Author's Note: Wow! This is the longest update I've ever done – just about a whole month! What took so long, you ask? Well, apart from the hot, sunny weather that had me outside for walking lately (and the high humidity in the home that kept me from concentrating on this,) I had to vacuum out my basement full of water FOUR FRICKING TIMES since my last update! Three of those times resulted from acts of God (especially since Southern Manitoba was hit hard by a massive thunderstorm the weekend of July 16th. But this other one (July 12th) was the result of a blown circuit that caused our sump pump in the recreation room to stop working (having cleaned up our second act of God the day before.) So it's been really crazy this past month. Anyway, I hope this was worth the wait for all of you. Read and review!

Chapter 13

That Wednesday, Valerie decided to stop by C.O.P.S. headquarters after work, to speak with Bulletproof. It was now time for her beaux to be tested on another aspect of her love – spending some real quality time with Jeremy. She admired her son's bond with Barricade, and his somewhat fondness for Highway. But he never really had a chance with Bowzer, and he'd only interacted with Mace and Sundown for the first time – along with some others – at the headquarters two days earlier.

"Why, Valerie," Bulletproof told her, "I think it's a wonderful idea that you want Mace, Sundown, Barricade, Highway and Bowzer to spend some quality time alone with Jeremy. We all saw how special he really is when Barricade brought him in Monday morning. It seems that he's very fond of everyone here."

Valerie laughed. "Seriously, though," she said, "I think that this will help me greatly in deciding whom I want a future with. One day with each of your men, and based on whom Jeremy loves the most, that'll be the one I'll choose."

Bulletproof started looking through the duty schedule for that weekend. "Well, let's see. Highway and Barricade don't have days off this weekend, but Mace has Friday off, Sundown has Sunday off, and Bowzer has Monday off. Oh, but Barricade's been assigned to handle security at the Fourth of July festivities this Saturday. Maybe Jeremy can enjoy this with him." He looked curiously at Valerie. "Do you have a business trip coming up or something?"

She laughed harder. "Absolutely not. Although I'll probably be scheduled to fly to Los Angeles early next month. Photo shoot and commercials, and I'll actually be expected to take Jeremy with me then."

As she was leaving the headquarters, she noticed Bowzer, Sundown and Mace come back in, probably from assignments. She smiled at them and said, "I hear you handsome gentlemen have some days off this weekend. That's just perfect. I think this would be the perfect opportunity to leave Jeremy in your care for the days."

"That's wonderful, Valerie," Sundown said. He took her hand. "Y'know, I've waited all day to tell you this, but I can still remember Jeremy from the police picnic, an' last night, I just started to think of him. I thought of him a good part of the night, too. I dreamt that he an' I were sharin' a horseback ride together. As we were goin' through this dusty town, he told me in slow talk that he wished he were normal, so he could be a cowboy like me when he grew up."

Valerie beamed. "Oh, Sundown, that was so sweet."

"There's more," he continued. "As we rode along, the dusty trails began to turn into this lush grass field. That horse of ours got all riled up an' ran faster. Jeremy was lookin' scared, so I held onto him the best I could. In the distance, we saw the most beautiful mountains. Then suddenly, that damn horse stopped an' motioned for us to get off, so we just went for an intimate walk through the field an' up the mountain. I did more than just take his hand, I decided to hold him close. An' when we reached the top, I told him softly that I loved him, an' that I wanted to be his daddy, an' that I wanted him to love me like he tried to love his daddy. He nuzzled my cheek an' told me he loved me too, then we stood there watchin' the sunset in silence." He stepped closer to her and whispered. "I wanna make that last part come true."

Before he could say anything more, Mace burst an extremely loud laugh, making fun of Sundown's dream. "Horseback ridin'?" he commented. Green fields? Mountains? Intimacy in the sunset? What, you wanna make the kid into some lovesick country singer? Now, me, I'd take the kid on an adventure of massive physical strength. I'll teach him rock climbin', an' the two of us can hit the most popular men's gym in town, an' I can be his spotter as he does six sets of eight liftin' those dumbbells–"

Valerie stopped him immediately. She said, "Uh, Mace, hold those thoughts. Jeremy isn't physically inclined. He can't even do the balance beam, for God's sake. You're going to have to think of something else."

Sundown looked at Bowzer and asked him, "What do you plan to do with Jeremy?"

"I haven't decided yet," Bowzer replied. "I'll tell Valerie as soon as I think of something."

She smiled and gave them all her e-mail address before she left. Minutes after she left the headquarters, Highway and Barricade came back. Mace revealed to them, "Valerie's havin' us spend quality time with Jeremy this weekend. Too bad you gotta work." But they noticed the slips of paper and took them, copying Valerie's e-mail address.

