Tool sat across from Caesar, who was cupping a mug in his hands and looking like hell. Barney was leaning against the counter to their right, cigar pinched in his teeth—unlit.
"Walk me through this again," Tool said to Caesar. "You saw her in your coma? And now she's shown up again in your dream?"
"Yea."
"She told you to come find her."
"Yea."
"Were you high?"
"No!" Caesar exclaimed indignantly. "I'm telling you: It's her. I saw her, and I think she's alive and needing help."
"Dreams are dreams, brother," Tool advised. "I really think..."
"We owe it to her to find out for sure," Caesar interrupted. "I know that means going back to a place you hate, Barney, but she might be at a hospital there or something. I dunno. I just feel this pull to find her, and I have to do it."
Barney sighed heavily and rubbed a hand over his face. Tool watched him carefully. He knew how much Barney did not want to go back to that island, but maybe the town and surrounding areas wouldn't be so painful.
"This really derails me from what I'm doing," Barney finally said.
"It's just a short trip," Caesar insisted. "And I can go by myself if I have to."
"I can go," Tool offered. "I could use a road trip. Been cooped up here too long anyhow."
"Good," Barney said. "Because I have somewhere to be."
"Like where?" Caesar asked.
"Just somewhere."
"You're not gonna get yourself almost killed again are you?" Caesar asked.
"Nah. Just investigating something."
"I see."
"When do you wanna hit the road?" Tool asked him now, bringing him back on topic.
"Road?"
"Yea...I don't really do planes."
Caesar was a bit confused, but he let it go. "Okay. Um, as soon as you can go, we'll go."
"This is really gonna mess Toll up," Barney stated now. All three of them looked somber for a moment. Caesar knew that Toll had finally moved on and was happy, and he knew that if Serena was indeed still alive, it would send him for a loop. He didn't want that to be the reason to not look for her, though. This feeling inside about her, he had to know for sure.
"We don't tell him anything unless she really is alive," Tool said now. The other two nodded in agreement. Tool shared a look with Barney. It seemed like there were more and more secrets from one another these days since Barney was sitting on the knowledge of Fred being linked to Stonebanks.
"I'm gonna go pack," Caesar said.
"How are you gonna explain this to your partner?" Barney asked.
"Tia already knows..."
"Your other partner," Barney corrected.
"Oh..." He'd forgotten about Lee. "Um, I guess I'll come up with something."
"Better be good. He's no fool."
"I know, I know."
"Good luck." Barney snorted as Caesar waved a hand at him before exiting. Tool met his gaze a moment later.
"You better get on that," Barney advised.
"Way ahead of you," Tool replied, going to text Caesar a story that Lee would easily buy for his absence. They both knew that Caesar wasn't the greatest at fibbing most of the time.
Barney chewed on his cigar lightly. If Serena really was alive, he had no idea how that would affect everyone, but he definitely knew it would affect Toll the most. He just hoped it wouldn't break him.
...
"You really want to put yourself in a bad situation?" Tia asked, looking at Lee as he sat at the counter across from her. He'd picked up the kids from school today for her and was letting Maya play for a bit before leaving. Tia paused peeling carrots and studied him intently. He'd just finished telling her about Lacy offering to give Maya private piano lessons...for free apparently, which Tia didn't trust.
"How is it a bad situation? I drop her off, I pick her up, end of story," he argued.
"Until it turns into, 'Oh, just come in for a coffee and a chat' and then 'Just come into my bed, Lee, and let me shatter your heart all over again.'"
"Geez," Lee muttered, "you had to go there that fast."
"No offense, but you're a guy...a lonely guy at that, and a wily woman can see that and will use it to her advantage."
"I'll say it again," Lee said a bit impatiently now. "I'm dropping Maya off, I'm picking her up, ending of story."
"Hundred bucks says you're gonna shag Lacy within a month," Tia said. He narrowed his eyes slightly at her.
"Deal," he agreed.
"Easiest 100 bucks I'll ever make," she commented.
"Hey," he said, affronted. "Do you just not have any faith in me at all?"
"Sorry, English. Not when it comes to her. I don't know what it is about her that makes your brain shut off, but I'm expecting it to happen again."
"I can control myself," he argued, giving her a look.
"We'll see."
Louis and Maya went charging past then, having a lightsaber war with each other. Lee observed from behind folded hands and scoffed lightly when Louis clocked Maya in the back of the head before disappearing around the corner.
