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Courtney trembles as he puts the telephone down, Doctor Fontaine’s secretary watching him. Jack Kelso’s words run through his mind, the genuine worry in Jack’s voice making Courtney’s heart race. And how can he not panic when he was just told Jack got interviewed by Cole goddamn Phelps about the morphine robbery, before informing Courtney that more and more former Marines are dropping like flies?
“Courtney?” Fontaine says, and Courtney jumps.
He spins around, finding the doctor’s office door open. Fontaine stands in the doorway, an unlit cigarette in his hand, his gaze burning into Courtney as he studies his facial expression and body language.
“Y-Yes, Doctor?”
“Is everything all right? You seem rather unwell.”
“I, uh… I’m not doing great, Doc, I’ve gotta admit,” Courtney says, his heart pounding. “Can, can we talk? In private?”
Frowning in curiosity, Fontaine says, “Of course, Courtney. Please come in.”
As Fontaine steps to the side, Courtney hurries through the door, hearing the doctor shut the door behind him. Courtney buzzes with anxiety, pacing aimlessly on the spot with his eyes on the floor, reminded of a moment like this just last week. Back then, he snapped and told Fontaine about his problems with Cohen, and rather than turning him into the police, Fontaine took all the surplus morphine off his hands, ending Courtney’s issues with local gangsters. Or so he thought.
Before Fontaine can ask a single question, Courtney starts speaking, words tumbling past his lips.
“That was Jack Kelso—we were in Okinawa together. He got pulled in for questioning by a Vice cop all about the morphine robbery. But, but even worse, he said our guys are dying horribly. Murdered. By Mickey Cohen’s men. Cohen m-must be mad at us for never g-giving into his demands—”
“Courtney.”
“—and he’s tracking us down and we’re all gonna die—”
“Courtney.”
“This isn’t what I wanted, Doctor. It, it’s—”
Courtney shuts up as lips press against his own. Fontaine gives him a firm yet chaste kiss for several seconds, before pulling away. His face lingers close to Courtney’s, and Courtney blushes harder when cool hands cup his burning face.
“Hush yourself, Courtney Sheldon,” Fontaine says, as mesmerizing as the first time they kissed. “I know you’re scared, but I need you to understand something. I promise you everything is going to be okay.”
Struggling to control his breathing, Courtney swallows hard. “But h-how can it, Doctor?”
“Listen to me carefully, Courtney. There is no denying the danger you find yourself in. I’m afraid there is little I can do about the Cohen situation, other than letting you stay here. As for the Vice officer, I suggest you visit the station to meet him. Hopefully, we can alleviate any suspicions he has towards you.”
“We?”
“Of course," Fontaine says, smiling softly. "If you would like, I will accompany you.”
A smile breaking across his face, Courtney kisses Fontaine back. “That, that sounds great! Thanks so much, Doctor. I dunno what I’d do without you.”