Chapter 12

Monday 10 December

Present — Ben - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

I'm pissed as hell, but for a change, thank God, it's not at Jens. I don't think I could handle being angry at her right now. We both keep our promises and I can sense she did promise Glen she wouldn't repeat what she found. I will honor her promise to him. But I think Liz knows and she will tell me.

Jen's cuddling with me, "Wow, you're sure upset for someone who's about to go back home."

"Yes I am! I wish you could tell me what went on with you and your parents. But I know you promised Glen so I won't push it. But you can be certain I'll beat it out of Liz if I have to."

She smiles at me and says. "Ben, do me a favor and just drop it. I've already taken care of everything."

I think there is no way in hell I'm dropping this. I start trying to figure out what went on and why Jens would get so pissed at Evelyn.

"I can sense your devious mind trying to figure this out," she says as she starts nibbling on my neck and trying to distract me. I ignore her.

She starts to sniffle, "This isn't how I expected things to be when we got back together. I-I-I hoped we could put everything behind us and just be happy about being together."

Oh shit, she's really upset now. I squeeze her tight and try to explain, "Jens, you've had months to come to terms with this. I've had a few days and I'm not really sure what I'm up against. I don't see how I can put something behind me when I don't know what to put behind me."

She sniffles some more and pleads, "You could trust me." I could bring up the way she trusted me about the girls but I know that would be a huge mistake.

"Honey, trust has nothing to do with this. I trust you totally and know you took care of this. But I can tell you're still really upset about it, and anything that upsets you, upsets the hell out of me."

She looks at me and says, "Darling, yes I'm still upset about this and I always will be upset about it. It's not every day you get knifed in the back by the bitch that's supposed to be your mother."

Present — Jens - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

Dammit! I said too much to Ben. I get so upset when I think about this, then I don't think straight and I shoot off my mouth.

Ben gives me a hell-of-a strange look and starts to open his mouth. I can see in his face when he changes his mind, "Jens, I will try my best to let this go for now. But when Liz comes back I am going to get all the information on this. And if I need to do something I will. But for right now being with you and loving you is more important."

I can't believe what my Man just said and I break down and start to cry.

"Jens, what the hell is wrong now? I thought you'd be happy," Ben asks.

I sob, "I-I-I am happy. These are tears of joy, not sadness." Then I snuggle up tight against him.

Present — Ben - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

Wow, 'knifed in the back by the bitch that's supposed to be your mother.' I could sense pure hatred for Evelyn when Jens said it and immediately knew I needed to stop bugging her about it. This can wait until Liz gets here. It's funny, I'm the one with the physical wound, but Jens's emotional wounds are far deeper than my physical wound. She needs my love and support more than I need hers.

Then she starts crying AGAIN and I think she's still upset. When she tells me they're tears of joy I purposely think - women can't live with them, can't trade them for a good dog.

She pinches the hell out of me and demands, "Hey I sensed the trade me for a dog crap! Where the hell did it come from?"

I knew it would distract her so I start to tease, "Well, you know there are more than fifty reasons dogs are better than women."

She gives me a dirty look and adds, "Like hell there are! Name a few."

I grin at her and start, "A dog's time in the bathroom is confined to a quick drink."

"And I'm sure you'd want to kiss the dog on the lips after it was in the bathroom? Come on name another," she demands and then gives me a hot kiss.

I rack my brain for one I know will get her, "A dog's disposition doesn't change every twenty-eight days."

"Ha and neither does mine! You know I don't get PMS! So come on and give me a good reason ... I'm still waiting."

I think it's time to up the ante so I grin really big and say really loud. "Dogs don't notice if you call them by another dog's name."

She pinches the hell out of me and threatens, "You'd better not ever call me by another girl's name. Especially that Susan bitch."

The MPs in the hallway hear what's going on and start laughing. "Hey you bunch of-of-of men out there. You'd better be quiet or I'll come out there and kick your butts," Jens yells at them.

I smile at her, "Dogs never nag."

She looks at me, "Well, I mostly don't nag you. Do I?"

"No Jens, you don't nag me at all."

She gives me a devastating smile, "Good you had me worried because I don't want to be a nagging wife." The smile slips into an evil grin and she adds, "But I do know why I'm better than any damn dog."

