Ch. 17

"Any news on the undercover front?"

Walt sat behind his desk with his hands clasped in his lap. He looked across at his attorney. Dave Milgrom sat in one of the chairs opposite his desk, looking as antsy as ever. Walt wondered on more than one occasion if the man ever relaxed. Or if he owned anything that wasn't a suit. He figured it must be a big city thing. Dave was another import from the east. He noticed the same streak of restlessness that seemed to course through Vic. She was rarely still unless she was asleep. She was also a person who fidgeted a bit and seemed to need to move. Walt supposed it was the result of growing up in a busy place. Where the two of them were from, motion was a way of life. Almost a necessity if one wanted to survive and thrive.

Walt snapped back into the moment as his attorney's eyes stayed on him.

"Not yet."

Dave sighed and shuffled through some papers in his briefcase.

"We need to keep preparing. In case this big plan of yours doesn't work out, we need to have a defense ready."

Walt shifted in his seat.

"Right."

Dave's smiled humorlessly.

"Something on your mind, Walt? You seem distracted today."

His mind went back forth all morning as to whether or not to let Dave in on the fact that Vic was pregnant. So far, Dave was the only person who knew about their plan. But that was out of necessity and in the name of keeping things legal. It would do them no good to go through all of this trouble, only to wind up not being able to use any information they obtained because it was considered poisonous fruit. But, he couldn't think of any need to tell the lawyer about his impending fatherhood. The man was under enough stress.

"No…just have a lot on my mind."

Dave dropped his eyes away from Walt and shuffled through his papers some more.

"You should probably get your mind on the case. Now we uh…we have depositions coming up. Both sides can request to have people summoned for this. Of course, we will present our witnesses and they will call who they want. I'm thinking your Deputy Ferguson will be a strong character witness. He seems like an honest young man. Don't see anything that raises any red flags."

Walt merely nodded.

"Whatever you think. I'm sure Ferg won't mind."

Dave nodded absent mindedly.

"Okay, good. Don't be surprised if someone close to you gets called in for this. They're going to be looking for any angle they can find to discredit you. How does next week work for you?"

Walt sighed.

"Sound fine. Any idea who they're calling?"

Dave shook his head.

"Not yet. Anyone they think has relevant information is fair game. Remember, this is all just…the preliminary stuff. We still have the jury selection and trial. Don't get too bent out of shape if this doesn't seem to go our way. Lawyers can have a way of twisting the truth."

Walt smiled at the comment about lawyers coming from one.

"So, I've noticed. The truth meant something once. I wish it still did."

Dave shrugged.

"I think the truth is pliable whether you like to admit it or now."

Walt just shook his head.

"The truth is fact. Otherwise, it's an opinion or viewpoint."

"Fair enough."

Dave shifted around in his seat, looking nervous.

"So, I assume that your secret is still a secret."

Walt gave him an odd look.

"My secret?"

Dave nodded.

"Yeah, you know."

It took a minute to dawn on Walt that he meant Vic.

"Yeah. It is. No one knows."

Dave snapped his briefcase closed and stood up.

"Great. Keep it that way."

Walt stood up and nodded to the man as he walked towards the door.

"Right."

Dave paused at the door.

"I'll call you and give you a firm time for the depositions as soon as we agree on the date and time."

"Sure."

The man disappeared out the door. Walt sat back into his chair and let his head fall back. It was moments like these when he wondered if all this was worth it. There was nothing to keep him from retiring. Of course, that wouldn't end this case against him, but it would remove one cause of stress from his situation. He hated feeling like he needed to defend a career that he was proud of. One that he worked most of his adult life at. Not that he was perfect. Of course, he made mistakes in his life. Everyone did. But, on the whole, he was proud of the way he served Absaroka County.

Retiring was on his mind more and more these days. Not just because of the case. But, because he was tired. This wasn't the first time in his career as Sheriff he had considered leaving. This wasn't a job he ever planned on doing forever. When Martha was still alive, they would talk about his retirement. All the things they would do afterwards when his time was free. But, that ended abruptly on a street in Denver.

