second post for The Secrets of a New Beginning

“Not since she moved to Hawaii, that is what two much sun will do to your hair.” Jim laughed.

“Okay, but I don’t have to immediately right?”

“Not immediately, you get your rest now. We’ll be moving you out of intensive care into your own private room in a few hours.” Jim promised.

“Okay,” She nodded.

“Jim and the Colonel stepped out of the room. She’s a great girl.” The Colonel said to Jim. Take care of her or I’ll, come, gunning for you.”

“I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry about that. Did she really lose her rank for seeing me?” Jim assured him.

“Yes, but it’s being reinstated. That was mainly General Stone’s throwing his weight around. I filed an official protest and there was a court hearing about why he felt she should lose rank. We argued about her having a personal life that shouldn’t be connected to the line of duty and that you weren’t a breech of security. The judge agreed with me so her rank has been restored.”

“That is a pretty lame reason for reprimanding someone.” Jim nodded.

“The entire staged death scene has gone to trial because that has caused her undue stress. It was the last thing she ever wanted to do because she said she couldn’t bear the thought of causing you pain like that and it was unnecessary there was no danger for our agent at that time. Her love life was not relevant to this case, in fact she could have juggled both indefinitely.”

“Gees,” Jim shook his head. “I was holding on to the fact that you told me once not to worry because all things weren’t exactly black and white some things were illusions and she’d return one day. I didn’t take that as metaphorically speaking.

“It wasn’t.” Colonel smiled. “I not only trained her she’s one of my best friends and my partner. If I weren’t married and stuck in- well, just take care of her.”

Jim knew what he meant by that he just smiled. Colonel Finley was in love with is wife that was obvious.

It would take three weeks before Trixie was released from the hospital and quietly taken to Jim’s mansion at Ten Acres. They were keeping their marriage as quiet as possible so far the only ones that knew were her mother and Brian and Les everyone else would slowly be clued in on the situation, but Trixie’s death had been officially announced killed in a jet crash was the cause. Her hero’s funeral was led by a parade downtown Sleepyside that kept the main street closed off nearly 3 hours while the crowds cleared out.

Trixie was with Jim in her disguise as her cousin Jenny. She wore glasses and a baseball cap that covered most of her face. Trixie’s brothers and the rest of the Bobwhites got a big clue when she arrived at the wake that was being held in the town square.

Hallie walked right up to her and screamed to the top of her lungs. “Oh gosh Jenny they found you.” Brian whispered to her, what was up so she could make it sound convincing when she made her entrance.

“Where have you been all this time, we thought you drowned in the ocean.

“No.” She looked up at her cousin with a smile. “I didn’t drown, I was shipwrecked but I ended up found by a boat that wasn’t headed back for shore and they didn’t make an exception just for me either. We were out to sea for 6 months before they decided to return and even then, we didn’t make it back because of a hurricane that left us aground on a southern island. It took us a period of 3 months to make repairs and get that ship back into open waters.

“Didn’t they have a ship to shore radio?”

“Not Hawaiian Natives.” Trixie shook her head no their communication system was primitive.

“Were they fishing wouldn’t the fish go bad?”

“No,” Trixie shook her head again. “Fishing for pearls doesn’t require keeping the oysters unless you want to sell oysters as well. They were more interested in treasure than fishing for oysters.”

“That sounds awesome, I would have loved being on board a treasure hunting ship.” Hallie said with a big smile.

“Who is?”

“This is my cousin Hallie told the others walking up behind her. “She’s Jenny Branson. Her mother is my aunt Alicia.

“I was hoping mother would be here today.” Trixie looked around the room.

“She couldn’t make it.” Mart said quickly. “She wanted to but circumstances wouldn’t allow it.”

“I haven’t seen you in such a long time.” Jim said to Jenny openly. “How have you been?”

“Not too badly, and yourself,” Trixie asked.

“I am trying to focus on pressing on. Losing Trixie is such a horrible blow to me she meant the entire world to me.”

“Me too,” she teared up.

Most of Trixie’s closer friends had a big clue about this mystery but no one said anything about the mysterious Jenny that suddenly appeared with many of the same injuries that Trixie suffered from during that fall.

“Jenny, how did you get those injuries?” Maddie asked her.

“I was in a car accident nearly two months ago. I am doing much better now though but I still have a few weeks before I can put weight on my leg.

Secrets of a New Beginning

Disclaimer. I am barrowing the characters for this story from an old series currently owned by Random House. I do this for the purpose of of celebrating the memory of Trixie Belden and hoping to keep her memory alive amongst the true fans. I am not making any money from this site so please don't try to sue me.

Chapter 1

“This is no time for a ski to break.” Jim Frayne groaned as he tried to fumble with the broken strap. The snow was already deep enough to make walking in it feel like fighting ones way through quick sand. He was beginning to get cranky this trip had been a miserable one for him. The company he had invited along turned out to be unlike what he expected in a ski partner.

He looked around at the slope and the mountain range in the distance that was so foggy with clouds and snow that he could not make out anything of that picturesque beauty so clearly visible a short time before. Those Northern Pine trees that surrounded him were tall giants weighted down with heavy snow. They appeared as if they could break under the weight. Jim loved being surrounded by nature, but he realized quickly that he would need to seek shelter soon.

“Tell me again, why a camping trip in the mountains sounded like fun?” His bleached blond haired girlfriend turned her brown eyes his direction with a smartelic scowl. ‘It’s cold out here.”

Jim considered that look she gave him with an annoyed frown. London Hamilton wasn’t shaping up to be his ideal girl after all. She complained about every little thing. Why she told him before that she loved skiing he couldn’t understand. Because clearly she hated the entire trip, he considered her a prissy little snob now that he got to know her better. It was in her actions everything she did increased Jim’s suspicions. She was only telling him what he wanted to hear. Most likely this was because he was the adopted son of a multi billionaire just like all the other girls that entered his life lately, he couldn’t find a girl that interested him that wasn’t just after that money and the social status, it afforded them. Inwardly he hated knowing that the only girl interested was that type.

He tried thinking of what attracted him to her as he did his best to keep his short temper in check. She was mildly pretty and did remind him of his first girlfriend Trixie, but he quickly realized London was nothing like his adventurous best friend. London was boring unfriendly and not mysterious but frustrating in a bad way. She might hold her own in high society circles but not where it counted for him personally because his girl needed to be more, like-! His heart ached, a little as Trixie flooded through his mind he knew he would love her until the day he died.

He wished with all his heart that she hadn’t joined the military and walked out of his life so many years before.

Jim thought of his lists of what he needed out of a girlfriend that he kept on file in his computer in the office. He always compared his girl to that dream girl that did measure up to his expectations. She needed to be someone that liked hunting horseback riding and fishing, someone that loved solving mysteries. His inner thoughts screamed loudly. Fundraising club events and she needed big blue eyes, and curly blond hair and that cute little giggle. She would have to be someone that was independent. Someone who loved children someone who would be so determined to make it on her own that she would refuse his assistance financially. This way he would know she wasn’t just after his money. The only girl that ever measured up was Trixie. She was the godmother to all of the Bobwhite’s children. Honey had two kids with Mart. Diana had one with Tad Webster. Dan had three kids with Hallie and Jim knew that she spent her furloughs from the military spoiling those godchildren of hers rotten much like he did on his days off from work.

He wished now that he didn’t break it off with Trixie because of her mysteries. Back then, he thought that it wouldn’t be hard to find another girl since there were so many choices in college. That pretty, little girl on stage at the strip bar in town had been on his mind back then. Why he let his thoughts of immediate pleasure cloud his better judgment back then, he couldn’t understand now.

Trixie didn’t take the break up well. He knew that she joined the Air force intelligence division with in minutes after their break up. It was his fault she was in such a dangerous job. She wouldn’t, return to Crabapple farm so he could try to speak with her. He only heard about her from her brothers and occasionally from his sister. They always told him that she would return one day, but as for now, she was still trying to get over him. He often wondered how she was, and if she ever thought about him. He wondered if she was still trying to get over him or if she accomplished that already.

“What are you doing, come on.” London said gruffly interrupting his thoughts of Trixie.

“Let’s get out of here.” Patience didn’t seem to be a quality of strength for London. Jim found that just annoyed him. Trixie had an impatient issue as well, that always annoyed him, but it was a lot more tolerable out of Trixie than it was from London. He guessed it was because he loved Trixie.

“You can’t drive in weather like this anyway,” Jim said firmly. “We have our tent. We are better off pitching the tent and riding out this blizzard. We know where we are now, but if we lose our bearings by the time the snow let’s up. We could be hopelessly lost.

“I am not walking back to the car now, because I have to make a repair on my ski.”

“I am not staying out here waiting on you, this storm is getting worse.” She shouted angrily, but then thought better of it so she calmed her voice and added.

“Honestly the lodge is five miles down the mountain. It’s got heat and swimming pools and beer. I can still see well enough, I am leaving now. There is no sense in us both freezing out here all night long. I am scared of storms.”

Jim watched her stubbornly grab her things and swoosh off on her unbroken skis.

She might have been pleasing to look at, but he could find that elsewhere.

“Well the least you could do is, send back someone with another ski. I can’t leave like that my ski is broken.” He called after her.

“If I remember once I get there.” her faint voice was heard.

