Title: AU Mythological Beasts

Author: Lara B.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and there is no profit. Magnificent Seven belong to Mirisch, CBS, MGM and Trilogy.

Rating: PG 13, some language

Spoilers: None

Warning: I’m no native speaker so if you find any mistakes it’s probably due to that.

Author’s note: In this AU Buck Wilmington does not have a mustache.

For Gryph

Chris Larabee made himself comfortable at the table in the small bar. He had arrived in this little town only yesterday and was quite sure he wouldn’t like to stay too long. There was something about this place … The waitress placed a bottle of whiskey and a shot glass in front of him and he nodded his thanks. As he poured himself a drink he scanned the room again, as was his nature. He had done so the moment he had entered the bar and had sensed at least one other presence. He wanted to locate the other before he was located. One could never be too careful.

The moment he swallowed his drink all hell broke lose.

"JACKSON!"

The door burst open and revealed the caller. The man was a gorilla, to put it friendly. And he had brought his family with him, Larabee mused, when his friends followed him into the bar. Chris counted at least eight men.

"You damn sonofabitch! "

Swearing heavily, the leader of the pack had grabbed a colored customer at his collar and dragged the struggling man toward the back door of the bar. His comrades covered his actions, Larabee noticed, and nobody dared to interfere.

Chris sighed, gulped down the rest of his drink and rose. When the goon had dragged his target aside, he had identified Jackson as Sentry, but he knew, that the other man wouldn’t be able to fight eight men. At least not very long.

The moment he headed toward the door a movement in the corner of his eyes caught his attention.

The long haired man at the bar had turned around, and their eyes met. Recognition struck Chris like lightning.

Kin.

He shot the stranger a short nod and received one in return. Without further comments the two men moved like one toward the door. Larabee glanced at the other guy, amazed by the strong sensation the very presence caused inside him.

In the alley behind the bar the gang had meanwhile encircled Nathan Jackson. They didn’t leave an open question about their intentions. Chris scanned the situation quickly: eight men, no guns but baseball bats, two were holding the black man while their leader was about to land his first punch.

"Wouldn’t do that if I were you," Larabee’s hoarse voice stopped the movement and caught the attention of the attacker immediately.

The gorilla shot Chris a glance over his shoulder and turned, grinning maliciously.

"Who wants to stop us?"

"I will."

"You and what army?"

Chris felt his companion shift sideways cautiously. He knew it wasn’t because he was afraid. He wanted to give Chris space and have room enough to move quickly himself if necessary.

"Guess we’d all be happier if ya just rode away." He uttered huskily. Chris noticed that this was the first time he heard the other man speak.

The very next second he ducked under the blow that was directed at him. The ruffian howled in pain as Chris landed a punch in his stomach. He saw his companion effortlessly catch a baseball bat that was meant to hit him on the head with one hand, and the wood splintered. He could hear a deep growl that indicated Jackson had freed himself and the two hooligans were unquestionably regretting that they had ever laid an eye on the man, let alone a hand.

The dumbass in front of him came back for more, and this time Chris caught his fist with one hand and squeezed. He could feel the familiar heat rising inside of him, the fire light up in his eyes. The gang leader looked into his face and started to struggle frantically in a beginning panic. Something cracked inside his hand.

"Oh … shit…!"

Chris let go off the other man, who had paled visibly and hold his limp hand. His color changed into a nice shade of green as he turned around to face the other stranger.

"Oh … SHIT … " he murmured. Then he whirled around, calling out for his friends as he ran to his bike.

"He’s Draco! Get outta here QUICK!"

Chris smiled faintly at the sight of eight grown and oh-so-tough guys running like frightened rabbits.

"Told ya! Why didn’t ya listen?" his companion chuckled. He looked at Chris again and Larabee felt the odd sensation prickle in the back of his mind again.

Kin.

"Name’s Vin Tanner." The younger man introduced himself.

"Chris."

"Long in town?"

"A day. You?"

"A week."

Chris couldn’t help snickering at the tone. Tanner didn’t appear to be too happy to be here. The man they had just "rescued" approached them with a broad grin.

"Thanks," he uttered. Then he cocked his head a little and eyed them closely.

"You’re Draco," he stated. "Both of you."

Suddenly Chris understood: the tingle in his mind, the odd feeling of kinship to this stranger, the immediate trust he had placed into him without asking and that was returned the same way.

"One doesn’t see one too often, let alone two. Name’s Nathan Jackson."

Chris remembered the feeling he had when he had entered the bar earlier this evening. There had been more than one …

"And you are …?" he asked.

Jackson smiled.

"Felidae. "

~~~~~~~~~

Vin cleared his throat. They looked at one another and out came one word in unison.

"Bar."

"Where ya headin’ to?" Vin asked after the waitress had brought them their drinks.

"Phoenix," Chris answered, " don’t like to stay too long in one place. Besides, I’m about to start a new business on my own."

"I know what ya mean." Vin took a swig of his beer.

"Me too, " Nathan agreed. " We are not the settling kind. "

Chris felt a knot forming in his throat at this remark. It reminded him of the only try he had made in this direction, and it’s unfortunate outcome …

"What did these goons want from ya?" Vin’s question interrupted his dark thoughts.

"Well, we had a little - misunderstanding the other day. To make a long story short, it ended with them wakin’ up in jail."

"Seems they didn’t like that much."

"No. So, for how long are you two working together?" Nathan asked.

Chris and Vin exchanged surprised glances at this unexpected question. Vin smirked and looked at his watch.

"Lemme see … for ‘bout ten minutes."

"You mean you haven’t known each other before?"

"Nope."

Chris listened intentionally, curious to find out what gave Jackson this impression. He felt an idea forming in his mind … yes, this could really work.

"Well, I dare say you are one hell of a well-organized team for that."

"Nathan …" Chris said, slowly looking up from his whiskey, " you might have a point there, you know that?"

He saw Vin looking at him questioningly. Then Tanner gave him a lopsided grin as he suddenly understood.

"Yeah. Guess that’s a damn good point, pard."

"You’re in?"

"Yep."

"Nathan, what about you? Care to join?"

"Join what?" Nathan looked pretty confused.

"Us. Told you I’m about to start a new business. Could use some good men."

"Count me in. Don’t have anywhere particular to go. By the way, Chris, how many do you mean exactly by `some´?

Chris shrugged. He had to admit he hadn’t really though about that.

"The more the merrier. You know someone?"

Nathan nodded thoughtfully.

"Yes. Guess he might be interested. If he doesn’t already know that is."

Chris raised on eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?"

Jackson grinned.

"Wait and see."

~~~~~~~~

The next morning they drove to a place outside town Nathan showed them to. It looked as if it used to be a camping ground once, but now it was deserted except one large silver trailer that obviously had seen much better days. Chris raised his eyebrows in surprise as they stepped out of the car and noticed a table outside the trailer, neatly laid out for breakfast for four. He shot Nathan a questioning glance and the black man shrugged.

"Prob’ly saw us."

"Saw us?"

"Yup. He's Falcon."

Chris nodded; that explained it. Sentries of the Clan of Falcon, short for Falconiformes, were known for an ability called Sight, which meant they had a very sharp vision; and some of them were even able to see what lay ahead of them.

"Morning, Brother Nate." a deep voice rumbled. The owner of the trailer approached them, and Chris knew instinctively that this man had seen a lot in his time. He was a Falcon in his best years, a full grown Sentry, which meant, to the untrained eye he looked like a man in his late forties or early fifties, with curly gray hair and a short gray beard.

"Glad you brought your friends," he carefully waved a coffeepot, "Like some coffee? Nate, tea’s inside."

"Thanks. Chris, Vin, this is Josiah Sanchez." Nathan introduced as he went inside the trailer to take his tea. They took the offer and sat down at the table while their host poured coffee into the cups.

"Help yourself with the rest, okay?"

Chris nodded a thanks and took a cup.

"Here, take some of these." Nathan grinned as he returned with some pastries that looked like homemade muffins. "Don’t know how you do that, Josiah, with this sorry excuse for an oven, but these things are delicious."

"Ya saw us?" Vin asked, putting a large amount of sugar in his coffee and reaching for a muffin. The sight alone made Chris shudder. He liked his coffee black and strong and it should taste like coffee, not like some three days old, heated over coke. His friend was certainly a sweet tooth.

"Hmm, that good. " he murmured, taking a sip of the hot brew, surprised by its excellency.

"Thank you. My special blend. " Josiah had heard the admiring comment, "And yes, I saw you."

"Sight?"

"Yup. Comes quite handy once in a while to know what’s going on around a man."

Josiah sipped at his coffee as well and Chris noticed the observant glance the older man gave them.

"Earth and Fire, huh?"

Chris blinked as he realized what Josiah had just perceived. Chris had recognized Vin as Draco in an instant, but it hadn’t occurred to him to ask for the Family. Earth Dragons, when fully grown, were the strongest and most feared Sentries except for some half-breed who belonged to two Clans. For that reason both specimen Dragon and half-breed were extremely rare.

"You two have a real interesting fate. Lotsa ugly headin’ your way. Guess you can use someone to watch over you."

He grinned widely at the expression on Chris’ face.

"I’m in."

~~~~~~~~

As Chris drove back to town he listened absently to the talk of his two companions and wondered whatever was going on in his mind. Where he had taken the wrong turn in his thinking. Not that this wasn’t a bad thing, not at all. But his original plans hadn’t contained any partners whatsoever. The last time he had made an attempt like that it had ended terrible. Sarah and Adam … his wife and son. Chris sighed inwardly. Sarah hadn’t been Sentry herself, but she had worn the ability to pass it on. Adam had been only twelve years old when he had shown the first signs, which was pretty young. Chris could remember the first flicker he had seen in his son, and he knew hadn’t Adam died he would have been … But it shouldn’t have been. It had been a real irony that they had gone out in a blaze of fire …

God, he needed a drink.

Chris gripped the wheel tighter and gritted his teeth at this thoughts.

And now he was here again, ending up with three partners, all Sentries. He thought of Josiah’s mysterious remark "You two have an interesting fate." What the hell was fate thinking again, he mused, as he entered the parking space of their motel and parked the car. As he walked toward his room he spotted something familiar and frowned.

"Nathan, can you detect the owner of that car?"

He pointed at the old battered Mustang that was standing in a parking space at the side. Nathan nodded and took deep breath, closing his eyes, the muscles in his hands and fingers cramped, turning them into claws.

~~~~~~~~

Nathan opened his eyes again and Chris watched in fascination as the Felidae skill of Hunt set in and Nathan’s normal round human pupils changed into cat-like one’s, the dark-brown eyes turned into a glowing green. In less than one second Chris was looking into the eyes of a hunting beast of prey.

