EM7 Episode 8

Choice

By Aussie Lass

This story and its artwork have been rescued. We have tried to contact the author, but gotten no reply. Since we had permission to list her stories on Lady Angel's M7 Library (now M7FC), and I hate to see good stories lost, we are hosting it here for safe-keeping.

---

Part One

(Please note: Part One was originally posted as Episode 7.5 - Singin' in the Rain.)

“Not now! NOT NOW!” Buck shouted at the sophisticated metrological equipment on the control panel. His worst fears were being confirmed in front of his eyes.

Wilmington peered through the windscreen of the chopper, creases forming around his eyes. His prayers weren’t being answered today. The gale force winds increased in intensity. The pilot had been monitoring the conditions all afternoon, watching a weather depression develop into a tropical storm. The winds a few kilometers east had just peaked above 73 mph, which meant technically, it was a category one hurricane. Worse still, it was headed for the boys.

Wilmington shook his head as he considered his predicament. He was sitting in the small cockpit of his chopper, deep behind enemy lines being battered by cyclonic winds, while waiting for the precise moment he was to collect his squad. “And things could be worse, how?”

Dwarfed by nature, the giant military helicopter shuddered as the swirling elements accosted it. Mother Nature was letting those foolish enough to be outdoors know she was unhappy. Buck had warned Chris the weather may turn, but Em7 only had one chance to carry out its mission -- storm or no storm.

Buck switched on the light above his head and checked his watch. Afternoon it may be, but day had turned to night in the last twenty minutes. Buck cursed. He had to leave now or the boys would drown.

As Buck flicked off the lamp, he caught a glimpse of his own expression reflected in the glass. Any attempt to delude himself into believing he wasn’t worried was shattered. Buck had forty minutes to fly to the pick-up point and collect his team. The fact that a hurricane had chosen this moment to hit couldn’t figure in the equation.

Wilmington fired up the propellers, struggling to hear them over the roaring of the storm that was arriving with hellish ferocity. Logic warned he wouldn’t get the chopper off the ground. Experience insisted that even if he could get the machine in the air, keeping it there would be impossible. Buck was on the edge of the hurricane, but it was moving in the same direction he had to go and keeping in front of it was going to take some creative flying.

An image of his team filled his mind. Buck gripped the stick in front of him and pulled hard. He would get the bird in the sky, collect the boys and fly them to safety -- or die trying.

***********

Chris lifted his narrowed gaze to the ravening sky. The single, monstrous cloud hanging over the land several kilometers to the east was billowing out of control and heading toward him.

Larabee glanced at his watch. Buck should be on his way and while he was coming from the direction of the storm, Chris wasn’t concerned. The Colonel exchanged a brief nod of reassurance with Ezra who was crouched beside him. Standish was monitoring the area around them, his rifle at the ready. They had completed their part of the mission and were now at the pick-up point -- the edge of a narrow parcel of open land in the middle of a sparse forest. This spot alone was suitable for the chopper to land.

Larabee had divided his squad into pairs to lay explosives. Deliberately, he’d partnered himself with Standish. Ezra had suffered a severe shock the evening before. His father -- a man Ezra believed dead -- had materialized at the Thanksgiving party on Maude’s arm, but an alert had been called before Ezra had been able to speak to him or even confirm his suspicions. Despite Larabee’s assurances that the team could function without him, Ezra had insisted on joining them. For that, Chris was grateful. This mission would have been more dangerous without him. Standish had carried out the most delicate part of the operation by capturing a security guard, donning his uniform, boldly walking into the facility, disabling the sophisticated electronic security and planting seven different explosive devices. He and Larabee had then rendezvoused and returned here.

Only now, Chris detected signs his partner’s focus was drifting. It was a transgression the colonel both understood and permitted.

Movement in the brush to the pair’s left.

Both men tensed, their weapons ready. For a handful of heart beats they listened and waited. A soft whistle split the silence. Larabee and Standish relaxed. Moments later, Nathan and J.D. appeared.

“Boys,” J.D. greeted with a tired smile.

Larabee and Jackson exchanged a nod as the newcomers crouched next to their companions. “You’re four minutes early.”

“Everything went without a hitch, Sir,” Nathan reported, reaching for a canteen and taking a swig.

“You planted all of the charges?”

“Yes, Sir.” Nathan wiped his hand across his brow. The air had become thick and heavy.

J.D. peered into the building breeze. “Weather’s turning bad.”

Chris studied it thoughtfully. “We just need it to hold for another thirty-five minutes.”

Nathan eyed Ezra. “How are you?”

The latter lowered his rifle and flicked an accusatory stare in Nathan’s direction. Without prompting, J.D. took over guard duties. “I am wearing fatigues for which the notion of a ‘tailor’ is unknown. I am squatting like a common criminal in a country that executes its own citizens for sneezing on the wrong side of the street. Lord only knows what creative endeavors they have in store for saboteurs. I am waiting for a pilot, who, if distracted by a female of any shape, size or age, will be invigorated by his infamous animal magnetism and likely disregard the trifling task of returning to collect us before the water reaches our lower lips. And to top it off, after I completed my allocated part of the mission, Colonel Larabee plastered my visage with grease paint that exhibits an aroma not unlike that of rhinoceros manure.” The words eased the tension beautifully. Ezra winked at Nathan and gave the subtlest of nods. He appreciated his friend’s concern.

“So where did you learn what rhino pooh smells like, Ez?” J.D. giggled.

“That, my young friend, is a long story.”

Thunder rolled across the sky.

“I hope Vin and Josiah get back soon.”

“Relax. If all has gone to plan, they’ll be on their way,” Nathan assured J.D.

**********

Vin held his position. His nerve endings were tingling and his heart thudding against the wall of his chest. Armed sentries had just rushed in Josiah’s direction, but Vin knew better than to react on emotion. There was a chance the commotion had nothing to do with his partner and even if it did, Josiah may be able to slip passed the guards unnoticed. Vin couldn’t afford to respond until he knew the facts and with the radio silence, he had to rely on what he could actually see and hear.

Vin chanced a look at his watch. They should have started back to the pick-up point six minutes ago.

The shouting increased. Vin drew in a deep breath and pulled his rifle firmly into his shoulder. From his vantage point, high on the dam wall, he had a clear view of the small compound where guards had begun to scurry about like ants.

Vin had no idea why his team was blowing up the wall of the dam. He didn’t know, and honestly didn’t care. Larabee had approved the mission and that was good enough for Vin. Not that the sharpshooter blindly followed orders, or maybe he did these days. He hadn’t when he’d first joined the army. However, things were very different now. Tanner would die for his colonel, and he knew with certainty that every member of his squad would do the same… even J.D. and Ezra. A man couldn’t buy that sort of loyalty -- or stupidity. Vin grinned at the final thought -- an Ezra quote. Then again, the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice had nothing to do with the army or their leader’s rank. These days, the man making the decisions was Chris. That said everything. Vin trusted Chris more than just ‘completely’. Completely only covered trust in a traditional sense. Vin’s trust in Chris was based on something far deeper and more complex than he could ever put into words.

“Show time,” the sharpshooter muttered as the shouting below ceased. Whatever had disturbed the guards had been dealt with. Vin waited. Perspiration was dripping down the back of his neck. He’d noted the change in temperature earlier. Buck had been right. There was one hell of a storm coming.

A group of guards appeared between the main set of buildings with a prisoner. Vin’s chest tightened. He sited Josiah through his scope. The huge sergeant appeared unhurt, but there was a gun thrust into his back and one under his chin. Vin waited for his partner to make eye-contact. The signal to attack had to come from Sanchez.

