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Jonny Quest sat at a table in the base's Club with his friends, Hadji Singh,
and Jessie Bannon. Jonny played with the food that remained on his plate. "Man,
I've been to some boring places, but Spang definitely takes the cake."
"I agree with you there, Jonny, "Jessie sighed. "I expected Germany to be more...
well, more than this...."
"I think that this is a wonderful place to stay. I'd like to stay longer, "Hadji said.
Jonny yawned then propped his head on his hand, saying, "You would."
"I wonder what everyone does here for fun, "Jessie said.
Jonny yawned once again then grinned, "Sleep?"
"Oh, aren't you the comedian, "Jessie said as she rolled her eyes.
Jonny looked back down at his plate, chuckling at his own joke. They Hadji nodded, then waved as Jonny hopped into Jessie's Jeep. Jessie pulled Jessie rolled her eyes, turned off the engine, and handed him the keys. As He turned, and Jessie continued, "Make sure you have everything." A few minutes later, Jessie and Jonny were back at the BX looking at the Jonny just grinned at Jessie when she glared at him. They walked out of the Jonny smiled at her, then walked towards the fiction section, and Hadji started They walked to Jessie's car, and Jessie tossed Jonny the keys. "Here, you Jonny caught the keys, saying, "Hey, I'm not *that* bad. I passed my test on Jessie slapped him playfully on the leg and said, "Quit talking and start the car!" Jonny was about to say something in reply, but thought better of it. They drove Jonny shrugged as he flipped through the few channels that were English. Jonny shook his head. "By the time we finish it, we'd be on our way back to The three were silent for a while, then Jessie got up and went to the balcony Jonny looked at him, "Do *you* want to drive two hours just to be Jonny sighed and turned back to the TV. After about four minutes, he turned Hadji grabbed the keys and opened the door for Jessie. For a second, Hadji Jonny quickly shook his head, then followed Hadji and Jessie, closing the door Jessie smiled and said, "Sure! They both ran to the big tire swing, and Jonny helped Jessie get in (which he She gripped two of the three chains holding the tire up, then nodded, grinning Jonny stood up (after a bit of trouble), and kneeled down next to Jessie, who Race spotted the teens at the playground and waved for them to come. The Race touched his eye, which was starting to swell and getting blacker every Jonny jogged around the car and up to his Dad and asked, "Are you Ok?" They all walked into the apartment and sat on the couch. "So, how was the Race handed Dr. Quest his coffee, then walked to the balcony window. "Hey, As if cued, a low rumble traveled across the sky. Soon, rain spotted the They were already out the door before Jonny even finished his own sentence. Soon, the teens were on their way to Bitburg, the storm getting worse every minute. Suddenly, a black pickup came from out of nowhere and slammed into the The pickup hit them again, causing them to fly off of the road and into one of Jonny looked cautiously around, then swiftly kicked the gun out of the Jonny grabbed the gun out of the mud and looked around. "Jessie!" he shouted, Jessie caught the gun, but it got kicked out of her hands by one of the other soldiers. Suddenly, Jessie was at his side, pulling at his arm. "Jonny! Run!!" She shouted. Pulling himself away, he ran with Jessie, twisting and turning around the giant hay bales The two hid under the wagon, both covered in mud. Jessie looked at Jonny for Without warning, Jessie shot her hand out, grabbed Jonny's hand, and pulled it She ripped off the cleanest part of her shirt she could find, and wrapped it Jonny chuckled, and he started to wipe the mud from Jessie's face. Suddenly, The two lowered their bodies to the ground once again, not making a sound. The storm started pouring rain again, making it almost impossible for them to Jessie looked, shocked, into Jonny's sad and scared blue eyes. Tears mingled Jessie's eyes started to well up with tears, so she nodded, made sure the coast Jessie crept back to the over turned Blazer, then looked around. *I can't Finally, she spotted it. The black pickup that had caused them to crash. Jessie quietly got in the car, started the engine, then sped off down the road. Dr. Quest paced around the living room, constantly going to the balcony Race didn't even look away from the TV. "They'll be back, Benton. They're As Benton turned away, a black pickup truck pulled up. Benton was almost already opening the door before Jessie even knocked. Jessie shuddered as Race held her close to him, trying to comfort her. Race looked Race pulled her away from him and said in the calmest, clearest voice he could Race helped Jessie to the couch, and after a few long, deep breaths, she told Jonny shivered, still hiding under the wagon, and still waiting for Jessie to return with Jonny opened his eyes to see big brown boots getting closer to the wagon. Jonny woke up to find himself lying in his bed in his bedroom. *Was it all a dream?* Jonny swung his legs over the side of his bed and stood up. After a moment of He opened the curtains and blinked as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight. After a As if he read Jonny's mind, Race said, "You've been out about nineteen hours. You Jonny caught himself reaching up to rub his forehead, so he quickly lowered his hand Jonny looked around. "Where's Jessie?" his looked changed from one of confusion, to Race frowned and looked at the floor. Benton said, "We haven't found him yet. The MP's Jonny looked at the floor, then looked back up at his father. "What about Dr. Quest looked at Race, who didn't change his position, then back at his son. "She's Jonny was silent for a few seconds, then mumbled, "Yeah, I think I know. Benton stared at his son for a moment, then said, "Could you go talk to her?" Jonny sighed. "I'm probably the *last* person she'd want to talk to, "he Dr. Quest smiled and patted Jonny's shoulder. "Thanks, son." Jonny got dressed, then, carefully, put on a baseball cap, putting as much of the bandage After the small hike across the playground, and across a street, he was at the building. He Jonny walked over to the couch and softly nudged Jessie's shoulder with his Jessie just looked at him, then back at the TV. Jonny looked at her, then