Part 11


Kevin studied the profile of his weary partner for as long as he could without finally breaking the uncomfortable silence between them. He shifted his weight in the driver’s seat more than a few times during the long ride to seemingly nowhere and his patience has run thin. The green-eyed detective deftly pulled the car over in midday traffic and turned the engine off, parking it along the curb. He faced his blonde partner. “Okay… out with it.”

The younger detective lulled his head onto his shoulder meeting his partner’s glare. His long wispy eyelashes blinked gently as Nick organized his thoughts. He licked his lips before beginning to speak. “Look, Kevin,” he closed his eyes and again moistened his arid lips. “I’m tired. I don’t really want to talk about this. Not here,” he looked out the window, “not now.”

Kevin smeared his hand over his mouth staring at the car parked in front of them. “I know,” he whispered. “But it’s killing me not knowing what’s going on. I mean…” he twisted toward the blonde, “I know there’s something. I’ve seen the signs.” Nick unlocked his gaze, fixing his eyes on the green orbs that were about to penetrate his soul. He swiftly steered his eyes away. “What is it with the Lieutenant anyway?”

“Its nothing.”

“Nothing.” Kevin hesitated an instant determining whether or not he should push his younger colleague into admitting what the older man thought was occurring. He began, “You call working three shifts straight nothing.” His hand waved through the space between them, “You call walking with a limp nothing. Well I fucking don’t Nick, and I want to know why all this shit is happening. Why’s the Lieutenant got it in for ya?”

Nick’s voice was faint, “It isn’t that easy you know.”

“What…what isn’t easy? Talking to me,” Kevin shook his head. “You’ve been talking to me for years. Why is it so difficult now?” the brunette huffed.

“Because it is,” the blond yelled leaning forward and then forcing himself back against the bucket seat. “It is difficult okay.” He scrubbed the side of his face and directed his fatigued eyes in the direction of the windshield. “Just…” he sighed, “Just give me a few minutes please.”

Kevin huffed but remained quiet waiting for his younger co-worker to open up to him. He knew that Nick was having a hard time as of late and he wanted to give him all the time he needed to sort things out. However, this morning, after he watched Nick limp into the room he realized he needed to speed things up. Kevin unconsciously bit the hangnail from his thumb while sifting through the information swimming in his head. The brunette had to know what was going on even if it wasn’t an easy thing for the younger man. The brunette ran his finger over the steering wheel trying to draw his attention, his focus away from Nick. He watched the intricate patterns he began to draw on the narrow canvas all the while wondering what exactly was running through the young man’s mind. Only a short time lingered between the two before he heard a loud exhale come from the passenger.

“I… hate my live,” he mumbled nervously biting his lower lip.

“What?” The proclamation that tumbled from Nick’s lips was not what he had expected to hear.

“My life.” The blonde met Kevin’s gaze. “I hate waking up, I hate getting dressed. I hate coming to work. I hate the fucking fag we’ve gotta work with and I hate Nickelson.”

“Nick,” the brunette murmured in a caring voice.

“No, I’m serious.”

“What do you want me to do? You know I’ll do anything I can to help you. I just need you to ask.”

“I can’t Kevin.” He slumped further into the seat. “I can’t ask you to help, cus…cus he’ll know that I’ve told you.”

“Who’ll know?”

The blonde detective closed his eyes again, “Nickelson.”

“What’s he got on you? Why is he making your life a living hell, huh?” Kevin peered out his window watching the mobs of people navigate the street. “What’s he doing to you?” he whispered.

“It’s a long story, one that I don’t really want to get into right now. Maybe later, just not right now.”

“I’ll tell you what,” he stared at the windshield, “why don’t you get some sleep; you’ve been up forever. I’ll just stay parked here for a while. It’s not like we’ve go any where to go.” He ran his fingers through his hair, “It’s no big deal.”

Nick’s eyes shot open, “We can’t…we need to go talk to someone Kevin.”

“What? Right now. Why? I thought you were tired.”

“I am, but we need to go and talk to this Kip fellow. He called last night.”

“Wait a god damn minute. You need to catch some sleep before we do anything,” the brunette scolded, “or you won’t be of any use to me or our investigations.”