“This is over,” Jim shook his head as she disappeared from sight. “No way am I wasting my time with her. I would be better off buying a young hooker and setting her up as a hidden girl in some apartment and just pay for it rather than involve myself with a rich gold digger.

Jim thought of another girl, Patricia Gouache for a moment. She had been his paid mistress for about 6 months before he met London. He had met her in college for a few brief moments but lost touch with her after she moved back to the city. But then she moved back the year before and they met again. He deliberately kept her secret from his friends and family, because he always hoped that Trixie would return to work things out eventually. Tricia and he were hot and heavy during that six months period. She was mysterious and adventurous, but he never could give her his heart completely because of her obvious dangerous habit. She eventually died from a drug overdose just a few months before. He never could convince her to break the drug dependency habit or to lay off the weekend stripping at the exotic dance club where he met her. It wasn’t that he hated his girl being a stripper, because that wasn’t it. He loved watching her teasing the crowd that was actually her whole appeal, because she looked like Trixie nearly exactly. Jim didn’t think Trixie would have that drug dependency issue though.

“Tricia, why did you die?” He sighed. “If Trixie had been an exotic dancer type, I’d have never told her I needed a break. Damn it, why did I let Tricia rule my horny side. I had no idea Trixie loved me that much or that I would hurt her that much, this is killing me. I wish I could see her face to face again. I’d tell her how big of a mistake I made.”

Jim quickly sat up his tent and unrolled his artic gear in side his backpack was spare batteries for his thermal socks and gloves and a steno for heat, a few bottles of water and some instant noodle soup. Once he was settled in the tent, he sat up his steno and lit the flame. He heated some water in his cup for some of that soup.

Deciding after a while to try his cell phone, London worried him. She shouldn’t have gone that howling wind seemed to have picked up considerably.

He dialed her number but got no signal.

After a few tedious hours listening to the wind howling, and the snow blasting the sides and top of his hefty made tent, Jim unzipped his tent to peer out side. He could hear a jet sound that sounded very low. So he squinted, his eyes to look out trying to get a better view of the jet. Finally, it came into view. It had a large tail of black smoke billowing from its rear. He could see from a distance that it wasn’t a private jet. This one had USA Air force markings on its belly. He saw two seats shoot out of it and fly upward just before an ear-shattering explosion.

Jim frowned as he watched several parachutes falling and heard an avalanche in the distance. He was grateful that he was not in a danger zone for falling snows like that avalanche and he hoped that London was already past that area because if not she was in trouble now.

Jim frowned as he watched those chutes falling slowly in his direction. One caved badly and the person lost lift falling like a rock.

“Oh no,” Jim’s eyes followed that person as he or she struggled to break free of the chute and deploy the next one.

He knew it was nearly two late to help much, but it did fling back into the air some before the persons feet hit the tops of the pine trees.

“Ouch.” Jim grimaced, that was going to hurt. He could see that the parachutist fell, hard, breaking branches as the momentum of falling slowed and the chute caught enough to hold her dangling above the ground. He started hurrying through the heavy snow, trudging along steadily until he reached that tree. He saw a woman in an Air Force uniform dangling from that tree. She looked like things were broken from that distance.

“Hey, you up there,” Jim called out. “Stay still, I’ll come to you and help you get down, don’t move.”

She lifted her head and looked downward at that familiar sounding voice. The dizziness she felt was overwhelming. She stopped struggling to find her pistol. She wouldn’t have to shoot this guy. She knew immediately that he wasn’t a spy. His voice seemed like a blast from the past, but responding to his voice seemed next to impossible, she hurt so badly, she couldn’t get a breath of air. She just closed her eyes and succumbed to the dizziness.

Jim quickly brushed the snow off the next branch so he could step higher and higher until he finally reached her side.

“Are you okay, where does it hurt?” He took her pulse with his fingers.

“I don’t know?” She finally answered groggily. “Be quiet, it’s not safe out here right now.” She whispered.

Jim did a quick check for broken bones and looking for blood.

“I am a doctor, hold still I won’t hurt you,” he promised. “Your leg is broken.”

“Jim.” She whispered.

“What, wait how did you know my name?” Jim gasped. He carefully removed the helmet progressing in his exam. Her curly blond hair fell out in soft silky ringlets, as she grimaced in pain, her deep dimples embedded in her cheeks.

His heart nearly stopped, he was so shocked, because he nearly witnessed his best friend, well his former best friend die right in front of his eyes.

“You are lucky that I recognized your voice. You are in hostile territory. I would have shot you before letting you assist.” She coughed some and spit up blood.

“This is Mount Mead. It’s Virginia in the middle of the US.” Jim gasped.

“I know where I am,” she answered. “My jet was shot down by a heat seeking smart bomb, we didn’t have engine trouble. Keep alert there could be hostiles in the area. I have a gun in my holster.” She explained as he unlatched the chute holding her and pulling her close to his body so she couldn’t fall.

“Getting you down safely will prove tricky,” Jim, answered, “so, I want you to follow my instructions. I don’t want to cause you further injury, you might have a few broken ribs and that is dangerous.”

He wrapped a cloth around her arm that was bleeding badly.

“I’ll make it down.’ She panted heavily as she clicked a button on her utility belt and pulled out a rope with a hook on the end of it.

“Wrap that around the tree branch twice. Then clip that over the rope. I’ll go down the easy way, if you could help me keep from tangling up in the branches, I would be grateful.”

“You got it.” Jim promised. “They think of everything now days.”

Inwardly Jim’s heart was soaring. He tried not to think of the possibilities that could develop. He knew this would be the best opportunity to speak to her in years.

“Ha,” she smiled. “I suppose.”

Jim started his climb down behind her feeling good about that grappling system she had. With in a couple minutes, she was gently lifted to the ground and her grappling system recoiled into her utility belt.

She had been in the service nearly 3 years now. He had kept in touch through emails and the occasional phone call, but it had been far too long since he saw her in person.

“Oh, it’s snowing again.” Jim finally noticed the weather turned ugly again.

“We are operating under the white out conditions for the invisibility cover.” She coughed again.

“Careful, you might puncture a lung.” Jim warned. “I am going to use your chute to make you a stretcher. I’ll drag you over the snow to my shelter. I have stenos in there and warm food and a first aid kit. It is a lot warmer in there than it is in this blowing wind too.

Trixie groaned as he helped her get comfortable on that parachute. Then he began dragging her to his shelter, straining with all his might to get through the deep snow. Jim was tall and healthy, but he was panting from exertion making slow progress tugging and pulling on that handmade stretcher, the deep snow made it slow going but he was determined to hurry. She was showing signs of shock setting in he needed her to get to the warmth of his shelter immediately. He made it to his tent after nearly an hour passed. Finally, she was where it was warmer out of the blasting wind.

Once she was settled, inside the tent, he began the task of helping her get warmer, by removing her sticky from blood clothing and cleaning her up with warm antibiotic wash. Those torn and soiled uniform articles would need to be taken far away from this tent. Otherwise, it would attract wild animals. He tucked his sleeping bag around her and lit another steno. “I have clean clothing for you to change into once I am finished with your first aid.” Jim promised.

“Who has invaded the USA?” He asked as he turned her to her side and cleaned the large cut on her arm that was sticking out of the sleeping bag.

“You don’t want to know.” She answered.

“Hold still,” Jim, warned. “Gees, I’d never let you move under normal conditions. You are going to start really feeling those fractures soon.”

“I hope the others made it out okay?” She groaned as he gave her a quick shot of numbing medicine and picked up a surgical stapling kit. He would stitch this cut up now.

“As far as I could tell yours was the only chute that didn’t open. I think your boys aimed those chutes closer to the lodge down the mountain however.”

“That was where we were aiming for.” Trixie grimaced as she felt a pinch when he placed the suture.

“I thought so two.” She agreed.

“Ow.”

“I am sorry Baby.” Jim cringed. He hated causing her pain. Jim looked down at her healthy toned body and grinned. It was amazing how much she looked like Tricia she even had a tattoo in the same place of the same butterfly. That was such an odd coincidence.

“Do you have a homing signal for your team?”

“That signal would alert the terrorists Jim, I can’t risk that. My teammates will search without the homing signal.” Trixie cringed as he placed another staple

“I have to get back out there am I patched up enough?” she asked.

“You are not leaving in the middle of a blizzard. It’s getting darker out there that means the storm is intensifying. You know this.”

“Jim, it is important.” She answered.

“Your CO will understand if you don’t regroup with the team immediately.”

“Jim, get out there and bury this tent.” She said suddenly.

“Why?” Jim asked. “I still need to check you for more cuts and make sure that leg is set properly.”

“It’s important hurry now.” She insisted.

“Okay.” Jim frowned as he stared at her, but he didn’t argue more if her jet had been shot down like, she said then they could be in danger.

He hurried and packed snow around and lightly over the tent, figuring this would keep them warmer anyway.

Finally, he crawled back into the tent. London wouldn’t be able to find them if she did double back with a good sky for him. Jim considered that for a moment and decided she wouldn’t go out of her way to bring him something anyway.

Trixie groaned loudly in extreme pain.

Jim frowned in concern. He wished he had more pain reliever in his first aid kit but since he dealt so much with Tricia and her cocaine addiction, he didn’t leave hefty narcotics in his first aid kits.

“I am sorry I don’t have more than a bottle of Aleve with me.”

“Is the tent secured?” She asked.