said softly, Jessie didn't respond. She just stood up, walked over to the soda vending She took a long, shuddering breath then said, "You don't know what I feel like. You Jonny put his hand under her chin, pushing up to make her look at him. "Yes, I do." Jessie swallowed hard then said, "Yeah? Then when?" Jonny slowly got up and sat back next to her. "Remember when I was saved Jessie looked into his deep blue eyes, then asked, "Can I ask you something?" Jonny took a deep breath, then said, "Seriously? It was when I first looked into those Jessie smiled weakly, then Jonny stood up. "Let's go home." She nodded, then stood up next to him, taking his hand. Jonny smiled, then Jonny seemed to be thinking of how to word his question properly as they Jessie looked at him. He seemed uncomfortable to ask that question, but she Jonny stared down at the grass as they walked, and only nodded. Jessie He nodded. "If you've liked me all this time, why haven't you showed it? I Jonny snorted, then said, "I'm not that way, Jess. You know me! I'm not the Jessie almost burst out laughing, but chose better of it. "That's no way to show someone Jonny ran across the rest of the playground and across the street, up to the apartment; Jessie looked at him, then behind him to their Dads, who just stared at them. Jonny turned, After he shut his door, he repeated, "Read." Jessie looked at him once again, then started to read Jonny's personal journal entry. Jessie's voice trailed off and she swallowed hard. Jonny took the lap top and turned it off. Jessie shook her head no, then muttered, "I'm sorry." A small creaking sound was heard, and the two teens looked over at his door. Two blurs Jonny looked back at Jessie, who's face held an embarrassed and angry expression. The Hadji moaned as he awoke to darkness. He sat up, rubbing his head, and No answer. The silence around him was almost deafening. Hadji groaned as he looked The man slowly leaned forward into the light. He was a bearded man with Dr. Quest, Race, Jessie, and Jonny sat in the police station, waiting to see if Jonny coughed again, and just nodded. She looked at him. Jonny was Dr. Quest looked up at his son, then walked over to him. "Son, are you feeling Jonny's voice was raspy and dry as he said, "I'm fine, Dad." Benton turned to the officer who spoke. "We may have a lead on your They stood up, and was starting to walk into the office, when they heard a loud thump. She dropped to the floor and put his head on her shoulder, holding him tight against her. Jessie clutched Jonny's hand against her cheek as a policeman ran up with a medical Hadji glared at the man before him, then asked, "What are you talking about?" Von Baron slammed him fists on the desk, making Hadji jump. "Shut up you Von Baron leaned back in his chair and continued, "Anyway, when he finds Jessie sat in the hall of the Bitburg hospital, waiting for any news on Jonny. By the time After an eternal two minutes, Dr. Quest and Race finally walked out of the Dr. Quest said nothing, so Race was the one who answered. "He's got the Jessie, feeling very light-headed, sat in the chair next to Dr. Quest. Benton inhaled deeply Jessie was silent for a while, then asked, "Dad, can I go see him?" Race nodded, then pointed to a door down the hall. Jessie walked up the Jonny tried to smile slightly, then answered in a raspy voice, "Crappy. What'd Jessie shifted uncomfortably as the cardiac monitor sped up slightly. "He says you'll be He smiled. "Liar. I'm gonna die, aren't I?" A hot tear streamed down Jessie's cheek as she said, "You have pneumonia, there's an Jonny sighed. "Thought so. I knew all that staying out in the rain was going to catch up Jonny shook his head, then said, "Jess, I can feel it. Even in all the other life-threatening Jessie took his hand and held it close to her. "Jonny, if you'll fight, you'll get through this, Jonny looked at her. "Jess. I'm dying." She looked at Jonny, then with a heavy heart, she realized he was right. His breathing Jessie nodded slowly and said, "Anything." Jonny hesitated for a split second, then said quietly, "A kiss from you." Jessie wiped the tears from her face, then leaned foreword and kissed Jonny Suddenly an alarm sounded, and Jessie looked over at the cardiac monitor. Hadji was sent back to his cell, but they kept the light on this time. *How am I No guards stood by his door, and there were none outside, either. He thought He positioned himself in front of the bars, made sure no one was around, then said The bars in front of him bent to the side, just wide enough for him to squeeze He came across a sleeping guard, and quickly and carefully, took the guard's Doctors and nurses burst into the room, pushing Jessie forcefully aside. After Jessie ran up to Race and buried her face in his shirt. Dr. Quest ran up to Race walked up to Benton and said, "Benton, I'm so, so sorry. But there's Dr. Quest looked at Jonny's pale, lifeless face and said, "Yes, there is a way. Race hugged Jessie and just nodded. "Yes, but I can't go with you. I can't Dr. Benton Quest crept silently towards the water tower. He came to a hedge As he swiftly jogged down one of the endless hallways, someone grabbed him Benton squinted in the darkness at the person before him. "Hadji!!" Dr. Quest Hadji hugged Benton back then said, "We must get out of here! Von Baron Hadji followed Dr. Quest down the hall and out of the door. They were met Benton straightened up when he realized the guards were still hazy, and The two guards looked at each other and chuckled. "Can we help?" The guards snickered as they watched Dr. Quest and Hadji walk away. Jessie still had her face buried in her father's shirt as the doctors came in to The doctors were about to object when they were chased out by Race. Race She looked at his limp form and tears started to flow endlessly down her Jessie slammed her fist down on Jonny's chest, then buried her face in her She checked his pulse; it was weak, but it was there. "Jonny's alive!!!!" she Race shook his head and said softly, "Jess, it's just your imagination." Jessie grabbed her father's hand and dragged him into the room, putting his Dr. Quest drove towards the Bitburg gates, straight- faced and silent. Hadji Dr. Quest swallowed hard and shook his head. Then he answered in a choked voice, Hadji was speechless. Jonny dead? It was very hard for him to believe.