"That isn't going to stop us," Highway declared.

That night, Valerie logged on to check her e-mail. Some Spam about dating websites, weight loss pills and paying online surveys, some offers for free CD's and DVD's, and an alert from that Classmates website. Then there were e-mail messages from Mace, Bowzer, Sundown, Barricade and Highway, though they all had their given names in the From line. They all said the same thing in the Subject line: My Time With Jeremy. She clicked on Mace's message first. It read:

Hey, Valerie!

It's too bad you had to tell me Jeremy's not physically able to do much, so I had to rack my brain deciding what to do with this kid. I think Jeremy should be as active as possible, despite his disabilities, so I'm thinking an afternoon down at the rec center. Maybe a few games one one-on-one floor hockey, basketball, racquetball and a few laps around this really neat obstacle course that they have there, that I really think Jeremy would like. Then, after a nice dinner, maybe a swim at the same pool we went to. I'll make reservations right away. It has to be better than blowing tokens at the video arcade, right?

Oh, and in case Bulletproof didn't tell you, I'll be helping Barricade with security at the 4th of July fireworks. So I have another activity to do with Jeremy. Really looking forward to it all.

Mace

It sounded like something Jeremy would go for. It wasn't too physically demanding on him. Valerie remembered that he loved to play floor hockey and badminton during gym class. She remembered hearing that during the divorce proceedings. But she'd have to tell him that the basketball was out, because he was still cast-ridden. And Mace would have to be the one serving if they played badminton, unless it's underhand. Nothing that would have him raising his arms. He'd also have to help him in the obstacle course. She reminded him this in a reply.

She clicked on Sundown's message next. She was immediately taken by the romantic sound in it. It read:

My sweet Valerie,

Before you left the headquarters today, I told you about that dream I had where Jeremy and I were on that horse and we ended up in beautiful green pastures. I told you how a loving bond blossomed between us. If Mace hadn't rudely interrupted us, I could've had you melting beneath my soul like butter on hot Cajun popcorn.

What I really wanted to tell you was that this dream inspired what I wanted to do with Jeremy, should you bring it up again. Valerie, I want to put him in my truck, take him out of Empire City for a drive through the country. I wish the two of us could've arranged a daytime date, so I could've taken you beforehand. I reckon your old husband never did this with the boy when you were still married to him. I always believed that a young man should be shown the wonders of the outdoors so he'll have a better view of the outside world.

I also want to use this opportunity to let him know how I feel about you. Perhaps if I open up to him and let him know, I could win the love of both of you. Do you understand how much you mean to me, Valerie? I dream of the day I take you as my bride, and take Jeremy as my son. I want this outing to work for me.

Take wonderful care.

Sundown

"How sweet," Valerie cooed to herself. "And such a beautiful dream. Oh, but it's so worthy of coming true. Oh, Sundown, yes, you can take Jeremy into the country. Come back at the end of the week, if you want to."

She took a breath to keep herself from getting all giddy. There were other messages she had to read. She clicked on Bowzer's message next.

Hi, Valerie!

Just writing to let you know of my plans for my one-on-one with Jeremy. I can pick him up in the afternoon, then there's this dog-walking trail a few miles out of town that I frequent with Blitz; I'd like to take the kid along with me. Then, I'll take him back to my place, and we can watch a movie together or something. (I'd take him to a matinee, except Blitz wouldn't be allowed in the theater, and I don't think Jeremy can handle himself in such a place.) I'll cook him dinner, then I'll take him to the beach. I always do this with Blitz on my evenings off, and we play fetch with Frisbees and sticks. I promise to watch him extra carefully with Blitz, so we don't have déjà vu of what happened two weeks ago. I hope this is all right with you, sweetheart. I really think Jeremy should learn to interact with Blitz in a friendly manner.

Bowzer

Valerie scrutinized the note. Except for that "sweetheart" bit, it didn't sound very romantic. Straight-forward and very much to the point. But truthful, nonetheless. Rhonda did say Bowzer never went anywhere without Blitz, and Valerie guessed that would include this bonding date. She decided to give that dog another chance – if Bowzer really promised to watch him.

She opened Barricade's e-mail next. This one was much shorter, maybe no more than a few lines. It read:

Dear Valerie:

Just a short little note to tell you that I plan to mix my duty time with special time with Jeremy. Bulletproof basically suggested it. He said that I should sit front row with Jeremy at the 4th of July celebrations at the Empire City Park, all the while looking out for rowdy people. I think it sounds like the perfect arrangement, and I'll definitely be standing with your son to watch the fireworks. I promise I'll show him a fun time as I work. Neither of you will be disappointed.

