Star-Spangled Bride

NINE

Gabe came to her the minute she appeared in the hall. He took one look at her tear-stained face and enveloped her in his arms. Lord, how she needed him now. Warmth. Safety. Life.

"He's gone?" he asked in a low voice.

She nodded. "A few minutes ago. I can't stop crying. Evan would have hated it…" She was vaguely conscious that the hall was full of people, cameras, lights. She looked over Gabe's shoulder and saw Pilsner standing across the corridor, a uniformed guard by his side. She smiled crookedly. "Hello, Mr. Pilsner. Sorry to keep you waiting."

He nodded. "I'm genuinely sorry that I have to intrude on such an unhappy occasion." He wasn't being untruthful; he was genuinely sympathetic, but it wouldn't keep him from doing what he believed was right.

Gabe thrust a handkerchief into her hand. "Go to the rest room and wash your face with cold water. It will make you feel better. I'll go to the nurses' station and make the arrangements for Evan."

"Cremation," she said. "He hated funerals."

"Let me handle it." He turned her around and gave her a push down the hall. "It's the last door before you reach the turn in the corridor. I'll be here when you get back." He turned to stare challengingly at Pilsner. "I assume that's all right with you?" he asked.

Pilsner hesitated and then nodded to the guard. "Wait outside for her. Keep those reporters out of there and off her back."

That was nice of him, she thought dully as she entered the rest room. He was probably a very kind man when his job wasn't involved, the home type who barbecued for the wife and kids every weekend.

The bathroom was deserted, thank heavens. She passed a row of stalls with half-open doors and stopped at the basins at the end of the room. The mirrors reflected an outer image that looked as bad as she felt inside-tousled hair and red swollen eyes, tear-streaked cheeks. Dammit, whycouldn't she stop crying? She started splashing cold water on her face.

"Ronnie."

She jumped and whirled to see a man coming out of one of the stalls. "Dan!"

"Come on. We haven't got much time." He gestured to an oak door to the left of the basins. "That door connects with the men's rest room. I broke the lock earlier."

"You want me to go into the men's room?"

"The entrance to the men's room is around the corner of the corridor." He pushed her through the door and slammed it behind them, then pulled her past a row of urinals. "Look, I know you're in shock, but just let me lead you. Okay?"

She wasn't capable of doing anything else at the moment.

He glanced cautiously out the door into the corridor and then said, "Come on." He dragged her at a half run down the corridor toward the emergency exit and down the steps to the sixth floor. "We'll take the elevator from this floor. It's faster than the stairs." As he ushered her into the elevator he said. "There's a car waiting outside to take us to the helicopter."

"You planned all this?"

"Gabe planned it. There was no way he was going to let Pilsner grab you." He made a face. "Though I take credit for spending two very uncomfortable hours in that toilet stall ducking a stream of ladies while I was waiting for you to appear."

The elevator doors opened and he ushered her quickly through the lobby to the car waiting at the curb.

"Gabe figures it will be at least fifteen minutes before they send someone in to check on you." He glanced at his watch. "That gives us ten to get out of the city." He motioned to the driver to go as he got into the car beside her. "Gabe will stall them as long as he can, but when Pilsner starts getting nervous, he'll slip away." He stared at her pale face. "Are you taking any of this in?"

She nodded. "How will Gabe get to the helicopter?"

"There's another car around the corner and two blocks down the street. We were afraid the timing would be too close for him to have it wait in front of the hospital. He didn't want to be followed to the helicopter." He smiled gently. "Don't worry, we've got it all covered. You'll be back in Tanadahl in no time and Pilsner will be wiping egg off his face."

Gabe arrived at the helicopter thirty minutes after Dan and Ronnie, and by that time she had emerged from her emotional stupor enough to be worried at the delay and very relieved at his appearance.

"How did it go?" Dan asked as Gabe climbed into the helicopter.

"I had no trouble evading Pilsner, but I had to run six blocks north and double back to get away from the reporters. Let's get out of here." As the helicopter lifted off Gabe asked Ronnie, "How do you feel?"

"I'm not sure. Everything has happened so fast."

"I had to get you out of there."

"I know. It's just…" She leaned back and closed her eyes. "Will you get into trouble?"

"We'll have to see. Pilsner wasn't pleased. We'll face that when we have to."

"I never meant to get you into trouble. I just had to see Evan."

"One good rescue deserves another, and any risk I ran was a drop in the bucket compared to what you did in Said Ababa." He loosened her seat belt and pulled her sideways to rest againsthis shoulder. "Try to sleep until we get back to Tanadahl."