Neither of them said a word as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. They Dr. Quest could only manage a hoarse whisper, "Jonny....." Benton ran up to Jonny's bed and hugged his son tightly. "Dad... I can't... Benton stiffened at Jonny's grin and answered, "Only two." Jonny couldn't help but laugh. But then his smile faded when he realized something. Benton cleared his throat and nodded. Race shook his head, then said, "Let's Benton chuckled. "Yes, we do. When will he be able to be released?" One week later they were on their way back home. As soon as Jonny stepped Jonny laughed as he stood up and wiped the slobber off of his face. Jessie Race jumped off the jet and started tossing out the luggage. "It's every person The three teens groaned as they went to pick up their individual luggage. "I die, No one else thought his 'joke' was very funny. Jonny woke up and couldn't fall back asleep that night, so he got up, put on She found him standing in the grass, about four to five feet away from the edge He spun around in surprise, then relaxed when he saw who it was. "What're Jonny started walking down the stairs leading to the beach. Jessie jogged down He just shrugged, keeping his eyes on the stairs in front of him. "Jonny, are you Jessie jumped away from the cold ocean water that washed up, Jonny Jessie was silent, half expecting him to continue, which he did. "I've been Jessie never said a word, just stared ahead. *How can I tell him?* That She nodded, and followed him back up the beach towards the stairs. As the Suddenly Jessie's mind went a total blank. She didn't know what to say. They Jonny stopped walking and faced her. "What?" She practically jumped up to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and Jonny couldn't say anything, he was so amazed at what just happened. She Jonny was still so shocked he couldn't say a word. He held her tight against Jessie giggled, then put an arm around his waist. Jonny smiled, then slipped an Until they arrived at the door. Both of them were grabbed from behind, and a Jonny glanced over at Jessie, who was also being held. She looked back, then Muffled thumps came from the inside of the house as Race and Dr. Quest The two soldiers scowled and raised their arms after dropping their weapons. In the split second Race's gun wavered, the two soldiers broke into a run. He Race ran up to Jonny, who fell to his stomach, then rolled over on his back. Race leaned Jonny up against his chest and hugged him tightly. "It's Ok, Jonny. Hadji ran inside the house and called 911, while Dr. Quest was trying to Jessie watched as the doctor finished wrapping a bandage around Jonny's Jessie smiled nervously and nodded. They finished putting his shirt on, then he Jonny flinched in pain, and Dr. Quest quickly withdrew his hand. "Sorry." As soon as they got home, they found Race finishing up his security check. Race smiled and said, "I know how ya feel." Race, Jonny, Jessie, and Hadji sat in the security room, intently watching the On the screen, they saw the top of the lawn. Then suddenly, a small part of the Without another word, Jonny jumped up from his seat and ran out the door, As soon as they reached camera fourteen, Jonny pointed to the small hole and With a strange look, Race walked over to the hole and jumped up. Nothing. Knowing how Jonny would respond, Hadji spoke up. "I'll get the flashlights." When Hadji returned with the flashlights, the three teens jumped into the tunnel Jonny grinned and said, "I try." Jessie rolled her eyes and said, "Come on. Let's see where this thing finally Everyone nodded and followed Jessie. Finally, they reached the end. Race Jonny was silent in thought for a while, then asked, "Race, how far do you think Race kneeled down and Jonny stepped up on Race's leg, pushing up. "Uh-huh, Jonny pulled himself up and he and Race helped everyone else out. As soon as They found themselves standing in front of the mansion. "How'd they cover it Jonny held up their welcome mat, then dropped it over the hole. "That's how." The next week was sweltering hot, so Race, Jonny, and Hadji worked outside The two boys both shouted happily in unison, and Race grinned at them. "You Jonny jogged over to Jessie and sat down next to her, putting his arm around Jonny grinned and gave her a huge hug. She squirmed, laughing, "Yuck!!!" Race walked over to Benton and stepped inside the patio. Dr. Quest was Dr. Quest smiled. "Look at the way they look at each other. " They watched as Jessie started giggling hysterically as Jonny stole the hose Dr. Quest sighed. "I'm not positively sure, but it sure seems like it." Jonny grabbed Jessie from behind and held her tight against himself as he put Benton looked at Race with a sad-looking smile on his face, "Reminds me of Benton sighed sadly, then answered, "When Jonny was little, we used to chase Benton sighed again, choking back tears. After a moment's pause, he said, Weeks and months passed, and no trace of Von Baron or his thugs were
finished their lunch, paid for it, then went to the BX. As they walked through the
doors, Jonny stopped, then smacked his forehead. "Great! I forgot my ID back at
"We'll meet you back here in a few, Hadj, 'kay?" Jonny said as he followed Jessie
out of the door.
up in front of building 409, with Jonny almost jumping out of the Jeep before it
stopped. A second later, he walked out of the apartment with a sheepish grin on his
face, "Umm, keys, please."
Jonny was about to run back in the door, Jessie shouted, "Jonny!"
"Ha, ha."
computer games with Hadji. "Man, this place doesn't even have good computer
games!" Jonny complained, reshelving 'Oregon Trail II'.
"This is an over-seas air base, Jonny, "Jessie said. "What do you expect? Best Buy?"
"No, but-- Nevermind, "Jonny sighed in defeat. He smiled secretly to himself. He
never could win an argument with Jessie. "Let's go to the bookstore, maybe they have
more there."
front door, and across the small parking lot to the bookstore. As they walked in, Jonny
was about to complain about this store, but stopped when he saw Jessie's look. Jessie
didn't seem too thrilled with it either. She looked at Jonny, and he just shrugged.
"Well, there's nothing else to do, "Jessie breathed as she walked towards the
magazines.
looking at the computer books. After about five minutes, the teens were already on
their way out. "I've read every book in there!" Jessie complained. "I can't believe this place!"
"Told you, "Jonny simply said.
drive. We all need a bit of excitement.."
the second try!"
"Yes, and on your first day out alone you ran over a stop sign, "Hadji said, jumping
into the back seat of the Jeep.
"And I learned from my mistake, haven't I?" Jonny said, buckling his seat belt.
back to building 409, then walked into apartment C1. Jonny set the car keys on the
table, then turned the TV on. "When do you suppose Dr. Quest and my Dad will get
back from Bitburg?" Jessie asked as she sat down next to Jonny.
Stopping on Sky 1, a British network, he said, "I don't know, but he better get back
soon, he has our Questworld headpieces in his briefcase..."
"Well, at least we have our laptops, "Hadji said, pointing to the table.
"He has the phone cables for the internet, too, Hadj, "Jonny moaned. "And we
practically played out all the games on them."
"Well, "Jessie grinned. "We can make a new game."
Maine."
window and looked out. "Well, if we do get desperate, we can always go to the
playground across the street...."
