| Chapter 15 Tara opened her eyes, blinking against the light coming through the windows. She rolled over, ending up face to face with Nick. He was still sound asleep. She smiled, watching him. He had such a peaceful look on his face. Tara felt like pinching herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She still couldn't believe the counsel let them stay together, but she was grateful that they did. As she lay there watching him sleep, she thought about their relationship. From the beginning she was attracted to him. Even though her bond with Brian was so strong, she had always held a place in her heart for Nick. And now that they were together again, she knew it was where she was meant to be. Nick reached up and touched her cheek, pulling her from her thoughts. She hadn't even realized he had woken up. "Hey," she said, smiling. He smiled back, "Hey, how long you been watching me?" She shrugged, "Awhile." Nick lifted his head and looked around, "I didn't drool did I?" Tara laughed, "No. I was just watching you, thinking about what all we've been through together." Nick lay his head back down, turning and looking at her, "Yeah, we've been through a lot, that's for sure." Tara nodded, taking his hand in hers, interlacing their fingers, "Yeah. You know this plan of ours is gonna be hard on us." "I know," he said, "But we can do it, we have to." "Yeah, I'm just not sure if they ask me to um do something with someone else, if I'll be able to or not," Tara sighed. Nick squeezed her hand, "I hope we don't get that far." She looked at him intently, "But what if we do? Then what?" Nick reached up and ran his hand through her hair, playing with it, "We'll deal with it, when and if it happens. I'm going to make sure they know that you're mine from the beginning, so maybe we won't have to deal with that." Tara laughed, "I'm yours huh?" Nick nodded, smiling, "Until the end of forever." Tara smiled, "I like the sound of that," she said, leaning in and softly kissing him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian jerked awake. He looked around, trying to catch his breath, and calm his racing heart. He didn't remember having a bad dream, so why was he feeling like he'd just ran for miles? He took several deep breaths, closing his eyes and willing himself to calm down. Lyn woke from his movement. She had her hand on his chest, and she could feel his heart pounding. "Bri, is something wrong?" she asked. He looked over at her, "Hey, did I wake you?" She nodded, "What's wrong?" He shook his head, "Nothing. I think I had a bad dream, but I can't remember it." Lyn raised up on her elbow and looked at him, "I can feel your heart pounding. You sure it isn't something else?" "I don't know what else it would be," Brian said. Lyn sat all the way up, facing him, "Bri, could they have missed something when they did your surgery?" Brian stared at her, the thought had never crossed his mind. "I don't think so. They told me that everything was fine after that," he said. "Yeah, but the tired spells you have, and now this? Are you sure?" she asked, concerned. Brian started to sit up. He cringed, immediately feeling dizzy, and laid back down, "No, I'm not sure." "What was that look for?" Lyn asked. "I got dizzy when I tried to sit up," he answered. Lyn reached over, touching his cheek and forehead, "You don't have a fever. Do you feel like you're coming down with something?" "No, I just don't feel good," Brian admitted. "Will you let me call Uncle Ted and set up some tests?" she asked, looking deep into his eyes. Brian bit his lip, seeing the concern she had for him. He was starting to wonder what was going on himself. He looked down, then back up at her, "Yeah, but after everyone leaves, OK?" "But, if this is something serious we need to know," she protested. He shook his head, "After they leave. I don't want them staying and worrying over this. It might turn out to be nothing, and they've been away from their families for to long as it is." Lyn started to protest again, but Brian put his finger on her lips, "Please Lyn. I'll go, but after they leave." Lyn pulled his hand away, sighing, "You promise?" He nodded. "Alright, after they leave then," she conceded. "Thank you," Brian said, pulling her to him and kissing her cheek. Lyn smiled, "Alright. You lay here and rest. I'm gonna go get a shower and make some breakfast, OK?" He smiled at her, "OK." Lyn got up and went into the bathroom, shutting the door. She sighed, Please God, don't let this be something serious, please.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kevin walked into the living room, smiling at Howie, "How does seven tonight sound?" Howie grinned, "That sounds great." "You're leaving tonight?" Brian asked. "Yeah, everything seems to be going well now," Kevin said. Lyn glanced at Brian. "Well, if you guys are leaving in a few hours, we need to tell you some things," Nick said. "Why am I suddenly afraid?" Kevin asked, teasing. Nick rolled his eyes, while everyone laughed. "It's nothing bad Kev, you just need to know, that's all," Tara said. He sighed, "OK, what is it?" "We gotta wait for A.J.," Nick said, "You all have to know." Howie and Kevin looked at one another. Just then A.J. came into the room, "I'm outta here in three hours." "Great, we can all ride to the airport together," Howie said. "OK Nick, we're all here now, so spill," Brian said. Nick and Tara looked at each other, then faced their friends. "When we go back, you will have protectors with