Chapter 17

The next few days exhausted Patrick. He wanted to heal faster, it frustrated him to be lying around when he should be out trying to track down Jack and Walt. He hadn’t heard a word from the Captain, and didn’t dare take a chance on calling the station just in case someone on the inside could let Jack know where he was or that he was inquiring. The last he’d heard, the guards had been left on the empty room for a day, then were gone. If anyone was watching, they’d really wonder what happened.

A few of the group came and went throughout the day. There was a meeting planned, probably more for Yule than about the maniacs out there looking for him. If he could remember what the hell day it was, he would know if the meeting was tonight or tomorrow night.

Lying there brooding isn’t going to make the healing happen faster, Pat.

He glanced over to the kitchen door where Rhonda was walking out. She had a smirk on her face.

Wasn’t at all what I was thinking about, lass.

Really? You don’t want to heal, yesterday, so you can charge out and track down the bad guy?

He grinned. All right maybe I was a bit here and there. He watched her walk over and lean gently on the edge of the arm of the couch. Is your back better with someone being able to put the ointment on?

She shrugged. Somewhat. You look tired, you need more rest.

I rest enough.

Really, how is that when you spend half the night trying to coax me to come down and keep you company?

Patrick grinned. I sleep better with you beside me.

She rolled her eyes. I doubt that. You’re moving around more and I don’t want to hit your side or shoulder.

You won’t hurt me.

She quirked and eyebrow at him. You can’t know that for sure.

He studied her for a moment, she had no idea how lovely she was. He smirked, more at himself than not. At least he could think about something that didn’t involve his injuries and the situation. Come sit with me, Rhonda.

Rhonda grinned at him and shook her head. I was on my way upstairs to sketch out a few Yule ideas.

Just for a bit.

She shook her head. Dexter came in from outside before she could answer him.

“You two should be careful with that around Tara.”

Neither needed him to explain what. Rhonda turned and looked at him. “We are Dexter, well at least I behave around her.”

“Are you saying I’m not on my best behavior then?” Patrick tried to sound serious.

Rhonda laughed. “If this is your best, I’m not sure if I want to see the other.”

Dexter grinned at the pair. “Just try to tone it down. I spent half of yesterday babbling away trying to distract her while you two were having a great time talking about whatever it is you talk about.”

Patrick grinned. “Nothin’ too much of interest, right, lass?”

Rhonda headed towards the stairs. “Not unless constant whining is interesting.” She walked slowly up them without another word, but a smile on her face.

Dexter laughed and sat down. “Well, I guess she put you in your place.”

“Always does.” He jerked his head towards the door. “Anything?”

Dexter shook his head. “No, but I just strolled around this side of the block and back.”

Patrick nodded. “Wished I knew where Williams was, would make it much easier… than to just sit here and wait, if I were a few steps ahead.”

Dexter nodded. “Yeah, the waiting sucks.” He looked around. “Where is Tara?”

Patrick sighed. “They had a…meeting, in the kitchen and then Tara tore out of here to go shopping.” He straightened up slowly. “Her part in all this Yule planning.”

“I see. Well at least I was assigned something I can work with.” He grinned at the other man. “Keeping everyone safe.” He shrugged. “Although from Dade’s account of things, I don’t think I have to worry over everyone, just those in this house.”

Patrick nodded. “True. The others are more than capable of tossing out… something to protect themselves.” He paused to catch his breath. “Of course, Cora and Rhonda are like built in warning systems… so I think everyone will be just fine.” He studied the man for a moment. “I’ve never gotten the chance to ask you privately… what are your skills? I know you must have a little something, being as you know… all the others.”

“I only have one actually. On a magical level that is. I can sense bad, for lack of a better word, before it gets to me.” He grinned. “On a non-magical level, let’s just say those who piss me off better not get within reach.”

Patrick laughed softly, hoping not to start the coughing. “Both are valuable skills, Mr. Tringali.”

Dexter nodded at him. “No one seems to know, exactly, what it is you can do either Detective.”

Patrick shrugged. “Nothing as spectacular as most… of the rest of them, really. I would love to make walls of wind and fire and all that though.”

“Wouldn’t everyone?”

