The Charges

Disclaimer

This story is a work of fiction. None of the characters portrayed herein represent any real person, living or dead. It includes characters invented by Chip Masterson including the muscle super kid, "Danny Henderson" who appears in a number of stories created by Chip. These characters are used in this story with his express permission, (Thanks, Chip!) although this story differs substantially in tone and theme from stories written heretofore by Chip. There are inconsistencies between Chip's story line and mine. The characters in my scenario dwell, therefore, in some sort of parallel universe.' Also included in this story is a character inspired by "Billy," the lead character in John D's "Billy Muscles up." One incident is borrowed directly from the "Billy Muscles Up" series and some of the things Billy does in this story echo "Billy Muscles Up." However, although this "Billy" begins with more or less the same personality and physical strength as the original, events take "my Billy'" in a somewhat different direction. My use of the "Billy" character is with John D's express permission. Thanks, John D!

If you are looking for erotic stimulation, please look elsewhere because you won't find that here. Aside from some coarse language and violence, this story could almost be rated "G." But if Chip's "Danny" series is one you have enjoyed, you may find this story entertaining as well. My interest in Chip's "Danny" series has been mainly, "what are people thinking and feeling?" (Something Chip has preferred to leave to the reader's imagination.) This story delves into that question in just a little bit more detail. Of particular interest to me as well, is how some of these characters respond to situations and circumstance that could happen to anyone as well as how they react to extraordinary situations.

I've introduced my own characters in this story, among them, "Andy Jackson Partlowe," and, to some extent, this is HIS story... how he came to meet Billy, Danny and his friends and how he reacts to their phenomenal strength and abilities.

My thanks to the web master for his work in maintaining this site and for posting this story. I would like to express my special thanks to Chip Masterson and John D. for graciously sharing their characters with me and especially for their work and creativity in creating their stories. This story is dedicated in their honor.

Thanks a lot for sharing, Chip and John D...

Tags

Danny offered to run with Andy on his back from his house to the construction hall but Andy tartly refused. "We'll take my truck little man. I've had enough of THAT for this week!"

Danny laughed. "Well, I COULD carry you IN the truck."

"No, not that either. We'll just go `conventional' today if you don't mind."

On the way, Danny explained his idea to Andy.

"I don't know how I could use the genetic approach to make you and Scotty like Billy or me. So, actually, what I have in mind for now is sort of a `modified' genetic approach.

"I need your help, though, Andy. I want you to be my guinea pig. And I need you to skull this out with me. You can "link' with me and we can blow through this in a couple of hours. There's a couple of PC's at the construction hall in the lunch room. I want to lay this out. Then we'll need to fabricate some stuff. You're the engineer between the two of us. I never bothered too much with that kinda stuff. I guess I'm more of a theoretical' kinda guy. I want you to help me with implementation. You can data dump' all you know into my head. I can do the same for you and then we can bounce some design ideas off each other."

Here's the deal, Andy. A lot of the strength I get comes from the fact that I have more muscle filaments than normal. So my muscle is much denser than normal people's. And mine operates a lot more efficiently than normal Cole and Salas are similar but they have fewer muscle filaments then I do... But they both have a lot more than even the strongest normal guy. And, like mine, theirs work at higher efficiency than normal guys. It's not as simple as that. Our bones are harder and our muscle tie ins are different. I have more leverage with my muscles and a lot of other genetic advantages."

"The problem, coming at it from the genetic angle is how to get a normal guy to somehow produce more muscle fiber so their muscle gets denser. And how to change the tie ins. I don't think that could be done without surgery. Well, I have NO idea how to make that happen. I guess it's theoretically possible. It'd be easier on an embryo, I guess since you'd be starting from the ground up. But how to do that with a mature adult, I have no idea. At least not yet. But I think I do have a way to make what muscle fibers you have operate a LOT more efficiently. If I can set up the right regimen for you, I think you'd be at least as strong as Billy was when he first came here. You could lift Salas' patrol car at the very least. And I think I could get you and Scotty WAY beyond that. Probably not quite up to speed with Salas and Cole but maybe damn close."

"Couldn't you just SEE Scotty's face if you waltzed up to Salas' car and lifted it up off the floor?"

Andy replied, "SCOTTY! ...I'd be afraid BILLY would fall over dead! I damn near did when Billy did that last Tuesday!"

Danny laughed. "Mebbe we better have a recusation team standing by just in case. We'd pull this off on Scotty's birthday. And then we'd start him on the regimen right away. Our gift to him would be you showing him what's in store for him. Until then. It'll be our little secret, not only because I wanna surprise the shit out of him. But also, in case this doesn't work out like we're hoping. I sure as hell don't wanna get his hopes up only to be disappointed. I'm not gonna give up on the genetic approach, Andy. But this could be great in the interim. You'd both be real supermen then. Not that you aren't already with that `mind thing.' With what you can do, Andy, I know you could lay every swingin' dick one of us out on the floor! What I saw you do to that general was the first time I was ever intimidated by anyone in my whole frickin' life! I'm sure glad as hell you didn't come after me with that at the mall!"

"Well, Danny, what I did to Lassiter didn't come without a cost. I won't be tempted to try that again anytime soon. Like I said, as long as I was in his mind, I felt everything HE did. It was no pick nick for either of us, believe me."

Besides, Danny, you and I are buds. I'd never do anything like that to any of you guys."

Danny grinned. "Whew! That's nice to know!"

They arrived at the construction hall and went to work. Danny had Andy go through a workout, carefully noting his maxes. Then they sat down at the two computers in the lunchroom and with their minds `linked' began to hammer out the details of their plan. By six p.m., they had the basics fleshed out. Andy's contributions were a lot more than Danny had expected.

"Man, Andy, when you `plug into' my head. You stay right up with me! In fact, I found myself following YOUR lead half the time. You're really one smart dude!"

"Naw, Danny. I've been tested. I'm as average as they come that way. But when I `tap into' your head, I just gain access to your mental prowess. It would work for anybody that way."

"Yeah well, maybe. But you're the only one I know of on the planet who COULD `tap in.' And if what you said were strictly true. How come I didn't just come up with all your ideas by myself?"

"Well, gee, Danny, I never thought of that. Guess mebbe I AM a `genius' after all." They both laughed.

