Setting: ATF Universe
Page 24
"I wouldn't want to run up against him," J.D. noted of Clint Eastwood as the Good, the Bad and the Ugly ended. "What's up next?" he asked as Buck moved from the recliner.
They were sprawled around the large room. Vin, J.D. and the dog were on the sofa. Buck and Chris were in recliners. Josiah was on the floor and Nate and Ezra sat on the smaller sofa.
"Buck?" Josiah eyed the unmarked tape, "Is that a bootleg?"
"Just sit back and enjoy the ride, boys..." Buck grinned, winking at Chris, who suddenly felt naked.
"Buck..." the blond's voice was full of woeful warning.
The opening shot was a beach at night. Soft music filled the air and palm trees swayed, the flickering torches lighting up the deserted sand. Suddenly, two bare, bronzed breasts filled the screen.
"DAMN!" Vin choked, springing forward. He clapped one hand on J.D.'s eyes and the other on the dog's. "Buck, what the hell did ya rent? We got youngun's in the house..."
"Makes you appreciate the scientific genius behind the inventor of the sixty-two inch screen," Nate grinned.
"The clarity is astonishing," Ezra managed, wide-eyed.
"Vin, get off of me," J.D. squirmed free as the 'twins' disappeared. "Aw, hell, I missed it..." he shoved Vin and settled back in, flushing at the laughter of the older men.
Suddenly a familiar voice was heard crooning 'Blue Hawaii'. Vin was about to comment, when he saw Chris pull the pillow from behind his back and cover his face with it. Grinning like a fool, the Texan was suddenly on alert to whatever was coming next.
"Nice hair, Bucklin!" Vin laughed, seeing Buck's shoulder length locks.
"Oh, you ain't seen nothing yet," Buck promised, turning back to Chris. "You okay back there, Boss?"
"You better hope your will is up to date," Chris moaned from behind the pillow. He braced himself and sure enough, Vin's laughter exploded.
"What the hell happened?" Vin choked, rubbing his damp eyes. "Ya look like the NBC peacock upchucked ya..."
"I wasn't responsible..." Chris defended of the bright turquiose Hawaiian shirt, with splashes of purple and yellow. He was a little heavier and his hair was combed different, just a little longer. Then the camera panned back and Vin fell off the couch, rolling on the floor. "I wasn't exactly sober either..." he winced, "Buck I'm gonna kill you..."
"You can catch a nasty cold that way," Nate said of the proud blond in the video, who wasn't wearing pants.
"That ain't all you can catch," Josiah laughed. "Buck where'd you get this?"
"Ezra." the cocky answer came with a sly grin.
"EZRA!" Chris yelled.
"I believe an explanation is in order," the southener attempted.
"Shut up, the both o'ya..." Vin hissed, sitting cross-legged and with a drunken grin plastered on his face.
"I was saving it for your birthday... but... well... after what happened..." Buck paused, "Ez brought it out with him."
"It's okay, Buck," Chris read between the words and eyed Vin's face again. Buck's remedy was a sure fire cure.
The next image was of Buck wearing a grass skirt and nothing else and Chris beside him. The two were supporting each other and singing 'Pinball Wizard' off key and loud. The next shot was a bareassed Buck staggering away, a girl on each arm. Then Chris gripping behind him, stumbling in the sand and falling. A soft female voice giggled, the camera bearer zoomed in on a single arm thrust in the air holding a mug of beer.
"Ya spill any?" Vin asked.
"Not a drop..." Chris grinned.
"Proud o'ya, Cowboy!" the Texan quipped.
"That was about a year after we were partnered," Buck said as the image went black for a second.
"I tell you what," he thought back, "We had a helluva time..." Buck said as other shots of the trip to Hawaii appeared. Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, more beach scenes and a shot of Buck in the tub, with two beautiful girls holding scrub brushes.
"That we did Bucko," Chris grinned, recalling the outlandish antics the pair shared.
More images appeared, a ski trip to Aspen; a surprise party for a co-worker, Chris and Sara ice-skating, the pair camping in the Grand Canyon, the wedding, a baby son, Buck's wild antics in a variety of situations.
"There's m'hard earned tax dollars at work!" Vin complained at the image of Chris asleep during a stakeout.
"I remember that," Chris's voice was wistful. "Adam was teething... I didn't sleep the night before."
The last image was Buck and Chris sound asleep. Toys were scattered from one end of the room to the other. A boy of about five with dark hair and his father's features, sat calmly amidst the storm.
"What happened to Daddy and Uncle Buck?" a voice asked.
"They habben a nap..." Adam whispered, putting his tiny hand on his lip. 'Shhhh..."
"Daddy's tired?" she guessed. "Daddy and Uncle Buck worked hard all day?"
"Damn straight!" Buck answered, from his recliner, hitting the pause button on the remote. "We were babysitting... that's hard work..." he explained before putting the movie back on.
"...no..." Adam shook his little head, his blue eyes grew wide, "...they drinkded lots and lots of beers..."
"Oh did they?" the female voice rose in accusation.
"Busted!" J.D. laughed.
"Reckon she was pissed..." Vin decided.
"Just a little," Chris smiled, "But I made it up to her..." he recalled of the weekend away.
"Yeah, talk about the scales of justice tilted to one end," Buck grumbled. "You got a beautiful woman all to yourself for a weekend in Sedona. I got two days with the boy who never slept..."
The last scene was Buck and Adam riding together on a horse. They waved goodbye and the screen went black.
Vin moved to stand up and Buck halted him.
"Oh I wouldn't go just yet, Slick..."
"Ya got more?" Vin's eyes danced, then his smile turned upside down. "Where the hell did ya get that? Aw, hell..." he blushed, moving to attack Buck and get the remote.
"Oh no," Chris hollered as Buck pinned Vin to the floor. "I gotta suffer, so do you, Tanner."
"I got all kinds of connections," Buck grunted, using all his strength to control the struggling lean body. "You best remember that, Son..."
"Jesus, Vin you look about sixteen!" Nate laughed of the image.
