Title – Dead, but not buried

Universe – ATF  Ezra, Vin and the rest

Warnings- None

Disclaimer-  These guys don’t belong to me.

 

Comments -  Thanks to my beta Lisa, I changed the end and any mistakes are mine.

 

 

Two months ago -

 

Ezra Standish was dead.  He was surprised how contented that made him feel.  As if a huge weight had been removed from his shoulders.  He looked down at the box that held all of Ezra’s personal effects.  Maybe he should burn them.  Like a funeral pyre.  That thought made him smile.  How would it be to go out in a blaze of glory?  Flames shooting up into the sky, ashes scattered to the four winds.

 

Yes, Ezra was dead if not yet buried.  He stood looking at the box that held Ezra’s past, Ezra’s life.  He smiled at his reflection on the side of the van.  He was dressed in tight black jeans, muscle shirt and combat boots.  His auburn hair cut short, military style.

 

He nodded to the guards, who helped him into the prison van, wrists handcuffed behind him. 

 

Ethan Hawke had just been born.  He knew there was an actor by that name, but he thought it a strong name.  He needed that strength to survive his future and to put his past aside.

 

*****

 

Present

 

The nights were still the hardest.  Those moments before sleep took him under and those right before he awoke - he hung on the edge of a knife.

Those times he remembered who he was and fought to shove them back into the locked compartment of his mind.  He couldn’t afford to remember, couldn’t risk those unguarded moments.

 

He heard the sounds of the other men awaking up.  He was still surprised how it was never completely quiet.  Sounds of snoring, crying mixed with moans of pain and pleasure.  He thought if anyone wanted to convince

teenagers not to commit crimes they should be made to spend some time in prison.

 

Ethan felt the bed shake as one of his cellmates sat up.  He glanced over to see him stagger towards the small sink in their cell.  He never could have imagined living in a confined space with another person much less three.  Luckily they all got along well considering they were forced to live together.

 

“You going to try shaving today?” 

 

David Palowski looked in the mirror and caught Ethan’s eyes watching him.

 

“Damn it, Rambo, you know I got blond hair.  My beard just doesn’t show up.”

 

Ethan laughed.  “Keep telling yourself that, you got peach fuzz.”

 

David tried to frown at him but laughed.  “Least I ain’t a gorilla like old George.”  He nodded toward the other set of bunks were two men still slept.

 

Ethan smiled.  “Yes, I’ve wondered about George’s parentage.”

 

David did frown then in concentration and then after a few seconds laughed again.  “Yeah, bet his pa was one of those gorillas I saw at the zoo in Asheboro.”

 

Ethan nodded.  It had surprised him that he liked these men.  Even though they were criminals they were still just young men.  David was only 23 and his buddy, George Henderson, 22 – they had been arrested for selling illegal gun kits.  Shawn Adamson was 24, he was in for in burglary and  Ed White, 25 was in for assault.

 

 

It had been his second night here when he had met David and George.  They had all been in the showers when a man had started hassling a young boy, he had barely looked eighteen.  Ethan had stepped in, David and George trying to back him out.  After a few moves, Ethan had subdued the aggressor.  He, David and George had become friends after that and David had started calling him Rambo.  David had suggested that Ethan try and get transferred into their cell, which had been Ethan’s plan all along. 

 

“You gonna shave that stubble off?” 

 

David’s voice brought him back to the present.  Ethan ran a hand over his jaw.

 

“You don’t like my Don Johnson look?”

 

“Who?”

 

Ethan rolled his eyes.  “Never mind.”

 

He gazed at his reflection in the mirror.  He was beginning to get use to the face that looked back at him.  He kept his auburn hair in the military cut; his green eyes twinkled back at him as he laughed.

 

“No, I am not shaving.  It would ruin my image.”

 

It was David’s turn to roll his eyes.  “Fine, keep that biker look if you want.  Just trying to clean you up some.”

 

Ethan jumped down from the top bunk and playfully elbowed David out of the way.  He slashed some water on his face but avoided looking in the mirror.

 

“We better wake these guys up, it’s almost time for breakfast.”

 

***

 

Vin sat in the waiting room pretending to look at a magazine.  He didn’t know which part he hated more, the waiting or the actual visit.

 

He had been coming to see Ms. Ivanson for almost two months now.  Chris had insisted that Vin get some drug counseling after the episode with Jack but they both agreed it needed to be done outside the government arena.  It was difficult for him at first to talk to her, in fact his first visit he hadn’t said more than a few words.  But she was a smart, kind woman and he had eventually started to open up.  The worst had been when they had gotten to the subject of Ezra.  Ms. Ivanson had smiled and nodded, then slowly dragged the truth out of him.  Vin had reached the point that he was no longer uncomfortable telling her about Ezra, it just hurt too damn much.

 

Vin put the magazine down and went to stare out the window.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  He wondered where Ezra was.  He took a deep breath.  How many times a day did he think that?  He’d be somewhere and all of a sudden wonder where Ezra was, what he was doing?  They hadn’t heard any word from Judge Travis on the undercover assignment Ezra had been assigned to or when he would be coming home.  Home.  It wasn’t the same without Ezra. The team wasn’t the same.  Even after all the sessions with Ms. Ivanson, he couldn’t stop blaming himself for Ezra leaving.  If he’d been smarter, more alert, he never would have been slipped that Ecstasy and Jack would have never- He cut his mind off there.  He didn’t want to think about that time of his life, that mistake that had lead to Ezra leaving.  Why hadn’t he known he could turn to Ezra for anything?  Why hadn’t he let Ezra give him the comfort and understanding he needed?  Instead he had pushed Ezra away when he’d needed his friendship.  Ezra had taken that rejection personally.

 

He turned as he heard the door open and the receptionist called his name.  He’d see if Ms. Ivanson could help him figure the answers to those questions.

 

***   

 

“Hey, Ethan.”

 

Ethan looked over from the bench press where he was spotting for John Mac.  Mac grunted as he lifted the bar back and it clanked back into the rack.  He nodded to Ethan.

 

“Take a short break, Mac.  I’ll be right back.”

 

“What’s up, David?  Problems?”

 

“Nah, you know that deal I was telling you about?  Got word it’s almost ready.  You still in?”  David whispered as he glanced around to make sure no one was near.

 

Ethan nodded.  “Of course, just tell me how I can help.”

 

David held up a hand.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll let you know.” 

 

He smiled then hurried off.  Ethan watched him go and then went back to Mac.

 

“You ready for a set, Hawke?”  Mac said as he got up from the bench.

 

“Indeed.”

 

***

 

Ethan walked over to the water fountain and let his eyes wander the room.  He spotted the guard, O’Neal and nodded slightly.  As he bent to take a drink, O’Neal causally approached.

 

“Water cold enough?”

 

“Almost.  Should be soon I think.”

 

O’Neal’s eyes searched the room.  “Good.  Let me know.”

 

Ethan rose from the fountain and brushed past the guard.

 

*** 

 

Chris leaned back in his chair propping his feet on the desk.  His eyes went to the clock on the wall.  Almost one.  The others should be coming back from lunch in another half-hour.  Today was Wednesday; Vin had a lunchtime appointment with the counselor.  He never knew what kind of mood Vin would be in after a session.  He had offered to let Vin go home after them but Vin had said no.  Chris suspected that Vin preferred the distraction of work instead of sitting home alone.   Chris glanced at the calendar.  It was already August.  Where had the summer gone?  Ezra had been gone a little over two months.  There were times when the days had dragged by and then others where time flew.  He wished this case, whatever it was would hurry up and end.  They all missed Ezra.  The replacement they had was an adequate undercover agent but the man was an ass.  Randy Brooks had an opinion on everything and his opinion, according to him, was the only one.

 

Chris sighed.  He had tried to like the guy and now was just trying to tolerate him. 

 

Chris went to the break room to make coffee.  He liked to have some ready for when Vin got back.  He leaned against the counter watching it drip, lost in thought.

 

“Things that bad?”

 

Chris looked up to see Vin standing in the doorway.  Vin was smiling slightly which Chris took as a good sign.

 

“Bad?”

 

“Ya look like yer thinking on somethin’ bad.”

 

Chris smiled.  “No, just trying to think of reasons not to shoot Brooks.”

 

Vin grinned.  “Sorry, cain’t think of any good ones.”

 

Chris grabbed their mugs and filled them.  They stood leaning against the counter sipping the steaming coffee.

 

“I miss him, Chris.”  Vin paused.  “Each day I think it will get easier but it don’t, I just miss him more.”

 

“He will be back, Vin.  You know it’s the case.”

 

Vin shrugged.  “Guess so.  I know it’s part of it, but will he want ta come back?  Team ain’t the same.  Nothing is.”

 

They heard JD and Buck’s loud voices announcing everyone was back from lunch.  Vin gave Chris a tired smile. 

 

“Time ta get back ta work.”

 

***

 

“We’re volunteering for the work detail in the morning, clearing that road up near the mountains.  You need to go sign up too.”

 

David was waiting for Ethan when he arrived back at the cell before evening chow.  

 

“All right.  Care to fill me in on the rest?”

 

“Not right now.”  David grinned.  “Just be ready.”

 

Finally, Ethan thought.  Finally some progress.  He hoped David was ready to tell him about his connections to the arms importer out of Washington.

 

***

 

Ethan was relieved to see that O’Neal was one of the guards assigned to escort the men on the work detail.  He would be able to pass any important information on as quickly as possible. 

 

“We’re cutting some dead trees down out here, getting prepared,” O’Neal said, “we don’t want-“

 

“Don’t!”  Ethan yelled but it was too late.

 

The other guard, Clay, had come up behind O’Neal and cold cocked him.  David and the others were all grinning as O’Neal slumped to the ground.

 

“What the hell is going on?”  Ethan said turning to David.

 

“We’re escaping.”

 

“Escaping?  What do you mean, escaping?”

 

“What the hell do you think I mean?  We are leaving.  Clay,” David nodded toward Clay who was getting some things out of the van, “he’s helping us for a small fee.”  David grinned.  “Murano needs some people in Washington to help out with his machine-gun kits. May be needed out of he country.  He’s got a big deal coming up.  He greased a few palms so we could bust out.”

 

Ethan sighed.  Now what?

 

“Help me get the stuff outta the van.”  Clay said to the other men. 

 

Ethan bent down to check O’Neal.  He was breathing, just knocked out.  He noticed a pen in O’Neal’s pocket and took it.

 

“Whadda ya doing, Ethan?”  David said as he came from the driver’s side of the van.

 

“Just checking that he’s still alive.  Don’t want any murder raps.”

 

“Good thinking, Rambo.  We’re about ready.”

 

“Are we taking the van and leaving him here?”  Ethan gestured toward the guard laying on the ground.

 

“Nah, we’re gonna hike a ways, throw ‘em off our trail.  We’re leaving the van for Clay.”

 

Ethan glanced over at Clay.  “He’s just going to drive away?”

 

“God, Ethan, ain’t you got any imagination?  We’re gonna knock old Clay out too, and once he comes around, him and O’Neal can drive back.  That’ll give us a head start.  George has taken care of the radios so they can’t call ahead.”

 

Ethan nodded.  “That sounds like a good plan, David.”

 

David’s face split into a wide smile.  “Course.  It’s mine!  You wanna do the honors?” He jerked his head to were Clay stood.

 

“It would be my pleasure.”  Ethan grinned.  His gold tooth sparkled.

 

***

 

“Tell me again, David about this plan of yours?”

 

It was getting dark and the four men were deep in the mountains, lost.

 

“Damn it, we should’ve seen that road by now.”

 

“Did you think to get a map?  Landmarks?”  Ethan stopped in his tracks.

 

“Nooo.”  David said.  “You can see I ain’t got a map.  Wasn’t suppose to be hard to find.”

 

Ethan rolled his eyes.  “Might I suggest we stop for the night then.  Perhaps in the morning we can get a better idea where we are.”

 

David dropped the small backpack he carried.  “Shit, we might as well.”

 

The others dropped where they were.  Ethan stood there looking at them.

 

“Well?  Do you gentlemen think a fire is going to just start itself?  Shawn, you and Ed go collect some firewood.  George, see if you can find some kindling.”

