Falling in Love : I love you, Today and Forever

Ian showed no reactions as he listened to Ryder recapitulate all that had transpired with them since the time they had entered the port. But his expression cracked when he heard the man speak about Valerie and Preston, who were yet to be found and he had no idea about their condition.

A strange glint passed through Ian's eyes as he stared at Maggie, who now seemed to be in control and was returning to her calm self. Yet, Ian did not remove his hand around her shoulder as he pondered over the matter.

"Has the medical help arrived yet?" Ian's face was already serious. But the moment he heard about the explosion, his expression turned dark. Even though it was not evident, his temperament had changed and he was now angry, although he did not know why.

"Not yet." Ryder took deep breaths to ease the pain in his leg. At first, he had not felt it. However, now, he felt a thick hot liquid trickling down his right calf muscle to his ankle. The pain was killing him. Yet, he bore with it as he continued to relay the situation to Ian even though he had no hopes of the man helping them, especially when he was far away from the place.

"The port is far away from the city and it will take more than an hour for the medical staff and help to arrive."

"What are the casualties?" Ian's frown deepened and he glanced in the direction where Noah's room. 'Looks like he did not hear Maggie's voice. He must be tired from the day's events.' He thought and bit his lip in worry.

"I am not sure. But almost everyone is my team is injured and some of them....are..." Ryder's lips quivered and it took a lot of strength in him to speak the next word. "Dead."

"I see." Ian nodded as he made his mind up. "Do you want to speak to Maggie? She seems to be fine now."

Ian pointed at the phone and Maggie nodded at him immediately. However, before he could hand over the phone, the call ended and Ian's brows raised immediately.

"What happened? Ian, give me the phone." Maggie was calm now and she took the phone from him. "Why did the call end?"

"I do not know. The call ended just like that. Maybe, there is a problem with the signal." He reasoned and Maggie stayed silent. "Try calling him back."

Maggie started to call Ryder. But she could not connect with him even after trying for long and she shook her head in dismay when her eyes met Ian's.

"Maggie, get up. Sit on the couch. Get up from here fist." Ian helped her and Maggie took his help without objecting. She did not know if she had the strength in her to walk to the couch. But somehow she made it and Ian handed her a glass of water to her which she took gratefully.

"What do you want to do now?" Ian waited until she was calm before he inquired about her thoughts.

"I want to go to them. I want to make sure that they are alright. I cannot sit still and do nothing. They are my friends." Maggie replied with conviction. Since she had calmed down, she had started to think rationally again. "But it will take a long time to reach them and I do not know if my friends can hold on until then."

"I agree. Even the nearest hospital to the port is an hour or so away and they will not be able to save anyone who is in a critical condition." Ian pursed his lips as he thought about it. "But if you want to go, let's go."

Ian himself did not know why he had offered Maggie his help. The moment he had heard that the people from the Intelligence were hurt in the explosion, his desire to help them emerged stronger than ever, especially when he thought about the woman who he met at the Intelligence headquarters some time ago. Something in him told him to save her and since Maggie insisted on going to help her friends, he had no reasons to stop her.

He was a doctor and it was his duty to treat people. Moreover, they were Maggie's friends and since the time Noah and Joshua had rescued her from Jared's clutches the first time, Ian had started to treat her as one of his own.

Although they had not interacted much before, he still considered her a friend. He valued friendship more than anything in his life and he could not bear to see Maggie devastated over her friends. Ian understood that until she saw his friends safe, she would not be able to stay still.

"How are we going to go? It will take us a long time to get there." Maggie looked at him skeptically and Ian just smiled at her faintly.

"You do not have to worry about it. Wear some thick clothing and a jacket. It might be cold outside. I will meet you in the living room in ten minutes." Ian answered mysteriously and Maggie looked at him baffled. But she could answer him, the man had already left the place.

Not caring what Maggie was thinking, Ian returned to his room while he changed out of his clothes, at the same time placing a call to Noah. He could have easily knocked at his door. But he did not know what the couple was doing and it would be extremely awkward if he disturbed them at such a time. If not for the emergency, Ian would not even have placed the call.

To his surprise, Noah answered him and from his voice, it seemed as though he was sleeping.

"Ian, what's wrong?" Noah was surprised to see a call from Ian when the man was right in the mansion. Why did he have to call him when he could have knocked at his door if he wished to speak to him? He pushed himself up and looked at Aria who was sleeping in his arms. She was sleeping soundly. The phone call had not disturbed her.

'She must have been exhausted.' He thought.

"I need help," Ian answered as he zipped his jacket.

"Yes, go ahead." Noah detected the seriousness of the matter from his tone and he pushed Aria away from him gently before he got out of the bed as he listened to Ian speak on the other side.

"Ian, how many times I have told you before that they are your men too. You do not have to ask me. You can just command them as you wish. Anyway, do you want me to accompany you? Did you tell Joshua about it?"

"No. Not yet. You both must be exhausted. So, it's best that you rest. I will manage." Ian assured him and Noah did not doubt him at all. Ian was equally capable as him and he had no reasons to believe otherwise.

"Fine. Take care, Ian. Call me if you need any help."

"Definitely. I will get going now."

Ian sent a series of instructions to his men and he picked up the first aid kit. Even though the first aid kit was small, he could only make use of it for now.

In exactly ten minutes, Ian returned to the living room and Maggie was already waiting for him.