Airwolf Legacy

Chapter Ten

Kristien rode up to the main house with Archangel on a couple of her thoroughbreds. Special Agent Redwood had accompanied them. Kristien’s grooms stood awaiting their arrival and held the horses whilst everyone dismounted. Alfred also stood on the steps of the main house, he had taken the time that Kristien was away to tend to the main house despite the ‘squatters’ that had taken up the West Wing, Alfred still had to run the household.

“Mr Coldsmith Briggs you have your usual rooms. Miss Marella is already settled in hers.” Alfred informed them. “Lunch will be served at thirteen hundred over at the lodge, unless you would like to dine here of course.”

“Thanks Alfred but rat poison gives me gas.” Archangel replied.

“Bloody big rats that’s all I can say.” Kristien replied really pissed off that her main residence had been taken over. All that was needed was a few palm trees, tons of sand and then the Saudi Flag up, that would really demonstrate to her that Sayid was here to stay.

Kristien started to walk up the main house steps with Archangel and Alfred. Agent Redwood was a bit surprised at Kristien going up to the house.
“Kristien you’re not going to the Lodge?” Redwood asked her.

“Oh I need a couple of jumpers from my bedroom.” Kristien replied. “I will be two ticks.”

“Miss Kristien, I can get those.” Alfred explained.

“It’s ok Alfred, I don’t really know what I want up there but I will know when I look.” Kristien explained without having to. She did not want everyone to know she wanted baggy jumpers, although she wasn’t even showing yet, Kristien felt very pregnant, her hormones were raging and the constant morning sickness was starting to drag her down. She had worn a couple of Hawke’s jumpers but they were far too big and ended up as dresses. They weren’t very practical.

As Archangel, Redwood and Kristien walked upstairs Kristien entered her bedroom and walked to the far side where the walk in wardrobes were. Redwood stood outside the bedroom discussing the recent Presidential Orders and the prospect of the FIRM giving them Top Secret information. Kristien found a couple of nice wool jumpers that were nice and loose and turned around and then felt queasy again. She held her stomach and started to turn white. “Oh come on, it’s nearly lunchtime for goodness sake.” Kristien moaned to herself and walked into the main bedroom. She placed the jumpers on the bed, it was no good she was going to have to visit the bathroom. She walked over to the bathroom, it was huge. There was at least forty feet long and probably just as wide. There was a steam room and sauna room to the side and a walk in shower the same size as what was in the hangar, in the middle was a huge bath tub enough room for four people, complete with water jets for the ultimate in relaxation.

Kristien marched over direct to the toilet bowl and hovered. As she began to be sick again her sides hurt. There was nothing really to bring up apart from a small amount of bile. As the dry heaves set in, Kristien got up and flushed the toilet and wandered over to the hand basin. She washed her hands and then quickly brushed her teeth. She hated being sick. She took the glass and filled it with water and drank it straight down. She wasn’t going to put up with the stomach acid burning her oesophagus. She looked at herself in the mirror, did she look that white? She ran the cold tap and splashed cold water onto her face in an attempt to put some colour into her cheeks. She placed her face in the white cotton fluffy towel and wiped her face dry. That felt better. As she pulled the towel from her face and looked into the mirror to check she had achieved the desired look Tariq’s image was in there. Kristien swung round and Tariq stood less than five feet away, he had closed and locked the bathroom door.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Kristien demanded. “These are my private quarters, get out.”

“That is not how a Princess should speak.” Tariq told her. “Now is it little one.”

Kristien looked at him and suddenly it dawned on her who he was. He was one of the kidnappers. As her mind tried to desperately scan the graphic images from that traumatic time she knew he worked for Bryon also. Only he called her that. Kristien spun round and kicked out at Tariq before he had time to know what was going on. He stepped backwards and held his stomach. Damn, she thought haven’t even winded him. Kristien got out her PDA and Tariq smashed it out of her hand and gave a right hook to her cheek which sent her sprawling on to the floor. She paused for a couple of seconds regaining her bearings, she had to get control of this somehow. She couldn’t allow a punch to her stomach.

“Please continue.” Tariq told her. “I like it when they fight.”

Kristien got up and took a couple of steps toward the bath. She had to get to the silent alarm button on the bath, there was no cctv in her private quarters, no one would see what was happening until its too late. Kristien threw a left hook to Tariq and then a right and caught him squarely on the jaw, as he started to hold his face Kristien managed to kick this time with such force it did wind him and sent him on the floor.

