Chapter 14

Tuesday 11 December

Present — Ben — Evergreen Air flight home

I wake up but can't get back to sleep. I keep thinking about everything, trying to look at it and wondering if I'm doing the right thing. A huge part of me wants to turn this plane around and go back to Ramstein since I feel that's where I belong - taking care of the trash. I've done it for so many years it's now second nature to me.

But this ordeal, the capture, the escape and the wound have changed me. When I was captured, I kept waiting for rescue to come because I knew it would — no man left behind. Finally when rescue didn't come, I did it myself.

When Zarika, Yasmeen and I were fighting our way to Dushanbe, I kept hoping to run into our troops looking for me. And then when they weren't there, I did it myself.

And now this arm, this worthless piece of shit arm — no it's not an arm, it's just a fucking meat club now. I should have died an honorable combat death, which was my calling. "Die young and leave a good looking corpse." Jens, Jens, Jens, what can I do now? I've given my whole life to the Marine Corps and now what? What can a disabled sniper do to make a living? I sure as hell won't become like dad and sit on the porch of the cabin and drink all day. I look at Jens noticing her eyes are open and she's watching me.

"Feeling sorry for yourself? That's not like you," she says.

I start to open my mouth but she kisses me and adds, "Don't say a word and listen to me. You've been through hell, you've been let down by everyone, even me, and your whole word has been turned upside down."

I interrupt, "Jens you never let me down."

She looks at me and answers truthfully, "Ben, I didn't die trying to rescue you. I know you would have done it for me, so I failed you."

It was my turn to get upset. "Jens, you saved me! Hundreds of times I wanted to just give up and die. But thoughts of you, thoughts knowing you were waiting for me, and the feeling you needed to be rescued kept me going."

She looked at me like she didn't understand. "You thought I needed to be rescued?"

"Yes, the dreams I had of you being in prison showed you were in trouble. I wasn't sure exactly what it meant, but I was coming back to rescue you."

I see a few tears start, she kisses me and says, "So you fought through hell to rescue me and now we're together again and you're going to give up?"

"Jens, I'm not giving up."

I see the fire in her eyes, "You are if the thoughts I just sensed are correct. Life will be different, but it's not over. And I promise you I'll make life better for you than it's ever been before. But you also have to promise me you'll try."

I turn my head and look away so she pinches me. "Hey what's going on with all the pinching?"

"Don't you turn away from me and answer my question. Do you promise me you will try?"

I look deep into her eyes, see the anticipation and the promise, and answer, "Yes Jens, I promise you I will try."

She grins and adds an afterthought, "I should get it in writing!" Then she looks at my arm, "but not right now," and finishes with a giggle. It's contagious, I don't believe it, but I'm now laughing about my arm.

Present — Jens — Evergreen Air flight home

I understand most, but not all, of what my Ben's feeling and going through. I went through much of the same already but I'm still fighting some of it. When I was captured and failed Ben I wanted to die. I should have died because he would have died for me. But the shock of finding out what the bitch did to us kept me from thinking straight. Then the fucked up deal with Glen to keep everyone except me out of prison made me feel like a used up dirty whore. And I still feel that way!

Mmmm, that's a nice kiss Ben's giving me. What's he doing?

He pulls away and whispers in my ear. "Jens, you're my used up dirty whore and I love you."

I look him in the eyes and say, "Hey, you weren't supposed to sense that."

He grins at me with the grin which normally gets me upset and explains, "I've been practicing."

"You sensed all of it?"

He grins wider, "Oh yeah, every thought."

"Hey, I'm not sure I like this!"

He laughs and says much too loudly, "Payback's a bitch. So tell me more about this 'used up dirty whore' dream of yours."

I pinch him and blush, "Shhh, Matt and Jim might hear you."

He laughs and replies, "They're married. Don't you think they already know all women are whores?"

I start to get upset but realize Ben just said it to distract me so I turn the table on him, "Is that how YOU really feel?"

He just grins at me but doesn't say anything.