Nathan approached the car, slowly walking around it. To the ordinary observer it looked as if he just took a close look at it but Chris knew better. This was the Felidae skill of Hunt. Nathan had just extended his senses to search out a prey, just like his Clan animal would when hunting, and he would find what he was looking for. Chris had a slight idea how this was working, due to his own experiences when turning into the Fire Dragon.

"Ya know, ya could just have asked the manager," Vin chuckled quietly into his ear. Nevertheless he was watching his friend with the same fascination like Chris.

Larabee grinned and shook his head.

"No," he said, "most certainly not. Chance is he doesn’t have a room here."

"He?" Vin frowned.

Nathan’s head flew up and he pointed to a room at the far end of the parking space. His eyes had turned to their normal shape again.

"There."

"He alone?"

"No." Nathan grinned knowingly.

Chris grinned back broadly at the plan forming itself in his mind and he looked at Vin thoughtfully.

"Larabee?" Vin shot him a suspicious glance.

"What?"

"Ya have a wicked sense o’ humor, ya know that?"

"Yep."

~~~~~~~~

The loud and heavy bangs at the door interrupted the couple.

"Hey! Ya in there with my wife?!"

The woman’s head flew up from what she was doing, a panicked look on her face.

"Oh my god, that must be my Billy …"

Buck Wilmington moaned in disappointment and alarm, trying frantically to free himself from the sheets at the same time. The lady’s man knew far too well what it meant to face an angry husband, and he definitely didn’t want to repeat that experience. He reached for his trousers and boots.

"Didn’t you say he’s in jail right now?"

"Seems I was wrong."

The bangs grew louder and more angry.

"Hey, I hear ya in there. Come out, ya damn coward and fight like the man yer pretendin’ to be!"

"Oh god, he’s gonna kill you. Get out, fast."

Buck had managed to get into his trousers and boots somehow. With one fluid movement he turned and grabbed her in a tight embrace, kissing her passionately once again. Then he let go off her and turned towards the window. The moment he slipped through it the door behind him burst open. He didn’t waste time by turning around to face the angry husband, when unfortunately his hasty attempt to escape was interrupted by the window sill: Buck’s foot was caught. He let out a sharp cry as he fell.

The woman inside the motel room tried to regain her dignity as she looked into some deep blue eyes, sparkling with mischief that definitely didn’t belong to her husband Billy. Vin Tanner gave her a lopsided grin and a twinkle.

"Sorry ma’am, wrong room."

~~~~~~~~

Buck found himself lying outside in the dust in a rather embarrassing position, his trousers half down his legs, his shirt in his hand, while something familiar tingled at his senses.

"Haven’t changed a bit, have you?" he heard a well-known hoarse voice chuckle.

"What the … ", he mumbled as he climbed to his feet and turned around to face the source of the comment.

"Chris!" he grinned widely, recognizing his old friend, taking him into a very tight embrace. "Hey, ol’ lizard, long time no see."

"Yeah, I like you too, Buck, " Chris replied wryly and patted Buck on the shoulder, looking around carefully, "folks’ll talk, you know."

"Ahhh, Chris," Wilmington twinkled as he broke the hug and tried to get himself decent again, "since when do you care what folks say. How did you know I was here anyway?"

Then he spotted the unknown figure that appeared behind Chris, and he noticed the feeling the man caused inside him. Buck frowned and opened his mouth to ask when he became aware of a second man who joined them. The sensation was much alike and screamed "Sentry" into his senses. Buck’s frown deepened.

"I have my ways, Buck."

"That I see." Wilmington looked from one man to the other in confusion. "They with you?"

"Yep."

The lady’s man tilted his head in an unspoken question. What are you up to, old friend? it said.

"We’ re heading west. Wanna build a new business. Care to join?"

Wilmington thought for about half a second about the offer, then his lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"There any ladies where you’re goin’?"

Chris grinned broadly and nodded slowly.

"If there are any you gonna find ‘em, stud."

"Well, what are we waitin’ for then? Let’s go. To boldly go where no Sentry has gone before."

"Buck!"

"What?"

~~~~~

Two days later

Ezra Standish sat at a table in the back of the bar, shuffling his cards intently. The owner of the bar had been easily convinced to let him play in public with whoever might be interested. Simply spoken: somehow the man had just decided to look the other way. The gambler had taken his chances twice tonight and was just about to collect his winnings and leave when he noticed the newcomers.

~~

It was about eleven in the night when Chris and the others had arrived in this little hellhole just in the middle of nowhere, checked in to some rooms and decided to take a little drink in the only available establishment before they would call it a day. The moment Chris entered the bar he felt it. Not again, he sighed inwardly, what is this all about, the Great Sentry Gathering, or what? He casually scanned the room for the other being and found him sitting at a table at the back of the bar, obviously trying not to be noticed. Chris decided to do him the favor and "overlook" him, but something tingled at his senses again, and he stretched them a little, only to suck in a short sharp breath of surprise as he sat down with his friends. They had noticed the unusual emanation as well, only Chris’ reaction surprised them.

"Cowboy? Ya okay?" Vin asked, frowning.

"Yeah, I’m fine. That guy over there, he’s Sentry."

"Figured as much."

"Yeah, but he’s more’n meets the eye, Brother Vin." Josiah cut in, carefully observing both Chris and the stranger at the other table.

"What ya mean?"

"Ever heard of half-breeds, Vin?"

"No?"

"Half-breeds are a special type of Sentry, they belong to two Clans. They are the most powerful of us, even stronger than you when fully grown. I dare say that one over there’s merely a teenager."

"I have every intend to find out." Chris rose and approached the far away table, and the man sitting at it.

~~

Ezra observed the five men that had entered the bar several minutes ago closely and tried to classify them. A tall slender blond haired man all dressed in black, a younger man with more casual clothing and long brown hair curling down his shoulders, an elder man with gray curly hair and watchful blue eyes, a slim dark haired man, and a colored man. The dark clad man, Ezra somehow imagined him as the leader, looked around the room in a relaxed way the gambler recognized as everything but relaxed. The man was scanning the room for a potential danger, just as he himself would have done, and he doubtlessly would have noticed his presence. He took a sip from his scotch and watched the men choose a table.

Something prickled at his mind.

Ezra almost choked on his drink at the unusual sensation and started to cough. As he looked up again he found himself glancing in a pair of intense hazel eyes. The gambler swore inwardly; the man had approached his table without being noticed. Damn, that’s happening more often lately. I’m a professional … appearance is everything …

The confusing tingling had returned and even intensified, but Ezra chose to ignore it.

"Mind if I join you?" the stranger asked, nodding at the deck of cards Ezra was still holding. Standish smiled and shuffled them again, pointing at a chair, which was taken immediately.

"Not at all. Ezra Standish, at your service. What about your compatriots?"

"Larabee, Chris Larabee." The man took the cards Ezra was dealing and smirked. " Well, they aren’t exactly the gambling kind. So, what’s the stake?"

Ezra leaned back into his chair and smiled. Maybe this evening would be even more profitable.

~~

"Chris?"

Vin approached the two men who were playing poker for about two hours now, with Ezra constantly winning.

"Ya have a minute?"

Chris just nodded, never taking his eyes off the cards. When the cardshap showed his deck he threw them on the table with a clear gesture of frustration and rose.

"Be right back, Standish. And don’t you move, I have every intention of winning that money back."

Ezra grinned slightly and gave the leaving man a two-finger salute to an imaginary hat. He didn’t notice the slight trembling of his hands.

~~

"Well?" Josiah asked at the sight of Chris’ face, as the man sat down. Chris shook his head in disappointment and sighed.

"He’s responding to us, but only subconsciously at best. I’d say he has no idea of what we are – OR what he is."

Sanchez clicked his tongue at that and tilted his head thoughtfully.

"Not good. Not good at all. He may not be an adult right now, but from what I see he’s never gonna make it that far."

"How so?" Vin frowned.

"Just look at him. You notice the small nervous gesture when he’s shuffling the cards, or the flicker of emotions on the face? He’s anxious, nervous, almost unraveling. It’s tearing him apart."

"What happening to him?"

"He’s a half-breed who doesn’t know about his situation. Bet he never Changed before, even doesn’t know how to intentionally use his Talents. To a normal Sentry that wouldn’t be a problem, but for a half-breed … " Josiah shrugged.

"To me he looks as calm as if he were in his own kitchen." Nathan stated.

"Yeah, on the outside. There’s a hurricane of opposite emotions and sensations raging inside him his mind cannot make any sense of. I give him," Josiah closed his eyes for a brief second, calculating," six months. At best."

"Then what?"

"And then, dear brothers, he’ll be entirely irreversible insane."

~~~~~

"And that I will prevent." Chris said in a suppressed way.

"What have you in mind, brother Chris?" Josiah asked curiously.

"Well, the man’s a gambler. So let’s gamble."

When Chris rose he felt a firm grip on his arm and stopped just to look into Buck’s worried eyes.

"Chris? You sure?"

"Absolutely, Buck. Won’t let that happen."

He gave his friends a broad grin and returned to the waiting gambler.

"What is this all about, Buck?" Vin asked, concerned about Chris’ strange behavior. Wilmington sighed as the question triggered an unpleasant memory. But now was not the place and time for it. And it was certainly not up to him to reveal Chris Larabee’s history. He ran a hand over his throat and grimaced as he remembered the last time he had done so.

"Think you’ll better ask Chris about it."

He gazed over at the two men who were returning to their game and smiled.

"Maybe we should leave now. Think Chris will get through with his plan soon."

After Ezra had won another round he intended to call it a day. He had seen the other strangers leave, but the tension he was feeling around this man had not eased. On the contrary, it appeared to increase with every passing minute. Larabee had just waved his hands at him and inquired a new chance the next day. Which Ezra had confirmed without really meaning it, he had no intent in staying any longer than absolutely necessary. He collected his winnings and rose, giving Larabee another two finger greeting, and headed toward the back entrance that lead to the parking space. The moment the door closed behind him he knew that something was wrong, and Ezra cursed. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Shouldn’t have left without checking. What the HELL is the matter with you?!

