JR SWAT 2: Two, Taken

Chapter 9: The H room

"Sir" Hondo began, as everyone turned to him. "We finished now. So, we was just leaving."

"Ok, how about you two? What are you still doing here?" Hicks said turning to Luca and Tan.

"Uh, finishing paperwork, sir." Luca said, glancing momentarily at Tan, who nodded.

"We got done with the evaluators for that huge accreditation for the academy. They seemed satisfied, so...hopefully we get that starting next year." Tan added.

"You don't say!" Hicks said skeptically.

"Yes, sir. That certification will bring in more workshops, tools and grants for our units!" Luca added.

"Nice job, guys!" Hondo said nodding.

"That is great news indeed." Hicks added, then turned to Street. "What happened downtown? The missing kid case."

"Oh! Yeah, very good news, sir. I delivered all the documents and was ready to work my statement with the DA, but counselor told me the defendant confessed and they worked out a deal. Cyber Crimes and other agencies will be working with the information provided by the kidnapper to hopefully knock out a multi million dollar kiddie porn industry."

"Very good. Nice job, 26 David!" Hicks said, as the others nodded in agreement. "Listen" Hicks continued, "I hope they're no hard feelings. I saw the footage of this morning and realized that maybe I came down too hard on you guys, but bosses were breathing down my neck."

Hondo and Street nodded quietly, as Tan and Luca listened in.

Hicks placed a finger on his chin and thought for a moment. Silence.

"I wish I could have Deacon here, coz I really need to talk to all of you, but...I'll give him a call later.-"

"Sir?" Hondo interrupted, showing him the cellphone. "D?"

"Good evening, sir" Sniff.

"You got 'im on speaker?" Hicks said, pausing to take a look at each men. "Good! You need to hear this too. How are you, by the way?"

"Well-" Deacon paused abruptly

Achoooo

 "Pardon." Deacon said. Sniff.

"Bless you" said the guys in chorus.

"Yeah, it's been that kinda day." Sniff. Clears throat. "Um...I was actually calling to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, guys" he paused as the guys responded.

"Don't sweat it, man!" Hondo said.

"No worries." Luca said.

"Welcome!" Tan said.

"I mean, this virus, is something serious." Deacon lamented.

"How is everybody? Annie and the kids." Hicks asked.

"Same virus, different symptoms. Ones worse than others. But, thanks to nurse Rose, the lovely lady that Nichelle got us -thank you so much Hondo!- we were able to establish zones throughout the house. That way we keep the spread more controlled and the house as sanitized as possible." Sniff. Clears throat. "Annie and Tory are still in bed, I got two with me sneezing, coughing and aching, and my oldest boy separated with no symptoms at all."

ACHOOO

"Sorry." Sniff. "Um...and I was trying to contact Chris. Couldn't, so I left a message. Street please tell her thank you so much for the food and the things for the kids. Trust me, when you have one kid ailing, while the other's complaining every 10 seconds about being bored, you'd be grateful for any toy or anything that can keep them entertained." Cough. Cough. "Plus, I've been downing mostly just apple sauce." Sniff. "Luca, thank Terry for me. Thank you guys so much for the food, my teen boy was starving. Annie finally had some of the soup and the kids here with me downed some of the mashed potatoes. Thank you guys, really." Sniff.