by Joe Nobody
Then they stopped, both of them gazing up at the stars like a couple of high school kids on a Saturday night. What the fuck? Bishop thought, his legs now moving faster.
Chase had been drinking.
Terri was stunning, as was the night.
Memories came flooding back, images of a time when two young lovers explored each other’s emotions and bodies.
Chase reached for Terri’s face, gently putting a hand on each cheek and looking deeply into her soul.
“No,” Terri said, trying to be soft, but firm.
He didn’t seem to hear, his head leaning closer, his eyes full of fire.
“No,” she repeated, trying to pull back. But he was strong.
Bishop was twenty feet away when he saw Terri try to break the asshole’s grip. Fury roared through the Texan’s veins, fueled by four days of frustration and fruitless toil. I’ll kill the son of a bitch, flashed red through his mind as his muscles primed for an assault.
Chase felt Terri pull back and released her instantly. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have…” he started to say, just as the sound of Bishop’s footfalls caused the new ambassador to pivot.
Out of the shadows a figure charged, the image barely registering in the low light. The attacker looked like some sort of homeless bum or vagabond. Then, the ambassador realized the aggressor had a gun. Chase reached for the firearm under his jacket, thinking to protect Terri.
Bishop spotted the movement, knew the man was drawing a weapon in less than a hundredth of a second. He’s seen men reaching for a pistol far too many times. The Texan launched, uncoiling legs that were driven by rage.
The weapon cleared Chase’s coat just as Bishop’s shoulder slammed into his arm. It fired, the bullet missing Hunter’s stroller by inches.
It was all so clear in Bishop’s mind. Like so many times during a fight, he could see the angle of the shot, knew his son had almost been killed. Blind, sulfuric, ferocity powered the Texan now. This was something beyond a threat against his own life. He was fighting for Terri and his son.
The two men landed hard, rolling on the ground in a flaying ball of arms and legs. The pistol, bouncing harmlessly across the pavement, was no longer in play. Terri shouted something that neither of them heard.
Chase wasn’t without skills. He was heavier but was suffering from the element of surprise.
Bishop was hindered by his gear, including the unloaded rifle strapped across his back and 55 pounds of pack. Still, the Texan landed the first clean blow, snapping Chase’s head backward as the bigger man tried to make it to his feet. It slowed him down but didn’t halt the effort.
With surprising speed, the ambassador’s right leg shot out, landing a punishing kick to Bishop’s head. The impact rolled the Texan across the grass.
Pressing his advantage, Chase dove after the still prone attacker. When he was a step away, Bishop’s own leg moved in a flash, sweeping the bigger man’s feet out from underneath him.
Both scrambled to stand, Terri still screaming for both of them to stop. She’d seen the bullet just miss Hunter and wasn’t sure who should receive her wrath.
Why isn’t Terri helping me? Bishop thought, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his now pounding head. Why doesn’t she draw and fire?
Bishop, his vision still fuzzy, decided he’d had enough fun for one evening. In a flash, the silver steel of his fighting knife appearing in the Texan’s fist. I’ll gut the colon piper. Right here. Right now.
Somebody yelled “Freeze!” and then there were people all around. “Put down the knife,” shouted another fellow, his sidearm pointed at Bishop’s head. The security men, upon hearing the shot and fearing Terri was in trouble, had responded.
Bishop was scanning the new arrivals, his mind trying to reconcile the odds. Surrender wasn’t an option. Who were they? Why are they pointing their guns at me and not the rapist? The Texan slowly backed away but didn’t drop the knife.
Nick and Diana arrived next, their presence and bodyguards adding to the confusion. Flashlight beams pierced the night, probing the darkness and blinding anyone in their path. A dozen people were talking and shouting at once. One of the officers had a laser on his weapon, the eerie red hue of its aiming dot raising the stress level.
“Bishop, at ease, trooper,” Nick said calmly, putting himself between the two combatants. He’d seen that look in his friend’s eyes before. It was like some predatory animal had possessed the man, and he knew it was dangerous as hell. “Back it down. We’re all friends here. Easy partner. It’s cool,” came the soft words as the big man slowly stepped closer, palms in the air.
