Written By Karen

DISCLAIMER: The characters and situations of the TV program

"Pensacola: Wings Of Gold" are the creations of Stu Seagall

Productions, Eyemark Entertainment, and CBS TV and have been

used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.

This story is not to be published on any ftp site, newsgroup,

mailing list, fanzine, or elsewhere without the express permission

of the author.

Lieutenant Bobby Griffin paced as Lieutenant Wendell McCray and
Lieutenant Annaliese Lindstrom exchanged amused glances. "There's nothing
to worry about Bobby." consoled McCray. ".A.J. isn't back yet and Kelly
calls us together and you say there's nothing to worry about?!" Griffin
sounded a little panicked. Kelly strode into the room and the young
Lieutenants could tell instantly that something was wrong. "Colonel?"
asked Griffin quietly, "As of 0700 hours this morning I received word that
Lieutenant Andrew Conaway was killed...." Lindstrom gasped and paled.
"There was an accident when some of the explosives went off early and
Conaway was killed with three others." Kelly's voice cracked slightly.
Griffin reached blindly behind him for a chair and sat down heavily into
it. No one said anything for a moment, "Excuse me." Lindstrom whispered as
she rushed out of the room.
"Sir maybe they were wrong, maybe...." McCray stopped unable to
continue. "I'm sorry but it was a positive .I.D." Kelly placed a consoling
hand on McCray's shoulder. Griffin sat stunned unable to believe or accept
what he was hearing. Kelly turned and left to see about writing a letter
to Conaway's parents. Griffin began to pace and suddenly he stopped and
looked at the wall for a moment. Then without a warning he slammed his
fist into the wall. "Bobby!" yelled McCray and raced over to see if
Griffin had injured himself. Griffin shrugged him off, "It's all my fault!
If I hadn't...." he trailed off. "It was an accident Bobby." replied
McCray. "I did it! Don't you understand If it hadn't been for me .A.J.
would still be alive now! I murdered him!" Griffin raced out of the room.
McCray tried to follow him but couldn't find him anywhere.
McCray however was able to find Lindstrom who sat behind the building
in the grass with tears rolling down her cheeks. She was angrily pulling
tuffs of grass out of the ground and mumbling. McCray could just make out
what she was saying, she was angrily cursing .A.J. for dying. McCray knew
she didn't mean it but her pain was too great to deal with so it was
easier to be angry. "It'll be okay Anni." McCray said as he sat down next
to her. She grabbed him and clung to McCray in a hold so tight he felt the
breath squeezed out of him but said nothing. He just stroked her hair and
murmured soothingly as she was racked by sobs. "That's a good girl, just
let it all out." he told her. He wondered where Bobby could've gone and he
could only hope that he wouldn't do anymore damage to himself before
McCray could find him.
After Lindstrom had finished crying and embarrassed had wiped her face
with the back of her hands. McCray walked her back to her quarters.
"Thanks Wendell for everything." she said quietly. He kissed her on the
forehead, "That's what friends are for Lindstrom. Now go get cleaned up
and eat something, it'll help trust me." McCray waited until she closed
the door and then went in search of Bobby. He find him jogging on one of
the back roads that made up the base. He was still in uniform as if he had
run from McCray and never bothered to stop and change clothes. "Bobby!"
McCray called and jogged after him, Griffin didn't seem to hear him.
"Bobby stop!" McCray ordered as he grabbed Griffin's arm. Griffin stopped
but then he took a swing at Wendell which he barely managed to avoid.
"Bobby stop it!" he yelled as he struggled with Griffin, Griffin
stopped struggling and then angrily yanked himself out of McCray's grasp.
"This isn't the way to remember him Bobby." McCray pleaded. "What would
you know about grieving for a friend?!" he asked McCray angrily. ".A.J.
was my friend too!" Wendell answered, a little of the anger he felt crept
into his voice. "You wouldn't know it to look at you! You don't seem
affected by the fact that there probably is very little left of a good
friend who gave his all for us." Bobby answered snidely. "I won't be the
target for your grief's rage Griffin!" Wendell snarled at him. Bobby
stepped back at the rage he saw in McCray's eyes, "Just because I don't
cry like Lindstrom or punch walls like some people I know it doesn't mean
that I didn't love .A.J. and that I'm not feeling a deep aching hole in me
where he used to be!"
"It won't do you or anybody else any good to crawl into his grave with
him Bobby!" McCray answered as he tried to regain control of himself.
"Your not the one who sent him to his death. It should've been me instead
of .A.J." Griffin said quietly. "You said that earlier, just exactly what
did you mean by that?" McCray asked. ".A.J. didn't want to go on the trip
to Serenity. I pushed him to go because I thought it was good for him and
so I made the trip irresistible to him. I conned .A.J. into going on the
trip that got him killed because I thought that I knew what was best for
him. Obviously I didn't and he did because if it hadn't been for me he'd
still be alive today." Griffin said, the pain evident in his voice. "Bobby
.A.J. never listened to anything you told him before what makes you think
he listened to you now."
They laughed, ".A.J. was one of the few guys other then you and
Lindstrom that I could trust everything to. Including my life and now he's
gone and I feel so empty." replied Bobby. "I know what you mean Bobby I
have the same hole in me and I have no intentions of letting you put
another hole right next to it because you can't deal with the grief."
Griffin looked embarrassed by McCray's admitting that he cared for Griffin
that much. "Listen Chaser who picked you up off the floor after the last
time you took a swing at me and hit Conaway instead? Why do you think he
let it slide? Because we both know what a big idiot you are and so we make
allowances for our dumb little brother." Griffin laughed out loud, "Dumb
huh? I'll show you who's the dumb one." he said with a challenge in his
voice.
Just then Lindstrom ran up to Griffin and McCray, "Hey guys the
Colonel wants us in his office ASAP." The three young marines headed over
to Colonel Kelly's office and entered just as Colonel Kelly was exchanging
his goodbyes with a man in a three piece suit. He motioned them in and let
them sit before he sat at his own desk. "The gentleman that just left was
from the Department of Defense. He was here to tell me that from the
prelim investigation they'd done it looks like Conaway's accident wasn't
an accident but sabotage." Kelly assessed the reactions of the three
marines. "Sir are you saying that someone murdered .A.J.?" asked a stunned
Lindstrom. "It appears to be that way." he answered, "But why?" asked
Griffin. "I'm not sure other then that they were testing a new explosive
and maybe someone wanted to steal it. I did however get him to agree to
allow us to be part of the investigation so go pack because there is a
ride waiting for us." The three marines quickly left the office and headed
to their separate quarters to pack.
Pain shot up his arm as he tried to pull himself up. He felt blood
trickling down the side of his face and felt aches all over his body. He
tried to pull himself into a sitting position and then he tried to reach
his feet. He screamed as agony shot up his leg, he hadn't realized how
twisted up his leg had been underneath him. He drew an arm across his face
to wipe away the blood and then tried to get up again but was unable to
move. He swung himself forward and gasped as his chest struck the ground
jarring his arm. He passed out from the pain and so he didn't see the
woman headed up the path. She spotted something slumped under a tree and
went to check it out. "Oh my god!" she whispered as she realized that it
was an injured man. She raced back to the horse she had left at the bottom
of the path.
