Post by Cres on Sept 29, 2006 5:13:08 GMT -5
[[cont. from "News from Antonio"]]
Chip drove the entire way from the grocery store to his and Dan's place without really recalling a single detail of the trip. All he could think about was Ace, kidnapped by his possibly worst enemy. How could he have been this stupid? Chip felt like hitting his head against the steering wheel to punish himself. What had come over him? How had he ever thought he could have something outside the mafia like this?
Love was foolishness. He had known that. Why had he let it happen? Now Ace was in danger. Chip had no misconceptions about the Romanos' plans. They had probably hidden him away somewhere safe, and wouldn't hesitate in killing him. Ace wasn't part of any family, and his connection to any family was cursory at best. No one would come after them. And Chip couldn't even tell anyone, not even if he would have dared to break the command given to him. If he went to his father, how would he explain his connection to Ace? If he said that they had become good friends, his father would just tell him to sacrifice Ace. If he said they were lovers, his father would probably try killing Ace himself. Tino wasn't really any safer, and even if he would understand, he wouldn't lift a finger to help.
No, the big boys couldn't help him. Chip noticed his hand trembling on the steering wheel and snatched it down, to wipe the sweat from the palm on his pants. He had to do something. But what? Antonio had clearly sunk his teeth into a far too juicy piece of meat. He wouldn't let Ace go. He'd use the boy longer, or kill him. Or kill Chip too. Yes, he'd probably kill them both once he'd get them wherever he wanted them. It might even be Papa Romano's plan, to get rid of all the evidence.
He could clearly see the full picture, of course. The Giovannis would find out that it had been Chip who ruined the deal, somehow. They'd blame the Rosaccis, and at the very least there would be mistrust between the two families. And most importantly, the families would lose a great amount of drugs and several gang members. And no one could connect the whole thing to the Romano family in any way.
Chip shook his head. What could he do? His heart knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to tell no one, wait for tomorrow and then go and do whatever they demanded, plead with them that they let Ace go. Whatever it took. But his mind knew better; unfortunately, his usually so sharp mind was now completely blank of any ideas. All he could think about was that he had to get Ace out of there. He didn't even care what would happen to him - he just needed to figure out a way to save Ace.
Tears tried to force their way into his eyes but he fought them off. He had to stay focused... just stay focused. If he broke down now, he wouldn't be any use to his boyfriend.
Boyfriend... he tried not to think about the word. It would be over after this. He was sure of it. Ace wouldn't even want to see him anymore. And even if he would, how could Chip take the risk again?
He pulled in to the building and parked the car, then got out. He had to come back for the groceries once, then he finally made it to the elevator. It felt to him as though he was fumbling the whole way, fighting back the tears. He had difficulties in finding the keys, and then the keyhole.
Chip stepped into the apartment quite pale and squeezing the grocery bag against his chest far too tightly to seem normal. He scanned the livingroom and saw Collie and Dan on the couch. Dan was watching the news and Colorado was reading a book - both raised their heads to glance at him when he made his way to the kitchen.
"Collie, out," Chip said as he dropped the grocery bag on the table. Colorado jumped a little and looked at his best friend with a confused expression. Chip stared at him hard. "I need to talk with Dan. Collie... please." His voice became almost a sigh at the end, and he covered his eyes with his hand. He didn't even realise it was trembling still, but Colorado saw it.
The artist seemed concerned, but got up from the couch. He knew Chip well enough not to argue at this kind of a moment. He glanced back to Dan, then picked up his book and made his way to the door. As soon as he had disappeared into the hallway and the door had closed behind him, Dan got up from the couch, his brows knitted tightly.
"Chip..?"
"Dan, they've got Ace." Chip looked up, planted his both hands against the dinner table and looked across to Dan. His eyes were full of the anguish he felt inside. "Antonio... they've got Ace."
Dan's white skin grew a shade paler, if it was possible. He walked up to the table and next to Chip, but his expression was anything but upset. In fact, it was focused and calm - surprisingly so.
"What do they want?" he asked.
Chip was grateful that he didn't start asking any further questions, didn't tell him he should have been more careful, didn't question anything, just went straight to the business. He drew in a little shaky breath and wiped his mouth. Why did it seem to him as though he didn't know what to do with his hands?