"I take your grin to mean yes. This is good to know because now you'd better make sure you bring a bunch of money with you whenever you want sex from me - cause I'm not giving it away for free."

Well that wipes the smirk off his face and he whines, "Jens, come on I was just teasing."

He tries to give me a kiss but I pull away and add, "That reminds me, you need to start paying for those kisses too. No free lunches for you anymore."

"Jens you know I was just teasing you."

I smile at him and confess, "Yes I do and I was teasing you back! And just so you know, I don't really dream of being a used up dirty whore so get those perverted thoughts out of your mind. Ben, we both fought to get back to each other because we're meant to be together. And as long as we're together nothing can stop us."

He holds me and says, "I can't wait to marry you, move to the mountains and raise babies with you."

My Bravo Sierra detector goes to red alert. I sit up and poke the hell out of him. "Don't you dare try to lie to me! I know that's not what you're planning!"

He looks like a puppy dog caught doing something bad. I explain to him, "I know your plans for Hussein. I feel them all the time. Only this time it's not going to be just you going after him. I'm more pissed at him than you are. We're getting you well and then taking the bastard out together."

Present — Ben — Evergreen Air flight home

"Jens, I'm not letting you come with me. It's my battle and it's too dangerous."

She gives me her most determined look and argues, "You're not stopping me this time. And it's our battle, not yours. If you think I'm going to sit by and let the bastard get away with what he did to you, you've got another thing coming."

I start to argue with her when we feel the plane start to descend and the fasten seat belt sign comes on. The pilot announces, "Please fasten your seatbelts and bring your seats to the upright position. We've started our final descent and will be landing in ten minutes."

We start getting ready to land and I say to Jens, "This discussion isn't over."

She smiles and answers, "That's right because we have tactical plans to make."

"Jens you're not coming with me!"

"Ben there's no way in hell I'm staying home. I know you've even thought about knocking me up so I couldn't come. But get the thought out of your mind because it's not going to happen. What is going to happen is we will take six months rehabbing you during which time we will be making and refining our tactical plan. Then we will go over to fucking Afghanistan and take care of the fucking bastard."

I can see this might be the biggest battle I've ever fought, but this is not the time to fight it. Jens looks at me and agrees, "You're right, this isn't the time to fight it. Make sure you understand though, I'm winning this one."

The plane touches down and it's my first time on American soil in such a very long time. It excites me and everything else is temporarily unimportant. I look out the window as the plane taxies to a stop and see a large crowd of people. "Jens, it looks like we have a welcoming committee."

She leans over, looks out and says, "Shit I didn't plan this! I wanted to sneak in here without anyone knowing. I need to talk to Matt and Jim about this."

She unfastens her seat belt, jumps up and I follow her.

Present — Liz — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

We finally make it into a cab, but not for shopping. First it's my hotel room to pick up all my gear and then to Kostia's flat to pick up all the twins stuff. There are so many questions I want to ask them, but it needs to be done where there are no extra ears. It's very comforting for me sitting in the back seat between the two of them. They're back into their bodyguard mode, scanning the sidewalks and other cars. But they're also unusually quiet.

We reach the hotel, Mira gets out first and motions for me to stay in the car. I watch as she scans everything, then she motions for me to get out. I slip out with Ira right behind me. We walk into the hotel and the young desk clerk who looked bored almost snaps to attention. Ira walks up to the desk, "Ms. Morgan's room key please."

He almost falls over himself getting the key and hands it to her. She looks at him and asks, "Has anyone asked for Ms. Morgan or does she have any messages?" He looks a little guilty and stammers, "I-I-I let someone borrow her room key about two hours ago. And here is a message they left for her."

Ira takes the message, grabs him by his tie and threatens, "You are coming to her room with us. If anything is missing I will make you pay." I almost laugh as Ira pulls him by his tie, just like he's a pull toy on a string, to the elevators.

In the elevator the young desk clerk is obviously very nervous because he's almost trembling. Ira and Mira start talking to each other and I swear he's going to piss his pants.

Present — Ira and Mira — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

I am very upset at the stupid young desk clerk for letting someone into Ms Morgan's room. We were concerned this would happen because it doesn't take much money in Dushanbe to buy whatever you want.

