Here I go again!

This is the direct sequel to Rescue Me and is set a few years after it. For context the boys' ages are - Scott: 15, John: 14, Virgil: 12, Gordon: 8, Alan: 5.

I tend to drop easter eggs so if you recognize references to the original series they're intentional!

With that being said, I hope you enjoy this story! c:


"There's a Mr Barrett here to see you, sir."

Jeff finished off the dregs of his coffee and gave the mug to his secretary to be refilled. He straightened up in his chair and sweeped down his suit. "Thank you, Susie. Send him in."

A few moments later a short, plump man entered the office, trailed by two other men. Balding with a face that could cut glass, Jeff likened him to Alfred Hitchcock, a filmmaker his grandmother used to babble on about when she was in one of her more enlightening moods. He was wearing a black suit and tie and gave Jeff a cheshire grin as he crossed the room, giving off a pompous air. His partners stood a little behind their lead, giving Jeff space to observe them. The man on the right was a taller, thin man wearing a grey suit, making him the perfect foil to Alfred's rotund figure. He was wearing glasses and judging by his rigid posture, seemed a little timid. The third man did not match his associates at all. He was rugged and wearing a leather jacket and jeans.

Odd.

"Good morning Mr Tracy!" the Alfred lookalike chirped, shaking Jeff's hand so hard he thought it would fall off. "My name is Matthias Barrett but you may call me Matt. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Jeff remained on guard, nodding politely. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Jeff Tracy."

"Good to know you, Jeff." the scruffy man on the left snarked, causing Barrett to glare at him.

The stocky man cleared his throat, "These are my associates, Mr Chuck Collins," he pointed to the meek, blonde man in the suit, "-and Mr Edward Kenyon." he finished, raising his eyebrow at the tawny haired man who gave him a flippant look.

Jeff nodded. "Please, take a seat."

The three men sat on the stiff chairs laid before his desk. Jeff saw Susie at the door with a tray of drinks and gestured for her to come inside the office. She headed over to the desk and slid the tray down onto it, passing Jeff a mug of tea. Susie turned to the trio to offer drinks and saw that Kenyon was lecherously staring at her. Feeling uneasy, she gave Jeff a nervous look and he nodded in understanding, dismissing her. Kenyon grinned and poured out the drinks for his companions.

"So, what can I do for you gentlemen?" Jeff was abrupt, wanting the three to leave his office already.

After taking a sip from his tea, Barrett leant forward in his chair, "Well then Mr Tracy, I'll get right to it. Do you know who I am?"

Jeff was taken aback by his direct approach. "I don't follow you."

"I'm head of Barrett Industries, one of the key suppliers of components in the world. We make weapons." he chimed proudly.

"I see." Jeff grimaced, not liking where this was going. "Please, continue."

"I will. Our weapons are high grade military stock and I've recently invested millions into helping them traverse overseas to be used in combat. About three years ago my company made a deal with the Centurion Corporation to help create new, state of the art weaponized vehicles, such as the Mark V Statesman tank which has recently been deployed for use in the European Civil War."

Jeff stiffened in his seat.

"I'd like for you to be a part of this business venture. With your investment you'd be helping us build more weapons - particularly for use on the new hypersonic fighter aircraft being developed by the World Government. Being associated with an achievement such as that is something I could only dream of. Imagine it, Collins!" he demanded, dropping his hand on the lanky man's shoulder.

"I-I'm imagining it, sir." the bookish man replied, nervously straightening his glasses.

Matthias continued on, "There'd be a forty nine/fifty one split of course, with profits being divided to both companies."

Kenyon smiled confidently, "Forty nine being you and fifty one being us."

"Naturally." Jeff inputted.

"If you chose to invest your money in us you'd have the benefit of being remembered in history for your contributions, like I hope to be one day."

Kenyon rolled his eyes and pulled out a cigarette, resting it between his lips. "To summarize, Tracy, Mattie here wants to be the first company to supply these aircraft weapons and the only way that would be possible to achieve is with your help."

"With my money, you mean." Jeff cleared his throat, "Well it is a very interesting proposition, Mr Barrett, but I think your venture will be best suited to someone who has more experience in the field of weapons, which I have no interest in being a part of."

