Debriefing Riggs

Season 2

Episode 18

Frankie Comes To Hollywood

This time Brooks didn't wait in the truck. He stayed in the corridor, waiting for Martin to return from talking to Nathan Riggs.

Brooks hadn't put it up for discussion, telling Martin to pick him up at home. They'd headed for Texas together. Brooks agreed with Molly; Martin had to find a way to deal with Nathan, but also realized such a meeting would be painful and open wounds which had never healed to begin with.

So he was prepared for the worst when Martin stepped into the corridor. The younger man was clearly upset and his eyes wet with tears which he was fighting back. Brooks expected Martin to be emotional and was prepared to deal with it. "Let's get out of here," he said, grabbing Martin by the shoulder and leading him out of the building.

Martin didn't speak and Brooks was okay with that. They had to get to the truck before the younger man would even consider letting down his guard. The more distance between Martin and Nathan, the better.

Feeling entranced, Martin followed Brooks' lead and felt immensely relieved once he slipped onto the passenger's seat. He didn't even put up a fight knowing he was in no condition to drive. His hands shook like mad, his eyes stung and he struggled to draw in air. His father's presence had literally sucked the life out of him. When he'd been in that little cubicle, he'd fought hard not to let his father see how badly this affected him, but he'd failed. Nathan had taken one look at him and he'd known; he'd seen it in his father's eyes. "I fucked up."

Brooks turned toward Martin and gently cradled his friend's face in his hands, trying to sooth the upset man and forcing him to make eye contact at the same time. "What happened in there?" He didn't believe Martin fucked up. It was more like Nathan Riggs had screwed with Martin's head!

"He said he was sorry. He wants to be in touch. I can't do that, so I told him to leave me and the ones I love alone." The words came automatically to his surprise; he hadn't been sure he could voice them. "He saw me cry." It had just been one tear, but he'd given himself away. Nathan knew he still had a hold on him.

"Hearing that must have thrown you." Brooks had expected several moves on Nathan's part and this was one of them.

"He doesn't mean it. He's playing games, getting in my head to mess with me. He can't change. He won't change!" Just five minutes with his father had undone a lot of healing Cahill, Brooks and Todd had worked on. Just like that, he was an emotional wreck again. "Fuck, I want to get drunk and forget it ever happened."

"We're not doing that," Brooks stated firmly. It was a good thing he'd come along. If Martin had been on his own, the young man would head for a bar to get pissed, but not with him around. He considered his options; if they left now they'd be home tomorrow, but that meant driving through the night and he wasn't comfortable with driving for so long. Martin was in no condition to take over the wheel. Renting a room for the night was their best option.

Brooks reached for the thermos, uncapped it, and poured a generous amount of coffee. Although Martin usually took it black, he added sugar and milk and then handed it to the trembling man. "Drink that."

Martin scoffed. "There's no booze in that!"

"Exactly. You're not getting any alcohol tonight. Be very glad I opted to bring along coffee instead of Todd's tea. Now drink that and let me take care of the rest." Martin glared, but then sipped obediently, which made Brooks smile. He started the engine and turned the truck around. Although the thought crossed his mind, he decided against turning on the radio, just in case that one song popped up. Martin might lose it if it did.

/

"Why are we stopping?" They had just entered Gallup and were halfway home. For some reason though Brooks steered the truck toward a motel.

"I'm too tired to drive through the night." Brooks parked the truck and killed the engine. Upon seeing Martin object, he shook his head firmly. "And you're not driving either." Although the younger man tried to hide it, he still reeled from shock. Martin was too pale, too quiet, and way too preoccupied. "We're grabbing a bite to eat and we'll head home in the morning." He'd already updated Todd and the precinct.

"Fine, cap." Martin lacked the energy to protest anyway. He stayed in the truck while Brooks got them a room, noticing that the car keys were gone. Brooks had taken them with him, the sneaky bastard!

Five minutes later, Brooks was back and dragged him along. The room turned out to be clean and decent. It only had a King, but Martin figured they could share, as he felt comfortable with that.

"You want the first shower?" Brooks asked, scanning the room and finding it acceptable.

"Nah, I'm good. I'm gonna crash instead." Martin was already on his way over to the bed when Brooks threw his duffel bag at him.

"There's food in there. Eat something first. I'll be back in ten." Brooks made sure the keys to the truck were still in his pocket when he closed the bathroom door. He wasn't taking risks.

Food held no appeal, but Martin knew Brooks would give him hell if he didn't eat, so he unwrapped a sandwich and forced it down with some bottled water. Lying down on the bed, he stared at the ceiling. The meeting with his old man kept replaying in his mind, driving him nuts. He failed to stop those thoughts and seemed stuck.

"What's happening in that head of yours?" Brooks was back, clad in a T-shirt and boxers and stretched on the other side of the bed, keeping his distance. If Martin wanted or needed comfort, the young man would let him know.

Martin sighed and turned his head. He chuckled upon finding Brooks' normally immaculate hair in such a mess. He sobered quickly though and returned to staring holes into the ceiling. "I'm glad you came along." Had he been alone, he would have done something stupid, as he couldn't vouch for his sanity at the moment.