They had been waiting for him.

~~~~~

"Mr. Standish, I assume." the elder man said gently, as they stepped out of the shadows. The little gun Ezra always wore slipped into his hand and he pointed it at the stranger.

"I assure you, gentlemen, there is no require for preventable hostility."

"And I assure you, Ezra, we don’t plan on being hostile. There’s just something we want to discuss with you." Larabee had chosen that moment to join the group.

"And, pray tell, what matter could that possibly be?"

Ezra tried not to swallow when the discomfort enlarged. All he wanted was to run away, hide, forget about everything that had happened today, forget that he ever had met a man called Larabee …

"For example you winning."

"Do you imply I tricked you out of your funds? I won that money fair and square."

Chris chuckled at this.

"No. You didn’t."

Ezra managed to take a steady hold on his gun and aimed at Chris.

"Well, sir, what are you attempting to suggest?"

"I suggest that you put down that thing and take a close look. You have the Talent, used it before. Now use it again."

Ezra looked from one man to the other, blinking in confusion and swallowing hard. Everything about these men shouted at him, screamed something at his senses that he had never felt before. Somewhere deep inside him he was aware of a familiarity to these men, a strange and unknown feeling of - kinship? Ezra noticed that his hand had started trembling uncontrollable and he stared at it in utter disbelief. What was this all about? Why was he feeling this way? Part of his mind wanted desperately belief in the emotion of safety and relaxedness that the presence of the strangers had somehow awoken in him, while another part screeched and wailed at him to be aware of the danger, not to trust anybody, no way, to run away and hide immediately. Ezra moaned at the sudden dizziness that arose in him again, like he had felt it more often lately.

Somebody took the gun out of his cold grip and carefully helped him to sit down.

"I know," he heard a soft voice whisper in his ear, calming his screaming nerves somehow. He raised his head and looked directly into the hazel eyes of Chris Larabee.

"Who … what are you? What is happening to me?" he croaked.

"You’ve never met another Sentry before, did you?" Chris softly asked, touched by the haunted look in those green eyes.

"Sentry? I’m no Sentry … "

"Oh yes, you are. Let me show you … " Chris got up and started to unbutton his shirt. Ezra’s eyes widened at this, he swallowed, his throat suddenly getting dry.

"Now wait a minute … gentlemen, I don’t think … "

"Don’t worry, your virginity will not be touched." Chris grinned and stepped backward.

"Vin?"

"Chris." Tanner grinned back and reached for his shirt as well.

"What are you planning to do, gentlemen? I don’t suppose this is such an excellent idea … " Ezra objected terrified as he watched two men, strangers to be precise, strip in front of him, in the middle of the night, on a deserted parking lot, by all means! His shock grew when he observed the two even closer.

"Think we need some more space here, cowboy." Vin smirked at the obvious distress on the gambler’s face, as his eyes began to glow in a soft golden shimmer. "Haven’t done that for a long time."

"Yep."

Josiah squeezed Ezra’s shoulder a little. "Watch closely, brother," he murmured reassuringly, "you won’t get the chance to observe this too often."

"Observe what, pray tell?!"

"A complete Change." Josiah just nodded towards his two friends. Ezra turned his head again and grew even paler, if possible, at the sight.

Chris and Vin had positioned themselves at opposite sides of the parking space. Ezra could make out the outlines of the two men and watched in utter horror, as this outlines suddenly started to blur, change into something his mind didn’t want to believe he saw.

~~~~~

Ezra saw Chris’ body illuminated by a deep red light as if flames where flickering all over it, where the eyes had been only mere seconds before were fiery burning pools like liquid magma, without pupils. The shape started to change, grow, turn into something very big. Ezra looked over at the other man and froze as he saw something similar yet completely different. The illumination of Vin’s body was of a warm color like a summer sunset, the eyes sparkling bright in a deep warm tone like liquid gold. Ezra heard a flapping sound as two pairs of wings were folded and he looked up to the two large dragons, one with scales of black and deep red, eyes like the inside of a volcano, the other one of a warm beige-brown color with sparkles of gold and copper, eyes swirling in rather amusement. The black dragon growled deep in his chest and snorted. A hot fiery breath escaped his mouth and Ezra did what every normal reasonable and rational being would do in his position: he passed out.

~~~~~

The light of the sun woke Ezra Standish. He felt a warm blanket covering him, soft sheets beneath him. A bed. He carefully cracked one eye open. His bed at the room he had rented at the motel. Then the remembrance returned and he moaned at it. Two dragons, in the middle of the night, one of them breathing fire at him, good gracious. Whatever had been in that drinks … ?

Something wasn’t right.

It scratched at his nerves and made him shiver with uneasiness.

Someone cleared his throat.

Ezra nearly jumped out of his skin. He certainly jumped out of the bed, well, as far as the blanket allowed, and reached for the gun he usually kept on the bedside table. It wasn’t there.

"Looking for something?" a soft voice asked quietly.

Ezra looked at the man who was sitting comfortably in the chair, holding his gun. He recognized him as the man he had been playing poker with the other night, the man who had introduced himself as Chris Larabee, the man who had turned into a huge black-scaled winged dragon with flames in his eyes that had almost … oh no!

Larabee shifted a little.

"I’m sorry."

"You’re sorry? You’re SORRY?!" Ezra couldn’t believe the screeching tone of his own voice as it almost snapped.

"What ever could YOU be SORRY for? Breaking into my room? Stealing my gun? Watching me sleep? Or maybe attacking me in a parking space with five companions, performing this little strip show of yours, scaring the living daylight out of me and almost BURNING MY HAIR?!?! Mr. Larabee, whatever

might YOU feel SORRY FOR?!?!" Standish felt his cheeks blush with deep embarrassment about his own almost hysterical behavior. My god, what would mother say…

Chris sighed.

"That covers it mighty good. I didn’t break into your room, I had the keys. I didn’t steal your gun, I prevented you from doing something stupid. I didn’t watch you sleep but watched OVER you. You passed out after all. And for attacking you … actually I’m sorry for sneezing on you. Didn’t mean to. I haven’t … actually burned something … vital?"

"Sneezing?? You were SNEEZING?!?!"

"Yep."

"I never saw a sneezing dragon. In point of fact, I never saw a dragon AT ALL!"

"Figured that either. Ah, what about you get up from the floor, looks mighty uncomfy down there, get dressed properly, I buy you a breakfast and we - talk a little."

"Do I have a choice?" Ezra murmured as he pulled himself up.

"Not really." He saw Chris grin diabolically and raised one eyebrow in suspicion.

"In fact I want to offer you a deal."

Now Ezra raised both eyebrows.

~~~

Ezra sipped his coffee and looked intently at the man in front of him.

"Now, Mr. Larabee, you wanted to talk."

Chris cleared his throat. This wouldn’t be easy, the man had the mind of a stubborn mule.

"Ezra, the deal I want to offer you is quite simple. We are going to Phoenix, founding a business. I want you to come with us."

"Why ever should I do such a thing?"

"Because you are a Sentry, Ezra."

"I am no Sentry."

"Oh, yes, you are. Not like the rest of us, but …"

"No, Mr. Larabee, quite certainly not like the rest of you. I think I would know it if I could turn into a black scaled enormous lizard." Ezra’s voice was dripping with venom.

"Ezra, the rest of us are - customary Sentries. You are not."

"Mr. Larabee, are you intending to suggest that I am somewhat out of the ordinary?"

Chris gave Ezra a faint smile. The question told him a lot about the man.

"Yes, Ezra, that’s my sentiment exactly. If I explain it to you, will you listen?"

Standish looked at him and Chris could see several flicker of emotions running over the man’s face till it held a blank façade again. He hesitated a moment, then nodded.

"Proceed."

"Thank you. The thing is, Ezra, that every Sentry belongs to a Clan and a Family. You’ve seen Vin and me. We are both Draco, but my Family is Fire, his’ is Earth. As a Fire Dragon I am related to the fire, I can breathe it …"

"Yes, that I noticed," Ezra couldn’t help muttering under his breath. Chris decided to ignore it.

"The most powerful under the ordinary Sentries is the Earth Dragon. If Vin were fully grown, which he isn’t yet, I wouldn’t stand no chance against him in a fight. But there are Sentries which are even more powerful. They are called half-breed, they belong to two Clans. But this power has its price. Every other Sentry can decide whether he wants to Change or not, whether he wants to take the responsibility that comes with what he is. A half-breed does not have this opportunity. "

"You’re not by any chance telling me that I am such a – a half-breed? This is ridiculous. Mr. Larabee."

"Okay, Ezra, let me put it this way. You have troubles sleeping and IF you can sleep you have nightmares and they have become more nasty lately. You have difficulties concentrating and you have started to feel a little depressed recently. Your hands have started trembling not so long ago. You have become jumpy and nervous, even agitated sometimes. Maybe the hallucinations have already started? Or you are hearing things already? Did you find yourself standing somewhere and you were not able to remember where you are or who you are for a second?"

Chris could see that he had hit Standish right between the eyes. The smaller man had paled visibly, his hands clenching around the coffee mug, the knuckles had turned white. Obviously he was fighting to keep his composure.

"Whatever are you talking about, Mr. Larabee?" he managed to whisper, bare audible.

"What I’m talking about, Ezra Standish, is that you are a Sentry, a half-breed, and that the Sentry is fighting its way out, for several years now, I dare say. And if you will not learn to handle it, it will kill you within the next six months. Not physically, Ezra, but mentally. All I’m asking you is to stay with – us for this amount of time, let us teach you, learn, survive. If you want to leave afterwards, I won’t hold you."

Ezra ran a shaking hand through his hair and took a shivering breath. Chris could see that the man tried to make sense of all the diverse thoughts and emotions that made him tremble involuntarily.

"I’ll sleep on it …"

"Fine with me. We leave tomorrow morning."

~~

Ezra sat on his bed, shifting uncomfortably. He had thought about the offer Chris had made all day, wondering if he could trust the man. He had described about almost everything that had happened to him lately, including the trouble sleeping, the nightmares and, yes, even the hallucinations. He had to admit that he could no longer fool himself, that he was seeing things. He had started to fight all of it with growing amounts of liquor, which just had given him stomach trouble, too. Ezra curled himself up on the bed in a tiny ball and closed his eyes, only praying for sleep to come, wishing something could make him forget.

~~

"You think he will come?"

Buck looked at Chris thoughtfully. He had a slight idea what meeting the younger man, a half-breed unaware of what he was, would do to his friend. And what it meant should Standish decide not to join them.

Larabee had informed the others about his decision and the offer he had given Ezra. They had just nodded, knowing all too well that this might be the last best hope for the gambler to save his mental sanity, and hoping that the man would agree. Buck and Chris had decided to do a short walk through the night, a habit of old days that knew better than to die. A Sentry had the need to know what was going on around him and the people he had chosen to protect. And Chris Larabee had chosen to protect Ezra, for this night at least.

"I hope."

Buck laid a hand on Chris shoulder and pressed gently.

"Chris, I know what …"

A scream shuddered through the night. A scream that was not entirely human.