"I was twenty-one..." Vin gasped, finally surrendering. He coughed several times and sat up, amazed at the image before him.
"Yeah, right!" J.D. denied. "no way..."
"Vin, what the fuck happened to your hair?" Chris laughed, eyeing the movies taken of an awards ceremony.
"I was trackin' a murderin' bastard through Texas and Mexico... I had to cut m'hair real short and dye it..." Vin winced, as a close up showed him blond, wide-eyed and terrified.
"Speech?" Chris guessed of the fearful face.
"Buck, ya didn't..."
"Every word," Buck beamed, turing up the volume and ruffling Vin's hair as he pulled a large pillow over his face. The master of ceremonies stated that due to Vin's heroism, not only was the murderer apprehended, but three civilians lives were saved. He'd taken them hostage at a church and Vin talked his way in, then took two bullets in the process of arresting him. The room had been silent as the award was presented, then a younger, thinner Tanner approached the mic.
"Hey, I wore one of them to my prom!" J.D. teased of the tuxedo.
"You sure you're old enough to be mixing with the grownups?" Josiah asked, amazed at how young Vin looked.
"Aw, God..." Vin muffled, hearing his cracking, high pitched voice.
"Oh, I'm gonna have to hear this at least five times," Chris sat up, his shoulder not hurting as much .
The gray day wore on, the bodies disappeared to different parts of the house. Nathan saw Chris wincing and rubbing his shoulder. He moved in with the pain pills and orange juice.
"You didn't get much sleep last night," he advised, "Might feel better if you headed in early tonight."
"Yeah," Chris sighed, "I'm beat..." he popped the pill and nodded, "Thanks Nate." He eased out of the chair and toward the bedroom. Suddenly the idea of a deep sleep seemed intoxicating, but to his surprise, the bed was occupied. A small tan body was stretched out on the bed... and on top of his new sweatshirt.
"You wanna live to have kibble tomorrow, Pal, you better get your ass off my bed."
Vin brushed past his friend, "Don't be swearin' around 'im. Come on, fella. The old man needs his rest. Best let 'im at it ... he's likely t'get onry iffen he don't get enough."
Chris glared at him and Vin raised an eyebrow as the dog scampered by. "Sleep... sleep..." he cleared up the question. "Damn Chris, get yer mind outta the gutter," he laughed as the hand swatted him. "...night Cowboy."
"Night Vin."
It was still very early, when Ezra heard the distinct sound of feet running in the hall. Frowning, he glanced at the digital display of 'five a.m.' on the clock. Rain poured down in torrents, it's pattering on the roof having a lullaby effect. Groaning, he sat up and pulled on a pair of short, covering the deep tan that he'd earned. He stuck his head in the hall and in the dim light from the first peeps of dawn, a figure was recognizable. Vin was approaching the sliding door. Ezra padded after him, tugging on the slicker covered arm, just as the door opened.
"What do you think you're doing?" he whispered harshly, hearing the ragged breathing and then spotting the wide-eyed look. His keen gaze didn't miss the inhaler disappearing into Vin's pocket.
"I'm goin' fer... I gotta go out..."
"Over my dead body," Ezra hissed, forcing the smaller man back into the house and sliding the door shut. "Have you lost the single brain cell that remains in that thick skull of yours? You're still recovering from a serious lung ailment and attempting to go out in that?" he flung his arm at the driving rain. "Unless the house is on fire, you're not leaving this premises."
"Ya don't understand," Vin rasped, trying to control the cough that was hovering. He failed and dissolved into a fit. Ezra waited for the inhaler to do it's job, while pulling the slicker off the shaking man. "He... he's... gone... he got out somehow... I seen him... on the deck and... there's a big boom of thunder... he skittered right off... I gotta find him... Ezra... I gotta... shit..." Vin began coughing again.
Ezra then noticed that Vin's clothes were wet and his anger rose. "You were already outside? Without a coat?" He lost his tirade when the large blues eyes burned a hole right through him. He sighed and grabbed the coat. "Which direction?" The face lit up and the long exhale gave the conman further fuel.
"Towards town... it's so dark... I was afraid a car might..."
"Surely you jest?" Ezra zipped the slicker and sat Vin on the chair. "That animal will outlive all of us and have the last bark. He is after all, a Tanner," Ezra smiled and gripped Vin's shoulder. "Not to fear, I'll return post haste with our four-footed mascot."
"Thanks, Ez..." Vin managed, shivering uncontrollably.
"Get some dry clothes on before Mr. Larabee hears you out here. His arm might be damaged but his radar isn't." The Southerner noted of the blond's uncanny ability to sense Tanner discomforts of any kind.
"Yeah," Vin coughed, rubbing his chest.
There wasn't many cars on the road and the high-intensity flashlight illuminated the area well. Ezra called the dog and headed for what he knew, from Buck and Vin, were the animal's favorite hangouts. By the end of the first hour, something resembling daylight was trying to be born. The rain was still coming down and the canine detective was chilled to the bone. He saw a coffee shop and went inside, ordering a large java. Nothing ever tasted finer. He used a pile of napkins to wipe his face and his grumbling stomach reminded him he was hungry. He was halfway through his large, cream doughnut, when a familiar face appeared through the glass outside. The little tramp was standing on his hind legs, two small front paws pressed against the spot near Ezra's arm on the othe side of the glass.
"GOOD LORD!" Ezra coughed, sending a large wad of chewed pastry into the back of an large, muscular female trucker's hair. She didn't seem to notice and Ezra didn't want to hang around when she did. He tossed a dollar on the table and ran outside.
"You realize that whatever profit I make from selling your ungrateful pelt will be well spent!" Ezra growled approaching the shivering, soaked little terrier. "Why on earth would you take to the road? You have the world's junkfood king for a master. A soft bed, a dry bed..." he sighed, then heard the tiny whimpers as the small face rubbed against his shin. "You do look the a little worse for wear. Why do I get the feeling if that intolerable sneezing starts again, it's my hide that Vin will skin? Very well," he lifted the shivering pooch up and unzipped his coat. Tucking the dog inside, he rezipped the garment. Only the small nose and two dark eyes were visible by Ezra's throat. He passed the doorway and the small cries began. The soulful little eyes melted his heart and before he knew it, they were sharing donuts and coffee. The waitress was an animal lover and didn't mind the four-footed customer.
