Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2006 11:00:08 EDT
From: Jetjt@aol.com
Subject: Super Jeff Chapter 25

The following is a work of gay fiction. If the subject matter is offensive
to your or you are too young, please exit now. This story is the property
of the author and may not be reproduced without permission. John Tucker
JETjt@aol.com


				SUPER JEFF

			    Chapter Twenty-five

FRANK'S POV

Damn, I miss having the family around!  I'm glad to be home and of course
Paul is taking grand care of me. We plan on flying to Las Vegas to be with
the boys and Amanda tomorrow, but that will give us only a couple of days
before Mandy and Rick leave for the East. Wow! Has she changed!  I'm not
sure who was more surprised, Jeff or me by her sweet personality. When she
arrived, I couldn't believe it was the same person I had known for so many
years. When she first left for school and even during subsequent visits
home the only description that would fit was `bitch.'

At first I was unwilling to believe that her new attitude was genuine. I'm
sure that Jeff felt the same way. I know he had the other boys primed to
meet `the wicked witch of the west', and then she appeared as a true
sweetheart. The other boys must have thought that Jeff had lost his mind. I
know he was confused as hell. I sure was.

I don't know whether it was the influence of Rick or the fact that their
parents' fate was, and still is, undetermined. If it is the latter, it's
the only good thing to have come out of that ordeal. Well, that may be a
bit of a misstatement. Because of it Jeff and Mandy hired Tyler Turner's
company. That Tyler is one fine gentleman and has a body that makes my
mouth water. It's a good thing that I have Paul. I really love the lunk,
but damn, that Tyler is the piece d' resistance in eye candy. What really
impresses you though is that he's so real. He's a certified good guy who
has every right to be stuck on himself, but instead comes across like he
was your brother. You can't help but love him. He's taken us under his wing
too. I know that it's business for him, but at the same time, you'd never
know it. He treats this whole thing like a personal crusade.

I guess what really blows me away is that he calls me every day to make
sure I'm alright. I mean, he doesn't have to do that!  I'm just the major
domo around this place, not some `first-born' or something. I appreciate
the hell out of it though. Jeff has called every day too. That boy couldn't
be in a better place than Tyler's right now. Not only are he and Mandy
protected far better than they could be here, but he has Tyler as an
example of an admirable gay man. If Tyler's `better-half' and his brother
and his brother's partner are like Tyler, watch out! Mr. Super Jeff is
going to become Mr. Super-duper Jeff!

I'm out of bed now and can move around a bit, though with some pain and
discomfort. I can't lift anything yet and have to be careful, but I'm
recovering fast. I rest a lot and am under doctor's orders not to engage in
any "violent" physical activity. That had me pretty down at first until
Paul reminded me that there are a few things we could do together that
required little physical exertion. He's a wonderful guy! ;-)


JEFF'S POV

The week is sure going by fast!  Here it is mid-week already and in a
couple of days Mandy and Rick will be leaving. I thought I'd die before I
ever said it, but I'm going to miss her a ton. I'll miss Rick too, but
Mandy has turned into the sister I've always wanted and now she'll be
leaving too soon. She's promised to come home far more often though, so
maybe we'll see her and Rick on a more regular basis. Frank couldn't get
leave from his doctor to travel as soon as we hoped, so he and Paul will be
arriving in the morning so they'll not have too much time to visit before
she leaves.

I hope Mandy `lands' Rick. He's the nicest guy she's ever dated and I'm
sure that he cares for her deeply. It doesn't hurt that he's awesomely
handsome or that he's loaded either. Mostly we all like him because he's
really a nice guy and treats our sister with love and respect.

I pray to God that the `old' Mandy never resurfaces. I've never seen such a
change in a person as I've seen in her. In that respect I'm glad they've
not made any life-long commitments yet. Maybe a year of `seasoning', a year
that predictably will have its ups and downs, will `weld' her new approach
to life into a permanent part of her. I hope so. I like Rick too much to
see he him hurt.

