GONIFF 2
As Angel entered the kitchen she found that Goniff had gone.
She made coffee and decided to take it up to their room to make sure that everything was okay. She kicked the door with her foot .
`Someone want to open this I have my hands full`, she asked.
Casino opened it a crack and peered round.
`Not today thank you `, he said smiling, and closed the door.
Angel smiled.
`Fine by me just take my coffee somewhere else, sure the Sgt Major wouldn't say no to a good cup , even if some people have no sense `. She said.
The door opened abruptly and Casino almost snatched the tray from her hands.
`Just teasing baby`, he said.
`Well bless me , I'd never have guessed`, she said sarcastically.
`You want some? he asked smiling at her .
`Well that's so nice of you to offer , especially as I made it, but no thanks, ` she said grinning back at him. `I was going to make you breakfast , but I don't know whether I want to now, you being so
ungrateful and all`.
She plonked down in Actors' chair and watched Casino pour the coffee.
`Blown Breakfast eh? He asked. `Don't suppose there's anything I can do to make it up to you, now is there?`
`Weeeeeell. Suppose you could offer to do the washing up afterwards`, she said smiling at him sweetly.
`Huh, knew there'd be a catch, what you cooking anyway? He asked.
`Thought bacon ,eggs and toast might be nice`, she said.
`Okay I clear up, so long as they're real eggs`, he said.
`Fresh from the chickens Casino`, she said.
Casino passed the coffee to Goniff who took it and muttered his thanks.
Chief said nothing , just took the mug and sat down on his bunk.
Angel had been watching him.
`You still got the headache`, she asked him.
`Comes and goes,` he said.
`You taking the pills the Dr. gave you?
`Sometimes`, he said.
Angel walked over to him and picked up the pill bottle.
`Doesn't seem to be too many missing, how many have you taken , exactly? She asked.
`Not many`, he said without looking at her.
`She opened the bottle and took two out and placed them in his hand.
`Why put up with the headache when these will help? She asked `Now take them.
`They make me sleepy`, he said
Angel looked at him and sighed.
`Would sleep be such a bad thing,? Maybe it would help`. She said.
`Shouldn't sleep during the day, ain't right`, he said.
`Well maybe your body thinks different. Maybe you just need a good rest. You don't get much time to yourselves, so take what's offered. You've got no missions for the next week at least so sleep ,
eat and rest, give your body time to heal itself, you of all people should know what I mean, and keep taking the tablets or I'll give them to Craig and make him watch while you do`, she said.
He swallowed the tablets without further argument.
`Thank you `, she said `Now breakfast will be in fifteen minutes so don't be late`.
`Yes ma'am`, said Casino
She left the room and headed for the kitchen , realising that Goniff had not said a word to her. Craig was right , there was something terribly wrong. He was definitely coming home with her so she
could get to the bottom of all of this. Casino could keep an eye on Chief and Actor, would do him good to run round after them for a while. She entered the kitchen and got out the pots and pans she
would need and started to cook their breakfast.
…
She knocked on Craig's door two hours late with a fresh mug of coffee, not waiting for him to tell her to enter.
`Thought you might like this`, she said , putting the mug on his desk.
He looked up from his paperwork and put down his pen.
`Thanks Honey much appreciated, how are they doing? He asked.
She sat in the chair opposite him and sighed.
`Casino is fine apart from trying hard not to let on how worried he is about them both`,
`Both? He butted in.
`Both,` she said.
`Chief still has that headache and isn't taking any of the pills, you need to talk to him, make him understand that this headache will not go away without help, he feels out of control because they
make him sleep. Keep him down here with you where he's sure he's safe, let his sleep on the spare cot if you have to , but make him take the pills,` she said sternly.
`Yes ma'am`, he said smiling.
She laughed at him.
`Sorry , came on a little strong there , didn't I? just don't like to see any of them hurting, that's all`.
`I know Honey. There lucky that you care so much about them. Now what about Goniff? He asked.
`Him I am worried about, he hasn't said more than two words to me all morning, that's just not like him, usually I can't keep him quiet. I'll take him back with me ,maybe away from here he'll tell me
what's wrong, I can only hope so anyway`, she said.
`Let him stay as long as he needs to , he's no use to me the way his at the moment, he said.
`Well don't worry about picking Actor up tomorrow, Goniff and I will do that, might spend a little time in London first, see if a change of scenery will help any, ` she said
She stood up
I'll go and ask him if he'd like to come back with me`, she said `Won't disturb you again.`
He walked around the desk to her and kissed her cheek.
`Thanks, for everything`, he said .
`You're welcome little brother `, she said smiling at him. `Chief needs two more pills in an hour, then every four, alright?
He laughed at her ,
`I won't forget, I promise, will even set the alarm if it will make you feel any better`, he said
`It's not that I doubt you at all it's just that I know you and your paperwork, you lose track of time, `, she said
`That is just a malicious lie spread around by people who have arrived at meetings earlier than they should have`, he said laughing. `I was not late , no matter what they say`.
`I believe you, just heed my warning, Chief doesn't take his pills and I'm holding you responsible `, she said
He turned round and picked up his alarm clock, setting it for one hour.
`Satisfied? He asked.
`For now`, she said kissing his cheek, and smiling. `See you tomorrow, and call if you need anything alright`,
`I will Honey, I will `, he said .`
Angel left the office , and as he sat down to finish his paperwork , he smiled to himself and double checked the alarm.
…
Angel found Goniff sitting on the front steps with his head in his hands.
`Hi you okay , you're mighty quiet this morning, was beginning to think I'd done something to upset you`, she said.
`Naw , nothing like that`, he said quietly.
`You got your things packed? She asked.
Goniff looked at her,
`It's all right for me to come? He asked her.
`You're welcome at the cottage anytime Goniff, you should know that by now`.
`Not going to be much company`, he said
`All you have to do is come home and rest, eat what you want , have time to yourself if you want, and if you need someone to talk to I've been told I'm a pretty good listener`, she said.
`Goniff walked to the main doors and picked up the rucksack he had already stashed there.
`Can we go now, without going back inside? He asked.
`If that's what you want`, she said. Let's go find the jeep Craig's letting us borrow, shall we?
`Goniff sighed, and nodded.
`He felt drained, just so damned tired. Maybe with no distractions he could get some sleep, maybe with Angel the nightmare wouldn't seem so bad, at least Casino wouldn't be there to make fun of
him,
Oh how he wished just for things to be normal, just for a little while.
`You ready? Angel asked.
He got in the jeep and sat back and closed his eyes.
Angel looked at him and then took his hand and squeezed it.
`It'll be all right Goniff , you'll see, couple of days and you'll be as good as new.
As she started the jeep and drove towards the gates, he turned his head away so she couldn't see the tear slide down his cheek.
Angel pretended not to notice that he was trying hard not to break down. The sooner she could get him home and start to take care of him the better she would feel. One thing she knew for sure, he
was not going back to the mansion or on any missions until she thought he was ready. She would keep him with her until she knew for certain he was well again, and she didn't care how long took.
