~*~Singer & The Soldier~*~ By: Ree

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR…MAKING PLANS

IZZY:

It was not the first time she had been beaten since Ferdo had died, nor would it be the last, she thought, as she huddled against the rock at the entrance to her tent and watched while Eduardo’s men cleared the area of every last piece of her meager belongings…Adam’s little bed, the hammocks, blankets, her one extra dress, the few tools for cooking or eating. None of it mattered really, though when they threw Adam’s carefully stored sticks onto the small fire at the entrance she felt a pang of regret. They kicked the pretty stones she had collected from around the camp and had used to teach Adam a bit of geology but none of that mattered now. She risked a glance at the tent pole and smiled briefly when she saw that the ground was undisturbed.

He had been furious about the rescue of the prisoners, made even angrier when she couldn’t hide her smile of joy at the news. He accused her of knowing beforehand of the plans and she saw little point in lying so nodded and received the first blow directly to her face with such force that she lost conciousness for a few minutes.

When she came to it was with Eduardo leaning over her where she had crumpled to the floor, raining blows on her, ripping at her ratty dress until it was in shreds and screaming in anger, his face flushed bright red. Her first thought was that perhaps he would implode and rid the world of himself.

“You deserve nothing!” …a kick to the ribs emphasized his shriek.

“I will have everything taken from your tent!” His belt slid out of the loops on his filthy pants and snaked across her thighs and back, the silver studs embedded in the leather leaving round marks in her tender flesh as it rose and fell again and again.

She had lost track of the rest of his ranting, enduring the beating silently until he grew weary of it and stopped, kicking her legs one final time as he stomped away and instructed the guards to drag her out of his sight.

‘I wonder if Urs knows yet? Had he even been told of my fake death? And Cody…he would have been searching up until they said I was dead, I know how stubborn my brother is…has the word been passed to him as well? I should feel sad that they are free while I’m still here but all I feel is joy…God has been good to us, Sally and Adam…get on with your lives…and don’t be sad for me…I don’t think I’ll last long under Eduardo’s tender care…I just wish that I had been able to see Adam with Urs, to see Urs’ beautiful smile again, just once more.’

A shadow fell over her nearly naked form and she looked up to see Dolores sneering at her, an old blue cotton dress trailing from her hand.

“Cover yourself, Puta! There are patients waiting for you …”

She tossed the dress at Izzy and waited a few seconds before reaching for the chain to the metal collar and tugging sharply.

Izzy struggled into the dress and followed behind, silently wincing when Dolores roughly unlocked the collar at the Infirmary tent-flap and pushed her inside.

She looked at the jumble of patients sitting or standing in the roomy tent, the young medics bustling about trying to cope. The areas of the beating were beginning to protest at her movements, the worse rips in her skin still oozing …later…surely she would be able to find a few moments later to treat her own injuries.

“Constancia…have you charted the patients? Yes? Then show me the most serious injuries…”

**

URS:

The water sluiced over him as he leaned against the tiled wall of the shower, thinking that he had never felt so tired but elated at the same time in his 37 years.

He chuckled as he thought of Cody admitting that he had done very well, secretly wondering at that very moment if he had enough strength left to stand up completely with Adam in his arms. Somehow he had managed, even made it across the sloping lawn to the patio table to sit more or less normally in one of the chairs and down 2 full glasses of OJ in rapid succession.

“You look like you’ve been rode hard and put away wet,” Sally laughed from the safety of Gerd’s lap.

Urs had smiled and glanced at Cody who now was trying to entice Adam into his arms.

“Go sit on Onkle Cody, Adam…he needs to play bouncey for a while.”

Adam obediently transferred over and proceeded to bounce on the big man’s stomach while Urs smirked with satisfaction.

“Ja, he’s a tough Drill Instructor…but I learned a lot…and Carmelita here was a big help.”

The girl had followed them onto the patio and smiled shyly.

“My Papa is coming to pick me up…he should be here soon….will you need me again tomorrow, Senor?”

“Oh yes…we need to see just how much our trainee has actually learned…OOF! …how can you do that, Boy? You weigh as much as a feather but feel like a ton of bricks when you bounce…you’re Papa is going for a shower…are you going with him to make sure he stays awake?”

“Shower!” It was his new favorite thing and he scrambled down from Cody and back to Urs.

So they had gone into the house together, first to the bunk room to shed the extra gear, then up the stairs and into Urs’ bedroom and through to the bath.

The shower had multiple heads so Urs turned on a low one for Adam and sat him underneath, adjusted several others for himself and stepped inside at the other end of the enclosure, no longer embarrassed to be naked in front of his son.

“No sing today?” Adam asked looking way up with a little smile.

“You sing for me…I like to hear your voice.”

Adam thought for a moment then smiled as he began to sing softly.

“Sweetest little fellow
Everybody knows
Don’t know what to call him
But he’s mighty like a Ro-ose.

Looking at his Mama
Eyes are smiling too
Make you think that he-a-a-ven
Is smiling back at you.

When the night is fa-a-alling
When the shadows creeps
Then they come on tip-toe
To kiss him
While he sleeps

Sweetest little fellow
Everybody knows
Don’t know what to call him
But he’s mighty like a Rose.”

Urs had stopped in mid movement, remembering their trip to Harlem and the folk song they had heard there, how Izzy had loved it…..the sponge was motionless against his chest as he stared transfixed down at Adam who was giving his little rubber duckie a bath as he sang. He finished the song and continued to hum, looking up when he had finished bathing the duck.

“Where…who…who taught you that song, Adam? Did Mama sing it for you?” He asked softly, not really trusting his voice and sure of the answer but needing to hear his son say it.

“Yes…Mama’s quiet song in engish…English…like it!”

“Me too,” Urs said and turned away while he controlled his emotions.

**

All shiny clean and dressed in light clothing, they found that Carmelita was gone when they joined the others on the patio for dinner, tonight with a freshly showered Cody reigning supreme over the BBQ and Sally and Gerd ferrying out the rest of the meal that they had insisted on putting together themselves in the kitchen.

Tonight there was a real chair for Adam, one Cody had managed to find somewhere on his travels to meet with officials and much safer than the adult sized chair with slippery pillows that they had used up to now.

They had just finished dessert, a yummy chocolate mousse that Adam managed to get mostly into his mouth even though he kept switching back and forth from left to right hand with his new tool…a spoon. Movement drew his attention, he looked beyond the table and dropped the spoon, the bowl went flying as he struggled to get out of the chair, reaching out for Urs with a look of sheer terror on his blanched white face.

Jorge stood across the table from them, just behind Sally, having appeared as if by magic…and Adam recognized him from the camp.

“Sorry…I didn’t think he would recognize me…he only saw me for a few seconds a couple of times.”

Urs had removed his trembling son from the chair and held him firmly clasped in his arms, the little boy silently crying against his chest.

“Adam, it’s alright, son…when you saw Jorge before he was playing …he’s really a nice man, a good soldier just like Onkle Cody…Jorge is helping us find Mama and bring her here….he was only playing before, Adam, I Promise!”

It took a few minutes to calm the boy but he wouldn’t leave Urs’ lap, peering out with big, wary eyes at the newcomer from behind the arm he had chosen to hide partly behind and holding on with an almost painful grip.

“I just came to tell you that she’s back at Base Camp…I don’t have any other details…my man could only give me the signal that she’s back…and that you have to act soon.”

Later that evening when Urs went into Adam’s room to check on him before going to bed he knew immediately that the boy was awake and distressed. Not that there had been any noise coming from him the few times he had listened at the half open door…that was not the way that Adam had been trained…in fact it was almost eerie the way he cried silently when he was sad or hurt himself playing.

‘I’d give anything for him to let out a howl when he bumps himself or to throw a tantrum or get angry…then I’d know he was healing, getting over the unnatural way he was forced to react while in the camp….I know it will take time but my heart aches for him…’

“Can’t sleep?” he said softly as he knelt down beside the pallet Adam was still most comfortable sleeping on.

“Bad dreams…want Mama here…” the little voice answered with a quiver and Urs felt a stab to his heart.

“Me too…can I sleep here with you for a while?”

Adam held his arms up and Urs lay beside him, taking him partly onto his chest and sharing the pillow.

He sang softly to his son, relieved to feel the little body gradually relax and drift off to exhausted sleep, thinking about Izzy, picturing her at Reve with Adam, until he too fell asleep…and that’s where Cody found him in the morning when the last day of training and planning was about to start.

**

“You already proved to me that you’re strong enough to do this…today I want you to get better with the equipment… take Carmelita down to the river and practice with the sling…when you can do it without tripping yourself then that’s it for the day…we need to go over the plans and get a good night’s sleep…tomorrow, mid afternoon we’ll head out…I already have a heli on standby and all the equipment we’ll need….Jorge couldn’t say anything in front of Adam but it sounds like she’s being mistreated big time… apparently the new leader is a nutcase and may just kill her in a fit of rage…”

“I’m ready…I won’t let either you or Izzy down.”

He worked with Carmelita until he could adjust the sling into place without any effect on his long legged stride, played with Adam for a while, then worked on a list of chores for Gerd and Sally while Adam napped.

He went for a long walk with Cody on the river bank, listening mostly, asking a few questions as Cody went over the plan with him, warning him of just what he could expect to encounter, stressing the need for silence and patience, the need for him to obey without question the guidance of the more seasoned soldier.

After Adam went to bed that night he got on the computer and sent out several e.mails, one to his lawyer back in Luzern that had to be faxed since it needed his signature {that one he had Gerd help him with}, a long one to Mami and another to the Divos via David who was the most computer savy. Almost instantly he received a reply from David…short and to the point… “Our prayers are with you, Buddy…Go get her!!”

He checked on Adam as usual and found him sleeping soundly, with the amazing resilience of children, bouncing back from his scare of the previous day without any obvious stress.

Strangely he felt calm when he eased under the sheet of his own bed, checked that the new Monitor that Sally had found on a shopping trip was on and lay back with his head cushioned on his arms. Everything that could be done to make this venture a success had been done…he had made arrangements to cover any contigencies that might occur if the plans fouled up… now it was up to the two of them to make it work. It was outside his realm of expertise but he knew that if he could keep calm and follow Cody’s lead he could do whatever was necessary.

‘Hang on, Liebe…just one more day and we’ll bring you home…just hang on!’

He rolled to his side, hugging the extra pillow and closed his eyes.

**

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE…AT LAST!!

Adam was sleeping when they left dressed in their jungle gear, just one of those details that Cody had incorporated into the over-all plan.

Urs had put him down for his afternoon nap, taking time to talk with him as he was settling and forewarning him in a casual way that he was going away for a day to look for Mama. For a second the boy looked alarmed and threw himself on Urs chest, burrowing against his father and clamping his little arms around Urs’ neck.

“Whoa…hey little man…Cody and I will only be gone one night and then we’ll be back…I Promise!! Sally and Gerd will be here…Onkle Gerd has something new to show you, something for making music…I think you’ll like it. When I was a very little boy it was the first thing I learned how to use to make music.”

Adam laughed and gave Urs one last hug around the neck then settled back on his pillow.

“Papa is funny…Papa is BIG Boy!”

Urs chuckled.

“Yes, I’m a Big Boy now…but a long time ago I was a little boy, just like you….you don’t have anything to compare with do you? The natural progression from baby to boy to man isn’t something you’re familiar with, living where there were no children…and I’m doing it again… talking to you as if you were an adult.”

He lay down beside Adam and snuggled him, wondering idly what he had ever filled his life with BEFORE he knew he had a son and met him.

“What is it with the Buhler brothers? We fall in love hard but don’t recognize the emotion for what it is, foolishly give it away then spend years searching for it again, for that one special person that fulfills every dream we’ve ever had…I did it, and now it appears that Gerd did it too. He spent 10 long years looking for his Angel…and there she was all the time, working with my Isabella…how bizarre that Izzy and I talked about getting them together at one point and I scoffed at the idea….but then that was back in my dumb-ass days…’

He eased out from under the sleeping boy and kissed his curly head, whispering “Papa loves you, Adam” and then stood to steal from the room and meet with Cody in the bunk room.

Gerd was there too, watching as Cody checked equipment, chuckling as Urs got dressed in his gear with ease.

“You do that as if it was second nature now,” he said waving a hand at the equipment that was being stowed in pockets, checked and clipped on, laced up, domed, all so familiar now that he could do it without thinking.

“I had a tough Drill Instructor,” Urs said with a laugh as he folded and tied a khaki bandana around his forehead and glanced at Cody for approval of his preparations.

“Sally was heading out to be with Adam when he wakes up…she thought he might be a bit upset.”

“Ja…I passed her on the stairs…I told him you have something for making music…and I was wery careful not to mention ‘camps’ when I promised we’d be back…I also didn’t make any mention of bringing Izzy here…didn’t want to get his hopes up, you know.”

He checked the bunk his gear had been on, double checked his equipment and was satisfied, turning to where Cody was patiently waiting.

“Ready…let’s do it!”

**

He understood the scene now, the one you always see in the action movies of the soldiers in the noisy helicopter, each one immersed in their own private thoughts…of home, their loved ones, the upcoming battle. It was impossible to hold a normal conversation inside the craft, the noise was so deafening…and it was important to get into the right head space for what lay ahead.

The jungle below them looked densely packed, impenetrable, dark and foreboding today since he knew that in a short while they would be trying to make their way along paths that were nearly invisible, trying to be as silent as possible to avoid detection by men who would kill them just as easily as most people would swat a fly.

This was not what he had envisioned when Cody first began telling him of the plan to get her out. He had pictured at least a squad going in, all armed to the teeth, himself trying to keep out of the way and aid in some small way. When he learned that there would only be the two of them he had a momentary surge of self doubt. He wasn’t really trained for this kind of work, didn’t know all the little tricks of keeping alive in this kind of situation…lets face it a rescuer who bungles the job is merely another person waiting to become a hostage. He had adjusted his thinking quickly when Cody explained.

“The larger the squad on something like this, the bigger the chance of discovery…we aren’t going on a raid…ideally we should try to accomplish our goal without any shots being fired…I need someone who will follow orders, who is strong and fit, willing to go to any lengths to succeed…I’ve given you a Mac 10 because even a kid can use one and hit something…it shouldn’t be necessary…I’ll take care of anything like that with a nice quiet knife if possible…I need you as a mule, as muscle…and as someone I can count on to do whatever it takes….you have one objective …to get her home…others, like Jorge, are trained, yes, but they would maybe have a different agenda…so you are my first choice, Bird.”

The chopper dipped to the left in a smooth arc and he caught a glimpse of a river below them as they skimmed just above the tree tops and began to follow it.

There were 4 others in the craft, the pilot and co-pilot plus 2 gunners, one in each open door on the sides, alertly scanning the jungle and the river below them, all Columbian Army but like the chopper, bearing no insignia on this unofficial mission.

‘I think that’s when I started to really take this whole thing seriously…when I realized the problems that could arise, not just during the…I can’t think of another word except mission…Gott that makes it sounds so spooky, like spies and stuff…anyway that’s when I thought about all the responsibilites that I have and how they would be affected if something went wrong, if I didn’t make it back with Izzy …or at all….I know it freaked Gerd out when we talked about it, so I guess he was kind of thinking of the whole thing as a lark, not something that could in reality cost me my life….so I can relax…all that stuff is in the hands of my lawyer now, all taken care of…my will, custody of Adam should it come to that, inheritance of Reve, to Adam in trust of course…and I’d like our plans for the chateau to go ahead unless the lawyers think it’s a no-go….Okay Gott, here’s the deal…I’ll do my job to the very best of my ability, but I’d appreciate just a tiny bit of good luck along the way…I know there’s a saying about you not dealing out any more trouble than we can handle, but enough already…and I’ll see that more of the bounty you’ve given me is shared where it’s most needed…Izzy is a good woman, Gott…and you know what a treasure Adam is…haven’t they suffered enough to last a lifetime?... Please…just a little help, that’s all I ask.’

He looked around at the others in the belly of the chopper, almost afraid that he had prayed out loud inadvertently, relieved when he saw that Cody was leaning back with his eyes closed, for all he knew, praying as well and the two gunners were still peering alertly at the ground below.

With a sigh he leaned back and closed his eyes, copying Cody, calm and resolved, ready to get on with it.

**

They landed on a sandy bank of the river, the two men jumped out and stood clear while a deflated Zodiac was heaved out by one of the gunners. Cody stepped to the doorway and reached up for a small radio, passed it to Urs, took a small bundle of some other supplies and they bent low to keep clear of the rotors and run up the sand bar to the edge of the underbrush.

The chopper left, skimming only scant feet off the surface of the river and following it back to safer zones to wait for the call for pickup.

“Leave the radio in the plastic and bury it under that purple flowered bush about 10 feet into the jungle…mark the top with a rock and remember what it looks like…then come back and help me with the Zodiac…we don’t want to be out in the open for too long.”

It didn’t take much time until they had done everything necessary, inflated and launched the craft and began paddling downstream, trying to keep close to the river bank as much as possible.

It was easy going, the current carrying them along and only Urs paddling now and then, more steering than anything, while Cody assumed guard duties, only taking his eyes off the surroundings to glance at his compass and watch regularly.

Half an hour downstream, he spotted the landmark he had been looking for and motioned for Urs to guide them into the shore just before a bend in the river. They beached the raft, hopped out into hip high water to drag it further up under the sheltering brush and rested for a few minutes while Cody scanned the immediate area, looking and listening for sounds of humans nearby.

There would be no more talking now unless it was done mouth to ear…or unless they were discovered and the need for silence was gone.

Urs did his job, hiding the raft in a great pile of branches that he collected from further along the river, always taking from the interior of the bushes so the broken bits wouldn’t be noticeable, just as he had been instructed, arranging them so they looked like a natural tangle, then crouching down nearby to await further duties.

He glanced at his watch/compass, inanely thinking that it was almost as nice a looking timepiece as the expensive ones the whole group had been gifted with after doing a commercial for the company. It was approaching 6, dinner time for some…his stomach tightened, reminding him that he needed sustenance too …he ignored it, not quite eager yet to eat from the pouches of freeze-dried supplies which was all they had with them.

Cody dropped down beside him, gave him the thumbs up for the job with the raft and made the motion that he was ready to head out.

Some psychic skill {or experience} pointed out the hidden trail to the seasoned soldier and he indicated a slight break in the trees as their starting point. They entered the jungle single file, jogging silently away from the river…and towards the camp a couple of hours away.

**
They took turns watching the camp, lying motionless in their vantage spots, ignoring the critters that crept over them, enduring the bites from the insects that obviously hadn’t read the labels on the insecticide and bit them anyway.

Once, a patrol passed within feet of their little mounds of brush and they prepared to be discovered, tensing muscles that only were still moveable from the isometric exercises they had done while laying inert under their leafy cover. The patrol passed without a glance and they went back to watching quietly.

Urs was surprised that he wasn’t more impatient. Was it because he knew just how important it was to be still and to put in the time without letting himself become antsy? He could smell the dampness of the earth just inches under his face, feel the insects exploring, managing to get under the tight fastenings on his pant legs, their tiny legs whispers of movement on his sweaty skin….he had expected this, prepared mentally for it and ignored it…he could endure it, this and so much more for the possibility of getting her home and safe.

When darkness fell, suddenly, as it tends to under the jungle canopy, they dropped their night vision goggles down over camouflage streaked faces, careful not to look too closely at the campfires that would appear as glare, blinding them temporarily. Cody slipped away to refill their water bottles, coming back and slipping into place beside Urs who shook his head slightly…no sign of her…not yet.

Jorge had been so sure…could he have been wrong? Had she again been moved to another camp?

Camp fires had sprung up in front of many of the tents, meals were being cooked, the scent of roasting meats wafted to them, making their mouths water. They eased the dried food packets out of pockets and nibbled, chewing quietly, nourished but unsatisfied.

Cody passed Urs something tiny…a pill…he took it, washing it down with a mouthful of water through the nipple on his bottle….in a few minutes he felt the energy boost…a stay-awake aid he assumed and thought… ’another first…now I’m even doing drugs’…

They could see people moving about the camp, most armed but carrying their weapons casually. Small groups formed, sitting around the campfires, consuming their evening meal, talking, laughing, appearing completely normal if you didn’t notice that machetes and automatic weapons lay within reach.

He smiled as he filled yet another plastic bag with urine and inched it silently under the mound of leaves, thinking how bizarre it was to be saving body waste so carefully, but so necessary…the scent would attract predators and of course they couldn’t walk into camp and ask to use the facilities, though it would be amusing….a little gallows humor that eased the stress of waiting.

During the long hours of watching they had identified some of the tents and lean-to buildings…the store room was sturdier, set apart from the tents and heavily guarded…obviously where the arms or extra munitions were kept, a smaller building next to it seemed to be for supplies, guarded as well but near meal time a steady stream of people had received parcels of food from inside.

The largest tent was, they thought, the infirmary and they watched it carefully since Jorge had said that she spent most of the day in there, attending to the ill or wounded. Once Urs was sure he heard her voice inside and it gave him hope.

