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"So what you're telling me is that you haven't been able to directly connect McAllister to any of the guns," Orrin Travis sighed, rubbing a tired hand across his face. It had been one hell of a week so far and this was the last thing he wanted to hear.
"Not yet," Chris Larabee said, tossing the file he had been reviewing onto the desk and setting back in his chair. "But if we put in the wire tap, and with Ezra and Josiah inside, it...."
BUZZ.
The sound of the intercom interrupted the ATF leader's comments. The disembodied voice of the former Judge's administrative assistant wafted through the speaker. "Excuse me sir, but there is an emergency call for you from Four Corner's Mercy Hospital on line four."
Snatching up the receiver sitting beside him, the older man jabbed the blinking light and snapped, "Travis here," into the handset.
Automatically tensing when the call had come, Chris watched the older man's face looking for clues as to what was going on. He jerked to his feet and leaned on the desk when the color drained from Orrin's face.
"Tell her I'll be there as soon as I can," Travis said huskily. Slowly setting the receiver back down, he turned bleak eyes to the concerned younger man watching him. Trying to clear his throat, Orrin had to start several times before he was successful in speaking. Even then, bewilderment and horror laced his words. "A driver ran a stop sign and plowed through a group of children by the Northside Elementary School. Billy was one of the children hurt."
"Come on," Larabee encouraged, coming around the desk and taking the man's arm to help him up. Pausing only long enough to inform the Orrin's assistant of what had happened and to ask her to reach his wife, Chris escorted the older man to his truck.
The two men men were halfway to the hospital before another word was spoken by either of them. It was Chris who finally broke the silence. "How bad is he?" he asked glancing at the figure staring out the passenger window.
"The nurse said they were still running tests," was all the older man murmured, not bothering to turn to look at Chris.
Concerned, Chris accelerated a little more. He had known Orrin Travis for a while now and he had never seemed like an old man — that was until now. Chris knew that Orrin cherished his only grandson more than his own life. If Billy died or was seriously injured, Chris wasn't sure the older man would be able to withstand it. Chris didn't even want to think about how this must be affecting Mary or himself for that matter. Pulling into a reserved parking space near the door, Chris slapped an "official police vehicle" sign on the dash before bailing out and joining Orrin on his way to the hospital entrance.
The emergency room was in total chaos. Winding their way through dashing medical personnel, gurneys with crying children, and anxious people trying to find out about the status of their loved ones, the two men finally spotted Mary sitting in the corner of the waiting area. Looking at her, Chris was shocked at her paleness and the desperation that radiated from her.
"How is he?" Orrin asked, hugging Mary Travis after she reached out for him. Retaining her hold on Chris' hand after a brief hug, Mary looked back at her former father-in-law.
"No word yet. All they'll tell me is that they are running tests," she said shakily as they sank into chairs to wait, one man on either side of Mary.
"When the nurse called, she said that a car had hit Billy. Do you know any more than that?" Orrin asked, trying to find some way to comprehend the potential tragedy awaiting him.
Pushing back the hair away from her face, Mary explained what she knew. "The kids had just been let out of school and were crossing the street, when a car came from nowhere. I don't think the driver even braked or saw the kids. The crossing guard started screaming for the kids to run but there just wasn't time." Shifting, Mary cleared her throat. "Several kids were brushed by the car. Three children and the crossing guard were hit and either thrown into the windshield or tossed to the side. Billy was one of them." Mary squeezed the hands of the men offering her comfort. "He flew so far..." she whispered finishing her story.
Sucking in his breath, Chris silently cursed as he realized that Mary had witnessed the entire thing. He could only imagine the horror of having to watch your child be run down. Shuddering at the thought, Chris rubbed Mary's back in sympathy. Under his fingers, he could feel the trembling he had seen start as she had been telling them what had happened.
Looking around the room, Chris realized that many of the people had left. Besides them, there were two couples and a man sitting there. The other families, he thought to himself. Family. When did I begin to think of them as family?
The entrance of Vin Tanner into the room interrupted his thoughts and caught Chris by surprise. Indicating he would join him in the hallway, Chris extracted his hand from Mary's grip and caught the Judge's eye to let him know he would be right back.
"What's up?" he said in greeting to his friend.
"Saw a blip about the hit and run on the TV. Didn't make the connection until I called the Judge's office to see if you wanted to pick up Mary and Billy and meet all of us for dinner and they said Billy was one of the victims. How's he doing?"
"Don't know yet. Doesn't sound good though. Mary said he was thrown quite a ways."
"She see it?" Vin asked concerned, knowing the traumatic effect witnessing such an event could have on people. Seeing the answer on Chris' face, the younger man winced. "Ah hell...."
"Exactly." Spotting the approach of a doctor to the waiting area, Chris followed him to the doorway. Seeing him go to one of the other sets of parents, he turned back to Vin.
"Do me a favor, would ya?" Chris asked, nodding down the hall towards the Denver police officers at the desk and said, "See if the locals have found the driver yet. If not, offer any assistance they need."