“Yes, we are in an igloo ice house now.” Jim settled next to her snuggling close for warmth. His fingers were frozen from moving that snow and so were his toes.

“Good, that will keep the bright color of this thing hidden.” She answered.

“I have a bottle of pain medication in my bag, it is stronger than Aleve.”

“Oh, why didn’t you tell me this before?” Jim asked.

“They aren’t mine, they are my team mates. He suffered an injury a while ago but refuses to stay on sick leave, he hates medication too, but sometimes the pain gets to bad to ignore and we have to make him take something.”

“Oh,” Jim frowned as he looked at the bottle to see what was inside. Tricia’s addiction lies came to mind when he saw them. He hoped Trixie wasn’t making up a lie to hide her own addiction. He decided not to ask her if that were a lie, she would just get angry.

He shook three pills into his hand and inspected them to be sure they were what they should be before he opened a bottle of fresh water and gently held it to her lips so she could swallow the pills down.

“I need to get a better look at your arm.” Jim noticed her favoring it.

“It really hurts.” She nodded.

“That tree was not nice.” Jim noticed how badly her arm was swelling as he touched it gently.

“I need to get up and start searching for my crew.” She half sat up.

“Trixie,” Jim warned.

“Yes Doctor?” She groaned.

“You are one huge bruise. Settle down you can’t leave now.”

“That, tree was nicer than.” She groaned.

“Who,” Jim gasped.

“On nothing, that’s classified.” She replied.

“Those bruises aren’t random bruises.” Jim said after pulled the sleeping bag back and really examined her now that she was warm enough to uncover.

“Don’t remind me James.” She groaned.

“It’s not the first time I have been tortured and raped.” She added.

“What?” Jim looked blown away. She was nearly delirious. Did he hear her correctly, did she say tortured and raped? His heart went out for her in an instant. Those bruises did look like rape marks especially the yellowing ones around her inner thighs and those dark bruises on her forearms.

She opened her eyes to look up at him before she said. “I was exposed during my last undercover mission. My team rescued me, before I was killed. I have vital information, and must make that debriefing immediately. There will be hostiles looking to recapture me. I am going to need you to take my gun and prepare to defend us. I don’t think I can squeeze the trigger now.”

“Dang it,” Jim gasped.

“My gun and spare magazines are in my bag. Our lives depend on you, Jim.”

“Okay, I am a hunter anyway at least I know how to use a gun.” He located the gun and loaded it. “How much longer do you have on that contract?”

“Five more months if I don’t re enlist.”

“Don’t reenlist. You just went on disability that will likely last for the next 8 to 10 months anyway.” Jim cracked a smile.

“James, I am needed.”

“Trixie, who’s got a PHD in medicine, your military doctor, will agree with me?” Jim asked.

“Are you hungry, I have food in my bag?” Jim asked.

“I have a couple MRES in my bag too.” She answered.

“I saw the survival rations.” Jim nodded.

“I think I’ll pass,” she answered, “but you are welcome to have a meal on me.”

“I have some jerky and soup.” Jim answered.

“I hope I am not bleeding internally?” She groaned.

“I have been checking for signs of that,” Jim answered. “I think you are okay but I wouldn’t rule out some minor bleeding internally, you did cough up blood when I first got you down. Just relax, that can stop by it self, and I haven’t seen you spit up blood for over two hours.”

“Thanks for helping me.” She said through heavy strain.

“That’s not a problem Baby I am glad I was here. I was just wishing you were here but I didn’t mean to make you fall out of the sky on me.” He laughed some.

“You were wishing I was here?” Trixie looked at him in shocked.

“Yes, I miss you a lot all those good times we had when we were kids. I miss solving mysteries with you. Going on treasure hunts chasing bad guys, just seeing those pretty blue eyes of yours dancing with happiness as we glide across the dance floor!

Trixie flashed him a fleeting smile.

“I hear something out there.” Jim started to move toward the tent door.

“Don’t go out there. My friendly alert is not activated.” Trixie grabbed his arm.

“It could be London, my ski broke. She was going to send someone up here with another one.” Jim answered. “I’ll use common sense.”

“London, who… Are you talking about London Hamilton?” Trixie reached up with her good arm to stop him.

“Have you met her?” Jim asked.

“Hell yes, she’s in partnership with Tehran’s own Hammul Abudad.”

“What? My dad is about to merge companies with the Hamilton’s?” Jim gasped.

“Oh hell, he’s into the new gulf oil now isn’t he?” Trixie groaned as she tried to shift her body.

“Yes?” Jim nodded

“He needs to bug out fast.” Trixie grimaced.

“Lie still.’ Jim coaxed.

“Why are you with her?” Trixie asked. “She’s a gold digging pirate princess.”

“We started dating a few months ago. She insisted on this ski trip but we no sooner finished making it to the summit and she wanted to quit. It was odd how she instantly demanded that I call father to send the chopper. The original plan was to stay there until morning then ski back to the lodge. I was expecting a happy partner. She pretended to love skiing and the great outdoors, but that about face she did was odd.”

“I doubt she will bring you a ski,” Trixie commented. “This hurts.”

“Try not to move, it won’t hurt so badly,” Jim commented. “The snowmobile passing is gone now.”

“What is a friendly alert?’

“I am Air Forces special intelligence, this is essential in the Special forces during a mission. We can find our friendly forces without alerting the enemy with old- fashioned tracking devices.

Chapter 2

Jim began to grow increasingly concerned with Trixie’s welfare as time wore on.

“Brad?” She called out through extreme pain.

“Brad is not here Trix,” Jim answered. “What can I get you?”

“I need to pee,” she announced. “Oh, I hurt so badly.”

“I have an empty jar, that way you won’t have to get up.”

“I am not a guy Jim in case you haven’t figured that part out yet, how am I going to aim my self into a jar?”

“Oh.” He laughed. “I have figured that out. Do you realize how many catheters that I have placed in my lifetime? Trust me, you do have something to aim, you just have to know how to do it.”

“You sick perve.” Trixie accused. “What was your specialty again?”

“I am an OBGYN.” He laughed.

“I was right you are a pervert.” She gasped.

“I am not. I have saved countless babies in the preemie center, my work centers more on saving preemie babies than anything else. They call me in to assist when a mother is about to deliver prematurely. That is such a precious job I can’t tell you how heart breaking it is to lose one of those tiny little lives.”

“Oh, I expected you would still figure a way to work with children.” Trixie flashed him a big smile. “I thought you were going to open your school?”

“I am eventually, but I need something to pay my bills now the school will have to be for later in life. I have mounds of student loans to pay off and since I rebuilt the family mansion the cash flow was, well let’s just put it this way. I am replenishing it.”

I do volunteer as a Boy Scout troupe leader, and as a member of the local 4H clubs. Plus since you have been gone, the Bobwhites have opened a community center in the old high school.

“I know about that. I still vote my absentee vote and send monthly checks for my dues James.”

“I just wondered what happened to your school idea.”

“When I was a kid I was a young orphan without any family, so I over compensated for the lack there of by thinking. I could create one through adopting every orphan like myself.”

“I believe it was your father that pointed out to me that kids run from orphanages. The thought of that is the most dreaded thing ever. I would be more use assisting in the community centers making friends with the troubled youth at an easier level to reach them. He considered working with kids a great idea provided I didn’t let that consume my entire life. I suppose I do tend to obsess a lot. Was that why you chose to join the military and forget about negotiating our situation at least a little with me? I guess I hoped you would want to work things out.

“I need to pee.” Trixie groaned.

“Okay but hold still, I need to find something.” Jim searched through his bag until he found a plastic container.

“What is that?” She asked.

“It is a catheter. I remembered that I stuffed one in here a while back although I have no idea why I thought I might need that one day but I am glad I did.” Jim answered.

“Are you kidding me?” She gasped.

“No, it is a catheter,” he promised. “Trust me you won’t feel the need to pee the rest of the night. He unzipped her uniform pants and carefully moved them downward flashing a light to see what he was doing as he prepared to place the valuable instrument properly.

“Are you sure you know what you are doing?” She asked as he wiped her with an alcohol swab.

“Yes dear.” Jim chuckled.

With in a couple seconds, he was finished and saying. “All done see that was painless.”

“I wouldn’t know about painless, let me shove one of those in your urethra.” She answered.

Jim chuckled as he inspected the clear tube seeing the liquid running down.

“You should feel less discomfort now, my queen.” Jim made a funny face comically.

“Jim, you never told me why London didn’t want to camp. It would have been the perfect time for romantic play?”

“That is what I thought,” Jim shrugged his shoulders. “I guess her horny urge past.”

“What did she do at the Summit?”

“We got there and stayed for a few minutes.” Jim answered.

“Did she leave your sight?”

“No, Oh except for when she had to go to the bathroom. I couldn’t follow.”

“Did she carry anything that she decided to leave behind in efforts to lighten the load?”

“Yes,” Jim thought about that a moment. “She took out her cosmetic case from the back pack the thing must have weighted 50 pounds.”

“She carried a 50 pound cosmetic case, what the hell does lipstick weigh now days anyway?” Trixie gasped.

“Actually I carried it. That was odd, now that I think about it,” Jim said thoughtfully. “She acted as if it were gold. Then suddenly without warning, she said to hell with it she would buy more makeup.”

“I have to contact my team,” Trixie announced. “I can’t risk using a military channel. Do you have a cell phone?”

“Yes, but it hasn’t been able to get a signal for hours.” Jim answered.