Nick’s pain filled expression pinned Kevin. “I know,” he whispered. “I promise. After we talk to Kip, okay.”

Kevin rested his elbow on the armrest of the door placing his fist into his mouth and screamed. “You’re fucking kidding me right.”

Nick flinched at the retort. The little action did not go unnoticed by his astute partner. “No Kevin. I’m not kidding.” He turned his gaze toward his lap, shifting under the comfortable stare of the brunette. “He may have some information we could use for Fatone’s investigation.”

“Really? How so?” Kevin said attitude changing automatically.

“Well, last night around…” he stopped to think, “shit, I don’t even no what time, but it was late.” He scratched at his stubble, “I received a phone call; it was about a Missing Person.”

“So why didn’t you let the people in the MP Division handle it.”

“That was what my first thought was,” he sighed, “but just as I was about to transfer the call Nickelson told me to take it.” The blonde shivered, “So I did.”

“Stop the presses here,” the brunette said with a puzzled expression. He turned his body to face the younger man, curling one leg under. “What the fuck was Nickelson doing there? He isn’t suppose to work nights.”

Nick shifted uncomfortably, “I… I don’t know. He was just there.”

“I see,” he nearly whispered. “Go on then.” Kevin relaxed back against the window playing with the key chain that dangled from the ignition.

“Yeah, well, ummm… he wanted me to take the call. I mentioned that it was a missing person and that they should handle the call. However,” Nick flinched upon remembering last night, “he was very persistent that I take it. So I did.”

“So then what? Did the Lieutenant stay there while you answered?” He shifted, “Did the caller leave a name?”

“The caller’s name was Kip, I think. He called about his missing um…missing boyfriend.”

“You think his name is Kip. You mean to tell me that you didn’t write down the information.”

“Yeah, I did. I even went to type it into the computer when the call was over, but the Lieutenant made me stop. He said that it was none of our concern and that I should give it to MP to handle.” Nick watched a piece of lint flutter past his nose, “I told him that I thought I should type it into the computer because it may have to do with one of our cases. He got up set with me and ordered me to call the MP Department and give them the information.”

“So Nickelson was there the whole time.” Kevin pondered the new information, “But wasn’t Nickelson the one who wanted you to take the call in the first place?”

“No and yes,” Nick answered. He stared at the confused brunette. “Yeah and it gets weirder. I remember that Kip told me he had filed a report with some one nearly three days ago, but hasn’t heard anything back yet.”

“That’s unusual.” Kevin rolled his head, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Don’t they normally do a follow up after twenty four hours?”

Nick shrugged his shoulders and idly played with the safety harness. He thought quietly for a moment before refocusing his attention back on the green-eyed man. “I think… I think Nickelson was listening in…in fact I know he was. I saw him.”

“Well, that would make sense if he didn’t leave the room when you wrote everything down and questioned this Kip fella. But why would he listen in on a routine call in?”

“He wasn’t in the same room with me Kevin. When I began getting the info, he went to his office and a few seconds later I heard the other line pick up.” Nick thought silently for a moment and then continued. “I don’t know why he’d do that, but as he was listening he pulled out some sort of folder from his desk and when I asked Kip for more information I saw him write it down in the file.”

“How do you know that?”

“When I heard the other line click I got curious. So I went to his office and looked in and saw him.”

“You didn’t ask anything out of the ordinary did you?” Nick fidgeted. “Nick?”

He shrugged again, “I asked if I could meet up with him.”

Kevin laughed. “I bet that shook the Lieutenant up. You asking a gay man to meet you somewhere.”

“He nearly dropped the phone,” Nick half chuckled. “It was right after he fumbled the phone that he placed the file back into the draw and hung up the receiver. I don’t think he was able to catch the meeting place.”

“Well, young Sherlock where are we meeting this Kip?”

“At Jamoke’s around 1:30.”

The two men both glanced at the clock in the car and then to there wrists. “It appears we have some time before we meet up with Kip. Why don’t you take a nap or something? I’ll make sure we’re there on time.”

Nick smiled at his partner and fluttered his eyes closed. “Yeah, sounds,” he yawned, “sounds like a plan.”