But, now there was something else to look forward to. A new future with Vic. A child on the way. He was still having a hard time wrapping his brain around that. Accidental pregnancies were something that happened to other people. Yet, here he was. He found himself warming to the idea more than he thought possible at his age. Not that he didn't have his concerns. He did. It was a nerve wracking thought at this point in his life. But, it was also made him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time. And, that was a good feeling. For some time, he hadn't given his future any thought. Now, there was something to look forward to and that filled him with an anticipation he hadn't expected.

His thoughts were interrupted by Ruby appearing in his doorway and tapping on the open door to get his attention.

"Walter?"

He shifted his eyes to her.

"Yes, Ruby?"

Her expression made it clear that she was worried. Ruby possessed no poker face.

"The Mayor wants to see you."

Walt frowned.

"About what?"

She gave him a sympathetic look.

"I don't know. But, he' s on his way over."

xxx

Vic sat at her desk tapping a pen idly on the surface. It was hard to keep her mind on the task at hand when so much was going on in her head. She knew Walt was in with his attorney. So far, there was nothing new for them to tell him. Their only option at this point was patience. That was one thing she was admittedly bad about. Add on the fact that she was pregnant and her mind was racing with all manner of thoughts.

Milgrom would no doubt freak out if he found out that on top of everything else, she was carrying Walt's child. That would just be the icing on the cake for the high strung attorney. Vic tried to turn her attention back to her work, but her mind just wouldn't allow for it. Walt's office door opened finally and Milgrom came out. He glanced her way and offered her up a tentative polite smile. She could tell that her presence made him nervous.

With a quick bustle in the direction of the door, he was gone. Vic sighed and leaned back in her chair, tossing the pen down. Stretching her arms up over her head, she let her eyes drift to the window. She heard the phone ring and she heard Ruby answer it in the friendly, businesslike way she always did.

Vic's stomach grumbled. The past days or so, she vacillated between starving and feeling nauseous. It was not a good feeling. But, right now she was on the hungry end of the spectrum. Unfortunately, it wasn't lunch time yet. She was right on the verge of not caring. Vic pushed up from her desk and headed for the water cooler, nearly colliding with Ruby. Ruby's hand shot out and caught her arm.

"Sorry, sweetie."

Vic started to smile, but noticed the worry etched on the older woman's face.

"Something wrong?"

Ruby sighed.

"The mayor is coming to see the Sheriff."

She hurried on by and into Walt's office. Vic crossed the floor and filled her Flyers mug with cool water. Sipping it, she walked slowly back to her desk. Ruby came back out and took a seat back at her desk. Vic was considering actually leaving when she heard Walt.

"Vic."

Her name came out loud and sharp. Sighing, she set her mug down and found him standing behind his desk.

"Yeah?"

He looked anxious.

"The mayor is coming to see me."

"Right now?"

He nodded.

"Yep."

"Why?"

Walt shrugged.

"He didn't say. Only told Ruby he was coming over to talk to me."

Vic shook her head.

"Jesus, he's a prick."

Some of the concern on his face ebbed a bit at her comment. Walt came around his desk.

"Maybe you should go for a while."

Vic chewed her bottom lip.

"Yeah, thought about making myself scarce. But, I think I'll hang around. Why make his life easy? He sure as hell doesn't give the same courtesy."

With that, she smiled at him and walked back to her desk. Vic sat down and leaned her elbows on the desk, looking out the window. She was looking forward to the day when all of this shit was over and they were free to live their lives without so much stress and secrecy.

Vic pulled her eyes away from the window and made another attempt to resume her previous work. She was just on the verge of making some progress when she heard the door open. She immediately recognized the voice of Sawyer Crane. Even when he wasn't talking to her, he grated on her nerves. Vic looked up and over shoulder looking his way.

Ruby led him to Walt's office. Vic watched them, but Crane kept his eyes steadfastly away from hers. He didn't even glance in her direction. She heard Ruby say something to Walt, no doubt telling him Crane was there to see him. Then, Vic heard the door close firmly and Ruby went back to her desk.

