Part 9...

1400 EDT
Galindez Apartment...



Rolling to his side in his bed, Victor opened his eyes sighing to see the empty space beside him. When he'd drifted off Austin had been in bed with him her back pressed against his chest her fingers laced with his over her stomach. He rolled to his back hissing briefly and then listening. She had to be somewhere in the apartment.

There, the low sound of the TV. He glanced at his alarm clock and smiled, he bet she was watching "A Baby Story" on TLC. Deciding he'd had enough sleep for the moment Victor pushed to a seated position and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

Austin looked up surprised to see Victor shuffling into the living room. He looked rested even with the bruises darkening on his skin. "Hi, did the TV wake you?"

"Nope, I think it was the loss of body heat brought about by your departure," He commented easing to the sofa beside her.

"Are you hungry? I had a tuna sandwich for lunch and I'll be happy to fix something for you."

"Not right now," Victor commented eyes widening as he watched the scene before him on the screen. "Whoa…a little intense."

"Oh Victor…it's childbirth. A completely natural process," Austin rolled her eyes in exasperation. Why was it that men made such a huge deal of things like this?

"I agree, but I wouldn't want a camera crew filming my wife having our baby. It should be a private time," He said primly, brows knit together in a frown.

Austin was ready to respond to the turn in the conversation when the cordless phone shrilled from the coffee table. She reached for it bringing it to her ear as she turned it on. "Hello. Galindez residence. May I help you?"

"Good afternoon Miss Bradford. This is Clayton Webb. Is the Gunnery Sergeant available?"

"Let me check Mr. Webb."

Victor reached for the phone. "Galindez here."

"How are you feeling Victor?"

"Damned sore. What do you want Webb?"

"I just wanted to let you know your buddies from last night were released on bail this morning."

"And I'd care about this why?" Victor demanded his eyes narrowing in anger as he climbed to his feet again and shuffled from the living room.

"Because you're one of the good guys Galindez. You wouldn't want those creeps to get someone else would you?"

"Right now I don't give a damn Webb…stop calling here," Victor growled slamming the phone into the base then leaning his head against the wall.


"Vic?" Her arms encircled his waist from behind and she dropped a kiss on his shoulder blade. "Are you okay?"


"Fine…feel like making me that sandwich now?" He forced himself to smile at her as he turned in her arms lifting a hand to cup her chin and tilt it up, kissing her gently.

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1630 EDT
Georgetown…

"I'm telling you: I want that Marine."

Clayton webb dropped into chair at the other side of the two men's table and smiled mildly. "I'm betting that isn't going to happen."

"Who the hell- Hey! You're the hero from last night," Todd groaned getting ready to get out of his seat.

"I wouldn't," Webb said smiling when Todd got up and Rabb appeared in back of him.

"I'd advise that you take a seat Mr. Ingalls," Harm suggested in a neutral tone nodding to the chair the man had just vacated.


"What do you want?" The shorter man, Glenn Pfeiffer asked looking nervously from one man to the other.

"Just to talk about what happened last night," Webb replied nodding to Harm to take the other empty chair.

"It was personal. That Marine got off for beating the hell out of some gays...I thought he should know what it felt like."

"Okay, last night was personal...tell me about the other nights. What made you decide on the little game you've been playing?"

Todd shrugged, looking suddenly uncomfortable "Something to do. A way to make a little extra cash."

"I see. So why is it that your list of victims reads like the diplomatic roles?" Harm asked glaring at the two men, daring one of them to lie to him.

"We don't have to say anything!" Glenn squeaked sounding not at all sure of his statement.

"Nope you're right you don't. But I'm betting the guys you work for aren't going to be too happy to hear that you've had this little chat with us," Webb smiled and stood followed closely by Harm the two of them walked away and out the door of the bar.

"Think they'll be calling you?" Harm asked once they'd gotten into Webb's company issue car.

"I'd bet on it. Those two didn't come up with this idea on their own and whoever hired them isn't going to be too happy about what happened last night. Way too much publicity."

"So now we wait?"

"You got it Commander, now we wait," Clay chuckled.

"Think Gunny's safe?" Harm questioned.

"Perfectly safe. Those two are cowards."

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