Airwolf Legacy

Chapter Five

Two weeks later, at the main house outside in the courtyard Alfred was serving morning coffee. Special Agent Carsten stood dressed in black sipping the coffee and watching the PDA he had in his other hand and speaking to the main gate. Kristien walked back up to the house with Hawke at her side and with Special Agent Redwood, along with four other Special Agents. She had spent the morning exercising her thoroughbreds with Hawke watching her every move. On seeing Kristien Alfred immediately brought her a hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. Alfred noted that Kristien had skipped breakfast that morning, the second morning in a row. Hopefully she wasn’t going to make a habit of this.

Just as everyone had settled down to coffee and pastries 3 black limousines pulled up the drive with Saudi Arabian flags on the bonnets. Carsten and Alfred left the courtyard to greet their newly arrived guests.

A few minutes later Alfred reappeared and went direct to Kristien who was starting to read up on the racing in the Racing Post whilst sipping her hot chocolate.

“Miss Kristien, His Royal Highness Sayid, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia wishes for you to address him in the State Rooms.” Alfred told her.

Kristien rolled her eyes under her sunglasses. “The State Rooms?”

“Their protocol dictates unfortunately.” Alfred replied looking at Hawke hoping he was able to keep control of the situation.

“Oh he’s too good to come and see us all out here then is he?” Special Agent Redwood moaned out loud.

Kristien stood up and carried her hot chocolate and her folded racing post on the article she was reading. “Obviously.” Kristien agreed. “Bloody blue blood, pomp and sod-ding circumstance.” She continued to read the article whilst walking back to the house.

Special Agent Redwood escorted Hawke and Kristien into the house and through to the State Rooms. There stood Sayid in full Arab dress, black in colour adorned with gold with one personal body guard and Tariq, his personal aide.

Immediately Tariq and the Arab bodyguard both bowed at Kristien’s entrance. Kristien was too busy sipping her hot chocolate and reading her Racing Post as she entered the room to really pay any attention to the protocol that was happening. Hawke stood behind Kristien with Special Agent Redwood. Both of them with their hands casually resting on their side weapon.

Sayid’s eyes lit up when he saw Kristien. “Princess Kristien, you are more beautiful than ever.” Sayid bestowed a lovely greeting on her.

Alfred took Kristien’s cup and racing post from her and she walked over to Sayid. “Flattery won’t get you a horse you know.” She laughed.

Sayid held Kristien by the shoulders and placed a kiss delicately on each of her cheeks “You have always been a hard one to impress.”

“I do have very high standards.” Kristien explained and she stepped back into Hawke’s gentle arms. “Sayid, this is my husband, Stringfellow Hawke.” Kristien introduced the two men. “String, this is Sayid, one of Dubawis neighbours.” Kristien kept the introductions low key, she was not about to burst into protocol.

Sayid looked stunned and did a side glance to Tariq who still had his head bowed in respect. Sayid outstretched his hand to shake Hawke’s.

“Hawke.” The two men shook hands. “And how did you impress our beloved Kristien?” Sayid questioned Hawke.

Hawke put his arms around Kristien again. “It was foretold.” Hawke told him knowing a little of their customs.

Tariq went to say something and Sayid just lifted his right hand and Tariq returned to bowing his head.

“So what do you want?” Kristien cut straight to business.

“No time for pleasantries then? Always straight to business.” Sayid replied.

“You were the ones insisting on meeting in here.” Kristien explained looking at the beautiful state rooms. “We were having coffee and pastries outside when you turned up. There won’t be anything left now with all the hounds of the Baskerville are about.”

Special Agent Redwood smiled at their nickname being used but he continued to stare hard at Tariq. There was something about him that he did not like.

Alfred smiled at Kristien using his nickname for the secret service. “Miss Kristien, I do believe Chef made extra this morning.”

Tariq again went to say something, probably in protest to Sayid but again Sayid raised his right hand and Tariq remained silent. Protocol ordered that servants never address their Royalty when they were in company and even when alone, the servant must wait to be addressed before they may speak. Kristien was never one for protocol and besides Alfred had brought her up and she treated everyone equally on the Estate.

