Fandom: Houston Knights
Rating: Rated PG for Violence
Spoilers: None.
Title: A Time to Live Again
Author: Rita
 

Standard Disclaimer: Houston Knights belongs to Jay Bernstein and Michael Butler and Columbia Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended.
 

"I’m going, Lundy," Joey’s voice was beginning to show agitation he had been trying to hide for what seemed like eternity now. This was not the time to pick yet another fight with his partner. "There’s nothing else to discuss. Aunt Teresa was like a mother to me; I couldn’t be with her when she passed away, but I have to be there for the funeral. So quit trying to stop me!"

"LaFiamma, the hit is still on, nothing’s changed! Or you think they will have sympathy for your feelings? Well, I doubt it! You’re just so damn stubborn!" Levon shouted back at Joe. He’s been trying to change Joey’s mind about this since yesterday, the day Joey’s Uncle Mikey called LaFiamma with the news, and he was beginning to fear he was going to lose this battle.

"We’ve already been through this, Lundy!"

"Then at least let me come with you; you’ll need someone to watch your back", Levon’s voice changed, it was pleading now, showing just how concerned he was for his partner’s safety. He paused for a moment watching Joey’s face, looking for some sign of agreement in it. But all he could see was distance. "Joey, please, it would make me feel better. I won’t interfere with your family, I just need to know you’re OK. Do it for me!"

‘It’s you I’m thinking about’, Joey thought. If only he could make Levon understand. He did understand Levon’s anxiety, why didn’t Levon try to understand Joey’s need to go? Frustration was bubbling inside Joey but he forced himself to say in a milder tone: "No, it’s better you stay here, finish the paper work from our last case. When I come get back we can pick up where we left off".

"When you get back, if you get back, you won’t have a partner… ‘cause if you leave, I no longer want to have anything to do with you!" After these harsh words Lundy turned around, crossed the hallway and headed for his desk full of paperwork. He was hoping the threat would make LaFiamma reconsider; although the two of them never really talked, Lundy knew that their friendship was just as important to LaFiamma as it was to him.

‘You just don’t understand – never have, have you’, Joey followed his partner with his sad blue eyes. He had to go to Chicago, and he wasn’t about to put his friend in danger he knew waited for him at home. But the pain he felt at losing Aunt Teresa doubled with the knowledge that he was losing his best friend for good as well. He was confused, angry, hurt, and lonely. For the first time in his life LaFiamma didn’t know how to handle a situation. And for the first time he didn’t know what to expect of the next few days.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was only half an hour before the day was over, not much left to do and Joey didn’t feel like going back to his desk and face Lundy yet again. ‘Maybe I can try talking to lieutenant,’ he thought. LaFiamma already made the reservations to Chicago early that morning, now he needed a couple of days off. Lt. Beaumont offered her sympathies to Joe in the morning, as did everyone else, but he really doubted anyone in the office knew how he really felt. They never really cared and if Levon couldn’t understand they would even less.

Joanne looked at her detective, curiosity and question in her eyes. Joe didn’t sit down after he closed the door behind him and he seemed tense. She also noticed there has been tension between her two best detectives but didn’t ask anything. She wanted to give Lundy and LaFiamma time to deal with whatever was between them and give LaFiamma time to mourn. She did not expect what she was about to hear.

"Hey", Joe flashed a quick, hesitant smile at her. "I need to talk to you Lieutenant."

"What’s up, Joe? Is everything alright?" Joe had always had bad news when he started like this.

"Yeah, sure." LaFiamma answered and lowered his eyes. Then he looked up and saw the eyes of his boss watching him intently. "Hell, no. Nothing’s alright. Not now, maybe never."

"Joe, What are you talking about? What’s wrong?" Joanne was getting worried; she quickly looked over to where Lundy was sitting- he was watching them and something in his face told her that this was serious.

"I need a couple of days off, lieutenant. Only 2, that should be all." Joe’s voice was uncertain, as if she could refuse this hard working cop a few days off. The caseload wasn’t that heavy right now; sure there always were old unsolved cases but nothing that couldn’t wait.

"Going anywhere?"

"Chicago". Joe stated simply.

"Chicago?!" Joanne rose from her seat in one second. By now everyone outside her office was watching them. They knew something was wrong; LaFiamma was in lieutenant’s office by himself, Lundy was sitting in his chair resigned and angry. What the hell was going on? Sure, the Italian wasn’t himself all day but that was understandable with his aunt passing, wasn’t it? Yet there had to be something else, otherwise Lundy would be in lieutenant’s office with LaFiamma. Now they all heard Joanne say ‘Chicago’ and were beginning to understand.

"Yeah, I’m going to my aunt’s funeral, lieutenant. I shouldn’t be more that 2 days."

"Are you crazy, Joe? You cannot go back, you know that!"

"If I don’t stay for longer than the funeral I will be just fine, no one will know. Not even my uncle Mikey knows." Who was he kidding, they will be probably waiting for him at the airport and follow him to a less crowded place to finish him off. And no, it’s better uncle Mikey doesn’t know, he would never agree with this.

"Yeah, I’m sure he wouldn’t approve of your crazy idea. What about Levon?" It seemed Joanne was reading Joey’s thoughts.

"What about him?" Joe did expect this question and still, it made him uncomfortable.

"LaFiamma, don’t play games with me. You know what I’m asking you. Is Levon coming with you, does he know about this?" Joanne asked although she already knew the answer; the way Lundy has been acting whole day it was obvious he and LaFiamma argued about something more than just music and clothes.

"No, Lundy stays, I’m going alone. I’ve talked to Lundy about this already and told him he wouldn’t be coming." Joey said trying to avoid the real issue.

"He doesn’t seem to agree with you."

"That doesn’t change anything. I’m still going whether he likes it or not."

"Joe, this is too dangerous! And don’t try denying it! If it weren’t you’d let Lundy go with you. Anyhow, I cannot let you do this."

"What do you mean, lieutenant?" Joe really didn’t want to hear this; he knew his boss wouldn’t like the idea but hoped for at least some understanding. "You can’t let me do this? What exactly do you mean?" Joe’s voice was beginning to show desperation.

"I cannot let you do this. I won’t let you go get yourself killed! If need be, I’ll order you to stay here. You have to obey orders!" ‘Not that he ever had’ Joanne added to herself, but was hoping for a miracle. She knew Joe was stubborn enough to disobey her, and so was Lundy for that matter. Why did her best team have to be so damn stubborn?

Joey was standing in front of his lieutenant, looking at her with curious bewilderment. Then very slowly he reached into his pocket and pulled out his badge. He held it in his fingers, studied it for a moment, stroking it gently with his thumb. Then he held out his hand and handed the badge to Joanne. She reached for it absentmindedly, as if in a dream. She looked at it, then at Joey in front of her. She wanted to say something but couldn’t decide on the words. LaFiamma was faster.

"I’m sorry, lieutenant." Then he turned around and slowly but firmly walked out of her office.

Beaumont was still standing and looking after LaFiamma, when she thought of Lundy and looked over to see into the bullpen. By now Lundy was standing as well, but hasn’t moved and everyone else was quiet as well. It seemed like all knew and didn’t want to believe. She took a deep breath and yelled:

"Lundy!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Levon walked into Joanne’s office, closed the door behind him and lowered himself into a chair. All of a sudden he felt too tired. Joanne looked at her sergeant and went to sit in her chair as well. Maybe it would be better to deal with this calmly.

"Did you want to talk to me, lieutenant?" Lundy’s voice was unreadable, empty, at least he hoped it would be.

"What the hell did just happen?" Joanne barked at him. Her calm was already leaving her.

"I don’t know, you tell me, ‘cause it looks to me like I’ll need a new partner", Levon said and tried in vain to hide his frustration and pain. He was looking fixedly at LaFiamma’s badge sitting on the desk in front of him.

"Joe just asked for 2 days off."

"2 days?" a strange painful smile passed across Levon’s face. "That’s all they will need", obviously referring to the hit men.

"Why didn’t you try to stop him?!"

"I tried!" Levon’s temper suddenly flared up. "I was trying the whole damn day! It didn’t make no difference. You know LaFiamma, he’s so pigheaded; he won’t listen to any reason! And now he’s going to die". Levon’s voice dropped as he said the last words. Something inside was telling him it was true and he just couldn’t deal with it. He didn’t know how. And he didn’t have the strength. He didn’t even have the energy to argue with Joanne. "I’d like to go home, Joanne, if you don’t mind."

"Go home? Go talk some sense into him!"

"It’s useless, Joanne. I know him. It’s just too late for that. It’s too late for anything". Lundy rose from his chair, opened the door and walked out. "See ya tomorrow, lieutenant," he added with a dull voice and without looking at any of his colleagues he left.

Joanne had rarely seen Levon so defeated. What the hell went wrong? All hopes for a relatively calm week were gone right on the first day. With Joey she has just lost one of the best detectives she ever knew and was wondering if she was about to lose him as a friend as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LaFiamma’s Cobra sped out of the station’s garage as he headed toward the late afternoon traffic. He enjoyed the cooling breeze stroking the drawn features of his face. It felt like a gentle, calming hand trying to steady the run of his thoughts with its touch. He was tempted to close his eyes to the world surrounding him; the strange world that had forcefully become his new home. To the once unfamiliar noises, smells and sights he has become accustomed to. Half an hour later, still lost in his thoughts, Joey entered his apartment flooded with orange shades of late spring sunset. He let his body sink down onto a couch and his eyes rested on the play of lights on the floor in front of him. Joey sat there for a long time without noticing the apartment growing dark along with the darkness that was spreading inside his heart. The last time he felt se lonely was when he heard his Uncle Mikey telling him about the deal he had made and the fact that he would never be able to return home without risking his life. Joey knew that if he missed the funeral not one member of his family would hold it against him, but there was something that was urging him to go. He would never forgive himself. He was angry at those who were powerful enough to control his life, he was frustrated with his partner for not understanding his feelings, and most of all, he was furious with himself for being so weak. He loathed the fact that he was scared. Scared of dying, scared of being alone, he was scared not to go, and yet he also feared that he would not be welcomed by his family. It seemed to him like there was no way out. Going home might get him killed, and staying in Houston was not an option- he has reached a point were he had to stand up to what kept crushing his spirit for two years now. And if it also meant dying, than at least he’d know it was on his terms, and he’d be prepared.

