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.
Authors Notes: SORRY!!!! I know you all want to lynch me for being sooooo late! This month's just been horrible for finding time for writing. (Don't you hate when the real world sucks up so much of your time!?!?!) Hope you'll forgive me?!?! And also forgive me for the errors I missed...I'm posting this without my trusty beta's approval.
Replies to reviews at bottom
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Chapter 7
When Billie walked back to check on Van, she came up short at the empty couch. "Van?" Crossing the open floor to the theater's men's bathroom, she opened the door, purposely turned her head away from the interior and called "Van?" Silence met her call. Fear shot through her as she envisioned Van passed out on the bathroom floor. That thought sent her flying into the bathroom, only to find it empty.
Cursing she stalked out of the room and made her way to her desk. Snatching her phone from its cradle, she punched in Van's cell phone number. She listened as it rang and rang and rang. "Answer your phone, Van!" she growled aloud but a moment later the voice mail kicked in and she terminated the call and immediately dialed Deaq.
"Deaq here."
"Van's gone," she said without preamble.
"Gone?! What do you mean gone? Why'd you let him leave?" Deaq's raised voice pounded in her ear.
"I didn't *let* him leave! I got off the phone with the Feds and he was just gone!" she defended, anger growing in her voice.
Deaq took a steadying breath that Billie clearly heard. "Which car did he take?"
Billie's eyes swept the Candy Store, taking inventory even as she countered, "I'd know if he took a car, Deaq!"
"Ok, which *bike* did he take?" Deaq said with his 'I'm trying real hard to not get mad" tone.
Seeing that only two bikes were parked in the corner of the room instead of the usual three, Billie sighed in frustration and defeat, "He musta walked it out of the Candy Store."
Deaq already was ahead of her. "He took the red one, right?"
"Yeah. He took the red one." A monetary pause fell between them before she added, "He's not answering his phone, Deaq," trying hard to not let that sentence sound as ominous as it felt to her own ears. But she couldn't help but ask, "You think he's OK?"
Deaq's voice came back with an angry façade to cover his own concern, "He is until I get a hold of him. So how long you think it's been since he bounced?"
Billie sighed with frustration and self disgust, "It could be almost twenty minutes."
"Just great," Deaq countered, his worry-free façade fading fast.
Sensing a reprimand in Deaq's tone, Billie retaliated with, "Hey, you're the one that let him out of the hospital."
"Yeah, but I didn't *lose* him," censure coating his words.
Knowing that she couldn't hold back anything if they had any hope of finding Van, Billie steeled herself for Deaq's reaction to her next words. "Deaq, there's one more thing." She heard Deaq's silent expectation and continued, "The truck with the alcohol shipment that I impounded last night for a heavy load...they just found drugs in the glass of the bottles. And the volume of the drugs...Roberts wouldn't carry it on his own."
Dread filled Deaq's voice, "What are you saying? That you inadvertently stopped a mob shipment?!"
"Yeah. It was just by dumb luck."
"Not dumb luck, piss poor luck! Roberts, he probably woulda just let your harassment go, but now you've crossed a line with the mob."
Deaq's words seared regret into Billie. This was all her fault. "I know. And now Van's gone..." If only she had backed off like Van had wanted her to from the start!
Quietly Deaq surmised, "Roberts probably called Van to make a deal."
A curse flew from Billie. "If I put Van back into Roberts's hands.... how could I be so stupid! I should have backed off like Van said but I wouldn't listen!"
To Billie's relief, Deaq did not voice another reprimand but instead offered, "Backing off isn't what we do, especially when someone messes with our family, Billie."
For the first time ever, Deaq heard Billie's voice turn forlorn, "Deaq, I don't know what to do this time..."
"You, me and Van gotta get out heads into the game. Once we do that, Roberts won't know what hit 'em. Call ya when I find Van," and then Billie was listening to dialing tone.
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For Van it was if the past eleven years had been stripped away, like he was sixteen again, meeting Cade Roberts face to face and offering to work off his father's debt. But now as he stood before Roberts, no naiveté lingered in him, telling him some lie about how he'd pay the debt and get out. There would be no getting out this time. No one could rescue him. No one could pay this debt for him. This time Cade Roberts would exact payment from him and him alone...and Van knew with clarity the cost would be his very soul.
"I'm here. Let's deal," Van prompted, steadily meeting Cade Roberts's blue eyes while concealing the agony that surged through his injured body reminding him sharply of his last meet with Cade.
Cade's smile was the genuine article as he looked over the young man before him. "It's just like the old days, Van. I call and you come running."
Van shot back, "Starving dog chained to a pole will run to any bastard offering food."
This got a laugh from Cade and he ruffled Van's hair in a fatherly gesture, "The boy I knew has certainly grown up." A slap impacted solidly with Van's right cheek the next second, snapping Van's head to the left. Cade's voice turned deadly, "Don't start talking back to me now, Van."
