Not a Day Goes By - Deaq's view of the day
I hadn't planned on a second chapter, but I certainly couldn't say no when asked...hope it doesn't disappoint.
It's too early in the morning to be busting anything, but what Billie wants, Billie gets. I would much rather be home in bed, but that clearly isn't in the cards. And what's with the vests? I mean we never wear vests – even when we want to, she says no. But I learned a long time ago that you pick your battles with Billie carefully, and this one just isn't worth it. My partner, on the other hand, has yet to learn that valuable lesson.
He's been a little off all week. I can't really put my finger on it…it's not like he isn't doing his job …it's just that something's missing. Even his tirade about the vests is lacking the usual Van Ray passion. I'm hoping that once this bust is over I can get him to talk to me – maybe I'll tell him its time for another surf lesson. There's no way he'd turn that offer down.
And now he's grousing about the buyers being late. I'm scrunched here in the passenger seat, hoping that he won't figure out I'm awake. It gives me a chance to check him out. He isn't wearing his Strummer persona this morning, which is really weird. Usually Strummer shows up a couple of hours before the bust, but now, I'm sitting here with my partner – my cop partner. And he's nervous. I wish this bust was over. Something is definitely wrong here.
Okay here they are. He's giving me a gentle push and calling me 'come on Deaqon, wakey wakey, we got a job to do.' I smile at him, hoping that maybe it'll help calm him down. But he's looking at me funny – like I'm supposed to understand what is going on – but for the life of me, I can't figure it out.
Damn, they brought two extra guys – that wasn't part of the original plan -but then it was Van who said that he figured they'd up the ante. So why is he the one yelling at Billie to abort the bust? I shake my head but stop when it earns me a dirty look. We both know that Billie won't call off the bust. Hell, they could have showed up with 50 extra guys and she'd tell us to get going. Van looks – tense – usually this type of thing just ramps him up, and he gets this little smirk thing going. I call it the 'Van's going to kick some serious butt' smirk. And all of a sudden I would give about anything for that smirk. I honestly don't know what to do with a tense Van.
He's taking a deep breath, releasing it. Okay he's back on track. Although I would swear he was talking to himself – and that's a Ray thing, not a Strummer thing. This is not going to be good. I better – nope there he is – a smile, a shrug and Strummer is with me. Okay, piece of cake. Just in case, I better spread a little of that Hayes charm on these guys. Usually Van has enough for the two of us, but I think I'll step it up today – just to make sure.
Please tell me I'm hearing things? He didn't just accuse them of holding a 'Hands Across America' moment? What is wrong with that boy? Does he have a death wish or what? And he's looking at ME funny? Thank God, the merchandise. At least he's remembering to hand over the money.
He's yelling – what the hell? It's too damn early to be getting shot at. What is he shooting at? God damn, they brought a sniper! I can't believe these guys are smart enough for this shit. Van's so fixated on the guy, I can't get his attention. Where's the freaking backup? Come on Billie, we need some help here.
Thank god, the SWAT team. What'd they do, take a nap first? Need to get to Van. He's still shooting – he's reaching for his backup piece – the boy can focus, I gotta give him that. And he did it! That'll teach you to mess with my partner you son of a bitch. Need to…nope, Billie wants something. He's moving so he's okay. I'll catch up with him in a minute.
Next thing I know Billie's telling me to head back to the store with Van but he's already taken off. I'm going to kick that scrawny ass of his…he's not answering his cell. That boy is going to pay for this. Now I have to help with clean up.
Okay, I've dropped Billie off, and she tells me to go find my wayward partner. He's not answering the phone, so I check the hotel, call Aquarius, check out three beaches he tends to hang at…now I'm officially worried. He's been gone for six hours. Usually when he's upset he comes to me – or asks to hang. He doesn't run. Even Billie knows something's not right. I can tell by her voice – it's gone up an octave - that only happens when she's really worried.
Where the hell are you, Van? I can't help you if I can't find you. Damn, if something's happened…no, not going there. There's no reason too. I know something's been bothering him, and he probably just wanted time to sort it out. Now if I could just sell that bedtime story to myself.
Billie's back on the phone. Why does she ask me about the date? I know it's Wednesday…no she wants the date…oh my god! How could I not know? Damn. I know where he is. Not sure why or how, but I know without a doubt where to find my partner.
I can't believe my hands' are shaking. There's the car. Wonder if I can…pretty bad when I try to play myself. I think I could find my way blindfolded. There he is. Breathe Hayes, breathe. He's fine…well…he looks like he's asleep. He looks so…lost, huddled beside my brother's – his friend's – tombstone.
