“He’d been out in Kabul for a few weeks, and then someone in the base just called me to ask if I could get a hold of you.  He wouldn’t say why, but Mike told him that he needs you to go to Kabul urgently."

Bette put the sat phone next to her and Tina’s ears.  Both their eyes were wide open now.

Katy continued, “Mike gave him a code word to use when I reached you.  He said to tell you, “Carousel 2.””

Bette and Tina clutched one another’s hands tightly.  It was true, Mike was really in trouble.

“I know this is strange to ask, but….I’m asking you, too.  He seems to trust you, and has always respected you.  And now he needs your help.  Will you go?  Please?,” Katy begged, in tears.

Bette looked quickly at Tina, who nodded.  “Of course, of course Katy.  Tina and I are in Dubai now, and I’ll get tickets to Kabul from here, first flight I can catch, ok?  Can you please call whomever contacted you, to arrange for someone to meet me in Kabul airport?  I don’t have a visa to enter that country and they’ll have to smooth that out with immigration over there. I’ll call you back with details as soon as I fix my flight.”

They ended the call. Tina pulled Bette’s arm.

“There’s no way I am letting you fly to Kabul by yourself,” the blonde started to say.

“Tina, please.  There’s no time to argue.  You need to fly back to New York, and be with Angelica. It’ll help me do what I may need to to help Mike if I knew you were both safe…” Bette cut in, kissing the blonde quickly, as she walked to the shower stalls.

Tina pulled her arm again to stop her from walking away.

“No, Bette,” the blonde responded firmly.  “The only reason I agreed just then to set aside our honeymoon again is to go out there to help Mike, but with you.  So, no…I am not leaving your side, do you understand me?!”

“But…,” Bette protested.

“No!,” Tina exclaimed, standing her ground.

After a few seconds, Bette sighed. There was no convincing Tina, she saw, and there was no time to waste.  She nodded, lips curved in a half-smile, half-frown.