Biting back both his impulse to strike Cade and the words of hatred he wanted to fling at the man, Van instead met Cade's eyes again, ignoring the new ringing in his head. Getting angry or defending his pride were luxuries Van could not afford, not with Roberts, never with Roberts.
With interest, Roberts watched Van's private war to stoically take the punishment he dealt out. Truly Van Ray had grown up into an unflinchingly strong man, the type of man Cade had known he could become with the right handling. "You understood the consequences of your actions when you were that weak sixteen year old kid. Nothing has changed, Van. You do something I don't like, someone has to pay for it ...maybe it'll be you...maybe it'll be someone you care about."
Van's eyes darkened with hatred at the threat but he met Cade's look fearlessly. "You own me. I got that." For a moment they seemed to gauge one another in silence, then, sensing that Cade would not offer any response to his words, Van continued, "Next topic. What do you want me to do to set things right with the drug shipment?"
Pleasantly surprised by Van's quick acceptance of his servitude, Cade put a companionably hand behind Van's neck and leaned in close, "Get the shipment back."
Enduring Cade's touch took all of Van's resolve. "And take it where?"
Cade pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Van. "See that the drugs are at this location by 2am tomorrow. Take the hundred grand from our business associates and drop it off with Phil down at the chop shop." Then Cade taunted, "You remember where that shop's at, don't you?"
"Yeah," Van bitterly answered. His time working with Roberts was indelibly seared into his memories. He would not have forgotten the chop shop where he had dropped off the cars he had stolen for Roberts any more then he would have forgotten the look on Boyd's face as he died in his arms.
A smug smile turned up Cade's lips, "Good."
Seeing he was almost free of Cade's presence, Van gave no come back but instead snatched the address from Cade's hand and walked out of Cade's touch, seemingly without hurry but with purpose. Cade's voice stopped him on the club's dance floor.
"You play me on this, Van, and I'll kill your partner and your boss...the slow way. We clear."
Without turning around Van replied, "Crystal," and he walked out of the club.
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Certain that he knew where Van would go, Deaq parked the Corvette across the street from Club 9. There was no sign of Van's bike but Deaq's belief that Van was in the club cutting a deal with the devil did not waiver. From all that Van had said and not said about his relationship with Cade Roberts, Deaq knew the bastard would not miss this opportunity to once again claim a hold on Van.
Taking a deep steadying breath, Deaq checked to make sure the magazine clip of his gun was full, slapped the clip back into place and opened the car door. It was time to enter the lion's den and pull Van from the very teeth of the beast if he had to. But before he could exit the car, Van walked out of the front door of Club 9.
At the sight of an alive and seemingly unhurt Van, relief swamped Deaq. Watching his partner walk down the sidewalk, Deaq fought the urge to go to Van. He had no idea what kind of deal Van had cut with Roberts but he knew he couldn't let Roberts know he was about to get up in the middle of it. No, he'd let Van get on his bike and go a few blocks before he'd flag him over.
And that was a good plan, a smart plan from an expert at undercover work. But it went out the window when Van faltered, reached a hand out to steady himself against a wall, and began to slid to the ground. Without hesitation, Deaq put the Corvette into motion, did a U turn and pulled up to the curb beside Van.
Adrenalin had gotten Van out of the Candy Store, made it possible for him to endure the agony of riding the bike and allowed him to stand unflinchingly before Roberts. But since he had escaped Cade's presence, the rush had begun to fade and every movement became a study of agony filled endurance. It was really no surprise that he found himself on the pavement.
Sitting on the ground, leaning heavily against the wall that kept him upright, Van rested his cheek on the wall's cold mortar and let his conversation with Cade run unhindered through his mind. He was so fixed!!! The life he had carved out for himself was slipping through his fingers and there wasn't a thing he could do about it. He was looking at a true life of crime, twenty four 7.
He jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder and his eyes shot up to see his partner. "Deaq, what are you doing here?"
"What's my line, player," Deaq countered as he bent down, slipped an arm around Van and gently pulled him to his feet. "Come on Van," and he guided Van to the Vette.
"The bike..." Van protested, pointing down the street to where the bike was parked.
But Deaq cut off his protests, "Forget the bike, man," and he settled Van into the passenger seat of the Vette before he climbed into the driver's seat and put the Vette into motion.
Dividing his attention between the road and his partner, Deaq challenged, "Roberts told you about the drugs in the truck and now he's blackmailing you all over again. You went in there and cut a deal to save Billie."
Van found he could say nothing in response to that. He had never made it a habit to lie to Deaq and he wasn't planning on starting now. Beside it didn't really matter how much Deaq or Billie knew, they could not help him now. The deal was set. Cade owned him.
At Van's silence, Deaq's dread deepened. "What's he want this time?"
Van almost snorted at the question and thought, 'my soul', but he answered Deaq with "the shipment back."
"Or else he'll turn Billie over to his mafia boss," Deaq supplied.
Tiredly Van returned, "You're psychic, man."
"What kinda time frame we working with?" This earned Deaq Van's full attention.