As they locked up and drove away and headed for the Henderson's, Danny said to Andy, "Dude, we're gonna wanna hang back at the shop after everyone else leaves, all this week, and try to get this the rest of this done. I wanna start you off as soon as possible. No later than next Friday. You're still gonna hafta challenge your muscles to make them grow. All this'll be giving you is potential.' You won't be all that different from any normal guy that way. As a matter of fact, neither am I. If I didn't use my muscle, it wouldn't grow. Your muscle will rise to meet the challenge. But only if you work it. And to complicate things, you'll hafta hold back' on your workouts with Scotty. You'll still be doing your workouts with him. But we don't wanna tip him off, or any of the other guys, about what's gonna be happening to you. I want you to start wearing really loose clothing after Friday. But, somehow, well need to get together in the evenings. Your growth in size and strength won't come quite as fast as Billy's. And I'm fairly sure you won't come near as far as he has. But by Scotty's birthday, you might well rival Salas or Cole in strength. I guess maybe not quite as strong because your a smaller man than either of them are, but, hey, Cole is stronger than Salas. But that's only because Cole is a lot bigger man that Salas."

Andy answered, "Well, from what I can tell, there shouldn't be any adverse side effects. I sure wouldn't wanna risk my `mind link' thing on this. But, unlike you, Salas and Cole, I'll hafta stay with the regimen for the rest of my life if I wanna keep my strength. If I stopped, eventually, I'd drop back to normal."

Danny responded, "Well, after awhile, I think it might just become permanent. I guess we could test your theory if you wanted to. But why WOULD you wanna go back to normal if you didn't have to?"

"Well, what if you eventually came up with a pure genetic approach but then it turned out that what we're doing now interfered with that?"

"Not likely, Andy. But if it did. We'd just take you off the regimen, let your body go back to normal and start you off on the genetic treatment from there. Even if the effects of the regimen remained permanent, by getting you off this stuff we're gonna be makin' for you and Scotty, your system would eventually clear itself of any trace. Then you should be good to go for whatever we came up with from a straight genetic angle. If I get anywhere near an answer on that since you'd be workin' with me, you'd know in plenty of time so when we were ready, you'd be good to go for that. And once we get this thing with you and Scotty on track I really want you stay with me on the genetic approach. I'm really lovin' workin' with you on this Andy. It's fantastic havin' you inside my head and letting me inside your head. Billy's right. It does feel good havin' you inside my head, Andy. REALLY GOOD!"

"Aw, thanks, Danny. That's really nice of you to say that."

"Well, I wouldn't say it unless I meant it, Andy. It's no wonder Billy's in so love with you. He's one lucky guy, Andy."

Andy nearly lost control of the truck. "What did you say?"

"Well, I think you heard me plain enough, Andy. I said Billy's in love with you."

"Danny! My God! Where in the HELL did you get an idea like THAT? It's nothing like that between Billy and me. I love the guy, but, Jesusmaryjoseph, not THAT way."

"Well, maybe YOU don't, Andy. But it's sure plain as day that Billy's off the deep end for you. He doesn't `love' you, dude. That boy's IN love with you. I can't believe you don't see that."

"No, no, NO, Danny... You've got it all WRONG! It's not like that between us. Nothing like that at ALL! We're like brothers. We're a not gay. My God, were not `queer' for each other. I can't believe you'd accuse us of a thing like that, Danny. What's wrong with you? That was a very cruel thing for you to say about Billy and me."

"Well, Andy. I didn't mean anything bad by what I said. I meant exactly the opposite. But if you think what I said was mean, even if I'm wrong about you two, which I'm NOT, it's YOU who's got the problem, not me. There's nothing wrong with being gay, Andy. Shit, I'm only thirteen and even I know that! C'mon, Andy, I'd never say anything to hurt your feelings... or Billy's. But I think you oughta at least consider facing your fears about all these lame social taboos and grab onto Billy with both hands. You'd be every bit as lucky to have him as he would be to have you. Love like that doesn't come along every day of the week. Salas, Cole and even Scotty would accept you guys, no matter what. And even if they didn't, if anyone said one wrong word to either of you, I'd kick his ass right smooth into next week for you."

"Don't even THINK that, Danny! I MEAN it! You better not EVER raise a hand to any of those guys, no matter WHAT they way... Got it? Now Danny, please tell me you were just sayin' that."

"No, Andy, I WASN'T `just sayin' that.' All you'd hafta do is say the word."

"Well, Danny, I wouldn't."

"Andy, I just hope you'll find a way to accept yourself... and Billy. I don't think either you or Billy would ever have a shot at real happiness if you don't. All I want for both of you is to be happy. And, Andy, don't count on Billy holdin' off on his end for very long. I've seen how he looks at you. We all have. Hell, Billy wears his heart on his sleeve and anybody who doesn't like it can go to hell as far as he's concerned. He's gonna confront you about this... soon! If I were you, I'd be thinkin' hard on what you're gonna say to Billy once he lays it all out for you. I gotta feelin' That'll be comin' up any day now. Hell, he busted' you in front of all of us with that mind thing' you've been hidin' from all these years. And, if I know Billy, he's not gonna let you get away with this either. The boy's liable to drop down on one knee and fuckin' propose to you or sumthin' right in front of all of us. I just hope to God you don't make the mistake of sayin' `no' to him!

"Danny, I would like very much for this conversation to be over. And I'd appreciate it if you never mentioned it to anyone else."

"Andy, the only promise I'll make on that score is never to say anything to hurt either you or Billy. But as for not mentioning this to Billy... Sorry, dude, I can't promise you that. I'm not sayin' I will. And I'm not sayin' I won't. I'm just sayin', when and if the time ever came, I'd do my darndest to say and do the right thing by you guys. But I won't just go away and mind my own business on this, Andy. I can't and I won't. I love both of you guys way too much for that."

"Are you trying to tell me that your gay, Danny?"

"What if I am, Andy? Would that make any difference to you?"

"Well, no, I guess not. Except that I'd sure feel sorry for you. You'd miss out on so much if you turned out that way. No wife, no kids, no real home... But it wouldn't mean I really felt any differently about you."

"Well, OK, Andy, that's good enough for me, for now. As far as no kids' or no home,' c'mon dude, this is the twenty-first century. You and Billy have got options that no one would've even dreamed of only a few years ago. As for me, the truth is, like I said, I'm only thirteen. I guess I don't honestly know WHERE I am on that. But I sure as hell wouldn't let some stupid moral 'hang-up' get in my way if I ever found a man... or woman, I loved as much as you and Billy obviously love each other."

