The Trials of Being Loved

Part 53 - Attack, Polar Bear, and Defend!

Vihokratana's encoded satellite phone vibrated in his pocket. He glanced at his son, restrained in the bed and slowly stood, with a heavy heart. He could ill afford to leave. If ever family came first, it was now. Too many times, work had come first and this was the result. 

Still, his son had benefited from his labour. Deftly removing the small brick, he strode outside the room and answered the heavy phone. "Yes?" He listened briefly, then turned took one step inside the room and softly said, "I need to speak with your boss, stat." He did some breathing exercises to calm himself, before swearing softly.

"I'm not getting involved, so if you want to swear at something," Tam's voice was sleep roughened, as he pointed to the wall, "I will kindly suggest the wall. If you need a sparring partner, I can suggest a few who pull punches." He did an about turn and moved to leave. 

Startled into a laugh, Vihokratana wished they'd met under better circumstances. He liked this man. "Coffee. Let's get one." He waited while Tam gave him a serious once over, tiredly nodded and then he followed him. As Tam set the instant coffee down, he waited until he had the paper cup cradled in his hands before his brows crunched. "Is this room secure?"

Tam, now intrigued, leaned forward. "By what level? Presidential? Fuck no. To keep out rabid fans, and basic eavesdroppers, yes. Where does this fall?" His one hand tapped furiously on his leg. 

Vihokratana watched that hand with fascination. He had seen all sorts of nervous habits in ex-serving military. They saved lives, those habits. What was that habit telling him right now? He bit his lip. "You know what my job is?"

"Stop prevaricating." Tam snapped. "All I know is you work for Special Investigation. You're not listed as an employee. We looked." He leaned back in his chair, rocking on the two back legs. "That means you are a ghost for the Prime Minister. So, no, I don't know what you do."

"I can't tell you what I do." Vihokratana paused, then considered. "I definitely can't tell you here where I don't know who can listen. I didn't bring my equipment. I came as a father. I don't have my men with me and I NOW NEED MEN." A small snort escaped, combined with a giggle. "So, do you have a place we can actually talk?"

"I never work a job without my wife. She's the brains." Tam warned. 

"Good. I have a feeling she's hip deep already." His fingers steepled. Vihokratana rubbed his temples. "Our heads are gonna explode before this is over."

Tam looked at the man, finally seeing that he was not as soft as he appeared, he just hid better into society. "Damn it, you served. Where?"

 The man's eyes twinkled but he sidestepped the question. "I need some sleep. Walk, and we will talk it over." Tam watched him walk out, seeing what his trained eyes had missed before, the light cat step, the square military shoulders, the blank gaze but seeing everything. Fuck, Fuckity Fuck. 

Who is HE?

~~~~~~~~~~

New was feeling quite cheerful, despite a very grumbly tummy. He wanted to dance. "Would you dance with me, #3?" He swayed on the bed to music only he could hear. "I'm happy."

This wasn't New's first time coming out like this and Three was used to strange requests. A dance was a first. "No." He stared directly at his charge, then at the tray of food. "Eat."

Taking a deep sigh, New looked at the bowl of congee and pouted. "Why congee? I want food, not mush." He picked up a spoon and stirred it restlessly. 

Ruthlessly, Three replied, "Stop starving yourself and you will get food, real food. I brought you food for the first three missed meals. Now eat or I will feed you."