“I’ll get a signal.” Trixie assured him.

Trixie needed her communicator for the number written on the back the secured line was its label, she also needed her communicator’s battery link.

After she showed him where to connect the link, she got an instant signal.

Delta Rain Gear 54 332 3243234525 she announced through strained groan when the computer picked up. “Nothing is quiet tonight, status armed possible new information status black out situation critical… I am wounded unable to make manual contact.

Jim listened to her curiously.

She spoke again. Major Belden Beatrix delta Raingear 54 injured in line of action code 34 Meads course, see officer in charge.

Ten four roger that. I am below the horizon waiting on daylight unable to comply injuries include broken femur possible internal bleeding.”

“Affirmative, I got the code.”

Jim could only follow her side of the conversation.

“Ready.” She answered.

“We got a rock for inspection on the eastern summit currier made the drop. She skied into the area under our noses instead of flying to drop off point this time. Send some back up and send some freaking friendly forces this freaking hurts.”

“We are on our way. We got your cell phone signal locked into the spy satellite, who is the second life force within your 1020?’

“He’s my rescuer and an OBGYN from upstate New York in the area for a hiking holiday. He’s a high school friend. Identity confirmed personally I trust him, I am safe now.’

“Roger that, cut signal feed immediately. Your location is hot, prepare for hostile forces.”

“Roger that?” Trixie turned off the phone pulled out its battery and motioned for Jim to check out the area quickly.

“What?” Jim asked as she doused the Steno.

“They tracked my location with the spy satellite the area is hot. That means enemy personnel in the immediate area. Take my gun get the safety off prepare to fire

“If London sent someone with my new sky, she doesn’t know that you fell into my lap practically.”

“I am aware.” Jim answered.

“I’ll go out there and check at least it will draw them away from you. I am an innocent hiker.”

“That is to dangerous. I can’t allow this.” Trixie argued.

“Just relax.’ Jim leaned down for a kiss lingering there kissing her gently French for a long moment. “You always were an awesome kisser.” He whispered. “I have missed you while you have been gone Trixie Belden.” He said quickly.

She couldn’t argue more he hurried away

She grinned in spite of her pain. If Jim only knew the things, she knew. He would be very shocked.

Trixie moved herself to peek out the front of the tent with another gun aimed to give Jim some back up if he needed it.

“Who are you?” The man on the snowmobile roared right up to Jim and stopped.

“I am Doctor James Frayne. I thought I heard mobiles out here.” He managed a calm smile.

“What are you doing out here?”

“I am camping until morning.”

“Did you see that jet crash?” the dark complexioned man asked.

“I think I heard something crash and an avalanche right after but I was in my tent. I didn’t see anything.”

“My girlfriend is out here somewhere, she was supposed to return with a better ski. I was hoping you were her.”

“I haven’t seen a girl out here.’ The snow mobiler answered.

“Hopefully she made it to the ranger station. She left before the snow got to heavy. She is a curly haired blond sort of petite with a big blue backpack on skis. Her name is London Hamilton.

“Oh.” He noticed their eyes light up in recognition.

“Here is a snowmobile doctor, we know London ourselves. I am sure she will want you at the lodge somewhere safe on a night like this. We’ll double up and then pick up the mobile at the station later.”

“You will? Okay thanks.’ Jim nodded.

“Make it fast doctor. It really is not safe out here tonight.”

Jim watched as they drove off for a minute or two before he hurried back to the tent.

“How did you manage that?” Trixie asked.

“One mention of London being my girlfriend and wa la they were all friendly like.”

“Are they gone?” She asked. “I should go take them out before.”

“You aren’t up for a mission like that.” Jim warned.

“Let’s just ride out of here.” Jim removed her catheter as he spoke. Then he helped her get dressed warmly.

Trixie made her phone to the team a minute later.

Proceed with mission to the summit. I will rescue myself now.

“Roger that Major report to Infirmary immediately.’ The answer returned.

Jim carried her to the mobile and helped her get as comfortable as possible

“Are you ready?” Jim asked.

“As I’ll ever be lets’ go.” She answered.

She snuggled close to Jim’s chest, feeling the movement of the snowmobile as it began moving through the snow.

Jim hoped his father got the text message that he sent him warning him not to sign contracts with the Hamilton Company. He hoped he would not sign before he got that message.

As he maneuvered through the deep snow, he held on to Trixie hoping with all his heart that she would survive this ordeal. He didn’t want to bury another friend especially not his best friend Trixie.

Chapter 3

Mr Wheeler paused from his meeting with Mr. Hamilton to check his messages. He looked alarmed when he looked across the huge conference table at the lawyers waiting on him.

“What is the matter?” Tom Delenoy formerly known as his chauffeur know known as his company lawyer looked startled at his expression.

“That message is from Jim.” He’s encountered some difficulty during his hiking trip he says stop the merger plans until further notice.

“What?” Mr. Hamilton gasped.

“Sorry,” Matthew closed his briefcase. “My son’s opinion is more important than yours that is the cold hard facts.” He stood up and looked over at Tom. “Are you ready?’

“I am when you are?” Tom didn’t argue.

“Wait, calm down, what kind of trouble is he in, did he say? My daughter is with him.”

“He is not returning my call. I don’t know what is going on. We’ll do this, another day. The kids might need rescued there is a blizzard warning up for Meads Mountain.”

Mat didn’t listen to the lawyers instantly pressing him to get it over with without Jim’s elaboration.

“It is not our policy to hire investigators and then ignore them.” Matthew said soberly.

He’s a doctor for Pete’s sakes.” Mr Hamilton said firmly.

“That never stopped him before and besides he was my investigator through his college years. He is also a major investor in Wheeler Enterprises.”

“I am not budging until my son is home.” He started walking hard through the office to the elevators and out to his limo.

“Of all the nerve,” Matthew said loudly as the new chauffeur steered away from the curb.

“I don’t do business with people looking to shove it down my throat.”

“I only shoes to consider this deal because I thought Jim was about to marry London.”

‘Oh I hope that doesn’t happen.” Bobby Belden spoke up from the driver’s seat.

‘Why?” Mr. Wheeler asked Bobby. He hired the young man for his driver because he was trying to assist the Belden’s after his father Peter Belden was killed in a car accident the year before. Things became difficult in the Belden household. Matt gave Helen a job as head housekeeper after Miss Trask left for her present job moving to Hawaii.

“I heard things while driving her last. It is not my place to say normally I’d never repeat it but Jim is like a big brother to me.”

“What did you hear?” Mr. Wheeler asked.

“London is only seeing Jim, because her father is making her until the merger is complete. She hates red hair and freckled faced geeks. Jim is just two earthly for her tastes she needs a man who likes the opera and 500 dollar bottles of wine each night for dinner during their 5 star restaurant meals because he is way to much of a tight wad for her tastes. You and I both know that Jim isn’t into flash.”

“What?” Matthew shouted.

“I am sorry, don’t fire me.” Bobby cringed.

“I don’t intend to fire you Robert, just inform me sooner next time. I move girls like that out of his life all the time. I expected different out of London though she really seemed like his type and her family is rich enough for her not to have to be a gold digger.”

The television that Matthew turned on to watch the news announced the military jet crash on Meads Mountain.

“Turn that up.” Matt gasped.

It exploded shortly before crashing at that point no word was on survivors.

“Did they mention which side was that on my property?” Matthew asked.

“It didn’t say,” Tom, answered. “I am sure the resort is fine that looked much higher than the resort didn’t it?”

“I hope so.” Matthew groaned.

“I hate hearing those stories. My sister is in the Air Force intelligence. She could be on one of those jets.” Bobby pointed out.

“We are aware.” Tom said sympathetically.

“Take this exit,” Tom warned Bobby. “We are going to the Airport.”

“No one told me, warn me faster next time.” Bobby steered the car hard into the drive.

“How long until her contract is complete do you know? We can entice her with a nice executive’s job or at least an Airline pilot’s job anyway?” Matthew asked.

“10 months. She promised mom that she wouldn’t reenlist after dad died.” Bobby answered. “Maybe she would be interested in Jim. My sister always did say she liked red headed guys and freckled faces best, because she is flawed with freckles to that way her guy wouldn’t have room to talk about her freckles.

Matt laughed loudly. “She always did hide a crush on Jim.”

“I know, it is too bad she never told him about that.” Tom laughed.

“Jim was to high strung.” Bobby continued. “His goals and interests clashed with hers because he wanted her to do things other than being a detective and she refused to do that. He just got angry and said that he would rather just see other people if she was going to be like that. Trixie just moved on. For Jim it is a case of if I had it to do all over again.” Bobby added. “Jim will probably be suspended in that moment the rest of his life to.”

“I agree, he most likely will.” Tom answered.

Chapter

“Are you okay?” Jim asked.

“I’ll survive.” Trixie groaned. The sun was rising by the time they reached the lodge. A chopper landed in the ranger station parking lot once Jim pulled over it wasn’t long before she was strapped into a stretcher.

By then, London was up watching Jim by the side of his patient. She saw who that patient was and her blood ran cold. She would have simply walked up and shot her in the head, had there not been witnesses.

She calmed her temper and composed herself for this next scene.

“I was about to bring you that new ski. I was so worried about you last night, were you warm enough without me.” She pranced up sickeningly sweet.

“Who was that you brought in?” She asked.