It had been situated near the swiftly moving river, a large campfire had been built on the rocky bank and a steady stream of people were going back and forth to bathe in the shallow pool where the water bubbled over a few large rocks. Occasionally someone would come out of the tent with a fresh dressing on injuries, the bandaging crisp and clean. Several times a stretcher was taken inside the tent, the bearers returning with a folded stretcher after a few minutes, once with the occupant still laying on the canvas but now covered with a bloody rag over his face.

The camp was quieting when at last two guards pushed a small figure out of the infirmary tent, one holding a chain that had a round collar, open, hanging from it.

Izzy!

**

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX…STEP ONE…the Snatch

It was difficult to really see her in the reflected light of the fires but it was definitely her…cruelly thin, her hair long and held back with a strip of cloth, a ragged shirt on as a smock over what appeared to be a baggy calf length dress, of some dark color.

She slipped the smock off and hung it on a hook by the door, then lifted her hair off the nape of her neck while the guard placed the metal collar around her throat and snapped the lock closed.

Urs felt his stomach tighten as he watched…his heart was pounding so loud and fast he was sure that it could be heard across the intervening space…he tried to force his eyes away from her, to focus on something else, anything else, anything that would restore the calm he needed right now… “PAIN can be your friend!” …a phrase that Cody had mentioned during their training run, something he hadn’t understood until now came to him…of course…he schooled himself to shut his feelings down and concentrated on the painful blisters on his heels, the itch of dozens, maybe hundreds of bug bites, pressed his palm with the cut from a thorny branch hard against the stone just under it on the ground and felt the wound open again, the sharp stab of the stone giving him a jolt of pain…he felt his heart beat ease somewhat and his mind calm. It worked, Danke Gott…it wouldn’t do to lose patience now.

There was a discussion, Izzy motioning towards the river and the guards shaking their heads…she insisted, holding her hands out, turning them over to show the other side, obviously demonstrating that she needed to wash. She held one bare leg out, then the other…the guards laughed and one took the chain leading to her collar in his hand and tugged her towards the river.

She left her dress on, blue they saw when she passed the beach fire but very old and shabby, and entered the water, going as far as the chain would allow and washing herself, submerging completely until the guard tugged her back up, then scrubbing with a handful of sand she had scooped off the bottom, rinsing and after another few minutes responding when they tugged her, reeling the chain back in to force her out of the water.

She walked slowly behind them as they led her back through the camp, squeezing the water from her dress and hair, head down, every line of her body dejected, tired, limping slightly as if her bare feet or legs hurt her.

Jorge had been right….the small enclosure more or less beside the infirmary but set back in a bit, the one with the large boulder at the entrance, with an iron rung embedded in the top and no warming fire in front…that was where she was kept at night.

The guard clipped her chain to the metal ring, locking it securely, said something and laughed, then he and his partner left.

They had been there long enough in the fading daylight hours to know that the enclosure contained nothing…no bed, not even a pallet on the hard ground, no bundle of clothing or food, just the walls and a roof made from carelessly woven tree fronds, walnut sized pebbles strewn about and just to one side a pit dug in the ground that was likely the primitive toilet. There were signs that something had been removed from the shelter recently, gouges in the dirt floor as if something had been dragged, but just what it was impossible to tell.

Sally had said that they were treated fairly decently…this was decent? But then she also said that since the death of their protector, Ferdo, the leader who had simply worn out his heart over the years of turmoil and rebellion, that things were becoming different…the second in command was much younger, a violent man who had lusted after Izzy during his predecessor’s reign and wasted no time in assaulting her when the old man had died…Sally skimmed over what had been done but the little she said had made the men want to rip this Eduardo to shreds ….it was also possible that Izzy and any remaining hostages were now being punished for the successful escape, that could explain the empty tent.

A woman approached, carrying a plastic water bottle and a small bowl. She laughed as she placed them both outside the enclosure and the two watching men could clearly see Izzy sigh as the woman left, laughing over some private joke.

She waited until the woman was out of sight then reached behind the rock and retrieved a thin stick, about 3 feet long, went to the end of her chain and knelt on the dusty ground.

If the woman delivering the food had planned to torment the captive it was an old torture that no longer worked. The food and water had been placed just out of reach of her arm when she was chained…but with the stick she could carefully inch it closer until her stretching fingers could grasp the bottle or the rim of the bowl.

Urs ached to go to her, to move the food into her shaking hands, to empty his pockets of the bland but nutritious food he had brought with him…but mostly to touch her, to hold her close, to defend her against the deprivation he was watching…and to get that blasted collar off her tender throat! But he kept still, biding his time, intent on having this attempt succeed.

Very carefully she inched the bowl and bottle closer, successfully reached both items, replaced the stick behind the rock and sat cross legged to eat whatever was in the bowl, dipping her fingers into it and eating slowly as if to make it last. She drank a good mouthful of the water, recapped the bottle and leaned against the stone with her legs drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around them and head on her knees….and within seconds was asleep.

**

Before they had been sure she was here the waiting had been difficult…now it was agonizing.

Urs felt Cody’s hand inch closer and grasp his arm in a tight grip meant to give him courage. He knew that the big man was suffering as well, wanting to dash in to the clearing and rip the chain from around her throat, to throw her over his shoulder and blast anyone in the way as he tried to escape back into the jungle…and they both knew how foolish such an action would be.

Just as they had meticulously planned, stealth and quiet was the key to achieving their goal without resorting to blood-shed… blood that could just as easily be theirs or in a worse case scenario, Izzy’s.

He watched her sleeping, wondering what she was thinking, if she dreamt or if she was too exhausted. She looked so thin, and pale…understandable if the meager meal she had been given was an indication of how she had been fed…now that she was closer they could see the bruising, on her legs and arms, a large mark on her cheek that was probably a punch, the discoloration standing out plainly against her very pale skin… of course she was pale… spending most of your time under the dense canopy of the thick jungle would not be conducive to tanning.

An hour passed, then two. She whimpered in her sleep now and then but otherwise didn’t move, not even changing position. The camp quieted, the fires dying down to embers as people crept into their shelters and went to sleep. A few guards still patrolled the perimeter of the camp in a desultory fashion, smoking, their weapons held casually over a shoulder. The woman who had delivered the meal came back, scowled when she saw the empty bowl and collected it, muttering something incomprehensible, dropping a piece of ragged blanket near Izzy and kicking out at her legs when she received no response from the sleeping woman at first.

Izzy raised her head, giving no indication of any pain from the blow and smiled, softly said something as she clutched the blanket to her side and, as soon as the woman stomped away, spread the skimpy blanket over herself and lowered her head to her ams again.

Another hour they waited, timing the rotations of the guards, watching for any roaming dogs that might raise an alarm, their night vision goggles now in place since there were few fires left to provide glare.

At last Cody gave the silent signal and they rose to their feet, curbing their urge to rush and allowing their bodies to accustom to being upright again. After a few minutes of watching carefully, they began to move forward, keeping to the cover of the underbrush as long as possible, moving slowly, with stealth, watching for movement.

Cody signaled that someone was coming and they froze, closer but still sheltered by the overhanging trees.

By the anchoring rock Izzy heard the heavy footfalls. She seemed to recognize the approaching person, a man by the build. She was not happy to see him coming and rose to her feet to stand rigid with tension waiting for him to arrive.

“What do you want, Eduardo?” she challenged the man as he stopped just before reaching her.

“You know what I want, Chiquita…come in the hut and we will talk…did you miss me while I was away today?...I hurried back just to be with you…come…My sweet Dolores has the headache and took some pills…she sleeps…I may be persuaded to give you back your supplies and hammock if you are nice to me.”

“I like sleeping on the ground.”

The man took a step closer and the two watching men tensed, unable to assist and defeat their carefully laid plan.

“Perhaps you need to be whipped again…or is it that you like your man to be rough with you? I enjoyed using you like a doggy …did you like it? Did you miss it while you were at the other camp? Perhaps this time you would like to taste what I have for you…”

They could see her hands curl into fists as Eduardo took another step closer, suggestively fondling his groin through his stained pants.

“You disgust me, you pig! Rape is not making love! And you are not my man…you are nothing like him. You made a big mistake letting my son go, Eduardo…my pain means nothing … you will get nothing from me without a fight now that my son is safe….and if you put that filthy little prick in my mouth I’ll bite it off and then watch as you bleed to death!”

“My men will shoot you!”

“I don’t care…Adam is safe with his father now…my life is over!”

Eduardo reached for her and she backed away to the end of her chain.

Under the trees Urs took a step forward silently, unable to remain safe and watch her being raped or beaten, but Cody grasped his arm in a viselike grip, his long knife ready in his other hand… he nodded his head in the direction of the camp where a woman was running towards the couple facing off by the stump, the same woman who had brought the food and the blanket.

“PUTA!” she screamed, not slowing at all as she threw herself on Izzy, grabbing the chain with one hand and flailing at her face with the other.

Izzy sank to the ground, shielding her head and face from the blows, gasping as the collar cut off her air but accepting the beating without fighting back.

Eduardo wrapped his arms around the shrieking woman, kissing her on the neck and crooning soothingly to her as he tried to calm her.

“Dolores…my love…seeing you defend my honor makes me so hot…I was just talking to the whore and she came on to me…and to think I was feeling sorry we took away her shoes and supplies…*****!...you will continue to sleep on the ground like the animal you are….come my love, my beauty…I have a hunger to hold you close.”

The two rebels headed back to their tent, the woman clearly angry at him with her arms crossed over her breasts and Eduardo trying to soothe her with sweet talk.

Izzy sighed and unfolded herself from the ground, coughing a bit from the stress to her throat. She crawled behind the stump and covered herself with the blanket, seeking rest and sure now that Eduardo wouldn’t be back…tonight.

Urs and Cody relaxed now that the arrival of Dolores had diffused a nasty situation, both relieved that it hadn’t got out of hand and forced them to move too soon….and that Izzy had been spared anything more than a few blows from an enraged woman.

They waited, 20 minutes, then half an hour, long enough for the anger that had made Urs’ body shake to settle and at last Cody gave the signal again, hoping that exhaustion had lulled Izzy into sleep. If this was to work they had to move soon.

There was no cover for the last 20 feet. Urs crouched low, waiting for his signal, when it came, dashing soundlessly to the shelter of the rock she was chained to and crouching behind it in semi-safety for a moment.

Cody was on guard, his agreed job in this part of the plan. He gave the all clear signal and began his dash to join Urs, moving past himlike a shadow and into the enclosure, positioning himself so he could watch the encampment. Urs moved inside, stopping to crouch next to her sleeping form, this woman he wanted to gather into his arms and never let go, his woman who had been raped, possibly many times by the bastard who had tried again tonight. He shut that thought out of his mind for now and thought about how he would like to cradle her against his chest and keep her safe.

Bad idea!! She would struggle or cry out, thinking Eduardo was back, alerting the camp and then what? Would they have to leave her, run for their lives? Not likely…neither of them would leave her behind, not now, not when success was so close.

Quietly, carefully he reached out one strong hand…then swiftly clamped it hard over her mouth, thrusting his torso heavily on her frail body to hold her in place.

Instantly she struggled, tried to bite him, tried to wiggle out from under his heavy body and he ground his face tight to her head, ripping off his night vision goggles, then capturing one flailing arm and the hand that was trying to reach his eyes…it was no contest…she was weak, not like the woman he remembered and he knew he hurt her, had to not think about what he was doing to her…he tightened his grip and pushed against her, forcing her head still by pinning it with his until he was close enough to whisper against her ear…

“Liebeling…be still!”

She froze in place, all resistance gone completely….even without the goggles he could see her eyes get big and shiny. He eased the hand over her mouth slightly, pressing two fingers against her lips for silence when he felt them move to speak.

She nodded, understanding at least some of what was happening, flinching when she saw movement as Cody came closer but relaxing when she recognized him instantly, her brother in a uniform someone she recognized easily.

Urs sat up, moved to the doorway where Cody continued to scan the camp for movement and reached in the pack on Cody’s back to produce heavy bolt cutters. Carefully he lay the chain along the ground to lessen the noise, then cut it as close as possible to the collar around her neck. That done, the cutters went back and he helped Izzy to sit up, crouching down with his back to her and, turning his head, he reached over his shoulder, patting his upper back.

He saw her shaking her head and watched as she crouched and scurried across the dirt floor to begin digging with frantic fingers at the base of the tent pole. Whatever was so important slipped into her hands and she came back to him, tucking something into his inner vest pocket then moving up onto his back, sliding her thin legs around his waist and her arms over his shoulders, clasping the front of his vest firmly.

‘Mein gott, she weighs nothing, even less than Carmelita,’ he thought as he stood easily and nodded to Cody that they were ready.

Cody shook his head, reaching to the ground and scooping up the night goggles that Urs had forgotten.

Once they were back on, he approached the couple, shaking his head again. He reached into one of many pockets for a flat tin of the camouflage paint they had used on themselves and streaked Izzy’s legs, arms and face…all that ashy grey/white skin would be a dead give away for anyone chasing them.

He patted Izzy on the head, the only tenderness he could allow himself at the moment.

Now they were ready.

**

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN…FLIGHT

The urge was to run but of course that was too noisy and too fast to be really observant. They leapfrogged each other, Urs with his beloved burden only moving forward when he was allowed by the trained man who checked the trail, then motioned them forward, falling back to check for pursuers, moving ahead again to lead them further from the camp. Once they froze at Cody’s signal, keeping tight to a handy tree, almost not breathing as a patrol passed within several feet of them, the three men heading back to camp unaware that Death had been waiting for a sign that they had been spotted…the rebels went on, chatting quietly among themselves…when their voices faded, Cody gave the signal to move forward again and they could breathe normally once more.

Branches slapped at them, some caught by hands that grasped silently to avoid any rustling sound of their passage. Izzy tucked her face into the curve of Urs’ neck after the first few times of getting slapped by damp leaves and the odd thorny branch. He schooled himself not to think of her warm breath against his neck and hair… ‘Later, think of how it feels later’ became his mantra as he carried her further and further from her prison, conscious of her breasts against his back, the way she clung to him, limpet like but trying to focus on the job at hand, the stealthy footsteps, obeying the signals from their leader, listening for any sounds of danger in the surrounding jungle.

They saw the signal to stop and Urs crouched…ahead of them Cody watched as a very large snake slithered across the path and disappeared into the brush, ignoring the man who stood ready to defend his charges with a wicked looking long knife if the reptile changed his course, the same knife he had been prepared to use on Eduardo if necessary.

They went on, once hearing movement in the dense jungle but not seeing anything as they quickened their pace slightly…some nocturnal predator likely, something that either didn’t scent them or thought they were too big to tackle.

Finally, when Cody decided they were far enough from the encampment he gave the signal to jog and led the way, still alert, still carefully checking behind them now and then, moving his charges closer and closer to the Zodiac that they had stowed in the under brush at the river’s edge.

Urs now had transferred his hands to Izzy’s wrists. After the first half hour he had felt her strength fading, her grip around his shoulders weakening, even her legs around his waist beginning to lose their vise like grip. Without slowing his pumping legs he carefully held her boney wrists with one hand and unzipped a pocket on his vest to remove the folded piece of thin but very strong cloth. He passéd it around his body, under her bottom, bringing the end to the front and making a sling, much like a mother would use for a baby but this one larger, for an adult sized body. He clipped it in the front of his chest, reached back and found the trailing straps with clips and brought them over her body and his shoulders to clip to rings just below his shoulder blades, all the practicing he had done with little Carmelita had paid off and the whole procedure was done smoothly, without slowing down. He felt her relax into the sling and brought her hands up to his lips to kiss them lightly, then released them to lay on his shoulders.

Her head was still tucked against his neck and he squeezed her hand when he heard a very tiny whispered ‘Danke’, then moments later one word… ‘Adam?’

He turned his head and let his lips rest against her cheek, whispering ‘Amazing’ and kissing her lightly.

Cody called for a break when they had been at it for nearly 2 hours, motioning them to halt and offering water to Urs and Izzy, even offering to assume the ‘mule’ duty but Urs refused emphatically. They still were in silent mode, observing the unwritten rule that sound carries in the jungle and silence was golden.

After only a 5 minute rest they went on, the river not far now, though that merely meant changing their mode of transport. The two men would now have to battle the current in the inflatable, using paddles since even the smallest motor would be too noisy.

Forty-five minutes later they came to a halt and Urs rested once more, releasing Izzy off his back to sit on the ground beside him while Cody scouted the area around the hidden craft.

She watched Urs, armed now and scanning the area as he guarded their position. It seemed like a dream that he was here…and with Cody…somehow she wasn’t surprised, not really, to see her brother on this sort of mission, but Urs? How had he managed to convince Cody that he could do this? How did they know where she was or that she was even still living? She was fully aware of the subterfuge that Eduardo had planned, the photo of her unconcious, the ashes of that poor woman who had died…..

‘Of course they knew…Sally and Jorge told them, you fool…Mein Gott am I that far gone that I can’t even work things out in a logical manner?’

Silently she waited, letting them make the decisions, rubbing her numb legs and arms to get the circulation moving again, her mind whirling with questions that she couldn’t ask, not yet, not when they had to keep silent, watching Urs as he constantly scanned the surrounding area from the shadows of a large tree, the Mac 10 now ready in his hands.

In ten minutes Cody was back and the two men muscled the Zodiac out of it’s mound of underbrush, carrying it to the edge of the river and dropping their equipment inside.

Between them they managed to cut the heavy lock on the collar still around her neck and remove that final symbol of her captivity. Cody handed the collar to her with a half smile and a raised brow, grinning when she threw it as hard as she could into the jungle underbrush.

Urs shook out a thick grey blanket, careful just in case some nasty bug had decided it would make a nice nest, wrapped Izzy in it like a cocooned baby and placed her in the craft on the floor, stealing a quick kiss on her brow and a gentle hug. Without further preparations they launched, one on each side, levering themselves out of the hip high water and kneeling to attack the current immediately as they began to be swept downstream.

Urs was on one knee, straddling Izzy’s recumbent form in the small craft, digging the paddle deep in the water in sync with the rhythm that Cody had established in the prow of the boat. It was light and very buoyant, skimming across the water, making excellent headway against the current. Every ten minutes Cody signaled to change sides, easing the stress on the dominate arm or bent knee.

Time passed, sweat poured off the two men, the miles sped by…Izzy dozed, keeping still, not interfering with the massive test of strength these two were expending. Several times she woke to look up at Urs who was straddling her hips, his face showing the effort he was putting out physically as he dug the paddle in, keeping pace with the superior strength of his partner in this venture…he was real…this wasn’t one of her lovely dreams…she sighed and let herself drift away into exhausted sleep once more.

She woke with a start when the rubberized bottom scraped against a sandy ledge and the two men unwound their cramped legs to enter the water and pull the craft the rest of the way onto the sand, then into the underbrush.

“I’ll radio for the chopper…” Cody said in a soft voice, the first time he had spoken for hours. “Welcome back, Freckles.”

He reached in the beached craft and lifted her out, still wrapped in the blanket and allowed himself a moment to hug her gently and kiss the top of her messy hair before passing her off to Urs and disappearing into the underbrush.

“Adam? Is he alright?”

“He’s wonderful,” Urs whispered as he lay her on the ground and unwrapped her. “I take him to the yard to play every day…we created a beautiful son, Liebe.”

She began crying and he folded her into his arms, making hushing sounds against the top of her head.

“Urs, what are you doing here?”

He hugged her tighter and murmured softly.

“I love you…I came to bring you home…now be quiet…we aren’t out of danger yet.”

She nestled closer to his chest, not caring that he smelled sweaty and dirty from his hours of watching the camp, carrying her through miles of jungle, paddling the boat up the river….not even minding his bossy attitude, just enjoying the feeling of safety she felt being in his strong arms and thinking of the words that filled her mind…he had said it…after all this time, he had finally admitted that he loved her. She would deal with everything else after she had finished having a good cry.

Cody came back, carrying the small radio and still talking on the handset. He replaced it on the clip and motioned to Urs.

“Twelve minutes…we’ll have to hurry with the raft…no point in leaving it for the rebels.”

The two men worked together, rapidly deflating the raft, folding it up around the supplies they didn’t need now and affixing the wide canvas straps in place to form a bundle that could be easily handled.

Just as they finished, the sound of rotors came across the water to them and the heli swirled into view around the bend in the river, the landing lights off even though it was just barely false dawn, gently touching down partly on the small beach.

Izzy had struggled to her feet when she heard it coming and when Urs stretched his hand out to her they hurried to the doorway so he could grasp her waist and lift her up to the waiting hands of one of the gunners.

In less than a minute they had loaded the raft into the storage area, both men had leapt aboard and the heli was lifting off again, staying only a few feet above the water again as it turned in an arc and sped north along the river to safety.

She was shaking violently, from nerves, the chill of morning and the fact that the bottom of the raft had been wet from the dripping men and the splash of the paddles.

Urs removed some of his gear and his shirt, draping it around her shoulders and nestling her against his chest for warmth. She leaned back against him, her hands on his arms that were around her and watched the jungle out the open doors, speech impossible in the noisy craft, difficult anyway since she had too many questions to ask and too much emotion jumbling her thoughts.

The first real rays of dawn were breaking over the tops of the trees, making the fronds sparkle with a silvery green, waking the avians from their long night of rest so that they took to the air, going out in the never-ending search for food.

