"I will come back for you..."
Mar. 21st, 2007 11:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladyofavalon77Work is really getting crazy. Being shorthanded is no joke. We have like sixty million things to do and no time to do them. The manager is demanding our attention, the members are demanding our attention, and our coworkers are demanding our attention. It’s enough to make you pull your hair out. The good news? I got to stay late tonight and organize what I had into some semblance of order. Tomorrow we tackle sending these apps out.
Jericho wasn’t on this week so it was just Lost…a VERY good episode. I love Benjamin Linus :D
In episode 3.13 (The Man From Tallahassee), Sayid, Locke, and Kate finally arrive at home camp of the Others. While Sayid and Kate go for Jack, Locke decides to take fate into his own hands and find Ben. Oh they were wonderful together in the same room. And what is this about the island’s healing properties? I can’t believe poor Locke had a terrible father who nearly killed him. The scene with him in the wheelchair at the end was beautifully played. You could see how much of his manhood had been stripped from him by losing the use of his legs. That’s why he helped Ben into the wheelchair as much as he hated him.
When Ben mentioned the box where anything you want could appear right before your eyes I thought he was blowing smoke up his butt. Nevertheless I loved it when Ben’s daughter warned Locked about how good her father is at manipulating people. And it was so true! Ben wanted Locke to blow up the submarine but knew Locke wouldn’t do it if he supported the measure so he fought against it and then ensured Locke’s determination to go through with his plan. If Locke ends up teaming up with Ben, it should be QUITE interesting. Side note: the look on the French lady’s face when she saw her daughter for the first time was wonderful!
Little bit on Jack and Kate…there was so much said without any words when he turned around after playing the piano. You KNEW he still loved her. And then in the pool table room. That parting scene where he promises to come back to her. Oh they have to end up together. The longing between these characters is played brilliantly by both actors that I just like to sit back and watch the sparks fly J Though the scenes with Juliet were equally moving and I loved how she interrupted them right in the middle of that tender moment. Juliet and Jack or Kate and Jack? I just don’t know!
So I have a late day tomorrow and decided to finally see The Holiday which I rented around Sunday and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!
Ok, how did I not see how great an actor Jude Law was before tonight? Seriously the dude is both handsome, charming, and endearing. I LOVED how they revealed he was a Dad and he was a GREAT Dad…those little girls had him wrapped around their little fingers. The chemistry between Cameron Diaz and Jude Law was amazing! If both were single, they should hook up. Their improvisation scenes were adorable and something I’d like to experience with a great guy like him J He’s so gentle, considerate, and sweet. And I loved how Cameron’s character said she was bad in bed and couldn’t cry. Then later she finds him crying at his sister’s house when she comes back. Awwww J
Kate Winslet was really exceptional and she said she didn’t know how to do humor. Pshaw! Oh and I LOVE Jack Black. He was GREAT in King Kong but his funny bone really came out in this movie. He can do musicals, comedies, or dramas. I bet he was a handful as a kid! And when he wrote that melody just for Iris I wanted to have a guy to do the same for me. I love how he makes her laugh every time we meet. I want someone like that! He’s not great looking but he has a great personality! The side stories were great with the old movie writer and the old love interest who won’t go away. Thumbs WAAAAAY up from me!
So much happening with the Logans and I STILL haven’t wrote anything. At least the weekend is coming up so hopefully I’ll find time then. Lots of good ideas like Martha really helping Charles to escape, Martha receiving his memoirs after he dies where he apologizes for the pain he put her through, Martha stabbing Aaron by mistake when she goes for Charles, and so many others. Just need to write them down :D At any rate, another chapter of “If I Should Lose You” awaits…this time it’s from Charles’ point of view. He’s on the cusp of repentance when he learns that Martha is alive…and everything changes. Suddenly he sees a chance to save face and goes for it. If only he had chosen a different path…
CHAPTER 12
She was alive.