Then he thought of Lundy. He let him down, and he knew Lundy would feel that way too. He deeply regretted that, but even though they had become friends he could not jeopardize Lundy’s life for something he couldn’t understand, something Joey himself was still trying to figure out. This regret filled his soul with more darkness than the loathed fear and Joey sank even deeper into the soft cushions on the couch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lundy got into his Jimmy, started the engine and left the garage. He didn’t even tune to his favourite radio station; his eyes fixed on the road in front of him. With his thoughts racing through his head he kept driving without paying much attention as to where he was really going. The Jimmy stopped in front of a familiar building and Lundy raised his eyes to look at the darkened window. Then he realized that he was parked in front of LaFiamma’s apartment building. Snapping out of his stupor, he cursed himself. Why did he come here? Their partnership was over, and with it so was their friendship. He was furious with LaFiamma; he felt betrayed and cheated. And what more, confused about what had drawn him to this place. Should he go upstairs and talk to the man? He’d been trying all day to change his mind, and LaFiamma never even considered staying. Why waste breath on something he obviously couldn’t change. And yet, despite his anger, Lundy was scared. Truly scared. Scared that the window he was still looking at would stay dark, because the tenant of that apartment would be dead in a day or two. Furious with himself for letting his guard down and allowing himself to trust the man, Lundy cut his thoughts short and headed for his home. LaFiamma, now standing at the window in his dark apartment, watched as Lundy’s Jimmy exited the parking lot and disappeared from his view. He then returned back to his couch and lay down. Soon he drifted off to light sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When he woke, LaFiamma looked at his watch and realized that he had slept through most of the night. It was just about 4:30 in the morning- morning when the course of his life would be decided. Still curled up on his couch Joey thought of the dawning day- wondering what it would bring and whether he would see its sunset as well. Then he cut the grim thoughts short, got up and headed to bathroom. After a nice, long, hot shower he dressed in his best suit of the darkest blue, matching it with silk black shirt and a dark blue tie. He made his usual morning coffee, turned around to take a last look at his newfound home and quietly exited the apartment. It was only 6am when his Cobra cruised the mostly empty highway towards the Houston Airport. At the American Airlines counter in the Departures area of the airport he picked up his tickets, walked the long stretch toward the gate and seated himself. In his hand he held both the departing and returning portions of his ticket, only he wasn’t sure if he’d need the latter. LaFiamma asked Lieutenant Beaumont for two days off, even though the returning ticket was for the late afternoon flight from Chicago. He figured he’d need at least one day off to collect himself after his beloved aunt’s funeral. Now, that he handed in his badge and left his guns in the holster in his apartment, he had all the time he’d need. LaFiamma had yet to decide whether he would try and atone with Lundy after he got back. But knowing Lundy, he knew he had better chance getting back to work solo, without a partner. And if Beaumont would agree to give him back his badge, he knew no one would be thrilled to work with him, and LaFiamma was not sure he would trust anyone as he had trusted Lundy. For he knew that it was his partnership and friendship with Levon that made Houston LaFiamma’s new home. And as much as it hurt, he never kidded himself about the feelings other cops in the HPD had about him and his background. At 7:05 the flight 792 took off. LaFiamma had the window seat and his gaze was directed toward the city he was hoping to see again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lundy spent the sleepless night twisting in his bed, anxious to see the light of the coming day. At the first sign of the dawn he dressed in his jeans and light blue T-shirt and walked toward the barn. He saddled Fooler and took her for a long morning run. Even and steady beat of Fooler’s hoofs on the soft grass had calming effect on Levon’s distressed mind. Although still angry and hurt, at least he was able to concentrate a bit more. He cleaned Fooler, took a quick shower, dressed, drank his morning coffee and left for the office. It was just before 7 am when he entered empty bullpen and seated himself at his desk. Then his eyes traveled to LaFiamma’s desk. With the anger he was trying to push away in order to concentrate on job, a sudden panic gripped his heart. LaFiamma was going back to Chicago! ‘I gotta do something, or the boy is gone.’ He picked up the phone and dialed Joey’s number. "Come on, boy, talk to me", Levon’s voice was urgent. Nothing. Joanne Beaumont heard Lundy as she was walking to her office and looked at her sergeant. She had an uneasy feeling about all this, but didn’t know how to act on it. She watched Lundy dialed again, this time the number he dialed was not from his memory but a little notebook. Again, nothing. "Damn, I can’t do a thing!" Levon slammed the receiver back into its cradle.

"Levon?" Joanne asked quietly.

"The funeral is at 11am, and there is no one there! Maybe if they knew he’s coming they’d give him some protection. Since he doesn’t want mine." Lundy offered back without looking at his lieutenant.

"Lundy, this is a catholic funeral. It’s different. It begins early in the morning with a long mass for the soul of the deceased person. The funeral itself is the final part," Lundy heard the voice of Esteban Guiterrez. He turned around to look into the face of his friend, his own face clearly showing sign of despair.

"Why the hell do I even bother, LaFiamma obviously doesn’t need me. He ain’t my partner anymore!" sudden burst of temper surprised all those present in the bullpen, Joanne and Esteban and those who just walked in ready to begin a new day. Most of them just steered clear of Lundy, knowing today wouldn’t be a good day to start anything with him. Beaumont, however, tried to calm down her detective before the real storm broke out.

"Levon…"

"Don’t, Joanne don’t! Won’t do. I tried, damn hard too! He wouldn’t listen, and he knew that if he left I wouldn’t just sit by and wait for his return. That the partnership would be over. He knew and still handed in his badge. If he had to go so bad, fine, but he should’ve let me come with him. Don’t try, it’s no use. Don’t any of you try!" with these words Lundy looked around the bullpen, got off his chair and headed out into the hall. He desperately needed some time alone to sort out the feelings boiling inside of him.

########################################################################

At 9:30 am the plane touched the ground at Chicago O’Hare airport. In a few minutes LaFiamma exited the narrow corridor and looked around the familiar place. So this was his lost home! Crowded place was crawling with rushing passengers, people meeting and leaving their close ones. There were no cowboy hats to be seen, the mood of that enormous place was so different to what Joey became accustomed to in Houston, the laid back Texan attitude was gone. Joey walked towards the exit and as he stepped outside all his uncertainty left him- this was his town, and he had every right to be here! All the unpleasant thoughts of last two days disappeared and he smiled to himself. He flagged a cab, gave the driver directions and relaxed in the backseat. He had just enough time to make it to funeral.

LaFiamma walked slowly up the hill, toward the medium sized crowd; he could easily recognize somber members of his family closely huddled around the casket. He saw Uncle Mikey looking at the priest, his face hiding any emotions, next to him Joey’s cousins, nephews, nieces- everyone was there. How close they all were, and yet something inside Joey didn’t feel quite right. Instinctively he looked over his shoulder. He paused, confused as to what it was that he was missing, when it suddenly dawned on him- Levon wasn’t there. Over those few years in Houston, separated from his family, Joey knew Levon became the one person he could always count on to be there. Joey sighed and resumed walking toward the small crowd. After all it was his decision Lundy didn’t come. LaFiamma’s cousin Tony was the first one to see him. Tony’s eyes grew larger at the sight of Joe, and his body jerked in a sudden motion of surprise. Soon everyone’s eyes turned to where Tony’s went. All of them looked at this handsome young man, dressed in dark, his blue eyes shining, full of longing and begging for acceptance. Joey’s eyes traveled over his family, briefly skimmed distant relatives and Uncle Mikey’s closest associates and landed firmly on Uncle Mikey. There was an eerie quiet surrounding the crowd, everyone tense, waiting on the reaction from the head of the family. The two men were closely studying one another, both waiting for the other one to move, both unsure how to react. Uncle Mikey watched his nephew, mixture of emotions sweeping through him. Seeing Joey after such a long time he realized how dearly he loved this young man. However, he saw a different Joey in front of him; this Joey was more serious, more vulnerable than the one leaving Chicago just a few years ago. A short warm smile that flashed across Uncle Mickey’s face quickly gave place to angry frown. Joey was still as stubborn as ever, still playing tough. Uncle Mickey thought about the danger Joe put himself into coming to Chicago and one that could have been diminished if he had only informed his family about his plans. Joey made the first move; he nodded his head and began to approach his uncle. As he neared the man, his eyes fell at the casket and he paused before he glanced again at Uncle Mikey. The younger LaFiamma was just about to address his uncle when the quiet Tuesday morning air was filled with the sound of two shots. Before anyone could move or even scream, all eyes were starring at Joey.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joey heard the shots and felt the impact of the bullets at the same moment. Indescribable pain shot through his chest and he saw the world around him spinning as he sank to the ground. He was looking up at the clear sky, his mind clouded with the pain, when he felt he was being pulled into somebody’s arms. As he was slowly slipping away, he knew that the face obstructing his view of the peaceful sky did not belong to the person he was hoping to see. "Levon?" Joey whispered, his breathing ragged, his mouth quickly filling with blood escaping the wounded lungs. ‘Where is Levon? Why isn’t he here?’ he thought as his body shook with spasms and pain left him trembling. "Joey, Joseph, can you hear me?" Uncle Mikey called out to his nephew, holding him tight, afraid to let go of him. The eyes of this tough, strong man were filled with tears as he watched his favourite nephew dying in his arms. Joey’s handsome face had surprise etched on it, brilliant shine of his eyes was lost in pain as they slowly moved in search for someone. Then, a tiny smile fluttered across Joey’s face as his clouded mind played a merciful trick on him. "Levon", Joe’s lips merely formed the word as his lungs failed to give him the air he needed. As he struggled to take a breath, Joey’s eyes filled with terror and after a few moments of agony the world disappeared into the darkness.

########################################################################

Lieutenant Beaumont hung up the phone in her office and starred at it for a long time. The voice on the other side belonged to Mikey LaFiamma, Joey’s uncle. The words kept ringing in Joanne’s ears so persistently she had to close her eyes. She remembered the bright, proud, and stubborn Italian cop. She had known that behind his arrogance was a heart of gold, and that those magnetic blue eyes when hard as steel only attempted to cover his gentleness and vulnerability. The images flashed in front of her- all the memorable cases of her best team, all the fights she had to break up. She remembered the unquestionable loyalty those two had for each other. She knew she had to tell Levon, yet she hesitated, unsure how to break the horrible news.

Joanne looked over to where Levon was sitting; she has noticed his obvious struggle to try and work; she dreaded to hurt him more than he had been. Levon was too close of a friend for her not to care. Joanne’s eyes filled with tears, but she took control quickly as she got up, opened the door of her office and began to walk toward Lundy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This has been one long day for Levon Lundy. After the sleepless night the only thing he was capable of doing was the unfinished paperwork from the last case. But never has it gone so slowly before; everything around him reminded him of his ex-partner LaFiamma. The empty desk, the beautiful bonsai tree- Joey liked to joke about how he could make things bloom. Levon unconsciously smiled. But then the smile disappeared as the empty chair brought him back to reality-

‘He ain’t your partner anymore, so you better get used to it, boy'. ’ Anger and hurt boiling inside Lundy were what kept him going all day, they fueled the energy he needed to concentrate on the job. Then he saw Joanne approaching him steadily, the look in her eyes one he hasn’t seen before. It puzzled him, he knew her so well, and yet he couldn’t tell what was inside her.

"Levon, we need to talk," Joanne’s voice was quiet but not quiet enough for Levon not to notice the slight quiver in it.

"About what, lieutenant?" The last thing Lundy needed was another pep talk as to how to deal with LaFiamma’s behavior. He has heard his share throughout the whole day. He knew they all meant well, but he just couldn’t take any more.

"About your partner," Joanne continued, refusing to stop now, knowing she wouldn’t be able to finish later.

"I don’t have a partner anymore!" Lundy shot back quickly.

"I’m sorry, Levon." Joanne’s eyes met Levon’s filled with surprise. "You don’t. Joey was shot this morning at the cemetery during the funeral… he died a few moments later… God, Levon… I’m so sorry."

"How…how d’ya know?" Levon’s face was ashen, his eyes wide with the shock. He felt like his whole world just collapsed.

"Joey’s uncle just called me. The whole family was there, Joey died in his uncle’s arms." Joanne’s eyes were filled with tears at the thought of that energetic, handsome man lying on the ground dead. She was looking at Levon, fighting urge to hug him, to ease the pain she knew Lundy must have been feeling.

"I should have been there," Lundy said quietly to no one in particular, as if his presence would have, might have made the difference.

"You were," Joanne’s voice was breaking but the question in her sergeant’s eyes told her to continue. "Joey’s uncle told me that Joey’s only words before he died were ‘Levon’. You were there, Levon, to Joey you were there, and that’s all that matters." Joanne could not continue any longer, she just slowly reached out to Lundy, squeezed his shoulder before turning around and starting to walk back toward her office. Her eyes were met with those in the bullpen, standing and listening. They seldom showed they cared for LaFiamma, but they did, and had a great respect for him as a cop. They all knew he was a damn good cop, one of the best. Now, as the news traveled with the speed of brushfire, the life seemed to come to a halt.

Levon slowly sank deeper into his chair, dazed by the shock. His eyes stopped on the bonsai tree still sitting on LaFiamma’s desk, beautiful, and green, as if its owner would return any day and resume talking to it, stroking it. This time, however, Lundy’s reaction was not a smile but a deep, heartbreaking sob. His hands moved up to cover his face, as the tears flowed down in hot streams.

Joanne stopped to look at her detective. She had noticed the change LaFiamma caused in Lundy. Over those few years of their partnership and friendship Lundy became more open, not hiding his feelings, whether negative or positive, as closely as he used to. She knew how much Lundy hurt after Caroline’s death, but she was certain he had never cried for her. Now he cried, cried for his partner, and friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After some time Lundy raised his head only to realize that the bullpen was completely empty. They had left him alone until his first outburst of grief passed. And he was grateful for that. He got off his chair and headed out of the office, not really knowing where to, nor caring, only to be stopped in the hallway by Sergeant Annie Hartung, his good friend.

"Levon, sugar", she addressed his softly. Then she calmly reached out her hand to catch his. Her eyes moist with tears met Levon’s.

"Yes, Annie," he answered just as calmly.

"I’m sorry about Joey. We all are".

"I know Annie, I know you are. Thank you. Now, I have to go," he added pulling his hand free.

"Where to, sugar?"

