"He�s dead." Chris said as he crawled up to Atterton, feeling for a pulse.
"He looks like he�s been beaten. Have they been beating up on each other?" JD said to Josiah who was right behind him.
"I don�t know, son." Josiah said.
"One down, three to go." Buck whispered as another bullet came smashing through the wall and over their heads.
Ez
Just as they were closing in on the room where the gunfire came from Trix and Maria came crawling out. Both had bruises covering their arms and faces but other than that they seemed to be okay. None of them seemed to notice Team 7 all lying on the floor guns drawn. Not until Buck called out the two looked up. Ez
"Buck!" Trix exclaimed tears of relief trickling down her cheeks.
"Hey, darlin�!" He said hugging her tightly. "You okay?"
"I�m okay, I think." She said refusing to let go of him.
"Buck, Nathan, get them out of here." Chris ordered as the four started crawling towards the front door. Ez
Suddenly Ceci and Henderson came tumbling out of the room, involved in a fight. Chris immediately aimed his gun and tried to get a clear shot but it was impossible. All he could do was watch as the two fought each other. Ceci managed to kick Henderson in the groin, causing him to double over. Just, as she was to deal him another kick he straightened up grabbing her leg, twisting it, making her fall to the floor. Vin saw his opportunity and took Henderson down with a clean shot to the knee. Henderson collapsed clutching his leg, screaming out in pain. Ez
"Chris Larabee! Get ready to meet your maker!"
"No!" A new voice was heard and as Chris looked up he saw Renee punch Henderson in the face.
"Thanks." Chris said to Renee as she kicked the gun away from the unconscious Henderson.
"No prob." She said.
"Get out of here!" Chris ordered as another bullet came flying over their heads.
"Sure." She said crawling towards JD who greeted her with a long hug and a deep kiss. After that the two crawled out as well.
"Is Ceci okay?" Vin asked as he made it over to the two with Josiah and Ezra close by.
"I think so, apart from her bruises and the fact that she�s unconscious she seems fine." Chris said and gently pushed her out of the gunfire, placing her closely by a wall. "Let�s get the other bastards!"
"I don�t think so!" The new voice belonged to Brimwood.
"You son of a..."
"Ezra!" Chris warned as Brimwood came out of the room with a gun pointed to Emily's head.
"Let her go." Ezra said through clenched teeth.
"I don�t think so. We�re getting out of here." Brimwood said as Jones came out with a gun pointed to Rebecca's head.
"One move and they die!" Jones threatened.
"Don�t you dare!" Vin was furious as he saw how frightened Rebecca was.
"Oh I dare!" Jones said. Ez
As Josiah, Vin, Ezra and Chris had no other choice than to back up Brimwood and Jones started to walk. Suddenly Emily tripped over something taking Brimwood with her. As the two fell Ezra quickly fired one shot, hitting Brimwood in the arm, causing him to lose his gun. In that same amount of time Vin had shot Jones in the head. Jones fell to the floor dragging Rebecca with him. Vin was at Rebecca's side immediately pulling her away and into his arms. Emily crawled away from Brimwood who was crying out in pain, she crawled over to Ezra who immediately got her up and out of the house. Just as Brimwood was to reach for his gun he heard a cold: Ez
"No." Ez
As he looked up he stared directly into the barrel of Chris Larabee�s gun. Brimwood knew when he was defeated and relaxed not moving an inch. Chris quickly handcuffed him and as he got to his feet pulling the wounded Brimwood with him. Ez
"Where�s Laura?" Josiah asked.
"She�s dead!" Brimwood laughed evilly.
"No!" Josiah exclaimed as he rushed into the room, he found Laura on the floor unconscious and very bloody. "Laura... no." Ez
As Josiah felt for a pulse he found one, a very weak one, but there was one. He immediately yelled for an ambulance and he tried his best to stop the bleeding by putting his hands over the wound. Chris came into the room and found Josiah bent over the lifeless body that was Laura. Ez
"Is she okay?"
"She�s been hit in the chest! She�s bleeding alot! Get an ambulance!" Josiah was frantic.
"The ambulance is coming." Chris said quickly ripping his shirt off placing it over Laura's chest wound. Ez
Out in the hallway Vin carried Rebecca out of the house to the other men. Ezra had made a temporary sling for Emily's broken arm, by ripping his shirt to pieces. Buck was tending to Trix while Nathan took care of Maria. All girls seemed pretty okay apart from the bruises and the almost shock like state they all were in. Soon Chris came out carrying the still unconscious Ceci in his arms. After that Josiah came out with Laura in his arms. After what felt like an eternity three ambulances came pulling up to the house, followed by two police cars. Laura was immediately rushed to the hospital and Josiah came with her. As the paramedics examined the remaining people, the police officers took care of the gang members inside the house. Ez
"Chris?" A groggy voice was heard from one of gurneys.
