Blue Book 4

He watched Wreck sit and stare out the darkened window. Saw the sailor move his hands unconsciously to the scars up and around his shoulders and neck. Opening the door, he and Timber whispered in.

"You know, Psyche will have a conniption fit if he finds out you let him in here."

The silent man shrugged and gave the universal sign for 'whatever.' He straddled a chair and sat facing his injured teammate. Timber walked over to the sailor who immediately began stroking the big wolf's head.

"Psyche thinks I'm crazy. I can do everything but tell him what she looks like. She has a dog." Wreck looked at the silent man. His ocean blue eyes pleaded for help for a brief moment before he turned away. Getting up from his chair, he stumbled to the bed where he collapsed. "She has a dog," he whispered to the dark.

The silent man watched his friend tremble and deal with the emotions tumbling around in his head. He signaled Timber who jumped up on the bed and nuzzled his head under Wreck's hand. Slowly, the sailor relaxed and slipped into a dreamless sleep. With another signal, he commanded the wolf to stay as he slipped into the night.

The med-ward nurse was making her rounds. She waited until last to do the sailor's room. The last two shift nurses had warned her that this patient was very cranky—to put it politely. They mentioned he called them vampires. She pushed the door open and saw the patient sleeping soundly with what appeared to be a dog curled up next to him. Checking her charts, she looked again and backed out. She saw Doc talking to Lt. Rich and signaled to them.

Smiling widely, the mahogany-skinned medic greeted her. "Good morning, I'Lee. What can we do for you?"

"Sirs, I think you'd better come see this." She led them back to Wreck's room.

Doc walked into the room and went to check Wreck's vitals. He didn't seem a bit fazed by the animal curled up on the bed.

Psyche-Out however was not amused. "Who let that—" he pointed "that wolf in here?" He turned to I'Lee.

Doc interrupted before anything was said. "Ken, take a look. Hector is sleeping. He hasn't slept in three days. Not even sedatives would help him to do like this." He motioned to the sailor's face. It was relaxed.

The three continued debating quietly about the merits of keeping the animal in the room.

The voices of the staff drew him out of his restful state. He mumbled "She had a dog. I know she had a dog," as he rolled over, falling back into sleep.

Psyche lifted an eyebrow. "I think we need to remove him," he said, again pointing at the wolf. "It's causing his delusion to expand." He turned to the nurse. "I'Lee, get him out of here."

She looked at the lieutenant like he was the crazy one. "That's a wolf!"

The psychiatrist approached the bed and was met with a growl. He stopped and raised his hands in mock surrender. Doc patted him on the shoulder.

"Timber isn't going anywhere until his boss gets back. How about we leave him for now and let our sailor-boy rest." Doc made a note in the chart for the cafeteria to send up some food for the lupine.

Shaking his head, Lt. Rich exited the room muttering about regulations and crazy operatives who kept wolves for pets. I'Lee and Doc shared a secret smile and left their patient sleeping peacefully.

Green Book 4

It was late evening when he heard a knock on the door. Bobby finished the last of his beer and turned off his TV. He could guess who was at the door. "Sparky, what a pleasant surprise! What brings you here at this time of night?"

Jack stalked into the Aussie's apartment. He took a quick look around before turning to face his friend. "So are you going to give me the same run around?" The brown-eyed agent gave the taller man a double eyebrow.

Bobby thought for a minute. "No, I'll come right out and say it. You need to ask Sue out."

"Crash, this is not the time." Jack had the grace to look a little guilty at the remark. "I need to know what happened this weekend and I need it straight from you."

"Why, mate? I don't understand." The Aussie quickly got serious. "I've told you what we did."

"Oh, yeah? What about Howie? You didn't mention Sue being out of contact. I don't like being left in the dark."

Bobby looked incredulous. "What? Care to explain." He pointed at the couch.

The shorter man sat down heavily. "I went to the park to talk to Sue. She told me what you both have told me. Which I know better." He wagged a finger at his lanky friend. "Anyway, Howie comes up and starts going off about how he told her about this guy. Then he mentions her not contacting him. You talking to him. Something about goons. Oh, and then a blow up?" Jack shook his head at that. "How does a snitch know about this stuff?"

Grunting, the Aussie replied "Good question. Now, let me ask you something, Sparky. Since when does Sue have to call Howie back every time he calls? When do I have to call in when Howie talks to me? When are there not bad guys running loose? When is there not something going on somewhere?"

"That's not the point and you know it."

"Darn straight and you know it. Spark, we've known each other a long time. You know how this job goes. Sometimes we can't talk about what we do. How could you expect us…me…Sue…to do any different?"

"You, yes, I totally get. But Sue isn't a field agent. How are we supposed to keep her safe if she runs off without telling anyone?"

"Jack, I have a news flash and I'll only say this once. Sue is a big girl. She has a mind of her own and doesn't need us to save her from everyone. She's got good instincts. You've seen it. Trust her." Bobby was getting animated. "Sometimes you get so close that you neglect to see how strong she is in what she is asked to do. Back off before you suffocate her."

The brown-eyed agent dropped his head to his hands with a heart-crushing sigh. "I think it's too late for that."