Your Loss, My Gain

The Waiting Game

A/N:  I have several ideas for this.  I am just going to go with where my fingers take me.  ;-)

As always a great big thank you to my awesome beta BTLS2004 for her support!  Let me know what you all think, I love the comments!

POV: Mr. Blackbourne

Driving in this mess is nerve-wracking, but North making me get this 4-wheel drive SUV is proving to be beneficial. It is not often that we have a need for the four-wheel drive capability, but even once is enough to justify it.

The SUV is quiet as each person is thinking or playing on their phones. I am glad that most of my family is safe and warm somewhere, maybe not together, but somewhere. The Academy's mission is to help people. I can see so many people that need help right now, but I need to take care of what I have first. I really just want to get back home and spend time with Sang...and my brothers. The boys are ready for the Ashley Waters assignment to be finished, and truthfully, so am I. I can't be with Sang until it is, it wouldn't be appropriate. A 3 year age difference is not that much, but in the eyes of society it is, especially when one party is still a minor.

The GPS startles us out of our quiet, indicating that we should be getting on the interstate in a mile. It is slow going as the snow is still falling, and the roads are getting even more treacherous. I can see blue flashing lights ahead on the on-ramp to the highway. I slow even more as we approach the police car and officer. He motions for me to roll down the window.

"There is a multi-vehicle accident, and the highway is closed. You need to find an alternative route." The middle aged officer looks cold even though he is bundled in a heavy coat and has gloves. Mr. Morgan has been digging in the emergency kit in the back of the SUV. He leans over and hands the officer 2 small objects.

"You look like you could use something to warm you up. Those hand warmers should last for several hours, Officer. Thank you for your service." Mr. Morgan sits back in his seat.

"Thank you, son. I really appreciate it. It is nice to see young people looking out for others and being prepared. I'll bet you are a boy scout or something, aren't you?"

"Yes, sir. Something like that," he states as Mr. Coleman snickers while trying to get the GPS to bring up another route. "Stay safe, Officer." We pull away and wait for Mr. Coleman to get the GPS to determine the alternate route.

"Mr. Coleman, what have you found?"

The GPS unit's male mechanical-like voice interrupts,"the estimated amount of time to reach the destination is 45 minutes."

"Oy, Mr. B, that is 45 minutes when it is not snowing and a disaster area. I propose that we just head back to your house with Natalie and Khloe." I think for a moment. These two are just strangers. I never invite anyone back to my place. Even Sang has never been there until now. On the other hand, Natalie trusted us enough to get into a car with 3 males. I suppose that I will have to trust her as well.

"Mr. Coleman, I think that I will have to agree. It would be too dangerous to try to follow the new directions. Ms. Pugh, are you agreeable to spending the night at my home? There will be 2 other people there, a Mr. Lee and a Miss Sorenson. They were unable to get home as well." Ms. Pugh thinks about it for a moment.

"I suppose that is the best solution, for now. I need to call my mother and let her know that I won't be making it after all. I should also call my husband. He is a fireman and is probably going to be busy for a while."

"You go ahead and make your calls. We have some to make as well. Mr. Morgan, call Mr. Lee and let him know the change of plans and to make preparations for our guests."