“Even more chocolate one’s?” Kristien asked

“Of course Miss Kristien.” Alfred replied ensuring Tariq was watching out of the corner of his eye as he took delight in addressing Kristien directly.

“We’re not allowed to touch the chocolate ones.” Special Agent Redwood replied to see if Tariq would take the bait.

This time Tariq raised his head enough to look Redwood in the eye. Special Agent Redwood did not like what he saw.

“Excellent, well lets head back out then before the hounds find out we have more goodies available.” Kristien smiled. “Alfred if you can assist Sayid’s staff to set themselves set up in the West Wing for the night.”

“Of course Miss Kristien.” Alfred replied.

Later that day Hawke was guiding Airwolf through the skies. Sayid’s visit had unnerved him. Dominic sat quietly at the EDCC. Sayid and Kristien were going to be in a meeting all afternoon discussing politics and the fact the Dubawi had now got Nuclear Weapons and he felt that they should be left alone for that. Certainly Special Agents Carsten and Redwood would make sure that they were alone and alert Hawke if his presence with Airwolf was needed.

“You know String, Carsten does take his job a bit too seriously.” Dominic continued. “I mean having us and the Lady patrol.”

“I was the one that told him to double security.” Hawke replied truthfully.

“Oh? Any particular reason why?” Dominic questioned.

It had been a couple of weeks since Hawke’s nagging guts had twisted with a deep and painful bout of brooding over a ‘feeling’ that he had of losing Kristien. The knee jerk reaction he did to double security with Carsten and then admitting to Kristien that he was brooding again.

“I am going to lose Kristien.” Hawke admitted to Dominic.

Dominic looked shocked at first but then he dismissed that and wanted Hawke to have a dose of reality. “Aaawww String stop doing this to yourself. This brooding ya know isn’t good for you. For goodness sake, knock it off.” Dominic started to use his hands to help express himself further. “You married Kristien at long last and now you are still brooding? Come on, will ya. Just enjoy each other for goodness sake.” Dominic carried on. “I don’t know how many people in the world actually find their soul mate but its pretty rare, so what you got with Kristien is very special, so just enjoy having her close to you.” Dominic paused. “You know there’s true saying out there, if a man wakes up in the morning and thinks he is going to die, then somehow, someway it will happen.” Dominic concluded. “You keep thinking that you are going to lose Kristien, then you will. So just think the opposite will you.”

Hawke listened to Dominic trying to drown the nagging twist deep in his guts. Dominic meant well but Hawke’s brooding sense was too strong on this occasion.

Later that evening Dominic, Hawke, Kristien and Sayid sat at the banquet table in the main house enjoying a meal together. Sayid was leaving in the morning to return to Saudi Arabia much to the relief of Carsten and Redwood who stood behind Kristien during the meal. Alfred had prepared a super meal that they were all enjoying. Alfred was serving coffee to everyone. It was very late and Kristien was very tired. Hawke had watched her all evening. Since arriving in the morning Sayid had certainly drained Kristien’s energies.

Sayid saw Kristien yawn. “Ah I see we are keeping you up.”

Kristien looked at him. “Well we are riding the horses out at 4am, and it’s now midnight, at this rate I may as well go saddle up for the next 4am call.” Kristien replied.

“I apologise for keeping you up, I forget that you have a ‘hands on’ approach here.” Sayid replied pointing around to the estate.

“Maybe if everyone else in the Racing and Breeding World had a more ‘hands on’ approach then someone out there would be able to breed a decent horse to take mine on.” Kristien drank the last of her orange juice.

“Indeed but before I retire for the night I have a request.” Sayid told her and beckoned to Tariq to walk forward with a gold rolled scroll which he handed to Sayid.

“A request? This isn’t a radio shack you know.” Kristien replied bluntly.

Sayid handed the scroll across the table to Kristien. Kristien reached for it and unrolled the scroll. Arabic writing in gold adorned the scroll. She instantly looked at Sayid.