 

The other men stared at him and then got up to do as he said.

 

“You have any food in that backpack, David?”

 

David knelt on the ground and began pulling things out.

 

“Let’s see, got some jerky.”  He held up a large bag of beef jerky.  “Some granola bars, candy bars.  Few bottles of water. We got a Swiss army knife.”

 

Ethan held out his hand and David gave it to him.

 

“That’s about it.”  David sat back on his heels. 

 

Ethan frowned down at him.

 

“Hey, it ain’t my fault.  I didn’t pack.  We weren’t suppose to be out here that long.”

 

Ethan ran his hand through his hair.  “I know.  It’ll be fine, I’m sure.”

 

He had written a hasty message on O’Neal’s arm with the pen.  Hopefully he would be able to get word to the right people.

 

“Yeah, we got you, Rambo.  Bet you know all this survival crap.”

 

Ethan smiled.  “I know some.”

 

He shut his mind down from thinking where he had learned a lot of his outdoor skills.  It did no good thinking about that or him.  Those memories belonged to Ezra, not to him.

 

***

 

“What?”

 

The other five men froze at their desks and turned as one to face Chris Larabee’s office.  Even though the door was closed, they could hear Chris plainly.

 

Randy Brooks continued to type up his report, not bothering to even look around.

 

“How the hell did that happen?”

 

“Wasn’t someone-“

 

“All right.  I’ll be right there.”

 

Chris slammed the phone down and jerked the office door open.

 

“Something wrong, Chris?” 

 

Chris glared at Buck as he stalked to the elevators.  He jabbed at the button until the elevator doors opened.

 

“Wonder what that was about?”  JD walked over to lean on Buck’s desk.

 

“You in some kind of trouble?”  Buck said looking up at JD from where he was tipped back in his chair.

 

“Me?”  JD squeaked.  “I ain’t in no trouble.” 

 

Buck grinned at the worried look on JD’s face.  “Just messin’ with ya, kid.  We’ll know soon enough.”

 

Vin wandered over and leaned beside JD.

 

“Think it’s about him?”  Vin jerked his head over to where Brooks sat.

 

“Maybe we’re getting rid of him.”  JD said brightly then his face fell.

 

“You don’t think Chris was talking about Ezra, do you?”

 

The three men exchanged worried looks.  Josiah and Nathan came over to join the conversation.

 

“Why so glum?”  Josiah said as he pulled up a chair.

 

“Y’all know what Chris is mad about?”  Nathan sat on the arm of Josiah’s chair.

 

Buck looked at Vin as JD spoke.

 

“Think Chris was talking about Ezra?”

 

Josiah looked worried but they were surprised when Nathan laughed.

 

“Don’t doubt it.  That man sure gets himself into enough trouble.  What?”  He said as the others glared at him.

 

“Ezra ain’t got us backing him up.  Don’t see where there’s anything to be laughing at.”  Vin said quietly.  He got up and headed for the break room.

 

“Good going there, pard.”

 

Nathan looked at Buck.  “What?  I thought he was past that fight he had with Ezra.”

 

Josiah shook his head.  “I don’t think it’s that simple, Nathan.”

 

“Whatever.”  Nathan waved his hand in dismissal.  “Thought that’s what all that counseling was about, to get his head straight.  Ezra didn’t have to run off and leave us high and dry cause he got his feelings hurt.”

 

“Ezra didn’t run off.  You don’t understand.”  Buck asked.

 

Nathan stood.  “I got work to do.”

 

Buck glanced at Josiah, who shook his head.  Nathan had never seen eye to eye with Ezra and hadn’t been too thrilled when Vin and Ezra had become closer friends.  Nathan seemed to think Ezra was an all around bad influence.

 

Chris came back two hours later.  Buck followed him into the office, shutting the door.

 

“What’s up, Chris?”

 

Chris sank into his chair and sighed.  He glanced at Buck and then out the office door where he could see the other men staring his way.

 

“It’s almost quitting time, Buck.  Tell the others to meet at Inez’s, not Brooks.  Don’t say anything to Vin yet but it’s about Ezra.”

 

He held a hand up at the look on Buck’s face.

 

“He’s all right.  But-” Chris stopped.  “I just wanna do it once, okay Buck?”

 

“That’s okay, Chris.  You know I’m behind ya.”

 

Chris allowed a small smile to cross his face.  “I know, Buck.”

 

Buck tilted his head as he headed out the door.  “I always got your back, pard.”

 

***

 

The other men sat at their table at Inez’s waiting for Chris and Buck to arrive.  Inez noticed the tension oozing in waves from the table and quickly brought them a pitcher of beer.  She gave Vin a look but he shook his head.  She nodded and left.  He hadn’t drank much since Ezra left.  He figured his mind and body needed cleansing.  Sandra Ivanson was working on his mind and he’d been taking care of the rest.  He had a feeling tonight he needed a beer.

 

They all turned to look at the door as Chris and Buck entered.  Vin could feel his heart begin to hammer.  It was bad news, he could feel it.  Something bad had happened to Ezra and he didn’t think he was going to be able to handle it.  He shifted in his chair.

 

Josiah laid a large hand on Vin’s arm.  “It’s going to be fine, Vin.”

 

Vin flicked his eyes to Josiah.  Josiah could see the fear.  He patted Vin’s arm.  Vin gave him a nervous smile that looked more like a grimace.

 

Inez was bringing two more glasses as Chris and Buck sat down.

 

“Thanks, Inez.”  Buck said smiling at her.

 

She returned the smile and hurried off.

 

Buck poured beer as Chris began.

 

“I’ve been talking to Judge Travis,” he began.  “It’s about Ezra, he’s all right,” Chris said quickly seeing the look on Vin’s face.  “He’s been undercover at a prison in North Carolina-“

 

“Prison?”  Vin’s voice was quiet.

 

“He’s been in prison for two months?”  JD said looking worried.

 

“Let me finish first.”  Chris said.  “Yes, he’s been there since he left or rather he was.”

 

“Was?”  Vin interrupted again. 

 

“Vin, please.”

 

Vin nodded and took a gulp of beer.  He could feel the effects of the first one already.

 

“Ezra was with a group of men on a work detail when they escaped.”  Chris glared as the others opened their mouths.  “They are now trying to track them through the mountains but aren’t having much luck.  A hurricane is approaching that area and it’s been raining hard.  The Judge is giving us the opportunity to go help, if we want.”

 

“Hell yes, we wanna help,” Vin said. “When do we leave?”

 

Chris smiled.  “We can leave tonight.  Judge can have a plane ready to leave by seven.”  He noticed Nathan frowning.

 

“Is there a problem, Nathan?”

 

“Can’t they find those guys on their own?  Won’t there be too many people stomping around?”

 

Chris gripped his beer mug tighter.  He felt Buck’s hand gently pat his leg under the table.  He looked at Buck, giving him a small grin.

 

“Yes, the local agencies could probably find them but since Ezra is one of us,” Chris stressed the last three words, “they are making allowances.  But if you or anyone else doesn’t want to go-“

 

“We all want to go, Chris.”  Josiah looked meaningfully at Nathan.

 

“Didn’t say I don’t wanna go.”  Nathan said.  “I was just asking.”

 

“We’ll be hiking through the woods so everyone go home and pack some gear.  Be at the airport by 6:30pm.”

 

The others finished their beers and left leaving Chris, Buck and Vin at the table. 

 

“You sure he’s okay, Chris?  You ain’t left nothing out?”

 

“No, Vin, he’s fine.  You okay to drive?”

 

Vin nodded getting up.  “Yeah, I’m fine.  I’ll meet you there.”

 

***

 

Ethan woke suddenly.  He lay with his eyes closed listening.  What had woken him?  He heard nothing and then it hit him.  He heard nothing.  No sounds from the animals or night birds.  He glanced around at where the other men lay sleeping.  A light rain fell so they had decided to risk a small fire.  It cast just enough light for him to see that everyone else was asleep.  The wind had picked up and the branches swayed and creaked.

 

He got up slowly and quietly.  He eased out of camp and silently circled the area.  He froze behind a tree as he spotted a darker shadow move a few feet ahead.  He held his breath and then launched himself towards it.

 

He saw a glint of metal and grabbed the wrist holding it.  As Ethan and the other man wrestled they rolled out from under the trees and he gasped.

 

“Vin?”

 

“Ezra?”

 

Vin dropped the knife he held and sat up.

 

“Ez are you all right?” 

 

Ezra jumped up.

 

 “What are you doing here?  Are the others with you?”  He looked around in the darkness.

 

“Chris and Buck are here.  The others are in another part of the mountains.”

 

“What are you doing here?”  Ezra repeated.

 

“We came looking for you, like half the ATF, FBI and local law enforcement.”  Vin got up to stand near Ezra, who backed away.

 

“You need to leave.  You’ll blow my case.  Look,” Ezra ran a hand over his hair.  “I’ll meet you and the others back that way, there is a small creek.”  He glanced at this watch.  “Thirty minutes.”

 

“Okay.  Ez-“

 

Ezra turned and walked off.

 

Thirty minutes later Ezra appeared by the small creek, the others waited under a tree.  They were dressed in camouflage raingear.  Ezra wore a T-shirt and jean and was soaked to the bone. 

 

“You need to leave.”  Ezra said as he got close.  “Tell the others to head back to town or you’ll blow my case.  I’m close.”

 

“Ezra, they locals can’t just let some inmates escape prison.  What were you thinking and with a damn hurricane coming?”

 

Ezra glared at Chris.

 

“You think this was my idea? “  He held his arms out.  “Does it look like I planned on this?  My guy is close to-” He stopped.  “I need to talk to Travis.”

 

Chris glared back but pulled out his cell phone, he moved away as he began talking.

 

“Ez, what did you do to your hair?”  Vin’s hand unconsciously went to touch Ezra’s close-cropped hair.  Ezra jerked his head back.

 

“Hey, pard.  You hungry?  We got some rations with us.”  Buck dug in his pack.

 

“Got any water?  We’re about out.”

 

Vin grabbed his canteen and handed it to Ezra.  He hesitated and then took it, drinking deeply.  Ezra handed it back to Vin who continued to just stare at him, smiling.

 

“Here, Ezra.  It’s Travis.”

 

Ezra took the phone and walked a distance away.

 

“He sure looks different.  Almost didn’t recognize him.”  Buck said as he watched Ezra pace as he talked.

 

Vin nodded.  Ezra came back handing the phone to Chris.  Buck handed Ezra a few protein bars but he shook his head.  He looked everywhere but at Vin, who continued to watch him.

 

“Ok, Judge.”  Chris said as he hung up.

 

“All right.  We’re gonna stay close to Ezra and tell the rest to back off.  We’ll follow until they get back to civilization and then wait for Ezra to contact us.  Judge is gonna clear it with the locals.”

 

“We were trying to head for Boone, if you could tell me what direction we should be going in.”

 

Buck drew out a quick map and handed it to Ezra.  Ezra studied it a few minutes and handed it back.

 

“Thanks, Buck.”

 

Chris handed Ezra a small earpiece.  “You’ll be able to hear us on this.  Here is a wire so we can hear you.”  He handed him a small adhesive dot, like Velcro.  “It works best on a shirt.”

 

“Is it water-proof?”

 

Ezra gestured to his shirt, which was soaking wet.

 

“Yeah, you can move it to another one when you get the chance.  We’ve got your back, Ezra.”

 

Ezra nodded as he started to move off and then turned.

 

“The name is Ethan.”

 

***

 

Ethan moved quietly back to where the other men slept.  He curled himself back into a small ball.  He tried to empty his mind.  In one short moment, one look into those blue eyes and Ethan had disappeared.  Ezra had come back full force.  Now he laid there and tried to stuff him back into the coffin in his mind.  He took a deep, steadying breath. He had missed his friends, especially Vin.  Vin, he didn’t want to think how he had let Vin down.  If he had been a better friend.  He took another deep breath.  He couldn’t slip up now, not when he was so close.  This case was almost solved.  Back in the box, you bastard.  He heart rate gradually slowed and then he slept.

