Happy Memorial Day Weekend... Here is a really long chapter to wade through:-) Maybe, I will be able to post more this weekend... Cheers!

Chapter 12

"Fuller here." The words rang in Tom's ears.

"Hey Coach…" Hanson said halfheartedly.

"Hanson, how is every thing going in the country. How's Dean and Angie treating you all." Fuller responded enthusiastically.

"Well Coach, Dean and Angie are great, but…" Tom stopped mid sentence.

"But what Hanson."

"Booker's hurt."

"Is he ok? What happened? Can I talk to him?"

"Cap, he's fine. He may have a cracked rib. The doctor is with him now."

"Hanson, how did this happen?"

"Well, he and Doug were at football practice and… well, to make a long story short. The quarter back, didn't like the fact that Dennis was being considered for his position."

"Who is this kid that worked Dennis over?"

"Well Cap'n he is the son of one of Dean's police officers and he personally didn't do any thing to Dennis. He had someone else do his work for him." Tom answered.

"His name, Hanson." Fuller demanded.

"Darren Thompson, his father is Officer James Thompson."

"Really…" Fuller responded. "Do you think this Darren kid might have anything to do with these beatings?"

"Well, yeah… we think that Darren is the ring leader. He, I think, attacked me in the hallway today because I talked to his girlfriend."

"What do you mean you think?"

"Someone caught me from behind and ran my face into a locker, I never saw him. He threatened me and then later grabbed my outside of the band room and ran me into a wall. He stopped as soon as his girlfriend showed up. Sir…"

"Hanson," Fuller interrupted. "You three better be careful. It sounds like you have your hands full there. I am going to have Harry do some research on the Thompson kid and I'll get back to you."

Thanks Cap, you might also want to know that the quarter back for Waylon County is currently in the Hospital in a coma and is not expected to recover." Tom added.

"Dean's godson, I know… do you think that this Thompson kid had anything to do with it?"

"Cap, I'm sure of it… I just can't prove it yet."

"Hanson, how's Doug?" Fuller inquired.

"He is on his way over from practice. The coach gave him ten minutes to get cleaned up and he was going to drive him over. He should be walking in any minute." Hanson answered.

"Hanson, I want you to have Dean call me when he can and let me know what is going on with Booker. I will be getting back to you with information on Thompson. In the mean time, stop beating yourself up over Booker, I'm sure he will be fine."

"Coach…" Hanson was cut off.

"I can hear it in your voice. It's not your fault. Just keep me up to date and I will be in touch. Tell Booker I expect a call tonight and Hanson…"

"Yes sir?"

Stay away from the girls." Fuller jibed.

"Good-bye Sir." Tom rolled his eyes as he hung up the pay phone in the lobby of the emergency room.

--

Tom walked through the empty emergency room at Waylon Community Hospital. Tom's thoughts were on Kirk Davis, he was in a coma across the County at Waylon Memorial. What if they had hurt Booker worse? Tom could not shake the feeling that this was all his fault. Tom rubbed his tired eyes as he sat down on a hard plastic chair in the 1970's style waiting room. He had propped his elbows up on his knees and buried his face in his hands when a gentle female voice jolted him out of his thoughts.

"Tommy…" Hanson looked up to see Angie in the doorway walking his direction with her arms outstretched. Tom stood up again and walked in the direction of Dean's wife.

"Dean just called… have you seen Dennis yet?" She asked as she wrapped her motherly arms around the young officer. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and her sunglasses set atop her head like a crown. She smelled of fresh flowers mixed with the cool evening outside air. She pulled him to her and Tom allowed himself to get lost in her loving embrace. In the back of his mind he wondered why on earth these two had never had children of their own.

"No." Was all he said. Angie reached up and brushed Tom's hair to the side as the officer pulled out of the hug.

"Your face…" Angie's expression turned to concern as she reached up and touched his cheek. "Tom, what happened?"

Tom sighed deeply as he looked at the floor and then at the lady in front of him. Not again, he really didn't want to explain this again.

"Darren Thompson…" He stated.

Angie shook her head. She looked at the angry discolored mark on Hanson's handsome face and felt her blood begin to boil. "Did he have anything to do with Dennis?" She asked angrily.

"I… think that he might have." Tom answered slowly.