"What's wrong now?" Ezra frowned as the wet nose turned up at the spoon offering hot coffee. The wet head eyed the pile of sugar packets and whimpered. "Two doughnuts weren't enough," he quizzed of the pastries he'd fed the cold canine who still shivered on his lap, pressed against his chest. "I should have known, you're his dog after all," he grumbled, pouring sugar into the hot brew. The little head lifted and finally accepted the spoonfuls of coffee. After one last doughnut, the contented pup burped. "Most definately a Tanner trait..." he wrinkled his nose. Then the intelligent little face, fur wet and body resembling a water-logged rat, moved upwards and kissed his cheek. "You're quite welcome," Ezra smiled, tucking the pooch safely inside his coat. "Shall we? I believe the rain in letting up a bit."
"You okay?" Chris croaked, walking unevenly into the living room. "No good reason to be up this early on a day like this."
"I'm waitin' on Ezra..." Vin raked a hand through his hair, "...I woke up during the worst of it, the thunder scared him and he bolted. The door musta been open a crack and he pushed it out... I tried t'get him, but then the a big boom o'thunder came and he took off. I tried t' find him..."
"Ezra or the dog?" Chris suddenly noticed the tawny creature, usually glued to Vin's side, was absent.
"...the dog," Vin pressed his face against the glass, "Ezra's been gone close t'two hours... I 'm gonna get after..."
"No way!" Chris moved in front of him, "The dog will be fine Vin, you know how smart he is. Do you want to end back in the hospital with pneumonia?"
"Hey!" Vin shoved the door open as a body sailed in, soaking wet. "Ya okay?" Vin heard his beloved pooch before he saw him. The body wriggled and as Ezra unzipped, he jumped for Vin. "Hey... hey... I knew Uncle Ez would find ya!" he hugged the damp dog close, grinning at the raining of kisses, "Don't ya never do that again... ya just about scared the life outta me... " he frowned at the shivering body and then the sneezing began. "Aw, hell... I hope ya didn't catch a cold... I'll put a towel in the dryer and we'll wrap ya up good."
Chris began to smirk and then his shoulders shook with laughter. The picture of that dog's face sticking out of Ezra's coat was one thing, but as Vin disappeared, Ezra remained in place, rain dripping from his nose and mouth a grim line of frustration.
"No thank you, Mr. Tanner, I'm just fine. Hot shower? perhaps... Hot beverage to warm up my numb posterior? Yes, thank you," he parroted to himself.
"Mornin' Ez..." Chris raised a single sandy eyebrow. "Coffee?"
"A bucket full, big enough to drown a Texas rat!" Ezra barked, flinging the sopping slicker onto a nearby chair.
Ten minutes later Vin reappeared, his treasure swaddled in a large yellow blanket. Only the small nose peeked through the edges. He settled into a chair, nodding as J.D. and Josiah arrived.
"What happened?" the youth asked, lifting the edge of the blanket. Vin filled him in as Josiah appeared with a large mug of Vin's favorite hot beverage.
"Thanks 'siah," he took the mixture of coffee with hot chocolate and sipped it gratefully. "Ya hungry fella?" he crooned as the nose twitched, sniffing the scent of meat cooking. "Ya wait right here, I'll get ya some chow," Vin gently set the blanket on the couch and padded to the kitchen.
"Damn, Ez," Vin frowned, pulling his tee shirt up over his nose and mouth as the Southerner began to sneeze.
"Your sympathy overwhelms me," Ezra replied, sipping a large mug of tea.
"When I get t'town, I'll get ya some of that fancy shit ya like t'drink," Vin chagrined, "I know chuggin' down Tetley is hard on ya."
"I'll survive," the reply came, with a small smile.
"Listen Ez," Vin shuffled over, patting the other's back, "...thanks..."
"Must he sleep in that position?" Ezra complained at the display that met his eyes as they spotted the sated, sleepy pup.
"Jealous?" J.D. teased from where he sat next to slumbering dog, proudly resting on his back without shame.
"No, merely trying to digest my breakfast without engaging in that animal's shortcomings."
Vin beamed as his pet, "...that means he trusts us... showin' us his underside..."
"How have I ever gotten along without it," Ezra commented, then noticed the yellow 'blanket' under the furry body. "Is that my sweater that infernal animal is expelling gas on?"
"Dammit Ez, yer a grouch. Yer worse than Chris."
"I heard that," a voice called from the back room.
"It was on the hook in the laundry room." Vin rested a hand on Standish's shoulder, "Tell ya the truth, Ez, ya can't wear yella... makes yer skin sallow."
"It was a gift from my mother," he pouted, then sighed, "and you're right, I never cared for that color on me."
"That's good," Vin nodded, "'cause he's kinda attached t'it... he's been nappin' on it all week."
"Good Lord," Ezra sat up and felt itchy, "I've been wearing it all week!"
It was just past ten a.m. the next morning. He came in through the back of the house, startling the few occupants still within. Buck poured himself a cup of coffee and snatched a large danish from the large box on the table.
"Yer back,early" Vin boomed, walking into the kitchen. "How'd it go?" he asked of the rogue's visit with Mollie. The day after the movie marathon, he'd gone to see her and stayed over. "Shame it rained..."
"Yeah," Buck grinned evilly, licking the icing off his lip and laughing in a sultry warm breath. "Never did get out of Mollie's house..." he sighed dreamily, giving Vin a huge grin.
"Everythin's all set," Vin said, dropping a duffle bag by the door. "Come on, Lil' Bucklin, time t'eat," he called out, looking for his dog.
"You named that flea hotel after me?" Buck boomed, throwing his body off the chair.
"With good reason." Josiah bragged, nodding to the porch. "Take a look." He held the door open as Buck strode through. It only took a minute for his handsome face to break into a smile.