“That piece of shit was assaulting my wife,” Bishop snapped, his eyes never leaving Chase. “Why is everybody pointing their guns at me? Shoot his ass, damn it.”
Terri then came into focus, now satisfied that Hunter was unharmed, stepping toward her husband. “Bishop, chill, please. It wasn’t what you think. It’s okay. I’m fine. Please, just settle down and put away the knife.”
Terri’s words seemed to be registering, Bishop’s wild eyes focusing on his bride’s face.
The security guys picked that moment of distraction to close in, their weapons up and ready. They didn’t like Nick being in the line of fire. Bishop was looking like he’d gone completely insane. They didn’t want such a person close to Diana.
Nick saw his men out of the corner of his eye and knew things were about to get completely out of control. He waved them back, ignoring the questioning look on their faces. “Stand down,” he hissed. It was too late, Bishop already back in an aggressive stance.
Terri thought the big man’s attempt to de-escalate the scene was wise. Turning to the gathering crowd, she pointed to one of the security men and said, “You! Get Chase out of here. Right now. Take him back and get a doc to check him out.”
As confused as everyone else, the bodyguard hesitated, but not for long. Diana began repeating Terri’s orders, desperately wanting to defuse the situation.
Bishop heard his wife and was now completely lost. Why was Terri trying to rescue her attacker? Wait… was it really an assault? She had been walking with the shit-roach.
Chase, however, didn’t want to go. Shaking off his escort, he made it clear leaving wasn’t an option. Wiping the blood from his nose, he said, “I’m fine. Just a scratch. That man assaulted me, and I want him arrested immediately.”
Bishop took a step forward, weight shifting to the balls of his feet, knife lowered for a thrust. “I got your arrest right here, Ass-jacker. Come and get it.”
Then things got worse, two shadowy figures appearing from the darkness, each taking a stance behind Bishop.
Grim and Butter, having heard the ruckus, came rushing up to find out what all the shouting and shooting was about. In the darkness, they could only see a bunch of people pointing guns at their friend and leader.
“Got your six, boss,” Grim’s voice sounded from the darkness. “Butter’s here, too. What’s happening?”
Both of the new arrivals had their rifles up and primed, the barrels pointed directly at the security men who seemed all too anxious to shoot their supervisor.
“Grim, Butter, it’s Nick. Stand down. That’s an order.”
“Nick? What the fuck’s going on here?” Grim replied, his voice unsteady. His weapon remained high and ready.
“There’s been a huge misunderstanding,” Terri pleaded, still trying to make sense of it all herself. “Everybody, please, just put down the weapons, and let’s talk this over.”
Something in his wife’s voice now resonated with Bishop. His body visibly relaxed, and then he said, “Grim, Butter, it’s cool.”
Everyone exhaled when Bishop’s knife returned to its scabbard. Without another word, he began backing away. “On me,” he whispered to Grim and Butter.
As the two SAINT members closed ranks with their leader, Bishop flashed Terri a look that she could only describe as the reaction of a crushed, betrayed little boy. Nothing in her life h
ad ever hurt her so badly.
A second later, they were gone, disappearing into the darkness.
Terri stood looking at the empty space where Bishop had been just a few moments before. She shook her head and whispered, ‘Bishop, meet Chase. Chase, this is my husband, Bishop. I hope you two can be friends.”
“He did what?” Nick exclaimed after Terri had recounted the evening’s events, including the prelude to what was sure to be an attempt at a kiss. Then the big man whistled, followed by, “Does our new ambassador have a death wish or something? Does he have any idea what Bishop would do to him?”
“He was just a guy with a few drinks in his system,” Terri replied, not sure why she was trying to defend Chase’s actions. “He didn’t mean anything by it. If I had a dime for every time some drunk guy tried to plant a kiss on me, I’d….”