She tells me that I have changed too, and for the better. If that's true
it's because of Chris. I can't wait for school to start. Together we're
going to accomplish so much this year. Already his athletic ability is
showing through. I think there's no one more surprised than he is. I'm sure
he's had it all along, but now it's developing and fast!  He just needed
some coaching and encouragement. He's still growing too besides `buffing
up'. I wouldn't be surprised to see him top-out at six feet. If so he'll be
a smidgeon taller than me, but it wouldn't make me love him any less. Right
now he and I are about the same height but he's still eight pounds
lighter. Our workouts and his growth spurt have made him into one desirable
hunk! It's hard to compare him to the scrawny appearing guy that I found a
couple of months ago. He's smart too and a great lover.  I don't know how I
got so lucky.

Well, Tyler and I are about finished with our 5 miles. Tyler, Chris, Rick,
Jon and Ben all started out together with us in the beginning of our
run.. Ben and Jon have a bit of a problem keeping up and can't really go
the distance without feeling it the whole day, so they quit after four
miles. Tyler and I pulled away from the rest of the pack, which had set a
more leisurely pace, after a couple of miles. Chris and Rick decided to
remain with the slower group. I'm sure that both of them could do the five
and even at our pace, but Chris, being the loving guy he is, wanted to stay
back with our newest `brothers'.  No wonder I love him so. I'd love Rick
too, but Mandy would kick my ass. Ha!

As Tyler and I closed the remaining gap back to the house we could see the
other guys by the reflecting pool in front of the mansion. They had gotten
back before us, but you could see from Jon and Ben's winded condition, it
wasn't much before. I could make out Chris and Rick sitting on the steps
leading up to the main house chatting while the younger guys recovered
their wind.

Tyler is looking at me and grinning. Damn him!  He's picking up the pace
for a little sprint back to the house. I will my legs to move faster. Can't
let the `old guy' show me up. The gap is no longer widening, but I don't
dare try to run any faster; I'll collapse from exhaustion before I get to
the house. Maybe he'll tire.

He just glanced back at me with a big smile on his face. I pour every ounce
of strength and stamina into my legs and lungs as I attempt to close the
gap. I'm gaining on him but I can see it's not going to be enough. As we
race across the drive, the official end of our run, he begins to quickly
slow down. I reach him in three strides, streaking past then slamming my
exhausted legs into a stop. I look back at his still smiling face as I gasp
for air. I can see he's breathing heavily, but not like me. I want to just
find a piece of grass where I can collapse and die!. It's not to be
though. Tyler, seeing my exhausted condition has moved up beside me,
standing upright, next to my hunched over position, with my arms supporting
my upper body on my bent knees.

"Good run Jeff," Tyler said in between rapid breaths of air.

I couldn't reply. My body only wanted two things: air and more air. Tyler
pulled me upright and started walking me around on the drive.

"Don't want to get cramps," he said as we moved slowly around in a big
circle. As I recovered my breath, I became aware of my surroundings. All
the guys were watching Tyler and me, and Chris really had a shit-eating
grin on his face.  What was that all about? Was he glad that Tyler had
beaten me?

After making about 8 circles, Tyler guided me over to the steps where Chris
and Rick sat.

"Good run Babe," Chris said as he and Rick stood. "I thought you had him
there for a minute. I'm proud of you."

"He's a hell of a runner," Tyler said complimenting me. "Not only did he
keep my pace for five miles, he damn near matched me step-for-step on our
home-bound sprint. None of the other guys here, including my brother Ron
can do that. I leave their shaggy asses in the dust every time."

"Thanks Tyler," I said as my heavy breathing had subsided. "I'm not used to
coming in second on a run, except maybe with the top two or three distance
runners on my high-school track team. The coach tried to get me to go out
for track, but it's not really my thing."

"I'm sure if you trained for it you could be up there with the best of
them," Tyler commented.

"Maybe so," I said, "but you can't do everything. I'm happy playing golf,
exercising, and just doing some conditioning with my running. I'll be busy
the coming year anyway with Student Government."

"You got elected to something?" Tyler asked.

"He's the student-body President," Chris said proudly. "Everyone admires
Jeff."

