Okay here's the latest. Sorry for the delay. Kind of hit a wall but I'm working around it. This chapter is laying a little groundwork, hope it doesn't come off as too random. More to follow soon! And thanks so much indigo, zarqa, Bookworm and lipamo for your kindhearted reviewage! I would not still be continuing this fic if it weren't for your encouragement. :)
"Alright, about time this damn thing got working again," Nathaniel smiled, stepping out of the shower stall in Nancy's trailer before turning the water on, testing the spray. Seeing it was back to normal he grinned, started to pack up his tool box.
Hearing loud, raucous cheers coming from outside though he frowned, moved to stand by the front door. Saw two men he unfortunately recognized passing a flask back and forth, making their way down the road through the center of the park.
"Whoo hoo! Got that son of a bitch good, didn't we!"
"Didn't have a fucking chance. Thought he could hide out in that piece of shit van forever?"
"Goddamn ginger deserter. Maybe we ought to go after that blonde he knocked up too like we told him we would."
Jaw clenched, his hand instinctively forming a fist, Nathaniel went to open the screen door, confront the two idiots before someone blocked his path.
"If you have any idea of what's good for you you'll get the fuck back inside right now!" the thirty something brunette yelled, shoving him back into her living room before shutting, bolting the door.
"Hey, settle down! And don't even think about locking me in this hellhole! I didn't do a goddamn thing," Nathaniel scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, not yet. You remember I fucking know you." Rolling her eyes Nancy took off her camo print cap, tossed it aside before shaking out her ponytail. "And I know you confronting them is only gonna land you in a world of hurt. Maybe even get you kicked out of the park."
"If anyone deserves kicking out it's those fucking vigilantes who went and mugged-"
"Those fucking vigilantes are ex military. So are half the people in this camp. You go after those assholes for going after a deserter-"
"Going after my son!" Nathaniel corrected.
"Going after a deserter...or at least someone they think is one, you'll be run out of here so fast it'll make your head spin."
"You think I give a fuck about my head!" he barked, crossing the room to the corner mini fridge. Opening it he pulled out a beer, chugged half the can before Nancy walked up and grabbed it from him. Took a sip herself.
"I didn't know you were so protective, Nate," she snorted. "Until the rumor mill started up nobody knew you even had a son."
"Well letting him think I was fucking killed in action wasn't one of my proudest moments," Nathaniel muttered.
"So just to confirm, your son is Nicholas Brody. The marine that-"
"I don't know the details if that's what you're after."
"I wasn't asking for them! But shit, if he was attacked by those assholes who knows what it triggered in him. After all the shit he must've went through in captivity?" Nancy muttered. She'd taken a strong interest in the Marine's story since his return to the States. Wrestling with PTSD, working past it enough to be elected to Congress. He was an inspiration to her, until she learned he hadn't dealt nearly as well as she thought.
Having served herself though and dealt in turn with flashbacks, nightmares she knew how difficult it was dealing without getting help. Since moving into the camp she'd helped organize a support group, worked to try and counsel fellow vets. Including Nathaniel who hadn't been very receptive, refusing every invitation so far.
Trailing off seeing the look on the man's face, realizing he'd heard her muttering after all, Nancy tried to come up with something that might improve the situation. For her friend and maybe for his son.
"Look, what about I go ask Brenda if I can borrow her van. We can do some investigating, see if we can find the hospital where-"
"What makes you so sure those fuckers put him in the hospital?"
"We're talking about Rick and Buck Olson, Nate. They decide to give someone a beat down they're gonna make it count!" Nancy scoffed. "If I go up and ask what hospital they'll probably tell me and fucking high five each other. They're sick!"
"Sick isn't the word I'd use," Nathaniel muttered. "I want those two fucks in jail when alls said and done. Their brand of justice has gone on long enough."
"If we get to the hospital maybe your son can identify them, press charges. Or we can find a witness. Either way though it involves us going!" Nancy said impatiently as Nathaniel leaned back against the doorframe, looking defeated.
"Why? He's not gonna want me within a damn mile of him. And he doesn't need me either."
"Yeah. You're probably right," Nancy said, biting her lip as she thought things over more.
"What's with the sudden fucking surrender? You never give in that easy," Nathaniel snorted.
"No, I'm serious Nate. You're right. Your son doesn't need you. At least not the version of you that's been here the past how many decades," Nancy said knowingly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Nathaniel asked, eyes narrowed.
"You never attended one session of my support group. You think I haven't noticed all this time?" Nancy asked as the older man snorted, shook his head.
"What's the fucking point? It's not like I just got back from my first damn deployment."
"You may as well have with all your nightmares and day drinking. All those times I'd find you curled up in the corner of your den?" she said knowingly.
"You're still suffering, Nate. And if you haven't dealt with your shit what makes you think you'll be able to deal with your son's?"
"Hey you're the one who made so much noise about us tracking him down in the hospital. Now you're saying I shouldn't even go? Jesus, make up your goddamn mind, Nanc," Nathaniel spat.
"Fine, you want to know what I've decided. You're coming with me to group tonight, you're gonna talk through at least a little of your shit with everyone, find even one way to start coping, and then you can start helping your son do the same."
Rolling his eyes Nathaniel snorted, perched on the arm of the couch.
"You think it's just gonna be that simple? That after I go and sit in a circle with you I'll be fine helping Nick deal with the shit he's seen?"
"You can try and get him talking to someone who gets it. That's something, isn't it?"
"Why are you so goddamn concerned here? Wanting this to happen so much?" he asked curiously.
"Because you're a friend, Nate. And I know since your son showed up here you've been somewhere else. This will give you a chance to make amends, at least try to. Maybe you can even help each other."
"What's to say he even needs my help? He's got his blonde Bond girl from the fucking CIA. Shit, if he wants anyone in visiting him-"
"Wait, Bond girl? What CIA blonde you talking about?" Nancy frowned.
"The one here with him when he visited. They were together. Seemed to be anyway."
"Great, wonder how much help she's providing him with," Nancy scowled, knowing from experience how station chiefs, directors of the Agency had no problem treating members of her and her unit like damn toy soldiers. Winding them up, pointing them in a direction. Not giving a damn about their security, just how secure their fucking mission was. Now it didn't surprise her why Nicholas Brody was such a mess.
Frowning, seeing her scowl Nathaniel let out a snort.
"What?"
"Nothing. You just seem awfully ticked off all of a sudden."
"I'm ticked off because my gut's saying this blonde friend of your son's, probably quit giving a shit about him when he quit being a valuable asset for her. Hell, she was probably so set on getting him 'mission ready' she kept him from getting serious help," Nancy said bitterly.
"That's how all these operatives operate, Nate. Believe me, I know from which I speak."
"Well, if I didn't know better I'd say you were jealous of a certain blonde operative," Nathaniel observed, a small smile forming on his face.
"I'm not jealous!" Nancy snapped. "I'm concerned. For you and Nick both, and for good reason!"
"You know if I didn't consider you a close friend I'd tell you to butt the hell out, mind your own business." Nathaniel said as she rolled her eyes, moved to stand directly in front of him.
"Nate, you should be down on your hands and knees grateful that I so much as gave you the time of day."
"Should I?" he teased as she rolled her eyes, took her phone out of her pocket before dialing.
"Hey Brenda, it's Nanc. Listen I wanna hold an emergency meeting tonight for group. Think I finally convinced someone to attend," Nancy smirked as Nathaniel rolled his eyes and crossed back to the fridge, retrieved another beer.