Barricade

Valerie smiled and nodded. She was glad that Bulletproof suggested what Barricade should do with Jeremy. She could probably tell that Barricade was thinking the same thing. "That's my man, Barricade," she said to herself. "Show everyone out there that you can mix business with pleasure." She reminded herself, "Be sure to tell Bulletproof thanks for the idea. And make sure the family sits far away from Jeremy. He needs to be alone with Barricade."

Finally, she clicked on Highway's message. She was expressively impressed by what he wanted to do with Jeremy. His message read:

Hey, Valerie!

I just checked with Bulletproof, and he told me I have next Wednesday (July 8th) off. Be sure to pack a swimsuit and towel for Jeremy, because I plan to take him to the Rippin' Wild Water Park. I love waterslides, and I guarantee Jeremy will love them, too. As well, they have go-carts that we can share, and bumper boats. Then after dinner, we'll play a game of miniature golf. If you want to come with us, we can make it a date! Got that idea from Barricade, who says you bring the boy on all your daytime dates. Well, now it's my turn… lol! Let me know what you think. I love you. XOXOXOXO

Highway

Valerie laughed at the "daytime date" part of his message. "Oh, Highway," she said, "did it ever occur to you that I have to work that day. Plus, I was thinking along the lines of you being alone with Jeremy. I'll give you an 'A' for effort, though." She stated all this in an e-mail reply to him, then logged off after she sent it.

Before going to bed, she crept into Jeremy's room. She noticed he was sleeping deeply, so she quickly left without waking him. She never dared tell him what was going on. She wanted everything to be a surprise.

The next day, after lunch, Karen heard her doorbell ring. "Oh, I think that'll be Mace," she declared. "Thank God Valerie gave him my address." She said to Jeremy, "Jeremy, it's time for you to go. Time for me to hand you over to the C.O.P.S."

She saw Mace coming into the living room with Drew. She introduced herself and said, "I learn so much about you in the news. I think it's exceptional what you do." She stepped back to look at his outfit, a black dress shirt with denims and loafers. "God, but that's so stylish. God, now I know why Valerie's into you."

Drew quickly interrupted her. "Mom, don't get into that stuff about how if Dad were dead, you'd hook up with him. Don't try to embarrass us."

Karen cleared her throat and handed Jeremy over to Mace. He took Jeremy's bag of swimming gear. Before they left, she said to the boy, "Please be good, and do exactly what Mace tells you. And most importantly, have fun."

Mace grinned and promised her, "I'll guard him with my life. Oh, and Valerie should be home by the time we get back, so I'm taking him to her place." Karen nodded as they left.

On their way to the recreation center, Mace said to Jeremy, "So, Jeremy, your mother tells me you're really good at some sports, but you ain't all that physically oriented."

"I'm not," Jeremy replied. "I'm… really… good at… passing… balls… and… swinging… and… throwing,… but I'm… not a… fast… runner. I'm a… trotter."

"So, you're good with your arms, are ya?" Mace asked. "How your jumpin'? I know you ain't that tall, but if you can jump high enough, you can maybe sink a few baskets. You any good at basketball?"

"I've… never… played… basketball… before," Jeremy answered. "I've only… played… dodgeball,… kickball,… badminton,… and I… did… obstacle… courses… in all my… gym… classes. Oh, and I… started… learning… floor… hockey… this year. It was… really… fun. I loved it."

"Of course," Mace said. "Sure, you haven't learned basketball yet. Most kids don't learn that until they hit middle school. Too bad about your arm, though. But I can tell you're gonna like today, 'cause we're gonna play all your favorite games."

"Cool!" Jeremy cried.

"Yeah, I figured just because you're disabled an' in a cast doesn't mean you shouldn't be active," Mace told him. "I keep myself fairly active through sports an' bodybuildin', as you can tell by my body mass. An' after I treat ya' to a nice dinner, you an' me, we're gonna go for a swim. I've reserved the same pool your mother an' I went to on our first date."

"Excellent!" Jeremy shouted. "I love… swimming!"

He was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, so Mace never had to worry about helping him. As he was changing, Jeremy said, "Don't… worry,… Mace. Mom says… this… cast… is just… about… ready… to come… off. She… already… made an… appointment… for this… Sunday… morning."

"Well, that's great!" Mace replied. "Then I'll teach ya basketball next time."

They found the gymnasium empty, and Mace said, "Lookit this, son. We have this all to ourselves." They decided to start with floor hockey. Mace gave Jeremy two hockey sticks and a red rubber ball, while he set up a net. During play, Mace was certainly running faster than Jeremy, but Jeremy was shooting harder. He wasn't very good at stealing the ball from behind Mace, but when it was in his possession, he was able to hit it into the net. After about twenty minutes of play, he was leading Mace, three points to two.

