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: I want to thank the kind, generous and understanding editor, aka KET, for effortlessly going through this with her red pen. Thanks Pard, you got no idea how relieved I am to have my 'assets' covered. I am very very grateful, KET, thanks a million.
The spring air was alive, seeming to glow in brilliant colors of blue, raspberry and peach. Cotton candy-like clouds floated by, puffy and white and the sun glowed in golden splendor. The grass was so rich and green, it made his eyes hurt. He ran through a carpet of wildflowers, bursting in purple, scarlet, blue, white and rose. He paused on the top of the hill, looking down at the cozy cabin by the rippling blue water. Beside him were the snow-capped mountains. A curl of smoke beckoned from the chimney and he smiled, then made his way home.
"...home..."
"Vin?"
He'd lain so quiet and still for so long, Chris checked twice to make sure he was breathing. The painkillers the nurse brought in were put to good use. He needed to rest and the fact he slept nightmare free was a relief. Maybe he was finally putting that darkness behind him. Chris leaned over and watched the fine features move. The brows drew together and the lips parted, letting a deep sigh of contentment leave. Finally, two eyes peeled open and a lazy smile followed.
"She must have been good," Chris teased of the contented grin and got a soft laugh.
"She'd have to be since I got no movin' parts workin'..." Vin shot back and clucked his tongue. "Is that pitcher empty?"
"No, hold on." Chris poured water into the plastic cup and snapped the lid on. He adjusted the straw and held it, allowing Vin to drink. "You were so quiet, I thought you checked out on me. No more bad dreams?"
"Nah," Vin sighed, resting his head on the pillow. "I was... somewhere... beautiful. There was mountains and flowers on the hill and a stream and a cabin."
Chris smiled and poured himself a mug of water, thinking on the place Vin Tanner loved to visit. A place, when they returned, he would take his friend to. A place from now on, Vin Tanner would call home.
"The Valley of Dreams..." Chris noted and saw Vin's eyes narrow.
"Yeah..." Vin rasped as the words found their way back into his heart. They weren't strange and neither was the beautiful place. "...we been there?"
"We have," the blond head nodded. "...and we'll go back. I know that place, Vin. We crossed the River of Fire together and we found..."
"...the Valley of Dreams..." Vin repeated, nodding thoughtfully. He yawned again, blinked several times and tried to stay awake.
Chris eyed the clock and the approaching hour.
"Ya got a hot date?" Vin teased, watching the green eyes move from the clock to the doorway.
"Not for an hour yet. Orrin and the boys. We're going over the whole thing, start to finish. You'll be moved to my room. I'll see you for lunch, okay?" He waited and the blue eyes slid shut again, the head bobbing and the lips parting slightly. Within minutes, he was once again asleep. Chris felt the cold hand on the bed and frowned. He tugged at the blanket until it was up to Vin's neck. Then he took the newspaper from the bed stand and flipped it open.
Kate smiled at how alike her husband and son were. Impatience was their middle name. Despite the fact that the doctor released him, Adam was still restless. He was bathed and dressed, sitting on the side of his bed and scowling. She moved from the bathroom doorway, put the toiletries in his bag and zipped it. Then she sat next to him, stealing a quick kiss.
"We have some catching up to do." She smiled wickedly and slid her hand up his thigh.
"You're a naughty girl!" he rasped, drinking in the beautiful face. "...and I like naughty."
"I hope we can leave soon. I want to get my boys home," she noted, intertwining her fingers with his.
"I don't think they'll release Vin until he's at least on his feet. I'm sure he can do his rehab at the medical center at home. I hope he likes Maggie."
"Of course he will!" she chided, thinking of the pretty redhead. "And she'll be crazy about him. What's not to like?"
"Good morning."
"Orrin!" Kate greeted warmly, standing and crossing the room. "It's good to see you again," she added, shaking his hand.
"Always a pleasure, Kate." The ATF division director moved forward, nodding to the general. "How are you?"
"Better now that I'm leaving." Adam let the other man help him up and into a wheelchair. "Thanks... everything all set?"
"Yeah, Orrin called on the way over. They're all there," Buck noted of the others at the meeting in the conference room, as he entered the room. "Except us and Chris." He eyed the empty bed. "Where is he?" "He went up to Vin's room very early." Kate moved beside the rogue, taking his arm. "The nurse told me Chris was up there last night too. It seems Vin is not as restless and his nightmares aren't as severe when Chris is nearby."
"I'll get him," Buck offered. "I want to see Vin anyhow. I'll be right back, Orrin."
"You're on duty, Buck, don't stop for phone numbers," Adam teased and saw Orrin Travis grin.
"I'll see you later, dear." Kate kissed her husband. "I'm going down to the coffee shop. Then I'll stay with Vin until your meeting ends." She then turned to Orrin, "I want to thank you again for all you did to get my son home. It's reassuring to know he works for someone who cares so much."
"That works both ways, Kate." Travis gave the grateful woman a hug. "Your son is the cream of the crop. I've been in this business for forty years and I've not seen a better leader. He's a good friend as well." He smiled at the beaming father. "Then again, he comes from good stock."
