Previous part of Every time we say good bye....

***

Gil had two e-mails from Nick, one from Heather and one from Susan Stokes-Garcia.  He opened Nick's first...

'Babe

How you doing?  I'm keeping a hold on my emotions because I know you're feeling sick and you always go to bed and sleep when I've known you be sick so I'm guessing (hoping) that's where you are!  In my sleeping bag thinking of me and not feeling too bad.

Not much happening here except work and then some.  Sam misses you as much as I do and I talk to him about you and I'm sure if he could speak he'd be giving me advice.  He's that kind of dog!  Good advice of course!

I've spoken to a girl called Kim, at K9 kennels, and she says she would be happy to house and dog sit for me.  She has two beagles and would bring them along and as she lives with her parents she says it would be great to have a place of her own for a couple of weeks.  She still has to work for one week (and take Sam to work with her) but will take a vacation for the other week and enjoy the easy work!

I don't know if she's a party girl or not so I'm hoping that she doesn't have a couple of raves at my place while I'm with you!  I don't really mind if she does I just don't want to see any evidence of it when I get back.

After I'd fixed up Kim, Morgan said she would do it but it was too late and besides Morgan works as much as I do and Kim will be with Sam most of the time so hopefully he won't miss me too much.  I hope he does miss me some.

You know I'm sorry about Susan.  She is a great girl – most of the time.  She was contrite with me when I spoke with her so I hope she apologised again.  I ordered her to and she wasn't happy.  Serves her right.

We could get married, babe.  We could.  Not just yet and I do think you're right it would be a sign of your commitment but it is too soon and I hope you understand that.  You said you did.

With all my stupid emo behaviour Greg is onto me.  He knows something is going on.  DB is just trying to be a concerned boss and is giving me some space.  He's ok but not as good as you.  You gave me so much space you might as well not have been there!

...Gil chuckled at that remark since Nick had often told him he had been woefully neglected over the years...he was right...

Must get to bed now.  Know that I love you and miss you and I hope you're feeling better.  Keep warm and think of me.

Love N xox'

Gil was aware that apart from his chuckle he had an idiotic grin on his face as he'd read Nick's e-mail.  He tried to straighten his face with little success but didn't look up at Rory whom he was sure was watching him.   He checked the other mail from Nick.

'Hey Babe

Just checked on-line for the weather in Paraguay.  They've only got Concepcion that's closest to you and it says it's bad.  Worst winter for decades.  I'm worried for you but the camp looked pretty solid and I know you have heaters and warm clothing but please take care.  Keep warm and eat hot food.

I wish I was there to keep you warm.  Sam could sleep with us and be a hot blanket for us.

Please take extra care and let me know how things are.  I understand about the battery problem but just one word would be okay just so I know.

I love you and miss you more each day.

N xox

Forgot to say...your postcards from Dallas arrived.  They were great. I hope your letters start arriving soon but I know you will have to stockpile them before you can get them posted.  Love you.  N xox'

Gil read this and realised that Nick could be worried about the weather.  He picked up his cell to text Nick.

'Recovered. V.v.cold we're warm & safe would love u & sam 2 be here. Gxx'  He pressed send.

He then opened Heather's mail.

'Dear Gil

Of course you should call me Heather, I might be seeing you in a professional capacity but you are still my dear friend.

I am sorry I didn't respond earlier but I know you do not pick up your mails too regularly and I have been very busy. 

For a professional woman I believe Nick's sister, Susan, behaved intolerably.  More especially when she herself appears to have caused him some anguish in the past.  You asked if large families are like this.  I am an only child, like you, but I have reason to believe that Nick is right when he says there are prone to petty squabbles and jealousies.  As only children it is hard for us to understand the dynamics of their relationships and what we might consider a chaotic situation is perfectly normal for all of them.

You should be guided by Nick's own reaction to his family and whatever else you do or say please remain neutral in any discussion about them that you may have with Nick. It may appear to dysfunctional but it is their own dysfunctionality and they will resent any interloper who thinks he knows better.

I must clarify that I do not, for one moment, think that you would claim to 'know better', but I'm sure you understand.

As to your antidepressants.  I do feel you would benefit from taking them but if you feel sure that your feelings are not depressive then you should stop taking them.  However, could we compromise and could you take them for, say, two months when they should be established in your system and making a difference.  If you feel no difference then you could stop taking them.  I do leave the matter in your hands knowing you will make the right decision.  (Which is, of course, to continue taking them!)

I wonder if you have given any more thought to your behaviour towards Nick in the past.  I have gone over my notes of our discussions and I am sorry to say that there is nothing there that I can positively identify as a possible trigger.   But I can assure you that I am still working on it and hope that with more input from you we can discern the truth.

I hope I have addressed your concerns.  Please e-mail me or write and let me know how things are progressing.

Yours

Heather.'

Gil then opened Susan's e-mail and as he'd suspected it was a perfunctory note with an attachment of the letter that had been despatched to Sara.  He read through the document and it was a well set out précis of what he had discussed and the suggestion to Sara that they called it quits.  Susan could obviously do her job even if her interpersonal skills were lacking.  Then Gil realised that she was probably no worse than he was...pot calling kettle...

It was, hopefully, an offer that Sara would accept.  She was a realist...no she wasn't, he thought, but she must know the consequences of refusing the deal.   She could, of course, decide to fight every step of the way and spend all her own money doing that but the one thing she hated over everything was exposure...washing her dirty linen in public.  Her childhood trauma had instilled within her an acute desire for privacy.  She would settle he was pretty sure.

He thought some more about Nick's e-mails as he closed down his laptop.  This K9 girl, Kim, sounded ideal to take care of Sam.

***

Gil had to make a decision about his antidepressants.  Heather did expect him to take them for two months.  So maybe he could do that.  Nick would want him to and told him to take them.  He couldn't justify to himself ignoring both of their instructions so he reached over to his locker and found the blister pack of pills, popped one out and swallowed it dry but then reached for a bottle of water he had on his locker and took a long swig.

"Is everything okay?"  Rory wanted to know.

"It's good.  Do you keep in touch?"

"No...I specifically told them all, especially Mammy, that I would be incommunicado.  I tell you...it's great.   I have no one special in my life...not at the moment...so I'm not expecting any texts.  I might have a few e-mails from friends but that'll be it."

Gil nodded his understanding and then put his laptop back into his locker.

"Some more work to be done I think."  He got up and pulled on his anorak.  "I do feel well now.  Your nursing paid off."  He smiled at Rory's pleasure at the compliment and left the tent.