Hawke came running up the landing with Carsten in tow. Archangel and Redwood both looked surprised and Redwood went for his gun.

“What’s up?” Redwood paused with his gun.

“She’s in trouble.” Hawke shouted at him sensing Kristien’s sudden fear.

Hawke entered the bedroom gun drawn and noticed the closed bathroom door. He pointed to it. “She never closes the door.” Hawke whispered.

All three men walked closer to the closed oak door with their guns drawn. Archangel joined in with his gun drawn. At the same time Carsten’s and Redwood’s blackberry beeped.

“That’s the silent alarm.” Carsten confirmed.

Kristien managed to press the dummy tap letting off the silent panic alarm. At least that would get someone to help her. She started to turn and Tariq had drawn his gun and with the butt end his her head hard and as she fell the corner of the bath hit her head harder sending her flopping to the floor. Tariq turned her over unaware of what she did to the tap. He moved up her shirt revealing her stomach and saw the scar on her right side. He touched it with some sickening pride.

“Not big enough, I should have carried on.” Tariq replied. “I will ensure you are compliant for Sayid.” Tariq told her. “No woman tells a man, NO.” Tariq took out his knife and looked at the gold blade and looked at it glinting in the light. “Remember this?” He carried on. “It taught you a lesson back then.” He held the knife to her throat and pressed it, he resisted the urge to slit her throat, he had his orders. He placed his gun on the bath and stood up and was about to tie Kristien up when Kristien came too which surprised Tariq. Before he could do anything the bathroom door was blown up, shattering oak everywhere and distracted Tariq. Just as Carsten, Hawke and Redwood burst through the door with their guns drawn, Tariqs face exploded in front of them as one gunshot from behind was heard. Carsten, Hawke and Redwood all squeezed their triggers simultaneously and put in 6 bullets to Tariqs falling torso. Carsten and Redwood went over to Tariqs fallen body and Hawke ran over to Kristien who laid holding the gun after shooting Tariq. Hawke dropped to his knees and tried to take the gun from her. She would not release her grip.

“Kristie, its over, its alright I am here.” Hawke scooped her up in his arms and held her tightly, rocking her gently, kissing the top of her head, he saw the deep cut on her head which was bleeding profusely. Kristien lowered the gun but did not let go of it. Various other Secret Service Agents all arrived at the doorway, all guns drawn.

“Take over.” Carsten ordered. “Hawke we need to leave now.” Carsten looked at Archangel. “Find out who the fuck he was.” Carsten ordered.

Hawke picked Kristien up and carried her out with Carsten and Redwood, leaving Archangel to deal with the bloody mess.

Hawke held Kristien tightly in the Lodge kitchen. Alfred handed Hawke an ice pack to place on Kristien’s bruised cheek, her right jaw was getting quite swollen and very dark with the bruising. Her hair was matted with her own blood from the head wound caused by hitting the corner of the bath with such force. Alfred stood behind Kristien and placed the medical superglue into the head wound, plugging it instantly. He had done this many times before when Kristien was a child and had fallen from many trees. Kristien had not spoken since shooting Tariq.

“I have run a hot bath, Master Stringfellow.” Alfred informed him. “There are various essential oils in there to help with the bruising and swelling.”

“Thanks Alfred.” Hawke replied.

“I will go and check and then stand outside the door.” Carsten informed Hawke. Hawke nodded and let Carsten walk to the lodge bathroom to check it really was empty this time.

Hawke stood up and picked Kristien up and walked up the stairs to their bedroom which they had moved into since getting married, Special Agent Redwood escorted them. Carsten stood at the doorway and nodded at Hawke. Agent Redwood stood the other side of the doorway.

Hawke walked into the bathroom and the essential oils were already providing a scented aroma in the steamy air, the bath was full of bubbles and very inviting. Hawke started to undress Kristien. He removed her shirt and there were several bruises already on her body. He undid her jodhpurs and slid them down, there were bruises and grazes there also. He gently removed her Victoria Secret underwear and was about to pick her up and place her in the bath when she spoke.

“Don’t let go of me.” Kristien begged quietly, still holding the gun.

Hawke undid his shirt and his jeans and they fell to the floor. He picked up Kristien in his arms and stepped into the inviting hot bath. He allowed Kristien’s legs to go into the bath water and she stood up, Hawke gently laid down in the bath and pulled Kristien down on top of him. He held her firmly in his arms and she rested her head on his chest, his right hand holding the ice pack to her jaw. Her right hand rested on the bath edge still holding the gun.

