______________________________________________________________

The ride to the cemetery was like any other funeral procession he'd ever been in. Perhaps a mite more comfortable, the Towncar was a fine automobile. Not his style but nice, real nice.

At the cemetery he noted that they seemed to have lost a lot of the people from the church. All the family was still there and a bunch of men that he's bet were Mikey's business associates. He noted with interest that Baldree was there and a short stout man with a fringe of gray hair surrounding a major bald spot. From Joe's description he assumed the man was Baldree's partner, Metzger. He suppressed a smile at the memory of his teasing Joe that Baldree and Metzger might be lovers.

They gathered at the graveside and the priest said a few more words, blessed the casket and the grave... or at least that's what Levon thought he was doing. Then he came along the line of the family shaking hands and offering condolences, reminding them that if they needed someone to talk to that, that was what he was there for. It reminded him of Reverend Tyler again and the quiet comfort he'd given after Caroline's death. For all the church had seemed huge and awesome, the man, the priest seemed a lot like Reverend Tyler. He greeted everybody by name, hesitating only a moment when he spoke to Joe, before calling him Mario and telling him that he should come to church more often.

Then it was breaking up, people moving a round, talking to other people they hadn't seen in a while. Mikey and Teresa went straight on to the car after making sure that Joe and Levon were coming to the house to eat.

Levon turned around to speak to Joe as they walked off and found his partner being thoroughly hugged by the two pallbearers that Joe'd said were the other two members of the Four Musketeers. A tall muscular man with a buzzcut whose stance practically screamed military stood a few steps back watching them with an indulgent smile on his face.

When they broke the group hug Joe reached out a hand to pull Levon to him. Low voiced, so it wouldn't carry beyond the group he said, "Guys this is Levon Lundy, my partner."

When Lundy gave a worried look around, afraid that Joe was blowing his cover as Mario, Joe grinned at Levon. "Couldn't fool these guys. They know me too well. They'll keep my cover."

He pulled the one with the braid close, "This one is JD. Ryan calls him, Jade on account of his eyes being jade green." He pointed to the tall military looking man standing watching, "That's Ryan. You see JD.... Ryan's somewhere nearby. They been together... what? Ten years now?"

"Something like that." JD smiled at Lundy, reaching out a hand, "Pleased to meet you. Joe has told me lots about you."

Lundy took the hand and not certain what to say just gave him a nod in greeting.

Ryan stepped around and offered his hand as well.

Then Joe turned to the other man. "Captain Samuel Browning, USMC. Detective Sergeant Levon Elmer Lundy, Jr. Houston PD's Major Crime Unit. Sam actually works for the CIA but don't tell anyone. He's in their Psychic Warrior Unit. He's *really* got 'Talents'!" He add the last in a conspiratorial whisper.

Levon held out his hand, "Pleasure," he said quietly.

"The pleasure's mine." He studied Levon a minute as he held the offered hand a moment longer than necessary then turned to Joe, "Good man. A real keeper. Don't let him get away."

"I don't intend to."

JD and Ryan moved back in close to Joe, "Do you need us to stay?" It was Ryan that spoke, his voice quiet but concerned.

"No. We're doing fine I think."

"We'll be at Mikey's later, then." JD said, "We're not supposed to leave until in the morning.

Sam said quietly, "Unfortunately I have to go now... job to do. My plane leaves in an hour. I'm cutting it close as is." He gave Joe another hug.

Joe held on a minute longer than necessary, "Be careful."

"I'm all ways careful, Jo-Jo. You know that."

"Yeah, but be extra careful this time. I've been to enough funerals."

"Okay." He stepped back and hugged Joe again, this time adding a kiss on the cheek, "I really have to go. Take care." He turned to Levon, "You, too." When Levon held out his hand to shake, Sam stepped in and hugged him.

Ryan and JD exchanged looks then Ryan said, "We have to go back to our hotel for a while. I have some calls to make, but we'll be at Mike's later." He pulled a notepad and pen from his pocket and wrote something on it, handing it to Joe, "here's our mobile phone number. If you need us don't hesitate to call."

Joe nodded and they exchanged goodbyes.

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

When they arrived at Mikey's the house was full, relatives, friends, business associates of Mike's, all milled around, balancing plates or holding glasses and talking quietly.

Joe and Levon filled their plates, as Joe fielded questions and accepted the condolences of various friends and acquaintances. As soon as he could get his plate fixed and grab a glass of tea, Joe led the way towards the back of the house.

He stopped for just a second to whisper something to Uncle Mikey then led the way up the back stairway. He went through an open doorway into a small quiet room, that had a small table, several chairs, a couple of bookcases and against one wall a small wet bar. He closed the door and breathed a sigh of relief.

Gesturing at the room he said, "This is Uncle Mikey's poker game room. I needed a break. I can't fool the relatives for too long. Somebody's bound to spot me if I stay downstairs."

"I was a mite worried about that. There are an awful lot of people down there."

"Yeah," Joe set his plate and glass down then took Levon's and did the same. He turned back and stepped close, resting his hands on Levon's waist, "Besides, I need you to hold me... just for a bit."

As Levon let his arms slip around Joe and hugged him close, Joe laid his head on Levon's shoulder and went on "I don't know how the relatives would take this. Uncle Mikey is okay with JD and Rye but then they don't do hardly any hugging and kissing in public... too many years in the Corps having to pretend they weren't lovers."

"Ah noticed that Ryan had that military bearing..."

"Twenty years in the Corps. JD's nearly ten years younger than him and only stayed in eight years. They mustered out a couple of years, started their own business... I think though that they still do a lot of work for the government."

Joe stood for several more minutes just soaking in the comfort of having Levon hold him then he stepped back, "I guess we better eat and get going. It's about an hour drive from here to the first one of the places I want to check out."

Lundy nodded and they sat down to eat.

They were almost through when there was a soft tap on the door.

"Come in." Lundy replied at Joe's signal for him to answer.

The door opened to reveal, Marco, "Mr. Lundy, Mario. Mister LaFiamma wants you to join him in the sturdy. JD and Ryan are here."

"Thanks, Marco." Joe said in the quiet voice, the one without the vibrancy of his normal voice, the one that Levon had come to think of as his Mario voice.

Joe rose and started to gather up the dishes.

"I'll send the maid to get that, sir." Marco said quietly.

Joe nodded.

He and Levon headed back down stairs to Mike's study. Joe tapped at the door and when Mike answered pushed it open and they stepped inside.

Ryan was talking on his mobile phone, it's battery pack slung over his shoulder like a small pack.

Lundy noted in passing that it seemed the mobile phone units were getting smaller and smaller, wouldn't be long before they'd fit in your pocket.

Ryan was pacing back and forth like a caged tiger. He didn't seem happy. He was talking in a foreign language and Lundy couldn't understand a word of it. He glanced at Joe and saw that his face had gone grim. Apparently he could understand what was being said and found it to be bad news.

JD came and hugged Joe, then he turned back to Ryan as his partner hung up the phone. "They are still out of touch." It wasn't a question.

"Dammit! I knew I shouldn't have let Blackjack go! It felt like a trap from the start!"

"Where are they?" Joe asked.

Ryan ran a hand across his short cropped hair and rubbed the back of his neck working the tension out. "Peru. General Swanson's oldest girl was doing volunteer work with the Peace Corps. One of the rebel alliances down there snatched her. The State Department was dragging its feet so he called us. Blackjack used to date the girl when he was stationed in DC...."

"...and he insisted on going," Joe finished.

"Yeah," Ryan was still pacing, "In spite of the fact that there's a quarter of a million dollar bounty on his head down there."

"A quarter of a million dollars!" Lundy blurted. "What'd he do to ta piss somebody off that bad?"

JD answered. "About six years ago, he, along with Ryan, me and the rest of the first team from Red Dog Security, destroyed a major drug dealer's operation. We were all still in the Corps then. It was a government-sanctioned attack, which the US government will utterly deny. It took him a couple of years to build back the financial resources to do it but when he had, he put bounties out on all of us. Rye's worth a million bucks if you can deliver him alive to the man. I'm worth half a million, Blackjack will bring a quarter million and the others are worth one hundred thousand each."

"And it looks like someone thinks that they have found a way to collect." Ryan said grimly. "Blackjack has missed four report ins. He's definitely captured or dead."

"But if he were dead the others would have still reported," Joe said, "so either they are all dead or all captured."

"Right."

"You need to go." Joe's voice was firm.

"I hate to leave with Markie still missing..." JD began.

"I already told you, we can handle this. We got all the back up we need. Ain't we Uncle Mikey?"

"Anything you want. Any of my men you need. A phone call away." Mikey affirmed then turning to Ryan added. "Your men need you. They have been loyal to you. You want to be loyal to them. I understand this. Joey understands this. Go. Anything that Joey needs I will see he gets."

Ryan turned to look at Joe, it was obvious that even with Mike's assurance he was still torn between staying and going.

"Go." Joe's voice was firm, "You and the guys go way back. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't. We'll be fine. I got a better chance at finding Markie than anybody else, all you could do would be back up. We got all that we need."

Ryan smiled his thanks and turned to look a question at JD.

"I'll call General Mac. Tell him to have a Harrier waiting at the Marine base. You can start calling the back up team in route. They can be staged when we get home. We can be in Peru by midnight."

Mike rose and came around his desk, to give JD a goodbye hug and shake Ryan's hand.

As Joe hugged JD goodbye, his cousin said, "I wish I had more time to be with you..."

"I know... but hey, New Orleans ain't that far from Houston. Maybe we'll get a chance to visit... under better circumstances than this. Okay?"

"Okay. We'll keep in touch."

Then they were gone. Ryan already dialing numbers on his phone as they went through the door.

