Thwarted Dreams -- Chapter 13

Disclaimer: The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Colonel Lydecker, etc.), and everything else that has to do with the show belong to their respective owners, not to me. No money is being made off of this fic. I only own the original characters (Caroline, etc.).

Caroline was smiling to herself two days later as she gathered her papers together in her office on the base. Just another week and I’ll get things going. Patrick doesn’t have a clue that I’m going to split from him. That’ll screw up his assignment, won’t it? She frowned for a moment. Then again, how much should I bet that after the divorce becomes final or even before it becomes final, Don will show up pretending to be sympathetic and try to play the ‘concerned friend’ card and try to set me up with another one of his subordinates so that they can keep an eye on me. Then again, why would they? Even if they somehow found out that I knew about Zack, what would be the point? He’s long gone from Manticore. She looked at the clock on her desk. If I hurry and if Patrick’s ready to go, I can actually make it home early. It’s not that I don’t trust the babysitter who’s watching Jenny, but I always love getting home and seeing my little girl! She’s one thing that Patrick did really well!

“Colonel Nelson?” a young soldier said, knocking on the door.

“Yes, come in,” Caroline said. She sat back down and looked at the kid as he entered her office. “What is it, Private?”

“Ma’am, your husband is here,” the boy reported.

“Send him in,” Caroline ordered. It’s time to play nice again. When Patrick entered the office, Caroline put a big smile on her face. “Hey there, sweetie. Is one of us following the other on the way home, or…?” She saw the look on Patrick’s face and pretended to be disappointed. “…you have to stay here late.”

“I have to stay here late,” Patrick confirmed. “I’m sorry. I know that you were looking forward to a family dinner with the two of us and Jenny tonight.”

“When duty calls, you have to answer,” Caroline said. She gave Patrick a kiss on the cheek. “If there’s anybody who understands, it’s me. Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure that there are plenty of leftovers waiting for you when you get home. Do you know how late you’re going to be tonight?”

“A couple of hours at least,” Patrick said. “I think the earliest that I could be home tonight is nine-thirty. I definitely won’t be back home tonight in time to tuck Jenny into bed.”

“I’ll give her your good-night hugs for you,” Caroline promised.

Patrick smiled. “Thanks, sweetheart.” He gave Caroline a kiss on the cheek.

“You’re welcome,” Caroline said. She looked at Patrick and saw an odd look in his eyes. “Are you okay, Patrick?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Patrick assured her. “I’m just disappointed that I have to work late, but that’s how things go. You get out of here before something else comes up that forces you to stay here, too.”

“Well, when you put it that way,” Caroline said teasingly. She and Patrick both laughed and she finished getting her papers together and picked them up and gave Patrick one more kiss. “I love you, Patrick. I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll see you later, Caroline,” Patrick said. The two of them left the office and he waved to Caroline as she walked over to her car and got in.

I love you…wow, what a bunch of bullshit, Caroline thought as she started the car and drove away from the base. Maybe I loved you once…okay, it was a few days ago the last time I believed that I loved you…but you are so wrong if you think that I still do. She sighed in impatience as she got stuck at a traffic light. Everything feels different now. I’m going through the same motions, but things don’t feel like they did two or three days ago. Since I went inside Patrick’s office, found those computer files, and found out about Zack…

She sighed as the light turned green and she drove on, pausing a moment or two later to make a turn. Not a lot of traffic out on this road tonight. I’m glad. I love driving. Too bad other drivers have to mess it up sometimes!

Caroline laughed to herself. I can still lighten my own mood. I’m glad that I can do that sometimes. I need to think with a clear head. I can’t pull any of this off if I’m not— Her thoughts were abruptly cut off when she heard and felt her left rear tire explode. She swerved desperately to try to retain some control over the car, but she couldn’t. She felt the car flip over and over several times and heard the ominous sounds of metal bending and glass breaking and everything went black.

A girl in her late teens stood in the wooded area by the side of the road, just watching the wreckage of Caroline’s car silently. After a few moments, the girl put down her rifle and pulled out a walkie-talkie and turned it on. “X5-134 to control. Mission accomplished.”

“We copy, 134,” a man’s voice replied.

“Do you want me to check on the status of the target?” 134 asked.

“No,” the man’s voice said after a minute-long pause. “Colonel Lydecker is ordering that you let nature take it’s course on this one. Congratulations on the completion of your first solo assignment, 134. You are to return to your accommodations and head back to base first thing in the morning. We expect you back here by 1800 hours tomorrow.”

“I copy,” 134 said. “134 out.” She put the walkie-talkie away, picked up her rifle, and moved silently away as she heard the sound of emergency vehicles approaching.

TBC