“Okay, I’ll get the girl. You deal with Tubby over there,” Van said in a loud whisper, pointing at a huge bouncer-looking man named Tiny.

“Hell no! I’LL go grab Shelly. YOU can deal with that steroid nut,” Deaq said, keeping his voice low too.

From their hiding place behind some crates they could see Tiny the head body guard of Charlie “The Jaw.” Just behind him was the room where they had seen Shelly, their witness and now unfortunately Charlie’s hostage, dragged into a few minutes ago.

“Have I mentioned yet how much I hate warehouses?” Van whispered. “Thousands of boxes. We don’t know what’s in them.”

“Only reason you don’t like it is ‘cause you can’t find out what’s in them. Nosey boy,” he said smirking at his partner. “All right here’s what we’re gonna do. I’ll get Shelly while you distract-“

Deaq was interrupted by three armed men busting into the side door of the wear house. The newcomers apparently believed in shooting first and asking questions later. As all hell broke loose, Van and Deaq popped up from behind the crates and joined in the fray.

****************

“Mff mu meff-fff mow muff ma muff muff muffs?” Van asked from behind the oxygen mask.

“Yes, Van. You did mention that,” Deaq said rubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand.

Van yanked the mask away from his mouth and after coughing a few times said, “You could hear me?”

“No, but I knew what you were gonna say. I’m starting to hate warehouses too.”

When the gun fire had started many of the boxes and crates had been hit. Since Deaq had been closest he’d gone to secure their witness as Van held off the others by returning fire. Deaq had been untying Shelly in the small office area when he’d heard the explosion. Van had been a lot closer.

Some of the boxes had contained propane containers and several had exploded after the crates they were in were hit by bullets. The explosion had conveniently taken out all of the intruding gunmen. Van and Tiny had been thrown by the blast. Van had dragged the injured bodyguard out the door and away from the fire, cursing the large man and the irony of his name all the way. Both had inhaled smoke and needed some oxygen from the paramedics. Deaq and Shelly had escaped the building without injury and Billie had already escorted her to the Feds.

“Can we get out of here now?” Van asked. He looked around at the chaotic mess of police, paramedics and firefighters in the parking lot.

“You sure you can breathe okay now?”

Van tried to hold back his cough but didn’t quite manage. After barking out a few times he answered, “Yeah, let’s just get going, okay?”

“I don’t know, Van. Maybe you should go to the hospital and get checked out,” Deaq said. He knew Van wouldn’t go for it but he was worried. Van had been close to the blast and Deaq wasn’t sure if Van had been thrown or knocked by the impact. He was afraid Van might be playing down his injuries.

Van got up from where he’d been sitting in the back of the ambulance open doors. He tried to move normally and not show how stiff he was. He’d been feeling like crap all day and being launched ten feet through the air then slammed into a wooden crate had definitely made things worse. Dragging Tiny half way across the building and sucking back smoke had really not helped either.

What had started that morning as a slight headache and a sore throat was now a pounding, throbbing head and hacking cough. All Van wanted was to get back to his place so he didn’t have to pretend he was feeling fine any longer.

“No, I’ve just got a headache. I need to snag some sleep or something. I’ll be fine tomorrow morning.”

“Alright,” Deaq gave in. He would let Van have his way on this one. Besides, he planned to spend the night or at least stay as long as it took to be sure Van was okay.

********************

Van flopped down on the couch and flipped on the t.v. Deaq plopped down into the arm chair. Van had hoped Deaq would just drop him off but he’d come up to Van’s room with him. Under normal circumstances he would be more than happy to have Deaq over to hang out or mess around depending on the time. Tonight all he wanted was to get rid of the man so he could hack his lungs out in peace.

“This’s not as comfortable as it looks is it?” said Deaq about the chair he was in.

“They buy them for looks you know,” Van explained about the chair and the matching couch he was sprawled on. “Most people probably don’t even use them.”

“Most people also don’t live in a hotel,” Deaq said.

“True.”

They sat watching the news for a while. Van was concentrating on not coughing. He figured if he seemed okay then Deaq would take off. It was late and Van had no intentions of getting it on when he felt like this.
He could smell the smoke on his clothes and in his hair and really wanted to ditch them and take a shower. He just felt too sore and tired to get up.

Getting up Deaq said, “I’m gonna grab a beer. You want anything?”

“Water,” said Van. His mouth still tasted like soot.

By the time Deaq had returned with the two glasses Van had fallen asleep. He wasn’t really surprised, he noticed Van’s eyes drifting shut then snapping back open several times over the past few minutes. He set the glasses down on the coffee table and tried to figure what to do. Originally, Deaq was planning on making out a bit in order to surreptitiously check Van for injuries. But Van had made it pretty clear without saying a word that he wasn’t interested tonight. Then he’d decided to try to talk to Van and make sure he was alright. However, it became apparent that Van wasn’t in the talking mood either. Having pretty much run out of options short of confronting and forcing, Deaq figured he would just hang out at Van’s place until Van either pulled out of his bad mood or fell asleep.

Now, however, Deaq found he was hesitant to leave. Making a decision he leaned over where Van was slouching/half laying on the couch. He carefully took the bottom of Van’s shirt in his hand and started to pull it up. He thought that from the way his partner had been moving stiffly he might have been hit. Just as he raised the shirt to the edge of Van’s jeans Van jerked awake and coughed several times. Deaq yanked his hand back feeling like he’d been doing something wrong. It wasn’t like he’d never pulled off Van’s shirt before. He’d done a hell of a lot more than that, just never when Van was asleep. While his intentions had been only to make sure Van was okay, he still felt like he’d been caught doing something wrong.

“Not now, Deaq,” Van said, his voice gravelly. “I’m really tired. I’m feeling way too ... tired,” Van finished avoiding saying that he felt more than just sleepy.

“I-I wasn’t ... Van, I was just ...” Deaq sat on the coffee table across from Van. He could see Van’s half-lidded eyes watching him. “I’m worried about you, okay? You been lookin’ like crap all day, dragging your ass ‘round. I can tell something’s wrong but you won’t say shit about it. Then you damn near get yo’ ass blown up. We been through this before and I told you if you have some problem you have got to tell me or go to a doctor or somethin’.”

Van stood up and walked around from where Deaq was sitting. He felt his temper flaring up, “I fuckin’ told you I’m fine! I’m just tired and yeah, sucked in some smoke but it’s not that big a deal. Now, can you please leave so I can get some sleep?”

Deaq got up and headed for the door. “Going. See you tomorrow.” He wasn’t mad at Van but the outburst did hurt his feelings a bit.