"It's Scotty, isn't it, Danny. That's why you're doing this muscle growth project with me, isn't it."

"Andy, I don't honestly know exactly how I feel about Scotty. I really and truly don't know. But I'd be a damn fool to dismiss the possibility. I sure do love the dude, even though I know I treat him like shit a lotta the time. And even though he may not admit it, he loves me too. But, hey, we're a long way off from ever doing anything like that. I'm only thirteen, after all. But five years difference in our ages won't matter near as much down the line as it seems to today. And, when and if the time ever comes, I'd face the possibility head on. And I'd make damned sure Scotty does too. And, Andy, you're perfectly free to repeat every word I've just said to anybody you please. I'm not ashamed of anything I've said to you just now."

Andy pulled his truck over to the shoulder. He was warring mightily against his emotions. He stared straight ahead. His face was white as a sheet and beaded with sweat.

"Hey, Andy, are you OK, dude?"

"No, Danny, not really. Hey, I know it's illegal as hell, but I really need you to drive the rest of the way home. I think if you can handle flyin' the harrier, drivin' this little thing of mine outta be a piece of cake."

"OK, Andy. Let's switch out. I got it. Man, I'm really sorry if I upset you, dude. But I think you're gonna be glad I did this to you now. You're gonna hafta face this thing... Cuz it's only a matter of time before Billy comes to you about this and you really need to be ready when he does. I really hope you're not mad at me, Andy. But I'd rather that than just to sit back and say nothing to you about this. I really AM your friend... to you and Billy both. And a friend doesn't always tell you what you wanna hear. A REAL friend tells you what you NEED to hear. I learned that a LONG time ago from Scotty."

Danny got the truck back on the road. With his right hand, he reached over and took Andy's left and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Man, I hope you know I love you two guys. I'd never do anything to hurt either of you. I really need for you to know that, Andy."

"I do, Danny. I do. Thanks for lookin' out for us. And thanks for being our friend. I love you, too, buddy. And, thanks, Danny. I know I've got a lot to think about this evening... And ooohhh shit!"

"S'matter Andy?"

"Oh damn, I completely forgot! Billy was supposed to call me this afternoon. I bet I missed it. Damn! I guess I'll hafta call him as soon as I get home."

"Well, Andy, you may not even have as much time as we thought..."

"Oh, I'm not near ready for this now... I'll gage the phone conversation. I'll know if he's gonna want to get into anything really heavy. And if that's what it sounds like, I'll think of some way to gaffe him off for now. I know Billy well enough. I won't be able to hold him off for very long. In the meantime, it looks like I'm gonna hafta face this and make some tough choices... life decisions that I've never ever given any serious thought to until you `ambushed' me like you did back there."

"Well, Andy. I've already said all I know to say to you. Except this. Just do what's right. You stick to that and you and Billy will both come out OK. Just try and do what's right. That's all I ask. That's all Billy or anybody else could ask of you Andy... Just do what's right."

"Thanks, Danny. I'll try. I sure wish to hell I knew what IS right. That's what I'm gonna hafta wrestle with tonight. I gotta think about Billy, my mom, his mom, myself and just what the hell is right by all of us. I think you've helped me out just by talking to me and by listening to me, Danny. Frankly, I think this little talk in the car on the way back home has been more important, at least to me, than anything else we've done together today. Thanks a lot for spending the day with me, Danny. I'll remember this day we've had together for a long time."

"Yeah Andy. Me too... Me too."

They rode the rest of the way home in silence.

As Danny pulled up in front of his house, he asked Andy, "You OK to drive on home? If not, I'll drive you. You won't hafta worry about me, yah, know. I'd make it back home faster on my feet that I could in a car."

"Naw, Danny. I'll be fine. I got it. Thanks. Thanks again for today. And please tell your mom and dad I said `thanks' to them. G'nite, Danny."

"Nite, Andy. See yah tomorrow. Remember. You're hangin' back with me after everyone else leaves. OK?"

"OK, Danny. You got it."

Andy got back into the driver's seat and drove home.

He went straight to his answering machine as soon as he got inside his apartment. There was only one message in the cue and it was Billy.

Andy sighed and punched out Billy's mom's phone number.

Mrs. Hartlander answered. "Oh, hi Andy. Billy told me you'd be calling. He said he thought you'd be calling earlier. He's taking a shower right now but I was just hoping you might be able to come on over for supper with Billy and me tonight. Your mom's coming too. Nothing fancy. Just potluck. But I'd just like to see you and your mom and I know Billy wants to get together with you later."

"Well, gee, thanks, Mrs. Hartlander. Anything I can bring?"

"Just yourself, Andy. We'll see you when you get here. No need to rush. Just whenever you get here will be fine."

They rung off.

Andy breathed a sigh of relief. He thought, "Well, if Andy's mom and mine are gonna be there, not much chance he's gonna try saying anything tonight."

Andy was mildly surprised to find his heart rate elevated.

He sat down on the sofa to catch his breath. After a minute or two, he got back on his feet and ambled into the bed room. He pulled off his clothes and hung them neatly in his locker. Pulled out some fresh wash and wear slacks, a T-shirt, fresh skivvies and a knit pullover and lay them on the bed. Then he took a quick shower before dressing to go over to the Hartlanders'. He was out the door less than thirty minutes after he'd walked in.

Andy stood before the Hartlander's front door for a full minute before he could bring himself to knock. He almost chickened out and left. He'd considered calling back to Mrs. Hartlander from home and begging off, claiming he'd started to feel a little under the weather. But, he couldn't dismiss the possibility that he might find Billy knocking at his front door in under three minutes. Billy'd already proven he could run over there that fast. This whole thing was making him think like an idiot. Andy knocked on the door.

Billy answered and as soon as he clapped eyes on Andy, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Andy! C'mon in, bro. Mom's just about got dinner ready. Where've you been, dude. I thought you were gonna call me earlier this afternoon."

"I'm really sorry, Andy. I got tied up with Danny and we both just lost track of the time."

"Aw that's OK, buddy. Did you and Danny have a good day? How was church and lunch with the Hendersons?"

