Cut and Run 2 - Sticks and Stones

it?”
    Deuce was silent. Burns could hear him tapping a pen on a pad of paper as he mulled over the question. “I think,” Deuce drew out hesitantly, “‘function’ is perhaps too strong a word.”
    Burns closed his eyes and placed a hand over his forehead, feeling his heart sink.
    “My brother would take a bullet for his partner,” Deuce added assuredly. “I mean, we know that from experience. The thing is, it wouldn’t matter who his partner was. He just thinks that’s part of his job. And his goal in life is to do his job well.”
    Burns nodded silently. Anyone who knew Ty even a little bit knew that much. He had always been driven toward something no one else could see, and he still was. It seemed like the man felt his purpose in life had always been to die for a cause. He had been trying to get himself killed ever since he could walk.
    Burns could count on one hand the number of times Ty Grady had told him “no” in the past six or seven years. He was always ready, always willing, and always more than capable of doing whatever Burns needed. It was one reason he was so valuable. And one reason he scared the ever-loving bejeezus out of Burns.
    “The real interesting thing, though, is that Zane Garrett would do the same for Ty,” Deuce concluded.
    Burns raised his head and stared at the phone. “Really?” he asked in unconcealed surprise.
    Deuce laughed softly. “I believe so, yes. As a unit, they are largely uncooperative, unorganized, antagonistic toward each other, stubborn when problems arise, and they conceal their weaknesses from each other and sometimes from themselves. But somehow, it works for them. They trust each other. They’re fiercely loyal to each other, as well. When there’s an outside force working against them, they pull it together in one way or another and defend one another. Viciously, if need be. Zane Garrett stood up to my father, Dick. More than once.” He paused to allow that information to sink in and then continued. “In my professional opinion, they aren’t fit to be partnered with anyone but each other,” he said wryly. “They’d drive anyone else crazy.”
    Burns sagged his shoulders in relief, sitting back in his leather chair with a sigh. He hadn’t even wanted to consider the nightmare of trying to find Grady and Garrett new partners. They would’ve had to have both gone solo, and that meant undercover for Ty and a desk for Zane. Neither of which would end well.
    “The only issue I can see arising in the future is… personal,” Deuce said in a careful voice.
    “How do you mean?” Burns asked with a frown.
    “I still can’t tell if they like each other or not,” Deuce answered with a small laugh.
    Burns smiled slightly. “Well. We’ll just have to see, I suppose. Thank you, Deacon,” he murmured. “I owe you one.”
    “Yes, sir, you do,” Deuce assured him. He ended the call before Burns could respond.
    After a long moment’s consideration, Burns reached to press the intercom button on his desk. “Get me Ty Grady on the phone, please,” he requested of his secretary.
    “Um, sir?” she responded uncertainly. “He’s here.”
    “What?” Burns asked in surprise.
    “Special Agent Grady is sitting out here, waiting to see you,” she said with a hint of suspicion in her voice.
    “He’s waiting ?” Burns asked in disbelief. Ty had never sat out there patiently and waited to be seen. “Send him in,” he requested, alarmed. He stood as Ty was shown into the office.
    “You look better than I thought you would,” he told the younger man as soon as the door was closed.
    Ty gave him a game smile and moved to take a seat across from Burns. Burns slowly sat down again.
    “When I started with the Bureau,” Ty said without further small talk, “you told me there were three situations where I could quit your… personal missions,” he said haltingly.
    Burns nodded slowly, a hint of worry forming. “If you ever got married, had a child, or felt you were physically or mentally incapable of performing,” he listed off in slight trepidation.
    Ty nodded. He looked determined, and Burns wondered how much time Ty had taken to work up the nerve to have this conversation. “Sir, I’m not getting married,” he said. “And I’m not a father. And I can honestly say that I do believe I’m still capable, physically and mentally,” he said firmly. “But I would like to request a temporary break to the assignments, nonetheless,” he said in a