"You think they'll be all right, Joey?" Mike asked.

"Those two? They'll live forever Uncle Mikey. Heaven wouldn't have'em and Hell's afraid they'll take over." He grinned, then turned serious again, "We got to go, too. We got a couple of places to check out... places that Dampier might of took Markie, if he's the one that's got him."

"You want Marco or Dom to go with you? Any of the guys?"

"Not right now. I don't have a strong connection to Markie, so anybody that I get a vibe off of... and Marco and Dom are both family, granted a little distant but I can still feel them... would interfere with the connection. When we locate him I'll call for backup. Okay?"

"Okay. Not that I like it you know... but you know what you can and can't do." He hugged Joe. "You be careful." He turned to shake Levon's hand then on impulse pulled him into a hug too. "You take care of him. He gets himself in over his head sometimes."

"Already knowed that... and I been taking care of him for a while now. Don't you worry none. I ain't about ta let anything happen ta Joe." He gave Joe a look filled with affection.

They ran the gauntlet of family and friends back out to their car. Just as they started to get in Baldree and Metzger came out and got into their car, cranked it but didn't pull off. Joe stood for a minute beside the car then said, "Be right back."

He walked over to the car the two cops sat in, leaned down to Baldree's window and asked, "You guys tailing us?"

Metzger's head came up at the voice, "Joey? Thought you was Mario."

Joe smiled, "Good. It's working then."

Baldree grinned, "Captain Mitchell told us to follow you two. He likes your cowboy. Thinks he's got a good chance at busting this. If he knew it was you and not Mario with him, he'd be even more sure."

"Okay. Guess it can't hurt to have some back up.... But you guys hang back a bit. We might have to do a little breaking and entering." He noticed the car phone and added, "Give me your car phone number Gerit, that way if we accidentally lose you we can call if we need you."

Gerit wrote it down and handed it to him. Joe pulled out a notebook, copied some things from one page to another in it then tore off the page and handed it to Gerit. "This is a list of the addresses we're gonna check out. Starting with the top and going to the bottom. Okay?"

Gerit nodded and turned to hand the note off to Metzger, "You two be careful. The Dampiers are still powerful people in this state."

"I know." Joe tapped Gerit's arm in goodbye and went back to his and Levon's car.

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

Three hours later Joe was beginning to show signs of stress. They had checked four of the seven addresses and he hadn't even gotten a hint of a connection to Markie. They'd gone so far as to break and enter at the last two places only to find nothing. He grew more irritable with every failure.

His head was starting to hurt. His hands shook slightly whenever he moved them off the steering wheel to gesture as he talked to Levon. He blinked back tears.

"Joe," Levon interrupted Joe's latest round of snarling, his voice was soft but firm, "pull over."

"No!"

"Joe! Do it! Now!" Levon didn't raise his voice but the tone brooked no disobedience.

Reluctantly Joe guided the Towncar to the edge of the road and put it in park. "All right I'm off! Now what."

"Now you come here." Levon held out his arms.

"This is not the time for that! I gotta find Markie!"

"Joe, I think you're trying too hard."

"Trying too hard! How can I be trying too hard! Markie's out there helpless and... and maybe hurt and you want me to not try so hard!? I can't believe..."

"Joe, listen to me for just a minute, okay? One minute?"

Joe took a deep breath, he was on the verge of tears. The Talent wasn't working and he didn't know why. He'd tried so hard. "Okay. One minute."

"When you wuz a kid and you got separated from your folks and you found them, how hard did you try?"

"I... I don't know... I mean I never actually thought about it. I just... I just went to them."

"So, you didn't have to try. It just happened. You're working real hard now. You're all tense and tied up in knots, Joe. I think you need to relax. Just let go and let it happen."

"I... I don't know if I can..." he fell silent for a long moment, "I'm so scared, Levon... so scared of failing him... failing Angie... What if I can't find him!?" The last was a wail of grief.

Levon reached for him, pulling him across the seat and into his arms. "You're gonna find him. He's gonna be all right...." Levon stroked Joe's hair as he began to weep in the cowboy's arms.

He continued to hold Joe, stroking his hair, rubbing his back, making soft soothing sounds until Joe's sobbing slowly tapered off and stopped.

After a few more minutes of just resting in Levon's arms, Joe sat back up, wiping at his face. He sniffed and coughed, clearing his throat then said, "Okay, what do you want me to do. I don't know why it isn't working... I... I just can't... feel him..."

Levon looked at him a long moment then took Joe's hand. "Maybe, he just ain't where we're looking. You're looking kinda peaked... like you was at yer uncle's house after you did what you did with Maria. Do you need to eat?"

Joe started to protest then looked down at his hands, they were trembling just enough to be visible. He swallowed hard. "Yeah. I do. My hands are shaking and I have a headache... my blood sugar's probably dropped way down."

"Candy help?" Levon reached in his pocket.

"No... actually candy just gets it all out of whack. Carbos are better." At Lundy's blank look he elaborated, "Carbohydrates. They take longer to raise the blood sugar and don't trigger a sudden rise in insulin production. Straight sugar, like candy, hits the blood stream too fast. It raises the blood sugar sharply... then when the gland that produces insulin kicks in, it produces too much insulin which makes the blood sugar drop... You get a vicious cycle. Carbos have to be converted to sugar, and therefore enter the bloodstream slower over a period of time and don't trigger a sudden rise in insulin. Understand?"

"I think so. Explains yer aversion to sweets. Always wondered why you almost never eat anything... decadent." He grinned on the word.

"Yeah, one Fudge Overboard and my blood sugar is out of whack for a week."

"Okay, let's go find you something that you can eat that won't mess you up." He opened the car door and stepped out, saying. "Slide over. I'm gonna drive. You can give me directions." He glanced behind them and saw the car that Baldree and Metzger had been in parked off the side of the road about a hundred yards back. He stuck his head back in and said, "Call Baldree and see if he knows a good restaurant around here."

Joe slid across the seat then picked up the car phone. Minutes later he had directions to a small, quiet steakhouse.

Lundy parked in the almost deserted lot and he and Joe got out. They waited for Baldree and Metzger to park then walked over to talk to them.

Joe leaned down to look in Metzger's side window, "You two might as well come on in and eat. We'll let you know when we get ready to leave."

Baldree leaned over and grinned at Joe, "I was hoping you would say that. This is one of my favorite places to eat."

"Figures." Joe turned and led the way into the restaurant.

He and Levon were seated first at a booth near the back. Baldree and Metzger sat at a table near the front, close to the door.

After they ordered Levon said, "Tell me about the Talent. What's it feel like when you sense the family?"

"It's hard to explain." Joe sat a minute fiddling with the napkin and silverware then he began, "It's kinda like a vibration. All the members of the family, that I'm familiar with, have a vibe that I can feel when I'm near them. The range depends on the person. Angie... I picked her out of the crowd when we were still five minutes outta Chicago on the plane coming in... but she's my sister and I was reaching for her... trying to separate her from the others. When there's a lot of them together real close, like at Uncle Mikey's today... it's just one big hum. I can't separate anybody from the crowd. When they're spread out... a few here, a few there... I can *home* on a group or a single person... if that person is even a little ways away from the group. That's what I'm trying to do with Markie but it's hard because... I haven't been around him a lot. It takes time for me to be able to... God I don't know what to call it..."

"Imprint?" Levon suggested.

"Imprint?... yeah, I guess that would be a pretty good word for it. Okay, it takes time for me to imprint a new member of the family. I can feel a bit of the vibe but I can't say this is this specific person unless I've been around them a lot." He broke off and waited while the waitress served their salads.

When she had gone, Levon asked, "So, is that how it worked when you started to be able to *home* on me?"

Joe picked at his salad, as he thought then said, "No.... I'm not sure that what I do with you is the same thing at all. ... It doesn't *feel* the same. Not at all."

Lundy chewed and swallowed a mouth full of salad before asking, "How's it different?"

"I told you that I felt a... 'pull' from you the first time we met. It just kept getting stronger. It's nothing like the vibration that I get from the family.... It's not a vibration at all... more like an invisible rope strung between us."

"I see." Levon grew quiet mulling that over. "So, bringing me with you don't interfere with the vibration you should be able to pick up from Markie?"

Joe shook his head, then finished chewing and swallowing before clarifying, "I don't think so... it's a totally different feeling."

"So that's not why you haven't felt him." He stopped talking as the waitress returned, bringing their steaks and refilling their glasses, asking if she could get them anything else. He shook his head 'no' at her and Joe did to.

When she was gone again Levon went on, "Before we leave, show me on the map where the other three addresses are. I'll drive. I want you to lean back, close your eyes, just relax. I admit I don't know a lot about this, but from what you've said you ought to just plain be able to feel him without really trying. Maybe by working at it... you're blocking it somehow. Maybe if you let me drive and you just relax, you'll be able to do whatever it is that you do."

Joe hesitated then sighed, "Okay. I guess I can't do any worse than I have been."

They finished eating quickly and after the waitress took away the dishes, Joe spread the map out on the table. He marked where they were and showed Levon the best route to the next place on their list.

Lundy studied the map for a few minutes, memorizing the route then nodded. "Okay, let's see if our backup is ready ta go and get on with it."

They rose and Levon dropped a tip on the table. They spoke with Baldree and Metzger for a moment then Levon paid his and Joe's tab.

Five minutes later they were back on the road. Lundy checked his rear view mirror and was pleased to see that the two Chicago cops were still with them. They were a bit far back but they knew where he and Joe were going, so, that was okay. He didn't want them too close if Joe insisted on breaking and entering at the place. Be better if they were at least far enough back that they could claim they weren't aware of the violation.

