Title: Paying Old Debts
Author: Cheryl W.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fastlane or anything in conjunction with Fastlane nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Replies to Reviews are at the bottom of this chapter
*******************************
Chapter 3
The silence held between the two men until Deaq pulled into the Candy Store and cut the engine. Then, without facing Van, Deaq warned, "Get ready to be raked over the coals, Van." And he climbed from the car and called out, "Yo, Billie. We're back." Noticing Van had not yet exited the car, Deaq pounded on the roof, "Out Van. I am not facing her wrath alone." And with that said, Deaq started to head for Billie's office.
"Pros play hurt," Van mumbled to himself as he opened the car door. With determination, he used the door like a crutch to get out of the car and onto his feet. But agony as well as weakness seeped into every cell and he staggered against the door. He watched Deaq's back as his partner continued to the office.
"Suck it up, Van Ray," Van groused lowly to himself and pushed away from the door. When he was certain he was capable of standing unaided, he shut the car door. But walking seemed like a whole other mountain to climb.
Sensing Van's hesitant motion, Deaq jokingly called out "Stop stalling Van," before he turned around. But all humor left Deaq as his eyes alighted on his partner's ashen face and swaying body. "Van?!" he called out in alarm even as he started to make his way to Van.
"I'm coming," Van reassured but his voice was now weak and filled with pain. He managed to force his legs to take a step but the effort seemed too much as they began to crumble under him.
When Van began to sink to the floor, Deaq ran forward and caught Van in his arms. Panic tore into Deaq as Van collapsed heavily against him. "Van!?!" Deaq cried out and gently eased Van to the floor, tenderly placing Van's head onto the hard surface. Pulling his hands from around Van, Deaq's breath caught painfully in his throat at the sight of the blood staining his right hand.
Turning around toward the rest of the candy store, Deaq screamed "Billie!!" before he faced Van again. Now kneeling beside Van, Deaq's terrified eyes met Van's pain filled ones. "Hang on, Van," Deaq ordered gently as he unzipped Van's jacket and saw the blood that soaked the far left of his shirt. Tenderly he rolled Van over, seeking the true source of the blood.
Upon seeing the wound on Van's back, an anguished cry of "No!" tore from Deaq. Immediately he pulled his shirt off and pressed it against the wound before rolling Van gently onto his back again.
Deaq's anguished eyes met Van's as he put a hand against Van's cheek, "Why didn't you say something?!" Deaq choked out.
"Pros play hurt," Van answered in a voice now ragged with pain.
Deaq watched as blood speckled onto Van's lips indicating the internal bleeding Van was suffering. "Damn you and your pride!" Deaq croaked as his emotions threatened to overtake him.
Suddenly Billie was kneeling beside Deaq, "Van?!"
"Call an ambulance!" Deaq ordered but at Billie's frozen stance, he gripped her arm, finally getting her eyes to met his. "Billie, go call an ambulance. Now!"
Breaking from her shock, Billie surged to her feet and ran for her office. Deaq refocused on Van. "Stay with me, Van. Just keep on fighting."
"I..I don't think...I've got any ...fight left ... in me, Deaq," Van breathlessly replied.
"Yes, yes you do!" Deaq exclaimed as he leaned over Van. "You're no quitter, Van! I know that about you!"
Van's eyes searched Deaq's in desperation. "I..I flipped Deaq. That's how...you'll remember...me. But I..I had ...no other...choice. He woulda...killled ...you," Van gasped, his words growing softer with each breath.
"You did it to save me, I know that now. You still got your honor, Van and ain't nobody gonna take it away from you," Deaq firmly announced.
Billie reappeared beside Deaq, "Ambulance is on it's way," she reassured as her soft eyes met Van's.
"I ...screwed...up, Billie," Van fought for breath even as more blood seeped onto his lips.
Billie brushed Van's hair lightly with her hand, "Shhhh...we'll work this all out. You just don't leave us, alright. You stay right here, Van. I haven't given you permission to die on us."
Deaq clasped Van's hand in his own and raised them, "You ain't getting out of this partnership this easy, Van. Now you keep fighting."
