When he heard tires on gravel out back Garrison checked his watch and fronwed. It was too early for the men to be back from town. He'd told them they could stay down there until 2100 and it was only 2140. Craig signed the last report on his desk and headed downstairs, he arrived in the kitchen just as Actor came through the door and closed it behind him.

Garrison stood at the bottom of the stairs blocking the Italian's way "Where are they?"

"I don't believe I wish be the one who explains that to you." The look on Actor's face was one of fastidious distain. "They are on their way back, I assure you." A smirk crossed the suave features. "Though it may take them some time."

The Warden waited for more details but didn't get any. Probably some fight in town that the con man managed to avoid, he thought. If he could believe the assurance, and he did; even here in England he knew Actor wouldn't abandon his teammates to the local constable, they'd be back, eventually. At least he didn't have to go in to the police station to pick them up… this time. "Get up stairs," he told him.

Craig knew he'd probably have to talk to all of them about whatever it was that happened but he decided he didn't have the patience to handle the whole group tonight.

g

They were on their way back Actor had said… but Garrison had been pacing his office for almost an hour. He was about ready to take off in one of the jeeps to search for them when he heard the door downstairs and voices in the kitchen. He took the stairs two at a time.

"Where the hell have you been?" he challenged.

"Walkin' back here." Casino growled out his answer as he and Goniff man-handled Chief through the door. "Actor tossed us out a the car…. Bet he forgot to mention that little tidbit, didn't he?"

"Well…" Goniff supplied reasonably. "Chiefy here was about to toss 'is cookies in the back a the car. Y' can hardly blame him."

"Sure I can! And I'm gonna too. Just as soon as I get my hands on him."

"Knock it off. Chief?" Garrison reached out and hooked a finger under Chief's chin, lifting his face so he could examine his glazed eyes. "What in the hell happened? He never gets drunk." And he turned on the safe cracker for the explanation, knowing he probably had something to do with it.

"Well… The guys down at the pub started talkin' about how Indians couldn't hold their fire water, see…" He got tired of trying to keep his younger teammate on his feet and dumped him in one of the chairs that sat around the kitchen table. "You wouldn't a liked it if he used the knife so he decided to drink 'em under the table…"

"Did it too!" Goniff interrupted with pride. "You should a seen them other blokes."

"How much?" Garrison inquired.

"Booze?" Casino asked innocently.

"Money." The Warden crossed his arms and pinned the two still on their feet with a steady glare. "How much money did you two bet on this little contest?"

Casino thought about denying the whole thing but Garrison was standing there all stubborn and Goniff already had his fists jammed into his pockets and was trying to dig through the kitchen floor with the toe of his right foot. "Enough," was all he admitted to.

When the Lieutenant turned his gaze on the pick pocket Goniff grinned and shrugged and opened his mouth… but shut it again when he caught the look on Casino's face. He was a little more afraid of Casino right now than he was of the Warden.

Garrison shook his head. "Well get him upstairs and get him to bed."

"Jeeze, Warden! Can't we just leave him down here? He'll be huntin' a bucket again pretty soon anyway. And it's closer to the john."

"And he won't know where he is if he wakes up down here and no one will be around in case he gets into trouble and needs help…" Garrison, who'd started up the stairs, turned on him, "unless you're volunteering, Casino?"

Casino thought about pushing the argument a little farther but the look the Warden was giving him convinced him to drop it, "….Alright! Come on, Geronimo, let's go."

Goniff and Casino each took an arm and managed to get Chief upright between them. As they moved away from the table and towards the stairs the scout's stumbling gait didn't do much to support his weight. When they reach the first step Goniff had to grab the fabric of his pant leg at the knee and lift his foot up onto the step for him.

Garrison had made it to the top of the stairs while they were still trying to negotiate the bottom. "Casino see to it he gets a shower and make sure if he needs anything through the night he gets it."

"Me?!" Their progress stopped with a jolt. "How come I get to babysit?"

The Lieutenant called over his shoulder as he continued on his way "Because I have a pretty good idea how that discussion down at the pub probably got started."

"Told you he'd see through that one, mate."

"Shut up you."

"Oh…" they heard floating back from the second floor balcony, "and you're dealing with him tomorrow too."

Casino rolled his eyes and then leaned Chief against the wall. "Jeeze! Here, help me get that knife off him."

"I dunno." Goniff held back. "Chiefy don't like anyone muckin' about with 'is knife."

"Yeah? You want him to have that thing when wakes up all hung over?" Casino pulled Chief off the wall and started to shove him into Goniff's arms. "Then you can deal with him."

"Wait!" Goniff shoved the younger man back up against the wall between them… "'Ere, I'll hold 'im up. You take it off 'im!"