I sarcastically demand, "Oh really, please tell."

She scoots up right next to my ear and whispers in a sultry sexy voice, "If you have sex with me you won't get in trouble."

I look at her and blush. And blush. And blush.

She finishes, "And you can't have babies with a dog."

I love the look of anticipation on her face. I hug her tight and give her a kiss on the forehead, "Jens, you're right because my woman is much better than any damn dog."

She pinches me and asks, "So how about an apology? For the 'I can't live with them can't trade them for a good dog' comment."

I hug her and promise, "Jens, I can't live without you and I don't want to try."

She sighs, melts against me and we both start to relax. There's a knock on the door, Jens stiffens until we see Matt and Jim walk into the room, both looking a little pale.

Matt says, "You two sure look cozy."

Jim adds, "Good to see you again Ben."

Jens replies, "You two sure got here fast."

"Yeah, we ran into a couple jet jockeys we knew, they had empty back seats and we finagled a ride with them." Matt says.

Jim continues, "And that's the last time I'll ever do that. They spent the whole trip trying to make us puke."

I ask, "Jens said you two aren't Marines anymore, so how'd you pull it off."

Matt stood up straight, "Shit! We may not be in the Corps, but we're still Marines and always will be. We just don't have to kiss the old man's butt anymore."

"Damn bastard sent us to Thule and we almost froze our asses off," Jim grumps.

I was going to ask why until Jens squeezes my arm and smiles at me. "Well, we're glad you're here. Just so you know you're both on the clock."

They look at the doorway, "Yeah we figured that. How'd you get the blueboys to stand guard at the door?"

Jens starts to get upset again but I hug her and explain, "I don't think it was very pleasant and you probably don't want to know."

Matt smiles, "Well you two will want to know your flight is ready."

Jens gets excited, "Oh goodie, I can't wait to get back to America with Ben so we can plan our wedding."

The guys look at us and ask, "You two finally getting married?"

Jens hugs me and proudly replies, "You betcha! As soon as Ben gets well enough."

"It's about fucking time." Matt says.

"Hey, I wanted to marry her today but she wants a big wedding with all the hoorah and crap." The guys gave me a surprised look and I knew I'd made a mistake.

I look at Jens and she just smiles, "All the hoorah and crap huh? Spoken like a real Marine. Just for that I think you'll have to wear a tux."

I start teasing again, "What, I thought we'd both be wearing camo. Don't they make a camo wedding dress and tux?"

Matt states with a completely straight face, "I think you can only get those if you're marrying your sister and you're from the Ozarks."

Jim adds fuel to the fire, "Then you take your new wife to your cabin strapped across the hood of your rusty old pickup."

Matt continues to add fuel, "Then you and your hunting buddies stand around, drink beer and brag about the ones you poached earlier."

Jim finishes with a topper, "Why, then the little missus can make you all samwitches."

"Hey, we've got a cabin in Colorado and I've got a shiny new truck. You'd look beautiful strapped across the hood. How about it Jens?"

Jens is glaring at all of us and exclaims, "I think there's way too much testosterone in this room! You three wait until Liz gets here. We just might have the three of you try on tuxes for a week until we find just the right ones."

I look at her, figure she's teasing and start laughing. Jens joins in and then the guys pick up on it. Then Jens says, "Isn't the season for bucks longer than the season for does? You know Ben, you would look pretty nice strapped across the hood of my Jeep. At least I could keep my eye on you there."

The guys laugh and Jens adds, "Well enough of this. Let's get on the plane and get back to America. Matt and Jim, you can tell us about Liz and the new bodyguards on the flight." Jens and I both notice they blush when she mentioned the bodyguards.

Jens rings for the nurse, who promptly comes in with the discharge instructions and a wheel chair. "Okay SM Blaine hop in the chair."

"Like hell I will, I don't need one of those."

"It's hospital regulations, if you want to leave here, it has to be by wheelchair," she says.

"What about Ms. Donaldson, doesn't she need a wheel chair?"

Jens grins and taunts, "Dr. Crispin said I didn't. Besides I'm going to drive your wheelchair."