"Wow!" Mace cried. "That arm must be almost healin'! That's a damn good swing there." He stopped to inspect his cast-ridden arm. "You sure you can move it okay? That looks pretty heavy for a small arm."

"Of course… I can… move… this… arm… back… and… forth," Jeremy told him. "I just… can't… lift it… up… over… my head,… that's… all."

Mace grinned at him. "That's good enough."

They played for forty more minutes, in which Jeremy defeated Mace, seven points to five. Afterwards, Mace put away the hockey net for a badminton net. He let Jeremy serve first, but the boy could barely get it over the net because of his arm. Fortunately, Mace never swung the birdie high, so Jeremy could pass underhand.

They played for a little over half an hour, in which Mace defeated Jeremy, fifteen points to ten. Jeremy was disappointed, but Mace quickly went to comfort him. He said, "Don't be sad, kid. Maybe you'll get better once that cast comes off. Next time, son, I promise." He started to put the badminton net away. "Hey, what say we give those swingin' arms a break an' tackle that obstacle course they just set up?"

"Really?" Jeremy said. "Cool!"

"Yep!" Mace assured him. "There's a large room just above this gym an' the weight room. Usually, they do martial arts in that space, but they wanted to put somethin' special for the kids this summer. So they decided on an obstacle course designed for them."

They went upstairs to a room as big as the gym. Jeremy looked as overjoyed as he would in a video game and pinball place. It looked like something he enjoyed doing in gym class. There were five swinging ropes, a large two-sided stepladder, tires to step through, parallel bars, scooters, even two balance beams.

Jeremy became nervous at the balance beams. "Uh, M-M-M-Mace," he stammered. I'm… no good… at… the… balance… beams. I can't… put my… feet… in… front… of… each… other."

"You're not that uncoordinated, are ya?" Mace asked. Jeremy nodded rapidly. "Damn, that must be part of your syndrome, ain't it? Well, don't worry, I'll guide you through it."

He took Jeremy over to the ropes, and the boy selected the middle one. When Mace gave the signal, he swung into a big landing net used for trapeze artists. He climbed over the pole vault, then climbed up the first balance beam. Mace took his hand and said, "Remember, kid, put one foot in front of the other."

Jeremy tried to concentrate. It was a thick beam, but Jeremy was staring down at his feet, moving rather slowly. He almost slipped a couple of times, but Mace caught him quickly. It took him almost a minute to get across, and when he did, Mace smiled proudly and said, "Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" Jeremy never answered.

They were three-fifths of the way through the first lap, after the tires, when they came to the second balance beam, this one being a little thinner. Jeremy was a little more nervous this time, moving slower. It took him almost ninety seconds to get across this one. And when they finally completed the lap, he was thrilled. He thought it was so much fun, despite the balance beams. He grinned at Mace and said, "Let's… do it… again!"

They went through for the rest of the afternoon. On the third lap, Mace said, "Jeremy, I want you to try the balance beams by yourself." Nervously, he agreed. He climbed up and stretched his arms out, looking down at his feet, moving at the slow pace he did before. But halfway though, his right foot slipped a little, and he suddenly lost his balance. Mace rushed to catch him before he could fall onto the floor.

"You okay, bud?" he asked. But Jeremy was to bewildered to answer him. "Ya know, maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all. I think maybe we should skip the balance beams, and just focus on the rest of this course." Jeremy nodded and went directly to the next obstacle, the two-sided stepladder. And that was how it was until they decided to have dinner.

After dinner, Mace took Jeremy swimming. He had to help him with his shirt because of his cast. He knew Jeremy should be okay with that cast in the water. He wondered if he should request one water wing for him. But he decided not to; he'll just keep him swimming in the shallow end.

Mace put on a pair of fluorescent purple swim trunks, not the Speedo he wore last time. Jeremy just stared at him and started, "You've… got a… good… enough… body,… Mace."

"I know," Mace said, "but it ain't appropriate to show off so much in front of a kid like you." He removed Jeremy's glasses and put them in his locker. "You shouldn't be swimming with these on. Can you see me okay?"

"You… look… all… blurry," Jeremy answered. Mace chuckled and took him to the showers, then they proceeded to the pool.

In the water, Mace stood at one end of the pool and instructed, "Now come swim towards me." Jeremy did so, pushing his arms out while kicking his legs. At first, Mace wanted to ask why he wasn't swimming like normal, but then he remembered Jeremy shouldn't be lifting his arms with his cast. Halfway though, Jeremy started to lose energy, and resorted to doggy paddling.

"Arms tired already?" Mace asked when Jeremy reached him. "How often do you swim, Jeremy?"

"Mom… would… take… me to the… community… pool… every… Sunday… in the… summer… when we… lived in… Indiana," Jeremy said. "A few… kids… I know… have… pools… in their… backyards… but… they'd… never… invite… me… over."