"I heard that there's a small mall at Frankfurt, "Hadji suggested.
disappointed? I don't think so, Hadji!"
"It was just a suggestion..." Hadji said.
off the TV, stood up, and said,
"Let's check out the playground."
thought he saw Jonny glare at him, but he dismissed the thought. But Jonny *did*
glare at Hadji. Quickly, but he did. *I was the one who should have opened the door
for Jess* Jonny growled in his mind. *I'M the one who likes her...*
behind him. He ran across the street, joining Hadji and Jessie. "Hey, Jess! Wanna
go on the tire swing?" Jonny asked, with a slight sound of hopefulness in his voice.
"Alright!" Jonny said. "C'mon!"
enjoyed). Jonny placed his hands on the edge of the tire, then grinned at Jessie, "You
ready?"
ear to ear. Jonny started to push the swing, not letting go. Once he got the swing at
enough momentum, Jonny jumped on and quickly sat down across from Jessie. They
both laughed as they spun around in circles, getting more dizzy by the minute. After a
few minutes, the swing was slow enough to get off, and when they did, they were both
so dizzy, they tripped and fell into the sand. Hadji was about to run over and help them
up, but a quick look from Jonny told him; he'd better keep away.
was laughing hysterically. He smiled and brushed some of her hair out of her face, then
helped her up. Jessie, between gasps for air, told him thank you, then laughed some more.
Jonny laughed, then looked up just in time to see a hunter green Blazer pull into the
parking space for apartment C1. Race Bannon appeared from the driver's side door,
and Dr. Benton Quest from the passenger's side. "Hey, our dad's are back, "Jonny
said.
three ran up to the car, and Jessie asked breathlessly, "Hey, Dad! How was that mee-
What happened to your eye?"
minute, and said, "Some wacko tried to get to Benton. I'm lucky that a black eye is all
I got, the nut had a gun."
"I'm fine, Jonny. But If Race wasn't there I'm sure I'd be dead right now."
"Ah, Benton. I'm no hero. I was just doin' my job, "Race said, turning towards the
building.
meeting?" Jessie repeated.
"Uh, besides the fact that a guy tried to kill you, "Jonny added.
"It was rather interesting, although we didn't get much done, because of General Adolf
Von Baron, "Dr. Quest said.
"The man that attacked you?" Hadji asked.
"Yes."
"Why'd he attack you anyway?" Jessie asked.
"I argued with him, "Dr. Quest said. "That man is a lunatic, he thinks he's the smartest and
most powerful man on Earth, therefore he thinks he's always right and should
get his every wish granted."
"Basically, he's a German Vostok, "Race grumbled, getting Benton and him a cup of
coffee. "In fact, if those two ever DID get together..." Race shook his head in disgust.
it's getting pretty nasty out there....."
window. "Hey, Dad, do you think we can go up to Bitburg for a while?" Jonny asked.
"I don't know, Jonny, "Dr. Quest said as he joined Race at the window. "It *is* getting nasty
out there."
"We'll let Hadji drive. He's a good driver. The most experienced, anyways, "Jonny grinned.
"Well... "Dr. Quest said, thinking.
"Let 'em go, Benton. If the storm gets too bad, they'll just hang out at one of the
stores, "Race said.
"Alright. But I want you back here by ten, understood?"
"Yeah, thanks, Pop!"
"Maybe we should have stayed home... "Jessie said.
"Yeah, I think you're right, Jess, "Jonny said, looking out the window. "Better turn around, Hadj."
back of the Blazer. "What the?" Jonny shouted, turning around.
the many fields. The car rolled down a hill, landing on it's top. The three teenagers got
out of the upside-down car to find themselves face- to- face with a small group of
armed, masked men. "Kindly put your hands up, yah?" One of them said with a heavy
German accent.
'soldier's' hand. "Get them!!" the man shouted.
tossing the gun to her.
Jonny quickly turned, just in time to see Hadji get knocked over the head by
one of the men. Hadji fell to the ground, and two of the men dragged him away through the
mud. "Hadji!!" Jonny
shouted.
that were lying around the field. Coming to an old horse wagon, they both
slid through the mud under it. They pressed their bodies as close to the ground as possible as
many of the soldiers ran past them.
the first time since the encounter, and gasped. His face was covered with mud, and
even worse, blood. His hand covered the left side of his face, with blood dripping
through his fingers. "Jonny..." Jessie said with a worried tone.
"I'm fine, Jess, "Jonny said quietly.
away. Jonny had a huge gash that started just below his hair line, and went all the way
down over his nose. Luckily, it had missed his eye. "One of those jerks hit me with the
barrel of his rifle, "Jonny explained, wincing as Jessie tried to clean it with her shirt.
"Here, it's not the cleanest 'bandage', but it's better than nothing, "Jessie said.
around his forehead, covering as much of the cut as she could. Jonny never looked
away from her green, worried eyes. "There, "Jessie said as she finished tying her make-
shift bandage together. "At least it will keep more gunk from getting in..."
he stopped, and said in a voice so soft, it wouldn't even be considered a whisper,
"They're coming..."
Two of the men that attacked them walked by and stood by one of the large, round
bales of hay. Once they were out of hearing range, Jonny said, "You go get help. I'll
stay here and wait for you to come back..."
"No way. Once you get help, you can get a doctor for that cut, "Jessie said.
"No, Jessie, "Jonny said firmly. "YOU go, I'LL stay."
hear each other. "Jonny!" Jessie shouted. "You need help more than I do! I can take
care of myself!!"
"I don't care!!! Go!"
"Why?? Why should I go???"
"Because I love you!!" Jonny shouted, sharply looking at her, making the water in his
hair spray everywhere.
with mud and blood as they streamed down his face. "I've felt this way for a long time," he
cried. "But you always seemed to favor Hadji over me!! I can't stand it any longer, Jess. I'm
telling you now, "he paused, shuddering from his emotions. "I love you. Now GO."
was clear, then ran across the field. Jonny waited until she was out of sight, then curled
up into a ball, lying in the mud, blood, and who knows what else; and cried.
believe it... Jonny loves me? Wait, keep your mind focused on this, Bannon, or you
both will never LIVE to see each other again...*
Carefully, she snuck over to the truck. *Good. There's no one around...*
window and checking to see if that hunter green Blazer had pulled into the parking
space. He looked at his watch and mumbled, "They should have been back an hour
ago...."
probably driving slow in that rain."