"I don’t know, but I can’t stay here. Have to get out, now." Then he bent down, gently kissed Annie on cheek and left with a steady walk. No one tried to stop him, all where just quietly looking at him as he passed by. Soon Lundy’s jeep was leaving the garage, with Lundy well aware of all those eyes following his every move.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chicken, as always in a good mood, saw Levon’s Jimmy stop in the parking lot in front of his restaurant. He hasn’t seen the boys for a few days now, and wondered what would have prevented them from coming in for a quick lunch. His sources were not reporting any unusual criminal activity, and he had heard that Lundy and LaFiamma closed their last case 3 days ago. Now a smiled crossed his face when he saw that his favourite customers were about to enter and brighten the mood with their ever-present friendly banter. Chicken was one the few people who understood that behind that constant arguing was a deep and loyal friendship. As he watched Levon enter he approached him only to be stopped by the empty expression in cowboy’s face.

"Levon, what’s wrong, and were is Joe?" Chicken asked as the Texan seated himself at the bar. Lundy raised his eyes to look at his friend; he needed his support. He knew that Chicken would listen, even if he had very little to say.

"He’s dead, Chicken." Levon said, his eyes full of grief.

"Dead?! What do you mean dead? How? When?" Questions poured out of the shocked man standing in front of Lundy. He approached him quickly, and shook his shoulder: "Levon, what happened, talk to me, man! What do you mean by dead?"

"I mean dead, Chicken, dead", Lundy paused for a moment to collect his scattered thoughts; he realized that Chicken, out of all people deserved to hear it all, and to hear it from Lundy. Chicken had helped them so many times, and Lundy knew that he was one of a few people who liked the brash Italian. So he took a deep breath and continued: "LaFiamma’s aunt who raised him died 3 days ago, and yesterday morning Joe’s uncle Mikey called Joe with the news. Even since then I’d been trying to stop Joe from going to the funeral. But he just wouldn’t listen!" Lundy wavered for a moment then went on, "He went anyway, and his uncle called the station a while ago, telling lieutenant Beaumont that Joe was shot and killed at the cemetery during the funeral."

Chicken was listening quietly to the cowboy, the expression of sorrow spreading on his face. He could see that Levon was not finished, and gently urged him to go on: "What else, Levon?"

Lundy’s eyes were fixed on Chicken’s, the man knew him well, and even now he could tell that there was something that was eating away at him. "I… I told LaFiamma that if he left without me our partnership would be over. I was angry and so was he."

"And?" Chicken wouldn’t let up.

" And I think it may have pushed him even more. I didn’t realize how important it was for him to go, you know… I never had a real family, and I should’ve been there for him, even though he disagreed. Joanne said… that his last words were my name…I should’ve been there, man." Levon stopped, his quiet voice was shaking and tears filled his eyes.

As much as he was upset by this horrible news himself, Chicken knew that now he needed to pay attention to Levon, to try help him get through this. He remembered the devastation Caroline’s death left on Lundy, and was worried that Levon would blame himself again.

"Levon, it was Joey’s choice to go. You know how much he missed his family, you had also noticed when he’d become withdrawn and homesick. And you know how much he hated the fact that someone else was dictating his life- the fact that he couldn’t return home. Maybe he just couldn’t take it anymore, had to stand up to it, and his aunt’s funeral just brought about the occasion."

"That supposed to make me feel better? I was his partner, I should’ve gone with him".

"Don’t you understand? He had to deal with it on his own terms. It was a part of his past, you were a part of his present, the job, this town, he would not, could not take you with him. Even if he wanted to, he would not risk your life for something that didn’t involve you."

"Chicken…"

"Would you? Would you risk his life? Suppose you’d have to deal with something like that, your past, and your nightmare? Some part of you would want him to be there to cover your back, but would you let him go along?"

Lundy sat with his eyes lowered, and shoulders slumped. There were so many emotions, most of them unspoken, sweeping through him. But he realized that what Chicken was saying had some truth to it. "No. I guess not." He said in a whisper, more to himself than to the man who was watching him intently. "Thanks, Chicken," he added as he got off the barstool. "Where are you going, Levon?" Chicken inquired. He needed to know that Lundy was going to be ok, at least for the time being. He has seen him after Caroline’s death, and although his reaction was much calmer now, he could also tell that Lundy was hurting just as much, if not more. Not because Lundy didn’t love Caroline, but because both these tragedies were too close together. Not yet enough time to heal all the wounds created by his wife’s death, and now more on top of them.

"I’m gonna go home. Don’t worry Chicken, I’ll be fine."

"Take this with you", Chicken handed Lundy his favourite take-out order in brown paper bag. "In case you feel like eating some."

"Thanks, Chicken. And…I’m sorry".

"For what?" the big man couldn’t hide his surprise.

"I know you liked LaFiamma, and I know he liked you and this place. And even though he’d deny it, even your ribs." Small sad smile crossed Lundy’s face.

"Thanks, Levon. I know he did. You take care, now, you hear?" Chicken hesitantly smiled back. Then he watched as Lundy got into his Jimmy and left for home. Chicken returned to his duties, only his mood was not as good as usual- he grieved for his lost friend.

########################################################################

"We should call him, they’re partners and he deserves to be here. Joey would want it this way, you know he’d want him here," Tony said looking into the eyes of his father, Uncle Mikey.

"All right… I’ll call him. Joey always thought so highly of him. You’re right, he should be here," answered tired older man.

This had been a day from hell- to attend the funeral of his beloved wife Teresa was hard enough, but to watch his favourite nephew Joey fall under the spray of bullets added to the dull pain in the man’s heart. The family was always the most important thing in this man’s life, no matter what the business demanded, the family has always been foremost on his mind. And right now the image of family was shattered into a thousand tiny pieces of death and tragedy.

"There are so many things that have to be arranged, I’ll leave some of them to you and Mario while I’ll deal with Lundy", Uncle Mikey said to Tony, who only nodded and left the room to give his father time to recollect his thoughts and call Joey’s Texan partner.

########################################################################

Lundy was outside cleaning Fooler after a long ride. He talked quietly to her, caressing her back, she listened to the pain in the man’s voice. This was the second time that day that Levon took her for a long ride- it always helped to sooth the pain, at least he liked to think so. He could hear the phone ring inside the house, but he ignored it like numerous times before. Joanne, Chicken, Esteban, Annie all called to check on him. None of them really expected him to pick it up, but all left messages of support and worry in general.

Again, Lundy heard the answering machine to kick in- but this time no message was left. He finished cleaning Fooler and returned to the house, only to be stopped in the living room by the ring again. The machine clicked again, and after a brief outgoing message a new strange voice said:

"Sergeant Lundy, this is Michael LaFiamma, Joey’s uncle. If you’re there, please pick…"

"Lundy here", Levon interrupted the speaker quickly.

"Levon…I know you’ve heard about Joey." The man’s voice was low, controlled. Lundy thought of that man, trying to imagine the impact the day would have on him. He knew from Joey how close the whole family was, and that what the man was or what he did never played any role in family relationships. To bury his wife and then watch his nephew die in his arms must have been very painful for the man who never hid his affection for Joey.

"Yes, I’ve heard…I’m sorry, Uncle Mikey," Levon offered unsure as to how to react.

"Yeah…I know…so am I…we all are, Levon. Joey was loved."

"And he always knew that", Levon answered.

He was surprised by the strength of the man on the other side of the receiver. He could hide his emotions really well, even though he was an Italian. He noticed that in LaFiamma so often- when treading in unknown territory no one would guess what he thought or felt. And he, being around the fiery Italian noticed that his emotions have become more expressive. His memory took him back to the station’s office and his outburst after being dealt the shocking news. He wasn’t so much embarrassed about his reaction, but more surprised by its intensity.

"I wanted to ask you, Levon…the family thinks… that you should be at the funeral. That is if you want to be." Levon heard the man saying. "The rest of the things can be taken care of later…you know, Joey’s stuff…right now we’ll just deal with the most basic. You’re welcome to come to Chicago."

"Thank you, Uncle Mickey, it means a lot to me," Levon said, but his voice seemed to be coming as through a fog- he just couldn’t imagine attending his partner’s funeral. It was just too soon. Too damn soon.

"Ok, when you get everything arranged, call us, and Tony will pick you up at the airport."

"I will."

"Then we’ll see you soon, sergeant. Good bye", again, the control in that voice was unsettling Lundy.

"Bye", he said and then hung up the phone. He lowered himself onto a couch, but was still unable to relax. He just sat there and stared at the floor, replaying in his mind what he’d just heard. It all seemed too surreal. But soon he shook himself, as if to shake the nightmare of his shoulders, and picked up the phone yet again, this time to dial the airlines.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lundy woke up with a start. He looked around the room to figure out where he was, only to realize that he was in his bedroom, lying fully dressed on his bed. His heart was beating fast, so he closed his eyes again and breathed deeply to try calm down. Then he remembered the past day and all that had happened. He remembered hearing his lieutenant telling him about LaFiamma’s death, remembered hearing his own sobs, the relaxing ride on Fooler, and the phone call he received from Uncle Mikey. He also remembered going into his bedroom and lying on top of his bed to stretch his exhausted body. He didn’t know how he fell asleep, but was grateful for those precious few hours. It was 4 in the morning, and Lundy stared at the ceiling thinking about the soon to be dawning day. Day he would have to go through without his partner and friend Joey. There was still some anger lingering inside him, but it was being pushed aside by the pain he felt. He never knew when the partnership grew into friendship, but now that he was left with memories alone, Levon promised himself that he would treasure them forever. He smiled to himself as he recalled their first meeting- LaFiamma snapping at Lundy at the airport, and his obvious shock and annoyance about having to listen to country music. He thought about their mutual displeasure at being pared up in work. But he also thought about the fierce loyalty; LaFiamma would stand behind him even when he disagreed with him. The two of them could argue bitterly, but if third party entered, they would act as a unit. ‘The best partner I ever had, would ever again have’. The grief returned and the deep brown Texan eyes were filled with tears. ‘Why now? I never cried for Caroline, why now? Have I changed so much?’ But he knew he has. Working with the loud-mouthed Chicago detective, Lundy has become more expressive, more than he cared to be. ‘How will I ever handle the funeral? I have to get myself together, there aren’t that many hours left ‘til I meet the mob family’. With that Lundy pulled the sides of the cover on himself and tried to relax a bit more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the morning Lieutenant Beaumont entered her office. It was still early; she got to the Major Crime before anyone else. She needed this time to herself. The previous day was one of the worst she’d ever experienced. After she told Lundy about LaFiamma’s death and watched him leave the station, she was swamped by countless questions from fellow officers. Between the constant inquiries and a few unsuccessful attempts to call Lundy to check on him, she really had no time to deal with the tragedy herself. She too needed time to grieve. Due to the turmoil at the office, it wasn’t until later that night that she could finally reflect upon everything.

Or so she thought. Her husband Brad tried to ease her pain of losing a friend and the worry about her former partner. But supportive as he was, Joanne just wanted to be alone. Now, back in her office, she sat on the top of her desk and tears filled her eyes. She looked over at the desks of what had been her best detective team; both were covered with flowers and little notes of sympathy, only LaFiamma’s bonsai tree was peering out of the pile; but their occupants were gone- one never to return, the other one, his partner- who knew.

########################################################################

It was early afternoon when Lundy emerged from the connecting tunnel into the Arrivals area of Chicago airport. His eyes traveled through the crowd and a sudden thought occurred to him- this place was so much like LaFiamma- pulsing with energy and vigor. Lundy let himself be carried with the wave of crowd toward the exit, his carry-on bag held in his hand. He felt nervous and a bit confused, unsure about what would happen in the near future as he thought about meeting Joey’s mob family.

"Sergeant Lundy?" dark-haired man in his mid-thirties addressed Levon as he neared the exit. Lundy could see some resemblance with his former partner, so he assumed this was the man whose job was to meet him here.

"Yeah, Tony LaFiamma?" he answered and approached the man who nodded. The two men stood facing one another for a moment, each trying to figure out strengths and weaknesses of the other. In any other circumstances it would seem that the men were opponents before a showdown, but these two just wanted to know how to act, what to expect from the other one. Antonio LaFiamma stretched out his hand toward Lundy, who took it without a second of hesitation.