It was a familiar scene to her now, one she had seen every morning for over two years, heralding the start of another day of captivity, of work, of starvation…and lately, of depravity.

She turned her eyes away from the sight of the morning mist coming off the river and tried to accept that as the past…it was over…there was no changing the past though it would always be in her memory. Now was the time to get on with life.

He loved her…how much? Enough to be able to live with the changed person she was, a person with emotional and physical baggage? He came to bring her home…to what?...to her small apartments in Toronto and NY, or to be part of his life?....was the waiting, the longing, the torment really over? …did he want her? Or did he think he had to take care of her because of Adam?

She groaned and he tightened his arms around her, looking down at her sad eyes and mouthing words that she didn’t quite get with her vision blurred by the tears that she had held in for so long and now couldn’t stop.

**

‘She’s different…I’ve never seen her so close to being defeated…and I can’t let her continue to feel this way…we have a future now, Love, a wonderful future and I refuse to let you wallow in the past…inside you are still the same, I feel it, just as surely as I feel that you still love me even though there hasn’t been time for you to say it…does this all seem like a dream to you? …are you afraid you’re going to wake up and still be in that terrible place?...I had planned on being patient with you, letting you adjust gradually but I think now that I was wrong…you are going to need a gentle push, to talk about what happened and lay it to rest, to make plans for our future…moving forward may be frightening but I’ll be there for you to lean on, to keep you safe, to love you every step of the way…and this time you will have no doubts about how much I love you.’

He leaned forward and gently kissed her on the neck, leaving his mouth there, humming and smiling when he felt her sigh with pleasure, then drift off to sleep.

Cody watched them as they napped off and on during the hours of the flight, trying not to be obvious but unconcerned when he saw that neither was even really remembering that he was there.

He smiled, in a perverse way happy that they were so wrapped up in each other that his presence was secondary. The important thing was that his beloved sister was free, able now to get on with her life, whatever she choose for that to be. Would it be with the Swiss man he had come to like and respect over the past year?...It was hard to say. Their relationship had been intense before the separation but both had changed…had they grown too far apart to move forward together?

He studied Urs face, the love and relief evident in the amber eyes, in the way he looked at Freckles, the tenderness in the hands that stroked the dry skin of her bruised arms.

Even in the past year he had seen changes in this new friend, more maturity, more patience, an aura of stoic strength that he had been able to call upon to complete his role in the successful rescue of this woman they both loved, albeit in different ways. He would need all of those qualities to deal with the demands of helping her return to a normal rhythm of life.

He looked out the open side of the heli, not guarded now that they were back in friendly territory, the two gunners perched on the edge, leaning on the frame with their heavy weapons now slung over shoulders.

There were houses below them now as they skirted the suburbs around Bogota, coming at the casa from the east in a long arc that placed them above the meandering river that would lead to the landing pad below the bluff, on the river bank.

He leaned over and tapped Urs on the arm, pointing down.

Urs nodded and placed his lips close to Izzy’s ear.

“We’re almost there,” he said and she turned her face to him, unable to decipher what he was saying in the noisy craft until he gestured out the door at the sprawling property they could see below.

People were coming out of the house, one of them holding a very small person in his arms and pointing upwards.

He saw her mouth form the name of their son and felt his heart lurch at the love that suffused her face.

By the time they had come to a stop on the sandy beach Gerd and Sally were halfway down the path from the top, Gerd carrying a very excited little boy who was clapping his hands, not aware yet that not only was his Papa and Onkle onboard this amazing contraption but his Mama as well.

Urs leapt out of the open door and reached back for her, sweeping her into his arms and turning to begin walking up the sand towards the small group.

“ADAM!...Put me down, Urs….” Izzy screamed then whispered, not trusting her voice at the moment.

He stood her on her sore feet but she sank to her knees as Gerd put Adam down and he churned his little legs as fast as they would go to propel him into his Mama’s arms.

“Mama!...my Mama…Papa said Maybe…Good boy Papa!….good boy Tio Cody!!”

He climbed on her, nearly knocking her over in his excitement, hugged her around the neck until she could barely breathe then put his little hands on her face and stared intently in her eyes.

“No more camps, Mama? Papa say no more camps! He Promised!”

“No more camps, Adam…I Promise too!”

It was chaos for a few minutes as the heli left, raising a spray of sand that everyone had to shelter from, Sally and Izzy hugged and cried, Gerd welcomed them all back and tried to be gentle when he hugged Izzy, then Adam insisted on kissing both of the returning men and was swung onto Cody’s shoulders for a ride up the bluff while Urs carried Izzy.

“We were too nervous to bother with breakfast…except for the munchkin who didn’t know what was going on…” Sally said, walking beside Urs and Izzy with Gerd beside her holding her hand. “You want breakfast first or a shower? Personally if you can wait, I vote for the shower…you lot are rather pungent!”

She laughed, so happy that her friend was now free that she felt like screaming with laughter but was trying to keep it down to a huge grin.

“What’s this?” Izzy said with a smile, nodding her head at the clasped hands of her friend and Urs’ brother. “Is it a family trait to work so fast?”

Sally giggled and Gerd freed his hand to put his arm around her shoulder.

“You have a lot of catching up to do, Bella…as soon as you’ve showered. It’s a long story…and old…10 years old.”

They stopped on the patio for a frosty glass of juice then managed to convince Adam that he didn’t need another shower already, that Onkle Gerd would help him get his books ready for later so he could show Mama how well he knew his letters….the adults left the big and little boy sorting out the toys and went in the house for much needed and desired showers.

**

CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT….Urs takes charge

“This is our room,” Urs said as he carried Izzy up to a heavy wooden door and freed one hand briefly to turn the handle.

He felt her tense, her muscles contracting and her head coming off his shoulder to turn away so he couldn’t see her eyes.

He pushed the door shut with his foot, his mind whirling, trying to think of the best way to handle what he now knew was too much, too soon for her. Carefully he crossed the room to the big easy chair that was situated so the occupant could look out into the garden and placed her in it, crouching in front of her and taking her icy cold hands in his.

“I’m sorry…I’m rushing you…it’s just that I’m so happy that we were successful, that you’re back with Adam, with us, with me…I love you, my little Bella, with every ounce of my being…yes, I love Adam too but more than anything I love YOU…I was a fool to not admit it before and save us from going through this past two years of being apart, to save you from what you’ve had to endure….you need time to get accustomed to being free, to heal your body and your mind…I’ll wait as long as it takes…just don’t shut me out completely…let me take care of you, be there for you as I haven’t been up to now…let me show you how much I love you…”

She was crying again, silently, the tears pouring down her cheeks and he reached up to gently brush them away with his fingertips.

“I’m tired, Urs…tired of being strong, of making all the decisions, of being used with no consideration of how I feel as a living, breathing person…when you and Cody came for me…was that only last night?...I was ready to die…I couldn’t face the empty life that lay ahead of me…I had lost my self…without you, without Adam…it was like I no longer existed…now I don’t know who to be, how to find ME again…and it terrifies me to think that I might not be able to be the woman you think you love, the woman I was before…”

“Then let me be strong for both of us, Liebe…I love you, the person you are deep inside…a very wise woman once told me that we can not change the past, we can just try to make the best possible future…we’ll build a wonderful future, Liebeling, on the ashes of the past…we’ll let what has happened in our lives be a strong foundation to build on, to not make the same mistakes …all it will take is love and time…and we have those…trust me, lean on me…let me help you.”

She shuddered and looked up, meeting his eyes at last and smiling gently as she reached out and touched his wildly curling, very short hair.

“Urs…what have you done? Your lovely hair is gone.”

He chuckled and ran his hand through what was left of his hair.

“Another mistake I won’t make again…I got so depressed I hacked it all off…it will grow.”

“Urs….I’m afraid…afraid that we won’t be able to get back what we had…”

He put his long fingers over her lips and smiled.

“Hush, Woman…we can’t get BACK something that was never lost…what we had before was wonderful, too wonderful to die so easily…it will only be better now that we’ve both changed a bit, grown…”

“We can’t even share our bodies, not now, not until I have some tests done…Urs, I…he…Eduardo…”

“I know, Love….we were in the bushes when he came to…well we won’t go into that now…we heard the argument, saw that woman come and drag him away just in time…I’d give anything if you had been spared that…this time we’ll wait and just enjoy being together until you’re ready, however long that takes. Now come and let me wash your back…and I need you to put gunk on all the bug bites that are driving me crazy…”

She half smiled and struggled to her feet, reached in his pocket for the treasure she had dug up from below the tent pole and held the little leather bag in her hand for a moment then dumped the contents out into her palm.

The sodalite pendant lay there, glinting softly in the subdued lighting of the room, the chain in several pieces.

“I managed to hide it before they took everything else…I’m sorry but the chain is broken.”

“I wondered what it was…we can replace the chain, Love…and we will…it’s a symbol now of another new beginning for us.”

She smiled softly and lay the pendant on the dresser, slipping the ratty dress off her shoulders and holding it around her thin body as she headed into the bathroom.

Fortunately her back was to him and she couldn’t see the pain on his face as he saw the marks from the studded belt across her back and thighs but she did hear his sharply indrawn breath and glanced up at him in time to see the anger that followed.

“What is it?”

“We should have killed him…we nearly did when we heard you arguing and we should have done it…” He shook himself and tried to switch the subject. “I have a suggestion for you, a change of career, something that I think you might like. It will mean leaving the UN job but hear me out before you reject it.”

So they showered and talked, doctored each other and by the time they had finished with all the lacerations and bug bites, dried and returned to the bedroom he had seen the first glimmer of enthusiasm for the future in her eyes.

**

Both were wrapped in large soft towels when Izzy picked the nasty blue dress up off the floor and looked at it with distaste.

“It’s a shame to be so clean for once and to smell so good and have to put this thing on. I’ll have to straighten out my finances so I can shop soon, Urs, just some basics.”

He took the dress from her and grinned.

“No worrying about unimportant things like money, Liebe… you could use something from here…” He opened the closet to reveal what had been on the list he left with Sally…a colorful display of dresses, short and top sets, slacks and cotton shirts, some folded jeans and tees on a handy shelf, soft shoes on the floor below…he pulled a drawer open in the dresser and lifted out lacy bra and panty sets, some in the pastel green she liked and sleepwear folded neatly next to it, even bottles of Angel and Escada perfumes on the dresser top.

“Sally knew what sizes to get now so I just got the basics since I plan on fattening you up gradually…and getting you back in the gym….remember I said I want to take care of you.”

Izzy laughed as he dropped the old dress in the wastebasket.

“How could I have forgotten that logical Swiss mind? I should have realized how thorough you would be when I saw the new toothbrush and my favorite bath gel and shampoo… Thank you Urs…that was very thoughtful of you…and a very positive thing to do…you must have really been determined to get me home.”

He cupped her sweet face in his hands and brushed his lips over hers gently.

“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”

**

They went back to the patio for breakfast, Izzy in a crisp white blouse and belted bright green skirt, soft flat shoes on her feet, her still long hair tied back with a green scarf, Urs out of the fatigues and back in tan shorts and a rust tank, his swim suit on underneath since he planned on taking Adam swimming later.

Izzy toyed with the muesli and yogurt, drank some juice and ate one triangle of toast before calling it quits…Urs had joined the others in devouring stacks of pancakes, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs, sharing some of his bacon with Adam when he came back to the table to hug his Mama again.

“Bacon…come from pig…P-I-G…look funny, Mama.”

“Yes, they do…do you have a picture in your new books that Onkle Cody bought you?”

“Yes…Onkle Cody is good soldier…belly jiggles when he laughs.”

He wiggled down off her lap and raced back to his play area.

“It’s nice to see him eating more…it’s only a few days and already he’s filling out a bit.”

“He really likes chocolate milk,” Urs said with a grin and got a glimpse of the old Izzy when she replied.

“I might have known you would be spoiling him already… does he also like Toblerone?”

He tried to look sheepish but failed.

“I ran out, only had a half a bar in my pocket…and they don’t sell it here…but Lindt, dark, was a big hit.”

She burst into laughter rather than chastising him, not aware that Adam looked up at the loud noise and became agitated.

Shortly after, the little boy slipped into the house, to use the bano they thought and a few minutes later Urs was just going to go look for him when he came back out lugging something in a plastic grocery bag.

He went straight through to the flower bed at the far side of the patio and began digging in the soft soil at the base of the bougainvillea.

“What is he up to?” Gerd asked but no one had an answer and they went on with talking about the project for Reve that had everyone so intrigued.

“How did you come up with this idea, Urs?” Izzy asked and he smiled that sweet little boy smile she remembered.

“I didn’t want you to keep working with the UN and tried to think of something that would be challenging enough for that quick mind of yours…and all of a sudden it fell into place…the officer that needed a place to relax and recover, the chateau with all those rooms and the property, the peace of the area…what better place to have a rehab center for people who need to be out of the public eye while they recover…and to have a doctor and nursing staff available …it was like a godsend when you mentioned about Sally being good at administration and then Gerd seemed slated for management work…everything fit. Cody has approached General Haggerty about it and he’s very enthused…sometimes things just kind of fall into place. I should have mentioned it to you when I first thought of it…would have solved a lot of problems.”

Izzy looked at him with a wry smile.

“And there I was secretly thinking about leaving the military so I could be with you…what a couple of dumb-asses we were.” She laughed again and this time Adam came over and climbed on her lap, looking very solemn, putting his hand over her mouth and softly saying ‘Shhhh’.

Thinking to distract the little boy from whatever was upsetting him Cody asked what game he had been playing under the shrubs.

Adam just stared at him, his eyes welling with silent tears.

Urs became alarmed and rose to investigate.

Adam wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck weeping quietly now, very frightened.

Urs came back with the grocery bag he had unearthed and pulled out his silver studded belt.

There was silence around the table until Urs crouched in front of the boy and reached out to take his shaking hands.

“Adam did you think I would hit Mama for making too much noise? Is that why you buried my belt? Did you see one of those bad soldiers hit Mama?”

“Too loud…no laughing …Mama is good girl!...Papa no hurt!”

“Oh Adam!” from Izzy

“Scheisse!” escaped from Gerd before he could stop himself.

“Adam….. no, don’t look away, Son, look at Papa. I love Mama, just like you do…I WILL NEVER, EVER HURT MAMA! I PROMISE! I love Mama and I love you and I love to hear you both laugh…laughing means you are happy and I want you both to be wery, wery happy.” He leaned forward and gave his son a hug then sat back and smiled at him, trying hard not to show how upset he was.

“Now can you show me the new thing for making music that Onkle Gerd gave you? Yes…and will you play it loud for me? That would make me happy.”

Adam wiggled down off Izzy’s lap and scurried away to get the recorder, leaving Urs completely drained from the emotions the episode had shot through him.

“Well done, Papa,” Izzy said softly brushing her hand over his hair as he dropped his head to her knees.

“I didn’t know he would think that of me…and it means he must have seen some of what that animal did to you.”

She stroked his hair and sighed.

“He’s too smart…not much escapes him ….. I don’t know how much he saw…but if you handle the problems that come up that well, then he’ll be alright, Urs.”

A few minutes later they all were treated to an impromptu concert on the newly acquired recorder, not very well done, discordant often and no particular tune that could be recognized…but it was loud and everyone laughed and cheered, including Adam.

**

It had been a full and exhausting day, for everyone, not just the two men who had been awake and running on adrenaline all night, and Izzy who was emotionally drained, so it wasn’t surprising that shortly after Adam was down for the night they all began to yawn and show signs of being ready to crash.

It had been very busy what with swimming, catching up on what had transpired over the two years, being shown Adam’s new playthings and his accomplishments since he had been away from the camp… and the doctor from the Base had been out to visit and checked Izzy out, declaring her under weight and abused but basically in better shape than he had expected. None of her injuries were serious and would heal nicely in time.

One thing that he did stress was that she had to talk about the ordeal, get it out of her system, either with close friends if they could handle it or with a professional.

Urs was present when he made this prononoucement and when Izzy objected, saying she was fine without help, he stepped in, putting his arm around her shoulder and silencing her with a squeeze.

“We can handle it, Sir…she needs some time first to get used to being free…and then we’ll talk…we both have things to get rid of.”

The doctor had left with his vials of blood samples to go to the lab for testing for STD’s, promising to put a rush on the results and leaving advice to take it easy even though he knew she would have little choice with the house full of concerned loved ones. In passing he nodded at Sally, pleased with her improvement over the past week and patted Adam on the head, laughing when the boy solemnly told him that he could use the bano in the house now. Adam was relieved to see him go since he connected the doctor mentally to the ‘cage’ he had been asked to sleep in at the hospital and the ‘dirty pants’ he was expected to wear.

Now everyone else had vanished, leaving Urs and Izzy alone on the patio in the soft evening air. He rose and took the remaining glasses and jug from the juice they had been sipping away at all evening, ferrying them to the kitchen and loading the dishwasher, then returning to the patio where Izzy was more than half asleep, her drooping eyes watching the stars and the moon high above.

“You ready for some sleep in a real bed, Liebe?” he asked, perching on the wide arm of the rattan chair she was lounging in and gently running his fingers through her long hair.

She looked up and smiled, her face soft and content, the bruising not nearly so noticeable in the dim light.

“More than just ready…will Adam be all right in that room by himself?”

He smiled.

“I use the Big Boy monitor when I go to bed but he generally sleeps right through…BTW don’t make the mistake of calling it a ‘baby monitor’…he gets quite offended…this afternoon was the first time he slept in the bed so I’m hoping that we can gradually get him off the floor completely…back home it would be best to be up off the cold floor.” He rested his palm against her cheek for a moment, gazing deep into her eyes.

“I have a confession to make and need to get it out of the way…when we were apart I did two things that I’m not proud of…well likely a lot more than just two but two major breaches of trust. For about 3 months I had a relationship with Alicia, strictly a business…”

“Alicia…oh Urs…how could you?…she’s such a cold fish!!”

“Tell me about it…it was strictly a business arrangement right from the start and we both soon realized what a mistake it was…and after she was gone, I had some problems…I couldn’t get off manually anymore for some reason, though gott knows I tried…it became very painful…”

“Vaso-congestion…I believe you guys call it ‘Blue Balls’,” she interrupted again. “Sorry, go on…”

“So I started using escort services every few weeks… always women who looked like you, straight sex, nothing inventive, ALWAYS with a condom…and not anything like we used to share but at least it relieved the pain…I’m sorry, Baby…I wish I hadn’t …it made me feel like a cheat….and it will NEVER happen again.”

She smiled, hoping to relieve the anxiety she could see in his eyes.

“Urs, I do understand…we weren’t together and I know very well how randy you can get…and I have had to treat patients with vaso-congestion …it certainly isn’t a laughing matter….as far as I’m concerned sex with a professional isn’t much different than masturbating…and what we shared wasn’t just sex…it was passion and love…. and that’s something that if I thought you had shared it with another woman I would be tempted to do some serious surgery to parts of your anatomy.”

He automatically dropped one hand to his groin, protectively, then laughed.

“Then I’m safe…no one makes me feel the way you do…Baby, would you rather have a bit of privacy for a while? I could sleep in the bunk room if you would be more comfortable.”

She drew in a long shuddering breath and reached her hand up to slip under his, a movement that made him feel strong, that she was submitting to him as dominant in their relationship.

“I would love some privacy…but not from you…all day I’ve wanted to be alone with you, to talk about so many things but there’s always been someone around…and I want more than anything to sleep in your arms…you’ve been very patient with me, Urs, and I can see in your eyes what it has cost you…You’ve told me again and again, showed me so many times today how much you love me…and I haven’t once told you…I was afraid to say it, afraid that if I did I would wake up and be back in that horrible place…..I DO love you still, more than ever…I never stopped, never will…there wasn’t one day while we were apart when I didn’t think of you, long to be with you…but I won’t take a chance on passing some nasty disease to you…”

“Then we will just have to consider the next little while as very extended foreplay…yes I want you, want to share love with you…it’s hard for me to hide that…but I can wait until you’re ready…just sleep beside me so I can feel your warmth, smell the sweet scent of you, see your smile in the morning…we could be really traditional and wait for our wedding night if you like.”

She stared at him, stunned speechless for a moment, looking in his eyes as he waited nervously for her response, not sure if maybe he had rushed her again in his eagerness.

“You don’t believe in marriage!”

“That was the old, immature, no-commitment-Urs…the new, grown up Urs wants more than anything to belong to you and you to me, for us to be a real, official family. I was thinking maybe in the chapel at Reve.”

“I come with a lot of baggage now, Urs…do you not want to wait to see if I’ve changed?”

“Go with your heart, Love, as I am…we’ve both matured, that’s a given…the rest we’ll work out.”

He could see the smile trying to twitch the corners of her lovely mouth up in a curve.

“You’re supposed to ASK me…”

He sighed.

“Now is not the time to be prim and proper…I love you…you love me for some outlandish reason…we belong together…”

“Because you fill a need in me that I wasn’t aware I had until one stormy night at the cottage…”

“Hush, Woman…I’m trying to propose!”

“Sorry…you’re doing fine…go on…”

He cleared his throat and reached down with both hands to lift her onto his lap.

“Now where was I?...Verdammt!...This is harder than singing in front of 20,000 people….Bella I love you, I always will, I am only half a person without you…please say you’ll marry me and make me complete…”

She bubbled with laughter, throwing her arms around his neck and raining kisses on his dear face.