The time passed quickly and he eyed the clock again. Satisfied, he moved to turn and his chair hit the bed, shaking it.
"...'s'wrong..." Vin mumbled, trying to focus. Lord, his head hurt this morning. Just keeping his eyes open was painful. Every movement from his bruised body brought pain to his ribs and back. He felt like shit and eyed his useless legs, which caused his headache to explode. All the stress was causing his already thin nerves to fray even further.
Before Chris could reply, Buck ambled into the room. His sharp blue eyes zoned in on the spot on Vin's neck and shoulders where Tanner's locks usually resided. The mustache danced and a smile split the handsome face.
"Looks like you got bushwhacked by a mad barber," Buck chortled, absentmindedly tapping Vin's knee.
"Buck..." Chris warned, but the tall man pressed on.
"...that's okay though, there's plenty of girls back home lookin' for prom dates." Buck's gaze swept across the pain-rimmed eyes and stiffened body. "You look like shit, Vin..."
"Well, don't fuckin' look then!" Vin hissed angrily at this stranger. "Who the hell invited ya in? Ya get yer rocks off pickin' on invalids? It's m'room, get yer arrogant ass the hell outta here!"
"Calm down, Vin!" Chris moved and got a hand on the middle of the irate man's sternum. "Buck didn't mean that..." He paused and saw a blank face. "Buck Wilmington... he's on the team, I told you about him." He waited a few seconds and the telltale eyes slammed shut while a hiss of pain escaped. Then he turned back to face Wilmington, his eyes like hot coals. "What the hell's wrong with you?"
"Vin... I'm sorry. Honest to God, I'd never hurt you..."
Chris winced at the pain radiating in Buck's voice and he saw the haunted eyes. Buck, of all people, who had a heart bigger than Texas. Buck, whom Vin admired so much and usually followed that line with a snappy comeback. Sighing, he rubbed his own aching eyes.
"He's got amnesia, Buck," Chris said quietly. "It's gonna take some time." He eyed the dark blue eyes sweeping over Vin's legs. "...he can't feel anything yet..."
"Aw, shit... I forgot... how stupid is that?" Buck managed, terribly uneasy. "I was just so anxious to see him... came so close to losin'..." He flinched then when he touched Tanner's arm and the frail body pulled the other way. Vin's eyes were closed and his face turned away, pressed into the pillow. Buck moved closer, shifted on his bad leg and opened his mouth twice, but no words came out.
"Come on, Buck, Orrin's waiting with the others in the conference room upstairs." He studied the infirmed man for a moment, carefully examining the tense jaw and the fists clenched. "Remember what we talked about, Vin. Funnel that energy in a postive way. I'll see you as soon as the meeting is over."
There was no verbal reply, but the fists relaxed into flat palms and Chris nodded. It was enough for now. He tugged the blanket up and gave a single pat on the neck. Then he turned away, wheeling himself to the door.
"I'm sorry, Vin. Usually you... well, we joke around like that all the time. Hell, I didn't mean anything by it. Vin, you know I'd never hurt you." Buck paused, hoping for a sign, even a brief turn of the face. He could barely get the word out. "Vin?"
Nothing.
The face remained closed and turned away and the tall man's heart slid down and hit the floor with a resounding splat. He sighed painfully and turned away, his head hung low.
"Take it easy, Slick..."
Slick?
Vin's brow furrowed and his troubled mind was invaded by pictures. All of them full of life and flashes of six men, men who were strangers with familiar faces. One face seemed to cause his chest to hurt. His heart ached when the handsome man with the winning smile and the mustache invaded his airspace. He saw the lips part and that large man calling to him.
Slick?
The pictures moved faster, bursting forth in brilliant colors that caused his headache to intensify. He moaned and moved his hands, pressing them against throbbing temples. Yet they continued to flicker, like a screen from a silent movie. The same man running with a gun, firing at someone. Then he was singing on a stage, strumming a guitar, and he was playing quarterback for a ragtag football team. Chris was tackling him and there was laugher. Deep rich and vibrant, it echoed through his brain, causing a sizzle.
Then he heard it.
It started as a whisper and grew, stroking his brain and calling up warm and wonderful feelings of brotherhood. A big brother with a heart of gold. A man who'd take a bullet for you and shrug it off later. The kind of friend most men dream about.
The whisper changed, rising in volume and his lips parroted the word. It rolled off his tongue easily and it felt good. It felt right. It nestled in his heart where it belonged. He peeled his eyes open, squinting against the offensive light. Pain exploded and sent a hot shower of rain over him. He cried out and pushed the button clipped to his blanket.
"Vin?" Annie pried his hands away and saw tears in his eyes. "It's Annie. I can't give you any more medicine just yet..."
"...s'okay... ain't... s'bad..." he whispered, swallowing hard and gritting his teeth. "...sorry... bother... yer busy..."
"You're not a bother," she soothed, massaging his temples for a few minutes. She felt the tension begin to leave and moved, getting a white cotton cloth from his drawer. She soaked it in cold water and wiped his face which was covered with a fine layer of sweat. She loosened the ties on the gown and eased it down, then soaked the rag again, wringing it out and wiping his neck and chest. His moan told her how good it felt. "Better?"