"This is no "we" here!" Van protested, his hand motions indicating himself and Deaq.
Recognizing the wall Van was again starting to erect between them, Deaq's voice turned hard as stone, "You're forgetting something! We are *partners*, Van! We protect each others backs! Someone comes after you, he's gotta go through me first!"
Turning to face Deaq, Van challenged, "You think Cade wouldn't do that?! You think he'd hesitate *one second* putting a lick shot into your head?! The only reason *either* of us walked out of the club that night was cause there is only one thing Cade likes better than killing....and that's playing mind games. He *enjoyed* making me beg for your life...almost as much as he enjoyed using his ice pick."
A flinch went through Deaq at Van's words. To think Van had begged for his life...that hurt Deaq in ways seeing Van bleeding all over the Candy Store hadn't. Anguish coated Deaq's words, "I'm sorry, Van. I'm sorry that Roberts used me against you."
Deaq's apology caught Van by surprise. "You know this isn't your fault, right?" but Deaq would not look his way and Van could see the tight set of his partner's jaw that indicated self inflicted guilt. "Cade saw a weakness and he exploited it. And that's *my* fault."
Glancing to Van, Deaq questioned in outrageous disbelief, "Your fault how?"
Emotions overrode Van's hard won barriers and he had to take a moment to get himself together before he quietly answered Deaq. "I broke the rule, Deaq." The next words seemed to choke him, "Don't show fear, need, loyalty or love...ever."
Deaq had heard Van rattle off this motto before but this time something deeper and darker lurked behind the words. Quietly he asked, "That another one of your father's slogans?" Then he added bitterly, "Like 'Pros Play Hurt'?", knowing just how close he had come to writing Van's eulogy because Van had adhered to that piece of fatherly advice.
But Van shook his head. No this advice was not Ray Ray's. "Cade taught me that one," he lowly supplied as memories slammed into him. Memories of Boyd dying in his arms and of Cade squatting down to callously watch the scene. Cade's words rang through his head all over again. 'How many times do I have to say it until you get it through your head, Van? You show fear, need, loyalty or love...ever, and you'll lose. You tried to protect Boyd, be his big brother but in the end,' Cade's look had settled on Boyd's lifeless eyes, 'you're the reason he's dead, Van. He became your weakness and I never miss a chance to exploit a weakness. Learn the golden rule, kid, before I have to kill someone else you care about.'
"Van?" Deaq called for the third time as he gripped Van's arm.
Pulled from the memories, Van blinked and met Deaq's worried look.
"You OK?"
"I'm fine," Van brusquely replied, hurriedly pulling his look from his all too observant partner.
Deaq sadly rebuked, "No, you're not fine. You haven't been fine since you laid eyes on him in that club."
The truth of Deaq's words were not lost on Van. Getting an ice pick shoved into his back had been one of the more pleasant experiences since he had first laid eyes on Cade Roberts in Club 9.
Sensing that Van would not comment on his words he firmly stated. "Van, none of this is your fault. You start believing it is and you're letting Roberts beat you."
Van shook his head in disbelief. "He already beat me! He beat me ten years ago and he'll beat me now."
"He didn't beat you, you walked away...with your soul intact. You beat him, Van! And that's what pisses him off so badly...you beat him at his own game, walked away and never looked back. You did it once...you can do it again."
"Not this time, Deaq. He *let* me go last time...he won't show me any mercy now," Van disputed.
But Deaq challenged, "So what, you're just gonna voluntarily put on the leash again? Hand over your whole soul to your reaper?"
Settling back into the seat and pulling his look from Deaq, Van's words were drowning in defeat. "I'm out of options, Deaq."
Deaq had never *never* seen Van accept defeat and seeing it now cut into him. "No, no you're not, Van! Together, you, me and Billie, we can get you free of Roberts."
But Deaq's optimism rubbed Van the wrong way. No matter how many ways he explained it, Deaq wasn't seeing the truth. With bitterness, he snapped back, "So when did you turn into Mr. Optimistic?! I thought you were the realist in the crowd. And what's this whole "togetherness" talk you got going? What? You think, unlike you, I can't stand alone?"
Surprised by Van's reaction, Deaq countered, "No, Van. What I'm saying is you don't *have* to stand alone."
"Yes, yes I do!" Van insisted in frustration. "The only thing I need from Billie is the drugs back then I'll deal with Roberts...myself."
"And how are you going to "deal" with Roberts? Be his slave for the rest of your life?!" Before Van could protest Deaq continued, "And sorry to throw a wrench into your well thought out plan but Billie doesn't have the drugs, the feds do."
Van turned disbelieving eyes onto Deaq. This was one snag he hadn't seen coming. "The Feds have the drugs!?"
"Yeah, you know the guys in the suits that want to talk to you real bad about you being their undercover snitch."
Silence fell in the car as Van digested this new information. Things kept getting more and more complicated. With an ever sinking heart he knew the solution to this new problem. Pulling out his cell phone he dialed Billie's office. Hard on the heels of her hello, he declared, "Billie, I want to cut a deal with the Feds."
