Need Cape Nor Cowl

Part 11: I'll Be Waiting

Wesker: Dr. Arkham stood with his arms crossed over his chest. A sincere and quiet man, though in all concerns, a wonder that he'd not gone crazy himself with all the nuts and freaks he had to deal with. Heavy brown old fashion suit jacket whipped lightly in the wind as he stood just inside the gates of Arkham Asylum. " Are you ready Mr. Wesker? "

" J-just a few more minutes. " The mousy little guy, minus Scarface for the first time in a long time still had his back to the looming building of the Asylum. He stood with shoulders straight, but his chin to his chest facing Commissioner Gordon. Arms were crisscrossed over his musty suit. Once inside, they would take these crime clothes from him, and fit him with the soft uniform of many a man out of his mind.

But was Wesker out of his mind anymore? Glasses reflected the high moon as he slowly lifted his head to look at James. " I'll.. I'll miss you so much. I caused you so much grief.. yet you stood behind me the whole time, I can't thank you enough. "

He wanted to cling to the other man. Cry into his shirt one last time before that heavy iron gate would close behind him.

You won't be in there forever. Just for a little while. You have to do this, for him, and then when you get out..

Wesker swallowed, and then slowly smiled at the other man. " I promised.. I'll do this. "

Gordon: Wesker wasn't the only one wanting a good final good-bye, but Gordon couldn't. Not out in front of Arkham in public like this. In his hands he held Wesker bowler, turning the brim slowly in his hands. He smiled.

There were a million things that were rattling around in his mind. Nothing that he could say aloud though, but probably evident in his eyes. "It was my pleasure... mostly," he finally offered. That mustache curled up again with his smile and his broad hand put the hat back atop Wesker's head.

Just smile Gordon. Think of how it'll be when he gets out, how much this is going to help him. Don't think that now you're going to have to watch him walk away, and with your luck it may be the last time you ever see him. God I don't want to see him walk away from me.

He looked at Dr. Arkham and nodded. "You might get some more business tonight. Make sure he's safe."

Wesker: " Of Course.. Come along, Arnold. " The good doctor nodded and finally slipped his arms off his own chest and stepped slowly toward Wesker. The tall thin man landed a hand on the little man's shoulder and started to guide him to turn around and head toward the Asylum.

Wesker felt his smile falling off his face, his chest started to tighten. His bowler felt so heavy on his head, still feeling the light press of Gordon's hand down upon it. Vision slipping from James to the ground.

Just a short stay.. a short stay... you can do this. You can do this...

... not without a goodbye!

Wesker suddenly tore away from Dr. Arkham. The Doctor let out a started gasp and attempted to snag the little guy by his arm, but the ex-criminal was too fast. Arnold threw himself at Gordon and wrapped his arms around the other man's chest, face sinking into his shirt.

Just a moment more. To breathe him in. To feel his heat. To hear his heart. He didn't care if the world saw.

" I-I'll run to you. " He repeated, just like their last night together.

Gordon: Gordon flushed and for a moment didn't return the hug. His hands just remained at his sides.

He worried for a moment, What if every cop in creation turns out for this mess? Even with the knowledge of impending sirens, he couldn't help it. He'd shared his bed with this man. He'd bare his very soul to this man! Slowly his hands rose from there places at his sides and hugged him back.

He lowered his nose to the top of his head, exposed again by the sudden hug, and then lifted it again.

A couple of old coots who got to feel young again, at least for a little while. It felt nice. Hopefully that wouldn't be the end of it. God let Dr. Arkham make him better. "I'll be waiting," he whispered, and gave him a squeeze.

The hug lingered until the sound of sirens bullied him out of it, and he pulled his hands back from him. "Good Luck, Arnold."

I have to stand here and watch him walk away. God this feels too much like a good-bye. Please make it out of there, Arnold.

Wesker: " Thank you.. " Wesker held on, for as long as he could. Till those sirens were sounding in the distance, till Dr. Arkham finally crossed the threshold and was tugging at his shoulder again. He didn't want to let go, but he had too, and when he did. His cheeks were visibly wet.

The little man slowly let his arms drop back to his side and stepped back. He swallowed down the threatening sob and just smiled again at the other man.

This man. Hero. Friend. Lover, everything. For him. Time to say goodbye and go get better. No, Wesker would not say goodbye. This needed not be a goodbye. Instead the little man nodded his head, tipped his bowler and whispered. " I'll.. see you soon, James. "

Then he turned and started toward the Asylum. The Doctor nodded to Gordon and then headed off with Wesker, a hand on the little guys back to keep him walking.

So Wesker walked. Doing his best to keep his head up and shoulders straight. Doing his best to NOT look back. If I look back, I won't be able to do this. The path to the asylum seemed almost eternally long, and even though Wesker kept his head up and a smile on his face, he was leaving a Hansel and Grentle trail of tears all the way to the door.

As the door to the Asylum was closed behind him, Arnold Wesker drew in a long breath and looked up at the doctor.

" Ready to be cured, Mr. Wesker? " Arkham raised a brow.

Wesker nodded. " Yes, sir.. yes I am. "

Gordon: Watching him walk away, James resisted the urge to just bolt. Run, jump in his car, and drive away. But he stood there and watched the smaller figure depart, feeling his chest tighten more and more with each shoe click.

He looked down at the dismally spotted walkway. The tears faded back to the original dull gray of the sidewalk as they evaporated up.

He turned and returned to his vehicle as he watched the still door for a few moments. He had to hurry. He had a monthly phone call he had to look forward to.

~ Fin