call_me_chas (call_me_chas) wrote in morningstar_mnr, @ 2009-06-17 15:37:00 |
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Entry tags: | car, chas, deacon |
Miami area, noon, Deacon and Charlie
The air was thick and muggy when Charlie drove Car down the ramp and followed the sign posts to the building where, he knew, Deacon would be waiting for him. Car's engine missed and stuttered as she crawled along and the heater puffed a gust of exhaust smelling air into his face.
"Not long now," he said then stifled a yawn. "Not long at all - I hope." Driving Car was a strain. No matter how he adjusted her seat he always seemed to end up straining to reach the pedals.
Deacon was waiting at the entrance to the building and the moment he came into view Car suddenly went faster, skidding to a stop in front of Deacon. Deacon patted her hood and opened the door.
"Hey, Mouse," he said, looking grubby - he was covered in grease and oil from working on what was left of the Astin Martin - and very tired.
"Hey, D," Charlie said, a big knot of worry suddenly easing now he could see for himself that Deacon was okay - even if very weary. "Hop in."
"Scoot over and I'll drive," Deacon said and once Charlie had moved he climbed into the driver's seat. Car's engine purred in contentment even as Deacon leaned over and kissed Charlie.
It was a fair distance to where Deacon had been working and where the remains of the other car sat. For most of the trip they sat in silence, just enjoying the others presence. The sun beat down and Car's air con whirred and shuddered. When they reached the garage, Charlie hopped out to open the doors and Deacon pulled the Challenger into the empty spot waiting for it and shut off the engine. Charlie closed the door and followed the old Dodge but halted by the driver's door as he got a good look at Deacon's other car.
Deacon heard him sigh and responded with a sigh of his own. "Your mom okay with watching Nia?" he asked, head back on the seat and eyes closed
"Yes," Charlie said, though his mouth was on automatic as he looked in horror at the wreck of the Aston Martin. "Yes, she's fine. I promised I'd call her once I arrived and had seen how you were. Oh God, D. Poor Feddie - and your poor car."
Deacon opened his eyes and looked at the wreck next to them. "Yeah. Not lookin' so hot is she." He sighed and climbed out of Car. "Salvaged what I could and ran round and sourced the other bits we need. We'll get it all fitted into the Challenger. The rest - I guess we'll sell for scrap later. Dunno haven't thought that far."
Charlie sighed, more sad than angry at the moment. He hated to see things of beauty spoiled by malice. "How about I get it fitted into the Challenger while you catch some sleep while you can?" he suggested. "It's all fairly simple wiring isn't it? And you can check the computery bits when you wake up. Honest, D - you're going to need your rest. We won't get much on the road."
"Yeah I drew up some quick plans for ya..."
Deacon took the time to show Charlie exactly what went where and how it needed to be wired. It was simple enough for someone with Charlie's talents and Deacon gave Car a pat again.
"Now you be good for him," he told the car. "This has all gotta work just right." He yawned and moved to hug Charlie to him. "I've got a cot just over there in that office. I'll lay down there for a few hours. If ya need me just come wake me up."
Charlie held him tight for a moment then said, "We'll be fine - just as long as she understands how important this is to you. Now you go and rest..." He kissed Deacon gently and gave him a little push towards the office.
"Sleep well," he said, but he was already feeling for his screwdrivers. A job like this was easy enough to Charlie. Even dog tired he could unfocus his eyes and 'see' the pathways the power would take through the components and whether it was right or not. It was merely a question of putting everything together in the right order and in such a way it would be useful to them on the journey. It was just that there was so much of it.
He paused once to make himself coffee and again to get rid of it and make some more and again to put his head under the cold tap to wake himself up, but by the time he heard the first sounds of life from the office the job was almost complete and he had, he thought, even made a few improvements.
Lighting up a cigarette Deacon emerged. "How's it comin'?" he asked and stepped up beside Charlie. "Damn, Mouse, you look exhausted. You need to get some sleep."
"I can sleep on the road," Charlie said, thinking even as he said it that he was likely to be far too scared to close his eyes. He grinned. "Or try to. Look - I'm making arrangements to hide a lot of the equipment under the back seat, in case we get pulled over, and the radar detector is in that." He pointed to what appeared to be a beer cooler on the back seat. "The electrics and power are in there, the screen and controls can be duct taped to the back of the sun shield thingy." He demonstrated. "It should work - I think. I didn't want to drive round the block to try and find a radar trap."
Deacon glanced at his watch. "We're gonna have to just hope it all works. Need to get her fuelled up and ready to go. Gotta be at the starting line at noon - wherever it is. They'll text us the location in the morning."
Charlie groaned then stifled a yawn. "Jeez talk about security," he said. "D - I'm sorry, I need a couple of hours sleep. My last coffee must've been faulty."
"You go lay down, Mouse," Deacon said taking Charlie's screwdriver from his hands. "I'll call you when it's time to get up, okay?"
"No," Charlie protested. "I just need a few hours to rechage my batteries. No later than - two a.m., okay?"
Deacon agreed and kissed him lightly before giving him the customary pat to speed him on his way to the office.If they hurried they might be able to get everything done and even be able to take super fast showers before they left. Maybe.