"What no way in hell! If you drive the wheelchair, I'll have an accident and have to stay in the hospital even longer."

We all start laughing and Jens says, "If you boys don't behave I'll even drive us to the airport."

That shut us up and Jens starts pushing me out the door. Jim is in front, Matt and the blueboys are bringing up the rear.

Present — Mira and Ira — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

We get ready to leave Herr Henrick's shop and I say, "Ira do you think Kostia is waiting for us?"

"I am sure he is and knowing him he is waiting out front."

"Ira, do we take him here or later?"

"I do not want to take him this close to Herr Henrick's shop."

Herr Henrick opens the door, and I yell. "Herr Henrick, please do not go outside."

We're too late and hear a gunshot! Herr Henrick stumbles and falls in the doorway, "Someone has shot me."

I run to the door, pull him back in the shop and three more rounds hit close to me. I slam and lock the door. "He is okay because he is wearing body armor."

We watch as Herr Henrick starts to stand, "Do not worry my angels. I am fine."

Ms. Morgan says, "I bet it's that bastard Kostia - I'm going to get him." She takes off towards the front door but Ira dives and tackles her to the floor. "Eyahhh, Mira I have hurt myself. My rib feels like it is on fire."

I run over, pull out a pair of handcuffs and handcuff Ms. Morgan to Ira. "Ms. Morgan. Now you will need to stay here and take care of Ira." I reach down and touch Ira's face, "I love you my sister and will make sure he pays for everything he has done to us."

"Be very careful Mira. Just kill him and don't do anything fancy."

"Mira, release me right now! You can't fight Kostia yourself," Ms. Morgan yells.

I smile at them and reply, "Ms. Morgan, this is our battle. But with Ira being hurt, now it is my battle. Kostia does not have a chance."

I drop my dress to the floor and kick off my shoes. Herr Henrick comes over and hands me a package. I pull out a black body suit and slither into it. Then I start putting on the tactical pads which are also body armor, the shoulders and the arms, then finally the legs.

Ms. Morgan says, "That's the blackest suit I've ever seen."

I rub my face with black face paint and grin, "Yes Ms. Morgan, it is another of Herr Henrick's inventions."

"Ach yes, she will be as dark as a shadow. And with the sun setting will be very hard to see."

I put on a web belt with a Micro Uzi¹ on the left side and a GKD Ruger MKII² pistol on the right side. I rack the bolts on both firearms to chamber a round in each.

¹ Micro Uzi — The smallest Uzi in 9 mm parabellum. Not highly accurate but a very high cyclic rate.

² GKD Ruger MKII — A custom made internally suppressed .22 LR pistol. Looks just like a standard Ruger MKII

Herr Henrick comes over and hands me a rifle, "Take this my angel, you will need it."

I grin and kiss him on the cheek, "Thank you Herr Henrick, I will take good care of your XM8³." I drop in the mag, tap it, slam it home and rack the bolt.

³ XM8 — Was a developmental rifle to replace the M4/M16.

I walk over to Ira, "I know you will feel better in a little while. When you feel better, get Ms. Morgan to safety.

"Mira, please do not take any chances. Even though Kostia is old he knows us very well."

"Ira, I promise and I love you."

"I love you to Mira."

I smile at them, "It is time for me to take care of some garbage. We will see you all soon." But I felt strange and a little nervous because this was the first time I will face someone without having Ira as my backup. And she was right - Kostia trained us and knew all our moves.

Present — Jens - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

I'm so fricken glad to be headed home and I even get to push the wheelchair! I tease Ben some by acting like I'm going to run into things. I start to giggle as he tries to dodge them and I taunt, "What's wrong Ben, don't you trust my driving?"

Matt and Jim laugh. "Hey, since we rode with you in Afghanistan we don't blame him for being nervous."

We make it to the waiting Humvee without further injury to Ben. He gives me a relieved look and says, "Jens, if you drive like this when we get to America. I'm going to hire a chauffeur."

I smile at him, lean close, and whisper "Are you sure you just don't want to see me in a skimpy chauffeur's outfit."

He blushes and I kiss him on the cheek. The fat bastard Glen kept his word and we have an escort right up to the plane. I was hoping he'd let me down so I could un-invite him and the bitch to our wedding.

