FORGET ME NOT
BY: COVER GIRL

Chapter Three

    Ailíse was pacing back and forth across the morning room of the villa they were staying in trying to compose herself. <Where the hell is he? I’ve been cooped up here long enough. > She stopped in front of the windows pushing the panels of the drapes to the side. She looked out to the white sands below, the waves caressing the shore of the private cove beneath them. Ailíse sighed as a brief memory of her running from someone flashed before her eyes. She saw herself frolicking in the waves, a pair of hands pulled her from behind down to the sand.

    “Lady Ailíse?” A voice called to her, startling her.

    “Ian? I’m sorry I was lost in thought. It such a beautiful day and…”

    “You’re bored out of your skull, aren’t you?” He placed a hand on her shoulder smiling as she covered it with her hand.

    “Do you have any idea what time my Uncle is due back? All this waiting is driving me insane!” She complained walking away from the window.

    Ian quickly followed, pulling her around to face him. "Would you like to go somewhere today?" He questioned softly.

    “Please,” she smiled brightly. “I have the worst case of cabin fever,” she dramatically covered her forehead with the back of her hand.

    “Get yourself ready then milady,” he bowed dramatically. “We'll leave shortly, if you'd like you can go in a scarf and sunglasses. No one will recognize you and you can blend in with the tourists more effectively.”

    "Hmmm?” She eyed him carefully with a playful smirk on her lips. “Only if my guard is limited to no more than four and going out similarly, no masks."

    "I will personally escort you and have the others follow if you wish," he nodded before turning on his heel to assemble a small escort. <She deserves to have some fun. >

**********

    Ian was true to his words and had all of her guard dress as the tourists would. All of them were hesitant at first but anxious as well to get out of the villa for a few hours. They watched her descend the stairs wearing a pair of Capri slacks, and a tank style sweater with sandals. Her scarf and sunglasses dangled from her fingertips. The casualness of her appearance stunned them to silence.

    “Are we ready?” She smiled stepping in front of a mirror to don her shades and scarf. “I don’t think anyone will recognize me, do you?”

    “Ah...yes…I mean no… milady,” Ian stammered stepping forward. “I mean yes, we’re ready, and no, no one will recognize you.” He scowled at the others finding amusement in him.

    “Excellent, I’m looking forward to this outing. It should prove to be the first liberating day I’ve seen in a while,” she sighed heavily following Ian out the door to the drive. “A moped?” She smiled at Ian, “Nice…. I’ll ride with you.”

    “But we’re supposed to…” Another young grenadier named Patrick began to interrupt.

    “We’re supposed to make sure you have a wonderful time, isn’t that right Patrick?” Ian hissed to the man.

    “Ah…yes milady,” Patrick winced. <If the laird finds out about this you’re a dead man, Ian. > He rolled his eyes heavenward watching Ailíse swing her leg over the back of the moped wrapping her arms comfortably around Ian’s waist.

***********

    Flint was just arriving on the other side of the island after a meeting with his contacts who had heard of Destro's visit but claimed that all had been quiet. They did not have any new information for him so he decided to tour the island as well.

    Ian and Ailíse stopped to shop at the marketplace. Ian and the others watched in awe as she stopped to speak with several merchants often switching languages to barter the cost of goods. They were amazed at how easily she blended in with the tourists. “Oh…look at this,” she held up a sheer green scarf accented with gold embroidery at the corners across her face, snaking it playfully back and forth in front of her face, another memory flashed before her eyes. She saw a man’s profile through such a scarf, no a veil. She remembered the touch of his hands on hers lowering it from her face. The trance was broken and the image of his face still clouded when Ian spoke.

    “Would you like that?” He reached for his wallet.

    “Ah…yes, please,” she stared at the scarf in her hands. “Ian?”

    “Yes milady,” he whispered low enough for her to hear.

    “Have I ever been here before?” She felt a stabbing pain behind her eyes and turned her gaze down. Her legs felt weak beneath her causing her to lose her balance as she stepped back.

    “Are you all right?” He pulled her close to him, his arm about her waist he glared at the others to back away.

    Flint was enjoying the sights of the marketplace remembering when he and Lady Jaye had taken some time together and explored the marketplace of a small French port once. He found himself reminiscing more and more, as he watch a young couple across the square. The man’s arm wrapped about the woman’s waist. He watched him whispering something to her, and turned away from the scene to browse for something for Lady Jaye. He was walking in their direction when he saw them walk off. The man’s arm supported the woman as she walked over to a small bench beneath a tree.

