Chapter 4

Actor slept soundly the rest of the afternoon. It afforded Terry the time to finish the laundry. She had hung it on the outside lines in the backyard and the cold wind had practically frozen them dry. She shivered as she carried the laundry basket through the kitchen. Craig better be basking in the sun in Greece. It took her four more trips to get all the linen in. By that time she felt half frozen herself. Remaking all the beds warmed her up some. Next, she brought in more wood for the fireplaces in the two common rooms, her room and Actor's room.

She filled the Italian's wood box as quietly as possible. He didn't wake up. Terry moved up to the head of his bed. He was on his right side. She watched him for a minute, satisfied he was just sleeping soundly. The little exertion had worn him out. Her hand started to reach out to touch the dark head and she yanked it back and shoved it in her pocket. What on earth was the matter with her? It was starting to get dusk so she moved instead to pull the blackout curtains shut. The small night light on the top of the dresser was turned on as she left.

Things progressed at a moderate rate. Actor still slept much of the time, but between naps, he pushed himself as expected. He was able to get up to the bathroom on his own, much to the relief of both of them. He sat in the chair and with Terry in attendance took several trips walking to the door and back before returning to bed. The headaches were intermittent, but less intense. Too fast a movement and the dizziness returned. If he was careful, it stayed away. They both made an effort to return to their former camaraderie, though Actor teased her a little more now than he had previously. Something still did not seem right with the man. The bright sparkle was missing from his eyes and he was quieter, but Terry put it down to the concussion.

The evening before Garrison and the others were to return, Terry was doing her last minute straightening of the lower common room and making sandwiches. She had Glenn Miller on the record player and was moving in dance steps to the music as she worked. The music was on loud enough for her to hear it in the kitchen.

Upstairs in the common room, Actor was comfortably ensconced in the other wing-back chair in front of the wireless. He had turned on the BBC British Symphony Orchestra. The delightful strains of the music were being overshadowed by the bouncing beat of the swing music downstairs. He knew Teresa enjoyed it and was relieved that Casino could dance to it and would accommodate the woman when she was in the mood for that type of entertainment. Not that he was unlearned in that style of dance. In fact he was quite good at it if he were inclined. It was just he was very rarely inclined. He preferred the more refined classical music. Not wishing to ruin the woman's pleasure, he tried vainly to listen to the orchestral strains from the wireless. Finally, he could stand it no longer.

"Teresa!" he called. There was no answer.

Terry had finished her chores and was coming out of the kitchen when she heard, "Teresa!"

The tone was greatly irritated. With a wince, she ran to the record player and shut it off. Bounding up the stairs, she skidded to a stop in the doorway to the common room. With a smile pasted on her face, she inquired, "Can I get something for you, Actor?"

The glare in his eyes receded and he said in a quieter voice, "You did not need to turn it off, Teresa. I would appreciate it though if you could play it a bit quieter."

"I'm finished anyway," she shrugged. She stepped farther into the room and cocked an ear toward the wireless, picking up the violins. "What's that?"

"Vivaldi," replied Actor. "The British Symphony is playing the entire Four Seasons tonight. The soloist is Fritz Kreisler This is Spring." He looked at her as she stepped a little closer to the wireless, listening. "Are you familiar with classical music?"

"Some," she replied. "I know a little Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky. I like some of Chopin's stuff."

"Which ones?" Actor asked in interest.

Terry shrugged. "I don't know the names. I just remember some of the music."

Actor had not expected that much. "Why don't you take a break from what you are doing and listen for a few minutes. You might enjoy Vivaldi."

Terry pulled a chair out from the table and sat. The music washed over her and she found herself smiling and feeling uplifted.

"It feels like spring," she said after a bit. Realizing how that sounded, she looked embarrassed. "I mean it sounds like spring."

"No," contradicted Actor, "you were correct the first time. You are feeling the music."

Terry wanted to hear the rest of it. She was aware that the weekly concerts Actor liked to listen to usually lasted an hour and a half, and by her watch, this one had just started a little bit ago. The hard chair wasn't going to cut it for an hour and change.

Actor watched her get up, assuming she had enough and was going back to her swing. He was surprised when she pulled a cushion off the back of the sofa and walked over to drop it on the floor beside him. She folded up to sit on the cushion with her legs curled under her. They sat in silence, listening and enjoying. After a bit, Terry moved around and rested her head against his knee.
"Do you mind?" she asked tentatively.

"Not at all," he reassured her.

Actor set about making a pipe. Holding it in his right hand, he savored the smoke which tended to relax him. His left hand moved over and his long fingers began a rhythmic stroking of the auburn hair. She did not stiffen or object, so he continued.

During the intermissions between 'seasons' they both shifted to ease muscles, but ended up in the same basic position. Actor explained the history of Vivaldi and the history of the British Symphony Orchestra.

For Terry the concert ended too soon. Things had become more relaxed between the two, almost like before the injury. The girl was glad she was getting her friend back. As she put the cushion back on the sofa, Actor stifled a yawn.

"Are you going to bed now, Caro?" Terry asked.

"Yes, I believe I will," he said. He wished his strength would come back a little quicker. "Are you staying up to see if they come in?"