"I'm impressed," Tyler said. "Well guys, I have to shower and get off to
work. We have some really exciting things going on there, and of course I
need to check up on the latest news about your parents."

"Thanks for the run Tyler, and thanks again for all you're doing for us," I
said.

"You're most welcome," responded the handsome man. "What are your plans for
the day?"

"We're borrowing the Escalade and taking a tour of the Strip," Rick
said. "I'd like to go though some of those fabulous buildings."

"That will be fun," Tyler agreed, "and something all visitors to Las Vegas
should do."

"Mandy and I are the only ones old enough to gamble," Rick said, "and it's
not something we really crave, so I think it will be just a walking
tour. Any recommendations?"

"Don't miss Caesars Palace and Bellagio," Tyler advised. The Venetian is
also interesting and close to the other two. The Luxor is a fascinating
building also but you'll have to drive. It's more than a mile away from the
other three and in the hot weather of mid-day it's a miserable walk."

"Thanks, we'll give them a try," promised Rick.

"I've got to get going. See you later guys," Tyler said as he began a fast
climb up the stairs.

"Bye," we all echoed.

I was surprised to see Ben and Jon run up the stairs, trying to catch
Tyler. Once they were by his side and spoke to him, he slowed his
pace. After a moment of conversation, Tyler continued on and Ben and Jon
stood on the steps watching him go. I was dying of curiosity. I could see
that Chris was too.

Later that day we took our tour. I was more than impressed. Caesar's Palace
was awe inspiring. I'm sure the ancient Romans never had it so good, not
even Caesar himself.  The place was more than just decorated. It was
embellished with all the architectural features that made Rome so
outstanding. The Forum Shops were like a Roman street scene with a curved
overhead ceiling that looked like the sky and it changed from day to night
on a periodic basis. Next we went to the Venetian, which has all the most
famous buildings in Venice Italy depicted including the Rialto Bridge, the
Doge's Palace, Saint Marks Cathedral and the famous campanelli tower. I was
really impressed with the shopping area too, which was on the second
floor. There were walks and bridges connecting the shops and down the
middle of it all was a replica of the Grand Canal replete with gondolas and
gondoliers singing Italian opera. Yikes!

I think the place I liked best though was the Bellagio. It was Italian in
motif and every step inside and out reeked of money. The mosaics were
beautiful, the stained glass was world class and the decorating was nothing
but the best quality. My favorite spot there was a room that had nothing
but plants in a mammoth display of flowers in beautiful designs. I
understood that all the plants were grown in their own on-site greenhouse
and were changed regularly so that only blooming flowers were displayed. We
were told by some visitors that saw us gawking that the display at
Christmas was even more unbelievable.

Going back to our car, we decided, almost reluctantly, to give the Luxor a
shot. It is a huge black pyramid covered in glass and has an over-sized
sphinx in the front that you drive under as the porte-cochere. We had a
valet park the car and spent about an hour and a half there. As it was near
noon we stopped at one of their cafés for lunch. The interior space was not
what I expected. The main casino is down some steps and is not open to the
huge pyramid-shaped interior space above. Above the main casino are
restaurants, and other attractions that are open above. The interior volume
of space in that building is incredible, but the most interesting thing for
me was the `inclinators", which are elevators that rise up the interior
corners to the guest rooms, but instead of going straight up and down, they
go up on a slant.

We were tired when we finished our tour at the Luxor and decided that we'd
seen enough, at least for this trip. The car was hot at first but since it
had been parked in a garage it was not scorching like it would have been
had it been in the sun. It only took a few minutes to get it comfortable,
temperature-wise. It was mid-afternoon by the time we got home and all
decided to take a swim in Tyler and Dan's outside pool before dinner. After
parking the large SUV in the garage, we went to our rooms to change.

We had only been swimming for about a half-hour when Sterling appeared on
deck with a `walk-around' phone in his hand.

"Mr. Jeff," he said, heading toward me. "It's Mr. Turner. Tyler, that is."

I leaped from the water taking the phone from Sterling's hand.

"This is Jeff," I answered.