The next day saw the weather worsen considerably.  Already bitterly cold and windy the temperature plummeted further and they had several flurries of snow but nothing of a serious nature.  Despite the weather they all kept warm and there were no problems...if anything there was an even more jovial atmosphere of camaraderie than normal since they were working in adverse conditions and working well.

With the work that they had transferred to the newly formed tent lab one group were busy with Gil examining and collating the relics.  Alternating between Anna-Marie and Carlos the interns returned to work at the dig site in shifts of about an hour.  That worked too...with them having hot drinks as soon as they returned to camp.

Cold weather or not the plan formulated by Anna-Marie and Carlos and refined by Gil was working very well and the day passed without incident.

At lunchtime they'd had hot soup and crackers and at dinner time another stew once again cobbled together by Rory and although he was out of sequence with the rota he had volunteered and was readily accepted since he was the now the acknowledged 'Stew man'. His stew had the same ingredients of everyone else's stew and yet his tasted so much better...

After dinner they all remained in the refectory or recreational tent and told stories of their lives and jokes and anecdotes and it was as good an evening as Gil had ever had in camp.  He then realised that he missed Nick being there with him and wished he could have shared the evening with him.  Nick would have enjoyed the friendly banter and Gil was sure he would have been able to tell tales of his life as a boy in Texas.

The good mood that Gil had felt left him as he thought of Nick and all the trouble that he had caused him over the years.  He had very nearly lost Nick...and even now he wasn't entirely sure that it would work out.  But he would try as hard as he possibly could to right the wrongs.

Starting now.

"Gentlemen and Anna-Marie I have enjoyed a good evening of good food and good company but I need my bed so thank you and goodnight."

His fellow workers all spoke at once wishing him a good night's sleep as he got up from the table.

"I'll come to bed now so as not to disturb you later."  Rory started to get up after Gil.

"No need, stay for as long as you like.  I have a little work to do but I doubt even an earthquake would wake me once I fall asleep."  Gil was exhausted and he was sure he was right.

Rory sat back down again and smiled and nodded his thanks to Gil.

Gil put on his anorak and went straight to the latrine and then the wash tent.  He was quick with his wash and teeth cleaning.  He wasn't hanging around although the water was quite hot from the electrically powered heater but the tent was ice cold.

He was soon undressed and in his sleeping bag but sat up using his laptop to lean on writing his letter to Nick.  He told him about his day and especially the evening and how he'd thought of Nick and how much he would have enjoyed being here tonight.

He settled down to sleep when his letter was finished.  He thought of Nick again and then thought he could text him so he sat up again and retrieved his cell.  He had to wait for it to load and then sent a text.

'Miss u a g8t deal lonely w/out u ily g xx'  He hated using the shortcuts but a compact text saved battery power; he pressed send and waited while it connected and sent.  He waited a few minutes to see if Nick would respond he might be up and about getting ready for work, if he was at work and it wasn't a rest day.  His wait was rewarded.

'I feel exactly the same. I've never missed you so much but at the same time I am more optimistic about OUR future than I've ever been.  I love you very much. N xoxox'

'Thx 4 ur love I hope I can live up 2 ur expectations Ily g xx'

Gil felt as if he could weep but then smiled at Nick's optimism.  Things would be okay.  Great even...  He switched off his cell and settled down to sleep.

He fell into a deep sleep and he was dreaming.  Dreaming of Nick in a Perspex coffin out of his reach with a gun in his hand and he was shouting at Nick to put it down.  He placed his hand on the coffin to touch Nick through the plastic and was shouting at him to touch his hand...and then he was in Nick's arms.

Nick's arms were holding him tight and his voice was whispering in his ear to be calm and not to worry as he would hold him and love him and take care of him and Nick's teeth were worrying his ear lobe and gently tugging at them...Gil was very happy in the blissful state between sleep and consciousness and he could feel the heat starting to burn in his belly...and then the voice was murmuring again and Gil was trying to turn into him as he awoke to the soothing voice of Nick...

...except...

...it wasn't Nick's voice at all...it was a liltingly soft Irish voice murmuring in his ear...

***

His shift wasn't due to start for another forty-five minutes but Nick was sitting at his desk engrossed in a report he'd written a couple of years ago.  The case was being referred for appeal and he'd been told he might be called so he thought he'd better familiarise himself with the case again.  He found that once he started reading it came back to him and he could almost visualise the crime scene and he hadn't even looked at the photographs.

"Have you got a minute?"  Sara made him jump; she was standing in the doorway to the office.

"Sure.  You're early."

"So are you."  He grinned but then it faded when she closed the door behind her.  She was holding an official looking letter in his hand.  She sat down in front on his desk.  "Do you know a Susan Stokes-Garcia?"

Shit.  Nick was caught in the glare of the headlights, he had no way out.  "She's my sister."

"A divorce lawyer in Dallas.  Is Gil getting preferential rates?"

"I don't know...she did say she would charge him premium rates but I don't know."

"So he's back with you now...again."

"Yeah.  Yeah he is."  Nick hadn't known for sure if Sara had known about him and Gil and Gil had no idea...but she did know.

"I don't know, exactly, what Gil wants.  I thought I did and I thought it was me.  It wasn't...obviously.  I would like to know the answer to a question though."

"Go on."

"Why did you...and why did I keep having him back?  Any ideas?"

Nick smiled at Sara.  The irony was staggering.  The pair of them had been in and out of Gil's life for so many years and neither one of them had an explanation.  And yet Nick did...

"I loved him.  I love him."

"I guess I did, too.  I know I wanted him...maybe that want blinded me to the fact that want doesn't equate to love and need.  We were never any good with each other and yet when he came to me in Costa Rica I thought if we were married it would turn into a miraculous love story...never happened.

"So when he was in Vegas the week before last he was with you?"

"He came to be with me but I turned him away.  I'd had enough after he married you I thought it was the end...finally."  That wasn't strictly true but it would have to do for Sara.

"But?"

"I love him.  Always have and yet, Sara, he's hurt me real bad...real bad.  Have you known about us all the time?"

"Pretty much."

"I don't think he was ever with both of us at the same time..."

"...no, he wasn't, I know that.  And sometimes he was on his own.  Weird, Nick.  Seriously weird.  D'you think that this time will be the charm?"

"I want to say yes.  I want it to be but at the back of my mind..."

"...it won't be me he'll be coming back to.  It is over between us.  For good."

"He said the same because if he did that to me...one more time...I'd..."

"You'd what?  Shoot him?"