Joe was leaned back in the seat, his eyes closed, practicing his deep breathing. Now that he had gotten some food and calmed down a bit he remembered that Sam had told him, that the first thing he did when he needed to use his Talents was to take a few deep breaths and center himself. Using the techniques that they had learned in the meditation classes that they had all taken.

As he quieted his worried mind he realized that his connection to Levon seemed stronger. In his mind he could almost see a glowing rope stretched between them. It looked short and very thick at the moment. He supposed it stretched thinner as Levon got farther away from him. That would explain the disconnected feeling he'd had when Lundy had gone to Colorado. He'd been so far away that the rope had broken and he *had* been disconnected from Lundy.

He smiled slightly, now that he could *see* the connection he could feel strength and confidence flowing through it. Lundy believed in him... believed that he could do this.

[If Lundy believes in me, then I *can* do this.] Peace descended over him. For the first time since he'd started this there was no doubt in his mind. He relaxed and reached out, feeling for the family. South and west of them there was a major hum. Lots of the family all in one place... [Uncle Mikey's. Most of the family is still gathered there.]... almost due south, a single vibration. [Angie at the hospital.] Farther south another enclave... it took a moment's thought to place what that was... [Grandmother Bellarosa's... Mom's people.]

Then... faint but close by... another vibe... definitely family but not anyone he recognized. His eyes popped open. "Stop the car!"

As Lundy pulled off the road, Joe looked around, "Where... where are we?" He spotted a cabin down on the Lake. They were on the lakeside road. "Is that the place? One we're looking for?" He demanded pointing to it.

Lundy glanced at the cabin then shook his head, "Don't think so. 'cording to the map we got a couple of more miles to go..."

"But... but... he's there." He looked at Levon with pleading eyes. "I felt him... I did..."

"Ain't doubtin' ya, Boy.... Just saying that ain't the cabin we were headed for. If you think he's down there we'll go take a look. First though I think we might oughta see if we can find out who it belongs to."

He checked the rearview mirror. Baldree and his partner were pulled off too. He picked up the phone and dialed the other car, "It's Lundy. Look, can you find out fer me who owns that cabin down there?"

He looked back to see Metzger climb out of the car and walk over to the bank of the road for a better look at the cabin.

Metzger went back to the cop's car and pulling out a map, spread it across the front hood. He checked something on it then spoke to Baldree.

A moment later, Baldree was back on the line.

Lundy listened a minute then nodded said, "Thanks," and hung up.

He turned to Joe, "Baldree's gonna call a friend in the tax assessor's office should have the name of the owner in just a few minutes."

"Can we get closer? It'll be dark soon... better to get in walking distance while it's still light."

Lundy nodded. There wasn't any sense in arguing. Joe was sure that Markie was down there and he'd signed on for the duration... come what might.

___________________________________________________________

There was road down to the cabin, paved partway, it turned to gravel then dirt before it reached the cabin. The shoreline was considerably lower than the scenic road above them, the road having been built up to provide a good view of the lake to those driving along it. Once on the lower road the cabin was barely visible through a stand of trees.

Levon drove past the dirt road that led through the trees to the cabin and slowed, looking for a place to park the car where it would be mostly hidden but still close enough to the cabin that if they found Markie they wouldn't have to carry him too far. He saw a break in the trees on the side of the road towards the lake that looked big enough for the car and backed it into the spot. With the car facing out, it'd be ready for a quick getaway, if need be.

He got out and looked back up the road. There was a slight curve before the cut off down to the cabin. If anyone came up the road and went down to the cabin, they wouldn't be able to see the Towncar parked in the trees, unless they came past the cut off then went back. He nodded. [Good enough.]

Joe had gotten out as well and had the binoculars that they'd brought with them. He moved down through the trees towards the cabin until he had a good view, then standing close against a tree trunk he raised the binoculars and began to examine the cabin. Closer to the cabin now, the vibe he'd picked up earlier was stronger. He couldn't be a hundred percent certain but he believed the vibe to be Markie's.

Lundy moved up close and spoke softly, knowing that in the still late evening air around them sound would carry. "I'm gonna stay at the car. Wait for Baldree ta call. Don't even think about going on down there without me. You understand?"

Joe turned and gave Levon a smile, "I understand... but Baldree better call soon."

"Half an hour. Be dark then. If we ain't heard anything, we'll go on down and take a look-see."

Joe nodded agreement and went back to studying the cabin. It was pretty fair sized. Probably had all the modern conveniences, just like the one that Dampier had used four years before. There would be a cellar or a basement. That would be the place to start looking. He focused the glasses on the stone foundation of the cabin. [A window. There's a basement then.] He nodded to himself and edged a bit closer.

He was glad that he'd picked midnight blue suits for both him and Levon to wear to the funeral. Lundy had wanted to wear a white shirt with his but Joe had reminded him of what they were going to do after the funeral and had chosen deep blue, almost black, shirts for both of them. They had both stripped off their ties almost immediately after the funeral as they both hated them. The suits might not be the most comfortable to work in but they would be almost invisible in the dark.

He glanced down and realized that he still had on his dress shoes. He'd meant to change to the running shoes he had put in the car. He turned and went back up to where Levon sat in the car waiting for Baldree's call. He got the other shoes and opening the front passenger's side door, sat sideways on the seat facing out and changed shoes.

"There's a basement in the cabin. I saw the window." He commented to Levon.

"You think that's where he is?"

"Most likely. When we go in we'll do a quick check of the main floor then go down there.

Lundy picked up the binoculars that Joe had laid on the seat and was checking the cabin, "Damn!"

"What?!"

"Somebody just turned into the drive. Big car."

Joe grabbed the glasses and watched as a man got out of a maroon Cadillac. "That's Monty Dampier! Chandler's kid brother! I always thought that he knew where Chandler was!" He lowered the binoculars. "Let's go."

"Whoa! Hold up a minute..."

"What for? Markie's down there!... and now one of the Dampiers is there too! We don't have anytime to waste."

"Getting' what we need ain't wasting time. We ain't goin' in there unarmed. Guns are still in the case in the trunk. Might need a knife... yer lockpicks... don't wanna have'ta kick the door in with somebody home. Better ta sneak in, find the kids, get them out then deal with whoever's there... and ya told your uncle you'd call for backup when ya found Markie. You call while I get the stuff."

Joe nodded and picked up the car phone. A couple of minutes later they were ready to go. At the last minute, Levon turned back picked up the phone and dialed Baldree. "Joe spotted Monty Dampier goin' inta the cabin. We're goin' down to check it out. You guys still where you were?" He listened a minute. "Okay. Stay there. If we find Markie we'll get him out and up there ta you."

As he hung up Joe turned to him, "Lundy. I want you to promise me something."

"What?" There was suspicion in his voice.

"If we get... if we get Markie and then Dampier finds out that we're there, I want you to promise me that you'll get Markie out... no matter what. Dampier is mine."

"Joe... I can't...."

"Yes! You can! Getting Markie home safe is the first priority! Once you get him to Baldree and Metzger you can come back if I ain't caught up but you gotta promise me that you'll get him safe away first!"

Levon looked into Joe's eyes, seeing how important this was to him. "All right... But ya can bet yer last dime, I'll be back for ya."

"I'd never doubt that, Cowboy."

"Then let's do it."

They moved down towards the cabin, guns drawn. Moving from tree to tree until they reached the edge of the stand then seeking other cover as they moved on down. It was not quite full dark yet, but getting dark and in their dark suits they were just deeper shadows among the other shadows.

There was a light on in the front of the cabin, in what was probably the living room but none in the back. Joe looked at the window into the basement but then bypassed it. If Markie were down there the door up to the kitchen would probably be locked. If so, while they could get in that way, getting him out might be a problem. Better to try the kitchen door, go in that way then down the inside stairs to the basement.

They moved quietly up the steps to the back porch and Levon stood watch and covered him as Joe tried the door then when he found that it was locked, picked the lock. It wasn't a difficult lock and only took a minute.

He eased the door open and they slipped through, closing it silently behind them. He heard it 'snick' as it closed and turned to check it. It had automatically locked. That could be bad news on the way out. He tapped Lundy's arm and pointed at the door. He turned the handle and pulled, demonstrating that it was again locked.

Levon reached in his suit coat pocket with his free hand and pulled out a partial roll of duct tape. "Thought we might need this." He whispered as he handed it to Joe.

Joe quietly pulled off a strip and tucked the roll back in Levon's pocket. He careful reopened the door, turning the lock and knob at the same time then taped over the tongue of the lock. He pushed the door to, then opened it again before nodding to Levon and pushing it firmly closed. It would be easy to open on the way out now.

They stood inside the semi-darkness of the kitchen letting their eyes adjust to the dim light. Some light filtered in from the front room, so they could see fairly well after a couple of minutes.

Joe pointed to a door on one side-wall of the kitchen. Since it was the only door besides the one into the front of the cabin it almost certainly led down to the basement.

They moved slowly over to it, being as quiet as possible, barely breathing.

Joe turned the knob. Nothing happened. He looked down at the lock. The key was in it. He turned it slowly, freezing at the sharp 'click' as it opened. He slipped the key out and pocketed it. He wouldn't want somebody to come and check the door and lock them in.

They stood a moment, listening for any sign that whoever was in the front had heard the sound. Then Joe slowly, carefully opened the door and stepped down, searching with his foot for the top step. He found it and moved down.

Levon glanced back from watching the open doorway to the hall to check on Joe then looked back. He let Joe get several steps down the stairs then followed him.

They closed the door behind them. Then finding themselves in darkness, stopped, standing still on the stairs, while Levon reached into his back pocket and produced a small flashlight.

Being careful to keep it pointed downward, lighting only the steps in front of them they made their way to the bottom. Once they reached the floor they began to carefully search the room, making sure that they light was never raised to a level that could be seen through the window.

