Disclaimer: All the characters from Dark Angle that I didn't make up along
with the world they live in belong to James Cameron and Fox. The characters
of Red Bud and Dree are loosely based on friends of mine and I don't and
never want to own them. The 4:24 name does not belong to me either; it
belongs to a good grope of guys from my hometown. As for the rest well
that is a figment of my imagination.
A/N: I wanted to say something before I get underway. Thanks Bart for helping me getting over a rather nasty bit of writers block. And now without further delay here is chapter 6.
Hope and Memory
1 Chapter 6: Red Bud
In a small apartment in one of Seattle's many slums, Dustin "Red Bud" Meyers pushed the off button on his phone.
Throwing the phone haphazardly onto the bed he started to run his fingers though the long thinning red hair that was his namesake. At 27 he had lived and seen more than most people twice his age. And nights like to night were the reason the hair on top of his head was falling out and he had permanent bags under his eyes.
He had planned to crash out early tonight, but instead he to agreed to help a person her had expected never to hear from again.
Red Bud walked to the small desk that sat in the corner of his bedroom to find a piece of paper and a pen to write Dree a quick note. He wasn't planning on telling Dree where or who he was going to see; just that he was out and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Dree knew he had a cell phone if it was an emergency.
Red Bud still couldn't believe that Gabe called. Even more unbelievable was the fact that he had actually wanted to talk to Dree.
The woman he found must be in real bad shape for him to be this desperate.
That's what scared Red Bud the most about all of this. Gunshot wounds were common enough but getting shot at and in that neighborhood. He new it wasn't the best but something was definitely not stirring the kool- aid and he intended to find out what the hell was going on.
Red Bud grabbed his jacket and headed out the door. On his way down the hall he bumped into a big man who looked to be in serious pain.
"Hey Riley, What the hell happened to you." Red Bud noticed the man had been limping and his face was rapidly becoming one giant bruise.
"Got into a Bar fight. Don't really want to talk about it." Replied Riley the pain and exhaustion apparent in his voice. "Is Dree around Red? I was hoping he might be able to take a look at my ankle.
"Naw! Man and I am on my way out." Red regretted the timing but he didn't have time for this.
The pain in Riley's eyes at his statement changed his mind. "Tell you what dude. I'm on my way to the clinic. I give you a ride, but you will have to find your own way back." He noticed the relief in Riley's eyes.
"Thanks man. I owe you one." Riley turned and started walking painfully and very slowly back down the hall towards the stairs.
Red Bud offered the injured man a shoulder and maneuvered him down the three flights of stairs and out to the van.
They road in silence for the five minute drive to the 4:24 free clinic; It was one of the last free clinics in the city of Seattle, and a second home to Red Bud. He parked the van in the ally next to the clinics back door. He stepped out of the van and walked around to the passengers side to give Riley a hand.
Both men reached the back door. Red Bud reached into his pocket and grabbed his key and unlocked the door.
The florescent lights flickered on slowly illuminating the small back room of the clinic. Red Bud and Riley watched as the two naked figures on the couch jump in a fevered attempt to find some type of cover to hide the obvious.
"Lobo!" Red Bud screamed at the tall almost sickly thin man who was now looking frantically for his pants. "What the heel do you think you are doing; or should I say why the hell are you doing it when you are suppose to be watching the front desk"
"Chill dude!" Lobo replied as he found his pants in a crumpled heap under small coffee table. "It was dead out there and I was boarded. And Anita stopped by and well you no man." He gestured sharply at the petit brunet.
"Hi Red," Anita greeted as she herself began to throw on some clothes. "Who's your friend?" She pointed at Riley.
"Don't hi Red me girl," Red Bud said. "Do you realize how pissed Dree is going to be when he finds out who his little sister is fucking? And this is Riley."
Anita had thrown on Lobo's boxers and t-shirt now. She walked slowly over to Red Bud. "I don't give two shits what my brother thinks about who I a fucking. As for fucking Lobo when he was suppose to be working I'm sorry." She kisses him lightly on the cheek.
Damn! This girl always knew how to say just the right thing Red Bud thought. "OK, ok, your cool!" Then his eye's focused hard onto Lobo. "But you have work to do."
"Lobo why don't you have a seat on the couch and let dipshit here take a look at that ankle."
Riley moved slowly not talking at all and took a seat.
"I have a house call to make Lobo, I'm leaving him in your hands." With that Red Bud turned and started gathering the supplies Gabe had asked for. "Anita do you want to give me a hand?"
"Sure thing Red!" Anita answered in her perky cheerleader voice. She knew it pissed Red Bud off but she just couldn't resist. "What you need?"
Red Bud ran off the list of supplies. Anita whistled at the amount of stuff and then began to gather it up and take it out to the van. "So, where is this house hold at?"
"Other side of town." Red Bud answered. "Sector 6. And no I am not telling you who needs the help."
"Well shit Red you don't need to. There is only one person I know who lives there and would be able to get a house call, at least he use to be able to." Anita replied as she stopped and looked him in the eyes.
