Sputtering as he surfaced, Levon checked for his partners head, then seeing he was okay, tried to grab the boat as it drifted past.
 

"Great Levon," Joey hurled. "I'll push. No problem. Guess were wading to shore?"
 

"I guess we are wading, and sarcasm is a low form of humor, LaFiamma," Levon tossed back.
 

"I'll just keep my mouth shut then. Who knows what is in here anyway."
 

"You do that, LaFiamma. At least I can get some peace that way." Levon replied to no one, his tone dripping as much sarcasm as Joey's had earlier.
 

Wading to shore was tedious, but it felt good on the two mens battered bodies, so the complaints were kept to a minimum. Finally reaching the shore, Joey couldn't resist one last cutting remark.
 

"Guess the boat beat us home, fancy that." Joey said, smirking to see the boat resting along the river bank just like it belonged there. "It was a good thing ya left the light on, Levon, or I would never have found my way back here." Joey added, attempting to take the sting out of his earlier words.
 

As the two men trudged to the cabins front door, LaFiamma in the lead, Levon looked down then frowned. It looked like Joey had a few streaks of mud on his legs. As the sickening thought struck him, Levon looked down at himself as well. His jeans were plastered to his legs, but his arms were clean and he looked fine. Recalling that there had been leeches dumped by Biophysis into many Texas rivers and ponds to see if they thrived, and could be harvested for medicinal purposes, Levon realized that Joey would not be pleased at all when he realized it looked like he had two stuck to him. Trying to recall all the information he could, Levon only really remembered that it was best to let them finish feeding then just drop off. It took about five hours.
 

Dreading what Joey would say, he allowed him to enter first, then followed, wondering if he should mention it or wait for Joey to notice. He didn't get the chance.
 

"LEVON! Look at me. I'm covered in muck," Joey said as he began trying to wipe the animals from his bare legs. Then in a tightly controlled voice he said, "Tell me these are not Leeches. Levon, talk to me. I don't do worms."
 

"Take it easy there, partner," Levon said sliding in for a closer look. "Yep Joey, they're leeches alright. Must be from the testing Biophysis is doing. I think you're to let them finish feeding then they drop off."
 

"Finish feeding. Lundy, get them off now. I'm tired, hungry, wet, and I want to sleep. I'm not, repeat not, waiting up for leeches to drop off, engorged on my blood."
 

"Now Joey, I think,........"
 

"I said GET THEM OFF!" LaFiamma roared. "NOW!"
 

"Alright, just hang on. I guess I'll just pull," Levon said taking a grip on the wiggly leech and giving it a mighty tug, that sent him and the leech over backward, while Joey sat, stunned at the blood dripping from his leg.
 

"You gonna do that again?" Joey asked, his voice calm and measured.
 

Deadly is how it sounded to Lundy as he answered, "Unless you can think of somethin' better."
 

"Go ahead then," Joey said, steeling himself for the pain he now knew was coming.
 

"Okay," Levon said, rising and rubbing his posterior. Falling backward had hurt more than he wanted to admit. "Ready, here goes," he said as again he pulled a leech off his partner. Again they watched as the blood ran freely down his leg. "That should do it. Want supper?"
 

"Who can eat after watching that?" Joey questioned, as Levon scooped up the leeches and threw them outside.
 

"It is rather worse than the grizzly murders we see, though I can't figure out why," Levon admitted. "Guess I'll skip dinner as well. Remember I get the room tonight, you get the cot."
 

"Whatever," LaFiamma shot back. The only thing he wanted was to get clean.
 

Dragging out the first aid kit he applied antibiotic cream to his recent wounds, and again used an alcohol pad to wipe down his hands. "You need anything from the first aid kit, Lundy?" he called. "I'm gonna take an aspirin."
 

"I'll take some too," Levon said opening the door.
 

"Why are you dressed in a bathing suit?" Joey questioned.
 

"I'm going out to rinse off real good. You comin?"
 

"That sounds perfect. I was just drying off, but this way I'll be somewhat clean." Joey muttered as he followed Levon outside. The shorts would suffice, in lieu of a bathing suit.
 

