Chapter Twenty
Donnie pushed on the leg press Tyler had set up. His phone was in his locker as was the rule when doing PT, and he could only pray he didn't miss a call from Charlie.
He’d tried calling her, but she didn’t answer. His sight was improving daily, but it wasn't good enough to text yet.
After two days of Charlie not answering his calls, he had planned to get on a plane and go to Albany.
It wouldn’t be easy navigating the trip by himself, but he couldn't leave things like this. He’d fucked up big time.
Again. This time he wasn't waiting ten years to fix it.
He loved Charlie. He would do whatever it took to get her back.
Then Dex had come by to say he and Sam wanted him back at the Farm.
Since Charlie had gone home and his sight was improving, there was no reason for him not to rejoin the team for light training, and to take part in their briefing sessions.
For the first time in his military career, he had considered defying orders.
He’d spoken to Mackie and Steve. Only they knew the truth about why Charlie had left.
Both had warned him leaving would likely cost him his position at Onyx.
Charlie would not want to be responsible for that, no matter what happened between them.
He didn’t like it, but he had reluctantly agreed, so here he was at the gym. He wasn't giving up. The next down time he got, he would be on a plane to Albany. He had considered calling Maddie, but he didn't want to make things worse. This was between him and Charlie. He would have to be patient.
Now he was here with his team, trying not to think about the woman he was head over heels in love with.
He couldn't lose Charlie. He refused to.
He should have told her about Simon and, when they finally talked, he was going to have to tell her about the night Nate died.
How could he expect her to trust him when he was keeping that secret from her?
“You ready for more weight?’ Steve asked.
“Yeah. Go for it.” It did feel good being back here with the team. He could almost make them out now. It was hard to believe how quickly his sight was returning, now that it had started. He had an appointment with Dr. Swanson later today. This time, he was eager to hear what he had to say.
“She’ll calm down and call,” Steve said as he adjusted the weights.
“I hope so. I can’t lose her.”
“It’s the real deal for you, huh?”
“Yeah. It is.” He pushed on the leg press, feeling the burn at the new weight. He welcomed it. “So, no word on wheels up?”
“Nothing. You’ll get to hear the latest details in the brief after we’re done here.”
“I listened to the news this morning. It’s not sounding good. The riots. Protests.” It was clear the unrest was getting worse in Daram.
“Yeah. Can’t blame people. The aid being sent there isn't getting to those that need it. People are dying from starvation. If the US hadn’t entered into this deal with Daram to keep troops out of the country, there would already be boots on the ground.”
“So you get to go rescue our people at the embassy if needed.”
“Yeah. The agreement says they are allowed to leave the country at any time unharmed. However, because of the unrest, the situation with Reborn, Washington wants us to go in and aid the Marines in escorting them out if necessary.”
“You guys should be going now.”
“Agreed. Not our call. The brass still seem to think the ambassador can dissolve the tension. As of right now, Ambassador Clarkson says they are all safe, and no one has threatened the embassy. She is currently negotiating talks.”
“She? Ballsy lady.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
The team finished up in the gym and then had their brief with Sam.
He had nothing new to tell, but the next day Onyx would study the embassy and all routes to the airport, and begin planning an evacuation, just in case.
Nyx were still in Daram but had been unable to get a lead on the Aziz brothers.
Raven would join them once the green light was given because, as well as the evacuation, if they got eyes on the Aziz brothers, they wanted enough manpower to take care of them, too.
As soon as the brief was done, Donnie had Mackie check his phone only to learn there had been no calls. Disappointed, he took Steve up on his offer to go with him to Westside. After Donnie went through another round of tests, Dr. Swanson sat down in front of him.
“Mr. Donaldson, this is excellent progress. The retina, cornea, everything looks healthy. How about color? Are you seeing that?”
“Yes. It’s not that clear, it's like there’s a fog over everything that’s gradually clearing. But I can see colors. Can make out what most things are. A car, truck, people.”
“Excellent.”
“Do you think I will get my sight back fully?” He had to know. It felt like he was so close.
“I think with the progress we’ve seen, there's every chance you will. You’re seeing color, depth, shape. It is the sharpness of the sight that might take the longest.”
“And there’s still a chance that might not be as sharp as before?”
“Correct. However, there is also a chance it will be as good as before, so try not to dwell on that right now.”
He wanted a more definitive answer, but knew he wouldn't get it.
