Holding Their Own XI: Hearts and Minds by Joe Nobody

rescue her attacker? Wait… was it really an assault? She had been walking with the shit-roach.
    Chase, however, didn’t want to go. Shaking off his escort, he made it clear leaving wasn’t an option. Wiping the blood from his nose, he said, “I’m fine. Just a scratch. That man assaulted me, and I want him arrested immediately.”
    Bishop took a step forward, weight shifting to the balls of his feet, knife lowered for a thrust. “I got your arrest right here, Ass-jacker. Come and get it.”
    Then things got worse, two shadowy figures appearing from the darkness, each taking a stance behind Bishop.
    Grim and Butter, having heard the ruckus, came rushing up to find out what all the shouting and shooting was about. In the darkness, they could only see a bunch of people pointing guns at their friend and leader.
    “Got your six, boss,” Grim’s voice sounded from the darkness. “Butter’s here, too. What’s happening?”
    Both of the new arrivals had their rifles up and primed, the barrels pointed directly at the security men who seemed all too anxious to shoot their supervisor.
    “Grim, Butter, it’s Nick. Stand down. That’s an order.”
    “Nick? What the fuck’s going on here?” Grim replied, his voice unsteady. His weapon remained high and ready.
    “There’s been a huge misunderstanding,” Terri pleaded, still trying to make sense of it all herself. “Everybody, please, just put down the weapons, and let’s talk this over.”
    Something in his wife’s voice now resonated with Bishop. His body visibly relaxed, and then he said, “Grim, Butter, it’s cool.”
    Everyone exhaled when Bishop’s knife returned to its scabbard. Without another word, he began backing away. “On me,” he whispered to Grim and Butter.
    As the two SAINT members closed ranks with their leader, Bishop flashed Terri a look that she could only describe as the reaction of a crushed, betrayed little boy. Nothing in her life had ever hurt her so badly.
    A second later, they were gone, disappearing into the darkness.
    Terri stood looking at the empty space where Bishop had been just a few moments before. She shook her head and whispered, ‘Bishop, meet Chase. Chase, this is my husband, Bishop. I hope you two can be friends.”
     

    “He did what?” Nick exclaimed after Terri had recounted the evening’s events, including the prelude to what was sure to be an attempt at a kiss. Then the big man whistled, followed by, “Does our new ambassador have a death wish or something? Does he have any idea what Bishop would do to him?”
    “He was just a guy with a few drinks in his system,” Terri replied, not sure why she was trying to defend Chase’s actions. “He didn’t mean anything by it. If I had a dime for every time some drunk guy tried to plant a kiss on me, I’d….”
    “Bullshit he didn’t mean anything by it,” Diana interrupted, moving to comfort her friend. “But still, it sounds like Bishop overreacted… at least a little.”
    Tears started rolling down Terri’s cheek, the emotions finally catching up with her. “Where is he, anyway?” she sobbed.
    “He’s with Grim and Butter over at a guesthouse. Last I heard, he was taking a shower and winding down. Word is their mission didn’t go so well, and no doubt that’s playing some part in all this. Chase’s nose isn’t broken, so we may have avoided an international incident. At least for the time being.”
    “I need to talk to Bishop,” Terri announced, rising from her perch with purpose.
    “Are you sure, girlfriend? Might be best to let things cool off a little. If you’re set on it, I’ll watch Hunter if you want some private time.”
    “No, I know Bishop will at least want to see his son.”

    “He did what?” Grim snapped, watching Bishop towel off his still-wet hair. “Who on God’s green earth would be stupid enough to try and put a move on Terri? That woman would cut ’em off.”
    Pulling on a fresh shirt, Bishop nodded, “If it was