"Jeff, this is Tyler," came the reply. "I thought you'd want to know. We've
confirmed the location of your parents. They are living in the hospital
where we suspected they might be. They are kept in seclusion away from most
staff and all the patients, so it was difficult to confirm that they are
there. We know approximately where they're being kept. From the looks of it
your dad is treating Osama Bin Laden, presumably for cancer, since that's
his specialty. There is a curious anomaly though that has us puzzled. I'll
fill you in after while when I get home."

"How are we going to get them out?" I asked.

"There are several options that I want to discuss with you tonight. We'll
get into the details then."

"Alright Tyler. I'll pass on the news to Amanda. It's the first confirming
news we've had that they really are alive. I really appreciate your calling
with the update."

"You're the customer, Jeff. You've also become a friend, so it's become
doubly important. I'll see you tonight."

"Thanks again Tyler," I said. "Goodbye."

"Later," Tyler said.

I quickly waved Mandy and Rick over to the side of the pool. Chris had been
watching me talk with Tyler so he came over with the others.

"Get out so we can talk away from the screams of the kids," I
requested. The damned pool was erupting in laughter and horseplay, making
conversation impossible.

The three `family members' climbed out of the pool and, after grabbing
towels and drying themselves off, followed me into the
exercise/entertainment building. We took seats around one of the metal
glass-covered tables that surrounded the `inside' pool which was now
deserted.

"Tyler just called. They've confirmed where Mom and Dad are being held
captive. It's in the hospital that they suspected in Damascus. At least we
know they're alive. Tyler is going to tell us more tonight, and tell us
what the options are for getting them back. In one way, I'm happy as hell,
but in another, I'm fearful."

"Did he say why they're there?" Rick asked.

"They think that Dad is treating Osama Bin Laden for cancer, but he said
something is odd, but wouldn't say what it is on the phone. He said he'd
tell us tonight."

"I'm relieved that they've found them," Amanda agreed," I'm not sure about
the rest. I guess we'll just have to wait until tonight. I don't know about
you all, but I've had enough of swimming for the day. I'm going back to the
room to shower, rest, and get cleaned up for dinner."

"I'll go with you," Rick volunteered with a lusty gleam in his eye.

There's nothing like sex to take your mind off your problems.

"Capital idea!" Chris said silently agreeing with my observation. "Come on
Jeff, let's hit the shower. Maybe we'll have time to lie down and rest," he
continued in a quiet voice, "or whatever."

I grinned. I love `whatevers'.

At dinner, I noticed that Rick and Amanda looked as `refreshed' as I'm sure
Chris and I did, if shit-eating grins are any measurement. At least the
tension created by Tyler's news had been relieved, if only
temporarily. Even though the conversation at dinner was upbeat and casual,
the atmosphere was still a bit unusual. Ron, Matt and their boys had joined
us, but unlike our other dinners with Ron, he didn't offer a joke before
asking God's blessing on the meal. It was almost a cultural shock to the
Turner boys who looked at each other with silent questions in their
minds. I knew then that Tyler had briefed the Turner adults on the
situation with our parents.

After dinner we adjourned to the family room, except for the Turner boys
who headed for the exercise/entertainment building. Tyler saw Ben and Jon
looking at him with furtive glances, and he excused himself, asking Ron and
Matt to accompany him to the study. He beckoned to Ben and Jon who followed
the three men out of the room.

"What's going on?" I asked Dan who had remained with us as the host.

"I'm not sure about all the details," Dan admitted, "but I think Ben and
Jon are going to ask Matt to get them into the Thornton Center."

"Why would they want to do that?" Mandy asked. "They've been there twice
already in the past four days."

"I think Dan means that Ben and Jon want to live there," I explained.

"Why would they want to do that?" Mandy asked again.

