security for her and Becca at home.”
Bella’s face lit up as she smiled. “Willie, you’re finally thinking with a clear head. How does Danny feel about going home?”
“Not sure. I mentioned it this morning and asked Daniel to think about it.”
Wilson interjected, “If you need any assistance setting up communications or need additional security, let me know. There are a few men I know who would do anything you need.”
Glancing at the jamming device Wilson had set up in the room, making it extra secure for him to contact Yvonne, William said, “I’ll keep that in mind, but I’m sure Mike can handle whatever is needed.”
Bella sneezed several times. “This darned cold. I wish it would leave so I can go see Danny.”
“He asked about you. I told him you would visit when you recovered.”
Bella reached out and patted Willie’s thigh. “Danny? Oh, Willie, I do love to hear you call him Danny. Why do you persist in calling him Daniel?”
William’s eyes glistened as a memory came to mind. “He asked me to call him Daniel. It was after Becca was born. I took him out for ice cream the day after we brought Becca home—just the guys. Danny had wanted a brother so ba
dly and was upset Becca was another sister.
“I’m still not sure what Yvonne said to him after he came down from the tree, but there was an instant change in Danny. While we ate the ice cream, he got this serious look on his face. Too serious for a six-year-old. He said that if he was going to be the man around the house and take care of the girls when I was gone, that it was high time I called him Daniel.
“I asked why he wanted me to call him Daniel instead of Dan. I had to fight the grin and laugh which wanted to burst forth with as earnest as he was when he stated, ‘Dan sounds too much like damn.’ He said he didn’t want to be confused and think he was in trouble if I called his name twice. He said it might sound like ‘Damn Dan.’ So ever since I’ve called him Daniel because it is one of the few things Danny ever asked of me.”
Wilson cracked a grin wishing he had known Danny as a little boy, yet glad he had known the teenager—they had many good times together.
Bella covered her mouth as she giggled. “Oh, my! I never knew. I thought you were only formal with Danny. Wonder if Danny remembers?”
Shrugging, William said, “I’m not sure. So much got mixed up after Sara’s death. Daniel has so many things to work through.”
“Yes, he does. As saddened as I am about all that has happened, a part of me is glad, it is the catalyst bringing our boy home.”
William smiled. “Yvonne always held out hope. She was right to hang on.”
Dan Said Fine
37
August 3
St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 3:00 p.m.
Dan woke with an urgent need to use the facilities. Alone in the room, he didn’t know how long before anyone to respond. So Dan sat up, swung his legs off the bed, removed the oxygen cannula, and pushed himself to a standing position. He grabbed the rolling IV pole for support and because the pole needed to go with him. Dan shuffled toward the bathroom.
As he finished his business, Dan agreed with Jerry, going commando is easier. Dan leaned heavily against the sink as he washed his hands. He fought a wave of dizziness and tried to breathe in more air. He should’ve buzzed for help, Dan thought as he peered in the mirror and studied his face.
Dizzy from the lack of air and the slight opaque bluish tinge around his mouth told him he needed the oxygen. Sweat beaded on his forehead from exertion. Dan turned to make his way back to bed. His legs shook so much he doubted they would hold him up all the way to the bed.
His grip on the pole increased. He took two steps out of the bathroom before his legs threatened to give way. So spent he didn’t have enough energy to reach the bed. Wish Mason was here, Dan thought as he took one more step. His legs buckled, but before he hit the ground, strong arms seized him.
Scott and Jon rushed forward when they entered Dan’s room and caught sight of him going down. Both relieved they arrived in time to catch him. Jon opened his mouth to lay into Dan for his dumbass stunt of being out of bed without assistance, but one glimpse of his eyes and he withheld the tongue-lashing. Instead, Jon said, “We got ya, Dano.”
Dan peeked up through half-closed eyes at Jon and Scott on either side of him. They helped him back to bed, got him situated, and put the oxygen back on for him. Neither berated him for being an idiot.
He lowered his eyes and avoided looking at them. Embarrassment, pain, and anger warred in him. Pissed off won, he hated feeling so weak. Fortunately, he didn’t need to show further weakness. He reached for the button under his covers and undetected by Jon and Scott, Dan dosed himself with pain meds. This small amount of control soothed his frayed nerves.
Scott read Dan’s body language as he helped put him back into bed. He recognized his cousin beating himself up over needing help for such a short distance. Give yourself a break kid, you’ve been through the wringer for nearly three weeks. What did you expect? Scott thought but remained silent to allow Dan time to regain his equanimity.
After a few minutes, Dan glanced at him, and Scott tried to lighten the mood. “Hey, Doppelganger, you’re not gonna believe how stupid I was.” He animatedly told what happened with Lexa in the ICU waiting room. Happy Dan laughed with him and Jon, Scott grew concerned when a small coughing fit ensued. Dan seemed to handle it okay. Must not hurt too bad he thought.
Thank God, I took a dose—laughing and coughing fucking hurts, Dan thought.