"I think I could."  He laughed.  "We've seen murders done for a lot less."

"I know, but somehow he wriggled out of it.  In all honesty...and in all honesty I have not been honest with myself over Gil Grissom for thirteen years...I am over him.  I don't even blame him except for being an asshole.  But a lot of men are...present company and all that..."  She laughed and Nick joined in and in a moment they were laughing hard at the ridiculousness of the situation.

"Anyway, Nick..."  Sara continued after a minute or two her face red from the exertion.  "...Susan is right, if this went to court I could end up paying a lot more to him.  I've got some savings and I'll take out a mortgage and pay him the hundred and twenty grand he wants.  Then it'll be over once and for all."

"You're going to stay in the house?"

"I am.  I love it."

"This might turn out to be a win, win situation then?"

"It could be.  We've all wasted too long a time on it already.  I'll reply to Susan but you can tell Gil...no hard feelings, Nick.  To either of you."

"Thanks Sara."

"Greg's on your case...he's been on trying  to prise information out of anyone who'll listen."

Nick laughed.  "I know.  I've been leading him on...being extra secretive about any texts...even if it wasn't Gil I was texting."

"You were a bit jumpy the other night."

"He's back on the dig and he's been sick so I was worried but he's okay now."  If that was a test for Sara, she passed since she didn't seem interested.  "DB was being quietly supportive."  Nick chuckled.

"Don't I know it.  He's okay isn't he...I do like him but he's not Grissom is he?"

"No way.  But maybe it's better that Grissom isn't here anymore...would this have been resolved at all?"

Sara pursed her lips and shook her head.  "No.  No.  His leaving was the catalyst.  We can't go back."

"We can't.  Maybe we both know that now.  I just hope..."

"...that Grissom  knows it too?"

"Yeah.  I think he does.  Now."

"I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...but it's Grissom and I don't need to tell you, of all people..."  Sara shrugged and stood up.

"No."  When Nick thought those same thoughts he became paranoid and had already argued with Gil unnecessarily.  It was going to take time to build up their trust again...but had he ever trusted Gil?  Really trusted him?  No, he hadn't...

"Don't overthink it Nick, that's my bag."  She smiled and he nodded and she left the office leaving the door open.

Nick sat back in his chair and exhaled loudly.  That could have been a lot worse.  A lot worse...  One thing though...he could not remember having seem Sara laugh so much ever before.  He hoped it was because it was really all over for her and she was finally relaxed about it and not because she was about to become...psychotic.  He shuddered.

He checked the time.  He was on the clock in a few minutes...he'd text Gil and tell him about Sara...

***

Gil's eyes flew open and he pushed Rory away, sat up and grabbed him by the throat...all in that order but in the blink of an eye...

"What the fuck are you doing?"  He growled at a startled Rory whose hands were clawing at Gil's hand that was locked so tightly around his throat that he couldn't move it.  His eyes were bulging in panic and he was grunting...whether he was trying to speak or just trying to breathe Gil didn't know but his utter shock at Rory's actions was easing and he let go of his throat almost throwing him backwards onto his ass.

"Arrr, Gil I'm so sorry.  I'm so sorry I really am.  I didn't mean..."  Rory was grovelling breathlessly.

"Didn't mean to assault me while I was asleep?"  Gil spat his question at Rory.

"You were dreaming...well a nightmare it seemed to me and I was trying to wake you...and then I got carried away...but I thought...I thought you liked me."

"Liked you?  Liked you enough for me to be happy with you assaulting me while I was asleep?"

At the menacing voice Rory scooted as far away from Gil as he could...it wasn't that far given their beds were probably no more than three or four feet apart... but his back was against his own camp bed.

"It wasn't like that..."

"...it wasn't?  What was it like?  I was asleep.  You were kissing and touching me while I was asleep?  Have I got it wrong?"

"No.  No.  That's what happened.  I'm sorry...I thought with you being gay and me...I thought..."

"...how did you know I was gay?  The others tell you?"

"No.  No one's said a thing about you but I could tell you were gay straight away."

"How?  How could you tell?"  Gil had lost his anger and was now interested in how Rory knew he was gay.

"Well...you are, aren't you?  It must have been my gaydar.  I knew as soon as I met you and with you being so kind to me...I thought you liked me and then with your nightmare..."  Rory stopped speaking and tried a small smile.  "...I was trying to wake you but you were crying out to someone to put something down..."

"...a gun.  He was going to shoot himself.  My lover..."

"...Mary, Mother of God, did he put it down?"  Rory was plainly horrified.

"Yes he did.  He was abducted and buried alive and running out of oxygen...but we found him just in time"

"Oh.  My.  God.  No wonder you were having a fucking nightmare."

"It's been eight years and I still have them occasionally."

"Does he?  Your lover?"

"I...don't know.  We broke up..."

"...I'm sorry."

"...but we're back together and no one and nothing is going to come between us, you hear?"  Gil tried to be angry again but he wasn't.

"I hear you loud and clear.  I'll move out...I can bed down in the refectory..."

"...stay where you are; just keep your hands to yourself on your side of the tent."

"I promise I will.  Thank you for being understanding.  You could have me arrested for sexual assault."

"I could...but then who, exactly, would arrest you?  I doubt the cops in Vinchina would want to come out here."

"I think I should say a few Hail Mary's to thank Him for your kindness."  Rory smiled.

"Don't get too carried away, pal."  Gil dropped back down and snuggled back into the warmth of his sleeping bag.

As he lay there thinking about what had happened he wondered if Nick did still have nightmares about his incarceration.  They had been lovers but had broken up some months before his abduction...  That was lie; Gil had dumped him, as usual.  But they'd got back together when Nick had come back to work...in fact that was the longest period they had been together and then he'd dumped Nick again and not many weeks afterwards he'd...almost accidentally...found himself in Sara's bed again...

What an asshole he'd been.  He was disgusted with himself.  But as he lay there another thought crossed his mind: how had Rory known he was gay?  His gaydar, he'd said but as far as Gil knew no one had ever guessed his sexuality beforehand.  Nick was gay and until he'd made a pass at him all those years ago Nick hadn't known or guessed...or so he'd said and Gil smiled to himself...Nick had been shocked speechless so it was likely he really hadn't known or guessed.

He would have to tell Nick about Rory's misdemeanour...but after the initial shock Gil thought it was quite funny.  Rory's horror struck face with Gil's hand around his neck...on the other hand Gil had been so angry in that moment he could really have harmed him and even as he was warm in his sleeping bag a shiver ran down his spine at the implications of his action...