Through the scope, Vin spotted a guard speaking to Josiah. Still, Sanchez didn’t lift his eyes to Tanner’s position. What was stopping him? Vin lowered the rifle and scanned the area.

Abruptly, the guard in charge slammed his fist into Josiah’s mid-section. Sanchez didn’t move. Rather, the deliverer of the blow bounced back. Vin smirked. He remembered the same thing happening to him four years earlier when he’d first met the huge sergeant and been invited to ‘take your best shot’. Josiah’s expression remained blank.

Once recovered, the senior guard began to gaze around before shouting, “Come out. If you do not do so, I will have this man shot.” His voice wafted up to Vin. Tanner’s jaw locked and he raised his rifle again, but Josiah still failed to give the signal. He had to know something -- most likely that there were many more guards than Vin could see.

“I will give you to the count of three!”

“Come on, Josiah. Give me a sign here,” Vin muttered.

“ONE!”

Vin kept his site on Josiah.

“TWO!”

Josiah lowered his eyes.

Vin drew in a short breath. Josiah wasn’t prepared to ask him to risk his life by revealing his position.

“You don’t need to ask, big fella.” Vin shifted his aim and his rifle barked three times in quick succession. The trio around Josiah fell. Sanchez darted for cover, screaming, “Dozen below you!”

Vin lowered his rifle. That explained it…and now they knew exactly where he was. However, the sharpshooter had to go down to escape. Tanner raced along the dam wall, slung his rifle over his shoulder and descended the ladder, but as he reached a large platform half way down, six armed guards raced toward him.

“Stop!” one yelled. Josiah, having covered the distance at a speed an Olympic sprinter would be proud of, appeared below and opened fire, while Vin attacked head on. Bullets flew in a short but fierce firefight.

**********

Chris held up his hand for silence. The sound of faint, distant gunfire announced itself on the strong breeze.

J.D. bit his bottom lip, looking at the others nervously.

“They’re in trouble,” Nathan murmured.

Chris lowered his hand. “Not necessarily.”

“I think we can assume our presence is known,” Ezra pointed out.

Larabee glanced at his watch. “Nineteen minutes.” In nineteen minutes the charges would go off and three minutes after that, the valley they were standing in would be flooded. Of greater concern though, was the approaching weather.

“Should we… I mean… they may need help,” J.D. whispered.

Chris opened his mouth to comment, but the gunfire ceased. All strained to listen.

“Whatever’s happened, it’s over,” Nathan commented.

Chris’ eyes narrowed as he allowed the sixth sense he shared with Vin to reach out. “They’re alive.”

**********

Despite the situation, Vin felt calm. The smell of blood harassed his nasal passages. He placed his rifle on the ground as he crouched beside his fallen partner to search for a pulse. Josiah had been knocked unconscious by a blow to the back of the head during the hand-to-hand skirmish that had followed the firefight. The pair had been out-numbered five to one, but now their enemy lay dead or unconscious. The rebel guards had been competent, but outclassed by Larabee’s men.

Shouts from the compound reached Vin’s hearing. He released his breath in a gush when his fingers detected a strong thumping at the side of Josiah’s neck. “Josiah!” Vin shook his partner. “Come on. Wake up.” Blood seeped from the wound behind Josiah’s left ear, matting his grey hair. Vin examined the bloodied area and then checked his watch. They had less than twenty minutes to get back to the pick-up point. Josiah wounds would have to wait.

“We’re in trouble,” Vin muttered. Twenty minutes was enough time, but not if Vin had to carry Josiah.

Left with no option, Vin roughly dragged Josiah upright and yanked him onto his shoulder. He grunted as he adjusted his partner’s huge frame. He couldn’t help thinking, “if only it was the other way around.”

The first few drops of rain began to fall. The storm was only moments away.

Vin glanced at his rifle and snorted. He had no use for it now. If their enemy caught up with them and he had to stop to return fire, they wouldn’t make it back in time and that meant their fate was sealed. When the dam wall blew, several million gallons of water would mow down everything in its path. Thus, at this point, the rifle would just be extra weight and Vin had enough to carry.

The commotion from the compound increased. The soldiers were mobilizing.

Vin turned east and started jogging – Josiah across his shoulders.

****

Tanner lost all sense of time as he focused on his task and forced his body to proceed. The minutes slid away.

The terrain was difficult and hilly and the light rain was making the ground slippery.

Vin stumbled, going down on one knee, paused, filled his panting lungs with air, and pushed up. His legs were trembling… not with fear, but with exertion. He was running carrying more than his own body weight and his muscles had started to protest.

Vin could no longer hear the soldiers who had started in pursuit. He wasn’t sure if they’d called off the chase or if the pounding in his ears coupled with the roar of the approaching storm, was simply drowning them out.

His foot clipped a tree root and he went down. Josiah tumbled from his grip. “No!”

Tanner crawled to his fallen friend. “Josiah! Come on, damn it. Wake up!” His demand was swallowed by the thunder rumbling over him. Vin wiped the water from his eyes and looked at his watch. They were now long over due and it was only five minutes until the dam blew. They weren’t going to make it, but then, he’d known that all along.

Vin shut his eyes. Alone, he would be able to reach the pick-up point in time, but that was out of the question.

As soon as the chopper arrived, Chris would order Buck to get the boys to safety. In that, Vin found an element of comfort. The others would make it. Once the charges blew, he and Josiah would have less than three minutes.

Tanner’s gaze fell on his partner. With a growl of determination, he yanked his unconscious team mate onto his shoulders and forced his fatigued legs back into action. He wasn’t going to sit and wait for death to find them.

As he rounded a tree, he felt vibrations in his chest, a sensation he’d experienced a thousands times – vibrations caused by the propellers of a chopper.

**********

“There he is!” J.D. cried, pointing through the light rain to the chopper that had materialized through the swirling black cloud.

Wind accosted the group on the ground. “I take it all back,” Ezra murmured, his face splitting with a wide smile of relief and admiration. He often criticized Buck’s ‘carefree’ flying style, but he was witnessing something remarkable. There were few pilots alive who could fly in weather like this… and those who could, wouldn’t dream of attempting it.

The men watched the helicopter close the distance and descend. It shuddered to the ground, the propellers slowing. Chris slapped Nathan on the back, urging him toward the machine. The door was yanked open to reveal Buck smiling stupidly. “Gentlemen, the Em7 Express has arrived.”

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” J.D. cried over the storm.

Buck winked. “Hurry up, boys. I need to get the bird back in the air now before that storm catches up with me.”

“Vin and Josiah aren’t back. We heard gunfire,” J.D. informed the pilot. Buck’s smile fell.

Larabee, who was the only one who hadn’t boarded the chopper, checked his watch. “The charges go off in five minutes.”

Buck stepped down next to Chris. “They should have been back two minutes ago. Should we break radio silence?”

“Can’t. Our presence here is top secret. Those orders come directly from the President.”

Lightening cracked open the sky above the men and the wind lashed them. Chris directed his attention skyward as the heavens opened. Rain drops the size of golf balls began to fall. Their escape window was closing. If the weather became worse, escape may be impossible. “Captain, what’s our window?”

“All but closed, Sir.”

“So we need to leave now?” When Buck didn’t respond immediately, Chris turned toward him. “Captain?”

“Another few minutes and I won’t be able to get off the ground,” Buck admitted, grudgingly. “The wind’s swirling up there and getting stronger by the second.”