Vic sighed and checked the clock. It was still a little early for lunch. She also was curious how long Crane would be in Walt's office. He certainly had enough hot air to go on for a while. She pushed the thought of food out of her mind and let her eyes drift to the window again. The sidewalk in front of the building was mostly empty at this moment. There were only a handful of people walking. That would change over the next hour so when the citizens ventured out in search of a midday meal or to run errands.

Propping her chin in her hand, she continued to look out the window

Waiting.

xxx

"Walt."

Walt sat down behind his desk. When Ruby had shown Crane in, the man did little to appear friendly. He had merely nodded to Walt and waited until Ruby pulled the door closed behind her. Walt kept his expression as neutral as possible. There was no way he was going to let this man know anything at all.

"Sawyer. What brings you by?"

Crane took a seat opposite the big desk and leaned back, looking a little too comfortable.

"Walt, I'm going to cut right to the chase. I had a meeting with the county commission this morning. We're all on the same page, so I speak for everyone. We would like for you to resign."

Crane stopped and gave the comment time to sink in. Whatever Walt was expecting the mayor to say, that wasn't it. While he knew Crane would like nothing more than for him to be gone, he hadn't expected the man to come right out and say it.

Before Walt could respond, Crane continued.

"In light of…everything…this case and the accusations against you, we feel that it would be in the best interest of the town and the county if you were to step away. We can put an interim Sheriff in place until an election can be held. There's no reason to tarnish the entire community with all of this. This has gone beyond local. Bigger papers are picking up on this now. It doesn't look good."

Walt listened to the man who sat across from him with the same calmness he did anyone who came in here.

"You want me to resign to make your life easier."

Crane shifted in his chair.

"Not for me. For the county, Walt. Don't be short sighted. This makes us all look bad."

Walt's forehead creased.

"According to the law, I am innocent because I haven't been proven otherwise. The FBI cleared me in the case of Barlow Connally and I expect to win this civil lawsuit as well. That doesn't make the county look bad. That shows that the legal process works."

Crane frowned.

"I am asking you to put your town first. This isn't personal. I hope you are cleared. God knows, we don't need that coming down on us. But for appearances, it would be better for everyone if you weren't Sheriff."

Walt merely shrugged.

"I haven't done anything wrong. This department is running just like it always has."

He could read the frustration on Crane's face. The man was not good at hiding his feelings, no matter what he thought. If Crane was going to fulfill all of his political ambitions, he would need to work on that.

"So, you're saying no. You're going to continue to drag all of us along with you through this mess."

Walt studied him.

"Do you have someone in mind?"

Crane looked caught off guard.

"What?"

"You mentioned an interim Sheriff. Do you have someone in mind?"

He could see that Crane wasn't expecting that question.

"We have some ideas."

Walt tilted his head a little.

"Who?"

Crane shifted in his seat, reminding Walt of a child being questioned by a school principal after being caught in the middle of doing something wrong.

"That's not really your concern."

Walt gave him an amused look.

"Sure it is. You want me to step down. The only way I might be willing to do that is if I have confidence in who you plan to put in my place."

"I'm sure we can find someone who is competent."

His non-answer made Walt's head hurt. But, it was what he expected from a politician like Crane. Answering a question by not answering the question. Walt had been dealing with others like him for the majority of his career. It was one of the worst parts of his job as far as he was concerned. Some days, he wanted to take a page out of Lucian's book and just say screw everyone.

"So, you don't know. Or you won't tell me."

Crane smiled a little.

"Like I said, that doesn't concern you. If you resign, who steps in won't be any of your business. Think about what I said. You don't have to give me an answer right now."

Crane signaled he was done by standing. Walt stood as well and came around his desk. He could tell the intentional move rattled Crane a bit, but the smaller man tried not to show it.

"I don't have to think about it. I can give you the answer right now. The answer is no."

Crane sighed.

"Walt, be reasonable."

The fact that Crane acted like this was some move for the people bugged him beyond words. Crane was one of the most self serving men he had come across in this job. Walt doubted he cared as much about Absaroka County as he claimed to. It was more likely, he was concerned with his own career and lining his own pockets.