Terry nodded. "I'll curl up in your chair and nap."

"My chair?" he asked in amusement. "It is now my chair?"

"It was your chair before I even got here," laughed Terry. "Just like it's Chief's window seat."

They walked down to Actor's bedroom. Terry added more wood to the fire. She waited until Actor had settled in the bed before going over. On impulse, she bent down and they exchanged a short soft kiss. The kind they were used to.

"Thank you for sharing your concert, Caro."

"You are most welcome to join me whenever you wish," he said. "They air the same time every week."

"I might just do that," she smiled. The smile turned into an impish grin. "I still like Miller and the Dorseys, but I kind of like your music too."

Actor chuckled. "I will be sure to inform you if they are going to perform some of that Chopin."

Terry laughed on her way out. She pulled the door partway closed and stuck her head in around it.

"Good night, Actor."

"Good night, Teresa."

GGGGG

It was 2:30 when the low rumble of the transport truck woke Terry. She was up and into the kitchen, setting out the sandwiches and starting hot chocolate. The bedrooms should still be warm from the earlier fires she had started. She met them at the door.

Craig came in first, bearded and tired. He was followed by Casino and Goniff who did not look any better than Garrison. Finally, Chief came in, quiet and tired.

"Anybody hurt?" asked Terry.

"No," replied Craig. "How's Actor?" All of them looked at her expectantly.

"Getting better," she said. "He has most of his memory back. "Hasn't made it downstairs yet, but with you guys back we can probably try it now."

Just the way she said it had Garrison looking at her warily. "What happened?"

"He passed out and fell the day after you left. Bumped his head again, but it's okay."

"Can he go out soon?" asked Craig with just a hint of eagerness.

Terry shook her head, "I wouldn't for at least another week."

"Terrific," grumbled Casino. "Better hope we don't have another mission for another week."

"What happened?" Terry followed them into the kitchen. She set about getting the hot chocolate.

"Nothing 'happened'," said Craig. "It was just none of us spoke the language."

"I thought you spoke some Greek?" asked Terry starting to pour mugs of chocolate.

Craig looked at her with a tired grin, "Yeah, hi and bye." He chewed a bite of sandwich. "You want to sit in on the debriefing in the morning?"

"Sure."

Craig, as usual, was the first one of the men up in the morning. He dressed and walked to the bedroom next to his. Actor was sitting beside the bed in the wing-back chair from the common room. He was clad in pajamas and blue silk robe. Terry was just finishing straightening up his bed. Craig threw another small log on the fire.

"Morning, Brother," said Terry casually. "You want a cup of coffee?"

"Love one," replied Craig.

"What about you, Caro? Want another one?"

"That would be very nice, Cara," smiled Actor.

Craig took a seat on the edge of the bed. He watched his sister with a devilish grin on his face. "Getting a little domestic there, aren't you?"

Terry gave him a mock glare, "I suppose. I swear Craig Garrison, if you tell Ma, I'll wring your scrawny neck."

Garrison laughed and swatted her on the backside as she stepped over his legs to get past. She turned an aimed a booted foot toward his shin, missing it on purpose. Actor looked at the two of them and shook his head. At least they were teasing each other now instead of fighting.

Garrison turned to his second, "You eat yet?"

"Yes," nodded Actor. "She brought a tray up earlier."

"How's the head?" asked Garrison seriously.

"It is improving," acknowledged the Italian. "The headaches are less pronounced. I still tire too easily."

"Terry says your memory is almost back."

Actor nodded, but did not seem as happy about it as Garrison thought he should have been. I have a bit of trouble yet with my pre-prison past." This was said with a touch of distaste. Actor covered with a smile and asked, "How was the mission?"

"It went okay," said Craig. "None of us spoke the language, but we got by. Going in was long and not too pleasant."

"Sub?" asked Actor.

"Plane to Gibraltar. At least we didn't have to jump this time. Then sub to Greece. We met up with the local resistance, gave them money and got information on the Kraut activities."

"You could understand it?" asked Actor curiously.

"No," replied Garrison. "We had to get it and the maps on paper. Spent a cozy night in a cave halfway up a cliff, then back out the same way we came in."

"I am sorry I was unable to be there to translate for you," apologized Actor.

"Not your fault," said Craig. "Can't say that I didn't miss you though." He looked at his second with a small smile. "I don't suppose you could teach me a little bit more Greek than greetings and cuss words?"

"I would be pleased to, Warden," said Actor politely.

Terry came up with a couple cups of coffee and handed it to the two men. "The other guys are moving around now," she said. "I'm going to start breakfast."

"I'll be down in a minute," said Craig. He waited for his sister to leave before turning back to Actor. He did not figure he would get a straight answer to a direct question, but asked anyway. "Are you doing okay?"

Actor smiled and the usual mask fell back in place. "I am doing fine, Lieutenant. It seems to be progressing slowly to me, but that is to be expected with any head injury."

Craig had harbored a tiny hope the man would not close himself off, but was not surprised when he did. He knew he would get no more from Actor, so he rose with a smile of his own and patted the con man on the shoulder. "We'll try and get you downstairs today. It's good to have you back with us."