"Glad you could make it," Tony said and after seeing Lundy nod quietly, he only added, "the family is waiting, let’s go". Then he turned and headed out of the terminal, Lundy followed closely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The black car stopped in front of the side entrance to what looked to Lundy like hospital. Although even more confused then before, he didn’t say anything and followed Joey’s cousin through the door inside. They took and elevator a couple of floors down, then turned a couple of corners, and crossed a few hallways in quiet quarters of hospital. Lundy felt an uneasy feeling creeping into him; he never liked hospitals but the white bare halls they walked through and the dead quiet that surrounded them plain scared him. Tony LaFiamma didn’t say anything to explain, he just walked with a steady pace, only imagining what could the detective behind him be feeling. As the turned the last corner, with Lundy by now thoroughly disoriented, Tony reached for some doors and opened them. Taking a quick look inside, he opened the door wide and nodded for Lundy to enter. Levon passed by Tony and entered the room taking a note of four other men. Tony followed and closed the door behind them. The room had no windows or furniture only one side door. One of the four men in the room was about Tony’s age and the resemblance between the two clearly told Lundy that they must be brothers. Older man standing in the middle of the room fit the description that Joey had given Levon of his Uncle Mikey. He was short but with strong features. Before Lundy could pay closer attention to the other two men in the room, Uncle Mikey approached the Texan.

"Sergeant Lundy, glad you came. Michael LaFiamma." Uncle Mikey held out his hand toward Levon after this brief introduction. Again, like at the airport, Levon didn’t hesitate to accept it. His previous uncertain feelings about meeting a mob family disappeared the moment he entered the room. He himself couldn’t explain it; maybe it was his need to be there. Mikey continued: "You’ve met my son Tony, this is my younger son Mario and these gentlemen here are detectives Radetzke and Shedeger".

Lundy nodded to the men, taking a closer look at the detectives. Both were in their early to mid forties, with honest and open faces.

"Glad I can be here," Levon answered fully aware of the fact that Joey now belonged to his family, and thankful for a chance to say goodbye to him personally. As he thought about these things, Levon looked around the room. It looked like one of the rooms adjacent to a morgue. Chill ran down his spine. With hesitation in his voice he asked:

"Why are we here? This looks like…this is a morgue. Is Joey’s body still here?"

The whole time the five men didn’t take their eyes off the Texan, closely studying his every move and reaction. He noticed that what he had seen so far did not match his expectations. Uncle Mikey was serious and somber and so were the other men in the room, but they all seemed somewhat- he couldn’t put his finger on it- cautious? His eyes met Mikey’s and Mikey could see deep brown pools of pain looking at him. He knew he could trust the man standing in front of him; after all, Joey had trusted Lundy with his life. Uncle Mikey turned to look at each of the men present. They all nodded silently. When he acknowledged their response to unasked question, he turned back to sergeant and said clearly:

"Yes, this is morgue. We haven’t moved Joey’s body yet. We’ll need your help, Levon", deliberately calling Lundy by his first name, a clear sign of trust.

"My help? I don’t understand." Lundy eyes now filled with surprise.

"Follow me."

Uncle Mickey moved toward the side doors, not the one through which Lundy entered. Lundy, puzzled, followed, and so did the others. The next room was empty except a few chairs and two tall muscular men clad in black, but covered in white hospital coats standing in front of the doors on the opposite wall. Both looked like bodyguards, although Lundy could not fathom the reason for their presence in this quiet and eerie part of hospital. Both men looked at Uncle Mikey as he approached the door and moved aside. Mikey glanced back at Lundy before he opened the door quietly. He stepped halfway into the room but then stopped and waved at the sergeant to enter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lundy entered room lit with dim lights and filled with quiet monotone buzzing of machines. He saw two male nurses sitting on chairs, and off to the side whence the buzzing noise was coming he saw an immobile figure lying on the hospital bed. The shock of recognition paralyzed Lundy for a moment.

"LaFiamma!" Levon choked out. "Joey!" he screamed as he lunged himself forward toward the figure. Within an instant he was leaning over the man connected to the machines. "Joey? Can you hear me? Joey?" Lundy’s voice was shaking with tornado of feelings that attacked him and with the extreme effort not to break down.

"He can’t hear you, sergeant." Uncle Mickey proceeded to explain after he waved everyone outside of the room. "He’s been in coma since the shooting. We almost lost him. But he’s hanging on."

"How…" Levon tried to speak, but tears were preventing him from being coherent. He saw Uncle Mickey leave the room and close the door behind him. He again directed his hazy gaze back to the figure lying on the bed. Reaching out with his trembling hand for Joey’s, Lundy broke into quiet sobs. The shock was enormous, one he hadn’t been prepared for.

After some time he calmed down enough to take closer look at his still-alive partner. Joey had breathing tube inserted into his mouth and securely taped to his face. The heart monitor connected to Joey’s chest produced the regular beeping noise; there was a plastic tube sticking out of Joey’s heavily bandaged chest which was leading into small glass container filled with fluid. IV’s were dripping another fluid into LaFiamma’s veins. Levon noticed that Joey’s usually olive complexion was now deathly pale, but the chest was rising and lowering with each breath. The machines literally scared Levon, and he had to fight strongest urge not to hug his partner, but he saw the calm and peace in Joey’s face that somehow managed to calm him down as well.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

The moment Joey lost consciousness in Uncle Mickey’s arms, his cousins Tony and Mario were down on their knees easing him to the ground. Someone had already called the ambulance, but Tony knew that they couldn’t lose a second. Ripping Joey’s shirt open they could clearly see two entry wounds with frothy red bubbles forming around them. Joey’s breathing was becoming increasingly laborious; he was in obvious respiratory distress. Moments later his breathing ceased. Mario was using handkerchiefs the family members hastily handed to him to press down on Joey’s wounds, while Tony began to give Joey mouth-to-mouth ventilation. The blood that had filled Joey’s mouth prevented the air from entering the lungs however, and Tony realized that keeping Joey on his back would be unproductive and so with Mario’s and by now also Uncle Mikey’s help they turned Joey on his side.

When the paramedics arrived short minutes later they found their patient in very serious condition. His skin was cool with pallor and shimmer of sweat on it; he had weak but still palpable pulse. Still not breathing, he was beginning to show signs of shock from the blood loss. The paramedics quickly took over from the men kneeling on the ground, looking for signs of other injuries. Uncle Mikey gave them short report as to what had just happened. After securing the oxygen mask onto Joey’s face and continuing with the ventilation, they began to prepare their patient for immediate transport to the emergency room. They suspected open pneumothorax and hemothorax, but they soon observed marked overexpansion of the right side of LaFiamma’s chest, which was a warning sign of life-threatening tension pneumothorax that could lead to lung collapse from the air trapped inside. Having Joey on assisted ventilation, they quickly removed the airtight dressings formerly placed on the wounds and replaced it with three-side ones that would not let the air enter through the wound but would release the air trapped inside Joey’s chest. After loading Joey into ambulance, the double doors closed and the vehicle sped toward the hospital with the paramedics working hard on keeping their patient alive until then.

The LaFiamma family was left standing dumbfounded by what they just witnessed. Confused looks shot from all eyes, all were just too stunned to even think. Some of the children were crying, others were just holding on to the nearest adult trembling with fear. The only people, except Tony and Mario LaFiamma, capable of doing something productive in those horrible moments were Uncle Mikey’s and his friends’ drivers-bodyguards, who have been scanning the area looking out for other signs of danger. The shooter was nowhere to be seen, and it soon became clear to all that Joey was intended to be the sole victim of those two bullets. The sound of police cars filled the air and added to the general confusion.

The priest, Father Paglia, was still standing next to the casket with his hands clutching the crucifix close to his chest, his eyes closed and his lips muttering silent prayer. He has know Joey LaFiamma since Joey was a little boy, baptized him, watched him grow up, take his First Communion and Confirmation. He was close to the family, knew all there was to know to be a good shepherd to them, but Joey has always held a special place in his heart especially when he decided to take different a route than most of his family and become a cop. There has always been something innocent in Joey that Father Paglia loved so much; that childlike innocence stayed rooted deep inside Joey’s soul even when he grew up. And Father Paglia saw that same innocence in Joey’s eyes today; it was peering out through the pain to see the clear sky up above. Only now Father Paglia’s heart constricted with fear that he would never see it there again.

"Father…" Mario LaFiamma’s voice reached him from somewhere afar. He slowly opened his eyes to see the LaFiamma family still standing more or less where they were when Joey arrived. He also saw two police cars stopping close by and officers talking to Michael LaFiamma. The officers nodded to whatever the head of the family was telling them and then stood there waiting. Michael LaFiamma returned to the mourning, shocked crowd and looked at his family, then at the priest.

"Are…are we going to continue?" Father Paglia asked quietly.

"Yes. We should finish here, then I’ll go to hospital…"

"Joey…"

"I can’t help Joey right now, and my duty is to give my wife proper, honorable funeral. As soon as we’re done here I’ll take care of Joey, although it’s really in God’s hands whether the kid will live or not. Let’s continue, Father."

Father Paglia nodded his understanding and resumed the service. It was over in 15 minutes and he watched with broken heart the LaFiamma family disperse. Mario LaFiamma stayed to deal with the Police, Anthony and Michael LaFiamma left with their bodyguard to hospital. Other members of the family were told to go home and wait for the news and Mario was to join his father and brother in hospital as soon as everything regarding the police business was taken care of.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the black limousine taking Uncle Mikey and Tony LaFiamma towards the hospital the two men were sitting quietly for a while. Then the older man reached into his suit pocket, pulled out a clean white handkerchief and handed it to the younger man whose eyes filled with wonder, saying:

"Clean your face".

Tony began to wipe his face with the white piece of cloth and noticed blood on it. Then he realized it was Joey’s blood that got onto his face and into his mouth when he was breathing into Joey’s mouth in desperate attempt to keep him alive until paramedics arrived. Tony’s eyes darkened with disbelief as he glanced at Mikey. The older man offered:

"I know, I didn’t notice until now either. Everything happened too fast. But you and Mario did right."

"Enough?"

"Don’t know that, we’ll find out when we get to hospital."

"I really don’t want to go to another funeral…" Tony’s voice was full of despair. Joey was his favourite cousin and they were close ever since they were growing up.

"You will have to. We all will", Mikey answered, his face dark, he was obviously lost in his thoughts to notice Tony’s tone.

"What do you mean? You think he’ll…"

"Those who want him dead will try again, you know that as well as I do. If Joey survives…and I pray he does…we’ll have to come up with some arrangement to keep the kid alive until he can leave the town. We’ll see what we’re up to when we talk to doctors. For now let’s just hope it will come to that."

"Yeah." Tony now fully understood what Mikey was talking about and clutching the bloody handkerchief followed the road outside through the darkened window.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two full hours had passed and the two men still found themselves pacing the small area of waiting room. They were told that Joey was in surgery and that they’d have to wait for the doctor attending to him.

"At least he’s still alive," Anthony broke the silence, trying to sound optimistic. There was no answer. Mario joined them just some short time ago, and since Tony or Mikey couldn’t offer him any information on Joey’s condition he resigned himself to sitting on a chair with his arms folded across his chest and his eyes downcast.

Finally an exhausted doctor entered the room.

"Mr. LaFiamma? I’m doctor Seeley. You’re the closest relative of Joseph LaFiamma?"

"Yes, he’s my nephew. What’s his condition, doctor? And please be frank. I just buried my wife today and want to know what to expect".

"I’m sorry to hear that. Your nephew’s condition is serious. When he arrived his right lung had collapsed from the tension pneumothrax that was caused by the air being trapped inside his chest due to those two gunshot wounds he has received. Also the blood filled the space around his lungs.. We relieved the tension by inserting a plastic tube into his chest wall. His pulse is stronger and steadier. Although his breathing has improved since we hooked him up to the respirator, due to the trauma his system sustained, your nephew went into shock and is now in coma. Good news is that since your nephew received immediate assistance and his brain did not lose its blood supply, we expect him to regain consciousness in some time."

"How soon?" Joey’s concerned uncle asked.

"Hard to say, maybe in day or two, maybe longer. Don’t get me wrong, Mr. LaFiamma, your nephew is still in serious condition, but we have done all there was to do. We have removed those two bullets, but his lungs suffered some serious damage and it will take some time before we can be sure he will make it. I’m sorry, I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but you asked me to be open, and I do not intend to mislead my patient’s families with false hope."

"But there is hope?"

"Yes, there is hope. Your nephew seems to be in excellent shape, he was obviously taking care of himself, and strong, young body can recover amazingly quickly. So I would not lose optimism. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go back. You can see your nephew in a few minutes after they transfer him to ICQ ward. Nurses will point you in the right direction".

"Thank you, doctor Seeley." Michael LaFiamma shook hands with the doctor who then left the room to attend to his patients.