The last time he'd resorted to any violence was when he was in high school and set upon by a stupid jock and even though Gil had no experience whatsoever of fighting he was strong and agile enough to dodge the blows and floor his opponent...  His standing had improved immeasurably from that day forward...but he was never one of the boys...ever.

Just as he was falling asleep he wondered if Nick had texted him and turned over to reach for his  cell.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine.  Go to sleep, I'm checking my texts."  Gil switched on his cell and waited for it to load.

"You can have my thirty minutes of electricity to charge your mobile and laptop.  I'm not using my mobile.  Penance."

Gil chuckled.  "Thanks."  His cell loaded and immediately buzzed with incoming texts.

It was from Nick.  'This should make you a very happy man and if you're still feeling sick then this will cheers you up.  Lol.  Sara came to see me in my office and has had Susan's letter.  She says she's going to agree with the terms and that she's always known about us and is happy for us both.  She says she's over you!  Miss you and wish you here so we could celebrate properly.  Love N xox'

Gil texted back.  'Am v.relieved best option 4 both of us feeling well missing u will celebrate when I get back ily g xx'   He pressed send and then switched off the phone.  He would have an extra charge tomorrow.  That would be good.

"Good news?"

"Yes."  He wasn't going to reply to Rory but then decided to tell him.  "My wife has agreed the terms of the divorce."

"Your wife?"  Rory practically screeched.

"It's a long story."  And he had no intention of telling Rory.

He must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew there were shouts...he roused himself fully from his sleep to hear people's voices outside shouting...

***

Gil was then aware of the complete and utter darkness...there usually was some light filtering into their tents from the lights strung around outside.  He immediately deduced that there was some kind of generator problem.  He couldn't make out what the voices shouting outside were saying...but the tent's fabric was rippling from a vicious sounding wind whipping around it.

"What the fuck is going on?  Why is it so fucking dark?  I don't like the fucking dark...not like this."  Rory's voice was strained and clearly he was panicked.

"I don't know what's going on but I have a flashlight...hold on while I try and find it."

"I've got a torch....find yours first."  Gil was aware that Rory was breathing in short gasping breaths.

"Calm down.  Take some deep breaths...it'll be okay in a few moments."

"I'll try...but I don't like the dark...not like this...I'm claustrophobic."

"It's okay.  Deep breaths."

Gil had lay there for a few moments trying to adjust to the blackness around him but he stretched over and felt for his locker.  He knew exactly where his flashlight was and with a bit of fumbling his hand gripped it and he pulled it out and he switched it on.

"Hail Mary, Mother of God."  Rory repeated the prayer and was sitting up as he made the sign of the cross.  "Sorry about that...I had a bit of an experience in a cave once...and I'm quick to panic.

"We need to dress and find out what's happening."  Gil got out of his bag and started putting on his clothes.

Rory got out of his and found his small torch.  When he switched it on it had a powerful beam.

"That packs a punch for a small flashlight."

"I got it 'specially for times like this."  Rory had recovered his equilibrium.  Instead of dressing he went to the tent flap and opened it slightly to peer out.  The wind found the entrance immediately and caused more movement within the tent.

"Holy Fuck!"   He exclaimed as he zipped up the flap and turned back to Gil.  "It's a fucking blizzard.  I've never seen anything fucking like it in my fucking life.  There's fucking drifts all over the fucking camp."

Despite the seriousness of the situation Gil couldn't help but smirk at Rory's colourful description.

"I'd better take a fucking look then."  He pulled up his pants and picked up a fleece and pulled it over his head and then he joined Rory by the flap and unzipped it again.  It was exactly as Rory had said.

He put his flashlight out of the small opening and couldn't see anyone around and guessed they'd been shouting to one another from tent to tent.  He tried it himself.

"Carlos?  Anna-Marie?"  He thought his voice was lost in the wind but almost immediately Carlos came back.

"The generator blew up.  Can't do anything tonight...wait it out.  Right?"

"Good plan.  See you at first light."  He refastened the flap.

"Did you hear that?  The generator's blown up according to Carlos.  We can't do anything yet."

"Okay.  Do you want some chocolate?"

"You have candy?"

"I have chocolate, my..."

"...don't tell me., your mother?"

"Always has chocolate handy for a fucking crisis."

Gil laughed.  "I reckon we could use your mother out here."

"Oh, I don't fucking think so.  She'd be tucking you up in bed and interfering as much as she possibly could.  She's me Mammy and all that but she's best served up in small doses.  Have you got a mother?  I mean I know you have a mother but is she still with us?"

"She is, she's a professor at the Las Vegas College for the Deaf."

"Is she..."

"Yes.  Since she was a child."

"Here."  Rory offered Gil half of Bounty bar.

"What's this?"  Without waiting for an explanation he took the small bar of chocolate since he would rarely refuse chocolate in any form including chocolate bugs.

"Milk chocolate with a coconut filling."

"Good."  Gil spoke around a mouthful of the confectionary.

"Gil...about last night..."

"...what about last night?"

"I'm sorry.  I completely misread the fecking situation."

"You did."

"You'll forgive me?"

"I will.  Although you did promise me your half an hour of electricity and it would appear that our supply might be compromised."

"I don't know what else I could do...I could wash your smalls."

"My smalls?"

"Your underpants...tee shirts and socks?"

Gil really laughed at that remark.  "Rory, I wouldn't expect my worst enemy to do that.  You're okay...just don't do it again."

"I won't I promise...I don't want to be strangled."  He rubbed his neck.  "I think it's bruised."

"Is it?  Let me look."  Gil shone his flashlight at Rory's neck and there were certainly red marks where his thumb and fingers had been.  "There are marks.  I'm sorry."

"My own fucking fault.  I fecking deserved it."

"What's the difference between fuck and feck?"

"Well...fuck means fuck.  Feck is a lesser swear word...you can use it 'round fecking children, so you can."  He laughed.

"Now I know.  Well I guess I'll and get some more sleep.  It's just after two...it won't be light until at least seven."

"No.  I'm leaving my torch on...I can't stand the blackness."

"It'll use up the battery."

"Don't care.  But...I suppose I could try."

"Try it you're not alone."  Gil started undressing again and soon slipped back into his now cool sleeping bag but his body would soon warm the bedding.  He turned off his flashlight and Rory put his on the locker making the tent quite bright but then switched it off.

"Night then.  Gil?"

"What?"

"Could you talk to me for a bit...you know until I drop off?  Please?"

"I suppose so."

"How long were you married?"