Van's mind fought to stay conscious but his body was beginning to shut down. Suddenly a void washed over him like a wave he couldn't out surf.
In horror, Deaq watched Van's eyes close even as the hand he held become limp. "Van!?!" he called out with terror.
Billie felt for a pulse in Van's neck, "He's alive but barely," she announced as she looked to Deaq.
Deaq leaned over Van again, even as he tightly grasped his hand. "Fight, Van! Damn you Fight!! I lost Dre, I can't lose you too, man. Don't do this to me!"
Deaq didn't notice how rigid the hospital chair was, didn't see the patients and visitors walk by him, or even register that Billie sat beside him. Only one thing mattered to him right here, right now. Van.
A thousand thoughts screamed through Deaq's head. How could he have not noticed Van was injured?! He had yelled at him in the car, accused him of flipping to Roberts, and then he had ordered him out of the car at the Candy Store. All while Van was sitting there, bleeding, maybe even dy... No. Deaq shut that thought down instantly. Van would be Ok. He was Van. The guy that couldn't sit still for two seconds, the guy that couldn't stay quiet for a millisecond, the guy that didn't ever back down, no matter how tough things looked.
Leaning over his knees, holding his head, Deaq's anguish was a tangible thing. Billie wished she could say something to ease his pain. Trouble was, she didn't believe in offering false hope and right now that was the only type of hope she was clinging to. The doctors weren't giving Van great odds on surviving. Internal bleeding, blood loss, severity of the damage...none of it was encouraging. So she offered Deaq no words of comfort, save her presence. She barely recognized the soft, broken voice as Deaq's.
"He never said a word. All he cared about was getting me clear. And I...I'm there yelling at him, accusing him of..." he broke off as he thought of the territory he was crossing into. He would never tell Billie what Van had done tonight to save his life, how he had sacrificed his honor for Deaq's life. 'He did more than that,' ran through Deaq's mind, 'he sacrificed his life for mine.'
Billie laid her hand on Deaq's back, "Van always puts everyone before himself, Deaq. You know that, it's what makes him one of a kind." A tender smile pulled onto Billie's face, "Well, that and how he whines like a little boy and talks all the time and makes you feel like he's your little brother you have to protect from the big bad world."
A soft laugh broke from Deaq, "Yeah," and he sat up for the first time but didn't face Billie. "But I didn't protect him."
"I didn't mean..." Billie began but Deaq held up his hand and looked at her.
"I know you didn't but it's true. He didn't screw up, I did." Deaq's voice suddenly switched from anguished to self hatred, "The second I saw that look on his face, I shoulda closed the deal down!"
Billie stared intently at Deaq, hoping to finally get some details about what had occurred that night. "What look, Deaq?"
Swallowing hard, he answered, "Like the reaper just stepped outta hell to greet him."
"Tell me what happened tonight, Deaq?" Billie pleaded rather than ordered.
With a shaking breath, Deaq relayed the evenings events from his prospective and broke off abruptly with "we got to the candy store and then...." He surged from the chair and began to pace in front of Billie. "I shoulda noticed he was hurting! I shoulda stopped him from taking that "tour" alone with Roberts!"
"But you said so yourself, Van convinced you to stay behind and do business with Colin. Van knew Roberts, knew what he was capable of. Knowing Van, he thought you would be safer if you weren't on the 'tour'." Billie analyzed.
"I know but that doesn't make it better! Don't you get it, he risked himself to save me! He ignored what Roberts did to him, how he hurt him, and instead worried about getting me out of Roberts' reach. How can I live knowing...." Deaq words faltered.
Billie looked up to Deaq's pain-filled eyes, "Van would willingly die for you, Deaq. I know you know that."
A tear streamed down Deaq's face, "Yeah, but I don't want him to, Billie."
With her heart breaking, Billie stood and hugged Deaq. His arms encircled her tightly as she breathed, "I know, Deaq. I know. But the decision was never yours to make, it was Van's."
TBC
Sorry about the cliffie! AGAIN! But next chapter I'll try to do better and leave you somewhere a little less horrible. Did I forget to mention this story would have some angst in it?! Ooops!!! (Now I warn you!)
Thanks to one and all who read this chapter. I would truly love to hear what you think of this chapter..