“I can read it to you.” Tariq spoke for the first time in company breaking protocol. Carsten and Redwood instantly stood forward and Alfred too put himself in between Tariq and Kristien.

“You must not address Miss Kristien.” Alfred told him sharply.

“I apologise for my aide.” Sayid immediately apologised for Tariq.

Kristien stood up and let the scroll drop heavily to the table. “I have read it thank you.”

Hawke and Dominic stood up also, something was wrong.

“What is it Kristien?” Dominic picked up the scroll from the table and could not understand what was written in arabic.

“It is a marriage arrangement my father made with Kristien’s father many years ago.” Sayid explained. “Kristien is to marry me.”

The room went deadly silent when Sayid said this.

Kristien looked directly at Sayid. “It doesn’t name me in person.” Kristien corrected Sayid.

“It says the First Daughter of Dubawi. You are just that.” Sayid replied quietly.

“Kristien is married to me.” Hawke said and looked at Sayid with distrust. Hawke stood up.

“Well that marriage will be annulled by morning. We will be married this week and we will consummate the marriage before sundown on Friday.” Sayid explained so calmly you would think it had been rehearsed.

“That will be over my dead body.” Hawke spat angrily.

“It has been foretold.” Sayid calmly replied.

Hawke went to storm over to Sayid. Dominic put himself in between Hawke and Sayid. He put his hands on Hawke’s shoulders. “Come on String, he’s not worth it.”

Agents Carsten and Redwood stood in front of Kristien hoping the situation was not going to get out of hand.

“Come on Kristie we are leaving.” Hawke spoke quietly to Kristien. Hawke put his arms around Kristien who had fallen silent with shock at what had just happened. Dominic also escorted Hawke and Kristien out. Carsten had already organised eight protection agents to walk in. Two of whom just walked forward and took the place of Agents Carsten and Redwood. They blocked any attempt from Tariq or Sayid to follow Hawke and Kristien out.

At the door way Hawke paused. Carsten looked at Hawke and nodded. Carsten, Redwood and Dominic walked Kristien out of the room. Hawke stood defiantly.

Hawke gritted his teeth and spoke angrily. “If you touch Kristien in anyway, I will kill you.” Hawke promised.

“I would do the same if I was in your position.” Sayid accepted Hawke’s promise.

In the Hangar Dominic and Hawke sat in Airwolf talking to Archangel on the secure channel. Hawke was holding the scroll with disgust and holding it up to the screen to show Archangel.

Kristien sat on a chair next to where her laptops were set up. She was sitting on it backwards with her head resting on her chin on the back of the chair, deep in thought and although she wouldn’t admit it, in some kind of shock.

“Come on Michael, we need you to pull out all the stops on this.” Hawke told Archangel.

“I am stunned. What does it say? And why the hell has Sayid had it all this time and now dusts it off to present it to Kristien now?” Archangel was adding to the questions rather than answering them.

“It’s in Arabic.” Hawke replied.

“In real gold as well.” Dominic added.

“And what does Kristien say?” Archangel asked looking for Kristien to see if she was in shot. She wasn’t.

Hawke raised his eyebrow and looked over at Kristien who was now gently swivelling the chair round, still in shock. “Ask her yourself, she’s next to her laptops.”

Kristien’s laptop sprang into life as Archangel included her in the video conference.

“Hello Kristien.” Archangel spoke to her quietly.

“I am pissed off you know, thought you might like to know that.” Kristien mumbled her chin still resting on the back of the chair. Hawke and Dominic walked over and stood behind Kristien. Just for a moment Kristien looked vulnerable.

“Yeah, I won’t pretend to imagine what you are going through though?” Archangel replied and then asked her directly. “Does it name you?”

“No, not by name, it loosely uses the ‘first daughter of’ bollocks.” Kristien replied not needing to ever read it again having got it reluctantly stored in her photographic memory, more like an engraving than a photograph.

“Well if Hawke brings it over in Airwolf tonight I will get it authenticated.” Archangel replied.

