Dee gave his partner a quick, sidelong glance, but said nothing.

"I mean, I want to find Erich, too," Ryo continued, "but don't you think we're being a little, er, hasty? I mean, he doesn't want to be found. And I'm not sure I even understand how this idea of yours is supposed to work!"

"Come on, Ryo, ya gotta have faith in the plan! We pretty much know where he is; we'll just move in with the classic pincer formation and...hey, look!" Dee gestured with his cigar. "There's the guys waiting for us. I'll go over it again when they get in, OK?" He stopped the RV on the shoulder and hopped out, not waiting for an answer.

Ryo rolled his eyes heavenward. "He's on the jazz again..."

As Ryo climbed into the back, a tall, dark figure took Dee's place in the driver's seat. "FINALLY," he muttered. "I couldn't've lasted five more minutes standing around with that crazy fag."

"Oh, Klaus, he's not that bad," Dee said with a grin, climbing in next to him.

Dorian's head abruptly popped up beside Ryo. "Yeah, Major, you just have to loosen up a little! Stop being so uptight! Go with the flow! Get used--"

"SHUT UP, FOOL!"

Dorian leaned toward Ryo to stage-whisper, "He loves me; I know it."

The New Yorker sighed and shook his head. "So anyway, Dee, about that plan..."