It didn't take them long to find a door into the other side of the basement. It too was locked. This time there was no key. Joe got out his picks and went to work on it. It wasn't as easy as the back door had been. After a couple of minutes he cursed softly then stepped back and took a deep breath. He reached into the back of his belt and pulled out a small automatic.

Lundy glared at him, "What do you think you're doing?" He hissed.

Joe reached into his jacket pocket and took out a silencer, screwing it on the end of the gun he whispered back, "I can't pick the damn thing and Markie *is* in there!"

He stepped back and indicated that Levon should shine the light on the lock. He pumped three quick, almost silent, shots into the lock then shoved the door, hard.

It swung open and they moved through. Levon shone the light around the small room.

For just a second, Joe felt like he was back in that other basement/cellar four years before. The set up was identical. Two, chain link, dog cages, on one side of the room, a table with a chair on the other. A notebook similar to the one Joe that had taken from the other chamber of horrors lay open on it. He reached out and picked it up, closing it and handing it to Lundy.

The cowboy dropped it in a pocket without looking at it. They both knew that it was undoubtedly a record of Dampier's activities in the last four years.

A double set of stocks made to hold someone... a small someone in a position that would leave them totally vulnerable to sexual assault stood between the cages and the table. On a wall hung an assortment of whips, riding crops and other instruments of discipline and torture.

Lundy's light played across the cages. They were both occupied!

"Oh, God!" Joe moaned, "He's took another boy!"

"SHHHH!"

Joe nodded, then moved to the cages, sticking the gun back in the back of his belt.

One of the boys was sitting up, awake and aware. He was bond and gagged, his hands tied behind his back, his ankles tied together. There were several bruises on his face, arms and throat. The cage had a padlock on it.

Joe noted the blue eyes and squatted down in front of the cage, "Markie?" he asked softly even though he knew the answer.

The boy nodded.

Joe smiled, "I'm your uncle, Joey. I'm gonna get you outta here. Understand?"

The boy nodded again.

Joe looked up at Levon and commented in a whisper, "The other boys weren't tied up," as he began to pick the lock. It was a standard padlock and opened quickly. He reached in and lifted Markie out.

He sat the boy on the edge of the table then quickly untied him and reached up for the gag, whispering, "I'm gonna take this off but you gotta be quiet. Understand?"

Markie nodded once more.

Joe quickly undid the gag. He rubbed the boy's wrists and legs to help get the circulation going, "Can you walk?"

Markie nodded and whispered, "I think so."

"Levon, give me the light and walk him around a bit while I get the other one out."

Lundy nodded and helped Markie off the table steadying him as he tried to stand. "I'm Levon, your Uncle Joey's partner."

Markie's eyes lit up. "From Texas? The cowboy?" His voice rose a bit.

Levon shushed him gently then nodded. He walked along side Markie letting him lean on him as he worked the stiffness out and regained his feet. After a minute he leaned down and asked quietly, "Do ya know where yer clothes are?"

Markie nodded and pointed to a box sitting on the back of the table. Levon got his clothes and helped him dress as Joe finished getting the other boy out of the cage.

The boy was breathing, slow but steadily. He seemed drugged. Joe lifted one eyelid, checking his pupils. The eyes were brown. They were also dilated. He had been drugged. Fortunately he was still dressed.

Joe looked at Markie, "Were you awake when he was brought in?"

Markie nodded. "He's only been here a little while."

"Why were you tied up?" Lundy asked softly.

Markie's head came up, the blue eyes hardened just like Levon had seen Joe's do so many times. "I bit him!"

Joe couldn't help grinning. "Good for you! Now, I want you to stay right with Levon. Hook your hand in his belt and don't let go. Going up the stairs try to be as quiet as possible, outside you may have to run. Understand?"

Markie nodded.

Joe looked up at his partner. "You carry this one. I'll go ahead, open the doors, act as guard. Okay?"

Lundy nodded. He knew that Joe meant, if they ran into trouble, he would be the one to deal with it.

Joe drew one of his guns again and moved quietly up the stairs, gun and flashlight in the same hand, pointed down at the stair treads so that he could see where he was stepping and the ones behind him could, too. Reaching the top of the stairs he turned off the flashlight and reached for the knob of the door, easing it open he stood still, listening and letting his eyes readjust to the amount of light in the room they were about to enter.

He could hear voices coming from the front of the house now, at least two, possibly three, all male. He stepped through the door and turned to cover the hallway from the front of the house.

Lundy slipped past him, carrying the unconscious boy and with Markie holding onto his belt.

Joe backed towards the back door, behind them.

Levon stopped beside the door, pressed against the wall, holding the boy against his chest and let Joe back past him to the door.

Joe reached back and pulled the door open stepping back towards the front as he did so. As he did a sharp gust of wind grabbed the door, yanking the knob out of his hand and slamming the door all the way open, against the wall.

"Shit!" Joe cursed as the voices in the front room fell silent, followed almost instantly by the sound of men running towards them down the hall. He snapped at Lundy, "Run! Go! Now!"

As Lundy shifted the unconscious boy tossing him over his shoulder and reached back to grab Markie's arm, Joe turned back to face the men coming down the hall.

He crossed the kitchen to the table and flipped it on its side dropping behind it as the first man came through the door. Joe popped a shot at him and ducked back behind the table.

___

He heard the men curse, then a voice he'd never forget spoke, hard and clipped, giving orders. "Ben, get the shotgun. Monty, go around, get the one that went out the door."

He popped up and snapped off three quick shots, charging the doorway. He *had* to keep them occupied while Lundy got the kids away.

Hoping he had at least driven them back from the doorway he dove through, landed on his belly in the hall and rolled, firing continuously, not really hoping to hit anything just trying to drive them back.

They were almost to the other end of the hall. They must have all started back when Chandler had ordered the others to.

He sighted and aimed, catching one of them in the leg. The man stumbled and fell but continued to scramble towards the front room. The others didn't even look back, made no attempt to help the downed man.

Joe scrambled up and ran to the entrance to the front room.

The wounded man was by the fireplace. He'd pulled himself up and was reaching for the shotgun that hung over the mantle. He got it and swung back towards Joe.

Joe shot him.

It was a clean hit, full in the chest. The man was knocked back, his arms flying up, the shotgun chattered to the floor as he fell, dead.

The other men were already out the front door. Joe crossed to it and saw one of the men jump off the porch, heading towards the back. The other was running across the yard towards the boats.

He heard the one headed for the dock yell something at the other one. The only word he caught was "Canada" but he recognized Chandler Dampier's voice. That meant that the other one was Monty, going after Levon.

Joe hesitated just a second then heard an engine roar to life form the direction of the road. Lundy had made it to the car.

At the sound of the motor starting Monty swerved and headed for the maroon Caddy that he'd come in.

Joe went after Chandler. Levon would be all right. The Lincoln had a suped up engine and was bulletproof. Baldree and Metzger where right up the road.

Chandler had already reached the dock. He cast off the tie up rope and jumped onto a cabin cruiser, about twenty feet long. He ducked into the cockpit to start it. The engine roared to life.

Joe had reached the dock, dropping the gun he held, it was almost empty any how, he charged up the dock and made a flying leap onto the back of the cruiser as it sprang away from the dock. He caught the railing, hanging on, with his arms over it as his feet searched for purchase on the smooth side of the boat.

Dampier glanced back over his shoulder and saw Joe hanging on the rail. Quickly shoving the throttle full forward and tying the wheel off he went after Joe.
By the time he reached the back of the boat Joe had managed to scramble in.

The two men came together in the aft of the boat, Dampier swinging first.

Joe ducked and punched hard to the belly.

Dampier doubled over and staggered back.

As Joe closed up, Dampier grabbed a pole off the bottom off the boat and swung it at him.

Joe grabbed hold of it and yanked then pushed, shoving Dampier off balance and down into the bottom of the boat. He pounced.

Dampier brought up a foot and caught him coming in.

Joe twisted and landed hard in the bottom of the boat as Dampier scrambled to his feet. Joe rolled and came up, grappling with Dampier in a close clinch.

They shifted back and forth across the deck neither able to get the better of the other then Dampier twisted loose and ran towards the front of the boat. He grabbed something out of the cockpit just as Joe caught up with him.

Joe grabbed him again and Dampier turned slashing with the knife he'd gotten from the cockpit. Joe tried to twist away but the knife, razor sharp caught him across his upper right arm, cutting through the fabric of his suit coat and shirtsleeve, leaving behind a long, bloody gash.

Joe grabbed his arm and dropped, twisting he lashed out with his legs, knocking Dampier off balance, buying a little time as he took a few deep gasping breaths and tried to push away the pain.

Dampier regained his balance as Joe came back to his feet. He charged in the knife turned to stab and drove it in.

Joe managed to turn just enough that while the blade cut through his shirt it slid along the bulletproof vest and did no damage. Joe grabbed Dampier's knife hand and they began to struggle over the knife.

Dampier cursed as he realized that Joe was wearing a vest. With a surge of strength he drove Joe back to the edge of the boat, bending him back over the rail.

The boat was still plunging headlong out into the lake.

Joe had no idea how far from shore they were.

With Joe beat backwards over the rail, Dampier was trying to get the knife up to Joe's throat.

If he had been uninjured Joe could have forced the knife down, pushed Dampier off, but he was losing blood from the wound and his right arm was almost useless. He couldn't hold Dampier back much longer.

Dampier was standing between Joe's legs as they struggled and suddenly Joe changed his tactics. He leaned farther back, stopped pushing against Dampier's knife arm and pulled it forwards and over his head with his right hand. At the same time he locked his left leg behind Dampier's knee and lifted his right leg swinging it upwards, flipping them over the rail and into the water.