 

***

 

Vin settled into his sleeping bag and tried to wipe the grin off his face.  Ezra was all right.  He had been worried that they would never see Ezra again.  That he would decide not to come back.  He knew Ezra blamed himself for California.  He sighed.  He’d make Ezra see it wasn’t his fault.

 

***

 

Ethan didn’t have much trouble convincing the others to follow him the next morning.  They had been wandering in these woods for three days now.  From his calculations it would be Sunday before they reached Boone.  Another day in these blasted mountain with nothing but rain.  He hadn’t thought to ask Chris more about the hurricane.  He had heard it mentioned while in prison but the weather channel was not a high priority there. David had a contact in Boone who would let them clean up and Ethan hoped David would provide him with the information he needed to end this case.  He sighed.  He didn’t want to see these three young men get in further trouble.  He had discussed that briefly with Judge Travis on the phone. 

 

“Hey, Ethan.  Whadda ya want to do first when we get to Boone?”  George called ahead to where Ethan led them, single file.  “Eat or get changed?  Shawn says he wants to get laid first, then eat.  David and Ed wanna have sex in a shower, then eat. Not me, I gotta fill my belly first.”

 

The other men snickered.

 

“I agree, George.  Food is definitely the first priority.”

 

George beamed.  He loved it when Ethan agreed with him.  Ethan hid a grin, George reminded him of JD, and he almost stopped in his tracks.  He mustn’t let thoughts from the past start coming through now.  Damn it, he’d been doing fine until....

 

He quickened his step.  The only way he made it through the night without dreams is if he was exhausted.  In prison that had come through working out in the small gym they had.  Since they had left all the hiking had solved that problem, until last night. 

 

“You in a hurry, Ethan?  Slow down, man. The town ain’t going nowhere.”

David called from the back of the line.

 

***                                                                                                                      

The three members of Team Seven had no trouble following Ezra and the other men.  They were surprised in the daylight how young the men were.  They had expected harden criminals, not boys.

 

Vin smiled as he listened to Ezra banter with them.  He could tell that Ezra liked them.  Ezra always managed to see the good in people but he was surprised that people saw the good in him.  Vin shook his head.  It wouldn’t do him or Ezra any good to start bringing up the past out here.  Once they got back to Denver, Vin could start repairing their friendship.  His eyes turned toward the sky.  Thank God Hurricane Charlie had turned so they were just getting rain and wind but Ezra and the others didn’t have any protection from the elements.  Ezra had refused to take any food when they had offered. 

 

“Why should I eat when they are without?”

 

Vin smiled wryly.  That was Ez.  Always worried about other people.  He didn’t understand why Nathan couldn’t see that.

 

***

 

Ethan was sick of rain.  It rained day and night only varying in intensity.  He guessed they should be grateful the hurricane had changed directions.  Chris had been giving him updates through the earpiece.  He was so wet his skin was pruning, every part of him.  His clothes and shoes were soaked. 

 

He stopped at the top of a hill and looked down.  Thank God!  He could see a road below.

 

“Good news, gentlemen.  I see the road.”

 

The others scrambled up behind him.

 

“It’s about fucking time!”  Shawn said.

 

“Now all we gotta do is hitch a ride.”  Ed grinned.

 

Ezra looked back at the other men.  They were all muddy and wet.  Who in their right mind would stop and give them a ride?

 

“Can you see a road number?”  A voice in his ear asked.

 

“What road is this?”  Ethan asked out loud.

 

“Can’t tell yet,” David said.  “Let’s get a little closer.”

 

“I see a sign that says 19 East.”  George announced a few minutes later.

 

“You sure?”  Ed said.  “I can’t see that far.”

 

“Yeah,” said Shawn.  “I can see a 19 too.”

 

“We ain’t too far now.”  David said slapping Ethan on the back.

 

“Yes, I think we only have a few more miles.”  Ethan agreed.

 

They reached the road about an hour later.  No cars were in sight on the narrow two-lane road.

 

Ethan noted the position of the sun and point to his right.  “Let’s head this way.  See if we spot a car or a sign.”

 

“Here’s a mile marker.”  David said a few minutes later.  “It’s 52.”

 

Twenty minutes past and they heard the sound of a vehicle behind them.  They stopped and turned to look.  They saw a white panel van coming down the road.  The four younger men all stuck their thumbs out.  The van pulled off the road right beside them.  They saw the window rolling down.

 

“You fellas need a ride?”  A voice boomed.

 

Ethan looked at the driver and groaned. 

 

Josiah was sitting in the driver’s seat looking like an aged hippie. He wore an sweatshirt announcing a concert of the Grateful Dead. JD, dressed in black like a Goth, sat the passenger seat.  JD rolled the window further down.

 

“Where you headed?”

 

“We’re going to Boone.”  David said approaching the van.

 

“Hop in.”  Josiah jerked his thumb back.  “We’re passing by there.”

 

JD slid the side door open from the inside and the five men piled in.  There were drop clothes and towels on the floor.  Ethan threw Josiah a dubious look but Josiah just smiled.

 

“We got coffee if you want.  We filled our thermoses in the last town.”

 

“We got doughnuts too,” JD said as he opened a large grocery bag.  “Can’t ever have enough junk food.”

 

“Hot coffee?”

 

David, George, Shawn and Ed traded grins. JD pulled a package of Styrofoam cups out of the bag.  Soon everyone had a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a doughnut in the other.

 

“Shit.”  George said through a mouthful of doughnut.  “Nothing’s ever tasted better.”

 

“You were correct, George.”  Ethan said.

 

George looked quizzically at him. “About what?”

 

“We are indeed having food first.”  Ethan said as the other men laughed.

 

***

 

Ethan woke later.  It was dark inside the van.  The back was now littered with sleeping bodies, empty cups and doughnut crumbs.  He could hear the rain thundering on the van.  He looked at his watch.  Three PM.   He moved so he could sit up.  He saw Josiah looking at him in the rear view mirror.

 

“The name is Ethan and you are?”

 

Josiah smiled showing teeth.

 

“I’m Josiah, and this is my son,” he laughed as he nodded, “JD.”

 

“A pleasure.  Are we far from Boone?”

 

“About an hour.  Rain just started up again.  Hurricane Charlie is heading north but taking his own sweet time.”

 

“We’re glad to be out of it.  I don’t know if I ever want to see rain again.”

 

“Go on back to sleep, Ethan.  I’ll wake you when we are near town.”

 

“Thank you, Josiah.”

 

“Anytime, son.”

 

***

 

“We are almost to Boone.”  Josiah said later. 

 

Ethan nudged the rest of the boys awake to much grumbling and cursing.

 

“Where to now, David?”

 

“We want the Motel 8 on the Boulevard.  It’s off the main drag.”

 

He gave directions to Josiah and soon they were pulling up into the parking lot of the Motel 8.  They all piled out, thanking Josiah and JD for the ride.  Everyone shook hands.

 

“Glad to help, boys.  You take care.”

 

Ethan watched as the van left the parking lot and headed back in the same direction they had been going.

 

“I’ll check us in, David.  Everyone wait here.”

 

Ethan headed into the hotel lobby.  A few minutes later he returned dangling two keys. 

 

“We have adjoining rooms, around the back on the second floor.”

 

The men all followed him up the stairs and to the rooms.  David entered first and opened the door leading to the other.

 

“I got dibs on the shower.”  Shawn yelled as he started peeling off damp clothes. 

 

“I get the other shower then.”  David said.

 

“Gentlemen, how about giving me your clothes sizes, I will proceed to the local mall our proprietor told me about and get us some new clothes.”

 

“You plan on stealing ‘em?”

 

“No, George.”  Ethan held his hands out palms up showing them empty and then reached behind George’s ear and pulled out a credit card.

 

“It’s the American way to charge.”  Ethan grinned.

 

“Hey, where’d ya get that?”  Ed asked.

 

“The man who gave us a ride kindly loaned it to us, though he doesn’t know that yet.”  Ethan’s gold tooth showed as he smiled.

 

When Ethan had jotted down all the sizes he left, leaving the men to return to fighting over the shower.

 

***

 

Ethan picked out some clothes for himself first and changed in the dressing room.  It felt good to be in dry clothes.  He shopped for the other men, getting jeans and t-shirts.  He flirted with the young salesclerk as she rung up his purchases.  Soon he was headed out the door.

 

Vin stood in the mall waiting for Ezra to come out of the store.  Chris had not let him go with Josiah in the van and he was still fuming.  All he wanted to do was see Ezra, it had been months.  The few minutes in the woods had just whetted his appetite. 

 

He shifted where he leaned against the wall outside of Barnes and Noble.  He had a perfect view of the store Ezra had entered.  He was rewarded thirty minutes later.

 

Vin saw Ezra exit the store.  He took long confident strides, his head up and his eyes straight ahead.  Ezra now wore a black muscle shirt and black jeans.  His jaw covered in auburn stubble. Vin could tell he’d been working out, his arms were cut.  Vin saw Ezra turn his head to look where Vin stood.  Ezra’s eyes locked with Vin’s.  Vin saw no expression on Ezra’s face but the look Ezra gave him was predatory. Suddenly a small smirk flitted across Ezra’s face and then he turned his head and continued to stalk through the mall. Vin noticed woman and men turning to look as Ezra passed.  He pushed himself off the wall and sighed.

 

***

 

Ethan took a cab back to the hotel.  He smiled thinking of the look on Vin’s face.  He hadn’t expected to see Vin at the mall but he allowed himself this brief moment to dwell on it.  He’d missed Vin and even the other men of the team. Vin’s hair was a little longer and he looked tan.  Ethan wondered if he’d been staying out at Chris’.  He had refused to let himself go talk to Vin; he couldn’t afford to be distracted from this case.  

 

He frowned.  What did Vin want?  If he was honest with himself he was still angry.  Why hadn’t Vin trusted him to back him up on their last case?  Vin had said he didn’t know when Ethan had lasted asked him.  He chuckled softly.  He wouldn’t use that other name.  To name him would be to let him out of that box.  It was better if he stayed there until this case was over.  Just as it was better if Ethan didn’t think about Vin or the other men he’d known before this case started.

 

***

 

“I hope you gentlemen left me some hot water?”  Ethan announced as he opened the door.

 

All four men were lounged around the hotel room watching television.  Each had a towel draped around his waist.

 

“Hey, you’re back.  Hurry up and take a shower.  We’re starved.”  George said as David took the one of the bags from Ethan.

 

“Yeah, we told George we weren’t ordering no damn pizza.  We voted and we want steak.”

 

“That sounds like a good plan to me.  Let me take a shower and I’ll be ready.  We’ll have to go later to get shoes for the rest of you.  I doubt yours will dry anytime soon.”

 

Ethan stood savoring the feel of the hot water running down his body.  It felt wonderful to be warm.  He wished he could run a bath and just let the heat seep into him but he could hear the others outside grumbling that he was taking too long.  He finished his shower and redressed in his new clothes.

 

He allowed himself to look in the mirror.  He rubbed his hand across his jaw.  He liked this look.  He hadn’t expected that he would but it suited Ethan.

 

“Come on, Rambo and stop primping.  We – are – hungry!”  David said emphasizing each word.

 

Ethan opened the door and smiled.  They were all standing near the door and shifting restlessly. 

 

“I saw a steakhouse a few blocks over.  Care to walk?”  Ethan said smiling broadly.

 

“Walk?”  Shawn and Ed said together.

 

“We’re sick of walking.  We called a cab.”  George huffed.

 

“It should be here any minute.”  David was glancing out the window.  “Oh, there it is.  Let’s go.”

 

***

 

“Chris, I need to talk to him.”

 

“Are you forgetting he is undercover?  That’s he isn’t suppose to have contact?”

 

“That’s a dumb ass question, Larabee.  Course I ain’t forgotten since that’s the damn reason I ain’t seen him in months.  I just need ta talk to him for a few minutes.”

 

Chris ran a hand through his hair.

 

“I don’t know, Vin.”

 

“Damn it, Chris.”

 

“Okay, let me run it by Ezra.  If he says okay...”

 

“All right, ask Ez.  See what he says.”

