Blue Book 3

It was dark on base when the silent man returned. He had been out trying to retrieve stolen information when Shana had called him back. He strode down the hall to his boss's office. Pausing at the door, he rapped once and entered upon command.

"Did we do the right thing not letting him see her?"

'Protect her.'

"I know but what about him? Psyche won't release him. He thinks Wreck was hearing things. That it might be an implanted memory."

The silent man though for a moment. 'Can I see him?'

"Now? At this time of night?"

'Not asleep.'

"If he's awake, I'll clear you to go in." Sgt. Hauser picked up the phone but the other man was already gone.

He ran down the hall and outside. Sprinting to the barracks, he went to his room and was greeted by his lupine companion, Timber. The twosome high-tailed it to the med-ward where Capt. Carl 'Doc' Greer greeted them.

"Top said you'd be here in a minute and he's never wrong," said the mahogany-skinned medic. "Can I speak to you before you go in?"

The silent man nodded and leaned against the wall. Timber curled up at his master's feet.

"I don't know what Wreck saw…or what he had to deal with up here," he pointed to his head, "But I know that now he's not dealing with his physical scars very well. For a man with nine tattoos, he is not comfortable in his own skin right now. They sliced him up pretty good. Some of the burns are trying to become infected and the bruises from the injections are deep tissue. If we can't get him to…" Doc searched for the right word "Synch up so to speak, he's gonna fracture. I know you can help him. I know here." He touched his own heart and forced the silent man to meet his gaze. "We missed something somewhere with him. He needs peace. Help him find it."

Green Book 3

Howie wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer but he knew when Jack Hudson shifted into protector mode that things weren't going well. "Did I say something wrong? Sue?" He had a 'please don't hurt me look' on his face.

"No, Howie, it's all right. I'm fine. I appreciate your concern. Thanks." She smiled at his confusion. She could see the wheels turning in his mind.

"Oh. Okay. I think I'll be going now." He waved his little wave and hastily beat a retreat.

Sue turned to look at her friend. Her best friend. The one she couldn't share this burden with. He did not look happy.

"I don't know where to start with this." Jack frowned. "Howie knows?"

Sue shook her head 'No'.

"Then what? Members of my team are suddenly 'on loan' to another department and they aren't really?"

She straightened at the implication. "Jack, do you trust me?"

"Yes, but—"

She held up a hand to forestall his comment, before either one said something they'd regret. "I've told you the truth. I haven't lied or misled you. There are things I just can't tell you."

He pushed his hand through his hair and grimaced. Shaking his head he replied, "Not good enough. I can't look out for the well being of my team if I don't know what they are doing."

"Did you question Bobby like this?"

"Well, no. I was worried about you."

She steeled herself for the next comment. "Jack, I'm a big girl now and there are some things I have to take care of on my own. You aren't making it any easier."

He took her hands and tried a different tack. "Look, I want you to be safe—"

"That's great but I think this conversation is over." She called Levi over to her and attached his lead.

"Sue, I—" he closed his eyes for a moment and re-opened them to find her looking at him in earnest.

"Do I ask you about things you can't divulge?"

He shook his head.

"Then afford me the same courtesy. I'll see you tomorrow." With tears brimming, she left the park with a heavy heart.