"I am being perfectly reasonable. I will not resign my job. I will have my day in court and I will clear my name. Good afternoon."

Crane's face reddened slightly. He opened his mouth like he might say something more, but then snapped it closed. He moved towards the door, stopping once his hand landed on the knob. He turned to Walt.

"I tried to help you. It might not seem that way, but that's what this was."

With that he left.

xxx

Crane was pissed. That much was obvious as he left the office without a glance in any direction. Vic looked towards Walt's office. A minute or so after Crane left, he appeared in the doorway.

"Vic."

His voice was quiet now. Vic stood up and walked in. Walt closed the door behind him. She ran her eyes over him.

"What's his problem?"

Walt leaned on his desk.

"He asked me to resign."

Vic huffed.

"No shit? Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Nothing would please him more than you disappearing. Then, he would be free to do whatever the hell he wanted. That all he said?"

"He said if I resigned, they would install an interim Sheriff."

That clearly piqued her interest.

"Really? He say who?"

Walt shook his head.

"No."

Vic smiled a little.

"I assume you told him where he could stick his request."

Walt couldn't help but smile himself, despite his dark move.

"Not exactly. I told him no."

She made a face.

"So professional. You would feel better if you did it my way."

She was smiling at him full own now and Walt felt his mood lifting a little.

"I'm sure."

Vic faked a serious expression.

"I feel like you're stepping on my toes a bit, though. I mean…maybe he meant me."

She grinned at him. Walt smiled and looked down.

"Sorry."

Vic shrugged.

"Oh well. You want to grab some lunch?"

Walt shook his head a bit.

"Crane killed my appetite."

Vic rolled her eyes, signaling her impatience.

"I'm starving."

"It might not be a good idea."

Vic frowned.

"We have lunch all the time. You're getting paranoid."

Walt sighed. Vic reached out and slid her finger through his belt loop.

"C'mon, you don't have to eat. You can just obsess over what I order and if it's good for me."

She tugged at the loop and he allowed her to pull him in her direction.

"You said you didn't want me hovering."

That earned him a laugh.

"I said obsess, not hover. You can obsess quietly."

Walt gave in and grabbed his hat, trailing her out of the office and to the Busy Bee.

xxx

"Do you plan to find out the sex?"

Vic lifted her head from where it rested on his chest and looked into his face.

"What?"

Walt's hand was lightly running through her hair and massaging at her scalp.

"The baby. Do you want to know what it is?"

She gave him a thoughtful look.

"Wow, you're thinking ahead. We're not there yet."

"I know. Back when we were expecting Cady, we didn't know. Do you want to know?"

Vic looked at him for a moment before replacing her head where it previously rested on his bare chest. They were in his bed with Vic half on him and their legs entwined.

"Yeah, you know I'm not that patient. Why, do you have a preference?"

His chest rose and fell under her ear with each breath he took. In the relative quiet, she could hear the thumping of his heart as well. It was soothing to her somehow. Comforting in a way she couldn't explain.

"No. Do you do?"

Vic shook her head, her hair tickling his skin.

"No."

He felt like she started to say something else, but there was only silence. Walt's hand stilled in her hair.

"What?"

He could almost hear her thinking. That was what she told him sometimes. In that moment, he understood exactly what she meant by it.

"I think it's a girl."

Walt felt a small smile tug at him.

"What makes you say that?"

He felt what must've been a half hearted attempt at a shrug.

"Don't know. Just a feeling."

He did smile then. Really smile.

"That would be nice. Girls are nice."

He felt her mouth curl up into a smile. Then, she moved her head so she could look at him again.

"I thought guys always wanted sons."

Walt shook his head.

"Nope."

"Most guys then."

He smiled at her.

"I don't know. I never minded having only a daughter. I imagine they both have their perks. There's nothing you can do with a son that you can't also do with a daughter."

"I know that. But…it just seems like men want boys to carry on the family name or…whatever."

Walt's hand resumed its movement through her hair and he could feel her relax into his touch.

"That's not my biggest concern in life. All I've ever wanted is for my child to be happy and healthy."

