Setting: ATF AU
Disclaimer: The following is a work of fanfiction based on the CBS television series, The Magnificent Seven. It is in no way intended to infringe on the copyrights of CBS, MGM, The Trilogy Entertainment Group, The Mirisch Corp., or anyone else who may have legal rights to the characters, settings or song references. I don't own the characters. This story is strictly for entertainment. No monetary gain will be made from anything contained in this story.
NOTE: Big thanks, no HUGE thanks to Julie, for her invaluable, generous and wonderful medical assistance.
At least the mood was tranquil. The cool ivory walls surrounded oriental rugs with shades of jade, blue and coral. The condo had a contemporary feel, all light furniture with a white laquer dining room set with a glass table and cooling jade green plants in large ceramic containers. Antiques spilled out and peeked from well appointed places. Soft, cool flute and chime music, from a Native American artist, floated through the room.
The owner of the condo carefully hung his jacket up and wandered into the large living area. He eyed the slim man lying on the coral leather couch and frowned. Bare toes peeked out from pale gray sweat pants. A large ice pack was covering his right arm and shoulder. Another was under him, on his upper right back. His saw the frozen blue gel mask he used for his sinus headaches, covering the man's eyes. Two things caused his frown to deepen. One, was the tight-lipped line where a mouth should be. The lower lip having disappeared into the mouth, a hint of white teeth holding it taut. Then there was the left fist, gripped into a white-knuckled ball. He walked closer, pausing over the pain-wracked figure.
"You and Tonto run into trouble this afternoon?" He teased gently, but got no reply. "You really should get a prescription for..."
"No."
It wasn't hollered or shouted. It came out in the same, soft drawl that he'd grown accustomed to. To the untrained ear, it sounded like a quiet response. But his ear was not untrained and cued up on Tannerisms. He was scared. So much so, he denied himself any type of relief from the agonizing pain the torture of rehabilitation brought. His session ended three hours ago, but the pain wouldn't subside for some time yet. Then there was the still healing ribs and the usual fatigue that comes with recovering from such an ordeal.
"You have incredible strength."
"I'm a coward."
"Vin..."
"Dinner's ready... put it together 'fore I sat down." He cut off any further discussion on the subject.
"That wasn't necesary." The southerner replied, hearing between the words. Once Vin sat down, getting up was too hard and too painful. "I thought we agreed that due to your therapy, I would cook or provide dinner."
"Ain't no big deal... figgered ya be wore out... know how hard them treks is... " He noted of the teams canvassing a large section of private ground in the arid area outside town.
His frown turned upside down at that, such a small gesture but a large one as well. That Vin would put his own discomfort aside and prepare a meal, knowing he'd be 'wore out', that said spoke volumes. It wouldn't matter if the 'meal' was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He'd relish every crumb. He smiled and considered himself lucky to know this man. That is why he'd volunteered to house the Texan from Tuedays thru Thursdays. Vin had therapy those three days and it was too hard to get back to the mountain. His condo was just a few blocks away and Vin was an easy visitor. He was quiet, thoughtful and extremely neat and clean.
"Other than encountering a myriad of insects, reptiles and other scuttering vermin, our search was fruitless."
"...sounds like them two-legged critters moved on..." he rasped of the gun runners the Team was hunting.
"I'll return as soon as I've relieved my achin' body of half of the dust and clay from the terrain."
"Go on and git hosed down," Vin gritted, "I'll git... git... shit..."
"You'll remain where you are. I'll come and retrieve you when the table is ready."
"...retrieve..." Vin muttered, "...ain't a lost dog..."
"No, they have less fleas and a gentler bark."
"Yer as funny as J.D."
"That wounds me," he moved closer, concerned with the shallow breaths and sheen of sweat on the fine features.
"If ya move one o'them paws near me I'll bite."
"Spoken like a true hound." He saw a blue eye appear through the gel in the mask and rake over him. The nose wrinkled and the head pulled away.
"Ya stink rite good... like ya was rasslin' with a pregnant polecat."
"You are charming, if nothing else," Ezra laughed, shoving the struggling limbs back down. "Stay. Down boy." He patted the damp, curling brown hair. "Good boy..."
"Don't be touchin' m'hair..." Vin ducked his head. "Jest had it settled right." He opened his other eye at the scoff. "What? Yer jest jealous cause ya ain't got Tanner hair." That caused an even louder scoff as the southerner disappeared through the doors.
It was amazing what some hot water, shampoo and soap could accomplish. He toweled off, combed his damp hair and slipped into pale gray chino and a matching teeshirt. He peeked in the guest room and smiled. The bed was made and Vin's shoes were neatly lined up by the side of the bed. He knew the socks were in the shower, having been washed and hung. Ezra offered to do the wash, but Vin wouldn't hear of it, vocalizing someting about a 'the sad man who can't clean his own drawers.' He kept that smile all the way to the kitchen. A wonderful smell wafted in the air. He lifted a lid to the, revealing some type of stew. Chunks of beef were nestled with carrots and potatoes in a reddish-brown sauce. He picked up the large spoon nearby and tasted the colorful mix.
"Tasty too," he detected the tomatoes in the rich beefy sauce, onions and peppers were ingredients as well. He opened the refrigerator and saw a lopsided tray of brownies. His eyes went to the trashcan, where a red box was discarded. "A day without chocolate is like a day without sunshine..."
"Damn straight..."
His head rose from the refrigerator as the gruff voice floated in from the next room. He smiled through the partition in the wall, where the body was still reclining. He took out a frozen loaf of bread and popped it into the oven. He poured two glasses of wine and set the table. He dished out two bowls of stew, cut the bread and put out butter. Then he went inside, but the Texan was sleeping. He pulled the lightweight blanket over the troubled man and ate alone.
The dream never changed. He was an unseen spectator in the cottage. It looked like someone turned it upside down. Food, vomit and dirty linens were strewn about with newpapers, cups and other trash. A small child, with large amethyst eyes and unruly dark curls wandered into the mess. A beast appeared, furried and snarling, ferocious eyes over large yellow fangs. She approached the beast, speaking softly , eyes pleading. She held out her hand, trusting him. The rabid animal bared his teeth and pounced.
"Nooooo!"
"Good Lord!" Ezra shot off his computer chair in the study and raced to the living room. The nightmares plagued the tortured man, revealing his soul's fear. They seemed more vivid when it was therapy days. Tomorrow was Friday and the Tylenol P.M. would carry the slim man into midday. Buck had the day off and would take him home.
He didn't speak, he just knelt down and gently pressed a hand to the unaffected left side. He applied pressure and the trembling stopped. Two blue eyes shot open, through the now useless mask. The chest was heaving, the breath in short pants, the dreamer was soaked. He waited several seconds, letting the sky eyes adjust to the light. A puzzled frown was pressed to the forehead. Finally, the eyes focused on him.
"Dammit."
"You cannot escape your dreams. The beast again?"
"Yeah... she's so real... reachin' her little hand out..."
"Here," Ezra only moved when the left hand came out, in a quiet request. He got the shaken man to his feet and steadied him. He led him to the kitchen and sat him down. The mask went back in the freezer, along with the ice shields. He put a bowl of the stew in the microwave and poured Vin a glass of Peach Iced Tea..
"My compliments to the chef," he praised sitting down next to the forlorn body.
"Hell, it ain't like rocket science... jest readin'...and mixin' stuff. Ya liked it?"
"Very much," he answered the peeking side glance. "You shouldn't have gone to such measures. You were in pain."
"Ya opened yer door... yer a good listener... I'm grateful..."
"My pleasure," he stood, pulled the dish out and pushed a spoon into it. "Eat!"
"Yes, Ma!" Vin dug in, he was starving.
"Have you talked to her?"
"Who?" Vin belched, giving his host a pained face. "'scuse me."
"That lovely child who haunts your sleep."
"I can't... wouldn't know what t'say... after what I done..."
"Every journey starts with one step. You can't go on like this. If you are to get well, completely healed, you need to rest." He poured hot water over Vin's medicinal tea and his own Chai. He observed the handsome face as he got the brownies out.
"Your baking skills need honing."
