Thank you all for reading! Enjoy, mi amigo's! Disclaimer: I own nothing

Henry sat on the park bench, watching the birds flit across the grass and humming Beethovens 'For Elise'. His fingers tapped out the melody on the boards of the bench, almost as if he played it on the keys of a piano.

He was waiting, waiting for the time to pass and he could return to the shop. Not that he couldn't return now, of course; but he wanted to spend some time outside, away from everyone and the worry of daily life. Nature was always so peaceful, so uncaring of the demands of 'normality' and accepting of everyone - it was a relief sometimes.

Coming down the street, he could hear a car quickly approaching, and the birds scattered at the loud sound. He sighed, looking in the direction of the vehicle, wondering what demanded the driver to be in such a hurry. As he turned to look, he gasped as he saw the car drive off the road, colliding with a fire hydrant.

The following events passed by in both a blur, and in crystal clarity. He could see the car impact; could see the hydrant break off, launched into flight by the force of the water pressure; remembered thinking that there was no time to do anything - remembered throwing up his hands to block the blow; and then - nothing.

Henry jerked upright with a gasp, his hands abortively coming up to shield his head before he remembered he had appeared that time - wincing as the soap ran into his eyes.

... Lucas was not sure what had driven him to get a car wash that day, at that time, but there he was... The building was huge, and looked like something straight out of a syfy movie, if he were being honest. He grinned; it was like that one episode in... His thoughts were derailed as someone knocked on his window. He rolled it down. "Sir, you can stay in your car until you reach that door over there, then we'll have one of our people drive it out into the parking lot after the waxing, and she'll be all yours, cleaned and shined!" piped the chipper voice.

"Okay!" he replied, and the man backed off, letting the car be attached to the conveyor belt (No, seriously, it looked like a conveyer belt) and the thing be turned on, slowly taking the car into the tunnel of darkness. 'Like a Borg cube.'

...Shutting his eyes tightly against the soap, Henry blindly felt his way to the wall of the carwash, not wishing to be run over and die again so soon. He longed to open his eyes, to rub away the sting, but knew better - he could only wait in darkness until the rinse water came on and he could clean his hands as well.

...Lucas hummed quietly, waiting for his car to reach the area that he was supposed to get out. He could see he was approaching the soaping cycle, just after the rinse, and just beyond that he could see a door off to the left. He looked off to the side, then back in front of the car. His eyes bulged, and he did a double-take. Shaking himself out of his shock, he looked around to make sure none of the workers were watching, before reaching over to the passenger side, opening the door. "Dr. Morgan?" he whispered, or his equivalent of a whisper.

...Henry jerked his head toward the sound of his name. He tried to place the voice, but the low volume and the sound of the carwash around him made it impossible. Taking a chance, he stood up and carefully made his way toward the voice, praying that he would break something in the process.

Lucas reached into the back, snatching up the shock blanket, (Always gotta be prepared, right?) and waiting for Henry. "Is this for a case, Doc?" he asked, handing the blanket and looking away to give the other man some sort of privacy.

Reaching the car, Henry stumbled into the blanket, gratefully wrapping it around himself and sliding into the passenger seat, shutting the door after him. Once safely inside, he used an edge of the blanket to wipe the soap out of his eyes, blinking them clear.

"Lucas?" He turned to the driver, uncertain whether to be thankful or apprehensive that his assistant had been the one to find him.

"That's what they call me," Lucas replied. He put a hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on one of his legs. "I'm not even going to ask. Again, like I said before, what you do in your spare time is what you do in your spare time. I mean, if people knew some of the things I do... That sounded wrong."

Henry smiled, relaxing. "Thank you."

He frowned and looked around. "By the way, where am I?"

Lucas sent him a puzzled look, but didn't question it, only answered, "That would be Octopus Car Wash." Speaking of which... they were nearing the door. He saw one of the workers stat to move towards the door, waiting for him. Crap. "Doctor - please get in the back, please hide under the blanket, and please don't say a word."

Henry opened his mouth to reply that yes, he knew they were in a car wash - but where in the city was that! But the harried requests from Lucas silenced him, and the doctor carefully maneuvered the tricky passage between the front and back seats. Lying on the floorboards, he covered up and waiting; confused as to why, but trusting his assistant.

Lucas opened the drivers side, looking at the woman who came up to him. "Okay, just go through that door, follow the long hallway; you can buy snacks and drinks from the Vending machine if you like. Someone will come and show you to your car after the waxing." Lucas smiled at her. "Oh- and if you would leave your keys, I need to drive it out, and through."

Lucas nodded, "I'll just leave my jacket if that's alright," and after she nodded confirmation, he draped it over the other M.E, making it look more like a blanket and jacket pile then what it really was. He hopped out, watching nervously as she got in and the car moved forward again.

Henry listened to the conversation being held above him, gathering information as to what was going on. He felt the jacket being laid over him, and lay as still as possible, barely breathing. He felt the car moving, heard doors opening and shutting, and could sense people busily working around the vehicle. Waiting, he wondered why it couldn't have happened that he reappeared at least clothed - or in his house; and prayed that nothing would happen to reveal his presence.

...Lucas didn't know how long he waited, but eventually someone came to get him. He hurried after the Octopus Car Wash employee, looking out in the parking lot until he saw his car. He breathed out a sigh of relief, walking towards it, having already paid while in the building. He thanked them as he passed, and quickly slid into the drivers seat. "Dr. Morgan?"

Henry debated for a second whether or not to answer, but decided that - since Lucas could actually see what was happening - it must be safe to speak.

"Yes, Lucas? I'm still here."

"Okay - I'm driving now. Where do you want me to take you? I just drove out of the parking lot. And now I'm on Albemarle Terrace. Now I'm switching lanes -"

Henry sighed, pushed the jacket off, and sat up.

"Yes, Lucas - there is no need to narrate your actions to me. Would you be so kind as to take me to Abe's shop, please?"

"Oh. Yeah, I can do that." Lucas nodded, and drove towards Abe's shop. It was close enough, so it didn't take to long to get there.

"Okay, we're here," Lucas stated, although, Henry would be able to see that just as well as Lucas. Still worth stating.

Henry sighed in relief, thankful to be back safely - and very grateful that Lucas had been there to find him, and not ask questions.

"Lucas, I...thank you." He nodded, and got out of the car, keeping the blanket wrapped around him. "I'll bring this to work tomorrow then?"

"You're welcome! Yeah, sounds good!" Lucas waved.

Waving in return, Henry entered the shop. As he made his way upstairs to change into more...appropriate, apparel, he bemoaned the loss of a lovely afternoon - and thanked heaven for loyal friends.