Heroic Measures (continued)

Walter found himself stifling back a yawn. It did not seem to be that late, but it had been a very busy and stressful day. He was suddenly grateful that the restaurant had served no alcoholic beverages aside from purportedly native brews, none of which he recognized, and also skipped dessert. He suspected that he might have otherwise been ready to lie down on the near bus stop bench and doze.

Red’s barely masked smirk told Walter that his friend had noticed. Vivian, fortunately, had not. She was too busy glancing eagerly down both sides of the street looking for . . . what?

“I say we call a night,” Red suggested. “We’ll call on the good Dr. Zing in the morning, after a decent breakfast, and large infusions of caffeine, and then let him poke and prod us with his questions.”

Walter nodded his agreement, tightening his jaws against another yawn.

Vivian looked disappointed, expressing her feelings with a quiet, but audible sigh. “Sure,” she said, not at all sounding as if she were in agreement. “But I’ll need a ride home.”

“I’ll take you,” Walter volunteered before even realizing he had been thinking it.

Vivian brightened immediately, moving in closer to Walter.

Red looked at him with mild surprise. “Are you sure?” he whispered, moving close to Walter’s ear.

Walter was silent for a moment, still trying to accept that those words had just come out of his mouth. Then, slowly he nodded, turning his head away from Red.

“All right then,” Red said aloud. “I guess I’ll see you two in the morning.” He tapped Walter’s shoulder. “Give Abby my best.”

Walter just nodded. A scowl passed across Vivian’s features. She watched as Red headed down the sidewalk, presumably in the direction of his own transportation. Turning back to Walter, she held out her arm to him, presenting it along with a slight, expectant smile. Tentatively, Walter accepted it and, together, they walked back toward the institute parking garage.

Vivian moved in close against him as they walked along the downtown streets. They encountered only a few other people, walking alone or in small groups. Walter knew that it was too early for the serious night life to begin. They were in that odd twilight period between departure of the after-work diners and the arrival of the late-night revelers.

Even when I was younger, I wasn’t, Walter mused. Having Vivian on his arm like that, though, did make him feel as if a decade had been repealed from his past. He forced the feeling away, remembering that Abigail awaited him at home

She’s probably wondering where I am, he realized with a guilty start. And whether I’m okay.

It was hardly the first time that his duties as one of the city’s heroes had kept him out at night. He usually tried to call her, though, to at least let her know that he was fine, but just working a bit late on some incident. He tried not to let it happen very often, but sometimes it was difficult to avoid. Tonight, though, he really had no good excuse, other than for the lingering distraction of their chaotic day.

There were a surprising number of vehicles still in the parking garage when they entered it. Most of those still remaining were spaced widely apart, with several empty parking spots separating them from their neighbors. This made it all the easier for Walter to locate his own car, even though he tried to park in approximately the same location each time he visited the building. He unlocked the car and, still playing the role of the perfect gentleman, held Vivian’s door open for her, waiting until she was safely settled inside before closing it.