"I think they're uncomfortable at our home in Palos Verdes," Chris
explained. "Their backgrounds are so much different than yours that they
feel out of place amidst all the signs of wealth that surround them
there. I came from a lower middle class family, and I was uncomfortable at
first. Only with Pop and Dr. Mel's help and the continual support of Jeff
was I able to adjust. They come from a far less advantaged home environment
than I did and it's obvious that they've been struggling. I see Thornton as
a place where many of the kids come from backgrounds similar to
theirs. There are `families' there too. The house moms and dads are much
like any moms and dads in a real home with a large family, except that
they're specially trained to help the kids in their care. Those families
have a lot of support too, financially, staff wise, and educationally. It's
a real chance for the two of them go get the help they need in growing up
to face the world on their own. I know that Jeff and I can't give them that
kind of support and the availability and interest of your `rents to provide
it is very much up in the air for now at least.. Personally, I think it's a
good option for them and I think they're smart enough to recognize
it. Hell, if I'd known about Thornton when I was thrown out of my blood
parents' home, Jeff would never have found me in the park that day. I'd
have been walking to Las Vegas."

"I'm glad that didn't happen," I said, recognizing the truth of his
statement.

"You're probably right Chris," Amanda said. "They're both young and you
guys have enough responsibility just taking care of each other."

"Yeah, but it's a responsibility I wouldn't trade for anything," I
responded looking lovingly at Chris

"Me either," Chris added.

I laughed.

"That's because you're in love with each other," Rick assessed ignoring my
loud guffaw. "With Jon and Ben it's different. They'd have to be like your
little brothers, and that would be tough enough considering their
backgrounds, but as Chris said, at least for now there are no parents in
your home to confirm their continued welcome."

"Do you think they're trying to let us off the hook?" I asked.

"The thought had crossed my mind," Rick admitted. "I don't think it's the
primary reason, but without your parents being there to reinforce a
permanent place in your home for them, the prospects and stability at
Thornton could look pretty good."

"I think they learned enough about Thornton in their two visits there to
believe they could be happy and successful there," Dan added. "As you might
know, Ron and Matt were the movers and shakers that got the Thornton Center
going. It's been very successful and no boy who has left there after
staying for more than a month has departed without a decent career start
or, if interested, has gone on for a higher education. Ron insisted from
the beginning that the `family' approach had the highest chance of success,
even though most of the guys there come from broken homes or were rejected
by their parents. They have a staff psychologist there to help new guys get
reoriented as many of them are initially negative about rejoining a
family. They were hurt once and shield themselves from being hurt
again. Nevertheless you'd be amazed at how much familial love is present
there. The guys learn to love and trust each other, most often as brothers
would, and are very supportive in bringing new members into the `family',
even if it takes `tough love.'"

"Chris and I have been aware of Ben and Jon's uneasiness since they came to
live with us. I'm sure we should have given them more attention than we
have," I said.

"Don't beat yourself up over it," advised Dan. "You are not their
parents. They are lucky to have two friends like you that would take them
in."

"I'll miss them if they leave," I said. "I suppose that Thornton is the
best place for them. Now I guess the question is, `will Thornton take
them?'"

"If Ron and Matt agree that Thornton is the place for them, I can guarantee
it," Dan stated. "The Thornton Trust was set up by Ron and Matt and is
administered by Matt. It provides virtually all the monetary support for
Thornton. Beside, if they didn't' have room, Ron would just build them
another building," Dan concluded with a chuckle.

"Ron must be a hell of a guy," Chris stated.

"You don't know the half of it," Dan replied. "He's a miracle worker and
his brother, my Tyler, is another. Matt and I are lucky men and deeply in
love with our partners."

"Prejudiced, huh?" I asked with a grin.

"Absolutely," Dan replied grinning back.

Another twenty minutes passed by in casual but enjoyable conversation with
Dan before Ron, Matt and Tyler returned. Behind them followed Ben and Jon.

"Ben and Jon have an announcement to make," Matt declared.

The two boys were waved up beside the adults.

"Jeff, Chris," Ben began haltingly, directing his remarks at the two of us,
"Jon `n' I have asked that we be `llowed to move into the Thornton Center."

He looked down at the ground and tears sprang from his eyes.

"We don't want ya t' think we don't love you an' ain't thankful for all ya
done for us, though," he blubbered. "It's jus' that it's where we
belong. It's where we need to be."

