AN: Another light-hearted ficlet based on a screen cap which "Honu59" has kindly sent me to use as the cover image (mahalo, my dear friend). I also wanted to thank all my readers for continuing to read my stories. This one is a little shorter than my usual pieces but I hope you will still enjoy my offering.

To "Nans", whom I can't send a PM: Thank you for all the sweet reviews you left on my stories and for the warm welcome back :-)

To my anonymous "guest" reviewer for my ficlet, "You Can't Win Them All" (you know who you are): Thank you so much for your kind comments regarding my writing. I am flattered and blushing!

Tanith

The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Looking down the rocky embankment in dismay, Danny shook his head as if that small act alone could somehow make the scene before him vanish into thin air. "Oh dear."

Standing beside his sandy-haired companion, Chin couldn't take his eyes away from the wreckage of one 1968 Mercury Parklane Brougham or rather what was left of it. "You can say that again, Danny!"

With a nervous laugh, Dan tried to lighten the seriousness of the situation. "Well, it's about time Steve was issued a new car."

"That's what I'm worried about. I'm not sure if the Governor will approve a second issue this month," Chin replied with a sigh.

Suddenly an idea sprang into Dan's mind but the moment he thought of it, he wondered if it was a wise one, given Steve's reputation. Still, he pondered aloud,"I suppose we could always fit mine up with a radio..."

"That all depends on how much you like your car?"

Dan wasn't sure what to say to that. While he liked his car, it wasn't as though it held any sentimental values and since he did technically allow Steve's LTD to be blown to kingdom come, he tried to place some level of confidence behind his idea, "Well..."

"Or better yet, can you afford to lose it?" Chin cut into Dan's frame of thought, reminding him that his wages may not be able to cover the costs of replacing his personal car should something happen to it.

Dan winced as he thought about getting around without a car if it were to get involved in another accident of sorts. "I don't know, Chin. But it is kind of my fault Steve will be needing a new car."

Clapping a hand on Dan's shoulder, Chin finally turned away from the flames and twisted metal below them. He held the younger man's gaze and said, "No, it's not your fault. We didn't have time to get a bomb disposal unit over. You did your best to disarm the bomb given the timing we had. Even though you weren't able to disarm it, why don't you look at the bright side: you saved a lot of lives today."

Dan took a moment as he thought about Chin's words. Maybe. But that still poses one problem. "Thanks, Chin, but what am I going to tell Steve?"

Good point! "The truth would be a good place to start."

Beginning to feel nervous again, Dan asked, "You mean, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? "

"Something like that."

Dan wasn't sure if he wanted to thank his friend or strangle him as he noted a small crinkle appearing at the corners of the Oriental detective's mouth. "Terrific," he muttered.

PAU