"Ceci!" Chris exclaimed falling to his knees kissing his girlfriend. "You okay?"
"I think so." She said. "What happened?"
"You fought Henderson and you hit your head on the floor."
"Is it over?"She asked.
"It�s over, honey. It is over." He said as Ceci wrapped her arms around Chris hugging him tightly.
"How are the rest?" She asked after a while.
"Trix, Maria, Renee and Rebecca are pretty okay. They�re all being taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. Emily's also okay apart from her broken arm and the bruises." Chris said.
"Laura? What about Laura?"
"She�s been shot. They�ve taken her to the hospital."
"Oh my God. I want to see her!"
"Don�t worry, you�re all going to the hospital." Chris said as he climbed into the ambulance after the paramedics had pushed in the gurney Ceci was on. Soon Emily and Ezra also joined them.
"Em." Ceci smiled taking her friend's hand, squeezing it. "You okay?"
"I think so. You?"
"I think so too."
"You sure?" Chris said looking questioningly at the paramedic.
"She might have a concussion." The paramedic said. "But otherwise she�s fine."
"See I told you so." Ceci grinned. Ez
Within 10 minutes they were all at the hospital. As Chris and Ezra were separated from Emily and Ceci they headed over to the waiting room, where they found JD, Nathan, Buck, Vin and Josiah. Vin came up to Chris looking at him with a certain look. Chris immediately knew something was wrong so he and Vin took a few steps away from the other men. Ez
"What is it?" Chris asked.
"It�s Laura. I overheard the doctors talking." Vin began.
"And..?" Chris said.
"It doesn�t look good. From what I�ve heard she only has a 30% chance of surviving." Vin lowered his voice into a whisper.
"God." Chris sighed as he looked at Josiah who was on the verge of tears. "What do we do if she doesn�t make it? Josiah loves her."
"I know, but Laura's a fighter, she�s strong. She will make it." Vin said.
"Then she will make it." Chris voice was full of confidence; he knew Laura was one of the most determined people he had ever met. "Josiah doesn�t know what the odds are?"
"No he doesn�t." Vin said.
"Then he won�t find out either." Chris said. "Let�s just pray that Laura survives." Ez
Laura was rushed down to the operating theatre, where the doctors began to do everything in their power to save her life. Ez
'Any news?' Ceci asked as she walked over to Chris.
She glanced over at Josiah, who stood silently staring out of the window.
'Nothing yet' Chris replied. He lowered his voice, so Josiah couldn't hear him, and added 'Vin overheard the docs a while back - they gave her a 30% chance of survival. We haven't told Josiah, figure he's worried enough already.'
Ceci was horrified, but quickly composed herself, in case Josiah should look over in her direction. 'My god! That's...'
'Terrible.' Em finished. She'd been standing beside Ceci and had heard the exchange. 'But we all know Laura - she's too stubborn to give up, especially when we've been through so much.'
Ceci smiled weakly. 'Yeah - wouldn't give those sons of bitches the satisfaction. How's Josiah taking all this?'
Chris looked over at his friend, his concern etched deeply on his face. 'Not well. Not well at all. He loves her, I don't know what he'll do if she doesn't make it.'
'Well then' said Em. 'That's another reason she has to pull through.' font color=white>Ez
Chris and Ceci smiled, and Em walked over to where Ezra was sat dozing fitfully in a chair. He opened his eyes and smiled at her as she sat down. As he wrapped his arm around her she snuggled up close to him.
They waited.
Hours had passed, and still they had no real news about Laura's condition. Nathan had approached the hospital staff on several occasions, but learnt nothing new - the docs were working on her, they'd let them know as soon as they knew anything themselves.
In the early hours of the following morning, as everyone except Josiah and Chris dozed lightly, exhausted from the events of the past few days, a white-coated doctor entered the lounge. Ez
Josiah looked away from his window, as Chris asked 'You have some news about Laura?'
'Yes, I do. She's out of surgery. The operation was a success. But she's far from out of the woods just yet. We've taken her down to intensive care. I'm afraid that now it's all up to her. We've done all that we can'
By this time the others had all woken, and were listening intently. Josiah had moved away from the window. 'Can we go see her?' he asked.
He looked exhausted, his eyes haunted and bloodshot.
