“Don’t cry sweetheart. It’s not your fault.” Deadeye tries to console her. Her tears are difficult for him to bear. He wants to take all the fear and pain away. He has one arm wrapped tightly around her while his other hand smooths through her long brown hair. “He was an evil man, Elise. What he did is solely on him. You could not have stopped him. I’m very sorry the little girl died and that you had to witness that, but you can’t blame yourself.” Elise nods in agreement even though a part of her still feels the guilt. She knows there was nothing she could have done to stop him, but her heart still carries the burden of watching Lakia die.
“Here, let’s lay down. You need to rest before we have to move again.” Deadeye instructs has he lays her down on the pallet. “Are you okay now?” Elise looks up at him with the most haunted look in her eyes. It tears at his soul to see the look in her eyes. She shakes her head and reaches out a hand to grab his shirt.
“Please don’t leave me.” Elise pleads. “I’m so afraid of dreaming again.” Deadeye settles down next to her and pulls her near. Deadeye wraps his left arm around Elise’s shoulders. She rest her head on his chest with the rest of her body half on top of him and half on the mat. A few minutes later they are both asleep. They sleep for a couple of hours before they are awakened by Bull alerting them that insurgents have been spotted near the base of the mountain. Their time is running out to reach the top and call for help.
“I need to go assess the situation, sweetheart. Will you be alright for a few minutes, until I can get back?” Deadeye looks into Elise’s eyes as she nods the affirmative. He knows she will say she’s fine even if she isn’t for the sake of the team, but he sees no fear in her eyes. He gives her a gentle squeeze before slipping out from under her. He eases her onto the mat. “Just lay here and rest. I’ll be right back.” Elise again nods as she lays her head on her hands. She watches him work his way through the cave toward the entrance.
“What have we got?” Deadeye asks Bull as they reach the opening to the cave. Virus is standing guard on the opposite side of the entrance. He and Bull had relieved Tank and Ace after 4 hours of sleep, so that they too could get some rest before they had to head up the mountain at dark.
“I spotted about 10 men walking around where we left the Humvee a few hours ago. Now you can see them where we began our ascent.” Bull informs him as Deadeye takes the binoculars and adjusts them. He peers down toward the base of the mountain. He takes his time and counts the small black forms. There is definitely 8 men slowly climbing the mountain. He shifts his gaze toward the Humvee and spots the other two men leaning against the broken vehicle. There is still too much daylight for all of them to slip out of the cave and continue the climb. It would be suicide to try and move with Elise in tow and Worm on a stretcher. Deadeye hands the binoculars back to Bull.
“Keep an eye on them. They seem to be moving slowly. Perhaps we can still wait for the cover of darkness before we move again.” Deadeye heads back into the cave where Tank and Ace are sleeping. He gently wakes the sleeping men. They gather up and discuss their options. After an intense debate they decide their best bet on getting everyone out of there safely is to send part of the team up the mountain while the rest stays behind to guard Worm and Elise.
Tank will lead a team consisting of Hack, Virus, and Ace to the mountain top while Deadeye remains behind with the rest of the team to protect Elise and Worm. Deadeye pulls Tank aside before the men head out.
“Tank be safe. Don’t take any unnecessary chances.” Deadeye orders his friend. “I know you can handle yourself and these men, but I should be the one going up the mountain. It’s my responsibility, but I can’t leave Elise behind and the climb would be too much for her right now.” Deadeye stares at Tank willing him to understand.
“Don’t sweat it. I have got this. I understand totally.” Tank winks at Deadeye. “Someday I hope to meet a woman that will make me feel the way you and Hawk feel about your women.”
“I don’t have a woman.” Deadeye declares angrily despite the feelings in his heart.
“Yes, man you do. You just haven’t accepted it yet.” Tank again give Deadeye a wink and a little shove on the shoulder. Deadeye starts to protest when Tank continues. “You have the same look in your eye that Hawk had when we found Charlotte. You may not have accepted it, but you my friend have been hit by cupid’s arrow. No way to fight it.” Tank laughs as he turns to grab his pack. He smirks at Deadeye as he turns to leave the cave. Deadeye flips him a double bird. Tank laughs again before leading his men out of the cave and up the mountain. Deadeye stares after him for several minutes before shaking his head as a smile breaks out on his face. He knows that Tank is right, even though admitting it is the hardest thing he has ever done. He then turns heading back to where he left Elise.