 

Vin knew he was being rash and that he had meant to wait to talk to Ezra but being this near him, knowing things between them were unsettled was driving him nuts.  He just needed to talk to him.

 

***

 

Ethan sat in the restaurant where he could keep an eye on the door.  He kept his face blank as he saw Chris Larabee enter.  Chris met his eye and then headed toward the restrooms.

 

“Excuse me, nature calls,” Ethan grinned as he got up.

 

He received groans from the others at that comment as he left the table.  Ethan gave a cursory glance to the other stalls.

 

“Is something wrong, Mr. Larabee?”

 

“No, just need a minute.”

 

Ethan raised an eyebrow.  “I would assume it must be important for you to risk being seen here.”

 

Chris pinched the bridge of his nose.  When Ezra put it that way it did seem stupid for him to be here but he had promised Vin.

 

“Well, it’s important to Vin.  He wanted me to ask if you could talk to him.  Face to face.”

 

“I don’t think that is wise at this time, Mr. Larabee.  The others would wonder where I am as we are waiting on word from David’s associate.  Plus-“ Ethan paused.  He didn’t want to try it to Chris.

 

“I do not like to divide my attention when I am undercover.  A distraction at this time is not prudent.”

 

“I understand, Ezra, I told him I would ask.”

 

“I must insist that you do not call me by that name.  You do not seem to understand-” Ethan turned and headed toward the door.  He paused with his hand on the handle.

 

“I will try and call him if it is possible tonight or perhaps tomorrow.  Use the earpiece to relay the number.  I cannot promise more.”

 

Ethan opened the door and left.

 

Chris leaned on the sink, crossing his arms.  He could tell this operation had been difficult on Ezra and he hated making it more so.  But it looked like this case would be wrapping up soon and things could get back to normal.

 

***

 

“Any word from your contact yet, David?”

 

“He’s suppose to call in the morning.  Me and the boy are gonna head over to a strip club.  You coming?”

 

“No, I think I’ll pass this time.  Y’all have a good time for me all right?”

 

“You sure, Ethan?  Don’t seem right you staying back at the hotel by yourself.”

 

Ethan smiled. “I’ll be fine, George.  It will be nice to be alone for awhile.”

 

Ethan walked slowly back to the hotel.  It would be nice to be alone.  Peace and quiet.  He’d missed that.  In prison you were never alone.  You couldn’t even go to the bathroom without a crowd.  He wanted to lay on the bed and listen to nothing.

 

Ethan stretched out on the double bed and kicked off his shoes.  He wished he could open the window and listen to the night sounds but these windows didn’t open.

 

“You ready for the number?”   Chris’ voice sounded in his ear.

 

“Yes.”

 

He jotted down the number on a piece of paper by the phone.  He stared at it.  Should he call Vin?  Did he want to know what Vin had to say?   He knew Vin was a stubborn man but it must be important if Vin had asked Chris to speak with him.   He picked up the phone.

 

“Ezra?”  Vin answered the phone on the first ring.

 

Ethan felt a stab of pain that made his gut twist.

 

“You asked for me to call and I am sure Mr. Larabee relayed to you my request that no one use that name.”

 

“I’m sorry, Ez...I mean I’m sorry.  It’s good to hear your voice.”

 

Ethan squeezed his eyes shut.  This had been a terrible idea.  Vin was already stirring up all the things he’d been trying to keep tamped down.

 

“I do not know how long I will be alone so if you will get to the point.”

Ethan didn’t try to stop the anger from sounding in his voice.

 

Vin was silent a moment.

 

“I know this ain’t the right time but you left and- damn, this is harder than I thought.   I’ve been thinking since you’ve been gone Ez.... Sorry – hell.  I wanna say I’m sorry I didn’t trust ya, I shouldn’t have accused you-“

 

Vin stared at the phone as the line went dead. 

 

Ethan sat with his hand still on the phone.  He couldn’t listen to Vin anymore.  Couldn’t stand to hear his voice.  How could he be sure Vin meant it?  The one person he had trusted in the team and Vin had turned on him.  Ethan jumped up.  Ezra had burst out of the box, all the weakness that friendship brought out in him.  Ethan needed strength; he needed to be focused.  He couldn’t let –

 

Ethan paced the hotel room that was suddenly too small.  In prison he’d had the distraction of keeping an eye out for the men he lived with – keeping them safe and keeping himself safe.  Now he was alone with Ezra running loose in his head.  He needed to get out of this room.  He called a cab and left a few minutes later.

 

***

 

“What happened, Vin?”

 

“He hung up on me,” Vin looked up at Chris.  “Why did he hang up?”

 

Chris sat on the bed beside Vin.  “I told you, Vin, he’s stretched thin on this case.  He’s having trouble keeping a grip.  Talking to you probably just made it worse.”

 

Vin shook his head.  “I didn’t want to make things rough for him, I just needed ta try and explain."

 

Vin sat with his head in his hands.  “I fucked up, didn’t I?  I shouldn’t have pushed him.”

 

***

 

Hey, it’s Ethan!  Pull up a chair, man.”

 

Ethan made his way through the crowd to the table the others had near the stage.  A tall blonde woman was strutting back and forth near them on the runway.  Shawn and Ed were waving dollar bills a the end of the stage.

 

“You gave them money?”  Ethan inclined his head toward them.

 

David and George laughed. 

 

“Only way to keep ‘em quiet.  They’re getting lap dances later.”

 

Ethan ordered a beer from the waitress and then leaned back in his chair.

 

“And what about you two?”

 

“I want the real thing, not some half-naked woman squirming in my lap.  I ain’t embarrassing myself in front of strangers.”  David sipped his beer.

 

“Then we will try and keep those two from getting into too much mischief.”

 

Ethan grinned back at the other two.  This was what he needed to get his head back on straight.  He’d let these men he had taken under his wing and the dancers get his head back into the game.

 

***

 

“Ezra is using my credit card?” 

 

Josiah’s voice boomed through the hotel room.  “And now he’s running it up at a strip club?”

 

“Now, Josiah.  I’m sure he’ll pay you back.”  Buck said from where he sat in one of the small chairs.

 

Josiah’s face broke out into a wide smile.

 

“That’s my boy.  Hell, I didn’t even know he’d picked my pocket.”

 

JD rolled his eyes.  “I’m gonna have to get him to teach me that one.  Ezra sure is slick.”

 

Nathan grunted but said nothing.

 

They all glanced at Vin who was staring at the television.  Chris motioned to the others.

 

“Time we turned in.  I think Ezra will be okay for the rest of the night.  Buck, you can share the room across the hall with me if you want.  You four can fight it out yourselves over the other two.”

 

“Nathan, care to bunk with me in the other room?”

 

“Sure, Josiah.  I’m ready to turn in.  Night fellas.”

 

The others left leaving JD with Vin, who continued to look blankly at the TV.  JD sighed and went to take a shower.

 

***

 

When Ethan woke the first thing he noticed was how quiet it was.  He could hear birds chirping outside.  George’s soft snores from the other bed had ended some time in the night.  Ethan had learned to block them out.  He, David and George were sharing one room while Shawn and Ed had the other.  Ethan had gotten them all back to the hotel around two am.  He had taken another shower once he had gotten them to bed, washing the stink of smoke out of his hair.  He was glad he had splurged and gotten himself another change of clothes.  He chuckled wondering what Josiah would say once he found out his credit card had been lifted.

 

Ethan sighed and stretched.  The bed felt wonderful.  He glanced at his watch.  Six am.  Seemed he was still on prison time.  He doubted he would be able to get back to sleep so quietly dressed and went outside.  He could see part of the sunrise from the second floor.  He stood a moment enjoying his first sight of it in months.  He took a deep breath.  People took their freedom for granted and he planned to change his attitude about it. 

 

He walked down the stairs and to the 7-11 he had seen on their ride back to the hotel.  He bought coffee and a paper.  The sky was still cloudy but he could see the sun trying to peek through.  As he walked slowly back to the room he wished he could just take a day off.  A day for himself.  A day not pretending.  He shook his head.  Hopefully this case would be over soon. 

He glanced around as he climbed the stairs at the motel.  No sign of the white surveillance van.  He guessed they had decided to take the night off.

 

***

 

Ethan sat reading the paper and drinking his coffee as he waited for the others to wake up.  David, as usual, was the first.  David looked over to where Ethan sat in the chair by the window.

 

“You went out already?  What time is it?”  David rubbed his hand over his face.

 

“It’s seven now.  I brought you some coffee.  Hope it’s still warm.”

 

David sat on the side of the bed and held his head.

 

“God, I got a hangover!  Wish I had some aspirin.”

 

Ethan grinned as he nodded to the bag on the table.

 

“I thought y’all could use some.  I saw a Waffle House down the block, once everyone is up.  Some food should help.”

 

“Damn, I love Waffle House!  Love those taters, how they’re chopped up.”

 

David got up and shook a few aspirins into his hand and washed them down with the lukewarm coffee.

 

“Ain’t hot but it’s better than that shit we’ve been drinking.  I’m gonna jump in the shower ‘fore old King Kong here gets up.”  He jerked his head to where George slept.  He took the coffee into the bathroom with him.

 

***

 

They all sat at a booth at the Waffle House.  They had pulled a chair up to the end so they could all sit together and it was crowded with the five men and endless plates of food.  They all leaned back now, stuffed.

 

“Got a meeting with my friend at ten.  Wanna go with me, Ethan?”

 

“Of course, David.”

 

“You guys can either hang out at the motel or meet up back there at around noon.  Don’t think this’ll take too long.”

 

“I’m gonna get some more sleep.”  George said yawning.

 

“Yeah, sounds like a good idea.  Meet us there, David.  Then we can go eat again.”  Ed seconded.

 

Ethan shook his head.  “Sleeping?  Where are those eager men from last night?”

 

“We need to recoup Ethan.  We ain’t young anymore.”  Shawn grinned.

 

They all laughed and headed back to the hotel.

 

***

 

“David, it’s good to see ya, man.  I thought something happened to ya.”

 

“I’m fine, Scott.  We took a little detour is all.”  David grinned over at Ethan.

 

“A unplanned detour.”  Ethan added.

 

“So, this your friend?”  Scott looked at Ethan.

 

“Yeah, he’s the one I told you about.  He’s cool.”

 

“If you say so.  I talked to Murano.  He needs some people out in Washington.  Got a big deal going on with those kits.”

 

“Where and when?”

 

Scott shook his head.  “Don’t have no details.  Just needs some people out there ASAP.  You interested?”

 

Ethan mentally groaned.  Great.  No information to pass on.  Just the same name.  He glanced at David.

 

“How we gonna get there?  We ain’t got any money.”

 

“I got money to fly you out and some extra to get you outfitted.  Murano’s got that taken care of.  I just need to know how many.”

 

David looked at Ethan and saw him give a little shake of his head.

 

“Let me go talk to the boys.  See how many are interested.  You said something about going out of the country?”

 

“Murano will discuss that once you get there but yeah, he needs some to handle taking them kits to their new owners.  Giving demos.”

 

“Okay, let me run it by them.”

 

“All right but I need an answer tonight.  Schedule’s tight now.”

 

“Fine, I’ll call ya tonight.”

 

“Whadda ya think, Ethan?”  David said as they took a cab back to the motel.

 

“I don’t know, David.  It would have been nice to have more information.”  Ethan glanced at the cab driver and then at David, who nodded.

 

“Yeah.”  David turned looking out the window.

 

***

Ethan went to the restrooms after they had arrived at the steak house for lunch.  It was the same they had gone to the night before, so he knew there was a payphone inside.

 

He quickly filled Travis in on the information he had received.  He heard the complaints coming from the earpiece before he had finished his conversation.

 

“I suggest, Mr. Larabee that you call Judge Travis and discuss your misgivings with him and not shout them in my ear.  I am taking this out now.”

 

He stuffed the piece in his pocket and went back to the table to order lunch.

 

***

 

“Judge, you can’t seriously be thinking of sending Ezra to Washington.  He’s been undercover for long enough.”

 

Chris paced the hotel room.  He could hear grumbling coming from the receiver in the surveillance van that JD and Josiah were now occupying.

He moved the cell phone to his other ear.