"If they *were* driving slower, they'd still be back by now."
"Jessie, what happened???" Dr. Quest shouted, bringing Race running to the door.
"Jessie!" Race gasped, helping her inside. "What happened to you? Where's Jonny and Hadji?"
down at her. She was drenched, covered in mud, and part of her shirt had been
torn off somehow. But then he saw something that made the real worrying begin; dried blood
on her shirt and hands. "These guys attacked us...we crashed..... Jonny's hurt.....
Hadji's gone.... Jonny's still back there.... guns.... "Was all the two men could decipher
out of Jessie's muffled, frightened voice.
manage, "Calm down, Jess. Now, tell us what happened...."
them everything, leaving only Jonny's confession out. Jessie burst into tears when she
got to the end. "He's still back there!!" She cried. "They could have found him by now, we
*have* to go get him!!!"
help. He looked over at the bale of hay where the two men had been, and realized
they were gone. He wiped the mud and rain from his face and looked around. There
were no guards, no cars, with the exception of the over-turned Blazer, and.... no
Jessie. Jonny coughed, then moaned. *C'mon, Jess.. Hurry up.* His throat hurt, he
was cold, and his head throbbed. He heard the sound of footsteps on the wet earth, so
he lowered himself yet again, and closed his eyes. *Please... let this be her....*
Jonny smiled weakly. It was Race. Slowly, Jonny crawled out and stood up.
Suddenly, he felt light-headed and started to fall. Race saw this and jumped the last
few feet and caught the boy. The last thing Jonny remembered before he passed out
was Race picking him up.
he thought as he slowly sat up. He reached up and started to rub his
forehead, then jolted his hand back in pain. "Nope," he moaned.
stretching, he walked over to the mirror and inspected his face. A fresh medical
bandage was wrapped around his forehead, and a Band-Aid over his nose. He saw a
hint of stitches between the two bandages. Jonny mumbled to himself, then looked at
his clock. It was 12:14 PM. "How long have I been out?" Jonny thought aloud.
moment of not knowing where he was, he realized he was still in Germany. He made
a small sigh of relief, then walked out of the door, through the small hall, and into the living
room. "Well, look whose finally up," Benton Quest said as he looked up from his paper.
feelin' alright?"
again. "Yeah, I'm fine. My head just hurts, that's all."
"We took you to the hospital in Bitburg while you were still unconscious. You have around
one hundred stitches for that cut," Race replied.
one of fear and alarm. "And Hadji? Where's Hadji???"
on this base and Bitburg have started searching for him. They've found no
trace of him."
Jessie?"
at the AYA. Jessie hasn't spoken since last night, and we don't know why. Do
you know what could be wrong with her?"
Jessie seemed to always have feelings towards Hadji. She's probably worried sick
about him."
paused, thinking back to the night before. "But, I guess I can try."
under it as he could. Making sure he had his wallet (and ID), he grabbed a set of
keys and started to walk towards the AYA building.
walked inside it, and upstairs to the Teen section of the AYA. He
walked into the large room and looked around. He spotted Jessie loafing around on the coach,
watching the big screen TV, and holding a can of Sprite.
hand. "Hey, you Ok?" he asked as he sat down next to her.
"Jessie, I know how you feel. If you need to talk, I'm here for you."
machine, put in a dollar, and got another soda. After she got the change from the machine, she
sat down at the other couch, catty-corner from the one she was
previously on. Jonny sighed, then walked over and kneeled next to Jessie. "Jess, listen
to me. I've gone through this before, too. Race is going nuts, he doesn't know why
you're acting like this. Please, talk to me!"
don't know how it feels to not know where someone you care for a lot is, or if
they're alright...."
by that whale?" Jessie nodded. "Well, when you disappeared, and no one answered
your radio, no matter how hard I tried, I was scared to death. I thought I had lost you. When
I found that plastic jug with a piece of your wet suit in it, I thought I was
dreaming. You couldn't have been alive. If I didn't find that jug, I would have gone
crazy with fear, sadness, and worrying, because I lost hope. My point is, Jess, that you
can't lose hope. I know you care for Hadji a lot, but you can't give up on him. He
wouldn't want that, no one would want that."
"Anything."
"When did you first start liking me?"
green eyes of yours. Then it grew when I saw that you loved to do almost everything I did."
asked as they walked out the door, "Now can I ask *you* something?"
"Sure."
stepped outside. Finally, he asked, "Why have you always preferred Hadji over me?"
knew that he had to do it. "To tell you the truth, I don't really know for sure. Hadji is a
thinker and a gentleman, which I like, but you're the big risk taker and action-seeker, which
I like also." She paused as they jogged across the street. "But the problem with you is that
you're *too* much of a risk taker. Don't get me wrong, Jonny, I really like
you also, but.... I don't know. My brain tells me 'you', but my heart tells me Hadji."
squeezed his hand a little tighter then said, "Jonny, if I hurt you in any way, I didn't
mean it. Rea-"
"No... no, it's Ok. I understand," Jonny interrupted.
"Can I ask you one more question?"
mean, you've never opened a door for me, given me flowers, or even slightly showed
it, that is up till yesterday."
'flowers and candy' kind of guy! I showed you any way I could, offered you rides on
my hoverboard, was the first one to agree with you on ideas, especially on games, challenged
you to races any time I could. Heck, I was always the first one to dive in to
get you out of trouble and danger!"
you care for them!!"
"Ok, so you want to see how much I care for you? Follow me."
with Jessie on his heels. He burst through the door, and walked up to the table. Jessie stood
next to him as he turned on his personal lap top, and, after typing in
a password and a journal entry date, shoved the computer up to Jessie. "Read this."
looked at the two confused men, grabbed his computer and Jessie's
hand, then dragged her to his room.