Chapter 8
Tankand his crew begin the arduous climb up the side of the mountain while trying to keep the insurgents from seeing them. The men move with precision and speed. Despite their training and ability, it takes the rest of the day and into the night to make it about two thirds of the way up the mountain. They make camp for the night and sleep a few hours before finishing the climb. The next morning, they manage to climb several hundred feet before they pause to rest before pushing up the last few hundred to reach the height needed to get radio contact with base. The climb was difficult, and it has taken them longer than they had expected to reach this height. While the men are resting and drinking water, they each grab a protein bar for energy to complete the climb. Just as they are about to resume their climb, they hear a commotion down the mountain.
Meanwhile back at the cave, Deadeye heads to where he last left Elise. He tries to think of something to keep Elise occupied while they wait for the team to make the trip. He sits next to her and when she looks up at him, he gives her a comforting smile. Elise sits up and moves to sit closer to him.
“How are you feeling sweetheart?” Deadeye inquires as she settles next to him.
“I’m alright.” Elise gives a weak smile. Deadeye looks at her hard and she smiles a little bigger. “Okay, so I’m tired, dirty, stinky, and honestly scared to sleep.” Elise looks up into Deadeye’s gaze. There is nothing he can do at the moment to improve her situation so he slowly slips an arm around her shoulders and gently pulls her into his side. Elise relaxes against him with a heavy sigh. They sit quietly together for a while. Wallace brings them some MRE’s and a canteen of water. They sit and eat in silence. When they have finished, Deadeye helps Elise to a place where she can relieve herself. He leaves her in privacy but then escorts her back to where the rest of team is gathered. Deadeye takes his turn at watch while Elise sits with Straw and Worm.
When night falls, Deadeye returns from watch and tentatively sits next to Elise.
“You need to get some sleep, sweetheart. I know you are afraid, but you need sleep to be able to make the rest of the trip.” Elise looks at him with such fear in her eyes, but nods in agreement. “Would you feel better if I sleep here with you?”
Elise lets out a huge breath. “Yes, Warren. I would feel better if you were here with me.” Elise smiles shyly when Deadeye moves to lay down next to her.
“Don’t worry about anything. I will be right here and watch over you. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Deadeye whispers. “I promise to wake you if you have a nightmare.”
“Thank you, Warren.” Elise settles down next to him.
They lay side by side in the dark. He starts to reach for her but stops himself despite feeling the need to comfort her in some way. His attraction to her has only grown since finding her, but he can’t act on his desires. Can he? He is a professional. She is supposed to be a target. Besides he’s too old for her and way out of her league socially. Most importantly, he doesn’t want to frighten her after all she has been through. Then Elise rolls toward him and rests her head on his arm. He is unable to stop himself. He slips his arm around her shoulders and pulls her to lay against him with her head on his chest. He runs his fingers through her long hair for several minutes until he hears her breathing slow in sleep. Deadeye lays awake for some time longer listening to her breathing. He is getting too close to her, but he can’t seem to stop himself.
They are awakened a few times during the night by Elise’s nightmares. Deadeye is quick to comfort and reassure her. Each time Elise clings to him and calms quickly when she hears his voice bringing her back to reality. When morning comes, they are both emotionally drained, but the long night has drawn them closer to each other. Deadeye is even more determined than ever to keep Elise safe and by his side.
After breakfast, Mercury comes to Deadeye to update him on Worm and their current situation.
“Hey, how long do you think it will take for an extraction team to arrive?” Mercury inquires quietly as he sits down next to Deadeye. Elise is lying on the mat next to where Deadeye is sitting with her back to the men. He had encouraged her to try and get some more sleep after eating. Both men glance at her before continuing their conversation.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. It depends on how long it takes them to reach the top and then the time it will take base to assemble and launch a rescue.” Deadeye whispers. He glances at Elise again before continuing. “Is something worrying you, Mercury? Is Worm taking a turn for the worse?” Deadeye looks over to were Worm is sleeping.
“No, Worm is doing great. There hasn’t been anymore bleeding and his vitals are staying steady” Mercury pauses.
“So, what’s the problem?” Deadeye asks while giving Mercury a hard stare. He knows there is more going on than Mercury has disclosed.
“I am concerned that we might run out of pain medications and antibiotics before help can arrive.” Mercury stares back at Deadeye as the men contemplate the implications. Elise turns over and sits up. Both men turn to look at her.