"Mira, how hard do you think I should be on this young idiot?"

She looks at him and replies, "Ira, he's so afraid I think he will wet himself. I am not sure what they did in her room, so we will stand back and make him open her door."

"That was what I was thinking. Should we demand the money he made?"

"Ira, he wears a ring and is probably married. I think we should let him keep the money but let him know if he does this again to Ms. Morgan his bride will become a widow."

I see the young desk clerk sweating, "Your name?"

"Yes miss, my name is Slava." I start to pull a notepad out of my purse and write it down then I see the note and I hand it to Mira.

"Hey the note's for me," Ms. Morgan complains.

Mira smiles at her and answers, "Ms. Morgan, we have no secrets from each other." Mira reads the note and I notice concern causing wrinkles on her forehead. She reaches over and presses the button for the floor below Ms. Morgan's room and pulls her gun. I see her going for her gun and I pull mine. We are both surprised when Ms. Morgan sees what we're doing and draws her gun. Slava takes one look at the three of us and wets himself.

"Ira be kind and do not laugh at him."

"Okay Mira, but what did the note say?"

"It is from the Russians. They said are going to take great pleasure eliminating her for killing their men."

I look at Ms. Morgan, "Ms. Morgan, are you sure you need the things out of your room?"

She looks at me, and I see the questions written on her face. "Ira, I need to know what's going on. Mira give me the damn note."

Mira hands her the note, but I hold her hand to keep her from reading it. "Ms. Morgan, the note just says the Russians are upset about their men and are going to get even with you."

She gives me a feisty look and exclaims, "Ira, let me read the fucking note!" I take my hand away and watch as she reads the note. I see the anger as it crosses her face and she says, "Okay you two, the note says a lot more than what you told me. Mira I thought you said we didn't have any secrets?"

"Ms. Morgan, I did not think you needed to hear the unsavory details of the note so I summarized it for you."

The elevator stops and we all get off. I'm still dragging the boy by his tie. I know we are in trouble when Ms. Morgan steps back, crosses her arms and starts tapping her foot.

"Mira, we are in big trouble. I remember when she did this earlier."

"Yes Ira, she is angry with us."

We both look down towards the floor but Ms. Morgan clears her throat. We raise our heads and look her in the eyes. She glares at us and says, "What did I tell you two about looking at the floor."

"You told us never to do it again."

She continues, "Sisters." I notice the young desk clerk get even more nervous. "I am a news reporter and I thrive on details. You will never summarize anything for me again. Do you understand?"

I look at Mira and we both nod our heads. She says, "So my sister-bodyguards what's the plan."

Mira nods at me and answers, "Ms. Morgan. We are concerned the Russians might have planted a bomb in your room. Since Slava let them in your room, he will open the door while we wait a safe distance away."

Slava lets out a gasp and faints to the floor. Mira laughs, "Ira we are more of a man than he is. So what is the plan now?"

"Mira, we will handcuff Ms. Morgan to this dead weight and then we will have to check the room."

"She will be very upset at us."

"It is for her own good. Mira, you do it because I am still slow from my rib and the pills."

I watch as Mira slips her hand into her purse, Ms. Morgan steps back in a defensive position and says, "Oh no you don't! I've seen that move before. You put those handcuffs back in your purse."

Mira laughs, "Ms. Morgan do not be silly, you cannot hurt me."

"Mira, I order you to put those handcuffs back."

"Ms. Morgan, the only way I will do this is if you listen to us and follow our directions."

"Mira, I thought you had to obey my orders?"

I laugh and explain, "Ms. Morgan, you told us we are not your slaves so we will obey many of your orders unless it interferes with us keeping you safe. Now will you listen to us or we will handcuff you to Slava."

She looks at me but it is a standoff. Finally she says, "Okay you two win this time, just because I don't want to hurt my sisters."

I grin at Mira, "She thinks she could hurt us."

"Ira, remember, she is the one who killed Kostia. We must not underestimate her again."