“YES!! But only if you promise to give me more babies.”

His face lit up with such tenderness and joy that the moon looked pale in comparison as he took her hand and raised it to his lips to kiss her fingers.

“It will be my pleasure….” And to seal the promise he kissed her mouth gently, heartened when she responded, at first timidly, then with a growing surge of the passion that he remembered so well, sucking on his lips, dueling with his tongue, pressing her breasts against his chest in an effort to get closer, her teeth nipping at his lower lip, her hands in his hair, tugging, kneading…

They drew apart, both breathing heavily, shaken by the raging emotions that they couldn’t act upon.

“We should have asked that Doctor for tranquillizers…it’s going to be a long wait for the lab results,” he said with a shakey laugh.

“I wonder if Guiness has a category for the world’s longest foreplay,” she murmured from the racing pulse at his neck where her mouth rested.

He stood, keeping her in his arms and carried her into the house, hoping his arousal would subside by the time he had to strip off for bed.

**

CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE…. ADJUSTING

Urs lay awake in the morning listening to the happy sounds of Adam softly singing as he played in his room and watching Izzy sleeping only inches below his face.

She had burrowed down in the night so that her head rested against his chest, her breath stirring the matt of hair that veed from below his neck down his chest to his belly and beyond, one little hand resting gently on the cords of muscle across his abdomen, the other tucked in to her chest, both of her legs imprisoned by his longer one that had draped across hers.

They had talked while making preparations for bed…the usual discarding of clothing, brushing teeth, normal things that felt so good to be sharing with her again. He had slathered her body gently with the lotion that Sally purchased while on the shopping trip, both of the women suffering from dry skin after washing with sand for so long…and that had felt wonderful too, his fingers remembering the feeling of her skin under his hands though it was different now that she was so thin.

He had nearly cheered when he recognized an old trait, something simple and almost forgotten but pure Izzy…the way she paused and her face got this intent look when she wanted to ask him something and was getting her words organized.

“Will you tell me about the one night stands?”

He hadn’t expected her to ask and didn’t have an answer ready but winged it.

“No, not the details… I will tell you that I found it difficult to get any relief just by myself and started to have a lot of pain…”

“At least you had enough sense to do something about it…sorry…I keep interrupting you, don’t I?”

She reached up and patted his lotion covered hand on her shoulder.


“Well I didn’t at first, not until I spoke to Cody and he ‘ragged’ at me for being a fool. He said you would understand if I used escort services… so I did and asked for women who looked like you…even then it was difficult at first…and I found I could go about 5 weeks in between without discomfort…all very business like, always with a condom, straight sex, nothing …inventive…and no dessert.”

She had chuckled and looked back over her shoulder at him.

“Good…I like to think that what we shared was special, just between us.”

“I’m so relieved that you understand, Liebeling…Cody said you would but every time, I worried…I felt like a cheat even though we weren’t together….and it won’t happen again…that’s a Promise!”

She had turned to face him now and smiled.

“I’m going to see to it that there isn’t a need…when you travel I want to be with you as much as possible…Adam is a strong, healthy little boy and has boundless curiosity so I think he will enjoy it… and when he goes to school or if we just want time alone we’ll have a nanny…I love our son, Urs but some day he will grow up and leave us…you are a lifetime commitment and no matter how many children we have you will always be my number one priority.”

“As you are mine, Liebeling,” he had said, his eyes bright with love. He kissed her, holding her face in his cupped hands and gently caressing her lips, a kiss of promise and tenderness so stirring that she felt weak.

“I hate to bring this up so soon, Love, but there’s going to be quite a bit of running around over the next month or two…the new CD comes out in November and we have to do promos for it…and finish the video …actually that’s the first thing, in Croatia in two weeks…do you think you’ll feel up to going with me?”

“If we can get the paperwork done… that’s the only thing that could tear me away from you for a while.”

He grinned and hugged her.

“See, that’s the Izzy I remember…stubborn, determined, not to be toyed with when she has a goal in mind….Gott how I love you!”

They had slid into bed, Urs in his Jockeys, Izzy in a new sleep set and lay spooned, Izzy relaxing in his arms as he verbally went over the things they should attend to in the morning…e.mails to the General, to the UN Liaison, to the Swiss Consulate…somewhere around the banking and talking to Sam he realized that she had fallen asleep, nestled just a bit closer and closed his own eyes.

Now he watched her, content to just be close, to feel her breath and body heat, to smell the floral fragrance of her shampoo, to know that she was safe, never going into danger again…and his, now and forever.

“Papa?”

The little voice came over the monitor and he eased out of his embrace of Izzy, swung his legs to the floor and reached for his shorts, hurrying out of the room as quietly as he could so she wouldn’t waken. In his haste he forgot to turn off the monitor so Izzy was treated to the conversation between father and son as she gradually woke.

“Good morning, Adam…good sleep?”

“Good morning, Papa…good dreams…Kiss?”

“And a hug, a special one just for my Big Boy….”

There was the sound of a noisy kiss then a giggle from Adam as Urs hugged him and in all likelihood tickled the little tummy.

“Mama sleeping?”

“Yes…Mama needs to sleep lots for a few days so she gets stronger….let’s go brush our teeth and then you can help me make breakfast.”

“Mussi? And choca milk?” was the hopeful question.

She heard Urs laugh then answer.

“Mue-sli…and juice…I think we better cut back on the choc-o-late milk for a while…but you could have some nice toast and jam, too…I think Sally bought some peach jam at the market.”

“Like choc-o-late milk,” was the plaintive response and Izzy laughed as she listened, wondering who would give in, the adorable little boy or the new Papa with good intentions.

They moved out of range into the bathroom and she sat up in bed, stretching, regretting it when the lesions on her back pulled and hurt.

‘How different it feels to wake up to the sound of Urs and Adam talking, laughing together, to have so much to look forward to in the day… Urs is different and yet the same, just… more…it’s like he has suddenly become the person he was meant to be, the one that I saw traces of before…I didn’t want him to change and he really hasn’t, he’s just grown into himself…and I like this new attitude, the gentle way he’s taking charge….and his plans for Reve, for the chateau…how exciting!...to think he came up with it all on his own….OMG our lives are going to be so full….I’m going to do everything I can to be the partner, the wife you deserve, Urs Buhler…I’ll even learn to cook… and that’s a Promise!!!’

She was humming as she entered the bathroom to attend to morning needs, the monitor once more trickling sounds from the other room as Urs and Adam sorted out clothing and chatted before leaving to head down to the kitchen.

**

Sally was just coming out of her bedroom when Izzy started down the hall, going slowly in deference to her still very sore legs but rested and happy.

“Good morning, Sal…you look great this morning.”

Indeed she did, her skin soft and smooth, not nearly as dry as it had been in camp, her eyes no longer shadowed and her tall frame beginning to fill out once more. She grinned at Izzy, tweaking the bright floral sundress she had on today and patting the narrow belt around her waist.

“I had to go one notch further in the belt already…my labs came back 2 days ago and MY Swiss has been making up for our 10 year separation…big time….so I’m getting lots of exercise and getting greased up several times a day.”

Izzy laughed and snaked her arm around Sally’s waist as they went on down the hall.

“I won’t even ask if you’re happy…I can see that you are…and I’m happy for you, Sal…I like Gerd…wait until you meet Marta…what a lovely woman….she made me feel so welcome when I was there at Christmas…”

“As soon as Urs doesn’t need Gerd we’re going to go to my parents place and vist for a few days…and then we want to go to Switzerland and see this place Urs is talking about…I mean Gerd has already been there, but not looking at it in the same context….”

“And Adam and I are going to be camp followers for a while ….Urs has commitments starting in two weeks in Croatia….we might have to just go with him some of the time but I’m not ready to be apart from him yet, and I think it’s best for Adam to be with him too.”

They entered the kitchen and found that Cody was reigning supreme at the ancient stove with several omelet pans going at the same time while Urs and Adam were at the table just finishing their Muesli.

“Here’s our sleepy Mama…and Tia Sally too…Good morning Pretty Ladies.”

“Good morning, Pretty Ladies,” Adam said imitating Urs and grinning, waving his spoon at them.

“Good morning…my, you lot look cheerful this morning,” Izzy said as she gave Adam a quick kiss on the brow, the only clean spot she could find at the moment, giving Urs one on the cheek and a caress on his bare shoulder and crossed to give Cody a big bear hug from behind.

“Something smells delicious, Big Brother…what are you creating?”

He freed his left arm and wrapped it around her, crushing her to his side, then realizing that he might be hurting her in his zeal, he loosened his grip to a mere breath robbing hug.

“Adam is going to try one of my world famous omelettes this morning…and of course Bird eats everything so long as there’s lots of it.”

“Bird? Oh, Cody, that’s priceless…wait until the rest of the Divos hear what you call him.”

She heard Urs groan from the table and grinned at him.

“I might not tell them…if you’re a good boy…”

“Papa is good boy…has big penis…pee in the bano everytime.”

Adam looked confused and just a bit frightened when everyone laughed, except Urs, then he laughed too when he saw how his Papa’s face had flushed bright red.

When she could speak without choking Izzy kissed Adam on the brow again, then snuggled Urs’ red face against her chest.

“Yes I know, Adam…I’ve seen it….” she had to stop again for a moment, overcome with laughter when Urs groaned against her chest. “Adam we don’t talk about things like the penis in public…”

“Why?”

“It isn’t polite….big boys don’t do that in public.”

“Okay….Onkle Cody is making an Om-ell-ett….from egg….E-G-G…”

“Very good…”

Sally was wiping tears from her face as she pulled out a chair to join them at the table, most of her gleaming teeth showing in a huge grin, fortunately not voicing her thoughts at the moment… “Must run in the family…” She reached over and patted Urs on the hand.

“Get used to it, Swiss…it only lasts about 20 years and then they grow up….and go put a shirt on…all that muscular hairy chest AND a Big…well it’s just too distracting at the breakfast table.”

“And she made me promise to give her more of them…” he muttered softly, shaking his head as if wondering at his own folly, but smiling and secretly pleased when Izzy ran her hand over his bare chest, then fanned her pink face.

“So what would you ladies like? Get your orders in before I go on strike,” Cody said as he came to the table with two plates, a small one with raised edges containing a very small cheese and bacon omelet and the other nearly platter sized with a huge omelet stuffed with half the contents of the frig, oozing cheese and edged with slices of fresh tomato.

Sally was gradually getting her appetite back and asked for one a bit bigger than Adam’s as she poured herself some juice.

“And you might want to start one for Gerd…he was just shaving and will be along in a few minutes.”

Izzy sighed and shook her head.

“Much as I’d like to, I think I better stick to muesli today…and maybe one little taste of that creation you made for Urs.”

Urs used the side of his fork to cut off a piece, then cut it again when she mouthed “too big” and held it out to her on his fork.

“Open wide, Baby.”

He deposited the morsel on her tongue and watched as she closed her eyes at the nearly forgotten taste.

“That tastes even better than in my dreams…first egg in two years and five months….HEAVEN!”

Gerd came clumping into the kitchen, went straight to Sally and rubbed his smooth face against hers.

“Better?”

“Much…Cody’s making you an omelet like Urs has…you want coffee or just juice for now?”

“Coffee, danke, Liebe,” he said as he swung one long leg over a chair and sat down, smiling at Izzy.

“You look rested, Bella…how do you feel? Is it real to you now?”

She was helping Adam with his food, cutting the omelet into manageable pieces but looked up and smiled.

“It’s beginning to be…it was so nice to wake this morning and have something to look forward to…it’s going to be a busy day trying to get everything done though.”

“We have to talk to a bunch of people, get things organized regarding Izzy’s papers, her decommissioning, her banking…”

Gerd grinned.

“Most of it’s already done…that’s what Sally and I did last night…well, for a while last night…we thought you two should have some privacy so we took off and got on my computer…the General has asked if you would mind if he comes for a short visit, day after tomorrow and he’ll bring your papers with him…for a military guy he seemed very outgoing, very personally concerned…your passport and visa are on the way, Sally’s too, the General took care of the UN stuff…though you may have to visit the Headquarters sometime in the future in Europe for debriefing or something…your banking is all straightened out…and we notified both the stores that you’re back and Okay…and Mami said….” He stood, came around the table and gave Izzy a huge hug and a kiss on the brow… “ ‘kiss that precious girl for me’…she asked me to kiss Urs and Cody too but I draw the line there….then I told her about Sally and the tears started again…Women!!”

“You have been busy,” Urs said with a grin at his efficient brother, seeing this new side of him for the first time.

“I need to touch base with Sam…”

“Done…he knows you’ll be in Croatia on the 11th.”

“The guys…”

“Talked to Carlos on IM but couldn’t get him to understand my fractured Spanish so David took over…”

“Our flight needs to…”

“Simon is sending the jet…and he’s going to kick your ass for not taking his advice, whatever that means…”

Urs chuckled.

“So you’ve left absolutely nothing for us to do…except get Izzy’s engagement ring sorted out.”

THAT statement was met with stunned silence for a moment then whoops of joy that at first scared Adam then when he saw that everyone was smiling and very, very happy he joined in the noise.

**
If Sally thought that seeing Urs’ chest was distracting, both women almost became comatose when they sat under umbrellas at the side of the pool and watched all three gorgeous examples of manhood romping in the pool wearing skimpy trunks and playing with one very happy little boy.

Sally glanced at Izzy and burst into laughter.

“Wipe the drool off your chin Major!”

Izzy laughed and self consciously swiped at her dry chin.

“You too…though mine has more muscle.”

“Mine’s taller…and lazier when it comes to the gym,” Sally countered with a laugh. “He wants to get married too, but I think we should wait a while, meet the parents, get to know each other again…it’s been ten years…and we only had a few days together even then…but I never forgot him and he says he’s been looking for me the whole time…stupid kids…we never did exchange addresses or even last names…we just kind of fell into bed and stayed there every moment we were free.”

“Well you’ll certainly be spending lots of time together if this R & R center pans out…I’m so excited about it…wait until you see the property…and the chateau would be perfect as a sort of hospital/hotel.”

Sally was quiet for a moment then asked the all important question.

“Do you think we’ll miss it? The negotiating work, going all those awful places, meeting different people, the little shiver of danger now and then?”

Izzy shook her head.

“I was ready to give it up, even eager I think. It was different before I knew I loved him…I never really thought about who I was hurting, who would worry about me…or how I would feel if I lost out on a lifetime of love in exchange for the adrenal rush of being shot at, threatened, bruised and battered…more than anything ever, I want to be a wife, a mother, still a doctor, yes, but as a part time occupation…I’ll keep current on all the medical advances, I have to even if it’s only to satisfy my curiousity, but Urs comes first…and our children, of course.”

Sally leaned back in her lounge chair and smiled.

“Whatever you have must be contagious…I felt my heart start to beat faster just at the mention of the life you want…I can’t go back in the field either….I mean look at him…how can I give him up to play army with people who constantly want to shoot me?”

They watched the men playing in the pool, now passing Adam around like he was a football, making him laugh, loud for a change.

“Now we just have to find someone for Cody,” Izzy said with a sigh.

Sally laughed and shook her head.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who can tame that man.”

“Well we really haven’t tried…it can be our project…secret of course.”

“Deal, Sister!” Sally said and they high fived each other.

**

After lunch Urs and Izzy put Adam down for his nap, again in the small bed with the half sides to keep him from rolling out.

He was tired from playing with the big boys for so long and dropped off almost immediately, taking only enough time to exact a promise from his Mama and Papa that they would be there when he woke.

“He’s going to be a bit insecure for a while…that’s why I think it’s important that we go with you for a while on your promo tours…we won’t be any trouble, Urs…I can keep him busy.”

They were going down the hall and he stopped her, leaning her against the wall and caging her between his long arms.

“You are NEVER any trouble, either of you…remember me?…I’m the guy who loves you both so much sometimes it makes my heart ache. I want to be with you, as much as possible…just don’t go getting yourself tired out…you need to heal and so does Adam.”

He kissed her gently then pulled her into his arms to cuddle against his chest.

“When you’re ready to talk about the past 2 years, I’m ready to listen…we both need to get this out of the way, Liebe, so we can get on with the future.”

They stopped by the bedroom and picked up the Big Boy monitor then Urs insisted that they go out to the terrace at the side of the garden to snuggle on one of the double lounge chairs under an umbrella, his excuse being that she needed to rest too.

“Did I tell you how bad my timing was before the Oz part of the 2006 tour?” he said softly when they had settled themselves side by side, holding hands in the shade, a nice soft breeze wafting gently over them.

She shook her head and waited, knowing that he needed to talk about the past too and put it to rest.

“I was on the plane heading for Australia to join the guys, torn apart by that terrible scene in your apartment when I made you cry…and I suddenly realized that I loved you. Why couldn’t I admit it to myself before? I kept thinking that I had done the right thing, that you would get over what we had, and so would I, that at least now you wouldn’t be distracted in your job and get killed and I could get on with making a success out of my part of Il Divo. So I proceeded to be an outright bastard to everyone, hurting them, hurting myself, brewing a nice little ulcer in my stomach, wishing I was dead some of the time.”

“You have an ulcer? Are you taking meds for it?”

“It’s better now…just after Alicia and I called it quits, Cody found me and …..well he made me see things clearer at last. It was a turning point for me…I was so focused on trying to find you again…I had tried before but had no success…I believed that you didn’t want me to find you until he told me what happened. We worked together after that and doing something positive seemed to clear up the ulcer, gave me hope…I worked hard at building up my body since I was determined that we would find you and I wanted to go with Cody to bring you home. The success with Il Divo went on, another CD, another tour, a third then fourth CD…the deal with Reve was finalized and whenever I could I came down here to meet with Cody’s contacts, to bug the General or the UN about our plan for the GPS monitors on the med supplies…they finally agreed and the supplies went out…and then we got the message that you were gone…and that Adam existed.”

Izzy snuggled closer. She could feel him shaking as he recounted the bare bones of what he had gone through, skimming over his feelings, the guilt and longing she was sure he had felt. It was a start…the rest would come out in time and they would deal with it.

She was aware that he had opened up to her as a starting point, to make it easier for her to talk about what had happened…his thoughtfulness made her love him even more. Softly she began describing her life with the rebels, the marches at first from camp to camp, the skimpy meals, the rules that were enforced with whippings on the legs, meeting Ferdo and coming to an agreement with him. She told him about Rita and Runt, about the students, about Sally foraging for edible plants, about being pregnant and why it happened, about wanting to share the experience with him.

“I asked for an emergency leave but the mission came up too fast…you can’t take all the blame for what happened to us, Urs…I wanted to tell you so many times but I was afraid…I thought if I told you I loved you that it would scare you away and I didn’t want to lose you.”

“No more secrets…we have to promise each other to talk things out, even if it’s painful or we disagree….I have faith in our love, Bella…it’s strong enough to have lasted through the mistakes we’ve made…it will be strong enough to weather anything that happens in the future.”

He snuggled her closer, tasting the tender skin of her neck where the outline of the nasty metal collar was still visible, his hands roaming over her body as if controlled by some gentle, invisible breeze, touching tenderly, remembering the curves, the secret places that made her shiver when stroked.

Talking was over for now but they had made a good start towards healing.

Captain Hidalgo came by just after dinner with a friend in tow, an elderly man carrying a briefcase.

“Ah …it is such a pleasure to meet you at last Major. You have no idea how firm the belief was in this young man that he would find you and bring you home. And your brother…it was a great joy for me to meet him as well…I had heard so much about the famed Captain Santores, all of it true I learned. My daughter can’t stop talking about how well she was treated by these two.”

“Your daughter?” Izzy said, just a little confused.

“I had to practice carrying your weight through the jungle for hours before Cody would commit to letting me go with him…Carmelita kindly volunteered to play your part.” He looked at her and grinned, her thoughts about this unknown young woman clear to him…Best to lay that to rest. “What a nice young lady she is…very pretty …she’s excited about her quinzanero next year…that’s the big party held when a girl turns 15.”

He smiled and gave her clasped hand a tiny kiss when he saw her cheeks flush with guilt and those full lips mouth ‘Sorry!”

“As you requested, Senor Urs, I have asked an old family friend to come with me tonight. Senor Medici has been in the business of providing outstanding jewelry for Novios for several decades…he is retired now but is, how you say, a work-a-holic and still keeps his hand in.”

He introduced the older man to Urs and Izzy and the whole party moved into the Lounge where the briefcase was opened on the coffee table to reveal an assortment of velvet cushioned stones, some already cut and a few still in the hosts.

Urs was watching Izzy and the glow in her eyes confirmed that he had been right to do it this way, to leave the selection up to her. He settled back in his seat, smiling as she controlled herself, knowing that she was eager to reach out and touch the dance of light in the case full of dark emeralds, the fire shooting from the few diamonds included as counterpoint.

“I don’t have my loupe,” she said reverently, not taking her eyes from the display in front of her.

“Please, use mine,” Senor Medici said graciously, recognizing the look of an avid collector of gems.

The men chatted quietly while Izzy studied each of the stones in turn, though Urs noticed that she went back several times to the piece of dark emerald that was embedded in the host stone of some grey white material, he thought maybe calcite.




