The first thing she realized was that she was moving, though not of her own volition. A pair of strong arms were holding her - one across her back, and the other under her knees. She was being carried, like a baby.
One arm was looped around a muscular neck, while the other hung loosely at her side, dangling. Her head was resting on something warm, and she could hear the gentle heartbeat - lub-dub, lub-dub - just a bit faster than normal. Even before she looked up, the telltale scent of his cologne told her exactly who was holding her.
"Max," she said quietly, lifting her head slightly.
"Easy, Shannon. I've got you," he soothed, in his soft, baritone voice.
In the next moment, she felt herself being passed from one strong set of arms to another, through the partially-open curtain of the horse-drawn caravan. Grant carefully set her down on something soft, then she felt her arms being gently guided into long, cottony sleeves. The robe was drawn around her, and then Grant stroked her cheek with his fingertips while Nicholas pressed a mug of warm tea into her hands.
"Think you can drink this?" he questioned.
Shannon nodded wordlessly, then she took a sip of tea as Jim and Max also appeared at her side.
"How are you feeling, dear?" Jim asked, appearing stoic, though his voice and his uncharacteristic use of affection betrayed his worry.
"I'm okay," she answered, the last of the fogginess ebbing away.
"They didn't...hurt you, did they?" Nicholas voiced the question, but all four men were anxiously awaiting the answer.
Shannon took another sip of tea and swallowed it slowly, savoring the warmth of it. Then she smiled faintly at Nicholas. "There isn't much I remember after Challis knocked me out," she admitted.
Shannon knew that the white, paper-thin dress that she was presently wearing was not the same outfit she'd had on when she was taken. And the nature of their mission brought forth its own assumptions, both about how she'd become undressed and about what had happened after that. But she didn't recall any of it.
"He must have packed quite a punch," she mused.
Grant shook his head. "You were drugged," he explained. A flicker of fear crossed Shannon's face. "Probably just a mild neurodepressant," he said reassuringly. "Just enough to stop you from fighting them. No long-term effects, but you probably won't remember anything that happened while you were under the influence."
Shannon considered this for a moment, then she said haltingly, "It doesn't... feel... like I was touched." She stifled a shudder. "At least not like that," she added quietly, and her four companions each breathed his own sigh of relief. "Still, I'll feel better once I've had a hot shower."
Shannon looked up at Jim, as if suddenly remembering why they were there. "Is the mission over?" she asked.
Jim nodded. "Holman fell into the chapel pond," he answered quietly.
"I bet we'll find him washed up on the lake shore in the morning," added Grant.
"We have to make sure that the bastard is gone for good," Shannon vowed.
"We will," promised Jim. "But, first, a comfortable room, and some rest."
"Sounds great, Jim," she smiled. "Just let me find something decent to wear."
Jim returned her smile and gently patted her shoulder. "We'll be waiting in the car," he promised, and he and Max exited the caravan through the partly-open curtain.
Grant reached out to take Shannon's hand. "Let's make sure you're steady on your feet," he cautioned, as he carefully helped her to stand. She wavered only slightly as her equilibrium readjusted. "Feel okay?" he asked worriedly, keeping a steadying hand on her elbow.
"Yeah," she answered. "Thanks, Grant." She planted her hand on his bicep and gave it a squeeze. He grinned at her and then followed after Jim and Max.
Then only Nicholas remained in the caravan with Shannon. He studied her carefully, his face a mask of concern. Grant had told him that the effects of the neurodepressant would have made Shannon incapable of even the most basic self-care. She seemed fine now, but he had to know for sure, no matter how awkward it might be to pose the question.
"What is it, Nicholas?" Shannon asked quietly, as she watched him staring at her.
"Oh, nothing," he said hurriedly, his cheeks turning slightly pink with embarrassment. "I just wanted to... make sure you could manage, uh, everything."
Shannon was touched by the gesture and reached over to squeeze her friend's hand. "I'll be okay, Nicholas. Thank you."
He stared at her for one more moment, wondering if she knew how much it had frightened him when he'd found out she'd been taken. Finally, he sighed heavily. "All right, but if you need anything...." He hesitated for another second, then left the offer hanging and went out through the curtain, drawing it closed behind him.
A few moments later, Shannon emerged from the caravan, having slipped into a pair of tan slacks and a dark blue blouse. She allowed Nicholas to help her down, and the two of them joined their friends in the black sedan, which was waiting to take them into town.
The End
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