The Humvee stops and I yell at Matt and Jim, "Okay you two. Go earn your keep!"

They are already headed out to check the plane and Jim yells back, "Okay slave driver boss."

Ben looks at me. "Jens, aren't you going a little overboard?"

"Ben, the Russian mafia has already tried to grab Liz twice. Your friend Ivan and Yasmeen's parents barely escaped with their lives. You tell me, am I being too careful?"

I watch his face as he thinks. God I've missed watching his expressions. I see him look at his arm and wiggle it some and then he finally answers, "Jens, if my arm was well I'd really fight you over this."

I look at him and lightly slap his face. "Ben, since I have your attention, you should understand I'm not going to ever let you use your arm as an excuse for anything. Shit, you just got through taking down five MPs and almost kicking their butts. You're not an invalid and you're not disabled so get any of those thoughts out of your mind. You're damn lucky to be alive and you're the best man in the world. That's what you are!"

"Then why do we need the bodyguards and the escort?"

I hug him. "Because my big strong man. We have a bunch of bad guys after us, so we need a bunch of good guys helping us. Didn't you even have help from the girls when you escaped?"

He doesn't get to answer because Matt motions for us to board the plane. We jump out of the Humvee, walk up the stairs and into the cabin. Matt hands both of us a Kimber, mine in a back holster. I slide mine in the back of my pants and Ben looks at his and asks Matt, "Cocked and locked?"

Matt grins. "And ready to rock. Just don't shoot down the plane with it."

Ben puts it in his sling and grins, "I feel much better now."

The pilot puts on the fasten seatbelt sign and we buckle in. Once we're at cruising altitude I look at Ben and order, "Okay, it's time to get you out of those scrubs and into some real clothes."

Present — Ben — Evergreen Air flight home

"Jens it would be wonderful, I can't wait to be out of these scrubs. Did you bring some MCCUUs for me?"

She smiled and says, "Don't I always take the best care of you? You shouldn't have any doubts." She brings me a pair of BDUs.

"Jens, don't tell me the Marines changed their uniform and went back to the Army camo again?"

She grins at me and explains. "I was going to tease you but you've been through too much already. Once Liz told me about everyone looking for you I decided to make it harder for you to be found. They will all be looking for a Marine and you'll look like you're in the Army. So let's just say your camo got camo. Now let's get you out of those scrubs so I can finish your transformation."

"What transformation," I ask.

She grins and says, "You'll just have to wait and see."

We head back to the bathroom. Thank God it's roomy on these planes and she helps me out of my top. I watch as she starts crying. "Ben, my Ben what did they do to you?" she says as she sees the new scars on my upper body.

I hug her, "It was all worth it to get back to you."

She takes a soapy washcloth and gently cleans my upper body, stopping to kiss each scar. She rinses me, looks in my eyes and explains, "You know I lied to you when I said I dig scars. I hate each and every scar you have. I hate the pain and the torture you went through with each one. And I want to tell you Mister, you have too many scars on your body and I don't want you collecting any more. Now drop your pants."

I blush but start to explain, "Jens, we aren't married yet. Just give me the underwear and the washcloth and I will do my privates and put on my underwear. You can come in and finish my legs."

She grumps. "Hey I've seen it before."

"And you'll see it again when we're married." I swat her on the butt and add, "Now get out and I'll call you when I'm ready."

It is hard to clean myself but I was concerned if Jens was here cleaning me we might end up doing much more than cleaning. As hard as it is to clean myself, getting into my underwear is worse. I work up a sweat before I'm finished. "Okay Jens, I'm done."

She walks in and gives me an evil grin. "Are you sure you don't need me to make sure you're clean?"

"Nope, I did just fine." She pouts and then notices I've been sweating. "Wow, you worked up a sweat cleaning up. Now I have to wash you again." As she starts in again she asks, "Hey what's this patch they have on your shoulder?"

"I don't know. Crispy said I needed it and I've felt much better since they put it on me. They change it every once and awhile."

"Did you ask them what it was?"

"No, I didn't think it was important."

Jens gives me a look of utter disbelief and complains, "Ben, everything they do to you is important. You need to ask them about everything."