Once outside the men gathered the water from the Jimmy and then took turns pouring water over each other, soaping up, then rinsing in more water. Soon both were in better spirits, but ready to put the entire day behind them and head for bed.
 

Levon quickly toweled off, crossed to his room and extinguished the light. He then eased himself gently, face down on the bed and was asleep in minutes.
 

Joey also toweled off, then assuring himself that Levon was asleep, made himself a quick omelet, cleaned up, then slowly crept into the cot himself. He didn't bother making it, but rather just pulled the covers over him, making sure he was entirely covered before he tried to sleep.
 

Sleep didn't come as easily to him. The noises were still there, but after the day they'd had they were not as nerve-racking. He was mostly kept awake by being unable to find a comfortable way to sleep that didn't cause pain to flare up somewhere else in his body. Finally he drifted off and dreamed of lions and tigers and man eating bears. OH MY!
 

Morning once again came too early, yet even Levon didn't rise until eight. When he finally managed to get his sore aching body out of the bed he called "Joey where's breakfast? I'm starved."
 

Grumbling again, Joey got up, groaning with every movement. His foot throbbing, he hobbled into the kitchen and prepared an omelet for both as well as a big bowl of oatmeal. They had brought both and he was starved.
 

Eating breakfast was a wonderful feeling for the hungry men, and again improved their outlooks slightly. In each mans head, they were keeping a tally of who caused the most damage. LaFiamma was only one disaster ahead. Not bad, he figured, since he wasn't familiar with the area.
 

"So, what's on the agenda for today, Levon, oh, and no more big hikes. I admit the scenery was stunning but I don't think my foot could take it. Wanna look. It's all red and puffy. Say, how's your butt doing?" he questioned, realizing that Lundy was standing while he ate.
 

"Fine." was his curt reply.
 

Smiling, Joey just kept looking expectantly at Levon. The way this trip was planned was that Levon would take care of everything, and Joey was just along for the ride. Soon the ride might be a trip to the local hospital, but for now he was just thankful they were alive.
 

"Okay LaFiamma, here's the plan. We take a very short walk to Pearson's arroyo. Another typically Texan landmark, and close enough that it shouldn't hurt your foot to badly. Whatta ya say?"
 

"I guess I can manage that," Joey said, reaching down and rubbing his ankle. No way he was going to complain if Levon could manage it, so could he. He could see that Levon's hand looked swollen, and of course he wasn't sitting, so walking wouldn't be fun for him either. "When do we leave?"
 

"After you clean up breakfast. That's your job, right?"
 

"Right," Joey said, rising and gathering the plates and bowls. "This will only take a minute. Is there anything I should bring?"
 

"Not that I can think of cept water. What can happen?" Levon replied.
 

As Joey began to laugh at the statement, Levon realized what he had said, and joined in. Quieting, he said, "Really, LaFiamma, this is close and should be no trouble at all."
 

"I'm taking your word for it cowboy, but remember the saying......famous last words...."
 

"Again the sarcasm. Enough just get ready." Levon said heading into the bedroom to prepare.
 

"I'm ready, Levon," Joey called. He'd dressed, filled up the water bottle and was prepared to spend another, and thankfully last day on this tour of hell.
 

"Me too," Levon said , grabbing the backpack and first aid kit. Better safe than sorry was his new outdoor motto.
 

They headed out into the sweltering heat at a slow pace, each allowing the other to move as easily as possible. The short walk turned out to take about two hours given the condition of Joey's foot, but was accomplished with little difficulty. Even the weather was cooperating.
 

"Nice breeze kicking up Levon. Really helps in this heat," Joey called.
 

"Sure does," Levon said pulling out his shirttail and wiping his forehead. The breeze felt heavenly.
 

As they neared the arroyo, Joey was again treated to a stunning view of sandstone rocks in all colors. "Is this some of the painted rocks I hear so much about, or is that painted desert?" he questioned.
 

"That's painted desert, and I think it's in Arizona, but this is nice, isn't it?" Levon asked.
 

"Yeah. Any arrowheads here?" Joey asked a slight look of longing in his blue eyes.
 

"Not much chance here. They stayed more north. If we walk about a hundred yards southwest, there's a wall with some Indian pictures on it though," Levon added, happy over Joey's enthusiasm.
 