"Ummm..."  Gil had to think about that for a few moments.  "Actually married for four years or thereabouts but we haven't been together for several years and well...we were never really together."

"Did you know you were gay when you got married?"

"Not exactly gay...I suppose bisexual.  Why?"

"Just wondering why a gay man would get married."

"I've asked myself that question a million times."

"What does your lover think about it?"

"Well...he wasn't happy.  But you see..."  Gil didn't know whether to tell Rory or not.

"See what?" Rory wanted more.

"I kept leaving Nick and going to Sara and then I would leave Sara and go back to Nick."  He knew that was a simplistic view.

"Fucking hell.  And did they know about each other?"

"Apparently so."

"And they both kept having you back?"

"Aren't you sleepy yet?"  Gil didn't really want to say anything more.

"No fucking way.  Why did you keep dumping them and going back and why did they have you back?"

"Two separate issues there.  I have no idea why I couldn't decide...even when I married Sara I knew it was a big mistake.  And...I have no idea why they had me back.

"Huh!  Well isn't it fucking obvious?"

"Obvious?  To me?  To Nick and Sara?  No..."

"You don't know..."

"...no...but you do?"

"Like I said it's fucking obvious."

***

"Then would you care to enlighten me?"

"Sure I would."  But he didn't continue.

"Rory?"

"Alright...keep your knickers on...  You went backwards and forwards because you could."

"Because I could..."

"...sure you did.  The first time it happened I bet you didn't think you could go back but this boy, Nick, had you back and then so did this Sara...and once that had happened you felt confident that you leave and return as you liked.  An only child I bet, used to getting your own fecking way and that's what you did...got your own way every time."

Gil lay there with his eyes wide open staring at nothing since he couldn't see anything.  Was it really that fucking simple?

"Gil?  Are you asleep?"

"No.  Just thinking about it."

"Am I right or am I right?    I was always good at puzzles, so says me Mammy."

So was I...thought Gil...or I thought I was. "You could be right; I don't know.  I need to think about this.  It does seem a very simple explanation..."

"...and how often is it that the simple solution the right solution?  Tell me that?  Dr Grissom?"

"In the forensic world often the problem is solved by the most complex solution."  Gil couldn't be out done on a simple puzzle.  Could he?

"Ah, but in real life the simple solution is usually the right solution."

"Possibly."

"Well you think on, Gil, and I bet I'm right.   Are you a betting man?"

"On poker."

"I can see that...you have a poker face."

"I do?"

"Sure you do...inscrutable."

"I haven't played for a couple of years but I paid for a lot of my college with my winnings."

"There you go..."  Rory yawned.  "...I feel as if I could sleep now.  So night.  Sweet fecking dreams."

"Better than fucking nightmares."

"Sure."

They were silent and Gil lay there contemplating the very simple solution to his behaviour as provided by Rory.  Was it the truth?  Was he looking for some complex reasoning when all along it was just a simple matter of just getting his own way and choosing, accidentally, the two people, in Nick and Sara, who were willing to let him get away with it...because they loved him?

He'd thought it before and he now thought it again.  What a complete and utter asshole he'd been.  A spoiled child.  He wasn't a spoiled child as far as he was aware because he had everything he ever wanted or needed just provided for him...  His mother provided for his home life and the schools provided his educational needs and he was pretty much self-sufficient for his entire childhood.

He was a spoiled child...not perhaps in the conventional sense of getting his own way through tantrums and having money thrown at him but in being provided, without any problems that he could think of, all the things that he'd wanted and needed...

This was a conundrum he'd have to put to Heather.  Was he guilty of his terrible behaviour, especially towards Nick over and over again, just because he got away with it once and then continued to get away with it time and time again?

All the time the solution was the wood he couldn't see for all the trees...

He must have fallen asleep with Rory's theory going round and round in his head and the first thing Gil noticed when he woke was the complete quietness.  It was eerily quiet since there was normally some sound filtering into his tent.  It was little lighter in the tent since the sun must have been rising and if it was providing some light then the snow had probably stopped falling.  He checked his watch and it was just after seven.

The second thing he noticed was that he needed to piss.  Now.

He left the warm confines of his sleeping bag and pulled his fleece over his head.  Then he searched for his socks followed by his pants.  In his duffel bag he had a pair of waterproof pants.  Unfortunately the duffel bag was in his new suitcase and that was under the camp bed.  He was likely wake up Rory with the movement.

Rory.  Had what he said about Gil's behaviour been right?  He still needed to think about it some more...and he chuckled remembering when he'd told the team he'd been leaving the lab.  Thinking more than usual and it was probably his downfall...he needed to be a little more impulsive since his impulse to go and apologise to Nick had been the right move.

No sooner had he pulled the suitcase out and put it on his bed when Rory whispered from his nest.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get up to face the fucking cold...I need Mammy here to look after me."

"Well she isn't so up and at 'em...we're going to have our work cut out for us today and you need to cook us some hot food to keep us on the go."

"Cooking would be good.  Keep me warm but I'm not next of the rota and I doubt whoever it is will let me take over."

"Then it's probably going to have to be hard manual labour then..."

"...thank you for that."  But Rory didn't sound very thankful and Gil chuckled.

Gil found his waterproofs and put his suitcase back before he put them on.  Then he got his all-terrain boots and took an age lacing them up.  Finally he got his anorak and pulled it on, zipped it up and retrieved a fleece hat and gloves from the pockets.

"I don't think I'd be so keen if my bladder was so insistent."  He stood up and took a deep breath.  "Here goes."

"Have one for me whilst you're there."   Rory hadn't moved; he was still wrapped up, securely, in his sleeping bag.

Gil unzipped the flap and looked out.  It had stopped snowing and there was the beginning of a fine morning with a clear sky...and that would mean plummeting temperatures.  The snow was about a foot high generally but they had been some drifting and in places it was maybe three feet high.

"Okay...it's got to be done."  He unzipped it fully and plunged himself into the open and called back to Rory.  "You'd better get up and reseal the tent...quick don't want to lose too much heat."  And he chuckled again as he heard the noise of Rory trying to get out of his bag as quickly as possible to do just that.

As Gil made his way to the latrine he heard some voices in the tents he was passing.  People were getting up and soon they would be clearing the snow away and see what they could do with the generator and he chuckled yet again.

For some inexplicable reason, given their adverse conditions, he was in a very good mood.

***

Gil stood at one of the two urinals and let his bladder empty.  He had very nearly wet himself before he could get his dick out of all his clothes but disaster had been averted and he sighed contentedly.