 

“Yes, I know Judge.  I understand, it’s just.... Okay, okay!  We’ll let him decide.”

 

Chris clicked the phone closed and turned to Buck and Vin who sat in the room watching him pace.

 

“He ain’t gonna let him go is he, Chris?”

 

“Yeah, Chris.  Ezra’s done his part.  They need to let someone else take over.”

 

Chris sat on the edge of the bed and tossed the phone beside him.

 

“Judge says it’s up to Ezra.  Though he would prefer that Ezra stick it out.  He’s come this far...” Chris let the rest go.

 

“No.  Travis needs to make him quit.  You said it yerself.  Ez is stretched too thin.”  Vin stood and glared at Chris.

 

Chris looked at him in surprise.  “Make Ezra quit?  Since when can anyone make Ezra do anything he doesn’t want to?  I know you’re worried, Vin but it’s up to Ezra to decide.”

 

Buck shared a look with Chris as Vin began to pace the room.  How much longer would this case last?

 

***

 

Ethan sat on the bed while the others watched a movie.  He had tried to talk David into only taking him to Washington and convincing the others to lay low until they returned, but he wasn’t able to come up with a convincing reason.  Ethan hoped the ATF would be able to plan a bust soon after their arrival in Washington so all of them could be taken in together.  There was too much of a chance of them being separated and then how could he look after them?

 

He kneaded his forehead.  He had a bad headache.  He had hoped this case would be over soon and now – who knew?  He had tried to replace the earpiece but all he heard was JD and Josiah arguing, obviously they had forgotten the mike was on. 

 

“You are giving me a headache.”  Ethan said quietly in his transmitter.

 

“You say something, Ethan?” 

 

David turned from where he was sprawled out on the other bed.

 

“Just saying I had a headache.  Are the aspirins in the bathroom?”

 

“Yeah, I put ‘em on the counter.”  He looked at his watch.  “Gonna call Scott in a few minutes, then we can go eat.”

 

“I’m not hungry.  Perhaps you could just bring something back for me?”

Ethan said as he entered the bathroom.

 

He got three aspirins and poured himself some water.  His eyes caught in the mirror as he swallowed.

 

“Soon.”  He said to the face looking back at him.  He could see how tired he looked.  “Soon, my friend, it will be over.”

 

But what then?  Did he return to Ezra’s life?  Pick up where Ezra had left off?  He didn’t know if he even liked Ezra anymore.  A knocking on the door interrupted his thoughts.

 

“You okay in there?”  George’s concerned voice came from the other side.

 

Ethan opened the door and smiled.

 

“I’m fine, George.  Just a headache.”

 

“We’re gonna go eat, give you some peace and quiet.”  David said.  “I called Scott.  We’re meeting at ten tomorrow.”

 

“Fine.  I think I’ll just lay down, give these aspirin a chance to work.”

 

Ethan smiled to the others as they left and then turned off all the lights, just leaving the one in the bathroom on.  He replaced the earpiece.

 

“Did you hear that?”

 

“Yes,” Josiah’s voice said in his ear.  “Ten am tomorrow.  “Get some rest, son.  We’ve got your back.”

 

“Sound advice Josiah.  Sound advice.”

 

***

 

The five men sat at the Wilmington airport later that evening.  They were scheduled on a flight to Seattle.  Scott had provided them with money and identification.  Ethan sat savoring a venti cup of Starbuck’s coffee.  He laughed as he realized he was heading for the home of Starbucks.  Somehow that seemed apropos.

 

He had informed Chris that he was discarding the earpiece until they arrived in Seattle.  He wasn’t sure if Murano would check them for wires and he wasn’t sure about it.  He knew the Velcro transmitter was passive and would not be picked up.

 

Later he sat by David on the plane.  He had not seen any of the others from Team Seven on board.  Perhaps they were taking another flight.

 

“You got family, Ethan?”

 

Ethan was surprised by the question.  The others had never talked much about their family.

 

“I have a mother, if you can call her that.  She did give birth to me but beyond that-“

 

“My ma died a couple of years ago.  She was the best.  Always trying to keep me out of trouble.  George, he’s like my brother.  His pa’s a drunk and his ma ain’t much better.  We’ve been friends since elementary school.  I try and look out for him.”

 

“How did you get involved in all this?”  Ethan waved a hand.

 

David sighed.  “My idea.  After my ma died, I tried to work but we were always living hand to mouth.  I was looking for some easy money.  Ran into this guy at a gun show told me I could earn some fast money-selling gun kits.  I didn’t know they were illegal at first.  Then-” He shrugged.

 

“But you didn’t have much time left on your sentence.”

 

“Yeah, but there ain’t much a con can do.  And Murano promised to help me out.”

 

They sat silently for a few minutes.

 

“So what about you, Ethan?  Got some friends, somebody you care about?”

 

Ethan was quiet and David had thought he had pried too much.  “You don’t gotta answer.”

 

“I have some people I call friends.  They don’t often trust me though and one who I thought did....  Well, we had a falling out.  I’m reassessing my options.”  Ethan grinned.

 

“Don’t see how that is possible, Ethan.”

 

“What is that?”

 

“How they couldn’t trust ya.  Hell, I trusted ya the first day I met ya.  When I saw you risk your own neck for that poor kid in the showers.  We were afraid to try and take 'em and it was four of us.  I’d trust ya with my life, Ethan.  And I’d stand up for ya.”

 

He frowned in thought.  “This friend of yours, the one ya trusted.  You care about him don’t ya?  Still I mean?”

 

Ethan looked at him.  “What are you trying to say?”

 

David held a hand up.  “Don’t get all Rambo on me.  You talk in your sleep sometime.  Don’t say much so don’t worry,” David said at the look on Ethan’s face.  “You’ve mentioned the name Vin.”

 

“Everybody makes mistake, Ethan.  Hell, George there has made me so mad we’ve come to blows more times than I can remember.  And we all say and do stupid shit when we’re pissed.  All I’m saying is maybe you oughta give this Vin another chance.  Everybody deserves a second chance, especially if it’s someone who means a lot to ya.”

 

David leaned back his seat.  “Gonna try and sleep.  Maybe George won’t snore at this altitude.  Whadda ya think?”

 

“I think you are a wise man, David but some things are out of our hands.”

 

*** 

 

Chris chuckled from where he sat at the front of the plan.  He had made sure he was one of the last to board and had gotten a first class seat so he wouldn’t be seen.  The Judge had forbidden them all to follow Ezra so only Chris had.  Leave it to a kid to give advice to Ezra.  He hoped Ezra took it.  But he didn’t like it that Ezra didn’t think they trusted him. 

 

***

 

Ethan stared out the window even though it was dark out and he could see nothing.  He thought about what David had said.  Should he give Vin another chance?  Wasn’t he better off without friendship and all the complications that went with it?  He thought back to when he had first joined Team Seven.  Vin had been the first to make gestures of friendship and then over time their friendship had grown into trust.

 

When he left he was sure Vin no longer trusted him or even wanted to be his friend.  All that Jack business.  Just thinking on the man still filled him with anger.  But what did he have to be angry for?  It was Vin that Jack had hurt; Vin had the right to be angry and hurting.  Where he could only claim the right to feeling left out and unneeded.  And that had hurt, it still hurt.  To think that Vin hadn’t turned to him, that Vin hadn’t trusted him enough know that he would back him up, be there for him.  Or that Vin thought Ezra had something to do with it.

 

He sighed.  This was getting him nowhere.  Nothing could be done until this case was over and dwelling on the past was pointless.  The past was done; nothing could be taken back or done over.  He just had to figure out where to go from here.

 

***

 

“David!  Good to see you again.” 

 

An man who appeared to be in his thirties greeted them when the plane arrived in Seattle. 

 

“Hey, Bryan.  I didn’t expect to see you here.”

 

They shook hands and then David introduced everyone.

 

“Any luggage?  No?  I have a van waiting.  I’ll take you to a hotel then in the morning you can meet with Murano.  He’s looking forward to meeting your friends.”

 

Ethan saw Bryan studying them all.  They grabbed their carry on bags and followed him out to the mini van.

 

***

 

Chris had stationed himself where he could see when Ezra deplaned and who met him.  He followed at a discreet distance and followed them to the hotel.  It wasn’t far from the airport and he figured he might as well stay there too.  He hoped Ezra would replace the earpiece soon so he could let him know he was there.

 

***

 

Ethan had noticed Chris in the airport but no one else.  Had Chris been the only one to come?  He had argued with Travis that there was no need for all of Team Seven to follow him to Seattle.  He was afraid they would be seen.

He figured Chris would tail them to the hotel.  As long as Chris could hear, he saw no need to use the earpiece yet.

 

***

 

“So when is Larabee coming back?  Don’t we have that conference to go to at the end of the week?”

 

Randy Brooks had started questioning them when they had arrived at work Wednesday morning.  They were all pissed that they had not been allowed to go with Chris to Seattle.

 

“Chris hasn’t forgotten the conference.  We don’t leave until Friday night.”

 

Buck watched as Randy headed back to his desk, satisfied for the moment.

 

“That man is a pain in the ass.  He only cares about himself.”

 

“Well, Buck, maybe we’ll be rid of him soon.  Let’s hope things go down quickly in Seattle and Chris will bring Ezra home,” Josiah said leaning back in his chair.

 

“You think he’ll come back, Josiah?”  Vin had joined them, coffee cup in hand.

 

“Don’t you think he will, Vin?”

 

“I don’t know, Buck.  Can’t get a handle on him.  I think I might have made things worse.”

 

“Now, Vin.  You know Ezra gets wrapped up in a case and he’s been undercover without contact for awhile now.  I’m sure he’ll be back.”

 

“Hope your right, Josiah.”

 

Josiah smiled reassuringly and hoped he was right too.

 

***

 

“David, I’m so glad you have made it here safe.  And you’ve brought your friends with you.  Fine, fine.”  Edward Murano beamed as the men came into the warehouse the next morning.

 

He glanced at Bryan who nodded.  Bryan had checked all the men out and everything had come back clean.  All had some tidbit of information that could be used to keep them in line, if necessary.

 

“Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

 

He gestured for them to be seated around the table in the office.

 

“I am in the process of making a business deal with an exporter for 8,000 machine-gun kits.  More if things go well.  I need you men to help get the kits ready and a few of you to go demonstrate them to our buyer.  Any of you speak Spanish?”

 

“I am fluent in Spanish.”  Ethan said.

 

“¿Es ése Sr. correcto Hawke?”

 

“Sí, usted me encontrará no tiene ningún problema el hablar de la lengua.”

 

“Good.  David, if you could accompany him when the time comes?”

 

“Sure, Mr. Murano.  But I don’t speak much Spanish.”

 

“That’s okay.  Well, that is wonderful, Bryan will show you what we require of you here and then later I will get with you and Mr. Hawke.  I expect to have things ready to ship out by next week.”

 

Mr. Murano stood up.  “Bryan, if you will show them what we need.  Good day, gentlemen.”

 

Ethan took a deep breath.  Finally, this case was coming together.  He hoped Chris had picked up all the information on the wire. 

 

***

 

“Yeah, Judge.  He’s shipping out machine-gun kits.  No, he didn’t say where but asked if they spoke Spanish.  I’m sure we can get details once we raid the place.”  Chris paused.

 

“He said he wanted to ship out next week.  I’d like my men here on the bust.”

 

“Yes, I’m aware we are in another jurisdiction but Judge...alright.  See what you can do officially but unofficially we’ll still be here.  Shit... no, I forgot about that.  It doesn’t start till Monday, right?  Okay.  Okay.  I’ll wait to hear from you.”

 

Chris looked at his watch.  It was one PM.  Would the others be back from lunch?  He hoped so.  If Travis wanted to raid this place this weekend, he planned on having Team Seven there one way or the other to back Ezra up.

 

He picked up the phone again.

 

“ATF, Agent Tanner.”

 

“Vin, glad I got somebody.  I thought you might all still be at lunch.”

 

“The others ain’t back yet.  I had counseling today.”

 

“Shit, that’s right.  I’ve lost track of time.”

 

“Everything okay?”