"He's going to call me tomorrow. Tell me where and when. I'm supposed to make the drug deal go bad. You know, the big gig your dad's been planning for at least a month now."
Dan nodded soberly. It was almost as though he'd known to expect it. He only stared at Chip for a long moment in silence, his mind working furiously. He, too, could figure out just what the Romanos wanted. He also knew that Chip would get killed, one way or another, if he went along with it.
Chip's mind was still fixed on the single thought - he must get Ace out of there. He stared at the table surface as though hoping to find the answer there.
"I... I don't know why I told you. I shouldn't tell anyone. I have to go and... try to get him out, somehow. Maybe they'll let him go if I..."
"They'll kill him anyway and you know it," Dan interrupted him sharply and shook his head. "No, we need to think of something else."
Chip looked up from the table surface. A single word entered his conciousness from what Dan was saying. We. As he stared at Dan he realised that there was a clear reason to why he had told Dan. Because they were blood brothers. Because they loved each other. And because no matter what, they would always be "we". Dan was the only one who knew everything about him - everything except for one secret. They had stood by each other throughout their lives, for better and for worse.
And it was Dan who he could trust with the most important thing in his world right now - Ace.
Chip couldn't hold the tears anymore and he turned and threw his arms around Dan's wide shoulders, pressing himself against the older man like a child looking for shelter. Dan's arms wrapped around his best friend automatically, and he held Chip tightly, for the first time in his life not surprised or embarrassed by the embrace.
Chip - cried. For the first time in five years, he felt the tears hot on his cheeks and lost control, but he didn't even think about it. The pain was too much to hold down. The pain for losing Ace tore at his very heart, and all he could do was to lean on Dan's strong body and let it out.
Dan squeezed his eyes shut, despair and throttling worry fighting in his heart. He had warned Ace against breaking Chip's heart, but he had not counted in anything like this. He should have. He blamed himself for not thinking of it, not counting it in, not preparing for it. He didn't know what he could have possibly done to stop this from happening, but the guilt wouldn't listen to sensible reasons. Chip was as good as a brother to him, and he had failed to protect him - again.
That thought gave Dan determination like never before. He opened his eyes and held Chip tighter, his deep red eyes filled with darkness.
"We'll get him out safe," Dan said quietly, then more loudly. "Chip, listen to me. We'll get him out. It'll be all right." He paused. "In fact... I have a plan."
Chip swallowed several times, trying to get his crying under control. He concentrated on Dan's words and, with an effort, managed to hold back the next sob. And then the next... until he stopped crying altogether. He stepped back and wiped his face into his sleeve - another demonstration of how upset he was, as he would never have done that to an expensive shirt like the one he was wearing if he were thinking normally.
"I can't... I can't put you to risk too," he said weakly, but Dan's expression silenced him.
"We're brothers, Chip," Dan said firmly. "You were always there for me. Now I'll be there for you. Listen, this is what we'll do. When they call tomorrow, you'll agree to everything they say. I'll follow you there with a piece, and when you have them distracted, I'll..." His mind was trying to work out the details of the plan as he spoke. Then his face brightened as he figured it out. "I'll pull the gun on them. Listen, it'll be perfect. Why did they choose you in the first place, Chip, think about it, because you're not part of the family. They couldn't take anyone who was too close, because they don't want to start a gang war, do they?"
Chip stared at him even as the plan was beginning to dawn on him. A horrified expression spread over Chip's face.
"You'd gamble your life," he whispered.
Dan's expression was firm and dark.
"You know I'd die for you," he said.
Chip had to smile, though tears found their way back into his eyes. He recalled all too well the evening he'd said those very words to Dan himself. What was brotherhood of the blood next to the brotherhood of souls like this?
Dan smiled gruffly and then patted Chip on the shoulder, not giving him a chance to reply.
"Unpack the groceries, Chip," he told his friend. "And take a drink. I've got to make a couple of calls."
Chip nodded, grateful for the way Dan was taking the lead in the situation. He realised he was in no condition to make plans or keep a cool head. As Chip started to unpack the grocery bag, Dan walked into his own room, picking out his cell from his pocket. He dialled a number and pressed the cell on his ear.