Chris held Buck’s gaze, water cascading down both of their faces. There was no sign of ‘I told you so’ for which Buck was entitled. He’d warned Chris the weather may turn. “That bad?”

Buck inclined his head over his shoulder. “That’s a hurricane. In about five minutes, we won’t be going anywhere. I’m good, but…”

Chris exhaled noisily. He’d only left one man behind in his life, and that was three years ago when he’d abandoned Vin in Katinda. He’d done it for all of the right reasons. He’d saved his team… and lost his best friend.

Buck eyed his leader and his jaw set. “We both know we aren’t leaving without them. Somehow, I’ll get this bird in the air once they get here, Colonel.”

Chris directed his attention to the area Vin and Josiah would come from. The lives of two men against the survival of the team. There was no decision to make. Chris could give the missing pair one more minute. “Come on,” he urged.

**********

Vin’s legs were burning, his lungs aching and each step was harder than the one before. There was blood dripping into his eyes from a cut he hadn’t been aware of. His head was throbbing and he accepted that the wound must be the result of a blow he’d received during the struggle.

Vin didn’t know how far from the pick-up point he was, but he could hear the chopper over the storm, which meant it was close. He couldn’t give up. Josiah’s life depended on it.

**********

“Buck, get ready.” Larabee’s jaw was locked, the three words among of the hardest he’d ever uttered.

Wilmington swallowed, but nodded and darted into the cockpit.

Ezra, Nathan and J.D. watched Chris pace. The seconds continued to tick away. The propellers began to spin.

Nathan shook his head and cursed softly, his expression pained. He understood the situation only too well. If they left without Josiah and Vin, their friends would drown. If they didn’t leave now, they’d all drown. “Chris, get in.”

Larabee stopped pacing, staring into the forest. Something deep down within him stirred. “They’re coming.”

“They aren’t going to make it,” Nathan whispered, his stomach churning. The words crystallized the situation for everyone.

“Ezra, take command,” Chris shouted, tossing the other man his rifle.

“Chris?!”

Nathan dropped his chin. He’d known Chris would do this. While Larabee would always save his team first, he himself would never leave one of his men behind again.

“I want this bird in the sky before the water reaches it. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir, but…”

“With or without us. Is that clear?”

Ezra’s head bobbed, his wide eyes displaying his horror. Larabee thrust out his hand. Standish took it. They held the grip for no more than a single second. Larabee turned to Jackson, their hands coming together. “Look after Buck and J.D.”

“You got it, Sir. Chris… God speed,” Nathan choked.

Chris turned and darted off into the wall of trees.

Hang on, Vin. I’m coming.

**********

As there was no trail, Chris didn’t know exactly where his men would be. A few feet left or right and he may miss them altogether. Larabee counted on instinct to take him to Vin. He knew Vin, at least, was coming. He had to assume one, or maybe both Tanner and Sanchez were injured, otherwise they would have been back by now. Chris weaved through the trees alone.

Darkness was spreading as the cloud blocked out the sun. Rain continued to fall, thunder and lightening split the sky and the wind built ferociously.

***********

Vin’s paces shortened. He was struggling to see and his weakened legs trembled with each step. He knew the chopper hadn’t lifted off yet. On one hand, that was spurring him on. On the other, his chest burned with despair. The others had to get out of here.

Abruptly, he was overwhelmed by a feeling a security. Chris?

**********

Chris spotted Vin carrying Josiah and let out a roar of relief. They were only a short distance from the chopper. “Vin!”

Tanner stumbled.

Chris grabbed and held him on his feet. “Give him to me!” Chris shouted, dipping his shoulder and rolling Josiah onto it.

Vin sensed the vibrations intensify through his chest. The chopper was leaving. He sank to his knees, physically and emotionally exhausted.

“Get up!” Larabee shouted. “I can’t carry you both. Lieutenant, get…” A series of explosions echoed above the storm. The dam wall had blown. “GET UP!”

Vin lifted his head, sweeping his hair from his eyes. “Chopper’s gone, Chris. You stupid bastard, you should be on it.”

Larabee stared down at Tanner. The ground began to shake. A wall of water a hundred feet high was on its way… and they had nowhere to go. Their fate was sealed.

Ezra, Nathan and J.D. exploded out of the trees. “Come on!” J.D. screamed as he and Ezra dragged Vin to his feet and Nathan grabbed Chris’ arm and urged him forward. “Buck’s ready to go!”

The shuddering beneath their feet increased, accompanied by the building rumble of millions of gallons of water approaching at the speed of a freight train.

Between them, J.D. and Ezra half carried, half dragged the energy sapped Vin, while Nathan helped to steady Josiah as Chris ran.

The roar of the water grew as it closed the distance.

Em7 broke through the trees and dashed to the chopper, its propellers almost at maximum speed.

“Go! Go!” Ezra yelled as the group leapt aboard. He turned to shut the door and found himself staring at a tidal wave. “My God!” The water had caught up with them!

He shut his eyes instinctively and his stomach dropped as the chopper ascended sharply. He held his breath, knowing this was the end.

“Whooooh!!!” J.D. shouted. “Buck, you’re amazing!”

Ezra blinked. They’d made it… by only inches, but they’d made it. Below, the valley disappeared in a seething cauldron of white water.

“Buckle up back there,” Buck ordered. “We aren’t out of this yet. I’m about to try and outrun a hurricane.”

**********

Vin’s head lolled back against the chair. His legs, back and shoulders were numbed with throbbing pain. Someone fastened his seatbelt. He opened his eyes and J.D. smiled at him, Dunne’s eyes sparkling with adrenaline. “Your head’s cut. Do you want some water?”

The chopper lurched and J.D. tumbled to the floor.

“Buckle up!” Larabee shouted, dragging the younger man to his feet and shoving him toward a chair.

Tanner looked sideways to the cot Josiah was being strapped into. “How is he?” he shouted over the motor and storm.

Chris turned and despite his obvious concern, smiled. “Alive, thanks to you.”

“Concussion. He’ll need X-rays,” Nathan informed the others as he conducted his examination as best he could as he was violently thrown around. “Breathing’s regular and heartbeat is strong. He’ll be okay. I need a blanket.”

Chris grabbed one and helped to wrap it around the wounded man. Then, he ordered the medic to put his seatbelt on and did so himself, taking his place beside Vin. “You hurt?”

“Can’t think of a spot on my body that isn’t aching,” Vin murmured. “Josiah weights a ton.” The chopper shook violently. “Looks like Buck won the bet. Are we going to make it?”

Chris shrugged, bracing himself as the craft was tossed like confetti in the wind. “Let me look at your head.” Chris swiveled in his chair and using a handkerchief, dabbed an inch long cut on Vin’s head. There was an egg under it, evidence of a blow.

For ten minutes the men held on as Buck fought the controls. No one spoke. The absence of conversation was eerie and while all had faith in Buck’s ability, each understood their chances of survival were slim at best. More than once, the chopper plummeted suddenly, only to ascend just as rapidly. The occupants were tossed about violently. At times, it felt as though the aircraft was going to be torn apart.

J.D. shut his eyes. He tried to swallow but the lump in his throat didn’t allow it.

Nathan glanced at the young man and placed his hand on J.D.’s arm.

Ezra gazed out the window into the swirling darkness. Would he live long enough to confirm the man he had met briefly was his father?

Josiah stirred, awaking to a reassuring pat from Ezra. The disoriented sergeant closed his eyes secure in the knowledge he was in good hands.

