Chapter 17

After sleeping a little longer, I came painfully awake. The soreness, cuts, bruises, and other injuries were far worse than the night before, and I almost couldn't stand on my own. It took three tries, but I finally got up and headed to the bathroom for a long, hot, shower. When I got back they were all up and at the table, eating a delicious looking breakfast that had been sent up by room service, apparently with the hotel's appreciation for my activities at MGM Grand. A note from the manager indicated they had seen the news and recognized me, which I didn't understand at all. He went on to thank me, and inform us that our entire stay was as their guests.

That pleased and puzzled me, but Kristine demanded a hug, and Nicole had decided that was a sweet idea, which made Leslie take it just a hair farther, giving me good smooch on the lips. They could see the discomfort I was in and tried to help, but it was a lost cause. Rather than dwell on the pain, I asked, "Did you have the news on?"

Leslie looked surprised, "Please put it on, Noah. I really want to get some news, even if it is terrible."

We watched in growing horror as FOXNEWS, CNN, and the three over the air networks took turns showing us the width and breadth of the carnage.

"At approximately seven-thirty five, last evening, the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, was deliberately and horrifically bombed. The once statuesque hotel was destroyed by a small group of bombs, strategically placed to kill and maim the maximum number of people.

"We understand that the death toll had risen to over four-hundred, with scores of tourists and staff still unaccounted for. As of a few minutes ago the number of wounded had soared well into the thousands. One complicating factor in determining the extent of the death toll is the nature of tourist destinations. There is –just – no-way to know how many people just happened to stop by for a look at the massive hotel and casino, and were there when the bombs went off.

"Rescue workers from all over the western US have converged on Las Vegas, set up triage units, outdoor operating theaters, and temporary hospitals. FEMA has been busy, as has the US military ferrying doctors, nurses, x-ray technicians, and every other type of rescue and aid worker, to try and deal with all the injured.

"We will stay with wall-to-wall coverage of the attack on Las Vegas..."

I had to turn away and block it out.

As President, and Vice President, I always had everything I needed to deal with these tragedies right at hand. I could pick up a phone and get everybody in government service moving on my order. As a twenty-two year old nobody, I couldn't even offer advice, because no one in his right mind would listen.

I was deep thinking when I heard a gasp. Nicole and Leslie were staring in shock at the screen, as FOXNEWS showed film of me carrying Kristine out through the hell that used to be the hotel lobby, with firemen on each side supporting me and urging me onward.

"Mommy, that's us!" Kristine shouted. "I see us Noah. I can see you carrying me!" She was very excited.

It just depressed me. Why did some MORONS think that planting bombs at a hotel, and killing perfectly innocent civilians would win them anything? The worst thing about terrorists is their inability to see the truth. Every time they killed women, old folks, and children, the world withdrew support, sympathy, and any chance their opinions would be taken seriously. The only thing they earned was our never ending hatred and the promise of retaliation.

When engaging in terrorism, it always costs more to win than if they didn't try.

The anchor was speaking. "We have this video, but little information. The young man seen rescuing the injured child was not a friend or relative. He was just a guy who was seen running up the stairs of the stricken hotel, apparently looking for people trapped in the wreckage. Witnesses tell us he saw the little girl lying injured on the floor of the stairwell well above the thirtieth floor and carried her down. Once on the ground floor, the man apparently found the exits blocked by fallen debris and went in search of another way out, carrying the child with him.

"When near the main entrance, he was joined by firemen who helped lead them to safety." The video stayed on us, as I gently laid Kristine on the stretcher, then sort of sitting, but really just collapsing down beside her. My face and head were a mass of blood and soot. I looked like a movie monster, not a man, and the film made me feel much worse than if I hadn't seen it. Nicole was in tears watching the video evidence of her daughter's ordeal, and held Kristine very tightly trying to block out the images.

Leslie moved over beside me and wrapped her arms around me. It was then that I realized I was shaking as I relived every moment of the bombing. She whispered encouragement to me and kissed me face and head repeatedly.

The news continued without me until I realized me phone was ringing.

It was Lane.

I took the call in the bedroom. "Hello,"

"Oh, Noah. You're Ok. We just saw you on TV, carrying a little child out of the burning hotel. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I was in front of the hotel when the bombs went off and ran up the stairs to see if anyone was trapped. I found a little girl who had been abandoned by her babysitter and carried her out to her mother. It was nothing." That seemed to satisfy her because she was more interested in talking than listening, and she plowed right on, as if I hadn't spoken. "I'm sorry we left you, but Daddy insisted we get out of Las Vegas right after they stopped the show and told everyone to leave, so the staff could go help with the victims. We got a cab to the airport, and our plane got out just before they closed it.

"Daddy said it will be days before you'll get the coach out because of all the recovery workers and stuff, so just sit tight and bring it when you can..."

We talked about nothing of consequence, and I felt distance growing between us. She needed me to jump start her sex drive, but now she would be fine without me. The first runner up loses graciously, again.

When I hung up, I heard a tap on the door. Nicole came in, sat on the edge of the bed, and said, "They just said the airport is closed to everything except emergency flights, until further notice. We're stuck, and our luggage was destroyed. Mother and I aren't sure what to do about things until we can fly home."

"Don't worry about where you'll stay. Use the rooms you're in, and we'll deal with things later. I like having the company, and unless I miss my guess, you three don't find me repulsive." I said that as a defense. Having Lane go out of my life made me question my suitability as a man.

Nicole placed her palm fully against my chest. "I can speak for the three of us and tell you that two of us find you terribly attractive ... painfully so. Kristine is totally gone on you because you saved her when her babysitter and bodyguard abandoned her.

"I hired the bodyguard because we have been getting threatening phone calls. My husband died in a plane accident some time ago. He was flying himself home from a business obligation and flew straight into the side of a mountain in heavy fog.

"His sister never got over it and swears I made him fly that day, so in her mind, his dying is all-my fault. There is something off the wall about her, and I'm afraid of her sometimes. Last month, on the fifth anniversary of his death, she started making vague threats that got worse and worse.

"When we saw a strange man following us one night, I knew we needed to be protected and hired a very reputable agency to cover us, particularly Kristine. Obviously they weren't all that reliable, and when I called and explained what their highly overpaid jack-ass did, they about wet themselves trying to make it all up to me.

"What I won't do is let them anywhere near us again, and once I called the credit card companies, they cut off the cards and reversed any charges made by those two low-life idiots, yesterday."