"Shut the hell up," Vin sassed. "Ya ever tried stirring and crackin' eggs and such with one wing." He grabbed at the ceramic square, "Don't eat 'em then... more fer me..."
"Too bad, I happen to know there is chocolate decadance in the freezer."
"Yer shittin' me!" Vin's head popped up. "Ya got Ice Cream?"
"No, the other chocolate decadance..."
"Well Hell, Ez, how's I t'know. Ya got all kinds of fancy drawers..."
"Not chocolate ones," he grinned, getting the ice cream and a scoop. "Well, not any mroe."
"Figgered." Vin's eyes wagged as he eyed the ice cream approaching.
"How's that?" the gambler took a scoop for himself on top of a brownie. He saw Vin's brows furrow, when a single scoop was deposited on his brownie.
"Don't be cheap... chickens and cows and such worked hard fer that... leastwise ya could do is honor 'em and pile it on."
"Chickens?" He squinted, regretting the word as soon as it went airborne.
"Yeah, fer the eggs," Vin kept pointing until three large balls of dark chocolate ice cream, with white and chocolate chips and white chocolate fudge running through it was deposited on his plate. "without them chickens... and the egg I put in the brownies... they'd be no reason fer the ice cream."
"Huh?" He blinked, not able to follow the legendary 'Tanner logic' "Nevermind." He shook his head clear and watched the joyful body devouring his plate. "You're not serious." He saw the hand reaching for the dish.
"What?" Vin looked up and watched Ezra laugh.
"Nothing," the southerner eyed the chocolate covered face and gave up. "I've got plenty of stomach quieters."
"Hah... never use 'em... like steel." He patted his flat abdomen. "Ya shouldda woke me sooner. I'dda done the dishes."
"You prepared the meal, you would not have done the dishes."
"Ya make the mess , ya clean it up..." Vin persisted.
"You share the load..." He handed a gathering of wet towels to the tired man. "I don't want any sticky residue on my remote. "
"It were an accident," Vin defended. "I was eatin' a peanut butter, banana, chocolate and raspberry jelly sandwich and watchin' two shows at the same time." He defended of the 'sticky' remote for the television
"You have fifteen minutes until CSI comes on," Ezra picked up the dishes. "There is a phone in my study," he offered privacy. "Call her..."
"I can't." Vin persisted, wiping his face and hands. He balled the towels up and padded over to the trash.
"Of all of us, you are the one person I would never suspect of cowardice."
Vin stood for several minutes, listening to the sounds of water running. He took a deep breath an made his way to the study. His heart was pounding with every digit dialed, sweat broke out on his face and his lungs seemed to shrink.
"..two... three... four..." he counted the rings, prepared to hang up.
"Hello."
It wasn't the voice he was expecting and took his breath away. He didn't move or blink or breathe. He felt his heart jackhammering and moved his jaw, but no words would come. The velvet sound of her voice easily pierced his broken heart.
"Hello, is anybody there?" Gabrielle was about to hang up, when she heard a sharp gasp. The two words that followed told her who was on the other end. The painful drawl of 'aw, hell' hit her like twin bullets. It would be easy to hang up and pretend it was a wrong number.
"Vin, is that you?"
"Yeah, I was... I... uh... I..." He croaked, wincing as his odd voice. "I wasn't expectin'... I'm sorry. I'm tryin' like hell t'make sense... it's comin' out all ass backwards..."
That brought a smile and she covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. It felt so good to hear his voice. She talked to Chris twice a week and knew how much pain, emotionally and otherwise, he was in.
"How's the therapy?" She broke the ice.
"Okay. I'm stayin' with Ezra during the week.. I ain't takin'... I haven't... done... I..."
"Slow down," She heard him hyperventilating. "I'm not going to bite you, Vin. I know you're not taking the pills anymore. Chris told me. That must he awfully hard. I know how bad that pain can be."
"'s'nuthin' compared t' the pain inside... God, Brielle, ya got no idea how sorry I am. I made a mistake... a pack o'em... I lost faith in m'self. I know it's still raw," he said of the wound, "but I'm sorry... I jest want ya t'know... how much..."
She winced again as his voice broke and more uneven breathing followed. She could imagine the deep blue remorse in his eyes. She knew he was sorry but still didn't understand the underlying reasons for his bizarre behavior.
"Why? Vin, I have to know. What happened at the ball?" She heard another gasp and then silence. "Ryan and I figured it out... that's when your tailspin began. Why can't you tell me?" More silence. "I'm late for work... it was good talking to you." She went to hang up and heard him call out.
"I wanted... is Grace there?"
"I'll check," she put the phone down and got Caitlin.
"Hi Caitlin, it's Vin." His voice rose and cracked,. like a kid.
"Vin, how are you?" She asked. Chris called Lily every day and she knew Vin was trying hard to heal and make amends.
"Okay. Is Grace there? If ya don't think it'd be upsettin' t'her..."
"Hold on, Vin, I'll ask."
Vin held his breath as the phone was placed down. He heard the conversation and wished he hadn't.
"Honey, Vin is on the phone. He misses you and wants to..."
"No."
"Grace, you know Uncle Ryan and I talked to you about Vin. He was sick... he took too much medicine and it hurt his head. He didn't mean what he..."
"No. He hurted me... he was mean and... he made me cry. I don't wanna be his friend no more. I don't gotta talk to him."
"Grace, wait..."
Vin's shoulders jumped as the door slammed. He heard footsteps and then the apologetic voice.
"I'm sorry, Vin... maybe next time. I'm sure she'll..."
"s'okay, Caitlin, I don't blame her..."
"Vin?" the pretty woman addressed the dialtone and sighed, knowing how hard and deep he felt pain. "I'm sorry too..."
By the first commercial of the hit show, and a favorite of Tanner's, the gambler was concerned. He walked to the study and found it empty. He tapped on the closed door of the guest room and waited.
"s'yer house... ain't gotta knock..." Vin eyed the closed door and rolled his eyes. "Come on in, Ez."
"You're retiring already?"
"Yeah." Vin gingerly took the immobolizer off and slid out his injured arm. That effort alone cause rippling waves of pain. His eyes jammed shut and he rocked, clutching it to his chest. He didn't realize how much, until he felt a hand on his back.
"Can I help?"
"Ya done enough..." he hissed, "I jest need... a... min..ute... damn it hurts..."
Ezra didn't doubt that. For Vin Tanner to admit to feeling pain, it must be extreme. He waited patiently until the slim body disappeared into the bathroom and the bathing was done. He helped Vin put his arm back in the restrictive device and secure it. He waited until the body was sitting down and got the Tylenol P.M. It was the only thing he'd agree to take and that was more for sleep than pain.
"How did it go?" He asked quietly, but the haunted eyes told him different.
Vin popped the pills and took a long swig from the 32 ounce coke that was always by his bed. He gingerly eased his body down and drew the blanket over him. He met the concerned green eyes over his and shook his head.
"It didn't... get the lights... on yer way out..."
Ezra knew that was the final word and the silent invite to be alone. He sighed heavily and gave the downcast shoulder a pat.
"Don't."
"Pardon?" He turned back at the feral tone.
"I don't want yer fuckin' sympathy."
"My mistake. I thought I was consoling a friend."
Vin winced as the door closed and fell into a black pool of nightmares. The large, deep ocean was swallowing him body and soul. The sharks were circling again and he didn't turn away this time. He turned and raised a fist, prepared to fight his way back.
"Aunt Lily... Aunt Lily..."
Her face broke into a genuine smile as the little girl returned from school. They had lunch together and discussed their days. Then Lily would read to her or sometimes they'd walk in the garden. Then Grace would take her nap. They'd make a snack around 4 p.m when she got up and sit on the porch. She was an enchanting child and Lily's trained eye recognized she possessed incredible artistic ability.
"Hello, Child. How was school?" She bent and accepted a tiny hug and kiss.
"Good. The firemen came and told us about what to do in a fire."
They chatted and ate lunch, before heading for the stairs. Lily paused by the door to the parlor, and eyed her companion.
"I was going to call Vin to make sure he got home okay. He's very special to me and I worry about him. When someone you know is hurt, you have to take care of them."
"Do you love Vin?" She asked, wondering about the funny feeling in her belly.