Patrick nodded and turned his attention to the pillow sitting on the couch across the room. It rose up steadily and came across the room toward Dexter. “Care for a pillow?”

Dexter shook his head. “No, but that’s…” His arm lifted up on its own and reached out to grasp the pillow. “Well.” Sitting there he looked at his own hand grasping the pillow. “That’s a handy talent to have in your line of work.”

“Would be if it worked at random, but I have to see… the person or object to control them and I can only do one … at a time or so it seems.”

Dexter tossed the pillow back over on the couch. “Still must come in useful from time to time.”

Patrick nodded and looked at the man in silence. It has at that.

Dexter’s mouth dropped and he turned to look at him. “I’m getting a clearer picture now of the looks you and Rhonda give each other, the ones that look like you’re deep in a discussion, but neither have spoken a word.” He glanced at the stairs. “She can talk back to you, I take it.”

“Ah, she does, verbally and otherwise.” He winked at him. “She can do more, the morning she was attacked…” He paused, still feeling the pain of guilt for not preventing it. “She was able to reach out to Cora and make her feel… and hear what she was.”

“Wow.” Dexter frowned. “I’m feeling rather insignificant all of a sudden.”

Patrick laughed, then remembered and grabbed his side to ease the pain. “I’m sure that isn’t something you’re used to.”

Dexter laughed as well. “Not very often.” He leaned forward on his knees, suddenly his expression serious. “Can you give me a bit of insight into the others? If anything happens, I really need to know what to expect from whom.”

Patrick hadn’t thought of that part. He’d remembered asking the others the same thing at one point. He nodded. “I’ll just tell you the highlights, as I’m not even sure if I know it all.” He propped himself up a bit more and slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. “One thing you should know is to watch out for the women.” Dexter’s eyebrows went up. “Little Kasey can be downright nasty, if not dangerous… when it’s called for. Rachel is no amateur either and Leena… well I would never want to actually see if she has a temper.”

He took a few shallow breaths and told him of the night they had finally gotten Charlie. He tossed in the story of the women locking them all out of Chris’s temple room, which also informed him of what Steven and Chris could do. Although he was sure with Dexter’s senses, he was well aware of Chris’ capabilities. It was exhausting to tell and breathe, but the look on the other man’s face made it worth the effort.

Dexter let a long breath. “Wow. That’s just crazy. I had no idea. I mean I’ve seen them do parlor tricks at rituals and things, but never imagined there was that much power contained in this group.”

Patrick nodded. “I feel completely safe when I’m surrounded by them, and… it takes a lot to put my guard at ease.” He sighed. “But as they all have lives to live… they can’t very well sit here with me day and night.”

Dexter sat straighter. “No, that would be my job.”

Patrick nodded. “And I’m glad of it too. I don’t think I’d be of much use just yet… if anything were to happen.” His constant worry about Rhonda sparked and he reached out to her. You got everything planned yet, lass?

Dexter sat back. “You just concentrate on healing and I’ll worry about the rest for now.”

Her voice, filled with frustration entered his mind. Do I look like I’m a magician, Pat? I have only been up here for a half hour. He grinned and looked at Dexter. “I’m quite happy to let you run things for now.” He wondered if she was struggling with her drawing again or if it was her back. I need you down here.

What’s wrong, Pat?

The panic in her voice made him smirk. Nothing, just needing a kiss or two is all.

You’re a complete brat you know.

Dexter watched the other man sit there and smirk. “Are we bothering Miss Caruthers again?”

Patrick shrugged. “Absolutely.” Is that a no?

That’s a later. I want to get these done before everyone is here tonight.

Later then.

“I’m jealous as shit, just so you know.”

Patrick looked at Dexter who sat there smirking at him. “It is a handy skill at times.”

“All the time more than likely.” He jerked up out of the chair as the door flew open. Tara stood there with bags in both hands, stomping the snow from her boots. He let out a breath. “I thought we agreed we’d all use the side door.”

She stopped and looked over at him. “I had bags to carry, and in the interest of safety, shouldn’t this door have been locked?”

Dexter stood to his full height and put his hands on his hips. “Do you think they’re going to walk up to the door and knock on it?”