    “The lady, ok?” Flint looked to the pair behind him before picking up the scarf she had held a short time ago.

    “She was fine and then…”

    “Excuse me, mila…friend dropped her scarf,” Patrick sputtered tapping Flint on the shoulder.

    “Ah…sure,” Flint handed him the scarf and watched him run off with it to the couple sitting on the bench. “You wouldn’t happen to have another scarf like that would you?” He ran his hand along the edge of the table.

    “I’m sorry, I don’t. It was a one of a kind the seamstress makes them for me,” he pointed across the marketplace to a small shop.

    “Thanks, I’ll check it out,” Flint turned on his heel.

    “Ian, I’m fine…really,” she smiled, spotting a sundress in the window of the seamstress’s shop. “There’s something I want to see,” she stood heading for the shop.

    “Ailíse, you should sit for a few,” Ian sighed watching her enter the seamstresses shop. “Patrick, find a place for dinner. The rest of you stand back,” he growled before entering the shop. His worried expression disappeared as she retreated to the back of the shop with the seamstress leaving the seamstress’ assistant to watch the front of the shop. He turned at the sound of the door opening and Flint entering.

    “Excuse me, I was told that you had scarves in here,” Flint walked up to the assistant.

    “Yes, over here,” she directed him to small display. “Is there something in particular you’re looking for?” She smiled.

    “Ah…I’m not really sure. I saw one over there right after he sold it,” Flint frowned pointing back to the market. “She has a few scarves…I’m looking for something unique…. something…”

    “I might be able to help if you can describe your lady to me,” she offered.

    “Let’s see her hair is brown with red highlights when the sunlight hits it, her eyes are green,” Flint began drawing Ian’s attention.

    <I know him, but from where? > He moved to the side to study Flint. <He’s a Joe…I have to get her out of here with out him seeing her. > He scanned the shop.

    “This was just finished this morning,” she presented a sheer black scarf with gold embroidery along the edges.

    “It’s perfect,” Flint lifted it in his fingers. “I’ll take it.”

    Ian breathed a sigh of relief when Flint left the shop, walking off towards the market. “Is she nearly finished?” He leaned on the counter seconds before he felt her hand clamping down on his shoulder. He jumped with a start. She wasn’t wearing the scarf or her shades.

    "What do you think?" she spun around to show him, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

    “I need to get you back to the…”

    “Ian,” she scowled. “I asked you how do I look?” She placed her hands on her hips, tapping her sandaled foot.

    "You look as though you walk in beauty,' he smiled reaching for her hand. “Can we go now? Ailíse, are you all right?” Her face grew pale. “What's the matter, are you all right?" Ian’s voice filled with concern as he tried to steady her.

    "I'm fine, really. I can't explain it. It was like I should remember something, but then again I was reading Bryon before we left Scotland. I’m just feeling a little tired I guess. Let's get something to eat."

    “I sent Patrick ahead to make arrangements for dinner,” he pulled her closer to him, leaning his face down to hers. “Did you find everything you wanted?”

    “Yes, thank you,” she stepped back from him donning her scarf and shades once again while waiting for him to pay for her purchases before linking her arm in his.

    “Ah…to be in love,” the seamstress smiled at the pair walking out of her shop.

    They found Patrick waiting a short distance from the shop with the others.

    “Did you find a place?” Ian handed her packages to Patrick.

    “Aye, it’s not far from here. I told the old couple that we’re a private party. They’re closing their restaurant for us.”

    “Good, the Joes are nearby,” Ian muttered under his breath watching Ailíse at another vendors table.

    “Then we should get her out of here now,” Patrick growled. “Come on Ian, we’ve been out long enough. If the Joes are here, the laird isn’t going to be happy about her out without her mask and you know it.” He argued.

    “If we don’t stop she’ll know and will want to confront them. You know that,” he scowled. “Let’s get her out of here quietly. If the restaurant owners press for more details, you will tell them we’re a wedding party, and she’s not feeling well. I want a quiet evening for her to rest.”

    “Wedding party? Great…I can see who’s after the bride on this one,” he shuddered. “Ian, I swear the laird’s going to have you’re ass on this one.”

    “He’ll understand,” Ian patted his friend on the back leaving him to gawk at his retreating form before telling the others the cover story.

****************

    “Ah…very well Madame,” the old man nodded taking they’re orders before heading off to the kitchen. “Mama, you’ve got to see her,” he shook his head. “Now why would a bride be hiding her face, I ask you?” He grumbled handing her their orders.