She rode the horse back to the injured man and quickly got off the
horse. She reached into her saddle bag and took out her medical bag. She
tended to what wounds she could and then angled the horse so it would be
easier to get him onto the horse's back. She brought him back to her house
and brought him into the examination room. She tended to his remaining
wounds and then settled him into a bed in one of the bedrooms. She cleaned
up the examination room and was headed to her office to phone the sheriff.
"Hey doc?! You here?!" yelled the sheriff from her waiting room. "Hey Tom
I...."she trailed off as she saw the uniformed officers with Tom
Kensington the town of Serenity's sheriff. "Hey Doctor Mira Harper this is
Colonel Kelly and some of his people and they're investigating the deaths
over at Watson's Glen from when those military folks were testing
explosives."
"Ma'am a couple of people were killed in the explosion due to
sabotage. We were wondering if you saw anything strange or odd happening
around Watson's Glen before or after the explosion." Her mind was racing
wildly, what if the man she'd helped had been involved in the sabotage?
Whatever he was he deserved the chance to recover before being thrust into
the arms of the law for interrogation. "No I haven't really had a chance
to get out of the office due to a flood of paperwork." she lied. "I know
what ya mean doc. Lately it seems as if the only work I do is paperwork.
Well doc thanks for your help." replied Tom. They said their goodbyes and
left the office and she remembered that she had left the horse out back
still saddled. Mira realized if they saw the saddle covered in blood there
would be trouble.
Mira hurried out back and unsaddled the horse, turning on the hose as
she rinsed the saddle off. She heard a noise and spun to find herself face
to face with one of the young Lieutenants who had been in the office. "I'm
sorry if I scared you ma'am it's just that I wanted to...." he trailed
off. His uniform read Griffin, "What can I do for you Lieutenant Griffin?"
she asked. "I don't really know I guess I was just looking for some
answers ma'am." His eyes met Mira's and she was struck by the terrible
grief she could see in them. "I had a friend who was among those listed as
killed by the explosion. He was my best friend and I miss him so you can
understand why I would want to catch the guy who is responsible." She felt
the young man's pain and hoped that she was doing the right thing. "I
haven't seen anything Lieutenant but if I come across anything I'll let
you know."
Mira saw his shoulders slump in defeat as if he had hoped that this
woman could tell him something, anything to make his grief easier to deal
with. She watched him walk away as if he carried the weight of the
centuries on his shoulders. She felt terrible for lying to the young man
but she knew from experience that the young man upstairs would be the
perfect target for this young man's rage at the loss of his good friend.
Her oath as a doctor forbid her allowing any harm to come to the patients
in her care. She cleaned her riding gear and brushed down the horse before
putting him away. Mira then returned to her office to finish up her
paperwork and then went to check on her patient. He was sleeping so she
went to her own room and got ready for bed. She got into bed and tried to
sleep but she couldn't.
After hours of trying every remedy she knew Mira was still no closer
to sleep then she had been when she started. She thought briefly of some
sleeping pills but she hated to take pills and besides she had a patient
who might need her during the night. Mira knew any sleeping pills would
delay her reaction to her patient's needs and that some delay could mean
the difference between life and death for the injured young man. She
decided the best thing was just to take a blanket, her book and settle in
at the young man's bedside. Mira strode into the room and noticed that the
covers were bunched up around him so she tossed her blanket and book on
the chair and went over to straighten the blankets. Mira then sat in the
big black chair and tucked the small blanket around her before looking at
the cover of her latest book. 'Gravelight nice title to be reading
tonight.' she chided herself.
She jerked awake suddenly as she sat up in the chair blinking away the
sleepiness. Mira realized that she had fallen asleep in the chair next to
her patient's bed. She checked on him and realized that he had started a
fever sometime during the night. She went to the medicine cabinet and took
out some antibiotics to inject into him in hopes that it would fight the
fever. Just as she finished injecting the patient she heard a noise
downstairs and went to check on it. Mira took her rifle with her just in
case of trouble and it was a good thing she did. She found two men
trashing her office, "Who the hell are you?" she asked as she leveled her
rifle at them. "Easy lady." one of the man said and then grinned nastily
at her. He made a lunge for the rifle and she struck him across the jaw
with it as hard as she could as she put a foot into the stomach of the
other guy who'd come to help his friend.
"Get over there before I blow a semi size hole in you!" Mira ordered
as she motioned the man over to his friend. He obeyed and went to stand
over by his friend as she picked up the phone to call the sheriff. He
lunged for her again and the rifle went off hitting him in the shoulder.
As she scrambled for the rifle the two men ran from the house, Mira
retrieved her rifle and raced after them intent on payback for her office.
She reached her porch just as the car was pulling away. Mira raised her
rifle and felt a certain satisfaction when the shot she fired blew out the
car's back window. She then raced back to her office to call the sheriff
and report the break-in. After the deputy had taken her statement she saw
him out and then returned to her patient.
He was racked with fever and Mira started an .I.V. to keep him
hydrated as it fed him massive doses of antibiotics. She spent days
bathing him with a damp cloth in an attempt to cool him down. After about
a week she awoke to find his fever had broken and he was sleeping
naturally. The morning of the eighth day he regained consciousness while
she was downstairs in the kitchen. Even though he was weak he was
determined to get out of bed. He managed to get up but fell before he
could take a step. He let out a gasp as he hit the floor, jarring his body
painfully. She raced up the stairs and into the room to find him lying
face down on the floor trying to get up. Mira helped him back into bed
despite his protests that he was okay and could do it himself.
"I'm sure you can but humor me okay?" Mira asked, he relented and
allowed her to settle him and then check him over to see if he'd done
anymore damage to himself. She held up two fingers in front of him, "How
many fingers do you see?" she asked. "Ummm....two I guess." he answered,
"Okay smart boy now for the really hard questions. What is the president's
name?" she asked. "William Clinton." he answered readily, "What date is
it?'" she asked. "Ummm...." he seemed to be having trouble with the
answer. "It's June 27, 1998. You've been out due to injury and fever for
about a week." she answered. "Okay now for the grand prize winner what's
your name?" Mira asked. She could see his struggle for the answer was even
harder then that he had for the date. He didn't seem to be able to
remember what his name was and his face began to show concern and panic.
"It's okay don't try so hard." Mira said soothingly, "You had a pretty
good conk on the head and it probably resulted in temporary amnesia." she
told her patient. "What if it isn't temporary?" he asked and she winced at
the fear in his voice. "The majority of the cases are temporary and I see
no reason to think your case would be any different. The only time it's
permanent is when a section of the brain is damaged and you don't have any
brain damage that I can find. Or if you don't want to remember and are
subconsciously making yourself forget." she searched his face to see if
the latter might be true. Had this young man done something so horrible
that he didn't and couldn't let himself remember? He seemed as if he
really wanted to remember.
"What's say we call you John until you start to remember." he looked
up at her concerned. "When will that be?" he asked, "I can't really say
because with each patient it's different. Sometimes it's a few hours and
sometimes it can be as long as a few days to a few months. I can make an
inquiry about you and see if you match any missing persons fliers. Surely
someone has missed you by now and filed a report." He seemed comforted by
the fact that Mira was willing to do everything to find out who he was and
where he belonged. She excused herself and went downstairs to her office,
Mira sat at her desk before reaching for the phone. She hesitated about
picking up the receiver but finally she gathered her strength and dialed
the number she swore she'd never dial again. "Federal Operator 3567."
answered a women's voice at the other end.