“Wait, Deaq, man, I’m sorry,” Van grabbed Deaq by the arm. “I don’t mean to be such an ass. I know you care. I just ... I’ll see you tomorrow.@ Van let out a deep sigh, or rather tried to but it ended in a short coughing fit. “Stop worrying, I’ll be fine.”

“A’ight,” Deaq said. He didn’t even try to give Van a hug before leaving. He pulled the door shut behind him.

***************

A sick feeling of rolling nausea woke Van from his restless sleep. He rolled off the sofa and staggered to the bathroom barely in time to throw up in the toilet. After several minutes of heaving Van sat back on the tile floor and shivered.

If he felt bad yesterday then he felt downright horrible this morning. After Deaq had left he’d crashed on the sofa, since it seemed like too much effort to walk the extra ten feet to the bedroom. Deaq was right, the furniture wasn’t at all comfortable and Van hadn’t bothered to grab a pillow or blanket. All night he’d been awake just enough to feel uncomfortable but too asleep to bother to get up and go to bed. He’d felt cold for most of the night and now, sitting on the tile bathroom floor, Van was even more chilled.

He hauled himself up and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He looked awful, and that was being kind. Van pulled off his smoky clothes from yesterday and turned on the shower as hot as it would go. He climbed in still shivering.

‘Okay, let’s see. Headache, sore throat, coughing, pukeing, nose all stuffed up, body’s all sore but then that could be the sofa or the explosion last night. There’s no damn way I’m going to say I’m sick. As soon as you say that then you always feel worse. If I keep going it’ll go away faster,’ Van reasoned. Then he let out a huge sneeze that set off another coughing fit. ‘Definitely NOT sick,’ he denied to himself.

*******************

“All right out with it,” Billie said.

“What?” Deaq said.

“You look like someone kicked your puppy or something. And you’re here an hour early,” Billie said as she sat down at her desk.

“Didn’t realize it was THAT early.”

Deaq had wanted to call Van that morning but figured after getting kicked out last night it was probably better to give the man his space. He came to the Candy Store early hoping maybe Van would be there early too.

“What happened with Van?” Billie got straight to the point.

“I do have other things in my life you know. Not everything revolves around Van,” Deaq said defensively.

“Sure, right, whatever,” Billie said obviously not believing him. “What then?”

“Leaky faucet?” Deaq offered lamely. “Alright, it is Van. Last night he pretty much kicked me out of his place.”

“What did you do?” This seemed strange to Billie. She couldn’t see Van doing that. Not to his partner anyway.

“Nothin’. I don’t know. I think there’s something wrong with him.”

“You’re just figuring that out now?” Billie said with a smirk.

“Hey, I’m serious. He didn;t look like he was alright and he kept coughing.”

“Well did you try asking him?”

“Yeah. That’s what made him so pissed. You know how he gets.”

“I thought you two had worked out that thing. He’s STILL getting like that?”

“I guess.”

‘Ugh, men!’ thought Billie.

**************

Two hours later Van walked into the Candy Store but didn’t see Deaq or Billie. He plunked down on the sofa to wait. It was closer than the office. He wished Billie would turn the air conditioning down, it was way too cold in there. Sniffling quietly he pulled his jacket tighter around himself and leaned his head onto the sofa back. He’d just wait until they showed.

***************

Coming out of one of the side rooms Deaq and Billie found Van passed out on the sofa sitting up. They walked up to him taking in the big jacket, sweater, long sleeved shirt and tee shirt. Considering the air was on the fritz and they had just been trying to fix it Van was really over dressed. It was downright stuffy in the Candy Store and as the day heated up outside it was also making it warmer inside. Deaq had long since stripped down to his undershirt and Billie had changed into a crop top and pulled her hair into a pony tail to deal with the heat.

When Billie and Deaq came to a stop in front of Van he had yet to wake up. It was obvious that there was something wrong by the way he was sweating and shivering slightly in his sleep. Deaq sat down beside Van and shook his shoulder gently.

“Van, wake up,” he said quietly.

Van sniffled himself awake. He looked at Deaq with confused red-rimmed eyes. After a moment he figured where he was.

“Sobby, I musta nobbeded off or somthin,’ Van said his nose so stuffed the words came out badly mangled.

“Van, you’re sick as a dog. Why did you come in today?” Billie said, trying with limited success to keep the irritation she felt out of her voice.

“Oh, no, nob. I’m find. Jus’ the smoge from las’ nighb,” Van said. “So was’ ub for today?”

“First, you’re going to take off your coat and sweater before you end up with heat stroke,” Billie said as Deaq tried to help Van out of his layers.

“It’s freebin’ in ‘ere. I’m nob takin’ anythin’ ob ‘till you turb dowb the air,” Van said wrapping his arms protectively around himself, coughing.

“Van, you obviously got a fever. It’s almost 90 degrees in here,” Deaq said.

“Reaby?” He had been wondering how they could be wearing so little and yet he was freezing.

“Really,” Billie said. “Now, pull off a couple layers and make yourself comfortable. Then we’ll figure out what we’re going to do since you’re sick.”

“Fine.” Van let Deaq help him pull off the jacket but at the same time insisted. “But I’m nob sick.”

*************

“... So, obviously you’re not going to do that. We’ll just have to come up with something else.”

The three were meeting in the lounge rather than the office. They’d managed to talk Van out of several of his layers. Billie had scrounged up some cold pills but with Van insisting that he wasn’t sick it took a lot of talking from both of them and finally several threats to get him to take them.

“Sure we cab. We cab go righ’ nowb,” Van said. He was intent on not letting this cold slow him down. ‘No,’ he thought, ‘It’s not a cold. You’re NOT sick. As soon as you admit that then you’ll feel worse and it’ll be true. Just keep on going and it’ll go away sooner.’

“Van, you’re not going trapesing around the city looking for Charlie. He’s armed, dangerous and on the run. If you guys find him and have to take him down he won’t be going down easy. You really think you could run him down like that?” she snarked.

Stifling down his cough Van had to admit that he couldn’t.

“So what we gonna do?” Deaq asked. “Is Shelly’s testimony enough?”

AYes, it probably will be, but it’s not going to do a lot of good. There’s an APB out on Charlie but they’ll never pick him up. We’re the only ones who know where he’d hide out now. That is assuming he hasn’t fled to Mexico by now.”

“Shipment’s due in in three days. He’d risk it and stay,” Deaq said. They had been “working” for Charlie for the last two weeks and knew what the guy was willing to risk for money. “I’ll go find him.”

“You can’d go alobe. Wa’ abou’ me?” Van asked. He knew it came out whiney and he hated that but he really didn’t want Deaq going out there without him. “Besibes, he’ll expebect bof of us. If I’m nob there, especiabbly wif Shelly gob, w’as he gonna thing? Huh?”

