#william dodd

[spockvarietyhour]

Sounds familiar coming out of Toby Stephens....

[wannabecatwriter]

“I’m sorry, William. I didn’t realize you were sitting here as well,” she apologized calmly, as the dripping wet men jumped out of their seats.

“Ok? Please explain what’s going on. This is not like you,” he was astounded.

“I just thought the boys could use something to help them cool down, seeing as they’re in heat,” she explained.

“Hey!” Mitch tried to complain.

“So in heat, in fact, that it gets in the way of their work performance and at the most inopportune moments at that. Ain’t that right, Mitchie?”

“Uh...” The way she was looking at him told Mitch she knew exactly what happened at the motel, but how?

“By the way, Rachel and Ashton are ok, Will. No thanks to these two. They were busy doing something more important, apparently. Or, should I say someone?”

[spockvarietyhour]

Sharpe's Challenge (2006)

[spockvarietyhour]

[wannabecatwriter]

Since the assignment had turned into a lengthier one than the team had anticipated, William opted to rent an apartment in town for the team to stay in. It gave everyone a sense of home comfort and gave them a private place for discussing information.

Also, living in an average apartment and coming and going at random times attracted less attention than it would have at a hotel. And saved money in the long run, in addition to giving him some extra oversight of the team.

William knew that this team wasn’t the brightest one he could’ve been given... but like always, he made do with what was available.

And now he was making waffles because, no matter what was happening in life, proper breakfast was a must for everyone.

“Waffles? Yum!” Adolfo yipped as soon as he woke up that morning.

“Carbs, here we come!” Mitch agreed eagerly. “Nothing beats some sugar in the morning.”

“Well, only if the sugar is brought to you by a sweetie wearing a nice bikini, maybe,” Adolfo chuckled.

“Fuck yeah!” Mitch agreed.

“Too bad for you there aren’t any sweeties nearby, and I sure am not putting on any bikinis,” William snarked over his shoulder.

Yes, he was making do with what was available. But these two were giving him a headache.

[wannabecatwriter]

Two hours ago.

“Gone? What the hell do you mean Rachel and Ashton were gone from their room in the morning?!” Delia was flabbergasted at hearing the young agents’ story. “Where the hell would they have gone?”

“We don’t know,” Mitchell kept explaining. “Maybe they went exploring the town?”

“Exploring?!!! While a mobster is out looking for them? While they were supposed to be under your protection?!” Delia screamed at them. “Please tell me you’re not that stupid.”

“We are really sorry,” Adolfo understood their predicament a little more. “We didn’t think to check on them during the night. But they seemed pretty beat, we didn’t think they’ll just leave. Plus, we were right next door. If they needed anything, they only had to knock.”

“But they didn’t? You’re sure they didn’t?” William, their boss asked.

“Uh, yeah...”

[wannabecatwriter]

“I can get behind that,” Jerri agreed.

“Ay! What’s up! Sorry, I’m late,” Aaron ran in excited about something.

And then he noticed the mood in the room and the state of their clothing.

“Hey, are you all having a wet t-shirt party or something? I didn’t realize we did that kind of bonding thing here...”

[wannabecatwriter]

“I will handle these two from now on,” William told Jerri. He was smiling in the way that was reminiscent of a teacher about to announce the whole class failed an exam.

“I am sorry again about getting you drenched - I didn’t realize you sat this close to them,” she apologized.

“Nonsense. Knowing you, I’m glad you’ve decided to ‘punish’ them in a way that can simply be fixed with a change of clothes.” He knew full well Jerri was showing restraint today, compared to how she behaved a few times in the past. Was this growth? He hoped so. “I will impart on them further the seriousness of their blunder. Where are your friends now, by the way? If you don’t mind?”

“Staying with some family,” she told him. “In Appaloosa Plains. We’ve decided they’ll stay there until things are calmer.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he nodded. “I take it you have contact with them? Good. This was, we’ll keep them in the loop and vice versa.”