S2 E4 – For Day and Weeks and Months

It is one week after the pirate treasure case. The paperwork is finally finished and the files put to rest. The office was a fever-bed of activity all week but now night is falling, the air is cooling, and a satisfied sense of accomplishment has settled over the station.

Fidel has been thinking feverishly too… about Elizabeth Curtis and her tiny yellow bikini and how badly he had behaved with her there by the waterfall in the jungle. Although he doesn't want to think about it, he knows he has to… especially NOW that the Chief has placed so much trust in him.

Sergeant. Sergeant Best. How wonderful it sounds… but… am I morally fit for such a title?

There is only one person he trusts absolutely for advice on this matter and it takes all day to find a moment alone with that person. Just as dusk is falling, he sees the Chief out on the station veranda. Once again, the man is not carrying his briefcase. That's odd. But lately the Chief is taking nights off too. He certainly deserves it. Fidel drifts out onto the veranda, catches the Chief's eye and nods towards the space beside him, "May I join you, sir?

The Chief nods back, "Certainly. I'm just waiting for Camille to tidy up and then we're off. What's on your mind, Fidel? I could tell something's been bothering you. Not having second thoughts about the exam, are you? I can assure you…"

"No, sir, not about that. It's about something else. Um, it's kind of private. I don't want anyone else to know about this."

The Chief lowers his voice and steps closer, leans on the rail to face away from the station door, "I will help you in any way I can, if I can. Please continue."

Fidel hangs his head a bit shame-faced, "It's… it's about… Oh, this is hard!"

The Chief lays a hand on Fidel's arm, "Take a deep breath and just say it."

Fidel turns to his mentor and blurts it out, "I acted a fool over Elizabeth Curtis! She rattled me so bad that I told her I wasn't married! I almost told her professional aspects of the case. I probably WOULD have told her if she'd… you know… used her… feminine wiles…" He runs down, so desperately disappointed in himself. He waits but there is no response. He risks a quick glance, Oh, I just know I've let him down. Maybe he is even reconsidering putting me forward for the exam! But, no, the Inspector is looking down at his own clasped hands, nodding and smiling ruefully. When he raises his eyes to meet Fidel's, sudden shock flashes through the young man's mind, "Oh, sir, not you, too?!"

The Inspector curls a lip, "Oh, yes, me too. I'm absolutely no good with a certain type of woman. Fortunately, I don't run into them often but when I do… useless! The trick is to accept the fact that it's going to happen. You need to realize what's happening and try your hardest to concentrate on the case. The case is everything! If it helps, think of the woman as an obstacle to resolution of the case. That usually helps me focus and get over it. That and…" he pauses and smiles to himself.

"And what, sir?"

"Well, you have Juliet and Rosie, yes?"

"Yes! And I denied them… just for a split second… but I did it regardless. Oh, I'm a bad man."

"Cut yourself some slack! Is this the first time it's happened?"

"Yes. And I feel so ashamed that I let myself be distracted like that."

"Well, it probably won't be the last time, either. So… accept it… prepare for it… and remember that you have someone at home depending on you to be the good man that you really are. And you ARE a good man, Fidel, never doubt it."

They silently watch the town below come to life. Music begins to waft up from the streets.

The Chief takes a sudden breath and leans over to murmur, "I can give you one more piece of advice. Don't let the missus find out unless you want to pay for days and weeks and months. It's an awful shock for most women and just when she begins to trust you again, another temptress may come along to remind her of the danger of other beautiful women in this world."

Fidel puzzles through this. Is this a warning or a lesson? Just as he is about to ask for clarification, the lights go out behind them and they hear the final locking of the door. They turn together to watch as Camille looms into view. Fidel has thought all week that something seems different about her. She is more focused, more intense, almost impatient. She has chivied them daily to get the work done so they could close up shop right on the dot. Even Dwayne had commented about what bee flew into HER bonnet today? She acts like she's got a very important appointment and she's already late!

Camille is looking at the two of them most challengingly. Fidel gulps. He doesn't like the look in her eye. He slides a glance sideways and is doubly puzzled by the look in the Chief's eye. He is looking back at Camille just as challengingly, almost coquettishly!

Camille gives them both one last intense look then charges down the steps to the Defender. She stands at the driver's door and practically vibrates, looking up at them.

The Chief breaks off eye contact with her to give Fidel a tiny smile, "For days and weeks and months… remember that." Then he turns and almost skips down the steps.

Fidel is perplexed and watches the pair of them… the pair… oh.

The Chief flashes a green glint back up at him just before leaping into the truck, a certain expectant air now in his aspect as well. The truck roars to life and is gone in a cloud of dust.

Fidel watches the truck careen around the corner and head for the Chief's place. He nods, thinks it over, puts two and two together and comes up with two. He smiles, "Ah, good on you, Chief."

He then leans back on the railing and looks up at the darkening sky. Yes, most women are quite possessive of their men. It only stands to reason that they would take great umbrage at any threat to their conjugal sovereignty. Unless the man is very contrite. Unless the man makes it very clear that it was a simple hormonal response and he isn't really to blame. Unless… He muses for a while, thinking of all the interesting debate that could arise from such a contretemps. He thinks about maybe clearing his conscience and coming clean with Juliet tonight, maybe stopping to pick up a nice bottle of wine on his way home, maybe scrubbing Liz Curtis out of his head, maybe starting tomorrow with a clean slate.

He straightens with a thankful grin, Right, oh rrrrright. You are SO right, Chief! Beautiful women are a danger, for sure, both here in the office and at home. Thank goodness we have the internal fortitude to withstand the pressure.

As he dashes down the stairs, he wonders if the Chief will have any more advice for him tomorrow? You just never know, he's full of surprises, isn't he? Not for the last time, Fidel hopes he has years and years to learn from the man. Absolute years and years. It just wouldn't be the same without him.

END