Those were the only words he could focus on as the limousine he was riding in raced to the hospital where they planned to admit her for emergency surgery. Even now his hands trembled slightly at the realization that he had not lost her and that any moment he would see her again. After preparing to let go…after accepting that he had lost her forever…here was one last opportunity to make things right. And he didn’t know what to do.
Marty, God knows I love you…but sometimes…your timing is just…it could use a little work is all I’m saying.
A few minutes ago, he was ready to turn himself in. Confess everything to the Attorney General. Accept the consequences and move on with his life. It had been so simple…so straight forward. Martha’s death had made him realize that he had nothing left to lose now…no one to live for…nothing for them to use against him. And then Mike rushed into his study, his eyes alight with good news even before the words left his mouth.
They found her, Mr. President. Martha’s alive!
He had closed his eyes in relief as he allowed himself a moment of thanksgiving. The weight he had been carrying all day lifted as disbelief and doubt were replaced by acceptance and joy that he had not been the cause of her death. Fate had given him a second chance.
Where is she? When will they bring her in?
Well, there’s been some complications, sir. Evidently there was a hostage situation and…some shots were fired.
Oh, no! Was Martha hit? How serious was it?
I’m sorry, sir, but she’s in critical condition. They’re taking her to County General for emergency surgery as we speak. Secret Service is leaving now to secure the area. We could leave right away if you wish…
Yes. She’ll want to see someone familiar when she wakes up. Who knows what she’s been through. I want to be there, Mike. I NEED to be there.
Yes, Mr. President. I’ll contact Secret Service immediately.
The rain had started right after he had got in the limousine and had not let up, reflecting the pensive mood he currently found himself in. Now that Martha was alive he was faced with a whole new set of problems. Suddenly a phone call with the Attorney General did not seem like such a great idea as his politician’s mind began to calculate a new way to spin today’s events in a more favorable light.
His wife’s rescue would make for some great publicity, even if it took the focus away from his treaty with the Russians. There would still be political fallout from the assassination of a Russian head of state on US soil but he was sure that a few words in private with the new Russian president would smooth over any differences that might arise, after all he had almost lost his own wife in the process. If he was careful to emphasize the fact that Martha was riding with the Suvarovs at the time of the attack, he should be able to divert suspicion of his involvement in the affair altogether. He would just have to be very, very careful.
As the limousine turned into the parking lot of the public hospital where they would bring Martha, his cover story and plans for damage control were clearly outlined in his head, just waiting to be executed. The attack on the motorcade had set him back but he would recover. There was still a chance to finish what he had started and make sure no one could trace it back to him or his associates. Graham would be calling him soon and he would need to tell him that the situation was under control.
“Sir, we need you to stay in the vehicle a moment while we secure the building,” his Secret Service escort informed him as they pulled up to the emergency room entrance. “It will only take a moment.”
“Of course,” he replied but his mind was on something else…something that had been nagging at him and he could not put behind him.
What if she blames me for putting her in danger…for not calling back the motorcade…what if…she never forgives me…The thought was a troubling one and he tried to distract himself by studying the simple, utilitarian architecture of the hospital building itself. Anything to keep him from dwelling on the possibility that after everything that had happened he might end up losing her after all…and if that turned out to be the truth, he had no idea how he would handle it. Could he handle it?
“Mr. President?” one of the Secret Service agents interrupted his thoughts, making him look up through the open car door. “We’re ready now.”
“Thank you,” he replied, assuming his presidential role once more as he left the limousine and followed the agent into the emergency room. Everyone in the area glanced up at his arrival and he could hear their furtive whispers even behind the perimeter that had been set up but he only had eyes for the double doors at the back of the room. Common sense told him that was where they would take his wife when she arrived but before he could take another step forward he was stopped by an unexpected hand on his shoulder.
“Sir, she hasn’t arrived yet. The ambulance is only a few minutes away.”
“Then I’ll wait right here,” he informed the agent, crossing his arms and assuming a determined stance that brooked no argument.