After several long minutes she sat back and passed the loupe to Senor Medici with a soft thank you.

“Columbian emeralds are simply the best…the purity isn’t absolute but then with untreated emeralds it never is, that’s what makes them so unique…and these are definitely untreated…the color is sublime, that dark leaf green with no or few blue tones, few inclusions…I would say that the rough you have here is from Muzo, as are items 3, 4, 6 and 9…the faint blue tones in the others would suggest that they were mined near or in Chivor.” She sighed as she looked up at Urs and he smiled, motioning to the case of stones.

“So which ones would you like? Choose something for your engagement and wedding rings, Liebe…Senor Medici no longer actually sets the stones but I’m sure Trudi or Heinz would be honored to do it for us.”

He reached out and lightly touched the host stone of the rough emerald.

“Is this calcite?”

She beamed, like a teacher with a student that had just aced an exam.

“Yes…and I really like that one…I think it should yield a very lovely stone, well over 1 carat, which is good for an emerald, plus a handful of smaller stones that could be used in the wedding band…but it’s worth the most Urs…perhaps one of the others…”

“I hate to disagree with the pro but it isn’t worth as much as you are, Love….we’ll take the rough, Senor, my lady likes it.”

The two Columbians smiled as Izzy threw herself on Urs, raining kisses on his laughing face and squeezing him around the neck until he begged for mercy.

When she had calmed somewhat the jeweler congratulated her on her choice and handed her the sizable piece of rough calcite with the emerald cab, cushioning the bundle on a piece of black velvet.

“You are very knowledgable, Senorita…the rough is indeed from the mines at Muzo, the heavy concentration of chromium in the area is responsible for the intensity of color. I do not approve of treating the stones that Dios has created for us, so rest assured that nothing I show you will ever be oiled or treated with anything but respect.”

“Perhaps you could leave me your card, Senor…I have two stores back in North America where we sell nothing but the finest hand crafted, untreated jewelry…I would be interested in obtaining some stock for them once I have recovered enough to begin working again.”

Urs used his credit card to pay for the emerald then, once that was out of the way they all chatted for a while, sharing a bottle of red wine, then the two men left, the Captain again expressing his pleasure that Izzy was home at last.

Sally poked her head in the door, Adam perched on her hip and Gerd, as always not far behind.

“Meeting over? I think the little guy here is ready for bath and bed time.”

After being thoroughly kissed and hugged Adam came to Izzy and snuggled against her, clearly tired out from his long day. She left Urs, Sally and Gerd talking about Reve and took Adam through to the bedroom to briefly show him the lovely stone that Urs had purchased for her, then into the bath for a quick rinse off, put on his thick sleep pants, just in case, though there hadn’t been an ‘accident’ for a long time and nestled him into his bed without giving him a choice of bed or pallet….he didn’t resist.

“Mama sing?”

“What would you like me to sing, Love?”

“Por Ti Sere, por favor.”

So she sang softly to him, watching while the lids drooped over his hazel eyes and his sweet face softened, relaxing into a dream world.

**

CHAPTER EIGHTY….SHARING

Sally and Gerd decided on an evening swim but couldn’t talk Urs into it so they left him alone with his thoughts and went, hand in hand to their room to change.

His phone beeped at him and he answered. The call was short and left him deep in thought, leaning back in the chair and mulling over what had been said and the effect it would have on their lives. Coming quickly to a decision he smiled and nervously fidgeted in the seat, needing some kind of activity to quell the nervous tension he felt building.


He rose and walked to the fencing around the property, looking out over the nearby jungle and the river below them, hoping the soothing vista of the fading daylight and natural landscape would bring him a degree of calm.

The sun had dropped below the treeline now, leaving shafts of rosy red and soft purple streaking the cloudless sky, the occasional bird winging on the air currents, going home to nest for the night.

Movement caught his eyes and he peered into the deepening shadows to see what had caught his attention.

Cody was walking slowly by the river’s edge, alone as he had been a lot during the past 2 days, in the flush of re-united love, the other adults more or less forgetting about the solo man in their midst.

Urs felt a pang of guilt. Without the efforts of this caring, burly man he would not have Izzy back…there was no way he could have accomplished the rescue on his own, or for that matter even found her without the expertise and persistence of this man who also loved her.

He went through the gate quietly, winding his way down the hill to the river. Cody saw him coming, sensing movement and stopping to wait for Urs to approach.

“Nice night…” Urs said, bending down to grab a handful of small stones, searching through them for flat ones to skim across the water.

“The boy going to bed?”

“Ja…I thought I’d give Izzy some time alone with him for a change…he’s tired out tonight…busy day.”

Cody nodded and rammed his hands in his shorts pockets, looking out over the river.

Urs found a suitable stone and tried skimming it but the current was too swift to be very successful.

“So what are your plans now?...do you have more time off or will they send you out again soon?”

Cody looked at the man who had become a good friend over the last year and smiled.

“I don’t know…I have more leave coming to me but haven’t decided what I want to do with it…other than getting laid….been too busy lately to think about it…but now…”

Urs laughed.

“Tell me about it…it’s been a while…”

Cody looked at him, his face losing it’s smile and darkening.

“It’s different now…if I hear you’ve called a service…lets just say we’ll have words.”

“You know me better than that, Bear…I couldn’t do that to Izzy…I promised her…. that part of my life is over… Danke gott!….sex with a pro isn’t the same thing at all as making love…she’s a bit skittish, understandably, but I can wait until she’s ready.”

Cody turned away again but Urs could hear him clearly.

“I’ll only say this once…don’t hurt her…you and the boy are everything to her…if I hear you’ve hurt her….I won’t stop at a couple of punches if we need to go another round.”

Urs grinned and out of the corner of his eye Cody caught it and turned to face him, frowning.

“Then I can sleep easy…she is everything to me as well and you know it…you don’t have to play the big tough guy with me…I’ve seen you cry, remember?”

He stepped closer so he could see Cody’s face better and captured his eyes with an apologetic look.

“Cody, we’ve kind of neglected you the past day and a half…without you this whole thing never would have been successful…I owe you, Brother…you gave me back my life…I can never repay you for that.”

Cody took a half step back and smiled.

“You aren’t gonna get all mushy and kiss me or something are you?”

Urs laughed aloud, his imagination showing him an image of an attempt to kiss the big man.

“Nein…I don’t have any kind of death wish. Just know that I’m in your debt and if you ever need anything…”

“Okay, okay…you don’t have to say it…I know…and don’t worry about ignoring me…I’ve been happy just watching you together…you make her happy, more than I’ve ever seen in her entire life…and the boy already loves you…you know she talked about you to him right from the start…that’s why when you said your name, he knew who you were….Sally told me…she taught him your songs, told him how you sing for people, drew maps of Switzerland in the sand and told him about the snow and the mountains….and she believed that one day she would get him out of the camps and home to you, that you would love him and be a good father. I’ve only seen love like that once before, with my parents….and I’m glad Freckles found it with you.”

He held his hand out to Urs and they shook, then laughed and gave each other a huge hug, slapping backs briefly and pulling away, both a bit embarrassed but happy that the air between them had been cleared.

As if he sensed her presence Urs looked up the hill and saw that Izzy was leaning on the gate watching them.

For a moment Cody felt a pang of envy at the love that swept over the Swiss man’s face as his eyes fed off the sight of her waiting for him, a smile softened his chiseled features and his voice when he spoke was gentle, tender.

“She’s waiting for me…Later, Bear.”

Urs jogged up the hill and through the gate that she opened for him, wrapping his arms around her and just holding her close, listening to her heart beating against his, breathing deep of the floral fragrance of her shampoo.

“Adam asleep?”

“Hmmm…didn’t take him long…he asked me to sing him Por Ti Sere…I think he heard you singing it earlier when you were doing your vocal exercises…Urs, do you have any new CD’s with you? You guys must have 3 or 4 new ones I’ve never heard.”

“Sorry, Baby…I left in such a hurry I didn’t even bring clothes…I probably sweat about 5 pounds off before we got around to shopping for lighter shirts and jeans… anyway, you don’t need the CD’s…you have the real thing…me, ready and more than willing to sing for you anytime.”

She laughed and ran her arm around his waist as they headed to the patio.

“I see your ego hasn’t suffered any,” she said with a giggle.

“Not true…at first I was a basket case…all my life I’ve tried to be very Swiss, very logical, thinking things through, keeping my feelings private…I hated to share my emotions with my friends or family, shut everyone out…I actually began to hate myself, my body, my way of dealing with things…for me, growing up, being a man was a wery painful process…but it was worth it…and I like the person I’ve become…I’m not perfect but at least now I can admit that I’m fallible.”

They cuddled together on their favorite double lounger with the patio lights off, the faint sounds of splashing and laughter coming from the pool area, only a few lights on in the main house and a dim glow coming from the bunk room off to the side where the evening shift that manned the computers was making coffee.

The sky was inky blue/black now, studded with millions of sparkling stars, the odd flashing lights of jets straining for altitude as travelers were thrown into the sky on journeys to other lands. Through the windows they could see Cody enter the bunkroom and speak to the on-duty soldiers, helping himself to a mug of coffee and laughing over something that was said. It was peaceful, quiet, even the Big Boy monitor on the table making no sounds from the room where their son lay sleeping in safety.

“I dreamt of this moment…not of this spot but this time of being with you, safe, loved, happy…so many times when I thought I couldn’t handle one more day of being held in that awful place, you were always there, in my heart, giving me the strength to go on, to stay alive just a little longer… when things got really bad, towards the end, I could lose myself by thinking about you…sometimes I pictured you and Adam at Reve, walking through the vineyards or in the house in one of those big old chairs in the kitchen by the fire, both asleep from a busy day. And I thought often about laying in your arms, could almost feel your mouth on mine, your hands caressing me or your body stretched out under me, glistening in the glow from the moon, your eyes shining as I ran my fingers through the mat on your chest or slipped around to the side to tease that ticklish spot on your ribs…I could taste you, smell that scent that is uniquely you…and when I would be forced back into reality the loss was shattering.”

She was shaking with remembered emotion…when he dipped his face down to kiss her cheek he could taste the salt of tears on her skin and held her closer, brushing the tears away with his fingers and gently kissing her soft lips.

“This isn’t a dream, Love…this is our new reality, our second chance…I’ll never let anything like that happen to you again…”

Their kisses started out tenderly but deepened, still slow and gentle but erotic now, making his body react with long denied need…and to his relief he could feel the buds of her breasts swell as they pressed against his chest.

Their hearts were racing when they broke apart. He cradled her against his chest, stroking his fingers through her long hair.

“I know I’ve rushed you, proposing, sleeping beside you, telling you how much I love you… but I have to tell you what’s in my heart…I can’t make the same mistake again, holding everything in and not being honest with you….and I have to admit something…the doctor called while you were putting Adam to bed…he was working late and the lab report was delivered…he says everything is fine, all of the blood tests showed you don’t have any signs of STD’s…if you want to wait, I understand…but Izzy I long to share love with you…only when you’re ready… tonight, next week, next month….trust me, love me…and let me love you as if it were our first time again.”

He could feel the tension in her thin body but she smiled tenderly and brushed her hand over his cheek.

“Are you any good? Because I won’t be as polite as your other partners if you’re not…”

He laughed, a bit nervous but happy that she had brought up an old memory of their first time at the cottage.

“The woman I love has never complained…”

She pulled his wildly curly head down so that their lips were only a hair’s breadth apart.

“I’m afraid…”

“I would never hurt you…I love you.”

“I love you too…and I remember what it was like…”

She initiated the kiss this time, gentle, giving, timid then eager, opening her mouth to invite him in, moaning when his tongue swept along the inside of her lower lip, his teeth grasping gently and pulling, his hand slipping inside her shirt to cup her breast, his erection hardening when he felt the bud engorge through the lacy fabric of her bra.

It wasn’t enough…. they both ached for more…she was gasping for breath when he released her mouth and moved in a hot, wet trail down her neck onto her chest, his hands working feverishly on the buttons of her blouse.

‘Danke gott for front closing bras…’ was his fervent prayer as he released his Toys from their lacy prison, following closely with his mouth to lick, then suckle on one eager breast then the other.

She arched her back to press closer, holding his head to her with her fingers kneading his scalp, her head thrown back with pleasure.

‘Control, Buhler…control yourself…you can’t rush her, not now….Mein gott I want her…NOW!!...Slow and gentle…even if it kills me!!!!!!!!’

He pulled himself away from her, pleased that her eyes were glazed and her breathing rapid, concentrating on what she was feeling rather than the hard, aching shaft straining at his shorts, needing to be sheathed by her velvet, wet body.

He slipped his arms under her, lifting her pliant body against his chest and nibbling on her mouth, whispering in a voice he hardly recognized as his own.

“Our room…too many eyes out here…Grab the monitor, Baby…”

He leaned her to the table and she scooped the monitor up with a distracted smile, holding it against her chest and dropping her head to his shoulder, one arm around his neck the other on her chest with the monitor, effectively covering her bare breasts.

“Hurry…” she whispered from the region of the pounding pulse in his neck and he did, taking long strides into the house, down the hall and to their door, bending again to let her open it.

She was shaking violently when he stood her beside their king sized bed, gently kissing her and running his hands in a soothing motion over her back.

“Make love to me, my Bella…take what belongs only to you…” From somewhere in his new maturity he knew that part of her healing would come from this first time of being intimate again…if she was ever going to be in control of her life once more it would have to start here, in their bedroom, in the most intimate act a man and woman could share.

She hesitated but the love she could see in his eyes encouraged her to reach out and begin pulling his tank top up over his head.

Once his chest was bare and only inches away she lost herself exploring the mat of wiry hair, the corded muscles…his flat male nipples beckoned and she responded. He groaned softly when she leaned forward to tease one with her tongue.

“I missed the taste of you…”she murmured softly, not looking up, almost as if she were speaking to herself.

Eagerly now she ran her lips down his pecs to his abs, her hands straying to the waist of his shorts and working the single button free, then sliding the zipper down in one smooth move.

Her tongue found his innie as his shorts pooled on the floor.

“MMM…salty…no chocolate tonight…”

She stepped back half a pace and began removing her still open blouse and bra.

“I need to be skin to skin with you…Urs…would you put the light on…but dim…I want to look at you…”

He took the few steps across the floor, toeing off his sandals as he went and switched the light on, aware that she felt uncomfortable having him see her healing wounds, the bruising and how thin her body was….another thing that needed healing…her self confidence.

When he turned back she was naked and coming toward him, her arms crossed over her body to hide it from his eager eyes. He felt his body react, his shaft straining at the thin material of his jockeys, his heart thumping faster…

‘None of the pros ever had me so hard so fast…and so intense…Gott what a difference love makes!!!...’

“My Bella…you are so incredibly beautiful!”

She stepped into his arms and reached up on tip toes for his mouth, aggressive now, tight against him, her lovely breasts squashed against his chest, her hips grinding to rub her stomach against his erection.

“Leave is over for my Little Soldier…set him free, Urs…I need to taste him…” she whispered, sliding her body down his until she was on her knees, her face pressed against his thigh.

His jockeys vanished like smoke.

She sat back on her legs and reached out to touch him, taking her time now, enjoying the sight of his toned body, the arousal she had caused, swiping her gentle fingers over the head of his member and sucking the pre-cum from them, smiling when it was replaced instantly.

He moaned, her very gentleness creating even more of a need in him, the longing for more…harder, firmer, faster. He cupped her head with curled fingers, careful not to hurt her, his hands, arms, even his corded neck taut with control, his long, muscled legs shaking with the effort of letting her set the pace.

“Come to Mama, Big Boy,” she whispered, wrapping her fingers around his shaft and leaning forward to engulf him inside her mouth.

It was almost more than he could bear: the heat and wetness inside her mouth as she sucked on the head, licking, stroking, her fingers moving the foreskin up and down as she increased the rhythm, her free hand gently cradling his sacs, her thumb rubbing the flat space behind them….he lasted a few short minutes and his control was almost spent when he moaned and gasped “PLEASE!!”

Instantly she gripped him harder, removing her mouth and looking up at his eyes, hers glazed with lust.

“Please what? Tell me what you want…”

“Inside…Take me inside…PLEASE!!…I can’t hold back…”

She half rose, sliding her bottom onto the bed, taking him with her as she lay back, pulling him on top by wrapping her legs around him, still holding his shaft and guiding it into the wet opening of her body.

“Yes!!!…” he groaned, almost in pain with need

He repositioned her legs over his shoulders, kneeling at the side of the bed and pumping hard, thrusting deep inside her welcoming body, meeting the bucking of her hips as she matched his rhythm, his muscles flexing, all traces of control gone from both wild, voracious bodies, Urs unconscious of the fact that he was humming, creating a counterpoint to the wet sound of skin against skin and the labored breathing of two bodies reaching for orgasm.

One touch of his fingers against her aching nub and she cried out, clutching at the sheet on either side of her bowed body…he felt her orgasm start, the muscles in spasm…and he let himself go…

“Ach, MEIN GOTT!!!...BELLA…my BELLA!!!....”

Izzy had no breath to speak, just clutched at him, riding the waves of climax, shuddering with the after shocks, grasping him tightly to her slick skin when he collapsed on her frail body. Finally, when she felt him move gently to rest his mouth against her neck, taking some of his weight on his side and arm and the familar movement of his hand wandering to their still joined bodies for a sample of their mingled juices, she turned her head to kiss him on his curly hair and whispered “Welcome home, Little Soldier!”

**

They talked far into the night, only sleeping for a few hours when false dawn was beginning to stir the birds in the lofty trees around the casa.

Izzy had purged herself of most of her fears and he listened, controlling his anger and pain, just holding her against his chest, kissing her tears away, murmuring softly how much he loved her, how proud he was of her, painting word pictures of the life they would have with their son and the children they wanted in the future until they both napped in exhaustion.

The room was lightening when he stirred and she woke, relaxed and soft against him, nestling her face into the hollow of his neck, her breath warm and gentle against his skin.

“I was afraid to make love with you...” she said as if there hadn’t been a break in their conversation for a short nap.

“You know I would never hurt you…”

He felt her lips curl in a smile.

“I know…but I was afraid I would remember him and not be able to respond…but it wasn’t the same…not even close…you create a fire in me, just with a look, a touch, the gentle sound of your voice….I never, EVER felt that when he pleased himself….only fear, disgust, pain…..Urs…”

He waited, knowing she was forming a question and would ask it when she had her thoughts organized.

“The women you paid…was it the same as with me?”

“Gott!…nein, Liebeling!! NEIN!!! It was one step better than trying to do it myself but I can’t compare what I felt with them with what you and I share…there was no passion…no Love…with them, afterwards I felt guilt…with you I want more…I want to wake with you smiling at me, to start the day loving you, to share everything in my life with you… I never even took them in my bed, just on top of the spread, thanked them, paid and sent them on their way so I could shower the scent of them off my body…I NEVER wanted to taste them….with you even the memory of your sweetness makes me hard…”

She sighed and ran her tongue over the curve of his ear.

“It’s almost morning…there isn’t much point in trying to sleep again now…is there?”

He chuckled and leaned back so he could look down at her.

“Did you have something else in mind?”

Her eyes were half closed but he could see that the pupils were dilated, the green more intense.

“I seem to have this ache….”

“Where?”

Her hand reached to his messy hair and pulled his head gently down so their mouths almost touched.

“Everywhere…” she murmured and bridged the gap between them, pressing her hips forward against his growing arousal, opening her mouth to take his tongue inside….

The sun was well up when Cody took his coffee out on the balcony of his room to enjoy the morning and heard the unmistakable cry of a woman in the throes of an earth shaking orgasm, followed at almost the same instant by a male howl in Swiss German.

He smiled and silently slipped back inside his room, happy that apparently Urs had overcome the fear he had seen in his sister’s eyes.

“Good for you, Bird!...but now I really need to get laid…”

**

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE…TEASING

Fortunately for the two newly united lovers, Adam slept in a bit in the morning, then played until hunger made him begin to call out over the monitor.

“Papa? Mama?”

Urs extricated himself from the tangle of their arms, legs and sheet and leaned over to kiss Izzy lightly as she wiggled and stretched, trying to get herself awake.

“I’ll go, Liebe…”

Her hand came up to cup his face and she smiled, her eyes not quite open.

“I love you, my Swiss…” Her teeth nipped his lower lip and he leaned in to her, taking her mouth again and groaning when they both heard Adam speaking softly again.

“Gott…I can’t get enough of you!” he said, gave her one final kiss on the bare breast that had peeked out of the tangle of sheets and heaved himself off the bed to search for his shorts.

“We are so taking a nap after the General leaves this afternoon…and maybe we’ll even sleep for a while.”

She laughed and watched him grab for his sandals, button his shorts and grin as he hurried from the room.

Suddenly what he had said clicked in.

The General…he was coming to visit today!!

She leapt out of bed, throwing on yesterday’s discarded clothes and hurried out of the room, running down the hall and taking the stairs to the computer room to ask the on- duty soldiers what time the General was expected.

“Noon, Major…he is expected to come straight here after his flight lands.”

She thanked him and returned up the stairs with much less speed, going to the kitchen in hopes of coffee.