Replies to Reviews:
DKM: As you realized, I'm still keeping you guessing about what happened between Roberts and Van. But don't worry, it will be revealed soon. Thanks for staying with this story and reviewing!!!
Hello: Thanks for the review and I hope you're still tuning in.
Meike: Well, this chapter isn't exactly going to ease your sleeping problem but hey, at least Van's in good hands right?! Thank you so much for thinking I'm talented and liking my writing style!?! Hope to hear what you think of chapter 3!
Lynne: I was relieved that you liked chapter 2! Hope Chapter 3 still has you in knots...I know I'm cruel! Did you like the way Deaq found out about Van's injury?! I always love writing about hidden injuries. As for Van and Deaq shaping up to be great friends..you bet..I just wish the series had been renewed so we could see it! Thanks for reading and reviewing!!!
JC6: Thanks for reading and reviewing this story! I know, I didn't update soon enough!
Fan4fastln: I'm honored that you've looked everyday for another chapter!?!?! And I know, Van's life is still hanging in the balance at the end of this chapter?!? (I'm really quite cruel aren't I?!) And I hope I can remain true to the characters throughout the story. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Leann: Yes, I am evil and this chapter still proves that. And Roberts and Van's past will be revealed soon. Hope you enjoyed your latest "hit", I mean, this latest chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Mady Bay: I'm really honored that you dropped in to read this story! I'm still so touched by your review on my Houston Knights story. I doubt this story will measure up to that one and I'm a little afraid you will be disappointed but I hope you won't. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!!
Sassylassy13: Boy do I know what you are talking about. I HATE getting all involved in a story only to have the author NEVER finish it!! Because of that hatred, I WILL finish this story...but it may take me some time so if you want to wait until it's finished I wouldn't blame you at all. In fact I've made it a habit to check to see if stories are finished before latching onto them. No use falling in love with an unfinished tale..it's just too hard wondering where the plot would have gone!
Silent Typewriter: Thanks for reading and reviewing! So glad you like the story so far. Loved to hear what you think of this chapter!
Till next time!
Cheryl W.
Author: Cheryl W.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fastlane or anything in conjunction with Fastlane nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Replies to Reviews are at the bottom of this chapter
*******************************
Chapter 3
The silence held between the two men until Deaq pulled into the Candy Store and cut the engine. Then, without facing Van, Deaq warned, "Get ready to be raked over the coals, Van." And he climbed from the car and called out, "Yo, Billie. We're back." Noticing Van had not yet exited the car, Deaq pounded on the roof, "Out Van. I am not facing her wrath alone." And with that said, Deaq started to head for Billie's office.
"Pros play hurt," Van mumbled to himself as he opened the car door. With determination, he used the door like a crutch to get out of the car and onto his feet. But agony as well as weakness seeped into every cell and he staggered against the door. He watched Deaq's back as his partner continued to the office.
"Suck it up, Van Ray," Van groused lowly to himself and pushed away from the door. When he was certain he was capable of standing unaided, he shut the car door. But walking seemed like a whole other mountain to climb.
Sensing Van's hesitant motion, Deaq jokingly called out "Stop stalling Van," before he turned around. But all humor left Deaq as his eyes alighted on his partner's ashen face and swaying body. "Van?!" he called out in alarm even as he started to make his way to Van.
"I'm coming," Van reassured but his voice was now weak and filled with pain. He managed to force his legs to take a step but the effort seemed too much as they began to crumble under him.
When Van began to sink to the floor, Deaq ran forward and caught Van in his arms. Panic tore into Deaq as Van collapsed heavily against him. "Van!?!" Deaq cried out and gently eased Van to the floor, tenderly placing Van's head onto the hard surface. Pulling his hands from around Van, Deaq's breath caught painfully in his throat at the sight of the blood staining his right hand.
Turning around toward the rest of the candy store, Deaq screamed "Billie!!" before he faced Van again. Now kneeling beside Van, Deaq's terrified eyes met Van's pain filled ones. "Hang on, Van," Deaq ordered gently as he unzipped Van's jacket and saw the blood that soaked the far left of his shirt. Tenderly he rolled Van over, seeking the true source of the blood.