"Okay Ms. Morgan. Let us use the stairs."

We left the young desk clerk and hunted for the stairs.

Present — Liz — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

I was ready for Mira this time. I could tell after reading the note my sisters were going to try and pull a fast one on me. I saw her hand go in her purse and knew the handcuffs were coming. We had a big discussion about it and I got my way, sort of. I need to do something with my sisters because they're body guarding is going to hamper my work.

I still don't totally trust them not to handcuff me, so I watch them like a hawk as we head up the stairs. Mira is in the lead, and when we get to the door, she stops. I watch her pull out her mobile phone and a coiled up thick black cable. She unrolls the cable and connects it to her mobile phone then slips the end of the cable under the door. I peek over her shoulder and find she's looking at the whole hallway - it's a portable snake camera.

She finishes and pulls the cable out from under the door. Then she wraps the cable around her neck and lets the camera hang around her neck. It sort of looks like her phone is on a lanyard.

I whisper, "That's really cool, I want one."

Ira says, "We will pick one up for you tonight."

With the hallway clear, we work our way to my room. Mira stops three doors down, takes a key out of her purse and opens the nearest door. There's a couple in the room in the middle of hot sex. The man starts yelling until Mira flashes her badge. I almost giggle as his wood and attitude instantly deflate.

"Ms. Morgan you will wait here, while Ira and I check the room."

I start to complain and I see her hold up the handcuffs. "You will stay in this room. You are lucky we are letting you get so close."

Present — Mira and Ira — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

I did not like Ms. Morgan being so close to the room because if there is an explosion she could be hurt.

"Ira, we need to do something about Ms. Morgan she is impossible to take care of."

"Mira, we need to talk about this and work things out. Remember what happened when Kostia tried to control her."

I giggle remembering how badly she embarrassed him. "Yes Ira, it was so very funny. I think I fell in love with her, like a sister when she did it."

"Me too. Mira, use the snake to check under the door."

I pull the camera off my neck and slip the snake under the door. Ira moves over and we both watch as I move the cable and scan the room. "Look Ira, it is an assassin waiting in her room."

We put the suppressors on our pistol and each take one side of the door. Ira took the key, put it in the lock and twisted it. Two shots came through the door and embedded in the wall across from the door. I thumped the floor to make it sound like someone fell and we waited. We saw the doorknob turn and I nodded at Ira. We each fired two shots and then pushed the door open. It only opened part way because the dead assassin was blocking it. We put our shoulders against the door and pushed the trash out of the way.

"Ira, I will clear the room, please cover the hallway. It is good working with you again my sister!"

"Yes Mira, I know we need to learn how to work separately, but we make such a good team."

It was easy to clear the room because I knew Ira had my back. I double check the room just to make sure there are no bombs, go to the door and drag the trash into the bathroom. I roll him into the bathtub and close the shower curtain. I look at the blood on the floor and don't know any quick way to hide it from Ms. Morgan. I go back to the door and can tell Ira is hurting, probably from helping me with the door. "Ira you stay here and I will bring Ms. Morgan." I touch her face and walk down the hallway.

Present — Liz — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

I'm impatient and pissed as hell! Mira and Ira have ordered me to stay in this room. But I have to chuckle about it because the prostitute the guy was banging took off. He begged her to stay but she had to get back to work. I saw him and I don't blame her because he wasn't very well endowed. And Mira and Ira sure scared the hell out of him, in fact they scare the hell out of most people we meet.

The guy starts hitting on me. "Hey pretty lady, since my friend left perhaps you would like to join me in bed?" he offers and waves some money at me.

I stand up, go over to him, pull the sheet off him and laugh. "Tell me, is your brain even smaller than your dick?" I'm about ready to continue the insult when Mira walks in the room.

She gives the guy an incredibly dirty look and I think his miniscule dick shrinks even more. I laugh again and he snatches the sheet out of my hand.

Mira walks over, "Ms. Morgan your room is now safe."

I see concern on her face, "Mira, what's wrong?"

"Sorry Ms. Morgan, Ira is not feeling well."