“One of the survivors from the jet crash, excuse me I knew that girl personally. I am going with that chopper.” He brushed London off coldly and climbed into the chopper when Trixie yelled “Jim don’t leave me please.”

London was watching unable to do much else as the chopper lifted off the ground Jim noticed her throw the ski in a temper flare. He was glad he was able to leave like that.

Jim turned his attention to Trixie, and started ordering things EKG readings and I’VS then Blood pressure and his lists got longer.

“How do you know so much about the Major?” the paramedic soldier stared at him.

“She’s my x-fiancée,” Jim said simply “I have known her since she was 13 years old for me. She’s a chapter that never closed.”

“Jim, it hurts.” Trixie cried out.

“I know Shamus, we’ll get you to x-ray as soon as possible.”

Trixie started coughing enough to make him turn her to her side just enough so she could cough it up.

“Oh.” She groaned.

“Lie still, don’t move.” Jim warned firmly what he saw made his stomach lurch with a sudden rush of panic.

“Jim.” She groaned unable to catch her breath.

“Shamus, you obviously cracked that rib. I was telling you about, enough to aggravate a lung, don’t move, it is imperative that you don’t move. Get me to the nearest trauma center stat.”

“I thought we were going to a VA hospital.” The paramedic gasped.

“Not now, she’s got a collapsed lung.” Jim started working quickly putting an oxygen mask over her face.

“Jim, don’t leave me.” Trixie cried.

“I am not leaving babe.” He tried not to lose focus, but it wasn’t easy, he injected her with enough, anesthesia to ease her discomfort while he cleared her airway.

“Are you okay sir?” The paramedic looked at Jim with concern.

“I’ll be fine.” He tried to shake off his upset.

“I should have never moved her.”

“Why did you?”

“I knew she had internal injuries, she had to get medical treatment immediately.”

“Get on that phone call 5557615571, inform her mother of her injuries.

“Are you sure that is her mom’s phone.”

“She’s family. I am positive.” Jim answered.

“We’ll advice the hospital to ready another doctor take your self off this case, she’s family.” The field medic gave his shoulder a squeeze.

When the chopper landed, he had his thoughts collected he ran by the side of the gurney yelling out all he did in route.

“The medics indicated that she is your family?”

“I am still going with her. I promised I would.” Jim said soberly.

“Just stay back observation is enough, doctor.”

Two hours later the speakerphone brought Jim back to reality.

“Miss Belden’s mother just arrived by helicopter. She wants to know the status of this surgery.”

“Okay, tell her a doctor will be out shortly.” the head surgeon answered.

“I’ll go.” Jim informed his colleagues.

“Thank you Doctor Frayne.”

“Don’t leave a glove in her.” Jim said lightheartedly.

“We won’t.” the other doctor chuckled.

Jim hurried down the hall towards the waiting area straight into the room still wearing his surgical greens with his facemask dangling around his neck. His red hair covered with a green hat.

“Jim, what are you doing here?” Helen looked shocked.

“Her chute didn’t open properly, it’s a miracle she is still alive. She landed in an evergreen practically on top of my campsite. She’s cracked several ribs, one of which punctured her left lung. That is the emergency part of this surgery we have them pinned and her lung is being repaired presently in addition to that, she as broken a femur and the fibula in her right leg as well as a slight fracture in her right arm.”

“Is she okay will she make it?” Matthew asked.

Jim just nodded. “The sooner, I return the better.”

“Take care of my baby, James.” Helen burst into tears

“Haven’t, I always done that? Nothing is going to hurt that girl when I am around you have, to know that.” Jim asked as he gave her a quick hug. He noticed out of the corner of his eye, a man in uniform that seemed extremely tired. He didn’t approach him, but he could tell by the concerned look on his face that something had him upset.

When Jim hurried out of there the young soldier approached her mother.

‘Are you by chance Major Beatrix Belden’s mother?”

“Who are you?”

“I am Captain John Storm. We got word that she was rescued. I was the one elected to follow the injured. They didn’t take her to a military infirmary.”

“Doctor Frayne requested the trauma center, we have a better ER than the VA does’

“Just the same, she is not to be left unguarded. I better follow that doctor.”

“I am getting scared here.” Helen burst into tears when the soldier hurried to find the OR room with Trixie inside.

“How is everything?” Jim asked when he walked in.

“We closed, she is entering recovery presently. You can monitor from here, we are due in surgery for another patient.”

“I can handle that.” Jim promised.

Jim stood next to the monitors watching her vital signs closely.

“So she’s family?” The nurse with him asked.

“Actually, we don’t relate biologically. She is my X fiancée I had plans to marry her at one time. We broke up due to a difference of opinion. I disapproved of her choice to become a detective. She joined the Air Force before our argument resolved itself.

“I’ll die loving her most.”

“I have a guy like that. I mean one that I’ll die loving most myself. He married someone else shortly after our argument. When you are young you can be prideful and stubborn.”

“Doctor Frayne. There is a man out here that says he is with her team, and he is ordered to guard her. He wishes to speak with the doctor in charge.

“Watch her,” Jim ordered the nurse. “I need to check this mans credentials.”

“Who are you?” Jim approached the young soldier.

“Are you the man that rescued her?” The young man asked.

“Yes I am, hold one second where is your orders?” Jim asked

The soldier held them out for his inspection.

“Colonel Finley wants to know her status immediately.”

“She wanted to speak with Colonel Finley on the phone.’ Jim relaxed a little.

“It is imperative that we get her guarded. She was a recent POW she has information so valuable that they shot her rescue jet down risking their headquarters location to do this.”

“Follow me.” Jim answered.

The young man hurried down the hallway after Jim.

“Oh Trixie,” The soldier grimaced when he saw her still hooked to the iron lung with tubes running in and out of her body.

“That was a nasty fall.” Jim commented.

“I have to report this. We had no idea she was in critical condition.” The soldier gasped. “How long before she wakes up?”

“Please speak with Colonel Finley.” The soldier handed him the phone.

Jim said hello politely. “I have been with her since the beginning she was doing better, but I had to move her immediately, she punctured a lung with a cracked rib. This complication made her condition progressively worse.”

“Did she tell you anything?” The clear baritone voice on the other end asked.

“No sir.” Jim didn’t care to elaborate. “She’s been in and out of consciousness all night but she hasn’t spoken.”

“Okay, I’ll be up there in a few minutes. I am in route presently.”

“Sir?” Jim frowned.

“That is personal,” The Colonel announced. “She’s more then just a soldier, she’s a friend.”

“I’ll let her know.” Jim answered politely. He wasn’t sure what that meant but he hoped it didn’t mean what he thought it meant.”

“Two hours past before they moved her into her heavily secured and reserved for VIPs under direct orders from the President, he wanted her secured enough to create a special funding for the public hospital through the military for her personal care.

Chapter

London arrived at the hospital trying to locate Jim shortly after she was transferred to her private room. She located Matthew Wheeler First.

“Why are you here?” London asked him rather shocked.

“What?” Mr. Wheeler appeared confused by that reaction for his being there.

“I am supporting a friend whose daughter was nearly killed in an Airplane crash last night. What are you angry at?”

“I am trying to locate that ingrate. I mean where is James I hate trying to locate my so called fiancée all day because he refuses to turn his cell phone on.”

“He’s a doctor.” Matthew raised his voice.” My son is not an ingrate. He’s spent the past 6 hours helping a patient in extensive surgery. If you don’t like the work schedule or his dedication to his work, than I suggest you find another chump to gold dig for money from immediately

“Burn!!” Bobby couldn’t help but comment.

“Hey fuss budget.” Honey stood up from her chair to interrupt.

She was nearly 8 months pregnant and miserable, but she and Mart made that drive the moment they heard of Trixie’s injuries, because Honey was worried to death about her best friend.

“Get out of here.” Honey said sternly. “It will be a cold day in hell before I watch you marry my brother.”

“You can’t talk to me like that.” London turned her spoiled little rich girl eyes toward Honey.

“Think twice, we are closer than that.” Honey warned.

Mart jumped between them. “Don’t even think about coming at my wife.”

He warned her angrily.

Jim suddenly appeared in the doorway to take the annoyed side as he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the waiting room.

“Who do you think you are, grilling my family like that?” He asked. “Leave my sister alone, she’s pregnant. Father is correct if you don’t like my schedule now you never will. I am not marrying you, because you are intolerable. Everything you ever said about yourself is a bare face lie. We are not compatible and it is not working so leave, cut your, loses. This is a bad investment.”

“What, you can’t speak to me like that.” London’s beautiful facial features twisted with so much anger she was positively ugly to him.

“Two bad I just did.” Jim answered. “I’ll have security escort you from the premises if you don’t leave immediately.”

London left angry storming up the hallway. Trixie’s guard actually pulled a gun and motioned her on sternly. “You best head down another hallway immediately.” He warned.

“I am not hurting you, you scurvy scank.” She shouted.

“If you don’t leave the area immediately I will be forced to arrest you.” The guard warned.

“I got security on its way.” Jim hurried to the guard’s side.

“Jim, what is the matter with you.” London gasped.

“I don’t date traitors to the American government.” Jim answered bluntly.

“What goes on here?” Suddenly several American soldiers appeared the one in the officers uniform approached quickly.

“I was just leaving.” London gasped.

“No, you aren’t, we have a bunch of questions for you Miss Hamilton.”

“What, I didn’t do nothing. Doctor Frayne did that.”