Chris tried to keep pressure on the cut above Vin’s eyes, but was failing miserably.

Abruptly, the excessive shuddering stopped. The wind died without warning. All froze and listened.

Above the sound of the propellers and the pelting rain, they heard another sound coming from the cockpit. “I’m singin’ in the rain. Just singin’ in the rain. What a glorious feelin to have outrun a hurr-ic-cane.”

“Buck?!” Chris shouted.

“Am I the best, or what?” the happy pilot called. “Le Pilot. No, Superpilot! No, no. Pilot Supremo!”

“We’ll never hear the end of it,” J.D. laughed.

“He’s entitled,” Ezra sighed. “Even I am willing to admit, he is ‘Pilot Supremo.’”

“So we’re clear?” Nathan confirmed, unbuckling his seatbelt. Darting to Josiah’s side, he began to free his semi-conscious friend of his wet uniform.

“We’re out of it,” Buck yelled. “How are Josiah and Vin?”

Vin shut his eyes, his relief amalgamating with fatigue.

“Alive.” Chris patted Vin’s shoulder and then joined Nathan undressing Josiah. “Ezra and J.D., Vin needs some attention. That cut is still bleeding. Get him out of those wet clothes, lie him down and buckle him into that other stretcher. Wrap him in a blanket. I don’t want him going into shock. Then change into dry fatigues yourselves. Buck?”

“Yo?”

“Take us home.”

“Your wish is my command, boss. Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We will be setting down to refuel in approximately eighty minutes. Please take note of the no smoking signs. Should masks fall from the ceiling, place them over your nose and mouth, breathe deeply and panic. For now, sit back and enjoy the in-flight live entertainment by Moi. Join in if you know the words. I’m singin’ in the rain. Just singin’ in the rain. What a glorious feelin’ to outrun a hurr-ic-cane.”

The helicopter gently swayed from side to side in unison with Buck’s joyful, off-key singing.

---

Part Two

Ezra’s knuckles rapped out his impatience. After dropping the others at the base where an ambulance whisked a now conscious Josiah off to the hospital for x-rays, Buck had flown Ezra to Las Vegas -- more specifically, to the rooftop helipad of his mother’s casino.

Ezra knocked again. “Mother?” His voice was aggressive. Realizing he needed to calm himself, he shut his eyes and tried to rise above the plethora of emotions. He heard footsteps approach and unconsciously straightened the fatigues he was wearing. He hadn’t taken a change of clothes, though he’d made a feeble attempt to remove the grease paint from his face.

The door opened. Maude eyed her son with an equal amount of apprehension and disapproval. “What on Earth are you wearing?”

Ezra blinked. Was that all she could say? “That man. Was he…my father?”

Maude lowered her gaze, unable to hold Ezra’s accusatory stare. “Yes.”

Ezra’s emotions bubbled. “Mother, how could you…” The sentence jagged when Ezra spotted movement in the apartment beyond.

“Maude?” The voice was strong and bathed in a thick accent. Ezra froze and his eyes widened as the man he’d met briefly at the party appeared behind Maude. The other’s expression matched Ezra’s. Wilhelm recovered first and chuckled. “Maude, haven’t you taught our boy the rudiments of fine attire? Don’t stand out there, Ezra. Come in.”

Ezra’s mouth moved, but no words were forthcoming. Obediently, he followed into the penthouse apartment, watching Wilhelm pour a glass of champagne before passing it to him.

Ezra assessed the other man’s physical characteristics, noting how much they were alike. Even the sound of his voice was similar. This man was his father? Something deep down inside him rejected the idea. He had to check… to be sure.

“I didn’t know, Ezra,” Wilhelm explained softly. “Your mother never informed me she was pregnant.” He topped up Maude’s glass before taking a seat beside her.

Ezra’s mind whirled. “She didn’t…” Ezra shot his mother a look of disdain as years of anger and new feelings of betrayal spiked and burst from him in a roar. “Did you feel it was unimportant?”

Maude’s eyes narrowed and she rose to her feet. “I did what I had to, to give you a better life.”

“I am quite certain that my interests weren’t given a second thought, Mother,” Ezra ground out. Maude’s face flashed with raw emotion and she turned away.

Ezra swallowed, spun from her and walked toward the window, cursing softly. There was nothing to be gained by another row. His chest heaved and he threw the champagne glass at the wall, taking out his frustrations on the inanimate object.

Behind him, Ezra heard whispering. He cursed again, turned and watched his mother leave the room. Ezra licked his lips and let his strangled gaze settle on Wilhelm Standish. “I’m sorry. I… I suppose that was uncalled for. I am not usually disposed to boorish displays of anger.”

Wilhelm frowned. “Don’t apologize. I too was incensed, when I realized Maude had excluded me from decisions regarding my own child. However, the anger departed on the long plane journey. The past is the past. It is the future that is important and I intend to be a part of your future… son.”

A lump formed in Ezra’s throat. “I…” They needed a paternity test to ensure there was no mistake. Yet, as Ezra looked into the brilliant green eyes of the well-dressed man, his doubts dissolved. He knew. He could feel it. “I had no idea.” Ezra’s voice crackled with emotion. He tried to control it but for the first time in his life, couldn’t. “Mother told me you died.”

Wilhelm nodded. “I can’t say I understand her reasons, which is far from surprising, considering I’ve never understood Maude, but…” his face relaxed into a smile. “She is my weakness,” he admitted with a wink.

Ezra smirked, his father’s attempted mirth easing the tension. “I see.”

“And they call ‘them’ the weaker sex,” Wilhelm chuckled.

They stared.

Silence fell between them as each studied the other. Wilhelm cleared his throat. “So, you’re a solider?”

“Hardly. I’m an Em7 agent. It is true that with annoying frequency I must lower my dress standards to adorn the robes of a common commando, but to my horror and surprise, the work suits me very well. The men I work with are the best in the world and what we do is important.”

“Spoken with passion. Finding one’s place in the world is important.”

“They found me. And you? What is your place in the world?”

“I’m a business consultant. I assist others to stream-line their operations…stream-line as much as possible into my bank account,” Wilhelm added, with a twinkle in his eye, picking up the champagne bottle and refilling his glass.

“How did you meet my mother?”

“At a poker table in Monte Carlo. She was intoxicating -- still is. I allowed her to win that night. I knew then I was in love.” He laughed and sipped his drink.

The second silence was longer. Ezra, who was never at a loss for words, couldn’t think of a thing to say. He simply kept staring at this man he knew with certainty was his father. His father!

“I have purchased tickets to a baseball game,” Wilhelm stated with hesitation.

“A baseball game?”

Wilhelm approached Ezra and laid his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I have heard that going to baseball matches is what fathers and sons do in this country.”

Ezra’s emotions rose sharply. Wilhelm’s eyes clouded. Ezra opened his mouth to comment, but the lump in his throat had constricted it so completely he could barely draw breath. His father had purchased tickets to a baseball game to fulfill a perceived rite of passage they’d missed.

Before he knew what he was doing, Ezra had reached his arms around his father.

Wilhelm gathered him in and squeezed firmly. “We have a lot of catching up to do, son, and every day of the rest of our lives to do it.”

**********

Like rifle fire, Chris barked questions as he walked from the elevator to his office, never once doubting his team was equipped with the answers.

“J.D, the contract on Vin?”

“No sign of it, Sir, but I still think it’s too early to tell.”

“Buck, Ella and her father?”

