parts 5,6 and epilogue
part 5
Chris stood with his arms crossed in front of him. His focus shifting from the campground to the FBI agents that suddenly seemed to swarm the woods. Vin turned from a conversation with one of the team leaders and made his way back to Larabee. "How many did they send in?" Chris asked, as the sharpshooter approached.
"50," Vin stopped beside him and watched the activity, "So much for sneaking up on him."
Chris chuckled sarcastically. "Well, we knew that wasn't an option as soon as he demanded ransom. Who's in charge over there?"
"I am."
Chris turned to the man as he came toward him.
"Good to see you again Larabee." He reached for Chris' extended hand and shook it in a firm grip.
"Barham," Chris nodded to his old friend. They'd been assigned a case together before Chris was promoted to ATF team leader. "What's your plan?"
Barham twisted to look down at the campground and grimaced. "Sure you don't want to give up your spot here? Great view."
"Not a chance," Chris' response was serious, "I've got two of my team in there Payton."
"I know, Chris. Right now we're just letting Perkins know we're here. Their cover still good?"
"As far as we know," Chris stepped closer to the FBI agent. "Payton Barham, Vin Tanner," He introduced the men.
Vin nodded and shook the agent's hand.
"Heard a lot of good things about you Tanner," Barham smiled, his brown eyes seemed to dance even in the seriousness of the situation, "About your whole team actually." He turned back to Chris. "Glad to see you finally made something of yourself there, Larabee."
Chris flashed him a sinister grin, "Just tell me your plan Barham." Barham laughed and started to fill Chris in on the details, pointing out where his agents were stationed.
"Hey Chris!!" Nathan's call through the radio made all three men turn in his direction. "What is it?"
"We got trouble," Nathan pointed up to where Buck sat in the tree stand listening to Ezra's wire.
Ezra watched intently, as Perkins conversed with his staff members. He saw the younger man hand the professor a paper and frowned when Perkins looked at J.D.
"Gentlemen," he whispered, "I don't know if you can hear me, but whatever you are doing, Perkins is looking a bit riled in here." He stopped talking when the young dark haired girl next to him gave him a strange look. Perkins was coming back toward the circle, an uneasy smile on his face.
"Sorry for that interruption, let's begin." Casually the professor sauntered around the circle already focused on the perfect candidate. Students shifted nervously in their seats as the atmosphere in the room seemed to take on new characteristics.
Shivers ran up and down Ezra's spine, as Perkins walked behind him. He tensed imperceptibly until the man was once again in his sights. He wished he could hear from Chris and find out what was going on outside. He was certain the FBI had arrived, that meant the ransom demands had been delivered. What worried him most, though, was the way Perkins looked at J.D. Glancing around the room he quickly searched for any other exits, but other then the main entrance the other doors led only to the children's room, the kitchen, and a closet.
"Miss Wells," Perkins voice brought Ezra quickly back to the circle, "lets hear from you this afternoon."
Casey looked for a moment like a deer caught in the headlights, but she collected herself and nodded. Finding her voice she smiled, "Sure."
J.D. looked at Ezra, both men realizing something was very wrong.
Once Casey was seated Perkins began. "Casey, yesterday we learned that J.D. is in law enforcement. How do you feel about his job?"
Casey looked at J.D. then her Professor. "It makes me nervous sometimes," she admitted.
"Why?"
"Well, it's dangerous." She played with the edge of her sweater while she talked.
"Afraid he'll get hurt?"
Casey nodded, Perkins continued.
"How did you feel when you heard about his accident?" Perkins stood with his hands clasped behind his back like he did so often in class.
Casey shrugged, "I was scared at first, until I found out he was okay�then I was fine too," her mind was racing. It wasn't like this was the first time J.D. had been hurt on the job.
"Are you afraid he'll get hurt again?"
'Terrified right now,' she thought to herself before answering, "Sometimes."
"Are you ever afraid his job will put you in danger?"
There was something different in his tone suddenly. Casey looked at him, her eyes beginning to see him clearly. "J.D. would never do anything to put me in danger," her voice grew stronger as she spoke.
"Good girl," Ezra whispered, seeing the change, "be strong now."
Perkins noticed the change too, saw his ally slip away and knew it was time to take complete control of the situation. "Never?" he asked stepping into the circle.
"Never."
Perkins looked at J.D., as he asked the next question, "What exactly does J.D. do?"
Casey looked confused, "Law enforcement."
"What field Casey?" She looked at Perkins, but did not answer. "What is he hiding from all of us, Casey? Something he's ashamed to share?"
"He's not hiding anything!" Casey protested.
