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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 22:56:54 GMT -5
"It's okay. Shakin' hands with the swells gets boring," Sid replied. "The Major there? How's he doin'?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 23:03:49 GMT -5
Daws grinned and glanced out into the waiting room, where Vance was investigating the decimated remnants of dinner. "Yeah, he's still here. He's awake, and he just polished off three of Marco's cheeseburgers -- so I guess that qualifies as doing good."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 23:12:26 GMT -5
"That's good. Never guessed he was puttin' that much of himself on the line with that trick he does. I kinda got a little more respect for him after seein' that."
There was a brief, thoughtful pause, and then Sid concluded, "Anyway, I'll be there in about half an hour. Okay?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 23:18:32 GMT -5
"All right." Daws grinned. "See you then -- say hi to Foxy for me on your way out."
She hung up the phone and sauntered back into the waiting room, snatching a few of the last fries. "Sid'll be here in half an hour or so." She said, munching thoughtfully. "You're welcome to come out to Caddy's with us if ya like -- it's liable to be the only time you'll ever see him speechless."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 23:24:29 GMT -5
"That oughta be worth seeing," Vance agreed. "And speaking of phone calls, I better check in with Handy."
He leaned over to reach for his coat, which was draped across the arm of the sofa. Producing his cellphone, he dialed a number and had a quick conversation, which consisted mostly of assurances that he and everything else in the world was fine. At last he flipped the phone shut and smiled crookedly at Daws.
"That dope Handy. My own mother didn't fuss so much about me."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 23:29:53 GMT -5
Daws grinned. "Like I said last night -- there's people who need you around. Even if it is just to fuss over you." She polished off her handful of fries and glanced inquisitively at Vance.
"How did you end up with your own personal sidekick-cum-mother-hen, anyhow?" She asked, perching on the arm of her chair.
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 9, 2006 23:48:35 GMT -5
"Well, that's one good thing the bat ever did," Vance replied, leaning back and folding his hands. He frowned. "I guess there's no point in dodging the fact that Handy and I were both on the other side then. Sorta the same kinda work, making charcoal outta private property--only then it belonged to the folks who wouldn't play ball with Nocturne. I'm not proud of that."
He shrugged. "Anyway, Handy and I were doing a warehouse. There was some paperwork we were supposed to lift from the office first, and I sent Handy to do that while I doused the place with gasoline. But then he found a stray cat that'd gotten inside somehow, and he got so preoccupied with it that he forgot about the papers.
"I was outside, across the street. I saw Handy come out, but I didn't see he had the cat. Apparently he turned it loose outside, then remembered the papers and went back in--so the dumb cluck got himself trapped when I lit up the place."
Vance smiled wryly. "Well, we could say I went back in after him to make sure we got those papers out. It wouldn't exactly be the truth, of course; but it's a little less embarrassing."
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Post by skybright on Aug 9, 2006 23:52:57 GMT -5
Daws grinned. "I dunno what's embarassing about it. I'd say honorable, if I was lookin' for words." She shrugged good-naturedly. "But don't worry -- your secret's safe with me."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 10, 2006 0:15:49 GMT -5
Vance inclined his head with a half-smile.
"Anyway, I never asked anything from him. He took it into his own daffy head to attach himself to me. When I got fed up and went on the outs with Tiernan, so did he--only he wasn't exactly important enough for Tiernan to bother with. I was."
He sobered. "After... When I dropped out of sight... I don't mind telling you I hit a rough stretch. I was half-crazy and a little sick. I couldn't go to my son or my ex-wife; they had things hard enough, losing Deanna, and I couldn't face 'em anyway. The only person I could think to go to was the little screwball who always used to follow me around. He'd gone back to his old pickpocketing ways. Anyway, he took care of me, until I managed to get things clear in my head. And I guess neither one of us has ever looked back."
He shrugged. "The truth is, I guess Handy saved my life just as much as I'd saved his. He could have called it even then, but he didn't." He smiled. "I think what that guy needs is a wife and ten kids--but since he doesn't have that, he fusses over me."
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Post by skybright on Aug 10, 2006 0:21:01 GMT -5
Daws smiled. "When we get through with this whole messy fight, maybe he'll find himself a nice girl and settle down to have those kids. I hope so." Then she grinned wickedly. " 'Course, that'd leave you with nobody to fuss over ya, wouldn't it?"
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 10, 2006 0:29:38 GMT -5
Vance smiled thinly. "Oh, I dunno. Things are a little different now. Besides, maybe it's my turn to do the fussing over someone."
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Post by skybright on Aug 10, 2006 0:33:20 GMT -5
Daws tipped her head and studied Vance's face. "I could see you being good at that," she said thoughtfully. "If you found the right someone to fuss over."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 10, 2006 0:40:05 GMT -5
The Major smiled faintly--but before he could answer, there was a knock at the door.
"There's our friendly neighborhood Enforcer," Vance murmured, squinting to peer through the windows at the fading daylight.
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Post by skybright on Aug 10, 2006 0:43:14 GMT -5
Daws nodded and slipped off of the chair arm. She padded over to the door and opened it, gesturing Sid into the waiting room with a grin. "Heya, Sid. Sorry, you just missed dinner."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 10, 2006 0:52:15 GMT -5
"'S'okay. I had dinner with the family earlier. Foxy made potroast." Sid sauntered in, giving Vance a small salute. "Hiya, Major. Glad ta see ya feelin' better."
"Good as new," Vance replied, rising. "Just so long as I take in as much energy as I put out."
Sid glanced at Daws. "So, we ready ta move the stuff?"
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Post by skybright on Aug 10, 2006 0:57:00 GMT -5
"Ready when you are, gentlemen." Daws made a theatrical gesture towards the inner office and the waiting duffle bags. "I didn't tell Caddy why we were comin' out -- just phoned to make sure he'd be there. I can't wait to see the look on his face."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 10, 2006 1:01:30 GMT -5
"We can take the van," the Major remarked. "That oughta carry it all at one go. I'll go out and pull it around to the back door."
After the van was in position, the three were busy for several minutes, piling in the duffel bags and plastic bins of scientific plunder from the Gray Lab. Then Daws locked up the office, and they climbed into the front seat, with Vance at the wheel and Daws in the middle.
"You'll have to give me directions," Vance pointed out to Daws.
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Post by skybright on Aug 10, 2006 1:07:58 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Okay, lemme think . . ." She pondered for a few moments, then outlined the driving directions to Caddy's home. "I mostly think in subway stops," she remarked with a somewhat sheepish grin. "Takes me a minute to remember how the streets beyond this neighborhood go."
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Post by Jordanna on Aug 10, 2006 1:12:08 GMT -5
Vance followed the directions, which delivered them successfully to Caddy's house. He had never been there, but Sid recognized it from the night of the bridge blowout.
"Hey, is Hubert still stayin' with the Doc?" he asked.
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Post by skybright on Aug 10, 2006 1:21:54 GMT -5
Daws grinned somewhat deviously. "Oh, yeah. He's got sort of a seperate apartment downstairs, but they share the kitchen. From what I understand, a mutual love of high-caffeine brewed drinks is one of the only things that kept 'em from strangling each other in the first three days -- but they're doin' okay now, as I understand it."
She gestured at the stacks of duffle bags and containers. "You guys want to grab one of those each, and we'll go surprise them?"
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