They all knew this wasn’t great. Charlie would be suspicious but if Deaq could play just a bit longer they could catch him with shipment the bust would be that much better. But Van was right, they had claimed to work only as partners and if one was not there it would look suspicious. If Deaq just arrested him now they would miss the shipment and possibly two other key players wanted by the police.

Deaq’s cell rang and he answered it. “Charlie! Hey, hey. I heard the wear house got blown up last night. What happened?” He waited for the answer then continued, “You a’ight? Yeah, good.”

Van and Billie waited, hearing only Deaq’s end of the conversation. “Van? Oh, uh, he...”

Deaq looked at them and mouthed “What do I say?”

Billie thought they needed more time to figure out the story so she gave Deaq the cut it off sign, one hand moved horizontally in front of her neck. Deaq saw the sign and it gave him an idea. “Charlie, Van was in the warehouse. The hospital called me. He died this morning from the burns.”

Van and Billie both said in loud, stage whispers, “WHAT?!?”

Deaq continued on the phone, turning to not face them so he wouldn’t lose his concentration. “Yeah, it’s bad, man. I feel like shit about it. Worst thing is all ma connections were through Van. I don’t know what I’m gonna do now ... Really? That would be great. I gotta start building connections of ma own fast ... Yeah, I can be there in half an hour. Okay. Yup.”

Deaq ended the call and turned around.

“That was either the smartest thing you’ve ever done or the dumbest. Which is it?” asked Billie.

“How coulb you say I wab dead!?!” demanded Van.

“Charlie thinks you died in the fire and since Tiny’s gone he offered me a new position. He wants me to help set up for the shipment arrival. Said I could make some contacts there.”

“Perfect,” Billie said. She was very pleased with the new direction the plan was taking. “You’ll be inside for everything.”

“Yeah, and he trusts me. Thinks I have nothing left without Van, all my contacts were supposed to be through him. Charlie thinks I have nowhere else to turn.”

“And desperation is an excellent motivator,” Billie finished with a smile. “Now, since he still thinks you’re on his side you better get going and do whatever he tells you. You’ll be in a better position than we had hoped for when the shipment arrives.”

Billie headed to her office. Deaq sat down again beside Van.

“I dob like you goin’ withoub me,” Van said seriously.

“I know but I’ll be fine. Used to work without a partner in New York all the time.”

“Oh, so you dob need me,” Van said.

“I DO need you. Just not right now. I need you to stay here and get better. Tell me you will. I don’t want you following after me, you hear?”

“Yes, Mubber,” Van joked. >Damn, he knew exactly what I was going to do. Well, if I can just get away from Billie then I probably still can. Of course, Deaq will be pissed if I do show up.’

“I’m serious. If you show up there with Charlie thinkin’ you’re dead how’s that going to make things look?”

‘Shit. He’s right and he really doesn’t want me coming,’ Van thought. “Thangs for sayin’ I was deb,” he said sarcastically.

“It seemed like a good idea. ‘Sides, now he trusts me more, he’s letting me closer to the action. Look, I’m sorry if it bothers you, me sayin’ you were dead.”

“S’all right. I’m nob mad,” Van said. He really didn’t care that Deaq had said he was dead, just that it meant there was no way he could come along now.

“Hey, I got you a couple days off. That’s good, right? You won’t have to work while you’re sick.”

“I’m NOB sick!” Van insisted.

“Fine. Well then you get a couple days to goof off right?”

“Yea, like Billie’d allow thab.”

“Seriously, I know it must sound kinda weird to hear me telling him you were dead.”

“No big.”

“I really would lose everything if I lost you, Van,” Deaq said softly, turning serious. “Promise me you’ll stay here. Let Billie take care of you.”

“She’ll probably kill me, Deag.”

“DEAG?” Deaq repeated imitating Van stuffed up voice.

“Oh shud ub!” Van snapped. “I can’d helb it!”

“Good thing she made you take those pills you sound funny.”

“Well I dibn’t hab much choice. She threadend me!”

“Kinda makes you wonder if she really COULD do that with a wrench, doesn’t it?”

“I dob wand to know. Deag, she’s gonna keeb threabening me.”

“Good. Maybe she can get through to you. I don’t want to come back in three days and find you sicker. And before you say you’re not sick again, I know you are.”

“I’m gonna worby ‘bout you.”

“I’ll be fine. But I’d be better if you promised me you’ll behave yourself while I’m gone.”

“Behabe myself? Jeez Deag, ‘m nod some kid you knowb.”

“No, you aren’t so I know you’ll act like an adult and take care of yourself. RIGHT?” Deaq finished in a tone that was more command than question.

Van felt too tired to keep arguing and just nodded his head giving Deaq his best sad face. It was all Deaq could do not to pull Van into his arms and tell him he’d never leave. He moved to give Van a hug but his partner pulled back.

“Dob. Germs,” Van warned trying to keep Deaq away.

“Okay,” Deaq said giving Van’s shoulder a squeeze before leaving.

***************

“Push it harder, Van.”

“I AM pushing it, Billie.”

“Well do it harder then!”

“FINE! *Ugh!* How’s that?”

“Better, but now I need you to twist it.”

“Twist it? At the same time?”

“Yes.”

“What do I look like a contortionist? For crying out loud, can’t you get someone else to do this?”

“Just try it, Van.”

“Okay, you know what? SO not my area. I don’t know the first thing about this stuff.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty obvious.”

“You want me to keep helping or you want to try this alone, huh?”

“Just put some muscle into it.”

“Fine. UGH!!! There, did I get it?”

“No, that’s still not it.”

“Why’s this thing so damn hard to get in anyway?”

“I think Deaq accidentally bent it earlier.”

“Oh, screw this!” Van yelled as he dropped the small metal door to the floor. They had been trying for the last half hour to get it back in place so the air conditioner would work. Even with Billie on one side and Van on the other they couldn’t get it back in.

“Can’t you just call somebody to come fix it?”

“Wow, why didn’t I think of that?” said Billie sarcastically. “Oh, right, because I can’t exactly have some guy from Joe-Bob’s repair come in here.”

“Why not?”

“Because, Van, this place, it’s not supposed to be public knowledge. Despite the way you and Deaq run around flashing the cash and the cars this operation has to remain low profile. I have to keep it out of sight. Why do you think this building looks like nothing special from the outside? Why there’s no neon sign out front? Because we don’t need people finding out and the public getting the wrong idea. So, Van, in answer to your question, yes, there is somebody I can call that has clearance but they can’t be here until next week.”