They didn’t need to look at each other to know what the other man was thinking.

"Ezra!"

They ran.

As Chris broke through the door of Standish’s room the stopped mid-track at the sight. Ezra was curled up in a far corner of the room as if he was trying to melt with the wall, his body shaken by vicious tremors. His green eyes were wide open and unfocused, staring at nothing particular. With two long steps Chris was at Ezra’s side, kneeling down and trying to catch the terrified man’s attention without disturbing him any further.

"Ezra?" he softly whispered, swallowing hard when several options running through his mind.

"Ezra, listen to me."

No reaction. Chris carefully placed his hands on Ezra’s upper arm’s and squeezed gently.

"Chris?"

"Yeah, Ezra, it’s me. Come on, snap out of it, will you?"

"Chris?"

Something in Buck’s voice caught Larabee’s attention and he turned around to see what worried the lady’s man that much. Wilmington held up the sweat soaked sheets of Ezra’s bed. Or rather what was left of them. They were torn to shreds as if an enraged animal had caused a havoc. Chris could make out the tracks of claws.

"It’s about time. Maybe Josiah had miscalculated the time he has left."

"Maybe."

Chris turned back to the still shaking man.

"Ezra, do you hear me?"

After what appeared to be an eternity the green eyes focused on him, the shaking stopped, just a shudder once in a while remained.

"Why did you let me fall?" he whispered.

Chris blinked in confusion. What was Standish meaning?

"Dream, Chris," Buck murmured ,"he was experiencing the Sentry."

Understanding dawned in Chris’ mind and he carefully put a hand back on Ezra’s shoulder.

"I will never let you fall, Ezra. I swear."

Buck watched those two different men, watched as Chris reached out a hand and Ezra took it, watched as Chris helped the other man up, saw the look in Larabee’s eyes, and shook his head slightly.

He saw a lots of talking heading his way. And he was not so sure he wanted to experience the outcome.

~~~~~~

"Mr. Larabee, is that going to be a habit? If so, I will have to rent a lager room next time."

"Naw, Ezra, won’t be necessary. I think you’ll quite capable of looking after yourself."

"You do? And of course that is the reason you show up into my room almost every night? And WHAT, pray tell, happened to my bed?"

Buck looked at the torn sheets he still held in his hands.

"Well, Ezra, I’d say you did."

"What? You’re not probably telling me, Mr. Wilmington, that I caused such a havoc? This looks as if a wild animal was running lose in here."

"Well, " Chris stepped a little closer, " in a way you are right. See, we can Change partially, if need be." He stretched out his hand, and Ezra got a short glance at black scales and long deadly sharp talons. As he blinked there was only a human hand again.

"I think that what happened in your dream."

Buck threw the sheets back on the bed. "And it tells us another thing. You’re definitely no Equus."

"I beg your pardon?"

"The Clan of Equui, Ezra. That’s where I belong to."

"Ah, Mr. Wilmington … you are just informing me you are a … horse? That explains why you like being called ‘stud’."

Buck shot a murderous glance toward Chris who was desperately trying to hide his laughter. It didn’t work too long, Larabee couldn’t help burst out.

"Naw, Ezra," Buck smiled half-sided," not the ordinary kind. Maybe I’ll show you some day."

"Hrrmph … don’t like to interrupt you ladies, but don’t you think we should return to the problems at hand?" Vin uttered from the still open door.

"I should have known," Chris sighed. Of course the others wouldn’t be far away.

"Hmm, " Vin took a closer look at the bed clothes. "Whatcha think, Josiah, claws or talons?"

"Well, I vote for claws." Josiah inspected the remainings closely.

"Ursus?"

"No, I don’t think so."

"Excuse me…."

"Cani?"

"Maybe. But that would mean teeth, not claws."

"Gentlemen…."

"There’s always Felidae."

"Yup."

"MR. TANNER !!"

"Yes, Ezra? Something wrong?"

"Noo, what gives you that idea? Just the DAMN thing that you THE HELL are talking about ME! And I FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE would REALLY like to know what this is ALL ABOUT!!!"

"Oh. That."

"Well, Ezra, we’re just trying to figure out what kind of Clan you might belong to."

"You seem to be able to sense everything else. What about this?"

"Nope." Vin shook his head, leaning relaxed against the wall.

"Doesn’t work with half-breeds."

"Josiah? What about your Sight? You see something?"

The elder Sentry gave Chris a slight smile.

"I see lots of things, brother, but not this. I have to admit there’s a slight hint, but at this moment that’s about that."

"Ahm, guys, I hate to interrupt this, but we’re catching unwelcome attention." Nathan entered the room, giving the torn sheets a short glance.

"Oops, Ezra, did you dream?"

"Yes, Mr. Jackson, I did." The gambler sighed unnerved "Why is it everybody knows about almost everything I am experiencing but MYSELF?!"

Chris caught Ezra who had suddenly swayed a little.

"Ezra, I promise I explain it to you, but you have to rest now. Come over to my room, there’s a spare bed with sheets you haven’t torn yet."

"Very funny, Mr. Larabee. Very funny." But Ezra couldn’t help yawning and decided it wasn’t such a bad idea anyway.

"Mr. Larabee?" he asked half asleep as Chris carefully tucked the blanket around the younger man.

"Yes, Ezra?"

"Why?"

"Why what, Ezra?"

"Why me? Why are you doing this?"

Chris wasn’t able to answer that, for Ezra was sound asleep the very next moment. He looked down at the younger man, thankful that Standish couldn’t see the expression he wore.

Someone else did.

Buck closed the door from the outside and sighed. He had feared for twenty years that something like this could happen, and he had hoped that it never would.

~~~~~

They arrived in Phoenix several days later, and the travel went by without any further incidents. Chris led them to their destination: an old but completely restored factory with four floors. Every one but the first floor held two apartments.

Vin grinned at Chris as he stepped out of the car and looked at the building.

"Something you might wanna tell us, cowboy?"

Chris cleared his throat and looked a little bit uncomfortable at the expecting glances he received from his friends.

"Well, it happened that I invested some money into, ah … fruits some years ago. Turned out to be a good deal."

"Ah, Mr. Larabee, from the sight of this rather historic building I dare say it was a rather impressive deal. I wasn’t aware of the fact that one can make an adequate amount of money to keep such an abode in an excellent shape like this with mere fruit trading." Ezra stated, calculating in his mind. Buck stepped at his side "IF the fruits are high-tech and called Pine Apples, one can," he whispered into the stunned man’s ear, loud enough for everybody to hear, and couldn’t help burst out laughing at the astonished expression on Ezra’s face.

"Does that mean you have … you are ... "

"Yep, I have, and I am. Even a Sentry has to make a living somehow."

"Mr. Larabee?"

A man approached them.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I was starting to think you might be a mere myth. Your keys." He smiled at Chris as he handed him a key ring with LOTS of keys on it.

"Thank you, Mr. Coombs. I understand the building is in excellent shape?"

"Yes sir, both interior and exterior. It’s ready for you to move in whenever you like."

"I like right now."

~~~

"Ok, boys, we have six apartments, two on every floor, ready to move in, except the first one. That’s going to be the office. Now, let’s make ourselves comfortable."

Nathan looked at the departing figure of Larabee, and grabbed Buck who was rushing past him at the arm to hold him back for a minute.

"Buck? Why is he doing this? I mean he had planned on starting this business on his own, and now we are here … all of us. Why?"

Wilmington sighed, he had expected this sooner or later. Not that he had the logical answer to this question. But he had given up on looking for reasonable answers when it came to Chris Larabee.

"Lookee, Nathan, Chris is a very complex man. We know each other for a long time now and even I don’t always understand what makes him tick. Not to mention what drives him. I think this here he doesn’t even quite understand himself, he is acting on gut instinct. We all are, don’t you think? I mean, you are here, I am, we all followed him and didn’t even ask a single question."

Nathan thought about this for a moment and nodded slowly.

"See? All I know, and all I have to know is, that this is a damn good thing, for all of us. Don’t know ‘bout you, but I trust my instincts and they tell me that we all are at the right time at the right place right now."

"I get the point."

"So, I’d say let’s make the best of it. Which room would you like?"

~~

"All right Ezra, tell me about your Dream." Chris inquired.

"I don’t think it will be of any useful value, Mr. Larabee."

"On the contrary, Ezra. It was a Sentry Dream. It is the way your Sentry introduces itself to your consciousness. It helps to figure out what kind of instructions you will have to need. You’ll understand that an Equus needs other training than a Felidae.. They have different Talents."

"You mentioned that before, Mr. Larabee. What would that be?"

"Oh, that’s quite easy. Every Sentry has some quite unique Talents. I as Fire Dragon have power over the fire, or Vin for example has power over the earth. Remember our poker game when we first met?"

Ezra nodded. "Yes. You said something about Talent then."
"Uhm-hm. That was because you used one of ‘em on me."

"I did??"

"Yep. You have the skill of Voice, Ezra. It is a skill that only comes in human shape. You just use it subconsciously, I think. It means you are able to influence every human within hearing range to do whatever you want them to do, moreover, to do it willingly."

Ezra sighed inwardly, glad that his mother couldn’t hear this. So much for god given talents.

"Now, what about your Dream?" Chris cut into his thoughts.

"I," Ezra started hesitantly ,"I remember sprinting over a plain, I was kind of an animal. Than there was that cliff and I – somehow I got wings…."

"That’s a real good one, Ezra. So you had four legs and wings, right?"

"Indeed."

"That gives us a real good impression what you’ll have to be prepared for."

"Prepared?!"

"Well, flying, for example."

"Ex- CUSE ME?"

"And how to walk on four legs."

"Ahrrrpmh, Mr. Larabee, THAT is optional, I assume … Mr. Larabee? Chris??"

~~~

"Okay, Ezra, this is it. You see that parcours?"

"You mean that barb-wired mud-hole? Hardly to overlook, Mr. Larabee."

"Good. Crawl through it."

"Excuse me?!"

"You. Will. Crawl. Through. There. Or to be precise: you will follow me. And no," Chris cut out any complaint with a raised hand," this is NOT optional. "

Both stopped dead in their tracks at the first tunes of music, and turned around to the rest of their team, which was singing quite out key: "I will follow him ... follow him wherever he may go … there isn’t an ocean too deep …"

Buck received a REAL murderous glance from both Larabee and Standish and almost choked on the last tunes with laughing

Chris and Ezra looked at one another, and a small diabolic grin appeared on Chris’ face, as he approached the other men. He was granted with a glance of sudden discomfort by Buck.

"You know what, guys?" Chris slapped an arm around Buck’s and Vin’s shoulder.