They had laid in the bath for some time, just in the silence, the water remaining hot with the heating panels in the bath. Alfred walked in carrying a tray. Hawke had got used to another man walking in to Kristien’s room. Kristien never batted an eyelid and on several occasions Hawke was sure that Alfred had walked in on him and Kristien making love but nothing was ever said. Hawke knew that Alfred knew Kristien intimately and she often spoke to him about any subject, including private matters. He always knew what to say and do and Hawke was often guided by Alfred.

Alfred placed the tray down on the table next to the bath and handed Hawke a steaming hot cup of coffee, Hawke gladly accepted the liquid offering although he felt he could do with something much stronger.

“May I?” Alfred offered to take the melting ice pack from Hawke. Hawke handed it to Alfred who had brought a fresh one. He inspected her jaw first.

“Do you boys get a special class, you know like in between football and baseball to learn how to hit a woman?” Kristien spoke for the first time since the attack and looked directly at Alfred.

Alfred smiled at Kristien. “I believe that they call it boxing, Miss Kristien.” Alfred looked at her. “And it’s only boys on boys.”

Kristien looked directly at Alfred. “Could have fooled me.” She pointed to her jaw and then made an exaggerated hand gesture to indicate that the swelling was fifty times the size it was. “I mean it’s out here.”

Hawke gently kissed the top of her head and smiled. “Well not all boys attend the class you know.”

Alfred picked up a bowl of chocolate ice cream, complete with lots of chocolate flakes on and whipped cream. He gently took the gun from her hand and placed the cold bowl of ice cream into it. He put the gun on the tray. Alfred’s timing with Kristien was always impeccable. Kristien picked up the spoon and loaded a large amount of ice cream on it and placed it into her mouth, Kristien closed her eyes as the coolness hit the bruising inside her mouth. “Ooooooouuuch.” Kristien desperately wanted to hold her aching jaw. “No, you boys when you hit each other, I mean you don’t get huge bruises like this!” She held her hand out to exaggerate the swelling again. “It’s massive.”

“Well we do, eventually, it just takes a few punches that’s all.” Hawke told her taking another sip of coffee. “It’s just that you have silky soft skin, that’s why you bruise quicker. If you shaved everyday then you probably wouldn’t bruise this easily.” Hawke offered an explanation to her. Kristien looked up into Hawke’s eyes.

“I can get some pain killers from the infirmary Miss Kristien, which ones would you like?” Alfred offered.

“I can’t Alfred.” Kristien wished she could, oh how she wished she could have something just to stop the dull aches and pains.

Alfred looked at Kristien. “Miss Kristien, I am sure you can take some things whilst you are pregnant that won’t affect the baby.” Alfred placed a chocolate thick shake on the side complete with a straw on the side as well as a fresh ice pack.

Hawke looked shocked at Alfred, how did he know. No one else knew except him. Alfred smiled at Hawke and said nothing.

“Just get some more arnica and the usual essential oils ready for after the bath please.” Kristien told him. “It doesn’t hurt that much, not now, just aches.”

“Of course, Miss Kristien.” Alfred left the young couple together and closed the bedroom door to give them some privacy for Hawke to rub in the essential oils to her bruising body. Carsten and Redwood looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They knew that shortly Hawke and Kristien would probably be making love again, for the umpteenth time that day. How they had the energy no one knew.

Archangel and Marella sat at the lodge kitchen table, Marella was busy on her laptop getting information from the FIRM’s main computer in America. Archangel was on a video conference to the committee. Alfred had got a late lunch prepared for everyone. Dominic sat waiting, feeling like a spare part. He had missed everything but had heard about it all.

Agents Redwood and Carsten appeared along with Hawke and Kristien. Kristien wore dark glasses to keep her head to a small dull thud rather than the pounding it was earlier. Dominic looked shocked when he saw the large bruise on Kristien’s face.

Hawke sat down next to Dominic. “Hey is she ok?” Dominic asked very concerned for Kristien.

“Yeah, she’s okay.” Hawke confirmed. He had bathed her and rubbed all her aches away. “Don’t mention the bruise, she thinks it’s ten times the size already.”

Dominic looked over at Kristien again. “Oh, okay.” Dominic replied.

Kristien stood with Alfred getting more chocolate ice cream. Her appetite had returned with a vengeance and she was starving. Alfred gave her another chocolate thick shake to start on.