"Yes, well, it's not really for him. He found a girl in an alleyway. Multiple gunshot wounds and shit." Red Bud stated. "He seemed desperate. Like she wouldn't make it if he didn't get these supplies."
"You don't have to make excesses for me Red. I never had a problem with Gabe. It was my brother remember." Anita reached out slowly and touched his arm. "I'll make you a deal. You don't tell Dree about tonight and I won't tell him about tonight."
Red Bud gives her a quick hug and then looked into her eyes, "deal." He then walks back into the clinic to grab the rest of the supplies and check on Riley.
"Shit man you won't believe this!" Lobo blurts out as Red walked back into the clinic. "But guess who broke and then reset this ankle?"
"I don't know who?" Red replied sharply not having time to play this stupid game. He had to get to Gabe's place soon.
"It was are good buddy Gabe!" Answered Lobo in a smirking tone. "Seems are friend here started a fight at the Crash."
Red Bud looked at the ceiling. Everything about to night seemed to have Gabe's name on it. "Great and that matters because? Gabe is the bouncer there. I would make sense that it Riley started a fight Gabe would finish it." He looked over at the now well-medicated Riley. "You are so lucky that Gabe didn't hurt you more than he did. You are also lucky that he set that ankle other wise you would have never made it back to your place."
"Don't I knnoww it man." Riley's speak was slurred from the medication. "Ssssith! ttthossse whher good drugsss buddy." His head fell back and he went motionless.
"How mush did you give him Lobo?" Asked Red Bud quizzically.
"Not that much really! The pain and exhaustion are a big factor in his behavior." Lobo walked back over to the now passed out Riley and slapped him awake. "Come on you stay awake until I can get you home."
Riley slapped his hand away, "Five more minutes, mommy."
Lobo and Red Bud both laughed at the statement. "Leave him Lobo he's had a rough night. Just have Anita bring him home in the morning. I have to get going you have a boring no more having sex on duty night."
"You really know how to take all the fun out on life buddy, but ok. Good luck with your house call."
"I will. Later." Red Bud turned and walked back out to the van. Anita was still standing where he had left her a couple of minutes earlier. She was leaned back on the door to the van.
"Well kid you take care. And do me one more favor by seeing to it that Riley makes in home in the morning." Red Bud pulled her away from the door in a big brotherly hug. "I'll call you in the morning to check up on him."
"Sure thing Red." She stepped back away from him and the van. "Give Gabe my love will you."
"I will good night." Red Bud got into the van and started the engine. "Bye." He pulled the van away from the clinic and out into the street.
"Bye." Anita said with a quick wave. She then turned and walked slowly back into the clinic thinking about Red's destination and of Gabe.
A/N: I wanted to say something before I get underway. Thanks Bart for helping me getting over a rather nasty bit of writers block. And now without further delay here is chapter 6.
Hope and Memory
1 Chapter 6: Red Bud
In a small apartment in one of Seattle's many slums, Dustin "Red Bud" Meyers pushed the off button on his phone.
Throwing the phone haphazardly onto the bed he started to run his fingers though the long thinning red hair that was his namesake. At 27 he had lived and seen more than most people twice his age. And nights like to night were the reason the hair on top of his head was falling out and he had permanent bags under his eyes.
He had planned to crash out early tonight, but instead he to agreed to help a person her had expected never to hear from again.
Red Bud walked to the small desk that sat in the corner of his bedroom to find a piece of paper and a pen to write Dree a quick note. He wasn't planning on telling Dree where or who he was going to see; just that he was out and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Dree knew he had a cell phone if it was an emergency.
Red Bud still couldn't believe that Gabe called. Even more unbelievable was the fact that he had actually wanted to talk to Dree.
The woman he found must be in real bad shape for him to be this desperate.
That's what scared Red Bud the most about all of this. Gunshot wounds were common enough but getting shot at and in that neighborhood. He new it wasn't the best but something was definitely not stirring the kool- aid and he intended to find out what the hell was going on.
Red Bud grabbed his jacket and headed out the door. On his way down the hall he bumped into a big man who looked to be in serious pain.
"Hey Riley, What the hell happened to you." Red Bud noticed the man had been limping and his face was rapidly becoming one giant bruise.
"Got into a Bar fight. Don't really want to talk about it." Replied Riley the pain and exhaustion apparent in his voice. "Is Dree around Red? I was hoping he might be able to take a look at my ankle.
"Naw! Man and I am on my way out." Red regretted the timing but he didn't have time for this.
The pain in Riley's eyes at his statement changed his mind. "Tell you what dude. I'm on my way to the clinic. I give you a ride, but you will have to find your own way back." He noticed the relief in Riley's eyes.
"Thanks man. I owe you one." Riley turned and started walking painfully and very slowly back down the hall towards the stairs.
Red Bud offered the injured man a shoulder and maneuvered him down the three flights of stairs and out to the van.