"No?" Perkins was standing right beside her now, laughing inwardly at the anger he saw growing in J.D.'s eyes, "And he'd never do anything to put you in danger either?" he reached forward and squeezed her shoulder just hard enough to make her tense visibly.
"Don't touch her," J.D. hopped out of his seat.
"Oh Lord," Ezra whispered.
"You have something to add here agent Dunne?" Perkins asked emphasizing 'agent.'
"Get away from her," J.D. didn't back down. He didn't care that Perkins knew he was an agent his only concern was protecting Casey.
"No, No, I'm perfectly comfortable right here. Sit down please."
J.D. took a step forward, but the grimace on Casey's face, as Perkins tightened his grip stopped him. He sat down.
"Thank you. Now," Perkins turned to the others. The group looked nervous and confused. "Ladies and gentlemen I have to admit I have not been completely honest with the goal of this seminar." He pulled Casey out of the chair and pushed her towards the empty seat next to J.D. She stumbled, but maintained her footing and sat down letting J.D. put a protective arm around her. "You see, I'm not really interested in anything about you except your wealthy families. So they have been notified that until they pay a particular sum, you will remain here as my...umm guests. That was the plan anyway, but it seems Mr. Dunne has been hiding the fact that he is an ATF agent. Now ATF and FBI agents surround the retreat, " as he spoke Perkins made his way over behind the food counter. He picked up a hand radio and mumbled something into it, then came back around to the circle, a handgun now visible.
Several in the group gasped, as the shock of what was happening settled over them. "I'll not have anyone causing trouble," Perkins ordered, waving the gun about. The door opened and five staff members entered, all heavily armed. A couple of the women began to cry. Perkins ignored them, as he ordered his staff, "Make sure every one is armed, keep this building under close watch. You and you�" he pointed, "Back up Mike at the gate, I'm sure they'll approach there first. Then set up guards at these exits. Can you cover everything?" The men nodded. "All right, Justin and Seth you stay here and keep this group in line." He pointed to where he wanted the two guards to position themselves, then returned his focus to the group.
"Now I hope we have an understanding," his gaze fell on Ezra, "I apologize, Dr. Harrington, for the untimeliness of your visit," he laughed, "hope this doesn't affect how you portray me in your book."
Ezra raised an eyebrow quizzically, but remained silent.
"Damn," Chris listened to the events unfold.
"He must have run a back ground check on J.D.," Buck said rubbing his jaw. The cold was making it ache and the tension of the situation wasn't helping.
Vin peered through a pair of binoculars, "They've set up guards around the dining hall and at the front gate. Looks like the building next to it has all the firepower."
"What's your next plan?" Chris looked at Agent Barham, knowing the FBI was taking the lead now.
"Shouldn't we just go in now, before he can get himself all prepared for us?" Buck wanted to get J.D. out of there.
Barham understood the anxiety. He'd heard about the level of kinship on Larabee's team and knew it was part of what made them so successful. "That sounds logical Mr. Wilmington, but if we go in now when he's as agitated as he probably is, we're apt to lose hostages rapidly," he looked from Buck to the campground then to Chris, "Let's go see what the man has to say."
Chris nodded and handed the earpiece he was using, back to Buck, putting his own back in place. He turned to follow Agent Barham, "Keep me updated," he told his team with out looking back at them.
Perkins paced around the circle of students pausing only to check the windows every few minutes. Ezra was getting tired of the man's prattling. "What I said in our sessions was true," Perkins was justifying, "what begins with us does effect the world at large. You have to take control and that's what I'm doing."
The front door of the hall opened and Justin spun towards it. One of the staff came in and whispered anxiously to him. Looking nervous, Justin nodded and approached Perkins. "Boss?"
"What?" Perkin's eyes flashed.
"They want to talk to you, only you." Justin shifted uneasily, as he watched Perkins inwardly debate his options.
"Fine, I'll talk to them. Where?"
"Front gate according to Chad, just two of them."
Perkins snorted, "Yeah, but how many sharp shooters do they have out there."
He looked around. "Alright I'll go." He walked over to J.D. and pointed the gun at him. "Get up."
J.D. hesitated just briefly enough to anger Perkins further. "I said Get up NOW!" he roughly grabbed J.D. by the hair and jerked him to his feet. Casey cried out. "Don't try anything heroic," Perkins hissed in J.D.'s ear, as he pressed the gun into his side. "I'd hate to have to kill you in front of your girl. Think of the therapy!" he laughed.
Ezra watched the scene play out before he decided what to do. Every part of him wanted to jump in and help J.D., but he knew that blowing his cover would ruin the only contact the team had with what was going on inside.