Just a few minutes later the three men entered bright room that now belonged to Joey LaFiamma. All three quietly approached the young man lying in the white sheets and stared into his white face partly covered with the tape securing the respirator to his mouth. They also noticed one more tube leading from his chest and hooked up to some kind of suction. Heart monitor was giving out regular and steady beeps.

"Hey, kid," Uncle Mikey said and reached for Joey’s hand that failed to react to the contact. "Didn’t I tell you to watch yourself? And now look at you! You were always so stubborn!"

Anthony’ eyes, until now fixed on the immobile young face of his cousin, moved to see the distraught face of his father. He often talked with Mario about how much their own parents, Michael and Teresa LaFiamma, loved Joey. They all felt the void Joey’s sudden and forced departure a few years ago left in their lives. And they also knew that no one felt as strongly about Joey as his Uncle Mikey. Somewhere, sometime, long time ago, he and Mario accepted Joey as a part of their immediate family, and Tony often felt that Joey was more of a brother to him than Mario. Now he saw the pain and worry in Mikey’s eyes. Then he smiled quietly- a mob family fretting about a cop! But Joey was not just any cop- he was the best they knew- straight, honest, one whose integrity would never be questioned. And although no one would ever admit it, or say it out loud, he was not the ‘black sheep’ of the LaFiamma family, but its pride.

"What are we going to do?" Mario LaFiamma interrupted all thoughts.

"Right…" Uncle Mikey turned from Joey to face his sons.

"If they learn he’s alive, they’ll try again. I told the police only as much as I thought necessary, I don’t trust them." Mario continued, then waited for response.

"He can’t stay here." Uncle Mickey mused.

"But he needs the care only hospital can provide. He won’t have a chance elsewhere," Tony protested.

"Don’t you think I know that!" the elder LaFiamma snapped. Immediately, he realized that he sounded a bit to harsh and added quietly, raising his hand in gesture of atonement, "Let me think."

Anthony and Mario exchanged glances but kept quiet.

"We have to contact doctor Rubeo, he has great experience and a good name in this hospital. Mario, you’ll do that. Ask him to come here. Next, no one knows what happened and we have to keep it that way. Tony, you’ll call those two detectives that Joey used to work with once in a while in his old precinct, Radetzke and Shedeger. Joey had often said that he would trust them, but only them. Have them come here as well. They will probably have heard about the shooting by now anyway, they might be able to help. But don’t talk to them, we’ll tell them once they get here. As for the family, there is no news on Joey’s condition just yet, not until we decide what to do, how to protect him. Tony, have Franco, my driver, and Luca come up here as well, we’ll need them as Joey’s bodyguards. Go." Uncle Mickey, once again the man of action spat out the orders and watched his sons leave the room.

Then he turned back to bed and sighed as the heavy weight of double sorrow descended upon him. With all that had happened in the last few hours, he didn’t even have time to mourn his wife of almost forty years. ‘You understand, my dear Teresa, you loved him too…’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soon the men Uncle Mikey summoned began to arrive. First it was Franco and Luca, both men of impressive height and strength. Then Mario appeared followed by doctor Rubeo and Tony. Short time later both Shedeger and Radetzke entered the ICQ unit. All were anxious to hear what the head of LaFiamma family had to say, and some of them, like detectives Radetzke and Shedeger, were worried about Joey. Uncle Mikey didn’t keep them in dark for long.

"I’m glad you all came. There are some things that have to be discussed. And although I realize this in not the right place to do it, it has to be done now. Let me explain the situation. As some of you know, my wife Teresa passed away a couple of days ago. Today was her funeral. Joey had decided to come to funeral, but without informing anyone from the family of his plans. I guess he knew he would be told not to come. I have pretty good idea why he came and it is not important right now. What is important is, that those who wanted Joey dead for some years found out and gunned him down during the service. Joey’s still alive, but in serious condition and in coma. Doctor Rubeo, doctor Seeley will fill you in on all the medical details soon. My greatest concern is to protect Joey until he’s strong enough to leave the town. Which means, that he cannot stay here."

"Do you want him officially dead?" Radetzke asked suddenly.

"Yes, Joey’s dead, to all outside this room. No one, and I repeat no one, will know that Joey made it through the surgery. Doctor Rubeo, you can talk to doctor Seeley and explain the situation. I also want to know if you’re capable and willing to give Joey care he needs while he’s in this condition."

"I’ll need to talk to Seeley, but I don’t think it should be a problem provided I have the necessary technical equipment." Doctor Rubeo responded.

"Detectives, Joey told me that if he ever needed something you were the ones he would trust. Can he count on your help?"

"Yeah," both sergeants responded without a second of hesitation.

"Then I need you to take care of the official business. Deal with the police stuff, however you prefer to do it. Just remember, that Joey didn’t make it."

"Franco and Luca, you’re from now on assigned to protect Joey at all costs. All costs. He’s your priority and responsibility."

The two huge men nodded their understanding and moved to each side of Joey’s bed.

"I’ll find doctor Seeley right now, and see what we’re looking at," doctor Rubeo said and left the group. As he left he was followed by numerous pairs of eyes of attending nursing staff. All could see the little meeting taking place in their new patient’s room, but didn’t dare to interrupt due to threatening appearances of some of those present at the meeting.

Rubeo returned after some time followed by Seeley whose expression was a mix of worry and disbelief. Both entered the room, and all previous discussion ceased.

"Mr. LaFiamma, Doctor Rubeo explained the situation. I realize you feel you nephew is still in danger, but I feel that he can only receive the best care right here in the hospital."

"Is there a place here, in hospital, where Joey would be completely secluded and undisturbed?" Uncle Mikey asked.

"Yes…and I don’t mean to sound facetious…the morgue, which is where he’ll end up if you insist on moving him."

"That’s it! That’s the answer!" Tony jumped in. "Are there any empty rooms around there? Where we could move Joey and still have him connected to all machines he needs?"

The eyes of men filling the small room widened as the obvious answers appeared out of the blue.

"Yeah, that’s it! Morgue is where the body would be anyway, and it wouldn’t be too suspicious that we would be here to pay our last respects." Uncle Mikey smiled at Tony, grateful for his input.

"There are some empty rooms off to the back section of the basement. All the equipment needed could be transferred there. The section is quiet, since it is the front that is mostly used by the medical students and doctors. Now we just have to figure out how to get Joey there and have him die at the same time." Doctor Rubeo offered.

Doctor Seeley, who remained quiet following his little remark about the morgue, by now figured out that the LaFiamma family was completely serious about the arrangement. And when he thought about it for a moment, it wouldn’t put the patient at risk if there was a nurse present at his side at all times.

"I cannot do what you’re asking me to do, but if doctor Rubeo will take the responsibility for the patient, I’m going to keep quiet. And in case of an emergency you can contact me at any time. But I do require that doctor Rubeo will inform me on patient’s condition regularly." Seeley said, looking mostly at Mickey and Rubeo, both of whom nodded their agreement and shook the doctor’s hand.

Seeley checked on his patient and then left the room. Some short time later, when most of the men vacated Joey’s room, both doctor Seeley and Rubeo staged a little show that resulted in Joey being taken into elevator to go up into operating room. He never got there allegedly dying inside the elevator.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Lundy listened to this fascinating account, told by Joey’s uncle- Uncle Mikey waited outside until he heard Lundy regain his composure, and then reentered the quiet room. When Mikey finished, the two men were looking at each other, then Lundy said:

"You love him a lot."

"Yes, I always have."

"I think he knew that, he just didn’t know how much. He felt lonely quite often."

"I know he did. I wish I could change that. But there was nothing I could do to make it possible for him to come back to Chicago. Somewhere deep, I think, he wondered about that."

"If he did, he never said anything. Although we never really spoke about it, he refused. I just know he loved you and missed you all. I should have stopped him from coming, or gone with him…"

"Sergeant, you know Joey better then anyone else. So you know that once he takes something into that hard head of his, he’ll do it. And if what he told me about you is true, he would never have you come with him, never. He knew the danger; there was no surprise in his face when those bullets hit him. So don’t go blaming yourself for what had happened, if there’s anyone to blame it’s me."

"You?!"

"Yes. I should have expected it. I should have known that he would not be absent at my wife’s funeral. As you said, he felt lonely, and by coming here he was trying to reconnect with the family. His need was so strong that he came regardless of the danger. But you want to ask something, sergeant…"

"Was…was it true what lieutenant Beaumont told me? About Joey…when he was…ehmm…dying?"

"That he called you name? Yes. And I have to apologize to you."

Lundy’s brows formed a frown of surprise, wonder.

"When Joey called your name and then actually thought that you were there…just before he lost consciousness and stopped breathing…I realized that you are more than just partners, that you two are close friends. And I have to apologize for not telling you the truth, for hurting you. No, let me finish, Levon. I can only imagine how you felt, and what those hours before you arrived here where like. I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just needed to see you, talk to you before I said anything about Joey being alive. There was too much at risk to tell you over the phone. I should have known, Joey has always trusted you. I never knew any single person he trusted more than you."

"Joey is my family, the only one I have except for my grandmother. But you probably know that," a small gentle smile flew across Lundy’s face. He couldn’t believe how many times he has referred to his partner as ‘Joey’ instead of ‘LaFiamma’ in the past hour or so. He had to keep reminding himself that it would be too confusing to simply refer to Joey with his usual ‘LaFiamma’ with Joey’s family around.

"What is it, sergeant?" Uncle Mikey didn’t fail to notice that smile.

"You’re not like I imagined you’d be."

"What did you expect, if I may know?"

"A man who doesn’t talk too often," Levon said and watched similar smile to appear on Uncle Mikey’s face.

"You’re exactly as I imagined you’d be. And sometimes men do need to talk. You’ll have to do that with my nephew once he wakes up. And don’t forget, we are the LaFiammas, Italians, they always talk."

"So I noticed. Except Tony."

"Oh, you don’t know him, sergeant! He can be worse than Joey!"

"Lord have mercy…"

Older LaFiamma gave Lundy the LaFiamma smirk and left it at that.

"What are the plans? I assume you have some plans."

"It really depends on Joey’s condition. The sooner he can wake up the better. Only the men I told you about know about this little charade, the rest of the family thinks that Joey died and are preparing funeral. I know it’s cruel to let them think that, but what they don’t know the killers won’t learn. Although I’m sure they’re suspicious by now. We will have to transport Joey somewhere else. His condition has improved greatly since yesterday. He’s stable now, and doctor Rubeo plans to take him off the respirator tomorrow. You will meet him later. As soon as he’s strong enough, I want him out of town, out of danger. I can assure his safety once he’s gone, but I’m powerless while he’s here."

"I know that".

"When he’s out of town, you’ll take him back to Houston, where he belongs."

"How would I do that!?"

"The transportation is my worry, sergeant. Your worry will be to protect him until then. I don’t know how you two stand, but you can discuss it later. Right now it’s a question of survival."

"I understand" Lundy said and leaned closer to Joey LaFiamma. Ever since he found out that Joey was still alive, he completely forgot about the resolution not to stay partners. He decided to deal with that later, but something inside him was telling him, that as long as one of them was alive they were meant to be partners. There just wasn’t any other way. And Lundy wouldn’t have it any other way.

"Joe, Joey, come on, boy, wake up!" he began talking to Joey. He was so concentrated on trying to read any signs of changing expression in his partner’s face that the Texan didn’t even notice the others enter the room and watch quietly. "Come on, boy, time to wake up. You’re not helping, ya know. Still as stubborn as ever, huh? Now you’re intent on ignoring me? Well, that won’t work, I know exactly how to get you to react to me. And don’t think I’m leaving. I’ll be right here and you’ll have to listen to me and my Texan drawl, like it or not. Hear that?"

Before Lundy had a chance to continue, Joey’s relaxed fingers twitched just a bit and curled up slightly. Lundy put his hand into Joey’s and said quietly, but his voice was filled with hope and excitement,

"Come on, LaFiamma, squeeze my hand. Do it!" Lundy was so absorbed in his task that he still had no idea others were present in the room as well and now approached just a bit to see, but not close enough to disturb Lundy.

"I know you can hear me. Trying to pretend that you don’t won’t help, ‘cause I ain’t leaving until I hear you tell me so." Joey’s fingers curled up into a ball trapping Levon’s hand inside his. The Texan, now encouraged by this progress, leaned even closer. "Joey, look at me, come on, look at me. I know you want to, try."

