Part 8

Davenport and Joann questioned the shooter they had captured while Curlly kept track of what was happening in Section. Brenna gathered everything they would need to take out the base.

"Oh no," Curlly said as she quickly started typing on the computer.

"What’s wrong?" Brenna asked. Joann and Davenport had just entered the room. "What is it?" he asked.

Curlly quickly scanned the screen again and then replied. "They’ve just returned to Section. They’re taking Sherry to Medical. She’s been shot and she’s unconscious."

"Damn it!" exploded Davenport. "I knew I should have stayed with her. She took that bullet for me." Brenna shook her head. "No, she was right. You’re needed here."

"At least as long as she’s unconscious, they won’t hurt her," Joann offered.

Davenport nodded. "Well, we’ve got work to do. I think we’ve gotten all we’re going to from our friend in there, so I’ll tie him up and get him in the van. Curlly, download what you need and then erase any trace of us from the computers. Joann and Brenna, make sure we’ve gathered all our things. We won’t be back and we don’t want to leave any traces." Once everything was collected, they headed out.

Back in Section, Sherry was in Medlab being treated. The bullet had been removed from her shoulder and her head wound was cleaned, stitched and bandaged. Michael was standing nearby, waiting for the doctors to finish.

"How is she?" he demanded as soon as the doctor was finished. "She’ll be fine. The bullet wound isn’t too serious. The blow to the head knocked her out and gave her a nasty laceration, but it doesn’t appear to be serious. The scans don’t show a hematoma so I think she’ll be awake soon. She’ll need rest and light duty for a while, but she should be fine."

Michael nodded and walked over to sit by her bed. ‘Why?’ he thought. ‘What are you up to?’ Michael let his mind run through all the possibilities. He didn’t want to believe it, but he had to consider it. Could she have turned? Crystal Sky had been shooting at his team. Had Sherry given away their location? Or had Sherry’s team been protecting his team? He needed her to wake up and answer his questions. He also knew Operations wanted her head on a platter.

North came by to see how she was. "Michael? You okay?" she asked. Michael nodded. "I’m fine." North knew better. "No, you’re not. Stop lying to me. We’re supposed to be working together, remember."

Sighing, he turned to look at Sherry. He smoothed her hair back and caressed her cheek. "Could she have turned, North? Does she really love him? Why did she take that bullet? She knew it was meant for him."

North walked over and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Michael, you know her better than almost anyone. She would have taken that bullet for any one of us. And I can’t believe she has turned, at least not without some persuasion or brainwashing. As for loving Davenport, I think deep down inside you know better."

Michael nodded. "Thank you."

Sherry stirred and opened her eyes, immediately regretting that decision. The room spun and her stomach revolted. Quickly closing them again, she moaned. Michael was on his feet and North went for the doctor.

"Sherry?" he called to her quietly. Again Sherry opened her eyes, only much slower this time. "Michael?" He picked up her hand. "It’s me. How do you feel?" Groaning, she answered, "Like I’ve been shot and hit over the head with a baseball bat."

At that moment the doctor came in and examined her again. He gave her medication for the pain and checked her dressings. Then he had her moved to a private room in Medlab, under guard, orders from Operations.

Michael stayed with her. As soon as she was settled, he sat down beside her and waited for her to speak. She stayed silent. Finally, he asked. "What happened?"

"I think you know, Michael. Someone on your team shot me." Michael sighed. "Before that, when you disappeared."

Sherry didn’t answer. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been out and needed to find out. "What time is it?" Michael looked at his watch and answered. "Why? Is there something happening that we should know about?"

Sherry sighed. "Let it go Michael. When you need to know, you will." She knew that in a few minutes, Curlly would activate the explosives planted around Section. When that happened, things would get intense. But right now she needed to rest. Closing her eyes, she was almost asleep when Operations and Madeline entered.

"Did she tell you anything, Michael?" Madeline asked.

"No," Michael snapped. Operations huffed. "We have to find out what’s going on. Wake her up and get her to the White Room."

Michael was about to object when Sherry spoke for herself. "I really don’t think that’s a very wise decision." If she could just hold them off until the charges were activated, she could see her way clear of getting sent to the White Room.

"Oh? And why is that?" Madeline inquired.

"Because there are things you don’t know," was the only answer that was forthcoming. Madeline smiled. "We realize that. That’s the point. Once we get you in there, we will have our answers."

Sherry tried to nod, but the movement caused her too much pain. "Yeah, you’ll have your answers, but it won’t do you any good because we’ll all be dead."

At that moment alarms started ringing. Sherry thought her head was going to explode.