"Mark please," he stood slowly with his hands out in front of him, non- threatening. Perkins spun around and pressed the gun into J.D.'s temple.
"What are you going to do Dr. Harrington? Analyze me as exhibiting blatant anti-social behavior?"
"No, No I just want you to consider what you're doing. Hurting this young man will not improve your situation any," Ezra tried to keep his voice smooth and regulated. His eyes met J.D.'s an instant before focusing solely on Perkins. "Please Mark," he tried again.
Perkins merely scowled shaking his head. "I'm not going to let you or any one else screw this up. I've worked months on this plan. Justin!" he called.
"Yeah?" Justin stepped forward.
"Get him out of my face and make sure I don't have to deal with him until I'm good and ready to." Justin nodded and moved toward Ezra, who stepped back bumping against his chair.
Wrapping his arm around J.D.'s neck and shoulders, Perkins began to drag him toward the door. J.D. tried to struggle against him, but the older man smacked him with the gun just hard enough to stun him into submission.
Ezra instinctively stepped forward again trying to push around Justin, but was met only by darkness, as the larger man followed Perkins' lead and used his gun as a club.
"Chris!!" Chris heard Buck's urgency and saw the cause of it simultaneously, as Perkins kicked open the dining hall door and emerged. Fear gripped him at the sight of J.D. stumbling along with a gun pressed to his head.
Perkins shifted constantly, until one of his staff was behind him to watch his back. "You take me down and I'll take him with me," he shouted angrily.
"That your man?" Barham asked calmly. Chris could only nod.
The professor approached the gate, stopping ten feet in front of them. His assistant's gun was drawn and ready. "You wanted to speak with me now talk," he jerked J.D. in front of him, "Talk fast."
Chris could see the red mark on the side of J.D.'s face where he'd been struck and searched for any other visible injuries, meeting J.D.'s eyes. There was fear there and anger too, and Chris knew he was okay for now.
"I'm Agent Barham, Professor Perkins. This is Agent Larabee," Barham began.
"I don't care who you are," Perkins voice was calming now like he was regaining his control.
"We'd like to talk to you about working this mess out."
"Nothing to work out agent. I want to see two million cash in here within and hour or I start taking care of hostages and I start with him," he shook J.D. slightly, "One of you must recognize Agent Dunne."
"An hour isn't enough time for us to come up with that kind of cash," Barham explained.
"Nice standard reply. Stalling will get you no where." He pressed the gun harder against J.D.'s temple causing J.D. to gasp lightly. He quickly bit his lip.
Chris took a step forward, but Barham put a restraining hand on his arm.
"Ah ah ah," Perkins shook his head and cocked the gun, "you don't want me to shoot him now do you? Do you?" Perkins prodded.
"No," Chris' answer was a menacing growl.
"Didn't think so," Perkins began to move away from the gate again, his assistant following, "Get me the money, then we talk."
"There's no way Perkins," Barham still hadn't let go of Chris' arm.
"Two million in one hour or Mr. Dunne begins to die, slowly."
Chris watched as J.D was dragged away again, helplessness overwhelming him in waves. Buck was yelling at him through his wire. "What is it Buck?"
"Before he came out Perkins had a run in with Ezra. He was trying to help J.D., I think."
Chris swore, "Did he blow his cover?"
'No, but he's been quiet an awful long time."
"Damn it!" Chris needed to lash out at something, someone, anyone. He turned on Barham. "Don't you ever restrain me like that again Payton," he hissed coming nose to nose with the balding man.
"Chris, you know he'd have shot J.D., if you tried to go at him just then." He didn't back down as his eyes filled with understanding.
"Never again Payton."
Barham stood silent, watching, as Chris stalked away. He knew the man needed to vent. He under stood what it was like to have members of his team in this kind of situation. Blinking he ran a hand over his face chasing the agonizing memories that flashed through him back to the past and renewing his focus on the present.
As Chris approached the tree stand, he could see the worry in everyone's eyes.
"J.D. okay?" Buck asked anxiously.
Chris ran a hand through his hair and shivered realizing the temperature had dropped. "For now," he nodded, "he's holding up. What's going on with Ezra?"
"We don't know," Josiah answered. "He tried to calm Perkins down when he first grabbed J.D. Perkins went off on him and we think one of the staff knocked him out. Been quiet ever since, we can't even hear any body else stirring or talking."
"Think they found the wire?"
Buck shook his head. "No, the connection hasn't died, just went silent."
"What do you mean?" Chris looked confused.
"Either everyone is super quiet or Ezra's been separated from the group, and he's unconscious."