"It was good, Andy. Very nice. Billy wrote a song his pastor had been after him to perform for the congregation. He'd been holding out for someone to go up and sing it as a duet. He made me `audition' for him in the car on the way home Saturday night and I guess I made the cut. He and I went up front right before the end of the service. Before it was all over, Danny and I were improvising stuff and the whole congregation joined in on the choruses. And, of course, I had a nice visit with Mr. and Mrs. Henderson at lunch. Then Danny and I just spent the afternoon together. It's really the first time I've had a chance to spend any time with him... just the two of us. All in all, it was a nice day. So, how was your day?"

"Well, Andy, I know this much. Like I told Salas this morning, I'll never ever let you outta my site again for more than five minutes at a time. It was a really rough ride for all of us, your mom, my mom and me. I guess I don't hafta tell you, it breaks my heart I wasn't there at the mall for you."

"Well, Billy, I won't lie. I was wishin' the whole damned time you were there. But, in hindsight, I think everything turned out OK. If you'd have told me at the time, when all that 'hullabloo' went down at the mall, that in just a few short weeks, I'd be goin' to church with Danny and his folks and spending whole afternoon with him just hangin' out, I'd have said `you're crazy!'"

"Andy, after we get done with supper and spend a little time visiting with the moms, can we go over to your place for awhile? I wanna talk to you about something."

"Oh? Seems like it's something fairly heavy the way you're sounding."

"It is, bro. It REALLY is. I just got something I've been wantin' to talk to you about since I got home. And with all this stuff with the guys I just never got much time with you alone. I was gonna do this the other night when I came over to your place, but, to be honest, I lost my nerve."

"Well, Bro. I think I have a pretty good idea where yer gonna be goin' with this. And, frankly, I'm not ready... at least not tonight. Please, Billy. You've gotta give me about twenty-four hours. I wouldn't ask you if I didn't really NEED the time to sort things out in my own head."

"You know, don'tcha, Andy."

"Yeah I do, Billy. And this is way too important to both of us for me to get it wrong."

"OK, Andy. I'll wait for you. I'd wait for you for ever, yah know."

Billy's words pulled at Andy's heartstrings. His emotions ambushed him as tears began to form at the inside corners of his eyes. Damn! He didn't want to fall apart right then. Not with Mrs. Hartlander right in the next room. Without looking at Billy he said, "I don't need for ever, Billy. Just until tomorrow night. Thanks for waiting. Like I said, I wouldn't ask if I didn't really need the time to get off by myself and think."

In a soft, very gentle voice, Billy said, "OK, lil' bro. C'mon. Let's go on into the kitchen so you can say `hi' to mom." She's been lookin' forward to this evening all afternoon." Billy placed his right arm over Andy's back and guided him into the Kitchen where Mrs. Hartlander was just finishing her supper preparations.

"Mrs. Hartlander smiled but then she just lost it. She hugged Andy and wept. "Andy, you never told your mom or me or Billy anything about what happened at the mall. Oh God, Andy, we didn't know..."

"Billy, added, I'm already cried out, dude. If you'd have let me know, I'd have come home from Annapolis on the next plane. You're supposed to let your family know when stuff like this happens, Andy. Your mom, my mom and me... None of us even knew they'd put you in the hospital... If it weren't for Salas doing it for you... when were you planning on telling us about what happened to you... and all you did with Danny at the mall?"

Andy answered, "I'm thinking... Never... hey, it's over now... Ancient history... I'm sorry. I'm sure those vids of Salas' hadda lotta shock value' to em. But, hey, it's all over now. I've put it behind me and so has Danny. I want you guys to put it behind you, too. Besides a lotta good came from it. Billy, you and I met Danny, Salas, Cole and Scotty. None of that would've ever happened. Nothing that happened all last week would've happened if it weren't for what went down between Danny and me back at the mall."

Billy said, "Salas said you hit him when he was with you in your hospital room you were so mad afterward..."

Andy interrupted, "For which I've apologized. Besides, I hurt myself a lot worse that I did him. He and I have put that behind us, too. That whole nightmare is all over and done with. Hell, I spent all day with Danny today. Between us, it's just like that whole thing never happened. Besides, when push came to shove right at the end, as I'm sure you saw, that boy saved my life! Now I just wanna forget about it. I guess it's good all of you know. But that's as far as it goes. It's all over with now as far as I'm concerned. Please, let's not spend the evening reliving that nightmare. Once was enough, at least for me."

Mrs. Hartlander said, "Well, Andy, it was a very near thing... Before we saw the tapes, we just didn't have any idea what was in store for us."

"Yes ma'am. It was a VERY near thing. For Danny and me both. There were a lotta guardian angels workin' overtime at the mall that day. I never really took it seriously before, but Danny made a real BELIEVER outta me. Scotty and Salas brought me home from the hospital. After they left, I locked myself in my room, got down on my face and repented of every bad or mean thing I've ever done. I came away from that with some peace in my soul. And I wasn't sure I'd ever have that again. But I'm fine now, really. I'm sorry you guys hadda see that. I guess it's good that you did. But, really, it is all over now and I'm OK."

Mrs. Hartlander said, "Well, Andy, your mom's on her way over here. She'll be here any minute. When she gets here, she's probably gonna be just like we were. Please be patient with her and let her cry it out if she needs to. All she wants is just to be there for you, Andy. She's hurt that you never told her anything. She's your mother after all. And so am I. And Billy is like your blood. You had no right to shut any of us out like that. And don't tell me you didn't want us to worry. That's part of life. You're SUPPOSED to share your `hurts' ...and your 'triumphs' ...with the people who love you. How would you feel if something like that happened to any of us and we didn't tell you?"

"Well, I'm sorry, Mrs. Hartlander. I just didn't want any of you to get all upset over something that is already over and done with."

Mrs. Partlowe knocked on the door. Andy sighed. "That'll be mom, I'm sure. You guys wait in here. Lemme answer it."

As soon as he opened the door for her, Andy's mom reacted with the same `hug and weep' as Mrs. Hartlander had a few minutes earlier. Andy endured it with as much grace as he could muster. When she had settled down, Andy led her into the kitchen where they joined Billy and Mrs. Hartlander.

They sat down around the table in Mrs. Hartlander's little dining area and shared that pot luck supper and then everybody helped clear off the table and went into the kitchen to wash the dishes. It was all very informal, like a typical family gathering. Then they went back to the table and played a couple of hands of canasta. At about ten thirty, Billy and Andy excused themselves, kissed the two mom's goodnight and left. Billy drove them over to his apartment. They went inside and Andy went straight to the kitchen and got himself and Billy each a Budweiser.

"Sorry dude. I'm outta Corona. This is all I got."

