In this AU, the boys are in modern day Texas. Sarah and Adam are still alive. We hope that we've set down a good foundation for others to build on.
We began this AU to explore the relationship between Chris and his family, in an effort to see Chris Larabee as the loving father and husband we believe the series was trying to portray him as. And to see how the boys would interact with Sarah and Adam. We welcome other writers who can share that vision and invite you to build on what we've started. We hope you can respect the premise of the AU.
The boys don't belong to us, dangnabit! Thanks to Mirisch, Trilogy, MGM, TNN, CBS, Hallmark Channel for bringing them to us. And many thanks to those seven wonderful actors for giving them life.
And eternal thanks to Rowan for her beta and her suggestions and remarks. (but we will continue to spelled it 'alright'!!). And thanks to Setcheti for giving the story a read and giving us her opinion before we posted it.
Sarah Larabee leaned out the back door and called her son. "Adam, lunch is ready."
"Coming, Mama."
A few seconds later, she saw the young boy running toward the house. She smiled as he jumped up onto the back steps. He ran toward her, stopping short when he reached her.
"Hotdogs?"
"Don't you ever get tired of hotdogs?"
"No, Mama, hotdogs are good."
"What if I made hamburgers?"
"Rather have hotdogs."
She laughed. "You win. Hotdogs it is." Which is a good thing, she thought, since she already had the hotdogs cooked. One of these days, he was going to want hamburgers, and she wouldn't be prepared.
"Yippee!" He ran inside and started to sit down.
"Hands, young man," she scolded lightly.
Adam jumped up and raced down the hall.
"Walk, Adam!"
"Yes, Mama!"
A minute later he was walking, fast, down the hallway and back into the kitchen. He held up his now clean hands for his mother's inspection before settling back onto his seat again. Sarah put a plate in front of him and a glass of milk. She sat down across from him with her own plate. Adam reached for his hotdog in a bun, dripping with ketchup and mustard. Before he could bring it up to his face, the back door slammed open.
"Where's my lil pard?" Buck Wilmington called out loudly.
"Buck!" Adam jumped up and ran over to his favorite person...other than his mom and dad, of course. The big man scooped the boy up into the air and tossed him over his head. Adam giggled.
"Good thing he hadn't finished lunch yet, Buck," Chris Larabee said from behind him. He and Sarah smiled in amusement. Buck had always been exuberant around Adam. More than once the young boy had brought his meal back up during one of Buck's rousing greetings.
"Aw, heck, pard, I could see he hadn't taken a bite yet. Right, lil pard?"
"Right!" Adam agreed, nodding his head vigorously.
"Best go eat, Adam," Chris said.
"'kay, Dad," he said, wriggling down from Buck arms. He pulled out the chair next to his. "Sit here, Dad."
Larabee walked over and sat down next to his son. This was a daily common ritual with the family, whenever Buck and Chris were able to get away for lunch. Once Chris and his family moved out to the ranch permanently, it wouldn't be convenient to drive home for lunch, so the two men were taking every opportunity to do it while they could.
Sarah put the buns and hotdogs on the table, so the two men could make their own sandwiches, then got them both something to drink.
"Oh, boy! Hotdogs!" Buck exclaimed.
Chris rolled his eyes. Sarah patted him on the shoulder as she handed him a glass of tea. "Don't worry, honey, I have steaks ready for dinner. That is if you and Buck don't mind grilling."
"Sorry, darlin', I'd love to join y'all, but I got a hot date tonight."
"Not Nancy again."
"Nope. Found out she was going back to an old boyfriend. Can't believe she'd want him instead of me, but...." He shrugged.
"So, who's the lucky lady?"
Buck grinned and chewed the bite he just taken. Swallowing, he looked up at his best friend's wife. "Katie," he said wistfully.
Sarah sent a questioning look Chris' way. He just shrugged in response and turned his attention to his lunch and his son.
She frowned and looked again at Buck. "So, who is Katie? That's a good Irish name, you know."
"She's gorgeous. Blonde hair, blue eyes, a body that I can't wait to..."
"Buck," Chris warned, flicking his eyes toward Adam.
"Oh, sorry. She's really pretty. She's a flight attendant. I met her last week at that conference I attended on airline security."
"And she lives in Dallas and flies to Europe every week," Chris included.
"Just means that she's well-rounded."
"Hm, in more ways then one," Chris remarked as he fixed his own 'dog.
"Is that so?" Sarah asked, grinning at her husband.
"Yes, at least according to Buck. I haven't met her yet. Remember, you and I spent that weekend at Six Flags with the midget here," he said gesturing to Adam.
"I'm not a midget, Daddy! I just haven't grown all the way up yet!" Adam insisted.
"My apologies, short stuff," Chris teased.
"Daddy!" Adam sat back with his hands on his hips, indignation clear on his face.
Chris winked at him, which caused his son to laugh. "Daddy, you're teasin' me!"
"I sure am. But that just means I love you."