Chris steely gaze fixed on the dining hall below, "Then where the hell is he?"
Ezra groaned and opened his eyes. It was dark. Something was pressing against his back, digging through his casual winter sweater. Trying to sit up, he found himself wedged in one spot.
"Oh God," his voice rasped, as the floor lurched beneath him. He closed his eyes against the spinning but couldn't stop it. His breathing quickened, as he struggled to force air into his lungs. Panic shot through him. "Oh God," he gasped again. He wanted to scream, but fear paralyzed him. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Air, he needed air. He took another strangled breath, "Oh God I can't breath." He felt the walls moving around him. Like a horrible carnival ride they pushed and pulled at him, the floor tilted again and this time he pressed his face against the rough wall in an effort to make the spinning stop. "Where am I?" he whispered. He began to wheeze as the darkness pressed in around him.
Nathan sat in the tree stand, one knee bouncing in an irregular beat with his frustration. He watched the FBI teams scurry around, cell phones pressed against their heads. He reached up and adjusted his earpiece hoping for some sound or anything. The FBI was trying to get money in by the one hour deadline. A show of faith they called it, trying to buy time for J.D. and Ezra. He looked down at Buck pacing back and forth with worry. The point of relieving the man was so he would rest. He sighed and looked at Josiah sitting on his right. The man sat staring calmly at the campground. Nathan wondered what thoughts were going through his friend's head. 'Probably prayer,' he thought. Despite his encouragement to let Vin or Chris take over for awhile, Josiah had refused.
"I feel like I'm doing something up here Brother, I'm fine." Nathan had eventually relented.
Glancing at his watch Nathan frowned. Their hour was quickly running out. They were desperate for news inside, but Ezra's wire remained silent. He was just about to ask Buck to pass him up a cup of the awful coffee the FBI had brought in, when he heard it.
A rustle and a groan. He looked at Josiah, "I've got something." He heard Ezra. "Oh God." more rustling. "Oh God." He sensed the panic growing in the southerner's voice.
Chris' head popped up level with the tree stand, causing him to jump. "What do you have?"
Nathan shook his head and held up his hand straining to hear what was happening. Chris reached across and grabbed the extra earpiece. They heard Ezra's voice crack, as he struggled to breathe. "He's panicking," Nathan looked at Chris. "Come on Ezra, " he mumbled, "deep breaths."
Chris' eyes grew wide, as Ezra started to wheeze. "What's wrong with him?" he asked.
"I don't know," Nathan's concern was growing, "If he doesn't calm down, he's going to hyperventilate."
Vin looked up, "Chris, let me listen." Chris jumped down and passed the earpiece to Vin. The
sharpshooter listened carefully, his eyes meeting Nathan's.
The former medic shrugged searching his mind for answers. It didn't sound like a punctured lung, they hadn't heard him get beat up or anything. He couldn't figure it out.
"Claustrophobia," Vin continued to listen, as he spoke, "Ever since last month. He can't even ride in a car with out cracking the window. "
Chris looked at his friend. "Why didn't he say anything?"
"Would you?" Chris shook his head knowing he'd have kept his struggles to himself. Like Ezra, he hated to show weakness.
"Is there anything we can do?" Buck asked impatiently.
"Pray," Josiah's somber voice seemed to silence the woods as they stood helpless.
"Come on Ezra," Vin quietly encouraged wishing his friend could hear him, "Slow down, think it out."
Ezra's mind raced with his breathing. He knew he was losing control. His mother would have let him have it. Why was he thinking of her now? He heard noise beyond the wall, Perkins, J.D. J.D. needed him. He gasped remembering the wire.
Choking he forced himself to take a deep breath, then another. The team was listening, if he didn't get it together he'd be letting them all down. "Breathe Ezra," he whispered taking another breath. "Slow down, think it out," he repeated Vin's words unknowingly.
He could see Buck, imagining the man's expression. His fear for J.D. would be eating him up right now. He was their only link. He forced his mind to focus on trying to figure out where he was. There was no light for his eyes to adjust to, just darkness. He ran over the lay out of the dining hall again. "I have to be in the closet," he said remembering.
"It's just a closet Ezra." His breathing was continuing to slow now, though his heart still raced. "Just a closet," he murmured again and twisted his body around to free the arm pinned behind him. Sharp tingles attacked like pin pricks, as he flexed his fingers. Carefully he reached out exploring the tiny space. A giant fist of panic squeezed him tight, as he felt the back wall beneath his hand. "Focus Ezra," he commanded, "you can do this." He reached up above his head for the doorknob, feeling the cold metal. Slowly he turned it, knowing it was locked.