"Very much. Don't you?"
"I... want... to..."
"Do you remember on Monday when you had a belly ache and your head hurt?"
"Uh huh..."
"What happened when Mommy and Uncle Ryan tried to give you some medicine?"
"I... " her head came up and she carefully eyed the old woman. "...yelled at them..."
"Because you were in pain..."
"Yeah," her voice got small
"Like Vin was that day?" She saw the shoulder shrug and sensed a victory. "Maybe you can do me a favor? I need help dialing the phone."
"Okay," Grace agreed, not liking the feeling inside. "But I don't gotta talk."
"Oh, Dear, he's not home." Lily fretted as the tape came on, "I hope he's alright. He doesn't have anyone to check on him."
"Does it still hurt?" Grace asked of her hero's injuries.
"It hurts alot and he has no medicine."
"Maybe... I can help." She held her hand out and took the phone. "Hi, Vin, it's me... Grace." She took a deep breath and some of the trembling in her stomach stopped. She felt a warmth there... it felt good. "Sorry... I got frogs in my belly. Aunt Lily was worried about you cause you got hurted. I was worried too... Aunt Lily says you got nobody to take care of you in the mountains. If I didni't have school, I'd come and take care of you. I miss you... " her voice broke and she began to cry. "... Vin... " She took two more breaths, glad for the hand rubbing her back. Over the child's head in the doorway, Lily saw Caitlin had tears in her eyes too. "I got something for you... so you won't hurt so bad... I'm sending some angel kisses... on the phone... so you catch 'em... okay?" After sending several kisses, she thought for a moment. "I... love... you... Vin..."
"Aw, hell..." Vin gasped, tears in his eyes, his finger frozen on the 'play' button.
"Hey, Slick, you want mustard on your..." Buck paused, in the middle of preparing sandwiches, when he saw the damp, wide eyes, shining again He moved closer, as the beep sounded and the message replayed.
"Well alright!" he said, as the message played. He gave the navy blue sweatshirt a pat and felt he heart pounding loudly through the cotton.
"Did ya hear that?" Vin whispered as the message ended. "she loves me..."
"She don't know any better... she's too young." He teased, winking at the dazed man. "Well hell, Boy... get them fingers moving."
Grace was picking out her favorite book, when the phone rang. She took the Velveteen Rabbit with her to the phone.
"Hello."
"Hey, Sugar..."
"Vin!" She cried aloud, her face bright and her grin wide. Then she heard a strange, choking sound. "Are you okay? You sound funny."
"I'm fine now," Vin managed, hoarse and gut torn, "Reckon them angel kisses was flyin' all over... right down deep inside. Got m' tongue all tangled up."
"Reckon," Grace agreed. "Maybe I can help," she put the book down and opened it. "I can tell you a story, okay? I can't read the words but I read the pictures real good."
"Okay," Vin settled back and let the music travel through his ears and into his heart, where it belonged. He swiped his eyes twice as the song played on.
"What's that mean?"
Vin hissed, moving his right arm up and down and rotating it. He saw the therapist making the chart. Then he saw her grinning.
"It means you don't need this anymore," she tapped the immobilizer. "You passed the mark. Remember this, from our first appointment?"
"Ya mean..." Vin grabbed the paper, scanning the red and blue marks on the diagram of an upper body, right front and back. "Aw, hell, Julie... that's great!" he hugged the shocked woman and hooted. "I gotta tell Chris..."
"Wait a minute!" She pulled him back, "You have to finish today and I'm giving you exercises to do at home. Three more weeks before you can go back to active duty. You still have to qualify at the firing range."
"...yeah... yeah... yeah..." Vin dismissed, clutching the diagram.
"Orrin, any word on that house in Grand Junction?"
"Not yet, Chris, Mark Evans and Tom Faukes are on the scene," he said of the F.B.I agents working with them. "As soon as..."
Chris was listening to his boss and reviewing the photos from the surveillance cameras. He had the grainy images spread out over his desk. He had a map on one side, with the coordinates marked off. Suddenly, he was looking at a drawing of the naked upper body of a male with red and blue marks.
"Cut that out!" He growled, shoving the denim jacketed arm away.
"Excuse me? " Director Travis frowned, listening to a soft swear. "Chris, is everything alright?"
"Dammit to hell, Vin! I'm working here..."
"That answers that question," Orrin stood up. "I'm leaving for a meeting with the Chief. Call Tom at four o'clock, he'll be expecting you. We'll talk later."
"Yes, Sir," Chris's annoyed tone relayed.
"Oh and Chris, tell Vin if he has that much energy, he can ride a desk."
"Yes, Sir," Chris hung the phone up. "Happy now?"
"Get yer coat, yer buyin' me lunch."
"It's two o'clock and I've had lunch."
"Well, I'm starved and yer loaded with dead presidents... seems like a good idea."
"What the hell wound you up?" Chris ducked again as the paper was shoved over his surveillance photos. "Vin, I mean it... I..." he suddenly realized he was grasping the other man's right wrist. "Hey!"
"That's what I been tryin' t'tell ya... look... see them scratches... it means I'm all here. I figured a couple days at the range and I'll be back in the saddle."
"You figured wrong." Chris scanned the report attached to the sketch. "It says here three weeks of home therapy, excercises and you still need to have a physical."
"Two... I can sit here as well as at home." Vin sat on the edge of the large desk, "'sides, ya miss me..." he pulled a drawer open and peered inside, right before his fingers were nearly slammed shut.
"Get out of my drawers!"
"You got company in there Chris? That fiesty brunette from the files area?"
Buck popped his head in the door, having heard the outburst. "Aw, hell, wrong drawers. Hey, look whose here..."
"Wrong fiesty brunette," J.D. ambled into the room. "Vin, you're arm's free..."
"Damn straight!" the triumphant Texan crowed, then winced, as the new healig muscles were pushed too hard. "Best not t'overdo..."
"So when are you coming back?" Buck asked.
"Next week," Vin said.
"I didn't agree to that," Chris objected, "and this isn't a playground. You two have work to do" He nodded to the door. "and get your raggedy Tanner ass off my desk. Two weeks, and only if you pass the physical and you qualify. You make sure Paul Davis is there not that kid." He said of the firing range. The senior agent, Davis, was tougher. The newcomer, a kid out of college and a rookie, was overly impressed with legendary 'Texan'. Vin's records were well known.
"Piece o'cake," Vin popped off the desk, "Speakin' o'which... shake up them moths in yer wallet and let's eat."
"I told you..."
"That yogurt shit ya swalla ain't lunch... hell it ain't much o'anythin'..." Vin paused, the office was empty again. "Maybe later? I'll meet ya at Clancy's."
Chris looked up at caught something in the blue eyes. He wasn't sure what it was but he knew he had to address it. He cast his greens on the clock.
"Okay," he sighed, "Five thirty..." He stood, walking towards the door and held out his right hand. "Welcome back , Cowboy.' The other man grinned from ear to ear, shook the hand and bounced out of the office, after posturing with the others.
It was almost six when Chris got to the popular bar. Vin was at a table near the back. He had a plate of appetizers in front of him. A large plate of pot stickers, fried wontons, potatoe skins, onion rings, wings and on a bread plate was hot spinach dip.
"I scooted them onta another plate, so's they wouldn't touch the others," Vin said of the green food.
"Always using your head," Chris sat down, flagging the waiter. "Michelob light," he turned back. "So what's up?" He waited until Vin swallowed a large potatoeskin dripping with cheese, bacon and sour cream. The waiter sat the beer down and he had his fingers curling on it, when the other finally swallowed.
"I been thinkin' some..."
"Looks like we'll be here until breakfast," Chris groaned.
"Smartass."
"That's why I get paid the big bucks," he winked, lifting his glass.
Vin lifted his also, extending it and tapping the other.
"Sometimes,' thank you' seems like two sorry-assed words. I been tryin' all day t'come up with somethin' fancier... but..."
"Fancy ain't your style." Chris charmed, with a wink. "and you said it just fine. Now can I eat?"
"Yeah, jest don't drip none of that spinach on the real food."
"Spinach is real food," he argued, taking a hefty amount on a piece of french bread.
"No it ain't, it's green."
