Sitting comfortably on his sofa, Chris announced, “I
figured it out.”
Yawning, Buck looked over at the other man and
questioned, “Figured what out?”
Chris’ lips almost twitched into a grin as he stared
at the game in overtime on the tv.
“Why I was so determined to get to Vin, and to get him
out of there, when I’d only just met him the one time.”
Curious, Buck shifted closer and asked, “Oh yeah? How come?”
“I’m in love with him. He’s it for me, Hoss. I just can’t see myself with anyone else now.”
That simple, certain statement caused Buck to groan
as he took a closer look at his best friend’s expression. He’d seen that look
before, all right, and it had involved Chris’ wife, Sarah, just before Chris
had begun an all-out campaign to win her over. Chris had said just about the
same thing back then, too. Mentally banging his head against the wall for not
having realized it sooner, Buck commented, “You know you
can’t do nothin’ about it, right?”
“Why not?” Chris replied, an actual smirk
surfacing. “Better now while the team’s still forming, so’s
people can get used to it, right from the get-go.”
“Chris…”Buck’s voice trailed off, helpless.
Leaning forward, Chris said, “I know it might cause
some concern, but I’m not kickin’ him off the team
because I love him. And I’m damn sure not going to treat him any different than
the rest of you.”
“You and I know that’s true, but what about the others? They don’t know you like I do,” Buck pointed out. “One allegation of favoritism and the whole unit’s scrubbed!”
Chris shook his head. “That happens, I’ll resign and
you’ll take over.”
“But…”
“My mind’s made up, Buck.
You know there ain’t no use arguing with me.”
Scowling, Buck wagged a warning finger at him and
demanded, “Promise me that you’ll at least be discreet for the first few weeks
to see how the land lays, Chris. We know Ezra won’t care, and from some things
that JD’s let slip over the last few weeks, I doubt he will either. Nathan and
Josiah, though, they’re another story.”
Chris nodded. “I’ll ease in, don’t worry. Besides, I
haven’t convinced Vin that this is a good idea yet
anyhow. He’s a little shy about the whole thing.”
Arching an eyebrow at him, Buck questioned, “You’re
deciding on a forever, the rest-of-your-life kind of relationship when the man
in question hasn’t even agreed to it yet?”
“Yep.”
“You are the cockiest damn son of a bitch I know, Larabee.”
Chris grinned.
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
* * * *
Vin frowned as he saw another
miniature model of a Harley on his desk. It was a Heritage Softtail
Classic, perfect down to the last detail, so far as he could tell, and the same
colors as his own Harley. Glancing around the mostly empty office, he asked,
“Hey JD? You see who left this here?”
Shaking his head, JD said, “Nope. Had
my head buried in code all morning. Sorry, Vin.”
Suspicions formed when he looked over at Chris’
office to find the other man already in for the day. The rest of the team
didn’t usually amble in until about nine, if they did at all, but JD and Chris
were always there by seven. At least, that’s how it seemed to Vin, since he got in at
Sitting, Vin ran his
fingers over the tiny motorcycle and pondered the last few weeks of his life. A subject well worth pondering, no doubt about it. The
others had taken him into the team without a second thought, at least on the
surface. They’d had a brief, second assignment spying…doing surveillance, he
corrected himself...on a local drug runner who seemed like he might be
expanding operations, but it had been a dud. Even so, it had been a chance for
him to work with the team under ‘real’ conditions, like when they’d been
springing him.
And damn. I’m
still feeling that one, Vin thought with a sigh.
Just the afternoon before, he’d spent three hours in IAD, going over his testimony yet again. Chris had been there, a solid block of comfort and reassurance, through the whole thing. The other man had only spoken when the IA rats had gotten a little too hot under the collar about Vin’s ‘too-short’ answers. They’d thought he was hiding something when in fact, speaking in front of more than three people at a time gave him the willies. There had been six people in the room, not counting Chris, and Vin had just about run away on seeing that.
