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The car screeched to
a halt and
(1)
leapt
from the driver's side of the
(3)
with
(2)
, his
(4)
, close behind.
Suddenly a shot rang out, and
(2)
fell,
clutching his
(5)
.
"
(2)
!"
(2)
cried,
pulling him to safety behind the car and cradling him in his
arms.
"Hang on,
(2)
,"
he whispered, laying him down gently.
He pulled his weapon, scanning the
horizon.
A shower of bullets made him duck
his head.
"We're pinned down," he gasped.
"Someone will have heard the shots.
We’ll have to wait for help.
"How badly are you hurt?" he asked,
exposing the wound. "Oh, my God," he exclaimed, pressing his
hand against the wound.
(2)
gasped
as
the action sent a bolt of pain
through him.
(1)
drew
back horrified,
and began to tear
strips off of his
(6)
for
bandages.
"Help is on the way," __(1)___
said gently, applying the cloth to the wound.
(1)
paused
when his wrist was caught in a feeble grasp. "Be careful,
(1)
,"
(2)
_
whispered hoarsely.
"It must be
(7)
.
"Don't
worry, old son,"
(1)
_ reassured him.
"I'll never let him get you!"
Another rain of bullets made the
(3)
lurch
as the tires went out.
(1)
threw
himself protectively across
(2)
until
the
danger was past. “I hope help
arrives soon,"
(1)
said,
carefully picking glass out of
(2)
's
(8)
locks.
"I've got to get you to a hospital!"
"Don't worry about me,"
(2)
smiled
bravely, vainly attempting to disguise his suffering.
"I'll be... just fine."
(1)
took
in the strained, pale face and felt his heart lurch with
affection.
Just like
(2)
to
try to reassure him!
"Sure you will, buddy."
(2)
returned
the smile but was unable to restrain the shiver of apprehension
which ran through him.
If
(7)
were
to ever get his hands on
(2)
…. He rejected the thought as
too terrible to contemplate.
Never!
Not while a breath remained in his
body would that scum ever get his hands on the kindest, most
decent bestest-friend a fellow ever had!
Suddenly a leering voice tore his attention away from his
suffering friend.. “Hey
(2)
,
are you there?"
(1)
gritted
his teeth against the anger burning in his breast.
"I hear you
(7)
."
"I only want
(2)
,
Copper.
Give him to me and I'll let you
live."
"Go to heck,
(7)
,”
(1)
called
angrily.
"I--"
“Hey,
(1)
."
The pain-filled voice interrupted
the furious retort.
(1)
glanced
down in to bright eyes.
"It sounds like ....a good deal
...to me.
No sense... us both getting
...killed."
"Don't talk like an
idiot,
(2)
."
(1)
brushed
back a lock of
(8)
hair.
"You wouldn't leave me, after all."
"But--"
A harsh cough choked off the brave
words, wracking the
slender/sturdy frame. "Oh
(1)
!"
he moaned when he had breath to speak again.
"
(2)
."
(1)
pulled
the huddled figure onto his lap.
"You know I wouldn't ever leave you!
We'll make it.
You just...."
In the distance a siren howled, the most welcome sound either
man had ever heard, then
(7)
's
voice sounded again.
"I'll be back, cop.
This time for both of ya!"
(1)
felt
himself relaxing.
"You see, I told you we'd make it."
He held
(2)
a
little closer, his face wreathed in a relieved smile.
"You'll be all right now, buddy!"
“You mean we'll be
all right now,"
(2)
managed
before his head dropped sideways against
(1)
's chest.
"Yeah,
(2)
,"
(1)
whispered,
"We'll make it.
After all, we're
partners, aren’t we?
I
This story is dedicated with a hug, a
chaste kiss, a fatal disease, a flesh wound and lots and lots of
love to angst-mongers everywhere.
It’s especially dedicated to Kathy Hintze.
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