"Ya... got... wings... under... there..."
"No." She lifted a cup and nudged his lips with a straw. "But thanks, Vin, that's a lovely thought."
"...s'true... thanks..."
"Anything else I can get you?" She pulled his gown back up and saw him start to reply and then hesitate. "What? Come on, handsome, out with it."
"I got a favor..." Vin said, eyeing the telephone on the bedside table.
A dozen chairs were spread around a long rectangular table. On the far side of the room, a smaller table stood, bearing a thermal carafe of hot water, a large urn of coffee, plastic bowls with creamers, sugar and Sweet-N-Low packets and lots of napkins. Then there was a second table bearing food.
J.D. was lining his chair up right next to the long table with pastries, bagels and doughnuts. In addition to his teammates, Jack Lynch and Pete DiTullio were present as well as Adam Larabee, Orrin Travis and Ted Harris of the F.B.I.
"Ye sure yer close enough, lad?" Jack goaded, watching the youth eyeing up the cakes.
"If you are smart, you will stay out of his way. Otherwise, you might find yourself missing a vital body part," Ezra advised as he handed Nathan a cup of coffee.
"Very funny!" J.D. shot back. "Where's my coffee?"
"In the pot." Josiah eyed the youth. "And while you're up, I'll have one, black."
"I swear sometimes I think Chris only hired me to be the gopher," he complained, taking two white Styrofoam cups and heading for the coffee urn. "Go for coffee, go for bagels, go for Chinese food..."
"...go for hookers..."
J.D. turned at the sound of his best friend's voice and the others exploded in laughter. Buck winked, following Chris into the room.
"Don't answer that, J.D. There's some things it would be better if I didn't know." Chris nodded to the others who greeted him as he moved the wheelchair into the room.
"Hell, Chris, I'm gonna teach that boy everything I know..." Buck predicted, moving past the injured team leader to get some coffee.
"Lord, have mercy on us all..." Josiah sighed. "Mornin', boss. How's Brother Vin?"
Nathan was the only one who saw Buck's face. He was on the far side of the room where the tall man had gone to get a cup of coffee. The medic flinched as Buck's face drained of color and his blue eyes filled with pain. Before he could move to inquire on the other man's problem, the mask went up, covering up the turmoil.
"Give yuh a hand, Buck?" he offered and saw a brief opening. He waited and the eyes locked onto his and then a slight nod.
"Thanks, Nate... I got it..." Buck knew the other man wasn't asking about the coffee. He was glad for the hand on his shoulder and sighed, collecting his scattered emotions.
"Let me." Nate saw the unsteady hand fumbling badly and got a cup secured. He hit the tap and filled it, then put two sugars and a cream in it.
Eyeing the individuals gathered, the ATF team leader saw a pair of intense dark eyes studying him. He moved his chair closer and nodded. He recognized the face, having seen it for many years on television. But after his own personal experience and what he'd learned from Orrin and the others, he held a new respect for the tought reporter. "I'm Chris Larabee," the blond held his hand out. "I've been a fan for many years. I never realized just how much guts you guys have. I'm indebted to you both."
"Chris." Pete shook the hand and chuckled at the intense eyes. "Man, I'll tell you, the apple don't fall far from the tree. He's your kid, alright." He eyed the older Larabee who was seated at the end of the table. "You got some team, Chris, above and beyond the call and all that..."
"I think I'll keep 'em..." Chris accepted the compliment with a grin.
"It's not like there's a big line to claim them," Orrin said with a straight face.
"I think my feelings are hurt." Josiah's deep voice was followed by his hand on his shirt. "Ezra, check for blood."
While most of those gathered spent the next few minutes getting acquainted, coffee and cakes were passed around and then the phone rang. It was on the far end of the room where Josiah was passing through on his way to the bathroom.
"Hello?"
"Uh... hey... uh..." Vin frowned, trying to find something, anything that would bring the name to his mind. What if the nurse got the wrong room? "... s'this... uh... Chris... uh... Lar'bee's meetin'?"
"Vin?" Josiah's brows knit together. "It's good to hear your voice. The Lord smiled on us again." He paused, thinking on Vin Tanner's tenacity and a verse from II Timothy 4:7. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
"Nathan?" Vin guessed and frowned. "Aw, hell..." His fuzzy brain added up some clues. This man wasn't the healer. The deep voice and the Bible quote brought up an image. Gray hair, smoky eyes, big smile, big silver cross on a leather tie. "...that ain't right, yer the cross toter..."
"Josiah Sanchez," he smiled, touching the homemade cross he always wore. "I hear right? You're gonna be Chris's new roommate."
"I got the short straw..." Vin liked the deep voice; it was very comforting.
"What can I do for you, brother?"
"Is Buck there?"
"Hold on, Vin." Josiah looked across the long room and nodded at Buck, then held the phone up. The puzzled man put his coffee down, stood and ambled over. Josiah left the phone on the ledge by the door and eased out into the hall, headed to the men's room to answer's nature's call.
"Hello?"
"Bucklin?"