Barrett was taken aback, "Mr Tracy, I assure you that you don't have to have the experience to be a part of this venture-"

"I understand that, but unfortunately I disagree with this venture on moral grounds."

"Moral grounds? Mr Tracy, the world is at war. You can't just ignore it. Capitalize!"

"I understand your desire to help revolutionize the weaponry business, but it's not mine. I'm the wrong man for the job."

"But nobody's ever refused this deal before! It's near enough a fifty fifty split! Profits cut right down the middle!"

"It isn't though. I'm sorry Matt, but you'll just have to find somebody else to help fund your aspirations. I'm not interested."

"You can call me Matthias." he stood up crossly, finishing his tea. "Well this has been a waste of time." he snorted, turning to his secretary. "I thought you said he'd be interested!"

The lanky man shook his head fervently, "No sir, I said-"

"It doesn't matter what you said. You're useless, Collins!" he paused, turning back to Jeff. "Are you sure you won't reconsider? We can make it worth your while."

"If you're insinuating-" Jeff paused, anger growing. He tried to cool it. "If that's the case I'm definitely not interested in your proposition. Thank you for your time, gentlemen."

"Fine." Matthias chuffed. "Let's get out of here."

Kenyon stood up, studying Jeff closely. "Be seeing you, Jeff."

Jeff stood up as Matthias marched out of his office, trailed by a slouching Kenyon. Chuck waited for them to leave, then gave Jeff an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry Mr Tracy, I tried to advise him against asking you because I already knew of your stance on the war, but he wouldn't have it." he explained.

For the first time since the men had arrived, Jeff felt himself smile, sensing genuine concern on the younger man's face. "It's alright, Chuck. May I call you that?"

Chuck smiled and nodded. "O-Of course. I'm Mr Barrett's secretary, by the way. I don't think he mentioned that."

"Lucky you." Jeff replied, causing Chuck to smile.

"COLLINS!"

"Oh! Well I best be off. Nice meeting you, sir." he gave a little bow and turned to leave but collided with Susie in the doorway. "Oof!"

"Are you alright?" she asked, handing him his glasses. "Here you go."

He quickly mumbled an apology and took his glasses from her, taking a moment to absorb her appearance. Susie gave him a sweet smile, causing him to blush. "Well, um, thank you, miss. Goodbye!" he hurried away from the office, leaving Susie to stare longingly after him in the doorway. Jeff walked over to her and followed her gaze.

"Missing him already?" he teased, causing her to go red.

"O-Oh! N-No sir. How was your meeting?"

"Could have gone better." he admitted, letting out a sigh.


Inside his limousine being driven by Chuck, Matthias was still fuming at being so easily snubbed by the billionaire. He knew it wouldn't even cost Jeff a lot to help out but he was refusing to do it anyway and that's what was annoying him the most.

"That went well." Kenyon said, sarcasm seeping through his words. "I told you it wouldn't work."

"Yes, yes, I'd knew you'd have something to say on the matter!" Matthias snapped, rolling up his sleeves. "What time is it?"

"You have a watch, use it."

"You know full well that my watch is a fake!" he growled, adjusting it on his arm.

"Wow. If I didn't know you any better I'd figure you as being a phony businessman." Kenyon grinned.

Matthias gave him a toxic look. "Just keep it up, Kenyon. Keep going the way you're going."

"I can't help that you're bankrupt." The scruffy man shrugged.

"Shut up and focus on the problem at hand!"

"Which is?"

"Tracy!"

"Still want his money, right?"

"Yes! Very much so!"

Kenyon rolled his eyes, "Look, Tracy's smart. Unlike the other businessmen and women we've propositioned, Jeff Tracy actually seems to have a heart."

"Then we must go after it." Matthias stated. "I want my money, Kenyon."

"I hear ya, but how do you propose we change his mind?"

Matthias exhaled loudly, "It's unfortunate, really, but as Tracy says, we'll have to look elsewhere."

"Really?" Kenyon frowned.

"Or... not." came the smirk.

"Or not!" Kenyon laughed.

"Plan B, then."

The two men grinned.