“No reports of a chopper landing anywhere within range. No debris. No one booked into any hospitals. They sunk, Sir.”

“Nathan, Josiah’s condition?”

“Headaches, otherwise, he’s doing well. He’ll be in tomorrow.”

“Vin, the Hawks?”

Vin sank into his chair with a fresh cup of coffee. “Nothing. Not a peep. Not sure if that’s good or bad.”

“I don’t like it. J.D., find them.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Buck, any word on our last mission?”

“Just that the dam mysteriously collapsed.”

“Good.” Chris ticked off the final note on his list and his tone changed. “Anyone heard from Ezra?”

“He rang me last night. It is his father,” Nathan stated. The boys exchanged smiles. “He wants some leave so they can spend time together. He sounds really happy.”

Larabee nodded, but a frown etched slowly into his features.

“You look suspicious,” Buck commented, biting into a donut.

Larabee shrugged. “Ezra has money. That can attract hanger’s on. I don’t want him getting hurt. Is he getting a paternity test?”

Nathan shook his head. “I asked, but he said he’s certain.”

“Certain it’s his father, or certain he wants a father,” Chris muttered, turning toward the office. “Lieutenant.”

Vin followed his colonel and took a seat across the desk. “You think the guy may be blind-siding, Ez?”

Larabee sank into his leather chair and snorted. “Emotion can blind even the most discerning of men. I’d like someone to check it out. Normally, Ezra handles background checks.”

“You want me to?”

Chris shook his head. “No. I’ll ask Travis to handle it. Give us a bit of distance. How have you pulled up?”

“Bit sore,” Vin admitted, fingering the small piece of tape covering the three stitches in his head. “Josiah’s built like a brick chicken house and weighs even more,” he chuckled.

Chris sat back in his chair, laced his fingers and eyed his lieutenant critically. “You should have left him.”

Tanner rolled his eyes. “You wouldn’t have.”

“We’ve had this discussion before. You follow procedure, particularly when someone’s hurt.”

“Next time,” Vin dismissed, sipping his coffee. “Speaking of which, you should have been on that chopper.”

Chris’ hard expression dissolved and he smiled. “Not open for discussion.”

“Do as I say, not as I do,” Tanner laughed.

“Something like that,” Chris agreed, distracted. He rose from his chair. Vin swiveled and spotted Liam striding across the outer office.

Immediately, Tanner rose and excused himself.

“No, stay,” Chris whispered.

Vin’s face twisted. He didn’t trust himself with Liam. Larabee’s brother had tried to kill him and there was no doubt in his mind Liam had sold him out for the contract. He knew he should report his suspicions to his Colonel but Vin wasn’t certain Chris would be able to make the distinction between personal and professional in this case.

Liam entered brandishing a beaming smile. He pumped Chris’ hand enthusiastically and dismissed Vin with a nod. “I’ve got a job, Chris. Taxi driver.”

The joy on Chris’ face cut Vin to the quick. Now he understood what Buck meant about having to stand back and watch.

“That’s great. When do you start?”

“End of the week. The owner knows I’m an ex-con but he doesn’t care because he served some time himself. He said I shouldn’t be judged for the rest of my life based on one mistake.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself. So, what are you doing here?”

“Wanted to tell you my good news in person and invite you to Four Corners.”

Vin’s left eyebrow rose. Liam was inviting Chris to Four Corners? How did that work?

Liam smirked, stepped between Tanner and his brother and turned his back to Vin - symbolically cutting Chris off from his friend. “I want us to spend a few days together. Just the two of us. I mean, once I start work, it won’t be so easy for us to get together and I thought that…”

Chris opened his mouth to protest.

“Say yes, Chris. Please.” Liam had the pitiful look down pat, Vin noted, eyeing the man’s reflection in the glass. Vin’s stomach did a slow roll.

Chris sighed. “I’ve got some work to get done today, and then Vin and I have plans for this afternoon. I should be back some time tomorrow, so how about we meet out there tomorrow evening?”

“Perfect.” Liam bounded into the main area.

Chris smiled as he watched his brother start up a conversation with Nathan. “It’s good to see he’s finally getting things together.”

Vin grunted and wandered out to join his team. How could Chris possibly be that blind?

“… but I never get to go these days,” Vin heard Nathan say. “But it is to die for.”

“Ezra gets his Mud Cake flown in from some café in New York,” Buck offered. “Gets real shitty if anyone touches it.”

“Chris is like that with olives. Can’t think why. I hate them. Taste like crap,” Liam laughed. He was over-the-top -- really putting it on, and for some reason, it was getting to Vin on this occasion.

“Vin likes that smelly cheese. Smells like Buck’s old socks,” J.D. offered. “But I don’t suppose it counts because none of us will touch the stuff. And Buck gets real upset if anyone…”

Chris cleared his throat. All paused to look at him. “You have no work to do? I can remedy that.”

Nathan, Buck and J.D. shot to their desks and did their best impressions of hard work. Liam smiled and shook his head. “You’re a hard task master, Chris. We were just discussing things that get under our skin. Reckon if you asked Vin, he’d say me.”

Tanner glanced up from the file he’d opened. Everyone else froze. Liam laughed, waved to Chris and disappeared into the elevator.

Vin muttered and went back to the file. Chris exhaled and strode across to his friend. “Ignore that. He’s just…”

“An asshole,” Vin murmured. He lifted his gaze to meet his friend’s.

Chris sighed, shook his head with what looked to Vin like disappointment, and disappeared into his office.

Vin cursed quietly.

***********

Tanner rode the elevator to the ground floor, still stewing. It wasn’t what Liam had said, it was the way he played Chris like a fiddle. Larabee was an exceptional judge of character. Vin had never seen anyone pull the wool over his colonels’ eyes, but Buck was right. Chris couldn’t see the wood for the trees when it came to Liam. Emotion can blind even the most discerning of men.

Tanner headed to the reception desk. Chris had asked him to drop off a file for collection by a CIA liaison officer, before going home and throwing some things into an overnight bag. The pair was going to California to find Vin’s uncle. Tanner wasn’t sure he was doing the right thing. Perhaps it was best to let the past lie.

Consumed with thoughts of his impending family reunion, Vin arrived at the reception area without realizing it. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Liam chatting to one of the five receptionists.

Liam waved. Vin ground his jaw and handed the file to the woman furthermost from the youngest Larabee. “Sarah, Roger Miller’s comin’ to pick this up later.”

“Colonel Larabee’s heading out now?” the woman asked, logging it on the computer.

“Yeah. Wilmington, Jackson and Dunne are still in if there are any problems. They’ll know how to contact Larabee.”

Tanner bobbed his chin to Liam and departed. Liam trotted after him and fell into step at his shoulder.

“Vin, you and I need to talk.”

“I got nothin’ to say to you.”

“For Chris’ sake, we need to make an effort.”

Vin stopped and turned to face Liam. He looked so much like Chris, but that was where the similarity ended. “You set me up. The only reason you’re still breathin’ is you’re his brother.”

Liam swallowed. “I didn’t set you up. I swear. Look, I… I understand you don’t like me. I know Buck doesn’t either. I know you both feel a little jealous, but...”

Vin snorted and started for the elevator again. “…but we’re not competing for the same type of attention.”