It wasn't the word that brought his head down, caused a long held breath to release and the crack in his heart to mend. It was the voice, small and far away, shaking and frail, with a hint of worry. It stole his air.
He smiled, dropped his head to his chest and let a soft chuckle escape. Never, in all the time since Vin had christened him with that wonderful nickname, had he so desperately needed to hear it. It fluttered on a soft drawl, caressed his ears and slid all the way to his heart. . It invaded his senses, wrangled up his jangled emotions and got a warm fire started, chasing the frost away.
"Yeah..." he choked. "It's me. You got no idea how sorry I am. How much I needed to hear..."
Vin swallowed hard when Buck's voice died off and he heard the gasp. More of the missing pieces were supplied. Words came in a dazzling parade. . .courage, honor, pride, integrity and unflagging loyalty. He struggled to find his own voice which seemed buried deep under those wonderful sentiments.
"I jest wanted... t'say... t'say... " Vin was struggling now. His eyes had weights on them and his skull had a jackhammer in it. But he needed to say it. It had to come out. The word 'Slick' brought something else out of his box. Something that took the chill from his body and stoked the fires of his soul. "... f..f..fuck yer sorry ass... fuck... t'hell n' back?"
Buck laughed outright at that. He could imagine Vin's face screwed up in puzzlement. The words came out but the confused man didn't know why or where or even how. But they were there... and that's all that mattered. "You sure about that, Slick?"
"Hell... yeah..." Vin managed in a gruff whisper. "...can't figger it out... but since ya left... ya called me 'Slick' and a bunch o'pictures come out of m'box. Them words come out too... was that right?"
"You bet your scrawny Texas ass!" Buck sighed, wiping his damp eyes. "Good for you!"
"...ya okay then?" Vin fretted, hearing his loud words and Buck's broken voice earlier. "I didn't mean t'shout at ya..."
"Yeah, you did and I deserved an ass' kickin' for being so thoughtless... and I am sorry, Vin, really."
"...it was burnin' a good hole in m'gut..." Vin decided.
"What gut?" Buck teased, then his smile faded when he heard the small cries of pain and several minutes worth of shallow gasping. "Vin? You need a nurse or something?"
"... yeah..." he whispered, letting his eyes shut. All his energy was tapped out and he was fading fast. "...got it now... jest hearin' ya..." He paused as another image came up, of his friend by a body of water, smiling and laughing. He heard his own voice then and repeated it without knowing why, but with each word, another part of him healed. "...anybody... can... can... have... a... a... Buck... I... got... a... gen...genuine...
Buck...lin..." He gasped, coughed and sucked a breath in. "...feel sorry fer the... poor bastards... who's doin' without..."
"Sometimes, Vin Tanner," Buck's voice was rich and full, "you leave the rest of us way behind. You get some shuteye, son, that's an order." "...sandman's tryin' t'drown me..." Vin agreed. "...later... Bucklin?"
"Yeah, I'll bring you some ice cream," he promised. "...put some weight on that skinny ass of yours."
"...yer... jest jealous... ya ain't got a Tanner ass..." Vin decided, then before he faded out, "...if ya happen... t'pass some chocolate..."
"You got it!" he laughed and heard a woman's voice. She was speaking softly to Vin and then he heard a click.
"Are we ready to proceed?" Orrin asked, watching Buck walk slowly across the room.
"Who was on the phone, Buck?" J.D. asked.
"An old friend," Buck managed, winking at Chris. "A good friend whose voice I needed to hear."
"A cowboy maybe?" Chris guessed at the emotive face next to him and saw a break of even white teeth under the mustache.
The dark blue eyes crinkled in warmth as he replied, "Yeah, the blue-eyed variety," in a wistful tone of voice.
Buck tapped his fist on his heart once and gave silent thanks for all the men he was blessed to call 'friend.'
NOTE TO THE READERS: I want to take a moment to apologize in advance this part. I wrote this three weeks ago and sent if off to beta'd. When it came back, it was with a 'question' mark and some concern over the content. Although her insight into this section of the story was correct, I can't get to the rest of the story without it. I deleted the entire thing and for over 2 weeks I've tried to rewrite it, to get new, fresher, better words down. But I had no luck. You see this story is long, too long and I know I need to close it out. I started it about a year ago and after the few parts, which were also lacking, I got lost. So it might be selfish on my part, but I needed this part to regroup. I lost my way, I couldnt remember all the details. I tried to rewrite it, I tried hard, very hard for over 2 weeks. I got no where...
So in order to get to the next part, and beyond to the last mile on the road, so to speak, I needed this particular version. So I am apologizing in advance for this section. Many of you will finish this part and end up scratching your head, like my good friend and beta did. That worried me — a lot — until about an hour ago.
I decided it's okay to have a few parts (like this one) that are below Par. It's more importatn to gradually ease itno the final section of this long story.
Thanks to all of you who have been patient and riding the storm out with me, I so appreciate your support. To those who are disappointed in this section, I'm sorry but I needed it.
After all the introductions were made, the men gathered around the long table. Orrin waited for the murmurs to die down and cleared his throat.