Coffee was keeping warm in the machine but the kitchen was empty so she poured herself a half cup, added cream from the frig and was about to park herself at the table when Urs and Adam came in.

“Here she is…we looked in the bedroom but you were gone…did you suddenly remember that the General is coming and panic?” Urs said with a cheeky grin as he slid Adam off his shoulders and flipped him in a somersault onto his feet.

Izzy smiled back at him with a nod, admitting her moment of panic then bending down as Adam made a dash for her with his hands held up.

“Good morning…need Kiss, Mama.”

“Good morning to you too, Little Man…did you have good dreams?”

“Fun dreams…singing with Papa today…asked…Papa say Ja…means Yes!”

Izzy laughed as he scrambled up into his special chair and looked around with a toothy grin.

“I suppose that will be the next thing…learning how to speak Schweitzer…I’ll have to leave that up to you, Swiss.”

Urs bent down to kiss her lightly on the neck.

“He’s like a little sponge…it should be easy…I see you’re trying coffee this morning…how’s your tummy?”

“So far, so good…but I only poured a half cup…You hungry?”

He had moved to the frig and took out an already poured juice for Adam in his special sippy cup, set it in front of his son and bent over Izzy’s shoulder again, this time using one finger to turn her head and make her gasp at the heat she saw in his eyes.

“Always, especially when I hear your sweet voice…but we should eat breakfast first.”

He kissed her, taking his time, slowly tasting her lips, touching his tongue to hers in a slow dance….her eyes were glazed when he pulled away, smiling as his fingers caressed her cheek. He mouthed one word and stood erect again….. “Later!”

“You, my little Love, are still excused from KP duties…what can I get you?”

Everyone else arrived at the precise moment that Urs was putting a platter of French Toast, bacon and sausages on the table next to the ever present bowls of Muesli, yogurt and fresh cut up fruit. Izzy managed a quarter of one slice as well as a small bowl of yogurt and a few pieces of fruit and teased Urs about being such a good cook that he would have to make another stack of French toast before Gerd and Cody were full.

“You gals nervous about Wallie coming to visit?” Cody asked with a grin.

“WALLIE? For heavens sake, Cody, be careful…you don’t want to slip and call the General that to his face…he could make your life very difficult,” Sally said with a horrified look on her face.

Izzy could tell by the sparkle in Cody’s eyes that he was about to pull Sally’s chain but said nothing, willing to let him have his fun for a while.

“No sweat, Stretch…we’ve worked together so long now that we don’t hold with all that official crap anymore.”

“Crap!” echoed a little voice.

Izzy shook her head and sighed.

“Why is it that he always zeros in on the only word he shouldn’t be hearing…Adam, Uncle Cody didn’t mean to say that rude word…please don’t say it again.”

“Okay!” the little boy said cheerfully, raising another spoonfull of Muesli to his eager mouth and this time actually getting more inside than down the front of the towel Urs had put across his chest.

Completely unrepentant, Cody grinned and carried on with teasing Sally.

“The few times Wallie has been down here we’ve had some really good times…the man is an animal when he gets a few drinks under his belt…and he loves going to those sleazy dives in the Barrio…there’s one lap dancer in particular that will remember him for a long time…”

He had gone just a shade too far and Sally burst into laughter.

“Now I see what you’re doing…well it won’t work…alright I was a bit nervous but I’m over it…when Wall…when the General gets here, I’ll be very professional and military, no silly fictional scenarios in my head…I hope.”

“I just hope he realizes that he’s losing both of you to civy street,” Gerd said, taking Sally’s hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze. “Will there be any hassle about resigning your commissions?”

“No,” Izzy answered with a little smile at the tenderness she saw between those two. “We’ve both done our 10 or at least almost, even though the last 2 were done as hostages … if we were going to stay in it would be time soon to re-up.”

“I think he’ll be happy anyway…he’s very enthused about the rehab center,” Cody offered, beating Gerd to the last two slices of French toast, then sharing by offering him one.

They finished breakfast, cleared the table, then Sally offered to watch Adam while Urs and Izzy showered.

“First I’m cutting this annoying hair,” Izzy said with a tug at the waves she had semi-controlled in a ponytail. “It takes forever to dry, so it’s history.”

Sally grinned.

“I wondered how long it would last…I trimmed mine when we were in the infirmary but I don’t have the same problem…mine is not as thick or wavy…I think I’m going to stay shoulder length for a while…it’ll be the first time it’s been long since I joined up. What I really need is a decent manicure.”

“I can do that,” Gerd offered with a grin. “Three sisters with limited funds, remember? Urs and I constantly got drafted.”

Izzy chuckled as Urs face colored.

“Another skill I knew nothing about…you are just full of surprises, SRG.”

He rose and came up behind her, dropping his hands to her shoulders.

“That’s nothing…you should see me on the computer now…I’m not always fast but I’m very thorough.”

She turned her head to gaze up at him and smiled…he knew she wasn’t thinking about computers and laughed.

“C’mon…I’ve got some barber scissors in my shaving kit…”

“Papa sing now?” Adam asked taking the towel from his chest and inching forward so he could swing out of his chair.

“Not yet, Son…first Mama and I are going to shower…then I’ll come get you and we’ll go to sing ….maybe out by the pool today.”

Urs found his scissors and shaved while Izzy cut a good 14 inches of hair off, tossed it in the wastebasket with a sigh of relief and then trimmed what was left into a shaggy mop, just a little longer than she had worn it when they first met.

“You could have gone to a salon, you know…I would have gladly taken you in to town.”

She looked at him in surprise then smiled.

“I’ve never been…I’ve been cutting my own hair since Mama died…it’s easy and if I make a mistake…it grows. You’re about to marry someone who doesn’t require high maintenance, my Swiss.”

“In anything?” he said with a grin in the mirror as their eyes met.

She laughed as she started the shower running, playing with the various jets until she had most of them spraying.

He finished shaving, wiped the remaining lather from his face, rinsed and then splashed with aftershave to close the pores.

“Bella…are you going to be taking the pill soon? I don’t want to give you a baby yet, not until you’re stronger. As much as I dislike them, still, I should probably use a condom.”

She turned to face him and smiled.

“Why don’t we just leave that up to God, Urs…he did a great job with Adam.”

He hugged her close, resting his head on top of hers.

“He did, didn’t he? It’s just that you’re so thin and get tired easily…well during the day anyway…and I want to be there for you this time…and you’re right…we can’t plan everything…have I told you today how much I love you?”

“There was some mention of ‘more than anything ever in my life’…but I never get tired of hearing it.”

“Unknot my towel and I’ll show you,” he said and picked her up by the waist to set her in the enclosure under the spray of water.

His towel slid to the floor and he sprang free from the soft material, thick and long, hard, ready…his hands slid over her wet skin to cup her bottom and he lifted her, joining them with a sigh of contentment that she echoed as her legs scissored around his taut butt and her hands pulled his head down to her open mouth….he proceeded to demonstrate just how slow and thorough he could be, so it was quite some time before they remembered that they needed to bathe.

**

Izzy listened to them singing, some tracks she wasn’t yet familiar with, some she knew well from before on the studio tapes. Urs was toning down his volume so he wouldn’t drown out the little voice of his son, stopping now and then to question Adam about the harmonies that the boy did without any instruction, a few times just listening to the pure voice of his son then correcting something, never the music, just the pronounciation of the words.

She could hear the pride in his voice as he talked to the boy, encouraging him to experiment, casually mentioning ways he could improve his breathing, praising when his newest student got it right.

‘He has so much patience…he’s a born teacher…or father which is very nearly the same thing….and Adam already adores him…I didn’t think I could love him more than I did before we broke up…but I do…I love this new Urs, the improved Urs…more self assured, more open, more…in charge….no more thinking things to death…he’s the same man I fell so madly in love with, just more complete, more comfortable in his own skin…and to think he put his life on the line to get me back…it makes me shiver to think of what could have happened to him if things had gone sour…Stop it!! that’s the past…think of the future, the traveling, the music, Reve, the R & R center…more babies, growing old together…OLD? He will never grow old!! I’ll always see him just as he is today, elegant even in his scruffy jeans, vibrant, lusty…OMG is he lusty!!’

She felt the ache start in her tummy and spread lower and leaned back in the lounger, thinking about their shower and last night…he had been so patient, so right, letting her take the lead, letting his touch inflame her, reminding her of their times so long ago…after touching him, tasting him, there was no holding back for her…no thoughts of the violence of Eduardo’s attacks, nothing but the man who loved her, the man she burned for.

“Sleeping?”

He had spoken softly just in case she was and she felt guilty when she opened her eyes, suddenly aware that the singing had stopped minutes before. She looked up at him as he smiled at her, wondering if he could tell what she had been thinking about.

“Naughty girl,” he said sitting on the side of the lounger and gently tweaking his fingers over the engorged nipples that had made two very noticeable bumps on her tee shirt.

“Your fault,” she murmured, looking around for Adam.

“Cody took him to the river to look for pretty stones…we could slip off to the room for a quickie but I’m thinking I’ll make you wait…there’s something rather exciting about a long, slow anticipation, building the yearning until I hear you beg for more…oh yes…I see you like the idea too….”

He was gently skimming his hands over her bare legs, touching so lightly it felt like a breeze caressing her skin, making her wiggle and reach for his hands.

He leaned forward and grasped both of her hands in one of his, lightly resting his free hand on the front of her shorts and nibbling on her nipple through the fabric of her shirt.
He left her now very wet breast and kissed her lightly, murmuring against her ear when they came up for air.

“By bedtime you are going to be so ready…”

“I’m ready now, damn you…you’ve become a tease, Urs Buhler…”

“I like to watch your eyes…the green glows just like your emerald, then it’s like you kind of go blind and they’re so deep and dark….and I’m my own victim….” he said with a laugh and pulled his shirt out to drape over the small wet stain on the bulging front of his shorts.

“Did you hear Adam singing? He’s really quite amazing…he has perfect pitch too and is learning breath control…when we’re home at Reve we have to start him on instruments…maybe a small violin to begin….”

Izzy started laughing and couldn’t stop for a few minutes until tears ran down her cheeks. Urs just patiently waited, smiling at her and holding her hands in his.

“How do you do that? You get me so wound up I could just scream or jump you right here and then you switch to talking about Adam.”

“Had to…they’re coming back. Just remember where we were for later.”

He leaned forward and kissed her quickly then stood, checking his shirt to make sure it draped low enough and grinning at Adam as he came across the patio.

Adam and Urs sat on the cement to look at the treasures from the riverside and Cody came on to pour himself a glass of juice from the jug on the table. He sat on the foot of the Lounger and glanced at Izzy.

“Your shirt’s wet,” he commented and wondered why she glared at him, then he looked at Urs and laughed.

**

CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO…THE GENERAL

The General arrived right on time, looking impeccable in his summer weight uniform, not at all as if he had just endured a lengthy flight for several thousand miles to arrive in the steamy heat of this tropical paradise.

Both Sally and Izzy were, of necessity, dressed in civies, {for Izzy a clean one without wet circles on the shirt}as were Gerd and Urs of course but Cody had donned his light weight fatigues, though it seemed the General was surprised.

“Stand easy, captain…this is an informal visit, no need for regulations. Santores, Carruthers…it’s so good to see you again….you’re both thin, but no lasting damage I hope?”

“No sir,” Izzy answered for both of them. “Until the old Commandante died we were treated reasonably. The new leader is a bit of a loose cannon though.”

“Yes, so I understand…we’ll talk about him later.”

“Sir, this is my fiancé, Urs Buhler and his brother Gerd.”

General Haggerty held his hand out to Urs with a huge smile.

“Ah yes…I’ve spoken many times to Urs…and lately to Gerd…” He shook Gerd’s hand as well. “I feel I know you both. Urs, that was an excellent idea you came up with about the new Japanese GPS system…we are definitely in your debt for them…all the old style were discovered too quickly to be of much use. I would appreciate it if you would give me the name of the company you purchased them from…we may have need of them again.”

“Gladly Sir…in fact I’ll give you the name of my contact at Sony…he may be able to cut a better deal for you.”

Urs played host, directing them all out onto the patio and away from the area where the cook and servers that Captain Hidalgo had sent over were busily setting out a buffet lunch.

“We’ve taken the liberty of providing a lunch, Sir, since our contacts told us you came straight from the airfield. It should be ready in a few minutes…Until then would you care for a beverage, coffee, juice…something a little stronger?”

“You know what I’d really like? …A beer…there’s something refreshing about an icy cold beer in a hot climate…and please, this visit as I said, is informal, actually it never happened, so no more Sir…my friends and my wife call me Wallie.”

Sally for some reason developed a tickle in her throat which became a full fledged coughing fit until Gerd smacked her on the back then offered her a large glass of water.

“And that little fellow playing in the sand…that would be your son, Santores…may I call you Isabella?…I have a feeling that your ‘Major’ days are over.”

“Yes, Sir….errrr…Wallie...I’m sorry that just doesn’t feel right, General….thats Adam…my reason for the emergency leave that didn’t come in time.”

“I am sorry about that…I had already sent you on the mission when the request came through channels…red tape you know…and of course it was too late.”

“General, you were right…I will be filing papers to be de- commissioned…I’m getting married and between my husband and family and the R & R center, I’m going to be a very busy retired Major. My Ten is up in another 3 weeks and I will not be re-upping.”

“Nor will I Wa…General,” Sally spoke up as well.

“I had expected this and of course will be sorry to lose you both but I do understand…and actually you will be very valuable to the Corp with the work you plan at the Center. You can of course opt to stay in the Reserves, keep your hand in so to speak in case an emergency arises.”

Urs had been silent up till now and abruptly sat forward, taking Izzy’s hand in his and speaking up in a firm but calm voice.

“Out of the question… Bella will never go into the field again. There are other ways to offer her skills to the world and she will be doing that…putting herself in harms way is not an option.”

Izzy smiled at Urs who had turned to look at her, a little concerned that she might be offended that he had answered for her…but all he saw on her face was the love she had for him…and pride that he was so eager to protect her and their plans for the future.

“Urs is right, General. I’ve made a commitment to him…and to myself…my husband and family come first. Actually Sally and I are BOTH going to be extremely busy keeping our two Buhler men in line and seeing that the R & R Centre runs smoothly.”

General Haggerty recognized a lost battle when he saw one and leaned back in his chair with a sigh of defeat.

“Both of you…well I can’t say I’m surprised…I hate to lose you both but I do agree…I made the same choice when our first child was born, transferring to a desk job…and I’ve never regretted it for a second…”

They were informed that lunch was ready and all moved to the heavy laden table to sample selections of the lovely meal laid on. Urs excused himself and went to fetch Adam, making a brief stop to wash his little face and hands then rejoining the others with his son proudly balanced on his hip.

“General, this is our son, Adam,” he said as the General looked up from scanning the dishes in front of him and smiled.

“Please to meet you, Sir,” Adam said, just as Urs had taught him, holding his hand out to the old soldier.

General Haggerty grinned and folded the little hand in his.

“…and I’m very pleased to meet you, Adam…. Did you know that my middle name is Adam, just like yours?”

“A lucky accident, General,” Izzy said from beside him.

“I named him Adam Diego because I liked the sound of the name for our first born…and after my father, Lt. Colonel Diego Santores….of course he isn’t officially registered anywhere yet…that’s another little detail we have to take care of.”

“Not exactly, my dear…when you were reported as deceased and we started arrangements for Adam to be brought to his father, I took the liberty of calling in some favors…I also made an assumption based on what I had learned of the character and persistence of young Herr Buhler here and had the boy’s birth registered as a Swiss national…we didn’t know what name you had chosen so he is merely Infant Male, Buhler at the moment…I do hope you don’t mind.”

It was rather obvious by the moist eyes of the proud Mama and the hug the beaming Papa gave her that they didn’t mind, not at all.

“I have a number of papers for you which we can go over once this lovely meal is finished…most of my day is free so there really is no rush. Oh and I took the liberty of bringing your passports and visas with me, expedited by the UN of course and I have your back pay from the past 2 years and 5 months which you will each have to sign for, a very healthy sum, I must say, though it seems a rather extreme way to save your funds…” He laughed at his own little joke and continued to take a little of everything on the table.

Once lunch had been consumed and everyone was relaxing on the patio, talk once again turned to plans for the future, the General listening intently while Urs, Sally and Gerd talked about Reve with Izzy adding her comments now and then, proudly letting Urs take the lead in what was essentially his brilliant idea.

‘He didn’t tell me that it was his idea, the tracking devices on the medical supplies…and that he paid for them…I just assumed that it was a UN thing and all the time it was my adorable, smart Swiss!! And to think I was wrestling with a little anger at him over the Alicia episode…the hookers I can forgive, but that he would go with Alicia…it made me hurt, angry…did he go with her because of an attraction that was festering all the time we were together?...or was she ‘safe’, someone he knew he could never really care about?....or was that something more psychological, ‘cheating’ with someone like her to punish himself?...drop it, Girl!!! That’s the past and can’t be changed…he loves me, only me…look forward, not back!!’

She reached over and slid her hand under Urs’ on his thigh, smiling when he glanced at her with a soft smile and a blinky wink before turning back to what the General was saying in answer to a question from Cody.

“No, Santores…I understand your zeal, wanting to go back to the camp and ridding the world of the new leader. He’s a very disorganized, evil man, unpredicatable in a way but that very unpredictablity is to our advantage. The old Commandante was a very intelligent adversay, made few bad moves over the years…he was a good leader, inspired loyalty in his followers, thought through his moves very carefully. It was because of him that the Columbian Army has had little real success of eliminating F.A.R.C. over the years…this new man has already made some major bad decisions…daily we have rebels coming out of the jungle and defecting to local authorities…we know where most of the camps are now…it’s just a question of waiting for the ideal moment to co-ordinate a raid, one which will go smoothly with little loss of life, little risk to those still being held….and it’s a benefit to us to have this man remain as leader, making mistakes that will only aid us in our preparations.”

He saw the disappointment on Cody’s face and knew exactly what he felt. Now that Sally and Izzy were out and safe, the big man wanted revenge.

“I can promise that when the time comes, if at all possible, you will be included in the raids.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Cody answered with a grimace that could have been an evil smile.

**

By mid afternoon all the talking about the efforts during the past year, the new Center at Reve and what little the women would divulge about their captivity had been accomplished and the General commented that he had enjoyed the visit immensely but unfortunately had some duty calls to perform while he was in Columbia. Izzy and Sally shook his hand and both were surprised by a very un-military hug from the usually very starchy man before Cody accompanied him out to his waiting transport.

Izzy took Adam for his nap, mentioning to Urs that she was going to indulge in one herself, a casual statement that had him striding to their room to draw the net curtains, turn down the bed, put on some soft music and stretch out to wait for her …. Sally and Gerd headed to their room to change into swim suits for a leisurely time by the pool.

As soon as they were alone the General stopped just short of the transport waiting for him and became the military personae that Cody was familiar with.

“Captain, I decided soon after arriving that one piece of information which has trickled down to me was not something that should be shared with Carruthers and Santores yet…they both appear to be doing well, thanks to the attention given them by yourself and the other two gentlemen but I can see how they still haven’t purged all the trauma from the past two years.

“The new leader, I believe he likes to be called El Jefe, is totally out of control because of the rescue of your sister and the raid which was responsible for the Betancourt rescue. He has posted a reward for the return of your sister, alive, though it is my estimation that were she returned through some devious means, she would not retain her life for long….there is also a dividend to be paid if the boy and Carruthers are killed and the only reason I can see for that is sheer malice at being thwarted.

“There are some in the populace who are in sympathy with the rebels or just greedy enough to want the reward he is offering, which my informants claim is 2 kilo bricks of pure cocaine…I’m sure you realize how enticing the street value of that quantity of pure product would be to someone who has nothing. Get them out of here, somewhere that this man has no power…the US, Europe, the UK…and until you do, keep a very close eye on them, trust no-one.”

Cody watched while the General’s vehicle pulled out of the compound, standing in the now empty drive until he heard the satisfying clang of the gates shutting behind the SUV.

So, it wasn’t really over yet. He had worried about just this kind of thing happening, hadn’t mentioned it to the others but his instincts had been on full alert for the past couple of days.

The girls were both relaxing now and the possibility that they may want to spread their wings with a shopping trip into the city was a distinct reality…he couldn’t let that happen, not now with this piece of news that meant vigilance was necessary.

Three years ago they had both been strong, physically and mentally…not now…nearly 2 and a half years of subjugation, starvation and deprivation had left them physically weak, mentally dependant on their men, both with the spirit they had shown before, severely damaged. It would return, the adventurous spirit that was so much a part of who they were, but not yet…at the moment they were just as wounded as soldiers returning from a war zone with visible wounds.

No, the best thing was as the General had said…be careful and be gone from here as soon as possible.

He looked around at the space they were inhabiting, his experienced eyes pinpointing the perfect vantage point for guards, the weaknesses of their defence…the tall trees just outside the compound would be excellent spots for snipers, the stream where Izzy liked to walk with Adam, collecting stones and wading in the cool water…a perfect area for someone to hide and snatch her away, dragging her into the impenetrable growth in mere seconds.

He frowned as he strode into the house and down the stairs to the computer room to have a little chat with the on duty soldiers. They had to leave, and soon…until then he would tighten security and try to keep it a secret from the girls.