He sucked in a deep breath as they fell and held it as they sank into the cold water. He didn't know how good a swimmer Dampier was but he was a damned good one, and could hold his breath for a long time as well. He wrapped his legs around Dampier's waist and hung on. Grabbing a handful of Dampier's hair with his left hand, trying to keep them under the water.

Dampier was struggling kicking with his legs and reaching up to claw at Joe's torso and face with his hands.

[Both hands!] Joe was elated to know that Dampier had lost the knife. All he had to do now was hang on, keep Dampier from reaching the surface. Try to force him to try to breathe before Joe had to.

Forcing his injured arm to work, Joe reached up and searched for Dampier's nose and then drawing his hand back he bashed the man on it, knowing that it would make Dampier gasp involuntarily and lose some of the air he was holding.

Dampier's struggles became more frantic but Joe held on.

Then Joe felt his head break through the surface of the water. He sucked air and clamped his hand over Dampier's mouth and nose to keep him from getting air, he leaned forward, hunching over the other man and forced him back into the water.

___________________________________________________________

Lundy heard gunshots behind him, recognizing the flat crack of Joe' automatics. His heart felt like it was being ripped out of him. He hated leaving his partner but he kept running. [I promised, Joe. I promised.]
By the time he reached the car he was blinking back tears. [You better be all right! You better!]

He opened the driver's side door.

Markie didn't have to be told to get in. He dove in and slid all the way across, grabbing the seatbelt strap. He waited for Levon to lower the other boy and sit him in the seat, then he wrapped and arm around him, pulling him close and stretched the seatbelt strap across them both holding it out for Levon to take and fasten.

"Smart Boy!" Levon said as he grabbed it and shoved it into the buckle. He jumped in, jammed the key into the ignition and turned it. The engine roared to life. He swung out on the road with a squeal of tires and headed for the highway. Steering left-handed he grabbed the car phone, fumbling with it.

"Damn! I cain't..."

Markie reached for it. "What number?"

Lundy hesitated but he had no choice but hope the boy knew how to dial it. "Speed dial one."

A few seconds later Markie handed it to him, "It's ringing."

"Baldree! We're coming out! I got the boys! Joe's still back there. Call for back up! Now!" He dropped the phone and concentrated on getting them onto the paved road and up to where the two Chicago cops were waiting.

He didn't stop at the stop sign at the junction, just slung the Lincoln onto the highway, towards where they had stopped earlier... where Baldree and Metzger should be. A glance in the rearview mirror as he left the gravel road showed headlights. Somebody was coming after him. [Gainin', too.]

He saw Baldree's car just ahead and hit the brakes, screeching to a stop on the road shoulder opposite them. He popped the seatbelt from around the two boys and slung the car door open. "Markie, come on!" He grabbed the other boy and hauled him out of the car.

Markie obediently followed him out of the car, hanging on his belt as they ran across the road to the cops' car.

"Here's the boys. I gotta get back to Joe!" Lundy shouted.

He glanced back up the road the way they'd come. A car was careening towards them, on the wrong side of the road, headed straight for them.

Baldree leaped out of the car and grabbed Markie as Lundy dove for the ditch with the other boy.

Metzger threw open his door and literally fell out, rolling into the ditch.

The car that was coming swerved towards them trying to run them down but collided with the cop's car with a scream of metal. The car seemed to climb up the cops' car, which exploded. The other car seemed to leap into the air, flying over the ditch and landing upside down in the trees beyond.

Lundy and Baldree lay on top of the two boys, shielding them as best they could from the raining debris, some of which was on fire. Metzger huddled nearby.

As soon as it was fairly safe to raise their heads, Lundy sprang up and headed for the Towncar, which had escaped damage. "I gotta get back to Joe!"

Baldree scrambled after him. "I'm going with you! Al, take care of the boys!" he yelled over his shoulder at his partner. He reached the car just in time to throw himself into the passenger's seat as Lundy took off.

Driving like a maniac, Lundy was down the access road, in the drive and screeching to a stop near the dock in under a minute. He didn't even look towards the cabin. He ran straight to the dock, untied the rope to a small motor boat that was tied up there, tossed the rope in the boat and jumped into it.

Baldree, jumped in right behind him yelling, "Where are you going?!"

"Joe... Joe..." Lundy muttered as he cranked the boat.

Baldree grabbed his arm. "Where are you going!" He yelled again, since the cowboy hadn't seemed to hear him.

Lundy took a deep breath trying to calm himself. He could *not* explain what was happening. He *had* to get to Joe and Joe was *there*. He was being dragged towards his partner like a steer on the end of a rope.

"Joe... they're out there!" He pointed towards the center of the lake. "Sit down!" Turning back toward the lake he shoved the throttle forwards and roared away form the dock.

Baldree sat. It was that or get thrown out of the boat as the bow rose out of the water and Lundy headed out towards the middle of the lake.

After a minute he tried to reason with the cowboy, "Lundy. It's a big lake! The chances of you finding them... if they're even out here, are astronomical."

Lundy ignored him and continued steering them towards the middle of the lake.

Baldree sat back in his seat. [Okay, he's not listening. Now what?]

____________________________________________________________

Joe could feel Dampier weakening. He knew that he really ought to pull him up, let him breath. It wasn't right to just drown him... but... all those boys were dead.... And Markie would have been soon, too. What chance did he give them... and with the Dampier money.... He'd never go to jail... maybe a nut house, but not jail... and they'd say he was cured.... Let him go... and he'd do it again.

He continued to hang on, occasionally breaking through the surface to gasp for air himself, while keeping his hand over Dampier's mouth and nose to keep him from getting air until the man beneath him stopped struggling, stopped moving at all, then he let him drift to the surface.

He treaded water next to the body. His arm was numb. His felt cold. He'd probably lost a lot of blood. [Lundy, cowboy. You're supposed to come back for me. You promised. Remember. Lundy. Please. Come get me... come get me... come get me...]

He struggled to stay conscious, stay afloat. Somewhere, off towards the shore he thought, he heard the sound of a motor boat. He reached out and grabbed Dampier's body as it floated away from him. [Come'ere... you ain't gettin' away now! I got you! Miserable son of a bitch...]

___________________________________________________________

Lundy cut back on the throttle, slowed the boat to a crawl, began to turn it in a slow circle, then stopped.

Baldree looked askance at him.

"Gimme that light," Lundy ordered.

Baldree handed him a flashlight from the bottom of the boat.

Lundy shone it out over the water. He swept it back and forth a couple of times then gave a shout, "There! Joe!"

Baldree stared out at the figures in the water. One was treading water, weakly. The other looked dead. "Well, I'll be eternally damned! How in the name of the universe...."

Lundy didn't answer, just started pulling off his boots. "He's hurt. I'm goin' in ta get him. You keep that light on him."

Lundy jumped in and Baldree aimed the light so he could see what he was doing. He tried to get Joe to let go of Dampier but Joe wouldn't turn loose.

After a minute Lundy called to Baldree, "Toss me a rope."

Baldree tossed him the tie up rope that was firmly tied to a stanchion on the aft of the boat.

Lundy used it to reel them into the boat. Once next to it he tried to get Joe into the boat but again Joe resisted.

He yanked on Dampier's body with his good hand. "Get him in," he muttered.

"What!"

"Get the son of a bitch in the boat!" Joe snarled.

"Joe, he's dead...sumbody can come back for'm in the mornin'."

"He's mine! I want him in the fuckin' boat!"

"What difference...."

"He ain't gettin' away again!"

Lundy rested his head against the side of the boat. He couldn't fight with Joe now. He felt like a wrung out rag. If Joe wanted the damn body in the boat... "Fine! Baldree! Help me get Dampier in the boat."

Baldree didn't say a word just bent to pull the body over the side, as Lundy got under it and pushed. He knew how unreasonable Joe could be. If they wanted Joe in the boat, they were going to have to put Dampier in the boat. No use in arguing.

Only after Dampier's body was stowed in the bottom off the boat did Joe let them help him in.

As Joe slumped down next to Dampier's body, Baldree helped Lundy back in.

Lundy went straight to Joe, who motioned towards his arm.

Baldree knelt beside them as Levon pulled the wet suit coat and shirtsleeve away from the wound. Seeing the wound he shucked off his suit jacket and gun, pulled off his shirt and belt, giving them to Lundy to make a pressure bandage.

"We better get him to a hospital. That's gonna need stitching." Baldree restarted the boat and headed for shore.

_____________________________________________________________

The Dampier's cabin was overrun. Half a dozen police cars, two ambulances, two cars full of Uncle Mikey's men that Joe'd sent for before they went in, besides a TV news crew that was sitting up.

On the road above the cabin, there was two fire trucks working to contain the fires started by the wreck of Monty Dampier's Caddy and Baldree's car. A morgue car pulled in as Lundy and Baldree helped Joe out of the boat and onto the dock.

A cop on the dock stopped them then stepped aside when he recognized Baldree.

Metzger came to meet them.

As soon as Joe saw him, he demanded, "Markie! Where's Markie?"

Metzger pointed to one of the ambulances, where Markie was being looked over by a paramedic. "They'll take him to the hospital. He seems fine, though. The other boy is still out. They can't do anything for him, till they find out who he is, to get permission to treat him... but it looks like he's just drugged. It ought to wear off by it's self."

He turned to Baldree, "Looks like a clean sweep, the guy inside is dead. The guy in the car is dead. Pretty badly burned... might be Dampier."

"Monty Dampier," Joe supplied, "he went after Levon. Chandler's in the boat. The guy inside, I heard them call him 'Ben'."

"Chandler's dead." Baldree added.

