Fan Fiction

Chapter 1 :: Chapter 2 :: Chapter 3 :: Chapter 4 :: Chapter 5 ::
Chapter 6 :: Chapter 7 :: Chapter 8 :: Chapter 9

Martin had developed a close relationship with Sonny and Rico over their years working together. It didn't take but a glance to tell him that Sonny had gotten entirely too involved in this and there was no way in hell he was going to be pulled back.

"Well?" He demanded quietly.

Sonny's gaze never wavered from his. "I'm not backing down, Lieutenant. The boy doesn't need that crap."

Martin continued watching him silently.

"You gotta trust me on this one, Marty."

Martin was still silent. There was something Sonny wasn't telling him. He trusted the young cop. He was a little unorthodox at times, but he always got the job done.

"He's yours." Martin said finally and the look he gave Sonny stated, "You better be right."

Sonny nodded and left the office. Rico started to follow but Martin stopped him.

"I want you to work with Switek on the Hamilton stake out until this comes together."

Rico started to protest but Martin stopped him with a look. Frowning slightly, Rico left the office.

Sonny drove back to the hospital and found Colt's doctor.

"Yeah, he's free to go." He said in response to Sonny's question. "You're taking custody of him, I hear."

"Yeah. For awhile."

"Okay, well, everything checked out okay but he needs rest and as little excitement as possible."

"Okay. Thanks, Doc." Sonny said walking away.

He went to Colt's room and walked in to find the boy out of bed and staring out the window. The skimpy hospital gown showed the extent of Gorge's beating. The bruises covered him, mixed with the lash marks across his back. Colt apparently didn't hear him come in.

"Did he beat you often?" Sonny asked.

Colt whirled from the window, looking more than a little startled. "Depends on what you consider often."

"Okay." Sonny shrugged rephrasing. "How often did he beat you?"

Colt shrugged. "Couple three times a month. Sometimes more. Usually just used the whip though."

"Why did you stay with him?"

"What choice did I have?" Colt asked. "No money. Nowhere to go. At least he gave me a roof over my head and food to eat."

"Where's your Mom?"

"Don't know. Don't care. Drug out heroine addict bitch."

Sonny raised an eyebrow. The boy wasn't quite what he'd expected. Very outspoken and certainly not the shy and timid type. He could obviously take care of himself.

"You know a lot about Gorge's business?" Sonny asked.

Colt just looked at him. "Don't play me for stupid."

Sonny shrugged. "Go ahead and get dressed. Doc says you can get out of here."

Colt went to the closet to retrieve his clothes and then disappeared into the bathroom. Sonny sat down in a chair and waited for him. Despite Colt's apparent attitude, Sonny saw something in his eyes that said he was scared and needed someone to show him a little TLC.

When Colt came out of the bathroom, Sonny stood and they left the hospital. Sonny drove back to the boat and by way of introduction said simply, "This is where I live."

Colt looked around curiously and then his gaze stopped suddenly as his eyes widened, "There's an alligator on your boat, man." he said.

"Yeah, I know. That's Elvis."

"He's your pet?"

"Mm-hm." Sonny replied, checking the messages on his machine.

"Wow. Does he bite?"

"No." Sonny replied, listening to a spiel from Izzy about some Panamanian ship coming in with a windfall of coke.

Colt went over to Elvis reaching out to pat him on the head. Sonny watched, somewhat amazed at the boy's lack of fear. The other message was from Caroline wanting to know if Billy could come down and stay for a week. Sonny considered that briefly. Billy was about the same age as Colt now. Might not be a bad idea.

"You like alligators?" he asked, slipping below deck to fish a couple cokes out of the galley.

"I like animals." Colt replied. "Don't matter what kind."

"I see." Sonny said, coming back up. He handed one of the cans to Colt, "You like to fish?"

"When I get the chance. Gorge never let me do much stuff like that."

"Why don't we jump in the Scarab and go then?"

Colt looked up from Elvis and gave a partial shrug. "Okay."

The rest of the day was spent fishing. Sonny observed that for not fishing much, Colt had a pretty fair knowledge of the sport. Sonny helped him a couple times as needed, but that was it.

When they returned that evening, Sonny called Caroline while Colt watched TV. He went up on deck and waited as the phone trilled in his ear.

"Hello?" it was Billy's voice that answered.

"Heya, Sport."

"Dad!" Billy's voice was full of youthful enthusiasm. "Did you get my message?"

"Yeah, I did, Son."

"And?"

"I wish you could, Son. But I'm afraid it's just not possible right now. I'm kinda in the middle of something."

"Oh." the down hearted tone in Billy's voice was enough to make Sonny wince.

"I'm sorry, Billy. I just wouldn't want to see you get mixed up in anything."

"I understand, Dad." It was obvious by his tone that he did, but despised it none the less.

"let me talk to your Mom."

"Sure."

There was a pause in which Sonny heard a muted voice yell, "Mom! It's Dad!"

Seconds later Caroline came on, "Hi, Sonny."

"Gee," Sonny couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice, "Don't sound so happy to hear from me."

"Sonny...." He could tell she was geared up for a lecture.

"I told him no." He said before she could start. And couldn't help but add, "Not that you would have said "yes" anyway."

"Don't try to blame your shortcomings as a father on me."

Sonny bit his tongue before he could start the argument that had plagued them since Billy was nine years old. The thought flowed through his mind but didn't make it out of his mouth. You took him away from me, damn-it. You took him. And then his thoughts suddenly shifted to the boy below and he sighed deeply, "I don't want to fight, Caroline."

He was aware of the exhaustion in his tone and apparently she picked up on it too. "Sonny? What's wrong?"

Sonny explained to her about Colt. He told her how the boy had reacted when they had first met and everything he had learned since then.

"That's awful, Sonny." he could tell she really meant it.

Sonny sat down, rubbing a hand over his face. "I don't expect him to tell me anything. But just the thought of the Fed's pushing him around...I had to do something."

"I know." her voice was quiet. Sympathetic?

"You know what?"

"I know you had to do something. I know you, Sonny. There's no way you'd be able to turn your back and go about business as usual."

Sonny almost chuckled, "How come you know me so well?"

Caroline didn't reply.

"Billy probably could've helped me." He said offhandedly.

"No, Sonny." the firmness was back in her voice, "I'm having enough trouble dissuading him from being a cop when he grow's up as it is."

Sonny bit his tongue, "I'll talk to you later. Tell Billy I'll have him up first chance I get."

He hung up before she could reply. Damn it. Why did it always have to go like that? Why did they always have to fight? For all that it was worth, he still loved her. He knew it could never work and maybe that was part of it. Maybe it was easier to fight than admit it.

He stood up and went below to where Colt had settled back with a "Gilligan's Island" marathon. Sonny watched him a moment. There was a smile on his lips as he watched the small TV. The light from the TV glinted in his eyes making the smile as much as his lips.

Sonny half smiled himself and let his head fall back.

Chapter 1 :: Chapter 2 :: Chapter 3 :: Chapter 4 :: Chapter 5 ::
Chapter 6 :: Chapter 7 :: Chapter 8 :: Chapter 9