JR SWAT 2: Two, Taken

Chapter 10: Third time's charm

Sarzo's place...

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Street silently opened the door and stuck his head inside of the darkened room, checking if the boy was still sleeping. Indeed, the teen had his head deep into the pillow, feet hanging off the side and bottom of the bed.

"I'm sorry we had to give him the smallest bed, but Sarzo is working on some renovations and the other rooms are a mess." Helena whispered, standing behind Street.

"It's ok, Helena. Thank you for watching over him. I think I'm done with overtime for a while."

"Ok, ok. You must be tired. Did you eat, mijo? (man) I prepared a plate for you. You can put it in the micro(microwave) when you get to your home, ok?" Helena asked, whispering.

"Oh, ok. Thank you so much. I haven't eaten since lunch, so thanks. Really." Street whispered, nodding his head.

"Let me get it for you!" Helena said excusing herself and turning to the kitchen.

Groan. Street turned to the room and noticed Rubio's head lifted off the pillow, hair strands all over his face. The boy squinted his eyes towards the door. "¿Pa?" ("Dad?")

Street took a deep breath, then opened the door wide. The light from the kitchen shone vaguely over the room, uncovering the bags on the floor and the figure on the bed.

"Hey, buddy! Let's get you home." Street said softly.

Rubio turned himself over the bed and sat to the side. He squeezed his eyes and stretched his arms over his head. Street made his way in the room and picked up the boy's backpack.

"I'm sorry, pops." Rubio said, bowing his head.

Street sighed, nodding his head. "So am I."

"You mad?"

Street took a second to think. "Not so mad as disappointed. You can't just do stuff without thinking, Rubio. Marv could've gotten hurt, I could've gotten discovered and many people could've gotten injured as well!"

"I'm sorry. I just...I don't want to go back."

"Look, we're gonna talk, ok? Just...go wash your face and help me load the stuff in the car."

"Ok."

Sigh. Street knew the conversation needed to happen. He needed to talk things out with Rubio. The conversation with Deacon made things clearer, untangled his thoughts a bit...but, he just...wished he didn't have to do it alone. He wished she was here with him. It would be way easier!

"Jim?" he heard Helena called quietly.

She appeared in the door, holding a plastic bag. "Here's your dinner. Do I put it in the car or...?"

"Oh, thank you so much Helena!" he said, rushing over to her. He offered his hand and she handed the bag to him.

"Chris, um...you talk to her today?"

"Yes. We talked for a moment, just before she went in to a seminar this afternoon. She was really angry at Rubio, but we came to a compromise about what to do with him."

"Oh, ok, ok." Helena said nervously looking around her.

Street noticed her uneasiness, and quickly asked "Everything ok?"

She took a deep breath. "Can we talk for a minute?"

Street frowned. "Of course."

When the teenager returned to the room, Street told him to take the stuff to the car. He and Helena excused themselves and headed to the back porch, where they sat down in the two seat patio set. She had turned the light on, with the surroundings being pitch black.