Lundy led Joe towards the other ambulance. "Let's get you to the hospital and stitched up."

For once Joe made gave no objection.

___________________________________________________________

An hour later Lundy was pacing back and forth in the treatment room where Joe lay. The look on his face had forestalled any objections to his staying. It would clearly not be a good idea to argue with him... and he was armed.

The doctor had been in, giving Joe a shot to numb the arm and saying he'd be back in a bit to stitch it.

Markie and the other boy were each in separate treatment rooms, Baldree with Markie and Metzger with the other boy, who so far as Joe and Levon knew had still not been identified.

Joe looked up and gave a start, "Scalia!" the word was surprised out of him.

Lundy spun his gun coming up and out as he did. By the time he saw the two men standing in the treatment room door they were covered. "Put yer hands on top of yer heads! Now!" Lundy's tone left no doubt that he meant it. It didn't make a bit of difference to him that he'd never seen the men before. Joe'd called one of them Scalia. That man wuzn't getting' no where near his partner!

Joe chuckled at the shocked expression on the mob boss' face. His bodyguard had been caught flatfooted. The man had never had a chance to get his gun out.

Lundy's voice took on a dangerous edge, quiet but deadly. "I said hands on your heads. Now."

Vincent Scalia had not gotten where he was by being stupid. He knew a dangerous man when he saw one. One wrong move and he as well as his bodyguard would be dead. He put his hands on top of his head... and nodded for his man to do the same.

Joe chuckled again, then said, "You know Lundy, maybe we oughta find out what they want before you shoot them. I mean that *cannon* of yours makes a lot of *noise* and this *is* a hospital...."

Lundy didn't take his eyes of the men, but gave a quick nod, "All right. Whatcha want... make it quick."

"I was told that the men that rescued my grandson from his kidnapper was in this room."

Joe sat up, "Your grandson? The other boy is your grandson? Oh, man that is rich!"

"Joe?" Lundy asked softly.

"Joe!" Scalia took a half a step then settled back as Lundy virtually snarled at him. "LaFiamma? How...."

"Long story... only question now is: do I live to go home?"

"You don't live... he don't live." Lundy's voice was grim.

Again there was no doubt that he meant every word. He still held the gun covering the two men.

After a moment Scalia spoke, "I came over here to thank the men that saved my grandson... my only grandson." He paused, "I was going to ask how I could repay you." He paused again. "A life for a life. You gave me back my grandson... I give you back your life. You may return to Chicago as you will. You will be in no danger from me or mine. You have my word as a Scalia." He looked up at Lundy. "May we go?"

Lundy hesitated.

Joe looked up at him, "Lundy, like Uncle Mikey, he's a lot of things... but his word is good...."

Slowly Lundy lowered his gun, but he didn't holster it. "Yeah, you can go."

As they turned to leave the bodyguard glared at Lundy.

Joe gave another laugh and called after him, "Hey, Smiley, you might wanna stay outta Texas. You're way too slow on da the draw! *Any* cowboy could beat you and mosta da *cowgirls*... and in a Texas court of law, 'He needed killin'!' is a reasonable defense!"

He was still chuckling to himself when the doctor came back in to stitch his arm.

"Glad you're in a good mood, Mr. LaFiamma. This will take a few minutes. It looks like you're going to need about thirty stitches in this."

"I been here before, Doc," Joe said lying back and extending the arm so that the doctor could have easy access to it to stitch it up. "Make it nice and neat. Okay? I lift weights and I don't want it tearing out the first time I pump iron."

"You do know you aren't going to be doing any weightlifting until this heals. Don't you?"

"Yeah, Doc." He sounded bored.

Lundy stepped to the doorway and waited, staring out at emergency room. It was busy. [Friday night.] Three days since they'd left Houston... less really. It'd been afternoon when the call came, night before they got to Chicago. In three days his whole world had changed. He and Joe had gone from being partners to being lovers. Now Joe could come home... could stay home if he wanted... [What's this gonna mean ta us? Will there still be an 'us'?]

He remembered the pull that had dragged him to the lake, to Joe. Joe had done that... Joe's Talent. He'd just reached out and said, 'Come here!' and Lundy hadn't had any choice but to go. He felt a chill. [Ah didn't have any choice. I couldn't *not* go. Wouldn'ta made no never mind where I was or what I wuz doing. I had to go to him... right then.] Maybe it'd be better this way. If Joe stayed up here with his folks and Levon went home, he'd be out of range of Joe's Talent... and Joe ought to be all right. He wouldn't miss the link to Levon, like he had when Lundy'd gone to Colorado, if he was with his folks. Would he?

He swallowed hard. He loved Joe but... to not have a choice.... That was the one thing he didn't think he could take, to know that someone could *make* him do something, even something that he might choose to do if given the choice.

He didn't know how long he stood there, the thoughts running around and around in his mind, going over the same ground again and again. [I love Joe but....]

Joe's voice roused him. "Lundy?" Soft, hesitant, "Lundy, The doc says I can go now.... You gonna take me home?"

Levon turned and looked at his partner. The blue eyes he loved so much were a little sleepy and a little worried. "Sure." He said softly, coming to stand beside Joe, helping him up.

He walked him out to the waiting area. Uncle Mikey was there with Marco and a couple of the other men that had come up to the cabin in response to Joe's call for backup. Lundy was a little surprised that the older LaFiamma hadn't come into the treatment room, pushed him aside and took over. After all he wasn't really family.

Uncle Mikey rose and came to hug Joe, being careful of the injured arm. "You gonna be all right kid?"

"Yeah, Uncle Mikey. I'll be fine."

"I heard about Scalia's grandson. What Scalia said. This is good. You think about it. It'd be good to have you home."

"Can we talk about that later, Uncle Mikey. I don't feel so good."

"Sure kid. You wanna stay at the house?"

Joe shook his head. "I wanna go back to Mario's. Okay?"

"Sure, Kid." He motioned to one of the men with him, "Luce will drive you."

When Lundy started to protest he said, "It's been a rough day, Sergeant, Let Luce drive you. You take care of Joey." He turned his attention back to Joe. "Your Aunt Teresa, she's with Markie. We'll be taking him home in a while. Don't worry about him."

Joe just nodded, leaning heavily on Lundy.

Mikey smiled and reached out to stroke the hair back from Joe's face, "Going to sleep on me, Kid." He turned to look at Luce, "Don't waste time getting him home or you'll have to carry him up." It was a dismissal.

Lundy and Luce helped Joe out to the car. As they poured him into the back seat, Luce grinned, "They musta give him sumthang. He's really outta it." He held out his hand for the keys to the Lincoln.

Lundy gave them to him and slid in the back seat beside Joe. It was the first time he'd ridden in the back since Mario had brought the car to the airport.

At Mario's they had to practically carry Joe into the building, prop him in the elevator and then carry him to the apartment. Lundy let Luce help him tuck Joe in, then said good night.

Luce nodded. "I got a friend lives down the street. I'll stay there tonight." He wrote down a phone number and gave it to Lundy. "You need me to drive you somewhere, tomorrow... just call."

Lundy nodded, said thanks and saw him out. He went and stood by the bed for a long moment just looking at Joe. [He's so beautiful. God! I love him. What am I gonna do?]

He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. Pulling off his suit jacket and boots he sat there, staring out the wall of windows, thinking. Sometime during the night he dosed off.

______________________________________________________________

It was daylight when he woke. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Joe, sitting at the dining table just looking at him. He face was blank, unreadable. It was disconcerting.

He sat up, stretched and yawned, trying to think of something to say. After a moment he stood up and tried giving Joe a smile. "Mornin'..."

Joe inclined his head, leaned back in the chair then finally, said, "Good morning."

Quietly. Formally.

Levon looked around. Joe hadn't cooked. There was no sign that he'd made any attempt to even make coffee. He went into the kitchen and put on coffee. Then asked over his shoulder, "You want some breakfast?"

Silence.

He finished filing the coffee maker and turned to look at Joe, "You all right?

"You tell me."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You never came to bed."

"I fell asleep in the chair." He turned away so that Joe couldn't see his face, know it wasn't the whole truth.

He knew anyhow. "You wanna tell me what I did?"

"Don't know what you mean...."

"Don't give me that! I ain't in the mood! You've been acting weird ever since last night. What is it? Is it the thing with Scalia? You think I'm gonna want to stay up here... without you? Huh?"

"Joe, all your folks are up here... Ain't nothing in Texas..."

"Nothing but you! You think I'd leave you?... or are you saying that you don't want me? Huh? You got what you wanted? Is that all this was? You fucked me now you're just gonna ride off inta the sunset! Is that it? Huh?" He stood up and crossed to stand nose to nose with Levon, there were tears swimming in his eyes, "I thought... I thought that... that... you...loved me?"

"Joe, oh, Joe! I do love you..." He reached out and put his arms around Joe pilling him close, "... I just don't know if I can handle... not having a choice."

"What are you talking about? I don't understand!" Joe pulled away, "Not having a choice about what? Loving me? What?"

"No! Not about that... I love you Joe. I reckon that was my choice cause I loved you for a long time... loved you when I thought you'd never love me, so it ain't that."

"Then what? What!"

"It's your Talent... what ya did with it last night..."

"My Talent? What do you mean what I did with it. I found Markie..."

"After that."

"I don't understand I didn't... I don't think I used it after.... " He trailed off, the confusion plain in his face.

Levon stepped close again, reaching out to take his arms, turn him back to face him, "Joe, how so you think I found you... out there in the middle of the lake. That huge lake Joe... how could I just go straight to ya?"

"I don't know.... I didn't think about it... I guess I thought you found me the same way I find you. We're connected... I guess I thought that now that we were... that we had... that you could find me..."