She doubted if she could sleep, but she relaxed against him. She could hear the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. He was all the comfort she had never had, the emotional safety Evan had never given her. He was an anchor that would hold steady through the years. Yet he was also excitement, passion, humor, and challenge. She could have it all.

If she was selfish enough to take it at his expense.

Evan had been that selfish. He had taken and never given. Not even in that last moment…

"Come on." Gabe lifted her out of the helicopter and half carried her across the courtyard. "You're out on your feet. Let's get you to bed."

"I don't want to be like him, Gabe," she murmured as she stumbled down the corridor toward their bedroom. "He always thought that he'd make a big stake that would set him up for life, the big bonanza. But he would still have been alone. Because he just took and never gave back."

He was quickly undressing her. "You're not like him."

"I hope not. I don't want to be alone."

"You'll never be alone." He slipped her beneath the sheets and lay down beside her, holding her. "I'll always be here."

"You didn't undress."

"Later." He brushed her hair back from her forehead. "I just want to hold you."

She wanted him to hold her. She wanted him to hold her and never, never let her go.…

When Ronnie awoke, Gabe was gone. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table and found she had slept for over twelve hours. It didn't surprise her. She had felt wounded both emotionally and bodily as she lay in Gabe's arms last night. She had not gone to sleep for a long time and had gradually felt the desolation seep out of her. Strange how Gabe could heal her, rid her of fear and unhappiness just by being there. He had first accomplished that magic in Mekhit, and since he had come back into her life, it had begun happening again.

She slowly got up and went to the bathroom. She felt sad and a little empty, but the shock ofEvan's death was gone, leaving only the resolution she had made before she went to sleep last night.

After showering and dressing she went in search of Gabe.

Dan was sitting at the kitchen table reading a newspaper. "Hi, you look better."

"I feel better. Where's Gabe?"

"I took him to Marasef to see the sheikh. He sent me back to take care of you." Dan grinned. "He didn't want you to starve to death. Would you like breakfast or lunch?"

"Just toast and coffee. Even I can make that."

"Sit down. I think you can stand a little pampering after what you went through yesterday."

"I put you and Gabe through a lot too," she said soberly. "I'm sorry, Dan. It was something I had to do."

"I know." He filled the coffeemaker. "Actually, it was kind of exciting. I haven't had that kind of action since I was a reporter covering Beirut."

"Will you get into trouble with the authorities?"

"Gabe says no." He put bread in the toaster. "You should see the coverage we got fromyour great escape. You've become a folk heroine. Pilsner's definitely shown in a bad light."

"But he won't give up." Pilsner had felt genuine sympathy for her at Belsen, but had not shifted in determination. This humiliation would only reinforce it. "He'll never give up."

Dan nodded. "He returned to Sedikhan last night. He's staying at a hotel in Marasef and trying to convince the sheikh to make an exception to his extradition policy and surrender you."

"What are the chances?"

"Not good. The sheikh and Gabe are good friends and His Majesty has an intense dislike of being pressured."

She made a face. "Cripes, I'm an international incident."

"Yep." He set the coffee and toast in front of her. "And I've never known a more interesting one," he said gently. "It's going to be fine, Ronnie."

"Yeah, sure," Ronnie said. "Except that Pilsner's been made to look foolish and he wants my head on a platter." It couldn't go on. The problems she had brought to Gabe were growing by leaps and bounds. "When is Gabe due back?"

"He said to tell you he'd be back in a fewhours. Dave's flying him here in the helicopter." Dan looked at his watch. "Anytime now."

She finished the coffee and toast and stood up. "When he gets here, will you tell Dave to wait before he flies back to Marasef?"

Dan frowned. "Wait for what?"

"For me." She started toward the door. "I'm going with him."

She was almost finished packing when Gabe strode into the bedroom.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm leaving. What does it look like?" She went to the closet, got her leather jacket, and tossed it on the bed beside the open suitcase. "It's over. Kaput."

He stood in the doorway and watched her as she threw a pair of jeans into the suitcase. "You're going to a great deal of trouble for nothing. I'm not going to let you go."

"You have no choice in the matter. It's my decision. Our relationship is history."

"Why?"

"Because that's the way I want it."

"Bull. Where are you going? You don't have a passport."

"I have contacts. I can buy another passport on the black market."

"Not an American passport. You're too hot to handle."

"Then I'll buy a French or a Spanish or-" Her voice broke and she had to wait a minute before she could speak again. "You don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine. I'm not your responsibility."