“No way am I going to leave here and neither is Airwolf.” Hawke firmly told Archangel. “We may need to fly out of here at a moments notice.”

“I need that here before I go to the President on this.” Archangel said checking his watch.

“I will get Carsten to have an agent get on Concorde and bring it to you. You have a helicopter ready at JFK.” Kristien told him.

“You got it.” Archangel replied. “Is there anything else I can do?”

“Yes there is.” Kristien paused. “Find me a way out of this please.”

Archangel could not answer her and signed off.

Dominic took the golden scroll from Hawke. “I will take this up to Carsten.”

Hawke walked Dominic over to the Hangar door. Dominic looked back at Kristien.

“She looks pretty shook up you know.” Dominic told him concerned for the both of them.

“Yeah.” Hawke agreed. “She’s not the only one.” Hawke admitted.

“Look if you need me, you know where to find me, okay?” Dominic patted Hawke affectionately on his shoulder. Hawke looked at Dominic with his deep brooding eyes.

“Thanks Dom.” Hawke replied and opened the door to let Dominic out. Four secret service agents stood just a couple of feet from the door and all of them acknowledged Hawke. Hawke closed the door and paused. Part of him wanted to march up to the house right there right now and take Sayid on and kick him from one side of this week to next and the other part wanted to fall on his knees and sob uncontrollably. He could feel Kristien’s despair. Kristien always knew what to do. But in this situation she was stuck. An arranged marriage between her father and Sayid’s father was binding.

Hawke struggled with his own deep brooding emotions and the nagging knot deep down that had twisted and gnawed at him on a daily basis for two weeks that he was going to lose her. Hawke was about to engorge himself on his brooding when Dominic’s words came back to him about being more positive. Hawke stood straight and made a decision. It would be over his dead body that Kristien would even spend one second with Sayid as man and wife. Regardless of who got in his way, Airwolf would be used to unleash hell.

Hawke walked back into the hangar and walked over to Airwolf. He placed his hands on the nose and closed his eyes, thinking about what he was going to do. He looked up to where Kristien was, she had wandered off into the hangar kitchen. Hawke walked over to the kitchen and he paused at the doorway. Kristien was sat on the floor leaning up against the kitchen cabinets, her knees up and her hands holding around her knees. Hawke walked over to her and sat down beside her, he put his arm around her.

“I will not let Sayid hurt you, I promise you.” Hawke whispered to her.

Kristien moved over and lay her head down in Hawke’s lap. She was physically and mentally exhausted. Hawke rubbed her back gently and watched over her whilst she fell asleep in his lap.

Hawke somehow dozed off for a few minutes and woke up to find Kristien was no longer laid in his lap. His eyes became accustomed to the light and he looked up over near the door way. Kristien sat at the table with a whole load of medical equipment. She was wiping down her arm with a sterile antiseptic wipe.

“What’s up?” Hawke asked her and slowly stood up.

“NDR.” Kristien replied. “Coffee is on.” Kristien nodded her head in the direction of the filter coffee machine. Hawke poured himself a coffee and took a couple of mouthfuls.

“What’s NDR?” Hawke asked knowing what DNR meant. “Do you want some orange juice?” Kristien looked up and shook her head gently. Just the mention of anything to drink or eat made her feel quite sick. Hawke left his coffee up on the counter knowing that just the smell of fresh coffee would not help Kristien’s queasy condition. He came over and gently kissed her on her head and then sat down next to her.

Kristien put the catheter into her vein and taped it down. Hawke watched her intently as she quickly worked on herself. She attached a glucose bag straight on to the catheter.

“Not Doing Right.” Kristien replied. “It s a very, very technical term that we professionals use when we are presented with a horse that we haven’t a clue what’s really wrong with it.” Kristien handed the glucose bag to Hawke. “Squeeze this hard.”

Hawke started to squeeze the yellow solution in the bag. “So what’s this then?”

