Warning: Vic language ahead.

"Walt."

"Hello, Henry."

It's fairly quiet at the Red Pony. There's a table of several men from the local WYDOT road crew sitting near the fireplace and two female patrons are playing pool over in the corner. Otherwise the place is empty.

"You left the office."

"Yep."

"I am glad. You have been needing a break."

"Well, thankfully not much has been happening around town the last few days and there isn't much else for me to do on the case against Barlow until the trial. Between Branch's testimony and the evidence we've gathered the case is pretty straight forward."

"You are basing that on the assumption that Barlow and his high priced team of attorneys will play fair. I do not share your confidence that they will do so. But perhaps I am just bitter that Barlow was comfortable allowing me to take the blame for his actions. However, I must say I am pleasantly surprised that you seem to have come to a place of acceptance. I had imagined that with your driven nature you would not be at peace until Barlow is convicted and imprisoned."

"I've been unsettled too long, Henry. It's time to for it to stop."

"Very well. In light of your long overdue realization, let me buy you a beer.

He sets a bottle of Ranier on the bar, "Am I the first stop on your way back to life?"

"Nope."

Henry nods, "You have spoken with Cady."

"Yep. I saw Cady this morning. We went out to where I scattered her mother's ashes."

"Good. And Vic?"

"I talked to her last night."

I notice a slight smile move across Henry's face.

"What?"

"Well, you have dealt with Barlow. You did say that was what you were waiting for."

"It's not what you think, Henry. We didn't spend the night together. I'm not going to get involved with Vic as long as she's still married, technically or otherwise. But, I figured there's not anything wrong with spending some time getting to know one another better."

"She is good for you. What more do you need to know?"

"I don't know. What if we find out we're not compatible?"

"I can think of no one more compatible with you than Victoria Moretti and I do not think you can either. I have been encouraging you to begin dating again for a some time. Other than Lizzie there has been no one. Why do you think that is?"

"I assume you're going to tell me."

"I think perhaps deep down you have known what, or more specifically who, you have wanted all along and subconsciously have been unwilling to settle for anything less...I will have to speak with Vic myself though to make sure her intentions toward my best friend are honorable. If all she sees you as is a conquest, well then, I will have to tell her in no uncertain terms to back off. You are worth more than just a few nights of passion. I will not have her toying with you."

"Very funny, Henry."

"I am serious. As much as I think you would benefit from engaging in certain...activities. I also know that you have never been interested in sex without strings or emotional attachment. You would never be comfortable with the arrangements of being friends with benefits so to speak."

"Friends with benefits?"

"I think what Henry's trying to say, Walt, is that you're not cut out to be someone's fuck buddy."

I glare at the amused expression on Henry's face. I never heard her walk up behind me, but he had to have noticed her approaching. He knew she would hear what we were saying when she got closer to the bar.

"Exactly, Vic."

"Interesting dialogue you two seem to be having. Walt, is there something you need to tell me? Is it anyone I know?"

"Vic, I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow. You aren't keeping an eye on me are you?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Walt. I was starving from our little hike this afternoon and didn't feel like grocery shopping tonight. I actually called ahead, so maybe it's you who's stalking me and not the other way around."

"Hike?"

"Yes, Henry. Walt introduced me to the Fetterman Battle Site this afternoon."

He nods knowingly, "Yes, Walt likes that place. However, it hardly seems fitting for a date."

"It, uh, wasn't a date. It was..."

"A lovely outing. I actually enjoyed it Henry. I like learning about culture and history."

"Okay."

"If it had been a date there would have at least been some kissing and I assure you there was none of that. Walt's honor is still intact this evening."

They are both enjoying this a little too much.

"Your burger should be ready, Vic." Henry smiles, "I'll just go check on it."

"Why don't you go ahead and put it in a to-go box, Henry. I don't want to interrupt the stimulating conversation you two were having anymore than I already have."

Henry disappears into the kitchen.

I keep my eyes focused on my beer and shake my head, "He set me up."

"I'm sorry?"

"Henry set me up. He knew you would be coming in to pick up your dinner and he initiated the conversation so you would walk in and overhear it."

"Don't be mad at Henry. He's just having a little fun...I did have a nice time this afternoon though, I don't think I told you that earlier."

Henry returns with Vic's food.

"Thanks, Henry. You two have a good night!"

She grabs the box and heads toward the door. Henry tilts his head in her direction while giving me a meaningful look.

"Vic, wait."

She stops but doesn't turn around.

"I'll walk you out."

I catch up with her just before the entryway and grab the door to hold it open for her.

"I'm pretty sure I can make it out to the parking lot okay, Walt."

"I know. I just wanted a chance to, uh, explain."

When we reach her truck she stops and turns to me, "Okay, shoot."

"I, uh, Henry and I were, well..."

"It's okay, Walt. I agree with Henry's assessment. You wouldn't make a good fuck buddy. Whoever wants that kind of arrangement with you is going to be sorely disappointed."

I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted, "Nobody is wanting that kind of a relationship with me, at least, not that I know of."

She goes on, "Your soul runs too deep for that, which is not a bad thing. It's maintaining the necessary boundaries, keeping the emotional distance that you would suck at."

She's right.

"Now, the fucking part?," She grins, leans in and whispers in my ear, "That's where I think you'd excel."

I'm not sure if it's the sensation of her breath or the words she has said, but I feel a tingle run down my spine.

She kisses me on the cheek before pulling back, "See you in the morning."

She hops in her truck and drives off, leaving me standing speechless in the parking lot.

These two latest chapters seem to have channeled Craig Johnson's characters of the page a little more. (If you haven't read the books, you really should, they are amazingly good!) While it obviously works for me, I hope it works for you too!