If Chris hadn’t been at his side through the whole thing, Vin would’ve just given up and let it just stay a blotch on his record. Wasn’t like he really cared what was said about him, after all. But Chris wouldn’t let it lie. He was bound and determined that it not get turned around on Vin just because he was a loner who preferred to keep quiet about wrongs done to him.
Well, certain wrongs, Vin amended to himself.
It wasn’t like he let everything slide. He’d never backed down from a fight yet, no matter what the odds were against him. But all this hen peckin’ and corroborating stories, and going through polygraphs, and telling his tale over and over again really was for the birds. In the end, it just wasn’t worth it for himself. But Chris had made the telling point that if it had happened to him, then it could happen to someone else if his old supervisor and teammates were allowed to keep their jobs without any sort of formal reprimand.
On top of the insanity that IAD was making his life, Vin kept waiting for the other shoe to drop with Chris. So far, there hadn’t been any sign that Chris was going to pursue him like he’d said twice; first outside his apartment, and then again at the get together two weeks ago. No hint that Chris was singling him out for any kind of romantic behavior. Not even the occasional staring at Vin’s ass, so far as he could tell.
It was starting to piss him off.
Maybe he’s just
going slow so as not to spook you, Vin suggested
to himself, setting the motorcycle on his desk with the other two. Or maybe he’s waiting until things settle
down with IAD. Could be that there’s some kind of spying going on with me that
I don’t know about.
Though that was hard to believe. Vin had almost a sixth sense about being watched and it hadn’t been tingling at all. If IAD was tailing and spying on him, they were doing a damn good job and should be looking for other positions. Like his.
Snorting, Vin finally booted up his computer and said, “Hey, JD.”
“Yeah, Vin?”
“You gonna show me how to work that spreadsheet program thingie?”
JD grinned at him and answered, “Sure, if you want me to. I got time now before the others get in and make my life hell.”
Grinning back at him, knowing that JD was talking about how everyone seemed to have problems with their pc only when the techie was in the middle of something for Chris or the Director, Vin replied, “Sounds like a plan to me.”
* * * *
Chris peeked out his window to find JD and Vin heads’ deep in something at Vin’s computer. It looked to be a lively lesson, whatever it was about, with plenty of laughter and teasing voices. He was more than pleased with how the team was coming together and forming bonds. It was vital if they were to work together under life-threatening situations. He was also happy that no one seemed to mind, or even care, that he stayed just a little aloof from the rest of the team.
Not that he’d done it on purpose, or anything, it had just happened that way. Between administrative meetings, meetings with Orin, going with Vin to those stupid IAD affairs, keeping on top of potential assignments, Chris just didn’t have time to hang out with the others nearly as much as he wanted. Still, it didn’t seem to be hurting them none, and Buck kept him on top of how things were going every couple of days, since the guys all got together for beers every other day or so.
Once things settled into a routine and IAD was done with Vin, then things would get easier, if not calmer, for all of them. Already, Ezra was only in the office one day out of five, making himself indispensable around town in various scenes. Buck was renewing his acquaintances with his snitches, too, which kept him out of the office. JD and Nathan were on the ranges and in training to be ‘real’ field agents three days a week, and that was on top of the extra EMT courses that Nathan was taking on his own. Josiah and Vin were really the only ones in the office every day, all day, like himself.
His eyes were caught by Vin absently picking up one of the model motorcycles that Chris kept leaving for him and he grinned. It wouldn’t take long for Vin to figure out it was him, if he hadn’t already. Chris had wanted to do something unusual and subtle, something that wouldn’t really be noticed by the other guys. And since Vin was seriously into his bikes, no one thought anything of the models on his desk.
His phone ringing took him out of his contemplation and he
sighed, looking away from Vin to the offending
appliance. There was only one reason for anyone to call him before
“Chris? I need you to bail me out.”