"I love you too, Daddy. Can I have another hotdog?" he asked, licking his small fingers of the ketchup and mustard that were all that remained of the hotdog that had been on his own plate.
"Adam, please use your napkin," Sarah prompted her young son.
The boy first rubbed his hands on his jeans, than picked up his napkin and wiped his face. He smiled at his mother, awaiting her praise.
Chris and Buck chuckled, only to be glared at by Sarah. Her features soften as she turned back to her son. "Adam, dear, next time, use the napkin to wipe your hands as well."
Adam looked at his napkin, then down at his now dirty jeans. Glancing back at his mother, he smiled. "Sorry, Mama. I'll use my napkin next time."
"Thank you, Adam."
"You're welcome, Mama. Daddy, can I have another hotdog?"
Chris shook his head, amused at his son's antics. "Think you can eat another whole one?" he asked. Adam nodded his head. So Chris fixed up another and placed it on Adam's plate. His son reached for the hotdog, freezing when he heard his father clearing his throat. He looked up, gazing at his father between the bangs hanging down over his eyes.
Larabee reached over and pushed the bangs out of Adam's eyes. "What do you say, Adam?"
The boy smiled. "Thank you, Daddy," he said softly.
"You're welcome, son," Chris replied, pride and love evident in his voice and in his eyes. He glanced at his wife and saw a similar expression on her face.
"Larabee."
"Tanner here. I may have a line on this Cletus fella."
"Where are you?"
"East side."
Chris looked at his watch. "I'll be leaving the office in about ten minutes. You're not that far from my house. Why don't you meet me there? I'll call Sarah and let her know to expect you. Can you stay for dinner?"
"I never turn down a free meal. Especially a home cooked one."
"See you in a bit."
"Yep."
Fifteen minutes later, Tanner pulled his jeep up in front of the Larabee home. He hadn't been back here since the day he'd seen Blackfox try to blow up the Ranger's family. He parked his jeep at the curb. Grabbing the papers on the seat next to him, he climbed out. As he closed the door and began walking up the driveway, he heard a yell.
"He's got Adam!" Sarah Larabee stumbled around the corner of the house. He could see she was bleeding from a cut on her forehead. Tanner saw the man she was yelling about. He was tall and slender, with pale skin. Dressed all in black, he ran across the yard toward a black van parked a few houses up the street.
In his arms he carried a struggling and screaming Adam Larabee. Vin took off. He knew it would be close, as the man was nearer to the van, but was also trying to keep hold of the boy in his arms.
Tanner noticed the sliding side door of the van was already standing open. The man in black, whom Tanner now recognized as Cletus Fowler, jumped into the van and started to close the door. Vin grabbed the door and pushed it back open, dropping the papers he'd been carrying in his hand. He leaped into the van and grabbed the kidnapper.
Fowler, however, was stronger than he looked. He shoved Tanner, knocking him against the side of the vehicle. Vin hit his head, temporarily disorienting him. Fowler took advantage. When Vin looked up, the only thing he saw was a streak of silver heading toward his face.
Pain exploded along his jaw and just before he passed out, he thought "that guy's fist must be made of steel."
A few minutes later, Chris Larabee squealed to a stop in front of his house. He saw three police cars there, lights flashing. Throwing his vehicle into park, he jumped out.
"Chris!"
Larabee looked up. He recognized Fred Littleton, a Sergeant with the police department. Littleton had patrolled this part of Houston for over five years and he and Chris had become friends. Larabee ran up to the house.
"Sarah and Adam?" he asked anxiously, berating himself for relaxing his guard once Blackfox was arrested.
"Sarah's inside. Paramedics are taking a look at her."
Chris moved to walk inside. "Chris, wait." The Ranger glared at Littleton. His wife was hurt and he wanted to get to her. "Give me just a minute here, Chris."
"Adam?" Chris had received a frantic call from his wife, crying and saying something about Adam being taken. "Where's Adam?" Larabee stared at Littleton, who turned his face avoiding looking into his eyes. Chris heart sank. "Oh, God! Adam?" he asked, his voice betraying his fear.
"He was taken." Littleton explained.
"Taken? As in kidnapped?"
"Yes."
Chris' knees began to shake and he slowly slid down onto the steps. Littleton followed him down and crouched next to him. "We got a good description of the guy and a vehicle description. It's gone out countywide and we're setting up to put out the Amber Alert. It should start broadcasting within thirty minutes." (Note: for more about Amber Alert go to www.amberalertnow.org)
Chris sat on the step, panting, finding it difficult to get any oxygen into his lungs. His eyes followed the officers who seemingly roamed around his yard. He knew they were looking for evidence. As his eyes searched the street he noticed the jeep.
"Where's Tanner?"
"Who?" Littleton asked.
"Vin Tanner. That's his jeep," Chris explained, pointing to the jeep in front of the house.
"I noticed it there. We're running the plates of all the vehicles on the street to be sure they belong to residents."
"He was meeting me here. He had some information about the man who tried to kill my family last week."
"I thought they caught that guy."