“I don’t think so Ma`am, we got the right currier.”

Four of the soldiers carried her out of the hospital kicking and screaming for her lawyer.

“Shew.” Jim shook his head.

“It takes all kinds?” The handsome Colonel shook his head. “I am Colonel Bradley Finley officer in charge of Delta Raingear 54. You must be Doctor James Frayne?”

“I am.” Jim saluted.

“What is the status of the patient?”

“We were about to transfer her into another room soon. However since her danger has past I am not so sure leaving her in this hospital is for the best?”

“I agree we have a VIP wing in the VA. She will have a team of CIA agents surrounding her until she is able to be released from medical care.”

Jim and the Colonel immediately organized a patient move plan that would commence right after another patient was flown in after an accident on the freeway. The transfer was that fast. The chopper was in the air less than two minutes after it landed this time loaded with Trixie and her CIA team of friends. Jim was flying along with her since he refused to let her go it alone.

Jim called her mother after an hour to say. Meet me at the Pizza hut for dinner we’ll discuss the status of Trixie’s recovery there.”

“What, why there…” Helen asked.

“Just meet me for dinner.” Jim sighed.

“Okay, I guess we are all starving ourselves.” Helen answered.

Ten minutes later Jim explained to them that Trixie had been removed from that hospital since London knew where she had been taken the security breech was too high. He instructed them to return to the hospital and follow the man in surgical greens he would lead them to a place where they could get into a disguise, and then be taken to her true hospital room in the VA hospital instead.

Two hours later Helen was able to sit beside Trixie’s hospital bed and cry over her severely injured daughter.

“We do have shocking news.” Jim said soberly.

“What?” Helen asked.

“She’s pregnant.” Jim answered.

“You have to be kidding me?” Helen looked blown away.

“Apparently, she is or was engaged.” Jim answered.

“Did the baby survive that fall?” Honey gasped.

“We are monitoring that no fetal tones are detectable presently how ever judging by her development. I am going to determine that she is very early in her first trimester. The odds are that she might miscarry before she is released from the hospital. However, I have seen cases where a patient is comates through out their entire pregnancy and still they deliver a baby in the end with no complications for the infant at all.”

“She will wake up?”

“Yes, there is no reason to believe otherwise we had a lengthily discussion clear up until she was placed in the ambulance she was fine then.”

“Okay, what about all the sedation she’s gotten?”

Jim cringed. “I am not two worried about the medications that we have given her. However, I am not positive what she might have taken before here.”

“Do you think she was into drugs?” Mart gasped.

“I can’t rule that out with any certainty.” Jim remembered that she had a second tattoo that was again also in the same place as Tricia’s the more he thought about it the more he wondered what if she was undercover as a stripper in enough of a disguise to hide herself from him? What if that was why she wouldn’t return his I am sorry I miss you. I don’t want to see other people apology letters. That would be just his luck to pick a hot sex no strings attached partner that would turn out to be his steady girlfriend back home. Trixie and her urge to undercover, he felt sure he knew what happened to turn her away so final like that now.

“Trixie was never into drugs of any kind.” The Colonel interrupted Jim’s conversation. “She always has been against foreign medicines or substances in her body. Plus the CIA does hair follicle tests for drugs and unless she has a viable explanation for why her hair follicle tests read positive. She would lose her position in the military intelligence programs.” He shook his head no

“Okay, this is good news.” Jim answered.

“What is this about finding a positive pregnancy reading?”

Jim explained again.

“How far, do you expect that she is?”

“Possibly 5 weeks maybe 6.” Jim answered.

“Okay! Will it survive okay?” the Colonel asked.

“That will be up to god now for it is not old enough to survive on its own at this point.” Jim answered.

“Jim.” Trixie suddenly moaned. She tried to move but groaned in pain.

“Trixie lay still, you had a very bad fall, but you’ll be okay soon.” Jim promised.

“Oh,” Trixie looked around at the others and then lifted her arm not broken to pull on the oxygen tube down her throat.

“No leave that alone it is breathing for you right now we’ll remove it tomorrow if you are feeling better.”

“Colonel,” She groaned.

“Relax Major,” Colonel Finley sat down on the bed right next to her. “I know it hurts but you are safe now I promise you.”

“I have information.” She struggled more.

“What information?” He asked.

“Oil rigs they are transporting the Anthrax through the oil rigs. Get, a patrol together to watch the oil tankers coming in through the gulf.”

“Okay,” The colonel nodded. “Which companies are most probable?”

“Oscar Valdet check all of them.”

“Got it,” Brad nodded. “I want you to rest and get better. I’ll take care of business while you get better. You did well, this time I am proud of you.”

Trixie nodded slightly as the Colonel leaned down and took a quick kiss on the side of her cheek. “I am recommending you for an accommodation for services beyond the call of duty. I am going to get you a medal of valor, and your, purple heart.”

“You take it easy Baby.”

“Hurry they targeted the New Years Eve parties in times square New York City. Chicago Vegas, any major city is a target.”

“Okay.” He hurried to say his goodbyes then he rushed out the door to get the FBI and the NIS on the alert.

“What is going on?” Helen gasped.

“It is just my job.” Trixie closed her eyes and drifted off to unconsciousness again

Jim motioned for Helen to leave after that, he followed her to the hallway. “She needs some rest and I am sorry but you won’t be allowed to stay the entire night. I will call you if anything develops that you need to be aware of I want you to stay someplace safe.”

“She can stay with me I have plenty of security.” Matthew promised. Honey is feeling poorly so we decided to get a room at the Hilton.”

“Okay.” Jim nodded.

“Where will you stay?”

“Here while she’s in intensive care, I am not leaving.” Jim promised.

“Thank you Jim.” Helen gave him a big hug. “You should use this time as an opportunity to tell her how much you miss her.”

“I already intend to ma`am.” Jim promised.

He entered the room thinking more about whether or not Trixie was Tracia the name was just so close to Trixie that he thought that was very odd. When he had the chance, he looked closer at her tattoos and the thin scar on her stomach where she had an appendectomy as a child. He looked at its line and thought back in his memory about what that scar looked like on Tracia still another identifying mark to link up.

“Jim!” Trixie groaned. “Take this tube out.”

“Just relax maybe we will in the morning.” Jim made eye contact with her

She teared up. He sat next to her and took her good hand in his leaning down to give it a kiss. “I am not wrong am I?”

“What?” She cried.

“You under covered as Tracia. You weren’t a drug addict you were just under covering as one?” Jim asked.

“Oh Jim,” She teared up.

“We’ll talk about that later.” Jim kissed her hand. “I love you. I always have loved you.”

She didn’t confirm that but Jim didn’t really need her to confirm it to know it was true. His thoughts wee swirling around in his head he couldn’t wait for her to wake up. He didn’t leave that room the entire night he got his rest in the recliner beside her bed. When she would make a noise or a machine’s alarm would sound he was right there alert and ready to take care of her. By the next morning she woke up enough to notice him taking her blood pressure.

“Have you stayed here all night?” She asked.

“Yes.” Jim answered. “I have been worried about you.”

“Are you taking this tube out, or am I getting mad at you?” She asked.

“We’ll take that out in a few minutes.” Jim winked as he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

With in 15 minutes, he had the crew to assist as he attempted to remove that tube.

“Can you breathe?” He asked after he handed the tube away.

Trixie took a breath and coughed. Jim hurried with the oxygen mask

It would take her a few minutes to adjust to breathing on her own but eventually she did relax and breathe without the aid of the breathing assistance.

Better now?” Jim asked.

“Yes, I am exhausted though.”

“That is to be expected,” Jim promised. “You are doing very good as far as recovery though it is a great thing that you are in such good physical condition.”

“Jim don’t you have your other patients?”

“I took some time off it was over due.” He answered.

Trixie looked at his green eyes and smiled. His love for her couldn’t be hidden she hadn’t seen that look of deep love since, well since her senior year in high school. Jim didn’t look at her like that, when he thought she was just the stripper Tracia he seemed a bit ashamed of her. She knew that he kept his girl a secret from all his closest friends back home. It made the mission change easier to handle since she didn’t think staging her death would affect him much anyway.

“What?” She asked as he kept staring at her.

“I don’t know.” He answered with a blush. “Do you remember what I asked you last night?”

“About what?”

“I had this girlfriend for a while but she died of a drug overdose or at least I thought she died. I mean I was just told this by her neighbor he said people came and took all her things because she died I saw the obituary and visited her grave but I never saw her body. But then again you are into under cover work so I got to wondering why every little identifying mark on your body matches hers exactly. I guess I am wishing here, because she was so identical to you in every way.”

“Tracia,” Trixie moved the oxygen mask down so she could speak. “I did make sure you weren’t two broken up over that before I left for the next mission. I convinced Honey and Brian to go visit you that weekend. Honey was going to let me know you were okay.”

“She knew?”

“Well Jim, it was against my better judgment to go there. I was even reprimanded for going there but I couldn’t ignore you because I just missed you so much. Having a boyfriend kept me away from having to deal with those cutthroat terrorists pawing at me like they were before you arrived. I didn’t really have a drug addict my drugs were especially designed placebo pills that appeared to be the real thing. I am sorry for deceiving you.”

Jim teared up enough to start to cry.

“I kind of hoped that you would be available again I mean for after I was out of my contract I was going to come home and see.”

“What?”