Vic grew quiet and he could feel the shift in her mood.

"My mother wasn't thrilled that I was a girl."

"She told you that?"

Vic's head moved.

"No, but it's the impression I always got. I don't think she was a fan of the competition for my father and my brother's attention."

Something tightened inside his chest. He knew Vic had a precarious relationship with her mother. This wasn't the first time she mentioned it. The first time or so, he assumed she was just mistaken. But, the more he heard, the more he thought it might be a correct assessment on her part. That bothered him. No child should feel like they weren't loved unconditionally by a parent. He wasn't always a perfect father, but he always tried to express to Cady that he loved her no matter what.

"Vic, I'm sure your mother loves you."

"I'm sure she does in her own way. I just…I wonder what kind of mother that will make me."

Her insecurity was both endearing and bothersome. He never questioned what kind of mother she would be. He had witnessed her compassion for people first hand on the job and he knew the depth of feeling she was capable of, despite outward appearances.

"You will be the best mother, Vic."

She sighed and looked at him, her face full of doubts.

"But, how do you know that? People screw that up every day. I love my parents. I do. But, they weren't always the most demonstrative. I don't want my own child wondering if I love them enough. I don't want to be like that."

"Then don't."

She smiled humorlessly.

"So, it's that easy."

The comment was full of sarcasm. Walt shook his head.

"No, it's not. Being a parent is the hardest job that you will ever do. You will second guess every choice that you make. You never stop worrying. And, you'll wonder if you're messing them up for life."

He paused. Vic's eyes stayed on him steadily.

"But, loving your child is the easiest thing that you will ever do. It's like nothing else you've ever experienced. I remember the first time I held Cady. She seemed so small and so fragile, I was almost afraid to touch her. But, when I did…I've never felt that way before. I just wanted to protect her from every bad thing in the world. And, seeing her with her mother only made that feeling stronger. It's not easy at all raising a child. It…it changes everything you say and do. But, loving your child is the most natural thing on earth."

Vic smiled. He could see unshed tears in her eyes.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Are you at all freaked out about this?"

Vic asked it in such a Vic way, he had to smile.

"Freaked out? I'm not sure I would put it that way. I have my concerns?"

"Like what?"

He inhaled.

"That everything goes well. That you're okay. That I can remember how all of this is done."

"You just seem so calm. If I start thinking about it too much, I feel freaked out. God, a kid. Sometimes, I don't think I should be in charge of myself. Now, I'm going to be taking care of a whole small person who is helpless. I would be lying if I didn't say it scared the shit out of me."

"I think everyone feels that way. I'm not sure it gets any better as the time gets closer."

Vic elbowed him.

"Comforting."

"Mmmm…truth."

Vic let out a sigh and pressed her mouth to his skin.

"Would you admit if you were scared?"

He pressed his mouth to the top of her head.

"Of course."

xxx

Vic's phone buzzed in her back pocket as she buttoned up her uniform shirt. Sighing, she pulled it free. Walt came in from the bathroom in time to see the look on her face. It had to be Crane. She grimaced and answered the phone.

"Hello."

"Good morning, Deputy."

Vic rolled her eyes at Walt.

"What do you want?"

"Is that how you normally talk to your friends?"

Vic finished with her shirt and shook her head.

"We're not friends. So…what do you want?"

"I want you meet me for breakfast."

Walt was watching her closely.

"You know, I really don't like being summoned. The least you could do was ask."

"Can you meet me for breakfast?"

His tone was impatient.

"Sure. When?"

"An hour."

"That'll make me late for work."

"So?"

"So…what'll I tell my boss?"

Walt raised an eyebrow at her question.

"Tell him you're having breakfast."

Vic rolled her eyes.

"Okay. Same place?"

"Yes. I'll see you then."

He ended the call before she could reply. Vic slid her phone back into her pocket. Walt gave her a questioning look.

"Crane?"

"Of course. He wants me to meet him for breakfast."

"What are you supposed to tell me?"

She smiled a little.

"Apparently that I'm having breakfast, so I'll be late for work."

Walt nodded.

"Thanks for the advance notice."

Vic pushed at him.