Vin’s stride slowed and he looked to the left waiting for Liam to catch up. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Look, I get it.” Liam glanced over his shoulder and then lowered his voice. “I’m a man of the world. You and Chris are going off for a little, private, over-night jaunt. That’s your business. The fact that newspapers would pay an arm and a leg to know that the great Colonel Larabee is a…”

Vin exploded. A split second later, Liam lay whimpering at his feet, blood pouring from his nose. “Say what you want about me, but you saying anything, ANYTHING that will embarrass him and I swear it will be the last thing you ever say.”

“I was joking,” Liam spluttered, staggering to his feet.

“No, you were tryin’ to boost your own pathetic ego by bringing him down. I told you before, I ain’t Buck.” Vin pinned Liam with a glare that rivaled the best his colonel could deliver. “Be best if you and I don’t spend time around each other.”

Vin disappeared into the elevator, leaving Liam bruised, bloodied and open-mouthed.

Part Three

Chris took the window seat and Vin settled in beside him. They’d booked a commercial flight. True, they could have taken their own plane, but Chris decided it wasn’t worth the hassle.

“You got the address?”

“Yeah,” Vin responded, patting his top pocket. An stewardtess smiled at the pair, indicating they fasten their seatbelts.

“I heard from Ezra. He’s taking the next few days off.”

Vin shifted uncomfortably. “And Travis?”

“Yeah, he’s going to find out what he can about Wilhelm Standish. How are you feeling?”

“Told you, I’m a bit sore… oh. I don’t know. Nervous, I guess. When I was little, I used to think about him all the time. Kept waiting for him to come and get me.”

“What do you remember?”

Vin drew in his breath slowly. “Not a lot. Playing football in the back yard. Eating ice-cream on the back steps.” Vin’s brow furrowed. “The smell of mint…he used to chew gum all of the time.”

“They sound like good memories.”

Vin flicked his eyes to his friend. “He was there a lot before my mum died. After I went to the orphanage…” He shook his head.

“He never visited?”

Vin sighed. “Nope. Last thing he told me was not to worry because I only had to go away for a few days. Said he was gonna come and get me and I could live with him. I never saw or heard from him again.”

“He was young, wasn’t he?”

Vin turned to his friend, his blue eyes flashing. “I was five years old, Chris. He was all the family I had in the world.”

Chris raised his hand for calm. “Not saying what he did was right, but he was only about nineteen. Taking on a child at that age is a big thing.”

Vin stared at Chris like he was from another planet. “I was five years old. They sent me to town where I knew no one. He told me he’d come and he never even attempted to make contact. Would you have done that?”

Chris shrugged. “At nineteen? I don’t know.”

Vin snorted. “Bull. Ain’t no way you’d have left me.”

Chris smiled. “I left you in a South American county, but like a bad penny, you keep turning up.”

When Vin didn’t respond, Chris sighed. “Vin, all I’m saying is that it’s difficult to judge. He was a kid himself. Something may have happened. Maybe he couldn’t take you. Maybe the law didn’t allow him to.”

“I was blood-kin. Anyone over the age of eighteen can apply to take in blood-kin,” Vin whispered. “I checked when I was a teenager.” There was a pause as Vin collected his thoughts. “He left me. I had no one. You don’t do that to a kid, Chris.” There was hurt and anger in his voice. ”Hell, I wouldn’t do that to a dog.”

Chris frowned. “So, you’re hoping to get some answers from him?”

Vin opened his mouth and then closed it. “I don’t know. I… I guess so. I want to know more about my mother… maybe my father. I want a picture. Nothing he says now can change what happened, but… but he’s the only kin I got.”

Chris patted his arm. “And what am I? Chopped liver?”

Vin smirked. “You’re a pain in the ass, Cowboy. So, when are they going to serve the food? I’m hungry.”

*****

“You satisfied Ella and her father are dead?” Vin asked, finishing his meal.

“Yeah. We saw the chopper go down. That’s the end of it.”

Vin frowned. He detected the deep hurt still clinging to each word. “I’m sorry.”

Chris eyed his friend. “It’s bizarre. I thought their murders had been mistaken identity, but to know that…” He shook his head.

“Still no sign of the contract,” Vin commented, changing the subject as he passed Chris’ empty tray back to the hostess.

“J.D. says it’s too early to be sure, but it’s looking good. It will be a while before word spreads and the attempts on your life stop.”

“You’re such an optimist, Larabee.”

“Realist. I don’t want you taking any chances. All procedures remain in place, though I think we can put off the tracking implant until we know for sure.”

Vin frowned as thoughts of Liam surfaced. He should tell Chris of his suspicions. If it involved anyone other than Liam, he would have. “Chris…” he stared into his friend’s face and floundered. “I should probably mention my knuckles are bruised.”

Chris glanced at them in confusion, but figured it out quickly. Larabee sighed. “What happened?”

“Nothing really. He mentioned some garbage about reporters paying money to know that you could be...”

Chris snorted. “Vin, you’ve got to ignore him.”

“No, I don’t. I told him I don’t care what he has to say about me, but no one, not even your spineless brother, gets away with criticizing you within my earshot.”

“Liam likes to stir people. He doesn’t mean anything by it.”

“He can stir as much shit as he likes, as long as it isn’t about you… and I don’t mean ‘you’. I mean Colonel Larabee.”

Chris smirked. “I’ve got a split personality I know nothing about? Bruce Wayne and Batman.”

Vin shrugged, pushed his chair back and closed his eyes. “Just so long as you know I won’t put up with it.”

“I never expected you to,” Chris whispered seriously. “I know he’s a pain but…”

“Ain’t no buts about it. He’s a pain in the ass. A spineless piece of shit and he annoys the crap out of me. Other than that, I like him,” Vin grumbled sarcastically.

*********

J.D. sat on the edge of Buck’s bed, watching his friend pack. “I can’t believe Chris is allowing you to do this.”

Buck winked and flexed his chest muscles. “Sexiest Man in the Country.”

J.D. smirked. “A reality television show. So, you get locked in a house and…?”

Buck stuffed some socks down the side of the bag. “I get the details and sign the paperwork on Monday morning and it all starts Monday evening. Basically, it’s Big Brother but each week we’re given a task to show how ‘studly’ we are. Hell, J.D., this competition is made for me.”

“And what if a mission comes up?” Dunne asked curiously, leaning on the bulging bag to assist Buck close it.

“I’ll be wearing a beeper. Soon as it sounds, I’m out of there. Hey, I know it’s going to happen at some stage, but hopefully I’ll get a week or so to have fun… and show the world just who is the sexist man in this country. I’ll be fighting them off with a stick after they seem my face on T.V.”

“You’re pathetic, Buck,” J.D. laughed.

********

Chris rested his hips against the car, and absentmindedly flipped through the car hire manual. The breeze buffeted him gently. The chill of evening was already in the air. He and Vin had dropped their bags at the motel located a few miles from the airport, before locating the address in the street directory and coming here. Vin hadn’t felt there’d be any need to stay overnight, but Chris insisted. After all, one visit with his uncle may not be enough. Chris had visions of ‘Uncle Ryan’ having a plausible excuse for abandoning Vin, and then welcoming him into the family with open arms. He knew it was unrealistic, but he could hope.

Since the pair pulled up outside house number ‘6’ a few minutes earlier, Vin hadn’t moved. Larabee had gotten out of the car, but Tanner was sitting in the passenger seat, staring at the simple brick structure. The frown on his face could not be deeper.

Chris had no intention of forcing the pace. Vin needed to do this in his own time. He knew his friend had mixed feelings about re-connecting with his uncle, but he hadn’t realized how much emotion lay below the surface until their discussion on the plane. In Vin’s expressive eyes, Chris had clearly seen the pain of a five year old boy who felt abandoned and betrayed.