"I really like your attitude." With that he let go of them and returned to the parcours, beckoning at them.

"Aw hell," Buck muttered as he switched off the music and joined his friends.

~~

"Well, Ezra, I tell you one of the REAL good things in being a Sentry. What do you think how old I am?"

"Mr. Larabee, I don’t …"

"Just guess, Ezra."

"Well, sir, from your appearance I dare say … about forty?"

Chris smiled broadly at this.

"Good guess, Ezra."

"So I was right?"

"Not quite. I’m sixty-one."

"You are – WHAT?"

"Yep. And take a look at Vin? One would think he’s about thirty, huh?"

Standish just nodded.

"He’s forty-six. And the most amazing thing is, I have about sixty years left, Vin maybe eighty."

"I don’t dare to ask about Josiah."

"He’s seventy-five. You want to know about yourself?

Ezra could just nod.

"You are what, thirty-two? You look younger, at the first place. You won’t look any older the next twenty years. And as a half-breed you will live even longer than we. You will have, well, about a hundred , hundred-and-ten years left."

"A hundred … " Ezra gulped. Chris caught the suddenly pale man before he hit the ground.

"Mr. Larabee?" Standish croaked.

"Yeah?"

"You’re sure this is a ‘real good thing’?"

"Oh, I am. And you will get used to it, too."

"I don’t know…"

~~~

After four weeks of riding through the air on dragon-back, which started to be a kind of real joy and pleasure for Ezra, crawling through tunnels and any kind of mud-hole, climbing up hills and mountains, running marathon, lessons in weaponry, arms and hand-to-hand-combat, and doing any kind of ‘theoretical lessons’ Ezra was both mentally and physically exhausted and had begun to ask himself what war he was being trained for because this felt too much like a boot camp for his liking. Additionally he had started to become demoralized and more and more jumpy around Larabee. What troubled him the most was Chris’ rather odd behavior toward him. Their leader had begun to praise him, patting his back or upper arm, even sometimes wrapping his arm around the gambler’s shoulders. Ezra had begun to dislike this, at least his rational mind had started to nag. Emotional he was in a kind of turmoil that didn’t allow him to feel about ANYTHING. Or at least to get his feelings straight.

All Ezra knew was that he wanted to end this SOMEHOW, end the nightmares, the hallucinations, the strange feelings his mind couldn’t seem to make any sense of. He had caught himself thinking about quitting and be done with it, one way or another, even if it meant his own demise. At least it would END it.

~~~

"Chris, we have to talk."

"I couldn’t imagine about what, Buck."

"Adam. And Ezra."

"Buck …"

"No, Chris, don’t Buck-me. You DO know what I mean. Ezra is not Adam, and whatever you do, he will never be. Adam is dead."

"Damnit, Buck! This has nothing to do with Adam."

"This has everything to do with Adam, and you know it. I know that you are still angry, though it’s been twenty years now. I’m angry too, and I wished so many times that it never happened. If I could do anything about it I would, hell, I would give my own live if that would change ANYTHING. But I can’t. And you can’t do anything either. Treating Ezra as if he were Adam will not help, neither you nor him. It will only make it worse. Didn’t you notice the way he looks at you recently? He doesn’t understand it, Chris. He’s scared enough, he doesn’t need your fatherly attitude towards him as well."

Buck stepped in front of his old friend who was avoiding his glance, swallowing hard at old memories and scars that were torn open again.

"If you want to help him, Chris, then because you want to help HIM, not because you are feeling guilty."

Chris head snapped up, he took a sharp breath and seeing the expression Larabee wore Buck thought for a second that he might have gone too far. But Chris’ face suddenly fell, and the anger turned into deep sorrow, a sorrow Wilmington knew only too well.

"He was only twelve, Buck." Chris whispered. "He would have been Ezra’s age by now if … "

"Yes. I know, pard, I know."

Chris looked at his oldest friend and the grief that was reflected in his face.

"I’m so sorry, Buck. Sometimes I forget that they were … "

"… my family, too?"

Chris nodded. It didn’t help much to decrease the deep feeling of guilt he was carrying around for the last twenty years.

"Chris, I know that. I’m not angry at YOU. I’m angry at ME. If I hadn’t kept you, maybe… "

"It wasn’t your choice, it was mine. I could have go whenever I wanted to."

"Right. But we’re in here together again. So why not make the best of it?"

Though the question was quite rhetorical, Chris nodded an agreement."

"All right. And Chris, one more thing: Maybe Josiah and I should take over Ezra’s lessons, don’t you think?"

"Maybe that’s a good idea. And talking to Ezra is a good idea too, Buck, I’ll do that. When I’m ready."

"Take your time, pard, but don’t wait too long. Don’t wait ‘til he can’t take it any longer and starts running away again. He’s already feeling uncomfortable around you."

"He is? " Chris was surprised. "Damn, I didn’t even notice."

"I know. That’s what friends are for, sometimes even to talk some sense into the other. Even if that means risking their own lives …" Buck twinkled at the glare he received at that remark.

"You’re not risking your live here, Buck." Larabee growled.

"Oh? Tell me another one, Larabee. You’re the Deadly Dragon, remember?"

"Buck?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up!"

~~~~~~

Ezra Standish wasn’t a happy man, no sir. Whatever happened the past few days he was sure had something to do with him. Chris was not really avoiding him all of a sudden but kept a strange distance. It was as odd as was his previous behavior, and it puzzled Ezra even more. It didn’t help to ease his already messed up emotional shape. He still had nightmares from which he woke up panting heavily, sweaty and exhausted, but they weren’t as disturbing as were the hallucinations, both visual and auditory he kept having. Not that he was clearly seeing things, it was more like something at the periphery of one’s vision that would be gone when looked at closer. And he didn’t exactly hear voices but had the odd feeling that someone – or something – wanted to communicate with him, like a whisper in the back of his mind. In addition to his overtiredness, trembling hands and sometimes shaking body, what he still tried to hide, it slowly started to turn Ezra Standish into a nerveless wreck.

"Ezra, you hear me?" Buck’s voice cut into his thoughts. Right, there were concentration problems as well.

"Buck, why exactly are you the one who took over my education?"

Wilmington smiled broadly at that question and twinkled.

"I thought that would be quite clear, Ezra. This is the important part."

Ezra sighed, not quite satisfied with the answer, but this would be everything he would get out of Buck at the moment.

"Okay, Ezra, we’re here to teach you something so I think you better listen closely."

‘Here’ had turned out to be another trip into a deserted area. Ezra wondered why it was all of his fellow Sentries appeared to be so fond of the open country.

"Ezra, sit down, cross your legs, make yourself comfortable."

It earned Buck a dark glance.

"How can anybody feel comfortable sitting on a rock, Mr. Wimington?"

"Next time I’ll bring a pillow." Buck kneeled at his side, not taking a seat." All right, Ezra, here we go. You know the feeling you have when one of us is around?"

Ezra nodded, wondering seriously now what this would be all about.

"Good. You have to concentrate on that feeling, locate its source inside of you?"

"But the source is your presence."

"No, that’s just the trigger. What I’m trying to show you here is communication."

Ezra blinked in disbelief.

"Communication? You mean something like – telepathy?"

"Whatever you call it, " Buck chuckled," You saw us, Ezra. Did you ever wonder how we talk to each other? I mean we can hardly speak."

"I – see. So what do I have to do?"

Ezra didn’t belief much of what Buck said, but he had agreed to get through with it. Buck seemed to sense his discomfort and took a deep breath.

"Ezra, first thing, you have to trust me. That’s the hardest part. DO you trust me?"

Ezra looked into Buck’s eyes, trying to find an answer to this question, a question he didn’t dare to ask himself, and he found only honesty there.

He nodded slowly.

"Good. That’s good. Now, I want you to close your eyes now. Listen to my voice, concentrate on the feeling my presence arises. Even your breath. That’s good. I will touch your back, Ezra, nothing to be afraid of, just helping to get it straight, so you can get deeper breaths."

While Buck spoke to him, he had moved a little and was now behind Standish and Ezra felt his hand on his back, applying a little pressure here and there and pulling his shoulders back a little, then letting go.

"Yeah, that’s it. Now, concentrate on the feeling. What is it like?"

"It’s - odd."

"Describe."

"It prickles."

"Focus on it, Ezra. Do you feel an echo?"

"No … "

Ezra felt something more than a prickle, but he wanted to fight it. It was far too close to the hallucination for his liking, the whisper in his mind, the voices… it increased every minute he was sitting here and he was close to a panic.

Something cool touched his neck.

"Shhh … it’s just me, ol’ Buck. Nothing to worry about. Trust me, Ezra."

The feeling of Buck’s hand massaging the tension out of his stiff muscles felt real good, and Ezra relaxed, almost leaning in that reassuring touch.

"Do you feel an echo now?"

"Yes … " it was merely a whisper. Something had changed within the past minutes, something Ezra couldn’t explain even if his life depended on it. And it had something to do with Buck. The comforting touch was gone, yet it wasn’t.

<Ezra?>

"Yes?

<How do you feel?>

<Echo … Buck?? Oh no…>
<What is it, Ezra?>

<I see something … that can’t be right…>

<What do you see?>

<A horse? Black … with wings?? Buck!">

<Yes, Ezra?>

<That is YOU?!>

Ezra’s eyes flew open, confusion and shock clouding them. He turned around, gasping in disbelief at what he saw.

<Connection, Ezra> the black Pegasus, a little taller than an ordinary horse but with a lean slender frame just as in its human body, in front of him snickered.

<This is how we communicate. You can do it as well, if you concentrate. It will come naturally in time. C’mon, try it."

"Buck … I .. "

<No, Ezra. Do it otherwise. You can do it.>

<Buck? Will I have to do this every time?>

<Naw, as I said, it will come naturally. I have just, well, opened the gate. That’s what every Sentry has to do, and that’s why we need a guide when we’re young. You can try it out when we’re home.>

<Buck?>

<Yeah?>

<Who was your guide?>

<Chris’ father. >

That took Ezra a little by surprise but he decided to let the matter rest for now.

<Ahm, one more thing …>

Ezra pointed to a pile of clothes lying on the desert ground.

<You took off your clothes behind my back, when I had my eyes closed?>

The Pegasus, no Buck, snorted.

<Yep. When you find yourself after a Change all naked just in the middle of nowhere for the first time you learn to think about something like this. Why, you wanna watch next time?>

<Buck!> Ezra wasn’t so sure about an equine’s ability to change facial expression but this one could grin. Buck flicked his tail and tossed his head, letting his long black mane fly.

<Ok, you managed so far. Now get up.>

<Up where?>

The Pegasus stretched its enormous wings to full length.

<Me, of course. We’re going on a ride.> He stepped to a nearby rock and pointed at it with its head.

<It’ll be fun, Ezra. Besides, I know you love flying.>

<What gave me away?>

Ezra looked from the rock to Buck and back. He remembered the flights he had with Chris, wonderful sometimes wild rides, and the delight it had given him, and climbed on the rock, took a handful of the silky black mane and swung himself on the strong neck.

<I won’t let you fall, Ezra> the Pegasus turned his head and twinkled at Ezra with shining coal black eyes.

<Non one of us would. But you have to keep a strong hold on things.>

Before Ezra could give a reply, the Pegasus whinnied in sheer joy, stretched his wings and jumped.