“Well, in any situation of shock, bodily fluids are usually lost, in my particular case dehydration so an IV of glucose as being violently sick last night after Sayid’s wonderful marriage proposal which means the last time that I ate is technically 48 hours ago what with me not eating in the mornings at the moment, I am not feeling my best.” Kristien replied. “So push the glucose in and in a minute I will put up a normal saline to re-hydrate. It’s quite simple really. If people could do IVs in severe cases of blood loss more people would survive.”

“How much blood loss?” Hawke queried.

“Well no more than thirty percent blood loss really.” Kristien watched the glucose go straight into her arm. Half the bag already was in and she was beginning to feel slightly better. “IVs are wonderful things, I ought to show you what to do one day.”

Hawke smiled at her. “Yeah, one day.”

Hawke watched the last of the glucose go straight into Kristien’s blood stream. She hooked up the saline. “This is going to take longer.”

“Well I am off for a shower.” Hawke told her. He could not sleep and it was far too early to be doing anything. He needed to pass the time without mentioning what had happened a few hours before. Hawke poured himself another coffee and walked past Kristien kissing her lightly before leaving her.

Hawke stood in the shower after downing the coffee. The water pounding down on his aching body, all of the muscles crying out for rest. The deep nagging deep in his guts started to rise. He was losing her in the most strangest way. Another man had a claim on her. Hawke was trying to put a plan together but the desperate fact that Sayid was going to take his beloved Kristien against her will overcame him. Hawke knew a little about Middle Eastern ways and how they treated their women. He was outraged when he discovered that she had been violated and altered inside. Hawke allowed the deep dark thoughts enter his tired mind. He struggled to hold any kind of composure. Without warning his deep brooding nature took hold of his once more and he sobbed uncontrollably in the shower. The steaming, hot water hiding the constant falling of sad tears from Hawke’s forlorn brooding eyes.

An eternity passed for Hawke as he brooded deeply.

Kristien’s gentle hands caressed Hawke’s back and he turned to her, placing his lips on hers and kissed her in desperate search of consolation. Kristien, now revived, returned the embrace with more intensity meeting his searching. Hawke allowed Kristien’s intensity to engulf him. Her calmness had returned and Hawke fed from her as his arms held her tightly, exploring her body.

Two day’s later Kristien sat deep in thought outside next to the pool at the Lodge. A ‘them’ and ‘us’ situation had developed with Sayid being in the main house and Kristien and Hawke and Dominic staying down at the Lodge, keeping well out the way of Sayid. Carsten had placed Special Agents across the divide to keep an invisible wall between them. Hawke and Kristien retreating every night to the Hangar where no one had access. Alfred had served breakfast but neither Hawke or Kristien had touched anything. Dominic had tried to lighten the mood with a couple of stories but all he had raised was a weak smile from both of them.

Kristien excused herself from the table and left Hawke and Dominic and she walked down the dock to sit quietly at the end, her feet dangling out over the edge.

Alfred walked out to the table, reluctantly holding a folded piece of paper. “Master Stringfellow, this has been sent from Sayid up at the main house.” Alfred held out the paper. Hawke took it from him and placed it on the table without looking at it. “I do not believe a silver tray was appropriate in this matter.” Alfred apologised for not carrying his normal silver tray to deliver messages and he left.

Hawke looked over at Kristien over at the lake.

“You not going to look at it?” Dominic asked.

Hawke stood up and looked at Dominic. “Nah, I know what it is.”

“Do you mind?” Dominic pointed to the folded paper wanting to know what it was.

“Knock yourself out.” Hawke said leaving Dominic to go to the music room and get the Stradivarius.

Dominic watched Hawke take the Stradivarius down the dock to Kristien before he picked up the paper. He opened it and wished he hadn’t. There was a Court Order annulling Kristien’s and Hawke’s marriage. Dominic shook his head and looked over at Hawke and Kristien over at the dock.

Dominic tightened his fist around the paper, screwing it up and stormed off up to the main house. He entered the banqueting hall and Sayid sat at the table with his aide Tariq. Dominic stormed over to Sayid.