"Sorry Jens. They started putting them on me when I was pretty well out of it and I was in no condition to ask."

When she pulls a box out of a bag, I ask, "What's all that crap?"

She grins at me and replies, "Well my dark-haired Romeo, you're about to get your wish and become a blonde."

"I never wished to be a blonde, and like hell I am!"

She snuggles up to me and asks, "Don't you know blondes have more fun? Haven't you noticed something about my hair?"

"I did notice the ends were pretty dark, I thought it was some sort of reverse highlights."

She pulls away and smiles. "You might call it that. I became a brunette while I was looking for you and it's taken forever for it to grow out."

"Jens, there's an easier way, just cut it all off."

"Sorry Ben, but everyone knows what you look like with your Marine haircut. You're going to start wearing your hair longer and we're keeping it blonde, at least for a while," She explains with her most determined look.

I knew I'd lost. "Oh, all fricken right!"

"Hey, be thankful I don't want to dye all your hair. You do know what you get when you stand ten blondes on their heads?"

I'm going to look like a clown and she's making jokes! "Ten blondes which are even more dizzy than normal?"

She spanks my butt and provides the answer, "Hey I am not a dizzy blonde. And no, you get eight brunettes."

It was so good that I almost chuckle. She starts on my hair and I remember a joke. "Jens, what do you call a blonde that dyes her hair brunette?"

"Don't tell me you're starting blonde jokes now? You know I hate blonde jokes," she grumps.

"You call them artificial intelligence."

She pinches the hell out of my butt. "That's about enough of those jokes. I put up with them when I was a kid and I don't have to put up with them now."

She finishes my hair, pulls out a pair of scissor and starts cutting and styling. She finishes and says, "Wow, you look better than I thought."

I turn and look at myself in the mirror and barely recognize the face looking back at me. It's actually not bad but I can't let her know. "I guess it will do. I hope it grows out for the wedding."

She grabs me and says, "I hope it doesn't because then I can prove to you blondes do have more fun."

She gets ready to wash my legs, squats down but then falls over. "Ben what the hell went on with your feet and legs? What are all those little square scars and scrapes?"

"Jens come here and hold me," I ask as she stands up and we embrace. I look in her eyes and tell the tale, "Jens when I was first captured they kept me tied up to the ceiling all night long." I shivered and shook remembering the hell I went through but continue, "Once it got dark, the rats came out."

She starts crying. "Rats, those are fucking rat bites. Ben I'm so sorry I never looked at your legs so I didn't know. The fucking bastard Hussein, I'm going to kill him." I hold her as she sobs, after about ten minutes she is done and looks me in the eyes.

"Ben those must have hurt like hell. How did they ever keep from getting infected?"

I don't want to tell her but she needs to hear the truth. "Jens you might not like to hear this. No one took care of them at first and I started getting very sick. But later Zarika would bribe the guards to let her come in each night and take care of my legs."

I wait for the attack on Zarika and instead Jens says in a calm voice. "Ben what did she have to bribe them with?"

I can't tell Jens so I look at the floor and blush. It's enough so she figures it out. I watch as she covers her mouth in amazement.

She raises my head, kisses me on the lips and says. "Ben, I owe you and Zarika a big apology. I didn't know she used her body to help you. Can you tell me what else she did for you?"

I look back to the floor. "Not now Jens my love. It was hard enough telling you this little bit. I think I feel sick."

I make it to the toilet just in time to puke my guts out. Jens holds me the whole time. When I'm done she wipes my mouth, smiles at me and says. "No kisses for you until we brush those teeth and tongue."

She finishes washing my legs and yes she kisses each and every rat bite, except for the ones on the bottom of my feet (only because I won't let her). She helps me into the BDUs and a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. It feels so good to have a pair of Five Fingers on again I get excited. "Jens get your ass up here. I want to give you a kiss."

She stands up. "Not until we brush those teeth and tongue." She hands me a toothbrush and a few minutes later I'm done.

I give her a kiss, a long passion filled kiss. We finally break and she looks at me. "If I knew you were going to get this excited for a pair of Five Fingers I would have waited for our honeymoon."

I pull her close with my good arm, let it slide down and pinch her butt. "Don't worry there are other toys I'll get excited about on our honeymoon."