Lundy’s eyes began to fill with tears as he watched his partner’s face. Joey’s eyelids trembled slightly as the young man reacted to the voice of his partner and friend. Few seconds later his eyes opened a bit while his hand kept squeezing Lundy’s. Then, Joey finally opened his eyes and tried to focus them on the person hovering above him.

"Hey, boy, welcome back," Levon’s face was smiling down at Joey. "Can you understand what I’m saying? No, don’t try to talk, just blink once for yes." Lundy watched LaFiamma blink once. By now tears were rolling down his cheeks, but he didn’t care. He turned to go get the others only to realize that they were there all along.

Now Uncle Mikey approached Joey:

"Hi, kid. You gave us quite a scare," the man said as his hand touched the side of Joey’s face, his eyes like Lundy’s full of tears. Joey’s eyes blinked their understanding. In a few seconds the faces he was so glad to see were replaced by two more faces he recognized- his cousins Tony and Mario, and later Radetzke and Shedeger, all of whom had some short words for the wounded man.

Then his sight rested on doctors Rubeo and Seeley, who arrived immediately after being paged. Joey answered a few short questions they asked him with more blinks. Then his eyes became restless, looking for someone. Uncle Mikey appeared again, his eyes still moist, but Joey’s eyes kept moving. Then Lundy approached LaFiamma’s bed again. Joey’s eyes stopped their search and his hand opened. Lundy put his own hand into Joey’s and looked at his face. Despite Joey’s relief, Levon could see pain and exhaustion in them and said,

"Go to sleep, LaFiamma. I know you’re hurting, but you’ll feel better when you wake up. Get some rest." Just a few moments later Joey’s eyes closed, and he fell asleep with his hand still clutching Lundy’s.

"What did you do, Mr. Lundy?" doctor Seeley asked after Michael LaFiamma introduced the men.

"Nothing, I just talked to him, asked him to wake up."

Doctor Seeley smiled and nodded adding, "It’s a good thing you came."

"What now?" Lundy asked before anyone else had the chance.

"Now he’ll sleep. He’s still on heavy medications, so it will take a while before he’s fully aware of his surroundings. If his progress is as good as until now, we can take him off the respirator tomorrow. Then we’ll see. However, he’s going to be in a lot of pain due to the injury to his lungs, and if he will not breath deeply of his own, we’ll have to help him out with the respirator for a few more days. I don’t know what your plans are, but I ask that you consult me before moving him just yet." doctor Seeley addressed his last words to Uncle Mickey and doctor Rubeo. Both nodded.

After the two doctors checked on their patient more closely they left the room leaving the nurse behind as previously. All in the room with the exception of two bodyguards who were left outside the room all this time were in great spirits. However, it was a quiet joy, they had come too close to losing Joey and were emotionally exhausted, especially Uncle Mikey and Lundy.

The next morning found Lundy sleeping in a chair next to his partner’s bed. Uncle Mikey was in and out of the room, taking care of necessary business. LaFiamma woke up a couple more times, each time fully aware of his surroundings. Still very tired and in pain, but at least in much improved condition. And each time grateful to see Lundy right there, at his side.

Doctor Seeley and doctor Rubeo entered the room just when Lundy woke up. Both proceeded to examine their patient and asked him a number of questions inquiring about the way he felt. After a short consultation they both decided to take LaFiamma off the respirator and see if he could handle breathing on his own. The procedure itself didn’t take very long, but was uncomfortable. The two doctors carefully watched for any signs of breathing difficulty. Joey’s face was tense.

"How do you feel, Mr. LaFiamma?" doctor Seeley asked.

"It hurts." Joey’s voice was quiet, raspy.

"Yes, I know, it will for a while. But you have to take deep breaths; your lungs need to expand to their full capacity. If it hurts too much we can put you back on the respirator."

"I’ll try. Don’t like that tube going down my throat much." Joey answered and took a deep breath. All could clearly see he was hurting a lot when he closed his eyes and his hands grasped the sheets tightly. Joey concentrated all his thought on the importance of breathing deeply, trying to find the right rhythm and ignore the burning pain in his lungs.

"I can do it, doc. I’ll be fine."

"I don’t know Joey, looks to me like you’re in a lot of pain," doctor Rubeo now said.

"I don’t want to go back on the respirator, and you said it will pass".

"Yes, but not as soon as you and we’d want to. It will be a couple of days before you’re reasonably comfortable".

LaFiamma’s eyes searched for Lundy’s. When he found them he could see concern and support in them. No, he could do it now that Lundy was here to help.

"No, I’ll be ok. Really."

"Ok, Joey, but if we notice any bad signs you’ll have to be put on respirator again." Joey nodded and closed his eyes again.

Doctors talked to the nurse for a while and were just about to leave when Uncle Mikey entered the room. Joey’s eyes opened and he smiled a little.

"Uncle Mikey…" he said with that deep raspy voice.

"Joey…how do you feel, kid?" Uncle Mikey’s face brightened at the sight of his nephew talking.

"Ok. So glad you’re here."

"Where else would I be, kid?"

Joey had some idea where his uncle could and should be, but didn’t dare to say it. But his uncle read his nephew’s thoughts but only said," Rest, Joey, we can talk later."

Then he stepped out of the room to talk to doctors and see how to proceed further. The nurse followed.

When Joey noticed that he was left alone with Levon, he turned his head to look at him. How grateful he was to see friendship in those deep brown eyes.

"Lundy…" Joe began.

"Don’t talk, LaFiamma. You need to rest."

"No, I have to say something."

"I can tell you’re not as fine as you lead the doctors believe. I know you, remember?"

"Lundy, just listen, will ya? Please."

"Ok, what is it, boy?" Lundy decided to listen. The only other option he saw would be an argument about how Joey really felt, and he really didn’t want to agitate his partner who was already in pain.

"I…damn, this is hard. No, not that, Lundy, I’m fine…"

"Take your time," Levon encouraged Joey when he saw his obvious struggle to pick the right words.

"I’m glad you’re here. Really glad," the Italian finally managed to say quietly, his eyes first downcast, but then looking directly into the Texan’s. "I…I thought you wouldn’t have come…after what I’ve done and what you said."

"LaFiamma, where else would I be? I’m just happy I didn’t come for the funeral as I first thought".

Joey’s eyes narrowed at the last remark.

"What do you mean, who’s funeral? Mine?"

"Never mind, forget about that for now." Lundy’s eyes were by now searching for a good spot on the floor to look at. He was desperately trying to hide the pain that was filling them.

"Is that what they told you?! Lundy, look at me! Is it?"

There was no avoiding the question, Lundy knew LaFiamma wouldn’t let up until he had the answer.

"Yes, I was asked to come…to your funeral. Only learned that you’re alive when I was taken to this room an saw you…"

"Christ, Lundy…"LaFiamma was watching the downcast eyes of his partner. He couldn’t see what was in them, but sensed the pain Lundy went through, pain he would have felt himself if their roles were reversed.

With considerable effort and trying to avoid moving too much, Joey’s hand searched for Levon’s arm. Lundy saw the hand trying to reach out and grabbed it desperately as one drowning and needing help. He looked into LaFiamma’s face and saw true regret in the handsome pale features.

"I’m so sorry, Levon…Please, forgive me."

Lundy couldn’t believe his ears- LaFiamma asking for pardon or forgiveness! He would have never thought it possible. Not LaFiamma, the stubborn, arrogant Italian cop. His friend. Yes, his friend.

"No, I’m sorry."

"For what?" now it was LaFiamma’s turn to wonder. Lundy was apologizing, Joey just wasn’t sure he heard right, nor could he imagine the reason for it.

"I should have given you more support when you learned about your aunt. I shouldn’t have pushed you. Shouldn’t have said what I did…I’m sorry."

After a moment of quiet a vicious grin settled on Joey’s white lips. "You know, you should do this more often. I like hearing you apologize".

"You can just forget about that, boy," Lundy quickly spat out, but his tired face brightened with smile.

"Partners?"

"Partners."

Joey’s little grin gave way to a smile. However, the effort to talk with Lundy weakened him and he felt both sore and exhausted. "I’m tired".

"Get some sleep. The sooner you get well, sooner we can get you home."

"Yeah…home…" with a smile still adorning his face, LaFiamma drifted off to sleep, his hand slowly relaxed its hold on Lundy’s. Lundy remained seated next to his partner’s bed, holding the hand for a while longer and then gently placing it alongside the sleeping body, grateful that he still had partner and friend to tease and fight with. They still had some serious talking to do, but that could wait until Joey was safe, and back in Houston.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mikey, I’m so sorry to hear about your nephew Joey…" sharp male voice rang through over the phone line.

"The hell you are, you scum. You couldn’t give that kid a chance to come to family funeral!" Mikey’s voice was betraying just how furious he was with the man on the other side of the line.

"We had a deal. You made it, he broke it!"

"Nick, you’re scum…"

"Yeah, yeah, you’ve said that already. Just one question- what the hell are you doing in morgue all that time? I’m sure the autopsy has been performed, what’s stopping you from taking Joey home before you bury him?"

"It doesn’t concern you."

"It doesn’t? You so sure about that?"

"Yeah, I’m sure. Nothing else to discuss."

"Well, I’ll be seeing you at the funeral, wouldn’t want to miss that," irony just seeped through Nick Bellettieri’s voice.

"If I see you there, you won’t live through it. That I promise you," Michael LaFiamma growled into the receiver and hung up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside LaFiamma’s room men gathered to discuss latest situation. Lundy left his sleeping partner to join them. There was Uncle Mikey, both Mario and Tony, and LaFiamma’s former colleagues, sergeants Radetzke and Shedeger.

"We have problem," Uncle Mikey began. "I expected this to happen, but was hoping for a few more days to give Joey time to heal. However, as it looks now, we have to act. As soon as possible."

"What’s going on?"

"I got a call from Nick," Mikey continued and when he saw Lundy’s puzzled look, he added, "that’s the scum behind the hit. He’s begun to wonder what we are all doing here all this time. It has been two days since the shooting, it’s time to bury Joey."

"Is Joey strong enough to be transported, yet?" Tony asked.

"Don’t know, we’ll have to talk to doctors, but we have to move as soon as Joey’s condition allows it. Sergeant Radetzke, how does it look with the investigation?"

"Same. Joseph’s officially dead, but we haven’t closed the case just yet. It allows us to move around freely. Lieutenant knows nothing about this, as you’ve requested, I don’t know if I’d trust him; he never did like Joe much."

"My sentiments exactly." Shedeger added to which Mickey nodded.

At that moment both doctor Seeley and Rubeo entered the room. Both were hoping this situation would resolve itself soon, it was putting constant strain on them, but it was too late to back out now. They just hoped that the nurses they hand picked would be discreet enough and not jeopardize the whole scam.

"Gentlemen, thank you for coming on such a short notice. We have to discuss how we are to proceed. We need to know when Joey can be moved."

"It’s too early to move him just yet, Mr. LaFiamma," doctor Seeley protested. Although under pressure, he was concerned about wellbeing of his patient.

"We may not have much choice. He may be in danger here. The sooner he can leave Chicago the better. I need your honest opinion on this. I don’t want to endanger Joey’s live, but I will have to move him as soon as it is relatively safe to do so."

"Why would he be in danger?" Seeley asked. As far as he knew, none of his staff had any idea about this arrangement.

"The party behind the hit suspects something. It’s not surprising, but I was hoping Joey would have more time to heal, before they made any move. The way it looks now, we will have to plan a funeral for tomorrow and move Joey before then. I need your opinion."

Lundy listened quietly and thought about the situation. Joey had to be moved, otherwise his life would again be in danger, but transport might set him back in his recovery, or worse. He was frustrated, and helpless. In a strange city, with no contact whatsoever, he had to rely on a good judgement of Joey’s uncle. And deep inside he still had reservations about the wiseguy running the show. But he had to set his feelings aside; Radetzke and Shedeger seemed to do so. Lundy would do the same; LaFiamma was his partner, he would help anyway he could.

"Your nephew is getting better, but I’m not sure he’s strong enough to be moved just yet. However, if the situation is critical, you could risk it. His condition is improving by hour, but I would wait at least another day," doctor Seeley said after some thought. Doctor Rubeo nodded. He felt that this should be Seeley’s call, since Joey was more his patient than Rubeo’s.

"Where would you move him? You don’t have to tell me the details, I just need to know if he will have all the required care there."