They road in silence for the five minute drive to the 4:24 free clinic; It was one of the last free clinics in the city of Seattle, and a second home to Red Bud. He parked the van in the ally next to the clinics back door. He stepped out of the van and walked around to the passengers side to give Riley a hand.
Both men reached the back door. Red Bud reached into his pocket and grabbed his key and unlocked the door.
The florescent lights flickered on slowly illuminating the small back room of the clinic. Red Bud and Riley watched as the two naked figures on the couch jump in a fevered attempt to find some type of cover to hide the obvious.
"Lobo!" Red Bud screamed at the tall almost sickly thin man who was now looking frantically for his pants. "What the heel do you think you are doing; or should I say why the hell are you doing it when you are suppose to be watching the front desk"
"Chill dude!" Lobo replied as he found his pants in a crumpled heap under small coffee table. "It was dead out there and I was boarded. And Anita stopped by and well you no man." He gestured sharply at the petit brunet.
"Hi Red," Anita greeted as she herself began to throw on some clothes. "Who's your friend?" She pointed at Riley.
"Don't hi Red me girl," Red Bud said. "Do you realize how pissed Dree is going to be when he finds out who his little sister is fucking? And this is Riley."
Anita had thrown on Lobo's boxers and t-shirt now. She walked slowly over to Red Bud. "I don't give two shits what my brother thinks about who I a fucking. As for fucking Lobo when he was suppose to be working I'm sorry." She kisses him lightly on the cheek.
Damn! This girl always knew how to say just the right thing Red Bud thought. "OK, ok, your cool!" Then his eye's focused hard onto Lobo. "But you have work to do."
"Lobo why don't you have a seat on the couch and let dipshit here take a look at that ankle."
Riley moved slowly not talking at all and took a seat.
"I have a house call to make Lobo, I'm leaving him in your hands." With that Red Bud turned and started gathering the supplies Gabe had asked for. "Anita do you want to give me a hand?"
"Sure thing Red!" Anita answered in her perky cheerleader voice. She knew it pissed Red Bud off but she just couldn't resist. "What you need?"
Red Bud ran off the list of supplies. Anita whistled at the amount of stuff and then began to gather it up and take it out to the van. "So, where is this house hold at?"
"Other side of town." Red Bud answered. "Sector 6. And no I am not telling you who needs the help."
"Well shit Red you don't need to. There is only one person I know who lives there and would be able to get a house call, at least he use to be able to." Anita replied as she stopped and looked him in the eyes.
"Yes, well, it's not really for him. He found a girl in an alleyway. Multiple gunshot wounds and shit." Red Bud stated. "He seemed desperate. Like she wouldn't make it if he didn't get these supplies."
"You don't have to make excesses for me Red. I never had a problem with Gabe. It was my brother remember." Anita reached out slowly and touched his arm. "I'll make you a deal. You don't tell Dree about tonight and I won't tell him about tonight."
Red Bud gives her a quick hug and then looked into her eyes, "deal." He then walks back into the clinic to grab the rest of the supplies and check on Riley.
"Shit man you won't believe this!" Lobo blurts out as Red walked back into the clinic. "But guess who broke and then reset this ankle?"
"I don't know who?" Red replied sharply not having time to play this stupid game. He had to get to Gabe's place soon.
"It was are good buddy Gabe!" Answered Lobo in a smirking tone. "Seems are friend here started a fight at the Crash."
Red Bud looked at the ceiling. Everything about to night seemed to have Gabe's name on it. "Great and that matters because? Gabe is the bouncer there. I would make sense that it Riley started a fight Gabe would finish it." He looked over at the now well-medicated Riley. "You are so lucky that Gabe didn't hurt you more than he did. You are also lucky that he set that ankle other wise you would have never made it back to your place."
"Don't I knnoww it man." Riley's speak was slurred from the medication. "Ssssith! ttthossse whher good drugsss buddy." His head fell back and he went motionless.
"How mush did you give him Lobo?" Asked Red Bud quizzically.
"Not that much really! The pain and exhaustion are a big factor in his behavior." Lobo walked back over to the now passed out Riley and slapped him awake. "Come on you stay awake until I can get you home."
Riley slapped his hand away, "Five more minutes, mommy."
Lobo and Red Bud both laughed at the statement. "Leave him Lobo he's had a rough night. Just have Anita bring him home in the morning. I have to get going you have a boring no more having sex on duty night."
"You really know how to take all the fun out on life buddy, but ok. Good luck with your house call."
"I will. Later." Red Bud turned and walked back out to the van. Anita was still standing where he had left her a couple of minutes earlier. She was leaned back on the door to the van.
"Well kid you take care. And do me one more favor by seeing to it that Riley makes in home in the morning." Red Bud pulled her away from the door in a big brotherly hug. "I'll call you in the morning to check up on him."
"Sure thing Red." She stepped back away from him and the van. "Give Gabe my love will you."
"I will good night." Red Bud got into the van and started the engine. "Bye." He pulled the van away from the clinic and out into the street.
"Bye." Anita said with a quick wave. She then turned and walked slowly back into the clinic thinking about Red's destination and of Gabe.