"Is it her rib? Perhaps we should take her to the hospital."

"Yes Ms. Morgan it is her rib. But the hospital would not help because they cannot do much for broken ribs. I will try my best later tonight to make sure it's in place."

"Mira, won't it hurt her very much?"

"Oh yes Ms. Morgan, I will have to give her a stick to bite on. And then I will have to hold her as she cries until it feels better."

We start to walk out of the room, but Mira stops at the door and looks at the man. "Do not ever bother Ms. Morgan again."

I watch as he turns white! Mira smiles at me as we walk to my room. "Sorry he bothered you, Ms. Morgan. I should have talked with him when we left you in his room with the prostitute. I want to warn you Ms. Morgan there is blood on the floor of your hotel room and please do not look in the bathtub."

I look at her and ask, "Someone was waiting for me?"

"Yes, it was Cyril. He was a very famous assassin."

I stop, grab her arm and ask, "Would he have killed me if I went to my room?"

"Yes, you will see."

As I walk up, I see six bullet holes in the door and blood on the floor with a trail leading to the bathroom. Ira is sitting on the bed so I run over and sit beside her and gently hug her. Even being gentle I cause here to wince.

"Ira, I'm sorry you're hurting so much. Is there anything I can do for you?" I feel so badly because she aggravated her rib injury keeping me from going after Kostia.

She bravely smiles at me and says, "I think I will feel better when we get to the Embassy and I can rest."

"Mira, we need to pack things as quickly as possible, get them to the car and then get Ira to the Embassy. Then you and I will go pick up your gear." Mira starts packing my suitcases, I help Ira lie on the bed, then I jump up and help Mira finish.

Mira keeps me out of the bathroom and packs up my toiletries. We're done in a few minutes. Mira calls the front desk and orders them to get the bellhops to the room. Two minutes later they arrive and carry all the bags downstairs. I don't know when she did it, but there's a new cab waiting at the curb.

The bellhops open the doors for us and I order, "Mira, you and I will sit up front, Ira you lie in the back to rest and please don't fight with me." They look at each other and something is exchanged during their glance. For once they listen to me as we head to the Embassy.

Present — Ira — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Ms. Morgan has both of us very confused! Working for her has not been anything like we thought it would be - it is many times better. We would have been happy if she treated us like her slaves. When we knelt in front of her and swore our allegiance that is what we were really doing: We were becoming her slaves. Our life in Dushanbe had become intolerable because of the beast Kostia. Now just thinking about him almost makes me sick.

We had never seen the soft and caring side of Ms Morgan so it surprised us when it showed. I was going to argue with her when she told me to lie on the back seat but Mira's look told me to not fight Ms. Morgan. No one has cared for us like this since Mama and Papa. After I get the tears out of my eyes, I slowly sit up, because even though my rib hurts very badly, I still have a job to do. Mira notices right away because she has her compact out and is using it check behind us. I see her smile at me and I return the smile. I pull out my compact and take over scanning behind us.

Ms. Morgan asks, "Mira, where did you two learn Krava Maga?"

Mira answers, "We spent one year training in Israel with the Mossad¹ when we were both sixteen. It was the best year of our lives." I remember the year because it was the best time of our life until now.

¹ Mossad - the national intelligence agency of Israel.

Ms. Morgan continues, "Why was it the best year of your lives?" She is such a reporter and is always asking questions.

I cannot help myself and I blurt out, "Because it was the first time we were away from the beast since we were ten."

She turns around and sees me sitting up, "Ira I thought I told you to lie on the seat."

I lie just a little, "Sorry Ms. Morgan but the bumps bother me more when I am lying down."

She looks at me closely and accuses, "Ira, are you lying to me?"

I look down and answer, "Yes Ms. Morgan. I am very sorry."

She snaps her fingers, "Hey, what did I tell you about looking down. Now you lay back down on the seat and stop lying to me. I can tell when either of you lie to me."

I obey for now, but when she is distracted again I will continue doing my job.

Ms. Morgan says, "I bet it was wonderful. Israel is such a beautiful country, it's a shame they cannot live in peace."