Chris’ teeth ground down a little and he demanded, “Where the hell are you, and what happened?”
“Well, I’d really rather explain when you get down here. 32nd precinct. Oh, and, try to keep it on the QT, okay?” Buck’s voice lowered as he finished, “Nothing official.”
Which meant it was some kind of undercover thing he’d been running without permission.
I’ll kill him, Chris snarled silently. “You and me are going to have a good long chat, Bucklin, just as soon as I get you back here.”
Buck sighed over the phone line and answered, “Yeah. I figured.”
Hanging up, Chris opened his drawer and pulled out his gun, checking it and holstering it before he grabbed his suit jacket. He could pretend to be Buck’s lawyer if anyone asked later, which they hopefully wouldn’t. Or, better yet, his bail bondsman. That way, beating Buck repeatedly about the head with his Smith and Wesson wouldn’t look that far out of place.
In the main office, Chris snapped, “Vin, you’re in charge. I need to go bail Buck out of jail.”
JD’s jaw dropped and he exclaimed, “Is he okay? What happened?”
“He’s fine, JD,” Chris assured him. “And I don’t know what happened, but I’m damn sure gonna find out.”
It took a good twenty minutes to get to the police station and another ten to find a spot to park his SUV, given that most of the spots were for ‘compact cars only’ damn them. By the time he actually cleared security and made it down to get Buck out by filling out form after form, he was in a right foul mood and ready to take his best friend’s head off. Even knowing that most of his anger was sparked by worry that Buck could have gotten himself hurt without any of them as backup didn’t dissipate the volatile emotions.
Buck was his best friend in the world and if anything happened to him...
Shaking that thought off as the man himself showed up, glaring and surly with the cop who was bringing him out, Chris strode forward and snapped, “Not one fuckin’ word, you got me?”
Instantly looking cowed, though that was an act of course, Buck nodded mutely. Turning sharply on his heel, Chris stalked towards the exit, Buck fast on his shadow to keep up. The walk to the SUV was silent and, once inside safe confines, Chris held up his hand and ordered harshly, “Don’t talk to me right now.”
Looking truly contrite, Buck just nodded and put on his seatbelt.
* * * *
“I ain’t never seen Chris that pissed before,” JD whispered.
A bit astonished himself at Chris’ thunderous expression, Vin had to admit, “Me, either. Wonder what happened?”
“Ah crap! I’m late for class now! Gotta go, Vin, see ya!”
Vin watched, amused, as JD grabbed a huge binder and tore out of the office, nearly knocking Josiah over in his haste and shouting an apology as the young man ran for the elevator.
Shaking his head, Josiah observed, “That boy’s gonna get himself killed one day, crashing headlong into a brick wall because he didn’t watch where he was going.”
Vin chuckled and informed him, “Buck’s going to get himself killed today, from the looks of it.”
“What happened?” Josiah asked, curious as he leaned against Vin’s desk.
After filling him in, Vin observed, “I sure as shineola wouldn’t want to be in Buck’s shoes right about now.”
“Our esteemed leader does have a temper,” Josiah agreed. “Speaking of...”
Vin looked up to find Director Travis coming their way and gave a panicked, “Chris left me in charge! You talk to him!”
Resting a hand on Vin’s shoulder, Josiah comforted, “Don’t worry, Vin, you’ll do fine.”
“No, wait!”
But Josiah was gone as the Director came in and Vin had to fight off the urge to slink in his chair. Clearing his throat as the older man realized that Chris wasn’t in his office and looked his way, Vin stood instantly and greeted, “Mornin,’ Director Travis. Uh, Chris is out right now. Can I help you?”
There was a brief smile as Travis shook his head and answered, “No, I need to speak to Chris. Actually, you could tell him that my daughter and grandson are coming out and to call me.”
Wondering what the hell the Director’s family coming for a visit had to do with Chris, Vin nodded and agreed, “Yes, Sir, I will. Sir. Uh, anythin’ else?”