 

“Yeah, looks like we made raid this place this weekend.  Look, call me back here when the others get there.  I’ll do this on speaker phone, okay?”

 

“Let me get a pen.  Ok, go ahead.”

 

Chris relayed the number.

 

“Uh, Chris.  Is Ezra okay?”

 

“He’s fine, Vin.  We’ll have him home soon, I promise.”

 

“Thanks.  I’ll call ya back when the others are here.”

 

***

 

“Yes, Tony?   You did?  Are you sure?  No, you did the right thing.  Bring him here.”

 

Murano hung up the phone.  He leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked.

An interesting development had occurred.  He pressed the intercom button.

 

“Bryan, bring the others in.”

 

A few minutes later Bryan had assembled all the men in Murano’s office.  Ethan could tell something was up by the look on Murano’s face.  It didn’t look good.

 

“Tony has brought us a visitor.”  Murano nodded to Bryan who stepped out.

“Now all we need to do is find out who this visitor is.”

 

Ethan felt his blood run cold as he saw Chris pushed through the door.  A quick glance showed he was unharmed so far.  Chris let his gaze fall on all the men in the room, skimming briefly over Ethan.  Chris gave him a slight shake of his head.

 

“What were you doing outside my warehouse Mister...?”

 

“It’s a free country,” Chris said as he tried to jerk free of Bryan’s grasp.

 

“Yes, I’ve heard that.”  Murano smiled slowly.  “But my part of the country is not.  I will not repeat myself again.  What were you doing?”

 

“I was looking for something.”

 

“Something or someone?”   Murano turned to the other men.  “Any of you recognize this man?”

 

All the men shook their heads.  Ethan was racking his brain trying to think of a way to get Chris out of this.  He saw Chris glance at his pocket.  Shit.

There was the transmitter that JD had rigged so Chris could pick up Ethan’s signal.  It was disguised as a pen.

 

Ethan stepped forward.  “May I take a closer look?”

 

Murano nodded.

 

Ethan walked over to Chris and stared at him.  He walked slowly around him.

 

“I think I’ve seen him at the hotel.  Are you staying there?”  Ethan got up in Chris’ face.

 

“Wanna narrow that down a bit, asshole?  Lots of hotels around.”  Chris smirked at him.

 

Ethan grabbed him by the shirt and then shoved him.  “Watch your mouth.” 

 

Chris staggered back against Bryan.  Ethan turned, slipping the pen unnoticed into his pocket as Chris lost his balance and Bryan had to keep him from falling.

 

“I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him around the hotel, Mr. Murano.”

 

“Tony said he had seen him there also.  Perhaps Tony can loosen his tongue.  Take him out, Bryan.”

 

Bryan shoved Chris out the door.  Murano turned to the other men. 

 

“We will find out who this man is and what he is looking for.  Back to work.”

 

Ethan headed back out the door with the other men.  He wasn’t sure if anyone else was here in Seattle with Chris but he needed to get word to someone.

 

***

 

“No answer, Vin?”

 

“No.  The voicemail keeps picking up.  He said to call as soon as y’all got back.”

 

Buck rubbed a hand over his mustache.  “I’ll try the hotel, see if he’s back yet.  You keep trying the cell phone.”

 

Buck headed to his desk and began to dial.  Vin’s phone rang.

 

“Agent Tanner.”

 

“Vin, I’m glad you’re there.”

 

“Ezra!  Are you all right?”

 

“Yes, I need you to listen, Vin.  I don’t have much time.  Chris has been caught.  I don’t think his cover is blown yet nor mine.”

 

“Is he okay?”

 

“He was the last time I saw him.  Look, I don’t know what other teams are watching but I am not sure I can extricate him alone.  You need to get someone here to help him.”

 

“Where are you?  Chris is the only from our team there, I don’t know about any others.”

 

“I still have my ear piece and I have Chris’ transmitter.  Tell JD he’ll need to change the frequency.  Are you ready to copy the address?”

 

“Yeah, go ahead.”

 

Ethan gave the address to the warehouse.  “Chris was staying at the same hotel but they made him there so you’ll have to be careful when retrieving his belongings.  Signal me when you are in town but we should keep communications to a minimum.  Murano is suspicious.  I will contact you when possible.  In case anything goes wrong..”  Ethan paused.

 

“Don’t worry, Ez.  We’ll be there soon.”

 

“In case anything goes wrong,... I’m sorry, Vin.”

 

Vin sighed. “Me too, pard.”

 

***

 

“Okay.  I talked to the Judge.  We got the go ahead.  We all packed?”

 

Nathan nodded.  “Got the medical kits ready.”

 

“Got the frequencies changed on Ezra’s stuff and Chris’ ear piece set to receive from us.  I’ve got every piece of computer and comm equipment I think we might need.” JD brushed his bangs out of his eyes, trying not to appear nervous.

 

“Good, kid,” Buck said as he patted him on the back.

 

“Josiah and I got all the weapons and ammo we might need.  The van’s loaded.”

 

“What about him?”

 

Josiah nodded to where Randy sat ignoring them at his desk.

 

“He’s staying.  Judge said we didn’t have to take him unless we wanted to.  He’ll be in the way.  We got a plane waiting for us at the airport.  Let’s ride, pards.”

 

***

“What do you think, Tony?”

 

“He’s a stubborn sonvabitch.  He won’t say who he’s working with.  Couldn’t find much in his hotel room or his car.  I think he’s a fed.”

 

Murano nodded.  “Do you know who he might be working with?”

 

“Well, he shows up when David and the rest show up.  Might be a coincidence, then again.”

 

“Bring David in.”

 

***

 

Ethan tried not to act nervous when Tony came to get David.  He had thought this would be their next move.  Would they believe that David knew nothing?   Would the FBI teams try and rescue Chris or would they just wait and see what would happen?  He figured they would wait.  Why risk their operation on a rescue mission?  So it was up to him. 

 

***

 

An hour later Ethan approached Bryan.

 

“Where is David?” 

 

Bryan looked up from the papers he was working on.

 

“He’s with the boss.  Is there a problem?”

 

“No, we were working on the presentation for the buyers.  I need him to help me finish.”

 

“He should be back soon.  I’ll send him over.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Ethan left the office and headed down the hall.  There weren’t many places for privacy in the warehouse.  He figured if they were holding Chris here, he had to be in the back.

 

He worked his way through the warehouse to where some small storage rooms were near the rear of the warehouse.  He smiled when he saw the new lock fastened to the door.  Piece of cake.

 

He placed an ear to the door and closed his eyes.  He couldn’t hear any voices from inside.  In a few seconds he had the lock picked.  He slowly opened the door.

 

A single bulb lit the room.  He saw Chris chained to a small cot.  A quick glance around the wall showed no one else inside.  Ethan eased the door closed and quickly crossed the room.  As he neared the cot, Chris made a lunge for him.

 

“It’s me.”  Ethan whispered as he leaped back.

 

“About damn time.”  Chris hissed back. 

 

Ethan could see his face was bruised, his lip split.

 

“I’m sorry, but I’m not here to release you, yet.  Do you still have your ear piece?”

“Whadda ya mean, you ain’t here to get me out?”

 

“I don’t have time for this,” Ethan growled.  “Do you have your ear piece?”

 

“Yeah, they didn’t find it.”

 

“I’ve contacted the team and they are on the way.  JD is changing it so you can receive them.  Have you seen David?”

 

“David?”

 

“The kid I’ve been with.”

 

“No, I haven’t seen him.”

 

“I’m afraid they suspect you are working with him.  I’ve got to go.”

 

“All right.  Watch your back.”

 

Ethan smiled as he slipped out the door.  “I always do.”

 

***

“Chris?”

 

“Hmm...”

 

“Chris?”

 

“Huh?”  Chris sat up.  The room was dark, only a small sliver of light showed under the door.  He thought he’d heard someone calling him.

 

“Who is there?”

 

“He hears me!  Chris, its JD.  We’re in Seattle.”

 

“How can you hear me?”  Chris looked around.

 

“You must have a transmitter.”  JD’s voice sounded in his ear.

 

“Ezra took the pen.”  The pen.  Chris felt around on his shirt.  He smiled into the darkness.  There on the inside of his shirt he felt the Velcro dot transmitter. 

 

“Sly bastard.”

 

“Chris, you all right, stud?”

 

“I’m fine, Buck.  Just a little bruised.”

 

“We’re leaving the airport now. Old Buck to the rescue.”

 

“My hero.”

 

Buck chuckled.  “I’ll let ya thank me later.”

 

***

 

Ethan returned to hotel but still there was no sign of David. 

 

“Have you heard from David, George?”

 

“Nah, Murano told us we could leave for the day.  Think something is wrong?”

 

“I hope not.  Is Tony here?”

 

“Yeah, saw him down in the lounge.”

 

Ethan turned and left.  As he was riding in the elevator he heard Vin’s voice in his ear.

 

“We’re leaving the airport now.  Should be there in about an hour.  If you’ve still got Chris’ pen, we should be able to hear you.”

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

“Good.  We’ve contacted Chris so he knows we’re coming.”

 

“I am heading back to the warehouse momentarily.”

“You take care of yourself, Ezra.  We got that conversation to finish.”

 

“I am looking forward to it, Mr. Tanner.”

 

***

 

“Hey, Tony,” Ethan pulled up a stool at the bar, “you seen David?”

 

Tony cut his eyes at Ethan.  “Yeah, he’s still at the warehouse.”

 

“Right.  Think I’ll head over and pick him up then.”

 

“Why?”

 

“We still have some details to go over before our trip.  Anything wrong?”

 

Tony shook his head.  “Nah, Mr. Murano is still there, too.  They should be in the office.”

 

Ethan nodded then left. Tony watched as him leave and then picked up his cell phone.

 

“Mr. Murano, Ethan is on his way over there.  Yeah.  No, I don’t think he suspects anything.  Okay, I’m on my way.”    He closed his phone and headed out.

 

***

 

Ethan had a feeling that Murano suspected David of being involved with Chris.  He had to make sure David was safe.  He kept an eye on the rear view mirror but didn’t see anyone tailing him.  He parked near the back of the warehouse.  No one was visible when he entered; it was quiet until he neared the office.  He heard raised voices.

 

“I’m telling ya, I don’t know nothing about him.”

 

Ethan opened the door, which was unlocked.  Inside, Chris was tied to a chair, as was David.  David’s face was bruised and bleeding.

 

“Do we have a problem here, gentlemen?”

 

Murano smiled as Ethan entered.

 

“Well, look who we have here.  I wondered if you would show up, since you are David’s friend.”

 

“Yes, I am.  What is going on here, Mr. Murano?”

 

“David isn’t being cooperative in telling me who this man is.”  He nodded towards Chris.

 

“I told ya, asshole, I don’t know that kid.”  Chris growled. 

 

Bryan backhanded him.

 

“Yes, I know you did.  But you see, I don’t believe you.”

 

“But you should have, Mr. Murano.  I told you I thought I recognized this man.”  He moved closer to Chris and leaned down to look into his face.  “Didn’t you have a brother?” 

 

“That’s right, you bastard.  I wondered if you’d remember me.  You got my brother killed.”   Chris moved in his chair.

 

Ethan smiled widely.

 

“Yes, now I remember.  But your brother got himself killed.  Buck, wasn’t that his name?”

 

Chris glared at him.

 

“Buck, he had a bad habit of sticking his nose where it didn’t belong.”

 

“You wait till I get my hands on you,” Chris snarled.

 

“So, you know this man?”  Mr. Murano demanded.

 

“I don’t know him but I was acquainted with his brother.  He was one of the suppliers I dealt with but he got greedy and it got him killed.”

“You got him killed!”  Chris yelled.  “I’ve been looking for you, you’re gonna pay.”

 

Murano smiled.  “Seems I have made a mistake.  No hard feelings I hope, David.”  He nodded to Bryan, who untied David.

 

“No...no, Mr. Murano.”  David rubbed at his raw wrists.

 

“Ethan, would you like a chance to settle this with,” he turned to Chris, “what is your name?”

 

“Chris.”

 

“Chris.”  He turned back to Ethan.  “You can do this man to man or I can have Bryan take him out back.”