Vin grinned at his friend. "Already on it. Witnesses said the car was a '93 or '94 green Intrepid, Colorado license plate. JD and Ezra are going through DMV records. Buck and Nathan are at the scene with a full forensics team to see what else they can find out. They still haven't located Evie Travis so Josiah is waiting at her house." Seeing the flashes of emotions crossing Chris' face at the way his team — his friends — had taken control of the situation, Vin figured he could use a little time to collect himself. Tossing a thumb over his shoulder at the police officers at the desk he said, "I'll go see what the latest news is," before heading down the hall.
Chris watched the conversation that started between the law men before rubbing his hand down his face. This is one hell of a way to spend a Friday evening. A rush of air caused by the passing of Mary and the sound of Orrin calling her name caused Chris to spin to see what was going on. Tearing his gaze from the rapidly retreating form, Chris looked at the man stopping beside him, concern and a tinge of fear plastered on his face.
Catching the questioning look in Larabee's eyes, Orrin explained. "The boy who was walking closest to Billy may never walk again."
Wincing, Chris squeezed the older man's shoulder to comfort him and to let him know that he would see to Mary. Moving down the hallway, he didn't have to go very far before he saw her. She had stopped a short ways in front of him and was leaning one shoulder against the wall. As he moved behind her, he could hear the ragged breathing of stifled sobs coming from her bowed head as she fought to maintain her emotional control.
Softly, Chris spoke her name to let her know he was there when she was ready. After a few minutes, a haunting, desperate whisper reached him.
"Why? Why is this happening?"
What could he say to that? Not knowing, the only thing he could do was slide both hands onto her shoulders, trying to offer some solace, yet knowing there could be no easing of her pain until she knew how her son was.
After a few minutes, Mary whispered "This can't be happening. We were suppose to be going to ball game tonight...."
Her disbelieving words tore at Chris. He could feel the tremors racking her body. Slowing moving to stand in front of her, he gently placed a finger under her chin to raise her head. The movement caused the unshed tears that had been sitting on her lashes to trickle down her face.
Looking into tormented blue eyes, Chris pulled her close and engulfed her in his embrace. "Billy's a tough kid. He'll get through this. We all will," he whispered into her hair.
Wrapping her arms around Chris' waist, Mary pressed herself close to him and allowed herself to soak up the silent comfort and strength he was offering.
"Mary... Chris... the doctor wants to talk to you," Vin's voice softly intruded.
Reluctantly pulling back, Mary wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks before nodding to the tall man watching her that she was ready to hear whatever awaited her. Moving back into the waiting area, she appreciated the hand of support resting on her lower back.
"Mrs. Travis, I'm Dr. Benedict," the physician introduced himself as the three of them stopped beside Orrin and the newcomer. Curiously, the doctor wondered why the leader and the second in command of the well-known ATF Team, the Magnificent Seven, were involved but didn't ask. Instead he smiled encouragingly at the anxious woman in front of him. "Your son is a very lucky little boy."
Hope flared in Mary at the doctor's words.
"He's got a lot of bruises and cuts, a slight concussion, and a broken arm, but other than that he's going to be just fine. By tomorrow he should be able to go home."
A combination laugh and sob escaped Mary's lips as she sank back against Chris in relief. Vin clamped a hand on the Judge's shoulder for similar support. It took Mary a few seconds to speak. "Can we see him?" she finally said, tears once again lacing her words.
"Sure... but only for a few minutes and don't expect a lot from him. He's very groggy right now and he should sleep through the night. If you'll follow me...," he trailed off, holding his hand out to indicate the direction they should go.
Reaching the pediatric war, the doctor paused and looked sympathetically at the weary, nerve-racked troupe following him. He knew that any amount of time spent wondering and not knowing if a loved one was all right was draining. It was somehow worse when a child was involved. "Normally I'd say family only but...." he trailed off. Showing a knowing little smile he continued, "I am going to ask that only two people at a time be in the room."
Indicating that Mary and Orrin should go first, Chris stepped back by Vin and rolled his shoulders before trying to rub the tension from his neck. Although it had helped when the doctor said Billy was going to be fine, there was still a part of him that needed to see the boy for himself to make sure.
Watching his friend in his peripheral vision, Vin could feel the strain and apprehension radiating from him. He knew how much Billy had come to mean to Chris and the fact that the boy was hurt so needlessly had to be eating at him.
Feeling rather than seeing the veiled looks being thrown his way from Vin, Chris dropped his arm and turned his head to look at him. "You got something to say Tanner or did I suddenly grow horns?"
Snorting at the fact he had been caught, a slight grin crept on the sharpshooter's face. "No horns, but I think you turned a couple shades grayer there pard."
"Tell me about it," Larabee dryly remarked, self-consciously running a hand through his hair. "I'm getting too old for this."
"I've got to agree with you on that one," Orrin's voice joined in from the doorway. Pausing a moment the older man blew out a shaky breath before continuing. "I can take a lot of things gentlemen, but the sight of that boy in a hospital bed...," the older man broke off shaking his head.
Moving beside him, Chris took the man's arm and led him to a bench close by the door. With an obvious effort, Orrin eased himself on to it. Looking up at the concerned younger men watching him, the older man sat up straighter, slowly collecting himself. He announced to Chris and Vin that he was better by saying, "Do either of you happen to have a stiff drink on you? I sure could use one about now."