"Joe... You pulled me to you."

"W-what?"

"I felt like a hooked fish on a line being reeled in! I had to go to you... straight as an arrow and right then! I... I didn't have a choice, Joe! No choice at all!"

"Oh, God!" Joe pulled away, reeling towards the table, he stumbled blindly into a chair and sat, covering his face with his hands. He was shaking.

Unable to bear seeing Joe like that, Lundy went to him, knelt in front of him, "Joe?... Joey..."

Joe raised his head, his face a battlefield of emotions, tears welling in his eyes, "Oh, God! I'm sorry, Levon... I'm so sorry! I didn't know I did it! I swear! I would never knowingly do that to you.... Make you do something... not give you a choice... That's... that's like...r-ra-rape!" The tears began to run down his face as he leaned forward into Lundy's arms moaning over and over, "Oh, God! Oh, God!"

Lundy swallowed hard and hugged him close. He could *feel*, literally *feel*, Joe's despair... utter and complete despair. He could feel Joe ripping himself apart inside because he thought that he had done something horrible, something unforgivable to the man that he loved.

Levon stroked Joe's hair, "Joey... Joey, Baby. Shush... shush now.... It's all right, baby. It's all right. I shoulda knowed you'd never have done it on purpose.... Shush... shush."

It took a long time for the tears to stop and when they did Levon could still feel the despair coming off his lover in waves.

After a moment Joe straighten and reached up to touch Levon's face. Finally he said softly, his voice choked from the crying, "How can it be all right? Even if I didn't do it on purpose... I still did it.... I didn't give you a choice...."

"It's all right... because it has to be."

At Joe's puzzled look he went on, "It has to be all right... because I love you... I don't ever want to be without you. If it happens again... it happens and we'll deal with it... because we love each other... and being together's worth anything, Joe... 'cause it means *everthing* ta me." He reached up and caressed Joe's face. "I love you. I forgive you." He leaned in and kissed Joe, softly, tenderly.

Joe let the kiss go on and on. Then when Levon finally broke it off, he leaned into his lover's arms. Forgiveness was something he understood. It had always been part of his life. You sinned. You confessed. You did penitence and you were forgiven. Levon hadn't named a penitence but sometimes you only had to be genuinely sorry for what you did to receive forgiveness and he was sorry, truly, deeply sorry... and Levon had forgiven him.

Levon felt the peace descend over Joe like a soft warm blanket. Rising he pulled Joe up with him, guided him to the bed and helped him lie down, careful not the hurt the injured arm. He started to pull away but Joe caught at his arm.

"I'm only gonna get your pain med. I want ya to rest. I'll be right back ta lay down with you."

He got the pills the doctor had sent home with Joe and gave Joe one.

Levon usually slept on his left side because of the old football injury to his shoulder and Joe slept on his right side, facing him, snuggling close. But Joe was on his left side now because he couldn't lie on the injured right arm. After a moment Levon decided that the only way he could lie down and hold Joe, which Joe obviously still needed for him to do, was to lie behind Joe and spoon up against him. So, he slid into bed behind his lover and wrapping his arm protectively around him, kissed the back of his neck.

"Go back to sleep, baby. I'm right here."

Joe sighed, laid his right arm over Levon's twining his fingers with the cowboy's and was almost instantly asleep.

Levon lay awake a bit. He'd been an early riser all his life. It was hard for him to sleep late but Joe needed this cuddling. Just plain *needed* him to be there. [Need...] Maybe that was the answer to what had happened at the Lake. Joe had needed him... not just *wanted* him to come there but *needed* him to come save him.

Baldree's words came back to him. 'Lundy. It's a big lake! The chances of you finding them... if they're even out here, are astronomical.'

But he had found Joe... had gone straight to him.... And Joe'd been in a bad way... losing blood... getting weaker by the minute....

[He was barely still able to tread water when we reached him! He coulda died.] A chill went through him and he clutched Joe tighter. [He woulda died! A rescue chopper or boat woulda had to hunt for him, using lights... it woulda took hours. I'da lost him! Oh, God! I'da lost him!]

Suddenly he was sobbing. He buried his face against Joe's back and hung on to him, crying helplessly. After a while the crying spell wore itself out and he relaxed against Joe's back, grateful that the pain meds had kept Joe asleep through his breakdown. Eventually, wrung out by his emotions and still tired from the events of the previous night, he drifted off to sleep, still wrapped snugly around Joe.

______________________________________________________________

The next time that they awoke it was to the sound of someone knocking on the door.

Lundy raised up enough to holler, "Who is it?"

His voice woke Joe in time to hear Baldree answer. "Baldree and Metzger!"

Levon got up and went to let them in while Joe went to the kitchen to check on the coffee. They'd never even poured a cup after Levon had set it to make that morning. It had been sitting all that time. Joe poured a small a mount in a cup and tasted it. Bitter. He poured it out and refilled the coffee maker.

Baldree and Metzger followed Levon over to the dining table, talking as they crossed the room and sat down.

"We thought you two might wanna know what was going on." Baldree said.

"Yeah," Metzger added, "It was a mess up there for a while but looks like we finally got it sorted out."

"Of course we're gonna need you two to come in and make your statements. Just a formality, though. There was enough evidence in the cabin to make it clear that the Dampiers were guilty as hell of kidnapping, sexual assault and murder... just for a start."

Joe had joined them at the table and now said, "Lay it out for me Gerit. I'm not hitting on all cylinders yet."

"Okay. It looks like Monty Dampier has known where his brother was all along. The man you pulled out of The Lake didn't look anything like the Chandler Dampier we'd been looking for... but the fingerprints matched. Apparently he'd had plastic surgery and bank records show that Monty Dampier paid a plastic surgeon, in Montreal, Canada half a million dollars--"

"Half a million dollars!" Lundy gaped. "Hell, for that you could have a whole new body done!"

"Or get a new face with no questions asked." Joe put in.

"Right," Metzger said.

"Anyhow..." Baldree pulled them back to his story, "Chandler Dampier apparently never stopped playing his sick game. He just kidnapped his boys in Canada for a couple of years. Monty bought that cabin up on the Lake. Chandler took the boys there and from the entries in that journal you gave us..." He nodded to Levon to thank him for it, "he also began initiating Monty into the 'game', letting him assist with torturing the boys, sexually assaulting them, everything." He swallowed hard and fell silent.

Metzger took up the story, "When he heard that you'd been transferred to Houston, he came back to Chicago. According to the journal, you were the only one he feared. He had dreams about you, recorded them in that journal."

Levon, his curiosity aroused, interrupted, "What kinda dreams?"

Baldree grinned and answered him, "He dreamed that he was trapped in a fire, burning and burning but couldn't escape and couldn't die then the fire spoke to him in Joe's voice saying that he would never escape that Joe would never let him get away." He turned to speak directly to Joe, "The police shrink that read the journal said that he supposed that the fact that your name means 'the flame' could explain him seeing you as an eternal fire from which he couldn't escape."

Joe looked embarrassed then when the coffee maker 'dinged', jumped up to go get the coffee. He got a tray and put the carafe, cups, spoons, sugar, creamer and napkins on it and brought it to the table, setting it down where everyone could reach it to fix their coffee as they chose.

Metzger fixed his coffee then went on, "He had reason to fear you. You were the one that damn near caught him four years ago. You never gave up. His money didn't intimidate you... and ultimately he was right.... You did get him. If there's a hell he's burning forever right now."

"Amen," Baldree said it softly, "he deserves it."

Joe looked down at the table, "Was there anything in there that said how he picked Markie as a victim? Did he... did he know that Markie was my nephew? Did he take him because of me?"

"No." Baldree's voice was positive. "According to the journal, Markie was a victim of opportunity. Dampier saw him in the park and started watching him. He noted that he was there every Wednesday morning with his mom and sister, that being Angie's day off. Apparently the day that they snatched him was the first day that your grandmother had been with them in the park since before Dampier focused on him."

Metzger added. "He didn't even know Markie's last name. He mentions in the journal that the boy's mom called him "Markie" while at the park but no where is there a mention of his last name. He doesn't mention Angie or any of the adults related to any of his victims by name. It didn't seem to matter to him."

"I think," Baldree put in, "that given how fixated he was on the idea that you would be the one to destroy him, that if he had known Markie was related to you, he would have avoided him like the plague."

"Yeah, he'd have figured that you'd come after him with a vengeance if he messed with your family, that the hit out on you wouldn't matter... and he'd have been right. You defied the hit and came after him anyway. You did, in three days, what the rest of CPD and half the Canadian police haven't been able to do in years... find him and stop him... permanently."

Metzger paused then went on, "It's ironic that the other boy he took was Scalia's grandson. By snatching those particular two boys he created a situation that guaranteed you'd come after him and when you rescued the boys, Scalia would cancel the hit. Amazing!"

"The other man at the cabin, the one they called Ben... what about him?" Joe asked.

"Hired muscle. Just like the two guys that were with Chandler four years ago. They worked for Monty at Dampier Corporation." Baldree paused, "As far as we could tell there were only the three of them involved, Chandler, Monty and Ben. There was nothing to indicate another person was in on it." He looked at his watch, "We're on our lunch hour. We'd better be getting back. You two stop by sometime this afternoon and give us your statements."

"Thought Hargrove had the case?" Lundy said.

"Yeah, well the Captain, decided that since we busted it, it was ours."

Lundy chuckled, "Bet Hargrove is fit ta be tied."

"Oh, yeah!" Metzger and Baldree exchanged grins and Metzger went on, "This is just the kind of high profile case he's been looking for to boost his career. And he losses it to us, a couple of cops who have no ambition to be anything more than a couple of cops, just doing the job."

They said their goodbyes and left.

