Ch 8
Vic awoke to the sensation of someone rubbing her arm.
"Vic."
She could feel his presence next to her and reached out to grab his hand. Turning it, she looked at the watch on his wrist and grunted her acknowledgment of the time. Rolling on her back, she tucked one arm behind her head and held on to his hand.
"Sorry I conked out on you."
"No need. Why don't you take your breakfast with you and go home to catch some sleep. If anyone asks, I'll just tell them you had a migraine."
"It's alright. I just need about 4 cups of coffee and I'll be good til about 3."
"Vic, you don't have to stay."
"I know. It'll look odd though. You relieving Branch and me taking off unscheduled this morning. Go start a new pot and make it strong."
She watched him as he searched for the truth in her answer. He gave her hand a squeeze and got up to work on the coffee. Stomach rumbling, she got up and grabbed the bags from the diner and set out their breakfast. She pulled the chair up to the side of his desk and waited for him to come back.
"Coffee will be done in a few minutes."
She nodded, too busy eating to muster any words. Her eyes followed the length of his body as he leaned against the desk. He seemed lighter this morning, if that were possible. As if he was no longer walking around with that invisible yoke upon his shoulders. She swallowed and spoke.
"Thanks. You ok this morning?"
"Yeah."
Rolling her eyes at his one word answer, she wondered sometimes if he did that on purpose just to bother people. It certainly bothers her, and Cady, and Henry, and Branch, and pretty much everyone he comes in contact with on a regular basis. She wondered if maybe he used it as a tool. Most people, given enough time, will talk when faced with silence. She'd have to try it out.
"Walt?"
"Yeah."
"I know you're ok this morning. You're standing here after fetching our breakfast. What I want to know is are you ok? You're dealing with a lot, Walt. The election, Branch, Cady, the asshole detective from Denver and who knows what else."
He finally made eye contact.
"Yeah."
He grinned at her and she realized he was teasing her.
"I'm good. Really. It will take time to work though the mess."
He walked away to get them coffee and returned to his chair. They ate in companionable silence as the sun came up and filtered through the blinds. Both satisfied, they leaned back in their chairs sipping coffee.
"One down, three to go. By the way, what is this? It's not the usual coffee we use."
"A man can't give away all his secrets in one day."
They laughed as she gathered up all the trash, put the chair back and got ready for the day. Grabbing her mug, she walked out of his office.
"Vic."
She turned back and met his gaze, a serious look on his face. He nodded at her and held her gaze a moment longer.
"I called you because I wanted to. I didn't call anyone else."
Just like that, the moment was gone and he was rooting through his desk. She spun around and went in search of more coffee, a grin erupting on her face.
TBC