"Let's go," Joey said, as he headed southwest as quickly as his feet could carry him."
 

"Following behind, Levon cautioned, "Keep a close eye out for gopher holes. They are all over and ya don't want to get an ankle caught in one."
 

"Kay. We almost there yet?"
 

"Just about," Levon answered a smile playing at his lips. "Just a few more feet. Now stop, Joey and look down and to your left."
 

Leaning as Levon suggested, Joey saw wonderful depiction of Indian life painted on the cliff walls.

"What do they make the paints or dyes from?" he questioned.
 

"Do ya expect me to know everything, LaFiamma. Probably berries or something."
 

"Can we go down?"
 

"Are ya kiddin'. Not with your foot, and our hands we can't. We'd hurt ourselves for sure. I think it's about noon, how about a snack before we head back?"
 

"Fine, but you get it," LaFiamma said, warily eying the backpack.
 

Reaching in, Levon again extracted two sandwiches and the waters. Handing one to Joey he silently gave thanks that today was going well. Still slightly nauseous, he ate about three fourths of his sandwich, wrapped up the remainder and after taking a drink, re-packed the backpack. When Joey finished, he gathered his papers and added them as well. He'd always been taught to leave a place cleaner than when you came. Must have been from boy scouts, he thought.
 

His thoughts were interrupted when Joey said, "Maybe we should head back. It's a long walk at this speed, and the wind is really picking up good."
 

"Fine, let's go," Levon said taking the lead.
 

For the next twenty minutes the wind steadily increased and Levon began to worry that they were in for a sandstorm. "LaFiamma, you ever been in a sandstorm?" he asked.
 

"Can't say that I have. We have wind like this in Chicago though. Nice, fresh wind. It blows off the Great Lakes making everything seem fresh," he reminisced.
 

"Wonderful, but sandstorms can be dangerous."
 

"What can be dangerous about a little sand? Come on Lundy, ya trying to scare me or something?"
 

Lundy's reply was lost in the howl of fierce winds that came out of nowhere. The sky was still blue, but everything was obscured. Turning his back to the wind, he headed back to where Joey had been seconds before. He could feel the harsh bite of the sand against his neck and exposed skin. His shirt was little help as well, against the stinging particles. Luckily he bumped into LaFiamma right where he expected him to be, and quickly turned his back to the storm as well. They were caught out in the open with no cover.
 

Yelling, he said, "We might as well keep walking back. These usually don't last real long, but we don't have shelter."
 

A slight nod was all he needed, and taking LaFiamma's hand so they didn't get separated, continued walking back toward the cabin.
 

Every ten minutes or so the storm would abate, and he could get his bearings, then as soon as he was set, another one would start up. His hat helped shield his eyes, but Joey had to rely on his hand to cover his. The stinging sand beat at them unmercifully, shredding their shirts and biting into all exposed skin. Wind burn was often worse than sunburn, but wind burn combined with the abrasiveness of the sand was excruciatingly painful.
 

Continuing in the right direction, and wondering if anything else could go wrong, Levon stepped into a gopher hole that he had warned Joey about. Cursing as he went down, he felt Joey stumble behind him as well.
 

Sitting down hard, he grabbed at his ankle and tried to get it out of the hole, but the angle was wrong. Pulling on Joey, he got the man close enough to convey what had happened. Thankfully his partner, eased him up, and kneeling by his feet, gently eased the twisted ankle out of the gopher hole.
 

"Better," Joey yelled, over the howling fury of the storm.
 

"It's twisted, but I don't think it's broken." Levon yelled back.
 

"Lean on me then," Joey offered, taking one of Levon's arms and wrapping it around his shoulders. "You lead, but I'll keep up."
 

"Thanks," Levon mumbled, then realizing he could not be heard, yelled, "Okay."
 

Continuing back to the cabin, Levon increasingly put more and more weight on Joey. His ankle was not broken, but was swelling at an alarming rate, and he could barely stand. Gritting his teeth through the pain, he hobbled along with his partner for another hour, before the storm let up in intensity.
 