“Yes, sir,” the agent replied and stood a few feet off while still maintaining a careful surveillance of the area.
Fortunately they didn’t have to wait long as the sound of sirens announced the approach of the ambulance before anything else, bringing both the Secret Service agents and Charles Logan to full attention in anticipation of its arrival. Wheels screeching to a halt just outside the entrance, the crew inside the vehicle jumped out and immediately rolled out a gurney before running inside with their precious burden between them. The medics were calling out the stats of their patient as they raced toward the swinging doors in back.
However, as they approached his position, he reached out and took her hand while gazing down at her closed eyes and pale skin, worried at how clammy she felt to his touch. Martha had clearly been through an ordeal, judging from the perspiration around her face that had left her hair slightly damp as her ragged breathing reached his ears. Lifting his other hand up to touch the side of her face, Charles once again regretted his part in the day’s events. He was responsible for her pain…no one else had done this…just him and his blind ambition.
“Sir, we need to get her into surgery right now,” a doctor tried to tell him and all he could do was nod before bending down to kiss her forehead as they finally took her away, leaving him alone in the hallway with the guilt of what he had done. She was going to be ok, he told himself. It would all work out. He would apologize to her and together they would work everything out. He just needed to give her time.
Turning around to see if he could find a waiting area where he could relax until she was out of surgery, Charles suddenly found himself face to face with Aaron Pierce. The agent seemed to have aged a great deal since he had seen him a few hours ago, a distinctive crease in his forehead testifying to his concern for the First Lady. He also noticed some blood stains on the Secret Service agent’s normally crisp white shirt and immediately realized that Agent Pierce had been with his wife the whole time. He had seen everything.
“Agent Pierce…I assume you were the one who stayed with Martha.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I…can’t thank you enough for what you did. When this is over…I’d like to commend you publicly.”
“Just doing my job, sir.”
“I know that but you went beyond the call of duty. Taking initiative and making decisions most would have questioned. That requires some sort of recognition.”
“With all due respect, sir, I would prefer to decline any public recognition or commendation but only because it would hinder me in my duty to serve you.”
“As you wish, Aaron…as you wish,” Logan replied, stunned that the man would prefer to go unnoticed for what he had done. “Aaron…I know this might be awkward for you…but I need to know…were you the first one to find her?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did they do anything…was she hurt…did she suffer in any way other than the gunshot wound to her side?” he finally managed to get out, holding the railing along the side of the wall with his back turned away from the Secret Service agent.
“No, Mr. President. As far as I could tell when I arrived on the scene, Mrs. Logan had not been harmed in any way physically.”
“Thank God,” he gasped, gripping the railing in relief as he closed his eyes shut and slowly turned around. “I’ve heard of hostage situations where they…but it‘s not important. She’s safe now and that’s all that matters.”
“Sir, Mrs. Logan did want me to tell you something before she lost consciousness.”
“She did?” he questioned, clearly surprised but at the same time worried what the message could be. “What was it, Aaron?”
Clearly uncomfortable with his role of messenger, the Secret Service veteran nevertheless pulled himself together and fulfilled the promise he had made…a promise he was determined to keep. Taking out the piece of paper he had used to write down what she had told him, Aaron gave it to her husband and quietly left him alone to read it. The impact of the message would be far greater if he could hear it in her own words. The handwritten note would make that possible. Slowly unfolding the wrinkled paper, he began to read what could possibly be Martha’s last words to him if she did not survive the surgery…
Always remember…I love you and I forgive you…At first, he didn’t know what to do. She had forgiven him. Knowing she might not survive, Martha had taken the time to relay her message through Aaron so he would not be consumed by guilt and self recrimination for what he had done. Her foresight and concern for the personal turmoil he would go through amazed and condemned him as he contrasted it with his own behavior toward her that day. How could she be so gracious when he had not shown her the same courtesy? Who was this wonderful woman he had married who was so quick to forgive his transgressions?
