The Trials of Being Loved

Part 51 - Wake Up, Polar Bear!

"Sir, Yes Sir!" #3 was dead tired on his feet but his heels still gave a sharp tap together and while they didn't salute, the rest of the military habits didn't disappear so easily. He pressed his lips together, to suppress his grin. So, the boss HAD noticed what he was writing in the reports... 

Swiftly, he packed up New's belongings once more, not like they had been unpacked, except for a few grooming items. New hadn't been off the bed other than to trudge to the bathroom in the past 48 hours. He hadn't spoken since his crying jag in his arms, nor looked directly at him. 

This wasn't the first time #3 had seen New dissolve inside himself this way, but it was becoming one of his longest episodes. Usually he had a schedule, or event to attend and work was an excellent way of making him take responsibility for his behaviour. There was no doubt New was a fantastic actor, with one of the brightest smiles, while hurting so deeply. 

Still, #3 gently placed the bag on the foot of the bed, unlocked the wheels and very gently rolled the napping New, rolled up like a burrito, past the blackout curtain that had partitioned the hallway into his private cubicle. From there it was a short push into Tay's large, spacious hospital room. The guard nodded respectfully at his senior and stepped aside, with both of them ignoring Tay's rapid fire questions as the bed was positioned near to the only window in the room, the previous open curtains pulled to divide the room into two and #3 leaned casually on the windowsill. 

Sub vocally, he announced, "Mission clear." 

~~~~~~~~~~

There was only one place in the dead, unused hallway of the hospital that was completely private: the public bathroom. Tam dragged his tiny, struggling wife into the male bathroom and locked the door behind him. Once there, he placed his back on it, while he dropped off his armoured vest and used it to block the bottom of the door, effectively preventing any eavesdropping or cameras. 

Not that he didn't trust his employees... he didn't truthfully trust anyone, not even his wife when she was in one of her moods. Not really. It had saved the team too often to count in the past for him to change his behaviour now. Taking out a small device, he walked the room and when satisfied, he quickly checked Ms. Tam and sighed. "All clear. We can talk now."

Wearily, Ms. Tam just gazed at her man, "What the fuck? Why were you checking for bugs? Why am I here?"

In response, Tam pulled out his phone and played back the conversation he overheard between Vihokratana and her. "What exactly was this?" He watched as her face flushed and head bowed, very low.

"I don't like him." She burst out unexpectedly. "All I hear when he is around is my blood in my head going thump, thump, thump and his words blur..." Suddenly, she burst into tears, falling into Tam's arms. "He's gonna go after New. I feel it."

"You read my reports?" Tam's lips tightened. "Why? Didn't we agree that we wouldn't do that?" He meant go into each other's specialities.

"He's my boy... and I was the one who fucked up! I need to fix it, Tam. I need to fix things." Ms. Tam turned her back to her husband to wipe her face and then walked to the door. Using her toe, she moved his armour out of the way. "I have work to do. I found him. I have a flight to catch."

"I moved New in with Tay this morning." Tam knew it was useless to stop her, even say a word about her plans. "Take Joko and #8 with you. They work well together."

She nodded and left the bathroom, wiping one last tear. I will solve it, New. I will crush the ones who hurt you like the bugs they are.

~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Vihokratana returned from the makeshift mess and brought Tay some fresh fruit. Setting it down on the small nightstand near his head, he sat on the futon and stared at the curtained area near the window. "Who's the new patient?"