He's never really talked about Dre. I thought after a couple of weeks of getting to know each other, he'd start telling stories. And there must be some pretty silly stories because he and my brother had to mix about as well as oil and water. Sometimes late at night when we're driving back from an assignment, or sitting together watching a game, he looks at me with those big green eyes, and I know he's thinking about Dre. And I think this will finally be the time he talks. But then the eyes cloud over, and the moment is gone.
I guess I never really stopped to think about how hard this has been for him. I would have loved to have seen them together. Billie says they were the best – well not counting me and Van – but she said they rocked.
Hey big brother. Sorry it's been so long. Thanks for looking after our boy. I knew he was off Dre, just didn't connect the dots. It's not that I've forgotten…you know me better then that. It's just…well let's face it, I freaked out on your birthday. Why I didn't think that Van would do the same thing today, I just don't know. Maybe I thought he was beyond it. Who was I trying to kid? The boy will never forget.
You taught him well. He's a good partner, and he's been there for me, even when I did everything but push him away. I lied to him about Rosario – yeah she needed something so she looked me up – he read me the riot act, big time. I'm pretty sure he was using some of your best lines - but in the end, he was there for me. Got me out of a very sticky situation, too. And he's done everything he could to get me back in the family. He can be annoying as hell, but it worked. I've even played golf with Dad – and yes I remembered to let him win! I may be younger than you, but that doesn't make me stupid!
I just wish Van would talk to me – about you. There's so much I want to know. And I think it'd make him feel better too. But I don't even know where to start, big brother. I could use a little help, on that and on getting him to understand that I do trust him. He's so sure I don't. I do - I just have trouble showing it. Not like you apparently. Guess I'm still following in your foot steps, Dre.
He's burning up – what the hell! He's awake – or maybe not – he just called me Dre. He's out of it - - course it could be that he's been sitting out here in 90 degree heat for hours, and damn him, he still has the stupid vest on! Come on Van, let me help you out of that. There's – no, no, no – there's a bullet in the vest just over his right lung. Oh God - look at the bruising. Yeah I figured you'd flinch, that has to hurt like hell.
I need to get him to the ER and get him checked. This isn't good. I'm not sure he can walk, though. He's a lot lighter then he looks. I need to take the boy home for some more of mom's cooking. Thanks for looking after him Dre, I got it from here.
He's asleep – or unconscious, not sure which- but the air conditioning has to feel good to him. I wish I'd gotten some water down him. Better call Billie. Maybe she can get Dr. Grant. If he's on, he'll take good care of Van. He always does.
He seems a little more with it now that I've got him in the ER. Dr. Grant has always been good at letting me stay, but not this time. He's kicking me out. I don't want to go, please. I need to be here. He's going to be scared when he comes to. I don't want him to be alone. Okay, I'll go for now, but when you move him upstairs, I'm coming.
Come on V, wake up. I'm worried and I can't stand it when you're so still. It's wholly unnatural. Yes. He's awake. Ouch, guess he had to learn the hard way that sitting up after getting hit with a bullet – even if the vest caught it – does serious damage. Wait, he looks worried. I know I'm not thinking straight either, but I take his hand cause sometimes the only way to get through to him is by touch. It isn't working - he looks like he just lost his best friend or something.
Better tell him what happened. Take him through the day. Dr. Grant said the heat stroke would make him pretty woozy for a while. So let's see,to sum it up you got shot – thank God Billie made us wear vests today - you spent 8 hours in the stifling heat with no water and no shade, and oh yeah, you scared the crap out of me.
And since I'm on a role, I'm sorry I didn't realize what today meant to you. I knew it would be hard…I just wish you'd told me. I hope you'll forgive me, baby. I'll make it up to you. Maybe it's time we talked about Dre, shared some stories, compared lectures cause I'm pretty sure we got the same ones.
I must have gotten through somehow. He's smiling at me. Course I understand that he probably doesn't really understand why he's smiling, but I'll smile back. Good, it's working. He's drifting off. I fall into the chair and try to hold onto my emotions. He's such a good friend. I don't know what I'd do…not going there. Thank you for looking out for Van today. I'll pay more attention, I promise, and I'll force myself to get through those walls he keeps putting up.
Maybe I can take a nap too. After all, he'll probably sleep for a while. Nobody will know if I just put my head down. And I'll just hold onto his hand. That way if he wakes up, I'll know…