Slowly folding the note back up, Logan carefully placed it in his jacket pocket and went to find a seat in a nearby waiting room the Secret Service had cordoned off just for his use. Aaron was nowhere in sight so he could thank him personally and he figured the man had probably decided to take a break after the day’s stressful events. Lord knew he deserved it. Agent Pierce was one of the few people you could rely on to do his duty without question or debate. It was an admirable trait, one that should be rewarded. Maybe if he talked to Mike, he could come up with some quiet, roundabout way of thanking the Secret Service agent without insulting him.
Getting out his phone to make the call, Charles was startled to find it ringing in his hand as someone tried to reach them. Recognizing the number at once, he answered the call with more than a little anger in his voice. This man not only had botched the entire operation to begin with by killing David Palmer but had also nearly gotten his own wife killed. It was time to exchange some choice words with Mr. Henderson.
“If you had any sense at all, you would be halfway to Thailand by now,” Logan hissed, carefully looking around the room to make sure no one was within earshot for this private conversation.
“In due time, Mr. President. However, you need to know that Jack Bauer survived the explosion at Omicron. He showed up at the terrorist base of operations and I was forced to work with him. Unfortunately, I was unable to take him out and require assistance in taking him down.”
“Listen here, Christopher. I’m still cleaning up the mess you made earlier, not to mention the fact that I’m at the hospital now waiting to hear from the doctors on Martha’s condition thanks to you and your little stunt back at the warehouse.”
“Sir, I apologize that I put Mrs. Logan in danger but it was a risk I was willing to take given that the alternative was returning to CTU in Jack Bauer’s custody. If that had happened, you can be sure we would not be having this conversation now and the Attorney General would be contacting you directly.”
“Don’t talk to me about risks, Christopher. I’m the one in charge and I call the shots. Shooting Martha was not a part of the plan. If anything, you should have turned that weapon on yourself. How dare you put my wife in danger! How dare you think you have the right to do this without talking to me first!!!”
“If you put aside your indignant feelings for one minute, Mr. President, you’d realize that I was very careful to aim my weapon so the bullet would only leave a flesh wound behind. There was a Secret Service agent on site to make sure help arrived in time and the proper medical procedures were followed to make sure she didn’t bleed to death. As you see, sir, I had the situation completely under control.”
“Under control? Then how do you explain that she’s in critical condition right now? I saw her, Christopher. Her skin was pale, her breathing labored. I hardly think that’s normal for just a flesh wound.”
“Mr. President, I REALLY don’t have time for this. Do you want to lose everything you’ve planned for the last 18 months because you cannot get past the fact that I had to shoot your wife? We all need to make sacrifices, sir, and, if you can’t understand that, then frankly you should step down. This mission is too important to let personal feelings get in the way.”
“Don’t take that tone of voice with me, Mr. Henderson. I recruited you for this mission and I can just as easily replace you. Remember that,” Logan informed him coolly, allowing a steel edge to come through the connection. “Now if you require assistance, contact this number: 486-556-8878. Tell the man who answers that birds of prey fly low at sunset. He’ll confirm the password before setting up a time and place for you two to meet. When I hang up, I expect to never hear your voice on the other end of this line again, do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir,” he responded emotionlessly but Logan could still detect a hint of insubordination in his tone but before he could confront him on it the line was disconnected, leaving only a dial tone behind. Quickly pocketing the phone, Charles leaned forward and clasped his hands together while his arms rested on his knees. The nauseous feeling in the pit of his stomach had returned. Martha was safe and he could now concentrate on making sure no one would trace the nerve gas back to him or his associates. Henderson would be taken care of when he met the contact he had just given him. The only loose end was Jack Bauer and an idea was already beginning to form in his mind on exactly how to handle that particular problem. He just needed to make a call to a friend at the Chinese embassy…someone who would be most interested to learn of Bauer’s existence…most interested indeed.
So we’re getting close to the end I MUST write something this weekend. Wish me luck!
No matter what I do...no matter where I go...you'll always be in my thoughts...and dreams...
