Into the Life of Hadji 2  Part 1



	It was a night of quiet celebration on the Quest compound.  All

were gathered around a fire after a huge dinner in honor of Hadji and

Miana's first wedding anniversary.  The only one not present was Neela,

wno sent her best wishes and regrets at having been unable to come in for

the occassion. 

	"Well, Hadj-- you made it!  After a very topsy-turvy and more than

interesting year, you have officially joined the 'old married mens'

club'!" quipped Jonny. 

	"Yeah, Hadji, The only thing left is for you two to have a kid."

replied Race as he patted Jessie on the shoulder. 

	Jessie looked down at her growing belly, reflecting her four month

pregnancy.  She then flashed a smile at Miana.  A smile grew on Miana's

face that stretched from ear to ear as she produced a small box and handed

it to Hadji. 

	"Happy anniversary, love." 

	Hadji smiled as he took the small package and proceeded to open

it.  His mouth dropped in shock as he pulled out a small pair of

light-blue knitted baby booties. 

	"Congrats, Hadj!  Miana, when did you find out?" asked Jonny. 

	"Just a couple of days ago.  I'm about two and a half months

along.  I knew the knowledge of it would be the perfect anniversary gift

for Hadji." 

	Hadji was still speechless as his eyes were still fixed on the

booties. 

	"How do you know it's going to be a boy?" asked Jonny. 

	Miana smiled. 

	"Intuition, Mr. Quest.  A mother knows these things." 

	"Well, Hadji, it seems things are going well for you.  You just

received you masters in both computer science and philosophy, and now you

are going to be a father.  All I can say is, it's about time." smiled

Benton. 

	"It seems we have a family of children either with or pursuing

double majors." replied Race.  "Jessie received hers in biology and

archaeology, Hadji has his now, and dear ol' Jonny finally made up his

mind." 

	"Yeah, chemistry and marine biology were not my big things growing

up, but heey!  I can't let Jessie and Hadj have all the fun!" teased Jonny

while scratching his head. 

	"Yeah, he's just a freshman!" teased Jessie. 

	"Ahem!" coughed Miana.  "I guess astronomy and parapsychology

don't count for anything?" 

	"I thought you were doing philosophy." replied Jonny. 

	"As a minor." answered Miana.  "And I have only one semester to

go!" 

	"Hadji's ahead of all of us." started Jonny.  "He has his masters

while the rest of us have bachelors or are pursuing bachelors." 

	"The pursuit of knowledge is not a race to be won, but rather a

journey to be pursued for the enlightenment of the individual taking it." 

	Jonny rolled his eyes. 

	"Twenty-eight years old and he still quotes those damn proverbs!" 

	Benny hobbled up to Jonny and put his hands on Jonny's leg.  Jonny

picked him up, and Benny put his hand on Jonny's lips. 

	"Baa wood." uttered Benny, who was now a toddler. 

	"I think your son is offended by your choice of words, my friend."

replied Hadji.  "And to you, Benny-- thank you for defending me." 

	Jonny rolled his eyes as everyone around him laughed. 

	The next morning, everyone got up and was heading out to start

their day.  Jessie was off to work at Quest Enterprises, while Hadji went

off to Rockport College to teach classes, as he was now faculty.  Jonny

and Miana went in with Hadji, as they were both attending classes. 

Benton and Race were left alone with noone else except little Benny. 

	"You know, Benton-- I remember a day when we saw nothing but

action.  The kids were always here, as I handled most of their education. 

Now they're off either to work or school, and things are slow here, now

that you're retired.  And at the same time, our family is growing, and

the times when all of us are together, may call for more protection than I

alone can provide." replied Race. 

	"Race--" 

	"No, Benton!  I'm not leaving.  All I'm saying is our family has

nearly doubled in size over the past few years-- since Miana joined the

family, Jessie had Benny, and now both girls are pregnant.  I think we

need to bring in an additional bodyguard." 

	"Who do you suggest?" 

	"An old friend of mine from the agency-- Robert Channing-- has a

son who just left the agency and is looking for another assignment. 

Robert asked me to see what I could do." 

	"What's the boy's name?" 

	"Bobby Channing.  I've seen him in action.  He's good.  Robert

calls him "Race Jr.'" 

	"Well, if he's earned your nickname, then he must be good.  Feel

free to contact whomever you need in order to bring him in.  How old is

he?" 

	"Thirty-five." answered Race.  "Benton?" 

	"Yes, Race?" 