"You're dead!" he called.
"Aw come on," Maya whined. "I dodged the wall and wasn't paying attention..."
"In real life, there are no do-overs," Louis insisted.
"Fine. Then we start again," Maya said. Seconds later, the sound of plastic hitting plastic could be heard once more.
"She's good for him," Tia said, making Lee look at her again.
"Yea?"
"Oh yea. He used to be much shyer and not able to speak up for himself very well despite our coaxing. Maya has brought that out in him. I know they have their squabbles, but Louis doesn't just roll over like he normally would. She's making him a bit tougher, which I'm glad for."
"Good."
"He's helped her too," Tia went on. "She's not just book smart now...she's tuned into her emotions better too."
Lee thought about it, and she was right. He was glad Maya and Louis had found each other. He looked over at the door as Caesar came through it. He saw Lee and froze slightly, which made Lee frown. Why did he look nervous all of a sudden?
"Oh, hey," he said, giving him a wave. "What's up?"
"Just hanging out. You?"
"Just came from Tool's."
"Oh yea?"
"Yea. Our regular coffee thing," Caesar said. His phone dinged, and he looked at it for a moment.
"Did you have a good chat?" Tia asked him.
"Huh? Oh, yea," Caesar answered, pocketing his phone now. "Tool has invited me on a road trip."
"A road trip?" Lee asked, snorting. "Since when?"
"I dunno. It's his thing, and he asked me to go, and I said yes."
"Good," Tia replied, going to kiss his cheek. "You deserve a little holiday."
"I do," Caesar agreed importantly. He looked at Lee again. "Sorry, man. You're on your own for a bit."
"Ah, it's okay. I might take a break myself. Maybe I should come with you."
"Um, uh...I think Tool just wanted it to be a two person thing. Sorry..."
Lee studied Caesar carefully. There was something going on here, but he couldn't figure out what it was. It was odd enough that Tool wanted to do a road trip...it was odder that he wanted to do it with just Caesar. He didn't see those two alone together too often.
"Okay," he said finally, letting Caesar off the hook for now. "Well, have fun."
"I'm sure it'll be an adventure of a lifetime," Caesar promised. He dodged Louis and Maya coming around full speed with Maya chasing Louis now. They disappeared in seconds.
"So I'm gonna go pack," Caesar said, gesturing.
"Okay."
"See you in a few."
"Sounds good." Lee watched Caesar leave and then looked at Tia. She was careful to not look at him either. He decided to ask. "What do you know?"
"About what?" she asked.
"This trip."
"Nothing. It's just a trip." She shrugged nonchalantly.
"Yea, and I'm Father Christmas," he scoffed. "I'm not stupid. Those two are up to something. It'll go easier if you just tell me what it is."
"I actually don't know," Tia insisted. "Sorry, English."
He didn't entirely believe her, but he didn't challenge her. Now was not the time. He'd corner Caesar later.
Because if it had something to do with Emily, he damn well needed to know about it.
...
Gunner found Barney in the armory loading up a bag and checking guns. He went to get his duffel from the corner and dropped it on the floor by the table before going to load up himself.
"I appreciate you coming," Barney said after a moment.
"Thanks for asking."
Barney was going to get Doc to come too, but he was currently out with Galgo and the younger team doing a job. For some reason, Barney just wanted to keep this as much on the down low as possible.
"Where are we going first?"
"Back to where I saw him I guess. We can try to track him from there."
Slow clapping made them both jump, startled, and turn to see someone walk into the armory. Barney groaned inwardly, but a small part of him felt relief, not that he'd ever admit it. He really just didn't feel like dealing with Drummer anymore.
"I think that's the dumbest idea I've ever heard," Church stated, stopping a few feet away and crossing his arms.
"You got a better one?"
"We both know I do."
"Then do tell," Barney said gruffly, annoyed. Church smirked and moved closer, resting his hands on the table now and leaning a bit forward.
"You start with Stonebanks," he said. "His empire is left with no one running it. What do you think Fred is gonna do now that his boss is gone?"
"Take over," Gunner stated, getting it.
"That's right. He'll be a bit smarter about it, but he'll eventually take over. All we have to do is wait him out."
"I'm done waiting," Barney said sharply. "He's been left breathing far too long as it is."
"Fine. Run in there screaming. It'll make him go further underground, and you'll never get him," Church retorted.
