Chapter Text
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The alleyway was dark, misty and quiet. Not a sound could be heard as night continued its watch over it, like a guard in a prison. The breeze drifted through the narrow pathway, between the brick walls which towered either side, running right the way along. If one listened quietly, they might be able to hear the rats breathing due to the eerie silence that held the alley captive. That was until three men entered it; well, two men entered, the third was thrown.
Gus felt his back hit the wall and before he knew it, the second man was on him, pressing a strong forearm into his throat making it hard to breathe. As this happened, the man's other arm pulled back and swiftly forced a fist into his stomach. The air rushed from his lungs, which only caused his already ragged gasps to worsen.
"Whoa, hey, hey, now take it easy, big guy." Gus reasoned with his attacker. "Let's not do any permanent damage, ok?" He glanced between the man restraining him and the third man standing behind, who was straightening out the lapels of his sharp, expensive suit. "Can't we just settle this in a nice, diplomatic way? Like three grown men should?"
"Ah, but you see Gus, we're not all grown men are we? You are filth and you are not getting out of this alive unless I get my money." The man's icy blue-grey eyes glistened in the dull moonlight and his teeth stood out as he gave Gus a sly grin. Gus took an audible gulp at these words and tried his best to make eye contact with him, attempting to force down the nerves that threatened to crumble his tough act. "Now you have until Monday to get me my money or else things are going to get a bit ugly for you, my friend."
"Monday? But it's Saturday now!" Gus exclaimed, suddenly feeling a wave of concern take over him.
"Uh, actually no it's not." The man in the suit looked at his watch and smirked. "It's Sunday." He then looked up at Gus again and winked. "So you better move fast, now." With that, the third man removed his arm from Gus' throat, allowing him to gasp for some air, only to deliver a forceful punch to his jaw. The power behind the blow sent Gus tumbling to the ground and as he spat the blood from his split lip onto the damp concrete below him, he heard the man's voice one last time.
"See you soon, Gus."
Gus grimaced at the moments that had just passed. He knew he was in deep shit this time. Sure, he had got into trouble before, but he had always managed to come out of it the other side. This time, however, he really felt like his luck had run out. There was no way he could come up with that amount of money within the next twenty four hours. Sitting up and resting his back against the brick wall behind him, he sighed. He was screwed. Totally, categorically, spectacularly screwed.
Unless…
There was one person he knew that he could always count on. One person who never let him down, no matter how bad the circumstances were. Of course he would help him out again, that's what family does right? Pulling his phone from his pocket, he found the right number and tapped in his message. He could rest easy now.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"Benji?" Ethan slowly wandered over to where their resident computer genius sat, perched against the wall with his eyes closed. Once he reached the younger agent, he lowered himself onto the ground next to him and rested his head against the wall. "You ok?"
"Hmm?" Benji opened his eyes and blinked a few times before looking at Ethan. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"I said are you alright?" Ethan repeated. "You're off in your own little world there."
"Oh, it's alright, I'm just a bit tired, that's all." Benji smiled and moved to stand up. He threw on one of his famous, infectious smiles and made his way across the room to where Brandt and Jane sat. But despite the smile, Ethan knew that something was wrong.
Half an hour later, while the team sat around talking, there was a buzzing as Benji's phone began to vibrate on the table. The tech looked down and watched it skitter across the wooden surface as he stared at the name on the screen. Ignoring the call, he merely shoved his phone in his pocket, receiving an inquisitive glance from Ethan. Only five minutes after that, a text message came through and Benji gritted his teeth as he read it. As he shoved the phone back into his pocket, he felt Ethan's hand on his arm and when he turned, he saw the kind look in his eyes, knowing that the leader wanted to know what was bugging him.
"Can I talk to you for a second, Ethan?" he asked, knowing that Ethan was the only one who would understand.
"Sure." He motioned for them to go out of the room and once the door was shut, Benji pulled out his phone. "What is it?"
"Gus got in contact last night." Benji spoke in a monotonous voice as he showed Ethan the text he had received just after midnight. "He wants me to meet him this afternoon."
Ethan sighed. "Benji, you know what this means, don't you? You know why he wants to see you."
Benji gave a light scoff. "Do I ever? It's always the same with him."
"So are you gonna go?" Ethan asked, softly. Benji looked up from where his gaze had dropped to the ground and shrugged.
"I don't know. I'm sick of bailing him out."
"But, Benji, he's still your cousin." Ethan reasoned. "Albeit, not the best cousin in the world, but the point still stands."
"I know." Benji breathed, rubbing his hands over his eyes.
"You never know, maybe he might want to just see his awesome cousin." Ethan grinned and was relieved to see Benji laugh slightly.
"Yeah, maybe when pigs fly."
"Hey, any day now, I think." Ethan raised his eyebrows knowingly. "Go, Benji. Hear him out. And if he is calling because of that reason, then you will get greater satisfaction out of telling him no." Benji nodded at the logic and sighed again.
"I guess you're right. Fine." He sent a quick text back to Gus before pocketing his phone and smiling at Ethan. He really did not want to see Gus.
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