The sun was beginning to set when the car door opened five minutes later. Chris closed the manual and placed it on the hood of the car. Vin moved next to Chris and leaned against the vehicle, his face tight with anxiety. They stood in silence, until an elderly lady watering her garden paused and called out, “Are you lost?”

Chris smiled. “We’re not sure we have the right place, Ma’am.”

She inclined her head to the brick home they were facing. “The Taylors live there.”

“Then it’s the right place. Thank you,” Chris acknowledged. He lowered his voice. “We can get in the car and drive away, if that’s what you want.”

He watched Vin’s chest expand to capacity before Tanner exhaled and rose off the car. “We’re here now.”

“And you’re expecting…?” Chris checked.

Vin dragged his eyes from the house and let them settle on his friend. His eyebrows drew down as he considered the question. “A photograph. Nothing more.”

Chris patted Vin’s back. “Good.”

Tanner’s chin bobbed in thanks. He couldn’t have done this without Chris’ support. Frowning, he crossed the road and entered the yard, following the overgrown path to the door. Chris watched, pursing his lips thoughtfully. He wasn’t sure how Vin was going to react, so he followed.

Vin froze in front of the door. Larabee reached around him and knocked.

A figure appeared in the hall and swaggered toward them. He was about fifteen and sported the typical teenage scowl. “Yeah?”

Chris waited for Vin to say something. When he didn’t, Chris replied, “We’re looking for Ryan Taylor.”

“Just a minute,” the youth instructed. As he turned, he bellowed, “Dad! Someone at the door for you.”

Vin jumped. Whether it was a result of the sudden volume or just the realization there was now no turning back, Chris couldn’t be sure. He gripped his friend’s shoulder. “Hey, easy. You okay?”

Vin’s eyes narrowed as a man appeared at the end of the hall and walked toward him.

“Afternoon. I’m Ryan Taylor. What can I do for you, gentleman?”

Vin’s eyes widened as the speaker came into plain view and stopped on the other side of the mesh security door. Chris increased his grip as the muscles under his fingers knotted.

Taylor flicked his gaze between the two men. “Can I help you?”

Collecting himself, Vin cleared his throat. “Yeah. Um…”

Taylor directed his attention to the stunned man. Abruptly, the forced pleasantness faded. He opened his mouth and confusion blanketed his face. “Eric? ...Vin!”

Tanner nodded. “Yeah. I…”

Taylor opened the security door, his eyes riveted to Vin’s face. “My God.” Uncle and nephew studied each other. The miraculous reunion Chris had hoped for didn’t materialize. Rather, Vin and his uncle simply looked at each other stunned.

Vin blinked. “A friend found your address.”

Taylor nodded automatically, and glanced at Chris, who still gripped Vin’s shoulder. “I’m Chris,” Larabee introduced himself, shaking Ryan’s hand.

Silence crashed. Chris released Vin’s shoulder and waited… and waited. A cat brushed passed his legs. In the distance a couple of dogs barked. “So, have you lived in California long?” It was a ridiculous question, but someone had to say something.

Taylor nodded. “Yeah. About fifteen years.” A tall woman appeared behind the security door.

“Is everything okay, honey?” She held a cell phone and Chris guessed she was ready to dial the police.

“Ummm, yeah. Vin, this is my wife, Dianne. Dianne, this is Vin Taylor, my…” He swallowed, shaking his head slowly.

“Ryan?” his wife asked, her concern replaced with alarm. “Your what?”

“I’m your husband’s nephew.” Vin’s voice trembled a little. “We haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

Her face betrayed her surprise and relief, and her attempt to cover both failed. “Well, don’t stand out there, Vin. Come in.” She opened the door, but no one moved.

Chris smiled at her. “A cup of coffee sounds great. I’ll help. Vin and Ryan probably have some catching up to do.”

Dianne nodded with some uncertainty and led Chris indoors. Larabee made eye-contact with Vin before disappearing. Cowboy?

“I’m okay,” Tanner assured.

*********

Ryan indicated the chairs on the porch and the pair took seats. Ryan continued to stare at Vin, blinking and shaking his head. “Vin, I… I don’t know what to say.”

Vin focused on the garden, finding it easier than staring at ‘Uncle Ryan’. The discontent he’d felt on the plane resurfaced, bubbling in his stomach. He didn’t understand why he was angry. What was there to be angry about? This was all in the past… a past he’d long put to rest. “For a while, I thought you must have died.”

Ryan swallowed. “I… I didn’t want to just leave you like that. You have to know that.”

Vin turned to the other man. “Then why did you?” He hadn’t intended asking. He’d convinced himself it didn’t matter… that all he wanted was a photo so he could go back to the life he’d made for himself. Yet, as he looked into the face of the man he’d spent years praying would appear, his need to know overwhelmed him.

Ryan licked his lips and lowered his gaze. “Why didn’t I come and get you? I… I don’t know. I… Hell, I was nineteen. I was going to university and…”

“… and looking after a five-year-old didn’t figure in your plans,” Vin accused softly.

Ryan exhaled. “It sounds so selfish, doesn’t it?” He fumbled over the words. “Look, I’m sorry. I really am. I met Dianne a few weeks before your mother died and… Man this is hard.”

Vin eyed his uncle. “Hard? Do you have any idea what…” He stopped and looked away. Consciously, he fought the feelings attacking him from within, before returning his attention to his uncle. The other man looked different… and yet the same. Older, plumper, but his eyes were unchanged. His discomfort, at least, appeared genuine. “If you’d just called or...”

“And said what?” Ryan demanded, rising and staring out into the darkness that had settled. “Sorry, I can’t come and get you because the thought of looking after a child scares the hell out of me?”

“You never had any intention of taking me, did you?”

Ryan closed his eyes and replied in a distorted whisper, “I wanted to explain to you, but I knew you wouldn’t understand. You were only five.”

Vin leant forward, hands clasped, elbows on knees. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear, but was what he’d expected. “I spent ten years in and out of foster homes.”

“Shit. I…I didn’t realize. I stayed away.” Ryan cursed again. His face had clouded with horror and sympathy, and his eyes brimmed with tears. “Vin, I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. I don’t know what else to say. I wanted to visit but I was told it would be better for you if I didn’t. How the hell could I explain to you that you had to stay there? I thought it would be easier on you if I just left you alone. Kids are resilient. You were a great kid. I was certain someone would adopt you and everything would be okay.”

Vin stared at his boots and the anger began to drain away. Whether his uncle had made decisions he thought were best for him really didn’t matter any more. None of it mattered except… “Tell me about her.”

“What?”

Vin looked up. “My Ma. I… I don’t remember her much any more. I was so young when she died. Tell me about her.”

Ryan sniffled and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Oh. Umm. She was slim. Brown hair.” He cursed softly when Vin’s face twisted. “Not what you’re looking for, huh? Okay, umm, she loved to read. She used to read to you every night. What was the name of that book you loved? Something about a dog… a dirty dog?”

“Harry the Dirty Dog,” Vin murmured. Images of the illustrations leapt into his head.

“That’s it. Emma had the biggest heart in the world.” A genuine smile crept onto Ryan Taylor’s lips. “And she adored you. Hell, she used to spoil you rotten. You loved those little coloured candies and if you remembered to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, she’d give you one.”

Vin smirked, the statement sparking another memory. “Yeah.”

Ryan sank into the seat beside Vin, withdrew a packet of cigarettes and offered his nephew one. Vin declined with a brief shake of the head. “She loved her work. You know she was a vet?”