**

CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE…A BUMP IN THE ROAD

It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that Cody had the chance to talk to Gerd and Urs privately.

He had decided that the General was right to not inform them all, especially the girls. It seemed dishonest but was for the better. They had made such great strides in coping with being free and purging themselves of the memories of what had happened that he didn’t want to inflict any more trauma on them. The three men would have to deal with the problem for now and take a chance on the wrath of Izzy and Sally when they eventually found out what was happening.

So he waited until after dinner, arranging with the on-duty soldiers in the computer room to keep their eyes {via cameras that hadn’t been used up to now, in the main rooms and outside areas only} and ears open for problems while he convinced Urs and Gerd to go for an evening stroll along the river bank.

That part was easy.

Urs knew him so well now that it only took one grim look as Cody caught his attention with a cheerful “C’mon you lazy buggers…come for a walk with me…” and Urs was on his feet ready to go, cutting Gerd off verbally when he opened his mouth to beg off.

Fortunately Sally was talking to her mother on IM and Izzy was reading a story to Adam and was distracted, so merely glanced at Urs and smiled when he gave her a peck on the cheek and told her he would be back soon.

The three men were silent as they went down the path and along the river bank a little way, stopping at a jumble of boulders to stand staring out over the stream.

“I wanted to tell you this first and let you decide how much you think it would be good to tell the girls now,” Cody began, then without any more stalling told them exactly what the General had relayed to him.

He watched their reactions, concluding with his own feelings about what he had learned.

“The man has limited power, confined only to this country since he has very little financial backing…the mole that sent the message out thinks that it’s only because Eduardo has provided security for some of the minor drug operations that he has the coke to pay off the reward…the old leader was adamant apparently about not dealing with the drug lords…so I think we have to speed up our schedule and get the girls and Adam out of here as soon as we can.”

He could feel the anger emanating from the Buhler men, see it in their tense bodies, the clenched fists and tight facial muscles.

“I wish we could just go back there and kill him…we should have done it while we were there…” Urs hissed through gritted teeth.

“How can anyone be so evil? And Adam…why would he want to…he’s only a child, never hurt anyone…?” Gerd was having problems believing that what he had heard was true, not having seen the people in the camp or experienced nearly as much of the inhumanity that Urs had seen in his travels or Cody had experienced first hand with his work.

“Alright…both of you…get the anger out of the way…you need to be calm and able to keep this from them, at least until we get them out of here…or you can tell them and have them nervous as cats locked in a cage full of dogs. If it were my decision I would get on the horn and have that plane come as soon as possible…maybe use the excuse of a shopping trip in New York or Toronto, before you go on…I can lay on some discrete security to get you to the airport and to make sure the plane is safe…and I’ve already spoken to the guys in the computer room….there are cameras all over this place, except in the bedrooms, and they are now activated…so no more nookie in the pool or on the deck or the patio or kitchen…not unless you want to drive the on-duty guys crazy….and have an audience.”

He chuckled when he made the last comment, sure that if it hadn’t been pitch dark he would see both men turning bright red.

“Ah..I’ll…I’ll get on to Simon right away about sending the plane…and I’ll explain to him so they won’t file a flight plan until the last minute…that should give us a bit of an edge if they have someone at the airport…he may even be able to get permission to land on the Army airfield…Simon seems to have friends in the strangest places. Once we’re out of here I’ll tell Bella…she’ll be royally ticked with me but I agree it’s best…she’s more fragile than she lets on even after talking about it to me for hours.”

“Sally too…his second in command had a thing for Sally…she told me what he did…she seems like a tough babe but she’s cried herself to sleep in my arms nearly every night.”

“I’ll go with you…I’m tired of this place…and if I stay here much longer I’m likely to disregard the General’s objections and go back to the camp and finish off Eduardo and his buddy. I need to get back to New York and deal with some good old normal misguided teenagers, maybe a side trip to see this place you’ve been talking about in Switzerland before it’s covered with 40 feet of damned snow.”

Both Urs and Gerd laughed, glad to have the tension eased by his opinion of cold climates.

“It’s never like that around Lac Leman…we get mild winters there, in comparision with the rest of Switzerland…that’s why it’s so good for growing grapes,” Urs said proudly as they headed back up the hill.

Izzy was supervising Adam’s bath when they reached the house so Urs went to his computer and sent out a quick request to Simon, explaining the situation and asking for haste, then joined her to supervise the supervisor.

He tried to sneak in the room but Adam spotted him and began laughing, clapping his hands and sending bubbles flying everywhere.

“You need a rain slicker…I think you’re wetter than he is,” he said as he bent over to nuzzle her damp curls and steal a tiny nip on her exposed neck.

“Nice walk? Or was it a nice, private talk with no women around?”

“Both…Cody is getting antsy, wants out of here…I think he’s missing some cutie back in Montreal…he’s talking about going back and I wondered if maybe we shouldn’t go soon too…you mentioned you need to see a dentist and we will need some warmer clothes for both you and Adam…that way we can do the long haul to Croatia in easy stages.”

She searched his eyes and he had to look away, kneeling by the tub and using one of Adam’s toys to tickle him on the wet belly.

When he looked back at her she was still watching him, smiling gently, but with her brow furrowed.

“There’s something you aren’t telling me…”

He sighed. He should have known better than to try and keep a secret from her.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes, you know I do, completely!!…alright…I’d like to get my teeth cleaned…I feel like I have a mouth full of fur…and shopping sounds great…we can be ready anytime.”

“Thank you…do you have any idea how very much I love you?”

She grinned at him and gave him a little nudge out of the way, leaning her breasts against him as she leaned past so she could pull the plug on Adam’s bath.

“You can show me in about half an hour when this little guy is asleep.”

**

Urs mouth was against her neck as they lay trying to calm their breathing, bodies slick with sweat from their exertions, the after shocks of orgasm still rippling rhythmically through them.

“My little Virgin Bride…Mein Gott you’re tasty!!”

She chuckled and murmured softly, her eyes still heavy with the lust that never seemed far below the surface.

“Why do you call me that? I’m hardly a virgin anymore.”

“You feel like one…I thought you would be stretched after Adam’s birth…but I think you’re even tighter than before…it’s an incredible sensation, the way you wrap around me so firmly, so wet and hot…I can feel every muscle ripple…”

She smiled at the way just talking about making love made him wet his lips and his pulse begin to speed up.

“Have you actually had many virgins, Urs, or is this locker room talk?”

He laughed and made her skin shiver with the vibrations.

“Some…a few before I was really very good…you know, just jump on, bang away, get off and that was it…then when I got older and knew more….are you sure you want to hear this?”

She felt him slip out and turned on her side, his now semi-flaccid penis resting against her thigh.

“Yes…I want to know everything about you…and hearing about your past is…well it’s erotic.”

He laughed and brushed his hand over her still engorged nipple, tugging gently on it when she shivered.

“It isn’t uncommon in this modern world for a young woman to ask an older, more experienced man to be the first…it’s not so much the actual physical act, although it’s important to do that right, to make the whole experience as romantic as possible, as it is teaching them that it’s alright to speak up and say what they want, what they like, to be unafraid to ask their man what HE likes….I felt honored to be asked a few times and accepted twice, only if the women were of legal age….once with the sister of one of my ex-students, another time it was the neice of a visiting tenor from the chorus at the Academy….it’s very much an honor….so yes, I have had a few virgins… and that way you have of making me feel like no man has ever pleased you the way I do….that’s one reason why I call you my Virgin Bride….that and every time with you is new and different, just like it was our first time.”

“…I feel sorry for the virgins of the world but you won’t be doing anymore cherry picking!!” she said biting his lower lip none too gently.

“Vixen!!...now look what you’ve done!!” He laughed and ground his hips against her so she could feel the hardening length of him.

“Kegels…that’s how I tightened up after Adam…it’s exercises a woman can do to strengthen her vaginal area.”

“Whatever they’re called…they work!”

Urs raised his torso on one bent arm and slowly lowered his mouth to her face, his eyes with that familar sultry look again.

“With a woman like you in my bed who would have time or energy to play with other virgins? No one else even comes close to what I share with you, my own Sweet Love…not even close!”

There was no room for bad memories of the camp as the love in his darkening eyes filled her sight, the musk and citrus scent of him over whelmed her senses, the heat of his body warmed her from their connected mouths to the toes that dueled for space under the tangled sheet, his long fingers touched, stroked, caressed, teased, his muscles rippled as he moved her pliant body to gain even more access….she peaked when he thrust two fingers inside and stroked her G spot, began again when his tongue replaced his fingers, his thumb massaging her sweet spot, laughed with the joy of it when he cried out in pain/pleasure as she tightened around him when he joined with her, moaned when he consumed her mouth, sharing the tang of their mingled love, muffled her scream against his thudding chest when they reached the crest once more and flew into space, his howl rumbling like music from his soul against her neck, deep and impossible to hold in …they slept that way, his weight partly off of her on his side, sated, exhausted…one being, joined in Love.

Urs came back from talking to Simon on IM and passed behind Izzy at the breakfast table, grinning at Adam as he stopped to run his long fingers over her throat gently and tipped her face up to his for a quick kiss.

“MMMMM…Orange Juice and Bella…my favorite breakfast!” he said softly but Sally heard him and chuckled as she grinned at them.

“Get a room, you two!”

“Been there…done that… twice…want more…” he said as he slipped into the seat between Adam and Izzy and reached for the coffee.

Gerd burst out laughing and peered around, turning back to the others with a grin.

“Okay, where is Urs and who is this impostor? My very private brother would never have made that comment.”

Urs ignored him as he tidied up the area in front of Adam and passed him a couple of pieces of pineapple.

“I talked to Simon…we should be ready to go in late afternoon…he’ll call back with an exact time. Where’s Cody this morning?...Surely he didn’t sleep in.”

“He was here a few minutes ago…with company…a very pretty nursing Lieutenant from the Infirmary…he just went out to the driveway to put her in a taxi.”

“Her??!! Good, then he’ll be in a better mood today…Have you already eaten, Baby?”

“No, I wanted to wait for you…it’s Gerd and Sally’s turn to cook but he’s whining about it.”

Urs grinned at his brother.

“He only has one thing that’s edible…scrambled eggs…c’mon little Brother I’ll help you.”

He took his coffee and began pulling things out of the frig, humming something for a few minutes then bursting into song and turning to smile at Adam who began clapping his hands in glee.

When Cody returned to the kitchen it was to find Adam and Urs singing, thick ham slices sizzling on the griddle with rounds of semi-ripe tomatoes, the largest frying pan heaped with browning chunks of last night’s potatoes, Sally buttering wedges of perfectly done toast and Gerd feverishly stirring a huge puddle of scrambling eggs with thyme and sautéed mushrooms on the flat top, one hand full of grated cheese to sprinkle on top at just the right moment.

**

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR…SAFE AT LAST

Packing was easy since the girls and Adam had very little that needed to go. Urs culled through his temporary wardrobe of lightweight items, keeping only what he was sure he would wear again and they were soon ready.

The only awkward moment came when Adam wanted to go outside to play and Urs insisted that he play inside today.

Izzy looked at him in question but when no explanation was offered distracted the little boy with a request to listen to him singing with his Papa and suggested that he should ask Papa to show him if he still remembered how to play the recorder. Sally was not quite as easily compliant but Gerd managed to find something naughty to keep her occupied and happy.

Right after lunch the call they had expected from Simon came….the plane would be landing in an hour on the airfield at the Army Base and would be towed into Hangar 14 for boarding.

“Simon has asked someone from Sony to meet us at the airport in New York,” Urs commented as he helped Izzy get Adam ready to leave, setting aside theBB monitor to go in his carry-on.

“It’s going to be cooler in New York and the three of you will need warmer clothes…one of the secretaries is seeing to it, just some jackets until we can go shopping.”

She looked at him in surprise, not having remembered the change in climate they would be experiencing.

“Thank you, Urs…it totally slipped my mind…I suppose it will be even cooler in Croatia…how do you guys cope with the climate changes so often?”

“Layers, zip out linings in jackets…we’re never in one place long enough to adjust naturally. Croatia won’t be too bad…remember it’s a coastal area, becoming famous as a tourist destination…Ready, Liebe?”

Though his outward appearance was upbeat, smiling and seeming relaxed, she could tell that he was anxious, his body poised for action, his movements swift and sure, almost orchestrated, as he placed his own body between her and the windows, kept Adam tucked tightly against his chest or occupied and away from any open area, always only a step away from being able to shield Izzy if the need arose.

The heavy front door was open when they met up with the others in the foyer. Cody stopped them just short of going out and they stacked the luggage by the door, standing back, looking out from the dim light of the foyer into the glaring sunlight.

Several soldiers in combat gear quickly slung their weapons over shoulders and loaded the luggage in the back of a van which had been pulled up close to the door.

Urs was carrying Adam and felt the boy tense at the sight of the soldiers, paling and grasping his shirt tightly, wriggling just a bit closer to the security of his Papa.

“Friends, Son…good soldiers…Papa has you…it’s alright,” he murmured softly to the boy, trying to calm his fears, quietly blocking Izzy’s access to the doorway by steering her into a huddle behind the imposing back of her brother.

The last of the luggage went in and the tailgate slammed shut, the soldiers postioned themselves to each side of the door, weapons ready again, looking out over the compound intently. A Captain stepped into sight and beckoned them to enter the open side door of the van.

Cody stepped out, stopped to glance around and motioned for the Buhler men to shepherd their charges out as he had instructed them, men first and to each side, forming a living corridor of impressive muscle and tense bodies.

Izzy was becoming more apprehensive by the moment and when she took a step outside she realized that unknown to those in the house, except likely Cody, they had been in an armed and guarded encampment at least for the last few hours. She hesitated and pressed to the side, against Urs.

There were soldiers around the perimeter, on the rooftop, at the gate, all armed, all intently watching the surrounding area for signs of movement or danger.

“Urs….” she began with a quiver in her voice, half turning to face him, her eyes big and filling with fear, all of her extensive military training deserting her at this unexpected twist of events.

He was standing so that his body blocked hers, Adam held low on his chest and hidden from any watching eyes.

“Please, Baby…trust me…get in the van…”

His eyes were begging her to understand, to obey without explanation ….she clutched at Urs’ arm, took the few steps to the vehicle and nervously stepped inside, sitting beside a large, armed soldier on the bench seat, Urs smoothly sliding in beside her, Adam between his legs and held tight with one arm, their bodies forming a screen that sheltered both mother and child. Sally followed her lead and slid onto the seat behind, the filling in another living sandwich of security.

Cody jumped into the front passenger seat, standing the Mach 10 that they now saw clearly, on the butt end between his legs and they were off, lead by an Army vehicle full of armed guards in front and followed by another.

Urs put his strong arm around Izzy’s shoulders and snuggled her closer, neither of them speaking of the way her body was shaking violently and the way she sucked air in through clenched teeth.

The trip went smoothly, quietly, with not one word spoken, even by usually chatty Adam who burrowed his face under his Papa’s bicep and held on to one finger of the hand restraining him, so tightly that the circulation in Urs’ slowed…..traffic was held back at intersections by city police officers who waved them through….they hardly slowed at the gate to the airfield, the first vehicle speeding ahead to clear the way and before many minutes had passed were in the hangar, parked near the sleek white Sony jet.

Again there were guards, this time encircling the aeroplane, weapons ready. The pilots and attendants were inside along with a quietly efficient official who quickly stamped their papers with exit permission and departed.

Urs helped Izzy strap in after getting Adam situated in the seat he would occupy with his Papa and leaned in to kiss her quickly.

“Thank you, my little Love….I’ll explain soon, I Promise,” he whispered.

He had just barely settled in the next seat with Adam nestled under the seat belt on his lap, one arm around his son and his other stretched across the narrow space to hold Izzy’s hand firmly, when they felt movement as the plane was nudged out onto the tarmac in preparation for taxiing.

It was possible to hear the sigh of relief from the three tense men when they were airborne and climbing into the light cloud cover of the afternoon sky.

**
Cody took Adam up to visit the pilots while Urs and Gerd explained what had transpired to Izzy and Sally.

Both reacted quietly, gasping and paling, then angry, not at the two men but at the evil intentions of the man they thought they were finally free of.

Izzy was shaking with residual fear and anger when Urs took her in his arms and comforted her.

“I do understand why they can’t just go blasting in there and blow him away but I’ve never wished for the death of anyone the way I want him gone. Thank Gott we didn’t make any allies when we were there or he would be taking it out on them. And now…will we have to be watching over our shoulders even in New York and Europe?”

“Nein, Liebe…General Haggerty says that Eduardo has no power outside of Columbia….he has nothing to offer anyone since he doesn’t have the connections to get that amount of drugs out of the country….and I won’t let anything happen to you or Adam.”

He sighed, holding her close, trying not to think about what could have occurred if they hadn’t received the warning in time. A quick glance at Gerd and Sally across the aisle showed that she also hadn’t erupted with anger and was nestled safely in his brother’s arms, her face wet with tears of subdued fear and relief. They had been right to hold back the information until now.

Cody came back with a very excited little boy, his face wreathed in a huge grin.

“He asked so many questions he should be able to fly this thing by the time we reach New York.”

He checked both men for signs of damage and smiled as he saw they were unscathed.

“So, Ladies…now you’re REALLY free…the pilot says the weather in New York is, quote “a fine fall day” and we should arrive around 8:30 p.m. East Coast time… I know it’s early in the day but I asked the attendant to break out the bubbly to celebrate.”

Even Adam had a tiny sip of the excellent champagne when it was served…he wasn’t impressed and gratefully settled for a nice sippy cup of orange juice.

**

Cody had dibs on the Tribeca apartment so Urs had made reservations for the rest of them in a small but luxurious hotel, the Muse, just off of Times Square.

After being greeted by the Sony secretary and accepting the bags of warmer clothing, the girls donned their new leather coats while Urs slipped Adam into a toasty warm lined denim jacket and they bade Cody goodbye for now…he insisted on catching a taxi for the trip to Tribeca and “12 hours in my own bed”. The secretary had her own vehicle parked in the no parking zone with a sticker that deterred tow trucks but had a stretch limo waiting for them and they were soon inside, luggage loaded and gliding, as limos seemed to do, along the approaches to the city proper.

Adam was fascinated by the many, many buildings at first but soon began to droop and by the time they reached The Muse was fast asleep with his curly head on Urs shoulder.

It made Izzy smile to watch her man taking charge when they entered the hotel past the smiling doorman.

Urs strode immediately not to the reception desk but to the concierge, addressing him by the name he could see on the discrete gold nametag.

“Mr. Marshall…Urs Buhler, party of 5 for the Presidential suite…I would prefer to register in the suite in about 15 minutes, as soon as we get our son into bed. He’s had a very long day.”

“Certainly, Mr. Buhler…I’ll take you directly up…Please, follow me.”

The porter had loaded their luggage in one of the elevators…they took the other, using the private one which would take them directly to the floor which only had two suites on it.

“The items you requested for your son are in the suite, Sir…as well as the youth bed and step-stools for the lavatory,” the concierge said quietly, not wanting to wake the sleeping child.

Urs nodded and thanked him.

“I appreciate your efficiency, Mr. Marshall…it’s always a pleasure to stay at The Muse because of it.”

Izzy, Sally and Gerd were still taking in the atmosphere of this unique Art Deco hotel when they were ushered into the suite by the concierge. He murmured that he would return in 20 minutes if that would be convenient and left, closing the door gently behind him.

The suite was beautiful, consisting of a large multi purpose room that was both Lounge and dining area, paneled in walnut with Art deco furnishings in black, white and tan, a small kitchen area beyond the long leather couches, Tiffany style lamps on the Mission tables, a tiny office area equipped modems and copy machines and spacious bedroom suites on each side with dressing rooms that would not be out of place in a private home.

Urs had asked for a youth bed to be in one of the dressing rooms for Adam and he went there immediately, gently laying the boy on the comfy bed and helping Izzy to take his clothing off, hopefully without waking him.

“I know it’s sort of a huge closet but I can’t get my head around loving you with Adam in the room…and if we’re going to be here for a few days…”

She smiled at him.

“Good thinking, SRG…I haven’t begun to get tired of you yet.”

He grinned at her.

“Will you ever?”

“Maybe…in a hundred years or so…seriously Urs, this ‘closet’ is almost as big as his room in Bogota.”

“Can you imagine people travelling with enough luggage to fill it? Amazing what some people cart around.”

He worked the tiny shirt off over his son’s head, smiling as Adam frowned and flapped a hand at the annoying movement.

“It’s a good thing he had an appetite when the attendant served dinner on the flight…I’d hate for him to wake up hungry.”

“You worry too much, Urs…he’s actually gained weight since he’s been with you…I find him heavy to carry around now….and he’s losing that little belly that children suffering from malnutrition get.”

Urs slid his son under the child sized duvet on the little bed and kissed him before standing and putting his arms around Izzy.

“I love him, that’s why I worry…”

“I’m so proud of the way you’ve taken to being a real father….I’m not surprised, just very proud of you…I thought I might be jealous, having to share him now, but I’m not…it makes my heart swell when I see the two of you together.”