“Bullshit he didn’t mean anything by it,” Diana interrupted, moving to comfort her friend. “But still, it sounds like Bishop overreacted… at least a little.”
Tears started rolling down Terri’s cheek, the emotions finally catching up with her. “Where is he, anyway?” she sobbed.
“He’s with Grim and Butter over at a guesthouse. Last I heard, he was taking a shower and winding down. Word is their mission didn’t go so well, and no doubt that’s playing some part in all this. Chase’s nose isn’t broken, so we may have avoided an international incident. At least for the time being.”
“I need to talk to Bishop,” Terri announced, rising from her perch with purpose.
“Are you sure, girlfriend? Might be best to let things cool off a little. If you’re set on it, I’ll watch Hunter if you want some private time.”
“No, I know Bishop will at least want to see his son.”
“He did what?” Grim snapped, watching Bishop towel off his still-wet hair. “Who on God’s green earth would be stupid enough to try and put a move on Terri? That woman would cut ’em off.”
Pulling on a fresh shirt, Bishop nodded, “If it was uninvited.”
“No, not Miss Terri,” Butter interjected. “She’s not that sort of lady, sir. I see how she looks at you.”
Bishop and Grim exchanged glances, both questioning Butter’s knowledge of female ways and means.
“I bet this is an ice cream truck,” Bishop mumbled, lacing up his boots.
“A what?” Grim asked, now completely confused.
Bishop sighed, “An inside joke. Before we were married, I was away on a job and the phone connection wasn’t very clear. I told her that when I got back, I was going after her like a fat boy chasing an ice cream truck. Somehow, Terri heard that little analogy wrong and thought I had insinuated she was like a fat boy chasing an ice cream truck. Ever since then, whenever we have a miscommunication or misunderstanding, we both call it by that name.”
Butter found the nuisances of his supervisor’s relationship fascinating; Grim was still trying to work it out. Bishop ignored both of them. “Do either of you know where Terri is?”
“One of the security team told me she’s still at the courthouse. Turns out that the guy you punched is the new ambassador from the good ol’ U.S. of A. I gotta hand it to you, Bishop, you sure know how to find the deepest shit around.”
“I have to talk to Terri,” the Texan said. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Let me go with you,” Butter said, rising from his perch. “We don’t need another fat… ice cream truck.”
Bishop smiled at his teammate and friend. “Thanks, big guy, but no. I need to do this alone. I promise not to start another international incident. I’m cool.”
Both members of the SAINT team relaxed a little when Bishop didn’t take his rifle or knife.
He saw her coming two blocks away, her outline against the backlight of Alpha unmistakable. She was pushing Hunter, on a direct path for the guesthouse. Bishop instinctively increased his stride.
Terri spotted her husband a second later, her legs involuntarily lengthening their step.
Both of their stomachs were churning, both had weak knees. Both kept coming, each keenly aware of the collision course that lay between them.
They met in the middle of an intersection, studying each other in the pool created by the streetlight above. “I’m sorry,” both said at the same instant.
And then she was in his arms, the embrace sending waves of relief surging through their cores. Bishop held her so tight, Terri melting into his chest. They felt warm, safe, and finally secure.
After a very long time, he held her at arm’s length, having a million things to say all stuck in his chest. Nothing would come out.
“I need to explain,” Terri finally blurted.
“No, you don’t. I love you, and I trust you. It’s all good.”
She shook her head, “No, I need to explain for me. I have to make you understand.”
“We had an ice cream truck,” Bishop said with confidence. “That’s all there is to it.”
Terri laughed, the analogy making her adore him even more. “Yes, we did, and I’m glad it’s over. I love you more than anything, Bishop. You have to know that.”
“I do.”
“Come on, let’s take a walk. I don’t want to let one little old fistfight ruin such a perfect evening.”
After Bishop had checked on his son, they began walking. It took Terri almost 20 minutes to explain the earlier events. For the most part, her husband pushed Hunter’s buggy and listened, only occasionally asking for clarification.