"Well I'll be damned," Buck marveled, at the sated canine with a harem gathered around him. Three small dogs were lying protectively in front of him.
"That ain't the half of it, Buck," J.D. bragged, dangling a piece of toast. "Watch this. Here Bucklin..."
"Cut that out," Buck protested, thwacking the dark head, "I ain't havin' no damn dog named after me."
The dog lifted his head and nose, scenting the air. His keen eyes zoned in on the buttered piece of toast. He nudged the poodle on his right, who dutifully got up, retrieved the toast and dropped it in front of him.
"Damn!" Buck laughed. "That's my boy!"
"As if you sired him," Ezra agreed, standing next to the 'proud' foster father. "Of course, we have yet to ascertain that his company of choice is female."
"Of course they are," Buck bristled, "He ain't wearin' lavender drawers."
Vin grinned and ducked into the house, his trusted canine on his heels. He saw his best friend peering into the refrigerator.
"Where did all the food go?" Chris complained. "There's no eggs, bread, bacon, ham..."
"The eating machines whose initials are J.D. and V.T." Josiah noted.
"Here..." Buck said, sliding the lone box of mulitcolored monster cereal.
"Whackos?" Chris screwed his face up. "No thanks, I want to keep my teeth." He took a bag from Josiah and peered inside. "You're all heart," he complimented of the lone remnant, a half of English muffin. He put butter on it and sat with his coffee, looking up curiously as Vin sauntered by.
"Come on Lil' Bucklin..."
"Dammit Vin," Buck protested as the dog scampered past, "Quit callin' him that."
"Don't swear around him," Vin shot back, "It's his name, what am I supposed t'call 'im?"
"How about the brazen urinating monstronsity?" Ezra offered from the other room.
Buck hid a grin, Chris smirked and they both watched Vin laugh, as his head disappeared beneath the counter.
"That was an accident!" the Texan protested, not hiding his humorous mood.
"All four times?" Ezra admonished, "and just in my shoes? I think not. It's a conspiracy."
"It's a dog, Ezra," Chris retaliated, "get a grip." He rose to get more coffee and slammed his paper down on the counter. "Goddammit Vin! Why is that animal eating fuckin' ham and eggs and I got a sad, sorry-assed half a muffin? What's wrong with this picture?"
"Ya could'a had cereal," Vin replied with blue-eyed innocence, cutting up the eggs and placing the bowl on the floor. "...course I reckon that ain't fer everybody. Some folks don't take t'the fiber, gets 'em t'runnin' t'the bathroom."
"Thank you for that colorful image," Ezra offered, filling his coffee cup.
"He needs the protein and the eggs is good fer his coat," Vin supplied wide-eyed to his best friend, "gets it t'shinin' nice," the he glared at the speechless, irate blond, "and don't be swearin' around 'im. I don't want him pickin' up yer bad habits."
"My bad habits!"
"Not around Lil' Bucklin..." Vin defended, "It's upsettin' t'im."
"Well, that's too damn bad..." Chris shot back. "I'm starving and the food that I paid for is disappearing down that dog's gut."
"Look at it this way, I done ya a favor," Vin decided, taking his coffee and dumping a packet of hot chocolate in it.
"That was a hallucination, wasn't it?" Buck grimaced at the mixture. Ezra groaned and left the room, while Josiah just smiled at the shaggy Texan, who was sipping the concoction happily.
"How's that?" Chris asked, keeping pace with the lean body in front of him.
"Well, ya won't spoil yer appetite fer the diner. I'm in the mood fer a big stack o'chocolate chip pancakes and some of them fat lil' sausages. I got the car packed, soon as yer ready, we can get t'that breakfast yer buyin' me."
"What do you mean I'm buying?" Chris demanded.
"Figures is all," Vin replied, placing the discarded muffin in his mouth.
"That was my muffin!" Chris hollered.
"Ya wasn't eatin' it... ya left it lyin' here." Vin defended, then handed the sopping mess back.
"I don't want it after you gummed it..." Chris shot back, then screwed his face up again, "How's it figure?"
"I'm doin' the drivin'... yer doin' the buyin'... makes sense." Vin nodded smugly at his reasoning.
"In what universe?" Chris hollered as the lean body disappeared outside. He paused, absorbing all the information and felt Buck before he heard him. "Shut up, Buck..."
"You'll never win, Stud..." Buck chirped, clapping a hand on Chris's shoulder. He saw the smile fighting to be born. "Give it up... he got's your number."
They went back outside, where Vin was handing J.D. a list. "Get on over here..." he called to the dog, who lifted his head from the harem. "Dammit Lil' Bucklin..."
"Quit callin' him that, Vin, he needs another name." The rogue protested.
"Henry the Eighth?" Ezra suggested.
"Henry?" Vin screwed his face up. "That ain't a name fer a dog. Hell, his friends would make fun of 'im."
"Caesar"
"Too hard t'say," Vin declined. "Don't suit 'im..."
"Romeo."
"He don't need any more idea like that," Vin grinned.
"Lothario," Ezra suggested and watched Vin's face screw up.
"Who?" Vin asked.
"Nevermind," Chris chuckled as the others offered more names, but Vin's smile told the blond he'd already found the perfect name.
"Get up here, Lil' Bucklin," he dictated as Buck surrendered his protest with a wide grin and a hand on Vin's neck. "Ya listen t'Buck and J.D. and behave, ya hear?" Vin directed at the dog's solemn eyes."I'll pick ya up when I get home. Now pay attention." Vin's voice was sharp. "Ya ain't gonna be here long enough t'see the fruits of yer labor. Sorta like them Greek trees."
"What?" Chris laughed.
"Ya know, the trees they plant and knowin' they'ain't never gonna see 'em full growed..."
"A civilization flourishes when people plant trees under which they will never sit," Ezra amazed, once again stunned by the depths of the sharpshooter. "I didn't know you were a student of Greek philosophy,"
"There's a lot about me ya don't know, Ez," Vin said almost painfully, giving the gambler cause to lose his smile. Vin then turned back to his charge, "Listen up, like I was sayin' ya can't afford a bunch o'littler Bucklins... so ya keep the boys in check, ya got it?"
