A/N: Sorry folks, its October and baseball is taking over my life. I've finally made some time to sit down and write another chapter, had to get it published before Game 3 starts. Also, I send my love to those of you that have reviewed; it really makes me feel good to know that people are reading my ramblings.
Shannon:
He couldn't help but smile into his drink as the bartender expounded on years of exploits. At first he had been dubious about this game "Poke the Bear", but after nearly half an hour, he realized that Boylan's pranks were nothing criminal. Currently, Boylan was telling a tale about when he ran around the colony steps ahead of Taylor, anticipating every move, in order to assure that the Commander could not get a hot cup of coffee. The result, a woefully decaffeinated and very irritable colony leader.
"Oh, it was priceless Shannon! Despite my best efforts Taylor managed to talk Washington out of her cup of coffee, and then Malcolm comes careening through a doorway and straight into Taylor. " Boylan made a splashing noise. "He never even got a sip." Boylan was once again overtaken with a bout of laughter. "Now, I know it had to burn, but Taylor just stood there silently as Malcolm apologized profusely. Then bam, he grabs Malcolm by the lapels and pulls him in close and gave him what I assume none too veiled threat. I've been on the receiving side of plenty of those, it's not pleasant. I don't know what Taylor said to Dr Wallace, but he ran off like frightened rabbit." Boylan leaned in conspiratorially, "and Malcolm will deny it to this day, but I swear there were tears streaming down his face as he ran."
Shannon sat for a moment secretly enjoying the image of Malcolm running with his tail between his legs. He eyed Boylan who was still laughing to himself at the memories of past 'Poke the Bear' exploits. "So why exactly do you do this? You don't get along with Taylor, I get that, but you're not just doing this for your own entertainment are you?"
Boylan rested both palms on the bar and regarded Shannon. "You're right. Shannon, you don't know Taylor like I do. I've known him for a very long time; I've seen him change a lot over the years. I'm trying to see if the short tempered S.O.B. I used to know is still in there." Boylan seemed to be lost for words as he poured himself another finger of bourbon. "I feel like he's putting on a show for the colonists. I want them to see him get pissed off; know that he's not perfect; he has flaws just like the rest of us. I happen to know what that flaw is."
This piqued Shannon's curiosity. The Taylor he knew had what seemed like endless patience, especially with the colonists. He had rarely seen the commander lose his temper, and when he did, it seemed well founded. "So what do you have planned next?"
Boylan smiled broadly. "The wheels are already in motion my good man!" Boylan rounded the bar and took a seat next to Shannon. "When the commander arrives home tonight he will find a package waiting for him."
"Oh god" Shannon started to interject.
An uproarious laugh escaped Boylan's lips. "Relax Sheriff, it won't explode or anything like that. It's a rather nice gift actually."
Shannon raised an eyebrow questioningly at the bartender. "You don't think the commander will find strange anonymous gifts at his doorstep suspicious?"
"No, he'll assume it's from his lady friend, and graciously accept it."
"Lady friend? What the hell are you talking about? Who the hell are you talking about?" Shannon was honestly befuddled. The Sheriff began to wonder if the rumors were true.
"You damn well know who." Boylan gave him an exasperated look. "The rather beautiful and untouchable Lt Washington. They've hidden it well, but I know for a fact that they've been together since before they both came to Terra Nova. I keep it to myself because I rather like the way my face looks"
Shannon absorbed this bit of information, and wracked his brain for moments when they seemed more than a Commander and his Lieutenant.
"Does everyone but me know this?" Shannon failed at hiding his embarrassment at missing this juicing bit of information.
Boylan downed his drink. "Nah, most people have an inkling that there is something between them, but as far as the colony is concerned they are both single. I've got customers to serve and you have a wife to get home to." With that Boylan headed off to tend to the paying patrons.
Shannon headed back through the colony as the sun was setting, he kept his head down. The sun was positioned in such a way that it was nearly blinding as it sank away. He unexpectedly found himself face to face with Nathaniel Taylor. A wave of guilt washed over the Sheriff as he offered a greeting to his boss. "Good evening Commander!" Shannon toyed with the idea of letting the Commander in on Boylan's shenanigans, but didn't know how to even begin. 'Taylor, you may want to be careful of…. What am I going to say, be careful of a box. I don't even know what's in the box, but it might be, well not harmful, but unpleasant, some way somehow.' Whatever he said would make him seem crazy, besides, he secretly wanted to see how the pranks played out. "You look exhausted."
Taylor offered a weak smile and scrubbed a hand over his face. "It's been a long day Shannon. I'm looking forward to a stiff drink and a soft bed."
Shannon mused to himself 'and most likely a certain soft woman as well.' "I won't keep you then, good night Taylor."
"Good night Shannon." Taylor slapped Jim on the shoulder before continuing on way to his housing unit.
Rubbing his shoulder, Shannon had a terrifying thought. 'If a slap on the shoulder out of camaraderie hurt this much, what would it feel like if Taylor gave me a Grade A ass kicking when he found out that his trusted Sheriff knows about Boylan's little game.'
It was a ghastly early hour; Shannon stifled a yawn as he galloped up the steps of the Command Center. "Good morning Reilly." He was about to side step the Corporal to enter the Command Center when she stopped him.
"Sheriff, the Commander is not in yet." Reilly simply stated.
Shannon's blood ran cold. He knew that something was terribly wrong if Nathaniel Taylor was late for a meeting. 'Oh no, Boylan, what have you done?!'
Reilly pointed out towards the market, "There he is, Sir. Over there by the frut stand. Oh my goodness…" her voice trailed off.
Following the line of her pointing hand he saw a shocking sight. A completely clean shaven Commander Nathaniel Taylor, his impeccably groomed beard was missing. Shannon watched as a seriously agitated Taylor made his way through the light early morning crowd at the market. Almost every eye in the market was trained on their Commander as he made his way to the Command Center. A number of the women's gazes seemed to linger longer than others.
"Shannon, I apologize for being late." Taylor offered a nod to Reilly as he entered the Command Center and Shannon was not far behind sharing a smirk with the Corporal.
"That's a new look for you, Taylor." Shannon bit his lip attempting to hide the fit of laughter that threatened to erupt from him.
"Wipe that shit eating grin off your face before I do it for you, Shannon." Taylor was not in a jovial mood.
"Seriously, what happened?" Shannon was intimidated enough to squelch any laughter that remained.
Taylor absently rubbed at his bare chin. "I got a new beard trimmer, that was… faulty. I haven't had a clean shave since Somalia."
"You're quite the talk of the market, sir." Shannon's head swiveled around to spot Wash leaning in the doorway. "All the ladies are telling me I have to see how baby faced our Commander looks."