**

Justin sat staring at the Caswell file wondering what exactly was going to happen next. He didn’t understand Joey’s reason for leaving the room. As far as he knew, he and Chris worked very well together. He didn’t realize that a problem had developed between them in less than twenty-four hours. The blonde fluttered his eyelids closed desperately trying to bring back the vision and in the meantime avoid the piercing brown eyes that were boring a hole in the back of his head. The blonde detective had no idea what to do or what to say to Chris, he just knew that something evidently needed to be done. He didn’t notice the older man make his way to Joey’s chair in anticipation of their forthcoming conversation until he heard the man clear his voice. Justin allowed his eyes to fix on the shorter man. He roughly threw the folder onto the pile and leaned forward. “Well,” he hissed, “You heard the man, tell me what’s bothering you? Because to be freaking honest, I have no clue.”

“Isn’t it obvious enough you smug little asshole.”

“No not really,” he answered, “and wait just a god damn minute.” Justin’s face a picture of confusion, “What did I do to piss you off?”

Chris placed both forearms on the desk and leaned onto them, “Well for starters going off and frolicking with your boyfriend instead of doing your job. That right there is enough to get you fired.”

“Jealous much, Chris.” Justin huffed, “Green just isn’t your color.”

“Why you…I’m not fucking jealous of you.” Chris’s face turned red, “I just think your careless and putting your boyfriend before the job is wrong.”

“First of all Chris I wasn’t on duty and second if that’s the only reason why you’re upset then, I’m sorry. I just needed to make sure he was okay. I needed to know he was safe. And second, it’s none of your fucking business. The last time I checked you weren’t by superior.”

“Why?” Chris leered ignoring the last jab, “What happened last night that would warrant that kind of concern?”

Justin forcefully turned his head away, “I told you… before… that my visions were incorporating JC.”

“Yeah, so.”

“Well…when I drove by that damn church I had an intense one.” He gazed at his lap, “Too make a long story short, I thought the dream had indicated that JC was taken and I needed to get back to the house to make sure he was safe.” Justin glared at the older man, “You’ve no idea what it’s like for me…none at all.”

“And was he?”

“What?”

“Was he all right?”

“Yes and no.”

“Fair enough.” He paused, “And you’re right. I don’t have a clue as to what you go through. How hard it must be for you. So, I guess, if I were in the same situation as you, I would’ve done the same.” Chris fell back against the chair pulling a stray thread from his trousers.

“That’s not it though is it? There’s something else.”

Chris continued picking at his cloths and speaking softly answered Justin’s accusation, “I don’t like the way you’re talking to Joey. He deserves more respect from you and you shouldn’t be treating him the way you are.”

Justin stood up anger lining his face, “You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. You’ve no fucking clue who you’re defending,” he yelled as he reached across the desk grabbing a handful of Chris sports jacket throwing him instantly into another figment of images and spiraling colors. The brunette watched the young blonde’s eyes become vacant and was transfixed.

The older man lay huddled on the bed. Arms wrapped securely around his knees drawing them as close to his chest as possible making a small target. His eyes were squeezed shut and tears smeared his bruised cheeks. There was a smudge of red leading away from his nose and soaking into the crinkled bed sheets tucked beneath him. He allowed one eye to open to a slit hoping it wouldn’t draw unwanted attention. The man breathed a sigh of relief when he spotted the other passed out on the floor across the room from him. Justin barely recognized the man on the bed as Chris and was curious as to who the other man was. He allowed his dream self to follow the others stare and he traced its path moving very slowly. When Justin reached the drunken man he gazed closely at his turned face and gasped. Joey?

Justin jolted his head back upon recognizing his partners dream image. He swayed nauseously, head beginning to pound with the remnants of the damning swirl of phantasms. Chris pried Justin’s fingers from his jacket and gently guided him to his chair. “No fucking clue, huh.” He placed the profiler in his chair making sure he was braced before settling back into his seat.

Justin’s hazy eyes fixed on the man sitting across from him. “Why? Why do you defend him?” The blonde shook his head. “How could you defend a man who hurt you like that?”

Chris fiddled with his shirt straightening out the wrinkles that Justin’s grip caused. He slowly looked up from his task, “The same reason why you would drop everything to find out if JC is okay.”