"Gentlemen, we've gathered here this morning to piece together this incident that thankfully concluded with Chris Larabee and Vin Tanner being rescued and returned to American soil. Mister Dunne, could you start?"
"Me?" J.D. quizzed, sending a puff of powder from the doughnut he was eating.
"You're down right embarrassing, J.D.," Buck chastised.
"Nevertheless, you're the starting point. You and Mister Tanner were in Taos, dirt biking?" Travis opened a leather valise and took his pen out. The F.B.I man followed suit, taking notes for the final report.
"Oh, yeah," the youth recalled. "We went down for a long weekend to ride the trails. Vin took a spill and hit a tree. And, well, some parts got bruised worse than others..."
"Ouch!" Jack Lynch winced.
"Exactly," Dunne nodded, then smiled. "Vin said the boys got shook up 'rite good!"
"Like them damn boys of his are anything to write home about," Buck chuckled.
"He looked like he took a bath in grape juice," Chris recalled of the purple-mottled body.
"We were supposed to come home on Sunday, but Vin got sick," Buck stated. "So J.D. and me brought the trucks and the bikes back. I left my car with Chris."
Chris heard Buck, but the room seemed to fade away and an image of Vin bopping around the hotel room singing "Who let the Rats Out... who... who... who..." filled his head. The whole ass bite scenario replayed, including the look on the maid's face and his partner's bold explanation. That brought a smile and then a chuckle that turned into a laugh. Lost in thought, he was unaware that the others were watching him. A tap on his robed arm brought him back.
"Chris?" Buck raised an eyebrow. "Did I miss something?"
"Uh... no..." he decided, keeping his secret smile. "Vin was sick all right." He took a sip of his coffee and then a deep breath. "Vin was pretty stiff and sore, sucked up coke and painkillers for a couple of days. We left late on Tuesday, right after supper. But there were detours and roads out due to a storm. Vin drove for hours and was exhausted. We decided to hit the next town and call it a night. I had to hit the john so we pulled over at a diner."
"That would be Rambling Rose's Cheap Eats on Route 64 in San Juan County, New Mexico?" Ted Harris interjected.
"Yeah, I ran for the bathroom, and when I came out, my head was down," Chris recounted. "First thing I saw was Vin on his knees, blood running down his face. I think I called out to him... can't be sure. Next thing I knew I was waking up in the storeroom." He paused for another swallow of coffee. "One of them had shot me and the bullet went right through my side. Vin was cleaning me up. He told me Bull Savage and his kin..uh family had taken us hostage."
"Okay," Orrin leaned forward, eyeing the F.B.I. man, Nathan and Buck. "Ted, you have the sheriff's statement?"
"Yeah." The other man flipped through some papers before handing a copy to the ATF director. "Jim Whitefeather. A trucker reported something wrong. Jim and his deputy were called out to the scene. They found the owner dead and lots of blood, signs of trouble. The vehicle outside was registered to Mister Wilmington. Then they watched the security videos and the deputy contacted Mister Wilmington."
"Buck and Nathan were dispatched to investigate the apparent kidnapping," Orrin advised, then turned. "What happened next, Chris?"
"They were gonna kill us, but Vin made a deal. They needed to get out of the country. They had a pilot meeting them outside Silver City. But the roads were blocked because of the storm. Vin bought us some time, told them he knew the area and could get them there."
"Vin Tanner," the F.B.I man continued to write. "Perhaps we should get his testimony?"
"No," Chris denied. "Vin's in ICU and he has amnesia, he's not up to it."
"Very well," Harris nodded. "The tapes showed Mister Tanner was tortured. Were they trying to get information from him?"
"No, they were scum-sucking lowlifes, they didn't need a reason." Chris frowned. "I was in the back, I couldn't see... but I heard him screaming."
"You have that," Buck leaned over the table, "and it's on tape. Move on."
"Easy, Buck." Orrin saw the color rising on his cheeks as he defended his absent friend. "Chris, pick it up when you were taken out."
"We drove for awhile, ended up in a deserted area near a ghost town. Bull and Linc met with the pilot. Arlee and Troy, his demon spawn," Chris spat out, eyes hot, "kept an eye on me and Vin. I looked at Vin and he knew the score too. Our time was up, they had their plane... they were going to execute us. So we moved on the count of three. Problem was, Vin stumbled and Arlee stabbed him. But I got Troy, that sick mother-fucker."
There was grim satisfaction evident on the blond's face. "There was a lot of confusion after that and then Bull slammed into me. I remember waking up later on board the plane. I was tied up and there was something obviously wrong. Vin's voice, it was flat, no emotion at all. I heard him say 'we're goin' down' and that's when I realized the plane was in trouble. There was a lot of noise and screaming. Vin reached out for me..." He closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Chris?"
"I'm okay, Dad..." he answered the worried tone of the man who flanked him along with Buck. "Next thing I remember was waking up on my belly, tied up and with a collar around my neck. Rebels found the wreck. Bull was alive and already tied up. Someone was in the plane... screaming... They shot him, said he was badly burned. I thought... it was... V...Vin." Chris forced the words out and swallowed hard. He nodded at the strong hand on his shoulder, grateful for his father's touch.