 

Ethan smiled slowly.  “I think we can settle this ourselves, don’t you, Chris?”

 

“You untie me and we’ll settle this real quick.”

 

Bryan looked at Murano who nodded.  He untied Chris’ hands and stood back, hand resting on his gun.

 

“Let’s move this to where we have a little room.”  Ethan said as he moved to the door and glanced at his watch.  Twenty minutes until the rest of the team arrived.  They should be able to drag it out that long.

 

Murano led the way out, followed by Chris, Bryan and then David.  Ethan held a hand out as he passed.

 

“Are you all right, David?”

 

“Yeah, ain’t hurt too bad.  Thanks, Ethan, for coming to get me.”

 

Ethan gave him a tight smile.  “I’ve got your back, David.  Always.”

 

***

 

“Don’t wreck the damn van before we get there, Buck.”

“Hang on to yer hair, Josiah.  Think I wanna miss Chris and Ezra going at it?  Hell, wish we had brought the camcorder.”

 

JD laughed nervously.  He knew they were all worried that they wouldn’t get there in time.  What if this Murano decided to just end it with a bullet?

He glanced at his watch; they should be there any minute now.

 

***

 

Chris stumbled as Bryan shoved him out into the warehouse.  He glanced around but saw no immediate way to escape.  He watched as Ezra backed further into the warehouse, he gestured with his hands in the ‘come on’ sign.

 

Chris smiled and spit blood onto the floor.  Well, they would make this look good for their audience. 

 

“Come on, Chris.  Let’s see what you are made of.”  Ethan smiled wickedly as he gestured to Chris.

 

A small frown crossed Chris’ face as he took in the added muscle Ezra had put on since he’d been on this case.  What the hell had he been doing, lifting weights twenty-four hours a day?

 

They danced around each other a bit until Ethan landed a blow that knocked Chris’ head back.  The other men cheered.  Chris could hear groans in his ear.

 

“Moving a little slow there, Chris.  Too old to fight?”  Ethan purred.

 

Chris felt his face flush as he heard more groans in his ear and from the other men in the warehouse.  He was gonna wipe that smirk off Ezra’s face.

 

“I’ll show you old, you southern bastard.”

 

Chris feigned with his left and gave Ezra a right to the body.  Damn, Ezra was as solid as a brick!  But he managed to back him up some then Chris rocked him with a left to the head.  Ethan staggered back and then moved out of the way and circled Chris.

 

“Guess you still have a few tricks, for an old dog.”  Ethan laughed. 

 

He tried to side step but Chris charged him, knocking him into some boxes.  Both men tumbled to the ground.

 

“ATF, everybody down on the ground!”

 

The other men froze and then went for their guns.  Bodies dove for cover.  Ethan reached down and pulled a small gun from his ankle holster.  He handed it to Chris.

 

“Here, take this, Chris.”

 

Before Chris could refuse, Ezra was gone.

 

Ethan worked his way around to where he had last seen David.  He wasn’t about to let the kid get shot.  He saw Bryan appear before him, shotgun in hand.  He smiled and then noticed Bryan looking to his right.  Damn!  Bryan was aiming right at Vin.  Ethan flung himself toward Vin, tackling and taking him to the ground as the shotgun blasted.  They landed hard on the ground.

 

“Ooof!”  Vin said as the air was knocked out of him from Ezra’s weight.

 

“Are you all right?”  Ethan said.

 

“Damn it, I’ve got a vest on, Ezra.”

 

“Oh, right.  I forgot.”  Ethan smiled. 

 

Vin pushed him up.  “Got work to do.  Stay out of trouble.”

 

“Got a spare gun, Vin?”

 

Vin grinned as he handed Ezra a Colt .45.  “Be sure to bring that back.”

 

***

 

 

Ethan moved through the warehouse looking for David.  He spotted him heading toward the rear with Mr. Murano.  He hurried after them.

 

“David!”  He yelled as he got nearer.

 

David hesitated then turned, he smiled as he saw Ethan.  “Come on, man.  We’re getting outta here.”

 

He turned back to follow Murano out the door and froze.  FBI agents were lined up outside the door.

 

“FBI, everybody on your knees!”

 

Ethan saw the agents raise their guns.  He made a run for David, grabbing him and spinning him just as they opened fire.  He felt a burning in his shoulder then nothing as he hit the ground hard.

 

***

 

“Damn it, that was my agent.  Who told you to open fire?”  Chris yelled as the ambulance approached.

 

“How were we suppose to know?  He had a gun and came running at us.”

 

Vin leaned over Ezra, holding a cloth to his wound.  David sat nearby in handcuffs.

 

“Are you Vin?”

 

Vin turned to look at him.  “Yeah, I’m Vin.”

 

David smiled.  “I thought you must be.  Ethan’s mentioned you.”

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I’m David.  Ethan’s cell mate.  Or I was, but I guess he wasn’t really a inmate.”

 

Vin smiled.  “No, Ezra was undercover.”

 

“Ezra?  That’s his name?”

 

Vin nodded.

 

“I like Ethan better.  Suits him,” David smiled.  “He saved my life, more than once.  He’s a good man.”

 

David paused and then continued.  “You need to give him another chance.  Don’t know what happened before, he didn’t say, but I know he’s worried about ya.  Ain’t none of my business but-” David paused again.  “I owe him.”

 

Vin smiled again.  “Thanks.”

 

David nodded then looked up as Chris approached.

 

“He all right?”  Chris said to Vin.

 

“I think so, got a big gash on his head where he hit the concrete.  His shoulder doesn’t look too bad.”

 

Chris motioned to the ambulance to move closer.

 

“You David?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Ezra told me about you.  We picked up your friends at the hotel.  Come on, they’ll take you to the station and then I’ll meet you there after I make sure Ezra’s okay.”

 

Vin moved aside as the EMT examined Ezra and put him on the stretcher.  Ethan’s eyes fluttered as they began to move him.

 

“Vin?”

 

“Right here, Ez.  They’re taking you to the hospital.”

 

“Everybody ok?  Is David?”  He tried to get off the stretcher.

 

“Everyone’s fine and David is right here,” Vin grabbed David and pulled him closer.  “See, lie back down.”

 

“I’m fine, Ethan.  Lie down so they can take ya to the hospital.”

 

Ethan grabbed his arm and pulled him closer.  “You okay?”

 

“I’m fine, Ethan.”  David repeated.

 

“The name is Ezra,” he said before he passed out.

 

***

 

He heard voices drifting in and out but they were soft, he couldn’t quite make them out.  He had to get out; he was in some kind of danger.  He tried to move but couldn’t.  Something was holding him down.

 

“Ezra.  Can you hear me?  Can you open your eyes?”

 

He could hear another voice, louder but he didn’t recognize it.  What did they want?  Was he in solitaire?  He’d heard about it but never been in.  Was that why it was so dark?

 

“Ez?  It’s me, Vin.  Can ya hear me?  You need to wake up now.”

 

Vin.  He could hear Vin.  Vin was looking for him.

 

“Vin?”  He said softly.

 

“Yeah, it’s me.  Can you open your eyes?  That’s right.”

 

Ezra’s eyes fluttered as he tried to open them.  The light was bright and harsh.  He closed them again.

 

“Come on, Ez.”

 

Ezra tried again.  He squinted against the light.

 

“Somebody turn those damn lights off,” he said, “are you trying to blind me?”

 

Vin burst out laughing, as did the other men crowded around the bed.

 

“Just what the hell do you think is so damn funny?” 

 

“Nothing, pard,” Buck leaned over and slapped him on the leg.  “We had bets on what your first words would be.”

 

“Yeah, I wasn’t even close.”  JD grumbled but he was smiling as he came closer.  “How ya feeling, Ezra?”

 

“Other than a splitting headache and my shoulder, I couldn’t feel better, JD.”  Ezra groaned as he tried to sit up.

 

“Let me help you, Ez.”  Vin hit the button and raised the bed.

 

“Your friends are over at the jail, they are all fine.  They’ll be transferred back to North Carolina in a couple of days.”  Chris moved so he was beside the bed.

 

“Did Judge Travis talk to the local FBI?”

 

“Yeah, he got everything straightened out.”

 

“What about Murano?  Did you get him?”

 

Ezra drank some of the water that Vin offered him.  He glanced at Vin but then looked back at Chris.

 

“We got Murano with all the goods.”  Josiah smiled from where he stood beside the door.  “You did good, Ezra.”

 

“When can I get out of here?”

 

“Not so fast, Ezra.  The doctor wants to keep you overnight at least.”  Chris said.

 

“I’m fine.”

 

Everyone looked at their watch. 

 

“Five minutes.  I got five minutes!”  Buck yelled smiling.

 

Ezra frowned.

 

“We bet if ya didn’t say that first thing, how long it would take before ya did,” JD stated.

 

Ezra started to get up.

 

“Okay, men.  I think it’s time we let Ezra get some rest,” Chris said as he started shoving the rest towards the door. 

 

“How the face, Chris?”  Ezra said smirking.

 

Chris grinned through a puffy lip.  “Not bad for an old dog.”

 

The others called good-byes as they headed out the door.  Vin remained seated by the bed.

 

“How ya really feeling?”

 

Ezra sighed as he settled back.  “Not too bad.  My head is killing me but I’m not sure if that is worse than my shoulder.”

 

“Doc left some pain medicine for ya.”  He reached for the pills on the table and handed Ezra the glass of water.  He sat it back on the table after Ezra had swallowed the two tablets.

 

“Are you staying?”

 

“If that’s all right?”

 

“Look, Vin, about-“

 

“Don’t worry about all that.  You take it easy.  I’ll sit here awhile.”

“Thanks,” Ezra said sleepily.

 

“Get some rest, Ezra.”

 

Vin pulled the covers up and leaned back in the chair as Ezra fell asleep.

 

***

 

 

“You sure yer okay to fly?”

 

Ezra rolled his eyes at Vin and the doctors who stood around his bed the next morning.

 

“I am fine.  I don’t think sitting on a plane is going to make me feel any worse.”

 

“I’m sending some medication along with you and a prescription.  You need to have your doctor check you out when you get back to Denver, Agent Standish.”

 

“Yes, fine doctor.  Thank you for all your help.”  Ezra began to get up.  “Where are my clothes?”

 

“Here.”  Vin handed him an overnight bag.  “Shirt you had on was ruined.  We picked up your stuff from the hotel.”

 

Ezra shuffled into the bathroom as the doctor turned to Vin.

 

“I’ve written some instructions down.  He needs to keep the stitches in his shoulder dry and he’s not to lift too much or he might break them.  Call me if you have any questions.”

 

“Thanks doc.  I’ll take good care of him.”

 

Vin glanced around the room to see if they had everything.  He looked toward the bathroom as the door opened.

 

Ezra wore another one of his muscle shirts, this one forest green which brought out the color in his eyes.  His jeans were black again and snug.  He looked nothing like Ezra Standish.

 

Ezra headed towards the bedside table, glancing towards Vin and he stopped at the look on Vin’s face.  He grinned.

 

“I look a little different.”

 

“Yeah, ya do.”

 

Ezra ran a hand through his short hair. 

 

“I find I like my hair like this.  It suited Ethan.”

 

“You’ve been working out.”

 

Ezra chuckled.  “Not much else to do in prison.”  His smile faded.

 

“You all right?”

 

Ezra picked up the glass on the bedside table and drained it.  He looked around the room.

 

“Yeah.  We ready to go?”

 

“Just gotta sign a few papers at the desk.”  Vin walked to the bathroom and retrieved the overnight bag.

 

Ezra put out a hand to stop him as he passed.  “Thanks for staying to fly back with me.”

 

Vin smiled. “Don’t gotta thank me, Ez.  That’s what friends are for.”

 

Ezra smiled then and moved toward the door.

 

“Glad your back, Ez.  Be good to have ya back home.”

 

“It’s good to be back.”

 

***

 

 

Vin stretched his long legs out and tried to get comfortable.  They had a two-hour wait before the plane took off.  Ezra sat in the chair beside him.  He groaned as he shifted.

 

“Go ahead and take a pain pill, Ez.  Since we gotta get here so early for a commercial flight you might as well be comfortable.”