He was just shaking off when Carlos arrived by his side obviously in a similar hurry.

"What a relief that was."  Gil spoke as he tucked everything away and got his clothes fastened up again.  He used the sanitizer on his hands and thought it was a bit pointless since all his germs would be over his clothes.

"Si, si."  Carlos agreed as he sighed similarly to Gil.

"We need a plan."  Gil thought there was no time like the present, urination, or not.

"We do."

"Clear the rectory tent first and get the stove working get some hot food inside us all.  Priority must be clearing the roofs of the tents...heavy snow on them could cause a collapse.  Then clear path ways around the camp and then have a look at the generator."

"Good.  We have a plan.  I am on food rota today but..."

"...Rory will do it."

"He is my only rival so I will let him."  And they both laughed.

"Spades."

Both men made their way to the container where they stored their provisions and equipment.  Anna-Marie had had the foresight to have the container delivered to be used as their storage unit.  It meant that all their provisions, especially, could be kept dry whatever the conditions.  It also struck Gil as they opened up the container that if there was a major problem with their tents they could ditch the equipment and use the container for shelter.  They had, Gil decided, covered all their bases.

There were only four spades but by the time Gil and Carlos had taken the food to the refectory tent nearly everyone, including Rory, was up and about.

"Right.  Rory cook.  Hot food all day.   Before we put on the heat in this tent we need to clear the snow off the top...we don't want the heat warning it up and causing any problems.  That's our first job."  Gil detailed what they had to do and four of the interns immediately took the spades from Carlos and started the task...the quicker it was done the quicker they would have hot drinks and food.

"Rory we've got soups here..."

"I thought I'd do eggs and bacon for breakfast...the quicker I get the stove going I can cook the bread.  Carbohydrates and protein.  The freezer will be defrosting so I need to use it up or at least cook as much as I can...it'll last a few days then and it won't be lost. I can then put the soup on and people can help themselves when they want to warm up.  And I'll get a stew started mid-afternoon."

"I'd completely forgotten about the freezer.  If the temperature does drop maybe we could store some food elsewhere.  Good plan."  Just then someone shouted form outside that the tent roof was clear.  "I think the temperature is going to drop so it will be necessary to keep warm."  Rory nodded and had already started the stove.

"I'll go get what I need.  Leave it with me."  They had dried eggs. Packs of bacon and partially cooked bread that just needed about twenty minutes to cook.

Their only problem would be the generator.  If it was a lost cause they might have to consider a trip into Vinchina to see is they could get parts or even another generator.  But then Gil had another thought altogether...

If this weather persisted they would probably have to secure the site as best they could and abandon camp.  It would be pointless staying on if they couldn't do the work.

Anna-Marie, Carlos and himself needed to make some decisions.  In the meantime he'd better e-mail Nick and give him a proper update and explain that they may be incommunicado...and then he stood still and laughed out loud.  Several pairs of eyes swivelled towards him.

"Sorry.  Not completely insane just yet."  He thought he would e-mail Nick and the camp router ran on the electricity provided by the now defunct, hopefully only temporarily, generator.  But perhaps he wasn't too mad since he could e-mail using his cell is he switched on the internet access...but that would really drain his battery...fast.  He'd settle for a text and he made his way back to his tent and found his cell phone.

He had a new text from Nick.  'Keep warm and drink hot drinks and know that I'm thinking of you.  It's 104 in the shade here!  Lol!  Love you.  Nxox'

Gil chuckled at the Vegas temperature.   He could certainly use some of that sunshine.  He started his text to Nick and noticed he had half the charge left in the device.

'Generator bust no elec all ok have food & heat will maintain radio silence case I need cell 4 emerg Ily G xox'

He waited a minute or two to see if Nick would come back to him and he did.  'Shit.  As long as you're ok that is all that matters.  Thinking of you missing you and I love you.  Speak soon I hope.  N xox'

Gil hadn't mention Rory's theory as he'd started to call it in his mind.   Maybe he'd save that for when they were together again.  And with no laptop he couldn't run it past Heather either.

According to people in the know...one of the interns...the generator was kaput and wouldn't restart until a vital piece of equipment was replaced.

They ate their excellent breakfast as if they had no troubles in the world and in reality in the scheme of things it really wasn't such a big problem.

After breakfast Anna-Marie used some of here valuable cell power to phone a friend about the weather forecast for the coming days.  The temperature was quickly descending...the air was still and the sky bright blue and the snow was getting to be very crunchy under their feet.

They made a collective decision based on all the information they'd managed to glean...

***

In fact despite their deliberations the plan was simple.

Carlos and five interns would take the truck and try to get into Vinchina.  It was hoped that the six men would be able to get the truck moving if it got stuck in snow on the journey.

In Vinchina they could contact, by telephone, the Asuncion Bureau financing the project and explain their predicament.  They could also get fresh provisions and replace four empty gas cylinders for heat and cooking.  Crucially they would also see if they could get the part to repair the broken generator.  They were less hopeful about that.

So armed with flasks of soup and coffee together with sandwiches the six men set off just after nine that morning.  Carlos said he would call at three in the afternoon...if they hadn't returned by then...so Anna-Marie would switch on her cell and await his progress report.

Gil took the opportunity to give his letters to Nick for Carlos to post.  Carlos was sceptical as to when the post would be collected in Vinchina but he promised he'd take Gil's precious cargo and post them.

Life in camp after the departure of the six men was flat.  It was easily getting colder but they remained warm and set about trying to do some work.  By general consensus Rory remained their head cook and kept food on the go all day.

At three in the afternoon they all sat around the refectory table waiting for Carlos' call.  It came at two minutes past the hour.

All Carlos imparted was that they were on the way back and had news...the trip into Vinchina had been difficult but it was easier coming back since they cleared drifts on the track on their way out.  He expected to be back within the hour.

The short call lacking any information left all the staff in camp feeling even more deflated than they'd felt since the departure that morning since they still had no idea what was happening and they had to wait again.

Gil was sitting at the table rubbing his eyes and sighing when he remembered his anti-depressants...he hadn't taken them again.  He'd simply forgotten.  And he decided there and then that he wouldn't bother with them...he was certain he wasn't depressed.  Pissed at himself more likely.

Off and on during the day he'd been thinking about Rory's pronouncement about why he treated Nick...and Sara...so badly.  He was disgusted with himself but he was pretty certain that Rory was right and it was the reason behind his behaviour.

