Decode | "Alex"

Part IV

Price and Garrick were in the saferoom when they got there. Hadir and Farah had been guarding the Wolf the whole time. They'd managed to stay safe. Price stepped over to Gabby and Alex once they were inside. "Nice to finally meet you. Alex and I go way back." Gabby took his hand and shook it. He noticed the IV stuck in her arm, tracing the cord to her backpack. "Nice IV."

"You gotta do what you have to do." She shrugged.

"I like her." He commented as he looked around at all of them. "The Ambassador's still inside. He's trapped."

"Let's keep him on the line, he might be our way out." Alex replied as he followed Price to the computer which served a live feed from the cameras that weren't damaged.

"That's the plan, Alex." Price nodded in agreement. Gabby glanced over to see another soldier. She assumed he was Garrick. She stepped over to him, introducing herself.

"Hey. I'm Kyle." He stuck his hand out towards her.

"Gabby." She shook it firmly. She liked their accents. Who didn't like a nice British accent?

"Thanks for the assist, Hadir." Price commented.

"Our pleasure, sir."

"Kyle, man these cameras. Direct the Ambassador to safety. We'll need his key card to open the rear doors. Rest of you, on me." Price ordered. Gabby went to follow them to the door, but Alex stopped her.

"You should stay here with Garrick." He advised, and she gave him a look.

"What?"

"Gabriella, you're not in good health. You'll only make things worse."

"Fine." She said instantly upon hearing that. He let out a long sigh, then pointed his finger at her.

"That's not what I meant. You know what I mean." He said. She just crossed her arms over her chest and went to stand next to Kyle as he helped the Ambassador's assistant to their location. Alex let out a sigh and followed the others out. She watched Kyle successfully lead Stacy to them.

"Sergeant, we got her. Nice work. You and 9-4 regroup with the rest of us in the parking lot." Price ordered.

"Roger that, boss." Kyle replied. He looked to Gabby, and she nodded, signaling that she was ready.

"Watch over Gabriella, she's not feeling the best. She took a hit earlier." Alex advised, and Gabby rolled her eyes at him, this time irritatedly. She looked to Kyle, then, who was looking at her with concern.

"I can take care of myself, don't worry about me. If I couldn't, I wouldn't be here." She told him, and he nodded.

"I believe you." He said. It felt good to hear someone say that, to have someone finally trust her word and just believe in her. To not take one look at her and feel like she's just someone they need to protect. She'd be lying if she said Alex's worrisome protection didn't insult her at times.

She gave him a genuine look to say thank you before nodding towards the exit. "You take point."

"Yes ma'am." He nodded, heading out the door. She followed him out into the garage. There happened to be no threats on the way. The rest of them met them there.

"Come on, we're leaving." Price told them.

"Roger that." Kyle nodded as the two of them met up with them.

"What's the plan?" Gabby asked as they hurried towards the exit.

"Link up with the Marines at the southern compound."
Price replied quickly.