~~~~

"Ezra?"

Chris appeared in front of the gambler, who was intently shuffling his card. He clearly avoided eye contact, which made Standish frown. He had to admit that he felt more and more uncomfortable being around Chris, sensing something was in the air but couldn’t put his finger on it. The different impression his senses delivered into his mind – trust and kinship, almost feeling at home with his friends on one side, uneasiness and increasing distress on the other hand – didn’t help much to calm him down.

"Could I have a word with you?"

Ezra just nodded. He felt the fear rising inside of him, forming a tight knot in his throat. He had known it. Everything came with a price tag, and now the man in front of him, the man who had seem to offer him a chance,

the man who had pretended to be his friend yet acted in a far different way, was about to collect the price.

Larabee sat down on the stairs beside Ezra’s chair, resting his elbows on his knees. Ezra noticed the tension in the other man’s features and his bad feeling increased even more, even because Chris was still avoiding to look at him.

"There is something I think I should explain to you." Larabee raised his head a little to give Standish a short glance, but looked back to the floor immediately, as if he couldn’t stand seeing the other man’s gaze resting on him. Ezra didn’t like any of this, no sir.

"This isn’t easy … " Chris almost stumbled over the words. Then, as if he had decided to get through with it as fast as possible he took in a sharp breath and continued.

"You know that I’m much older than I look. So I have kind of a - history. And," Chris ran an unsteady hand through his hair, "this history includes a family. I had a wife once – and a son."

Standish frowned. He had expected everything but not something like this. Chris carefully glanced at him again, his eyes holding a mixture of discomfort, pain and grief and something that Ezra had never seen before: guilt. Ezra wondered what this might have to do with him, because he was sure there was more about it. So he just waited in silence for Chris to continue, yet he somehow wasn’t so sure he wanted to know about it.

"My son, he was a Sentry, but – he was a half-breed. Showed the first Talents when he was twelve. He … he died shortly after that. I … never got the chance to see him grow, to get to know the kind of man he would have become."

Now Ezra was deeply concerned. This was definitely not what he had expected. He watched Chris more closely. Larabee’s eyes were unfocused as if he was seeing something – or someone – very very far away.

"That was twenty years ago."

Ezra carefully begun to calculate.

"He would be your age now, Ezra." It came out as a mere whisper, hoarse and choked.

Ezra gasped in shock as the full meaning of this words hit him right between the eyes. He wanted to say something, but his throat was dry as the Arizona desert, and he felt dizzy all of a sudden.

He had to get away. Fast.

Chris eyes were still somewhere in a memory, when he heard Ezra taking in a sharp breath. He waited for any other reaction, but everything he got was the sound of a man stumbling to his feet, a chair crashing on the floor because of the energy it was pushed away with.

His head snapped up only to see Ezra rushing out of the room.

"Ezra! Don’t … " he called, but Standish didn’t even bother to stop. "Please … don’t go…" the whispered plea died away unheard.

Chris moaned and buried his face in his hands and felt hot tears stinging in his eyes.

~~~

Buck found Ezra on the roof, staring west into the sunset. Wilmington had found out some time ago that this was a favorite spot for the gambler when he felt the need for some solitude. He didn’t appear to be too comfortable with the others being around him for almost twenty four hours a day. So Buck approached the silent man carefully.

"Ezra?"

The younger man stiffened slightly as his words, what made Buck raise his eyebrows in a small surprise. It meant that Standish had been that far away he hadn’t even sensed him coming near.

"This is not the time, Mr. Wilmington." Standish’s voice sounded flat and almost neutral. Almost. Buck didn’t need to observe the gambler too closely, he saw it anyway: the clenched fists, the tight jaw, the blank face, the dull green eyes that seemed to stare into nowhere.

"Chris talked to you." It was not a question, but a statement.

"Indeed he did."

"I see." Buck didn’t wait for an invitation that wouldn’t come anyway. He sat down at Ezra’s side, watching the beautiful colors of an Arizona sunset.

"And?" he just asked.

"And what, Mr. Wilmington."

"What do you intend to do?"

That caught Ezra’s attention. He looked at Buck, opening his mouth to give an explicit answer – go – when he found That wasn’t the truth. He wanted this situation to end, yes, but he didn’t want to leave. He shook his head in utter surprise.

"I have no idea."

Buck nodded, deep in thoughts.

"Chris’ son died about twenty years ago. He and his mother, in a fire. We … he wasn’t there. Burned half the soul outta that man." Buck had to swallow hard when he remembered the black smoking remnants of the house, the raging desperate roars of the furious dragon that tried to discover who had brutally taken away his reason for living – and his own despair. It had been his family too … and it didn’t matter that all of this happened twenty years ago. AND it didn’t help much that Adam would have been about Ezra’s age, would he have survived.

Buck blinked something hot in his eyes away and smiled at Ezra, who was watching him intently, looking surprised to see such a different side of this apparently easy going man.

"It appears you have lost almost as much as he did." he said gently.

"Yeah."

"I am not his son, Buck." This time the desperate and stubborn undertone was there, clearly to be heard. Buck had to grin and blink about it at the same time. No, you are not. But, heaven forgive me, you could very well be a Larabee. You two are so damn alike …

"He knows, Ezra." He said soothingly instead. "But maybe you can become something else. "

"And whatever could that be, Mr. Wilmington?"

"A friend, Ezra. A friend."

~~~~~

Christ burst out of his bedroom when he heard the first screams. He hadn’t been able to sleep anyway, so he had turned to his old coping strategy again: trying to bury himself at the bottom of a bottle. Id didn’t work too well, because he wasn’t drunk yet.

The screams hollered over the third floor of the warehouse, Ezra’s apartment. The last one almost shredded Chris heart: it had started out as a human cry and turned into something completely not-human, a strange mixture between screech and growl. All Chris wanted at this very moment was to run up to Ezra’s room, burst into it and just the fuck HELP him get through whatever the southerner was suffering. It took almost all of his remaining energy to fight that urge.

"Chris?"

Buck appeared at his side, hair tousled from sleep, obviously not quite awake yet. He gave Chris a sharp look, but the next terror filled scream startled him and he rushed past a stunned Chris towards Ezra’s door. Chris stayed where he was, his fist clenched so tight he could feel the palms becoming slick with some blood, as he unconsciously dug his fingernails into his own flesh, watching Buck opening the gambler’s door.

"BUCK! Don’t … ! Josiah had shown up behind Chris, shouting a warning, but it was already too late.

Buck had opened the door and started to step inside when a dangerous growl could be heard from within. Chris eyes widened in shock when he saw Buck being thrown back by whatever had awaited him in the barely lit room. But what terrorized him even more was the blood that was oozing through Buck’s clenched hands he was pressing on his abdomen. Wilmington had turned into a deathlike pale as he slid down the wall.

"Ezra … " he moaned.

With two short steps Chris was at Buck’s side, trying to stop the blood flow, trying to figure out what the hell had happened, and desperately trying to push away the nagging voice in the back of his mind that demanded attention by constantly whispering ‘your fault …’

Larabee was able to catch a glimpse of Ezra when Josiah rushed past him. What he saw made his heart miss a beat or two: in the twilight of the room a pair of glowing yellow eyes glared at him out of Ezra’s face. Chris gasped in utter horror. When Sanchez moved a bit Ezra’s head snapped around, a deep growl escaped his throat and he raised a hand which wasn’t human anymore but more like an animals paw. When Chris saw some blood drip from the razor-like claws he knew exactly what had happened.

~~

Josiah and Vin who had stepped behind Chris, exchanged a glance, both knowing they had to do something, and quick.

"You distract ‘im, I catch ‘im." Vin muttered and carefully stepped out of Ezra’s sight.

Buck gave an painful moan when Chris tore his shirt apart and tried to get a better look at the injuries. "It’s … only a scratch … ol’ lizard," he croaked.

"Yeah, sure, Buck. Tell me another one." Chris face almost fell when he saw the four deep cuttings at the upper abdomen and chest. Just an inch deeper …

"Damnit, Larabee … "

"Shut up … "

"Chris, don’t you … go that road … again, ya hear me… not yer .. fault…"

"I said, shut up."

Nathan appeared at his side with his first aid kit and examined the wounds.

"Clean cuts, need stitches though, I think. You’re a damn lucky man, Buck. Looks uglier than it is." He gave Ezra, who was suspiciously watching their every move, a sharp glance. "Ezra did this?"

"Yeah…"

"Ezra, it’s okay, everything’s fine. Nobody’s gonna hurt you, " Josiah’s deep voice held a soothing almost tranquilizing undertone that seemed to relax the gambler a bit. "Calm down. Just listen to my voice, Ezra."

Ezra growled dangerously.

"He’s not himself," Nathan murmured, "he’s caught in another Dream. This time’s a real bad one."

"I know," Chris muttered, the feeling of guilt constricting his heart and soul, while he helped Nathan taking care of Buck. His head flew up when suddenly Ezra’s growl turned into a sharp howl with a high screech of panic.

Josiah had managed to distract Ezra long enough for Vin to sneak around the agitated gambler and catch him from behind. He had a strong grip on the frantically struggling man, holding his wrists and arms in a way that would prevent him from hurting either himself or Vin. Due to the increased physical strength a Sentry possessed, the Earth Dragon was the only one able to hold Ezra long enough for him to come to his senses again.

Chris couldn’t help watching with a morbid fascination as Ezra desperately fought with all his force to free himself, his screams turning into low sobbing sounds, each and every one seemed to dig like a dagger into Chris heart.

All of a sudden the struggle stopped and Ezra turned into a boneless heap in Vin’s arms.

Vin caught Ezra as he fell and let him carefully slide onto the carpet. A quick examination showed Vin that Ezra was all right again, claws gone, and he didn’t hurt himself in the Dream state.

He exchanged glances with Josiah and reassured the others.

"It’s over. How’s Buck?"