"The tests aren't back yet, but due to process of elimination, we suspect that was most likely Lincoln Savage. Now that we know you killed Troy, his was apparently the body found downstream." Harris eyed his report.
"Jesus..." Nathan shook his head. "So when did you realize he was alive?"
"A few days before my dad found us..." Chris paused, staring across at the vacant wall. He still saw that look in Vin's eyes. "He damn near killed me. Arlee got a hold of him in San Pedro. Sick fuckin' lunatic convinced him he was related to them and that I killed his brother, Chris. Vin was all twisted up inside, hurtin'. He felt things about 'Chris' but had no memory of him."
"...and you were the man who took his brother away?" Josiah shook his head. "Poor Vin."
"Poor Vin damn near slit my throat," Larabee recounted. "I never saw him so enraged. It was like his eyes were on fire. Only reason I'm breathing is because he was hurt. They just used him..." Chris gritted out, recalling the painful fight in the cave, "...like a fuckin' puppet. Egged him on, told him things, horrible things that I'd done to 'his Chris'."
"So how'd you escape?" Nathan diverted, then saw the green eyes close and the hand rise again to stem the pain. But he also knew it was a miracle both of men had survived.
Chris paused and took several breaths. He thought on all the possible answers to that question. How had he and Tanner ended up on that desolate spot in the mountains? Had either one not been present, the other would have died. Was that fate? Or perhaps destiny? He gave a short chuckle and shook his head.
"Dumb fuckin' luck..." he mused and lifted his soda in a mock toast. "And I got Arlee Savage to thank for that. His plan backfired. He was using Vin to backtrack his trail. We met up with them in the mountains. And all that time, I thought Vin was dead."
His voice caught as he got a mental image of the Texan's wild eyes and the knife in his hand when they were first reunited. He rubbed his shoulder as the memory of how close he'd come to dying then and there returned. How would Vin have ever recovered from a memory like that?
"Vin was wild, out of his head... I've never seen him so worked up. He jumped me with a knife, damn near killed me." Chris's voice dropped into the low and lethal range. "And they just laughed at him."
The others exchanged worried glances as the injured man struggled to control the raging battle of emotions tearing his guts apart. His face colored and his eyes caught fire. Both hands curled into fists and his lips formed a thin white line. Finally, after several heaving breaths, he was able to continue.
"They knew Vin could track, they were usin' him to find a way out of there. But it went south. Bull fell asleep and I jumped Arlee. We fought and I killed him.Then Bull came charging in. While I was tanglin' with him, Vin got hold of the gun. Bull started screaming at him to shoot. Vin..." Chris bit his lip and swallowed hard, seeing Tanner's wild eyes and his hand clutching his skull. "Vin was a mess. He didn't know what to believe... he was hurtin' bad, had one hand on his head... his eyes..." He bit his lip and shook his head. "Then something happened, his face went blank, like he was faraway..."
"Flashback!" Josiah noted.
"I guess," Chris managed, weary of speaking. "Then he managed to wing Bull, but he was near the edge of the cliff. Bull backhanded him, sent him over the edge." He shut his eyes and took a moment to get some strength back. "I looked... down... he was twisted over a rock. He didn't move... he looked... I thought that bastard killed him."
Chris's voice dropped and his eyes turned a deadly shade of steel. "So I took care of business..."
"...and you got to Vin..." J.D. guessed.
"Yeah, I don't know how the hell we're still alive. I made a shelter, got some fruit and plants... water. What I couldn't ID, Vin could. He even knew the ones for burns and fever... He saved us..."
"Sounds like you had a hand in that, Chris," Nate offered with a sincere tone.
"He was so lost... confused... he didn't know me... " He dropped his head a moment and felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe not by name, son, but I bet it didn't take long for him to 'see' you," Adam testified of the bond.
"No," the blond leaned back, curving his lips up. "We... got each other through the storm..."
He fell silent then. His eyes softened and his face was painted with a blissful peace. His lips quirked up into an easy smile. Theyknew that was all they'd hear about those days the injured pair spent alone and possibly dying. Whatever powerful elixir the two shared would remain between them. And that's how it should be; that was part of the mystery that forged them together.
"I'd like to backtrack for a moment and clear up some loose ends." Harris eyed the reporters. "You two found both bodies, one in the plane and one by the water?"
"We found both," Pete said. "They were burned beyond... they had badges, I called it in." His dark scowl hit the F.B.I. man. "As a matter of fact, I called that arrogant asshole, McClendon, the day we found Arlee Savage. He never called back, stupid son-of-a-bitch could have made a difference."
"He'll have to answer for that." Orrin attempted to restore order. The reporter's hot words had Chris upset and the team seething.
"He laughed." Buck's voice was distant. "He knew... and he laughed."
"Buck had a little chat with the vermin in question," Ezra supplied to Chris's confused face.
"Oh yeah," the blond nodded, turning to his oldest friend. Then he found a crooked half-grin. "I hear you owe my old man bail money."
Buck chuckled and then saw identical amusement on both Larabee's faces. He scratched his chin and nodded. "The way I see it, the general knew without these hands of gold," he held up his one hand, "well... you get the idea..."