"You are my responsibility," he said as he crossed the room toward her. "Just as I'm yours. That's the way it goes when you love someone."

"But I don't love you. How many times do I have to tell you? I don't-"

His hand covered her lips. "Hush. I'm getting pretty tired of that song and dance. You do love me. You're absolutely crazy about me, and if we're lucky, we're going to spend the next fifty years together."

"Lucky?" she repeated bitterly as she jerked away and slammed the suitcase shut. "Where are we going to spend those years? You'd grow to hate me. You don't know what it's like trying to survive on the fringe. I've lived there all my life and I'm not going to make you live there too."

"Because you love me too much?" Gabe asked softly.

She whirled to face him. "All right, because I love you too much," she said fiercely. "I love you! Are you satisfied?"

"No, I'd prefer for you to say it with a modicum of tenderness, but it will do for now."

"It doesn't make any difference if I love you or not. I'm leaving and I'm not coming back. You can file for a divorce and I'll-"

"No divorce. If you file, I'll fight it."

"Why?" she asked in despair. "Do you know what life would be like for you? I can't ever go back to America. That's where your roots are, your business holdings, your friends."

"I'm not saying I won't miss it." His hands cupped her shoulders. "But I'd miss you more. I won't give you up, Ronnie."

"You're going to have to."

He shook his head. "You've been so concerned with saving me from this dreaded 'fringe' that you've never bothered to consult me. You found that life terrible because you were made to feel so alone. We'll be together from now on."

Together. The word was as beautiful as a beacon in a storm. "You've never been there. You don't know."

"I know what you're like. I know what our life has been like this past week."

"Life can't always be a honeymoon."

"Who says? There's no reason why it can't if we work at it." He framed her face with his hands and looked into her eyes. "Listen, Ronnie, I've found something I've never had before. What I'm giving up is nothing to what I'm gaining."

Dear God, she loved him. He was saying the words she most wanted to hear and it was terribly painful to keep putting obstacles in his path. "It wouldn't work. Long-distance relationships never do. You'd have to spend three quarters of your time in the States attending to your business."

"I'd transfer the central office here."

"I'd get bored just staying here in Tanadahl and being a hausfrau. I'd turn into something you wouldn't like."

"Who wants you to be a hausfrau? We'll work it out. I talked to the sheikh this morning and he consented to grant you Sedikhan citizenship. That means you'll be eligible to receive a Sedikhan passport."

"A legal passport?" she asked, stunned.

"Very legal in the international community and backed by a heck of a lot of clout. We'd live here at Tanadahl and you'd be free to travel to pursue your career."

She shook her head. "Only to those countries with no extradition treaties with the U.S."

He nodded. "That's true. I can't offer you the whole world. I wish I could." He asked softly, "Is this enough?"

It was enough for her, more than she had ever dreamed possible. It was a miracle. She hurled herself into his arms and buried her face in his chest. Her voice was muffled. "I shouldn't let you do it."

"You're not letting me do anything. You're just responding to an irresistible force."

"Geez, you're vain." Her arms tightened around him. She whispered, "I do love you."

"Louder."

She looked up at him. "I've loved you since the moment you took my hand in that ruin in Mekhit and I'll love you until the day I die."

His eyes glittered with moisture as he kissed her lips. "Now, that's a satisfactory declaration. I knew you'd get it right with a little practice."

"Better than yours," she said unsteadily. "But I admit offering to give up your country for me had a certain punch." She released him and stepped back. "Is Dave still waiting for me in the helicopter?"

He shook his head. "I wasn't taking any chances. I told him to go back to Marasef."

"Too bad. You'll have to radio him to come back."

He stiffened. "I thought we had settled this." "A typical male assumption. You settled everything to your satisfaction but not to mine." "Ronnie, for Lord's sake, this is-" She stopped him with a quick kiss on the lips. "Shut up and call Dave. Don't worry, you're not going to get rid of me now. I just have something to do in Marasef."

"Are you sure you want to see him?" Gabe asked as they walked down the hotel corridor. "You've had enough traumas in the last forty-eight hours. You don't need the flak he's going to give you."

"I don't expect a warm, social meeting. It's just something I have to do."

She knocked on the door of Pilsner's room.

Pilsner's expression was impassive as he opened the door. "Good day, Mrs. Falkner. I was surprised to receive your phone call. Won't you come in?"

"Thank you. It's kind of you to see me."