Tara slammed the door. “Well they wouldn’t have to if it’s practically wide open and unlocked now, would they?”

Patrick watched the couple. It was fun to watch someone bickering other than Rhonda and himself. “He does have a point, Tara, walking in is not their style… I believe using the side door was so those who are supposed to come and go… can, without setting off every nerve in the house.”

She sighed and looked at Patrick. “Fine.” She kicked off her boots and headed up the stairs. “I’ll be back down in a sec, Patrick, and then you’re going outside to get some air.”

Both men watched her go up the stairs with their eyebrows up in astonishment.

“Outside?” Patrick looked over at Dexter.

Dexter turned and shook his head. “She’s not getting it, is she?”

Patrick tried not to smirk at the annoyance in the other man’s voice. “I don’t think she is.”

Tara came back down the stairs carrying a blanket and jacket. “It was Owen’s, so it should fit you, Patrick.” She held up a white hat.

Dexter met her at the bottom of the stairs. He stood at his full height with hands on hips and looked at her. “As you were concerned with the safety issues thirty seconds ago, I have to ask, do you think taking him out into the open when he can barely stand is safe?”

Tara stopped on the last step and looked him eye to eye. “I’m not going to hang a sign around his neck saying ‘here he is, come and get him,’ or run him up and down the block. I’m just going to take him out for five minutes or so, so he can get some fresh air.”

“And you didn’t think I should know about this with more than a second’s notice?”

She glared at him. “Well, I’m giving you notice now. I have to help him get up and out there.” She pushed past him and walked towards Patrick. “It’s mild enough and not windy at all, so it’s not going to bother his breathing.” She looked over her shoulder. “There may not be many more chances with the weather. And maybe you’ve heard of a thing called vitamin D, Mister Bodyguard, it’s a silly thing that sunlight provides for the body and very important to health and healing.”

He followed behind her. “I know what vitamin D is and what it does, I just need more notice to check things out and make sure everything is safe.”

She shrugged. “He’ll be fine.”

Patrick didn’t know if he should chance speaking or not, so he slowly worked on standing up and left them to fight it out.

Dexter snorted. “Oh, and you know this how? You’ve what, a crystal ball you peered into before deciding this?”

She stopped and spun around to glare at him. The coat and blanket were tossed onto the bed. She pointed to her chest. “Nurse Practitioner. Not fortune teller.”

“What is going on down here?” Rhonda stood halfway down the stairs looking at the two of them.

Tara shrugged and turned back to Patrick. “It’s nothing. Apparently, Dexter wants to keep Patrick confined to the house forever.”

Dexter threw up his hands and stomped to the front door.

When it slammed, Tara looked at Patrick and smiled. “Guess he forgot he’s supposed to use the side door.”

Rhonda looked at Patrick. They fight better than we do.

He slowly put his good arm into the coat Tara held for him. It’s much more entertaining to watch it.

And louder.

Patrick grinned and looked over at the stairs. “I’d invite you to join me, Rhonda, lass, but I think… we’d better just make it me so not to upset Dexter by having to watch both of us.”

She nodded. “A good idea. I have to do a bit more up here anyways.”

Tara grinned at her. “I’ll take good care of him.” She pulled a scarf out of the coat pocket. “We’re just going to put this over your mouth, so the temperature change doesn’t cause any coughing spasms.”

He nodded as she draped it around his neck and tucked the coat around his other arm. Slowly he moved towards the side door, he knew better than to go out before Dexter came back in, but by appearing to be doing things her way, he wouldn’t make her mad at him too. It wasn’t wise to upset the person who changed your bandages and controlled your medication.

As they reached the door it opened and Dexter came in. He completely avoided looking at the woman beside Patrick and nodded to him. “Stay on the porch.”

Patrick nodded. It wasn’t as if he was going to stroll up and down the street. The short walk to the door had him wanting to sit and rest. As he went out the door, he pulled the scarf up over his mouth further. He didn’t know what the cooler air would do, but he didn’t want it to trigger more than what he was already dealing with. Despite all the logical reasons for not going out, he was looking forward to stepping outside of the house, for however short a time he could manage.