Carsten and Redwood helped themselves to coffee and sandwiches and waited for Archangel to finish his video conference.

“How the hell did this happen?” Archangel questioned the two special agents. “You are supposed to protect Kristien damn it, and here we have a direct attack on her in her own home. I want an explanation.”

Carsten looked at Archangel. Bloody typical the FIRM is in charge of them for less than one day and they are already getting a bollocking from the boss, he thought. “We fucked up.” Carsten admitted to Archangel.

“Fucked up with a capital F I would say gentlemen.” Archangel shouted through gritted teeth and pointed firmly at them. “Call yourself protection detail.”

“We did contain the situation and removed Kristien immediately and eliminated the threat.” Carsten replied.

“The way I hear it was that Kristien shot Tariq first.” Archangel corrected Carsten. “And if it wasn’t for Hawke here you wouldn’t have known Kristien was in trouble.”

“The panic alarm was activated…..” Carsten continued.

“I think it’s better to stick with you fucked up rather than try to dig yourself further in the shit.” Archangel spat back.

“When you boys have quite finished.” Kristien walked over and sucked on her straw of her chocolate thick shake. “No one knew Tariq was in there because the hounds are banned from my bedroom, the lodge and the hangar.” Kristien reminded everyone.

“Why?” Archangel questioned.

Kristien glared at Archangel through her dark glasses. “Excuse me?” Kristien was pissed off and she did not hide it. Her face felt like it was on fire with a lump the size of Kilimanjaro protruding out of it and now she was being questioned about her rules.

“Sorry I meant, with Sayid here why didn’t everyone follow protocol?” Archangel rephrased the question.

“Because all of Sayid’s gang have passed all the security levels at the White House, that’s why.” Carsten felt he could answer that question.

“Well I will debrief Kristien and then……” Archangel started to speak.

“No one debriefs me.” Kristien stood up. “Especially when the White House fucks up and allows the bastard that kidnapped me into my house.” Kristien walked out of the kitchen, leaving everyone to deal with the revelation of Tariq being one of the kidnappers seven years previous. Hawke stood up, half of him not surprised and started to follow her out.

Everybody in the kitchen looked stunned.

“I want to hear that explanation also.” Hawke said checking his side weapon. Carsten and Redwood both tried to stand up to follow but Hawke shook his head and motioned them to remain with Archangel to get to the bottom of what was going on.

Hawke strode out to the dock with the Stradivarius and stool and sat next to Kristien. She was leaning up against a post and was looking out on the calm lake. Hawke put the cello between his legs and started to play his favourite piece by Prokofiev. He reached deep into Kristien’s mind and found what he was looking for.

“I don’t know what you went through during the kidnapping. I can’t even guess.” He told her as the bow smoothly went over the strings, sending out the most beautiful music to her tortured soul. “When did you know it was him?” Hawke asked her hoping she wasn’t going to say the minute she spotted him.

Kristien sighed heavily. “I wasn’t sure. I kept getting flashbacks but nothing made sense. The human mind is a wonderful tool but at the same time it is very complex.”

“It was at the race meeting wasn’t it.” Hawke asked rhetorically after reaching so deep inside her he found the answer he was looking for.

Kristien looked up at Hawke, her eyes failing to hide the torment that was turbulently thrashing around inside her like a washing machine on a full spin cycle. Her guilt of not telling Hawke who she was when she first met him, possibly leading to her kidnapping in the first place, the loss of their baby, the despicable violation that happened to her and consequently the five year absence from Hawke. Hawke felt her wrestling with her soul, there tucked away was a brooding he had never ever come across before. Just as he started to explore, Kristien closed down to him, halting him from going any further. Hawke looked at her and Kristien exchanged a brief look and then looked out over the lake, where two beautiful swans where happily floating across.

“Sort of.” Kristien reluctantly replied. “You know when you see someone and you can’t place them. That’s what happened, it has taken me all this time to work out who he was, but how then did he clear the security checks?”

“Archangel can worry about the security checks and then kick who ever it was that passed him.” Hawke continued to play to her, calming her.

Kristien moved from the post and laid out flat on the wooden planks, looking up into the sky, her dark glasses covering her eyes, watching the clouds in the sky, listening to Hawke’s soothing cello music.

Sayid sat at the end of the banqueting table in the main house. Archangel stood with Marella with a file of information. Carsten and Redwood also stood looking at Sayid.

“Would somebody mind telling me what is going on?” Sayid questioned.