Finally able to see he glanced over to thank his partner and was appalled. Joey was a mess. He probably was too, but until they got back to the cabin they couldn't assess the damages very well. One thing he did notice was that his partner somewhere along the line had lost his Italian loafers.
 

"How ya doin' Lundy?" Joey questioned, concerned by the size of his partners ankle. "Ya sure it's not broken?"
 

"Positive," Levon snapped, feeling guilty that his partner was suffering just to help him back home.
 

"FINE!" Joey shot back, hurt evident in his expressive eyes. "No need to snap at me for asking about ya."
 

Levon, his stomach knotting, as he realized his curt word was taken wrong, fell silent.
 

In silence the two men continued their slow trek back. Finally the cabin could be sighted, and for Levon it was the most wonderful sight in the world right then. LaFiamma was having a very different reaction, and Levon was just as well off, not knowing what it was.
 

"How can it look so close and still be so far away?" Joey complained, breaking the silence that had surrounded them for an hour.
 

"It's cause it's flat out here, LaFiamma," Levon answered taking the question at face value. "Let's see if we can speed it up, and get there more quickly."
 

"Were goin' at this pace cause of your ankle, Levon" Joey said tartly, but increasing the speed slightly, only to hear Levon wince in pain. "Uh, let's slow down again, my foots really hurting," he added, hoping that his partner would accept this excuse and not cause more damage to his ankle than he already had.
 

"If ya need to," was Levon's reply. In truth slowing down was almost mandatory for him, but if Joey could do it on the bad foot, and without shoes, so would he.
 

As the cabin drew closer, they both did pick up the pace, even if a casual observer wouldn't have known the difference, and they reached the front door just as the day was beginning to cool. Night was about two hours away.
 

In two hours they'd be home, was all LaFiamma could think. A bath, a bed, a drink, and a vow never to allow Mr. Sadistic to talk him into another outing....ever. This was hell.
 

"So what do we do for an encore," Joey snapped. It had all been too much. Every bit of it. "I think your ankle needs to be looked at, and I wanna go home."
 

"I think we should look each other over, then pack and head out as well," Levon agreed. The sooner gone the sooner this trip could be forgotten.
 

"Fine, I'm sitting at the table. Let me look at your leg first," LaFiamma demanded, while blinking heavily.
 

"You alright, LaFiamma?"
 

"Fine, now do as I said." Joey shot back.
 

"Fine," Levon answered. Gingerly taking a seat, opposite Joey, Levon extended his ankle and winced as Joey ran his hand deftly up and down both sides.
 

"Got any ace bandages?"
 

"In the first aid kit," Levon answered. "Should be in the backpack."
 

"I'll get it," Joey said, standing and looking around the room. "Uh...Levon, did we lose the backpack in the storm?"
 

"Damn!" Levon swore. "I forgot to pick it back up after I fell in the hole. There's another one in my Jimmy."
 

"Fine," Joey sighed, rubbing at his left eye. "Be right back. Don't move and keep it elevated."
 

As Joey left, Levon stared mesmerized by the foot shaped prints in blood all over the floor. Before he could say anything Joey returned carrying another kit, and, trailing blood, sat back down in front of his partner. Retrieving an ace bandage, he expertly wrapped Levon's ankle, saying, "Ice would help too, but as we don't have any, it'll have to wait until we get back to civilization. Now let me see your hand. I'll take your word that your butt is fine."
 

Refusing to be drawn into an argument, Levon extended his hand, and allowed Joey to disinfect it one more time.
 

"Now get that shirt off. It's mostly tatters anyway, and I want to look at your back."
 

"I'm fine LaFiamma." Levon protested.
 

"I said, do it," LaFiamma snarled.
 

"Alright, but take it easy. No harm done," Levon said, clumsily unbuttoning his shirt and removing it.
 

"Well, turn around," LaFiamma snapped.
 

As Levon did as directed, he heard Joey's indrawn breath and said, "What? Something wrong."
 

"Not really, but this doesn't look pretty. I'd stay away from the ladies for a bit until this heals. I'm gonna clean the abrasions. Looks as if the sand acted like sandpaper and took most of your skin off. It's gonna sting."
 