"You need glasses, son," Adam deadpanned, getting a group chuckle.
"We were headed south into the mountains," the dark-haired CNN reporter continued. "We heard Juan Xavier was on the move. We found an American kid, hurt, on the side of the road. He couldn't remember much.or so he said. We took him to San Pedro, to the clinic. They operated on his leg."
"Apparently, the plane broke up into pieces," Orrin noted, scanning his prior report. "Vin and Arlee Savage were in the section of the plane that ended up in the water. Vin somehow got to the bank where Father Romero found him. We have a statement from him."
"I got it." Josiah pulled out the folder in front of him. "He's got medical training. He saved Vin's life. He had a nasty wound on his leg and a lacerated scalp. The padre said Vin had no memory, but because of the medallion he wore, they called him 'Chris.' He was in a bad way for several days and the priest was concerned about his head injury."
"The padre was in town and met one of the nurses from the hospital," Pete recalled. "She told him about Arlee and the padre met with him. For some reason, he knew about Vin being alive. He must have somehow overheard the nurse...."
"Could be," Jack Lynch agreed. "If they were out front, most of the windows were open. The padre tells the nurse about Vin.and that bloke happens to hear.."
"So he finds out Vin has amnesia and decides to use him to find his father," J.D. finished. "Sick bastard!"
"...dead bastard!' Chris hissed. "I kept my word." He sighed and got his anger under control, felt his father's hand on his shoulder again.
"So, the padre decided to bring Vin to town?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, we met him later, he was terribly upset," Pete recalled. "He wanted the doctor to examine Tanner's head injury, do some tests. Tanner was too weak and worn out to make the trip back to the Padre's church."
"Yeah," Jack nodded, "plus there was an emergency. A woman up in the mountains having a breech birth. The doctor wasn't available..."
"So he left Vin and when he returned, both Arlee and Vin were gone?" Buck inquired.
"Yeah," Chris supplied. "I heard Arlee tell Bull he convinced Vin he was related to them. That I was a mercenary who tortured and killed his brother. He fed Vin this shit for days. Vin kept calling out for me in his dreams and that sick fucker twisted the knife..." Chris vented. "Goddammit!"
"It's done, Chris," Buck supplied quietly.
"Is it, Buck?" The blond turned, eyes full of fury. "Vin's in ICU and can't walk. He's got fragments instead of his memory. He's having nightmares straight from Hell..."
"He's alive!" Nathan caught the green eyes and let his soulful brown ones melt the icea bit. "..and we each got two hands."
Adam took a deep breath, a sip of coffee and stared at the men who worked for his son. Without question, that glint in their eyes was far more than a reflection of determination. That these men had risked their own lives, on their own time, save Buck, to find his son, spoke volumes. He was so proud of Chris, he didn't have adequate words.
"At this point, before we continue," Adam spoke, his voice full and his dark eyes shining, "on behalf of Mrs. Larabee and myself, I'd like to thank every one of you for what you've done. Everything I have, the honors, the awards, the medals, all of it... mean nothing. This..." He moved his hand, gripping his now emotive son's neck, "is a treasure far greater than any of you can imagine."
There was a long pause as each of the men absorbed the moving words that ended with a slight break in the general's voice. There was not one among them that didn't envy the strong bond between father and son.
Chris knew his father was struggling and lifted his face. He found a small smile and his pale eyes lit up in warmth.
"Does that mean I don't have to fork over twenty bucks from the poker game yesterday?"
"Hell no!" Adam roared, dark eyes full. He took his son's extended hand and sent his gratitude silently, then felt an equal measure given back the same way.
"Buck, can you pick it up?" Orrin nodded, realizing the general needed a moment to collect himself.
"Well," Buck finished his bagel and took some coffee, wiped his mouth and continued. "Like I said, the general was lost without my keen skills..." He paused as the older man cleared his throat. "We landed in Mexico, following up on information the general's team received from a CIA surveillance tape. They had video of Juan Xavier's rebels on the move. Chris and Bull were identified on the tape."
"...and that's when you decided to take a vacation?" Chris eyed his team, his chest swelling in pride.
"Seemed like good idea at the time," J.D. noted.
"A capital suggestion," Ezra agreed, lifting his mug in a mock toast.
"We landed at the exact coordinates for a wide perimeter around an area with the largest number of rebel camps," Adam joined in. "The government put pressure on them after finding the wreckage of the plane. That made Xavier's life tougher and we knew he'd head for the hills, the remote areas. We headed off at a brisk pace, made good time and closed the distance, then we got lucky." He nodded to Orrin who pulled out his cell phone.
"Yes, Captain, it's Orrin Travis. Do you have my witness? Good. Ten minutes, very well." He hung the phone up. "Gentlemen, while we're waiting, why don't you tell us about your 'vacation'?"
"We met up with Jack and Pete in San Pedro and picked up the trail at the plane wreck," Josiah noted. "We must have gotten too close. Me, J.D. andJack got caught by a band of Xavier's men. A nest of rebels found our camp. Ezra got away and hooked up with Pete and Nathan. Then some of the general's team found us..." The preacher touched his bruised face, complete with one eye still swollen shut. "Just in time..."