"You're a real comedian. Hey, that could be your second career when I take your job."

Walt smiled.

"Right. So…I'll see you at work then?"

Vic shrugged.

"Unless I get a better offer."

She slid her cuffs and holster onto her belt along with her badge.

"I gotta run. Need to run by the office and grab the recorder."

Walt caught her arm as she started by him.

"Be careful."

She gave him a smile that did little to alleviate his concerns and pushed up on her toes to kiss him.

"Sure. See you later."

xxx

Crane was waiting for her again in the same booth. Vic walked in and took a seat across from him. Again, there was coffee waiting. Vic stirred in cream and sugar and took a small sip.

"So….what do you want?"

Crane made a face.

"You know…you'll never get elected with that big city, east coast attitude you have."

Vic leaned back against the plastic feeling booth padding.

"Thought you were gonna help me get elected."

"I only have so much power."

A waitress appeared and took their orders. Crane waited until they were alone again before he spoke up.

"Did your boss tell you that I asked him to resign yesterday?"

Vic shook her head.

"No. I assume he told you no."

Crane nodded.

"He did. That's his mistake. I was trying to give him one last chance to save face. Now, he's left me no choice."

Vic ran her hand over the rim of her cup.

"So…this whole thing is a go."

"Yes, it is."

Vic looked down at the caramel colored coffee in her cup.

"You still haven't made me feel very secure."

"You know I can't make you any guarantees. We're all taking a risk here."

Their food arrived and again silence fell over them. Vic used her fork to push around the eggs on her plate as Crane buttered his pancakes and poured syrup over them.

"We?"

He looked up.

"What?"

"You said we. Who is we?"

He frowned.

"You and I?"

Vic speared a piece of scrambled egg and considered him.

"So, we are the only ones who are in on this? I have a hard time believing that. A man like you must have a network of connections."

She could see that her comment hit a nerve.

"There are others who have an interest in this."

Vic swallowed her food.

"Who?"

"That's not your concern."

"The hell it's not. I need to know who I'm dealing with."

Crane shook his head.

"It's none of your business, Deputy. You are not in a need to know everything position."

Vic stared at him across the table.

"But, there are others who know about this?"

He took a bite of his food and didn't answer. His lack of an answer was answer enough. He took his time chewing and then drank some of his coffee.

"So, what I need to know is are you in or out?"

"What's this? The point of no return?"

He smiled.

"That's a little dramatic. But, sure. You could call it that. From this point forward, I need to know that you are fully committed to this. Otherwise, we're done."

Vic pushed he plate away and finished off her coffee.

"I'm in."

Crane nodded, his eyes on her.

"Good. So…the next time we meet, I expect something useful."

Vic leaned back.

"Something to use against him. You know that could take some time."

"Still, I need something from you. Tell me…has your boss ever made a pass at you?"

Vic echoed his words.

"A pass?"

"You know…acted inappropriately towards you. You are the only female deputy on his staff. And you are a reasonably attractive woman."

Vic rolled her eyes.

"Wow, don't be so sweet. Has he ever used his position to try and sleep with me? Is that what you want to know?"

Crane's head bobbed.

"That seems to be a weakness for some men."

Vic smiled.

"There aren't any rules saying he can't."

"True, but if he used his power to try and pressure you…that's something. So…has he?"

Vic bit her bottom lip, considering her answer. She wasn't comfortable casting Walt in that kind of light, no matter the stakes.

"No. I hate to disappoint you. But, Walt's not that kind of man."

Crane looked a bit disappointed at her answer.

"Oh well. It was a thought. Does he…confide in you?"

Vic shifted in her seat.

"We talk. Sometimes. What do you want to know?"

"Has he spoken to you about the mess with Barlow Connally?"

"You know…he's not much of a talker. But…I know he hated Connally. And, he loved his wife. That combination…I can understand if he killed Barlow. Doesn't make it right. But…I can understand."

Crane looked impatient.

"I don't need you to understand. I need you to get him to talk to you. Try and find out what really happened that day at his cabin."

Vic nodded.

"Okay."