"Gentlemen," he finally managed to address the team with a semblance of decorum. "I seem to find myself in the unfortunate position of being locked in a closet."
Vin sighed with relief, as he handed the wire back to Chris. "He's in control again."
Chris nodded and tossed the wire to Nathan. "Keep me informed." He looked at his watch and frowned, "Hours almost up, I'm going to check with Barham."
"Chris?" Buck stepped away from the tree he'd been leaning against, "Tell me they aren't going to let that s.o.b. shoot J.D."
"Buck," Chris wanted to look away from the intensity of Buck's plea, "you know how this works. They're doing their best."
"They better be." Chris found Barham easily and waited for the man to finish his current conversation before talking. His friend's eyes were clouded, as he turned to face him.
"Did you get contact from your other agent?"
Chris nodded, "We can hear him, unfortunately, he's locked in a closet. You get the money?"
Barham shook his head, "He didn't give us enough time Chris. It's on the way, but there's no way it'll be here by his deadline."
Chris knew the Barham's words were true. There was nothing they could do, but hope Perkins was bluffing. "If he shoots my man I'm going in."
"You know you can't do that," Barham protested, but Chris was already walking away.
Nathan and Josiah listened to Ezra's hushed tones. "I don't know if you can hear Perkins, but he seems to be pontificating about his ideals again." Ezra pressed himself against the closet door trying to hear better.
"What time is it?" Perkins yelled, as somebody and received a muffled reply.
"Seems your hour is up, Mr.Dunne."
"No!" Casey's voice. Ezra strained to hear which direction the voices were coming from. He could hear crying off to his right. Perkins was center, the muffled voices of his staff came from the left. Ezra pictured the room again trying to remember exactly where the closet was located. The guards were by the main entrance, Perkins must be a good twenty feet from the others, but where was J.D.?
"Justin give me that radio," Perkins ordered, "You hear me Barham?"
Chris tensed as he heard Perkins voice crackle through the radio.
"I can hear you," Barham answered calmly. "You got my money?"
Chris held his breath.
"It's on it's way Mark, we need more time."
Ezra heard the agent's response and Perkins laugh.
"That's not good enough for me or agent Dunne." The gun shot came instantly, catching Ezra by surprise. He heard Casey scream and his heart stopped.
Outside Buck dropped to his knees, as the shot tore through his mind. Chris closed his eyes, grief and anger washing over him. He couldn't look at Buck or anyone else right now. The natural sounds of the woods were deafening, as agents stood shocked into silence. Perkins voice sounded again, as Chris shivered with hatred.
"You have another hour to get me the original two million, plus two million more, or agent Dunne gets shot again and this time I'll aim for something more vital than his damn leg."
Chris' eyes flew open. J.D. was alive. He looked at Buck still on his knees, their eyes met for a moment then Christ reached out and pulled his friend to his feet "We're going in," he said simply.
Ezra's mind reeled and he let out his breath, hearing Perkins newest threat. J.D. was alive. He listened, sorting the renewed sobs and whimpers, until he heard the voice he recognized. J.D. groaned. Ezra heard Casey murmuring and then J.D. say he was okay.
"I can hear J.D.," he whispered into his wire, "He's telling Casey he's okay." Ezra knew it was a lie, but outside they needed the reassurance he had just by hearing J.D. speak. He knew, though, that J.D. had to be losing blood and that meant they didn't have time to wait for this thing to resolve itself.
"Knowing our illustrious leader like I do, I'm going to assume you are prepared to break protocol and set a plan in motion to get us out of here." Ezra made up his mind about what he was going to do. "I'm about to go into a detailed description of everything I know about the grounds and this building in particular. I hope one of you had the foresight to procure a writing implement."
Nathan motioned for Chris and tossed him the extra earpiece again. "That man's as long winded as they come, but eventually he gets to something important."
He grabbed the notebook Josiah was handing him and got ready to write, as Chris held up the wire, so Buck and Vin could crowd around and listen.
Part 6
J.D. bit his lip, as Casey pulled him closer to her. She took a sweatshirt she had borrowed from one of the other hostages and pressed it against his leg trying to slow the bleeding. If he didn't know better he'd have sworn his leg was on fire.
"I'm sorry," Casey whispered, tears forming again in her eyes.
"Shh, I'm gonna be fine Cass." She shook her head unable to answer, but shifted so he could lean against her better. J.D. tried to focus on anything other than his leg. He'd known he was in trouble when Perkins said the hour was up, but the quickness of the man's action had caught him off guard. He'd expected a build up, a slow approach to intimidate that would give him time to brace himself. Instead Perkins had simply spun and fired. He felt helpless now, between his wrist and leg. His instinct was to protect Casey and now she was taking care of him.