Brooks turned onto his side, pulled at the duvet, but only managed to cover himself partly, as Martin was laying down on it and not moving. "I'm glad you let me tag along."

Brooks' words made him smile. "You're tenacious." Brooks could have given up on him so many times, but never did.

"Thanks." Brooks gratefully accepted what he knew was a compliment. "You sure you don't want to go for a quick shower?"

"No, not tonight." The past was too close. Martin also turned onto his side, wondering about how comfortable he felt with the whole situation. He trusted Brooks all the way, which was a first for him. He didn't trust people in general. Yeah, he trusted Roger, but still, there was always a sliver of doubt, holding him back from truly embracing their partnership. With Brooks, it seemed he'd crossed that line. "Can I ask you for something?" He wasn't sure what made him do it, but it was something he needed and he hoped Brooks would say yes.

"Sure, what is it?" Brooks wondered about the open expression on Martin's face. He saw it so seldom!

"Can you hold me?"

Martin's voice was barely audible and Brooks had to strain to pick up the words, but when he did, he smiled warmly. "Sure, move closer." He opened his arms and waited for Martin to make up his mind, knowing very well that asking to be held was one thing, but to actually take that step, another.

To his own surprise, Martin moved closer and rested his head on Brooks' shoulder. Was he really doing this?

Brooks smiled and pulled Martin into his arms. He kept the embrace loose, giving Martin some space and the opportunity to move away should he reconsider. Martin however surprised him and snuggled up to him. "It's a good thing Todd isn't around," he whispered, amused. "He would either demand to join in, and the bed's too small for that, or he'd be taking pictures to use as blackmail material in the future." Hopefully joking would settle Martin's remaining nerves.

"I wouldn't mind Todd joining in." Martin had a hard time believing how comfortable he felt. Having someone close, holding him and watching over him was still a novel experience. Brooks had held him through the night once before, but not at his request. "Thanks," he whispered, "for everything."

"You're very welcome." Brooks didn't tell Martin to close his eyes or to go to sleep, very much aware of the fact that Nathan would haunt the younger man's sleep tonight. So he would just hold him and offer him silent support.

/

Waking up, Martin felt alert and rested, which was unusual. He'd expected to toss and turn, have nightmares, even a flashback, but nothing like that had happened. Instead he'd gone to sleep within minutes and he'd slept right through the night, only to wake up in Brooks' arms, which made him feel embarrassed. Fuck, he'd hogged the man the entire night! He'd figured Brooks would indulge him till he was asleep and then move away, but no.

"Morning," Brooks whispered, waking up because Martin was moving about. He loosened the embrace, but didn't pull away, letting Martin decide what to do next. "You slept well." He'd expected Martin to have a restless night and had stayed awake himself, wanting to wake Martin in case a nightmare ruined his sleep, but that hadn't been necessary. Eventually he'd fallen asleep himself. The fact that Martin allowed him so close and even felt comfortable being held was nothing short of amazing. "Hungry?"

Martin wondered what to do. He was comfortable, but he should probably give Brooks his space back. "I can eat," he said, and then added, "sorry for –"

"Stop it, Martin. Don't apologize for needing a hug!" Brooks smiled and yawned. "Are you ready to face the day? We should eat and then head home. I have some appointments in the afternoon which I need to keep and Roger is probably bored out of his mind without you harassing him!"

Martin nodded and moved to his side of the bed before sitting up and putting his feet on the floor. "Do we have time for a quick shower?"

"Sure, go ahead. I'll see what I can do about breakfast." Brooks watched Martin head for the bathroom and picked up his phone to check in with Todd. His partner worried and needed to be reassured that everything was fine.

/

Two days later, the situation changed drastically. Nathan Riggs had been stabbed and was in the infirmary. Brooks couldn't help but wonder about the timing. Nathan started reaching out to Martin, claiming to be a changed man and helping his son track down Danny Mancini. He'd pulled the report about the stabbing and also the medical file. Wasn't it amazing that no major arteries had been hit? Sure, Nathan was bed ridden for the moment, but he'd effortlessly make a full recovery. To Brooks, those were too many coincidences all together.

Looking at Martin, who'd insisted on driving part to Amarillo, he knew he couldn't count on the Texan to be rational about this. Martin was extremely emotional at the moment and the logically thinking part of his brain switched off. It was up to him to stay on top of their situation.

/

Brooks recognized the exact moment guilt slipped into Martin's eyes. The doctor telling him she'd pull all her strings to get Nathan out of there if he were her dad messed Martin up pretty bad and Brooks knew he had to be careful. No matter the abuse Martin had suffered, Nathan was his father. There must have been good moments too when he'd been growing up and those would urge Martin to look after his father in spite of everything. Martin cared too much. Brooks had realized that long before and now it complicated matters.

The look Martin gave him spoke of confusion and it told him the Texan was pulled apart between doing the sensible and rational thing, and his heart, which urged him to do the complete opposite. "We need to talk," he told Martin and wrapped an arm around him. "But not here." First, he needed to get Martin somewhere safe, a place where they could talk without Nathan directly influencing his son.

TBC