“Good morning Mr Santini how may I be of assistance.” Sayid asked dabbing his mouth with the white napkin.

Dominic held up his fist with the court order screwed up. “You responsible for this?”

“I had to remove any obstacles in my way.” Sayid replied.

Dominic swung round and planted a right hook square on to Sayid’s jaw sending him backwards in his chair. Tariq and Sayid’s personal guard both ran over to Sayid who held up his hand to motion them to stop and come no further.

“Kristien and String’s marriage is not an obstacle.” Dominic angrily threw his arms up in the air. “You know how many years I waited for them to finally have the courage to marry. Eight years.” Dominic shouted. “Eight! And you come in one night and try to ruin their lives. What kind of man are you?”

“Mr Santini, Kristien is mine, always has been.” Sayid replied truthfully still laying on the floor making no attempt to get up.

“Kristien’s not a possession, she can’t be owned.” Dominic snapped.

“I’ll second that.” Archangel said as he walked in.

“What is the FIRM doing here?” Tariq questioned.

Archangel looked at Tariq as if he was a troublesome bug. “I don’t answer to you.” He stated irritated that he even replied to him.

“Need a hand Dominic?” Archangel smiled helpfully looking at Sayid who was refusing to get up.

“You could hold him down whilst I carry on.” Dominic suggested.

Archangel sat at the breakfast table at the Lodge with Dominic and watched Hawke and Kristien who were still at the end of the dock.

“How are they?” Archangel asked putting the crumpled court order down.

Alfred poured fresh coffee. “Miss Kristien isn’t eating which is unlike her and Master Stringfellow is quiet.”

“Hawke, quiet?” Archangel queried. “We know he is the master of one word sentences but hell he couldn’t get any quieter.”

Archangel was finishing up his breakfast when Hawke and Kristien walked over, Hawke’s arm firmly around Kristien’s waist. He seated Kristien and handed the Stradivarius to Alfred and sat down next to Kristien. Hawke poured himself a fresh cup of coffee and started to drink it. Kristien sat motionless and hid behind dark sunglasses.

“Tell me you have got something Michael.” Hawke sipped his coffee.

Archangel exhaled deeply and rubbed his moustache. “I’m sorry Hawke. It’s not what you want to hear. The scroll is authentic. I am sorry.” Archangel looked at Kristien, she did not move.

“Damn it.” Hawke did not hide his frustration.

Kristien got up and touched Hawke gently on his shoulder and went inside the Lodge.
Hawke wanted to go after her but he felt he could offer little assistance whilst she sobbed in private.

“The President is very upset about all of this Hawke.” Archangel continued. “It’s got everyone’s attention. Some how it’s been leaked to the Press.”

“Why that dirty rat.” Dominic spat. “I bet you it was that creepy aide Sayid has, I don’t trust him String, I just don’t.”

Hawke rubbed his chin. “I know. Carsten is keeping a close eye on him.”

“I need Airwolf.” Archangel tested the waters.

“You gotta be kidding me? With all this shit going on here?” Hawke moaned.

“I know. And I am sorry, really I am.” Archangel replied. “I don’t think the Russians take into account Middle Eastern arranged marriages.” Archangel kept the banter to a minimum. “They have been shadowing our carrier group out in the Atlantic and one sub has gone AWOL.” Archangel handed over a USB memory stick to Dominic. “Marella has put everything you need to know including what sonar was hearing with this particular sub, so Airwolf will be able to track it.”

“So how long would we be away from here?” Dominic asked concerned at leaving Kristien alone.

“The carrier group are heading for the Med from the Norwegian Basin so I would think you would be gone for a few hours.” Archangel added a little more bait. “It won’t take you long.”

“Michael the last time I left Kristien for a few hours, she was kidnapped.” Hawke bluntly reminded Archangel of the tragic facts.

“Hawke now come on, this is different, besides look at all the protection Kristien has here.” Archangel pointed to all the black suited agents walking about all carrying P-90s under their arms.

“Come on String, it will do you good to clear your head on this, a spin in the Lady and maybe shoot at a few things will do you the power of good.” Dominic added positively.

