"Oliver is Worried" (Out of the Dark, 2005)

Title: Oliver is Worried
Rating: PG
Summary: When Cody gets out of the hospital after Code Blue, Oliver can tell something's wrong.

( The boy--a man now, Oliver reminded himself fiercely--had been gone now for three days. That was two days too many, and Oliver was worried. )

"Making It" (Prisoners of War, 1974)

Title: Making It
Rating: PG
Summary: Not knowing what's happened to Cody back Stateside, is killing Nick.

( Nick drinks too much. )

"Coffee Cups" (Out of the Dark, 1985)

Title: Coffee Cups
Rating: PG
Summary: Matching whale mugs.

( Late one night after Cody's been at the tequila and Nick's reached his limit on lite beer, Cody tries to talk about the mugs. )

"Flying Fish" (Out of the Dark, 1955)

Title: Flying Fish
Rating: PG
Summary: From Cody's time aboard the Eventide.

( Cody wants to be a smart fish more than anything he can think of. )

"First Down" (Out of the Dark, 1956)

Title: First Down
Rating: PG
Summary: Once upon a time, Cody's father made him try Pop Warner football.

( Cody sits on the bench and is careful not to swing his feet, is careful to look serious and interested. )

"Party" (Out of the Dark, 2006)

Title: Party
Rating: PG
Summary: Someday, Nick will learn to enjoy a party.

( Cody's 48th birthday, a good reason for everyone to celebrate the long, gray dormant California winter, and none of them, Nick was willing to bet, none of them, had even the faintest-- )

"Hours Pass" (Out of the Dark, 2005)

Title: Hours Pass
Rating: R
Summary: Another lazy retired morning on board the Hightide.

( Time's been behaving a little strangely for them both these days. )

"Ghost Walk" (Out of the Dark, 1997)

Title: Ghost Walk
Rating: PG
Summary: Innocuous comments dredge up phantoms of the past.

( Earlier that day, Caitlin, Murray's youngest, had come running over to the salon, clutching the one picture they have of their time in Nam: two dumb young GIs, grinning against grime and blood and jungle horrors, arms slung around each other, cocky and proud. )