Warning: plot. Ooooh, scary!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hot Fuzz. (Damn.)

How We Operate by Gomez

Bad news!! I'm being abducted off to Europe for a month (just over three weeks, actually) so this will be my last update for a while. Here is my good-bye gift, it's a bit rushed but I like the issues it brings up. Please enjoy it.

oo7.

Nicholas stood bent over the hood of his car, the blueprints for their new station pinned under his palms. He shifted idly and pointed to a particular spot, where the main hall branched into several tributaries, one of which ended in a large rectangle.

"Is that the interrogation room?" He asked, impressed.

"Yup." Danny's head eclipsed the sun, cast the station into shadow. "I came up with that."

"Well done."

"Thanks." Danny nibbled on his Time Out. "Things are gonna be better this time around, hey?"

A swift westerly breeze swept across the road and yanked at the blueprints. They both pressed their hands down on the rustling paper and their fingers overlapped. Nicholas made a rare, toothy smile and gazed at the plans drawn beneath their palms. It fussed and fluttered in the breeze like a trapped bird. His expression slowly evaporated, but he didn't move away.

"Yeah," he said after a moment.

Danny nodded and studied their usual hiding spot. The road to Sandford was quiet as usual, little stirred on the hilltop. He munched pensively on his chocolate bar while Nicholas murmured to himself, black gloves tracing every prophesized room and corridor.

"You excited?"

Nicholas glanced up. "Yes," he admitted. "It's our station now, isn't it? Everyone gets their bit."

"Ya." Danny grinned, then turned and watched a nondescript black car emerge from around the corner. Nicholas made to glance at the radar gun, but instead of driving by the vehicle slowed and pulled into their shady little alcove. "Who's that?"

A man emerged, dressed primly in a dark Armani suit. He spared neither of them a glance as he walked to the rear door and opened it. A graceful pair of legs unfolded, followed by a graceful silhouette of a woman emerged from behind the tinted car window. Her pale blonde hair was wrapped up into a French bun and she wore a well-tailored blue blouse and pants adorned by several unobtrusive pieces of jewellery. A silver scarf was artfully tucked around her neck. She carried the subtle, intelligent air of someone who was truly wealthy.

"Hello Nicholas," she said, and approached with one hand over her eyes.

"Mum?"

"So you do remember me." She gently wrapped one arm around his chest, her head barely level with his chin. He returned the gesture awkwardly. "I was beginning to you think you had forgotten."

"I…." Nicholas' face betrayed a rapid triad of hurt, anger, and confusion. "Why are you here?"

His mother unfolded a paper that had been curled under her other arm. She flattened it across the blueprints. On it was the headline: BIG CITY BOBBY TAKES DOWN SANDFORD CULT. One of his old, angry London photos was there. She pointed to the end of the article, which read "…Sergeant Angel survived the explosion, but remains comatose at Buford Abbey Hospital."

"I just wondered what this was about."

Nicholas frowned. "It's been months since the NWA. Why are you here now?"

His mother looked past him and caught sight of Danny. She inclined her head and smiled. "Hello! I didn't see you there. And what's your name?"

"That is Sergeant Butterman, my partner."

"Call me Danny."

She stepped past Nicholas and shook hands. "My name is Delilah Angel. How do you do!"

"You mean…head of the big building company?" Danny grinned at Nicholas. "You never told me you were one of the Angels."

"I'm not," he replied testily.

"Don't be rude." Delilah pursed her lips. "I'm sorry to be a bully, Danny, but can I steal your partner away?"

Danny shrugged boyishly. "I just need a ride back to the station then he's all yours." He withered under Nicholas' glare. "If that's alright?"

"It won't take that long, Danny." Nicholas's face became inscrutable. "Mind putting the plans away? We'll only be a moment."

Danny carefully gathered up the blueprints from underneath the old newspaper and sat in the squad car. Delilah mouthed 'thank you' before turning to Nicholas. She studied him for a moment.

"I should have been contacted," she said quietly.

Nicholas clasped his hands behind his back and stood like he was facing a drill sergeant. "It's done now, Mum."

Delilah ran her fingers through her hair. "I know what happened was…. Well, it takes time to heal." She suddenly looked at Danny, who watched them without pretence. "I came because I was worried about you. Your father is, too."

"As you can see, I'm fine."

She gave him a penetrating look. "Then think of this as an olive branch."

Nicholas shook his head and stepped back. "Thank you, but I have my own career now." His expression softened. "I simply wish to be left alone."

"You're happy?"

"I am."

Delilah nodded and said nothing for a moment. She gazed around the road, inhaled the country air shakily. "It's a nice place," she allowed, then glanced at Danny. "So, are you in love with him?"

Nicholas went rigid. "I beg your pardon?"

"With the sergeant over there." She smiled. "You seem so comfortable in your own skin now." At his incredulous look, she laughed. "I'm your mother. I can tell these things."

"Well, I—ahm…." Nicholas clenched his jaw. "I have work to do."

"I can see that." Delilah glanced at her chauffer. "I'll be staying in Buford Abbey for a few days." She smiled at his confusion. "Who do you think is building that new station of yours?"

"But, I checked—"

"Like I knew you would, so I went through one of my partners. I thought it might soften you up." After a long pause, she added, "I only wanted to see you."

Nicholas pressed his lips together and glanced at either end of the road, but everything was quiet. "Sandford is my home, Mum." A tremor of emotion passed through his face. "You can't be here."

The sun rose high enough to shine through the treetops. Delilah raised her head and sighed. "You are still so angry, aren't you?" When Nicholas said nothing, she reached into her pocket and retrieved a small white business card. "Here's my mobile number. I'll be having meetings all week." She studied his face. "If you change your mind, I'd love to hear from you." She reached out and touched his elbow. "Please, let me do this. Take care, Nicholas."

He nodded curtly and watched her walk back to the car. She waved at him before disappearing into the back seat, but he stood motionlessly and watched the car make a swift three point turn and vanish back around the corner.

Danny stepped out of the squad car and leaned on the open door. "Angel Architecture. Man." He stopped and stared at Nicholas. "Family's always a bit messy, isn't it?"

Nicholas turned the business card over and over in his hands. "This is the first time we've spoken in six years."

"You alright, then?"

"Remember what I told you about my uncle?"

"Ya."

"I blew the whistle on him." Nicholas looked at the shadows stretched across the road. "I thought it was the right thing to do. He was selling it to kids, Danny. But I…." He stopped, forced the tremble out of his voice. "But the rest of my family didn't agree. I haven't had any contact with them since. It's strange seeing her here."

Danny shrugged sympathetically. "Explains a lot." He watched a cow saunter across the field, idly flicking its tail. "What's the card for?"

Nicholas picked up the newspaper unfurled across the hood. "Damage control," he replied softly.

I'll be back on June 21st so hopefully I'll write another chapter shortly thereafter. Bye!