“Well, I don’t know what to tell ya. But this thing is not going back on,” Van said then started coughing again. The cold pills had helped a bit and he now sounded better except for the coughing fits. He didn’t fell much better but was glad he didn’t sound as bad as before.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said but was starting to realize he really was sick, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

“Let’s try this one last time. Then I want you to go lay down, you’re just going to get worse if you don’t relax.”

“It’s just a little head cold. It’s not that big a deal,” Van said, coughing a few times after.

“At least you’re finally admitting you’re sick,” Billie said as picked up the door. “Maybe I won’t have to threaten you with the wrench again.@

“So elegant and feminine, Billie,” Van said with a smirk as he grabbed the other side of the door and helped line it up.

“Hey, I can be elegant and feminine! Now push it harder,” she said as she angled her end of the door.

“I could make all kinds of comments about that one but I’m just gonna let it go this once. *UHG!*”

They both pushed the door, grunting and groaning as they tried to force it back into place. Suddenly it popped back in.

“Whoo-hoo, *cough, cough* we did it! *cough.*”

They slid down to sit on the floor, backs against the machine.

“Yup, we rock,@ Billie said sounding pleased. Billie got up and said, “Okay, let’s go turn this on, see if it works.”

“Yeah, it’s getting damn hot in here.”

Van stood up but felt so dizzy he started to fall over to the side. Billie grabbed him around the chest and held him up. He tried to blink away the fog in his vision.

“Whoa. Sorry, I guess I stood up too fast or something,” Van said weakly as his vision started to clear.

“Okay, you are going to lay down right now,” Billie said, concerned. She led him out of the room and back to the sofa. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just a little hot or something.”

“Well kick back and relax. The air should work now. I’ll go try and turn it on. Just don’t get up or anything. I don’t want to have to scrape you off the floor, okay?”

“Uh-uh, *cough-cough,*” Van said.

When Billie returned a minute later Van had already fallen asleep.

“You better not get any sicker on me,” Billie quietly threatened Van then went off to search for a blanket. Of course, being the Candy Store, all she could find was a chinchilla fur blanket. Since the air had been on only for a few minutes and it was still hot she tossed the blanket onto a chair for later.

She stopped to look at Van. He was stretched out on the sofa but still didn’t look comfortable. She could hear his labored breathing and saw his restless moving in his sleep.

“If Deaq comes back and you’re worse he’s going to kill me.”

Billie thought back to her exchange before Deaq left earlier.

One Hour Earlier:

Deaq went up the steps into the office.

“A’ight. I’m leavin’ now.”

“Okay,” Billie said. “I want you to check in as often as you can.”

“Yup,” Deaq said but he didn’t move to go.

“Something else?” Billie asked. She knew what was on Deaq’s mind.

“What about Van?”

“What about him?”

“Well, we can’t just dump him at his place. Not like this.”

“You want him to stay here, is that it?”

“Yeah, I need you to look after him.”

“What did you think I was going to say? He’s my responsibility too you know.”

“I’m sorry. I’m just ... I don’t like leaving him, not like this.”

“He’ll deal Deaq. I’ll make sure he’s fine. Now go. You don’t want to be late.”

“Yeah,” Deaq said unenthusiastically.

Now as she watched Van sleep restlessly, Billie worried about both her guys. Deaq wasn’t used to working alone anymore. Without Van to back him up she worried about him. It wasn’t that she doubted Deaq’s abilities, just that she knew how easy it was to lose yourself when you were undercover alone.

“What am I going to do about you two? If you weren’t so good you’d be more trouble than you’re worth,” she said and headed for her office leaving Van to sleep.

***********

‘Where the heck am I?’

Van barely had time to get his bearings before he was overcome by nausea. He jumped up and went running for the bathroom. Unfortunately, he didn’t run the right way, going in the direction of his bathroom at home rather than at the Candy Store. Pulling a 180 at full speed he nearly crashed into a car on the showroom floor before making in to the washroom.

As he dry heaved continuously Van thought this was deja vu he could do without.

************

Billie saw Van zoom by then run past again going the other direction. Seeing him nearly plow into a car would have been funny if not for the fact that he probably had an important reason to be running that fast. Billie followed Van, stopping at the closed washroom door. She waited until it sounded like he was finished throwing up before she knocked on the door.

“Van, you okay in there.”

“Peachy. *cough* I think I threw up a lung though,” came him muffled reply form the other side of the door. She could hear him coughing again.

“So, uh, are you coming out?”

“Give me a minute,” Van said between coughs.

A few moments later Van opened the door. Billie gasped when she saw how bad he looked. Van was shivering and sweating. His eyes were now slightly blood shot from the heaving and he was as white as the tiles in the bathroom.

“What? *cough* Why’re you looking at me like that?” He knew he looked pretty bad but she was staring at him like he had sprouted horns from his head. Van made his way slowly back to the sofa coughing and sniffling all the way. Billie followed after him.

“How can you get this sick over night?” she asked.

“Just lucky I guess,” Van said with a weak smile. He sat down and pulled his legs up beside him curling into a ball.

Billie grabbed the chinchilla blanket and draped it over Van.

“Thanks. Listen Billie, I’m sorry you have to *cough* put up with me being sick and all. *sniff, sniff*”

Billie sat down in the chair kitty-corner to the sofa. “Hey, you’re easier to deal with now than usual.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better or worse *sniff sniff*?”

Billie smiled but didn’t answer the question.

“Has Deaq called yet?” There was no missing the hope in his voice.

“No, he hasn’t checked in yet.”

“*cough*How long’s it been?”

“Oh, about five hours now.”

“Oh,” said sounding disappointed.

“He’ll be fine, Van.”

“Yeah. I know. I just worry is all. *sniff* I mean what if things go wrong. How’m I gonna know? Who’s gonna watch his back? *cough* Maybe ... maybe you should go?”

“Do you really think Charlie would let in someone he’s never met three days before a major shipment? Even if Deaq vouched for me it’s too late.”

“Yeah, I guess, *cough cough*” Van said sounding unhappy. Trying to take his mind off of what Deaq was up to Van asked, “So what’s this made of anyway?” He motioned to the blanket he was buried under.

“Chinchilla.”

“That’s pretty expensive, right?”

“That’s why it’s here.”

“Right. *cough, cough, sniff* Chinchilla – that’s like a squirrel?”

“A bit. Cuter though and softer.”

“No kidding,” Van said as he petted the blanket. “They’re cute?”

“Pretty cute, yeah.”

“Now I kinda feel bad.”

“Well, there’s nothing you can do now.”

“Yup,” Van said then shivered again. ‘Bet chinchillas never get this cold.’