Scott continued, “Lexa is a spitfire. I really like her. Gonna take an exceptional guy to win her over. No one ordinary will do for her.”
Dan eyed his cousin warily as jealousy reared its ugly head. Would Lexa prefer Scott over me? Scott’s older than Lexa, and I’m three years younger than her. Does age matter to Lexa? The general said they really hit it off. Scott’s not scarred up like me. He pressed his lips together and turned away as memory of Lexa kissing him awake surged forth to quell the jealousy wanting to take root.
With the way Dan screwed up his face, Scott wondered if he needed pain relief. Reading his cousin’s feelings with seeing his eyes tended to be rather hard. He reached out a hand and grasped Dan’s. He squeezed lightly, and Dan turned his eyes back to him. He read pain and something else.
Comprehension hit Scott—Danny’s angry with me. Why? Scott searched his brain and realized Dan’s demeanor changed when he talked about Lexa. Oh, boy … Danny’s thinking I’m horning in on Lexa. If eyes could change color, Danny’s would be green with jealousy.
He squeezed Dan’s hand again. “By the way, I need to tell you something important. I found my one. I got married in April. Her name is Lilyanna but goes by Lily. She is on her way here. She can finally meet you now that she is safely married to me. Wonder if she is gonna freak as much as Lexa did when she sees my doppelganger.”
Jon cocked his head, raised a brow, and teased Scott, “Just hope she doesn’t wish she married the younger, better version.”
Scott leaned back, grinned, and stated in a matter-of-fact tone, “Why do you think I just said she gets to meet Danny now that she is safely married to me? I may be stupid, but I’m not that stupid.”
Scott is married. He didn’t have designs on Lexa. Washed with relief, Dan only shook his head wearily at his wild thoughts and their comments. Jon could be funny—he would have to remember that comeback.
Scott noted only he and Jon laughed and realized Danny probably hurt too much to laugh. He shouldn’t be making him laugh either. Though the reflection in his eyes told him Dan’s anger dissipated. Later, when they were alone, he would talk to Danny about Lexa.
Jon noticed Dan’s tight look. Recalling the doctor’s instruction not to make him laugh, so he told a dull story about Kent teaching Joey to play the bongo drums. He and Jennifer were being driven batty as Joey practiced constantly.
A little later Scott stood up and said, “Gotta go pick up Lily from the airport, but I’ll be back later with Uncle Will. He’s still not allowed to drive.”
When he and Dan were alone in the room, Jon asked, “You doing okay? Appears you hurt and I can tell you’re having trouble breathing. Anything you need, Dano?”
Dan wrote, ok, no.
With a Cheshire cat grin, Jon said, “Good thing you said okay. I know what fine means now. We’re gonna have to talk if you tell me you’re fine.”
Dan stared at him. Who told? I’m gonna kill them. Damn! No hiding now.
Jon watched Dan’s reaction. “You can blame Winds, but I’m the one that asked. You know, you can be honest with me. I understand what it’s like. We all do. Not to the extent you do, but you can’t tell me that each one isn’t rough regardless of how many. I’m aware of the cost each time we take a life. I’ll be here if you ever need to talk—about anything. Understand?”
Still somewhat unsure, Dan nodded.
Just then Nick, Bram, Ray, and Loki loudly entered the room. Well, at least Loki and Ray were loud—Bram and Nick not so much. Ray and Loki argued over some TV show characters. Ray thought the love relationship between the two characters was contrived and had no place in the show. While Loki th
ought it fit perfectly and wanted more interaction between them. They agreed to disagree, both liking the show overall. They all pulled chairs around the bed, said hello to Dan, and made themselves comfortable.
Dan wrote, how’d trails go?
“You mean trials?” Jon smirked.
Quickly, Dan scribbled and then showed Jon the paper. Smartass, speelin don’t count write now.
The guys all chuckled at the deliberately misspelled words. Cheered to see Dan’s sense of humor return.
When they settled, Nick answered, “Several possible candidates.”
Loki piped in, “They’re just temporary. Your spot is your spot. No one can replace Dantasitc!”
Dan grinned to cover his worry. He never had this hard of a time breathing before. Not even during his bout of bronchitis.
Ray brought up a call the team had recently. “Dan, we could’ve used you the other day. None of us could keep up when the subject ran. I sweated and puffed as I tried. Thought I’d pass out from the heat and humidity. Lexa drove the command truck and caught up with the guy. Loki jumped out and tackled the subject before Lexa stopped. Impressive takedown.”
Dan grew agitated, and his eyes flicked to the window as Ray talked about work. Loki could’ve been hurt. He wasn’t there to protect his new family—that bothered him a lot. Would the temporary teammate keep them safe?
Nick picked up on the change in Dan and deftly steered the conversation away from work after seeing Dan’s smile at Ray’s comment on Loki’s take down—it wasn’t genuine. He wondered what was at the root of his agitation.
As he considered the potential reasons, Nick decided Dan worried about returning to the team—like they all did. The team grasped Dan had a hard road ahead but remained positive for Dan because he needed no negativity in his life right now.