Chapter 86

Flashback – Jack – At the hospital

Masha was slowly waking up after fainting caused when I proposed to her and I was still chuckling about Banzai. He was such a clown sometimes but he sure kept life interesting. Masha opened her eyes and asked. "Jack, please do not tell me you are laughing at me for fainting."

I gave her a hell of a kiss and said, "Oh hell no, I was laughing at Banzai! He rolled by here a while ago riding on top of his bedside table looking for Tatiana."

She gave me a look that told me she didn't believe me and stated, "Jack, that sounds like a fairy tale. Do not tell me you are already lying to me now that we are practically engaged."

I started to explain things when a whole fucking circus paraded past: Banzai was in a wheelchair; Tatiana was pushing him; and they were followed by a gaggle of orderlies."

Masha saw Tatiana and immediately requested verification...

Flashback – Tatiana– At the hospital

I could not believe it! Ben cautiously handed me my underwear but it was such an embarrassment! Thank God the orderlies did not see the clandestine transfer or my reputation would be tarnished. And now we proceeded to return Ben to his room because President Putin wanted to see him. I was sure it was regarding Ben's role in Beslan but it was uncomfortable to think of meeting President Putin when I was fully dressed, let alone when I was missing a vital piece of my clothing. I only hoped that he or the reporters would not discover my missing garment.

I saw Masha and Jack sitting on some chairs in the hallway. Masha questioned as we passed, "Was Ben actually riding on his bedside table?"

I responded, "Yes, the crazy fool almost rolled down the stairs."

Ben complained, "Who are you calling a crazy fool? At least I'm wearing all my clothes."

Damn! I forgot Ben spoke Russian! I blushed and apologized, "Ben, I am sorry but it was very foolish to come after me."

Masha further asked, "Tatiana to which piece of clothing is Ben referring?"

I blushed and ignored the question. Thank God Ben laughed and deflected the question when he stated, "Not as foolish as you running away from me. By the way you need to congratulate Jack and Masha."

I questioned, "Congratulate them for what?"

Masha blurted, "Jack and I are almost engaged."

Ben yelled at Masha, which in turn caused Jack to become upset...

Flashback – Jack – At the hospital

What the hell! Banzai started yelling in Russian at Masha! I didn't care if he was my sniper, no one yelled at my woman unless they wanted their ass kicked! I jumped up and yelled back, "Banzai what in the hell are you doing yelling at Masha! Take it back or I will kick your ass!"

Banzai replied, "Jack, don't get your panties in a bunch until you know what the fuck is going on. Masha just told Tatiana that you two are almost engaged; now I thought you told me you proposed to her."

I felt like a fool and verified, "Hell, I did propose to her!" I looked at Masha and asked, "Sweetheart, I asked you to marry me. Aren't we engaged?"

She looked down at the floor and confessed, "Jack my love, until I have an engagement ring on my finger it will not seem official to me."

I came up with an immediate fix, "Hell, we can take care of that minor problem right now! Let's go find a jewelry store."

Masha got excited until Tatiana said something which troubled her. I demanded, "What the hell is wrong now!"

Tatiana answered, "Jack, President Putin is waiting for Ben in his room."

I replied, "What the hell is he doing here?"

Banzai suggested, "We won't know unless we get back to my room before he leaves."

I take over pushing Banzai while Masha and Tatiana start clucking like a pair of hens...

Flashback – Ben – At the hospital

Damn, it was funny as hell being the 'fly on the wall'. Masha and Tatiana often forgot that I spoke and understood Russian. Yeah, Jack should really learn more Russian because if he knew what they said, he would laugh his ass off.

In fact, if most men heard what their women said about them they would be shocked ... We wrongly assume that the things we say or do (especially sexual things) were kept private - and that was a huge mistake ... Women shared every-fucking-thing including the size with each other! Yeah when it came right down to it, they liked to brag about their men - just like their men liked to brag about their women.

I did have some concerns about how this would affect my blossoming relationship with Tatiana. I mean she was a hell of a woman, but I sure didn't want to get married. I was too damn young!

We rolled up to my room and stopped when I heard a hell of a bunch of yelling. Damn, I thought I recognized that voice...

Flashback – Jack – At the hospital

We got to Banzai's room and it sounded like fucking World War III was happening just inside. I heard a familiar voice order, "What the hell is wrong now? Get the fuck off me!"

Some female yelled in Russian - it must have been bad because Masha and Tatiana blushed.

The next thing I knew, some body guards hauled Major M and some Russian female out into the hallway. The Major saw me and demanded, "Sgt. Reynolds, what the hell did you do to me this time?"

The body guards paused and glared at me; Masha said something to them and they roughly carted the Major and the woman away while Banzai laughed like crazy.

I leaned over and whispered, "What's so damn funny?"

Banzai replied, "Masha told the body guards we didn't know who Major M was."

Masha explained, "If we had admitted knowing the Major, then they would have taken us into custody."

Banzai's doctor came out of the room and tried to displace me as the official wheelchair pusher. I made a fist like I had before and suddenly he had second thoughts and stated, "President Putin is waiting to see my patient."

I started to wheel Banzai into the room when he complained, "Jack, do we really have to?"

I laughed in reply, "Hell yes we have to! It's time for you to pay for your crazy assed heroics." And then I pushed the wheelchair into the room...

Flashback – Tatiana – At the hospital

Jack pushed Ben's wheelchair into his room and amazingly there stood President Putin with several of the military commanders of Russia. I was shocked that the President was still here since he was not known for his patience when he was forced to wait for others.

President Putin asked, "Will someone translate for me?"

Ben replied (in almost flawless Russian), "Sir, we will not need a translator. Your Russian is excellent."

I fought back laughter from Ben's little joke and hoped he didn't offend the President. The President smiled at the joke, walked toward Ben, stood in front of him and declared, "Sgt. Blaine, your selfless actions at Beslan resulted in saving numerous hostages and has captured the heart and soul of the Russian people. Such bravery from a person who is not even Russian must be rewarded."

I was shocked when Ben interrupted, "President Putin, I only did what needed to be done."

President Putin smiled again and continued, "Yes, we were told you were a humble man. However whether you like it or not, you are a hero of Russia and you will be justly rewarded."

Ben interrupted again, "President Putin, it is not right for me to be sitting while talking to you. Tatiana please help me stand."

Dr. Kaeoorov complained, "Sgt. Blaine, you can not stand."

Ben barked, "Well I sure as hell can't sit when meeting the President of Russia! Tatiana please help me."