Chapter 18 - Bear
Fourteen hours stretched before them, and every minute promised to test their patience and endurance.
The hard seats offered little relief, their thin padding doing nothing to ease the soreness in Bear’s back and legs.
The cramped quarters made shifting positions difficult, and the cold metal beneath his boots seeped through his tactical gear.
Despite the discomfort, the atmosphere inside was a strange mix of relief and excitement—after the mission’s intensity, the team was finally able to exhale.
Blast broke the silence, pulling out a deck of cards with a grin.
“Who’s up for a game of poker?” he asked, shuffling deftly.
Samir, already half-asleep in a jump seat, barely stirred.
Moose and Nova exchanged a quick glance and nodded, eager for the distraction.
Bear allowed himself a small smile, grateful for the brief respite the game would bring from the long hours ahead.
Amidst friendly wagers and playful teasing, stories flowed freely, filling the cargo hold with laughter and warmth.
Warden huffs out a laugh, "Remember that time little Amelia threw a fit about having a tea party with her stuffed animals, and Moose, the big tough guy, actually got down on the floor and played along?
Wore that ridiculous pink jeweled crown she made him wear like it was a Medal of Honor—and I swear, he looked way more comfortable in that crown than half of us in combat.
Classic Moose—biggest softie in the room, when it counts. "
Nova’s laugh was light and sincere, eyes sparkling. “And don’t forget Kenzi’s paper airplane missions. I swear, the way she maps out those routes and sets up her little battles—she’s already got the makings of a killer strategist. No doubt about it, that kid’s got brains to match her fire.”
Link grinned, joining in. “Don’t forget Rhys’s tech support. No matter how tricky the problem, Rhys got it covered. His mind for code is seriously next level for someone his age.”
Blast shook his head with amused admiration. “And his ability to keep those two girls under control! Honestly, that boy is way too mature for his years, gotta say.”
The stories wove together, a tapestry of shared history and affection that eased the long flight ahead.
Dog, ever practical, chimed in, his voice laced with quiet empathy. “Let’s not forget the times Flora would come out to the garage to bring us fresh-baked cookies and hot coffee,” he said softly. “She was always so worried about us, making sure that we were safe and taken care of.”
Warden chimed in, “Hey Bear, remember the party you tried to plan when she earned her doctorate… and she didn’t show up?”
Bear laughed at the memory, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him. “She ended up going to work, and we partied without her. It was a hell of a party, too!”
Flora’s motherly concern and the way she had seamlessly welcomed each of them into her family home—the quiet moments of shared warmth and acceptance—were vivid reminders of the life they were fighting to protect.
Meanwhile, in a quieter corner, Samir leaned closer to Link, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you,” he said, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension. “For help.”
Link nodded, his gaze softening. “You’ve been through a lot, kid,” he said quietly. “Don’t worry. You’re going to my home now. Safe.”
Samir hesitated, then continued, his voice even lower. “My mother… she in Basra. Hiding. I… I don’t know if she safe. I worry.”
Link’s eyes darkened, a sudden flash of concern crossing his face.
He clenched his jaw slightly, muscles tense with determination.
Surprised by Samir’s mention of a mother, something he had never brought up before, Link’s voice grew firm.
“We’ll figure something out. We’ll find her,” he said steadily.
“You’re safe now, and we’re going to do everything we can to get her back.
” His gaze softened, offering a reassuring presence amid the tension.
“But for now, rest. You’re safe, I promised. ”
The transport plane rumbled to a halt on the tarmac at Norfolk, its engines winding down to a weary sigh that mirrored the team’s own exhaustion.
The ramp lowered with a groan of metal protesting the weight of the long journey, the fourteen hours a stark reminder of the distance that had separated Bear from Flora, from his family.
Alpha Team emerged, moving slowly, their bodies stiff and achy, their faces etched with fatigue.
They were a sight—dusty, sweat-soaked, and bearing the unmistakable marks of a grueling mission.
Commander Michaels stood at the edge of the tarmac, his sharp gaze taking in the weary figures shuffling toward him, yet a flicker of amusement—and something akin to grudging respect—danced in his eyes.
“Well,” Michaels said, his voice carrying just enough humor to cut through their exhaustion.
“I’d say you all look like hell, but that might be insulting to hell itself. ”
Moose, ever the comedian, groaned dramatically, slinging his gear over his shoulder. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, sir. We aim to impress.”
Nova smirked, brushing dust from her uniform. “We were going for ‘ruggedly heroic,’ but I guess we missed the mark.”
Michaels nodded, deadpan. “If by ‘ruggedly heroic’ you mean ‘a herd of half-drowned rats,’ then congratulations—you nailed it.”