"What else do you suggest?"
"Let my people get it done."
"No offense, but my people are better."
"Not really."
"Where is he, Church? Just tell me," Barney ordered. His right fist clenched and unclenched slowly. He really wanted to pop Church if he was honest. The guy just plain irritated him.
"I don't know, which is why I said we have to wait him out."
"Screw that," Barney huffed, grabbing his bags. Gunner did too. "We're going to find him."
"You'll mess up everything if you do," Church warned. Barney turned to face him in the doorway.
"We'll see about that."
Gunner gave a nod when he looked at him, and they set off.
"Oh, and Barney?" Church called, making him turn. "We want him alive."
"Good luck with that," Barney retorted.
"Alive, Barney. Or else we'll bury you."
"You can try."
Church kept his expression unreadable, and Barney began to walk away again with Gunner. He didn't know how long it was going to take to find Fred, but he was done just sitting idle. He had a job to do.
...
"Did you blow it?" Tool asked. Caesar scoffed.
"No, I did not blow it. Why would you even ask me that?"
"Because you suck at lying."
"I didn't lie, though."
"If I get grilled by Lee upon our return, I will know you fumbled it somehow," Tool warned.
"And what are you gonna do? Tattoo something on me without me knowing? Kind of impossible." Caesar laughed, but it faltered when he caught Tool's expression. "You wouldn't..."
"Don't test me," Tool advised.
"Alright, man. Chill," Caesar said, holding up his hands. "If Lee is a problem, I will handle it."
"You better." Tool kept his eyes on the road now. He was feeling on edge and didn't know why. This whole dream thing of Caesar's felt a bit kooky, but it was almost kooky enough to be true, and he didn't know how to take that.
"Where do we look first?" Caesar asked after a bit.
"Hospitals I guess."
"If she's not there?"
"I dunno. It's your dream."
"She did not tell me where she was," Caesar retorted a bit irritably. "She just said to find her."
"My dream last night had a talking dog tell me that my head was going to get blown off," Tool said now. "You think I should listen to it?"
"Ha, ha," Caesar said sarcastically. "I get it. You don't believe me."
"I don't know what to believe right now, brother," Tool replied. "I'm not one for voodoo shit."
"How is this voodoo? Man, you're just making stuff up now."
"Whatever it is, I don't like it."
"We go, we look, we go home," Caesar said. "That's all I ask."
"Fine."
"We could have flown there," Caesar started, but Tool held up a hand.
"I am not a big fan of flying. I told you that."
"But you did it all the time before..."
"Yea, and hated every minute of it. I like my feet on the ground, thank you."
Tool cranked up the radio now to end the discussion, and Caesar rested his elbow on the door and his head on his hand. Tool tapped his pipe on his knee to the beat of the song. Trees and other landmarks went by in a bit of a blur. If he wasn't feeling so anxious about what they were or weren't going to find, he would have almost enjoyed this trip.
...
Lee felt apprehension as he walked Maya to Lacy's little house. He did not have the best memories of walking up this pathway. He did his best to focus on Maya's happiness because right now, she was beyond thrilled.
"Good morning!" Lacy said cheerfully as she pushed open the metal screen door. "Right on time."
"Hi," Maya said back, bouncing towards her without even looking back at Lee, who was dragging his feet a little bit. "I like your house!"
"Thank you. I do too." Lacy smiled and stepped aside to let Maya in. She caught sight of Lee finally, and their eyes locked. He stopped walking, feeling a tightness in his chest.
"Hey," he finally said.
"Hi."
"You sure you don't want anything for this?" he asked, not knowing what else to say.
"Honestly? It's my pleasure to spend extra time with someone who is actually interested in learning piano," Lacy answered with a shrug. "She's a breath of fresh air. I haven't had someone this keen on playing in a very long time."
"Okay," he said. His hands were in his coat pockets. He didn't know what else to say to her.
"You're welcome to stay if you want," she offered now.
"Nah. I'll be back in two hours," he answered, turning to leave. Maya was back in the doorway now. "Bye, Maya. Be good."
"Bye!" she called. He got to his truck and dared to look back. He saw Lacy smiling and talking to Maya, who was beaming up at her and waving her hands emphatically with whatever story she was telling. He couldn't help but smile.
It was nice to see Maya happy again, even if it was just for a moment.
...