"Wonderful pearls of wisdom," Ezra chirped, "You might inquire of the High Schools in Denver that need a sex education consultant."
"Hey, it gets the point across..." Vin countered, scrubbing the dog's neck and back and laughing as he sat down and the terrier flew at him, covering his face in kisses. "I'll miss ya too... ya be good fer Buck, he's a bit long in the tooth."
"Not long enough thatI can whip your sorry ass!" Buck smacked Vin's head and pulled him up. "Get moving or you'll never make Fort McHenry by lunch." He said of the start of the trip that would take them to Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Gettysburg, then through Civil War Battlefields in Virginia and the Carolinas. It was Chris's surprise to Vin, the perfect ending to his healing time. The blond wanted to erase the pain from the thirteen-year old boy whose father was taken from him, one summer long ago. He wanted Vin to finish that trip... the dream he'd pledged to his father.
"Don't ferget he likes a little steak sauce in his hamburger and don't let Ezra give him any more doughnuts, it ain't good fer 'im t'eat junk."
"No junk food?," J.D. laughed, "You sure he's your dog?"
"Have a goodtime, he'll be fine," Buck boomed, tossing the bags in the back of the car the pair rented for their trip.
"We'll see you a few weeks at home." Nate moved in and gave Vin a package. "Don't forget, you use that inhaler. You still got a good bit of healin' to do. Don't overdo it, you get tired, you pull in and get a hotel."
"I hear ya, Mom!" Vin laughed, clasping Buck's hand. "Guess this is it," he suddenly lost his voice, swallowing hard. They shared a lingering gaze and then Buck smiled, reading Vin's thoughts clearly. "Take care o'Mollie..." he whispered, knowing how important the upcoming trip to Ireland was for his friend. "Make yerself a memory... Bucklin..."
"Yeah," Buck nodded, releasing Vin's hand. As the smaller man ducked behind the wheel, the older man moved to take the bag Chris carried. He tossed it in the car and turned to the pensive blond. "Take care of him," he nodded to Vin. He still worried about the dreams and healing yet undone.
"It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it," Chris smiled, "You all set?"
"Yeah," the dark head nodded, "I'm gonna spend a few days on the road with the Kid," he said of their trek to Denver. "Then I'll get packed and fly back, meeting Mollie in the Newark Airport." he noted of their flight to Shannon Airport in Ireland.
"Don't fuck this up," Chris warned, "or you'll be singin' soprano in the choir." He relaxed at Buck's easy smile and extended his hand, gripping the other's firmly. "See you in a couple weeks. Safe home, Bucko..."
Buck watched until the car disappeared from sight. He thought on the weeks past. Of all the agonizing days and nights; then he heard J.D. teasing Ezra, the dog barking and Nate and Josiah arguing. A smile was born on his lips, wrought from their blood, sweat and tears. It was a sweet smile of brotherhoood and it felt damned good.
She pulled the soft wool throw around her shoulders and drew her knees up underneath. The thatched cottage was on Clew Bay and had been in the family for generations. It was theirs for the night and it had been a night to remember. The minutes and hours seemed to be suspended in time; a prisoner of the lovers within the soft folds of the hourglass. He'd captured every inch of her, slow and lazy movements with skilled body and burning tongue. She'd wept, shaken and trembling at the rapture it left her with. He kissed the tears away, one by one and sang a love song to her.
The fire snapped, it's golden glow basking him in a most favorable light. She'd been watching him sleep for some time now, stretched out on the floor in front of the hearth. The fire played across the muscular expanse of his back, bronzed from the sun. She sighed and let her eyes linger on those strong hands and marveled at the wonder of them. But it was his face, relaxed in slumber that took her breath away. She brushed her hand along his forehead, moving a strand of the dark hair. He was, perhaps, the most beautiful man she'd ever seen.
The first days home had been so joyous for her, seeing her childhood home, town and all the relatives. Buck, of course, charmed them all. From her ninety year old grandmother, who he threatened to elope with, to her cousin Siobahn, whose body was past twenty, but her mind would always be that of a child. They called it 'mentally challenged' now, she'd gone to a special school and now worked for a nearby convent, making rosaries. They all loved her, she was an open, sweet girl, who'd been sheltered most of her life. The large number of people at the wedding, including those who were not from the immediate area, frightened her. Then of course, were some of the less tolerant who made fun.
Mollie's eyes filled up and she let the tears fall again. If she lived to be a hundred, she'd never forget the image of Buck kneeling by the weeping girl's side. Those strong hands gently brushing the tears away. That smooth voice singing just to her, turning the tears upside down. He danced with her, talked to her and then kissed her on the cheek. Siobahn left the reception feeling like the bride. Her Aunt Pegeen, Siobahn's mother, took Mollie's hand and let her own tears fall.
"Ye hold onto t'him, Mollie, he's a special one," she'd said.
He was more than special and she slid down next to him, pulling the blanket over both of them. He turned instinctively and pulled her back against him. Those strong arms wrapped around her on instinct, and she let the hypnotic dancing flames lull her to sleep. As she drifted off, his warm breath kissed her neck.
"I love you, Sweet Woman," his husky voice pierced heart.
"Aye, Lad," she rasped, turned back and kissing him. She pulled his hand over her heart and closed her eyes. "...tis yerself it beats for."
It began in the hallowed walls in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where over the course of a sweltering summer in 1776, a group of brave men birthed a new child. Her name was Liberty and she came into the world kicking and squalling. Then to Valley Forge, where on the bitter winds of a cold winter, a brave gathering of rebels marched through snow without boots. Their bloodied bandaged feet and fierce hearts led the call to freedom. Now, they were at Gettysburg, the town that witnessed one of the bloodiest battles in American history.
