We Meet Again 2

Thirty One

(Richard)

I pulled into the garage, hustled into my house in preparation of gathering the necessary things needed to head overseas to retrieve my family. Nothing or no one is going to stop me. My cell phone rung about twelve times and none of them were my team, so I ignored them all. I'm not FBI right now! I'm a husband and father hell bent on killing as many as possible to get my wife and daughter back.

After about fifteen minutes of so, there was a knock at my door. I went for it without thinking, because only close friends and family knocked, everyone else rang the bell.

"Hey Ric, looks like we're having poker night here tonight. Gar canceled at the last-minute Friday, saying he had some daddy stuff to do, but when you agreed to host it here, I was like hell yeah! Hey... what's going on? Why do you look like you haven't showered in a month?"

"I have a lot going on right now Derek, we're not going to play poker here tonight."

Agent Derek Travis, a good friend of mine and SWAT partner of Garfield's, seemed desponded at my comment. He always looked forward to guy's night, but that wouldn't be happening for a while, at least until I get my girls back.

"Ooo-kay, big fight with the wife or something?" I turned quickly and glared at him. I didn't even know I've done it until he held his hands up in surrender.

"No, no fight with the wife, but like I said, I have a lot going on right now, and I have to go soon, so maybe some other time."

"Alrighty then, maybe some other time, but I'll let you tell Bruce and the others. I'm not getting between a supervisor and his gambling addiction."

"Wait, what... who invited him?" I asked curiously. Bruce never attended any of our 'guys night' games since he'd taken leadership over our team at the FBI. Hell I didn't even know he was interested in having a social life with his subordinates, let alone poker night with me, Vic, BB, Derek, Jericho, Mal, and Garth.

"Oh, well then... uh, I suppose there's no need in letting Bruce down on his first guys night. Just give me a second, I'll call Gar and Vic."

"So poker is still on for tonight?" Derek asked as if he was excited as I rubbed my temples, nursing a splitting headache and my impending frustration.

"Yeah man! Sure why not."

"But, I thought you said that you had a lot going on right now. Is Star going to be okay with all us men in here smoking out her house and dirtying up her den?"

"Star... uh... Star is out of town right now with Mar'i. It will be cool. I'll just clean before she comes home."

"Really? You're sure she won't return before we leave, I mean, doesn't school start tomorrow for Mar'i?" Derek asked not realizing that he'd just pulled at my heart strings.

'Of course ... asshole!' I thought.

"Yeah it does. Huh, but you know Star. She's all into this kind of stuff so you know she'll be here, hopefully after you all leave, and if she comes back sooner, then I'll just take the heat... you know... huh."

"Yeah... I suppose. We all don't want to feel the wrath of a mother on a school night, right?" That comment struck me in an odd way. He never once mentioned my wife in any shape or fashion, so why the sudden interest in how she'd react if I had company?

"Huh... yeah... so... just get things set up in here for me. I'll call Vic and BB, then get freshened up."

"You got it man! Hey, throw in a quick shave too." Derek started to bring in a several cases of beer, then I noticed Garth coming up the driveway.

Shit... I was committed to this now!

I suppose my 'trip' could wait for one more night. My girls are in good hands with Raven. I know she'd protect them, even if they weren't together. Her influence is absolute in Scathe, so no one would even dare harming either of them, although I hated to admit it. I had no problem with Raven before I knew she was involved with these mercenaries, but what can I do?

I had to put my faith in the girl that she once was, rather than the woman that is today. I had no choice, I had to trust the Beast. I quickly group text BB and Vic, notifying them that poker night was on.

"Guys... I think we have a major problem.

************

(BB)

After 3 hours of shopping with my boys, I was dead dude! Man was I this energetic when I was a child? I saw myself in Jr as he'd gotten super excited throughout this shopping experience. I mean between the pizza and cheese filled pretzels, children fun rides, and picking out his entire school wardrobe himself, I was exhausted. My mother must-of been worn out caring for me when I was little because I was a little firecracker, or so that's what I've been told heh-heh. When we finally got into the car, after loading the tons of bags in the back, I checked my missed messages. There were only two, one from Ric and the other was from... Terra!

"Shit I forgot about the water heater!" I said aloud. My boys turned to me while buckling their seat belts, with concern in their eyes.

"Oh heh-heh... sorry guys. It's just that, umm... we need to stop by your moms, I mean Terra's place." Dill nodded his head, remembering that fact as well, and my boy was all smiles... even though it wasn't genuine.

I think he knows that I wasn't convinced, so he said....

"No worries daddy. But are we still stopping for ice cream?" Jr asked still a little hyper from... well, being a normal kid! I mean, with him going through what he's been through since birth, I suppose I get it.

Man I feel strange about mentioning my ex-wife around Jr. I know he's not judgmental, but I really wished that the circumstances were different. I really wanted to be experiencing all of these domestic activities with my bae, but you know the old saying...

'When life gives you lemons...'

I still don't understand why Rae didn't respond. Huh... she did say that the last text was it! But... I didn't want to believe it. She can't be done with me, she can't! I decided to send her another message before I got into the car.

~ Rae listen, I know you're probably mad at me, but I don't care! I just want you to be safe and bring your butt home as soon as possible. Your friends miss you; our son misses you; I miss you! I... miss you so much Rae. I just... IDK... just take care of yourself. We'll be there soon.

I love you. ~

"Uh, dad, are you okay?" Jr asked me. I didn't know that I had a rouge tear falling from my eye until it hit my cell.

"Yeah dude, it must be the pollen in the air." I defended while sniffing. They seemed to buy it, so I got in, buckled my belt, then read Ric's message. Agent Travis and a few other FBI colleagues, including supervisor Bruce, were coming by his place for... poker night? As a matter-of-fact Derek and Garth were already THERE! Man we don't have time for this shit! I want to get my bae, Star, Mandy, and Mar'i home safely!

Dude, this is so screwed up.

*************

(Edited 2021)