Disclaimer: Don't own Automan—wish I did. Please don't sue. Besides ya' wouldn't get anything outta me right now, anyway. All of the disclaimer see Chapter 1.
Ch. 16--The Warning
After being cooped up in the hospital for three long days, Wally enjoyed feeling the warm sun on his face as well as the cool/warm breeze as it gently ruffled his hair. They had arrived outside of the hospital with Jack pushing the wheelchair, Roxanne on his right holding his right hand, and Auto on his left. He saw the captain come out of the building behind Jack.
Jack stopped the wheelchair outside the door by the curb, and Wally felt Jack lock the wheels.
"I'll drive Walter home. I have to head to his apartment anyway," offered Auto.
"I don't know," replied both Wally and Jack simultaneously with uncertainty. Wally knew how Automan drove and realized he really wasn't up to being manhandled in the Autocar. Jack also remembered the hair turns Agent Mann tended to make when he drove. He didn't think Wally could handle all the tossing around he would be subjected to.
Wally saw Auto give a slight pout at their insecurity in his ability to drive slowly without subjecting Wally to a lot of jostling before Auto quickly reassured both of them, "I'll drive carefully. I promise."
Wally relaxed when Automan promised. He knew Auto would keep that promise.
Jack wasn't so sure. "I still don't know."
"It's okay, Jack. If Agent Mann promised to drive carefully, I believe he truly will," said Wally. Auto smiled at Walter's confidence in him.
"All right. It's your decision," conceded Jack.
"I'll be right back," said Auto. Auto quickly walked to where he had parked the Autocar. He climbed in, quickly yet carefully backed the Autocar out of the parking space, brought the car in front of Walter, parked, and got out.
Roxanne let go of Wally's hand and grabbed the plastic bag off of Wally's lap holding it in her right hand. Wally kicked the foot plates up and slid forward in the seat. She carefully bent down to place her left arm around his waist. He put his right arm across her shoulders. Roxanne reached under Wally's open jacket wrapping her left arm around his waist. With Roxanne's support, Wally carefully stood. He leaned against her as a slight wave of dizziness hit him passing a couple of seconds later.
Wally turned slightly to see Captain Boyd come and stand between him and Auto. "Both of you be careful. Tilson's still lurking out there, and he'll attack you the first chance he gets. We almost lost you two once. I don't want a recurrence," warned the captain to Wally and Auto just before they got Wally into the Autocar.
"Yes, Captain," replied Wally.
"Of course, Captain," replied Auto.
Roxanne carefully guided Wally to the passenger door of the Autocar. Automan opened the door and held it up as Roxanne awkwardly helped Wally lower himself into the passenger seat. She placed the bag on the floor near his feet. After Wally was safely inside the car, Auto closed the door. He went around to the driver's side and got in. Jack, Roxanne, and Captain Boyd all watched as the Autocar slowly pulled away from the curb heading towards the parking lot exit.
Inside the Autocar, Wally sat pondering over the captain's warning to both him and Auto. Tilson's hired gun had nearly finished him off. He was going to have to be more vigilant until Tilson was safely incarcerated.
Wally glanced to Automan. True to his word, Wally found Auto was driving much slower than he usually drove. The Autocar still took turns at ninety degree angles, but the reduced velocity kept the g-forces Wally was subjected to to a bare minimum. 'Tilson knows Auto's a hologram. That's the only way that hit man could have possibly have known how to not only trap but harm Auto as well,' thought Wally. He had once before come way too close to losing Automan to one of Tilson's accomplices. He couldn't allow Tilson another opportunity to harm Auto again. He had to find a way to stop Tilson.
Feeling a bit drowsy and figuring they were about half way home, Wally leaned back in the seat being careful to keep weight off of his left shoulder and started to doze off.
Automan glanced to Walter to find Walter lightly sleeping in the seat next to him. The captain's warning to both him and Walter flashed through Auto's circuits. He had come uncomfortably close to losing Walter to Tilson's hit man. He wouldn't allow Tilson a second opportunity to harm Walter again. He had to try to find a way to stop Tilson. For now, he just concentrated on getting Walter and himself safely home.
A/N: Well, thanks for reading another Automan adventure brought to you by yours truly. Stay tuned for the sequel to this story: "Crashing". And, please, keep those reviews coming! They keep me going. :)