The Cure

XAVIER AND JUNE HAD MANAGED TO escape a few close calls and make it to the elevator. One agent had tried to catch them on the second floor, but Xavier had used a pistol that he had taken from a secret service agent and pretended to take June hostage and used her as a cover to work his way to an elevator. Due to issues with backup generator the hospital was unable to turn their elevator off and that allowed Xavier and June to make it to the garage where their car was waiting. They had a good laugh in the elevator because the whole hostage thing gave June ample cover because she can say Xavier forced her to help him. That would be enough to get her off the hook for helping him get away. As they exited the elevator, Xavier thought they had at least made it to the car but once they started to walk over, they had a surprise waiting for them. Right behind their car in the parking lot was that agent who had tried to stop them on the fourth floor, with his weapon drawn, and pointed right at them.

“Both of you, hands on your heads!” the agent shouted at them, as he pointed the weapon at Xavier specifically. “This is your only warning; drop the gun!”

Xavier was never a good shot, so trying to out shoot an FBI agent who likely hit the range every day was probably not the best idea. Xavier slowly put the gun on the ground, and kicked it halfway to the agent, which forced him to move away from his cover behind the car.

This is when June took over and started to plead with the agent.

“Oh, my gaud, thank you!” She cried out, “This man has held me captive for over a week!”

June made an Oscar worthy performance to paint herself as the victim who had just been rescued. She was working the same hostage deal they used on the second floor to get away, which was a good decision considering how well it worked on the other guy.

“Everything is going to be all right, Ma’am,” The agent replied as he never took his eyes off Xavier, “Get behind me and this will be all over very soon.”

June did as she was instructed and walked behind the agent, but what he didn’t notice is that once she was out of his sight she dug into her purse and pulled something out. Inside that purse was a pretty nasty taser that she didn’t hesitate to use on the agent who had foolishly turned his back on her. June hit him in the back with the taser, sending a massive jolt of electricity through his body for a full ten seconds, which knocked him out completely. After the agent hit the ground, June took a moment to taser him again for five seconds just to make sure he wouldn’t get back up.

“He was right,” June called out to Xavier, “It was all over pretty soon.”

Xavier walked over to and knelt beside the agent to check on him.

“Nice move,” Xavier said, as he checked the agent’s vitals. “He’ll be fine.”

“That’s swell but how the hell are we going to get out of here?” June asked.

Xavier dug into the agent’s pocket and pulled out his credentials.

“We came in as doctors,” Xavier explained, “But we’re going to leave as the FBI.”

They both got into the car, and pulled out as gently as they could, avoiding the agent who was still lying on the ground. June drove the car quickly up to the exit of the parking garage and stopped where many armed guards were waiting. They came over to the car and looking inside to see that June was the only one in the car. One of the guards spoke to her first.

“In a hurry to leave, Miss?” the guard asked.

“I’ve got things to do.,” June said, as she whipped out the agent’s credentials. She flashed them quickly on purpose and had her thumb over the face of the picture hoping the badge and the letters would be enough to convince them. Chances are they’d seen so many of them that they didn’t bother to look too hard anymore.

“Agent Jones of the local Bureau,” June informed him, “I’m heading back to the office to pick up some important materials for Special Agent Deacon.”

“Alright, Miss,” The guard replied, “Take care out there.”

It seemed upon hearing that name, the guards really didn’t want to mess with the guy anymore and stepped aside and let the car out. June pulled the car out and drove slowly away from the gate until she was a safe distance away and then sped up to get away from the hospital as quickly as she could. Once she started to speed up, Xavier pulled the rear seat down and climbed out of the trunk and into the back seat area.

“How did you know the name of that special agent?” Xavier asked as he put the seat back in its original position.

“Take a look,” June said as she tossed the badge into the back seat.

Xavier picked up the badge and examined it. The name she had used was on the badge itself, meaning the special agent she was referring to was the same man she had just tased into the ground only moments before.

“If you don’t mind,” Xavier replied, “I’m going to keep this with me. It might come in handy for future encounters.”

“No problem,” June concurred, “That’s enough crimes for me for one day.”

Xavier noticed something and patted her on the shoulder.

“Stop at this gas station, right here.” He ordered.

June did as she was told and immediately pulled over. Carter stepped out of the car and leaned over.

“I’m bailing out here,” Xavier informed her, “Chances are the cops will be looking for this car. Keep them on the run as long as you can and that should buy me enough time to get away.”

“Alright.” June said, “I can do that.”

“Thank you,” Xavier said.

“No Xavier,” June corrected him, “After all this I’m the one who still owes my very life to you. Thank you.”

And with that June peeled off and started to speed back down the road, likely off for the highway. There was a good chance she was going to get away, but even if she didn’t the chase would distract everyone long enough to let him slip away. Carter walked casually into the gas station and bought himself a few candy bars. After chewing on one of them for a few moments, Xavier looked around. He saw a few transport trucks and decided to try his luck with them. He strolled over to where the trucks were parked and noticed one of the drivers was cleaning his lights, so he walked over to have a chat.

“Excuse me,” Xavier started, “May I ask you a question?”

The man looked up and didn’t feel threatened by Xavier’s presence.

“Sure buddy,” he replied, “Fire away.”

“Which way are you heading?” Xavier asked.

“What’s it to you?” the driver chided back.

“That’s a fair question,” Xavier admitted, “I’m looking for a ride. I have cash but I would prefer to share it with a working man rather than a money-grubbing corporation. I know you’ve got an empty seat and if you’re going my way, I’d like to offer you a chance to earn some extra off the book income.”

The man seemed to be interested. “I’m heading for New York.”

“Are you heading through Pennsylvania on the way there?” Xavier asked.

“I will if you pay me enough.” The man admitted.

“I’ll pay you three hundred now and another two hundred when we get there.” Xavier offered, “And if possible, I’d prefer to go through Alabama and Tennessee rather than Georgia.”

“If we go that route,” The man replied, “You’ll have to chip in for gas too.”

“Alright, that’s fair,” Xavier conceded, “Sounds like we have a deal, Sir.”

Xavier dug into his wallet and pulled out three hundred.

“When were you planning to leave?” Xavier inquired.

“I’m preparing to go right now,” the man replied.

“Excellent,” Xavier said, pleased to hear it. “Can I go into the station to pick up some more snacks, something to drink and some reading materials?”

“No problem at all, Mister.” The man replied, “Just don’t browse too long.”

Xavier walked back into the station and picked up a few pre-made sandwiches, potato chips, a few bottles of soda, and some newspapers to read on the way back to the city. As he was waiting at the desk to cash out, he looked up and saw news feed about the situation going on with the Senator and his mysterious illness. The cashier seemed to be a little frustrated.

“The media always seems to want us to fear the worst,” She called out, “The man eats something that disagrees with him, and you’d think he’s on his death bed the way they’re talking.”

“Well, it looked pretty serious from what I was hearing.” One of the customers replied, “I heard he was in really rough shape.”

Xavier came up to the counter to make his purchase.

“I wouldn’t listen to them,” Xavier said as he placed his items on the counter and enough cash to pay for them. “I agree with you; the media is overplaying this way too much and it’s probably just for ratings.”

“What makes you say that?” The other customer asked.

“I have a gut feeling.” Xavier replied with a grin. “The senator is going to make a full recovery, and this will be much ado about nothing.”