"So why exactly did you ask me over here at this hour?" Deke entered Hondo's house dressed in his sweats, as requested.
"I'm starting a morning running program and thought you might want to join in." Harrelson stretched his legs and did a couple of deep knee bends.
"And why are we doing this?" Deke stretched as well, figuring the invite was more mandatory than voluntary.
"We're not getting any younger, Deke. I want to stay on top of the game as long as possible."
"Uh-huh. Is this prompted from having a team of young studs breathing down your neck?" Deke followed Hondo out the door, jogging lightly up the sidewalk.
"Maybe some," Harrelson puffed. "I need to stay on top for a while longer."
"Those guys still have Hondo Harrelson stars in their eyes."
"Well, I'm going to make sure it's deserved. Let's go."
At a moderate pace, Harrelson and Deke headed for the beach. On the soft and shifting sand, their pace slowed and their breath labored. Sweat darkened their clothes.
"How's the new replacement doing?" Harrelson asked between breaths.
"Well, there's been no whoopee cushions or exploding pens this week. That's a definite plus," Deke puffed.
"This guy hasn't made a pass at Susan, has he?" asked Harrelson.
"No, not this guy, but TJ's keeping a keen eye on him."
Harrelson shook his head, skirting a high tide slip. "It sure is tough when you mess with team dynamics. Only three weeks to go."
"Three long weeks," Deke said.
Deke pointed ahead at a jogger closing in quickly. "Will you look at that."
Surprised, Harrelson and Deke stopped. "I'd heard he was healing great, but I didn't expect this," Harrelson said.
The jogger started to pass by, centered on his own pace. Deke called out, "Jim!"
Jim Street turned. Recognition hit and he joined the other two.
"What are you doing out here?" Harrelson asked.
Jim grinned. "I was about to ask you the same thing. I've been jogging to get back in shape for a week. I've been cleared to come back to duty next week. You should have the notice on your desk today."
Deke slapped Jim on the shoulder. "That's super news! The guys can't wait to have you back."
"I've been hearing all about it," Jim said.
"Are you sure you're ready?" Harrelson asked.
Jim faced Harrelson, his posture defensive. "The injury wasn't that bad. I've been working hard and Doc cleared me."
Deke rolled his eyes as the other two faced off.
"Jim." Harrelson stepped away and motioned for his young officer to follow. He held a hand up to Deke, keeping him posted.
After a walking a few yards down the beach, Harrelson said, "This has been chewing at me, so I'm just going to spit it out. I made a serious miscalculation thinking that we could train against each other at less than one hundred ten percent. When it came down to it, when the battle was on the line – I couldn't do it myself."
They walked along the surf line for a quiet while.
"I thought if a sixty percent blow took me out that I'd never be a good SWAT officer," Jim said.
Neither man looked at the other, kept walking.
"I'll agree with that." Harrelson took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "However, that's not what you got. I couldn't do it. Instinct took over and you were like any other combatant. I'm really sorry about that."
"That's a good thing, Lieutenant." Jim said. "I know if I need your help I'll get it full bore." He paused a beat. "And if I screw up, you'll be after me the same way."
Harrelson stopped and faced Jim. "That's the way it is for all of us."
Jim nodded agreement.
"So you think you're ready for duty?" asked Harrelson.
"One hundred ten percent," Jim answered.
"Here, too?" Harrelson tapped his temple.
Jim stared off at the ocean waves for a couple of seconds. "Absolutely, Lieutenant."
Harrelson turned Jim, pointing back up the beach at Deke. "Show me. One hundred ten percent."
Deke watched the neck-and-neck race gobble the beach toward him. As they neared, the strain in their faces reflected their no-holds barred effort. Legs and arms pumping, the duo flashed past Deke dead even. It wasn't until they stopped that the individual cost was evident.
Harrelson heaved for breath, his hands on his knees. Street paced with his interlocked hands resting on his head.
"It'll be good having you back, Street." Harrelson panted. "Having the team whole."
Jim smiled. "Yes, sir!" He turned and jogged away.
"Well, I'll be damned," Harrelson said, beginning to catch his breath.
"What's that?" asked Deke.
"Luca was right."