Through the Standing Stones

Chapter 31

Izzy looked at Simon in complete shock "What do you mean he's been captured? What happened?" she said feeling his panic spiral at the thought of her Uncle locked up somewhere.

"Marks informed me that the team had staked out an area where the cartel were suspected to be transporting their weapons. He is unsure how, but they were spotted and attacked. The Captain gave the order to retreat, but when one of the men was injured, he returned to assist him. The sergeant believes that he was captured alive for interrogation" Simon replied solemnly.

Izzy shook her head, not willing to believe what she was hearing "So do they know where he is? Is he hurt?" she asked frantically as the tears started.

Simon embraced her, hoping to provide some sort of comfort. "Isabelle my love, please trust that your uncle will be well. He is strong man and will not fall easily" he said in a soothing voice.

Teary eyed, she looked up at him "Are they going to go find him Simon? Please tell me they're going back for him" she pleaded.

"Isabelle my love, breathe and try to calm yourself. They are forming a team to return and find the Captain. This is why they have called me" Simon said quietly.

Realising the implication, Izzy looked at him with concern "They want you to go?" she asked fearful of the reply.

"Yes, my love. They have requested I lead the team" he replied looking at her seriously.

"You're planning on going, aren't you?" she asked softly.

"I must go dear Isabelle" Simon started to say, but Izzy's face showed just how much his words upset her. "My love, I cannot stand and watch as Captain Price remains in danger. Not only is he my Captain, whom I vowed to serve, but I am also indebted to him" he continued, indicating his conviction.

Izzy sobbed as Simon pulled her into his arms "I want uncle Jon to be found, but I'm scared I'll lose you too" she admitted, feeling that there was no other option. If Uncle Jon had any chance of being found alive, Simon was the one to make it happen.

"Isabelle my love, it pains me to leave your side as you nurse our son, however I will not rest until I have found your uncle. Then I will return home to you, I promise" he whispered.

Izzy sat in silence as she watched Simon gather his things in preparation to leave. James woke up ready for his next feed, prompting her to collect him from his crib and return, rather than sit in the nursery. As she fed him, Simon looked at her with affection and longing before leaning down and kissing Jame's head. He took Izzy's face in his hands and kissed her forehead, cheeks and lips before embracing them both.

"Be well my love. I will contact you as soon as I am able" he whispered. With a last longing gaze to Izzy and his son, Simon headed out to his truck and was soon on his way to the nearest base for transport. 

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As soon as Ghost set down at the base in New Mexico, Sergeant Marks was there to greet him. "Lieutenant, thanks for coming at short notice, we've set up a briefing room, this way" he said curtly as he led the way into the compound.

The briefing room was tense as members of Captain Price's team along with another task force, awaited their orders to return and find Price and their fallen teammate. All of the men in the room had served under Captain Price and held the man in great esteem. The capture of one of their own was always bitter and the need for action, made for an uneasy atmosphere of impatience and readiness.

Once they'd gone over the relevant details with Ghost, he looked over the maps and schematics in front of him. "Right, we have the compound here, and Price's last location here. The cartel also operate from this building on the outside of the village, here" he said confidently pointing out each location.