"I'd like to speak to Mr. Gray please." the strain was evident in
Mira's voice. "Who may I say is calling?" asked the operator. "Tell him
it's his niece Mira." she answered, actually Mira wasn't his niece but the
operator didn't need to know that. Mira had had many uncles over the years
who had been friends of her father's since they had first entered the
agency. She had called them uncle and it only seemed right for them to
look out for their niece when she'd entered the agency. "Mira?" said a
masculine voice on the other end. She winced at the joyful sound of his
voice. "Hi uncle Mike I need your help." there was silence for a moment.
"Are you okay little one?" he asked, "Sure I'm fine but I've got a friend
who has some difficulty remembering." she answered. "I'll see what I can
do." he answered. Mira gave him the description of her patient so that
he'd know what to look for.
"Okay Mira I'll run him against current missing persons Federally and
let you know what I find out. Listen hon why don't you call your dad, he's
worried about you." he said. "I wrote them just last week." Mira answered,
"That was two months ago young lady." he chided. "Besides I think your mom
would like to hear your voice at least once a year." he admonished her.
"Okay Okay I surrender, I'll call them right after I finish with you.
Happy?" she asked. "Blissed out beyond belief." he answered with a small
chuckle, "Listen honey take care of yourself." he replied. "Yes mom." she
laughed in response before hanging up. She called her parents and spoke
with her father briefly before her mother insisted on the phone. Mira and
her mother talked for hours, correction her mother talked for hours. It
almost seemed as if she were reluctant to hang up and let her daughter get
away.
A month had passed since John and she had met, his leg had healed and
his arm was almost healed. No one had seemed to care enough about him to
report his disappearance and so Mira figured that probably meant that he
was alone in the world. He seem to be recovering nicely but his memory
loss still plagued him as if his mind refused to remember the world he'd
lived in that didn't have even one person who would miss him. He'd taken
to using the name John Harper. At first Mira had been unsure because she
had originally named him John as in John Doe not because of her husband
John. She had shared with him the story about how John had died but made
sure that a few choice parts had been left out. Like the fact that John
had been working for the agency when he died. They were sitting on the
porch on a warm July evening for the breeze when he brought her husband up
again.
"How did you two meet?" he asked, Mira seemed puzzled for a moment
before she realized he was talking about her husband. "At a party." she
answered, when she didn't say anything further he pressed her for more.
"That's all your going to tell me? Come on and let me live varciously
through your life since at the moment I don't have one of my own." Mira
laughed, "Okay you broken down my defenses. It was a Christmas eve party
my mom holds every year. I have an uncle and two cousins in the marines
and one year one of them brought John home. My cousin had jokingly asked
my mom if I'd be there because his present for me was too big to fit under
the Christmas tree. He'd said that it wasn't easy wrapping a marine, you
know having to worry about the air holes and such." They laughed, "Yeah
well a dead marine wouldn't of done you any good." he answered.
At her look of pain on her face he started to apologize but she
ignored him and went on as if she'd never heard him. "I hate parties
because I'm pretty much the solitary kind. I was extremely shy as a kid
and it's difficult for me with new people. Besides I was always the
logical one you know. I never could understand why the girls drooled over
the football team and such. I mean cute guys were a dime a dozen so there
was no reason to lose your mind over one. I hovered near the refreshment
table because I figured that way people would avoid me and if they didn't
I could always stuff something in my mouth to keep from making a fool of
myself." She saw him smile at the image of a young Mira hiding in a corner
with food stuffed in her mouth. "Probably you would of looked so adorable
you would of attracted others."
Mira swatted at him playfully, "Very funny." she answered
sarcastically. "Anyway I hadn't seen John yet so he came as a big
surprise. This deep rumbling voice said right in my ear, 'Excuse me Miss.'
I jumped a mile because ever since I was a kid the hair on the back of my
neck would rise if anyone came within in ten yards of my back. Even my
mother would cause the hair to rise so when this guy was able to get right
behind me and say hello it really surprised me. I turned to see who had
been able to get so close and fell into the bluest eyes I've ever seen. I
was seventeen and I suddenly understood why all those girls gushed over
the movie stars and such. I was lost from the moment I entered the same
room as him. I can't really explain what I felt because it was
indescribable but there was this warmth that seemed to just spread through
me."
"I spent the rest of the evening with him and I talked more then I had
probably talked in my life. The whole time I was worried that he was just
humoring his friend's cousin but he really liked listening and talking
with me. When the evening was over I had to walk my cousin and him out to
the car. He asked me out on our first official date and after that
everything was a blur. We were perfect for each other, it seemed almost as
if we could think each others thoughts before the other thought them. We
communicated without a word because a look or a touch were enough. Of
course my dad hated him because no guy was good enough for his little
angel and he thought that I was inexperienced and getting too serious for
a girl of seventeen. I knew though I just knew that John Harper and I had
a future together, I just didn't know it was so short a future."
He placed a hand on the back of her neck and stroked her hair, "I have
a feeling that he's very proud of you. I also have a feeling that he'd
want you to move on with your life and live it to the fullest. He's
waiting for you but he's willing to wait until you've had the experience
you need." Mira smiled at him, "I wonder if you were a priest in that
other life." she replied. "I certainly hope not." he answered, "Why not?"
she asked puzzled. "Because then I couldn't do this." He leaned over and
his lips brushed hers, Mira felt a warm wave of emotions wash over her. He
began to kiss her neck, "John." she murmured quietly. Suddenly the July
evening seemed to be getting hotter and Mira regained some of her senses
only through a massive struggle. "John the neighbors will see us." she
protested, "What neighbors? Your the only one for miles." he answered. "Oh
right." she mumbled.
John trailed kisses down her neck as he fumbled with the buttons of
her blouse, finally he just tore the blouse open and began to ravenously
kiss down the front of her. She arched to meet his kisses and moaned as
her hands played with his hair. "Enough of this!" he said, he lifted Mira
and carried her into the house lightly tossing her onto her bed. John
rapidly stripped her as he divested her of any clothing that might get in
his way. A slight sigh escaped her as her arms reached out to him and she
struggled to not attack him in kind. His hands were around her waist as he
lifted her up and Mira involuntarily wrapped her arms around his neck. She
felt John's heart pounding as he cradled her against his chest. His lips
met hers with the same longing that she felt, Mira felt John's hands
powerful yet gentle hands moving over her body. She closed her eyes and
surrendered to his caresses.
Mira awoke the next morning and felt John's warm body cuddled next to
her. As she watched him sleep she realized the full enormity of what she'd
done. As she lay in the crook of his arm, his body pressed warmly against
her she began to cry. The folly of what she'd done she couldn't begin to
put into words. At the very least she could lose her medical license for
getting romantically involved with a patient. At the worst this man could
be a killer and she'd let her emotions tangle her up in his life. John
stirred and moaned as he plucked at the blanket covering him. He let out a
terrified sob and it cut straight through her. Mira wrapped her arms
around his neck, "Don't cry honey it's alright." she murmured. He clung to
her in his sleep shivering violently and she tightened her hold on him as
she rubbed his back comfortingly.