TBC
Hey I didn't leave you with a cliffy right? That's gotta count for something!
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Replies to Reviews:
DKM: Glad you're interested in learning more about Van and Cade's past because I've dedicated pretty much thought to that topic myself. All will be revealed in time. As for Van stealing evidence, I was trying real hard to get that to work but it seemed too complicated so I went the easy way out: poor Van has to cut another deal this time with the Feds. Love to hear your feedback on this chapter.
Zoze: I don't think I ever get over "wordy" phases but sometimes it just doesn't play well in the story. I always love to explore issues that the characters have with each other but they all can't be solved in one little fan fiction story? (Or can they? Hmmmmm!) Drop me a line on your thoughts on this chapter!
Sirith: Yes, sometimes I truly feel like I'm ripping off someone else's great idea and I of course want to take credit for every great story idea myself. (I'm selfish that way.) Glad you like blackmail because I think it's so cruel and yet its so ...cool. I wish I had the heart to blackmail someone to get my own way but I guess I'll have to leave it to the true bad guys in the world. Relieved that you like the way I portray the characters personalities!!!! The show had a feel all of its own and I totally loved it. But copying it, now that's proving to be the challenge because I am in no way cool like Van, Deaq and Billie. Loved to know what you thought of this chapter!
Fan4fastln: I never get tired of compliments!!!!! Please say on!!!! As for the flashbacks, I just couldn't resist and it worked so well for that segment of the story. Glad you liked it! And yes, I did do my homework. I've dug out all the episodes and rewatched them and studied the characters and ...OK ...I'm a little obsessive about getting characterization correct. And yes, for Deaq the shine was starting to wear off of Ray Ray but I still would be bugged by his easy acceptance and hero worship if I were Van. I guess that's way this story got it's makings. I wanted Deaq to see Ray Ray through Van's eyes and see that Van's the man he should respect. Ah.. you got me rambling on about issues...sorry about that! Love to know if you liked this chapter!
Lelann37: Happy you liked last chapter! And you know I love putting Van in a tight spot...he always looked so cute when he was stressed. And just so you don't bail on me..still to come ....Van working for Cade...Van revealing the whole Boyd/Cade/Van thing to Deaq and Billie. (Have I still got your interest?) Please tell me what you thought of this chapter?
Silent Typewriter: (Wipes rotten tomatoes off of her forehead and outta her hair) OK I deserved that. Totally! Sorry about the horribly late post!!! And yes, Van did do something stupid to protect Billie and Deaq but of course I made sure he had little other options...ok no other options. For your information, you are not sadistic...or...well it least you are not alone in being sadistic. I too love angst... the more the better, but I keep some simple rules in mind: Angst =awesome; Angst that leads to death of character=bad. (Ever all we need to keep them alive to torture them all over again with more angst.) Love to know if you liked this chapter and how good I have to be before you stop throwing tomatoes at me!
Lynne: I guess I always think a chapter's not finished until there's that great cliffy at the end. But you will notice, this chapter's ending wasn't really a cliffy so I'm trying to change my ways. I so appreciate that you told me which line you liked!!!!! I almost changed that one ?!?! Yes, I think Billie was terribly impulsive and yet if her guys were impulsive she'd chew them out for it! Bosses always get away with "do as I say not as I do". Glad you liked where I took the plot. I just couldn't help but up the ante by throwing the mafia into the pot! And yes, this new mess is Billie's fault and I don't think Van should take the fall for it..(of course I am the author and I could change the story but I'm trying to think like Van and he's always been too kind hearted for his own good). So Van will pay the price for Billie's impulsiveness and walking away is now not an option. Glad you're interested in the Boyd/Cade/Van storyline! I love digging up someone's angst filled past!!! Sorry that Deaq couldn't miraculously save the day but this is a debt Van has to pay on his own. I really want to know what you thought of this chapter!
Stygius: I'm blushing over your review!! Thank you!! And I would apologize for the cliffies but I would not be sincere. I love writing them! Love to hear if you liked this chapter!
Almarmentini: Thank you so much for your fantastic review!! And I'm very sorry that I did indeed keep you waiting way too long for this next chapter! I'll try to do better! Reviews always encourage me to write faster? (hint hint hint)
Mnemosyne23: Glad you stumbled on my little old story!! And if you haven't already guessed, I too was a diehard "Fastlane" fan. I'm never good at letting a good thing die so I started this story and it's just taken off. Who can resist Van angst...or Van for that matter?!?!? He's tough and soft and complicated and so good looking! And yes, even I'm looking forward to seeing Roberts "get the sweet comeuppance he's owed." Stay tuned...he will. Thanks for reading and I'ld love to hear what you thought of this chapter.
Thanks so much for your patience!!!! I'm going to post this chapter and continue writing the next chapter so I won't fall horribly behind in posting again! Again thank you for reading and reviewing!
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.