Mace frowned and walked away from the edge. His back was facing Jeremy, and he said, "You think you can climb onto my back? Then if you hold on real tight, we can go to the deep end an' swim together." But Jeremy could only clutch onto his waist, so Mace had to bend over and let the boy crawl. Jeremy's arms were too small to reach around Mace's chest, so he clutched onto his shoulders tightly. Mace walked out to the five-foot level of the water, then lowered himself under.

Meanwhile, Buttons and Turbo were on the rec center roof with Nightshade. She was now completely determined to get her lover back. "The computer in the van has tracked Mace here," she said. "Now, where is he? I'm tired of him hanging up whenever I call, slamming the door my face, resisting my seductive ways. I've put up with this shit all week. I know he's still thinking about that bitch!"

Buttons spied the window dome located above the pool and said, "I think I have an idea." He led his accomplices to it, and they could see a swimmer diving out of the water and back in, like a dolphin. It looked as if he had a small child attached to him. But they couldn't identify him.

"If only he could stay up long enough," Buttons commented.

"Oh, he'll be gaspin' fer air soon," Turbo assured him.

They waited a few minutes longer before the swimmer came back to the shallow end. Right away, Nightshade could identify him by his shoulder mass. "That is Mace!" she cried. "How convenient he's at the same place he took that slut. But who is that attached to him? Thank God it's not her!"

"Beats the shit outta me," Turbo replied. "Looks like a little boy."

They watched as Mace and Jeremy stepped out of the pool and went back in with a floating raft. Jeremy got on first, then Mace pushed it out further before he got on. Both of them were lying on their sides, so they didn't notice the crooks. Immediately, Nightshade said, "Oh, he is not ignoring me like that." She climbed onto the dome and started stomping on it with her boot.

"Nightshade, stop that," Turbo demanded. "That copper will see ya and call in the cavalry."

"Fuck that!" Nightshade spat. "I want Mace to see me. Once he sees how much this relationship means to me, he'll throw that tramp over. I'm going to get his love back, no matter what it takes." She kept stomping, forming cracks in the glass.

In the pool, Mace was horrified to see Big Boss' minions above him. Jeremy couldn't see them, but he asked, "What's… wrong? What's… all the… noise… for?"

Mace answered, "Jeremy, I'm glad ya can't see 'em, but those are Buttons McBoomBoom, Turbo Tu-Tone and Nightshade up there. I think they'll try to kidnap ya so they can get to yer mother."

"We… can't… leave… now," Jeremy said. "I'm… having… so much… fun… with… you. Maybe… if we… ignore… them,… they… will go… away." With that, Mace began to push the raft into the deep end.

But Nightshade wouldn't accept it. "NO!" she shouted. "Stop ignoring me, Mace, because I will not go away!" She stomped harder, making the cracks bigger than before. Buttons and Turbo climbed onto the dome to get her to stop, but somehow, the glass began to crack under the weight. Suddenly, the dome smashed, causing them to fall through into the pool.

Their splash was so big, it caused Mace and Jeremy's raft to flip over. Mace quickly held onto Jeremy while they were underwater, then brought him out and told him, "Stay on the deck while I take care of these guys!" Immediately, he began to punch Buttons and Turbo in their faces back and forth, until they lost consciousness. And before he could move onto Nightshade, she immediately threw herself at him and screamed, "Mace! Mace, Please don't do this! I'm begging you not to throw our love away. Both you and I know that you only want Valerie Boston for the sex. Baby, I can give it to you better, because I've loved you a lot longer."

"Keep away from me, Nightshade!" Mace ordered. He swam out of the pool before she could catch him. "You honestly think I can keep up a relationship with a jewel thief who can be lured easily back into crime? What would everyone say if we got married? They'd never believe us! Besides, I fell in love with Valerie! I'm spendin' time with her son there to capture her heart."

"But we were going to have children of our own!" Nightshade screamed. Mace ignored it and took Jeremy into the locker room. There, he called Bulletproof to report the crooks' presence.

Upon the arrest, Mace informed Bulletproof, "I'm pretty sure Buttons and Turbo were sent to track us down just to get Jeremy. I believe he's their major link to Valerie now. Nightshade only tagged along in attempt to get me away from Valerie. I'll bet she's helpin' the Big Boss drive her towards them!"

Nightshade overheard this and screamed, "LIAR! Mace, you know I was only trying to get you back! I want the love that we had back! Stop being such an asshole, and tell them you love me more than her! You know I've never stopped loving you! And you knew it was over with that damn gang for a year now! Mace, please tell them that you love me!" But she was quickly escorted out with her cohorts.