"Bobby! No!" he cried out in his sleep, "It's alright I'm here." she
stroked his face as she tried to get him to calm down. Then she got an
idea, "What's your name?" she asked him quietly. "Andrew...." he murmured,
"Andrew what's your last name?" she asked. "No!" he suddenly cried out in
and sat up panting in terror. For a moment he looked around as if the
devil himself were after him. Then he spotted Mira next to him in bed and
crushed her to him. "It's okay Andrew." she said soothingly, he put her
away from her and looked at her slightly puzzled. "What did you call me?"
he asked, "Andrew, I asked you your name while you were having a nightmare
and you told me Andrew. I couldn't get your last name though because you
woke before you answered me." He gripped her tightly and she gasped in
pain, "Tell me more!" he demanded.
"I don't know anymore other then you called out for someone named
Bobby." she was beginning to get scared. He saw her look of fear and
released her with a mumbled apology, "I'm sorry it's just that.... he
trailed off. Mira went over to him and rested her chin on his shoulder.
"It's okay Andrew and this is good because we're beginning to get
information which means your mind's finally able to begin facing whatever
caused your memory loss. It means you'll remember who you are sooner then
later." she answered. Mira felt a wave of sadness hit her because she knew
that once he regained his memory he might just leave and forget all about
her. "Hey what say we go to town for breakfast?" she asked with a false
happiness in her tone. Mira hoped that with his first trip into town and
being around other people then he might just be able to jog his memory
some more and help him remember his past.
It would be better if he remembered sooner because then if he left she
would know and not have to live wondering about what he'd do. "Well only
because you insisted." he quipped. "What's that supposed to mean? What you
think I'm a rotten cook?" Mira asked teasingly. "Let's just say your no
Julia Child's okay." She scrunched her face up at him in defiance and then
suddenly grabbed her pillow and belted him with it. "Oh so that's how you
want to play it!" he jumped at Mira and she squealed with excitement. They
spent a couple of minutes pillow fighting before Andrew stopped. Mira
stopped and looked at him puzzled, "What are your remembering something?"
she asked concerned. "Yes I'm remembering how truly lovely your are." he
smiled at her as she sat there puzzled with her face flushed and her
chestnut hair strewn about her.
"I think.... I think we'd better get dressed." she answered, "I'm
heading for the shower." Mira tossed her pillow back onto the bed and
started to get up, "Could you use someone to scb your back?" he asked. "No
because if you get in there with me I'll never get dressed." she answered
in a playful tone. He grinned mischievously at her as he watched her head
towards the bathroom. Andrew admired the view until she closed the door
behind her and then he got up and went over to the full length mirror. He
studied himself, "Andrew" he murmured, testing the name out but still he
didn't feel anything familiar about it. He tried to recall the dream but
only got parts of it in which he and another man had helped two other
injured man while someone was shooting at them. He wondered why someone
would want to shoot at him.
"Bobby?" he said as he tried to bring into focus the face that the
name invoked but all he could see was close cropped brown hair. Where the
face was supposed to be was a black void with no distinguishing features.
He got angry and threw his pillow at the mirror knocking it over. When it
crashed to the floor Mira came out of the bathroom with a worried
expression. "I'm sorry." he said, "Andrew don't try so hard. Your pushing
your mind and it's retaliating by refusing to remember. Just let the
memories come, don't force them or you'll push them down so far they'll
never return." Andrew sighed, "Your right it's just that it's so
frustrating not being able to know who you are." he said angrily. "You are
Andrew! For the moment Andrew Harper but you are Andrew. Your mother named
you Andrew and your buddies probably called you Andy."
He smiled, "Somehow Andy feels less familiar then Andrew." he answered
her. "Then maybe they called you by a nickname more often then by your
name but sooner or later I have complete faith that it'll creep up in at
the very least your dreams. You'll remember and I've got the perfect item
to help." she strode over to the cabinet and sorted through it for a few
minutes before pulling out a cassette recorder. "We'll put it by the bed
and tape you in your sleep so if you say anything in your sleep that might
be a clue we'll know." said Mira. He hugged her tightly, "Your a genius
doc!" he answered excitedly. "Yeah a genuis that still needs to shower.
Now why don't you go get ready." she answered. They dressed quickly and
headed for town. "Andrew when we get to town I'm going to introduce you as
my brother in law because the people here already know that I'm a widow."
"I think that maybe we'd better cool it while in town or at least I'm
asking you to try and behave." Mira said. "Why do you think I have to
behave?" he asked as he began to playfully blow into her ear and then
nibbled on her neck. "Andrew!" she squealed, "Your going to make us
crash!" she admonished him. "Then pull over and we'll climb into the
back." he answered her. "Andrew behave!" she swatted at him, Andrew
slumped in the passenger seat looking totally dejected. "You hate me." he
said, "No I don't hate you." she answered. "You women are all the same!
Once you get a guy into bed and have your way with him he's no longer a
challenge and you just toss hi out with the rest of the garbage." he said
as a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "Oh right! I've gone through
guys like you twenty at a time." she replied.
"See you admit it!" Andrew answered, "Admit what?" she asked. "Admit
that you only want me for my body!" he said. "Hey don't I get points for
at least being honest about it? I mean did I ever lead you on?" she asked.
"No you didn't make any promises." Andrew answered. "But what about my
mind, heart and soul? You do know there is more to me then my body don't
you?" he asked. "I can only handle one thing at a time!" Mira answered
exasperated. "Let me finish with the body and then I'll handle the rest."
she said as they pulled into town. She pulled into a spot in front of the
general store and got out only to find herself face to face with Tom
Kensington and his deputy Myles Drake. "Hi ya doc, got a visitor do we?"
he asked as he assessed Andrew with the practiced eye of a law enforcement
veteran.
"Yes Tom, this is my brother in law Andrew Harper. He's here for a
short visit." she answered. "It's a pleasure to meet you, the names Tom
Kensington and this here is my Deputy Myles Drake." he offered a hand to
Andrew. Andrew shook the offered hand, "It's a pleasure Sheriff. My sister
in law has been telling me about how kind the town's been to her." he
answered. "Well with her being the only doc for miles and none of the new
doc's fresh from school wanting to be stuck with a town like Serenity I
guess we need to be nice to keep such a good doctor. God only knows what
those boys up at the County seat will come up with if we run this one
off." he answered good naturedly. Mira was paying such close attention to
how Andrew was doing with the sheriff and his deputy she didn't notice the
two men who had ransacked her office.
One of them noticed Andrew and nudged his buddy urgently trying to get
his attention. He turned, looking cross at his friend before he spotted
what the other guy was pointing to. "That's that marine who tried to stop
us!" he hissed to his friend, "I wonder why he hasn't turned us in yet."
he asked. "He's probably doing that right now you idiot!" his friend said
angrily as he tried to keep his voice low so they wouldn't be heard. They
noticed that Mira stayed and talked with the sheriff as Andrew headed
towards them, they were puzzled as he walked right by them without a
flicker of recognition. "He didn't recognize us?!" hissed the thug. "He
was caught in the explosion maybe he hit his head and doesn't remember
us?" the first thug asked. "Matt don't be an idiot! That only happens in
soap operas!" his friend hissed at him.