"S'OK, Andy. Bud's just fine. Come on over here and sit down. We gotta talk."

"Aw, Billy. Like I said, I think I know where this is goin'. I agree, we need to talk. But, man, I ain't near ready to face this tonight."

"Andy, just let ME do the talking. You don't hafta say anything. But please let me get this off my chest. If I don't, I'm afraid I'm gonna explode. I damned near told you this the other night when I came over but I guess I kinda chickened out. I'm not gonna let that happen again."

Andy responded, "Oh, all right. But, Billy, lemme see if I can help you out... You came over here to tell me that you love me... that you're IN love with me and that you want us to spend the rest of our lives together in some kinda `couple' thing."

Billy heaved a sigh. "Oh man, I'm sittin' here shakin' like a LEAF! Yeah that's about the size of it. How long have you known?"

"This afternoon. Danny told me on the way home in the car."

"Danny??? I've never said a word to him or any of the guys!!!"

"...No, you didn't have to. Danny says it's obvious to all of them. Not that they've talked about it. They just know. Danny says it's all over our faces how we look at each other all the time. It's just obvious as all get out to them that you and I are kinda love sick for each other."

"Well, Andy, now what do we do?"

"Well, I'm certainly not gonna say no' to you. But the reason I wasn't really ready to talk to you yet is because I haven't quite figured out how I'm gonna say yes.' This is decision time, Billy. We've gotta face the fact that nobody gets everything they want. You know me. I always figured we'd wind up next door neighbors one day... Both of us married and each of us with a house full of kids. I've always dreamed of that. We'd be like second dads to each other's kids and our wives would be like your mom and mine, second mothers to each other's broods. I had that whole `white picket fence' scenario all figured out. If you and I go forward with this, that'll never happen. And in a way, I think it's kind of sad. I think we'd have both made wonderful husbands and fathers. I can't just turn my back on that dream without at least reminding us both what we'd be giving up. Not to mention, whadda yah think this'll do to our moms?"

"Well, Andy, I talked to mom this afternoon. I told her everything. And ya know, she just came over and sat down beside me and gave me a great big hug. She and your mom have known about us for years. She said they were just surprised we took this long to figure it out for ourselves. I guess looking back on it, mom's been dropping hints about us for ages... Tryin' to let me know it's OK. Mom really does love you, Andy. She fell in love with you the first time she ever laid eyes on you. She's ALWAYS told me you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. She really couldn't be happier for both of us. And, Andy, your mom feels exactly the same way about us. They have for a very long time."

"Well, at least that's outta the way. I guess we both hit the jackpot with our moms. Really, I'm more surprised about my mom than I am by Mrs. Hartlander. Mom is just so old fashioned in most ways. Your mom has always been a little more `with it' on so many things. But they really are two very special gals."

"Well, your mom loves you, Andy. There's nothing you could do to change that. And all she wants is for you... for both us... is for us to be happy."

"Then there's still the practical side, Billy. Ya know, I never once thought about makin' it' with a dude. All I ever thought about on that score was women. And that's God's honest truth. I don't really know if I could handle it with a man. I mean, anybody, man or woman can see you are a very attractive guy. But I never once thought about wanting to make it' with you because of that. Not once! It was your soul and your mind that I fell in love with, Billy. From the first day I met you."

"You mean when I cracked your rib for you? Yah know, I still choke up about that sometimes when I'm alone. I don't guess I'll never completely forgive myself for that."

"Well, Billy, I sure wish to God you would! Cuz Lord knows you apologized for it enough. I know you never meant to really hurt me. And, shit, we were both so young... and you didn't know your own strength. You were just getting stronger so fast! You don't have it in you to intentionally hurt anybody. And when you pulled me up off the floor and I saw your face... I felt so bad for you. I wished right then that I'd just gone ahead and backed down and given you my lunch. I felt worse than if I'd just dropped kicked a little puppy. You just looked so... WOUNDED! And that's when it happened, Billy. That's when you stole my heart. I guess I've belonged to you ever since.. And while we're on that topic, I've got some unfinished business with you. I want you to forgive me, Billy... Forgive me for NOT backing down from you when I could've so easily let you get outta that corner you'd painted yourself into. But I was just too frickin' proud."

"Andy, there's nuthin' for me to forgive. That whole thing was my fault. I started it and you gave me just what I deserved. Without even tryin' you showed me up to the whole damned school for the no account meat head bully I was. I saw what I looked like to you and to all those other kids and it made me wanna vomit."

"I shoulda backed down, Billy. And, besides, it was me who took the first punch at you. Remember? Once you picked me up off the floor, I saw what you're made of... I saw you for who you really are. All that bad ass, macho shit just sloughed off of you. You are a strong, gentle MAN. I knew right then I wanted you as my friend. And I wanted to be like you. I've looked up to you and I've wanted to be like you from that day to this. All the time I ask myself, how would Billy handle this?' or `how would Billy do that?' I was every bit as responsible for my cracked rib that day as you were. And now I want you to forgive me for what I made you do. And, Billy, I want you to MEAN it."

"OK, Andy, if it makes you feel better, I forgive you. And I love you."

"Well, Billy, there is still that `practical' order of business. Like I said, it's your head... your mind and your soul. I never once thought anything about physical intimacy with you. I don't know how I'm gonna handle that. I guess it's possible. They say prisoners and sailors adapt to having sex with men when there's no women around. So I guess it's theoretically possible for me too. But it's gonna take some doin' and it's gonna take some time."

"Well, Andy, I don't want you to do this for me. I don't want us to do anything at all until you're ready. And that won't be till you're not doing it for me or for you, but for us.' I don't want to have sex' with you, Andy. I want us to join together with our bodies the way we already have with our minds. I will NEVER have just sex' with you, Andy. Oh God, I want us to make LOVE to each other. I want to be intimate with you in every way possible. I don't wanna be just Billy.' And I don't want you to be just Andy.' I don't want us to be separate people.' I want it to be as if we were one. But until you're up to that, I'll never settle for `second best.' And, Andy, I'll wait for that day even if it takes us rest of our lives."

Andy turned to face Billy and embraced him. They didn't kiss. Neither man was quite ready for that yet. They just held each other in one another's arms. Finally, Billy did venture a little bus on Andy's left cheek. He stood, pulling Andy up with him.

Billy said to Andy, "Let's call over to mom's house and see if your mom is still there. I really think we outta tell `em tonight."