“Yes, Agent Tanner. I just wanted to thank you for coming forward with the abuses of power and to apologize, sincerely and personally, for any pain it caused you,” Travis said gravely. “I know this is a difficult situation for you to be in, but you have my full support. And, after yesterday’s performance, I have let that be known.”
Astonished for the second time in a half-hour, Vin couldn’t answer at first, but finally managed to croak, “Thanks, thank you, Sir. I ah, I right appreciate that.”
The older man nodded to him and gave a briefer smile to Josiah before heading out the way he came.
Wondering what else could go on when it was only just
Josiah just smiled complacently, not at all moved by the threat.
When Buck and Chris entered the office about fifteen minutes later, neither man said a word, just went straight into Chris’ office and shut the door. Vin exchanged a worried look with Josiah, who returned it, but there was nothing either of them could do. Chris’ door was a half-window kind, so he could see in if he shifted his chair just so, but there was definitely no audio.
From the stiff tension in Buck’s back, Chris couldn’t be saying anything good.
* * * *
“If anything had happened to you,” Chris continued softly. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do, Buck. You have to know that you can’t just go off on your own anymore. I know you’ve still got that Black Ops mentality that you have to do everything in secret, but you aren’t in the military anymore. You haven’t been, for five years.”
Buck felt a lot like a worm on a hook, only not nearly as well off. He could take just about anything from Chris except this hurt, disappointed and, yes, fearful, expression. He’d gone and scared his best friend, again, by going off alone, again. Sighing, Buck said simply, “I’m sorry.”
Scrubbing a finger through his hair, Chris said, “One of these days, Buck, that isn’t going to cut it. I have a whole team to look after now, not just you and me. What if something happened to JD because you went off on your own and he followed to make sure you were okay? Because you know he’d do exactly that, without even thinking about it.”
A sick feeling ran through Buck at the thought of harm coming to JD because of him. He knew that Chris was right. It was just hard to remember that he wasn’t on his own anymore. He hadn’t been on a team like this since his military days, but he’d been in the military most of his adult life and old habits really did die hard. His mind automatically shied from that time, not wanting to remember the painful memories. Swallowing hard, Buck repeated in a whisper, “I’m sorry, Chris. I’ll do better.”
Eyeing him intently, Chris finally nodded and said, “Okay. Sit. Tell me what the hell’s so important that you’d risk your damn neck going off on your own like that and get arrested.”
Sitting with relief, Buck explained, “Comes down to a slavery ring, right here in town.”
Chris’ jaw tightened in fury. “Go on.”
* * * *
“They’ve been in there an awful long time,” JD observed nervously for the third time.
Vin offered him a grin and pointed out, also for the third time, “Buck’s still breathin’ so I wouldn’t worry too much.”
“Yeah, but...” JD cut his words off and hurriedly looked down into his notebook when Chris and Buck stood and opened the door. It was almost lunch time and Buck and Chris had been talking steady for two hours now, according to Vin and Josiah. He’d only just gotten back for his lunch break and would be heading out again in another half-hour for the afternoon portion of the dullest set of rules and regs he’d ever been forced to read in his life.
It wasn’t like he didn’t have a photographic memory. What was the point in going to the class?
JD almost hopped to his feet when Buck’s blue eyes met his, but restrained himself. His roommate looked positively exhausted, as if Chris had been interrogating him like a suspect. His ire rose and JD did get to his feet, ready to defend Buck, when the bigger man put an arm around his shoulder and promptly clapped a hand over his mouth. JD glared at him.
Bending in close, Buck said, “Let it go, little man, I got what I deserved.”
Startled by the admission, JD nodded and the hand was withdrawn.
“Thanks to Buck’s...diligent...undercover work,” Chris began, sarcastic, “we have a new assignment. Where’s Nathan? And has Ezra checked in today?”