Authors Notes: SORRY!!!! I know you all want to lynch me for being sooooo late! This month's just been horrible for finding time for writing. (Don't you hate when the real world sucks up so much of your time!?!?!) Hope you'll forgive me?!?! And also forgive me for the errors I missed...I'm posting this without my trusty beta's approval.
Replies to reviews at bottom
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Chapter 7
When Billie walked back to check on Van, she came up short at the empty couch. "Van?" Crossing the open floor to the theater's men's bathroom, she opened the door, purposely turned her head away from the interior and called "Van?" Silence met her call. Fear shot through her as she envisioned Van passed out on the bathroom floor. That thought sent her flying into the bathroom, only to find it empty.
Cursing she stalked out of the room and made her way to her desk. Snatching her phone from its cradle, she punched in Van's cell phone number. She listened as it rang and rang and rang. "Answer your phone, Van!" she growled aloud but a moment later the voice mail kicked in and she terminated the call and immediately dialed Deaq.
"Deaq here."
"Van's gone," she said without preamble.
"Gone?! What do you mean gone? Why'd you let him leave?" Deaq's raised voice pounded in her ear.
"I didn't *let* him leave! I got off the phone with the Feds and he was just gone!" she defended, anger growing in her voice.
Deaq took a steadying breath that Billie clearly heard. "Which car did he take?"
Billie's eyes swept the Candy Store, taking inventory even as she countered, "I'd know if he took a car, Deaq!"
"Ok, which *bike* did he take?" Deaq said with his 'I'm trying real hard to not get mad" tone.
Seeing that only two bikes were parked in the corner of the room instead of the usual three, Billie sighed in frustration and defeat, "He musta walked it out of the Candy Store."
Deaq already was ahead of her. "He took the red one, right?"
"Yeah. He took the red one." A monetary pause fell between them before she added, "He's not answering his phone, Deaq," trying hard to not let that sentence sound as ominous as it felt to her own ears. But she couldn't help but ask, "You think he's OK?"
Deaq's voice came back with an angry façade to cover his own concern, "He is until I get a hold of him. So how long you think it's been since he bounced?"
Billie sighed with frustration and self disgust, "It could be almost twenty minutes."
"Just great," Deaq countered, his worry-free façade fading fast.
Sensing a reprimand in Deaq's tone, Billie retaliated with, "Hey, you're the one that let him out of the hospital."
"Yeah, but I didn't *lose* him," censure coating his words.
Knowing that she couldn't hold back anything if they had any hope of finding Van, Billie steeled herself for Deaq's reaction to her next words. "Deaq, there's one more thing." She heard Deaq's silent expectation and continued, "The truck with the alcohol shipment that I impounded last night for a heavy load...they just found drugs in the glass of the bottles. And the volume of the drugs...Roberts wouldn't carry it on his own."
Dread filled Deaq's voice, "What are you saying? That you inadvertently stopped a mob shipment?!"
"Yeah. It was just by dumb luck."
"Not dumb luck, piss poor luck! Roberts, he probably woulda just let your harassment go, but now you've crossed a line with the mob."
Deaq's words seared regret into Billie. This was all her fault. "I know. And now Van's gone..." If only she had backed off like Van had wanted her to from the start!
Quietly Deaq surmised, "Roberts probably called Van to make a deal."
A curse flew from Billie. "If I put Van back into Roberts's hands.... how could I be so stupid! I should have backed off like Van said but I wouldn't listen!"
To Billie's relief, Deaq did not voice another reprimand but instead offered, "Backing off isn't what we do, especially when someone messes with our family, Billie."
For the first time ever, Deaq heard Billie's voice turn forlorn, "Deaq, I don't know what to do this time..."
"You, me and Van gotta get out heads into the game. Once we do that, Roberts won't know what hit 'em. Call ya when I find Van," and then Billie was listening to dialing tone.
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For Van it was if the past eleven years had been stripped away, like he was sixteen again, meeting Cade Roberts face to face and offering to work off his father's debt. But now as he stood before Roberts, no naiveté lingered in him, telling him some lie about how he'd pay the debt and get out. There would be no getting out this time. No one could rescue him. No one could pay this debt for him. This time Cade Roberts would exact payment from him and him alone...and Van knew with clarity the cost would be his very soul.
"I'm here. Let's deal," Van prompted, steadily meeting Cade Roberts's blue eyes while concealing the agony that surged through his injured body reminding him sharply of his last meet with Cade.
Cade's smile was the genuine article as he looked over the young man before him. "It's just like the old days, Van. I call and you come running."
Van shot back, "Starving dog chained to a pole will run to any bastard offering food."
This got a laugh from Cade and he ruffled Van's hair in a fatherly gesture, "The boy I knew has certainly grown up." A slap impacted solidly with Van's right cheek the next second, snapping Van's head to the left. Cade's voice turned deadly, "Don't start talking back to me now, Van."