Andy dialed Billy's mom's number and she answered on the second ring.

"Mrs. Hartlander, is mom still there with you?"

"Yes, Andy, she is. She was just leaving. I'll put her on for you."

"No, Mrs. Hartlander. Don't. Just tell her not to leave. Billy and I are coming back there right now and we need to talk to both of you."

"Well, OK, Andy. We'll be right here. I guess I'll put a pot of coffee on for us."

"Yes ma'am. Thanks. I think that's a very good idea."

Andy turned to Billy and said, "You're mom's put'n the coffee on right now."

They were back at Andy's mom's in less than ten minutes. Andy was normally a very cautious and conservative driver, but tonight, he pushed his little pickup as hard as he could.

"Billy laughed. Dude, if you'd wanted to get over to mom's this fast, I coulda carried you on my back in less than half the time."

"Naw, Billy, this is just fine. I still gotta get back home tonight."

"Well, Andy, not to sound pushy or anything, but I was kinda hopin' you'd say `WE gotta get back home tonight.'"

Andy slapped his forehead. "Duh... Yeah, I meant `we.'"

Billy grabbed the back of Andy's neck, gently bent him over a little and gave him a `love noogie.'"

Mrs. Hartlander and Mrs. Partlowe were waiting at the table. They already had the coffee set out. Mrs. Hartlander spoke for both of them. "Well, we think we know what you've come to tell us. And it's about time, you two."

Mrs. Partlowe added, "We're both so happy for you."

Billy tried to look shocked but didn't bring it off very well. Then he laughed. "Well, gee, you guys sure stole OUR thunder!"

Andy bent over and hugged his mom and then Mrs. Hartlander. "Thanks to both of you. You're the best moms in the world. I mean that. You two taught us what love is all about."

They sat around the table and talked. Without going into any lurid detail, Billy and Andy were very frank with their moms that they'd both be working on some `issues' between them. All in all, it was a good evening... A fantastic evening. One they'd all carry in their hearts as a happy memory for the rest of their lives.

Billy finally suggested that they break up their little gathering. "Hey, guys, it's way past everybody's bedtime... Even mine! Mom, I think I'll bunk over at Andy's tonight if that's OK. Mrs. Partlowe, thank you very much for the way you've raised your son. And I promise, I'll never make you sorry that he's with me."

"I know that, Billy."

Then she turned to Andy and said, "And, young man, I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain with Billy... and Emily."

Andy smiled. "Uh, yes ma'am. I sure will."

The boys hugged the moms and were out the door.

When they got back to Andy's they went inside, stripped to their shorts and hopped into Andy's bed. Very uncharacteristically, Andy had left his clothing on the floor where he'd dropped them. The two young men quickly fell asleep in each other's arms.

MONDAY (The Second)

Andy and Billy were up early next morning. They pulled on the clothes they'd worn the night before and Andy hammered together a big breakfast for Billy and himself. He and Billy also forced down the diet supplements Salas had given to Andy.

As they rode toward the shop, they didn't say much. Billy reached over to take Andy's right hand in his left and gently held onto it.

Andy turned into the deserted road leading to the construction hall. After he'd driven about a mile and a half, directly ahead, the road exploded right in front of the little truck. The blast left a giant crater in the asphalt, about twelve feet across and six feet deep. Andy's truck nosed down into the gaping hole with a crash. Fast as lightening, Billy dove across the front seat onto Andy, shielding him from the impact with his nearly indestructible body.

The truck had come to rest in the hole, canted nose down at a forty-five degree angle, steam jetting out of the radiator. The front end of the truck was badly crumpled. But the two boys were unharmed.

Billy tried to open his door but it was pinned against the side of the crater. He started to shinny out his open window and ordered Andy to follow, but before he could comply, Andy's body jerked. He'd been hit on the left side of his neck with a dart syringe. He passed out almost immediately. Billy dropped back into the truck, reached over to pull the syringe out of Andy's neck but it was too late. The drug had already done it's work. Andy was completely unconscious. At that moment, a group of black clad goons surrounded the truck with their weapons trained on Andy's unconscious body.

The leader spoke to Billy. "Get out of the truck and keep your hands were we can see `em. You make one wrong move and your friend is a dead man. You may be fast as greased lightening, but you'll never get to all of us in time."

Billy complied. He shinnied out of the truck climbed out of the hole and stood to his feet at the edge of the crater.

"OK, keep your hands high where we can see em."

"What about my friend?"

"Oh, you mean your BOY friend?' We're gonna take very good care of him. We want him. Not you. General Lassiter has some unfinished business with him. He's not dead. But we did hafta put im to sleep. We can't have him tryin' any of his witchcraft' on our minds, now can we? Now we're just gonna take im along with us. If you try to follow, we won't do anything to jeopardize our insurance.' We might start taking off his fingers one at a time, but we'll keep him alive. But as for your mother, and his, well, we've taken out a little EXTRA insurance.' You'll never find `em so don't even THINK of trying. If you ever want to see either of those two bitches again, you'd better not try to follow us."

As the leader was speaking to Billy, two of his comrades were pulling Andy's unconscious body out of the truck. They loaded Andy into a panel van that had just pulled up alongside the bomb crater.

Billy eyed the leader and said. "If any harm comes to Andy or our mothers, you won't believe what I will do to you. I'm not a violent man by nature. But I promise you, mister, I will find you and kill you, very slowly."

"Not a violent man' by nature? Why you're NO kind of man' at all! Before we detonated that charge in the road, I was tracking you with my field glasses. I saw you holdin' hands in the truck with your little fairy friend. But thanks for the warning, faggot. I'll try to keep that in mind. You just better remember what I said. Very soon it won't matter at all what you and those other queer muscle boy freak friends of yours try to do."

The leader turned to the rest of the men in his little 'detachment' and said, "Awright, let's mount up."

He turned back to Billy and tapped his brow with his right index finger in a little `semi-salute' and said, "Remember what I told you about following us. If you try, your mother dies."

The man nodded to Billy, turned on his heal and climbed into the front passenger seat of the van and closed the door. Then the van drove away.

Billy remained riveted to the spot where he stood until the van disappeared from view. He wanted desperately to follow but was terrified for his and Andy's moms. He'd never forgive himself if he were to do anything to place them in danger. He'd never forgive himself if he did nothing to rescue the love of his life. He was torn with anguish by this `hobbson's choice.'