"We need to talk about that. Thank you, doctor, I’ll let you know on how we will proceed," Uncle Mikey finished, shook hands with both Seeley and Rubeo and watched them leave the room. Then he turned to those left.

"Joey will have to leave Chicago tomorrow. I was hoping we could wait, but it’s too risky."

"Where do you want to take him?" Lundy finally asked. He just couldn’t stand by passively any longer; although he was dealing with Joey’s closest family, he had to have some input in the decisions. He was LaFiamma’s partner, the one person closest to Joe in the last couple of years. If LaFiamma’s health was being put at risk, he’d want to know why and be sure he could protect LaFiamma from any further danger.

"I need you to get him to Houston as soon as possible, sergeant. That’s the only place right now where Joey will be safe. But first we have to get him out of here. Who can you trust in Houston, sergeant? And I mean really trust, unconditionally."

"There are few people that I would trust with my life- and Joey’s".

"Good, call them, talk to them. I’m sure you’ll know what to say."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lundy picked up the receiver to place the call to the one person he’d trust most after LaFiamma. He waited as the phone rang on the other side of the line.

"Beaumont", firm female voice answered.

"Joanne, it’s Lundy."

"Levon! Where are you? Are you all right? What’s going on?" questions just poured out of Lt. Beaumont. They, the whole Major Crimes unit and some close friends, all figured Lundy left for Chicago, and did find out that he made flight reservations, but were still worried about him.

"I’m in Chicago, Jo. I’m fine. How are you doing?" Lundy asked knowing how much pressure Joanne had to deal with in the last few days and that she would be worried about him.

"I’m doing ok. Now, that you finally called." Beaumont answered with a little hint of reproach.

"I’m sorry, Joanne. I couldn’t call earlier, too much has been going on…Can we talk? You know what I mean."

"Give me a moment, Levon," Joanne answered, put the phone down and closed the door on her office before she returned to her chair and picked up the phone.

"Ok, talk."

"I need your help, we need your help…"

"We? Who’s we? And what kind of help?"

"Joanne, what I’m about to tell you can’t leave your office…lives depend on it. Yes, I know I can trust you, but are you sure it’s safe to talk?"

"Yes, Levon, it’s ok. What’s going on over there?"

"Joanne, LaFiamma’s alive…" Lundy said and before he was able to continue he was interrupted by Beaumont’s surprised gasp.

"What?! Alive? How? His uncle told me…"

"Yes, I know. I didn’t learn myself until I entered his hospital room and saw him. He was shot twice, and came really close to not making it. But he did. He was in coma for a day, but he’s awake now and off respirator. He’s getting better, but we have a problem. Those behind the hit are getting really suspicious, and we have to move LaFiamma as soon as possible, probably tomorrow. He can’t stay here, it’s getting to dangerous. But I need your help."

Lieutenant Beaumont listened to her sergeant trying to absorb all the information while sorting out the emotions sweeping through her at the same time. LaFiamma was alive! God, she couldn’t have asked for better news. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and rubbed her forehead with her free hand.

"How can I help? I’ll do all I can, Levon."

"I’m not yet sure about the plans, I will let you know as soon as we decide on what we’ll do, but the way it looks right now, LaFiamma will have to leave Chicago. His uncle had phone call from the guy behind the hit, and right now LaFiamma would be safe only in Houston. We have to get him there somehow."

"Is he strong enough to travel? It’s a really long way, Levon…"

"I know that, and I’m worried about that. He’s getting better, but he’s nowhere near to where he should be to make such a journey. But when it comes down to it, he’ll have to make it."

"But how can I help?"

"If we drive, I’ll need someone to meet me halfway. You know whom I and LaFiamma would trust. I can name four other people except you."

"I guess you’re talking about Annie, Chicken, Legs, Guiterrez and McCandles."
"Exactly. No one else can know this. LaFiamma’s life depends on it. And others’ too. Many people here are risking both their lives and careers to help LaFiamma."

"Are you talking about his family?"

"Only three people from his family know he’s alive. His Uncle Mikey, and Mikey’s two sons Mario and Tony. The rest of the family is preparing for the funeral. Then there are two bodyguards standing outside Joey’s room, two nurses, two doctors, and two sergeants- LaFiamma’s former colleagues. Officially, LaFiamma’s dead."

"Jesus, those hit men are really serious. Levon, I’ll talk to those four, no one else will know. You let me know what’s going on, and we’ll be ready when you need us."

"Thanks Joanne, appreciate it."

"No problem. I’m really glad you called, Levon. Glad to hear the news."

"I should have called earlier, but I guess I was a bit overwhelmed…"

"I understand."

"I’ll talk to you soon, Joanne," Joanne heard the line disconnect after those last words.

Still leaning back in her chair and rubbing her forehead, but now with her eyes open she looked around and her surroundings seemed somehow brighter. She was a strong woman, most of the time in control of her feelings, but news like this had to have its impact, especially when it concerned her friend.

She rose from her chair, opened the door on her office and called Carol, Guiterrez and McCandles into the office. When they entered, she closed the door again and turned to look at them. She noticed worry in their faces, and after the events of the past three days, she was not too surprised. She was, however, glad that she had some positive, no, unbelievable news for them.

"Now, you all keep your cool," she warned them before she continued, "Lundy just called."

"Is he ok?" McCandles asked quickly.

"Yes, he’s in Chicago, as we expected. He’s with LaFiamma. Ehmm…Joe didn’t die, he was shot twice, but he made it…"

"He’s alive?!" Carol burst out. She like the other two detectives was shocked by the news. But unlike them, she also harbored some other feelings for the ex-Chicago cop, feelings that were more than just respect. There has always been something that had drawn her to that handsome man. And she often felt that her feelings were not hers alone.

"I told you to keep your cool. Yes, he’s alive, but still not in great shape. However, he will have to leave Chicago, probably by tomorrow, the hit men are getting close to figuring out that they were not as successful as they’d like to think. Probably thanks to Joe’s stubbornness," Joanne added that last sentence more to herself and they all found themselves smiling. "Levon asked for help. He doesn’t know how they’ll get LaFiamma out of the town just yet, he’ll let us know. But I told him we’ll be ready to do whatever needed to help."

"Sure, lieutenant." Guiterez answered for all of them.

"For know, return to your work, and remember, no one knows this, LaFiamma’s life depends on it. I’ll tell Chicken and Annie, they’re the only other people who’ll know."

"Lieutenant, this is great news! I can’t believe it!" McCandles, like the others was overjoyed with news that their loud, mouthy and stubborn colleague was still alive and coming back.

"I know, I couldn’t believe it myself at first. I can only imagine how Lundy felt when he saw LaFiamma in hospital. He didn’t know until he saw him on the bed," Joanne added last words to clear up the confusion. Then she nodded her head towards the door and sent her sergeants back to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LaFiamma woke when someone entered the room. Lundy was out to make a phone call, get some food and to walk around a bit, so Joey found himself with only one male nurse and his visitor.

"Hey, Joey, how are you doing?" Tony LaFiamma asked as he approached the bed Joey was lying on.

"I’m ok, considering everything." Joey answered and motioned for Tony to sit down on the chair closest to the bed.

"Really glad to hear you talking. We were really worried there for a while. Don’t ever do this again." Tony said with a LaFiamma grin on his face, but his tone was completely serious.

"I’ll try not to."

"Looks like you’ll be leaving us soon."

"Again…"

"I know. Wish you could have at least spent some time with the family, but it would be too risky. They don’t know what’s going on, it’s better that way."

"What do you mean they don’t know?"

"The cowboy didn’t tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Joey, you’re dead. You’re dead to the family, to all your friends…No one knows what’s going on here except for those people you’ve seen in here. It was too dangerous to tell them. They’ll be told once you’re safe."

"What exactly is going on here?"

"Nick has called dad, asking questions; that bastard is planning to come to your funeral."

"So there is going to be a funeral?"

"Yes. We’ll use it as a diversion. We hope to sneak you out of here while the family will attend the funeral."

"How? Where to?"

"Your body hasn’t been moved from the morgue just yet- sorry to be so blunt, so while Mario, dad and I attend to your casket, your partner and the two detectives you once worked with will use other exit to take you out."

"When?"

"Tomorrow, before noon."

"What will I be doing?" Joey asked after giving the situation a thought.

"What do you mean?" Tony was taken back by that question but then he remembered that Joey hated to stand by and watch others act. "You’ll be playing a patient, which is what you are. Don’t you even think about arguing about it. Yesterday you couldn’t even breathe on your own, today you want to organize your own escape. Think again."

Joey kept quiet for a moment, then looking at his cousin he said quietly:

"I’m sorry, Tony. For all the troubles. I just wanted, needed to be here…"

"I know, Joey. You know how important you are to us. I know what my folks mean to you."

"It was selfish. Should have known better. Now you don’t even have time for the family. I’m sorry."

As LaFiamma said the last few words and Tony responded with touching his shoulder and replying "You are family, Joey, always have been", Uncle Mikey entered the room and looked at the two men. Tony stood up and moved away from Joey’s bed to give his father and his cousin some space. He moved his head in a sign for the nurse to leave the room with him. As he was closing the door behind him he saw his father sit down in the chair which he occupied some moments ago.

"How’re you doing, kid?" the older man began after the longest pause.

"I’m ok," Joey repeated the answer he gave to his cousin, but he really didn’t feel as good as he lead everyone to believe. He felt tired, and breathing was no less painful today than it was yesterday.

"Really?" Uncle Mikey smiled down and the young man he loved so much. He couldn’t have missed the tension in Joey and guessed that he was trying very hard to hide his pain from all. Still the same Joey, stubborn and proud as ever. Never allowing others to see his pain.

"Uncle Mikey…"

"Joey, I know what you want to talk about. And it’s no use."

"No use? How’s that?" surprise and a bit of disbelief settled on tired, pale face. There was so much LaFiamma wanted to tell his uncle, didn’t exactly know how, but he had to tell him.

"Because it won’t change anything."

"I’m so sorry, Uncle Mikey."

"Sorry, kid? Why are you sorry?" Uncle Mikey asked surprised. He somehow had the idea that this was not what Joey wanted to discuss, that they were talking, thinking of different things.

"For causing all this. I was telling Tony…I needed to be here. I couldn’t bear the thought of missing Aunt Teresa’s funeral. I was so stupid. Instead, I hurt you, Tony, Mario, everyone, and especially Levon…"Joey’s words were coming out with pauses, his voice rough, shaking slightly, his eyes full of tears.

He felt terrible about having his uncle deal with all this. He knew Mikey should have been at home, with the family, mourning his wife, instead he was in the hospital worrying about him, his stubborn nephew, and lying to the family about his death.

"Joey, I know. I don’t want to blame yourself here. If there’s anyone to blame it’s me. No, let me finish. Now listen, I know how you feel, but I want you to hear what I have to say. I should have known you’d come, should have been prepared. I talked to Levon, and I understand why you came. The family has missed you, but it never occurred to us that you may feel left out. It was never my intention to make you feel that way. I know our phone calls are not as frequent as they used to be, but I never meant to push you away…You know, Teresa told me a number of times ‘call him, he’ll feel cut out’, and she was right." Words poured out of Joey’s uncle, he couldn’t stop to torrent, nor did he want to. Some things just had to be said. "She understood you better than anyone else, better than me. She loved you…we all do, Joey."

Joey listened to his uncle; this was one of those rare times in his life when he didn’t try to interrupt anyone and truly listened. Suddenly he felt lighter, as light as he hasn’t felt in many months. Sweet tiredness came over him and he didn’t resist. Smiling at his uncle he slowly drifted off to peaceful sleep. Uncle Mikey sat and watched his nephew, and prayed that tomorrow would see Joey out of Chicago and out of danger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What’s going on?" Joey asked as Lundy entered his room shortly before noon, followed by sergeants Radetzke and Shedeger.

He had slept through most of the night, and felt a little stronger, which was confirmed a short while ago by both doctor Seeley and Rubeo. They warned him not to try and do too much, keep his IV’s going, his chest tube in place, wished him good luck and left the room with the nurse. Since then Joey has been half-sitting in his bed wondering what was going to happen.

"Time to go, partner," Lundy answered.

With the help of LaFiamma’s former colleagues they rolled the bed into the neighboring room, where Joey for the first time saw Luca and Franco, his bodyguards, both looking tired but whose faces brightened when they saw LaFiamma smile at them.

"Nice to see you well, Joey," Franco offered.

"Thanks, nice to see you, Franco. You too, Luca."