Vin spoke up with, “He didn’t say
why, but Ezra’s down in
A faint sigh escaped Chris as he muttered, “Of course he is.”
“Nathan’s at his EMT course. Should be back in an hour,” Josiah put in.
“All right. Josiah, Buck’s going to go over the specifics with you of what we’re going to need for weapons, and with you, JD, about what we’ll need for wires. Buck, make sure that you sign off on his paperwork. I don’t want any of this scrubbed because we didn’t dot an I, or cross a T, for a wiretap subpoena.”
Buck nodded, still subdued.
“When Nathan gets back, Josiah, let him know we’re going to have to coordinate with local psychological and sexual trauma specialists,” Chris continued, then finished, “Vin, there’s not much for you to do right now, so how about you help me with the logistics or the set-up?”
Standing from his desk, Vin quickly followed Chris back into his office.
Reeling a bit from the ‘sexual trauma’ part, JD turned his focus on Buck and asked, “What are we getting into, Buck?”
A sad smile surfaced on Buck’s expressive face as he answered, “Nothin’ good, little brother, nothing good. Come on, let’s get to work, guys.”
* * * *
“Before we get too deep, Director Travis was lookin’ for you when you were out,” Vin said, shifting uncomfortably in the chair. His back had been bothering him something fierce lately, almost enough for him to ask Nathan about.
Surprised, Chris asked, “What about?”
“Said his daughter and grandson were coming out for a visit. Wants you to call him.”
Chris froze in place then seemed to deflate in his chair. Vin was shocked as the man seemed to age almost ten years in the span of as many seconds. His hands locked together in front of him, on the desk, Chris stared at them, as if that alone would keep him together.
What the fuck? he wondered silently, firmly keeping his mouth shut.
It took a few more minutes for Chris to pull himself out of the strange reaction and when he did, it was to stand and say, “I’ll be back, Vin. I need some air.”
And Chris just walked right out of the office, leaving him sitting there. Astounded, for the third time that morning, and not liking it this time, any more than the other two, Vin had just gotten to his feet when Buck came barging in. Instantly holding up his hands defensively at the pissed look on the other agent’s face, Vin said, “I have no idea, Buck, honest to God. I gave him a message from Travis saying that his daughter and grandson were coming to visit and he, well, flipped out.”
“Ah fuck,” Buck muttered, passing a hand over his face. “We need this like a God damned hole in the head.”
“What’s going on?” Vin questioned softly.
Buck entered the office and closed the door. “I’m only telling you this, ‘cause I think he’s going to need you, Vin. Mary Travis’ husband, the Director’s son, was Chris’ partner when his wife was killed. Steven was killed only two months after them, in a car bomb. His notes showed that he was investigating the death of Sarah and Adam, Chris’ family.”
“But, the Director said his ‘daughter?’”
Shrugging, Buck answered, “That’s just how he is. Mary and Billy are his only living relatives.”
Vin didn’t need Buck to tell him that on top of ‘regular’ survivor’s guilt, Chris felt double that because his partner had been killed trying to bring those who’d killed his own family, to justice.
“Anyhow. Mary and Billy moved to
“Just to call him when Chris got back.”
“Fuck. He’s probably up there right now.”
Shaking his head, Vin told him, “Chris said he needed to get some air.”
“I know where he is, then. Hold down the fort, partner.”
Vin sighed when he was again left in charge of the group which included, at the moment, just Josiah since JD had apparently taken off during his and Buck’s discussion. Moving back to his desk, Vin sat carefully in it, wincing.
“You okay, Vin?” Josiah asked from his own desk.
Waving off the concern, Vin stared pensively at his monitor wondering what he could possibly do to help Chris through what was sure to be torture.
* * * *
“What did you tell him?”
Buck paused, then answered, “The truth. Most of it, anyhow.”
Not budging from his spot on the roof’s ledge, Chris leaned on the rail and looked over the side to the street, twenty stories below. Buck hated it when Chris got into these moods, it was nearly impossible to get him out of them again. Not to mention fuckin’ dangerous on top of that.