Biting back both his impulse to strike Cade and the words of hatred he wanted to fling at the man, Van instead met Cade's eyes again, ignoring the new ringing in his head. Getting angry or defending his pride were luxuries Van could not afford, not with Roberts, never with Roberts.
With interest, Roberts watched Van's private war to stoically take the punishment he dealt out. Truly Van Ray had grown up into an unflinchingly strong man, the type of man Cade had known he could become with the right handling. "You understood the consequences of your actions when you were that weak sixteen year old kid. Nothing has changed, Van. You do something I don't like, someone has to pay for it ...maybe it'll be you...maybe it'll be someone you care about."
Van's eyes darkened with hatred at the threat but he met Cade's look fearlessly. "You own me. I got that." For a moment they seemed to gauge one another in silence, then, sensing that Cade would not offer any response to his words, Van continued, "Next topic. What do you want me to do to set things right with the drug shipment?"
Pleasantly surprised by Van's quick acceptance of his servitude, Cade put a companionably hand behind Van's neck and leaned in close, "Get the shipment back."
Enduring Cade's touch took all of Van's resolve. "And take it where?"
Cade pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Van. "See that the drugs are at this location by 2am tomorrow. Take the hundred grand from our business associates and drop it off with Phil down at the chop shop." Then Cade taunted, "You remember where that shop's at, don't you?"
"Yeah," Van bitterly answered. His time working with Roberts was indelibly seared into his memories. He would not have forgotten the chop shop where he had dropped off the cars he had stolen for Roberts any more then he would have forgotten the look on Boyd's face as he died in his arms.
A smug smile turned up Cade's lips, "Good."
Seeing he was almost free of Cade's presence, Van gave no come back but instead snatched the address from Cade's hand and walked out of Cade's touch, seemingly without hurry but with purpose. Cade's voice stopped him on the club's dance floor.
"You play me on this, Van, and I'll kill your partner and your boss...the slow way. We clear."
Without turning around Van replied, "Crystal," and he walked out of the club.
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Certain that he knew where Van would go, Deaq parked the Corvette across the street from Club 9. There was no sign of Van's bike but Deaq's belief that Van was in the club cutting a deal with the devil did not waiver. From all that Van had said and not said about his relationship with Cade Roberts, Deaq knew the bastard would not miss this opportunity to once again claim a hold on Van.
Taking a deep steadying breath, Deaq checked to make sure the magazine clip of his gun was full, slapped the clip back into place and opened the car door. It was time to enter the lion's den and pull Van from the very teeth of the beast if he had to. But before he could exit the car, Van walked out of the front door of Club 9.
At the sight of an alive and seemingly unhurt Van, relief swamped Deaq. Watching his partner walk down the sidewalk, Deaq fought the urge to go to Van. He had no idea what kind of deal Van had cut with Roberts but he knew he couldn't let Roberts know he was about to get up in the middle of it. No, he'd let Van get on his bike and go a few blocks before he'd flag him over.
And that was a good plan, a smart plan from an expert at undercover work. But it went out the window when Van faltered, reached a hand out to steady himself against a wall, and began to slid to the ground. Without hesitation, Deaq put the Corvette into motion, did a U turn and pulled up to the curb beside Van.
Adrenalin had gotten Van out of the Candy Store, made it possible for him to endure the agony of riding the bike and allowed him to stand unflinchingly before Roberts. But since he had escaped Cade's presence, the rush had begun to fade and every movement became a study of agony filled endurance. It was really no surprise that he found himself on the pavement.
Sitting on the ground, leaning heavily against the wall that kept him upright, Van rested his cheek on the wall's cold mortar and let his conversation with Cade run unhindered through his mind. He was so fixed!!! The life he had carved out for himself was slipping through his fingers and there wasn't a thing he could do about it. He was looking at a true life of crime, twenty four 7.
He jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder and his eyes shot up to see his partner. "Deaq, what are you doing here?"
"What's my line, player," Deaq countered as he bent down, slipped an arm around Van and gently pulled him to his feet. "Come on Van," and he guided Van to the Vette.
"The bike..." Van protested, pointing down the street to where the bike was parked.
But Deaq cut off his protests, "Forget the bike, man," and he settled Van into the passenger seat of the Vette before he climbed into the driver's seat and put the Vette into motion.
Dividing his attention between the road and his partner, Deaq challenged, "Roberts told you about the drugs in the truck and now he's blackmailing you all over again. You went in there and cut a deal to save Billie."
Van found he could say nothing in response to that. He had never made it a habit to lie to Deaq and he wasn't planning on starting now. Beside it didn't really matter how much Deaq or Billie knew, they could not help him now. The deal was set. Cade owned him.
At Van's silence, Deaq's dread deepened. "What's he want this time?"
Van almost snorted at the question and thought, 'my soul', but he answered Deaq with "the shipment back."
"Or else he'll turn Billie over to his mafia boss," Deaq supplied.
Tiredly Van returned, "You're psychic, man."
"What kinda time frame we working with?" This earned Deaq Van's full attention.
