Tempest

by Valerie Vancollie

valeriev84 at hotmail dot com

Note: Well, here you go, the last drabble in this mini-series. I hope you liked it!

4. Damages:

Summary: The expected, and unexpected, consequences.

"Hey, partner."

"Coop," Don replied, smiling. "Here to spring me?"

"Sorry, but no," Billy replied as he stepped into the room and approached the bed, wincing at the bandages wrapped around the younger man's head and peeking out of his gown. "The doctors want to keep you for a few days."

"You're kidding," Don said in disbelief. "I wasn't hurt that badly, just a concussion, a few cracked ribs and a single broken one."

"Not to mention a ton of bruising and chaff wounds," Billy added. "All of which could have been a hell of a lot worse if Browne hadn't administered treatment at the cabin."

"Yeah," Don admitted, the knowledge of how easily he could have sent his broken rib into his lungs disturbing him. "Did you manage to catch her?"

"No. We found the dingy, but there's no trace of her."

"She's good at that."

"They'll find her," Billy stated confidently. "It's just a matter of time."

"You're not going after her?"

"Not allowed to. I'm on a week of forced downtime."

"What? Why?"

"Psychological recovery or some such bullshit," Billy replied, scowling darkly at the floor.

"Psychological?" Don repeated, uncomprehendingly, but sensing something wasn't quite right with his friend.

"Yeah. I may have reacted in an... uh... slightly worrying manner when we arrived at the remains of the bridge and saw the wreckage."

Don sucked in a sudden breath as he realized what that must have looked like. He tried to imagine what he'd have felt if their roles were reversed and he'd thought Billy had been in the car. The mere thought chilled him to the bone and he could see the ghost of a similar anguish in Billy's eyes when the redhead finally met his eyes. Neither of them said anything, but words weren't necessary.

I just couldn't help having Billy make an appearance. I really do love his character.
Please let me know what you thought of this mini-series!