“None of his fuckin’ business, Buck, there was no call for you to open your God damned mouth,” Chris growled.
Oh yeah. This is going to be fun, Buck thought with a sigh. It always came down to this. “Chris, look, I know you don’t want to hear this, but screwing Mary Travis did not kill your family. You can feel guilty about cheating on Sarah, but you had no fucking thing to do with them dying. It was an accident. Even Steven’s notes said...”
And with a roar, Chris was on him. Buck managed to keep his feet and pivot them so that Chris slammed against the emergency exit door, but then got a fist to his stomach for his trouble. Doubling over, he sucked in a quick breath before tossing his arms around Chris and tackling him to the ground, pinning him there with brute strength as Chris struggled to get free.
It seemed an eternity before Chris sagged beneath him, panting from the exertion. His face was flushed and the vein at his temple visibly beat a rapid tattoo, but slowly, Chris came back from that well of rage.
“Shit. Happened again, didn’t it,” Chris muttered at last.
Relieved that his best friend was back and himself, Buck pushed himself off and slowly climbed to his feet, wincing at the sore midriff. Helping Chris to his feet, Buck said, “You can’t keep doing this, Hoss. You’ve gotta let someone in. If not me, someone.”
“Vin.”
Chris’ flat statement of the sharpshooter’s name had nothing of warmth in it and Buck shrugged. “Someone. Because one of these days, you’re going to jump off and I won’t be around to stop you. And if you can’t trust the person you say you love, than who can you trust?”
“My best friend,” Chris answered softly, green eyes vulnerable as he tried to smile.
Half-smiling in response, Buck brought him in for tight hug, and said, “You just got through tellin’ me to stop doing things on my own, so take some of your own medicine, Chris. Please. You’ve got to forgive yourself, or you’re not going to be any good for Vin, especially in the state he’s in. You can’t love anyone else if Sarah’s ghost is still hangin’ around. And I’ve gotta say, Chris, she just wants you to be happy, wherever she is.”
Sighing, Chris nodded and agreed, “Yeah, I know. Thanks, Buck. Come on. Let’s get back there. We’ve got work to do.”
“You going to see Travis?” Buck asked, opening the door.
Chris stepped inside and shook his head. “Not right now.”
“But you will.”
“Eventually, yeah. Just...not right now. Don’t think I can.”
* * * *
Getting back to his office, Chris fully expected to be the recipient of questioning looks and hushed conversations, then put that down as uncharitable. They would mind their own business for as long as he didn’t tell them otherwise. Shutting the door, he crossed to his desk and sat down to stare blankly at his computer.
Chris sighed, knowing that this wasn’t going to accomplish anything, just sitting there. There was a lot of work to get ready for the coming Op, and he had to get his head in the damn game. Slavers were nothing to sneeze at, the bottom of the scum food chain, no doubt about it and Buck had a lead on a big time player looking to fill a security position. The reason that Buck had been in jail, in the first place. He’d gotten into a serious bar brawl the night before defending the son of his potential boss and hadn’t managed to get free of the mob before the cops had shown up.
It would, however, earn him points with one Mr. Darin Woolsby, once the spoiled pup reported what Buck had done to his father. That, in turn, would hopefully get his foot in the door and they would start setting the millionaire up for a major, major fall that would expose an entire network of slavers.
His gaze flickered out the window to where Vin was sitting at his desk, slowly pecking at the keyboard with the same patient intensity the younger man brought to everything. Unable to stop himself, Chris smiled at the earnest sight. Then he frowned, noticing something off about the other man’s back, about the way he sat. Before he could figure out the difference, his phone rang and he automatically picked it up with, “Larrabee. Go ahead.”
“Chris. Hi.”
Nothing like being kicked when you’re down, Chris thought to himself, eyes closing reflexively. Forcing himself to speak, he opened his eyes and answered, “Hello, Mary.”