Maya was feeling very curious about Lacy and how she knew Lee. Something in her dad's face said that Lacy was more than just his friend. As she sat on the bench in front of the piano and listened to Lacy teach, she wondered what could have gone wrong between them if they had dated. Lacy was really pretty and nice. If anyone was going to be her stepmother, she'd pick Lacy. Maya didn't want just anyone to be in her life. Ideally, she'd have her real mother, but since that wasn't an option, she wanted the next best thing.
"You are doing so great, Maya," Lacy said now as Maya hit the right notes on the first try. "You could go really far with this if you wanted to."
"I want to," Maya agreed, nodding. She could see it clearly: Her older self on a stage playing for a big audience. She'd be so lost in playing...be one with the music...that she wouldn't be thinking about anything painful or sad or scary. She'd be out of her thoughts and into the notes, her fingers flying across the keys...
"Maya?" Lacy's voice asked.
"Huh?" Her fingers slipped, and the piano made that dreadful noise it did when a note was done wrong. It made her cringe inside. She looked at Lacy.
"I asked if you wanted to learn Yanni."
"Oh. Yea," Maya said. "Um, who is that?"
Lacy smiled and began to tell her. Maya was definitely interested. She wanted to learn everything there was about other pianists. She stayed in the present for the rest of the lesson, and it was right near the end when Lacy finally asked the question Maya had been hoping she'd ask.
"It's just you and your dad, huh?"
"Yea," Maya answered, pleased. "I think he'd be happier with a girlfriend, but he doesn't seem interested."
"Sometimes that happens."
"I think if he just met the right person it would work," Maya added, giving Lacy her best knowing look. Lacy smiled softly.
"Perhaps," she replied. They both could hear Lee's truck outside now. "Looks like your ride is here."
"Okay." It seemed impossible that two hours had already passed, but it had. Maya slid off the bench and went to put her shoes on. By the time she was finished, her dad was standing outside the door. He hadn't even knocked. She felt slightly disgruntled. How was she going to get him to talk to Lacy when he wouldn't even knock?
"What do you have planned for the rest of your day?" Lacy asked her, reaching to pull the door open.
"Probably some reading. Maybe see Louis or my uncles."
"Sounds fun."
"It is."
The door was open now, and Lee stood there with his hands in his coat pockets again. Maya knew he did that because he didn't know what else to do with his hands. She figured he thought it made him look a bit tougher as well. He was definitely standing like he was bracing himself for some kind of fight.
She really did read people...it couldn't be helped.
"Thanks," he said to Lacy, who nodded back.
"No problem."
"Hey, why don't you have lunch with us?" Maya suggested. She ignored the look her father shot at her. She smiled sweetly at Lacy instead.
"Oh, I'd love to, but I have plans with a friend this afternoon already," Lacy replied. "Thank you for thinking of me, though."
"What about...?" Maya started.
"See you next week," Lee cut in, putting a hand firmly on Maya's shoulder and steering her towards the truck. Maya sighed inwardly. He wasn't having it apparently. She was going to have to work harder.
"Why don't you like her?" she asked finally. Her father's hand gripped the wheel a bit tighter, and his jaw twitched. He couldn't lie to her, not after her seeing that. She anticipated him trying, but he surprised her.
"Why do you care?" he countered, looking at her briefly before looking back at the road. It was a good question, really. She thought of her answer carefully. She didn't want him to think she was over wanting him to be with her mother. That would always be first and foremost, but it was impossible.
"I'm worried you're going to be sad and lonely," she answered. He scoffed lightly before looking at her again.
"How can I be when I have you?" He gave her a look that made her almost start crying. She knew how important she was to him, but she appreciated hearing it all the same.
"One day I'll grow up and be gone, and then you'll be sad and lonely," she insisted.
"Then that's when I'll worry about maybe finding someone," he said back. "Okay? Don't worry about me. Just be a kid, Maya. Be a kid for as long as you can."
She pondered his words. She felt like she was a bit too wise for her years, and she did want to just be a kid for a while. Adulthood came soon enough.
"Any thoughts on lunch?" he asked now, and she tapped her chin playfully.
"Something with a hamburger," she answered.
"Sounds good to me."
She smiled and looked out the window. The ache from missing her mother was suddenly strong, and she swallowed around the lump in her throat. If she focused hard enough, she could conjure her mother in between them, smiling.
It was a nice image to focus on for a while.