you," Nick said. "What do you mean �protectors'?" Kevin asked. "We're trying to cover everything. In the off chance that they find us out, we want to know that you guys are safe," Tara said. "Yeah, so each one of you will have his own guardian until we return," Nick said. "You mean we're all gonna have an angel with us 24/7?" A.J. asked. Nick and Tara both nodded. "And Sarah, Kira, and Kris will have one too," Nick said. "And Lee and Gary," Tara added. Everyone looked at each other, somewhat shocked. "You guys are really afraid about something happening aren't you?" Howie asked. "It's not that," Nick said, "We just want to make sure that you guys are safe." "Yeah, if they came and hurt one of you while we were gone, we'd never forgive ourselves," Tara said. "So we don't have a choice in this do we?" Kevin asked. They both shook their heads. "No Kev you don't," Nick said. "I think it's kinda cool," Howie said. "You would D," A.J. said, "What about when you're with Kira? Man, just knowing that an angel is around, watching my every move, just ruins the whole mood for me." Everyone laughed. "Alex, they will give you your space," Tara said, "They aren't there to watch every move you make. They're there to protect you." "And, if for some reason you guys need us back, they can send for us," Nick added. "Yeah, but won't that blow your cover?" Brian asked. They looked at each other. "It could," Tara said, "But if it's important enough to send for us, then we'll just take that chance." "So will we see them, or are they just gonna stay incognito?" Kevin asked. "You can meet them if you want," Nick said. "I'd like to," Howie said. "Yeah me to," A.J. said, "I wanna know what they look like so they don't freak me out or scare the hell outta me." Tara and Nick laughed. "OK, guys?" Nick said. Suddenly eight angels appeared in the room with them. They were all dressed in the manner of a warrior. They all had swords, and looked well adapted at using them. "Kevin, this is Jason and Marcus," Tara said, presenting the first two, "They will be with you and Kris." "A.J. this is Jacob and Nathaniel, they will be with you and Sarah," Nick said. "Cool," A.J. said, walking up to the two and shaking their hands, "Nice to meet you." They both nodded at him, glancing at one another. "Howie, this is Urial and Joshua. They are with you and Kira," Tara said. "And Brian and Lyn, this is William and Lucas, they will be with you," Nick said. Everyone exchanged nods. "What about Lee and Gary?" Lyn asked. "I called them this morning," Tara said, "Mitchell and Lane are already with them." "So when are you guys leaving?" Brian asked. "In a couple of days," Nick answered. "Yeah, we still have some planning to do with Gideon," Tara said. "Well guys, if we're gonna make our flights we need to be getting ready to leave," Kevin said, getting up. All the angels vanished from the room, but everyone knew they were still there. Kevin, Howie and A.J. went to their rooms to gather their things. Brian and Lyn sat on the couch, facing Nick and Tara. "You're worried about this aren't you?" Lyn asked. Tara and Nick both nodded. "There's to much at stake to leave anything undone," Nick said, "I know this is probably overkill, but better safe than sorry." "True," Brian said. "Bri, are you OK?" Tara asked, looking at him. He nodded, "Yeah, just didn't get much sleep last night." Tara and Nick glanced at one another, then back to him. "You sure?" Nick asked, sensing something else was wrong. "I'm sure. You guys have enough to worry about without needlessly worrying over me," Brian said. Tara started to say something, but stopped, seeing the look in Brian's eyes. The look that said �drop it' plain as day. Whatever it was, he didn't want them to help him with it. Nick reached over and took her hand, squeezing it, "He's being stubborn." Tara laughed, "I know, but we can't make him tell us." "Well we could, but it wouldn't be nice of us," Nick said, smiling. Tara laughed and shook her head. "I don't know what you guys are saying, but somehow I have a feeling it's about me," Brian said. "Whatever gave you that idea?" Tara teased. "Gee, I dunno," Brian teased back. Nick and Lyn looked at one another and laughed, both knowing not to get in the middle of their teasing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "OK, call when you get there," Brian said, hugging his cousin. "I will, but it's gonna be late," Kevin said. "It's OK, just leave a message on the machine," Lyn said. Kevin smiled, hugging her, "Take care." "You to, give Kris our love," Lyn said. "Will do," Kevin said, walking out the door to the car. "When you coming back?" Howie asked Brian. Brian looked at Lyn, "I don't know." "Well, have fun you two," Howie said, hugging them both, "Stay safe." "You to man," Brian said. "See ya," A.J. said, hugging Lyn. "Bye Alex," she said. He hugged Brian, "If ya'll get board, come see me and Sarah. We'd love to have you." Brian laughed, "We might, take care Bone." "You to man," A.J. said on his way out the door. Nick and Tara were out next to the car, saying their goodbye's. When they finished, the three guys piled into the rental car and headed to the airport. Nick and Tara walked back to the house. "We're gonna go on over," Nick said. "Oh, ya'll don't want supper?" Brian asked. "Naw, we need to talk with Gideon about our plan," Tara said. "OK, but tomorrow night we're all doing something, OK?" Brian said. "Yeah, we can't leave without us getting together again," Nick