"Well then you explain why he didn't seem to know the two guys who
tried to kill him!?" Matt hissed back. "Let's see if he really doesn't
remember us." answered Kyle, Matt followed Kyle as he headed over to
Andrew. Andrew strolled along in the general store picking up the supplies
they needed. He was a little confused by the fact that everytime he turned
around he bumped into one of two men. Andrew would apologize and continue
on with his shopping until the next time one of them accidentally bumped
into him. When he had everything ready to go he went to the door to see if
Mira wanted to add anything. Andrew saw Mira talking to a young man in
military fatigues and from behind all he could see was close cropped brown
hair but something about his stance was extremely familiar. Mira looked
sad and a bit nervous as she spoke to the solider.
The young solider turned towards Andrew and he got a good look at his
face. Suddenly Andrew was struck by a panic attack for want of a better
word. He gasped as he found himself suddenly unable to breathe. The store
keeper frowned, "You alright son?" the old man asked. Andrew couldn't
understand why he felt the urgent need to do something....Anything. The
store keeper helped him into a chair and rushed to the door, "Doc! Doc
Harper emergency!" Mira grabbed her bag and came running into the store
followed closely by the young solider that she'd been talking to. She
quickly checked Andrew over but started when she heard the young
Lieutenant behind her. ".A.J.?!" he whispered, he roughly pushed Mira
aside and kneeled in front of .A.J. Griffin's face was drawn and white as
he took .A.J.'s hand in his as if to prove he was real.
"You know Andrew?" asked Mira, Bobby stood and whirled to face her
with a look of rage. "Why didn't you tell me he was alive?!" he snarled at
her, Mira backed up in fear as .A.J. sprang to his feet and struck Bobby.
"You leave her alone!" he said in a quiet but extremely threatening tone.
Griffin sat on the floor stunned as he rubbed his sore jaw, ".A.J. it's me
Bobby?!" he said in a shaky voice. .A.J. started towards Bobby
threateningly but Mira moved forward quickly and gently restrained him.
"Andrew! Stop! He seems to know you!" she said to .A.J. Her voice held a
quiet plea but Bobby could hear the desperation and fear in her voice.
"You called Andrew .A.J. why?!" she asked Bobby as her eyes pleaded with
him to answer quickly. "His name is Lieutenant Andrew .J. Conaway and he's
a Sea Dragon."
"Colonel William Kelly is our superior and he told us that .A.J. had
been killed. Your alive through .A.J. and I couldn't be happier." Bobby
reached for .A.J. but he quickly backed away. "I don't know you." said
.A.J. and a confused hurt look crossed Bobby's face. ".A.J. it's
Bobby....Chaser?!" his voice had taken on a pleading tone as if begging
his friend to remember him. "Lieutenant Griffin Andrew's had an accident
and can't remember any of his past." Mira jumped in hoping to head off the
confrontation. "Nothing?!" asked Bobby, "Not a thing before a month ago."
answered Mira. "Listen he said your name was Andrew Conaway and you
remembered that your name was Andrew. I don't think that was a
coincidence. He's your friend .A.J. and he can fill in the blanks for
you." .A.J. looked as if he were about to argue with her.
There was a small part of him that didn't want to remember because he
was afraid to leave the comfort Mira represented for a world that had so
far only returned in the form of nightmares full of blood and death. "Tell
him something!" hissed Mira, "Your Lieutenant Andrew .J. Conaway of the
United States Marine Core. Your part of a special squad known as the Sea
Dragons under the command of Colonel William Kelly. Lindstrom, McCray, you
and I are the team. Your from Texas...." Bobby trailed off as his mind
suddenly went blank. "Maybe we should go to where the Sea Dragons are
posted? Being in a familiar place can only help jog your memory some not
to mention allowing you access to your personnel records." said Mira.
.A.J. let out a breath he hadn't realized that he'd been holding.
Mira was right, if he was .A.J. Conaway it would clear up alot of the
questions he had. "All right we'll go with you." replied .A.J., "We?"
asked a puzzled Bobby. "I go nowhere without Mira." .A.J. took Mira's hand
in his and kissed it gently. Bobby and Mira exchanged a glance but then
Bobby agreed to the condition. "Did you hear that?! He's forgotten who he
is so let's get out of here." hissed Matt. "Not by a long shot. I have no
intentions of letting Lieutenant Andrew Conaway remember us." answered
Kyle. "What are you planning?" asked Matt. "Not here since it's too public
but once they're on the road it's nothing but empty highway. Easy for
someone to have a terrible accident." he said as a malicious grin spread
across his face. "Besides I've got a thing or two to teach to that lady
doctor."
Mira had been driving for hours and glancing over at .A.J. who hadn't
said a word since they started out. Bobby Griffin sat in the back seat
stealing glances at .A.J. himself. Mira could feel the tension between the
two men and it was driving her slowly crazy. The stress between the two
men who were supposedly best friends was almost palpable. Suddenly
something struck the back of the car and Mira felt herself thrown forward.
She was only kept from serious injury by her seat belt. She looked in the
rear view mirror as something again struck the car. "Fellas we've got
company." Both men looked behind them at the car that seemed intent on
driving them off the road. "I saw those guys back at the general store!"
exclaimed .A.J. "Well I shot one about a month ago when they trashed my
office. The one driving got shot in the shoulder before he got away."
replied Mira.
"What are you lady?" asked Griffin, "Lieutenant what makes you think
that they're after me and not your friend?" she asked. Bobby sat back,
unsure about how to answer that question. "Hang on Lieutenant it's going
to be a bumpy ride." Mira used every skill she remembered from her driving
courses. Whoever the other driver was he was very good at defensive
driving but there were a few tricksMira was sure that she knew and that he
didn't. The other car drew up along side Mira's and began to slam into the
driver's side. Mira remembered a little trick and suddenly slammed on the
brakes as the other car flew past. She struggled to control the car's
fishtailing as she knew it would be only a few minutes before the other
car returned. She decided to take the high road and turned the car towards
the trees.
"What the hell do you think your doing?!" asked Bobby. "My car is all
terrain vehicle since the area around here isn't car friendly. Our friends
only have a sedan and if they try to follow they'll only break their
axle." .A.J. grinned at her and Mira tried to give him her best reassuring
smile. She hoped that he believed she knew what she was doing because Mira
wasn't all that sure herself. In fact she was hurriedly making it up as
she went along and prayed silently that it would work. They ditched their
tail and Mira drove for a few more hours before they decided to stop off
at a motel and get a fresh start in the morning. Griffin was anxious to
get on with the trip but he knew they'd need what rest they could get.
"Can I help you?" asked the motel clerk, "Yes we'd like three rooms."
answered Bobby.
"Two rooms." .A.J. corrected, Bobby glanced over at .A.J. who just met
his eyes with stubborn determination. .A.J. turned back to the clerk, "Two
singles will be fine." he said as he wrapped a possessive arm around
Mira's waist.
Bobby sat on the edge of the bed and pulled off his boot before
angrily tossing it aside. .A.J.'s behavior confused and scared him because
all he wanted was his friend back and it didn't look like that was going
to happen. He didn't know if he could trust this Mira Harper or that
letting her near .A.J. by any stretch was the smart thing to do but it
seemed as if he didn't have a choice in the matter. Griffin yanked his
other boot off and tossed it over with the other boot. His eyes settled on
the phone by the bedside and he reached for it. Bobby's hands hesitated on
he receiver, unsure on who to call. McCray and Lindstrom deserved to be
told in person. He didn't know how to contact .A.J.'s family so that left
only Colonel Kelly. Bobby called him and filled him in on what had
happened to date.