"Come on, Rex, pick up..." he murmured to himself even as he closed the door behind him.
Chip drove the entire way from the grocery store to his and Dan's place without really recalling a single detail of the trip. All he could think about was Ace, kidnapped by his possibly worst enemy. How could he have been this stupid? Chip felt like hitting his head against the steering wheel to punish himself. What had come over him? How had he ever thought he could have something outside the mafia like this?
Love was foolishness. He had known that. Why had he let it happen? Now Ace was in danger. Chip had no misconceptions about the Romanos' plans. They had probably hidden him away somewhere safe, and wouldn't hesitate in killing him. Ace wasn't part of any family, and his connection to any family was cursory at best. No one would come after them. And Chip couldn't even tell anyone, not even if he would have dared to break the command given to him. If he went to his father, how would he explain his connection to Ace? If he said that they had become good friends, his father would just tell him to sacrifice Ace. If he said they were lovers, his father would probably try killing Ace himself. Tino wasn't really any safer, and even if he would understand, he wouldn't lift a finger to help.
No, the big boys couldn't help him. Chip noticed his hand trembling on the steering wheel and snatched it down, to wipe the sweat from the palm on his pants. He had to do something. But what? Antonio had clearly sunk his teeth into a far too juicy piece of meat. He wouldn't let Ace go. He'd use the boy longer, or kill him. Or kill Chip too. Yes, he'd probably kill them both once he'd get them wherever he wanted them. It might even be Papa Romano's plan, to get rid of all the evidence.
He could clearly see the full picture, of course. The Giovannis would find out that it had been Chip who ruined the deal, somehow. They'd blame the Rosaccis, and at the very least there would be mistrust between the two families. And most importantly, the families would lose a great amount of drugs and several gang members. And no one could connect the whole thing to the Romano family in any way.
Chip shook his head. What could he do? His heart knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to tell no one, wait for tomorrow and then go and do whatever they demanded, plead with them that they let Ace go. Whatever it took. But his mind knew better; unfortunately, his usually so sharp mind was now completely blank of any ideas. All he could think about was that he had to get Ace out of there. He didn't even care what would happen to him - he just needed to figure out a way to save Ace.
Tears tried to force their way into his eyes but he fought them off. He had to stay focused... just stay focused. If he broke down now, he wouldn't be any use to his boyfriend.
Boyfriend... he tried not to think about the word. It would be over after this. He was sure of it. Ace wouldn't even want to see him anymore. And even if he would, how could Chip take the risk again?
He pulled in to the building and parked the car, then got out. He had to come back for the groceries once, then he finally made it to the elevator. It felt to him as though he was fumbling the whole way, fighting back the tears. He had difficulties in finding the keys, and then the keyhole.
Chip stepped into the apartment quite pale and squeezing the grocery bag against his chest far too tightly to seem normal. He scanned the livingroom and saw Collie and Dan on the couch. Dan was watching the news and Colorado was reading a book - both raised their heads to glance at him when he made his way to the kitchen.
"Collie, out," Chip said as he dropped the grocery bag on the table. Colorado jumped a little and looked at his best friend with a confused expression. Chip stared at him hard. "I need to talk with Dan. Collie... please." His voice became almost a sigh at the end, and he covered his eyes with his hand. He didn't even realise it was trembling still, but Colorado saw it.
The artist seemed concerned, but got up from the couch. He knew Chip well enough not to argue at this kind of a moment. He glanced back to Dan, then picked up his book and made his way to the door. As soon as he had disappeared into the hallway and the door had closed behind him, Dan got up from the couch, his brows knitted tightly.
"Chip..?"
"Dan, they've got Ace." Chip looked up, planted his both hands against the dinner table and looked across to Dan. His eyes were full of the anguish he felt inside. "Antonio... they've got Ace."
Dan's white skin grew a shade paler, if it was possible. He walked up to the table and next to Chip, but his expression was anything but upset. In fact, it was focused and calm - surprisingly so.
"What do they want?" he asked.
Chip was grateful that he didn't start asking any further questions, didn't tell him he should have been more careful, didn't question anything, just went straight to the business. He drew in a little shaky breath and wiped his mouth. Why did it seem to him as though he didn't know what to do with his hands?