"We had split up at that point," Adam explained. "I took Buck and two men with me. My second-in-command, Major Chelsea, took the others with him. We found remains that Chris later confirmed were Bull and Arlee Savage. Then Buck checked the area and found both Chris and Vin at the bottom of a steep hill. He rappelled down right as Tanner woke up..."
"...and tried to use that scrawny Texan hide as a shield," Chris choked, still seeing the fire in the blue eyes above him at that moment. "He crawled... over to me... he dragged himself with his arms... threw one hand over..." He paused and took a shuddering breath. "...my chest... his right hand had the gun... shaking so bad he damn near dropped it."
"He wouldn't let us get anywhere near Chris," Buck noted, rubbing his thigh and chuckling softly. "Some sharpshooter, he damn near took out Buck Junior."
"T.M.I!" Ezra's hand came up as he smiled. "Spare us the details, please!"
"What happened after that?" J.D. asked.
"I started down, then I saw..." Adam began, "...and heard my son. Chris never raised his voice. He looked up at that poor boy's eyes, full of fire and delirious. He'd have shot us both before he'd let us near Chris." He turned his head to regard his son. "You said two words..."
"Trust me," Chris whispered, replaying the incident in his head.
"I've never seen anything as strong as the look that transpired between you two. Vin dropped the gun..."
"The medics got down there and cleaned them up," Buck recalled. "Poor Vin didn't even know where he was... his damn eyes..."
"The military chopper picked them up and brought them here," Adam continued. "Then Buck and I set out to find Xavier. He'd escaped with a handful of his men. I stepped in a booby trap." He patted his injured leg. "And Buck saved both our lives."
"You are aware, of course, he collects battle scars like trophies to dangle before unsuspecting women..." Ezra drawled, toasting his mustached friend.
"Jealous, Ace?" Buck wagged his brows in reply.
A knock on the door had Travis on his feet. He nodded to Adam and made his way to the door, opening it partially, then smiling.
"Our witness is here." He turned and allowed entry. His gaze went to Chris Larabee who was rubbing his eyes, trying to push a headache away. The agent's recovering body was far from well and he needed to be back in his room. Travis spotted the carafe of cold orange juice and poured a glass, then handed it to the witness.
"Gentlemen, I think a ten minute recess is in order,"Travis ordered, eyeing Larabee who had his head back, eyes closed. "Chris, you stay put for a few minutes." He waited until they'd all gone, save Buck, who was hesitant to leave Chris's side. Some things never changed. Then he nodded to the witness who silently crossed the room.
"You are thirsty, Señor Chris?"
"Yeah, Maria, my head's killing me."
Chris's eyes shot open and his head turned slowly. His body jerked in shock. The pretty girl before him smiled and blushed before setting the glass down.
"Hello again," Buck offered, along with his chair. "And thank you." He kissed her forehead and moved away, giving Chris's back a light tap.
"You are most welcome." She sat down and took the blond man's trembling hand. "You look awful!" she teased, then bent forward and kissed his cheek. "...and I have missed you.
He was numb and his mouth gaped slightly. She was real and she was here. She was alive!
"Maria..." His voice was a soft whisper. He'd thought perhaps she was dead. But here she sat, clean and healthy and smiling like an angel. He suddenly felt the gravity of just what this young girl had done for him, both during his imprisonment and the brave sacrifice during his escape. His larger fingers covered the smaller ones on the cup.
"Thank you,"he choked in a tight rasp, eyes filling.
Her breath caught in her pained chest when a single tear fell, running down his cheek. She knew the two words weren't for the juice. She brushed the tear away and his hand rose snagging her wrist. His hand felt so good, so warm. She'd feared for his life and when the news came, she'd rejoiced.
"When they told me... that you and your Vin were alive... I wept..." she choked, letting her own tears fall.
"Don't..." He shook his head and kissed her hand. "God, I can't believe you're here. You got guts, Maria, more than I've ever seen. You're something else, lady." He swallowed hard, drained the cold juice and stared at the beautiful face. She looked fit and healthy; her eyes were shining. "Are you okay?"
"I am fine now. I couldn't wait to see you. Your Se�or Travis, he pulled a lot of strings, but I am allowed to stay. He even said there is reward money and I can live with my aunt and uncle in New Mexico and go to college!"
"That's great!" Chris smiled. "How'd you get away? When we busted out, all hell broke loose..."
"It is a long story..." She eyed the pain lingering in his eyes and paused, resting her hand on the side of his face.
"I like long stories," Chris returned.
"Perhaps later, in your room, when you have rested. Se�or Travis wants me to tell the F.B.I and your father about the rebels. I can give them information that will help." She took a steadying breath. "I can't believe it's over. For so long I have wanted to come to America. I feel so lucky."
"Lucky for me St. Peter gave the green light and heaven lost an angel," Chris offered up, "or I'd be dead now... Vin, too."
She smiled at the warmth in his voice that matched the gentle touch on her wrist. Then as his eyes filled up, she bent down and kissed his cheek. She let her fingers brush the spot.
"Welcome home..."
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