"Ready," Levon said, gritting his teeth in anticipation. Wincing as Joey cleaned his back, Levon had a hard time staying still until he was done. Monday at work would not be fun. If he felt sore now, another day would only increase the aches and pains. "Done yet, LaFiamma?" he questioned, when the pain stopped slightly.
 

"Done. I'm giving you a few aspirin to help ease the swelling and pain. Here," Joey said, holding out a bottle of water and the pills.
 

Slugging them back as requested, Levon said, "My turn."
 

"I'm fine Levon. Let's just get home."
 

"Nothing doing, until I make sure you'll be fine."
 

"I said I was fine. Don't ya think I'd know if I wasn't?" Joey shot back irritated. The last thing he wanted was more pain, even pain inflicted for his own good. It was almost as bad as shots.
 

Knowing how stubborn his partner was, Levon played his trump card. "If'n ya don't let me tend to ya, I'll drive ya straight to the hospital on the way home."
 

"You wouldn't!"
 

"I would. Now get your shirt off and I want ta see those feet as well." Levon directed.
 

Surrendering ungracefully, Joey threw himself back in his chair and said "Fine" while extending his feet.
 

Sucking in his breath at the sight of his partners feet as he peeled back the socks , Levon asked, trying to lighten the atmosphere, "Where'd ya lose those expensive Italian slippers?".
 

"Lost em when you fell. I figure that will cost you about two hundred dollars to replace." Joey responded a twinkle in his eye.
 

"Me replace them, no way. If you'd brought something sensible for the desert this wouldn't have happened." Levon fired back. Two could play this game, and they were good at it.
 

"Joey, I'm gonna have to remove a few more stones and thorns from your feet. Some are imbedded so deeply that they probably severed a nerve, which is why you don't feel any pain."
 

"Okay, just get it done," He said, resting his head on the back of the chair and rubbing at his eye.
 

Getting out his trusty pocket knife, Levon deftly removed the thorns and small pieces of rock he could find and then mopped up the small trickles of blood. Next came the antiseptic spray. LaFiamma would be sore again, but was in no real danger. Still watching him rub at his eye, he said, "Now I'm gonna look at that eye for ya. Quit rubbing it, if ya got sand in it, you'll just be tearing up the cornea."
 

Joey moved his hand away, and Levon peered closely at his eye, pulling the eyelid up, then down and having Joey move his eye in all directions. Finally he reached a verdict. "I think the sand is gone. I'm gonna rinse it out with water then you quit rubbing it. Should feel much better by tomorrow."
 

"Okay doc, can we go home now?" Joey complained, more loudly this time.
 

"Just let me check for infection around the rattlesnake bite."
 

Resigning to staying in this cabin until Lundy was satisfied, Joey held out his leg and again allowed it to be mauled by Lundy. As he probed, Joey said, "anything else, Dr. Hyde?"
 

"Just your back. I'm only gonna spray it with the antiseptic again."
 

"Just get done. I want to go home. You remember home? A nice bed, a warm bath, a meal that doesn't wiggle........"
 

Again Levon marveled at how sarcasm just seemed to drip from Joey when he was not getting his way. Deciding that Joey was doing as well as could be expected, Levon said, "I think that covers it. Let's gather up our gear and get outta here."
 

"Right behind ya," Joey said, as a sinking feeling hit the pit of his stomach. "Hey, Levon, why does, let's leave sound way to easy?"
 

"Oh, stop looking for trouble." Levon griped, as he gathered up his belongings while Joey did the same. "Let's go before it's totally dark."
 

"Hey, do ya realize that for the first time this trip were in agreement on something?" LaFiamma quipped.
 

"Just come on," Levon sighed disgustedly.
 

They checked that the cabin was left clean then took their gear, locked up and Joey went around to the back to stow the gear, while Levon got in to warm the engine up. Closing the rear hatch, Joey said, "That's it. Lets hit the road. I figure we can be eating in under an hour if we hurry."
 

"You mean if we use our flashers and sirens, I expect."
 

"Do you have a faster way home?" Joey asked, looking innocently at his partner.
 

"Reckon I don't, but I'm not misusing police property for non emergency situations," Levon hurled back, the bantering mode in full force. Turning the key in the ignition, he slammed his fist down hard on the steering wheel, when the engine made a guttural grinding sound, but refused to turn over.
 