All his life he'd had what he wanted.  As an only child he'd been spoiled by his parents, they provided him with his every need.  Of course he had never made any extravagant demands and so his wishes had all been fulfilled.  Books were his passion and he read voraciously from an early age.  Learning everything he could had driven him as a child, a teenager and a young adult.  He got the jobs and colleges he wanted with no problems at all...  He grew up when the expensive paraphernalia of childhood just wasn't invented.  He didn't have a computer or games or cell phones...  But he had been spoiled and he'd somehow always known it but he'd not been aware and therefore had not acknowledged that it had left some residual adult behaviour in its path.

It followed that when he wanted something...or someone in this case...he just went after them and he got Nick and Sara and then played around with both of them for over ten years.  Nick had borne the brunt of his desires to go back and forth.  Rory had said that once Nick and Sara had had him back they themselves set the trend and enabled his appalling behaviour.   He was an asshole and he remembered that Sara had called him that on one occasion.   More than one occasion, actually.

"What are you thinking about?  Sighing and looking as if you had the worries of the world on your shoulders?"  Anna-Marie was sitting next to him and she spoke softly to him.

"About my behaviour towards the people I have loved and then discarded...like trash.  I have a great deal of grovelling to do and making amends to the man I love."

She smiled.  "He will forgive you, I am sure."

Gil smiled at her and nodded.  "He already has but I have promised to do better and I only hope I can live up to his expectations.  My track record...is...crap."

Anna-Marie shrugged.  "If you realise what you have done and face up to your shortcomings then you can try to change.  It is not easy but then relationships are not easy.  But you will do it...I feel confident."

"Thank you Anna-Marie, you give me confidence"

She bumped his shoulder with hers and then looked around.  "Come on you guys, cheer up.  Rory, how about some hot chocolate?"

"Coming up."

All at once the mood had shifted and they all started chatting again.  Gil shook his head at the almost physical change in the atmosphere from Anna-Marie's few words of encouragement.

They were talking and telling stories when just forty minutes later Rory stopped still and put his hand up.  "Listen..."  And as it went quiet they all heard the engine of the truck and almost simultaneously a horn blast announcing its return...

***

The men from the away party piled into the refectory tent bringing a blast of cold air with them.  They turned up the heater for a few minutes and Rory made fresh hot chocolate.

Anna-Marie cut to the quick...  "Come on Carlos, what is the news?"

"Bad news and good news.  The bad news: we're abandoning the project because of the extreme weather."  There were groans all around the tent but Gil had to supress a smirk.  Nick, he thought.

"And the good news?"  Anna-Marie pressed on.

"We can come back in the spring and finish off."

There were still groans because most of the interns, if not all, knew that they would probably be replaced by new staff.

"We couldn't get the generator part, the guy thinks it'll be about a week or longer if the bad weather persists but I asked him to go ahead and get it and keep it for us.  I had to pay up front, of course.  We didn't exchange the gas bottles we left the empty ones there for replacing when we return."

"When do we leave?  We have to secure all our relics.  Will there be enough room do you think?"

"We have discussed this on the way back and if you agree...we all spend tomorrow securing as much as we can.  The day after six...or if we can get them in...seven interns leave which will leave five interns and us three to tidy up.  What we can't get into the container we can take into Vinchina.  Maybe the five interns could go the next day which would leave us three for the third and final day and we can store things in Emilio's...the guy from the store...garage.  He would be happy to keep it and no charge.  So we have four days to secure and clear the camp.  What do you think?"

No one spoke they were absorbing the information.  It was Gil who broke the silence.

"What about the weather?  If it's just cold and icy the plan is doable but if it snows some more..."

Carlos interrupted.  "...I checked.  For the next week they are expecting plummeting temperatures but no more snow.  We can keep warm; we still have plenty of gas.   And we need to eat as much of the food as we can.  Tinned goods that are okay past spring can remain here but if there is food stuff we can't eat we can take it into Vinchina and maybe give it Emilio."

"It seems to me that you have covered all the bases.  I suggest we eat heartily tonight and tomorrow and if we have any liquor left then we can drink it tomorrow night.  Rory are you up providing us with a feast or two?"  Gil wanted to know.

"I am.  If I have no constraints on what I can take from provisions then I promise a feast."

"All agreed?"

Everyone agreed.

After their first feast which had seen Rory excel himself Gil excused himself.  He had hoped that by waiting Nick would be out of bed and able to reply immediately to his text of his good news.

He sat on his camp bed and switched on his cell.  It had a lot less than half its battery power...it seemed to drain out even as he looked at the cell as it loaded.  Nick had sent a text.

'Worried.  But expect you to be okay.  I know you have a camp full of people watching your back. Still can't believe Sara. I'll not expect a message back but hope you find a way to contact me. Maybe you can get into Vinchina but with the bad weather I'm not even sure of that.  Take extra care and keep warm with all the love I'm sending you.  N xoxox'

In all the commotion in the camp and Rory's theory Gil had forgotten about Sara and he  was quite pleased with himself since it demonstrated to him that she no longer held any place in his life.  It was Nick now, once and for all.

He texted back.  'Coming home. Project abandoned until spring.  Battery nearly gone will call u when I get 2 V in 4 days.  Ily & WILL cu soon!  G xx'.  He pressed send.  He'd been extravagant with his message since he would be able to call Nick when he got to Vinchina.  Hear his voice once more and the thought made him feel loved and warm.  He smiled to himself and his cell vibrated in his hand.

'Great news! Cannot wait to hear your voice and then see you. Love you. Nxoxoxox'.  Gil laughed at the extra hugs and kisses.  He texted back.

'I didn't expect 2 cu again so soon & I feel warm all over at the prospect.  G xx'

'I know what you mean.  Nxox'.  Nick texted back immediately but now his cell was flashing with a low battery signal.

'Battery biting the dust. Ily G xx'.  He pressed send and moments later the cell switched itself off.

Gil felt bereft at being cut off from Nick but took a deep breath and told himself that in four days he would call him from Vinchina and hear his voice.

"Can I come in?"  Rory called from outside the tent.

"Of course.  You don't need to ask."  Gil called back to him.

"Are you okay at having to leave?"  Rory wanted to know when he'd zipped up the tent again.  The cold had permeated the tent in the moments it took him to come inside.

"Honestly?  I couldn't be happier.  Going home to Nick.  It's all I really want to do."

"That's lovely, so it is.  I hope he knows how precious you are..."

"...it's me who has the precious man in Nick.  Make no mistake Rory, I've been an asshole to him but I will be spending the rest of my life righting the wrongs I've done him."

"He'll forgive you, so he will, you'll have no problem with that."

"I hope you're right."