" 'December 16, 1996. Well, another school day off. Snow's three feet deep.
Oh well, at least I get to spend the entire day with Hadji and Jessie! Well, maybe only Jess and
I can go snowboarding, I rarely get to spend time alone with her anymore,
she's always so busy with Questworld, Hadji, and schoolwork. Either that or she's with her
mother, almost always over a thousand miles away. I have to admit, I really, REALLY like her.
I think about her everyday, the first thing AND the last.... I'm afraid
to tell her openly, because I'm afraid it'll ruin our great friendship. When she's at her mom's, I
want to send her a letter confessing that I like her, but I think that would probably be worse. I
don't know what to do. In fact, I have about a billion Valentines, candy grams, and Crush grams
hidden in my closet that I backed out of on the last minute. Maybe this year I'll actually send her
one, but I'd probably sign it 'Secret
Admirer' or something.... I don't know. Yeah, I'm not going to chicken out this year. That's my
New Year's resolution: To finally tell Jessie, how much I care for her.' "
"Now you see what I've been going through. There's other entries, if you want to see more."
"Don't be sorry, Jess, "Jonny said as he sat down next to her.
"It's not your fault. And I guess it isn't mine either. It's just tha-"
were seen in the frosted window of his door. Jonny put his finger up to his mouth to signal for
Jessie to be quiet. He quietly creeped up to the door and swung it open, revealing Race and Dr.
Quest. Race quickly opened the closet next to Jonny's
door and said, "Uh, just getting a towel."
exact same expression as his.
looking around at his surroundings as his eyes adjusted. He was in some sort of cell, dimly
lit by a small flickering lantern. "Hello? Is anyone there??" He called out.
around his small cell. There was a small cot, with no pillows or blankets. Sitting
beside it, was a tin plate and cup. Hadji crawled up to it and saw that there was bread
on the plate, and water in the cup. His stomach growled, but he thought it best not to
eat the stale bread. Suddenly, the room filled with light, making Hadji quickly cover his eyes with
his hands. After his eyes finally adjusted again, he saw a man standing in front of his cell, unlocking
the door. Hadji stood up as the man opened the cell door. He walked in, handcuffed Hadji, then
directed the sixteen year old out of the cell.
Suddenly, someone put a bag over Hadji's head, making him cry out in surprise. He
felt himself being pushed down endless hallways, with few turns or bends. One time he almost
fell because the man directing him pushed him violently to the left. Finally, they
came to a stop, and the bag was removed from his head. Hadji turned around and saw
the men that took him there leave, not even taking off his handcuffs. Hadji returned his
gaze to the front of the room, and to a desk, which the person sitting at it was hidden in
a blanket of darkness. "Who are you?" Hadji angrily asked. "Why have you brought
me here?"
streaks of gray going through his hair. "I am General Adolf Von Baron. And you are
here for my revenge."
there was any news about Hadji. Jonny coughed, then moaned. Jessie patted his back, then
asked, "You Ok?"
definitely pale, and his eyes were a dull gray. After a moment of hesitation, Jessie put
the back of her hand on his cheek. He didn't even look up. She gasped, then said,
"Jonny, you're burning up!"
alright?"
"Dr. Quest?"
adopted son, Hadji, "The officer said. "Please, step into my office."
The Quest clan turned to find Jonny lying on the floor, not moving. "Jonny!!!" Jessie shouted,
running up to him.
Jessie could feel that he was hotter than before, and she shouted,
"Someone get help!!"
kit, and another called for an ambulance.
"Your adoptive father, Dr. Quest got me kicked off of the Science Board. And now
I'm using you to get back at him."
"He did not cause you to get kicked out! You attacked him!" Hadji shouted.
little rat!"
out you've been kidnapped, he'll do *anything* to save your precious life." he paused, leaning
forward again. "And I mean *anything*......"
they got the sick boy there, he already had a temperature of 107 degrees.
Race and Dr. Quest were in the room she sat beside, getting the results of what Jonny was
suffering from. The sound of the door knob turning made her look up, but it was
only one of the doctors.
office. Jessie quickly stood and walked over to them. "Do they know what's wrong
with Jonny?"
worst case of pneumonia possible."
He paused as he helped Benton into a chair. "There's an 80% chance he's not going to make it."
then said quietly, "Hadji is missing, and Jonny is in critical condition. What am I going to do, Race?"
"Don't worry, Benton, "Race said, patting Dr. Quest's shoulder. "Jonny's a strong boy. He'll pull
through. And we'll find Hadji."
hallway, and into Jonny's room. She closed the door and walked up to Jonny's bed.
He laid, motionless in his bed, but opened his eyes slightly when she sat down in the chair next
to him. Jessie smiled, then said, "Hey, how are you?"
the Doc say?"
just fine."
80% chance you won't live.."
to me sooner or later....."
"Don't talk like that," Jessie said firmly. "You fight it."
situations I been in, I felt I'd live. I'm sorry to tell you this, but that feeling isn't with me right now."
you always do..."
"Quit saying that!!" Jessie cried.
was getting slower and shallow, and the cardiac monitor showed his heart
rate was slowing. Jonny closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, then looked back up at Jessie.
"Can I please ask you something?"
"Jessie, there is one thing I've been wanting, more than anything in the world."
"And what is that?"
on the lips. He put his hand on the back of her head and kissed back, then fell limp. "Jonny??"
Flat line.
going to escape?* He thought.
for a while, then said quietly to himself, "Remember what your mother taught you..."
in a calm, clear voice, "Sim- sim salabim.."
through. After he was out, he grabbed a flashlight that was close by, and stealthily ran
out the door.
cell phone. Hadji found and empty room, and dialed Race's cell phone number. "Race?
It's Hadji! I need help! Von Baron has me in the water tower that looks like a castle
tower on the way to Bitburg. I have to go!!! *click*"
*I hope Race got all that...*
"NOOOO!!!" Jessie cried.
a few minutes trying to revive Jonny, they gave up. By that time, Race and Dr. Quest
were standing in the doorway. One of the doctors sighed, then said, "Time is10:23
AM."