Mira snuggled next to .A.J. but she was unable to sleep. .A.J. had
nodded off immediately due to exhaustion. A few times uring his sleep he
had cried out in a nightmare but with a few soft words from her he calmed
and drifted into a deeper sleep. Mira was troubled by the fact that the
nightmares weren't just more frequent but more violent. Maybe it was a
good sign because it meant that he'd remember everything soon or it could
surpress his memory even further. Finally somewhere in the early morning
hours she drifted off into a disturbed sleep. She kept dreaming about
Griffin and .A.J. as they lay dying. Finally just as dawn broke she awoke
with a jerk as a small current of fear raced through her. Mira reached
over for .A.J. only to find he was gone, she searched the room before
quickly dressing and heading to Griffin's room.
She banged on the door as a current of panic raced through her, Bobby
answered the door wearing only a pair of boxers. His hair was rumpled as
he wiped the sleep from his eyes and he looked for all the world like a
little boy who'd just woken from a nap. Griffin didn't look like he'd
slept any better then she had and she felt a twinge of sympathy for him.
"Griffin have you seen .A.J.?" Bobby came immediately awake at the small
hint of panic in her voice. "He's not with you?" asked Bobby before he
realized how stupid the question was. "If he were with me why would I be
asking you if you'd seen him?" she answered sarcastically. Bobby dressed
quickly and grabbing his jacket met her at the door. "Let's split up and
met back here in an hour." suggested Mira, "Don't you think we should call
the police first?" asked Bobby.
"No .A.J. left of his own free will and if the police are called in it
might alert the guys who tried to run us off the road yesterday." Just
then Mira spotted .A.J., "Thank god." she whispered and ran over to him.
"Where did you go?" the relief was evident in Mira's voice, "I needed to
think so I went for a jog to clear my head." .A.J. leaned in and kissed
Mira tenderly, Griffin's throat clearing make them break apart. "Maybe
it's time to check out and head back to the base?" Mira smiled at Griffin.
He could really be a gentleman when he wanted to be. "Down!" Mira suddenly
yelled and pushed .A.J. into Bobby knocking them to the ground a split
second before a bullet struck her in the shoulder. She spun from the
impact of the bullet and landed in an undignified heap on the ground.
.A.J. scrambled from the cover Mira had shoved him and Bobby into and
dragged her back under cover with him.
As .A.J. took off his shirt and pressed it against her shoulder Mira
noticed that Bobby had a gun. Griffin was trying to locate the shooter,
"He's not up there anymore." Mira said matter of factly. "And what makes
you such an expert?" complained Bobby, "The same way I know the wound is
just a flesh wound." .A.J. snorted, "Some flesh wound." he replied
sarcastically. "It went in the front and out the back without hitting
anything vital, in my book that marks it as a flesh wound." Police cars
pulled up at that moment and demanded their surrender. "It's okay." said
Bobby as he tossed his gun out into the open and stood with his hands up
so that they could see that they were empty. "I'm Lieutenant Robert
Griffin out of Pensacola and I have a wounded woman here." he told the
officers who were watching him warily.
"Let's see some .I.D." ordered one of the cops, Bobby started to reach
for his wallet. "Take it real easy son." said the cop and Bobby complied
as he took out his wallet and handed it to the cop. When the cop seemed
satisfied he returned Bobby's wallet, "Alright Lieutenant where's your
wounded person?" he asked. Mira got to her feet despite a protesting .A.J.
"I'm fine I'm just a little less pudgy is all." she quipped "Look officer
we need an escort to Pensacola." She saw the look Bobby exchanged with
.A.J., "You guys can't think they were after me? If someone wanted me why
would they wait until now? Logically the explosion that took .A.J.'s
memory took a specific memory concerning these guys. They want to get rid
of .A.J. before he remembers that they were behind the sabotage."
"Your right, .A.J. is the only live witness to the sabotage even if he
doesn't remember it." answered Bobby. "Screw my memory!" hissed .A.J.,
"She's the one whose been shot! Mira's the one that needs the protection
not me!" She grabbed .A.J.'s hand and placed it over her heart. "It's
still beating .A.J. and if I have anything to say about it it will
continue to do so. Your the one in danger not me and I have every
intention of making sure your safe even if that means my life!" .A.J.
started to protest but Mira held up a hand, "Do as your told young man!"
she ordered. It wasn't until later that he realized he'd been in the
Marines way too long. He had reacted automatically to her command without
question.
As they pulled onto the base .A.J. began to get nervous and he was
glad that he hadn't had anything to eat this morning because his stomach
was doing major flip flops. Bobby had filled him in on all they'd been
through as team mates. Something in .A.J. tugged at him as if to tell him
that the memory's that Bobby were reliving should be something he already
knew. As .A.J. got out of the car he spotted three people, two men and a
woman. One of the men had graying hair and the insignia of a Colonel, how
he knew that it was a Colonel's insignia he didn't know. Standing next to
him was a black man with the rank of Lieutenant looking as if he were
unsure about how to approach .A.J. The woman was a pretty blonde who had
unshed tears in her eyes. With a cry she raced over to him and flung her
arms about him.
She started to sob into his shoulder, "I'm so glad to see you alive! I
didn't let myself hope...." she trailed off as she sobbed harder. .A.J.
patted her on the back unsure what to do with this woman who obviously
knew him but he didn't have any idea who she was. .A.J. gently disengaged
from Anni and turned to wrap a possessive arm around Mira as he suddenly
got uneasy with the affection this woman showed him. Kelly and McCray
welcomed him but they were careful not to do anything that would overwhelm
him. Bobby made the introductions and then they headed for the infirmary.
The others waited in the waiting room while Mira consulted with one of the
base's physician's on .A.J.'s memory loss.
"Excellent work Doctor Harper." said Doctor Michael Abrams as he
viewed Conaway's x-rays and Mira's reports on his injuries and recovery.
"That I have to agree with, it's some of my best work." answered Mira.
"Does that mean I'll get a certain Lieutenant back soon?" asked Kelly.
"Colonel you can have a physically healthy Lieutenant right now. As for a
mentally healthy one....that's another story all together. Both Doctor
Harper and I agree that Lieutenant Conaway's memory loss is traumatic
rather then injury induced." answered Doctor Abrams. "Meaning?" asked
Kelly, Abrams looked at Mira and she sighed as she ran a hand through her
rumpled hair. "It means that .A.J. didn't loose his memory due to a knock
on the head but rather to something that scared him so much that he
couldn't face it so he surpressed it and his memory with it."
"If it were injury induced we could just wait for the injury to heal
or if it was brain damage with a little therapy we could bypass the
section of the brain that was damaged and hopefully retrieve at least some
of his memory. Traumatic amnesia means that he may never remember unless
he's willing to face what scared him so bad. Colonel .A.J. has to want to
face the trauma but if we push too hard we may cause him to withdraw so
deeply into himself that he may not be able to come out even if he wanted
to." Kelly frowned, "Meaning we're damned if we do and damned if we
don't." Lindstrom, McCray and Griffin came into the room. "We have to try
for .A.J.'s sake." said Lindstrom, "No!" answered Griffin. "Believing we
knew what was best for him is what got him into this in the first place."
said Bobby angrily.