Mace and Jeremy waited until Bulletproof was gone, then he said, "Son, I think it's time I took you home now. We can't really swim anymore with all the glass in the pool." Jeremy nodded and took Mace's hand. In the locker room, he helped the boy change clothes before changing himself. Before they left, Mace reported the damage in the pool to the front desk. He wondered what Valerie would think of this latest invasion.

Valerie was horrified when Mace told her about the incident at the pool. She said, "Ohmigod, I can't believe this! Why would the Big Boss want to use my son to get to me? Why can't he understand the concept of 'no?' Why can't he just accept that I don't want to date, screw, or marry him? And why can't his fuckheads learn that I don't want them either!"

Mace held her and said, "Don't be so scared, baby. Bulletproof said–"

"I'm not scared, Mace," Valerie replied. "I'm just upset. I can't take this harassment anymore." She broke from his embrace. "Now all I want is for Big Boss to be put in jail forever so he can leave me alone."

He held her again. "Hey, Bulletproof assured me he will do somethin' about security at the festivities tomorrow. It's likely Jeremy will be Barricade's sole responsibility. Trust me, we would never let anythin' bad happen to this kid. Neither would Bulletproof."

While Mace was comforting Valerie, Bulletproof was holding an emergency meeting for all officers present at the headquarters. Barricade was among those in attendance.

"The safety of Jeremy Boston is now at terrible risk," he informed his team. "If members of Big Boss' gang can show up when he is alone with one of our own at a public pool, imagine what could happen in a public park with thousands of people."

He looked around at them. "I will be informing the security service in charge of tomorrow's activities that extra security will be needed to assist Mace to look out for the daytime crowds." He focused on Barricade. "Barricade, your sole responsibility will be to take care of Jeremy during the day. However, you will be able to help control the crowd at the fireworks display later."

"Mission accepted," Barricade replied. "I can use this as part of the 'quality time' that Valerie wants me to spend with Jeremy." Then he thought, My future with her depends on this.

Mace came in just as the meeting concluded. Bulletproof informed him what was going on, then called for more security.

Barricade showed up at Valerie's house the next morning, just as she and Jeremy were getting ready to go to the hospital. She was surprised, and said, "Barricade! I was going to meet you at the park this afternoon. I just wanted to take him to the hospital first to have the cast removed."

"Actually, I was thinking maybe I can escort Jeremy to the park myself," he told her. "I heard about what happened last night, and I've been assigned to look out for him. In a way, both you and Bulletproof have assigned this quality time to me."

"Oh, Barricade, that's so wonderful," Valerie said softly, kissing him. "I can't believe how good this is. Now I can enjoy myself without having to worry about him." She raised his arm to show his cast. "But still, I want to take care of this first. It's been two weeks since he was able to throw balls around."

"I'll follow you," Barricade said. "Then you can hand him over to me."

Barricade waited twenty minutes in the hospital parking lot, while Jeremy had his cast removed. When he and Valerie came out, his arm had healed had healed from Blitz's bite. He felt freer and lighter as he was circling his arm around a few times. Barricade smiled, looking at the football, baseball, and ball and catcher's pads made of Velcro. He said to Jeremy, "It's so good to see you can raise your arm again. Now you'll be able to catch these." He put him in his front seat.

At the park, they set up lawn chairs in the very front row, in front of a small stage. A hypnotist was putting volunteer kids into sleeping trances, and making them act like animals. Jeremy noticed Tyler among the group, and started to point him out, but Barricade whispered, "Don't be so loud, son. What if someone suspicious were to hear you? Your mother and I would die if you got kidnapped."

Jeremy nodded. "So if… the… hypnotic… man… were to… ask… for… another… volunteer,… then I… can't… go… up… there?" he assumed.

Barricade shook his head. "We can't have you be seen by everyone. Security's been taken care of, but it's still too risky." Jeremy looked disappointed, but seemed to accept it.

When Barricade checked the time, it was nearly twelve-thirty. He decided to buy lunch for him. He bought Jeremy a plain hot dog and small fries, while he settled on the same hamburger he had the last time. As they were eating, Jeremy said, "So I… guess… you… heard… about… what… happened… at the… pool… last… night."

"Yes," Barricade answered. "From what Bulletproof told us, they wanted to use you as a pawn to pursue your mother. Damn crooks just never give up. They might be breaking out of jail as we speak. So Bulletproof told me to watch over you."

"I… watched… Mace… beating… those… two… ugly… guys," Jeremy said. "I… couldn't… see them… without… my… glasses. Mace… said… they… wanted… to take… me,… but I… didn't… really… know… that."

"Oh, Jeremy," Barricade said. He moved the boy's lunch over to where he sat, and had him sit beside him. "There are a lot of things you can't possibly understand because of your syndrome. You really don't know what these guys are capable of. If they ever took you, they might try to hurt you, or frighten you into telling them where your mother is. You don't want that, do you?" Jeremy shook his head. "So we need to keep a close watch on you to make sure nothing happens."