"So's Ice Cream and you eat that."
"Don't count... it's dye and shit..." Vin defended with a grin, then got serious. "I could have never done this without ya. Ya know that, right? Them early days in the hospital... when I thought I'd be a cripple. Ya got no idea how much power them words o'yers has. It made all the difference, Chris. Ya won't be disappointed." He noted of the qualifications yet to come.
"I never am," Chris said quietly at the raspy, cracking voice, meeting the emotive blue gaze. "not with a Tanner."
"There you are!" Lily got up from her set in the garden and extended her arms. She hugged her grandson and allowed herself a moment of reflection.
"Are you okay?" Chris asked, released her and seeing the beautiful eyes well up.
"I am now," She said, clasping his handsome face in both hands. "I've missed you so..."
"I miss you too, Lily."
"Come inside, I made shortbread cookies..."
"My favorite," he smiled, ducking inside the door of the cottage.
"I know, that's why I made them." She brought a tea pot to the table, where a full creamer, sugar dish and a large plate of shortbread cookies were waiting.
"Is Caitlin joining us?"
"We'll be joining them in a little while. I wanted to talk to you alone. It's about my estate..."
"Lily, you don't..."
"Let me finish, Chris, " she poured them each a cup of tea and smiled as he had already eaten one cookie and had four more on his plate. "As you know, my own estate is quite large. I've provided for all my boys," she smiled at her 'adopted' sons on Team 7. "Of course, you'll inherit my properties, and the bulk of the estate and my art."
"Lily, are you hiding something?"
"Thank you for that, Honey," She patted his hand, not missing the deep concern in the green eyes. "You are an easy man to love, My Sara was a lucky girl."
"I was the lucky one..." he smiled, nibbling on a cookie.
"Now, with Louis Moreau's will, I've inherited a ghastly sum of money. I can't even use the money I had... I've no use for this new money. But in these last few weeks... I've felt Sara so near... as if she were whispering in my ear. So, with your permission... " She handed him a large manilla folder and waited.
"Adam's Place..." Chris murmured, eyeing the beautiful drawing. It was a large rambling ranch house with several smaller cottages dotting the area on either side. Children were playing in the sunlight. But not just any children, handicapped and mentally challenged children. Over the top of the tree in the photo, across the panorama was a ghost image of Sara and Adam, they were laughing and watching, like guardian angels.
"She loved children, especially the 'gifted' ones as she called them. She was a fine teacher and I think this would be a wonderful way to preserve her spirit for the ages. It's a school, or rather the first of several, for handicapped, mentally challenged and even terminally ill youngsters. A place where they cancome and spend several weeks, learning about art, sculpture and having fun. They'll be horses too..."
Chris studied every bit of the drawing, and then flipped through the paperwork behind it.
"Actuals?" He said of the projected figures on graphs in color.
"Yes, Caitlin did that. I'd like you and her to be the CEO's as it were. Making sure the money is used well. "
"I know this place..." He studied the pine trees, lake and mountains.
"It's that lovely piece of ground between our properties, or rather yours and Vin's."
"I smell a rat," Chris grinned, flipping through the presentation. "You'll need someone special to be the director there. Someone who could teach and also provide medical support."
"You clever boy," She acted surprised.
"Does she know yet?"
"Caitlin and I spoke to her this morning. She was rather shocked, but pleased. It was Caitlin who remembered when they were young, Gabrielle wanted to teach special children. This is a way for her to fulfill that dream. Plus there's a medical clinic in town that is in need of a chief of staff. Doctor Bogard is retiring."
"You've been a busy little girl," Chris shook his head. "You have it all worked out..."
"They need each other and this is a place where they can live in peace. You know how much I love that boy..."
"Yeah," Chris squeezed her hand again. He turned to the last page and there was a photo of a sculpture Lily had done when Adam was four. Sara was sitting crosslegged in overalls and a tee shirt. Adam was sitting in her lap. She was reading to him and he was laughing, his toussled head pressed backwards to see her face It came from a photo Chris took of him on their porch one night. He was radiating joy and wonder. Lily captured that spirit perfectly in the sculpture. The model, about four by six was on Chris's desk at home. The larger one was in Lily's bedroom.
"I thought, we'd use scale reproductions in the entryway of each school. So everyone can see what a joy she was... and my beautiful Adam..."
"Hey," Chris stood and walked to her chair, embracing her from behind. If wasn't often she allowed her self to cry, but he was glad she felt comfortable to let her guard down with him.
"I'm alright, Dear, I'm sorry..."
"I'm not," he bent and kissed her cheek, "You are a thoroughbred, Lady, they broke the mold..." He praised, "You are the reason I fell in love with her. She got that class from you..."
"You spoil me, Chris Larabee..." she dabbed her eyes. "With your approval, I'd like to share this with the family. I've asked them to meet in the garden at four.
"Thank you," he hugged her, feeling the fraility and pushing a pang of fear away. "For such a beautiful way to honor my family."
It was a glorious afternoon for a wedding. The church service was beautiful and there weren't too many dry eyes in the quaint, old church. Caitlin looked breathtaking, her dark hair swept up and wearing an antique ivory gown, with seed pearls and tiny crystals. When she came up the aisle, Ryan's breath left his body and he swayed.
Vin paid the cab driver and jogged up the steps of the church. He had to do the last round of his qualifications at he firing range this morning. He used Ezra's condo to shower and change and just made the plane. He heard the organ music playing and waited, not wanting to run into the bride in the back of the church. The rest of the team came down no Thursday, in order to make Ryan's bachelor party. He slipped inside, just as the bride began her walk. He waited, then slipped into a pew next to J.D. His eyes went to one person and she looked like an angel.
Gabrielle was the maid of honor and work a three quarter length pale aqua gown that set off her skin and eyes. The sun from the stained glass window behind her, bathed her in an multicolored aura. She tookhis breath away. His heart began to pound and his palms were sweaty. Then the beads formed on his head and the organ music seemed deafening.
"Here."
He didn't turn, he knew who the whispered voice was and took the hankerchief gratefully. He cast a nod of appreciation to Nathan, who gave him a pat on the back and returned to his seat.
Grace, the flower girl, was charming in a violet dress and ring of flowers in her hair. From her place on the altar, she craned her head down the long rows of pews. Her face scrunched up as she searched. Then, during the exchanging of vows, in Gaelic, her eyes found their mark.
"... Tha mise Caitlin a-nis 'gad ghabhail-sa Ryan gu bhith 'nam cheile phosda. Ann am fianais Dhe 's na tha seo de fhianaisean tha mise a' gealltainn a bhith 'nam fhear posda dileas gradhach agus tairis dhuitsa, cho fad's a bhios an dithis againn beo... "
"Vin!"
The startled Texan turned a bright shade of scarlet as the excited child announced his presence much to the amusement of the entire congregation. He heard Buck chuckling and felt the large hand ruffle his hair.
"Don't touch..."
"Uh-uh-uh..." the rogue warned, his eyes twinkling mischievouslly. "You're in the Lord's house. Lock up that Tanner tongue."
Up on the pulpit, Gabrielle was trying to explain to the animated flower girl why she had to remain quiet.
"...but he's here..."
"I know, Honey, but you need to be quiet, the priest isn't done yet."
No sooner had the last refrains of the "Irish Wedding Song' died out and the newlyweds darted down the aisle, Vin found himself being paged again.
'Vin... Vin..."
"Hey, Sugar," Vin squatted, cathing the flying child and hugging her close.
"I missed you so much. Are you all better? I've been savin' up lots of angel kisses... want some. I got a new dress but my the slip is awfully itchy... Mommy says I can't scratch there... Do your drawers itch you?"
"Slow down," Vin laughed, feeling a surge of power. He hugged her close and accepted every angel kiss. He caught Chris's drunken grin from across the lawn and smiled. "You look beautiful, jest like a little angel from Heaven... prettier even."
"Mommy says I can call Uncle Wyun 'Daddy' now. Do you think that my other daddy would mind?"
"No," Vin kissed her tiny nose. "I think he's probably up in heaven bustin' his buttons, he's so proud o'ya. He loved yer Uncle Ryan and most likely helped him and yer Ma so's they could get married."