“You want anything?” Billie asked. “Hungry?” Van shot her a glare. “Right. Sorry.”

“My head feels like it’s about to explode. Have we got any pain killers hanging around?”

“Hey, I have to deal with you and Deaq on a daily basis. I have an industrial sized bottle in my desk,” Billies said as if joking. It wasn’t always Van and Deaq’s fault that this job caused her a lot of headaches.

“You really like *cough* making me feel guilty don’t you?” Van asked.

“I’m just messing with you,” Billie said as she returned with the pills.

“Thanks,” Van said.

“So, uh, you want to watch t.v. or something?”

“Sure.”

Billie grabbed the remote and offered it to Van who shook his head and remained buried under the fur blanket with only his head sticking out.

“Oh! A man refusing a remote control. Now I know you must be really sick.” Billie turned on the t.v. and flipped around a few channels. “Any preferences?”

“Not right now,” Van said. The way his head was pounding he couldn’t care less what she put on.

Billie stopped at a judge show. The announcer began “Today on Judge Mantus: former roommates face off in a battle over unlawful eviction. The plaintiff says it was hair always being flushed down the toilet that caused the fight. But the defendant says it wasn’t just the hair - it was when her friend borrowed her coffee mug that things went too far. Today on Judge Mantus!”

By the end of the introduction both Van and Billie were laughing over the absurdity. Real courts in the area were so backed up over the last few months that real cases were being thrown out for not being tried within a “reasonable amount of time.” Yet here they were on this show talking like it was life or death issues being dealt with.

Van and Billie spent the rest of the show ripping on the room mates and the judge. When it was over they switched to a talk show and did the same.

When the show was on a commercial break Van said, “You know Billie, *sniff, sniff,* I never realized you were so vicious when it *cough* came to trailer park trash.”

“Hey, you started it. Besides these people are just asking for it. I mean come on, why would someone with half a brain go on national television and admit they were cheating on the husband with their own brother?”

“One of life’s *cough cough* mysteries I guess.” Turning serious Van switched his attention away from the t.v. “What time is it?”

“Uh,” Billie checked her watch. “It’s 5:17.”

“If we don’t hear from him in the next hour I’m going to go out looking *sniff cough cough*.” Van was pissed Deaq had left his cell there. He had claimed he couldn’t risk it ringing and tipping off Charlie but Van still didn’t agree with the decision.

“He’ll call. I’m sure he’s fine, Van,” Billie said dismissively. She didn’t want him getting all wound up when he was this sick but she did understand where he was coming from. It was late enough that she too was worried.

“*cough* One hour and I’m going,” Van said. He didn’t feel like he had the energy to get off the couch much less get up, walk to the car and drive around hoping to find Deaq even though he didn’t know where his partner was by now. He figured maybe he could get Billie to drive.

Billie wanted to point out to Van that they had no idea where Deaq was so going out to find him would probably be useless. She feared that if she said that Van would realize that Deaq really was on his own and beyond their reach. It didn’t seem like a good idea to remind him of that aspect of the situation.

Billie turned up the volume on the t.v. hoping Van would just let it go for now and stop talking about it.

*********
Fifty-five minutes later:

Van paced nervously around Billie’s desk in the office. The room’s circular shape always seemed to encourage him to walk around in circles. The pounding in his head had come back full force and his coughing sounded much deeper and felt a lot worse. Billie had given up on telling him to sit down realizing that Van needed to do something and since he hadn’t yet tried to go out looking for Deaq she decided to just let him pace.

“*cough, sniffle, sniffle, cough,* What if, *cough cough,* what if he’s in trouble? What if he’s dead, Billie? What’re we *cough* going to do?”

Billie, while concerned about Deaq herself, was about to snap at Van when the phone rang. Seated at the desk she was closer and answered the phone before the first ring was finished.

“Deaq?” she asked sharply. Van whirled around and was beside her in a second.

“The one and only, baby,” Deaq said sounding totally casual. Charlie was still in earshot. He heard the concern in Billie’s voice but since he was supposed to be calling his favourite hooker to tell her he wouldn’t be needing her service tonight he had to keep it light. “How you doin’ sweetie?”

“Sweetie!?!” Billie repeated. “Okay is someone else listening in?”

“You got it beautiful,” Deaq said, smiling when Charlie looked over. He knew this was probably going to be the only chance he had to check in and it was difficult to say much.

“Ask him if he’s okay,” Van said.

“Are you alright?” Billie asked Deaq.

“Just fine, just fine. Gonna be out of town a few days though, won’t be needin’ your services darlin.’ Gonna take a cruise.”

Van was making his way around the desk to sit in his chair on the other side. After Billie nodded to him indicating that Deaq was indeed okay, he felt all the nervous energy leave his body. He flopped down into his seat and listened to Billie’s end of the conversation.

“You’re meeting the shipment on route?” Billie knew the shipment was to arrive by boat. “Or are you transferring it at sea?”

“Don’t know. But I call you when I get back, sexy. By the way how’s my wheels?”

“Your wheels?”

“You know my VAN?”

“Oh, right. Van’s, uh...” Billie looked over to find Van head first in the small garbage can, throwing up again. “Oh, he’ll be fine.”

Seeing that Charlie had wandered some distance away Deaq asked, “Well do you think I could talk to him?”

“Umm...” Billie watched Van heaving into the garbage. She was pleased he was doing it more quietly this time because if Deaq heard it he’d probably get worried.

Deaq saw Charlie wave him over. Knowing the guy was not the type to keep waiting Deaq said, “Gotta go. Shipment should arrive at 9:30 on Thursday, Dock 13. Not sure of the route or who’s comin’ to the party but it sounds like there’ll be a few key play-“ Deaq stopped when Charlie, looking ticked off at having to come get Deaq, walked over. “Gotta go, take care of my wheels, okay?”

“Of course, Deaq,” Billie said as she heard Deaq talking to someone as he hung up on his end.
Not seeing Van, Billie called out, “Van? You okay?”

A moment later Van dragged himself up from the floor in front of the desk where he’d been kneeling. “Yep, *cough cough*, just peachy *sniff.* Wha’d Deaq say?”

“He said hi,” Billie said. Speaking over Van’s loud coughing she continued, “The shipment’s due in ... Van?”

“*cough cough* Okay, *cough* just a bit *cough, cough* hard to *cough* catch my *cough cough* breath, *cough.*”

When Van pulled his hand away from covering his mouth he saw it was half covered in bright red droplets of blood. “Uh oh, *cough cough* That can’t be good, *cough.*”

When Billie saw the blood she jumped up, “That’s it. We’re going to the hospital, NOW!”