"Well," Nathan answered," looks worse than it is. He will have to take it slow for awhile, but he’ll live. What about Ez?"

"We’ll see."

Vin patted Ezra on the pale cheek.

"C’mon, Ez, rise and shine. Wake up, pard."

Standish moaned and stiffened slightly, his eyelids fluttered open. He blinked in confusion at Vin, who was still kneeling by his side looking at him worried, then moaned painfully as he moved and his mistreated wrists protested. He looked around and noticed that he wasn’t alone, and that he wasn’t lying in his bed anymore.

"Mr. Tanner, would you be so kind as to explain me what you are doing in my room, why I am lying on the floor, and what happened to my arms?"

Vin stretched out a hand and helped Ezra to get up. The gambler became aware of something else then; the ruined bed and something that shocked him deeply – his left hand was covered with blood. Not his own.

"Son?"

Josiah’s voice threw him back to the here and now, and he swallowed hard, as it triggered something inside him, a memory of rage and danger.

"Mr. Sanchez? Did I … do something again?" he asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer. This time it must have been something real bad, from the looks of it.

Josiah stepped aside and Ezra saw it. The pale figure of an almost unconscious Buck Wilmington who looked as if only sheer will power was holding him more or less upright with bandages around the chest, a puddle of blood on the floor, and the remainings of a tattered blood-stained shirt. Looking back on his own hand the suspicion became reality. This time it WAS real bad.

"Did I … Buck…?"

"Ezra .," Buck managed to croak," I understand. You … didn’t mean to … no harm done…"

Ezra’s head snapped up at these words, his eyes clouded with anger, shame and guilt.

"No harm done?" he mumbled almost inaudible.

"NO HARM DONE?! And what the HELL do you call THIS? I could’ve killed you Damnit! Or anybody else who had the misfortune to enter my reaching space!"

Chris slowly got tho his feet, his face mirroring the same expression Ezra wore: pain, guiltiness, remorse. Their eyes met and Chris stretched out a hand, "Ezra…", but Standish stepped aside, not allowing any touch whatsoever. The guards he had himself allowed to let down the past weeks back in place.

"Buck, I’m sorry. This will never happen again."

Ezra rushed past the other men and was out of the house and out of their sight before any of them could stop him.

~~~

"I go after him." Vin volunteered without hesitation. Chris nodded. To let Ezra go without any support right now could possible destroy everything they had achieved yet. He felt Buck’s hand on his arm, squeezing gently.

"It’s okay, he will find him. He will bring him back."

"How are you, pard?"

Buck grimaced.

"Hurts only when I laugh. And I’ve experienced worse, you know. C’mon, help me up here."

~

Ezra hadn’t made it very far. Actually, he had just made it out of the

large building they now called their home, across the defunct rails and

to the empty waggon that Chris had kept around for one reason or other.

It was a derelict, rusty wreck, overgrown with vines, but it served as a

good hiding place. Vin stepped around it and found Ezra sitting against

the iron wheels, knees drawn to his chest, staring ahead. He simply sat

down next to him.

"What are you doing here, Mr.Tanner?" Ezra asked after some time, voice

level. He didn’t even look at Vin.

"Keeping you company, Ez."

"I don’t need any."

Vin flashed him a smile. "Naw, Ez. I think you do."

"All right, but I don’t WANT any," the younger man snapped, anger

leaking into his flat voice.

"Well, I’m here anyway."

Green eyes finally fixed on him. Vin saw a lot of emotions in there,

most of them negative. "Are you here to keep an eye on me so I won’t do

anything … stupid?"

"Don’t think you’d do anything stupid, Ez," Tanner answered truthfully.

Ezra gave a snort of disbelief. "Oh, do you? And what do you call that

stunt back there? Causing nothing but trouble, playing replacement son

for Mr. Larabee … almost killing a friend…" His voice trailed off as

the anger was replaced by deep pain.

Vin gazed at him, serious blue eyes taking in the devastated condition

of his friend. Ezra had gone through so much in such a short time, and he

was still reeling from most of it. He needed time, he needed a breather,

but Vin didn’t see a break coming up any time soon.

"I can’t speak for Chris, but I think he knows that you’re NOT his son.

Give him a little time. Causing nothing but trouble? Remember, WE asked

YOU to come along so IF there’d be trouble then it’s us to blame. As for

almost killing a friend … did you ever get injured, Ez?"

Eyebrows drew together and Standish shot him a suspicious look. "What?

What has that to do …"

"Just answer the question. Did you? Break your arm, twist your ankle,

scrape your knee as a boy?"

"Well, yes, but ..."

"How long did it last?"

"How long?"

"’til it was healed?"

"Oh." Ezra was thinking it over, and Vin could see the moment it suddenly

it dawned on him what he was talking about. "I healed faster than any

other kid." His voice was shaking, near a whisper.

"See? You’ve just discovered another Sentry secret." Vin gave him an

amused smile. "Buck will be up again in no time. A week, maybe two."

Ezra was silent and the silence stretched. Vin looked at Ezra and saw that the man needed a little time to think about it, work it out. So he was comfortable with it,

just sitting with him and waiting.

"Vin?" the gambler finally asked quietly.

"Yeah?"

"The wounds were deep. I mean, it could’ve killed him, couldn’t it?"

There was a fine, under-lying tremor in Ezra’s voice and Vin could

clearly hear the terror through it.

"Yeah. But so could the next best truck driver. Don’t worry, Ez. " Vin

stood, stretching his lean frame. "I’m getting too old for that kinda

stuff. You’re comin’, Ez?"

Hesitation showed on the pale features. "I don’t know… "

"Listen, if you wanna know if Buck still talks to you, there’s only one

way to find out. ‘Sides, you have all your stuff at home. You can hardly

walk around town like that … " he pointed to the sweat pants, the only

piece of clothing Ezra was wearing.

Ezra looked down his waist and sighed. "Mr. Tanner, I abhor it when

you’re correct."

~~

A dangerous growl could be heard through the new headquarters of the

Phoenix Agency, followed by a strange shattering sound.

"Chris, don’t! Don’t shoot!" Nathan’s voice called out as he tried to

protect the new high tech equipment, that constantly refused to obey ANY

commands whatsoever coming from Larabee, against another irate outburst.

Vin and Josiah looked at one another thoughtfully.

"Ashtray?" Josiah suggested

"Naw." Vin shook his head. "Phone maybe."

"Monitor?"

"Book shelf." Ezra peered around the partition, grinning as he held out

a hand.

"If you please, gentlemen?"

Vin growled in frustration as he reached into his pocket and fished out

the money.

"This is getting annoying, Ez."

"On the contrary, Mr. Tanner. Our, .. ah, vivacious leader is an

inexhaustible source of leisure."

"Wouldn’t tell him that if I were you."

"Oh, I won’t, " Ezra smiled, putting the money he had just won into his

pocket. "Where would be the excitement?"

"Ahm, Ez … "

"Yes, Mr. Sanchez?"

"You like your life?"

"Indeed I do. What a ques … " Ezra blinked, as realization dawned. "How

far exactly do you believe I would get if I accelerate immediately?"

"Not very." Chris voice growled behind him.

~

"I called the computer hotline, which is supposed to help computer

customers with computer problems three times today already, and all I

got was the real nice, real friendly COMPUTER voice telling me to hold

the line ‘cause everybody’s BUSY! What the HELL tells me that about

computers?!"

Nathan frowned. If they didn’t get help, in what shape ever, soon, Chris

would probably shred the whole system. "Hm. Wait a sec, I saw something

in the yesterday’s paper. Ah, here it is. Says help with any computer

problems whatsoever, in person. Should I call?"

Larabee glared at him. "I don’t care, and if you call Bill Gates. I want

this thing WORKING!" he snapped.

Nathan sighed and grabbed the phone.

~~~

"Okay, Ezra, pack up some things. We’re going for a camping trip."

"Again? Haven’t we done so last weekend, Mr. Wilmington?"

"Yes, we did." Buck leaned toward the smaller man and smiled conspiratorial, "but – today’s the day, Ezra."

The gambler frowned, not quite sure what this was all about.

"I’m not entirely certain I understand what you are referring to, Mr. Wilmington."

"You really don’t get it, do you? Ezra, you’ve done it so far. Today you’re gonna Change."

"I do?"

"Yep. Believe your guide. I’m looking forward to some nice long flights with you." Buck slapped Ezra on the back which turned out to be a mistake because at the moment Ezra could be knocked over with a feather. Not to speak of a Wilmington-slap.

"Whoa, there, pard. Don’t be THAT excited."

"Come on, Buck, it’s not some kind of an initiation ritual, is it."

Buck tried his best to look real thoughtful. He threw his arm around the smaller man’s shoulder and twinkled.

"But you will get a party afterward nonetheless."

"Oh joy …"

~

"MR. WILMINGTON! Please tell me you’re not serious about THIS?!"

"Any problems with the robe, Ezra?"

"Robe?? ROBE?! I look like a god-damn human SACRIFICE!!"

"Naw, don’t you worry, all of us will wear these things. I learned they’re some kind of djellaba. ‘Sides, " Buck twinkled at Ezra again, who looked disgusted to the core in his white robe, "these things are quite comfortable, if you understand what I mean. And it’s easier to get out of ‘em then of a whole bunch of clothes."

"How did I know you would say that?" Ezra muttered under his breath.

"Because you know me and you trust me and …" Buck ducked and laughed as Ezra’s pillow came flying.

~

Ezra felt uncomfortable.

Ezra felt nervous.

Ezra felt … anxious.

He was standing at their favorite camping ground in the middle of the Arizona desert which was colored in the wonderful fiery red, flaming orange and light violet of a desert sunset right now. Which Ezra would have admired if he had the nerve to notice. His heart was pounding, he was breathing hard, his throat was dry and his hands had started to tremble again. All he hoped and prayed for was to get this over soon, before he would pass out.

"Don’t worry, Ezra," he heard the soft voice of Buck whisper in his ear, "I know you will do it. I remember my first Change … I was afraid back then because I had no idea what would await me. But once I did it … it was the most exciting experience."

"YOU were afraid?"

Ezra noticed something in Buck’s eyes, something that was beyond the usual mischievous sparkle. Something old.

"Hard to believe, I know. Maybe I tell you one day. Now, show time."

Buck stepped aside a little to give Ezra the space the Sentry might need. Ezra noticed his friends had positioned themselves in a large circle around him, watching him. Watching OVER him, he realized with a mild shock.

"Good, Ezra, you know the procedure. Close your eyes, concentrate on my voice. Deep, even breathes … yeah, that’s it, good."

Ezra started to feel more relaxed as he began his familiar ritual. Some of the nervousness disappeared slowly and his heartbeat slowed down a bit.