Jonny's bed and dropped to his knees. "No," He said in a shuddering voice. "No!!
You can't die!! I've lost your mother and I'm NOT going to lose you!!"
nothing you can do to bring him back."
But first we have to get Hadji. You said you know where he is, Race?"
leave Jess alone."
"Where is he?"
and peered through it, seeing two guards by the door. After a couple swift kicks and
an elbow to the stomach, Benton grabbed the unconscious guard's keys.
from behind, covering his mouth. After being drug into a dark room, the person let go.
"Dr. Quest! It's me, Hadji!"
quietly shouted as he embraced his adopted son.
could be anywhere!!"
"Agreed. Follow me."
with two angry guards; the ones Benton knocked out. "What are you doing??"
thought that he was another guard. In the best German accent he could manage, Dr.
Quest answered, "General Von Baron wants the boy to be eliminated."
"Uh, no. I will manage."
take Jonny away. She looked up as they were about to put him on another bed, then
she said, "Wait! I want to see him one last time."
looked back at Jessie, nodded, then shut the door behind him. She took Jonny's hand
in hers and said with a shuddering voice, "Jonny, I never got to thank you for saving
my life those many times..... Now I feel that I let you down...." She paused, wiping the
tears from her eyes. "When you told me that you loved me, I felt scared, confused,
and really surprised. And then you asked me why I preferred Hadji over you. It took
me forever to get to sleep that night, I had so much to think about. I know it's too late
to tell you now, but..." Jessie leaned forward and kissed Jonny's
cold cheek. "I love you, too.."
cheeks. "You can't leave me like this!!!" Jessie cried. "You aren't dead!!"
arms, crying. Suddenly, Jonny coughed. Jessie looked up at his face, then realized he
was breathing. "Jonny?"
screamed at the top of her lungs, opening the door. "He's alive!! He's breathing and
he has a pulse!!!!"
hand on Jonny's chest. Race's face paled as he realized the boy was alive. "We need
doctors in here PRONTO!" he shouted.
looked over at him and asked, "What is wrong, Dr. Quest?"
"Jonny was taken to the hospital, with pneumonia. He was in critical condition."
"Was? Is he recovering?"
"He died an hour ago...."
both took the elevator up to the floor Jonny's room was, and walked in the direction
of it. Dr. Quest walked up to his late son's door, and opened it. Race was standing at
the end of Jonny's bed, and Jessie was sitting next to it, holding Jonny's hand. Dr.
Quest was almost about to faint when he saw Jonny sitting up in bed, drinking a glass
of orange juice. Jonny looked up at his father and smiled. "Hi, Dad!"
breathe..." Jonny choked.
"Oh, sorry...," Benton said, tears starting to run down his cheeks. "You're alive...."
"No kidding.. "Jonny smiled as he rubbed his ribs.
"The doctors can't explain it, "Race said to Benton. "Jonny was dead, no possible
way of coming back. It's a miracle."
"Actually, we may just have an explanation, "Dr. Tacker said as she walked in.
"It's about time, "Race said. "This has been driving me nuts..."
"Jonny never actually *died*, his heart slowed down and weakened so much, that the
monitors couldn't sense the pulse. There have been other cases of this, but never such a
long time period between the 'death' and when the patient awakens again. One hour
is the longest time in medical history."
Jonny looked up once again, and saw Hadji for the first time. "Hadji!!!"
He was about to jump out of his bed, but Hadji quickly walked over to
Jonny's bed and gave him a hug. "What happened to you, Hadj?"
"Von Baron took me to that castle-like water tower and kept me prisoner. He wanted
to use me as revenge against Dr. Quest for getting him 'kicked' off the Science Board.
Luckily, he came to my rescue."
"*Dad* got you?" Jonny grinned at his father. "Slammin' Dad! Did you beat up all the guards?"
"Has Von Baron been caught?"
"No, but we contacted the MP's on the way here."
"So that wacko is still out there?" Jessie asked.
not think about that. After all..." He paused, walked over to Jonny and patted the
boy's shoulder. "We've got more important things to think about!"
"If things go well overnight, tomorrow afternoon, "Dr. Tacker answered before she
walked out the door.
"Yesss!!! "Jonny said happily. "It'll be nice to get out of here."
Departure: Spangdahlem AB, Germany
Destination: Quest Compound, Maine
off the Dragonfly, he soon found himself on the ground, getting a ton of kisses from Bandit.
He laughed, pushed the happy bulldog away, and said, "Yeah, I missed you,
too, boy!!!"
walked up and picked up Bandit, who happily started to give her kisses also. Jonny smiled
and put his hand on Jessie's shoulder. "It's great to be home."
for themselves!" He shouted as he picked up his own suitcase.
and I'm nice enough to come back, and this is the thanks I get?" Jonny joked.
his trademark blue jeans and black T-shirt, grabbed his coat, and walked out his door.
He quietly tip-toed past Jessie's bedroom, and down the stairs. Jessie heard him, however,
and opened her door just in time to see Jonny walk out the front door. So she dressed, and
followed him.
of the cliff. Her heart skipped a few beats when she took in the entire scene. Jonny's
body was silhouetted against the full moon, and the cool breeze played with his blonde
hair. She took a deep breath before she approached him. "Jonny?"
you doing out this late?" He asked her.
"I was wondering the same thing about you," Jessie replied, putting a hand on his
shoulder. "You Ok?"
"I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to take a walk."
to catch up with him, then asked, "Can I go with you?"
Ok?" She finally asked after they reached the beach.
simply ignored it as it washed over his sneakers. "Not really, "he sighed.
feeling really nervous around you, it's been hard even looking at you. My feelings for
you have gotten a good deal stronger. I've been trying to fight against it, but it's not
working. After how close I came to dying, I realized how precious life was, and what
I could have missed. Graduating high school, graduating college, starting a career. "
He paused, hesitating. "Getting married, maybe have kids."
question burned in her mind, ever since they got back from Europe. Jonny sighed
heavily and said, "I'm going back up to the house."
two walked up them, Jessie finally decided; she had to tell him now. "Uh, Jonny?"