She shook her head and looked around the room and then back at Tom. "He has always been trouble. Jimmy, his father, he has a heart of gold, but this boy. He is mean… he was always doing something destructive and just plane evil. He was abusive to his mother when she was dying of cancer. I just don't know where he got this mean side." Angie was shaking with her fists clenched in rage. Tom wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked her over to one of the brightly colored plastic chairs and sat her down kneeling in front of her.

"Angie, calm down. You can't help Dennis getting all worked up. Were going to get him, we just have to have some more solid proof that it is him were…"

"Were what?" Angie's jaw quivered as she looked at the officer in front of him. Tom's eyes fell to the floor as he realized he had said too much already.

"Oh my GOD… Kirk…" Her jaw dropped as she started to piece together what had been happening. "Darren…"

"Angie, get a grip. We can't say anything yet, we don't know for sure. He might be involved, he might not. Doug, Dennis, Dean and I have to talk first. We don't know for sure…"

"I know, I know Tom, I'm just so angry right now" Tears were starting to well up in her eyes as she reached up and brushed a stray hair out of Tom's eyes. "Just promise me you boys won't let anything happen to you…" she said trying to smile.

"We'll try." Tom said letting a slow smile spread across his face.

"Where's Dennis!" Doug Penhall walked in with Coach Ballard on his heals. Tom and Angie both jumped to their feet as the officer entered.

"There still in the back." Tom said looking at his partner.

"What's going on, do we know anything yet…" Coach Ballard chimed in. "Excuse me, Angie; sorry… that is a fine couple of athletes you have."

"Thanks, Coach… this is my other nephew, Tom." Angie said.

Coach Ballard reached out to shake Tom's hand. "Son, are you a runner?" He asked Tom.

"Uh… band geek." Hanson responded with a grin.

Coach Ballard smiled and looked the officer over. "You look like a runner to me." He offered with a smile, "but we can't all be perfect."

"Yep… my mother told my brothers that once…" Tom responded with a grin.

Dean walked slowly into the waiting room running his fingers through his hair. The man had a look of relief on his face.

"He's gonna be fine. He has a couple of bruised ribs and a pulled muscle. The doctor says that's why he was having so much trouble getting his breath. He should be ok in about a week."

"Can we see him." Doug and Tom said in unison.

"Sure… make it quick. He's getting dressed and then we're going home." Dean said as he reached for his wife wrapping his arms tightly around the woman.

--

Hanson and Penhall rushed back to see Dennis trying to pull his jersey back over his head. He let out a groan as the pain of moving became to much for him.

"Need a hand." Penhall laughed.

"Not funny man… and yes I do." Booker panted as Doug pulled off the flannel shirt he had over his white t-shirt and handed it to Booker. "Doesn't quite match… does it." Booker laughed and then winced as he buttoned the garment and compared it with the slick white color of his football pants.

"Gorgeous…" Hanson said raising an eyebrow.

"I swear someone is getting as ass kicking tomorrow." Booker said as he sank into the hospital bed again clutching his damaged ribs. "Who kicked me, Penhall?" Booker asked looking up at Doug.

"I didn't see who did it, but my guess is that Darren Thompson had something to do with it." He responded.

"Booker, I'm sorry…" Hanson looked at the injured officer with the feeling of guilt washing over him again.

"Hanson, this isn't your fault. You didn't set me up--and you sure as hell aren't responsible for this. I think--that Darren had his eye me when he found out I was--coming in as a possible quarter back. That means you need to watch out for yourself--both of you. He's gunnin for blood--and he aint gonna stop till he gets what he wants." Booker took another labored as the two officers standing in front of him let his words sink in.

"Knock, Knock." Angie's voice could be heard on the other side of the green curtain.

"It's ok Angie, come in." Booker said out loud.

"Hey, how are you feelin?" She asked leaning over and giving him a peck on the forehead.

"Better now." He grinned, his cocky nature was slowly returning.

Angie blushed as she rubbed the officer on the head. "Good, Dean's bringing the cars around. One of you can ride with me and the others with him…"

"Shot Gun!" Penhall called loudly.

"I'm going with Angie." Booker panted.

"Guess I'm in the back seat." Hanson shrugged.

"Ok… can you guys help me get the cripple to the car and I will see you at home." Angie smiled.

"Hey… I resemble that…" Booker grimaced with his first steps. Hanson and Penhall each took a side helping the injured officer to the waiting car.

Sooooo... what do YOU think... please, REVIEW:-) Thanks again for all the wonderful compliments thus far! I just love to here what you think of my work, makes the "CRAP... I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE NEXT" all worth while:-) Thanks again!