With no other readily apparent alternative, he turned and ran as fast as he could to the construction hall.

Salas, Cole, Danny and Scotty were outside the hall, standing at the entrance when Billy ran up.

"What happened?" Salas, asked Billy.

"It's Lassiters' men again. They set off a shaped charge in the middle of the road right in front of us and it was just too late. Andy drove right into it. They shot Andy with a dart syringe and it put him right to sleep. The guy in charge said they've got our moms. They said they'd kill em if I tried to follow. They say they're gonna hold onto Andy and our moms for insurance.' No doubt, after what Andy did to General Lassiter last week, they're gonna keep him under sedation."

Salas was livid! "Goddamn! That bastard just doesn't know when to fuckin' quit. No doubt all we accomplished with our little `courtesy call' last week was to push Lassiter's timetable up. That whole godddamned thing is probably goin' down right now. If not it will be within a matter of hours.

Danny moved alongside Billy and put his arm around his waist. "Billy, we're gonna find Andy and your moms. I promise you that. And when we do, that motherfucker Lassiter's gonna curse his mother for the day he was born."

Salas said, "Guys, I guess we'd better get outta here. Billy, we've got an old abandoned air base east of here where Danny, Cole and I get together sometimes. We're not gonna fool around with my car, we'll all just run there. Danny take Scotty on your back and lets move out, right now."

In another second, the construction yard was empty except for Salas' police cruiser which stood forlornly, abandoned in front of the building.

As soon as they arrived at the abandoned air base, Salas pulled out his cell phone and dialed his headquarters. He spoke briefly into the phone and then shut it off.

"I've got some patrolmen on the way to your moms', Billy. Maybe we'll get lucky and find some leads on where they may have been taken. They'll have some crime scene investigators go over both your moms' places with a fine tooth comb. There's a good chance they'll come up with something before the day is out.

Billy spoke up. "Salas, maybe you might think this is uncool,' but I think I may know someone who can help us. He was one of my instructors back at the Naval Academy. His name is Vince Provenzano... a Commander aviator type. Commander Provenzano is really good people.' And his father-in-law is Admiral George Tucker, the Academy superintendent Commander P. wangled me a dinner invitation to the Admiral's quarters one evening and he and I hit it off fairly well. Those navy and marine corps flag and general officers are a fairly tight knit little bunch. The Admiral might have some kind of an idea where Lassiter's taken Andy and or moms. Or if not, he might be able to `nose around' some and find out for us."

"Well, if this Admiral does know, maybe he's in on this thing with Lassiter. We'd be walking right into the `lion's den' if we went to him with this. And then your moms would be toast."

"Salas, I seriously doubt Admiral Tucker would be involved with General Lassiter in anything like that. The Admiral is nothing like Lassiter. His mother- in-law is a holocaust survivor. She was at Dachau. I met her. She is a valiant lady and the Admiral idolizes her. She's one of the reasons Admiral Tucker first joined the navy. He's no career hack.' He's pledged his life to defending what this country REALLY stands for. And even though he's tough as nails, he's gotta heart as big as a house. He's one of the good guys. I know he is. And I'd trust Commander P. with my life. Please, Salas. We can't fight this battle on our own. Besides, we gotta warn those guys what's about to go down. The country is wide open to Lassiter and his goons right now. But I'll just bet Admiral Tucker can get to the bottom of Lassiter's and his cronies' little game quicker than anybody. And, remember, we've still got the goods on that bastard with his two CPU's and those disks and files."

Salas looked at Cole and Danny...

They both shook their heads. Cole said, "We got nuthin'. I say we go with Billy's idea."

"OK, Billy. Lets you and me saddle up.' We'll run on over to El Toro and check out the jet. I'll call a friend and tell him to meet us there with Lassiter's stuff. We're gonna fly to Annapolis and see this Commander friend of yours. When we get to El Toro, I want you to call him from there and get him to set us up to meet with the Admiral. Cole, I want you to muster our friends from LAPD and Orange county out here. I gotta feelin' we're gonna need all the reinforcements we can get. And, Danny, you take Scotty and go fetch your parents and Scotty's. I hate to dislocate their lives all over again for the second time in less than a week, but lets not loose any more family to Lassiter than we need to. Bring em back here and we'll make `em as comfortable as we can. All right, guys, lets move like we gotta purpose!"

Danny and Scotty were back at their base with the ``rents' in less than forty-five minutes. Cole returned shortly after with a van load of reinforcements from LAPD and Orange County. They set up a defensive perimeter around one of the abandoned hangars that they had appropriated as their command post and sat tight.

Salas and Billy were in the air on their way to Annapolis, Maryland. Salas' friend had been waiting at the flight line with Lassiter's CPU's, disks and files. They'd loaded their evidence into an under wing "blivet" on the harrier and took off. They would rendezvous four times with Air Force KC-10 mid air refueling tankers en route. The first rendezvous was over Tempe, Arizona. It went off without a hitch. They rendezvoused and refueled three more times, over Oklahoma City, Memphis and Bowling Green, Kentucky.

They landed at Annapolis late in the afternoon. Commander Provenzano was waiting for them at the airfield.

"Hartlander, great to have you back, son."

Billy introduced the Commander and Salas to each other.

"Commander P., Salas and I have some material we brought with us. You need to see this stuff. and then we need to see the Admiral as soon as possible."

"Well, let's skip the prelims, son. If you say the Admiral needs to see this, I'll take you straight to his quarters and we'll go over all this stuff together. What's this all about?"

Salas, spoke. "Commander, we've tangled with this guy General Lassiter before. He's one Nazi sonofabitch. We had our last little `run in' with him last Wednesday. We've got the goods on that bastard. He and some of his buds are about to launch a goddamn civil war. They're gonna try to take over the country... A full-blown military coup d'etat. It sounds crazy, I know. But Lassiter IS crazy."

Commander Provenzano led them to his SUV. They loaded their `loot' from Lassiter's office into the back and drove straight to the Admiral's home.

"Well, Salas, I know the General by reputation. He's known as a twenty-four karat gold asshole. But I just can't believe he'd do anything like this."

"Well, Commander, you'd better believe it. We're no more than hours away, if that, from a full blown civil war in this country if we don't find a way to stop Lassiter and his gang. He's got generals, admirals and colonels scattered throughout all of the services in on his conspiracy. They're probably on the move right now, getting into position. Our little visit to his office last week has obviously pushed up his timetable. Some of his goons ambushed Billy and a friend of his while they were on their way to meet up with us this morning. They've taken Billy's friend and both their mothers as hostages."