 

Ezra sighed and sat up.  “They make me sleepy.”

 

“By the time the plane takes off you’ll be awake enough. You can lean on me and take a nap.”

 

“All right.  You wake me if you need to get up.”   He retrieved the pill bottle from his overnight bag and shook out a pill.  “I’ll just take one.  Just to take the edge off.  The flight isn’t that long.”

 

“It’s up to you.”

 

Ezra slouched down in the chair and leaned slightly against Vin, closing his eyes.

 

“You mentioned you were going to counseling, how’s that going?”

 

Vin shifted slightly in his chair so Ezra’s head was more on his shoulder.

 

“Pretty good.  Ms. Ivanson is a nice lady.”  He chuckled,  “Patient too.  Took her a while to get me ta talk.”

 

Ezra grinned.  “Yes, I imagine it did.”

 

“I’m sorry, Ezra.  I shouldn’t have shut ya out like I did.”

 

“I’m sure you had your reasons.”

 

“Don’t make it right.” 

 

“It wasn’t that I didn’t trust ya or anything.  I was ashamed on how I acted and well, that whole mess.  I should’ve talked to ya like I wanted, I just didn’t want ya thinking...thinking how stupid I was.”

 

“As a friend told me, we all make mistakes.  Maybe I should have made you talk to me.  I don’t know.”

 

“Think ya can forgive me?”

 

“Yes, I think I can do that, if you can forgive me.”

 

“For what?”

 

“For leaving, taking the easy way.  I’m sorry for going on that case, making you go through it all alone.”

 

Vin smiled.

 

“I think it was good ya did.  I think we both needed some space, time ta get our heads together.  Not that I want ya to do that again.”

 

They sat quietly a few minutes. 

 

“We all right?”

 

“I had considered leaving Denver.  I couldn’t imagine seeing you every day and not being friends.”

 

“You were thinking of leaving?” 

 

Vin sat up straighter causing Ezra to have to sit up.  Ezra winced as he shifted.

 

“Sorry, but do ya mean that?”

 

“Yeah, I tried not to think too much on what would happen after the case was over.  But I couldn’t imagine returning with things the way they were when I left.”

 

Vin leaned back and tugged at Ezra’s arm, settling him back to where they had been.

 

“If I’d moved a little faster maybe you wouldn’t have left.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Vin sighed.  “I wanted ta come talk to you that Saturday but I thought maybe I should wait, let us both cool down.  We both said a lot of stuff.  Ezra, I said stuff I didn’t mean, hell I didn’t know what was coming outta my mouth.  I was pissed, not at you but at myself.  Took it out on you.”

 

Ezra fought back a yawn.  “We both said things we didn’t mean.”

 

“Close your eyes, Ez.  Let the drugs do their thing.”

 

He closed his eyes and was soon dozing.

 

***

 

“Chris said he’d pick us up.  I got your bag,” Vin said as he took their bags down from the overhead compartment. 

 

Sure enough, as they came into the airport terminal they saw Chris Larabee leaning against the ticket counter.

 

“You awake there, Ezra?”  Chris grinned as Ezra yawned and staggered toward him.  Vin had a firm grip on his arm.

 

“Pain meds.”  Vin supplied as Ezra tried to talk around a yawn.

 

“Got your jeep out front.  Rest of the guys are at your house, Standish.”

 

“Wha...what...for?”  Ezra yawned.

 

“We’ve gotta leave for that conference in Colorado Springs.”

 

“Shit, I forgot about that.”

 

“Conference?” 

 

Chris turned to look at Ezra as he led the way out the airport.  He held the door as Vin helped Ezra out.

 

“Yeah, got a weekend ATF conference.  Don’t worry about going, Vin.  You can stay and look after Ezra, if you want.”

 

Chris glanced at Vin, who shrugged.  They got Ezra situated in the back seat; Chris jumped in the driver’s seat.

 

“Whose jeep is this?”

 

Chris grinned.  “I’m driving.  You know I hate being a passenger.”

 

“Yeah, but it’s my damn jeep.  You don’t see me driving that truck do you?”

 

“No, and I won’t see you driving it.  But I’m the boss, so I drive.”

 

“Would someone please drive?  I want to feel the comfort of my own bed again.”

 

***

 

“Hey, Ezra, good to have you back.”

 

“We missed ya, Ez.  Man, you been working out?”

 

“JD, let Ezra sit down.”

 

Ezra felt a little overwhelmed at the handshakes and pats on the back as he was led into his condo.  Vin helped him to the recliner.

 

“Somethin’ ta drink?”

 

Ezra nodded as Vin headed toward the kitchen.

 

“Sorry we can’t stay, Ezra.  We’re leaving for the conference from here.”  Josiah said as he patted Ezra’s knee.  “We just wanted to welcome you home first.”

 

“Very kind of you.”  Ezra mumbled. 

 

They all glanced at Vin as he brought Ezra glass of water and a pill.

 

“Pain meds.”

 

They all nodded in understanding.

 

“We better go.  Everybody better hit the bathroom before we leave.”  Chris said and looked meaningfully at JD.

 

“I ain’t a kid.”

 

They all laughed and said their farewells.  Soon it was quiet.

 

“Wanna lay down?”

 

Ezra nodded.  Vin helped him up and to the bedroom.

 

“Damn drugs.”  Ezra said.  “I feel all weak,” he plopped down on the bed.

 

“Think that’s the point.”

 

Vin bent and pulled off Ezra’s boots and then undid his belt.

 

“I don’t want to keep you from the conference.”

 

“I’d rather stay, if you don’t mind?”

 

Ezra shook his head.

 

“Clothes off or on?’

 

“Off,” Ezra said as he fell back on the bed.

 

Vin chuckled as he pulled off Ezra’s socks.  He stopped chuckling as he pulled off Ezra’s shirt and then undid his pants and slipped them down Ezra’s legs.   Steady he told himself.

 

He pulled the covers back and flipped them over Ezra, hiding the sight of that muscular body clad only in boxer shorts.  Vin let out a breath.

 

“Get some sleep, Ez.”

 

The soft breathing let him know Ezra was already asleep.

 

 

***

Vin was startled awake by moans coming from the bedroom.  He got up from the couch where he had been sleeping, turning on the bathroom light as he went by.  Ezra was thrashing around on the bed.  Vin could make out ‘no’ and Vin’s name.

 

“Ezra, wake up.”  He shook Ezra.

 

“Ez, wake up.”  Vin shook him harder.

 

Ezra sat bolt upright in bed and looked wildly around.  The light from the bathroom showed sweat on his face.

 

“You ok, Ez?”

 

“Vin?” 

 

“Yeah.  Hang on.”  Vin went and got a washcloth.  He got it damp and brought it back.  Ezra looked at him blankly so Vin wiped his face and neck.

 

“You okay?”  He repeated.

 

Ezra leaned back on the headboard and took the washcloth from Vin.  He held it to his face.

 

“I...had a nightmare.  You were in it.”  He looked at Vin.  “You were in a car in front of me speeding down a narrow mountain pass.  You’re brake lines had been cut and I was trying to catch up with you to let you know, but you kept going faster.  I tried to signal you but you just waved.  You woke me up right as the car went over on a sharp curve.”

 

He placed the washcloth back to his face.  He could feel his heart was still beating wildly.

 

Vin rubbed a hand over Ezra’s leg through the covers.

 

“It’s all right.  We’re both fine, just a dream.”

 

“I hardly dreamed in prison or remembered any. Just before I’d wake up sometimes, I’d be dreaming...” he hesitated. I found exercise helped me to sleep.  If I was exhausted I didn’t dream.”

 

Vin paused with his hand still on Ezra.

 

“If ya want, I could introduce ya to Sandy.  Might help ta talk ta her some, if ya want.”

 

Ezra ran the washcloth down his neck and across his chest.  He sighed.

 

“That might be a good idea.  Couldn’t hurt I suppose.”

 

“Nah, couldn’t hurt.”  He sat there another moment.  “You okay now?  I’ll go back ta bed.”

 

“Where were you?  I thought you would be gone.”

 

“Sleeping on the couch.  Didn’t want ya being here alone your first night back."

 

“Thanks.  Can’t be too comfortable.”

 

Vin smiled his half smile.  “No, ain’t too comfy. But I didn’t want ya stayin’ here alone.”

 

Vin took the washcloth from Ezra and put it back in the bathroom.  He cut out the light.

 

“You comfortable?  Need somethin’ for your shoulder?”

 

“No, I’m fine.  It hurts when I lay on my back.”  Ezra rolled over on his left side.

 

“Night, Ez.”

 

“Goodnight, Vin.”

 

Vin woke up later and checked on Ezra.  He put his hand on Ezra’s forehead.  Shit.  He had a fever.

 

He went into the kitchen.  The doctor had give Ezra some antibiotics but Vin hadn’t given him any yet.  He looked at the clock, one am, it was about time for another pain pill too.  He poured a glass of water and came back into the bedroom.  He sat on the edge of the bed.

 

“Ez.  Ez.”

 

Ezra opened his eyes and looked at Vin.

 

“What is it?  Can’t you sleep?”

 

“You need ta take these.”  He handed Ezra the pills and held out the water.  “You’ve got a fever and it’s time for another pill.”

 

Ezra looked at the pills in his hand then took them and the glass.  He swallowed them without protest.  He drank the rest of the water.

 

“I do feel hot.  Could I have another glass?  With ice?”

 

“Sure.”  Vin smiled and got up, heading for the kitchen.

 

Ezra thanked him for the water and drank some before sitting it down on the bedside table.  The light went out and he felt the bed dip as Vin got back in.

 

“Sorry I woke you.”

 

“You didn’t.  Just woke up. You ok?”

 

“Shoulder is hurting and the muscles are aching.  Just trying to get comfortable until the pill kicks in.  I’m sorry to keep you awake.”

 

“Ain’t gotta apologize, Ez.  Let me see if I can help.”  He got a wash cloth and wet it, taking it into the kitchen.  He warmed it in the microwave and then put it into a plastic bag.  He took it back into the bedroom and placed it on Ezra’s back.  First he felt Ezra stiffen but soon Vin felt him relax.

 

“That feels good.”  Ezra said.

 

“You just relax and take some slow, deep breaths.”

 

Ezra did as Vin said and he could feel his muscles relax which made the aching ease.  He felt like he was sinking into the bed as Vin moved the hot compress around his back.  The pain pill began to work, making him sleepy.

 

“Thank you, Vin,” Ezra said as he drifted off.

 

“You’re welcome, Ez.”

 

***

“Hey, look who’s here.  You back?”

 

Buck stopped his arm as he prepared to launch a paper ball at JD as he saw Ezra get off the elevator.

 

“No, just here to fill out some paper work.  I still have a few weeks off.”

 

“You take care of that shoulder, Ezra.”  Nathan said.  “Don’t wanna be taking no chances.” 

 

“Yes, Mr. Jackson.”  Ezra said smiling.

 

“You need anything, Ezra?  You be sure to let me know.”  Josiah said as he got up from his desk to give Ezra a hug.

 

“Hey, JD and I can go shopping for ya.”  Buck let lose the ball and hit JD upside the head.

 

“Thanks, but Vin has volunteered to do that.”

 

“Yeah, Buck.  Ez doesn’t need a case of Froot Loops.”

 

“We’re having a cookout at the ranch this weekend, Ezra.  Vin can give you a ride.  We want to celebrate you getting out of prison.”  Chris laughed as he joined them.

 

“We wanna hear some prison stories, Ezra.  Especially involving soap.”

 

“Soap?  Whadda ya talking about, Buck?”  JD said, as he threw his own paper ball.

 

“Do I have to explain everything to ya, kid?  Those prison showers are a dangerous place.”

 

“Only in your mind, Buck.”  Ezra said, laughing.

 

“It’s good to have you back, Ezra.  Don’t be volunteering for any other assignments.”

 

“I think I’m here to stay for awhile, Mr. Larabee.”

 

“Good, you belong here, Ez.  Don’t forget that.”

 

 

 

 

 

The End

 

 

 

* ”Yes, you will find I have no problems speaking the language.”