"This is no "we" here!" Van protested, his hand motions indicating himself and Deaq.
Recognizing the wall Van was again starting to erect between them, Deaq's voice turned hard as stone, "You're forgetting something! We are *partners*, Van! We protect each others backs! Someone comes after you, he's gotta go through me first!"
Turning to face Deaq, Van challenged, "You think Cade wouldn't do that?! You think he'd hesitate *one second* putting a lick shot into your head?! The only reason *either* of us walked out of the club that night was cause there is only one thing Cade likes better than killing....and that's playing mind games. He *enjoyed* making me beg for your life...almost as much as he enjoyed using his ice pick."
A flinch went through Deaq at Van's words. To think Van had begged for his life...that hurt Deaq in ways seeing Van bleeding all over the Candy Store hadn't. Anguish coated Deaq's words, "I'm sorry, Van. I'm sorry that Roberts used me against you."
Deaq's apology caught Van by surprise. "You know this isn't your fault, right?" but Deaq would not look his way and Van could see the tight set of his partner's jaw that indicated self inflicted guilt. "Cade saw a weakness and he exploited it. And that's *my* fault."
Glancing to Van, Deaq questioned in outrageous disbelief, "Your fault how?"
Emotions overrode Van's hard won barriers and he had to take a moment to get himself together before he quietly answered Deaq. "I broke the rule, Deaq." The next words seemed to choke him, "Don't show fear, need, loyalty or love...ever."
Deaq had heard Van rattle off this motto before but this time something deeper and darker lurked behind the words. Quietly he asked, "That another one of your father's slogans?" Then he added bitterly, "Like 'Pros Play Hurt'?", knowing just how close he had come to writing Van's eulogy because Van had adhered to that piece of fatherly advice.
But Van shook his head. No this advice was not Ray Ray's. "Cade taught me that one," he lowly supplied as memories slammed into him. Memories of Boyd dying in his arms and of Cade squatting down to callously watch the scene. Cade's words rang through his head all over again. 'How many times do I have to say it until you get it through your head, Van? You show fear, need, loyalty or love...ever, and you'll lose. You tried to protect Boyd, be his big brother but in the end,' Cade's look had settled on Boyd's lifeless eyes, 'you're the reason he's dead, Van. He became your weakness and I never miss a chance to exploit a weakness. Learn the golden rule, kid, before I have to kill someone else you care about.'
"Van?" Deaq called for the third time as he gripped Van's arm.
Pulled from the memories, Van blinked and met Deaq's worried look.
"You OK?"
"I'm fine," Van brusquely replied, hurriedly pulling his look from his all too observant partner.
Deaq sadly rebuked, "No, you're not fine. You haven't been fine since you laid eyes on him in that club."
The truth of Deaq's words were not lost on Van. Getting an ice pick shoved into his back had been one of the more pleasant experiences since he had first laid eyes on Cade Roberts in Club 9.
Sensing that Van would not comment on his words he firmly stated. "Van, none of this is your fault. You start believing it is and you're letting Roberts beat you."
Van shook his head in disbelief. "He already beat me! He beat me ten years ago and he'll beat me now."
"He didn't beat you, you walked away...with your soul intact. You beat him, Van! And that's what pisses him off so badly...you beat him at his own game, walked away and never looked back. You did it once...you can do it again."
"Not this time, Deaq. He *let* me go last time...he won't show me any mercy now," Van disputed.
But Deaq challenged, "So what, you're just gonna voluntarily put on the leash again? Hand over your whole soul to your reaper?"
Settling back into the seat and pulling his look from Deaq, Van's words were drowning in defeat. "I'm out of options, Deaq."
Deaq had never *never* seen Van accept defeat and seeing it now cut into him. "No, no you're not, Van! Together, you, me and Billie, we can get you free of Roberts."
But Deaq's optimism rubbed Van the wrong way. No matter how many ways he explained it, Deaq wasn't seeing the truth. With bitterness, he snapped back, "So when did you turn into Mr. Optimistic?! I thought you were the realist in the crowd. And what's this whole "togetherness" talk you got going? What? You think, unlike you, I can't stand alone?"
Surprised by Van's reaction, Deaq countered, "No, Van. What I'm saying is you don't *have* to stand alone."
"Yes, yes I do!" Van insisted in frustration. "The only thing I need from Billie is the drugs back then I'll deal with Roberts...myself."
"And how are you going to "deal" with Roberts? Be his slave for the rest of your life?!" Before Van could protest Deaq continued, "And sorry to throw a wrench into your well thought out plan but Billie doesn't have the drugs, the feds do."
Van turned disbelieving eyes onto Deaq. This was one snag he hadn't seen coming. "The Feds have the drugs!?"
"Yeah, you know the guys in the suits that want to talk to you real bad about you being their undercover snitch."
Silence fell in the car as Van digested this new information. Things kept getting more and more complicated. With an ever sinking heart he knew the solution to this new problem. Pulling out his cell phone he dialed Billie's office. Hard on the heels of her hello, he declared, "Billie, I want to cut a deal with the Feds."