"Where's Ezra?" he whispered, as Casey brushed his hair out of his face.
"In the closet," Casey frowned when he shivered. "What are we going to do J.D.?"
"Wait." The young agent turned his head looking from the closet to Perkins then back to Casey. "They'll come get us," he promised her with confidence, "Just be ready for anything."
Ezra paused for a moment finishing his detailed description of the dining hall. He'd given the team everything he knew from the number of guards inside to the location of the side room where the children were being kept. Shifting around he managed to dig his zippo lighter from his pocket.
"Now, let's see what I have to work with." He knew that in order to give he team an opportunity to succeed on moving in, it would be up to him to create an adequate diversion. Preferring to avoid a physical altercation with an armed man twice his size, he flicked the lighter on and hoped to find something useful. An assortment of bottles illuminated amongst some mops and brooms. It was a dust pan stabbing at his back he discovered. Reaching for one bottle he flipped the zippo closed to preserve fluid. Uncapping the plastic jug, he sniffed lightly. "Bleach," he muffled a cough. He waited a moment hoping he hadn't caught anyone's attention before continuing. Grabbing the next bottle he sniffed again and gagged.
"Oh good Ezra, knock yourself out. That'll be helpful," he cursed and set the ammonia down at his side away from the bottle of bleach, then went on with his search.
"What the hell is he doing?" Buck asked as they listened.
"Looking for a distraction," Vin answered, before turning to Chris and asking "How do you want us to goin?"
Chris reached for Nathan's sketch of the layout, then looked down at the camp. The sun was setting quickly and he knew they had a limited time span before dark.
He noticed Agent Barham looking up at him. Ignoring the concern he saw in the other man's features, he turned back to his men. "Okay, we have Perkins plus 10 staffers to deal with. Vin and Buck you two will go in behind the dining hall. Take out any guards and get to the children's room. Ezra thinks there might be one guy guarding the kitchen exit about here," he pointed to the spot he referred to, "and one woman in with the children. Careful with her, we don't want screaming kids broadcasting our arrival."
"Larabee," Chris spun around at the sound of Barham's voice.
"What do you want Payton?" He growled, determined the man was not going to stop him.
"How many men do you need going in?" Their eyes met for moment before Chris answered.
"Two. I need Josiah out here to let us know what Ezra's doing and I also need someone to take care of the guys at the gate."
Barham nodded. "I'll take care of it."
"Send them up here so I can fill them in. Oh and get them into something less obvious" he referred to the jackets bearing the large yellow FBI labels.
Barham started back down the hillside.
"Payton?" The agent turned. "Thank you," With a curt nod Chris turned back to the plan. "Nathan you and one of Barham's men will take west side, opposite Buck and Vin. Work you way around the perimeter once you get through the fence. You should run into three guards. Neutralize them. I'll take the other agent and cut around behind Buck and Vin. "
"What do we do once we're in and the perimeter guards are taken care of?" Nathan asked.
"Stay low and wait for what ever Ezra is planning. Josiah I want you to relay everything he says. He can't hear us so we need to be ready when he is."
"Agent Larabee?" Two FBI agents approached, "Harris and Fredericks," they introduced themselves and listened as Chris filled them in.
Ezra took a deep breath pushing back a recurring flash of panic and weighed his options one more time. Whatever he decided the choice was definitely a gamble. Mixing bleach and ammonia was not an option and there was nothing available for creating a delayed reaction. He ran the assortment of cleaning supplies through his mind again. The best he could come up with didn't give him much opportunity to get out of harms way. His only other choice was to risk a hand to hand with Justin. Part of him was confident he could take the younger man down, but his self -preserving nature was quick to remind him that one shot from Perkins or the other guard would put an end to his efforts.
Feeling for the bottles he had placed to his left he made his choice. "I certainly hope someone's listening," he whispered, flicking his zippo to see what time it was. There was only twenty minutes left of their second hour.
"Okay boys, I'm giving you ten minutes to move into place then I'll do my best to provide an adequate distraction."
Josiah relayed the message to the three teams already making there way towards the retreat. Dusk had fallen and agents hurried to set up generators to run imported lights and heaters. Peering through his binoculars, Josiah watched the teams' progress. In their hunting camouflage it was hard to spot them but knowing where they were headed helped. Vin and Buck were the easiest to see, being closer then the rest.