Blast chuckled, shaking his head. “We’ll take what we can get.”
Michaels’ expression softened as his gaze fell upon Bear, who stood a step ahead of the others, his exhaustion evident yet overshadowed by an intense urgency, The tension radiating from him a silent testament to the emotional toll of the mission and the weight of the news he was about to receive.
“Lieutenant Kowalski,” Michaels said, his voice quieter now, a hint of empathy cutting through the formality that usually characterized their interactions.
“The hospital’s been briefed. They’re expecting you.
The latest update I have is that she is waking up, but she’s still struggling with the withdrawal and hallucinations.
Damn it… I can’t believe that guy managed to get to her a second time, but she’s strong. She’ll make it.”
Bear felt a surge of relief mixed with dread at the mention of Flora’s struggles.
He had been so focused on the mission, on the chaos of the past few days, that he hadn’t fully processed the implications of her condition.
The thought of her fighting through withdrawal, battling demons he couldn’t fight for her, twisted in his gut like a knife.
He wanted to be there for her, to hold her hand as she navigated this difficult path.
“Go straight there,” Michaels continued, his tone firm but supportive. “Alpha Team, you have the next week off. Thank you for a job well done!”
The announcement was met with a mix of cheers from the team, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the excitement of a rare break. Bear barely registered the chatter around him, his mind racing at the prospect of seeing Flora again. He nodded to Michaels, his throat tight with gratitude.
“Thank you, sir,” Bear replied, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him. The weight of the mission was lifting, but the gravity of what awaited him at the hospital loomed large.
“Take care of her, Bear, if you need anything, call me,” Michaels said. “She needs you.”
Warden stepped forward, joining the rest of the team who had gathered around Bear. “We’re going to head over to Hawk’s and get the kids for you,” he said. “We’ll let them know everything is okay. We can give you some time alone with Flora before we bring the kids up. How’s that sound?”
Bear nodded, gratitude swelling in his chest. “Sounds perfect. I’ll call you from the hospital and Facetime the kids.”
With that, he turned and hurried toward the exit, his heart pounding.
The world outside awaited him, but all he could think about was Flora.
He could already envision her—fragile yet fierce—fighting to reclaim her life.
He would be there to support her, to remind her that she wasn’t alone in this battle.
As he descended the ramp and stepped onto the tarmac, the crisp air filled his lungs. His mind raced with thoughts of Flora’s smile, her laughter, and the love they had built over the years. He knew he had to be strong for her, to reassure her that they would face this together.
On the drive to the hospital, Bear deliberately pushed everything related to the mission into the back of his mind, locking it away in its own compartment.
Now wasn’t the time to think about anything but Flora and his family.
As the drive stretched on, hope mingled with anxiety, he felt in his heart that this was a chance to rebuild what had been fractured.
When he finally arrived, Bear rushed through the hospital doors, his heart racing as he navigated the familiar corridors. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, a reminder of the countless hours spent in this place, but today felt different because he was here for Flora.
As Bear approached Flora’s room, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever awaited inside. Ghost stood silently on guard duty by the door, a steady presence in the tense atmosphere. Bear offered a small smile and greeted him with a fist bump. “How ya doin’, man? It’s been too long.”
Ghost grabbed Bear into a bear hug, mockingly dismissing the puny fist bump. “Good to see you made it back without any extra holes!”
After greeting Ghost, Bear barely had time to exchange a few words before a doctor emerged from Flora’s room. Ghost stepped aside and nodded toward the man. “Bear, this is Dr. Randolph. He wants to speak with you before you go in.”
Dr. Randolph gave Bear a steady look. “I need a moment to discuss Flora’s condition and what to expect. It’s important you’re prepared.”
Bear opened his mouth to argue, desperate to see his wife first, but before he could speak, the doctor gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s talk first. I know you want to see her, but she’s been through a lot.”
Ghost remained on guard duty by the door, his presence a reassuring constant as Bear followed the doctor away for the conversation.
The doctor led Bear to a private waiting room, and they both sat down.Dr. Randolph began a brief rundown of the events leading up to the current situation.
“She’s been having hallucinations whenever we try to ease her out of sedation,” he explained. “She was ripping the IVs out of her arms, and we had to sedate her again just before you arrived. I’m sorry—I had told your Commander that she would be awake, but we couldn’t calm her down.”
Bear absorbed the news, the weight of it settling heavily on his shoulders as he prepared himself for the difficult road ahead.
“You are welcome to stay with her as long as you wish. We had a recliner put in the room for you. Hopefully, your presence will calm whatever demons are in her mind.”