Chapter 2: Tab Unpaid

Julie felt the tension in Donovan's shoulders as he lifted his beer mug from the bar for another swallow. There was no telling how long he had been here, but three other empty glasses sat in front of him. The whine of a vacuum cleaner coming from the dining room gave Julie the privacy she wanted with Donovan. Occupied with the closing routine, Elias and Willie tended to their evening chores while Aidle played a soft melody on the piano.

"Want to talk about it?" Julie pressed a kiss to Donovan's ear.

"Not really." He eased himself from her grasp.

She sat on the stool next to him. "Maybe you'll have another opportunity to find him."

Donovan said nothing, his countenance was a cross between anger and hopelessness.

"Diana said you'd infiltrated the embassy," Julie said. She insisted Bates have you arrested." Julie considered the irony in the situation, Mike Donovan needed to be arrested for trying to steal his son back from his abductors. "Bates told her she needed proof."

"Screw her."

He lifted the mug to his lips again. The glass was almost empty, and Julie wondered how long Elias would allow him to indulge himself.

"How was Sean?" she asked.

"You don't give up easily, do you?" Donovan glared at her. "I said I didn't want to talk about it."

"So, do you plan to sit here and drink all night?"

"Pretty much." He leaned toward the tap and shoved his mug under it, then pushed the button.

"HEY!" Elias came running from across the room. "This isn't self-serve, Man! You haven't paid for your other four." He shoved Donovan's hand away from the tap.

His eyes narrowing, Donovan withdrew his hand and smirked. "Put it on my tab."

Julie knew it would be a while before Donovan had real money again. He had recently given up his job at KDHB. They refused to employ a wanted criminal. The few times Julie had offered to help him pay utilities, Donovan refused, telling her that he did not need any of her money, especially when it came from Nathan Bates.

"I'll pay for the last four," Julie said. "How much does he owe?"

"You don't need to pay." Donovan shifted his gaze to Elias. "One more. I'll bring you the money next week. Scouts honor."

"I'm cutting you off. We're closing shop for the evening," Elias said. He nodded at Tyler who sat at the other end of the bar alone. "That goes for you too."

Julie caught Donovan's elbow as he stood uneasily. He dug in his pant pocket for his keys, but Julie worried that he was too intoxicated for the short drive to Echo Park.

She looked at Tyler. "Would you be a gentleman and take him home for me? One of you can bring his car to him tomorrow."

"Why don't you take him home, Julie?" Tyler retorted.

Julie felt the tension rise in the pit of her stomach. She had been avoiding going to Donovan's as of late, concerned that they would get spotted being together by one of Bate's henchmen.

As if on cue Donovan reached around and put his hand on the small of Julie's back. "He's right. It's been a while since we've spent some quality time together."

She could smell the stench of alcohol on his breath as he bent down to whisper in her ear, "You always did have a way of making me feel better."

"I have to work in the morning," she said.

"I'll make it up to you." He winked.

Julie glanced over at Tyler again as he lifted the bar stool up the counter. He grinned at her and headed to the secret entrance.

Elias gathered Donovan's empty glasses from the counter. "I really don't like you leaving your car here overnight either."

"I really don't want him to drive," Julie answered before Donovan could say anything.

Slipping his arm around Julie's shoulder Donovan grinned at Elias. "Guess I'd better mind her. Wouldn't want to cause an argument." He leaned toward the bar and winked. "She can get cranky when she doesn't get her way. Trust me, I know."

"Right," Elias said. "We wouldn't want to offend the boss lady. Now, would we?"

"Hmm mmm," Donovan agreed, giving Julie's arm a tug. "C'mon, Doc. I need you to tuck me in."

"You need something, all right, Mike," Julie quipped. They started to walk toward the kitchen as she added. "I'm driving you home, but I'm not getting out of my car."

"Mmm-hmm, we'll see," Donovan replied.