Jeremy didn't respond, but the look in his eyes told Barricade he understood.

When they were finished, Barricade and Jeremy returned to the stage, but a polka act began to perform for the more senior audience. Jeremy wasn't interested in it, so they put the lawn chairs away, and got the balls out. They went to the playground, where Jeremy noticed some kids playing on the equipment. Some parents were even taking their kids to the petting zoo.

Barricade and Jeremy played games of catch with all three balls the whole afternoon. Time and again, Jeremy would look around to see if any of his cousins or friends would approach him, ask to join them, or take him away from Barricade. But that never happened.

"Stop wondering, kid, it's just you and me, remember?" Barricade said the third time the boy looked. "I'm sure your mother and aunts told your cousins not to bother us." Jeremy smiled in acceptance, and threw a fastball at him with the baseball.

The only time Jeremy saw his family again was during and after dinner. He held his mother, and she asked, "Are you enjoying yourself with Barricade?"

He nodded and said, "He's… so… wonderful. We had… so… much… fun… playing… with… those… neat… catch pads." Barricade started to look around, hoping Mace and the other C.O.P.S. didn't overhear that. He didn't want the competition to get rough on a day of celebration.

They stayed with Valerie, her sisters, and their families the whole evening. Two up-and-coming rock bands, Chocolate Starfish and The Test Pilots, played on the stage for an hour and fifteen minutes each. Around them, teenagers and college-aged kids were dancing to the music, and many of the girls were screaming. Jeremy looked bored the whole time, and his cousins never really cared for the second band.

He heard Nicole say, "That first band was good, but these damn Test Pilots are obviously nothing more than a bunch of pop-punk poseur wannabes. Look, the only thing they can possibly get by on is their good looks. So far, I only like that Starshine song, but other than that, I have more punk in my hangnail then they do in half their songs. I predict one-hit wonder status for these freaks." She left to find some of her like-minded girlfriends.

At nine o'clock, the entertainment was over, and the fireworks were poised to start. Barricade took Jeremy and went across the bridge overlooking the King Empire River. He was now going to help Mace look out for anyone suspicious or shady crossing. They worked for an hour before the bridge closed, then took Jeremy back across, settling down near it, close to the river.

"You've got the best view here, kid," Barricade said. "The fireworks display here is one of the most spectacular sights in the whole city on this night."

The fireworks display was one of the most beautiful that was ever put on. Jeremy kept staring up at the sky, staring at all the colorful explosions. Some even formed shapes that he thought looked, "awesome" – a red star in an indigo circle; green fireworks in the shapes of the Big and Little Dippers; orange "X" and yellow "Z" shapes; blue, indigo and violet swirl shapes. But the prettiest came at the conclusion, where the showed the "waterfall" over the bridge. It looked like nothing more than a colorful rainbow.

"Oh,… how… beautiful," Jeremy cooed. "I wish… Mom… was… with… us… now. She… would've… loved… to… share… this… with… you." He put his head on Barricade's shoulder. Mace saw this, but decided to do nothing about it. It looked like a lovely moment he didn't want to spoil, though he wished it had been his shoulder.

Shortly afterwards, the show ended. Mace and Barricade went on duty again, making sure the crowds didn't cross the bridge until they got the signal. Around ten minutes later, they let the crowds pass. Amongst them, they saw Valerie and her family. When Valerie walked up to them, she gave Barricade a long kiss and said, "I think you did a wonderful job with Jeremy. I saw how he was cuddling up to you in front of everyone. I think he loves you even more."

"Would it be all right if I took him home when all this is over?" Barricade offered.

"Barricade, that would be wonderful. Rhonda just invited Karen and me over for a few hours, just us girls. You can look after him until I get home." She kissed Jeremy's forehead, winked at Barricade and left. As Barricade turned to watch her go, he caught Mace looking jealous at their conversation.

"Why are you looking at me like that, Mace?" he asked. "Everyone knows you had your day with him."

Late the next morning, as Valerie was vacuuming the living room, she spied Sundown approaching the front door through the window. "Oh, that'll be for you, honey," she told Jeremy. "Answer the door, would you, please?" He got up as the doorbell rang, and when he answered, he said, "Wow,… Sundown,… you… look… nice."

"Thanks, pardner," Sundown replied. "You look pretty swell y'self."

Valerie noticed what Sundown was wearing as he stood in the front hall. A sky-blue cowboy shirt with black jeans, brown boots and his trademark hat. She thought he looked his most beautiful. If only the shirt were unbuttoned down to his belly, she'd think he'd look like a romance cover model. Wordlessly, she turned off the vacuum, went to Sundown and kissed him.