“I’m, I’m in town again,” she said. “Billy’s here too. We’d really like to see you.”
Her voice was softer than he remembered and it distracted him for a moment. “How long are you in town for?”
“We’re moving back. Permanently,” Mary replied.
A plethora of emotions too complex to sort out in the time he had rose up and Chris said, “That’s good Mary. I’m sure Billy missed his friends.”
“And you.”
Chris winced at the lack of accusation, which had to be deliberate. She was trying to make sure he knew that she didn’t blame him for not keeping in touch. “Mary, I’m sorry, but...”
“It’s okay. I didn’t call to give you a guilt trip. He’d just really like to see you when you have time. So would I. We’ve both missed you...a lot.”
Chris’ eyes invariably wound up back on Vin, who was now scowling at his monitor and being ‘helped’ by Josiah. Vin finally slapped the big man’s hand away and Chris grinned at that. Feeling a little calmer, he said, “You’re here now, so there’s no reason not to get together. I’m in the middle of something for the next few days, but maybe after that?”
“That’s great,” Mary replied. “Chris, I’m sorry about...before.”
Doing his best not to remember the final scene between them, and failing miserably, Chris answered, “It’s okay. You were upset.”
“So were you, but you didn’t...”
“It’s okay, Mary,” Chris interrupted, even though he still felt the hate-filled words like physical blows. “I’ll call you when some free time comes up.”
“That sounds good. Be careful. Dad told me a little of what you’re up to these days and it sounds dangerous.”
“I’ll be fine. I always am.”
“Well, good bye, Chris.”
“Bye, Mary.”
Hanging up, Chris found Vin standing hesitantly at his door and waved the other man in.
“Is this a bad time?” Vin asked, just poking his head inside.
Chris smiled and said, “Come on in. Sorry about before.”
Again sitting carefully in the chair, Vin assured him, “S’okay. Buck told me a little. You okay?”
“Fine. What about you?” Chris questioned, frowning.
Vin frowned in return, then his expression cleared. “Oh I’m fine. It’s just my back. It acts up, sometimes.”
“Football injury?” Chris joked.
Snorting, Vin shook his head and confirmed, “Not hardly. No, it’s just something that I’ve had since I was a kid. I’m good. So, um, I was thinking.”
Intrigued by the faint flush that appeared on the other man’s face, Chris leaned on his desk and asked, “What about?”
“Dinner. I mean, if you still want to. I know we ain’t exactly talked about, well, that recently so I don’t know if, if you’re still interested or not?”
Cursing himself for apparently moving too slow, Chris promised, “Very, very interested, Vin. I just didn’t want to crowd you, is all.”
A shy smile surfaced. “Thanks for the models. They’re real nice.”
“Thought you might like them,” Chris replied, smiling for real, for what felt like the first time all day. “So, dinner tonight?”
Looking suddenly nervous, Vin asked, “What about the Op?”
“Not much for us to do yet. Buck’s going to organize most of it since it’s really his case,” Chris explained.
Vin pushed himself upright with a mild grimace of pain and said, “Sounds good.”
“You sure you up to it?” Chris asked, worried. Vin was the most stoic person he knew, outside of Josiah. For him to show that much, the man’s back had to be killing him. “When Nathan gets back, maybe he should take a look at you.”
Shaking his head, Vin answered, “I’ve got some pain relievers that I take when it gets bad. I’ll be fine by tonight. So, where are we going?”
Still not really convinced, Chris thought a moment, then said, “I know this nice little tavern that I think you’d like.”
Vin nodded and smiled before leaving the office, and Chris feeling a lot better than when he’d entered it. He’d almost blown it, going too slow, but now that they were both back on the same page, it looked like things were going to move right along. Aside from Vin’s back problem, it was going to be a good night.
Maybe he’d just have a little word with Nathan anyhow. Couldn’t hurt.