“Sometimes I look at him when he’s quiet and I get such a feeling of awe…we created this amazing little being!! It’s such a rush, I can hardly breathe when I think about it.”

Adam wiggled into a more comfortable position and they watched for a minute then stole from the room, leaving the door open until they could rescue the Big Boy monitor from Urs’ carryon.

Sally and Gerd had been looking out from the balcony off the Lounge at the lights of Times Square only half a block away…at least that is probably what they had started out to do but were now fused together in a passionate kiss that left little doubt about their feelings for one another.

“Okay you two, get a room!!!” Urs called out, a bit of payback for the kitchen comment.

Gerd laughed and took Sally’s hand to lead her back inside, closing the sliding door on the cool night air.

“You’re just jealous since you have to share your room with the midget.”

“No he doesn’t…Urs is locking Adam in the closet.”

Sally looked appalled until Izzy laughed and explained about the huge dressing room.

The luggage arrived and was sorted out, carried by the bell-man into the appropriate bedrooms and he left with a generous tip.

“I don’t know about you guys but I’m starving all of a sudden…they have 24 hour room service here…what do you say we order something sent up?” Urs asked rubbing his suddenly empty feeling stomach.

There was agreement all around so they checked out the menu and ordered far too much food, then unpacked the necessities while waiting for it to arrive.

The concierge came back and registration was quickly accomplished, followed almost immediately by the arrival of their food and the girls remembered that one thing they hadn’t done yet was watch any TV.

“It hasn’t improved any while you were away,” Urs said with a wry smile but got shot down in flames.

“We don’t care…it’s a symbol of returning to civilization…I wonder if there’s a channel with CSI on?...Is that still playing?” Sally said with a grin as she tried to figure out the remote control.

Gerd found one for her and they all chose comfy spots and settled in, gorging themselves on bad commercials and predictable plot lines while they ate.

**

The girls got ready for bed while Urs and Gerd spent a few minutes out on the balcony, supposedly getting a bit of air but in reality it was because Gerd felt uncomfortable and wanted a few minutes to talk to Urs.

“You have to let me pay part of the suite, Urs….I’m not poor you know, don’t need a handout.”

“Sorry, GB…all this happened so fast…I should have sat down with you and talked finances. Listen, the deal you made with the Columbian government to pay for those GPS monitors more than covered any expenses I’ve assumed for you and Sally, including your air-fare, the hotel, shopping etc….not that I would have cared anyway…I couldn’t have done it without your help…and we still have to talk about Reve, about what you can expect to get back out of all the work and time you’ll be putting in to it….I think Reve is going to be your IL Divo adventure…you’re going to be taking a big leap of faith, quitting your job, taking on a new direction…and it’s going to be so much work, especially at first, getting it up and running…but I honestly think this could be the thing that gives you happiness with your work…and financial success beyond your dreams…it’s not a hand-out you know…you, Sally and Izzy will be working your asses off getting it up and running.”

“Well so far it’s brought me back my Angel and there’s no monetary value I could place on that….when all the excitement dies down we’ll talk about Reve, salaries or whatever…for now, concentrate on taking care of your woman and your son…I can take care of Sal and me for a while.”

“Deal!” Urs said with a grin and gave him a Cody-like smack on the shoulder.

“And stop working out before you accidentally hurt someone…like maybe me!!” Gerd shot back at him, rubbing his shoulder as they went back in to join their ladies.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE…SHOPPING

They breakfasted in the suite and argued…about shopping of all things.

Neither of the girls wanted to buy much and asked to go to Macy’s for what they would need, a decision which didn’t make either man happy since they thought that only the high end boutiques were good enough for their women.

“You two…STOP IT!! both of us have enough clothes once we put on some weight and muscle…all we need now is small sizes that will keep us warm…alright yes, Urs, I can see you’re just itching to mention that we will be going to all sorts of functions…but that’s you and I don’t intend to be out in front of the cameras…maybe some decent slax and sweaters or tops to wear under that lovely leather coat and things for Adam so he can cope with the change in climate…Macy’s will have everything we need…don’t be such brand name snobs!!!...it’s not like we want to go to the Thrift Store and buy second hand…though that might not be a bad idea…Sal, what do you think?”

Urs was trying to hold in his laughter at this sign that the old stubborn Izzy was returning but at the mention of the thrift store burst out in a loud chuckle and held up his hands in surrender.

“I give up! Gerd, we can’t push it or try to call their bluff…I don’t know about Sally but I’ve played poker with Izzy and she’s tough….Macy’s it is, Ladies. We should go soon so we can be back for Adam’s nap.”

“Then we’re going to hold the fort while you two lovelies go down to the Spa and get pampered,” Gerd said with a grin. “Manicure, pedicure, some kind of avocado wrap thing to make your skin even more delicious…the works, anything you like.”

Urs grinned at the surprised looks on the women’s faces and the high fives they gave each other.

“AND, tomorrow while you get tortured by the dentist, I’m taking Adam to F.A.O. Schwartz…I always wanted to go there and now I have an excuse.”

“Me too, me too,” Gerd said, very like an excited little boy that didn’t want to be left out.

“Oh Gawd…Izzy you know what that means…Adam will have enough toys for the rest of his life…if these two let him play with them.”

Urs ignored them and started talking to Gerd about the merits of a small motorcycle, wondering what kind of speeds it would get up to, how much it would weigh, if there was a choice of colors…Gerd wasn’t yet used to winding Sally up and blew the joke by laughing, earning himself a scowl and a “We’ll have to get our signals straight” from big Brother.

It seemed that high on the list of priorities for the girls was a roomy shoulder bag. They were busy discussing the merits of such an item, how many pockets, zippers or domes, while the two men listened and watched in bemused silence as they rode down in the elevator, Urs carrying Adam in his arms for now but a back pack carrier slung over one shoulder for later if the boy got tired of walking around in the stores….the concierge had done well, getting just the right kind for a tall 2 year old.

The hotel limo was waiting for them, another perk of booking the suite they were in and whisked them through the convoluted streets to pull up in front of Macy’s, causing a bit of a stir as some tourists gawked, trying to see if it was someone famous inside. The Master Planner had foreseen this and was in one of his disguises, unshaven, wearing jeans and a leather jacket, a baseball cap on his wild hair…he still didn’t get it that true fans would recognize him even if he had been wearing a toga…in fact that would have delighted some of the bolder ones.

Gerd took Adam and herded everyone else into the entrance of the store while Urs dealt with the small group of women who had recognized him and pulled out old letters, pocket books, shopping lists and pens for an autograph.

“I love my fans but sometimes a guy just wants to be left alone,” he muttered to Gerd as he joined them inside the store and they headed first for children’s wear.

Izzy came to an abrupt halt, looking around at the racks of clothing and shelving filled with small garments.

“Are you alright, Love?” Urs asked after almost walking up her back at her sudden stop.

“I…I’ve never shopped for him…not before he was born and of course not after…most of the time in the camp he ran around naked.”

He smiled gently at her, hugging her with the arm that was free since he now had Adam back.

“I think Europe might be a little cool for that…lets start from the skin and work out.”

Once again he quietly took charge, approaching a sales clerk and asking for assistance.

He smiled at the woman…she paled and managed to regain her composure with difficulty….the Buhler/Divo charm had advantages.

“My son needs everything…we’re going to Europe soon and all of his clothing was lost…could you perhaps give us some assistance?”

The pile of necessities grew larger by the minute as they choose items just as he had suggested, starting from the skin and working out: thick socks with cushioned soles, underwear just like Papa’s except that Urs’ lacked the cute teddy bears and pictures of trucks, tee shirts for under the soft sweaters {unfortunately they had no Harley tees in Adam’s size}, lined and unlined jeans and 2 cute little suits with clip on ties for the cotton dress shirts, bib front denim overalls with pockets, a trip back to the underclothing department for 3 pair of pjamas with feet, a poufy snow jacket and pants in flame red, a short leather jacket that Urs decided every well dressed boy should have, mitts that Adam thought were a neat novelty,{ he wore one pair for the next hour} and matching scarves and toques just in case they ran into really foul weather. Sneakers, Wellies, Sno boots, a pair of finely tooled high leather boots {again like Papa’s} and one pair of dress shoes joined the pile and he was outfitted…for now until he grew out of these items.

The helpful clerk began tallying the items and folding them or boxing them neatly.

“I would prefer not to have to carry these around for the next few hours…would you have everything Express Delivered to The Muse, Please,” he asked with another of his special smiles as he handed the flustered woman his credit card. Beside him he heard Izzy trying to muffle her giggle and he moved his foot to step lightly on her toes, succeeding only in making her giggle even more.

“Sorry,” she said to the clerk when her laughter drew the woman’s attention. “I just finally got the punch line of a joke. You’ve been very kind and we do appreciate your help…I really was at a loss where to begin.”

“My pleasure, Ma’am…to be honest, I’m a fan…I’m looking forward to the next tour.”

“Me too,” Urs said. “If you would be so kind as to give me your name I’ll see that tickets for you and a friend are waiting at the box office when we do New York…just a small token of appreciation.”

Izzy thought the woman was going to swoon.

“Do women still do that? Obviously fans do!! ….and I know just how they feel when he turns on that charm!”

A few minutes later they had finished everything and moved on to the ladies wear, joining Sally and Gerd who had gone on ahead.

Sally was smiling happily as she went through a rack of long sleeved sweaters, holding one up now and then to see what Gerd thought of the color.

“Look at these, Izzy…they’re so soft.”

Izzy grinned at her.

“We’ll have to stop by the luggage department…Urs just bought half of children’s wear for Adam…including the cutest little leather jacket…and the mitts that the Munchkin won’t take off.”

She looked affectionately at her two guys and saw Adam lean closer to his Papa and whisper something.

Urs turned to her and handed her the credit card.

“Go crazy, Love… I’m going to find the men’s room for Adam.”

Gerd went with him, happy to escape something he had always hated….shopping to him was torture, the quicker done the better.

When they returned the girls were nowhere to be seen so Urs approached a clerk.

“We had to leave for a few minutes and now can’t see our ladies anywhere…a tall blonde and a much shorter brunette…”

“Ah yes …both zeros…they are in the dressing rooms at the moment, Sir…perhaps you would care to wait in the chairs just off to the side …”

She indicated some well used chairs placed so that the waiting husbands could put in time comfortably.

Both of the women limited themselves to the necessities after settling on the all important over sized shoulder bag…sweaters, tees, a couple of hoodies, jeans, one neutral pant suit each and two stylish shirts to wear with them, splurged a bit on lingerie that actually fit, a couple of pair of pantyhose and allowed the guys to talk them into a pretty dress each.

“I don’t like that clerk,” Urs said quietly as Izzy came out one final time and had passed her choices over to the woman to be bagged.

She raised her brow at Urs and he leaned closer to continue.

‘She called you and Sal nothings…I think it was wery rude.”

Izzy looked confused for a moment then grinned.

“Did she say ‘nothing’ or was it ‘zero’?”

“Zero…why?”

She laughed and patted his cheek.

“That’s what size we both are now…I’m a petite zero and Sally is a tall zero…we both used to be 6’s or 8’s.”

He looked embarrassed, murmured something about European sizes being different, then suggested they look at shoes next.

So twice more he asked to have the purchases sent to the hotel though the pile of bags and boxes for the ladies was nothing like Adam’s.

**

Adam was in agreement with the older Buhler men…he didn’t like shopping and by the time they had finished with the shoes he had reached his limit. Even the novelty of the mitts had worn off…he wanted down, wanted to play, to run around, to eat…as a compromise they all went for lunch, a great ploy since the place that Izzy suggested had paper placemats and crayons for him to draw or color on.

**

Their purchases beat them back to the suite and were neatly stacked in the foyer when they wandered in, Adam almost asleep in Urs’ arms already. He took him through to the bedroom while the others sorted out the bags and boxes then returned to stop Izzy just as she was loading her arms with far too many packages.

“Here, Love…that’s what you have me for,” he said, taking the load off of her and easily slipping his long fingers through the loops of a few more bags.

“You spoil me,” she said with a shy smile as he all but disappeared behind the stack of boxes.

“It’s my job…get used to it,” came from the region of the box with Adam’s leather boots.

“At least let me steer you into the bedroom… careful… you’re going to walk into the wall.”

Somehow they made it to the side of the bed and he divested his body of the bags and boxes, trading them for a hug from a grinning little pixie who slipped her hands down his body to his legs and upended him onto the bed, landing on top and raining kisses over his very willing face.

“I had almost forgotten how wonderful it feels to have you taking care of me. You’ve always been a gentleman but now more than ever….and I like it…it makes me feel loved, special.”

He wrapped his arms around her and surged to his feet, taking her with him and swinging his arm under her legs to lift her to his chest. She rested her arms around his neck, drowning in the love shining from his eyes as he lowered his mouth to hers in a gentle kiss.

“It’s all part of my Master Plan…I intend to keep you so happy you will never leave me.”

Only the soft tapping of Sally at their door broke the spell that was upon them. They pulled apart reluctantly and Izzy went to the door…Urs couldn’t until his body calmed…

“Gerd says our appointment is for 1:30 so we only have 20 minutes to get down to the spa…sorry if I interrupted something…” she said with a grin.

“No problem…I’ll remember where we were later,” Izzy said with a cheeky grin as she gathered up her new bag.

“Urs, is Cody still coming by in the morning and bringing some of my old things? My new bag feels empty without all the junk I used to carry with me all the time…and I’m going to have to get used to carrying a phone again…I wonder if my old one will still be useable?”

“If it isn’t we’ll get you a new one…the technology changes so rapidly now days…you might want a new one anyway.”

He grabbed his computer and the BB Monitor as he left the room, set them on the dining table and walked the girls to the door.

“Just sign for everything, Love, whatever you want…Gerd and I are going to go through some of the files I have on Reve while Adam is napping.”

**

For the next couple of hours the guys went through the files Urs had amassed during his planning for the R & R center at Reve: financial projections based on the information he had gleaned from other, civilian, centers, renovation cost estimates, staffing, facilities available or needed, some rather lengthy correspondence from several retired military doctors with suggestions, letters outlining projected turnover from commanders in the field, copies of e.mails from General Haggerty and a number of papers with lengthy wording from various UN offices expressing interest. A separate file had drawings done professionally by a firm of Geneva architects who had done a rendering of Reve before and after renovations, showing the excellent use of materials in keeping with the age and style of the present structure.

“You have been busy…go have a beer or something and let me browse through this…I need to get a feeling of exactly what we’re taking on here.”

He got two beer from the little kitchen frig, taking one to Gerd who was already deeply immersed in the data and waved an absent minded hand in thanks, not even looking up.

“Gott, it’s so long since I’ve felt this good,’ he thought as he slouched in one of the soft chairs in the lounge, taking a long pull on his beer and slipping his shoes off to rest his feet on the coffee table. ‘I was so nervous that I had rushed her, but it seems it was the right thing to do…sure, there will be moments when what happened will come crashing down on both of us, but we’ve set a foundation now of being open and honest, no holding back…we can deal with anything that comes up. What a difference this tour is going to be, having Izzy and Adam with me some of the time…just knowing they are at Reve, getting things organized, will make even the separations easier…I can’t wait for Mami and the girls to meet Adam…he’s so amazing… smart, yes, he takes after his Mama, but fun as well…I love to see him smile…and when we first met…it was like he had always known me, thanks to Izzy preparing him so well…Gott I feel like I can do anything, be anything now that I have them…by the way, Gott, if you’re listening…thank you…I asked for a little luck and you came through…I won’t ever forget it.”

He leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes briefly to form mental images of Izzy and Adam at Reve…and promptly feel asleep to dream of them and the full life they were going to have.

**

Izzy and Sally were in semi-drowse mode as well, both laying on narrow tables, wrapped in aromatic soft toweling head to toe, the moist warmth of the infusion in the fabric wafting over them as they lay with eyes covered and soft music soothing them. Gentle hands uncovered small sections of their bodies and sable brushes painted on a thick, warm substance that felt creamy and wonderful on their dry skin, the discrete attendants making no mention of the bruising still visible on the boney bodies.

Fresh toweling was placed over breasts and groin, gently, the movement whisper soft, the attendants slipping from the room without a sound, not breaking the spell of lassitude they had created for their clients.

Izzy wondered if Sally felt as good as she did but said nothing, too relaxed to interrupt the music, just letting the peace caress her senses.

She had no idea how long she slept, only that the gentle removal of the fabric gradually woke her from a lovely dream of laying in a field of flowers with a warm rain softly trickling over her skin.

“Turn on to your stomach, please,” a sweetly whispered voice asked, helping her to move and the cleansing continued, followed by a gentle massage with a fragrant oil that eased muscles and slipped easily over now satin smooth skin.

A velvet textured robe was slipped over her body and she was assisted from the table, her feet slid into soft slippers and she looked across to the other table in the dimly lit room to see Sally similarly sitting on the edge of her table, her hair wrapped in a turban as well.

“We have light refreshments in the sitting room, if you ladies would care to follow us,” one of the women in the peach colored smocks said with a smile, indicating the open door of the treatment room.

They were served quietly…freshly squeezed juices, tea if they preferred, tiny sandwiches and miniature iced cakes…all exquisite, all incredibly tasty.

Just as they finished, two sets of women entered to give them manicures and pedicures and the girls roused enough finally to chat quietly while more pampering was done.

“I could get used to this,” Sally said with a smile.

“It was such a sweet, thoughtful thing for them to do…I might get my hair done properly while I’m here…Urs tried to tidy the ends but I think it’s a bit on the shaggy side.”

“Me too…I took about 4 inches of split ends off but I’d like it about shoulder length…just think, Iz…no more worrying about uniform collars!”

Izzy smiled.

“I was thinking earlier about Reve…what do you think about having the staff all dressed casually, no uniforms, just maybe season appropriate pant or skirt suits for the women, slax and casual shirts for the men, as if the guests are not patients but visitors at a country estate…in fact we can make it a point to call them guests and as much as possible treat them that way…no regimen of strict meal times, a choice of activities….most of them won’t require more than casual medical attention and for those who do we could use one of the satellite buildings to house them….there are so many buildings, Sally…just wait until you see the place…it’s like a small town, like some higher power took a medieval village and dropped it, with all the necessary mod/cons, into this century in one of the most picturesque areas of Switzerland.”

Sally was quiet for a few minutes, brooding about something but not quite sure she wanted to talk about it yet, especially with the attendants still present. Izzy knew her so well now, the years of living in the jungle with only each other to confide in, to rely on, had made them closer than sisters, able to intuit what the other was thinking or feeling.

The moment that the attendants dimmed the lights in the room and left their charges with toes and fingers spread apart with strategically placed cotton balls, Izzy leaned back in her chair and turned her face to smile gently at Sally.

“Alright, Girl, spit it out!”

Sally glanced at her in surprise then laughed nervously.

“Talk about Adam not missing much….Alright…Gerd and I …well we have a problem, one I thought you and Urs might have too and …I wondered how you were handling it…if it has come up yet…but it’s really personal… and…OH Hell!...Gerd wanted to …you know, back door and I’m scared…I can feel myself get dry and tight even when he touches my butt…I mean he’s so gentle most of the time and I trust him…but Iz, he’s so much bigger than Macca…I don’t want to refuse him but ….”

“But you don’t want to start dreading making love with him, of feeling like you were back in the camp…it’s not a problem that’s come up with us…yet…and I think it’s something that you and Gerd have to talk about, just like Urs and I will if it becomes a problem. You can get all sorts of well meaning advice from friends but the only piece of wisdom I’ll give you is to talk to Gerd….I will tell you that one of the reasons that Urs and I get along so well in the bedroom is that he makes even the most passionate, wild,or tender loving fun…with us, it’s all about GIVING pleasure and in return, receiving more than expected…talk to Gerd, tell him of your fears…I have a hunch he will know just how to deal with the problem.”

Sally was quiet for a moment, thinking about the advice she had been given, advice she had already given herself but new to the relationship world was unsure just how open she should be with Gerd.

“Thanks….I’ve never had a boyfriend like him before…he seems to know just what I’m feeling, tells me when something pleases him, asks if I like certain things…none of this wham, bam, thank you ma’am, that is all you get from some guys…I’m going to learn to let myself go more, loosen up and just enjoy…Iz….now don’t slug me…did you ever measure Urs?”

Izzy burst into laughter, not what Sally had expected and when she calmed she admitted that she had, as a lark.

“Urs made a claim and I didn’t believe him…after all, the average male when relaxed is less than 4 inches and anywhere from 5 to 7 when fully aroused, usually about 2 inches around…I knew he is rather well endowed but I was curious, so the next time I had him tied to the headboard…don’t laugh, it’s one of our favorite scenarios…a lot of fun!!..... Anyway I got my little cloth tape from my sewing box and measured him….he claims I inspire him to new personal bests….”

Sally was choking with laughter but managed to shriek out… “Don’t you dare stop now!! Tell me the measurements…”

“No…too private, so I won’t tell you…except to say he was right about being 40% larger than a high average and gains an extra half inch with me… we never did get around to the circumference…he broke free of the restraints and we played a different game.” Izzy had the grace to blush as she remembered that night.

Sally sighed as she leaned back in her chair.

“I want to borrow that tape measure…” and they both laughed until tears poured down their cheeks.

**