Upon seeing the wound on Van's back, an anguished cry of "No!" tore from Deaq. Immediately he pulled his shirt off and pressed it against the wound before rolling Van gently onto his back again.
Deaq's anguished eyes met Van's as he put a hand against Van's cheek, "Why didn't you say something?!" Deaq choked out.
"Pros play hurt," Van answered in a voice now ragged with pain.
Deaq watched as blood speckled onto Van's lips indicating the internal bleeding Van was suffering. "Damn you and your pride!" Deaq croaked as his emotions threatened to overtake him.
Suddenly Billie was kneeling beside Deaq, "Van?!"
"Call an ambulance!" Deaq ordered but at Billie's frozen stance, he gripped her arm, finally getting her eyes to met his. "Billie, go call an ambulance. Now!"
Breaking from her shock, Billie surged to her feet and ran for her office. Deaq refocused on Van. "Stay with me, Van. Just keep on fighting."
"I..I don't think...I've got any ...fight left ... in me, Deaq," Van breathlessly replied.
"Yes, yes you do!" Deaq exclaimed as he leaned over Van. "You're no quitter, Van! I know that about you!"
Van's eyes searched Deaq's in desperation. "I..I flipped Deaq. That's how...you'll remember...me. But I..I had ...no other...choice. He woulda...killled ...you," Van gasped, his words growing softer with each breath.
"You did it to save me, I know that now. You still got your honor, Van and ain't nobody gonna take it away from you," Deaq firmly announced.
Billie reappeared beside Deaq, "Ambulance is on it's way," she reassured as her soft eyes met Van's.
"I ...screwed...up, Billie," Van fought for breath even as more blood seeped onto his lips.
Billie brushed Van's hair lightly with her hand, "Shhhh...we'll work this all out. You just don't leave us, alright. You stay right here, Van. I haven't given you permission to die on us."
Deaq clasped Van's hand in his own and raised them, "You ain't getting out of this partnership this easy, Van. Now you keep fighting."
Van's mind fought to stay conscious but his body was beginning to shut down. Suddenly a void washed over him like a wave he couldn't out surf.
In horror, Deaq watched Van's eyes close even as the hand he held become limp. "Van!?!" he called out with terror.
Billie felt for a pulse in Van's neck, "He's alive but barely," she announced as she looked to Deaq.
Deaq leaned over Van again, even as he tightly grasped his hand. "Fight, Van! Damn you Fight!! I lost Dre, I can't lose you too, man. Don't do this to me!"
Deaq didn't notice how rigid the hospital chair was, didn't see the patients and visitors walk by him, or even register that Billie sat beside him. Only one thing mattered to him right here, right now. Van.
A thousand thoughts screamed through Deaq's head. How could he have not noticed Van was injured?! He had yelled at him in the car, accused him of flipping to Roberts, and then he had ordered him out of the car at the Candy Store. All while Van was sitting there, bleeding, maybe even dy... No. Deaq shut that thought down instantly. Van would be Ok. He was Van. The guy that couldn't sit still for two seconds, the guy that couldn't stay quiet for a millisecond, the guy that didn't ever back down, no matter how tough things looked.
Leaning over his knees, holding his head, Deaq's anguish was a tangible thing. Billie wished she could say something to ease his pain. Trouble was, she didn't believe in offering false hope and right now that was the only type of hope she was clinging to. The doctors weren't giving Van great odds on surviving. Internal bleeding, blood loss, severity of the damage...none of it was encouraging. So she offered Deaq no words of comfort, save her presence. She barely recognized the soft, broken voice as Deaq's.
"He never said a word. All he cared about was getting me clear. And I...I'm there yelling at him, accusing him of..." he broke off as he thought of the territory he was crossing into. He would never tell Billie what Van had done tonight to save his life, how he had sacrificed his honor for Deaq's life. 'He did more than that,' ran through Deaq's mind, 'he sacrificed his life for mine.'
Billie laid her hand on Deaq's back, "Van always puts everyone before himself, Deaq. You know that, it's what makes him one of a kind." A tender smile pulled onto Billie's face, "Well, that and how he whines like a little boy and talks all the time and makes you feel like he's your little brother you have to protect from the big bad world."