'Yes, you can. But only two at a time. The rest of you will have to stay here I'm afraid.' Ez
It was quickly decided that, of course, Josiah would go, accompanied by Chris. After an hour, Chris would come back to the lounge, and one of the others would go down to intensive care. Ez
She looked so small and helpless - not like the Laura they knew and loved at all. Putting a comforting hand on Josiah's shoulder Chris said 'She'll be fine. She's strong.'
Josiah smiled weakly, acknowledging his friend's attempt to make him feel better. 'I know.' he replied, as he took the seat beside her bed. Ez
Taking her hand in his he brushed a stray strand of hair from her too-pale face, as Chris took a seat on the other side of the room and again they began to wait.
At about dinnertime the next day the girls finally managed to persuade Josiah to go get something to eat, take a break from his vigil. Reluctantly he left Laura's bedside, leaving Ceci and Em in his place. Ez
'She looks a little better, don't you think?' Em asked, as she gazed down at her friend. She sighed. 'Or maybe I'm just hoping that she does.'
Ceci shifted in her chair. 'No, she does a little. Not so pale.'
'Well, that has to be a good sign right?' Em fidgeted in her seat, finding it impossible to get comfortable with all the bruises she was covered in. Ez
Ceci gave her a smile. Finally, a little ray of hope was forming.
Josiah was back at his post in no time at all, still exhausted, but at least he was fed and watered. Ez
As Josiah and Rebecca stood at the end of Laura's bed, she asked him 'How's she doing?'
They both jumped in surprise and joy when they heard a very croaky, faint voice coming from the bed - 'Don't you know it's rude to talk about people behind their backs?'
'Laura!' Rebecca exclaimed, before rushing off to find a doctor. Ez
Josiah, returning the smile Laura was giving, rushed round to her side. Tears welling in his eyes he took her hand in his. He tried to speak, but no words would come. Ez
Finally the commotion died down, and they all left, bar one doctor, who turned to Josiah and said. 'Your friend was right, she is one remarkable woman.' Turning to Laura he continued 'By rights young lady, you should no longer be with us. Your body took a lot of punishment. But according to our tests, you're going to be fine. It'll take a while for the most severe injuries to heal completely, but I'm glad to say that you are out of the woods.'
Laura grinned 'Well, I'm sure they told you doctor, it takes more than a little torture to keep me down.' Ez
At this point Rebecca arrived at the door, followed by all of the others. The 'two people at a time rule' was thrown out of the window, with the doctor's blessing, as they all crowded into the small room to see their friend, and rejoice in her recovery. Ez
7777777 Ez
Weeks later, Laura was out of hospital, and the group of friends all met up for a meal at Ezra and Emily's place. Ez
'Guess they won't be bothering us again any time soon' said JD, a satisfied smile on his face.
'Nope, guess not.' Chris replied from his spot on the couch next to Ceci.
'Anyone fancy another drink?' Em asked, doing her bit as hostess. Ez
Receiving thirteen responses in the affirmative, she smiled sweetly at Ezra, indicating her broken arm, still in its cast. He raised his eyebrows in mock exasperation, before going off to fetch the bottle of wine.
Returning, he filled each glass and, setting the bottle down on the coffee table, proposed a toast.
Smiles on their faces, they all raised their glasses Ez
'To friends, and the strength they give us. May we always be together'
THE END Ez
Feeback please!!! © 1997 [email protected]
Chris realized that Ceci was in danger lying that close to the door, and to Henderson. He made his way as quickly as he could to the unconscious Ceci. Just as he was to check up her he heard Henderson�s voice:
Chris and Vin rejoined the others in the lounge, where they all settled in and waited. There was nothing else they could do now, but pray that Laura was strong enough to make it through.
When Ceci and Em had been checked over they also made their way to the lounge to join their friends.
Josiah hadn't moved from his spot by the window. Nathan had gone and stood beside him for a while, as had JD, as a silent show of support. The big man didn't want to talk, remaining unresponsive to his colleagues attempts to start conversation.
Looking around at the sleeping bodies, he couldn't help but admire these people, their support for one another.
Catching Chris' eye, he cleared his throat.
The two followed the doctor down the corridor to where Laura lay, hooked up to all kinds of machines, beeping and humming away.
Shortly after he returned Rebecca had arrived. Em and Ceci made their way back to the waiting lounge.
Moments later the room was full of medical staff, rushing around checking machines and readouts, running various tests on their patient.
The conversation had turned to the trial of Henderson and Brimwood - and the hefty sentences they had each received, to be served in the country's top security prison.