The human body was a wonderful thing, but it could also have a mind of its own.
Focus on the good. Not on the ‘what if.’ It made him think of Charlie.
God, he wished she were here sitting next to him, sharing this news with him.
She would have been squealing in delight and hugging him.
Damn, he would give anything to hold her in his arms.
While he and Steve were preparing to leave, Sophie placed a hand on his arm. “Can we talk privately for a minute?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll wait outside.” Steve left the examination room.
“Everything alright?” he asked, worried there was something else wrong with his eyes.
“Yes. Look, you can tell me to keep my nose out of it, but l heard Charlie went home. Is she OK?”
It was obvious Sophie cared, and Donnie considered how much he should tell her.
“She will be OK. There was a misunderstanding, and I have not been able to speak to her about it. Sam ordered me back to base, so I can’t go see her, and she won't answer my calls.”
“Oh, shit. I’m sorry, Donnie. When we went out, Charlie told us everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yes. Everything. She thinks the world of you. But if you hurt her again, I am going to have Ryan kick your ass.” There was no humor in her voice.
“I did, but not intentionally. I was trying to protect her. Like I said it’s a misunderstanding. I have no intention of letting her go. I will fight for her. Whatever it takes.”
“Good. Because we all really like her, and we want her here with us.”
Donnie smiled. That’s exactly what he wanted.
“Would you mind if I called her? I don’t want to overstep, but she opened up to us and I feel like I want to check in on her.”
“I don’t mind at all. If you do speak to her, please tell her I’m sorry, and I miss her.”
Sophie squeezed his arm again. “Of course.”
Once Donnie had gotten more eye drops, Steve drove him home.
“Man, I am so fucking happy for you. This was great news about your eyes,” Steve said as they made their way toward his condo.
“It was.”
“You don’t sound too thrilled.”
Donnie sighed. “I am. Really. Just got a lot on my mind.” He hoped Charlie did talk to Sophie. Maybe it would help.
The rest of the drive went by in silence. Steve saw him up to his apartment. It was getting easier and easier to navigate everything.
“Want to order in some food or something?” Steve offered.
“No. I’m good. I appreciate you coming with me but go home to your family.”
“I’m OK to stay.”
“Steve, Diane is a few weeks from giving birth. You might be spinning up any day. Go home. I’m fine. I have Mackie on speed dial, and I’m sure he will swing by later like the mother hen he has become lately.”
Steve laughed. “Are you sure? Doesn't seem right leaving you alone.”
Donnie chuckled. “I’m a big boy and I can handle it for a couple of hours.”
“You’re not going to do anything stupid are you? Like call someone to take you to Albany?”
“No, I’m not,” Donnie said. “To be honest, I wouldn't mind a little time alone. I haven’t had any since this happened.”
“I guess not. I’ll leave, but you better not be screwing with me. If you so much as step foot outside this apartment I’m going to be pissed.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Alright, alright, I’m going. Do you need anything before I go?”
“No. I’m set.”
Once Steve left, Donnie made himself comfortable on the couch with his phone. He called Mackie first to tell him what the doctor said, then he called Dex to tell him the same. Good old SIRI helped him to make the calls.
It was quiet in the condo. He didn’t usually like quiet, but today he welcomed it.
Going back to the Farm had been good. Sam had been right.
As always. It was good being back with the team, even if only training.
Things were looking up. The improvement in his sight had lit a fire under him. Now, all he needed was Charlie.
“SIRI, call Charlie cellphone.”
He waited as it rang, not expecting her to answer. She didn’t. He sat back and talked to her voicemail.
***
“ARE YOU SURE YOU STILL want to do this?” Martin asked.
Charlie smiled at his concern.
“Yes, I’m good. Stop worrying. If Ambassador Clarkson is still there, then I’m OK to be there, too. Plus, you said if things get worse, the military will escort us out.”
“Hopefully, it won’t come to that. The ambassador is making some progress and the last shipment of aid was distributed to the people. It’s a step in the right direction.”
“She is a good negotiator.”
“One of the best. OK, I’ve emailed you your flight details. Good luck and stay in touch.”
“I will. Thanks, Martin.”
She ended the call and looked at the glaring red star against the voicemail icon on her phone. She knew it was Donnie, having ignored the call.
“Lunch is ready!” Maddie called out and Charlie entered the kitchen.