“Two hours ago your personal aide Tariq Mohammed attacked Kristien in her personal quarters, care to elaborate on that?” Archangel informed him of the facts.

“What? Tariq? Where is he now? I will personally see that he gets staked out into the desert and has his arms taken off at the shoulders.” Sayid was outraged. “Is Kristien alright?”

“It will take sunlight a bit longer to reach him at the moment.” Carsten nudged Redwood.

“Your outrage is a nice touch Sayid.” Archangel commended him on his performance. “How long has he been your aide?”

“Am I being questioned here? You know that you cannot do that.” Sayid asked stroking his beard. “Where is Tariq? And is Kristien ok?”

“Call it helping us with our enquiries then?” Archangel replied looking over the file again.

“I demand to see Tariq now.” Sayid stood up already fed up with the questioning.

“Oh I wouldn’t worry about Tariq, he’s not going anywhere fast.” Archangel informed him. “How long has he been your aide?”

“Ten years.” Sayid replied. “Where is Tariq?”

“Ten? So he kidnapped Kristien whilst on your payroll.” Archangel worked out the dates. “I don’t suppose you ordered that did you?”

Sayid walked over to Archangel and looked him in the eye. “Where is he?”

“Dead.” Carsten announced getting fed up with the lack of answers.

“Sir we are getting preliminary results through now.” Marella looked at her laptop and saw different things coming through. “The finger prints had been surgically altered, also facial reconstruction has happened at sometime in the past.”

Sayid continued to stare at Archangel. “Tariq was involved in a car accident around seven years ago. They rebuilt his face.” Sayid continued. “You realise it’s forbidden to do an autopsy.”

“Oh don’t worry we’re just scraping up the remains.” Archangel informed him.

“Remains? What did you do to him?” Sayid queried. “Was it you?” Sayid looked directly over at Carsten.

“I wish.” Carsten replied. “Kristien protected her self, after the bastard attacked her.” Carsten was impressed that Kristien had yet again shot someone down with deadly accuracy. “I can take you to see Tariq if you like.” Carsten offered.

“Thank you I will.” Sayid followed Carsten upstairs and walked towards Kristien’s private quarters in the main house. He stood at the remains of the blown bathroom door. There on the floor with copious amounts of blood, brains and skull fragments was Tariq. Sayid looked at the 6 bullet holes in his chest but could not believe that there was no face left.

“Kristien did this?” Sayid questioned with some disbelief at the scene of devastation.

“Yes, sorry Sayid.” Carsten replied. “Kristien shoots to kill.”

“And you don’t?” Sayid retorted.

“We tend to aim for the torso as we have a ‘bring ‘em back alive clause’ in our contracts also it’s a bigger target.” Carsten admitted. “Kristien’s aim is deadly, she always goes for the head.”

“She must have thought she was in danger.” Sayid wrestled with his conscious over Kristien, he did not know that she could shoot like that. What the hell was Tariq doing in her private quarters? Was Tariq involved in Kristien’s kidnapping as Archangel suggested? There were more questions than answers. For now Sayid could not go and ask Kristien for her side as he had to get Tariq back to Saudi for his burial within twenty four hours.

Hawke continued to play the Stradivarius to Kristien. A couple of hours had passed and Kristien had remained silent in the ambient music that Hawke was producing. Hawke’s serenading was soothing and peaceful.

“Tariq was in charge.” Kristien started.

Hawke drew his bow across the strings of the cello and paused. He rested his hands across the cello and placed his chin on them and looked down at Kristien.

Kristien continued to remember, reaching deep into her torn memory of her traumatic kidnapping. “He was the one that cut me open and removed our baby.” Kristien painfully remembered. “He also violated me.”

Hawke put the Stradivarius to one side and laid down next to Kristien. He picked her up in to his arms. “Hey, that’s enough remembering, you hear.” Hawke stroked her hair fondly. “He’s dead now.” Hawke held her close. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”

Sayid watched from a distance at the scene of Kristien and Hawke. He was going to check to see if she was alright and to tell her that he was leaving to return Tariq’s body for burial and would be back in a couple of days but he stood just watching the intimate scene feeling very jealous and helpless. Why couldn’t Kristien be like that with him? He tried to imagine himself in her arms instead of Hawke. He left Kristien’s estate feeling very empty. He knew he would have to answer to his dying father on his return and he would have to explain why he had not consummated the marriage to Kristien.

Sayid made a silent vow to himself, that on his return he would make a concerted effort to court Kristien and hopefully consummate their marriage.