"Hello, Honey, how are you?"
"Hey, Lily," Vin accepted a kiss and used his right arm to hug her. "Look at me, with the two prettiest ladies in town. One fer each arm."
She studied his face closely, cupping his chin and smiled.
"Yes... you are healed. Oh, I was so worried."
"Grace!"
"Looks like yer bein' paged, Sugar," Vin put her down and pointed to Caitlin. They were leaving to get pictures taken. "Go on... I'll see ya at the reception." He felt his pants leg tugged and bent down, so she could whisper in his ear.
"I got my own cake just for being in the wedding. It's looks like a heart, but it's chocolate. I'm savin' it for you. Maybe we could find some milk and share it?"
"Sounds like a plan!" Vin laughed, patting her on the bottom. "Skiddaddle now... go on..."
"I love you, Vin... I'm so glad you came." She hugged him hard.
"Right back atcha, Sugar," the sharpshooter's aim was true as he kissed her, "and I'm glad t'be here..."
"She's a lovely child," Lily remarked, taking Vin's arm.
"She's amazing... one day, I'd like t'have a little gal like that."
"You will, Honey..."
She couldn't help but stare at him unobserved. If it was possible for a man to be beautiful, it was Vin Tanner. The six weeks absence only made her pain deepen. She did love him. Looking at him now, she knew that. Her fingers itched to run through the shining. styled hair that fell in soft waves to his shoulder. His deep tan only accented those magnificent blue eyes. The deep cadet blue suit was tailor made. Then something Lily said made him laugh and her heart skipped a beat. She felt like she was sixteen again.
"He looks great."
"Yeah..." her broken voice replied to her best friend.
"You need to talk to him, Brie."
"We'll see..."
"Come on, the photographer's waiting."
In the enchanting gardens behind Sauville House, one hundred guest were enjoying a sumptious buffet. Vin leaned back in the white chair and loosened his tie. Buck had abandoned them, seeking refuge at a table of beautiful women. J.D. and Erza went with him. Nathan and Rain were dancing and Josiah was discussing religion with Seamus - and losing. The sun was strong and he was thirsty. Fate tapped his shoulder.
"We're going to the bar..."
"We?" Vin squinted up at the grinning blond.
"Me and the dead presidents."
"I like the company ya keep." Vin got to his feet, skirting two tables and seeking the bar. He turned around a pole decorated with flowers and streamers and nearly bumped into....
"Problem?" Chris asked, when suddenly Vin stopped walking and backed up.
"Changed m'mind..." Vin hissed, trying to backpedal but hitting a slate grate wall of resistance.
"That her?" Chris whispered, eyeing an elderly woman whose face was raking over Vin Tanner like he was dogshit. "Vin?"
"Well look who's here, even figured out how to put shoes on..." a voice to Vin's right sneered. "You remember Jethro here, that trailer park trash from the awards dinner. How's things in hillbilly county, Clampett?"
"You?" She repulsed, "again..."
Before Vin could find his tongue and reply, two things happened. A strange, almost unearthly growl sauntered past his ear, and he felt every Larabee muscle tense against his back. Then from out of nowhere, they arrived.
"Well now that is something you just don't see everyday," Buck Wilmington loomed next to the rude couple. His hot eyes drilled into the lout's as he elbowed J.D. Dunne. "Take a good look, Kid, this is what you call a scientific oddity. The ability to pee right through his brains."
"Nasty!" the youth decided.
"Remarkable, the odds are overwhelming. What given the Neanderthal background." Ezra flanked Chris Larabee. "Mister Larabee, I think introductions are in order."
"I don't think we've met, Mrs. Hitchcock," Chris Larabee's voice was taut and edged in gravel. "I'm Chris Larabee, Denver ATF. This is Vin Tanner, one of finest human beings God saw fit to honor with a badge. Not that you would know anything about honor or integrity or class. Vin told me how you met." He paused, moved to within inches of the offensive couple. "It upset me," he hissed, leveling two cool corbra-esque greens at the brute next to the crone. "You don't want to upset me... ever." He leveled the threat and his tone and bearing alone caused the other man to pale
"Hey, Buck?" J.D. began to sniff and wrinkle his nose. "You smell something?"
"Hmm," Ezra kicked in, "It would appear that your brain is leaking."
"You ain't so much without your gang," Hitchcock sneered to the long-haired man. "Hell, with that long hair and pretty face, I'm not even sure your name is Jethro."
"Bucklin," Vin moved his slim body in front of the furious agent whose fists were rising fast. "I got it," He said quietly, nodding to each of his friends. Ezra and J.D. backed off. Buck and Chris didn't. Buck's veins were pressing against his rigid neck.
The soft voice broke through the irate man's stance. With a nod to Vin, he backed off. Chris stood firm, arms crossed.
"Yer lucky," his voice was low and lethal. "I happen t'think alot of Cait and Ryan. I don't got two casts now... er they'd be pickin' pieces o'ya from every corner o'this garden. Ye don't wanna see m'dark side... ain't many who live t'tell..."
The beaming team leader exchanged a glance with Buck who looked like a proud father. The formed the circle again, behind their teammate.
"Is there a problem here?" Ryan asked upon his arrival. Something was most decidedly wrong.
"Unforntunately, we must leave," She huffed, trying to squeeze past the unyielding wall of steel in gray clothes. "Excuse me!" she spat disdainfully.
"I don't think so, Lady, and I do use that very generously." He stood his ground. "Seems to me you're forgetting something."
"Manners? No that can't be it, they don't have them." J.D. added.
"I believe an apology is in order," Ezra moved beside Chris, J.D. and Buck flanking.
"I don't hear you," Chris hissed, causing her to flush.
"No harm was intended," she managed, not even looking at Vin.
"No good enough," the blond dictacted, using his lasers on high.
"I'm very sorry for any offenses," She turned to face the smug long-haired man whose gaze was unnerving. "It won't happen again."
"You got that right, Sister," Buck vented, fists still primed and ready.
"Git and take that slime trailin' slug with ya..." He squared his shoulders. "Yer kind ain't fittin' fer a place like this... with decent folks."
"Atta boy!" Buck ruffled his hair after the couple went through the gate.
"Don't be touchin' m'hair... dammit t'hell Buck, ya worry me..." Vin ducked, but kept a smile. "Ya fellas sure come in handy. Yer a whole lot more than a bunch o'studs in fancy rags."
"Buuccckkkk...."
"Duty calls, Slick," Buck clapped the younger man's back and waved to his new harem. "Don't wait up... I might not be back until next week."
Chris appeared with three beers, handing one to the confused groom and the other to the victor.
"Vin met the Hitchcocks at the awards dinner." He supplied, taking a swig. He saw Ryan's blue eyes working. "They trash talked him..."
"I knew something was wrong, " Ryan apologized, "God, I'm sorry Vin. I should have been there. Dammit... that's what caused your downslide? The pills..."
"Partly," Vin admitted, "It got worse. Later on I overheard her talkin' t'some of Brielle's friends from the hospital. They was bad mouthin' me again... sayin' the 'board' frown on the likes o'me and she'd never get ahead. That was the mild stuff...
"Vin, I'm sorry..."
"S'okay, Ryan," He reassured with a small smile. "How ya know them anyhows?"
"She's the president of the New Orleans Historical Society. Caitlin works with her and wants that job...."
"That's some ass to have to kiss..." Chris commiserated, watching Vin's eyes drift to where Grace was standing alone. He gave a gentle elbow. "It's now or never, Cowboy..."
"Talk to her, Vin. She's still cares about you." Ryan suggested, seeing adoration in the sky eyes. "Looks like your heart's ready..."
"Yeah..." Vin took a long swig of beer and made his way through the crowd. He stopped at a particular beautiful array of roses. One was a color so unique it stood out. A rich, deep coral with tiny trim in yellow. He snapped the stem off and continued to the edge of the arbor, where Venus waited. Then a song came on and his heart nearly stopped.
"Always and forever
Each moment with you
Is just like a dream to me
That somehow came true... "
Their eyes met as the beautiful song began to play. He walked slowly, as if in a dream, towards the vision. She was so very beautiful and he wanted to win her heart.
"Everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile
Take time to tell me you really care
And we'll share tomorrow together..."
She saw his smile born slowly, the sensual lips parting to reveal even white teeth. Her whole body trembled, remembering the sensation of those lips and teeth on her tender flesh. She smiled back, her heat pounding so loudly it nearly drowned out the vocalist. Then he was in front of her, the arousing scent of his maleness mixed with cologne invaded her. He kissed the blossom and traced a path over her eyes, cheeks, under her nose and across her lips. Then he held his hand out and she took it. He held her close, their hearts beating and jamming in perfect time. She kept her eyes fixed on those mezmerizing blue ones, as they danced, the rose jointly held.
"There'll always be sunshine, when I look at you...
It's something I can't explain
Just the things that you do...
If you get lonely call me and take...
A second to give to me
That magic you make and everyday love me your own special way
Melt all my heart away with a smile..."
With every haunting word she felt her broken heart healing. By it was the heat rising between them fueled by those captivating eyes, that made her melt in his arms. She saw his head move and parted her lips . Vin felt the Super Nova explode inside him as they kissed. It was long and sweet and sent an huge electrical charge through both of them. She felt so good... this felt so right. He wanted the moment to last forever. She broke the kiss, wiping her lip and kissed the rose, touching it to his lips.
"I'll always love you...." She sang, tears in her eyes. She hadn't expected this huge emotional upheaval. She was confused and hot and her eyes burned. He smelled too good and felt too hot. She needed to breathe... think... rake through the ashes.
"Brielle, wait..."
"Don't..." She pressed the rose in his hand, stroked his cheek once and left. Her feet carrying her sobbing body into the maze.
"Forever..." Vin choked, with the parting line of the love song.
Sunday was quiet. Vin and Grace met in the kitchen at 7 a.m. in their pajamas and shared that chocolate cake and a quart of milk. They shared stories and she told him all about school. Then he carried her into the living room. He flipped the television on and they watched Spongebob together. He was lying on the sofa his back against the armrest and she lying on top of him, against his chest. During a commerical, she turned to him, large eyes too serious.
"How old do you need to be to get married?"
"Why?" Vin grinned. "Ya fixin' on gettin' hitched."
"Reckon," she cocked her head, casting adoring eyes on him. "Would you marry me, Vin?"
He hugged her than, chuckling and kissing the round, rosy cheeks. "Sugar, yer the prettiest lil' angel I know. But by the time yer old enough... I'll be too old."
"Aw, hell!"
Unfortunately, he had a mouthful of milk when that irate little curse came out.
"You spitted on me!" She squealed, jumping down. "Yuck..."
"Problem?" Chris asked, having poured coffee and following the sound of the television.
"Vin spitted on me!" She wrinkled her nose. "I got Vin spit on me..."
"Some desperate women think that's an honor."
"Shut up, Larabee... " Vin wheezed, still half choke coughing. "Ya best go wake Aunt Lily. Then will make chocolate chip pancakes..."
"I can hardly wait," Chris groaned.
"For the grownups, too?" She sounded disappointed.
"Vin is a grownup," Chris tossed back, but the little rebel held her ground.
"No, he's not... he's Vin." She scampered off, leaving both men with a smile.
"You talk to Brie?"
"No, I heard the phone ring about 3 a.m... she took off. There's a note in the kitchen about a bad pile up on the interstate. They needed her. Her regular shift is 7 to 7 today... that's on the fridge too."
"Oh, Boy..." Chris eyed the new day blooming.
"What 'Oh Boy'?" Vin's eyes narrowed.
"We gotta move our flight up. Orrin wants us all for a meeting tonight at 8 p.m."
"On a Sunday night?" Vin frowned, "Why?"
"An informant, a reliable one that he trusts, claims that Gamble and his cretins are moving into the area, somewhere between Grand Junction and the Utah border. It may be our best chance to nail them." He noted of the elusive gun runners.
"Damn,' Vin turned the television off and sat up, rubbing his eyes. "That's rough area. It's gonna be tough. Whaddya figure?"
"Orrin's got something cooking... and it's code red. If we're meeting tonight, we're in action tomorrow."
"What time's the flight?"
"Two thirty."
"Shit, I gotta see her, Chris. I felt something 'tween us when we was dancin'. I'm gonna tell her... all of it..."
"Do whatever it takes, but be on that plane."
"Yeah," Vin stood as Grace came back into the room.
"Aunt Lily wants to see you, Vin." She trotted behind him. "I'll start the pancakes."
"I thought we was partners?" Vin tossed back, lifting her high over his head and getting a rain shower of giggles. "Ya stay put... I'll be right back."
"There you are," Lily patted the seat on the gazebo next to her. "You looked so handsome last night... If only I were seventy years younger."
"Whaddya mean 'looked'?" Vin took her hand and grinned. "Ain't I lookin' swanky now?"
"You were born swanky," She decided, then opened his hand and dropped a lavender velvet pouch in it.
"What's this?"
"It's for you..." She choked, eyes full
"Lily, I can't take this," he dropped it, as if it were red hot coals. "That's yers... Chris's... I can't..." Two small fingers on his lips silenced him.
"You can and you will. This locket was purchased by my father with a strong sentiment. . One that has stood true through all these years. I saw it in Caitlin's and Ryan's eyes yesterday. She was wearing the other one. This one is for that lovely woman whose captured my boy's heart. It's full circle... it's come home, don't you see?"
"But Chris..."
"It was his idea, with my blessing. I asked him to bring it. I wanted to give it to you. I don't know when God will call me home..."
"Don't talk like that!"
"Honey, I can't live forever. But I want so much to see you happy. You've been alone too much of your young life. You deserve to be loved as only she can love you... Now and Forever... " she read the motto on the locket. "Please, Honey. Don't break my heart. I want so much for you... Go to her, Vin... love her..."
He was moved beyond words and dropped his head on her shoulder. He felt the timeless hands stroking the back of his head. He felt something tingling inside and suddenly a new strength was born. He sat up, smiled and kissed the elderly woman's cheek.
"Yer beautiful, Lady, do ya know that? I love ya, Lily Gavin..."
"I know, Boy, I know..." She pressed the velvet pouch into his hands.
Vin tried all morning to get Gabrielle. He left messages at the hospital and waited, but no calls came back. He sent his luggage with Chris to the airport. He went to the hospital and she was at a staff meeting. He waiting, eyeing the clock, it was after one thirty. Finally, the door to the conference room opened and the spilled out.
"Vin..." She moved into the deserted doctor's lounge, motioning him to follow. "What's wrong? Is somebody hurt? Grace..."
"No, they're all fine. Our plane got moved up... Orrin's callin' a big meetin' tonight and we gotta go. Flight's at two thirty."
"You're not gonna make it..."
"I gotta make m'peace... been callin' ya all day..."
"We were swamped, Vin. There were dozens of casualites... I haven't eaten all day..."
"Ya know this, Gabrielle Marquette," he said, capturing her face with his hand. He used his thumb to stroke her cheek and heard her inhale sharply. "I love ya... the ferever kind. I've never met anyone so beautiful..." He took a deep breath. "I'm gonna come clean... that night at the ball, there was trouble."
"Trouble?"
"Let me finish. It ain't easy fer me t'speak like this... but ya mean t'much t'me and I won't lose ya cause I'm a mule." He took another breath. "I was at a table with that Mrs. Hitchcock and her crew. They was trash talkin' me... bad... mean..."
"Vin why didn't you say anything?" She reached up and took the back of his neck, drilling those beautiful eyes.
"I couldn't... they said... someone like me couldn't ever... that..." He felt his skin flushing and eyes burning. "Damn this is hard..."
"What? All of it, Vin..."
"...I wasn't good enough fer ya... that the likes o'me couldn't ever pair up with ya... that if we got... that cause o'me... that stuffy board wouldn't approve yer promotions and such..."
"How could you do that?" She was angry now, eyes flashing. "How could you let them insult us like that? You're the most fantastic man I've ever met.'
"It ain't jest that," he sighed, letting out a slow breath, "I seen ya talkin' t'some other doctors that night about aneurisms. Yer face was glowin'. I coudn't understand anythin' they was sayin'. Then the supercliffman showed up..."