"I knew going home was too easy," Joey muttered. "Wanna know why, Levon?" Without waiting for and answer, he finished, "Because when I said yes, I entered the Twilight Zone, and I've been stuck there ever since. No one escapes the Twilight Zone."
 

"Give it a rest," the frustrated Texan raged at his fuming partner. Let's just get out and see what's wrong."
 

"If we do that it will give all the vermin time to get in the back and ride home with us. I vote you get out and see what's wrong. This is your Jimmy."
 

"I don't need to go home, LaFiamma. I'm comfortable in the cabin," Levon roared back, refusing to budge. I'll wait here until you join me out there."
 

"But my feet hurt," Joey said, trying the whining technique. Sometimes it worked with women. It didn't work on Lundy.
 

"I know ya to well. Now on the count of three we both get out and check."
 

Sighing resignedly for at least the hundredth time that day, Joey agreed by throwing open his door and vaulting outside before Levon could even begin counting. The minute his feet hit, he was sorry for his impulsive move, and sank to the ground, a gasp passing through his lips. Finally getting control, he stood and moved to the front of the Jimmy, where Levon already had the hood open.
 

"What is all this stuff, Levon?" Joey questioned.
 

"That is the cause of the Jimmy not starting. We've got to get the sand out of the engine before it will start. That sandstorm was a real wild one."
 

"So hotshot, what do we use to clean this out?"
 

"Rags of some sort."
 

"I don't usually pack rags, Levon."
 

"Then you better get out a few of our shirts so we can get this mess cleaned up. Should only take an hour or so with us both working." Levon predicted.
 

Grumbling, "I knew we'd never get out of here alive" and then singing as sarcastically as possible, he added, "For my partners a jolly good fellow, my partners a jolly good fellow, my partners a jolly good fellow, which I'd like to blow sky high."
 

Re-opening the back of the Jimmy, he pulled out Levon's belongings first, and shaking his head in disgust removed the only shirt he could find. How could anyone go away for three days and pack so little. Yanking open his luggage, he pulled out his polo shirt with the horse, he loved so much, then added his Giorgio green to the pile. Levon would pay, and pay big for this. The weekend was going to cost him over five hundred dollars in ruined clothes alone.
 

Hurling a shirt to his partner, he watched as Lundy began cleaning the engine block. Finally feeling that he should help, he leaned in and started with the battery case. This process continued two hours longer than predicted, since both were limited by how well they could use their hands.
 

When Levon said, "I'm sure it's clean enough. Let's give it a try." Joey was only to happy to comply.
 

"It had better work, Lundy. I'm starved. It's eight o'clock now."
 

"I got a watch. Here's an option for ya. Why don't ya go catch some fish," Lundy said snarling, and slamming the door shut behind himself. As LaFiamma climbed in, casting disgusted looks his way, Levon turned the key, and gave thanks as the engine started right up.
 

"Guess you don't have to eat fish tonight after all, LaFiamma," Levon said dryly.
 

"You had better be thankful I chose to ignore the remark or you'd be seeing Italian humor with your head three feet under the river right now." Joey shot back, all attempt at politeness gone.
 

"Yeah. Like you have the power. You were pathetic." Levon retorted.
 

"Would you like me to give the force a blow by blow rundown on Monday on how good you are as a tour guide?" Joey asked, again in his most sarcastic manner.
 

"Only if you want me to tell them how wonderful you are in the woods." Levon hurled back.
 

"Truce," Joey said. "Now drive. I'd like to get home before sunrise."
 

"Shut up," Levon said right back. "You'll get your precious beauty sleep."
 

"Hey, Lundy, next weekend would ya like to try and infiltrate the mob in Chicago just for an adventure?"
 

"Think it could hurt any worse?" Levon quipped.
 

A couple miles farther down the road, Joey piped up, and Levon braced for the verbal impact.
 

"Sure is nice to have things back to normal between us isn't it?"
 

Laughing Levon could only shake his head, then finally he spit out, "the weekend does make homicide look peaceful."
 

"Damn straight,"they added in unison, as they drove toward civilization, once again in harmony with each other.