It hadn't taken Vin long to cut through the perimeter fence and move inside. From his vantage point Josiah could see Buck easily subdue the one guard along the back of the dining hall. The preacher smiled to himself sure that 'subdue' was not the appropriate word for Buck's action. Vin and Buck kept low to the ground, as they hurried around the end of the building. Moments later Buck was back at the fence with five small children. The big man ushered the kids through the fence and gently handed the FBI agent waiting there the baby he carried. Once the children were safely beyond the fence, Buck turned back and disappeared around the building again. Josiah checked his watch and held his breath, listening for Ezra. It was almost time.
With great care Ezra began to pour his set aside ingredients into the metal bucket. He had no way of measuring correct amounts or of really knowing if the whole concoction would actually work, but he was committed now. He murmured to himself, as he mixed the powder and solutions.
" Borax.... ammonia...vinegar..." he wrinkled his nose wondering how anyone could clean with vinegar. He hated the smell, "and a dash of silver polish just to liven things up." He poured in most of the bottle of polish. Leaning as far away from the bucket as possible in the cramped closet he flicked his lighter
and checked the time, this was it.
He ran a hand over his face preparing himself. "Okay gentlemen, it's now or never. I certainly hope you can hear me," he said out loud and started pounding on the door.
"Let me out!" he hollered, "Perkins get me out of here!"
J.D. jumped, as Ezra began his tirade against the closet door, and winced, as he jarred his leg.
Perkins scowled in the direction of the closet. "Guess Dr. Harrington finally woke up," He looked at Justin, "See what he wants." He moved closer to the closet holding his gun loosely in his grip.
Ezra waited hoping he was right about where everyone was positioned. "Help somebody!" he flipped the lighter open his finger poised on the striker. He blinked against the light as Justin opened the door and quickly scrambled to his feet, ignoring the protests of his numb legs.
"Whadya want?" Justin asked harshly.
"Out," Ezra said simply. He grabbed Justin at the same time he flicked the lighter. Stepping forward and spinning himself so that he now faced the closet and the stunned Justin, he tossed the zippo into the bucket.
The flash was instantaneous and bigger then Ezra had expected. The closet door tore from it's hinges and caught him, as Justin screamed and was ripped from his grasp. He was aware of the door's impact, heat and the sudden sensation of flying before he crashed into darkness.
Flames immediately consumed the closet's contents, quickly feeding off the other chemicals. There was a second and third explosion as cans of spray paint ignited.
The initial explosion knocked Perkins to the floor. He staggered to his feet to see Justin rolling along the floor frantically trying to extinguish his burning clothes. Perkins cowered at the second and third explosions, shocked at the turn of events. He turned towards the hostages, but looked directly into the barrel of a gun.
"Drop it," Chris hissed at the professor.
Perkins dropped his gun staring in disbelief at the FBI agents pouring into the building. They rushed around, fighting the fire and rushing the hostages out.
"My baby!" A woman screamed trying to pull away from one agent, Vin caught her by the arm assuring that her child was safe.
Once Chris had turned Perkins over to Barham, he moved to where Nathan knelt beside J.D. A dozen FBI agents were working on the fire with extinguishers trying to keep it under control, while everyone got out of the building. Paramedics from the waiting ambulances were making their way in.
"How're you doing kid?" Buck was asking over Nathan's shoulder, as the former medic checked J.D.'s leg.
J.D. smiled weakly, "Been Better. You mind getting us out of here before the place burns down?"
Buck's eyes twinkled as he winked at Casey. "Suppose we could see to that. Where's Ezra?"
J.D.'s expression filled with panic. "Oh God, he's not with you? He was right there at the closet when it exploded."
"We'll find him J.D. I'm sure he's fine," Chris reassured stepping out of the way for the paramedics.
"Larabee!" He spun to see agent Fredericks waving him closer to the fire.
"Ezra!" He heard Vin's voice behind him, as he hurried toward Fredericks.
The Agent stood pointing to the closet door now scorched and covered with debris. Chris carefully helped the other man move the door. The stench of chemicals from the fire was almost over powering.
They found Ezra sprawled unconscious on a smashed table. His hair was singed and Chris could see burns on his hands.
"Ezra?" there was no response, as he knelt beside the southerner and searched his neck for a pulse.
"Nathan!" he called over his shoulder. Vin was motioning for the team of paramedics. Relief filled Chris, as Ezra's eyes fluttered open.
"Glad you could make it, Mr. Larabee," he whispered as he slipped back into unconsciousness.
Epilogue
It had been a week since the standoff. Ezra stood back and watched as Buck, Nathan and Josiah got J.D. settled onto the couch in Buck and J.D.'s loft.
"Welcome home J.D.," Chris said, handing the younger agent another pillow.