	"Thanks." 

	With that, Race left and proceeded to make arrangements to have

Bobby assigned to the Quests. 

	When the day ended, everyone came back, and the house livened up

once again.  Benton requested everyone to gather in the living room. 

	"What is it, Dr. Quest?" asked Jessie. 

	"I'll let Race tell you." answered Benton. 

	"This morning, I was telling Dr. Quest that over the past few

years, that not counting him and I, this family has nearly doubled in

size.  With this in mind, we are bringing in Bobby Channing as an

additional bodyguard." 

	"Bobby Chan-- isn't he the son of that friend of yours from the

agency?" asked Jessie. 

	"Yes, he is.  He left the agency not too long ago, and Robert

asked me to find an assignment for him.  It was perfect considering that i

need help here." 

	"What's wrong, Race?  Gettin' old?" teased Jonny. 

	"Jonny!" scolded Jessie.  "Actually, Jessie-- I'm not as young

as I used to be.  Granted, mid-forties isn't ancient, but as many people

as there are in the family now, with two more on the way..." 

	"I see your point, dad." 

	Just then, the phone rang, and Miana answered it. 

	"Hello? Moniri! Hi!  Geez, it's so good to hear from you!  Yes,

everything is great!  Hadji and I just had our one year anniversary, and

I'm ten weeks pregnant.  You did? That's terrific!  Oooohh.... god, I'm so

sorry... yes, I'll tell everyone. Bye." 

	"Good and bad news?" asked Benton. 

	"Moniri's father passed on a few months ago, but following his

death, Moniri went out west and finished her education that she took a

break from the last time she was here.  She just graduated with a teaching

degree!" 

	"Bittersweet circumstances." observed Hadji. 

	Hadji had a worried look on his face, but he tried his best to

conceal it. 

	"Dr. Quest, is it alright if I retire for the night?  I am quite

tired." 

	"Yes, Hadji.  I think our business here is done for the night." 

	"Thank you." 

	Miana's brow knitted as Hadji kissed her on the lips and he

proceeded to go upstairs. 

	"Wow!  I wonder what's bothering him?" asked Jonny. 

	"I don't know.  With as many good things that's been happening, he

should be as happy as a clam." answered Miana.  "Please excuse me." 

	Miana went up to her and Hadji's room. 

	"Hadji?" 

	Hadji had changed and had on only his loincloth and turban.  He

was standing next to the window, looking out at the ocean. 

	"Hadji, what's wrong?" 

	Hadji folded his arms and turned around. 

	"I just have a lot on my mind." 

	"Sit down, love.  Tell me what it is." 

	Hadji sat down on the bed. 

	"I have had a lot of disturbing thoughts recently.  I do not know

exactly what is going to happen, but all around I feel the presence of

death." 

	"Death?" 

	"Yes.  I feel that there is going to be an accident.  I also feel

that two people are going to die, but I do not know who, and if they are

going to die in the accident, or from some other cause." 

	"Oh, god, Hadji!  I hope you are wrong!  Things have been going so

well..." 

	"I hope I am wrong too, my love." 

	Hadji embraced his wife. 

	"I am tired, love.  I need to sleep.  Are you coming to bed?" 

	"No-- I think I'll go back downstairs for a while." 

	"Alright, Miana.  Good night." 

	"Good night, sweetie." 

	Miana kissed him, and closed the door behind her as she left. 

	"Mi!  What's wrong with Hadji?" asked Jessie as Miana came back

down the steps. 

	"Hadji says that he feels the presence of death all around.  He

feels that there is going to be some kind of accident, and two people are

going to die." 

	"Who and how?" asked Jonny. 

	"He doesn't know who, and he doesn't know if they would be killed

in the accident, or from some other cause." 

	"That's scary," replied Jonny.  "Usually Hadji's premonitions are

right on the money." 

	"It's no wonder he's been bothered.  It's like all of us are in a

game of Russian Roulette." replied Jessie. 

	Miana's brow knitted. 

	"Miana?" asked Jessie. 

	"I just got a flash." said Miana. 

	"Of what?" 

	"Neela.  I think Hadji's vision is related to her." 

	"Oh, no.  You don't think--" started Jessie. 

	"She said in her letter that she was under the weather.  That

could've been an understatement." answered Miana. 

	"If her leukemia has come back, Hadji will be crushed." replied

Jessie.  "Are you going to tell him?" 

	"No.  He's worried enough.  We'll just wait, and hope and pray I'm

wrong."