Disclaimer: I don't own anything here (except for Al) and am just doing this for fun and to pass the long months until Season 4.
Late Thursday afternoon at the garage, Billy and D'Andre were at the hydraulic lift, replacing the brakes on a minivan. Kevin was entering invoices on the computer at the front desk while trying to have a bantering conversation with Al, who was replacing the starter motor on a Suburban. She wasn't talking much though, hadn't been ever since Tim disappeared.
The door of the garage swung open and Walt walked in, heading straight for the front desk and asking for Al. When she heard her name, her head snapped up and she walked over toward the desk, a bitter little smile settling onto her lips when she saw who was asking.
"You're not supposed to be here," she said.
"What are you going to do? Sue me? There's a problem with the wire transfer."
"Bullshit, I checked it myself. It's all set up." Even from two feet away, Al could smell stale beer.
"It's set up, but it hasn't gone through," said Walt, his eyes scanning the garage. Billy and D'Andre were watching the conversation from their spot at the lift.
"Yeah, you get five grand every six months, provided you don't contact Tim or Billy or anyone close to them. That's the deal. That's what you signed. Didn't you read the contract?"
Walt's face flushed red and he took a step toward Al. "You little...."
"Honestly, you've got about thirty seconds to get of here before you lose your next payment."
"I didn't know what I was signing." He was spitting-mad now and Al could see his fists clenching.
"Not my problem. You should have gotten a lawyer to look at it."
Walt drew himself up to his full height and advanced on Al quickly. He got right up into her personal space, but she didn't back down.
"You need to walk on out of here before I call the cops and you get arrested and don't get your next payment."
Walt shook his head and took aim with his words. "Hey where's Timmy? You two able to patch things up? I sure hope so."
He put his hand on Al's shoulder in a fake gesture comfort while his eyes told the real story. Kevin would later say that Al actually smiled and mouthed the words "Thank you," but no one would ever be sure if he was telling the truth or embellishing.
What was certain was that before Walt could say anything else, Al gave him a solid left to the gut that caused him to double over in pain and shock. She followed it up with a hard right hook into his mouth that split his lip, cut her knuckles, and knocked out at least one bottom tooth and cracked several others.
Billy had no intention of breaking up the fight so long as Al wasn't getting hurt. Kevin was frozen in place, watching the whole spectacle with a look of fascinated horror. That left D'Andre to lumber over and try to put a stop to things.
Walt swung out blindly but Al just stepped to the side and unleashed a flurry of punches on Walt's side. D'Andre had finally gotten over to her and it took nearly all his considerable weight and strength to pull her away. He had to lift her up and carry her half-way across the garage.
Walt pressed a hand up to his bleeding lip, then pointed at Kevin. "I want you to call the police. Now."
Billy walked over, his arms swinging casually at his side, a wrench in one hand.
"You want to tell the cops a little girl beat you up? Fine. But they're going to laugh at you."
Walt blinked, hesitation replacing the anger on his face.
"You know what though? They ain't going to be laughing when they got three witnesses that say you threw the first punch and it just happened that you picked the wrong woman to hit this time."
Walt's mouth moved a few times but no words came out. He took a few steps backwards, then turned and walked out the door.
"You two," said Billy, pointing at the interns. "Back to work. Al, come with me."
He waited until she walked past him then walked along with her, steering her into the break room.
"Sit down," he said as he pulled out a chair. Then he went to the cupboards and came back with a first aid kit.
"Sorry, Billy, that wasn't very professional." Her head was down and she looked a bit dazed.
"Screw professional. He more than had it coming."
She flinched as Billy took her hand and cleaned out the cuts with hydrogen peroxide and a cotton ball.
"Al, when you told me about your deal, you didn't mention the time thing."
She looked up and shrugged. "You know, all those details. It's hard to keep 'em straight, don't you think?"
Billy clapped her on the shoulder as he got up to get some ice from the freezer. "Al, you're a smart girl. Smarter than me, that's for sure. Was this all part of your plan?"
"What? You mean mislead your father so he comes back here all angry and then beat the crap out of him?" Her ponytail had come loose, but she couldn't tighten it with just one hand so she pulled the rubber band out, blonde curls falling onto her shoulders.
"Yeah. That's what I mean," said Billy, handing her a plastic bag filled with ice.
"No. I wouldn't have touched him except for what he said about Tim. That just plain pissed me off because A.) he didn't mean it – he doesn't care and B.) even if he did mean it, he doesn't get the right to care anymore. I'd do anything for Tim, Billy. Anything." Her voice was soft but her face had hardened into a determined stare, like she was daring the world to mess with her.
"I don't doubt that, Al. I don't doubt that at all," said Billy, wishing that he could drag Tim back to Dillon so that he and Al could work things out. Timmy wasn't ever going to find a better woman for him than Al. Of that, Billy was certain.