"I'm always right."  He laughed.  "I've been to the lav so I'm getting into bed.  Big day of cooking ahead tomorrow."

"I need to go."  Gil stood and wrapped his anorak around himself and off he went.

When he returned Rory had left a Snickers candy bar on his pillow.  "Are you sure?"  Gil asked.

"Of course I am, I've eaten mine.  You're not allergic to nuts are you?"

"No." Gil was already unwrapping the candy.

"Just my nuts."  Rory spoke wistfully."

"Rory."  Gil spoke with a warning tone in his voice although it was around a mouthful of Snickers.

"Just jesting...don't get you knickers in a fucking twist!"  Rory laughed and Gil joined in but wasn't altogether sure that he was jesting...given half a chance Rory would be over him like a rash...he was sure of that.  

Who knew that in his dotage he'd become a young man's object of desire...

***

The next two days flashed back since they were all busy with their allotted tasks.  Making as much room in the container as possible for as much of their kit and relics as they could get into it.  They did well and it was only the large tents that would need to be rolled up and taken to Emilio for his safe keeping.

Saying good bye to the interns was sad although Gil thought of them as work colleagues rather than real friends.  The interns had changed so many times during the life of the project that it got to the stage that their comings and goings were routine affairs.

Of course Gil would miss Carlos and Anna-Marie who had become close friends.  He was sure he would keep in touch with them even if it was only an occasional catching up e-mail.

And then there was Rory.  Gil did like him...despite the little matter of the assault while he slept.  He was a happy and easy going young man and Gil was pretty sure that he was way too young for him...but if he didn't have Nick he wondered if he would have let Rory continue that night...   In all honesty he thought he probably would have...ethics be damned.

But he had Nick and Nick was all he wanted.  He was missing the texts from his lover...but his battery was wasted.  He thought about asking Rory if he had any spare power in his own cell...but there was only one problem with that.  He had no idea what Nick's cell or landline numbers were.  They were stored in his cell and he never looked at the numbers...he just pressed dial.  So Nick really was out of reach and that made him uneasy.

Rory had volunteered to stay on until the last day and go back to Vinchina with the three project leaders.  Citing an extra pair of hands would be useful...he was right about that...and that he could cook the last meal for the four of them.  It was the deciding factor despite Carlos' own prowess with the stove.  Their last meal with one of Rory's cobbled together stews had the four of them sitting in the refectory with a beer each...the last four cans...and a dish of the stew and some bread to soak up the gravy.

Gil reckoned it was one of the best meals he'd ever had in camp and Carlos magnanimously agreed as did Anna-Marie.

Rory wasn't shy.  "I think it was my best effort.  But it's easier to cook for just the four of us than that hungry crew of fecking interns."

"All your meals have been excellent and I am happy to pass my crown on to you."  Carlos toasted Rory with the remains of his beer.  "I also have brandy...just enough, I hope, for four small shots.   Coffee?"

"I'll make a fresh pot."  Rory jumped up from the table as Carlos rummaged around in his rucksack and produced the small, and already half empty, bottle of brandy.

They used their empty beer glasses and Carlos measure out the four drinks.  With the fresh coffee steaming in their mugs Gil made a toast.

"To the project and making new friends and the hope that we will be able to come back and finish the job.  To us all."  He lifted his glass and the others followed suit and the four clonked together.  Although he was absolutely sure that he didn't want to come back...

There was a 'cheers' from Gil and two 'saluds' from Carlos and Anna-Marie but Rory launched into a drinking ditty.

"As you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way."

The three listened and thought about it for a moment or two and then burst out laughing.

"That reminds me of the a song written by Tom Lehrer...he was a great mathematician, he's retired now, and was the greatest political satirist of the twentieth century...in my opinion of course...but he wrote this song about leaving college and one of the lines was, 'sliding down that razor blade of life.'"

The three people around the table with him stared at him and then with Rory starting them off were all helpless with laughter in moments.  Gil didn't quite catch on but started to laugh with them since it was infectious.  He guessed he must have accessed his lecturing mode since Nick used to say he could kill a party dead with one of his anecdotes.  That made him laugh some more.

The four of them tidied up after their meal and Rory got all the ingredients he would need for breakfast ready and then they went to their beds.  Quieter than they had been...especially the leaders...that it had come to such an abrupt end.  But the weather was bitterly cold...the coldest Gil had ever experienced.  He didn't feel the cold when he was inside a tent but outside it was like nothing he'd ever experienced.  The wind chill alone must have knocked about ten or fifteen degrees off the actual sub-zero temperature.

The next morning they were up early and while Rory cooked a breakfast feast for them the leaders dismantled the three sleeping tents and rolled them up and put them in the back of the truck.

They ate a huge breakfast and then set about the reminder of the tasks.

The container was packed to capacity and held a surprising amount of their equipment and relics together with the stove, the refectory furniture and camp beds.  When nothing else would fit in it was double padlocked.  They filled the truck to the brim with diesel from their supply tank and took two large fuel containers and filled them too.  They bolted the tap on the diesel tank.   The all had their last pees and emptied the latrines.  They were leaving the latrine tent up.  They rolled up the refectory tent and with some huffing and puffing and re-arranging got it into the back of the truck.

There was just sufficient room in the cab of the truck for the four of them and their personal luggage.

They took a look around and decided that they had done all that they could do.  All they had to do now was hope that no one would bother coming to the site and therefore their belongings would be safe.  The bad weather would help them and really only locals knew about the site anyway...

At just after ten they left the camp.

The journey into Vinchina was uneventful and mostly they were quiet thinking about what they would be doing next.

Gil was secretly very happy at the prospect of seeing Nick again so soon after leaving him but was careful not to show it since Anna-Marie and Carlos appeared to be truly gutted at the closure.

They were going to store the remaining camp equipment at Emilio's and then take the truck and drive back to Asunción.  They would stay in Concepcion that night and drive to Asunción the next day...Carlos, who did most of the driving, reckoned about eight hours with regular stops and sharing the driving.

For a small fee Emilio said they could use his shower before their onward journey...the first proper clean-up that any of them had had since the generator blew up...and made them realise that they all probably smelled pretty ripe.  Anna-Marie was mortified having not realised just how bad they were until asked if they wanted to bathe.  The men let her go first.

It was only with the prospect of a shower that Gil started itching but in the room they were sharing he took advantage of plugging in his cell phone charger...the phone was completely dead and it would take a few minutes before he could actually use it...maybe Nick wouldn't be in bed...and he would be able to hear his voice...

***

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