"Easy, Val," he said a few moments later. "I'm only here to pick up Jeremy here."

"Taking him into the country like you said?" she asked.

"Y'bet. An' what I want to show him is at its most beautiful this time of year."

She kissed him softer. "You two just enjoy yourselves. And if you two want to stop for dinner on your way home, that's fine. Don't worry about me." She turned to Jeremy. "You be good for Sundown, okay?" He nodded.

"Don't worry, m'lady," Sundown said. "Jeremy's gonna have the day he'll always treasure." He kissed her again, and left the house with her son.

Sundown placed Jeremy in the passenger's seat and buckled him up. When he revved his truck up, Jeremy heard a radio station playing commercials.

"Hope y'like country music, son," Sundown said to him, "'cause the radio's stayin' on that station."

Jeremy started to laugh. "I'm… so… glad… you're… dating… my Mom… and… not… my… aunts," he said. "I can't… speak… for… myself,… but… none of… my… cousins… like… country… music."

It took them almost an hour to leave Empire City. Jeremy spent the whole time just staring out the window, at all the small stores and luncheonettes going by them, even a drive-in theater. They were heading west, and it was soon nothing but highway, open fields, trees, and the occasional dirt road.

"I know this may look borin' to you," Sundown said, "but I think a drive in the open country just might be a refreshin' experience for ya."

"This… doesn't… look… very… scenic," Jeremy said.

"Yeah, I know the rural land here's a little flat," Sundown agreed. "There ain't nothin' here but hay bales, soil fields and a nursery every now an' then. Maybe when yer mama an' I have some vacation time, I'll take ya both to my home state of Texas, an' we can drive through New Mexico an' Arizona. It's a lot more beautiful down there."

"Wow!" Jeremy cried. "I'd… love to… visit… Arizona. The… Grand… Canyon!"

Sundown gave him a surprised look. "You mean you ain't never seen the Grand Canyon? My God, was your daddy always workin' when yer folks were married?"

Jeremy nodded. "It… seemed… as if… Dad… was… always… happy… when… he was… working. Mom… was… always… the one… to… take… me… on… trips. Besides… Empire… City,… she… won… a… trip… to… Hawaii. And… she'd… always… take me… with… her… on… business… trips,… because… she's… too… afraid… to… leave me… with… Dad. But… I've… never… seen the… Grand… Canyon."

"An' all those bedtime stories that were read to ya, all the times you were tucked in, all those lullabies that were sang to ya, I'll bet those were all yer mama, weren't they?" Jeremy nodded and Sundown groaned. "Damn that blasted father of yours. If I ever see him, I'll horsewhip him all the way to Dallas!"

They kept going for almost two hours before they reached the state border. Sundown stopped for gas at the first town he came to, then turned back to Empire City. On the way back, Sundown told Jeremy all about growing up in Texas, and his accomplishments as sheriff before joining the C.O.P.S. team. Jeremy thought it was interesting, and asked, "Why… would… Bulletproof… need a… sheriff? Isn't… that… supposed… to be a… high… rank… in… Texas… police?"

Sundown laughed and said, "Maybe so, son, but my job here is to keep the peace in the city from bein' disturbed. That's what a sheriff does for his town."

It was quarter to four in the afternoon when Sundown and Jeremy returned to Valerie's house. When the truck was turned off, Jeremy slowly unbuckled his seat belt. Sundown went to Jeremy's door, got him out, and the two walked to the door, arms around each other. When they saw Valerie, she immediately gave Sundown a soft kiss.

"Everything we saw was flat," he told her. "But Jeremy and I got along just fine. I reckon he already loves me."

"And that's what important," Valerie said. She smiled and lightly tipped his hat.

He followed her into the living room. "Uh, Valerie, would it be all right if I took you and Jeremy out fer dinner? That steak house on Cottonhall's always open on Sundays. It'll be my treat."

She smiled. "Sure thing, but as long as we order something small for Jeremy. His stomach a bit small for him to be eating so much."

"I understand. Then afterwards, the three of us can go back to the beach to watch the sunset, just like you an' me did on our first date. I reckon Jeremy would love that."

"I think he would, too. He's never really seen a sunset before. Tom was never really into sentimental stuff like that."

Sundown almost said, "Which probably forecasted what kind of husband an' father he was," but stopped himself. He didn't know how Valerie would react. Instead, he sat down on the loveseat. Valerie was searching her CD collection for a good country album, and found a disc of country love songs. She turned on the CD player, and they were soon getting intimate to some romantic banjo and guitar melodies.

A/N: Ok, I'm stopping here; this chapter is long enough. More C.O.P.S./Jeremy bonding next chapter!