The blonde leaned forward placing a hand over his face, “You still love him don’t you?” He breathed heavily, “I don’t get it. Does he get off on it or something? Does he get off on hurting people?”

“It is what it is. I think it was a way for him to deal with the fact he was bisexual. You know the whole new experience of liking males.”

“That’s a fucking excuse if I’ve ever heard one.”

Chris focused on the desk, “He’s been through a lot of therapy for it but I don’t really know if it’s helping him any.” The older man licked his lips, “We made a promise to ourselves that when he got better we would try it again.”

“So…”

“It’s up to him. He’s the only one who will know when he’s ready.” The forensic detective returned his attention toward Justin, “From what I’ve seen and heard, I don’t think he’s ready. But he really doesn’t need you harping on him that he made a mistake, it will only make it worse.”

“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.” Justin gave Chris a pensive look, “He hurt JC you know.”

“I gathered that.”

“And you expect me to lighten up on him?”

“That’s exactly what I want you to do. Can’t you tell that he knows he fucked up? Reminding him about it will only make him doubt himself and come to the conclusion that he won’t get better.”

“Chris, ignoring the problem won’t help either.”

**

The slender brunette stood gazing up at large medical clinic he frequented every month. He wondered silently if the doctor would see him without an appointment, but determined he really didn’t have a choice. JC wanted his lover to know what he’d been through and how many times he’d been tested. His steel blue eyes focused on the oversized clinic doors as braced himself. He glanced both ways before stepping off the curb and crossing the street. The willowy man advanced up the looming cement stairs two at a time. JC sauntered through the revolving doorway and entered the lobby. He nonchalantly made his way across the stark white room to the lady behind the receptionist desk. Kara he believed her name to be.

“Well good afternoon JC. This is quite a surprise.” She smiled at him, “What can I do for you? Your next appointment isn’t until the end of the month.” Kara appraised JC’s lean body starting from his waist. It wasn’t until she reached the graceful curve of his neck that she noticed the angry marks. “What happened?” she exclaimed. “Did your boyfriend beat you?” She stood up, “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

JC leaned heavily against the reception counter, “No, my boyfriend didn’t do this,” he half smiled. “He would never hurt me, Sugah.”

“Well what about these?” she teased as she traced the love bites that shyly peered out from under the collar of his shirt.

JC’s hand traced the mark of his boyfriend as well, remembering how they got there and he smiled. “Ummm…” he blushed, “Justin did do these.”

“You are entirely too cute when you blush JC.” Kara’s brown eyes sparkled, “You really must bring him in so that I can see what kind of animal would mark his territory so viciously,” she winked. “And I bet you two had a lot,” she winked, “of fun making them.” The young woman reached up and touched the side of JC’s face and turned serious, “So what happened?”

“Long story Kara.” He looked over his shoulder and whispered, “Is the doctor in?”

The red haired girl glanced at the appointment book before answering, “Yes she’s here. She’s with someone right now. But I’m sure if I buzz her and let her know that you’re here she’d be more than willing to see you.”

“Okay,” the brunette glanced around seeing the other patients, “Umm…do you thing I could come back there. I’m a little um…”

“Sure sweetie,” Kara stood up and escorted JC around the reception desk and into the back part of the clinic. They walked through the narrow hallway that led to the various exam rooms. When they moved passed exam room three JC noticed a familiar face. He quickly moved toward the room. “JC…” Kara whispered.

“It’s okay,” he answered. He opened the door wider and was greeted with a pair of intoxicating green eyes. “Hey babe,” the brunette said and gracefully sauntered the short distance between them.

“JC,” the patient smiled. “What are you doing here?”

JC appraised his friend, “Evidently Lance the same thing you’re here for.” He sat down next to the blonde and leaned in close. “What happened?” he whispered.

“I could say the same thing to you, sweetie,” Lance answered running his fingers gently through the brunette tresses. JC leaned into the soft touch.

Kara stepped into the room, “So you’re okay with him being in here with you Mr. Bass.”

“Yeah, Kara thanks. We’re friends.”

“I see that,” she smiled, “and what a pair you make.” She turned and left closing the door behind her.

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