"I assure you, I don't feel in a kindly mood." He closed the door after they entered. "I won'toffer you any refreshments, as I assume this will be a very short visit." He glanced coldly at Gabe. "I wasn't pleased with that trickery at the hospital."

"I wasn't pleased with you for trying to jail my wife. I happen to like having her around."

"I was doing my duty."

"Stop squabbling," Ronnie wearily told them both. "I'm sorry, Mr. Pilsner, Gabe is being very protective of me these days."

"I've noticed that," he said coldly. "He's made my position in this matter very uncomfortable."

Gabe said, "Believe me, it could have been worse."

"I realize that," Pilsner said to Ronnie's surprise. "I've been wondering at your restraint."

"Ronnie thinks you're Nathan Hale," Gabe said. "No below-the-belt punches to sterling patriots."

"Really?" A curious expression flickered over his face as he glanced at Ronnie. "How interesting."

"I knew I shouldn't have brought you, Gabe," she said impatiently. "May I speak now?"

"By all means," Pilsner said. "Let's get it over with."

"I'll make this as brief as I can." She took adeep breath. "Your visit here is useless. You're not going to be able to touch me while I'm in Sedikhan. The sheikh has agreed to give me Sedikhan citizenship."

Pilsner's lips tightened. "Your doing, I assume, Falkner."

"Checkmate," Gabe said.

"No, it isn't," Ronnie said. "It's not really a victory for us. My husband would be giving up too much for me to accept. Sedikhan is a wonderful country, but it's not Gabe's country." She paused. "And it's not my country."

"You have no country," Pilsner said. "I'd think you'd be very glad of this opportunity. I doubt you'll get a better chance."

"Unless you offer me one."

His expression hardened. "I've told you that possibility doesn't exist."

"I have a deal to offer you."

"I don't make deals."

"Don't bristle, just listen to me. I'm not offering you a bribe." She took a deep breath. "Gabe is going to let the publicity about me die down and take the heat off you."

Gabe looked at her in shock. "The hell I am."

She ignored him. "If I let you take me back tothe States to stand trial, I doubt if any jury would give me more than five years. There's a good chance I'd get less, maybe even probation."

"You're not going to stand trial," Gabe said.

"You see, he'd do everything he could to make it easier for me. He's a very powerful and determined man." She added simply, "And he loves me."

"That's become abundantly clear to me," Pilsner said dryly. "Perhaps the marriage wasn't as contrived as I first thought, but it doesn't change anything. The crime still exists."

"I'll pay for it. I'll serve my probation in Sedikhan. I'll stay here for the next five years, and at the end of that time, if you don't agree I'm worthy of being an American citizen, I'll come back to the U.S. and give myself into your custody."

"No!" Gabe said.

"Is it a deal?" she asked Pilsner.

"It appears to be an arrangement slanted in my favor," he said cautiously. "All I have to do is wait."

"No, you also have to be fair. You have to keep an eagle eye on me, and if I make a false step, you give me a black mark. If I do something you like, you give me a gold star." She paused.

"And if you think I can contribute, if you think I'm worthy, maybe you'll let me come home."

"It's not likely."

"Is it a deal?"

"I have nothing to lose." There was a hint of sympathy in his expression as he added, "And you have everything to lose."

"So did those people back in 1776. Sometimes it's worth the risk if the prize is big enough." She turned and walked toward the door. "Come on, Gabe, I have to start gathering gold stars."

"Mrs. Falkner."

She turned to see Pilsner staring at her with a frown furrowing his high brow. "This is very difficult for me. I don't believe it's possible for you to convince me. One exception opens the floodgates. I can't set a precedent."

"Sure you can. Read your history books. America thrives on setting precedents." She opened the door. "And on second chances. That's the reason the Pilgrims came to Plymouth, and look what it says on the Statue of Liberty. That's all I'm asking." She smiled tremulously at him. "A second chance."

She didn't wait for an answer.

"You meant it, didn't you?" Gabe asked as he walked with her down the hall. "You intend togive yourself up if he doesn't come through."

"Yes, one way or another we're going home." She tucked her arm in his. "Even if it means you have to visit me every Sunday in the hoosegow on the Hudson."

"It's a big risk. He's one tough customer. It's always hard to deal with people who think they're in the right."

"We'll just have to prove him wrong. He's already made one mistake. He said I was risking everything." She smiled lovingly up at him. "You're everything. I've tried my darnedest, but you're too stubborn to let me lose you."

"You bet I am."

"We'll, since I have everything, I just need the proper setting to put it in."