“How do you do it, Dad?” Jean looked lost, which set off a no nonsense mode within Nick better left away from the public.
Nick knelt down. “Look, honey, those assholes can’t hurt us. You already know me and Gus will deal with the ones who can. Use this as a wakeup call, little one. This is why making jokes about being Jean the Assassin freaks your Mom out.”
Jean pushed back and met Nick’s anxious stare with her own. “I don’t want to be the one cringing behind locked doors, waiting for death. I want to be out front with weapons! I want to do what you do, Dad! We saw you! You were awesome… even when you let that woman attack you! You taught me how not to be scared. I won’t just forget!”
Nick didn’t bother searching for help or looking for input. His mouth fixed into a grim line of resignation both Gus and Rachel saw. He remained where he was on one knee in front of Jean. “No more lies, and no more pretend. Your Mom will likely dump me, but I don’t know how to handle you otherwise, Danger. I had only a little change left in me. I’m in. You’re right. This damn world is screwy. I don’t want you taking shit all your life from idiots like that reporter, or murderers. If you were with anyone else, you’d grow up to be a nice girl. You’re with me… unless of course your Mom dumps me. I will train you, and I will train your brother. My mind’s made up… now please protect me, because I feel the eyes of the dragon burrowing into my soul from your Mom.”
Jean hugged him with all her might. “No more secrets, Dad. Thank you. If Mom tries to dump you, I’ll dump her.”
The gasp of outrage did not end the hug or its implications.
“Fine,” Rachel said. “It’s no worse than you making us go with you out to learn how to shoot the sniper rifle when we were being hunted. I have to adapt if we’re all to stay together. I see that now. I thought for a little while there we could fade into a normal existence. I see now that ain’t happenin’.”
Rachel took Nick’s hand. “C’mon Terminator. Let’s patch your boo-boos on the balcony. I bet you’d like a little pain killer to go along with it too.”
Nick made as if he were beginning to cry, rubbing one eye with knotted fist while Gus and Jean enjoyed the show. “Only you understand me.”
Rachel yanked Nick toward the stair. “You get the booze, Gus. I’ll get the med kit. I’ll have some wine too, and get Jean the Assassin whatever she’s drinkin’.”
“By your command,” Gus replied, heading into the kitchen with Jean as his assistant.
*
Together on the balcony under much more placid circumstances, Nick sipped and smiled his pleasure at his good fortune. The underlying determination to do anything on earth to preserve the moments like his present balcony scene also showed on his face, recognizable to his three companions.
“I don’t like that smile, Terminator,” Rachel stated. “Lay it on us. You’ve made your declaration of intent to train us, so you’ve cast off any notions of a pretend persona. I agree with you. There’s no going back. We are what we are. Please don’t tell me we have to do another cross country drive of death.”
When everyone finished a laughing appreciation of Rachel’s plea, Nick made calming gestures after downing a bit more of his elixir. “Let’s not make this into Nick is to blame night. Let’s put the blame for all of this on the person so richly deserving of it. Want to say a few words of acknowledgement, Danger?”
Jean burped. She waited until laughter died down after her nonverbal answer.
“Guilty as charged,” Nick added. “My head wound will need a few extra days to heal past the time allotted thanks to my pissed off friend, Sandy. That unfortunately sets back our road trip for a few short moments. Gus and I are going to walk this beer guzzling reprobate, Deke. You ladies sit here and watch the view.”
Deke of course was already hopping up and down, circling Nick as he stood up. “Who taught this damn dog so much English? Back off or I’ll have you peeing into a cup, you cur.”
*
“So, what’s the plan? I know you didn’t get me out here to walk Deke for my health. I was really comfortable on the balcony.”
“We needed some air, and Deke the lush needed some territorial marking time. That beer went right through him.”
Deke heard his name, looked back at his handlers, and then continued on marking every upright item in sight.
“I’m thinking we allow a day or two to slide by. If the police don’t wring anything meaningful out of Gutierrez, we may need to bring in this afternoon’s instigator for questioning,” Nick said.