"Thank you," replied Actor. "It is good to be back with you."

Garrison left the room. Actor leaned back in his chair, the smile slowly fading from his face.

Craig walked into the kitchen in time for one of Casino's little tirades. The men were seated around the table in various stages of wakefulness. Terry was at the stove, putting the last of the fried bacon on a platter. She handed it to Chief to place on the table.

"Hey, Babe," said Casino. "Think I could get my eggs fried?"

"I don't know," replied Terry without turning around. "I've never tried to fry powder before. Don't think it will be too appetizing."

"Powdered!" exclaimed the safecracker in disgust. "What happened to real eggs?"

"I'm out," said Terry back in exasperation.

"Wha'd'ya do, give 'em all to Beautiful?" asked Casino in disgust.

With hands on hips, Terry turned narrowed eyes on the safecracker. "I used the last of them, yes. In the condition he was in I couldn't very well leave him alone here for a couple hours while I went shopping. I'll try to get more this afternoon." Casino opened his mouth to continue his objections, but Terry cut him off. "And of course I gave them to Beautiful. Did you forget I made pancakes especially for you the last time you got shot?"

"Would you two knock it off," interrupted Craig before it could turn into a full-blown argument.

Terry shook her head in exasperation and turned back to her cooking.

After breakfast was finished, they all took their coffee cups and wandered into Garrison's office. The men lounged at their usual seats around the big wood conference table. Terry sat in Actor's chair. Craig took his seat at the head of the table.

"Okay, the transport in. Chief?" he started.

"Okay. Too long. At least we didn't have to jump." Chief was his usual man of few words.

"I don't like subs," added Goniff with a grimace.

"We all know that, Limey," shot back Casino, remembering the blond man's nausea.

Craig continued on. "Rendezvous with the resistance? Goniff?"

"Coulda used Actor there, Warden," replied the pickpocket. "Him speaking the language an' all."

"Agreed," admitted Craig.

"Yeah," Casino gave in. "He is good for some things."

"Woulda made it easier in that cave too," Chief put in.

Goniff harrumphed, "The ruddy natives weren't too friendly."

Craig could just hear Actor's understatement of "the accommodations were sorely lacking" if the con man had been there. "Trip back?"

Goniff tilted his chair back and crossed his feet on the table. "Next time I say we take a bleedin' airplane back."

Craig favored him with an indulgent grin. "Goniff, you hate flying as much as you hate subs."

"Yeah, Warden, but planes take less time."

Casino knocked Goniff's shoulder with the back of his hand, "Yeah, but did you forget? Planes get shot down, yuh know."

Goniff pulled his feet off the table and sat upright. "An' subs get sunk."

"Was the information useful?" asked Terry to stave off another of the pair's arguments.

"Hammond seemed to be happy," said Garrison.

"Hammond actually gets happy?" asked Terry with a grin.

"Sometimes. Rarely," admitted Garrison.

The conversation continued until they had all had enough to say about the mission and they adjourned. As Terry followed the cons out, Garrison called her back. Terry shut the door instead and turned back to her brother with an understanding smile.

"Miss him?" she asked.

Craig knew who she was talking about. "Yeah," he admitted. "I got used to having him for backup. Besides, he knows so damn much about everything and everywhere." He frowned. "How is Actor . . . really? Something just isn't right and I can't put my finger on it."

Terry chewed on her cheeks. "It's getting better. I think."

"What happened?" Craig was concerned and Terry was the only one he could show that to.

Terry sighed. "Just before you left, Goniff told Actor all about who and what he is and was. Actor didn't remember any of it, but it bothered him that he was, quote, a bad person."

Craig raised an eyebrow at that, "Huh? The man's damn proud of being the best confidence man around."

"Not anymore," said Terry. "He seems to be getting better with it, but something still isn't right. I don't know whether it's his head or what's running around in his head."

"Well, I hope he gets it straight before we have to go back in,' said Craig.

"He's Actor. He will," replied Terry with a confidence she did not quite feel.

Both the Garrisons watched the con man for the next week. His strength came back and he was able to get up and down stairs by himself. He seemed to spend most of his time in the library instead of his usual chair in the common room. Admitting to still having occasional headaches, the brother and sister put his isolation down to avoiding the never ending bickering between Casino and Goniff and Casino and Chief.

Both Terry and Actor made a concentrated effort to return to their pre-injury camaraderie. They talked together in Italian, called each other Cara and Caro, and Actor continued to teach her about the arts and music. Both studiously relegated the kiss to the backs of their minds.

The reprieve from missions could not and did not last long. One day, Garrison came back from London with the briefcase shackled to his wrist. He paused in the common room and looked directly at the Italian.

"You're coming with us on this one," said Craig.

Actor nodded and got up to go to the briefing. He remained silent throughout the session, neither asking questions nor offering suggestions. Afterwards, just as silently, he went up the stairs to get his things together. Craig watched him go.

Terry walked up to her brother, eyes also on the Italian's back.

"I don't know," said Craig.

"Maybe it'll be all right," said Terry hopefully. "Maybe he just needs to get back into the swing of things."

"That better be it."

To Be Continued