"Why don't we ask .A.J.?" McCray asked quietly, "I was wondering when
one of you would remember that I'm not an inanimate object." They all
turned to see .A.J. leaning against the door frame. ".A.J I...." Mira
began and .A.J. shook his head, "It's alright Mira I want to try." he
answered. Mira stopped Griffin from protesting with a gentle hand on his
arm. She saw that .A.J. had to do this despite the consequences because it
would only be worse at least for him if he didn't go through with it. Mira
let Doctor Abrams take .A.J. with him as she led the others to the waiting
room. She had already decided that she'd let Abrams handle this part
because she didn't think she could trust herself to be a professional.
While in the waiting room Bobby filled the others in on what had happened
and then Mira explained how she had found .A.J. and why she had lied to
them.
For the next few hours Mira basically paced because she was not used
to sitting and waiting but doing something, anything. Finally to her great
relief Doctor Abrams came into the waiting area. He filled them in on how
.A.J. and one of the other young men had come across two men rigging the
explosives. They had tried to stop them and the other young man had been
killed. Abrams didn't say how the boy had died but from the look in his
eyes Mira felt she didn't want to know. The explosives detonater had
started it's count down even sooner then the sabotagers had expected.
.A.J. made a run for cover and had been caught by the explosion's blast
wave. That's why his injuries had been a lot less servere then they could
of been. Abrams commended Mira on her fast thinking and excellent medical
skills as he confirmed what she'd already known. 
If Mira hadn't come when she did .A.J. wouldn't of stood a chance
because of the amount of blood loss. He confirmed that while under the
drugs .A.J. remembered everything clearly but that once he had awaken he
still didn't remember anything. .A.J.'s conscious mind was still blocking
his memory despite the fact that he had relived the death of the young
officer that had so traumatized him. The only solace Abrams could offer
was to just wait and maybe he might remember one day. Other then the
memory loss .A.J. was in perfect condition physically and mentally. Mira
was about to ask if she could see him when Lindstrom beat her to it.
Doctor Abrams said that only one person at a time could see him and that
they shouldn't stay long because he needed his rest. Lindstrom glanced
over at Mira and Mira just nodded that it was okay that she got to visit
him first.
Lindstrom entered the exam room and .A.J. looked up, "Yes can I help
you?" he asked as if she were a total stranger. Anni bit down on her lip
to surpress her whimper of pain at the fact that he didn't remember her.
"I'm Lieutenant Anniliese Lindstrom, one of your team ates on the Sea
Dragons?" .A.J. nodded, "I remember you were there when I came on base."
he answered. She searched his eyes for any sign that he recognized her but
there were none. "I just wanted to see how you were doing." she asked with
a little stutter. "I'm fine, look do you know if Mira is out there? I'd
really like to see her." said .A.J. "Yes she is and I'll go get her for
you." she answered. She heard his thanks as she turned and left the room.
Once outside the room she leaned up against the wall and gave into the
threatening tears.
"It'll be alright." said Mira soothingly, "He'll remember sooner or
later. I just know that he will and then you'll have your friend back but
be careful because he won't be exactly the same due to the trauma." she
handed Lindstrom a tissue. "I don't care just as long as we get .A.J.
back." answered Lindstrom. "You really care for him don't you?" asked Mira
and she saw Lindstrom get suddenly tense. ".A.J. and I were dating before
his accident." answered Lindstrom angrily. She was more angry with herself
then she was with Mira or .A.J. She knew he couldn't help it so she
wondered why she was so crazy about the fact that he didn't remember her.
It wasn't like they had been lovers, they had been just dating and Mira
had been his port in a very frightening storm so it was only natural for
him to feel safe with her.
It was important for .A.J. to feel safe since the rest of his life was
in such upheaval. Lindstrom reached out and turned the knob of the door,
opening it for Mira. "He really needs you now." Lindstrom told her. Mira
knew how much that had cost the woman standing next to her and felt good
to know that .A.J. had someone like her to watch over him. She gave
Lindstrom a small smile and entered the room where she found .A.J. pacing
by the window. "Mira when do I get out of this plae?" he asked anxiously.
She laughed, "Cool your jets road ranger and wait for the doctor's all
clear. He's working up the papers now and then we'll head over to your
quarters for a look around." she answered. "That's great!" he answered and
enthusiastically hugged her before kissing her passionately. 
Mira pushed him away gently, "Hey take it easy cowboy. Why don't you
wait until we've seen your quarters." she stopped suddenly realizing what
she'd just said. "I mean...." she trailed off. "I know what you mean and I
whole heartedly agree." answered .A.J. The doctor had come through with
his release papers in record time and .A.J. headed over to his quarters
with Mira and Bobby since Doctor Abrams suggested that they keep the group
small. He said that since Mira was the one .A.J. had attached himself to
and the fact that she had medical training in case of an emergency she was
the logical choice. Bobby had gotten to come along by default of being the
one who was first to find .A.J. Since .A.J. was somewhat used to him it
would be less upsetting then someone new or another member of the Sea
Dragons.
Mira and Bobby watched as he strolled around his room and investigated
objects that were his but that he had no memory of. "We....I mean the
Colonel got your room ready for you after I filled him in last night from
the motel." said Bobby as if to explain why a man supposedly dead for a
month still had his room. "I look at all this stuff and I know that's me
in the photo's but I don't remember any of it." .A.J. said frustrated by
the fact that he still didn't remember anything. He just felt that slight
tugging he had when Bobby had been telling him about how the team would
get together and have a good time. Mira tugged gently on Bobby's sleeve
and he followed her out into the hallway. "Maybe we should tell him about
his dating Lindstrom? It might be enough to shock him back to his old
self?" she suggested.
She could tell by the look in Bobby's eyes that he'd known about
Lindstrom and Conaway dating and was surprised that she did. "Lindstrom
told me outside the exam room." she told him. "Do you think it'll do any
good?" Bobby asked, surprised by the fact that he trusted this woman's
opinion. "I...." she started but was interrupted by .A.J., "Hey guys
what's up?" he asked. "Nothing." murmured Bobby as he looked nervous at
being caught talking about .A.J. with Mira. "Why don't you spend the night
here in your quarters?" suggested Mira and Bobby gave her a grateful look
for the rescue. "Okay you and I...." he began, "Mira can't stay here."
said Bobby. "Why not?" asked .A.J., "This is a barracks for single
officers and no woman are allowed to spend the night unless you want to
end up in the brig."
"I'm sure they'll make an exception in this case." answered .A.J.
"No." said Mira, "You've got to do this on your without your safety
blanket to fall back on." said Mira. "Mira your more then...." he began
and Mira shushed him, "Your a big boy and you can do it." replied Mira.
She kissed his cheek before turning and walking away. It was the hardest
thing she'd ever done but she knew that it was for .A.J.'s best and that
it had to be done. .A.J. stared after her a few minutes in shock before
Bobby took his arm and led him back into his room. "I know she's right
Bobby but I'm still scared." he admitted to his team mate. "We're all
scared .A.J. but what we do with that fear is what makes us who we are.
Come on and I'll help you with what I can." Bobby and .A.J. spent the rest
of the afternoon investigating .A.J.'s room.