**************
Several hours later:

“This is absolutely ridiculous. That’s it, I’m going up there,” Billie said, clearly out of patience.

“Don’t, Billie *cough cough*@

“No, we’ve been sitting here forever. What do they just keep people waiting hoping that a few will die so they have less to deal with?”

Billie got up to go see the nurse but Van stopped her by blocking her way. Other people in the waiting room were starting to watch the exchange.

“Van, get out of the way. I’m going to get them to look at you NOW.”

Van, noticing how everyone was now watching them, tried to calm her down. “Common Billie *cough cough* they’re obviously busy. It’s not like I’m *cough sniff* going to die if it takes a few more *cough* minutes.”

Van knew he must be pretty sick and felt absolutely horrible but he still wasn’t exactly eager to see the doctor. He didn’t move from his blocking Billie’s path.

“SIT DOWN!” Billie nearly yelled. It was a tone she rarely used with anyone she wasn’t arresting and she knew the effect it had. Van stepped aside and out of her way then sat back down. He didn’t feel like continuing a battle he was sure to lose, especially with so many spectators.

‘I hope she doesn’t threaten the head nurse,’ Van thought. ‘I’m not sure which one would back down first but it’d be one hell of a cat fight.’ Looking at the large, intimidating looking nurse Van still had to admit, ‘Of course my money’s on Billie.’

***********
After Van had been taken in Billie had been waiting in the waiting room for about 15 minutes when a young intern, who Billie thought looked barely old enough to purchase alcohol, came over and asked that she follow him. They went into a hallway.

“Miz Chambers,” he began. “I have some very serious questions for you.”

“Yeah, sure, what is it?” Billie asked. She didn’t know all of Van’s medical information but she figured she could probably give the basic info.

“Are you aware that partner abuse is a crime?”

“Excuse me?” Billie said. ‘Is this guy an idiot or something?’ she thought.

“I’ve had a chance to examine Van’s injuries and given your behavior toward him, and obvious intimidation of him I witnessed in the waiting room, I must say that I’m going to encourage him to press charges. Spousal abuse includes men. You can’t injure your boyfriend like that, Miz. Chambers.”

Billie whipped out her badge. “That’s lieutenant Chambers you snot nosed punk.”

Taking in the badge the young intern indignantly said, “All the more reason you should know what you’re doing to him is a crime.”

Practically growling at him Billie pushed past the young man into the room where Van was lying on a bed. He had his shirt off and Billie could now see what the intern had meant about Van’s injuries. His chest was badly bruised down one side and he had several dark purple bruises on his shoulder and other side.

“Oh my God, Van when did this happen?” she asked.

“*cough* Oh this? *cough* The explosion. *sniff sniff* I got thrown a bit. *cough cough*”

“Well why didn’t you say something?”

“Didn’t realize it was that *cough* bad.”

Billie whipped around to face the intern. “Go help him NOW. What the hell are you waiting for, an engraved invitation?”

“Ma’am I’m going to have to ask you to step outside. We’re going to have to bring in the police to get a statement from your husband.”

“We ARE the police you son of a bitch! And he’s NOT my boyfriend or husband! Now, you better start doing your job before I arrest your ass for harassing a police officer!” Billie yelled.

As the two continued Van gave up on even trying to get a word in edgewise.

“That’s it I’m calling security. They can deal with you until the police get here.”

“Haven’t you heard a thing I’ve said?” holding up her badge again Billie got up in his face and hollered, “Does this look like it came out of a Cracker Jack box you moron?”

“I’m calling security,” said the intern now starting to sound intimidated. Van was surprised how long the guy had lasted against Billie. Most people would have backed down way before he did.

“That won’t be necessary,” said an elderly doctor upon entering the room. He’d heard most of the argument from the hallway. Turning to the intern he said, “Dr. X, please finish your examination. I’ll be back to go over your work in a few minutes.” Turning to Billie he said, “Lieutenant, please come with me.”

“I’m not leaving that jack ass with Van. He’ll probably make him worse,” Billie said.

“Come on, Van will be fine. I promise. Dr. X sometimes jumps to conclusions,” he gave the intern a pointed look before continuing. “But he’s very good overall.”

Billie really didn’t trust Van’s life with Dr. X but figured stepping out into the hallway would be alright. She could at least keep an eye on them through the window in the door. Giving Dr. X one last untrusting look, she said to Van, “I’ll be right outside.” Billie made sure to say it with her hand on her hip, subtly accenting her gun for the young intern to see.

Following the older doctor in to the hallway Billie said, “You’re sure he won’t hurt Van?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I’m Dr. Y by the way. I oversee all the interns here on the night shift. Dr. X will make a very skilled doctor someday. In the mean time I have to apologize for his mistake.”

“What the hell was he thinking?”

“Put yourself in his shoes, Lieutenant Chambers. Imagine you see a man come in with injuries that should have been attended to before, obviously sick and the person bringing them in is threatening them in the waiting room. What would you think?”

“Well I wouldn’t think their girlfriend, which I SO am not, was beating on them!”

“Okay, let me put it this way. What if you see the same situation but this time it’s a woman who’s got unattended injuries and is being threatened.”

“Alright, I see what you’re getting at,” Billie said agreeing with the Doctor. “I didn’t threaten him though.”

“The nurses told me about your creative suggestions for the use of a wrench on Mr. Strummer.”

“Yeah but he knows I’m not serious.”

“Okay, but do you think everyone else here knows that? Do you think Dr. X is always going to be able to tell the difference?”

“Okay, fine I get it.” Billie hated giving in on an argument but knew he was right.

“Think of it this way, Dr. X was just trying to keep Van safe and prevent him from being hurt.”

Billie looked through the window and saw Dr. X checking Van’s bruised side, obviously being very careful and gentle.

“I pulled Van’s file. He’s been here at emergency several times over the past few years. Mostly injuries from work but I noticed he was here before with pneumonia two years ago.”

“I didn’t know that,” Billie said honestly.

“I’ll tell you my concern is that his coughing sounded quite serious. I’m going to go in and check him myself in a moment but did you know that Mr. Ray, uh,” the doctor flipped a few pages, “Sorry, Mr. Strummer, doesn’t seem to ever get here unless he’s left something too long? Seems to be a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to his health.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed that,” Billie said thinking back to the time Van had left a cut unattended so long that it had become infected and still had glass in it. It had left a scar that was occasionally visible from behind his long hair when he didn’t wear a shirt. “Just, please fix him up. His partner isn’t here and I have to watch over him and, well, I’m really worried. He started coughing blood earlier.”

“It’s okay, I’ll take a look. We’ll help him, don’t worry,” Dr. Y said then ducked into the room.