The quaint town was littered with antiques stores, historic memorbilia shops and dozens of hotels and inns. The battlefield tour was impressive and it wasn't hard to see the blue and the gray meeting over the rolling green hills, turning them red with blood. Chris Larabee sat on a stone bench, just a few yards from a most impressive memorial. He watched the setting sun cast it's rosy hue on his best friend's profile. Vin's exhuberance during the early days of the trip had given Chris a lifetime a memories. He found himself smiling easy and free; relaxing and enjoying the emotional charged younger man's excitement. This was perhaps the finest thing Vin had given him; the easy smile that sat comfortably on his face.
Vin had grown quieter as the afternoon passed. Chris knew his young friend was an avid student of history. The Civil War was something he'd read a lot about. As they toured the large battlefield, stopping at the many memorials, viewing the moving movie in the visitor's center and especially walking over the rolling hills, Vin had grown reflective. Chris gazed again at the unassuming young man in cutoffs. To the passing strangers, he was just another tourist. They couldn't see what Chris did; the hidden depths and many facets that reflected in those emotive blue eyes. He sighed again and turned away, letting Vin have his memories. This particular memorial was special to him. He's grown silent as soon as they approached. Chris stood with him for awhile, then left him to his thoughts.
Vin stared at the stone image of the great man and felt his chest tighten. Proud. That was the one feeling that tore through him. How proud he'd have been to have ridden with the leader. Vin knew very few men who the word 'legend' rested so easily upon, but Robert E. Lee was at the top of the list. What made him so special was that he wore the most honorable face, in a time and place where honor was truly appreciated. He was a good man, deep down to the core and one of the most proficient strategists of war that the world has ever known. He was many things to many people; handsome, brave, strong, intelligent, a leader, admirable, noble and just. Vin had many books about him, including a new one that he'd found on his pillow when he got out of the shower this morning. His lips lifted just a bit, recalling his roommate's gruff, 'How the hell do I know where it came from? Probably the maid has her eye on your ass and a good tip'. But Vin knew better and the crooked half-grin he'd seen the blond wearing in the mirror, when he touched the pages of the book, gave him his answer.
"He was a helluva soldier," Larabee's voice praised.
Vin turned sideways as Chris joined him, staring at the proud General atop of Traveler, his legendary horse.
"Reckon he was," Vin agreed, "...'bout the best compliment ya could give 'im. Ya know Chris," he paused, studying the character of the man which clearly came out in the stone. "he might o'lost the war, but he sure as hell won something a whole lot bigger."
"Yeah," Chris agreed, wincing and rubbing his shoulder.
"Aw, hell, Chris," Vin pulled himself away from his own selfish pursuit, seeing the other man's pain. "I'm sorry... why didn't ya say somethin'. Hurtin' ya bad?"
"Nah..." Chris studied the drawn face, "This really got to you, didn't it?"
"Yeah, I can feel it, all around me," Vin shivered, "their spirit... it's so real... it's everywhere, chokin' me. I can smell the musket fire, hear the screamin'... see their eyes..." he broke off and blushed a little. "Listen Chris, bein' here with ya, I want ya t'know how much it means t'me," he swallowed hard, "This place was somethin' special t'me... since I was a little feller. Me and m'dad..." he bit his lip as his emotions flared again. "...sorry..." he whispered, brushing his eyes and dropping his head. Suddenly the pain of losing Paul Tanner, the man and the father, became too much. He felt a hand on his shoulder and a solid squeeze, then the pain was lifted.
"You okay?" Chris asked when the watery blues finally rose and turned away.
"Yeah," Vin said huskily, swallowing hard. "I used t'wonder how it would feel, ya know?" he turned and saw Chris nodding. "I never expected..." he broke away again, too overcome. "Thanks Cowboy..."
"Damn it Vin," Chris hissed, feeling his own emotions threatening to overload. It wasn't just the soft drawl of 'Thanks Cowboy', it was the longing look in the pale eyes as they raked the horizon. It was the wistful pain hovering in the air. Chris knew who Vin was looking for and that hurt, it ripped right through him. Suddenly, the years peeled back and next to him was a thirteen-year boy whose father was taken from him too soon. Just knowing what his young friend went through and how tall he'd grown, made Chris proud as hell.
"He's here too, Vin," he said quietly, seeing the lone tear sneak from the blue eyes and trickle down the stilled cheek. It was a beautiful sunset, rich in color and perfectly suited for this moment. The colors that explored the lost son's face seemed tailor made. He rested a hand on Vin's slumped shoulder, "that spirit you talked about, he gave it to you." Chris's eyes went from the setting sun, to the rising immortal cast in stone and finally settled on the patriot next to him. As if an invisible force guided him, he knew this was the moment. He pulled a box from inside his sling and handed it to the startled man. "As a matter of fact, this is from Captain Paul, to his son."
"What?" Vin gasped, blinking in rapid fire movements. He made no move to take it, rather backed away, startled. "I don't understand... Chris...?"
"Guess you'll have to open it and find out," the smug blond said cryptically. Vin backed up even further, trembling in fear. Chris's heart sank and for a moment, he wondered if he'd made the right decision. But then a breeze kicked up and Vin eyed the trees, swaying, almost beckoning him. Then Chris heard him gasp as if all the air was stolen from him.
"It's okay, Vin." Chris said quietly, "I'd never hurt you."
"I know that!" Vin barked, almost like a defensive child. He reached an unsure hand out and took the box, then shuffled to the bench nearby. His hands trembled and he laid the box on his thigh, staring at it for several minutes. He took several shuddering breaths and felt Chris's hand on his shoulder. "I'm okay, " he answered the silent plea. He licked his lips and finally found the courage to open the lid. His shaking fingers lifted out the first object, a pair of silver, rectangular objects on a chain. "Jesus... Oh Jesus... Chris... it can't be... Oh God..." he dropped them and pressed his back to the bench. His frantic gaze darted all around the landscape, as if seeking a quick escape route.
Chris saw the fear in his friend's luminous eyes and was transported back in time, to a brave yoing boy whose heart was broken in Texas. He lifted the dog tags out and placed them around Vin's neck. He saw the blue eyes welling and laid the discs in Vin's sweaty palm. He closed the long fingers around it and met the emotive stare openly.