"Thanks Chris," J.D. smiled, glad to be home.
"You going to join the rest of us or stand over here by the door all night?" Vin startled Ezra.
"I hate it when you do that Mr. Tanner."
"I know," Vin grinned, as they moved into the living room with the others.
Gradually the seven men settled, snacking on junk food and watching a foot ball game on ESPN.
"How was your physical therapy today?" Nathan asked breaking the comfortable silence and reaching for a bag of chips off the coffee table.
"That woman is evil! " J.D. groaned, "I swear she's the devil."
"Cutest devil I ever saw," Buck grinned.
"Yeah, well you don't have her mauling you every day either."
Buck couldn't believe the kid had just handed him that line. "Don't think I'd mind�"
"Don't even say it Buck!" Vin interrupted.
"What?" Buck tried to look innocent, but was rewarded with a stray pillow upside his head, "hey now!" The laughter settled some.
"How's Casey doing now?" Josiah asked. They all knew the girl had been struggling with the whole situation.
"She'll be okay. Thought it was all her fault everything happened. She actually thought I was mad at her for making me go, and then not believing at first that Perkins was warped," J.D. answered, his gaze settling on Ezra, "Until someone reassured her and told her to talk to me about it. Now she's fine."
Ezra looked up to see everyone watching him. "I assure you I have no idea what you are referring to," he protested.
"Sure Ez," J.D. laughed, "thanks anyway."
Ezra nodded once.
"How are your hands Ez?" Josiah asked him.
"Excellent actually. I'm suffering no ill effects from the entire incident."
Chris raised an eyebrow "None?"
"None," the southerner answered with ease.
"I still can't believe you only got first degree burns on your hands and a bump on your head," Nathan shook his head, "Doctor told me you were fortunate not to have some severe injuries. That kid Justin is in for a long stay at the burn center."
Ezra frowned, feeling slight remorse at Justin's fate. They hadn't found out until this week, that it was Justin who called in the tip, saving the other ATF agent's life.
"Perkins on the other hand, will have a rather lengthy stay in prison," Buck brought Ezra back to the conversation, "They charged him with I don't know how many counts of kidnapping and assault on two federal agents. You should have seen the look on that man's face when he found out Ezra wasn't 'Dr. Harrington'."
Buck was laughing. "He was still asking if there was really a book when they dragged him away."
"Brother you were convincing," Josiah told Ezra.
"Just well researched."
Chris watched his team interact; thankful they were all here. J.D. would be in rehab for awhile, slowed down by his wrist. Until that was healed and strengthened the kid was stuck in a wheelchair. There'd been no complications so far, though, and Chris knew J.D. tended to heal fast. It wouldn't be long until he'd be nagging to get back to work against the doctor's orders.
Ezra was a different story. Physically the southerner was fine, but Chris worried about the claustrophobia. He could still hear Ezra's frantic breathing, as he had fought against the panic while in the closet. He knew Ezra was slowly gaining control of his fear, but Chris could still see the signs now. He noticed the little things like the drivers side window on the jaguar Ezra drove was always down at least an inch, no matter the weather. Things like the white knuckled grip Ezra always had whenever he stepped into the office elevator. Ezra would never bring up his struggle and so far Chris hadn't come up with any way to broach the subject, instead he continued to silently watch and curse Kara for the effects she was still having on his team.
"What made you decide to burn half the place down anyway Ezra?" he heard Nathan ask, "Wasn't that a bit risky?"
"At the time Mr. Jackson, I was considering more the fact that the rest of you needed an adequate distraction in order to catch Perkins off guard."
"It was adequate," Chris grinned and reached for a beer.
"What did you use for the explosion?" J.D. had been bugging Ezra the entire week to know what he'd used to start the fire. He decided to give in.
"I'll tell you if you promise not to try it. Deal?"
"Deal!" J.D. nodded, his eyes dancing excitedly.
"It was just a combination of a few basic household cleaners. Ammonia, Borax and some vinegar."
"People clean with vinegar?" J.D. interrupted.
"Lots of folks consider it safer then harsher chemicals like bleach," Nathan answered and motioned for Ezra to continue.
"I added a secret ingredient for good measure then simply lit the mixture," Ezra smiled mischievously.
"Come on Ezra." J.D. pleaded.
"That would be silver polish," Josiah grinned at Ezra, "You talk while you work brother."
Over the laughter Chris' eyes met Vin's, a look passed between the two, an understanding that things were going to be okay now.
"So where did you learn that little trick Ez?" Buck asked sipping his beer.
"Buck my friend, you don't get thrown out of as many boarding schools as I did by merely mouthing off."
The End