said. "Right," Lyn agreed. "OK, tomorrow night, just the four of us," Tara said. "Good," Brian said, smiling. "K, see ya tomorrow," Nick said, taking Tara's hand and leading her around the house. "Night," Lyn called after them. Lyn and Brian shut the door and walked back into the living room. Brian plopped down on the couch, laying down. Lyn sat down in the floor next to him, "You look exhausted." "I am," he admitted. "Bri, I'm worried about you," she said. He looked into her eyes, seeing her fear and concern. "I'll be OK. Whatever is going on, we'll find out what it is and take care of it," he said. "Can I at least call Uncle Ted and see if he'll stop by and look at you?" she asked. "Honey, I'm OK. I'm just tired, that's all," he protested. "Please Brian, it would make me feel better," she said, pleading with him. He smiled at her, "If it'll make you feel better, then call him." She got up, placing the afghan from the back of the couch over him, "I'll be right back." Brian nodded, grabbing the remote and turning the TV on. Lyn walked into the kitchen grabbing the cordless phone and dialing the number. "Hello," Ted said. "Hey, it's me," she said. "Hi Lyn, what's up?" he asked. "Um, could you come by for a few minutes?" she asked. "I guess so, something wrong?" he asked. "I'm not sure. Brian's really tired again, and this morning his heart was racing and he was dizzy," she said. "Hmm, that doesn't sound good," he said. "I know, that's why I'm calling you," she said. "I'm on my way home right now, I'll be there in a few minutes," Ted said. "Thanks," Lyn said, "And um, could you pull into the garage? Brian doesn't want Nick and Tara to know what's going on." Ted laughed, "OK, but how long can you hide anything from them?" "I don't know, but he doesn't want them to worry," Lyn said. "I see, OK honey, be there in a few," Ted said. "K, bye," Lyn said hanging up the phone. She walked back into the living room, to find Brian sound asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "How long has he been asleep?" Ted asked. "Since I called you," Lyn answered, watching as Ted knelt next to the couch, pulling his equipment from his bag. Ted reached over and shook Brian, waking him up. Brian looked at him, "Hi." Ted smiled, "Hi, I hear you aren't feeling well." "Just tired," Brian answered. "Tell me about this morning," Ted said. Brian glanced at Lyn, then back to Ted. "I woke up out of breath and my heart was pounding. It was like when you have a bad dream, and you're running in it, then you wake up. And when I tried to sit up I got dizzy," he said. Ted looked concerned, "Has this happened before?" Brian shook his head, "I don't think so." "Bri, what about yesterday, on the beach?" Lyn asked. "What happened?" Ted asked, looking between the two. "We were sitting on the beach, and when I went to get up, I got dizzy," Brian said. "Hmm," Ted said, as he placed the cuff around Brian's arm to take his blood pressure. He then checked his vitals, listening to his heart, and lungs. "I don't see anything out of the ordinary," he finally said, "But I'd like to schedule you for some tests." Brian nodded, "OK, but after Nick and Tara leave." "Brian, we need to find out what this is," Ted said. "I know, but they're only gonna be here a few more days," Brian said, "After that, I'm all yours." Ted stared at him, seeing the determination in his eyes. "I don't like waiting on this," he said. "Please Ted, what difference is a couple of days gonna make?" Brian asked. "Depending on what this is, it could make a lot of difference," he responded. "Please," Brian pleaded, "They are fixin to go back and face those demons again. I don't want them distracted because they're worried about me." Ted looked surprised, "They're going back?" Lyn nodded, "They have a plan to go back undercover and get the information they need." Ted sighed and shook his head, "Alright. I'll schedule the tests for next week, but, I'm coming by everyday and check on you until then." "OK," Brian said. "And, if you have any problems, call me," he added. "We will," Lyn answered. "OK, until you have the tests, I want you to take things easy. No strenuous exercise or anything that will get your heart rate up to high, understand?" Ted instructed. Brian and Lyn looked at one another. "Um....one thing though," Brian said, blushing. Ted looked at the two, they were both beet red. "Don't say it," he said laughing, "I'd like to think my niece didn't do that out of marriage, but if you must, take it easy." Brian and Lyn both nodded, to embarrassed to even look at him. Ted couldn't help but laugh as he put his things back in his bag. This only caused the two to blush even more. Ted stood up, "OK, I'll be going now. I mean it though, if anything happens, you call me." "We will," Lyn answered. "Thanks," Brian said, staying on the couch as they walked towards the door. "You're welcome," Ted said, then looked at Lyn, "If he has anymore of those symptoms, you call me, I don't care what time it is." She looked at him, concerned, "You're worried about this aren't you?" He nodded, "With his history, there's just to many things it could be." Lyn sighed as she opened the door for him. "I'll come by tomorrow after my evening rounds, OK?" he said. She nodded, "OK, thanks." He hugged her, "Don't worry to much. We'll take care of whatever it is." She nodded, "I'm holding you to that," she laughed. He smiled, walking out the door, "OK honey, see you tomorrow." "Night," Lyn said, closing the door. Chapter 16 |