We head out of the bathroom and take our seats. Jens grabs a blanket, reclines the seats, we cuddle together and fall asleep.

Present — Glen - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

Son-of-a-bitch! Jens isn't kidding when she says they are in danger. They no sooner got off the ground than the freaking hospital on the fucking airbase comes under attack.

I guess they somehow got past the gate and then rammed a Humvee into the front of the hospital. A bigger truck dumps out a bunch of mercenaries who storm the hospital, start taking hostages and shooting anyone who resists. I grab Evelyn and we take off for the basement bomb shelter. A couple MPs tag along and I look at one of them and order, "Give me your fucking rifle."

"Sir, I can't do that." I grab it out of his hands anyway. On checking it, there isn't even a round in the chamber. I jack a round and then order, "Now give me all your extra mags."

He looks at me and apologizes, "Sorry Sir, they only give us the one."

"What sort of fucking joke is this?" I yell at him. "Do you have an armory in this building?"

"No Sir, this is a hospital and they don't think we need one."

I look at Evelyn and declare, "We're changing our plan because we need to get the fuck out of this building."

"MP, I order you to get us to the back door as quickly as possible. And make sure your weapon is loaded and on safe," I yell as I look at the other MP.

Evelyn takes his side arm and he complains, "Ma'am you can't take that."

She glares at him and responds, "You probably can't do anything with it anyway, so shut the fuck up and get us to the back door before I get pissed and shoot you."

We round a corner and the MP gets shot by a merc. I grab him, pull him back behind cover and look at his wound. "It's okay boy, it's just a flesh wound."

I peek around the corner and the merc sprays the wall with a couple of bursts. I duck back just in time. I look at the uninjured MP. "Do you know how to fire your rifle?"

"Yes Sir, I learned in basic training."

I look at him for a couple of seconds. I want to ask him when the last time he fired a rifle, but we don't have the time. I hand him his rifle and I take the wounded MP's rifle. "Okay son. You're going to stand high and poke your rifle around the corner and let loose a couple of bursts."

"But Sir you're a General," He complains.

I look at him and explain, "But I'm a Marine first and all Marines even Generals are riflemen. Now do what the fuck you're told." I lie on the floor and look at him then start to count. "Okay, on three. One, two, three."

He sticks the rifle around the corner and holds down the trigger and it's spraying rounds everywhere, I poke my head around the corner and fire two quick shots hitting the merc in the face. "Airman cease fucking fire and quit wasting our ammo." He releases the trigger.

I run around the corner and approach the merc. Evelyn and the two MPs follow. I start stripping the tactical vest off the merc. I hand Evelyn the MP's rifle and take the mercs AK. Now we have a better chance, since I have ten mags, four frag grenades and four flashbangs.

I pull the radio off the merc, stick it in my ear and listen to the chatter. I look at Evelyn and ask, "How's your Arabic?"

"Not good." She replies.

I look at the MPs and ask, "Do either of you know Arabic?"

"No Sir," they say in unison.

I want to ask what the fuck they're good for, but not now is not a good time to start another battle. I guess I can use them for cannon fodder if nothing else. I look at the wounded MP. "You're going to have to keep up with us because I'm too old and fat to carry your ass. Do you think you can do it?"

"I will try my best Sir."

I stand up straight and look at him. "Trying your best is not good enough! You will keep up with us and this is an order! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Sir! I will keep up with you."

I grab the uninjured MP, give him Evelyn's M4 and order, "You take the lead and don't get shot like your buddy, you might not be so lucky." I reach over and make sure the M4 is on single shot. "And whatever you do, don't waste anymore ammo." I take his M4 and hand it to Evelyn. "Here try to remember how to use one of these."

I watch as she checks the weapon and the mag then puts it on single shot. She looks at me and I see a little change in her as she sharply replies, "Yes Sir."

I get everyone in a huddle. "Okay, let's not run through here like maniacs. We don't want to run into another merc around a corner. Besides, by now they will have all the doors covered so when we do reach a door we will have to fight our way through it. When the time comes make sure you're very careful when you first step out the door. By now the building is surrounded and I don't want any of us getting shot by trigger happy airmen."