Commander Provenzano responded, "Shit!"

They arrived at the Admiral's quarters, and imposing, formal looking red brick Georgian house situated on the Academy campus. It had a view overlooking the Severn River. The lawn and hedges were impeccably manicured. Commander Provenzano drove his SUV into the circle drive way and parked opposite the front door. As they got out and started to remove their material from the back of the Commander's vehicle, Admiral Tucker, dressed in civilian clothes, came out and, in his gravelly voice, offered to bear a hand.

The Admiral, the quintessential naval aviator, cut an imposing figure, even in mufti. He was in superb physical condition... tall and lean with a full head of white hair. Even as an older man, he was strikingly handsome.

"Commander Provenzano said, thank you sir. We have it under control Lets just go inside and get this stuff set up. These gentlemen have some VERY bad news for us. We need to get this all lain out for you and then you can decide where to take it from there."

In less than an half hour, Admiral Tucker had the `big picture.'

"Hartlander, I can't tell you how sorry I am that this has happened. I give you my word, son. We'll get your friend and your mothers back. And I promise you, boy, I'm going to personally present you with Lassiter's balls for you to wear as a bow tie. Vince, I'm going to make some phone calls, starting with the Secretary. He'll probably want to meet with these guys. I know we don't have a lot of time so I'm gonna try to get him to expedite this thing through the chain of command. The President needs to know about this ASAP. Meanwhile, take these men out into the galley and get `em fixed up with some rations. I'll be along to join you in a few minutes once I get done with these phone calls."

In less than fifteen minutes, the Admiral strode into the kitchen and sat down alongside Salas and spoke to the men. "Guys, did y'all get enough to eat?"

"Yes, sir, Salas replied. Thank you."

Admiral smiled, "Well, did you leave any for me?"

"Yes sir, this was quite a spread. Your mess steward whipped it up for us in no time."

As the Admiral took a sandwich and started on it, between mouth fulls he brought the group up to speed. "There's a UH-3 helo on it's way here right now. It'll fly us directly to the Pentagon where we'll meet with SECNAV and SECDEF. We'll bring all your material on Lassiter along. And then we'll adjourn to the Whitehouse. The President has ordered a meeting of the Joint Chiefs and the National Security Council in the Whitehouse situation room. You guys will make your pitch there. Things are moving very fast, gentleman. We're gonna nip this shit in the bud before that bastard Lassiter 'assassinates' our republic.

The Admiral stood up and moved to the stool where Billy sat. The young man started to stand but Admiral Tucker placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, indicating that he should remain seated. "Billy, I'm gonna say it again. I give you my personal guarantee. This is gonna work out OK. The President is in the loop now and we'll get this mess straightened out with Lassiter. I can't tell you not to worry. But I CAN tell you to trust me. I won't let you down."

"Sir, yes, SIR. Thank you for everything, Admiral."

"There'll be plenty of time for thanks' when this over. And there'll be enough thanks' owed to everyone in this. I think what you guys have done so far might just have averted a civil war."

Ten minutes later, the Navy liaison helo set down on the Admiral's lawn and they all boarded for the flight to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac from Washington. The engine noise and the protective cranial headgear worn by the passengers precluded any meaningful conversation along they way. The helo landed on the lawn outside the Pentagon. The company of men deplaned and were escorted by an Army Colonel directly to the Offices of the Secretary of Defense, followed by a handful of navy enlisted ratings bearing the materials from Lassiter's office. He and the Secretary of the Navy were waiting in the reception area.

The men were led to a conference room and as Salas and Billy set up their `dog and pony show' as the Admiral spoke.

"Mr. Secretary, what these men are about to show you is proof positive of what General Lassiter and his coconspirators have been up to..."

The Secretary of the Navy cut him off... "Admiral, I want our staff and Intel. guys to go over your material, but it's already started. Air force transport aircraft have landed at LAX, JFK, O'Hare, Boston Logan and Atlanta Hartsfield. A few minutes ago, more were inbound for DFW and Houston Intercontinental. They may have already landed by now. Those birds are loaded to the gills with troops under command of Lassiter and his buddies. Those cities will be in Lassiter's hands in less than an hour and, at this point, there's nothing we can do to stop them. We've closed Dulles and Reagan Airports and there's a combat air patrol orbiting over Andrews now with orders to shoot down any transport aircraft that tries to land there without authorization. There is no need now for you to brief the President personally. He and the Joint Chiefs and National Security Council are in Session right now in the Whitehouse situation room. We'll be leaving to join them in a few minutes. You men have done an incalculable service to the nation by warning us. If we hadn't gotten this heads up from you gentlemen as soon as we did, we'd still have our thumbs up our asses and Lassiter might well have brought this off. We'll have our hands full with that sonofabitch, but, now, the final outcome is a foregone conclusion. It may take us a few days, but we'll get that bastard. They had to move up their time table so their execution has been just a little sloppy. We'll be able exploit that."

Admiral Tucker spoke. "Well, sir, if that's all, we'd like to get out of here and take care of things on our end. Lassiter's taken this young man's friend..." He pointed to Billy. "...and their mothers as hostages. I'd like to get on the case and try to help them find out where they've been taken. And I'd like to personally fly out to the west coast to join these men in their search for their loved ones."

"Well, a lot of LA is already under Lassiter's thumb, or soon will be, but El Toro is secure. We've just landed reinforcements there so it's relatively safe. But make sure you don't get jumped by any of Lassiter's `air force' on the way in. Right now, we really have very little idea of his strength in the air."

"Yes sir, we'll keep our eyes open."

The Admiral led the men out of the Secretary's office and back to their waiting helo. He ordered the pilot to fly them directly to the Naval Air Facility at Andrews Air force Base. They'd received a special Pentagon clearance to land there. Over the engine noise, the Admiral yelled to Provenzano, Salas and Billy. "We've got two F-14's standing by for us at Andrews. Vince and I will fly you back home. Salas, I'll arrange to have your super harrier flown back out west once we get this situation under control. But the F-14's are faster and I think the sooner we get you guys back there, the sooner we can go to work on getting your people back."

Salas replied, "Thank you, sir. Thanks for the ride and thanks for standin' up to the line for us. We'll take all the help we can get."

To be continued...

Comments welcome. TagsNOLA@lycos.com