Dropping a hand on Orrin's shoulder and squeezing it, Chris had to agree with him. He could use a belt about now to deaden some feelings. Several of them in fact. Catching a look from Vin, Chris silently read the message saying that he would stay with the Judge so Chris could go see Billy. Gratefully, Chris nodded slightly. He really didn't think Mary needed to be in the room by herself either.
Squeezing the older man's shoulder one more time, Chris turned and pushed on the latch, slowly opening the door to Billy's room. Easing it closed, Chris leaned for a moment and caught his breath at the sight before him. In the waiting room, a thousand possible injuries had popped into his mind and he thought he was prepared to see the little boy he loved like a son lying in the bed covered with injuries.
He wasn't.
Squeezing his eyes shut, he felt like someone had just sucker punched him in the gut. Opening his eyes, he took in a visual appraisal of Billy's injuries while steeling himself to move closer.
Staring across the room, he could see the angry scrape — starting under a bandage by his temple and continuing down the entire side of his face — screaming how his little body had slid along the rough blacktop. On one arm, he could see similar marks along with the tell-tale dark patches where bruises glared like tattoos proclaiming their rebellion against the fates that had tried to snatch him from them. The bright yellow wrapping over the cast on the other arm glared against the white sheets like harsh sunlight off of metal.
He's probably got scrapes and bruises like that all over him.
Blowing out a breath between parted lips as the reality of how lucky Billy had been hit him, Chris took a step further into the room. Then another... and another... until he was beside a chair sitting in his path. Squatting down next to it, he finally tore his eyes away from the small form on the bed and looked at the woman beside him. She was sitting with her feet in the chair, arms wrapped around her legs, chin resting on her knees, staring at her son as if she was afraid that she if took her eyes off of him, he would magically disappear.
At first, Chris thought she was simply waiting for Billy to wake up, but upon closer inspection he changed his mind. Her unseeing eyes told him differently. She was no longer comprehending anything that was going on around her. Fatigue and reaction had set in... muting the sights and feelings that had been assaulting her senses. His suspicions were confirmed when a nurse came in to check on Billy and Mary did not even register her presence.
"That happens sometimes to people when they simply don't know how to cope with a situation," Josiah explained to the concerned group in the hallway.
Chris has left the room and found that the Judge's wife, Evie Travis, and Josiah Sanchez had finally arrived. After receiving a brief hug from the older woman and a hand shake from his agent, Chris had shared his concern about Mary.
"But why now?" Evie queried, perplexed by Mary's condition. "You said Billy was all right... that he would be going home tomorrow. You aren't hiding anything from me, are you?" she asked, flashing worried eyes between the faces of the men around her to judge their reaction to her question.
Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, Orrin hugged his beloved wife to allay her fears. "No, no... you know everything we do."
"Then?"
"Sometimes it happens at the height of the situation. For others, the adrenalin of the crisis sees them through the worst of it and then when things begin to calm down, the mind decides it's simply had enough and turns off," Josiah tried again to explain.
"The poor dear.... So how we help her?" Evie asked, now concerned for both her grandson and her former daughter in law.
"She'll be fine. She just needs to go home and get some rest," Orrin said confidently. "The last couple hours have been rough."
"Good luck in convincing her she should leave," Vin observed dryly.
"Chris?" The look and intonation of the Judge's voice left little doubt as to who he thought would have the best chance of convincing Mary to go along with their plans. He was not blind to their growing relationship nor did he miss the way Mary had reacted to Chris' presence at the hospital.
Nodding, Chris turned and reentered the youngster's room. Mary had not moved as far as he could tell. Crouching again by the chair, he skidded it so that she was facing him rather than the bed. She showed no reaction to the change in views.
"Mary," Chris softly called, tucking a lock of hair that was hanging in her face behind her ear. After a few moments, he tried again.
"Mary, it's time to go now."
Still seeing no reaction in her, Chris leaned forward until his face was inches from hers and stiffened his voice a little. "Mary."
Slowly, blank blue eyes rose to look at his face.
"It's time to go home," he repeated. Taking her hands, he began to pull her unresisting form to her feet. She was upright and halfway to the door before she stopped and turned to look again at Billy. Pulling her hands away from him, she took a step back towards the bed before Chris stopped her.
"No... he's all right. Someone will watch him," Chris assured her, gently turning her back towards the door and ushering her out of the room before she could protest further. Reaching the group in the hallway, he handed Evie the purse he had remembered to pick up.
"Could you find her house key for me?" he asked. While waiting for it, he pulled his jacket off and slipped it on to the now shivering woman in front of him.
Slipping the key in his pocket, he waited for Evie and Orrin to give Mary a hug goodbye. He noticed that she returned their hugs more as an automatic response rather than a conscious choice.
Sharing a look with Josiah and Vin, he could tell they had noticed it also. "Will one of you make sure her car gets to the house later?" he asked them, confident that they would do whatever was necessary. Getting affirmative looks, he nodded his thanks before slipping an arm around Mary's shoulders and beginning down the hallway towards the exit.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
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