A soft laugh broke from Deaq, "Yeah," and he sat up for the first time but didn't face Billie. "But I didn't protect him."
"I didn't mean..." Billie began but Deaq held up his hand and looked at her.
"I know you didn't but it's true. He didn't screw up, I did." Deaq's voice suddenly switched from anguished to self hatred, "The second I saw that look on his face, I shoulda closed the deal down!"
Billie stared intently at Deaq, hoping to finally get some details about what had occurred that night. "What look, Deaq?"
Swallowing hard, he answered, "Like the reaper just stepped outta hell to greet him."
"Tell me what happened tonight, Deaq?" Billie pleaded rather than ordered.
With a shaking breath, Deaq relayed the evenings events from his prospective and broke off abruptly with "we got to the candy store and then...." He surged from the chair and began to pace in front of Billie. "I shoulda noticed he was hurting! I shoulda stopped him from taking that "tour" alone with Roberts!"
"But you said so yourself, Van convinced you to stay behind and do business with Colin. Van knew Roberts, knew what he was capable of. Knowing Van, he thought you would be safer if you weren't on the 'tour'." Billie analyzed.
"I know but that doesn't make it better! Don't you get it, he risked himself to save me! He ignored what Roberts did to him, how he hurt him, and instead worried about getting me out of Roberts' reach. How can I live knowing...." Deaq words faltered.
Billie looked up to Deaq's pain-filled eyes, "Van would willingly die for you, Deaq. I know you know that."
A tear streamed down Deaq's face, "Yeah, but I don't want him to, Billie."
With her heart breaking, Billie stood and hugged Deaq. His arms encircled her tightly as she breathed, "I know, Deaq. I know. But the decision was never yours to make, it was Van's."
TBC
Sorry about the cliffie! AGAIN! But next chapter I'll try to do better and leave you somewhere a little less horrible. Did I forget to mention this story would have some angst in it?! Ooops!!! (Now I warn you!)
Thanks to one and all who read this chapter. I would truly love to hear what you think of this chapter..
Replies to Reviews:
DKM: As you realized, I'm still keeping you guessing about what happened between Roberts and Van. But don't worry, it will be revealed soon. Thanks for staying with this story and reviewing!!!
Hello: Thanks for the review and I hope you're still tuning in.
Meike: Well, this chapter isn't exactly going to ease your sleeping problem but hey, at least Van's in good hands right?! Thank you so much for thinking I'm talented and liking my writing style!?! Hope to hear what you think of chapter 3!
Lynne: I was relieved that you liked chapter 2! Hope Chapter 3 still has you in knots...I know I'm cruel! Did you like the way Deaq found out about Van's injury?! I always love writing about hidden injuries. As for Van and Deaq shaping up to be great friends..you bet..I just wish the series had been renewed so we could see it! Thanks for reading and reviewing!!!
JC6: Thanks for reading and reviewing this story! I know, I didn't update soon enough!
Fan4fastln: I'm honored that you've looked everyday for another chapter!?!?! And I know, Van's life is still hanging in the balance at the end of this chapter?!? (I'm really quite cruel aren't I?!) And I hope I can remain true to the characters throughout the story. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Leann: Yes, I am evil and this chapter still proves that. And Roberts and Van's past will be revealed soon. Hope you enjoyed your latest "hit", I mean, this latest chapter! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Mady Bay: I'm really honored that you dropped in to read this story! I'm still so touched by your review on my Houston Knights story. I doubt this story will measure up to that one and I'm a little afraid you will be disappointed but I hope you won't. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!!
Sassylassy13: Boy do I know what you are talking about. I HATE getting all involved in a story only to have the author NEVER finish it!! Because of that hatred, I WILL finish this story...but it may take me some time so if you want to wait until it's finished I wouldn't blame you at all. In fact I've made it a habit to check to see if stories are finished before latching onto them. No use falling in love with an unfinished tale..it's just too hard wondering where the plot would have gone!
Silent Typewriter: Thanks for reading and reviewing! So glad you like the story so far. Loved to hear what you think of this chapter!
Till next time!
Cheryl W.