“Am I being sandbagged or what here?” Hawke protested.

Kristien walked from the Lodge over to the main house, leaving Archangel to talk to Hawke and Dominic. Carsten and Redwood joined her and escorted her. Sayid was getting into his limousine on the driveway. He paused when he saw Kristien walk over.

“Good morning Kristien, I see Archangel has arrived.” Sayid pointed to the pristine white limousine parked over at the lodge next to Kristien’s DB7, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Kristien walked past Sayid and continued on down to the racing stables totally ignoring him. Sayid left his limousine and strode after Kristien. Tariq also followed Sayid closely.

“Kristien, please.” Sayid pleaded. “I never meant to propose to you like this.”

“Propose? Cut the bullshit.” Kristien swung round. “What fucked up shit are you cooking up here, Sayid?” Kristien was in no mood to discuss the forthcoming arranged marriage.

“Could you be more precise?” Sayid questioned.

“You have had that arranged marriage tucked away for years.” Kristien explained. “And yet you have never brought it up until now.” Kristien threw her arms in the air. “Why now? What’s so fucking special?”

“My esteemed Father is on his death bed.” Sayid reminded Kristien.

“How convenient.” Kristien continued her furious mood.

“Have some respect for your husband.” Tariq addressed Kristien directly.

Kristien looked directly at Tariq. “What did you say?” Kristien’s mind flashed back in time, she was finally pinpointing where she knew Tariq from. It was still fuzzy in her mind but the fog was lifting.

“Tariq, know your place.” Sayid reminded him.

“Get rid of him or we will.” Carsten warned Sayid, he too was not happy at Tariq. Carsten looked at Kristien, she was deep in thought. Did she know Tariq? How did she know him?

Sayid motioned for Tariq to leave. Tariq respectfully bowed and backed away leaving Sayid with Kristien.

Carsten and Redwood stood next to Kristien watching Sayid’s every move. They too were interested in the reason why Sayid had chosen this particular time also.

“Kristien I am sorry. Really I am, but you know that our marriage can take place without you needing to be there.” Sayid reminded her. True the barbaric ritual of taking a virgin in an arranged marriage often did not require the bride to attend just in case she dared to be outspoken. They would instead have the new bride restrained in the bedroom for her new husband to take delight in his new prize after the ceremony.

“You going to chain me to the bed also?” Kristien replied.

“I would never……..” Sayid paused. “Kristien I am surprised you would think that of me, but it is my right as your husband to consummate the marriage that night regardless of what you want.”

“Told you it was fucked up shit.” Kristien spoke quietly to Carsten but loud enough for Sayid to hear.

Carsten looked directly at Sayid, was this shit for real, he thought. He would have to tell Hawke of this conversation. “Where we come from taking a woman without her consent is called rape.” Carsten began to despise Sayid and began to curse the day he ever allowed him to have all the security checks and come to visit Kristien. Both Redwood and Carsten stood unmoving and tapped their side weapons. “We know how to deal with rapists though.”

“Really?” Sayid began.

“Execution.” Carsten stroked his side weapon staring hard through his dark sunglasses at Sayid.

Sayid looked shocked at both of the secret service bodyguards. “You have made your actions perfectly clear. Thank you.” Sayid told them and left to return to his limousine. He was going to be late for his meeting.

Hawke walked over to the hangar with Dominic, Kristien and Carsten. Kristien and Dominic entered the Hangar leaving Hawke with Carsten. Carsten had found five minutes to talk to Hawke earlier about the conversation between Sayid and Kristien. Hawke became angry at what had been said. Half of him didn’t want to go on the Airwolf Mission.

“You take care of Kristien.” Hawke told Carsten. “You keep close to Sayid so you become his shadow.”

“Oh believe me I know where he is at any minute of any day.” Carsten patted his PDA. “He’s on his way to meet his London Ambassador. They have a secret meeting not far from here every day this week so far.”

“Really?” Hawke was interested. “Where exactly?”