Mira strolled along the walkway trying to push .A.J. from the
forefront of her mind. She knew that she had left him in the capable hands
of Bobby Griffin who cared for him just as much as she did. Somehow though
her mind refused to accept that fact or was it her heart that refused to
accept the fact that she wasn't the only one who cared for .A.J.? Mira had
been so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Matt and Kyle
until she literally bump into them. "Well hello doc?" said Kyle snidely,
Well if it isn't the two brain dead thugs. I was wondering when you two
jerks would try again." she answered sarcastically as her mind raced. She
couldn't seem to come up with a way to ditch these guys that wouldn't give
them a chance at .A.J. Kyle pulled out a gun and jabbed it painfully into
her ribs.
"Your coming with us doc." ordered Kyle and the nudge from the gun
he'd placed firmly in her ribs prevented any argument. They dragged Mira
along with them as she looked for a way to escape. They took her to a part
of the base that looked as if it got little if any traffic at all. Her
mind realized it would be a good place to kill someone because there
wasn't anyone here to witness her murder other then her and the men who
committed it. Kyle tied her up in one of the rooms of the building and
left Matt in charge of her before heading out after .A.J. Mira knew that
she had to get free and stopped Kyle, the only way to do that was to get
rid of her guard Matt. He looked nervous about being left behind and what
his buddy obviously planned to do. He wasn't a killer then but from the
looks of it just someone poor guy who'd gotten in over his head.
Mira worked on her ropes as she had once been taught by a magician
friend. She had remembered how he had told her to tense her body tightly
before she was tied so that when she relaxed the ropes would have slack
that she could use to escape. She was finally after a few minutes of work
able to free her hands from behind her back. Mira knew that if she tried
to untie her legs Matt would see her and try to stop her. Mira thought
about something that another friend had done when she'd been bound by the
bad guys. "Hey Matt? Is that your name?" she asked. "Just shut up and be
quiet." he snapped as he seemed to be even more nervous that she knew his
name. "Will you please help me here? My feet are in pain because your
friend tied the ropes too tightly." Mira gave him her best innocent look,
"Hey my hands are tied what can it hurt to just loosen my legs so the
blood can flow?"
Matt came over and she lifted her legs out as if to make it easier to
loosen the ropes. Before he could touch the ropes though Mira pulled her
legs back and kicked out with all her strength. Matt went flying backwards
and landed in a stunned heap as she quickly leaned down and untied her
legs. As she headed for the door Matt grabbed a leg and tripped her. She
went face down on the ground stunned but she shook off the effects as she
twisted in his arms. Mira laid a well placed kick into his face and yanked
her foot free from his grasp. She reached behind her for a weapon and
struck Matt on the head knocking him unconscious. It was only afterwards
that she realized it the weapon was a frying pan, "And .A.J. said I didn't
know how to cook." she quipped. She headed out of the building and headed
back towards .A.J.'s quarters.
Mira spotted .A.J. crossing the quad in front of the main building and
called to him. Kyle had just spotted Conaway when he heard Mira called
.A.J.'s name and swore vehemently about Matt's abilities. He revved the
car and aimed directly at Conaway with the intent of running him over.
Mira screamed a warning but .A.J. wasn't able to move out of the way in
time. Instead of striking him though the car only managed to clip him and
he spun before hitting the ground and striking his hed hard on the
pavement. The MP's fired at the car as it raced down the road headed
straight for Mira. She pulled out the gun she had retrieved from Matt
before leaving him tied up for the MP's. She calmly and coolly leveled the
gun at the windshield and gently squeezed off a shot. The bullet struck
Kyle in the shoulder and as he jerked from the impact he crashed the car.
Mira didn't watch the MP's as they arrested Kyle but instead rushed
over to .A.J. who was just beginning to regain consciousness. "Are you
okay?" she asked him worriedly, "I'm fine." he answered. He looked up as
the others arrived and Mira could see the confused look on his face.
"Bobby? What's going on the last thing I remember was that we were about
to test some explosives at Watson's Glen. How did I get back on the base?"
he asked. "What's the date?" Mira asked him, "June 27, 1998 is today's
date why?" She felt her heart constrict in fear. "It's July 30, 1998
Lieutenant." she answered him in her best professional tone. Mira ignored
Bobby's sympathy look and helped .A.J. to his feet. "That's over a month
but I don't remember any of it." said .A.J. and he looked worried. "Don't
be worried Lieutenant it's just a nasty bump on the head and your memory
will return."
"How can you be so sure?" he asked, "I'm a doctor and it's my job to
be sure." she answered. "We better get him to the infirmary and have him
checked over." said Mira. Doctor Abrams and Mira checked .A.J. over and
discovered that he remembered everything up until the morning of June
27th. Doctor Abrams assured Kelly and the others that this was a good
thing and that Mira was probably right that he'd remember the last month
sooner or later. Mira had stayed to finish up with .A.J., "Hey doc are you
married?" .A.J. asked Mira. "No actually I'm not." she answered him and
gave him a puzzled glance at the grin that was spread across his face.
"Are you free for dinner?" Conaway flirted with her. "I don't think that
would be such a good idea Lieutenant." she answered, "Why not?" he asked
her.
"Because I'm involved with someone at the moment and he's an extremely
jealous type." Mira answered already having made up her mind about what to
tell .A.J. about the last month. Abrams had been asked to tell Kelly and
his team not to mention to .A.J. about the month that he'd spent with her
other then what they had too. She didn't want him feeling obligated to try
and recapture a romance with a woman he obviously didn't remember. Conaway
had been given a clean bill of health and released and Mira watched as his
friends greeted him. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look
into the deep blue eyes of Lieutenant Robert Griffin. "Listen Lieutenant
Griffin...." she began, "Bobby after all you've earned it. You really love
him don't you?" he asked as if too stunned to believe that she did.
"Yes I do and that' why I'm letting him go." Mira answered. "If you
just explain...." she placed her fingers on his mouth silencing him.
"No....Bobby I can't do that to him. My mother said once that a man has
two jobs. The one that he's good at and the one that he enjoys and if the
two jobs are the same job then he's blessed. .A.J.'s blessed and I'd hate
myself for my selfishness if I tried to take away his happiness. He
belongs here with his family the Sea Dragons. God may of conspired to keep
you from being family through blood or law but you are family where it
counts. Your a family of the heart, mind and soul and I want you to
promise me your going to take care of each other." Griffin nodded solemnly
unable to believe that he had judged this woman so wrong. "Take care of
yourself too Lieutenant Robert Griffin or I'll be back and you wouldn't
want that."
Mira hugged him quickly and rushed away before her threatening tears
coursed down her face. Bobby stuck a hand in his pocket and felt
something, he pulled out a couple of envelopes that he knew hadn't been
there before. There were five in all, one was marked with Colonel Kelly's
name and the other four had a Sea Dragons name on each one. He opened the
one marked with his name and found that it was a goodbye note from Mira.
She spoke of him in glowing terms and how she was positive she could trust
.A.J. safety to him. The brief note made him feel extremely well loved and
he cleared his throat as he realized he was getting maudlin. He stuffed
his note back in his pocket and went over to the others. He intended to
let Conaway know when he was ready about this incredible woman that he'd
let slip away.

THE END