“Well that explains why you didn’t shoot him on the spot,” Bishop teased after she’d finished.
“He had a little too much wine and was always a bit aggressive. Right before you slammed him to the ground he was apologizing.”
Bishop digested her remark but wasn’t quite finished. “After you’ve spelled it all out, I have no issue with you, darling. I did, however, clearly see Mr. Chase McGuire’s eyes and body language. He still has the hots for you, and I think you need to be careful. If there is ever a next time, I promise he won’t see me coming.”
“There won’t be a next time, darlin’,” she replied honestly. “I’m not going to be so stupid as to put myself in that situation again. Besides, from what I hear, he’s just as embarrassed as I am. I imagine he’s still stinging with regret.”
“And my right hook,” Bishop teased, flexing his sore hand. “Damn that guy has a hard head.”
Terri stretched long and kissed his cheek, “I seem to attract men with that quality.”
Chapter 4
A light tapping at the door pulled Bishop out of a deep, satiated slumber.
Terri was asleep on his arm, her position requiring a careful maneuver to extract his limb without disturbing her rest.
Pulling on his pants, the Texan padded quietly to the door. He could see Grim standing on the front porch, the contractor’s face about as close to embarrassment as it got.
“Morning,” Bishop croaked, opening the door.
“Sorry, boss, but Nick asked me to come by. He’s already ripped Butter and me a new one for not following his orders last night, so I didn’t want to press my luck.”
“It’s okay, Grim. I needed to get up anyway. What’s going on?”
“You and the missus are hereby summoned to present yourselves at the courthouse at ten zero hours. That dude you whupped last night is raising a bit of a fuss, and Diana wants to have an air-clearing powwow. Nick hinted that your arriving unarmed would be beneficial to the international diplomatic relations.”
“I see.”
“I hated coming by so early on your day off, but I’m already on the big man’s shit list for not backing down last night. If you want, Butter and I will sneak you out of town. I know this bar over in El Paso that….”
Bishop cut him off, “It’s okay, buddy. Everything’s cool. Terri and I will straighten it all out.”
“If you say so. You want Butter and me to be hanging around? Just in case?”
The man’s loyalty was warming. “Thanks,
pal. I appreciate the offer, I truly do. But I don’t think this is going to be that big of a deal. You two both recharge your batteries and take care of personal business. We’ll be going back to that damn canyon soon, and I want both of you fresh and frisky as new kittens.”
“If you say so, Chief. Good luck.”
Grim turned to leave, but Bishop stopped him. “Hey, seriously, thanks for having my back. You don’t know what that means to me.”
The contractor waved him off, “Save that mushy, politically correct crap for your meeting. It all rolls off me like water off a duck’s ass. I’ll see you in a few days, and my regards to the missus and the boy.”
Returning to the master, he found Terri awake and stretching. “I get the bathroom first,” she stated.
Bishop faked a hurt expression, “No ‘Good morning, love?’ No, ‘Oh baby, you were ab-so-lute-ly amazing last night?’ Not even ‘I love you?’ How long have we been married?”
Hunter announced his need for a diaper change and breakfast right then, Terri pointing toward the spare bedroom with her head. “Good morning; you were amazing last night, as usual; and yes, I love you. I still get the bathroom first because I know our son is going to require my attentions. You, my love, are to make coffee, toast, and four eggs with cheese.”
She rose from the crumpled sheets, stretching again with a hearty yawn. Bishop received a kiss on the cheek, and then she was closing the door behind her. “Change your son’s diaper while the eggs are cooking, and wash your hands somewhere in the middle.”
“Yes, ma’am. Oh, by the way, that was Grim at the door. Nick and Diana want to see us at 10. It seems your old boyfriend is raising a bit of a fuss.”
“Great. Terri go here; Terri do this; Terri do that. I need a vacation,” came her voice, muffled by the bathroom door.
Bishop chuckled, “I know that. But remember our last holiday didn’t turn out so well. We ended up right in the middle of a salt war as I recall.”