"He's going to call me tomorrow. Tell me where and when. I'm supposed to make the drug deal go bad. You know, the big gig your dad's been planning for at least a month now."
Dan nodded soberly. It was almost as though he'd known to expect it. He only stared at Chip for a long moment in silence, his mind working furiously. He, too, could figure out just what the Romanos wanted. He also knew that Chip would get killed, one way or another, if he went along with it.
Chip's mind was still fixed on the single thought - he must get Ace out of there. He stared at the table surface as though hoping to find the answer there.
"I... I don't know why I told you. I shouldn't tell anyone. I have to go and... try to get him out, somehow. Maybe they'll let him go if I..."
"They'll kill him anyway and you know it," Dan interrupted him sharply and shook his head. "No, we need to think of something else."
Chip looked up from the table surface. A single word entered his conciousness from what Dan was saying. We. As he stared at Dan he realised that there was a clear reason to why he had told Dan. Because they were blood brothers. Because they loved each other. And because no matter what, they would always be "we". Dan was the only one who knew everything about him - everything except for one secret. They had stood by each other throughout their lives, for better and for worse.
And it was Dan who he could trust with the most important thing in his world right now - Ace.
Chip couldn't hold the tears anymore and he turned and threw his arms around Dan's wide shoulders, pressing himself against the older man like a child looking for shelter. Dan's arms wrapped around his best friend automatically, and he held Chip tightly, for the first time in his life not surprised or embarrassed by the embrace.
Chip - cried. For the first time in five years, he felt the tears hot on his cheeks and lost control, but he didn't even think about it. The pain was too much to hold down. The pain for losing Ace tore at his very heart, and all he could do was to lean on Dan's strong body and let it out.
Dan squeezed his eyes shut, despair and throttling worry fighting in his heart. He had warned Ace against breaking Chip's heart, but he had not counted in anything like this. He should have. He blamed himself for not thinking of it, not counting it in, not preparing for it. He didn't know what he could have possibly done to stop this from happening, but the guilt wouldn't listen to sensible reasons. Chip was as good as a brother to him, and he had failed to protect him - again.
That thought gave Dan determination like never before. He opened his eyes and held Chip tighter, his deep red eyes filled with darkness.
"We'll get him out safe," Dan said quietly, then more loudly. "Chip, listen to me. We'll get him out. It'll be all right." He paused. "In fact... I have a plan."
Chip swallowed several times, trying to get his crying under control. He concentrated on Dan's words and, with an effort, managed to hold back the next sob. And then the next... until he stopped crying altogether. He stepped back and wiped his face into his sleeve - another demonstration of how upset he was, as he would never have done that to an expensive shirt like the one he was wearing if he were thinking normally.
"I can't... I can't put you to risk too," he said weakly, but Dan's expression silenced him.
"We're brothers, Chip," Dan said firmly. "You were always there for me. Now I'll be there for you. Listen, this is what we'll do. When they call tomorrow, you'll agree to everything they say. I'll follow you there with a piece, and when you have them distracted, I'll..." His mind was trying to work out the details of the plan as he spoke. Then his face brightened as he figured it out. "I'll pull the gun on them. Listen, it'll be perfect. Why did they choose you in the first place, Chip, think about it, because you're not part of the family. They couldn't take anyone who was too close, because they don't want to start a gang war, do they?"
Chip stared at him even as the plan was beginning to dawn on him. A horrified expression spread over Chip's face.
"You'd gamble your life," he whispered.
Dan's expression was firm and dark.
"You know I'd die for you," he said.
Chip had to smile, though tears found their way back into his eyes. He recalled all too well the evening he'd said those very words to Dan himself. What was brotherhood of the blood next to the brotherhood of souls like this?
Dan smiled gruffly and then patted Chip on the shoulder, not giving him a chance to reply.
"Unpack the groceries, Chip," he told his friend. "And take a drink. I've got to make a couple of calls."
Chip nodded, grateful for the way Dan was taking the lead in the situation. He realised he was in no condition to make plans or keep a cool head. As Chip started to unpack the grocery bag, Dan walked into his own room, picking out his cell from his pocket. He dialled a number and pressed the cell on his ear.
"Come on, Rex, pick up..." he murmured to himself even as he closed the door behind him.
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