    “Now, papa, you didn’t complain when you closed the restaurant for them,” she scolded hearing a faint knocking on the door.

    “We’re closed for a private party,” the old man called out as a younger man entered.

    “I’m sorry, I’ll try another place then,” Flint nodded and went to close the door.

    “Wait, are you alone?” The old woman called out to him.

    “Yes.”

    “Please come in, if you don’t mind eating in the kitchen?” The old woman smiled warmly directing him to the table in the center of the room.

    “I’m telling you mama something’s not right about them,” the old man nodded to the closed door.

    “Why because they paid you a fortune to close for the day?” She smiled to Flint. “We have a wedding party in the other room.” The old woman scowled at her husband, “Leave them be, I’ll see for myself,” she lifted a heavy tray, heading to the dining room. She began backing the door open when she heard Ian’s voice. “Patrick, help them.”

    She smiled to the young man as she turned. His arm was draped across his ‘wife’s’ shoulders. He was whispering something into her ear causing her to blush. <Strange indeed? I swear Papa’s losing his mind. Look at them. > She shook her head setting the plates down before them moving along to the opposite end of the table. She missed the exchange between the two ‘newlyweds.’

    “Why on earth did you tell them I’m your wife?” Ailíse hissed in Ian’s ear.

    “How else were we supposed to have them close for us?” He whispered back close to her ear, lifting her hand to his lips.

    The old man entered a minute later with a bottle of wine to present to Ian. They settled back waiting for each glass to be filled. Patrick tapped his glass to gather their attention to him.

    “To the happy couple,” he grinned ear-to-ear raising his glass. <God help you Ian my boy…if the laird gets wind of this one. >

    “To the happy couple,” they rest of the men responded watching Ian lean over to Ailíse.

    “Go on and kiss her,” Patrick prodded. <Might as well…you’re so dead. > He watched Ian stroked his finger along her jaw tilting her face up to his. He kissed her to the cheers of his men.

    “The next time you decide to drag me into a covert op, I suggest you inform me first,” Ailíse growled softly as she broke the kiss.

    “I told you nothing was out of the ordinary,” the old woman pushed her husband through the door.

    “Then why can’t we see her face?”

    “She’s wearing a scarf over her head, and glasses.”

    “Yeah, but I still don’t trust anyone if I can’t see their eyes.”

    “The young man told you they were running from her father,” she shook her head. “If you ask me it sounds romantic. Then again when have you ever been a romantic,” she sighed setting her empty tray down next to the sink.

    “Sounds like quite a party,” Flint nodded to the closed door.

    “Newlyweds with their friends,” the old man shrugged. “I’m telling you if Jeanette eloped, I wouldn’t rest till I tracked them down.” He harrumphed crossing his arms over his chest.

    “Now that is the pot calling the kettle black,” the old woman filled her sink. “Now you know what my father went through when you carried me off. It wasn’t like you had a problem then. Leave them alone.”

    Flint suppressed a chuckle watching the old couple banter. It wasn’t long before the old woman turned her attention to him.

    “Now what’s a nice young man like yourself doing here all alone?” She sat down next to him drying her hands on her apron.

    “I’m here on business.”

    “Business, alone?”

    “I…ah…decided to take the afternoon off. Looking for something for my girl back home,” he winked not knowing where the old woman was heading.

    “Oh…you have a serious girl friend then?”

    “Yep,” he sighed pouring a cup of coffee. “She had an accident, and couldn’t come along with me so I thought I’d get her a few things.”

    “An accident?”

    “Mama, don’t be so nosey,” the old man scolded her.

    “It’s all right,” Flint smiled. “She was hurt on the job, and the doctors want her taking it easy. I wanted to stay and help but they’re telling me there’s nothing I can do right now to help.” He shrugged staring into his coffee.

    The grenadiers were getting a little loud when Ian poked his head into the kitchen. He and Flint exchanged glances for a moment. <DAMN…what the hell is he doing here? I’ve got to get her out of here ASAP. > “We’re ready to leave. Do I owe you anything more?” Ian looked to the old man.

    “Ah…no sir…we’ll be right in with dessert,” the old woman stood to lift another tray.

    “That’s not really necessary,” Ian started to say when he heard Patrick call behind him. “Ian, we’re ready for dessert.”

    Flint eyed him cautiously.

    “Well, I guess I was wrong,” Ian shrugged stepping back to the others.