Billie stayed in the hall and tried to remember a time when she hadn’t had to worry about either Van or Deaq or usually both of them. It hadn’t really been that long that they’d been working together but somehow the three of them had become very close, very quickly. Billie never thought she would work with people who meant so much to her and she suspected Van and Deaq felt that way too, heck they probably felt even more that way given their close relationship.

Billie really didn’t know how far Van and Deaq had gone but she knew they had become much closer over the past month. She couldn’t help but think that it was Deaq’s place to be here with Van, not hers. But, as replacements go, she figured she was a reasonable substitute.
**********

“Explain it to me again, how is it you manage to get pneumonia in A DAY?” Billie asked Van as she drove down the dark freeway.

“It’s not *cough* pneumonia. It’s a little bit *cough* of fluid. It’s not that bad or they wouldn’t have let me leave.”

“I heard part of what the doctor said. It’s pneumonia. And the only reason they let you leave is because they were full of patients with the flu and I told the doctor I’d bring you back if you got any worse. He didn’t seem to trust you to do that yourself. Gee Van, I wonder why?” she finished sarcastically.

Noticing that he wasn’t even trying to defend himself and was looking pretty unhappy she continued, “Look at this,” she said holding up the bag of pills from the hospital pharmacy.
“There’s more drugs in here than we confiscated on our last bust!”

Van had to smile at that one. He’d probably have laughed out loud but between not wanting to start coughing again and how sleepy the drugs they gave him made him feel, it was just a little too much effort. “What can I say, I’m just lucky I guess *cough*.”

“What did the doctor say about the blood?”

“Oh, yeah, that, uh *cough* I puked a little too hard. Tore my throat or something. *sniff* He said it’d be okay as long as I don’t throw up *cough* again.”

“And the coughing?”

“It’s not as bad now,” Van said. It was true, he was coughing a lot less and not nearly as forcefully anymore. He let out a huge yawn. “I’m feeling a little better now. *sniff* I guess whatever they gave me is supposed to *cough* keep me from throwing up but it’s really making me tired.”

“Well don’t fall asleep now, we’re almost there.”

“Okay,” Van said before he drifted off.
**********

One of the really neat things about the Candy Store was that finding a parking space was never a problem. Billie hit the automatic door opener and the huge doors swung open. She drove the Audi TT sports car to a spot on the showroom floor near the sofa.

“Van. Wake up. We’re here,” Billie said looking over at Van who was obviously dead asleep. She shook his shoulder and got only a minimal reaction. Repeating herself and shaking a little harder all the response she received was an irritated sounding grunt and Van shifted in the seat trying to get farther away from her.

“Don’t make me go get the wrench!” she threatened while shaking him even harder. Van finally woke up looking at her with confused, sleepy eyes.

“Whadda ya want Billie?” he mumbled.

“I want you to get out of the car. We’re here.”

“Why’re we here? I thought you’d drive me *cough* home. It’s not like I’m going to get any work *sniff* done.”

“I’m not driving all the way to your place. Besides Deaq would call here first if he gets the chance.”

“Alright, well, I guess I can stay here and I’ll see you in the morning.”

Billie took a deep breath in an attempt to relax. She didn’t want to yell at Van but he seemed especially dense right now. “I’m not leaving you here by yourself, Van. And before you start getting all offended it’s not that I don’t trust you. You just got out of the hospital. Do you know why they let you leave? Because I said that I’d take care of you. You think I’d just dump you off?”

Van looked at her like he couldn’t figure out what to say. It wasn’t really a difficult question yet her blinked at her like she’d asked him the million dollar question. His brain felt like it was moving at about a quarter its normal speed. While he was still trying to sort out an answer, Billie started getting out of the car. Van fumbled with the his door handle for a moment before figuring out he had to unlock it first to get out. Finally, having wrestled open the door Van, went to get out his seat except his seatbelt was still on.

“Hell did they give me, stupid drugs?” Van said aloud.

“Seems like,” Billie said grinning at him from beside the car. “Now, reach down to your left and there’s a red button. Push it down and then your seatbelt will undo and you can get out,” she said mock seriously.

“Not funny,” grumbled Van as he undid the seat belt and got out. He dragged himself to the couch and all but collapsed on it, not even bothering to take his shoes off. Just as he was about to drift off completely when he heard Billie talking to him again.

“Get your shoes off my sofa,” she said.

Too asleep to bother replying Van just let it go and hoped she wouldn’t be too cranky with him in the morning.

Billie looked down at Van and with a big sigh pulled off his shoes for him. She covered him with the blanket then felt his forehead to make sure he wasn’t running a fever again.

“It’s like you’re my kid or something,” Billie said aloud.

She made her way to the white lounge area. The furniture there wasn’t really as comfortable as the main area but since Van was on the sofa Billie figured she had to find somewhere else to sleep. After changing into some more comfy clothes she kept around for working out, she curled up on the white, ultra modern sofa and tried to sleep.

After several hours of restless sleep and having got up four times to check on Van, Billie decided that she might as well just go sleep on the long sofa with him. There was plenty of room so she curled up at the opposite end.

Van’s breathing sounded rough and strained but he was deeply asleep.

Billie didn’t like having Van and Deaq separated any more than they did. Normally she could at least expect that they were watching out for each other. Somehow she often lumped them together in her mind as though they were one single concern. It was as if, since they worked so well as partners, she considered them like one person to worry about rather than two separate individuals. Now, with Van here and sick, and Deaq she had no idea where, Billie she realized had two very separate problems to worry about.

**************

Van woke up the next morning coughing and sniffling. After several minutes he managed to catch his breath and found Billie standing there, arms crossed, staring at him looking pissed.

“Sorry but you know *sniff* it’s not like I can help it *cough*,@ he said, voice rough from all the hacking.

“No, it’s not you, well not your fault anyway. I’ve been going over the plans for Thursday’s delivery. There’s some problems.”

“Being?”

“Dock 13, it’s currently out of commission on repairs. It won’t be up and running until at least next Tuesday.”

“They can’t pull in there anyway?”

“No, can’t get close enough with the construction. There’s a barge there in the way that’s holding supplies for the new docking area they’re building.”

“Okay, so *cough* what, it’s another location then?”

“Must be. But I don’t know where. I’ve contacted the coast guard for assistance but narrowing down the possibilities may take time.” She paused, “Van, when the ship pulls in we may not be able to be there waiting for them with full SWAT. We may just have to wait until Deaq contacts us either beforehand with the right location or once they’ve already arrived.”

“And then we’ll miss the *cough* transaction, right *sniff*?”

“Maybe,” Billie admitted.