TBC
Hey I didn't leave you with a cliffy right? That's gotta count for something!
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Replies to Reviews:
DKM: Glad you're interested in learning more about Van and Cade's past because I've dedicated pretty much thought to that topic myself. All will be revealed in time. As for Van stealing evidence, I was trying real hard to get that to work but it seemed too complicated so I went the easy way out: poor Van has to cut another deal this time with the Feds. Love to hear your feedback on this chapter.
Zoze: I don't think I ever get over "wordy" phases but sometimes it just doesn't play well in the story. I always love to explore issues that the characters have with each other but they all can't be solved in one little fan fiction story? (Or can they? Hmmmmm!) Drop me a line on your thoughts on this chapter!
Sirith: Yes, sometimes I truly feel like I'm ripping off someone else's great idea and I of course want to take credit for every great story idea myself. (I'm selfish that way.) Glad you like blackmail because I think it's so cruel and yet its so ...cool. I wish I had the heart to blackmail someone to get my own way but I guess I'll have to leave it to the true bad guys in the world. Relieved that you like the way I portray the characters personalities!!!! The show had a feel all of its own and I totally loved it. But copying it, now that's proving to be the challenge because I am in no way cool like Van, Deaq and Billie. Loved to know what you thought of this chapter!
Fan4fastln: I never get tired of compliments!!!!! Please say on!!!! As for the flashbacks, I just couldn't resist and it worked so well for that segment of the story. Glad you liked it! And yes, I did do my homework. I've dug out all the episodes and rewatched them and studied the characters and ...OK ...I'm a little obsessive about getting characterization correct. And yes, for Deaq the shine was starting to wear off of Ray Ray but I still would be bugged by his easy acceptance and hero worship if I were Van. I guess that's way this story got it's makings. I wanted Deaq to see Ray Ray through Van's eyes and see that Van's the man he should respect. Ah.. you got me rambling on about issues...sorry about that! Love to know if you liked this chapter!
Lelann37: Happy you liked last chapter! And you know I love putting Van in a tight spot...he always looked so cute when he was stressed. And just so you don't bail on me..still to come ....Van working for Cade...Van revealing the whole Boyd/Cade/Van thing to Deaq and Billie. (Have I still got your interest?) Please tell me what you thought of this chapter?
Silent Typewriter: (Wipes rotten tomatoes off of her forehead and outta her hair) OK I deserved that. Totally! Sorry about the horribly late post!!! And yes, Van did do something stupid to protect Billie and Deaq but of course I made sure he had little other options...ok no other options. For your information, you are not sadistic...or...well it least you are not alone in being sadistic. I too love angst... the more the better, but I keep some simple rules in mind: Angst =awesome; Angst that leads to death of character=bad. (Ever all we need to keep them alive to torture them all over again with more angst.) Love to know if you liked this chapter and how good I have to be before you stop throwing tomatoes at me!
Lynne: I guess I always think a chapter's not finished until there's that great cliffy at the end. But you will notice, this chapter's ending wasn't really a cliffy so I'm trying to change my ways. I so appreciate that you told me which line you liked!!!!! I almost changed that one ?!?! Yes, I think Billie was terribly impulsive and yet if her guys were impulsive she'd chew them out for it! Bosses always get away with "do as I say not as I do". Glad you liked where I took the plot. I just couldn't help but up the ante by throwing the mafia into the pot! And yes, this new mess is Billie's fault and I don't think Van should take the fall for it..(of course I am the author and I could change the story but I'm trying to think like Van and he's always been too kind hearted for his own good). So Van will pay the price for Billie's impulsiveness and walking away is now not an option. Glad you're interested in the Boyd/Cade/Van storyline! I love digging up someone's angst filled past!!! Sorry that Deaq couldn't miraculously save the day but this is a debt Van has to pay on his own. I really want to know what you thought of this chapter!
Stygius: I'm blushing over your review!! Thank you!! And I would apologize for the cliffies but I would not be sincere. I love writing them! Love to hear if you liked this chapter!
Almarmentini: Thank you so much for your fantastic review!! And I'm very sorry that I did indeed keep you waiting way too long for this next chapter! I'll try to do better! Reviews always encourage me to write faster? (hint hint hint)
Mnemosyne23: Glad you stumbled on my little old story!! And if you haven't already guessed, I too was a diehard "Fastlane" fan. I'm never good at letting a good thing die so I started this story and it's just taken off. Who can resist Van angst...or Van for that matter?!?!? He's tough and soft and complicated and so good looking! And yes, even I'm looking forward to seeing Roberts "get the sweet comeuppance he's owed." Stay tuned...he will. Thanks for reading and I'ld love to hear what you thought of this chapter.
Thanks so much for your patience!!!! I'm going to post this chapter and continue writing the next chapter so I won't fall horribly behind in posting again! Again thank you for reading and reviewing!
Cheryl W.