Chris and I stood and hurried over to the two youngsters.

"We understand," I said as I took Ben into my arms and Chris did likewise
with Jon.  "We've been talking about it since you left with Ron, Matt and
Tyler. If that's what you want, and it's what you need, then you have our
support and blessing."

"Ya knew we wanted t' go there?" Ben asked.

"It was pretty hard to miss your interest in the place," Chris said. "We
noticed that you weren't entirely comfortable at home too. You have to make
your own choices in life even sometimes when you're young. I think it's the
right choice for you. I'm sure that Jeff agrees with me. That doesn't
change the fact that we'll miss you."

"Ya won't forget about us?" Jon asked almost shyly.

"Never," I declared emphatically. "Now that we've made friends with the
Turners, we'll probably be over here so often that you'll be sick of us."

He grinned.

"When will you move in?" I asked

"I'll have to check with Leonard Johnson, the Director there," Matt said,
"but I'd guess they'll move in permanently on Friday. I'm sure that Leonard
will want to talk to them first though, but that can happen tomorrow."

"Good guys, you will still be here to see us off," Amanda stated to Jon and
Ben. "We've both come to care for you and hope you'll consider us family."

"We're mos' honored," Ben stated. "I'm sure ya thought Jeff was crazy t'
have us in yer house when ya first got there, but ya treated us good
anyway."

"Jeff is a good judge of character," Amanda stated with a grin, "and you
two certainly are characters."

Both boys giggled at Mandy's little joke.

"Guys, why don't you join the other youngsters in the game building," Tyler
suggested to Ben and Jon. "The rest of us have some other business to
discuss."

"K," Ben said. "Le's go Jon."

They turned and began walking together toward the large building on the
other side of the rear court. "Laterz," they both said with a wave as they
disappeared.

The eight of us found places to sit where we could talk.

"I guess you're wondering about what our next steps for your parents are
going to be," Tyler started.

"I've been thinking about it all afternoon," I admitted.

"I'd like to preface my remarks by a condition I'm making," Tyler
declared. "What I'm about to tell you is so confidential, we haven't even
shared it with the law enforcement people, either here or overseas."

"We understand," I declared. "Nothing you tell us will ever be repeated."

"Alright," Tyler said. "Now that we know where your parents are we need to
decide on a plan of action. There are several options which I'd like to
discuss: The first one is that we could do nothing."

"I'm not in favor of that option," I insisted.

"It may not be all negative," Tyler countered. "It could be that your dad
may have `struck a deal' with Osama that could ultimately result in their
being released. That presumes of course that Osama is a man of honor, and
that his medical treatment is successful. Personally I don't believe that
he is and the second is indeterminate. Nevertheless it's a possibility and
far better than nothing."

"What's the second option?" I asked. "I'm still not for the first one."

"We could turn our information over to the Feds and let them handle the
whole affair. That has an advantage in that it costs you nothing, and there
is the power and abilities of the U.S., the most powerful nation on earth,
handling the matter. The U.S. has more resources than we could ever hope to
bring to bear, especially if brute force is required. I would caution
though, that their aims are somewhat different than yours. I'm sure you, as
an American, would like to see Osama Bin Laden brought to justice, which
probably means dead. That too is the goal of the Government, especially the
present Administration.  However, one of their options is to bomb the
hospital, obliterating it and treating the civilians there, including your
parents as casualties of war. You're primary goal of course, is the return
of your parents and if Osama escapes in the process, then it's unfortunate,
but not fatal to your objectives. I don't want to put down other alternate
strategies that the Government might try, however," he continued. "They
might try negotiation, but that's pretty far-fetched. They might enlist the
aid of the Israelis who, quite frankly are better at operating in that part
of the world than we are. It's a mixed bag at best, and it depends on the
two governments' objectives."

"Go on," Amanda said. "What are the other options?"

"There is only one remaining that makes sense," Tyler said. "It is to go in
there and get them out ourselves."

"Is that possible?" I asked.

