Page 80 of Gwen's Delta
What was wrong with these guys? They had almost blown up, and they were joking about it. Her disbelief must have shown on her face because Zip winked at her.
“It’s how we process it, Gwen. If we let it freak us out, we wouldn’t be able to do the job,” Zip explained.
Okay, that made sense…sort of. But if that would get Luke home to her each time, he could laugh his ass off and roll around on the floor.
“So…how are my parents?” Gwen dreaded asking, and she didn’t know why. Furious didn’t even cover how pissed off she’d been when she’d found out about their “second” job. But they were still her parents even if she wasn’t sure she’d want to talk to them for the next decade. They’d betrayed her family. Remembering the look on her grandparents’ faces when they’d heard about their “kidnapping” still made her clench her fists.
“They’re with the CIA being debriefed,” Luke answered. “They may be finished. I don’t know how long it takes for their process. After that, they’ll head back to Texas as far as I know.” His words sounded angry. Not that she could blame him, either.
Gwen leaned against Luke’s side and listened as Zip asked about the palace and the bomb. She tried to stay awake, but exhaustion finally won out, and she nodded off, still resting her head against Luke’s shoulder.
Several hours later, Luke woke her up so they could eat, but she wasn’t hungry and fell back to sleep. The next time she woke, they were about to land in Texas. Gwen couldn’t believe she’d slept most of the flight. The entire trip was like a bad dream—surreal actually. And all she had to show for it were whatever scars would remain from the several slices on her neck.
The plane taxied to a stop at the end of the runway at Ft. Hood.
“Are you going to take me home now?” Gwen asked as she stretched.
“I’m afraid not, princess. We have to have a debriefing first.”
“All of us? Or just your team?” Gwen wasn’t sure she wanted to have a debriefing. The thought made her palms itchy.
“You, too, but it’ll be fine. Just tell them everything you remember.” Luke pulled her close and hugged her. “Really, it’s not a big deal. It’s just tedious since they tend to ask the same questions twelve different ways.” He smiled, but it didn’t do much to help her unease.
“Will you be with me?” Gwen didn’t understand why this bothered her so much. It’s not like she had anything to hide, but the thought of the interrogation made her want to run.
“I’m sorry, but we’re all interviewed separately. There’s nothing to worry about, princess. You can’t say anything wrong. They just want your version of what happened. Okay?”
“Okay, I guess.” It really wasn’t, but Gwen didn’t know how to explain it. She was making a big deal out of something they did all the time.
“Do you trust me?” Luke asked gently, and he squeezed her hand.
Just touching him helped calm her. “Yes, of course I do.”
“Good. Then I promise you, this is no big deal. It’s more of an annoyance than anything else.”
Gwen sighed. “All right. Let’s get this over with. I really want to see my grandparents.”
Luke had been right. There were two people in the room with her. One was in uniform, and the other wasn’t. There was also a video camera recording every word and move she made.
They offered her a drink, and she took a bottle of water. After starting with the basic questions of her name, address, and phone number, they moved on to the mission.
Gwen answered their questions the best she could, but everything seemed jumbled. Her memories of the money exchange were overshadowed by the shock of seeing her parents. Then, when she’d learned they worked for the CIA, it had blown her mind. They’d asked her the same questions over and over, and she answered. There just wasn’t that much to say. After the café and capturing the kidnappers, she’d spent the rest of her time waiting for everyone else.
After what felt like days instead of hours, the questioning was finally over. Luke was waiting for her outside the conference room where they’d interviewed her.
“Thank God that’s over,” she whispered as they walked down the hallway. She couldn’t wait to get outside and breathe in the Texas air.
The rest of the team waited in the parking lot for her. Gwen hugged each of them and thanked them for their help. They told her it was their job, but she’d never forget how they’d rescued her and her parents, too. If not for them, she’d probably be buried in an unmarked grave in the middle of the Sinai Desert. She’d never forget their bravery.
Finally, they were on the road to Lancelot. Unable to stifle her yawn, she gazed out the window, hoping Luke wouldn’t notice. As tired as she was, she needed to see her grandparents and let them know she and her parents were safe.
“How are you holding up?” Luke asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“I’m fine.” Then she corrected herself. “No, I’m not. I’m furious at my parents, and I’m not sure I’ll ever forgive them for this. How could they put our family in danger like that?”
“I wish I had an answer. And I don’t blame you for any of your feelings about them. That may change over time, though, maybe after you’ve had a chance to talk to them. The hard part will be accepting what they say. It may never be the answer you want or need to hear.”
Luke was right, again. But thoughts of their betrayal put knots in her stomach. “That’s what bothers me. I don’t want some bullshit answer. But I guess I know why they’d leave me at home and not let me travel with them. Maybe they didn’t hate me and were trying to keep me safe in some skewed way. But why wasn’t I important enough to stay at home?” Gwen brushed away the tears that filled her eyes and turned to stare out at the darkness whooshing by the windows.