    “Will you keep your bloody trap shut? There’s a Joe in the kitchen,” he hissed in Patrick’s ear.

    “A Joe?” Patrick gulped.

    “Aye, we need to get her out of her ASAP,” Ian growled watching the door swing open. He rushed to sit by Ailíse. The old woman smiled at him pulling her closer to him. She studied them for a moment catching sight of Ailíse removing her glasses for a moment. <Green eyes…she has beautiful green eyes now what could Papa be thinking. > She paused setting a dessert down in front of her. She was frowning at something Ian was whispering in her ear. The old woman caught a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes before she placed them on once again.

    “Call me when you’re ready,” the old woman called back entering the kitchen. She had a sad look in her eyes as she stepped inside the door.

    “Mama?”

    “There’s nothing wrong with her eyes, they’re beautiful.” She sighed setting her tray down.

    In the dining room, Ian leaned over to her. “Ailíse, we must get back before your uncle returns."

    "Perhaps you're right, Ian, thank you for the afternoon. I should thank the owners before we leave…"

    "That's not necessary, I've already taken care of them, and we really do not want any attention drawn to you. We must leave now," he stood to pull her chair back.

*******************

    The old woman went to check on them a short time later, finding them gone she rushed back to the kitchen to tell her husband.

    Flint looked curiously at her, "Did they say who they were or where they were from?"

    "No, we really can't say more, you understand" the man answered.

    "Something was not right when I left them,” the old woman stared at her husband.

    “I told you,” he countered.

    “She had the saddest eyes. I can't explain it. The young man said that they had just eloped and hiding from her family. Perhaps, she regrets the haste of her decision."

    "Life's full of regrets, I wish things were better between my girl and me," Flint shook his head looking towards the door.

**************

    The Villa was too quiet. No one was around. Ian signaled the others to hang back while he moved to see what was going on. He carefully entered noticing vipers going through the rooms and backed out of the Villa.

    "Vipers are searching the Villa, something must have happened to the Laird" Ian began.

    "Who or what are vipers?" Ailíse strained to see for herself.

    "We have to get you out of here now, milady. Please don't argue. Sean should be at the airfield with the others. We'll catch up with them as planned and head home,” Ian held her hands in his.

    "Wait, we can't leave my Uncle."

    "We have always anticipated Cobra Commander may try to harm the Laird, or you, so we must get you out of here tonight, and head home to Scotland. We'll get the others and figure out a way to rescue the Laird," Ian reassured her softly.

    "I won't run," she growled locking eyes with him.

    "We're not running, lass, but we have to get you to safety and get reinforcements," an older grenadier names Sean interrupted. "The others will be waiting for us at the air field. The laird gave orders to us before we left that if he did not return by a certain time we were to evacuate the villa and get you to safety. We can't go against the laird, so if you won't come willingly, we'll take you, but you are leaving now, milady.”

    She had no choice but added "you're not excluding me from this fight."

    "No, lass, we wouldn't think of it."

    They escaped to the airfield and met up with the others. Liam was ordering the men around when Ian approached him.

    “Where’s the laird?”

    “Cobra Commander’s men seized him this afternoon while you were out,” Liam spat. “Where the hell have you been?”

    “We took Ailíse out. She was tired of waiting around,” Ian looked over his shoulder towards her.

    “I see that. Have you lost your bloody mind? What if she was seen?”

    “I was careful. Joes are on the island. We spotted the one called Flint twice today,” Ian growled.

    “Great…we have them to deal with now,” Liam scowled.

    “The laird refused to turn her over to Mindbender for interrogation. He told him he didn’t know anything.”

    “How did he know about her to begin with?”

    “Those bloody mercenaries sold her out. If I catch Zartan or Major Bludd hanging about the grounds,” he reined himself in. “Destro told them she doesn’t know anything. There’s no honor in torturing her.”

    “That settles it. We have to keep her hidden from all of them. Mindbender needs to be blocked from the castle.” Ian paced the airfield waving his arms.

    “Aye and I expect you to keep a watchful eye on her.” Liam nodded towards her. Both men fell silent as she stalked towards them.

    “Liam, I’ve radioed ahead to the castle to bar all COBRA. I have all grenadiers being summoned back to the castle. Cobra Commander wants to play, we’re game. They’re not keeping Destro is that clear,” she glared at him clenching her fists tightly to her sides.

    “Aye milady, it shall be as you command…”

______________________________________________________

Continued In Part Four!
Back to Cover Girl's Fics!
Back to Authors Page!