"Yes, but it's very expensive and still has a high risk factor," Tyler
answered. "It would also take a little time to put together, time which we
might not have."

"How much risk? How much time? How expensive?" I asked.

"We've been working on this option from the time you hired us. Because of
that, it would take about a week to ten days to execute." Tyler said. "We
believe that our chances of success are about 75%, and it will cost between
one and three million dollars."

"The money is not an obstacle," I declared. "I'm in favor of the third
option."  I looked at Mandy who was nodding her head in agreement.

"There's one other possibility that may be even better. It combines some of
the best features of the last two options."

"We're listening," I said.

"Some of the people in the European company we purchased have close ties to
the Israelis.  It's possible that they might make the raid under the
condition that their first objective is to extract your parents. I'm sure
they'd make every effort to capture or kill Bin Laden too, but there are no
guarantees."

"How can we find out if they'd do it," Rick asked.

"We can make contact, but we can only do that with Jeff's and Amanda's
permission," Tyler stated. "Once the cat is out of the bag, we can't put it
back in. It might preclude our third and best other option, but not
likely."

"I think it's worth the risk," I stated. "Those guys from Israel have no
fear."

"I agree," Amanda stated. "Let's continue working on the option where we
get them out while we inquire though so that we don't lose any time. If the
Israelis are not interested, then we'll be ready."

"It will cost more than if we wait," Tyler warned.

"It's of no consequence," Mandy said. "Time is money and we have plenty of
money, just not plenty of time."

"Somehow I knew you'd say that," Tyler said with a smile. "Okay, we have
our marching orders. I'll set the plans into action as soon as we're
through talking."

"Before we break up, I'd like to know what the strange anomaly is that you
spoke to me about on the phone," I queried.

"Yes, I'm sorry Jeff," Tyler said. "I guess we should have talked about it
first, before we started our talking about the rescue. It's about Osama's
medical condition. We got copies of all the medical tests done in France on
him and have had some medical experts examine them. The results are far
from what we expected^Ĺ."

DR. JEFF RICHARDS' POV

I looked again at the test reports as well as the negatives of the scans
taken. I had settled in my mind what my diagnosis would be. Before I could
step back and ponder the consequences, the door opened and two men, one of
whom was Osama Bin Laden, entered the room. The other I recognized as his
interpreter.

Osama took a seat and spoke to the interpreter in Aramaic.

"Mr. Bin Laden asks for the results of your diagnosis," the interpreter
declared.

I turned to the patient and began to speak.

"I need to ask the patient a series of questions before I decide for sure,"
I replied. It appears that he has two problems, which might affect each
other."

After a brief translation exchange, the interpreter said, "Ask your
questions."

I began a series of questions regarding symptoms I suspected that he was
suffering. The symptoms inquired about included: fatigue, flu-like
symptoms, nausea, aversion to certain foods, weight loss, depression,
tenderness in the abdomen and jaundice. Virtually every symptom was
answered in the positive. I nodded as I noted the answers on a chart I had
been making.

"Mr. Bin Laden," I began ready to give him my diagnosis, "I believe you
have two problems."

The interpreter translated as I spoke.

"First and perhaps the less serious of the two conditions, is a tumorous
growth in your stomach," I continued.  "There is a good chance that it's
malignant, though a simple biopsy will confirm it. In either case it should
be removed surgically since even a benign tumor can continue to grow and
cause discomfort or pain. It is fairly serious surgery, but it's nothing
that any good surgeon could not perform successfully. I would be lying if I
said there is no risk, however. Every major surgery has risk. The good news
is that there is no indication that it's spread to other parts of the body,
at least through the lymphatic system which is often first affected.

A discussion ensued between the two men, then the interpreter again turned
to me.

"Can you do it?" he asked.

I said, "Yes" while nodding in the affirmative.

Bin Laden smiled, then spoke a few more words.

"He'll have it done," the interpreter repeated. "What is the other
problem?"

I paused for a moment before answering.

"I believe, with some high degree of certainty, that Mr. Bin Laden has
contracted the Hepatitis C virus," I announced.

			*	*	*	*	*