"Yeah?"
both reached the top of the stairs, and Jessie was still fumbling for the right words to
say. "I.... Um, that is....... uh..., "Jessie stammered.
"Jonny?" Jessie said, getting only one idea on how to tell him.
"What??" He replied with an annoyed tone.
gave him a long kiss. Jonny, shocked for a few moments, put his arms around her
waist. She pulled away and looked him straight in his surprised, but relieved face.
"That's what, "Jessie answered quietly, finding that the best answer she could think of
at that moment.
pulled him close and said, "I've liked you for the longest time, I just couldn't choose
between you or Hadji, as I told you. When Hadji was gone, and you were
hospitalized, I found that I worried about you more than Hadji, who was God knows
where. I... I really care for you, Jonny."
him, not wanting this moment to end. Jessie looked up at him and smiled, "C'mon.
Let's go back inside. We might as well stay up and talk, it's already five."
"I'd like that very much, "Jonny squeaked, then cleared his throat, his face turning
bright red in embarrassment.
arm over her shoulders. No words could describe how happy he was.
familiar voice hissed into Jonny's ear. "Remember us?"
nodded slightly, which he returned. Suddenly, Jonny and Jessie both stomped on
their attacker's toes. Both the men cried out, and as soon as he got away, Jonny
shouted, "DAD! RACE!!! HELP!!!"
rushed down the stairs. Jonny grabbed Jessie's arm and started to run away. A small
pop was heard, and Jonny cried out in pain, grasping his shoulder. He fell to his knees
just as Race appeared through the front door holding a hand gun. In one swift motion,
he cocked and aimed the gun at the two intruders. "Hold it right there!!!" Race shouted.
Race walked over, not removing his aim, and searched them for other weapons. "Dad!
Jonny's been shot!!" Jessie cried.
swore and took aim to shoot, but Benton stopped him, motioning him towards Jonny.
When he reached the boy, Jonny was clutching his shoulder and crying out in pain.
Race looked at the wound, then at Jonny. Jonny looked at him, the intense pain clear
on his face. "It hurts!!!" Jonny cried. "Race, it HURTS!!!"
We'll get some help, just hold on there, bud."
comfort Jessie. About ten minutes later, the ambulance arrived, and they took Jonny
to Rockport hospital.
shoulder and upper arm. As he was putting his shirt back on, Jessie helping, he
muttered, "I just can't seem to avoid hospitals this month, can I?"
hopped off of the table, and the two walked out of the room, hand-in-hand. "Ready
to go, son?" Dr. Quest said as he patted Jonny on the shoulder.
"S'okey, "Jonny said as he choked back tears of pain. "Let's just go home..."
"Gladly, "Benton smiled.
Unfortunately, his idea of a security check was to take apart all the machinery to make
sure it worked properly. Race walked up, his white tank-top covered in grease and
oil, and he was wiping as much of the muck as he could off of his arms and hands.
"You Ok, Jonny?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Race, "he answered, carefully rubbing his shoulder. "It's just very
sore."
"Did you find out anything wrong with the security system, Race?" Benton asked as he
surveyed the lawn, which still had a few machine pieces lying around.
"Well, "Race said as he wiped his forehead with his arm (which added even more
grease). "Cameras twenty-four and sixteen weren't working properly, but it was just a
focusing problem. Other than that, everything works just fine. I haven't a clue as to
how they got in without getting caught on the cameras or motion sensors."
"How many times did you check the tapes?" Jonny asked.
"At least ten times."
"Well, "Jonny grinned. "Let's check them again."
glowing TV screens in front of them. "There!" Jonny shouted, making the others jump.
"What? "Race asked.
"Rewind to 3.64-14. Ok, look there," Jonny pointed.
grass sunk and disappeared. Race shook his head. "Jonny, that could be a gopher or a
rabbit."
"Well, let's go find out. Which camera is that?"
"Number fourteen."
Race, Jessie, and Hadji following.
said, "Race, jump there."
He jumped again. Still nothing. "Jonny, there's nothing heerr-AHHH!!!" Race fell
through the ground, disappearing. The three teens looked down in the hole and saw
Race rubbing his head. "Ok, ok. You got me Jonny. This tunnel is big enough for a man
to walk through. But where'd they come up?"
with Race. After walking several yards, they saw that a small hole had been dug out
above about every ten to fifteen feet. "Air vents, "Race observed. "Jonny, you're a
genius"?
ends."
looked up. "Well we're at the end, so where's the hole?"
we've walked?"
"About twenty yards probably, why?"
"I've got an idea, but I need a boost."
thought so."
"What?" Jessie asked.
Race pulled himself out, he dusted off his already filthy tank top, and looked at his
surroundings. "Well, I'll be..."
up?" Jessie asked.
"Well, we better put something over this, so our 'friends' don't make themselves
welcome again," Race breathed.
in nothing but shorts and sneakers. Jessie, wearing shorts and a crop-top, observed
them (or I should say, Jonny) from beneath the shade of a tree. Benton cheated
and stayed inside the air-conditioned patio. "Ok, boys. Break time!" Race called.
better watch it!"
her shoulders. Jessie playfully pushed him away and said laughing, "Ewww! You're all
sweaty!!"
staring at something behind him. "Whatcha lookin' at, Benton?" Race asked, turning in
the general direction Dr. Quest was looking at.
"Jonny and Jessie."
"What about them?" Race asked, also looking at the two teens. After grinning, he
continued, "Looks like Jessie's about to get Jonny with the hose."
from her as started squirting her down. Suddenly Race's smile faded and he looked at
Benton, "You aren't saying...."
the hose over her head, drenching them both. Bandit joined in, running circles around
the two. Jonny grinned then sprayed the dog, making Bandit yelp in surprise. Jessie
laughed as she watched the little dog run away.
when Racheal was still alive."
"What?"
each other around with the hose, much like that. We always made time for fun with
Jonny, no matter how busy we were. In the summer, that was what we did."
"I knew it would happen sooner or later......"
"Benton, give me a straight answer...."
"It's simple Race, " Benton smiled. "They're in love."
found, in Germany Maine, or anywhere else. But they still kept striking.....
To be continued in other stories...........
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