“Please don’t hate me. I was so reprimanded for seeing you I lost my rank for it. I had to go the danger was so great that. If, I hadn’t been snuffed out I would have brought death to everyone close to me including you.”

“I don’t hate you.” He wiped his eyes. “I am going to need time to absorb this but I don’t hate you. This is just typical Trixie behavior.” He rolled his eyes.

“James, I am willing to completely forget about why I enlisted in the military in the first place.” She said suddenly.

“You are?” His green eyes lit up. “you little runt you spied on me.”

“Hey it’s typical Trixie behavior.” She flashed her dimples in an award-winning smile. “I wanted to know if I could trust you, after you gave me that speech about slowing down until after college I couldn’t read you. That drove me nuts.”

Jim just leaned over and grabbed a kiss interrupting her. “You are speaking of the single biggest regret of my entire life.”

“That is what Honey told m e.” Trixie said again sweetly.

Chapter

“Wow I wasn’t expecting to interrupt something?” Trixie’s mother gasped shen she opened the door.

“Hi mom.”

“You got the tube out.” Helen gave her a hug after she sat the huge bouquet of flowers onto the shelf at the foot of her bed.

“About an hour ago.” She answered.

“Has Jim told you that you are pregnant yet?” Honey asked.

“What I am what?” Trixie looked back at Jim sharply.

“The tests say you are 10 to 11 weeks along this little belt taped to your stomach is monitoring fetal tones so far nothing is out of the ordinary.”

“Oh gosh that was back, that was.” Trixie’s eyes reflected what that meant her face broke into a broad smile as she pulled off the oxygen mask

Jim grinned from ear to ear. “It’s yours.” She said to Jim.

“I wasn’t aware you two started seeing each other?” Helen gasped.

“It’s a long story I was undercover but he just recognized me so I had to confess. It’s his. Wait all these drugs, is it okay?” She asked.

“The fall didn’t injure the fetus. Your injuries were higher than your uterus” Jim promised.

The minute the tests came back positive, we were sure to watch what medications and pain relievers we were giving you. I think it should be fine. Do you rear that faint ticking sound?”

“Yes.” Helen listened as Jim turned the monitoring system way up.

“That will get louder and faster by next week. Maybe even with in a few hours as she comes out of the anesthesia and the baby waked up more.”

“Oh, I always wanted a baby,” Trixie teared up. “I wish I didn’t have the rest of that contract.”

“Darling, judging by the extent of your injuries, you will be out of commission on disability for 6 months to a year anyway.” Jim promised. “You are getting your purple heart and a medal of valor.”

“But once I heal I have to return for those ten months.”

“Who says?” Jim answered.

“I will die before I become a deserter.”

“Well, prepare for administration work, because I am your official doctor. I don’t intend to, ever release you for fieldwork again. Judging by the extent of your lung injuries and the repairs on your ribs, any blow to those ribs can kill you.”

“What? You are an OBGYN not an obstetrician.” Trixie gasped.

“I am also your OBGYN.” Jim laughed, as he leaned over and rubbed her belly.

“I just said that.” She rolled her eyes.

“Jim that was the first time in my life,” Helen laughed. “That I ever witnessed, you making no sense at all.”

“It’s not the first time in my life.” Trixie tried to giggle but it hurt to laugh. “How is everyone moms?”

“Well since they will only allow you one visitor a time I am here first. But Brian and Floyd arrived a couple hours ago and Mart and Honey never left. Dan and Hallie are going to be in town in about two hours, and Bobby is at home watching the kids for everyone he sends his love. Diana and Ned called from Iowa, Diana said that she can’t make it today but she will fly in just as soon as she finds a replacement for her at work.”

“Okay.”

“I can’t believe you are pregnant.” Helen gave her a hug. “Are you sure it’s Jim’s?”

Trixie nodded. “I know who I was with up until 9 weeks ago anyway.”

“Trixie you never cease to amaze me.” Helen shook her head.

“Is this just some story are you protecting her Jim?”

“No, we really were together.” Jim shook his head. Then he leaned over and whispered. “Remember the hot stripper I mentioned before?”

“Oh my word.” Helen gasped.

“I was undercover. I really wasn’t a drug addict. It was just a part of my cover. I couldn’t resist going out with him when he asked it was against orders but I missed him.”

“Oh brother, I heard stories about the hot stripper Trixie.” Helen gasped.

“No one has to know about that.” Jim laughed. “I am just so glad that she didn’t die that I can scarcely contain my excitement.”

“I’ll bet, boy you have always wanted your own baby.” Helen gave him a big hug.

“I have to go tell your father.” Helen hurried out the door.

“No wait mother.” Trixie gasped.

“She’s not going to wait.” Jim laughed.

“I don’t want the entire world to know about my classified work please stop her.”

“I’ll be right back.” Jim realized what she needed stopped and hurried to find her mother.

“Helen she can’t let classified stuff out you might jeopardize her life if people knew what she was doing at the strip bar.”

“Oh I know that.” Helen answered. “I wasn’t planning to announce that to the entire world anyway. We can trust your father can’t we?”

“I think so but just calm down it is embarrassing for her I am sure.”

“I wish Peter hadn’t died.” Helen groaned.

“We all wish that Mrs. B.” Jim gave her a quick hug. “It is something you really want to share at a time like this I know.” Jim grinned. “I am just so happy that she is alive an she is speaking to me now that I can’t even be angry at her for deceiving me all these months.”

Chapter

“What is going on mom?” Mart came out of the waiting room to ask curiously. “Is Trixie okay?”

“Yes she’s doing so much better than I expected.” Helen answered.

“Honey is going nuts with worry can she go in there next?”

“Yes, you both can.” Jim nodded.

Trixie was happy to visit with her friends but tiring out by the time the Colonel arrived to speak to her again.

“Did you stop those men?”

“We got them, the Anthrax is in containment. We think we have the entire operation under control. I am going to Washington for debriefing since you can’t go there personally at least for a while anyway. The president says that if he needs more information he will come to you for debriefing considering the circumstances.”

“Thank you.” She answered.

“I want you to get plenty of rest. The doctors in charge tells me that you are on disability until further notice so I’ll be getting your pay transferred from active duty over to Disability pay soon. You are being rank reinstated so it will increase your last paycheck and get you more in your disability pay as well.”

“Well, at least I don’t have thousands of dollars going out every month like Lester did.” She shifted in her bed and grimaced badly.

“True that was a sad situation.” Brad answered. “Most soldiers are smart enough to hold the big investments until after they get out of the service.”

“I can’t say as I would have invested in a 500.000 dollar piece of property either. He inherited that property though and then his family is not the smallest in the world so it makes sense that he mortgaged it like that.”

“I suppose.” Brad nodded. “I am going to let you get some rest.”

When the colonel left Jim was back from his shower and change and ready to check on her again.

He was already amazed at the sound of the baby’s heartbeat now that she was less groggy. Trixie was forcing herself to ignore the pain for the sake of the baby. Jim sat down beside her and groaned as he watched her pain.

“And I thought I was tough.” He told Trixie.

“What does that mean?” She asked.

“I couldn’t stand it as long as you have with that much pain.” Jim smiled. “you are my hero.” He added. “Say, I had your brother stop at my house and bring this up for me today.” Jim fished a ring box out of his pocket. “I have given this to you before but things didn’t work out like I planned. Would you consider marrying me now?”

“Don’t ask unless you are really ready because I barely survived the last panic attack of yours.”

“I am so sorry. That was the single most regrettable moment of my life. I honestly didn’t think I would lose you because of my decision to adhere to my original schedule I only had a year and a half to go before I had my first PHD.”

“Well, I hate schedules.”

“Will you marry me now, I’ll even run out and get our marriage license and get the chaplain to say his vows right here in this room tonight if you are willing?”

“Why the rush?”

“Um the biggest reason why I panicked was the social events that wedding was promising to become. Maddie got wind and you know her and her urge to make any event the next party of the century.” Jim swallowed nervously. “I don’t think I could handle one of those huge events where I am the center of attention it scares me. You don’t scare me but the fact that half the country is staring at me does.”

“That scares me two.” Trixie nodded

“I am not sure if I want to be in intensive care when I get married though.”

We can have a do over wedding in the garden of Crabapple farm when the blooms are in season for fancy pictures. Please Baby. I think your sudden change of name would do you good considering you are still being guarded for possible terrorist infiltration.”

“I would likely end up reprimanded.”

“Who cares what they think?” Jim answered. “They can’t tell you who to marry. Look, I just want to be sure my baby is protected please.”

“If I said yes this would have to be discrete between us only, because I really don’t want to miss out on wedding presents from my family and friends.”

“Fair enough.” Jim pulled a paper out of his pocket and then hurried to the door of the room motioning for the priest to enter. Brian and his friend Lester entered behind the priest.

“Did she say yes?” Brian asked.

“What is this?” Trixie looked at them weakly.

“I baby sis.” Brian gave her a gentle hug. “I am sorry it took me so long to get here but with Jim off work we were down one OBGYN I had to fill in earlier today.

“Are you sure you want to marry that big lug?”

“Who is ever really sure of that?” Trixie said groggily. “Jim had depressed her some pain reliever when he first got in there because of her extreme pain but this was making her groggy now.

With in fifteen minutes the priest said the repeat after me ceremony and pronounced them man and wife, then he signed the paperwork and promised Jim that he wouldn’t send in the certificate for 30 days just in case he changed his mind. Jim assured him that he wouldn’t change his mind.