"Who?" She frowned, then shook her head. "Vin, he's just a friend, that's all. I don't have any feelings for him."
"Ya speak all them languages... yer smart... I can't barely get English..."
"Stop it," She pushed her fingers on his lips. "I love my career, but I love you more. You would always come first. I can find another job. I could never find another Tanner." She saw his damp eyes filling and his lower lip trembling. She pulled his face down and kissed him softly.
"There's a place... on m'mountain... a special place. Lily calls is Tanner point... It's like God smiled on it... made a little piece o'heaven on earth... .jest fer me. What I want, Gabrielle... more than anthin'," he said huskily, caressing her cheek with his thumb. "...is t'make love t'ya at dawn..." he slid his hand out of his pocket and put the chain on her neck. "now and ferever..."
"Oh My God... Vin... is this... it is... Oh God... it's Lily's... from her father... Oh My God... " She began to tremble all over and cry.
"It yers now... I love ya, Brielle," he gathered her close and kissed her, pressing his body against her and into the wall. He heard her groan and ran his hand along her flank. "If you don't... leave..." she said huskily, nipping his lower lip and neck. "You'll miss that plane and I'll miss my rounds..."
"Am I bein' naughty?" He teased, nibbling her neck and running his hand under her blouse.
"Very... much... I'm... gonna... punish..."
He kissed her hard then, putting his whole soul into it, while his hands found her soft curves. It was wet, wild and noisy and left them both breathless.
"Go!" She said noting the late hour.
"We're gonna be busy fer a few days in the mountains, chasin' them jaspers... but I'm comin' back fer ya..."
With a nod and a final lingering kiss, he ran for the cab. He was breathless when he got on the plane. Sweat covered all his features. He panted through the takeoff and gulped air noisely. Finally, he opened his eyes and saw them all staring at him, wearing dopey grins.
"What the hell are ya lookin' at?"
"Vin," Chris "that lipstick you're wearing is from a kiss, right? You're not hiding anything from us are you?"
"Hell, you takin' up crossdressing, Slick?" Buck wagged his eyebrows and laughed.
"Aw, hell,": he took a napkin and wiped his lips and neck, then blushed a deep red. He caught Chris's eye and waited for the others to resume their reading.
"I take it, the lovely lady and you and an item again?" the blond saw the shaggy head nod. "I'm glad Vin, you two deserve happiness."
"She took the locket," He said with a shy smile.
"Well, alright!" Chris tapped the knee, "You done good, Cowboy."
"This heart o'mine is ready t'bust open," he admitted, "I want ya t'know... givin' up that locket... I got no words, Chris."
"It was right," the blond stared at his hands, to the spot where his wedding band should be. "It was what Sara would have wanted. You're family and that was so important to her."
"She's quite a lady, yer wife."
"Thank you, Vin," Chris said, moved by the catch in the Texan's voice.
"Vin, what do we do now?" J.D.'s teeth were chattering.
In the eerie blue before dawn, the dark green pines, junipers and douglas firs looming all around them were a stark contract to the deep red sandstone cliffs. Numerous wildflowers, including prickly pear cactus, bitterroot, Arrow leaf, scarel gilia and barrel cactus dotted the rough terrain.
All around them, wildlife were rising and stirring, embracing the new day. Big horn sheep, mule deer, elk, antelope, coyote, gray fox, beaver and others sought their morning meal. A distinctive growl caused the youth to shiver even louder.
"W..w...wa...wa...what... wa..was... tt...that...?"
"Bobcat," Vin replied, "lessin's its a mountain lion... no matter..."
"What do you mean, no matter?" J.D. hissed, rubbing his arms for warmth, "I like all my limbs attached to me. I don't want to be somebody's omelette."
"Never happen," Vin stood, stretched and took out his "they wouldn't be that desperate."
"Why am I not comforted?" Dunne checked his weapon, and blinked at the freezing rain. "Hell, I'm so cold I wouldn't know if lion was chewin' my ass."
"Okay, numb nuts, here's what we're gonna do," Vin squatted down, tracing a series of lines in the dirt. "Gamble's got three men here, waiting fer the buyer. Three more here guarding the road through Irish Canyon. That means there's only four watchin' the shipment."
"Oh, is that all?" the youth flexed his fingers, trying to restore circulation.
"Look, I didn't fuck this up... it went south..." Vin swiped the freezing rain from his face. "We got no choice. We're cut off up here and it's goin' down today. We'll skitter down that ravine back about two miles and take out them guards. Then yer gonna use that bike they got stowed to ride to Maybell and get help."
"Maybell... Vin's that's forty five miles away... I can't leave you here..."
"It's the closest town and ya got no choice. They know we're up here, J.D. If we don't find them first and get help, we ain't gettin' off this mountain."
"You think they're looking for us?" He hoped of their teammates.
"Yeah... but not here. Last time we checked in, we was more than a hundred and fifty miles south... We're fucked, Kid."
"No, we're not," J.D. stood up, the lack of shaving for several days giving him a shadow. "You coming?" He began to walk, his partner, cold and shivering, behind him.
"Been a helluva long week... seems like a year since we left Orrin's'' Vin muttered, letting his boots adjust to the icy mud.
The plan should have been simple. J.D. and Vin, unshaven, dirty and wearing scruffy clothes, were deposited not far from the Utah border . They were hikers, complete with backpacks and cameras. The rest of the team, with F.B.I. backup, were scattered in the small towns dotting the area. The younger men would report in, using the cameras to record any unusual movement, camps or activity. Their efforts paid off.
Three days into the hunt, they'd spotted Brice Gamble and a handful of his gang in a remote camp north of Colorado National Monument. Vin took lots of photos, with a long lens. J.D. circled, picking up the audio on a high tech recorder. They relayed the infomation, about the buy going down by the end of the week. The shipment would be picked up and taken across state lines. Chris said Orrin would be giving them new coordinates, to hang loose and they'd get the word by Friday night.
But all that changed when they were intercepted on the way to the phone. Two of Gamble's men spotted them and a chase ensued. It was then they discovered that the buy was actually north... way north in Cold Spring Mountain. With bullets flying in the dark, they lost they predators, taking the only refuge they could. It was in the back of the moving truck, with the cases of rifles. They'd jumped out, short of the relay point.
As if Fate mocked them even further, a storm blew in, sending icy rain and high winds. They'd been shivering on the side of the mountain for two days. They kept up their surveillance and knew the buy was going down today. This remote area of Cold Spring Mountain was rough terrain and few roads were passable. They needed a miracle.
Chris Larabee grimaced and tossed the rest of the coffee away. Bitter. Just like the mood his was in. His stomach acids were churning and the dismal gray weather didn't help. Two days... seemed like forever. After pinpoint punctuality checking in every day at five p.m, his two youngest team members were two days overdo. Loss of contact had sent Ezra and Nathan to the last checkpoint. Not only weren't the agents anywhere to be found, neither was Gamble or his men. The storm had several roads blocked, so they weren't able to ascertain if the gunrunners were still here, in the mountains or across the Utah border. Moreover, he didn't know if the missing agents were alive or dead.
"Chris... there's a news crew taping down the street..." Erza relayed , shivering in a poncho from his viewpoint.
"Shit!" the blond spat, picking up his radio. "Nathan? What's going on?"
"Hold on," the tall black man replied, edging closer.
"...sources state that the two young ATF agents were working undercover in this area and have missing for about two days now..."
"Trouble," Jackson supplied, "She's talking about Vin and J.D...."
"Buck!" Larabee said, grabbing his coat and ducking out of the van.
"On it," the rogue moved in front of the reporter, his back to the camera.
"Sir, you have to move... you're..."
"Is this a live feed?" He asked, flashing his badge. "You need to shut down."
"Funny, that's not how I remember the first amendment... now move." She growled.
"Ma'am," Chris flashed his badge, "I'd like a word with you."
"I'm in the middle of a update..."
"Update?" Chris's hot flashed, "You put that out before?"
"Yeah, last night when we got the call..."
"Did it ever occur to you that your brilliant reporting may cost those two men their lives? Bad guys watch cable too..." Chris jerked away and nodded to Buck. "Shut it down..."