After they were gone, Joe went to clear up the kitchen and wash the few dishes.

Levon came and stood behind him, slipping his arms around Joe's waist, laying his head on Joe's back. "What ya wanna do now? Go see Angie? Check on Markie?"

"Both... in that order." Joe turned back to look at Levon, studying him a minute, "About what we discussed earlier... are you sure you're okay with it?"

"Joe, while I was lying there with you, I realized, you coulda died out on that lake. I coulda lost you. If I hadn'ta found you, it woulda been too late before anybody else *could* have found you. When I come to understand that, I was grateful for whatever it was that took me too you. I do *not* want to lose you!"

Joe smiled that slow, shy, sexy smile, the one that could take Levon's breath away and leaned in for a kiss. When he leaned back he said, "Good... cause I plan to be around for a long time." The smile turned into a smirk as he asked, "Wanna help me bath? I ain't supposed to get my stitches wet."

______________________________________________________________

An hour later, after much laughter and a little sex they were ready to go.

Levon stood admiring Joe as Joe picked up the car keys.

"What? My fly open?"

"Nope.... But if I keep looking, it will be. I do like that outfit."

"This? This is just a tank top and slacks."

"Uh-huh... it's what's in'em, Boy. It's what's in'em." He set his hat on his head and headed for the door. "We better get outta here... afore I decide we need ta go back ta bed!"

Joe grinned his delight at the compliment and trailed after Levon, admiring the way the cowboy's tight jeans fit.

As they went down to the car, he realized that this would be the first time that his family had seen 'his cowboy' dressed the way he normally dressed. Levon had worn a nice western style suit on the trip up and another Thursday. Friday had seen him in the regular suit for the funeral. Today was the first day since they'd been in Chicago that Levon had dressed casually, meaning in his usual, tight, tight jeans, western shirt, boots and hat.

He decided he was glad that Mario was in Alaska. He wouldn't want to have to beat his cousin off his boyfriend with a stick. On the other hand he wouldn't mind Mario taking some really good pictures of Levon for him... maybe something sexy like the one... [Oh, my God! Has Levon seen that? Where does Mario keep it? Oh, yeah. In the bar... we haven't opened up the bar since we've been here.] He breathed a sigh of relief.

Levon frowned, he was catching flashes of emotions rolling off Joe. Happiness and contentment seemed to be the strongest but there'd been a flash of... jealousy? That had quickly faded to be replaced by dismay followed by relief. This was going to take some getting used to. But it wasn't that bad, really. It wasn't like he *felt* the emotions *with* Joe more like he just knew what Joe was feeling... which could be a good thing come to think of it.

_____________________________________________________________

At the hospital, Angie's room was a little crowded, apparently the hospital didn't have a visitor limit or they had waved it for the moment.

Uncle Mikey's bodyguard, Marco was leaned against the wall next to the door. He grinned at the sight of Joey and greeted him warmly. "Joey! Great to see you!" Holding out his arms for a hug.

Joe stepped into it. "Likewise, Marco. Hey, man, I'm sorry about not giving you a proper hello out at the house the other day, but..."

"Hey, that's okay, Joey. I know it wasn't that you didn't trust *me*. You just had to stay in character for all the other people there!"

"You're a good man, Marco." Joe broke the hug and pushed the door open to go in.

Lundy followed him into the crowded room.

There appeared to be a celebration in progress. Angie was propped up in bed, looking much better than she had the first time that they'd seen her. Her head was still locked in the cage looking thing and she still had quite a few IVs and monitoring equipment around her but she was smiling through her pain and looked happy.

As soon as Joe stepped into the room, she called his name, "Joey!"

Immediately everyone turned to look towards the door and opened a path for them to her bedside, with much smiling and hugging and slaps on the back.

Markie and Maria were there, sitting on the edge of her bed. Maria held her arms up to Joe and he gathered her into a hug before setting her down on the floor. Smiling at Markie he offered him a handshake. Markie took the offered hand then jumped down to go to Levon as Joe sat down on the bed, to talk to Angie.

"Hi, babe. You feeling better?"

"Much. I'm so glad you came. So glad..." she cut her eyes towards where Markie and Maria were swamping Levon with questions about Texas.

"Nothing coulda kept me from coming... but you know, my partner did as much as I did. I wouldn't be here now, if not for him. He saved my life last night." He held out a hand to Lundy, smiling, "Come here, Cowboy."

Lundy gently disentangled himself from the kids, passing them on to Uncle Mikey and Aunt Teresa then came to stand beside Angie's bed. "Angelina Melora Ciccarelli, nee LaFiamma.... Levon Elmer Lundy, Jr." he took Levon's hand. "My partner, my best friend, the love of my life."

Lundy looked stunned but recovered quickly, pulling Joe's hand up to kiss it and so that everybody'd know he was teasing, said lightly "Boy, you keep telling folks mah middle name and you ain't gonna have a life for me ta be the love of."

Joe laughed.

Levon turned to Angie, without letting go of Joe's hand, "It's an honor to meet you, Joe's told me loads about you."

She smiled back at him, "Well, if Joey loves you, you have to be a good man. You take care of him." She looked back at Joe. "How long can you stay?"

Joe hesitated, "I need to get back... I... I never even made arrangements to come up here. My boss was in a meeting and we... we just left her a message and came. With everything that's happened we only called her once." He looked over at Levon, "She's probably having kittens."

Uncle Mikey stepped forward saying what they were all probably thinking, "Joey, you don't gotta go back. The contract's canceled. You can stay."

Joe stood up and turned to face them. He'd let go of Levon's hand but still held Angie's, "No, Uncle Mikey, I can't." he held up a hand at the wave of protests that brought, "Hear me out. I love you, Uncle Mikey, Aunt Teresa... all of you.... But..." he looked down at the floor a minute then raised his head and looked right at his Uncle Mikey. "Do you remember what you said to me that day beside the Lake, when I wasn't wanting to leave Chicago? You said, 'You gotta chance to get outta this town, kid. You should take it.' You were right."

The family had fallen silent, listening now as Joe went on. "I love you all but I'm a cop.... It's not just what I do Uncle Mikey, it's what I *am*... and you are what you are... my cousins... my friends... and you do what you do.... Sooner or later that would bring us to a point I don't want to ever reach... to a choice I don't ever want to have to make. What do we do, Uncle Mikey, when the day comes that what I am and what the family is, brings me face to face with one of you over the barrel of a gun? Do I shoot that one? Does he shoot me? What?"

Tears rolled silently down his face. "It's better, if I go back to Texas. There'll be less chance of us ever having to make that choice. I'll come to visit you... as a family member and a friend, not a cop... and you guys can come to visit me... just leave your business at home."

There was a long moment of silence then Mikey stepped forward and pulled Joe into a hug. "We love you, Joey. Go. Have a good life. Come and visit... and we will come to visit you." He reached up to cup Joe's cheek in his hand. "You have my word... as long as I am head of this family... we will do no *business* in Texas."

When Mikey stepped back the others came to hug and kiss Joe goodbye and make promises to visit. It took a while but finally there was only Joe and Levon left to say their goodbyes to Angie.

She reached a hand up to take Joe's, "When I'm well, I'll come to visit." She smiled at him, "You know, big brother, with La Nonnina Concetta gone now as well as my Louie... there's no one here that I'd miss as much as I've miss you. Do you think that Markie and Maria would like Texas?"

"Yeah, Sis. I do. I think they'd love it."

She smiled again. "They certainly seem to like your partner. I like him, too. Be happy, Joey. You deserve it. You've always taken care of everybody else... always given so much love to everyone around you. It's time you had someone to love you... take care of you." She pulled Joe's hand to her lips and kissed it.

Then she said, "Levon!"

"Yes, ma'am?" Lundy stepped close to the bed where she could see him.

She reached up with her other hand fishing for his and he gave it to her. She grinned and put Joe's hand in it. "He's yours cowboy. You take good care of him... or you'll have me to deal with!"

"Yes, ma'am." Lundy grinned then turned to Joe, "Reckon that makes it official. Yer closest kin's done give you ta me." The grin grew even wider, "You're mine now!"

Joe grinned back and twisted his hand free so that he could pull Levon to him, "And you're mine!" He bent his head to claim Levon's mouth in a deep long kiss.

They were still engrossed in the kiss when a nurse pushed open the door, loudly cleared her throat and sternly announced, "Visiting hours are over, gentlemen. Break it up and move." But she was grinning when they pulled apart, both blushing furiously.

They said a hasty goodbye to Angie and fled, followed out the door by Angie's and the nurse's giggles.

______________________________________________________________

Levon leaned back in the plush seat on his friend, Aaron Little Hat's jet. He and Joe had spent the rest of Saturday and Saturday night at Mario's just being lazy, resting, making love and talking. He was happier than he could remember being in a long time and being able to feel Joe's happiness and contentment through their link, echoing his own, only made it more wondrous.

He hadn't told Joe yet about that. He'd have to, of course... but for the moment he just wanted to enjoy it. Unlike Joe, who'd always had a connection to his family, Levon had never had anything resembling this kind of a connection to anyone before and he needed time to adjust to it before he talked about it to anyone, even Joe.

He'd called Joanne. She'd been glad that they were all right and elated to learn that although the hit was now permanently off, Joe was planning to stay in Houston. She'd probably still dress them down when they got home but all in all it looked like they just might come out of this relatively intact.

[... and together.] He turned to look at Joe, dosing in the seat beside him. [Really together.]

He checked his watch, another half-hour to Houston. He was almost home.

He leaned over to kiss Joe's forehead then sat back to find himself looking into love-filled, blue eyes and knew that he was already home.

The end

This Au is continued in: Homecoming: A Place to Call Our Own