“So how are the two of you getting along?” Trixie asked Brian and his friend.

“Not too badly.” Brian reached over and took Lester’s hand in his as he spoke.

“Work has been challenging.” Lester agreed. “We just about have our house completely finished now, you should come by to see how it is decorated I just love the new look.” Lester tossed a limp wrist towards her.

“Maybe I should hire you as a decorator for my house.” Trixie answered.

“Okay, I’ll do it for free, but Jim’s got a pretty elaborate spread up there at the mansion now. Are you moving in with him?”

“Huh?” Trixie gasped.

“Oh, we haven’t discussed that part yet.”

“I hope you like the place, but you can redecorate all you like.” Jim promised. “I have 8 horses in the stables out back.”

Trixie’s blue eyes lit up. “I am sure I’ll love the place. How is the security?”

“I have a couple dogs and deadbolt locks and a fence around the place.”

“We’ll get that taken care of immediately.” Trixie nodded

‘Brian, promise me you don’t announce our marriage loudly. “I am likely to be reprimanded for getting married now. It wouldn’t help my next mission I still have ten months on my contract.”

“Trixie that is ridiculous aren’t you allowed a life?” Brian asked.

“Not from this branch of the service, I don’t want him hurt.”

“You aren’t going to be out of therapy for more than a year anyway.” Brian said soberly. “Trust me I am a physical therapist I know how long you are going to be in recovery.”

“I know that.” She teared up. “I hope the military doctors think the same thing.”

“Don’t worry about that. They will.” Jim crawled onto the bed with her and gave her a big hug. “I love you.” Jim promised.

“You are worried more about that last mission aren’t you?”

She nodded. “I was supposedly engaged to Padre Lontard. He’s Pierre’s son, Pierre showed up unexpectedly I didn’t have time to hide well he recognized me as myself. He sent Padre to get something in town and once he left he turned on me. Padre probably still has no idea where I am and that his own father was torturing me for information.

“Oh gosh.” Lester gasped. “Where is Pierre?”

“Colonel Finley and his men shot them all they are dead I am sure of that. But Padre he still wasn’t there and he’s a big part of that terrorist group and he well,” Trixie hesitated.

“He loves you.” Jim asked.

She nodded.

“You weren’t known to him as Trixie Belden?

“No I was Tracia Branson.” She answered, School Teacher.

“That is only if they didn’t inform him through cell phone or something.” Brian cringed.

“We might want to move.” Jim groaned.

“No we might just want to pretend that Trixie died and you just married her cousin.” Brian said soberly. “Listen, I had a cousin named Jenny she’s from Illinois and she always was Trixie’s double. Jenny moved to Hawaii about 3 years ago and disappeared no one has seen her since she left on a small sailboat into the ocean. She wouldn’t mind if Trixie barrowed her identity I am sure.

“I’d have to pass that with the service I will die before I desert my team they have to know.”

Suddenly the door opened and Colonel Finley walked in

“Weren’t you going to Washington for debriefing?” She asked the handsome soldier and current best friend.

“I am keeping an eye on you my dear.” He said with a big grin. I just got the okay for you to suburbanize with a husband and a new identity. The top Brass said if you are injured and pregnant that there was no way you would be in the field for more than a year anyway and suburbanizing now would be for the best. Then he looked at Jim, I pulled some strings enough to get you clearance. Your FBI background check cleared all except for your ties with London Hamilton but then we are aware that you also weren’t aware of her activities and then once you discovered this you turned her in immediately. This room has been monitored because of obvious reasons our girl is a plethora of knowledge and she’s drugged up enough not to be thinking clearly, and the other reason is because she means a great deal to the team and to me. He hugged Trixie. “Ah girl you were supposed to wait and marry me instead.”

“Finley, you are married to your country.” Trixie answered.

“I know but so are you Trixie Belden.” He laughed.

“Doctor Frayne, I hope you know what you are in for with this little spitfire.”

“I have a pretty good idea.” Jim answered. “I remember you. You were Belzar the bouncer at Louegee’s.”

Brad just grinned from ear to ear. “You always did have a pretty good idea of who she was back then.”

“Jim,” Trixie gasped.

“Think I can’t recognize a blast from the past, even when you are in disguise?” Jim laughed.

“I love you.” He added.

Trixie closed her eyes weakly. She was trying to force herself to stay awake now.

“She looks exhausted we better go.” Brian said to Les.

“You are right we should.” Les agreed.

“Love you Trixie, and I am glad to witness your marriage.”

“Love you too big Bro.” Trixie took his hug.

“Be good.” Les hugged her next.

“I will.” She answered.

Brian and his partner left quietly

Brad sat down with his computer changing things enough to make his partner have a new identity. And have some evidence that Jim and Jenny were long lost lovers. Jenny ended up with the CIA sealed file on her identity as Trixie took over her life.

“I hope Jenny doesn’t hate me if she returns one day.”

“Odds are that she is lost at sea forever,” Brad answered. “You’ll need to die your hair white for this one darling.

“No way I, don’t think so.”

“This was her last picture.” Brad showed her.

“But her hair always was my color.”

“Not since she moved to Hawaii, that is what two much sun will do to your hair.” Jim laughed.

“Okay, but I don’t have to immediately right?”

“Not immediately, you get your rest now. We’ll be moving you out of intensive care into your own private room in a few hours.” Jim promised.

“Okay,” She nodded.

“Jim and the Colonel stepped out of the room. She’s a great girl.” The Colonel said to Jim. Take care of her or I’ll, come, gunning for you.”

“I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry about that. Did she really lose her rank for seeing me?” Jim assured him.

“Yes, but it’s being reinstated. That was mainly General Stone’s throwing his weight around. I filed an official protest and there was a court hearing about why he felt she should lose rank. We argued about her having a personal life that shouldn’t be connected to the line of duty and that you weren’t a breech of security. The judge agreed with me so her rank has been restored.”

“That is a pretty lame reason for reprimanding someone.” Jim nodded.

“The entire staged death scene has gone to trial because that has caused her undue stress. It was the last thing she ever wanted to do because she said she couldn’t bear the thought of causing you pain like that and it was unnecessary there was no danger for our agent at that time. Her love life was not relevant to this case, in fact she could have juggled both indefinitely.”

“Gees,” Jim shook his head. “I was holding on to the fact that you told me once not to worry because all things weren’t exactly black and white some things were illusions and she’d return one day. I didn’t take that as metaphorically speaking.

“It wasn’t.” Colonel smiled. “I not only trained her she’s one of my best friends and my partner. If I weren’t married and stuck in- well, just take care of her.”

Jim knew what he meant by that he just smiled. Colonel Finley was in love with is wife that was obvious.

It would take three weeks before Trixie was released from the hospital and quietly taken to Jim’s mansion at Ten Acres. They were keeping their marriage as quiet as possible so far the only ones that knew were her mother and Brian and Les everyone else would slowly be clued in on the situation, but Trixie’s death had been officially announced killed in a jet crash was the cause. Her hero’s funeral was led by a parade downtown Sleepyside that kept the main street closed off nearly 3 hours while the crowds cleared out.

Trixie was with Jim in her disguise as her cousin Jenny. She wore glasses and a baseball cap that covered most of her face. Trixie’s brothers and the rest of the Bobwhites got a big clue when she arrived at the wake that was being held in the town square.

Hallie walked right up to her and screamed to the top of her lungs. “Oh gosh Jenny they found you.” Brian whispered to her, what was up so she could make it sound convincing when she made her entrance.

“Where have you been all this time, we thought you drowned in the ocean.

“No.” She looked up at her cousin with a smile. “I didn’t drown, I was shipwrecked but I ended up found by a boat that wasn’t headed back for shore and they didn’t make an exception just for me either. We were out to sea for 6 months before they decided to return and even then, we didn’t make it back because of a hurricane that left us aground on a southern island. It took us a period of 3 months to make repairs and get that ship back into open waters.

“Didn’t they have a ship to shore radio?”

“Not Hawaiian Natives.” Trixie shook her head no their communication system was primitive.

“Were they fishing wouldn’t the fish go bad?”

“No,” Trixie shook her head again. “Fishing for pearls doesn’t require keeping the oysters unless you want to sell oysters as well. They were more interested in treasure than fishing for oysters.”

“That sounds awesome, I would have loved being on board a treasure hunting ship.” Hallie said with a big smile.

“Who is?”

“This is my cousin Hallie told the others walking up behind her. “She’s Jenny Branson. Her mother is my aunt Alicia.

“I was hoping mother would be here today.” Trixie looked around the room.

“She couldn’t make it.” Mart said quickly. “She wanted to but circumstances wouldn’t allow it.”

“I haven’t seen you in such a long time.” Jim said to Jenny openly. “How have you been?”

“Not too badly, and yourself,” Trixie asked.

“I am trying to focus on pressing on. Losing Trixie is such a horrible blow to me she meant the entire world to me.”

“Me too,” she teared up.

Most of Trixie’s closer friends had a big clue about this mystery but no one said anything about the mysterious Jenny that suddenly appeared with many of the same injuries that Trixie suffered from during that fall.

“Jenny, how did you get those injuries?” Maddie asked her.

“I was in a car accident nearly two months ago. I am doing much better now though but I still have a few weeks before I can put weight on my leg.

This will be continued at a later date.