"Tanner found the guy who actually placed the bomb, but that man was paid to do it. Vin was meeting me here so we could exchange information on the man who paid him."
"Do you think this guy might be involved?"
"I'd be real surprised if he wasn't. First someone tries to kill them, then takes Adam," his voice broke on the last words. "Find Tanner. I need to go see to Sarah."
Chris took a deep breath and stood. He wiped his face, brushing away the tears that he hadn't noticed earlier. "Tanner might have gotten here about the same time all this happened. He may be out and about on foot looking for the guy..."
"Chris..."
Larabee turned around. His wife stood behind him, her face streaked with tears, a large white bandage on her forehead over her right eye. Her shirt was torn and dirty and her hair disheveled.
He took her shaking hands in his, feeling how cold they were. He guided them around his waist and felt her tightened her grip. Then he wrapped his own arms around Sarah and pulled her close.
"Oh, God, Chris! He took my baby." Her sobs caused her to shake even more, so he held her even closer.
"Shhh. We'll find him, honey. I promise you. We will find him. If I have to look at every square inch on this planet, I will not stop until I find him."
For several minutes, the shattered couple stood locked together on the porch. Officer Littleton kept everyone away in order to give them some needed privacy.
Chris pulled away a short distance. He reached a hand up and pushed the hair from Sarah's face. He kissed her on the forehead, careful not to touch the bandage. Then he kissed her closed eyes and tenderly brushed her lips with his.
She sighed and laid her head against his chest. Littleton hesitantly approached.
"Chris?"
Larabee looked up, keeping his arms wrapped around his wife.
"Can you give me a description of Tanner so I can have my guys keep an eye out?"
A gasp from Sarah caused both men to look her way.
"What is it, Sarah?"
"Vin Tanner, he was there."
"I know, Sarah. I saw his jeep. The officers are looking for him."
"No, Chris, you don't understand. He chased that man. He got into the van. I never saw him get out."
Chris and Littleton exchanged a look.
"Damn. I'll let my men know," the police officer said before he walked away.
"Oh, God, Chris. I forgot, I'm sorry."
"Honey, don't worry about. It's understandable. You're worried about Adam, so am I. We'll find them. And at least Adam isn't alone with whoever it is who took him." Chris pulled his wife back close again.
Two minutes later, Littleton returned. "Why don't we go inside, so I can get some more information."
Chris nodded. With his arm still around Sarah, he led her back into the house. They sat down together on the sofa.
"Tell me what happened, Sarah," he said as Littleton settled into a chair across from them.
"Adam and I were outside in the backyard when you called. After I hung up with you, I told Adam to go inside and change, that we were having company. When I turned back to go into the house, I saw this man standing there. He was dressed in black and was smoking a cigarette." She took a breath. "He scared me, Chris. I never heard him walk up."
"Shhh. It's okay, Sarah. Go on," he urged her.
"I picked Adam up and asked the man what he wanted. He just said 'your son'. Before I could even react he hit me." She reached up and touched the spot on her face that was fast turning into a black eye. "I fell. Chris, I could feel him take Adam from my arms as I fell. Adam started screaming." Tears again began streaming down Sarah's face. "He was crying for me, Chris," she sobbed, her words interrupted by gasping breaths. "I got to my feet and...and chased them around to...the front of the house. But he was...he was too fast. He was already heading toward...a van before I got to the front yard."
Chris began rocking her, losing his own battle with tears. "We'll find him, Sarah. We'll find him."
An officer entered the room and headed straight for Littleton. He leaned over and spoke quietly to the Sergeant for a couple of minutes. Littleton nodded and the officer left.
"Chris." The Ranger looked up when Littleton called his name. "They found the van. It's empty."
Larabee closed his eyes and hugged his wife more tightly. "That's good news," he said, trying to convince himself as well as his wife. "It's good news, Sarah. It means the man took them both."
"How is that good news!" she cried angrily. "It means he still has Adam."
"It means Adam is still alive. He wouldn't have taken him with him otherwise."
"Oh, Chris, our baby...that man..."
"He has Vin too, Sarah."
"So?" she asked, confused.
"Vin will not let Adam be hurt if he can help it."
"We hardly know Vin Tanner, Chris."
"Yeah, I realize that. But I know the kind of man he is. I can't explain why, but I trust him to watch out for Adam. At this point, I can't not trust him."
"Maybe he can get Adam away from that man," Sarah said hopefully.
"Maybe he will. We have to think positively, Sarah. I know Vin won't let Adam be hurt."
The couple sat on the couch, trying to comfort each other, as the activity continued around them.
"Chris, there might be some other good news," Littleton said. When Chris looked his way, the Deputy continued. "One of my officers found a file and some paperwork strewn around the area where the van had been parked before the abduction. It might be the information Tanner was bringing over to show you."
"Let me call Buck. He can get our computer guy into the office and get them started on finding out more about this guy."
"I'll have my guy fax a copy to your office."
"Thanks," Chris said, as he reached for the phone, keeping one arm around his wife.
Feedback to : Authors