"They're a part of him, Vin. Someday you'll have a boy," Chris paused, taking a settling breath, "he should know about his grandfather and what a fine human being he was."
"Ya didn't know him..." Vin protested, eyes wide and innocent.
"Yeah, Cowboy, I do," Chris's voice was gentle and he gripped the back of Vin's neck with his good hand. "I see him every time I look at you."
"Aw, hell," Vin gasped, swallowing hard. He swiped his eyes and took several heaving breaths. "How... did... you... fi...find... these?"
"Believe it or not, it took only one phone call. They were in a box on a shelf in the records hall at the base. Nobody ever claimed them. The rest will be waiting for you when you get home."
"Chris, I got no words..." Vin choked, tears spilling down his face. He didn't hide them or prevent their freefall. He didn't have to, he was with kin.
"You don't need any, Vin, not with me." Chris supplied, feeling about ten feet tall. "That box isn't empty..."
"What?" Vin blinked, wiping his damp eyes. His fumbling fingers drew out a watch. Vin's face broke into a smile as he fingered the worn brown leather and the familiar face. "Damn... he used t'let me play with this when I was a little feller... never fit right."
"It does now," Chris grinned, watching Vin adjust the strap. He went to put the lid of the box back on and Chris's hand shot out again.
"Nuh-uh..."
"More?" Vin looked up sharply and then put his hand back in the box. He knew before he looked at it, he felt it's weight and his fingers caressed the design. He took several shuddering breaths when he drew it out. Chris must have had it cleaned, it glistened in the rays of the departing sun. He turned it over in his hand, marveling at the craftsmanship.
"It's a fine ring," Chris decided, having admired it before. "She must have really loved him," he said of Vin's mother.
"He never took it off..." Vin whispered painfully, his mind's eye seeing the ring from a small child's eyes, as the large hand the housed it, held his small hand protectively. The wind kicked up, sending his silken hair over his shoulders. The golden rays from the box gave his fine features a wonderous glow. "She took a drawin'... her drawin'... t' m'grandfather on the reservation. He showed it t'a silversmith he knew. It's twin spirits and an eternal light; so that their love would never die." Vin finished in a hurry, feeling his words become lost in a sob. He took several minutes to compose himself, eyeing the ring on his finger.
"It won't," Chris said of the eternal vow, feeling every bit of Vin's heartache. "It lives on in you."
"Yeah," Vin sighed heavily. He put the lid back on the box and shoved it in his pocket. He examined his treasures, wincing at the sight of his father's hands, which now sprung from his own shirt sleeves. Then he lifted his hand up and rested it on Chris's shoulder. "Ya done good, Cowboy..." he managed, blinking hard.
"Oh yeah!" Chris smiled, feeling Vin's warm fingers and realizing how close he'd come to losing this special man. He saw so much emotion in the azure eyes, he had to look away, afraid of his own emotions rising too rapidly.
Vin felt the change and didn't want to embarass Chris. He took his hand away and eyed the red streaks on the darkening sky. "Ya go ahead and head back," he noted of their nearby hotel room. "I'm gonna be awhile. I got some ponderin' t'do..."
"You okay?" Chris caught the full gaze as he stood painfully, feeling the effects of the long day on his still healing body. The thought of that bed, his pain pills and a nap before dinner was quite alluring.
"I am now," Vin whispered, ducking his head. He felt Chris rest a hand on his back for a moment and welcomed that touch, before the blond moved away. He sat for along time, reflecting on how much he'd almost lost and how much more he'd gained.
Chris left the coffeeshop just after seven a.m. and made his way to the bench near the Robert E Lee statue. Sure enough, Vin was huddled on the end. It was early yet and nobody was out. He hobbled over and sat down, handing his solemn friend a cup.
"Thanks." Vin nodded, taking a small sip through the hole in the lid. He laughed when the chocolate flavor came through in the coffee.
"Don't ask," Chris grunted, "Every waitress in that place laughed their asses off at me."
"'preciate it," Vin chuckled, taking another sip. "Care fer some?" he asked, eyes twinkling.
"No, I'm the sane one, remember," Chris quipped, eyeing the deep fatigue on the pale face,
"You get any sleep?" he asked, seeing the tired eyes and dark circles
"Nah... couldn't settle. Too many things runnin' all over m'head. Been ponderin'..." Vin turned his face up and stared hard at Chris. "I almost bought the farm this time, Chris. I been thinkin' on how much I almost lost. Been thinkin' on a lot of things."
"Careful," Chris teased, eyeing Vin's hand clasped on the dog tags, "You might hurt yourself."
"Listen Chris," Vin's voice dropped and he eyed the battlefield in front of him. The morning mist was still rising and he shivered, almost feeling the spirits of the dead rising there. "What ya done... ya got no idea... I got no words t'cover it... been thinkin' all night," his voice broke, "... tryin' t'say... figure out... somehow t'tell ya..."
"Vin, don't do this to yourself," Chris warned, watching the chin quivering. "It felt good, Vin, damn good. Jesus, I felt like a fuckin' millionaire"
"It ain't just the gifts," Vin hushed, staring hard at his mother's gift to his father, which now sat proudly on his finger. "...ain't no words wrote that covers that..." he emoted, "It's been givin' me chills all mornin'," he rubbed his eyes, "It's more than that... a lot more. This place... ever since I was a kid..." Vin paused, and drilled the green eyes with his own. "How'd ya know? These... here..." he fingered his father's gifts.
"It felt right," Chris shrugged, "I can't explain it, Vin. I just knew, as soon as we rode in to town. I felt it here," he tapped his chest. "...been trustin' that feeling since I met your sorry ass."
Vin smiled and ducked his head again, feeling a flush of emotion rising. "We... m'dad and me... planned it all out. But Gettysburg... this was gonna be a special place fer us." Vin turned again, eyeing Chris's profile. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Ya asked me once why I never done this before... come t'all these battlefields... pieces o'history. It never felt right, not since he died. I was all cold inside... ya took that away," he whispered, feeling closer to Chris than he ever had before. "This trip... sharin' this time... it's like he's here... " Vin stood and shook his head. "Fuck, I been practicin' this shit all night... it's comin' out all ass backwards."
