BlackMail
: : Summary : : Even the best laid plans go awry. Rick's past catches up with him and he is forced to makea decision which could ruin everything.
Jonathan saw Rick off at the stairs and returned to his quarters. He flopped himself into a wicker chair nearby
and drew his whiskey flask from the inside pocket of his jacket, taking a deep swig. It hit the spot well! He
closed his eyes and let his head rest against the back of the chair, allowing his thoughts to spin and settle. This
whole business seemed unimaginable! His emotions raged between worry and anger! Perhaps O'Connell wasn't
the best choice his darling sister could have made. Oh, he certainly seemed the strong and courageous sort,
sweeping her off her feet with his gallantry and winning smile, but his past was another question entirely! If all
he said was true, then he had placed Evelyn in a most terrible situation and, worst of all, he would not be here to
render any type of assistance should the threat become real. Jonathan leaned forward and heavily replaced the
flask onto the sidetable. He did not approve of this, not in any way! In fact, the more time he had to mull things
over, the more he wondered just exactly whom Rick was trying to protect? Was Evelyn really his first concern, or
was he merely trying to save face with her while he finished his final leg of committment to Legion? Either way,
he reasoned that his sister should not be left in such a precarious position. He had his suspicions about what
had been going on between the pair, and if he was correct, and the American was bluffing with this Verdi business,
then he was dog, indeed! He would not stand by and watch as O'Connell spun some ridiculous yarn about a Court
Martial just to tame her anger as he left her behind! For her own good she needed to know exactly what was going
on. It was only fair, after all.!
****
It was obvious he was being followed! As Rick made his way through Cairo he couldn't help but laugh to himself
at the inept spies Verdi had sent to keep track of him. If he'd had the time, he would have made more of an effort to
get them lost or at least lead them the long way round through the back streets and markets. However, time was of
the essence and the stakes were too high. He stopped just inside the entrance of the museum and looked back at
the two young Legionnaires. They made no attempt to disguise themselves and maintained their view of him. Rick
frowned. Maybe they weren't so incapable. The open surveillance was a deliberate act to enforce Verdi's threat!
As he turned to enter the building, he cast a glance about the crowded street in search of the watchers which he
couldn't see!
****
Evelyn sat on the stone step of the library floor feeling utterly defeated. The mess of scattered books had merely
re-invented itself into mess of partially stacked books amid a sea of disaster. The heavy bookcases had at least
been set right, but it took four men a piece to raise them back to their places. As she looked about the room, she
felt the emotion pound in her chest and tears escaped quietly from the corner of her eyes. She removed her glasses to
brush them away. It had finally become too much! The library seemed to stand as testament to the state her life was
in, and she was exhausted. Now, more than ever, she knew herself to be with child and, what's more, alone! Not only
had Rick run at the first sign of an arguement, she was more astounded that she had thrown herself into his arms
the way she did, at all! She placed a smooth hand on her tummy and rubbed slightly, wondering what in God's name
she was going to do.
Replacing her glasses pertly on her face, she turned to stand but fell back on her bottom with complete surprise. "Rick!"
He smiled warmly at her, but her responding glare wiped it completely from his face and concern took over. "Everything
all right?"
Evelyn was caught off her guard and she struggled to hide the mix of emotion in her voice. "Just where, in the name of
all things holy, have you been?!"
Rick stared at her for a moment, not sure if she was pleased to see him, or angry at him. "Nowhere. Well, somewhere..."
he stumbled with his explaination. "But, what's wrong? What's happened?"
"Somewhere! Where exactly?!" Evelyn's anger was coming to the fore and she felt compelled to express it. For two days
her stomach had been tied in knots wondering if he'd deserted her! Now, here he stood, offering pitiful half answers!
"I had some loose ends to tie up with the Legion and it was best I did it alone. Are you all right?"
"I'm perfectly fine, no thanks to you!" Rick wasn't sure what that meant, but couldn't break her flow in order to ask. "I
hope you had a wonderful time with your old friend!"
"Who?"
"I suppose you were drunk, passed out on the floor of some seedy Casbah?!"
His complete look of confusion only infuriated her more.
"Jonathan told me he met up with your old Legion buddy!"
"Oh, did he!"
"Is that who you've been with all this time?" Her voice took on a timid tone for fear of an answer she might not wish
to hear.
"You could say that. But let me tell you, it wasn't all whiskey and poker, that's for sure!"
The lovers stopped in an uncomfortable silence, neither really sure what the other was thinking. It was Evelyn who
broke the awkward stand off when she dropped her gaze and began to move a few books from one pile to another then
back again. It was nothing more than nervous busy work for her hands. Rick stepped forward, placing a gentle grip
on each of her arms, forcing her to stop and look at him. "You've been crying."
"I'm just a bit tired, that's all." It wasn't a full lie, she did feel exhausted, and now probably wasn't the best time to
broach the topic of fatherhood with him, so a half truth would have to suffice. His instense, quizzical stare told her
that he sensed more than she was prepared to offer.
"What's wrong?" His voice was unbearably soft, making it completely difficult to look at him, so she pulled away and
sought a barrier between him by moving to stand behind her desk. He watched, making no effort to stop her. "Evelyn?"
There was no answer, instead she again attempted to occupy herself with shuffling papers and clearing an unnecessary
spot on her desk. His appearance here was totally unexpected and she had no idea of what to say to him. He leaned
over the cluttered desk, placing a hand at either end and repeated his question.
"Don't you think that I should be the one asking that?" Her mood had switched back to one of anger and her
accusations were beginning to resurface. She stood straight, flinging her hands in the air and letting them come to rest
on her hips. "I mean, I'm not the one who stormed out of my room and disappeared for two days!"
"What! Evie, I didn't storm....is that what's bothering you?" It was clear from her arraigned expression that this was
precisely the reason. "I was just...." Rick tried to explain, but his frustation proved too great. This was not what he
had come here for and there was no time for a heated arguement about their sleeping arrangements. All he could think
of was how many of Verdi's men were lurking outside and how he was going to get her back to Jonathan without
causing her to panic. 'Jonathan!' Her brother's face flashed across his mind, 'The conniving....he'll keep!'
He stood to his full height and sighed. "Look, Evelyn, we don't have time for this...."
"Well, you're wrong! We need to discuss this and the sooner, the better! For all concerned!"
He shook his head at her, raising his hands in a display of confusion.
"You need to understand a few things!" She banged her hands on the tabletop in a show of anger.
By now, Rick had moved around the desk and was standing beside her, holding her by the shoulders. She tried in vain
to release herself from his grip, all the while continuing her tirade.
"NO! You need to listen to me!" He was angry now, he needed to make her calm down and listen.
"I'll do no such thing, until...."
He kissed her! Deep and passionately! He welcomed the silence as much as he did her response. For as much as
her stubborn steak may have wanted to resist him, her heart forbid it.
He lifted his head slightly to look at her and removed her glasses. Bringing his hand back to her check, he gently
stoked her soft face and calmed her fears. "I'm not angry about you kicking me out early every morning. I'm happy
just to be near you." He tilted his head to the side and squeezed her lightly until she offered a small giggle in
acceptance. "But right now, I need you to come back to the Fort with me."
"But I can't leave now. I have work to do, and..."
"Leave it!" His demand surprised her, stopping her mid-sentence. "It's not important!"
"Why? What's happening?" She at last became aware of his urgency and it worried her.
"Just come with me now. Quickly. I'll tell you everything once we get there."
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