Uncle Mikey entered with Tony and Mario. Joey didn’t get a chance to talk to Mario, but there was no time left, they had to act. Joey’s uncle approached Joey and said:

"Well, kid, listen to these gentlemen here," he motioned to Lundy and the other two detectives. "If all goes well you’ll be out of Chicago in an hour or so. We can’t go with you, we have a funeral to attend." Uncle Mikey paused for a while, then reached out his hand to touch Joey’s face and said in a quieter tone: "I promise we’ll be visiting you in Houston. I don’t ever want to you feel alone again."

Joey’s hand grabbed his uncle’s and held it for a while, then he let go and Mikey bent down to kiss his nephew on cheek. He moved aside to give space to Mario and Tony, who both kissed Joey on cheek and backed away from his bed. Joey watched mesmerized as all men in the room reached into their jackets, pulled out their guns and began to check them. ‘Where did Lundy get a gun? Damn, I need a gun as well, what if I need…’

"Lundy, I want a gun."

"No way, you’re going to play patient, which is what you are. Let us handle this." Lundy shook his head resolutely. LaFiamma, about to protest, was stopped by the cowboy’s words: "I know you, LaFiamma, you’d want a part in this. You are not strong enough. Won’t have you play superman here, not now, not today." Then watching his partner’s face he could still see the tension there. He put his hand on Joey’s arm and said: "Trust me." After a moment, tension left, Joey nodded and sank back onto his pillow. Lundy looked at Joey’s uncle and said, "Let’s go."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything went smoothly, better than anyone expected. Uncle Mikey, Tony, Mario and the two bodyguards took the east exit. After loading the casket supposedly containing Joey’s remains into the car waiting outside, they hopped into their limousine and followed the funeral car toward the cemetery where they were to meet the rest of the family. As they expected, they were soon followed by Nick Bellettieri’s car.

Lundy, Shedeger and Radetzke, all dressed in the transport team clothing, took Joey out through the north exit. While Lundy and Radetzke were helping Joey down from bed and into the large van waiting for them outside, Shedeger carefully watched for any suspicious persons, then, as the back door of the van closed, he took the driver’s seat and veered the van out onto streets.

Joey looked around, to realize that the van has been prepared for his transport. Back seats were taken out and replaced with a narrow bed. There were medical supplies, even a hook in the ceiling where Lundy hung up LaFiamma’s IV and a place for the little bottle connected to his chest tube. Joey settled back, his head resting on pillow, breathing heavily. Getting up and half walking, half being carried to the van exhausted him and sent waves of pain through his chest. But as soon as his breathing became less laborious, he raised his head in an attempt to look outside.

"Relax, LaFiamma. Everything went fine." Lundy placed his hand on Joey’s shoulder and pushed his gently back.

"I want to see outside."

"You can’t, we’re not out of the city just yet."

"I wanna see the city, Lundy. Please. My city. One last time."

Lundy saw the silent pleading in LaFiamma’s eyes and looked at the two detectives sitting in front seats. They carefully looked around to see if anyone was following, and then reassured that it was safe, nodded.

"Ok, partner, but only for a while, you need to rest." Lundy said and put his arm around LaFiamma’s shoulder to help him sit up. He noticed LaFiamma’s effort to hide his pain, but couldn’t have missed seeing Joey wince. But he also saw the desperate desire to look outside, so he kept quiet, and held up his partner.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LaFiamma has been sleeping for the most part of the first stretch of the long journey. He didn’t wake up when the van stopped in Missouri until he heard somewhere far off: "Can we see him?" and a moment later from another familiar voice: "Hey, amigo."

Joey’s eyes opened to look into concerned faces of his fellow HPD officers, Joe-Bill McCandless and Esteban Guiterrez. They both smiled at him when they saw him awake. He smiled back, though a bit confused. ‘What are they doing here? And where are we anyway?’

Before he could ask the questions, Joe-Bill answered them: "We came to meet Lundy here, we’re in Missouri. He can’t drive you alone; it’s too far, good 1100 miles from Chicago to Houston. Plus someone has to watch you all the time- doctor’s orders, apparently."

"I can see why, though, LaFiamma. I’ve seen you look better." Esteban offered jokingly. "In any case, it’s at least 18 hour drive and these two gentlemen here have to return back to Chicago before they are missed." He indicated Radetzke and Shedeger who were standing just outside the van. LaFiamma nodded his understanding.

The men proceeded to help him get from one van into the other one, parked right next to it, and arranged similarly. Joey looked at the two Chicago men who approached him quietly. Lundy, Joe-Bill and Esteban walked aside for a while to give the men their chance to talk.

"I never had a chance to thank you..." LaFiamma started.

"LaFiamma, we are glad we could help. Would have done more. We never liked the way you had to leave Chicago, must have been really hard." Radetzke said and stretched his hand toward the Italian cop. LaFiamma took the hand and felt its firm shake. Shedeger also took Joey’s hand into his and added: "Take care of yourself, kid. Shouldn’t be that hard with a partner like yours. Keep him, he’s a good man."

"I intend to." LaFiamma answered and watched the detectives walk back towards the van with Illinois license plate. They stopped to shake hands with Lundy, nodded their heads to Joe-Bill and Esteban, and left.

After the Chicago help left, Lundy and the two MCU officers returned back to their van and resumed with the long drive. Miles passed one after the other, they only stopped a few times to refuel, to get some food and drink along the way and to allow the men to change their places behind the steering wheel.

Lundy monitored LaFiamma’s condition carefully and besides the obvious discomfort Joey suffered, he was pleased with his partner’s progress. It was just about 8 in the morning, five days after LaFiamma was shot, when the van began cruising the street of Houston, heading to Lundy’s ranch. It was sunny, late spring Saturday. LaFiamma has been sleeping for the last four hours; bag with IV fluid still releasing much needed drops into his veins. The small glass container attached to the tube inside his chest was resting safely on the floor of the vehicle. He didn’t feel the bumpy ride when the van entered Lundy’s driveway and the small jerk when it stopped in front of the ranch house.

Esteban was the first one out of the vehicle, stretching after a long ride. He was soon followed by Joe-Bill McCandless and Lundy.

Levon walked around the van to take a better look at his house. It seemed unreal- when he was leaving the place mere three days ago, he was devastated, now, he was returning to live again. He hasn’t felt so alive in a long time, and as he stood there in the morning sun, he closed his eyes, ran his hands through his curls, and took a deep breath. It was time to live again.

There were two cars parked in the front, he recognized Joanne’s burgundy Chevy, but was surprised to see his Jimmy, which he left at the airport the day he left Houston. But he would get his answers soon enough, because his front door opened and he saw Joanne, Carol and Annie move out to the front porch. Annie stayed behind, but Joanne and Carol walked down to meet him and the others.

Joanne Beaumont approached her sergeant, stopped and took a close look at him. Then, to the others’ surprise, she stepped closer and hugged Lundy. Levon’s hands circled Joanne’s waist and they stood there for what seemed like an eternity. Joanne saw the light in her former partner’s eyes again. Light she thought would never return when she told Lundy about LaFiamma’s death a few days ago. Light that so slowly returned after Caroline’s death but would have been buried if Joey had been buried. Lundy held Joanne thinking about how good it felt, to be home, to have his partner, to have Joanne, to have all his friends. It was a good day.

After Joanne stepped back, Carol gave Lundy a quick hug; happy to see him smiling again. Then both women proceeded towards the van.

"Is he sleeping?" Joanne asked.

"Yes, has been for good four- five hours. Time to wake him up and take him to the house."

"We’ve brought some of Joey’s stuff here, put it up in the guest room, so he can be comfortable here while he heals." Carol said quietly. "I also got your Jimmy back, thought you might need it."

"Thanks, Carol." Lundy was glad he had friends who cared. Then he opened the door on the van and heard a gasp behind him. He quickly turned.

"He’s so pale!" Joanne said when she looked at LaFiamma.

"Poor Joey", Carol added with sorrow in her face.

"He looks pretty good right now, looked much worse when I saw him first. He was on respirator, heart monitor, in coma, you name it. Looked hopeless for a while." Lundy tried to explain.

"What’s that little bottle?" Beaumont asked, although she had some idea.

"His lungs were injured pretty badly when the bullets hit him. Blood and air were trapped inside his chest and the only way to prevent his lungs from collapsing was to make a hole into his chest to release the pressure. Doctors said that the tube could be taken out in another three- four days."

"They actually made another hole into his chest besides those he got from bullets?" Carol asked in disbelief.

"It was the only way. Let’s wake him up now."

Lundy crawled into the van and crouched beside LaFiamma’s sleeping form. Gently shaking his partner’s arm, he said: "LaFiamma, wake up, boy, we’re home."

LaFiamma’s eyes opened slowly and he tried to focus. He saw Joanne and Carol looking at him with worry. He smiled.

"Hey, lieutenant, Carol…" they smiled back but were a bit taken back by the effort it took him to speak and by the still a little raspy voice. But then, it could have been worse, much worse.

"Hey, Joey, how are you feeling," Joanne asked her sergeant.

"I’m ok."

"So glad to see you, Joey." Carol said and smiled her best smile at him, which was returned almost immediately. ‘Maybe there is a chance’ she thought.

"Where are we, Lundy?" LaFiamma directed his gaze at his partner, who was still right next to Joe.

"At my place. Until you get better. It’d be easier to care for you here. Time to take you out."

LaFiamma nodded and began to rise. Lundy saw the flinch in Joey’s face, and looked to see if Joe-Bill or Esteban were there to help him, but before he even made the full turn, Joe-Bill was right next to his side reaching out to support LaFiamma who was still much too weak to sit up let alone walk by himself. And there were the IV bag and the chest tube to worry about. They more or less carried LaFiamma up the porch steps where Annie had the doors open for them. Lundy had yet to greet his dear friend, but quick smile had to do for now, getting LaFiamma into his room was priority. When Joey finally lay in his new bed, Lundy stepped back to watch his friend’s face looking for any alarming signs. He saw LaFiamma’s closed eyes, tightly sealed lips and twitching fingers and asked: "Joe, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I’ll be fine, give me a minute" Joey breathed out heavily, fighting back the pain burning inside his chest. With tons of concentration he slowly managed to relax a bit. Lundy breathed a sigh of relief himself.

Soon, Annie entered the room. She wanted to see both her friends. Levon turned to her, bent down and kissed her on both cheeks. She caressed his face gently, "Good to see you like this, Levon," she watched Lundy nod and knew he understood what she meant. She then turned her attention to the Italian cop who was looking at her. She wheeled her wheelchair closer to LaFiamma’s bed and reached out to take his hand into hers.

"Glad you’re home, Joey." She smiled at him. He smiled back and after a while of hesitation answered in all seriousness "Glad to be home, Annie…You’re looking lovely today."

"Ah, always the charmer, are we?" a smile spread across her face.

Before Joey could give her an answer, Chicken walked into the room, his huge body practically surging with energy, his face sporting biggest grin both Lundy and LaFiamma ever saw.

"Well, what do we have here, hungry men, I hope!"

"You have no idea, Chicken. You’ve never seen a man as hungry as I’m right now. Those ribs of yours are just what I need." Lundy laughed as he grabbed the bag out of Chicken’s hands. Then he looked down at LaFiamma.

"Hey, Chicken…Thanks, not now, but I will definitely have some later." LaFiamma grinned.

"Didn’t I tell you he liked your ribs? He just might get use to this lifestyle." The cowboy locked his eyes with Chicken’s.

"We should let you rest, sugar." Annie entered into conversation when she saw LaFiamma’s effort to stay awake. Chicken nodded, tapped LaFiamma’s arm and followed Annie out of the room.

"Maybe I can finally persuade you to listen to country music," Lundy said jokingly. "I’ll have plenty of time, since you’ll be staying for a while."

"Lundy, haven’t I suffered enough?" LaFiamma’s eyes widened with horror, but there was just a hint of his famous grin sitting in the corner of his mouth.

"Not nearly. Wait till I’m through with you." Lundy shot back.

When he made sure LaFiamma was comfortable, thinking of the ‘suffering’ that awaited him, he left him in the room to rest, but kept the door opened in case he needed to something. There were people to call in Chicago and there were things to explain to his friends gathered in his living room.

As he was drifting off to sleep, Joey was thinking about his friends, those he left behind, and the newer ones, and sudden realization came to his mind- he was lucky to have them all, he was lucky to be alive and loved. After a very long time he felt loved.

The End

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