Mira answers, "Yes, we very much enjoyed our time there." And I thought yes, even though the Mossad kept us very busy with assignments, not having Kostia beat us and 'train' us was a vacation.

"I noticed from your passports you two have traveled extensively but didn't stay very long in any country."

Mira replies, "Yes Ms. Morgan. Sometimes we were assigned to help our government with issues in other countries." While I think Ms. Morgan is suspicious about what our assignments really were, I will be very happy not to do the assignments our government gave us. Many of them involved seduction and death.

Ms. Morgan laughs, "And I bet if you tell me you would have to kill me."

I answer, "No Ms. Morgan we cannot even tell you."

She checks to make sure I am still laying on the seat and I smile at her. The minute she turns around I sit up. Mira is watching in her compact so I stick my tongue out at her and she has to bite her tongue to keep from giggling.

Present — Mira — Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Ira is teasing me from the back seat. I should tell Ms. Morgan she's sitting up to get her in trouble, but I won't because she is my sister and she is doing her job.

Instead I decide to distract Ms. Morgan. I lean close and whisper in her ear, "Ms. Morgan are you not worried about killing Kostia."

She gives me a concerned look and answers, "I wasn't until you just asked me. Should I be worried?"

I smile and whisper, "I called the office and told them he was killed by an assassin so you are safe. I also picked up the shotgun shell casings so there is no evidence. I will call them later and tell them it was Cyril and have them pick up his body out of your hotel room."

"Wow, you had me worried for a minute. So what's the plan with you two and the NSC?"

Ira can't resist talking so she is going to get in trouble. "If you approve we would like to pretend we are still working for the NSC until we board the flight to America. There are certain benefits for us to continue working for them until we leave."

Ms. Morgan turns around, but Ira is just able to lay down before she's caught.

"Ira, were you sitting up again?"

I giggle because I know Ira cannot lie or Ms. Morgan will know. Ira answers, "Yes Ms. Morgan I was, please do not be upset with me."

"Ira, do I have to come in the backseat and hold you on my lap?"

I giggle and add, "If we were not already at the Embassy I think you would."

Ira sits up and declares, "Finally, I can sit up!"

The taxi pulls up to the gate and the guard looks at the three of us as Ms. Morgan says, "I'm Liz Morgan and Ambassador Clark is expecting us. He looks over at me and I give him a big smile; he looks in the back and Ira does the same. They open the gate and the taxi drives right up to the front door.

I see a distinguished older looking man, dressed in a very fine suit come out the door and towards the taxi. I open the door and step out, 'accidentally' letting my dress ride up higher than it should. Ira joins me and we block the man from seeing Ms. Morgan.

I hear instructions from behind me, "Mira and Ira that's the Ambassador, he's okay."

As he walks up to us his eyes are roving across our bodies, "Ira, I do not like him already. He is a lecherous old man."

"Mira, be nice to him. I will have a talk with him while you and Ms. Morgan pick up our things from the beast's apartment."

We move forward and let Ms. Morgan out of the taxi.

"Greetings, you two must be Miranda and Irina. It's such a pleasure to meet you." We hold out our hands and he kisses them instead of shaking them. Liz pushes us apart, "Sam, it's good to see you again. How are things?"

He reaches towards Ms. Morgan's hand and I grab his wrist and put him in a wrist lock. Ms. Morgan swats my rear and it surprises me, "Mira, let go of his hand."

"Sorry Ms. Morgan. No one touches you until we are sure they are safe."

"MIRA! You and I will talk about this later. Sorry Sam, these are my new bodyguards and they take their job very seriously." She shakes his hand and then he hugs her and I watch as his hands get too friendly with her. I want to reach over and break his arm, but I restrain myself.

"Liz, let me get someone to bring in all your stuff. Then we will have some dinner."

Ms. Morgan steps back, crosses her arms and looks at him, "Sam, first tell me how things are coming with the twins visas."

He gives her an evil grin and replies, "Liz, I know how important this is and how appreciative you'll be. The visas are ready all we need are their passports."