Disclaimer: you know the drill... don't own
(Ray)
I sat in the waiting room for what felt like forever, even though it was two hours tops. Then again, I couldn't sit still if my life depended on it. Lloyd was wheeled out in wheelchair, hospital policy, and a doctor came over to talk to me. "This man is a marshall?" He questioned. "He helps the Marshalls." He didn't need to know Lloyd was a con.
"Okay, then I need to go over a few things with you. I already asked him if he had anyone that could watch over him tonight like a wife or relative, he said no. So, he either has to stay at the hospital under supervision or go with you." I knew I had a shocked look on my face. I hesitantly agreed to take watch Lloyd for a few days and the doctor gave me a list of things to do and watch out for, I'd have Julianne call Maybelle and get him put in my custody for a little while.
I walked over to where Lloyd was sitting, talking to some patient."C'mon con," I said, grabbing the handles of his chair and wheeling him away mid-sentence. He went in to some rant about how I interrupted his life-altering speech and I shook my head in amusement. The automatic doors slid open with a hiss and I allowed Lloyd to climb into my SUV and buckle up as I took the chair back inside and climbed into the driver's seat.
"This isn't the way back to Maybelle..." Lloyd said halfway through the ride.
"Thanks genius. Where would we be without you," I said sarcastically.
"Ray, where are we going?" Lloyd asked hesitantly.
I sighed, "We're going to my place. You're sleeping on my couch."
Lloyd's expression was priceless. His jaw-dropped and he looked at me in utter disbelief before his lips spread into a cool smile and he focused his attention out the window. I grabbed my old-school cell phone out of my pocket and dialed the common seven digits. Julianne answered with a short 'Simmons' and told her what was going on. I could practically hear her smile over the phone as I told her I was rooming with Lloyd. The genius in question guessed our topic of conversation and gave me an evil look. I just smiled.
Once we got to my place it was dark outside and the temperatures had dropped. So, I went to find an extra blanket and pillow. I was rummaging through my spare closet when a soft knock on my open door reached my ears. "Yeah Lloyd?" I looked up to see he was looking skiddish."Umm... You think I could borrow some clothes, just for tonight?"
I didn't even think of that! Everything I own would be too big for his skinny ass. Though I guess that wouldn't be too uncomfortable.
"Yeah, give me your clothes once you've changed and I'll wash them."
Lloyd thanked me and I handed him a hoody and some jogging pants. He stood in the door awkwardly before padding off in search of a bathroom. I scanned the closet again before my eyes settled on a green blanket and a grey pillow. I carried the blanket and pillow into the living room, dodging the boxes I had yet to unpack, and got the couch ready for him. It was a sofa-bed actually, I bought it for when my daughter comes over.
Just then he came out of the bathroom and I finally got to take a good look at him. His hair was a mess from people prodding at it all day, he has butterfly stitches just above his left temple, the hoody came down to just above his knees, and the pants were baggy and rolled-up around the waist. He looked so different without a tee under a jacket and those horrid indigo jeans, normal even. It was then I realized I had grown close to the cons; even more so after Charlie's death. Perhaps too close to the cons actually. It's just like Shea had said, cops and cons die.
I had to physically shake my head to rid the thoughts. No emotional connections, this is a job, just business. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and listened to Lloyd's voice babble on about things that no one cared about. I briefly wondered what goes on in his head but figured I really didn't want to know.
Once my beer was gone and Lloyd had quieted due to exhaustion, I headed to my room. Setting my alarm clock for two hours later and putting Lloyd's pain meds in my lock box. I'm pretty sure those college kids weren't the only ones taking those prescription drugs. Though, that's one thing I would never tell the team.
R&R!