"Good, you’re doing good, Ezra."

Buck’s voice sounded as if he were far away, yet standing right beside him. In a strange way Ezra knew that both was true.

"Now, Ezra, listen. You have to let go of your boundaries and restrictions. You have to free the Sentry. It wants to be set free, can you feel it?"

<Yes…> Ezra didn’t realize he answered in the Sentry way, didn’t realize that Buck was not able to hear him. There was a strange sensation, something tugging at his essence, something was screeching, wailing inside him, demanding to be released, fighting its way through the barriers of his conscious mind …

"No…!" Ezra wasn’t aware that he had cried it out, until he felt a strong grip at his upper arms. He opened his eyes, only to stare into Buck’s hazel ones.

"Ezra, you are NO danger. Believe me. Please?" Ezra saw only deep honesty and concern in those eyes, friendship and care. He slowly nodded.

"I will … I do my best."

Buck smiled at him and shook him a little.

"That’s all I ask.

"Now, you’re up to it again?"

Again he focused, again something hidden, incarcerated deep inside of him reacted, called out its need to be free at last. Ezra shivered in the heat that threatened to burn his body with an icy fire, almost screamed at the feeling of another creature breaking its way to the surface. He had to fight hard not to erect his walls again, build up the guards, to fight this ‘thing’, keep it at bay and throw it back into its cage. It frightened him and it set him to peace at the same time as he looked into the eyes of the thing he was about to become, as he saw the creature, no, the Sentry, raising its head and acknowledge his very being, welcoming him wholly without questions, transmitting its joy to finally BE.

He raised his head, spread his wings and cried out his triumph.

Ezra couldn’t help it. He folded his wings, stretched his muscles and fell into a run, feeling only the need to MOVE.

<Ezra?>

<Buck? That you?>

<Join me …>

Ezra looked up and saw his guide, his friend, in his Pegasus shape galloping at his side, the long black mane flying in the wind. Buck shook his head and stretched his wings, his speed sending him right into the air.

<Come. Join me…>

Ezra did as he was told, feeling the wind playing with his wings as he jumped into the air, gliding alongside Buck. He felt as if he had been sleepwalking the past years and was awaken this very moment. He felt content, free -and home.

<I knew you’d do it.>

The Pegasus whinnied its happiness.

Suddenly it occurred to Ezra. He had forgot about something important, although it all of a sudden didn’t really mean something to him.

He looked down his chest, noticed the black shining fur of his legs, the sharp claws …

<Buck? Am I … >

<Yes, Ezra. You are a glorious, magnificent, outstanding Griffin!>

<Does that mean … ?>

<It means you belong to the Clan of Falcon and the Clan of Felidae>

A movement caught Ezra’s attention and he turned a little, altering the angle of his wings slightly. The welcoming roar of two magnificent Dragons greeted him, one the familiar shining black of the Fire Dragon that was Chris gliding underneath, the other one the sparkling gold of the Earth Dragon that was Vin at his other side.

<You don’t look that impressive anymore … >

<Heard that, Ezra> Vin snickered.

<Where’s Nathan?>

<Down below. See?>

Ezra looked down and saw Nathan, the huge black Panther, sprint over the rocks. It was – familiar …

<I saw that before. My dream!>

<Yep. A so called Sentry dream. Was its way to say hello.> Buck chuckled.

<Why didn’t it just send an e-mail?>

<Geez, children … Believe it or not, but Sentries are somewhat – classical.>

<I noticed.>

<Ezra> Far above the others Ezra saw a Golden Eagle circle.

<Josiah?>

<Yup. Think you better not overdo it. Let’s get back. Okay?>

<Okay. Besides, Buck promised me a party>

<Oh? Did he?>

Ezra put on his clothes again and stepped out into the cool night. The others had already lit a campfire, well, most likely Chris had. They congratulated him, slapped his shoulders, grinned at him. Ezra had to admit that something had changed, that a heavy weight was taken from his soul. Maybe it was because of this he felt al little lightheaded. He sat down by the fire and looked at the other side, where Chris was sitting, motionless and still. Their eyes met and Ezra saw Chris’ eyes, glowing in an unearthly light. But maybe they were just reflecting the fire. Chris looked at him for a whole minute before he just gave one single nod of appreciation.

Then he stood and left the circle, walking to a hill and staring at nothing specific, a dark shadow against the starry sky.

~~~~

"Someone seen Chris?" Ezra asked. They were having the Party Buck had promised, celebrating his success, his first complete Change the other day, and while they were enjoying themselves, having some drinks and pizza, somewhere along the line Chris had disappeared unnoticed.

"Dunno," Vin looked around. Ezra’s gaze met Buck, and the other man just pointed toward the stairs. "Roof," he murmured, and gave the gambler a reassuring nod. Ezra nodded back, took himself two bottles of beer and headed towards the stairs.

He had halfway expected the sight that greeted him oh the roof. Chris was slumped in a far away corner, looking at something small in his hands. He closed his fist around it when he sensed Ezra’s appearance but the gambler caught a brief glimpse of the object: a small silver medallion. He offered a bottle and took a seat at Chris’ side when it was taken silently.

Ezra had to admit to himself that today was the first day in his entire life that he felt completely at peace, one with himself and the world. He had come to terms with what Chris had said and done, moreover, now that he was able to see things clearly again, no more trembling, no more hallucinations or nightmares, he could see that Chris had been right, that Larabee by ‘subtly’ convincing him into joining the team had saved his life.

It was time to return the favor.

"Tell me about him." He inquired softly and took a swig of the beer.

Chris grip around his bottle tightened at first, Ezra could see that the other man was about to back off again like he must have done for almost twenty years now. But Ezra could see as well that Chris wanted, no needed, to get rid off the dagger that was tearing his soul apart, had turned him into a man who couldn’t allow himself to let anyone close. And he knew from to many experiences that a way like this would never end the pain. So he waited.

After what seemed to be an eternity Chris opened his fist and let Ezra take a look at the medallion and the photographs inside.

Then Chris Larabee began to talk.

Somewhere along the line he began to cry, for the first time in twenty years Ezra supposed.

And with the first rays of sunlight indicating a new day had begun, Chris Larabee began to heal.

~~~~

Epilogue

"GodDAMMIT! NATHAN!! Didn’t you say you called that computer geek? "

"Yep, Chris, I did. Last time you threatened to tear up the system."

"Yeah, but that’s been two WEEKS ago, for goodness sake! How am I supposed to get this business working when even the COMPUTER system fails … "

Nathan shrugged and carefully tugged some too delicate office environment out of harms way. Which meant out of Chris Larabee’s reach. Maybe Chris could afford to buy a whole new office furniture every time and then, but Nathan wasn’t really keen to clean up the havoc. Again.

"Hi. My name’s John Dunne. Please call me JD. You called because you have any computer problems?"

"Pheeww," Nathan sighed in relief, "saved by the bell."

The young man standing in the doorframe was radiating sheer enthusiasm and Nathan greeted him with relief, showing him to the awkward system. The man, no, he appeared to be more a boy than a man, seemed to know what Nathan was talking about and soon they were engrossed in some techno-babble.

Ezra noticed something strange about the boy, but could really make it out. He saw Buck and Chris exchange glances, and he didn’t like the look of it. There was something going on between those two, and he wanted to find out what it was. And he wanted to find out what this odd feeling was that tingled at his senses. He had grown used to the feelings the permanent presence of his fellow Sentries awoke in him and this was similar yet different.

"Buck? What is it?"

Buck looked at him as if he realized for the first time Ezra was standing beside him. He pointed at the boy who was working himself through the computer system.

"That one’s a Sentry."

"As well? It doesn’t feel that way."

"Because he’s still too young. He has just begun to show Talents. Bet he doesn’t even know yet. But one thing I can tell for certain. He’s definitely Equii."

"So he’s - part of your family, huh?"

"Not Family, just Clan, Ezra. I can’t tell whether he’s a Pegasus like me or something else. Wonder if he has a guide?"

Though Ezra knew, rationally at least, that these words were mere innocent pondering, he felt as if he just had been stabbed in the back.

Chris sighed and shot Buck a warning glance as he saw the younger man’s poker face fall into place again. This wasn’t good. Ezra had gotten close to Buck, had opened up for him and let him in, trusting him more than any of the others. Buck could very well ruin that trust should he make a rash move. And that could mean they could lose Ezra.

Chris sighed inwardly, looking at Buck and Ezra, remembering the unfortunate times his own thoughtless moves had driven away his best friend twice, had cost almost Buck his live twice, one time from Chris’ own hands. And yet, here he was again, all forgiving and easy-going Buck Wilmington, sharing his live with him again, working with him again.

~ fini ~

Will be continued

Title: Mythological Beasts AU -

Buck stuck his head into the office, wondering what was going on. He saw his friends, at least three of them, standing behind one of the partitions, unmoving but closely listening to something that was going on in the other part of the office. After a few seconds Buck knew exactly what this ‘something’ was and stepped closer, grinning broadly.

"Who’s winning?" he asked.

"Shhhh," Vin waved at him, "this is far too interesting to miss a thing. Whoa, didn’t know he has that colorful language."

"You call that colorful?" Nathan chuckled, "THAT was colorful."

"Yep. Hey, I didn’t know that one."

"Indeed. Wow, that one wasn’t nice."

"Nope, not nice at all. Gotta remember that."

"Hey, did he just switch into Spanish?"

"Yup."

"I didn’t know he knows Russian, too."

"Wow, what was that? Italian?"

"Nope. Portuguese." Josiah smiled. "THAT was Italian." Then he grimaced.

"What?"

"Chinese. And no, you don’t want to know. Oops."

"Oops?"

Josiah glanced at his friends thoughtfully.

"Farsi." was all he said.

Suddenly Vin winced.

"Geez, he must be REALLY pissed off."

"I don’t recognize the language. What is it?"

"Navaho." Vin winced again. "And he’s with the … ancestors part right now, you know?"

"That far? Ouch."

"And YOU Stop hiding there, you miscreants!" a VERY angry southern voice cut in their thoughts and the owner of said voice stormed past them.

"Ahem," Josiah cleared his throat and glanced at his watch, "you know, it has been 20 minutes, without even repeating himself."

Buck peered into the other room to look at Ezra’s unfortunate opponent. He couldn’t help burst into laughing at the sight of a deeply stunned out-of-words Chris Larabee leaning at his desk and staring at the place where Ezra had been a few seconds before.

"Well," Buck grinned, "that’s something one doesn’t see too often. Found your match?"

Then he decided it would be much healthier to just beat a hasty retreat.