"Now wait a minute!" She protested, grabbing his arm and then paling when two fericious eyes met hers. She removed her hand.
"Lady, I'll tell you what. You can be first in line to cover their funerals. How did you find out?"
"We... got an anonymous tip... made a couple calls and confirmed their identities. I asked around and two young men matching their description were seen in this area. It wasn't hard..." She paused, wiping the rain from her eyes. "Okay... twenty four hours... but that's all you get."
"You're a real humantarian," he muttered, walking away.
"Chris... Chris..."
"What?" He turned as Buck caught up to him. "Me and Josiah are going cover some of the trails again... in case they washed up overnight." He saw the color leave the other's face. "I don't like it either, Chris. But I sure as hell don't want any animals gettin' to them."
"Why?" He turned, eyes full of pain. "Why the hell did God let him survive Hell and climb back... Why?" He turned away.
"Chris, you better call Lily... she watches the news..."
"Shit!" He jogged to the van and dialed.
"Hello."
"Brie?"
"Hey, Chris... everybody okay? Are you guys done yet?" The silence took the color from her face. "What?"
"It's J.D. and Vin..."
"No... no..." She dropped the phone, backing off and shaking her head. She heard Chris' voice get louder and moved back. "Is he dead?"
"No, they're missing. They were supposed to check in Friday night."
"Two days... that's not good."
"We've combed every inch of this place, no bodies. That is good. They could be hiding out... or maybe they got too close... he's alive, Brie, I'd know if he weren't. Listen, I can't talk long. Some wiseass newswoman reported them missing on television. I don't want Lily to find out like that."
"I'll talk to her..." She fingered the locket and saw his handsome face. "You find him, Chris... okay?"
"Yeah," Chris sighed, hanging up the phone.
After updating Lily and leaving word with Mike, the manager at The Saloon, Brie went upstairs to pack. She had two weeks leave coming and she got two of her colleagues to cover for the next f ive days. If Vin was found, he'd need her. She wasn't going to lose him twice. She caught a cab and got the first flight to Denver.
"Okay, listen up, Kid," Vin rasped, watching the truck carefully. "There's one inside the back and two by the rear. That mean's one of 'em is takin' a leak. I got him. Ya wait fer m'call. That'll bring one of the two outside the truck. After I take him, I'll signal again. Ya count to five and then move in... got it?"
"Yeah..."
Vin nodded and made his way through the heavy growth of tall grass and trees. He saw the rifle first and grabbed it, slamming it hard against the squatting man's head. He saw a flash of knife and stomped down on the wrist, snapping it. He took the knife and silenced the guard.
"What was that?" The smallish, bearded guard asked his partner.
"A bird or something..." the other replied of the noise.
"Where's Donny?"
"Takin' a shit, what's with the fifty questions?"
"I don't like it... he should have been back by now... Donny!" He paused, lifting his rifle.
"Go, on,' The older, heavier man nodded, dripping tobacco juice on the lush centerfold he was eyeing. "I got this."
"Donny?" he called out, marching through the trees. He never saw the nimble tracker's legs, which took the rifle from his arms. He grunted as the boot caught his abdomen.
Vin grimaced as a fist caught his eye and another his lip. He fought back, using a combination of jabs and uppercuts and his legs as well. The slippery ground caused them both to slide and misconnect.
"G'head... ye'll never make it..." Vin proposed, swiping the blood from his lip as the man eyed the fallen rifle. He dove... it was a fatal mistake. He never heard the bullet that ended his life.
Vin disposed of the man's rifle, took the pistol and knife and whistled again. He jogged along the path and counted. He saw J.D. skimming the trees and nodded.
"Right there, butt face," Vin appeared, shooting a hole right through Miss April. "Drop it... on yer knees, hands behind yer head... interlock them fingers... now!"
"Come on out, Princess," J.D. picked up the rifle and aimed it at the back of the tarp. "Vin, how much that I can nail both of his balls with one shot?"
"Damn, Kid, ya took m'last twenty... last time we made that bet..." Vin smashed the rifle against the guard's head and tied him up. A shot came out and grazed J.D.'s thigh. Both men took cover, returning fire. A body spilled halfway out of the back, blood running down where an eye should be.
"J.D.?" Vin called out, running to the truck.
"I'm okay, it barely creased me... it's hardly... bleeding..."
"Damn, we hit the motherlode..." Vin spit a wad of blood and cracked a crate. Peeking inside, his working eye widened. Not only were there rifles inside, but underneath, in the belly of each crate was cocaine. "This shit's worth a mint." He jumped out, ripped part of the dead man's shirt off and tied a bandage around the thigh.
"I'm gonna get them other two... ya stay put."
"What are you doing?" J.D watched as Vin sat up the one dead man, using a heavy coat to cover the bloody chest. Sunglasses and a hood took care of the rest. The empty rifle was lying next to him. The other one was propped on a rock nearby in a similiar position. The third was behind the wheel.
"Well..when they come down... that road... they'll be lookin'..." Vin unstrapped the small motor bike from the undercarriage. "I'm gonna squattin' yonder, waitin' fer 'em."
"I'll ride like the wind..."
"That roads tricky, J.D. and it's wet..."
"I'm not a rookie!" He put the helmet on and paused. "You think this town's got pizza? I figured they owe us..."
"Yer on!" Vin nodded, taking his position as the younger man took off.
"Larabee," Chris rubbed his eyes and picked up the phone in the van. He dropped his hand and stood up, hitting his head. "Shit... repeat that?"
"This is Deputy Wilson from Moffat County. We have one of your men here in Maybell Medical Center. An agent John Daniel Dunne."
"J.D... put him on..." Chris punched the buttons on the high frequency radio he held. "Ezra... get a hold of Buck. J.D's in a hospital in Moffat County."
"Moffat County?" Nathan announced, having heard the broadcast. "That's like... a hundred and fifty miles north..."
"...someplace named Maybell... find out where it is and get a chopper."
"On it," Nathan relayed.
"Chris?"
"Kid? You okay? What happened ? Where's Vin?"
"He's with the guns, if you have a map, I can give you the coordinates. The buy is going down today... in Cold Spring Mountain, near Irish Canyon. Vin's okay... we took out the 4 guys guarding the truck. It's not just rifles, there's coke in there too... lots of it..."
"How'd you get there?"
"They spotted us on Friday on the way to the check in... we took off into the mountains and jumped in the back of the truck. We got off right before they stopped. Vin heard them talking about us... they're know we're tailing them. They moved the buy up..."
"Okay, Good work, J.D." He then took the coordinates the younger man gave." Why are you in the hospital?"
"I got creased in the thigh. They're doing xrays and stuff... somethin's torn up inside... they gotta operate. Chris, Vin's waiting for me. I took their motorbike and got to Maybell. He's all alone with those guns. It's a ice storm..."
"He won't be alone for long, J.D. I'll check in later."
Twenty minutes later, a helicopter took off from the ranger station. Chris eyed the map and gave instructions on where to land. They would have to use the access road, which meant no vehicles. The F.B.I. were circling the area and the border was alerted. They were pulling the net in and Gamble wouldn't get away this time.
"There it is..." Larabee shouted to the pilot and signaled. Upon landing, Team Seven spilled out, weapons drawn and ready for a fight.
Vin heard the rumble of vehicles in the distance on the only road and frowned. He wouldn't be able to see them from here. He jogged out and eyed a higher spot, on a cluster of rocks. It would provide a perfect spot to pick them off. He eyed his watch and figured by now, J.D. would have reached town and help should be arriving. He used the dirt incline to climb up, getting covered in mud. Then he saw the summit and changed to the rocks
"Shit!" He hissed, his hands hitting ice on the rock. It was a slippery sheet from the overnight storm. He slide sideways, grabbing for anything to break his fall. His trip took him down the slick rock, where he bounced once, his head hitting the icy surface. He slid into the road, sprawled out on his back. He blinked through the icy rain at the stars dancing in front of his eyes. He knew he should move, but he couldn't. His numb fingers still grasped the rifle. He saw a hazy square shape moving like a green turtle. His mind told him to move and take cover. But his legs objected. The turtle was a jeep and it was heading right for him.
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