“This sucks,” Van said. Not only did this put a crimp in the case, it also left Deaq on his own Charlie and possibly other dangerous criminals for even longer.

“Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.”

Van started another coughing fit and when it finished he felt tired enough to go back to sleep.

“Do you always get this sick?” Billie asked.

“Yup. But on the plus side it doesn’t tend to happen very often.” Billie passed him a big handful of pills and a glass of water. “What the hell? Are you trying to OD me or something?”

“Hey don’t yell at me. The doctor at the hospital sent you home with all these.”

Van tossed them on the coffee table. On Billie’s unimpressed look he said, “I’ll grab them later.”

“No, you’ll take them now,” Billie said, arms crossed.

“What are you, my mother?” Van snapped.

“Well since you’re acting like a bratty little kid I might as well be!” Billie snapped back.

There was a pause as unconsciously they both waited for Deaq to interrupt and stop their arguing. The realization of the missing element hit them simultaneously.

After a moment Van said, “I don’t like this. We don’t know where he is or what’s *cough cough* going on.”

“I’m not happy with the arrangement either but I think the best thing we can do right now is work on our end of things, try to figure where the shipment is going to arrive. The sooner we figure that, the sooner we can figure where to have reinforcements ready to meet Deaq.”

“Yeah, I guess,” said Van sounding disappointed. “I just wish there was more we could do, *cough cough* something to help him.”

“Why don’t you start by taking those,” Billie said pointing to the pills littering the top of the coffee table. “Deaq’s not going to be very happy if you’re more sick when he gets back.”

“But they make me stupid. They slow me down. *sniff sniff* You saw me last night. How can I help you figure *cough* stuff out if I’m all stoned like that?”

“It would be even less helpful if you start throwing up again and I have to take you back to the hospital.”

Van let out a deep sigh, which of course set off another round of coughing. When it subsided he started taking the pills.

“I’ll make you something to eat so that stuff doesn’t rot right through your stomach,” Billie said.

While Van loathed the thought of giving his stomach more ammunition to use against him, he really wasn’t thrilled with the idea of dry heaving either. He followed Billie into the kitchen.

***********

“Run this by me again,” Van said slowly. Even his speech was slowed down as a result of all the medication. He was thankful to be coughing less and holding down food but the slower thinking was making him nuts. “Just lay it all out for me.”

“Alright,” Billie started. “Charlie Snipple, a.k.a. Charlie the Jaw, has been bringing in large shipments of illegal drugs. According to Shelly, his ex-secretary most of the shipments were made delivered by boat. The manifests she supplied claimed to be transporting pottery and furniture from Mexico. Except there was a lot more that cheap Ikea rip offs in the shipments. Charlie stores the stuff in a wear house, which of course he can’t any more since it blew up.”

Van nodded and unconsciously rubbed his side where he’d been thrown into a crate during the explosion.

“So,” Billie continued, “Rather than acting as middle man for a number of smaller time dealers, like you guys were supposed to be, he’s going to be looking to move large quantities fast this time.”

“Or setting up a whole new distribution system *sniff*,” Van added.

“Right, hence the company he might have with him. Now according to Shelly it was too late to call off this shipment and it’s also supposed to be a particularly large one. With Tiny out of the picture Deaq’s been promoted. Charlie’s going to have to rely on Deaq to help organize the transactions. Charlie figured it out when Shelly came to us.”

“And grabbed her back,” Van filled in remembering Charlie holding Shelly in the office.

“Yeah, and he knows that Tiny is in police custody. But he has no reason to suspect Deaq’s one of us which is a point in our favor.”

“Then why would he tell Deaq the ship would *cough* dock at a place where it can’t go?”

“That’s one question. But more importantly WHERE is it going to dock?”

“Can’t customs help with info?”

“They are but with the number of vessels coming in and out each day there’s only so much they can do.”

“Great, all we have is *cough cough* a day and time that match what Shelly told us but an impossible location since dock 31 is out of commission.”

“Dock 13,” Billie corrected.

“Right,” Van said. He thought for a few moments, brow wrinkling. He could swear the medication for his cold was all going directly into his brain and slowing it down to a snail’s pace.

“I can almost see smoke coming out of your ears,” Billie joked.

Van ignored the comment then suddenly figured it out. “I got it!”

“What? WHAT!?!”

Sniffing quickly and taking as deep a breath as he could Vas hurriedly explained, “Charlie’s gotta be dyslexic. I know it’s not in the file but he always wear’s these tinted glasses and that shade, it just doesn’t match anything. *cough* I mean I’ve been wondering from the start why someone would choose that greenish-teal with his coloring.” Off Billie’s look he said, “What? I notice stuff like that you know. Anyway, that *sniff* and he’s had stuff confused before. That’s why Shelly and Tiny had to be so involved with the transactions. Charlie was horrible with numbers, *cough* I remember he got addresses confused sometimes. I don’t think he told Deaq *cough* the wrong dock on purpose, I think he just got the number backwards.”

“I’m calling the coast guard right now, get them to check what’s due in at dock 31 for the next couple days.”

*******

“Dock 31 has a ship coming in on Thursday. Three guesses what it’s supposed to be unloading.”

Feigning ignorance Van said, “Uh, hmm, could it be furniture and pottery imported from Mexico?”

“Ding ding. You got it. I’ll have SWAT ready at Dock 31. Deaq knows to be the first one off to supposedly secure the place. He’ll tell them everything’s fine and we’ve got Charlie and who knows who else taken down easily.”

“Cool. So what do we do in the mean time?”

“After I call SWAT we wait until Thursday unless we hear from Deaq first.”

*********

One hour later plans were in place for Thursday and Billie, cordless phone in hand just in case, sat down at the end of the sofa where Van was dosing.

When Van stirred and blinked sleepily at her Billie said, “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“No, s’okay. I wasn’t really asleep. Everything *sniff* cool for Thursday?”

“It’s a go. I’m almost positive they’ll pull into dock 31. That was a good catch by the way.”

“Thanks,” Van said surprised both that Billie would say it and that it meant that much to hear her approval. “I’d have figured it out earlier if it weren’t for all this junk,” he said motioning to the number of pill bottles on the coffee table.

“Yeah, well drugs will do that to you,” Billie said darkly. “You know, with Gavin, that whole mess, if I had to do it over again … I wouldn’t.”

“What do you mean?” Van asked. Billie had never gone into great detail about the undercover assignment that had led to her heroine addiction. Van had always wanted to know more about what happened but with Gavin now behind bars Billie seemed to want nothing more to do with the case.

“I mean if I had to do it over again I wouldn’t go with him. It wasn’t worth it.”

unfinished

~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~