"Watch them swear words, Tanner," Chris warned and saw the other smile. He stood and rested his hand on Vin's neck. "It came out fine and I'm honored, Vin. Captain Paul's son can stand by me anytime." He quipped and started to walk away.
"...ain't done yet... get yer ass back here..." Vin protested.
"Damn, Vin, I'm hungry." Chris complained, eyeing the cold, stone bench.
"Reckon ya best sit," Vin decided, "...might take me a bit t'get this all out."
"Wonderful," Chris grumbled, sliding on the bench. "We'll be here until lunch..."
"Shut the hell up!" Vin laughed, thwacking Chris's head. He stood a few feet away, turned and eyed the statue of Robert E. Lee and the fields beyond. "...been thinkin'..."
"Oh God," Chris sighed, shaking his head and running his hands through his short blond hair. "...give me strength!"
"Chris!" Vin laughed, "Cut that out. Ya gonna let me finish or not?"
"Sorry," Chris stretched his legs out and crossed his arm over his waist. He could see Vin's profile and the breeze kicked up, sending his hair back.
"I thunk this up whilst I was ponderin' on all ya done fer me..."
"Thunk?" Chris screwed his face up.
"Would ya just let me get it out?" Vin turned and scowled, then saw the blond grin and grinned himself. He turned back and took a breath, eyeing the misty battlefields. He thought of his father and all the soldiers who came before. Their bodies were cold but their spirit lived on. He saw so much of that spirit in Chris and felt so lucky. Without taking his gaze from the horizon, from the place where so many of the young heroes slept eternally, he took a deep breath and began.
"The wind carries their song; their spirit echoes through the silence. I breathe it in and exhalt in the wonderous rapture they bestow. In rage and fear, in peace and prayer, it fills the air. This glorious song they left behind is carried across the plains. The gray eagle's wings swoop through the mountains and over the streams. It rolls down the hills and through the canyons; it bursts from the thunder and spills free in the rain. It's reverence awes me, this gift in my heart. He's my brother in spirit... whose freed my bound soul."
Chris sat stunned, all the air was taken from his lungs. So much so, he forgot to breathe and ended up gasping. He was numb and sat stone silent, his hand clenched to the bench. His chest heaved several times, as he fought to control the strong current of emotion rising. Finally he lifted his head and saw the soft smile playing on Vin's face.
"For me?" he rasped and saw the shaggy head dip once. "My God Vin..." he sighed heavily and shook his head in awe.
Vin watched the normally staid Larabee struggle to control his emotions. It was a moment, a feeling that he'd never forget. He tucked it away, in a special place deep inside. A place where his mother's smile was hidden and his father's warm laughter. A place he visited when he was scared or fearful. A place that gave him peace and calmed his soul.
He walked back to the bench and handed his friend a postcard. He watched Chris's fingers trace the scene portrayed on the front. It was of two soldiers, both bloodied and wounded, supporting each other in the thick of battle. One wore blue, the other gray, both bled red. "It's all wrote down on the back... Reckon ya liked it?" Vin guessed, watching the moisture hovering in the expressive green eyes. He saw Chris extend an arm, and pulled him upright.
"I thunk I did..." Chris smirked, swiping his eyes and drinking the laughter that rained over him.
"Cut that out!" Vin protested, gripping Chris's forearm."...takin' t'makin' fun o'me?" His laughter was silenced when Chris pulled him into an unLarabeelike embrace.
"It touched me, Vin." Chris honored, "Thank you."
Vin pulled away and walked back over to the statue, eyeing the face of the great General. He swallowed hard several times and basked in the warmth that flooded his chest. He took a deep breath and drank in all that was Chris Larabee. The mists were still rising on the meadows and he took in the special feeling.
"You done playing philosopher?" Chris asked, wincing a bit at the shuddering breaths he heard the younger man taking.
"Reckon." Vin agreed hoarsly, turning back up the hill to where the blond stood.
"Good, I'm starved." Chris complained and watched Vin's eyes travel to the diner down the street. "Think again, Tanner, they're still laughing at me." he noted of the chocolate coffee that his Texan friend sipped through a smile.
"'s'okay by me, yer buyin'. I got a hankerin' fer a mess o'eggs and ham and a shitload o'fried taters. Hell, maybe a big pile o'buttered grits...."
"No way!" Chris shook his head. "You're not eating that mess in front of me. Why am I buying again? Seems to me I'm footing the bill on most of this trip." Chris paused and saw the word forming. "If you say 'reckon' Vin , I swear I'm gonna shoot you."
Vin paused and screwed his face up. "I estimate that to be correct..." He puffed his chest out and wagged his eyebrows. He waited for Chris to stop laughing and continued' " besides, it ain't good fer ya t'sit on all that money."
"All what money?" Chris complained, crossing the street to a colonial inn, open for breakfast. "What do you know about my money?"
"Hell, ya got porfolios and financiers and other fuzzlebutts' hoverin' around."
"Fuzzlewhats?" Chris laughed.
"Fuzzlebutts," Vin replied, "try t'keep up... It ain't good fer all that money t'be lyin' about. Best if it gets spread around good." He held the door to the restaurant open and they sat down at a corner table.
"You're making that your personal campaign?" Chris asked, picking up a glass of water.
Vin paused and waited until a big mouthful was taken, "Reckon..." He fell over sideways laughing as Chris choked and sputtered on his water. Curses flew across the table, along with a handful of ice cubes and small jelly packets. The mirth in the green eyes lost in the choking red face made him laugh even harder.
Somewhere in the distance, in the mists of time and space, on a battlefield in the sky, a young man smiled. Like others gone before him, who left a son behind, he was always near, providing invisible support and strength. Captain Paul Tanner's boy was safe; the heart he thought shattered was whole and beating strong.
THE END
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