She glanced at her phone and stood up.

"I have to get to work while I still have a job. By the time we talk again…I should have something."

xxx

"He asked you what?"

Vic sat slouched on Walt's couch.

"If you tried to use your job to get me to have sex with you."

He stared at her.

"What did you say?"

She smiled up at him.

"That you're not that kind of man."

"You could've told him the truth."

Her eyes narrowed.

"The truth."

Walt sat on the couch beside her.

"That we…were involved while you were still married. That would certainly make him happy."

Vic frowned.

"That would actually kill your attorney, Walt. You know that, right? Besides, that was consensual."

Something crossed his face and was gone just as quick.

"What?"

Walt shook off her question.

"Nothing."

"No, that look just now. What was that?"

He moved beside her. Squirming almost.

"There are some people who say I took advantage. That…it was unethical."

"Oh my God. How many times have we been through that? You're serious? Walt, you didn't take advantage of me. I kissed you first if my memory serves me correctly."

He still didn't look convinced.

"Wow, I thought we were past that. You didn't do anything wrong. I mean…besides the fact that I was married. You didn't…take advantage of me. I don't even like the way that sounds. I'm not…defending what we did. But…I wanted it."

"Okay."

Vic sighed.

"That's what you say when you want to appease me. It bugs the shit out of me that you feel like you…"

"You weren't in your right frame of mind. Sometimes, I think if you had been…you would've stopped me."

Vic looked at him.

"Look at me."

Walt turned in her direction, their eyes connecting.

"I kissed you. Yeah, I had been through shit. But…so did you. I didn't come to your place with the intention to have sex with you. But…I'm not sorry that we did it. Maybe the timing sucked. But, I think it was…inevitable. It was gonna happen at some point. Sooner or later. Stop judging yourself so much."

He nodded.

"You've been carrying that all this time. Why didn't you say something?"

"We already talked about it. I just wonder if you aren't cutting me some slack there."

Her hand came to rest on his knee.

"I would be the first one to tell you if I thought you overstepped. I wasn't drunk or drugged. I was upset, yeah. Stressed…God yes. But…I could have stopped it if I wanted to. I didn't want to."

She squeezed his knee and then leaned forward, her elbows propping on her thighs.

"He wanted to know if you talked to me about Barlow, too. How he died?"

Walt ran his palms together. Barlow Connally was a topic he still disliked immensely.

"I've told you."

"Everything?"

Walt was quiet for a stretch.

"Yes."

Vic nodded.

"I have to give him something, Walt. For this to work. It doesn't have to be true. It just has to be enough to keep him on the line while we try and connect him to Tucker Baggett."

"How exactly do you plan to get that information?"

Vic shrugged.

"I'm working on it. He implied today that there were other people involved in his little coup. But, he wouldn't tell me who they were, of course. But…there has to be a way to find out. Maybe I should just outright ask him. Bet that would fluster the hell out of him."

Walt's face darkened.

"Just be careful. Don't push him too hard."

Vic gave him an innocent look.

"When I have ever pushed too hard."

It was an attempt to get a smile. But, Walt was having no part of it. His eyes stayed on hers and they stayed serious.

"I mean it, Vic. Don't do anything that might…"

"I know. It's the same song you've been singing. I don't intend to make him freak out on me. But…people like him…men like him…they only speak one language. And…they respect people more who don't just take their shit. So, I can't just be a little yes man who does whatever he wants. He needs to know that I'm not a pushover."

Walt's arm brushed hers as he leaned back.

"You sound like you know."

She nodded and looked down.

"When I went to IA, I dealt with them all. The ones who didn't believe me. The ones who wanted to use me and not protect me in anyway. And the ones who thought they could bully me. There isn't much I haven't dealt with when it comes to assholes like that."

Walt reached out and ran his palm over her back.

"I'm sorry that you had to go through that."

She shrugged.

"It was my choice. Look at it this way. If I hadn't gone through all that, we never would have moved here. Guess there's a silver lining."

Walt smiled.

"Your life might have turned out differently if you stayed in Philadelphia."

"Maybe. But…I'm pretty fond of this version."