“A vet? I didn’t… yes, I did.” He’d forgotten.

“She loved horses. Always smelled of horses,” Ryan chuckled, drawing on his cigarette. “You could ride before you could walk. She’d take you up to the ranch. She used to lug you around in one of those sling things. Three weeks after you were born, she was back at work with you strapped to her chest. She really was an incredible woman,” Ryan murmured quietly.

Vin shut his eyes, picturing his mother in his mind. Over the years, she’d faded, but right now, the image was clear.

“Hey, you were a chip off the old block, too. Used to amaze me. You had a real way with animals. I remember this day your mother was treating an injured dog. It was growling and snapping and you walked up to it and patted its head. No fear. No hesitation, and the amazing thing was, the animal calmed down. Do you still have a way with animals?”

“I guess so.” Vin flicked his gaze to the other man. “Thanks. I can see her in my mind again. Do you have a picture I could have? I don’t have anything of hers.”

“Of course. I… I never told my wife about you.”

“Yeah, could tell by the look on her face. What about my father?”

Ryan’s expression faltered. He sat back and sucked on the cigarette, focusing on the stars appearing in the Heavens. “He died before you were born. He was involved in an accident. Emwas broken hearted.”

Vin straitened. He remembered his mother telling him his father had died, but that he had been a wonderful man. “What did he do?”

“Not a lot.”

Vin frowned. “You didn’t like him?”

“Not really.”

“And he was a…?”

Ryan sat forward, and flicked ash onto an empty birdbath sitting on the edge of the porch. “Worked in a bank.”

Vin’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected – maybe more of an outdoor type of person. The image of someone in a suit didn’t fit the idea he’d held in his heart all his life.

Vin rose to his feet. “Thanks. I guess Chris and I better go. It’s getting late.”

Ryan studied him, standing himself. “I know this is going to sound really empty, but it’s good to see you.”

Vin knew the other man was waiting for him to return the sentiment, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t feeling a lot at all. Mostly, he felt empty. The silence became uncomfortable.

“I’m really sorry, Vin. I mean that. I promised Emm. I’d look after you and I didn’t.”

“Then you need to make peace with yourself, because I’m okay. I’ve got family now.”

Ryan swallowed. “You should have been a part of my family.”

“Yeah, probably.” Again, there was an uncomfortable silence. They were strangers -- two people who’d once known each other and now had nothing in common.

“I’ll get you a couple of photos.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

---

Part Four

Vin had become talkative on the way home, during the meal and now sitting in the limited light in the small hotel room. He clutched the two photos his uncle had given him, neither leaving his hand even as he’d eaten. Memories of his childhood flooded from him. Memories of his mother and himself.

A mother and a child.

Chris tired to concentrate on what Vin was saying, but he saw Sarah and Adam in every word. Each relived moment of Vin’s childhood was one that Chris could see his wife and child sharing.

“Why’d he introduce you as Vin Taylor?” Chris asked, attempting to change the subject and end the painful recap of the life stolen from him.

Vin opened another beer. “Up until I went to the orphanage, I knew that as my name. When I got there, they called me Tanner. I argued with them, but Tanner is on my birth certificate. Taylor was my mother’s maiden name. When my mother was dying, she said to me, ‘Boy, you’re a Tanner. Don’t you ever forget that.’ I think, in her own way, she was making sure I knew who my father was.”

“Did you ask your uncle?” Chris asked, accepting another bottle of beer.

“Yeah. He’s dead. Died before I was born. I knew that.”

“When he first saw you, he called you Eric.”

“Huh?” Vin asked curiously.

“Nothing,” Chris dismissed, glancing at his watch. “Hell, it’s almost midnight. Let’s get some sleep.”

“Chris… thanks. For being here.”

Larabee smiled and pointed out gently, “Where else would I be?”

Vin’s face flushed with appreciation. Thanks, Cowboy.

**********

Chris splashed some water on his cheeks and flicked his gaze to the illuminated face of his watch. 1:20.

He sighed. Sleep had refused to collect him. His mind was racing with images and memories. Some of Sarah and Adam… some of Ella… Cletus Fowler… Sarah’s locket… Ella’s locked room… and Liam. At least Liam was a positive amongst so much heartache. His brother was finally getting his life together. If only he’d cut down on the smart-mouth comments. Vin didn’t appreciate that type of humor and it was going to make life impossible if his brother and his best friend didn’t get along.

Murmuring from the main room drew Chris’ attention. Vin’s slumber had been unsettled all evening, but at least he was sleeping. Chris wandered back passed his friend, light from the flashing motel sign filtering into the room though the crack in the curtains. Chris paused and stared at Vin. His emotions were mixed, but the most prominent was guilt. He wished Liam was more like Vin, but that was unfair. Hell, Vin was far from perfect, anyway. Chris smirked as his friend muttered something in his sleep. Noting Vin had tossed most of the blankets off, Chris pulled them up over him. Despite central heating, the air was chilly.

As Chris sat down on the edge of his bed, Vin’s body jerked. Larabee frowned, rose, and gripped Vin’s shoulder. Tanner settled immediately. Vin trusted him so completely that sometimes it scared him. Chris snorted. He could calm Vin’s troubles so easily. He’d never been able to do that for Liam. He wanted to… was desperate to… determined to.

Chris squeezed Vin shoulder with great affection and returned to his bed.

Vin stirred. “You okay?”

Chris grunted. “Can’t sleep.”

Vin flicked the lamp on and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He studied Chris for a few moments. “Want to go for a walk?”

Chris smirked. “It’s the middle of the night.”

“Never stopped us before,” Vin chuckled.

“We’re on the main highway. Besides, it’s freezing outside. No, I’m fine. Just… just a lot on my mind.”

Vin pushed himself up onto his elbows. “Want some coffee?”

“No, go back to sleep. I’m fine.”

“Yeah and pigs’ll fly,” Vin muttered, rising and collecting the coffee mugs.

“Vin. Really. I just can’t sleep. It happens sometimes.”

“So, what’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

Vin switched on the electric kettle. “Must be something.”

“No. Just ‘things’.”

“What things?” Vin asked, putting two teaspoons of coffee into one of the mugs.

“Can we just leave it?” Chris murmured.

“Nope. What things?”

“Vin.”

“We can stand here all night and keep going in circles, if you like?” Vin finished with the coffee and put the lid on, his back still to his friend. “What things?”

“You aren’t going to let this go, are you?”

Vin glanced back and flashed Chris a wide smile.

“Damn you.”

“Yep. So you were going to tell me ‘what things’.”

**********

“… and I renewed my driver’s license today so I’m all set.” Liam chatted happily as he and Chris rode out to Bentley Ridge to watch the sunset. It had been Liam’s suggestion. He’d heard it was Chris’ favorite spot -- where Vin and Chris often went to watch the sun rise or set.

“That’s great.” Chris had returned to DC that morning, after a long evening talking to Vin about Sarah and Adam. He felt better on that front, but the other issues continued to dog his mind. Vin was an amazing listener. He’d said very little, his expressive eyes providing all the support Chris needed to unload. Of course, Vin wasn’t the person to talk to about the other problems. Nor was Buck, but Chris knew he needed to talk to someone, and as soon the opportunity presented itself, he’d sit down with Josiah. Josiah, for all his parables and strange logic, was exceptional at helping others understand their problems.

Chris gazed at the land. “That storm did a lot of damage.”

“In one hour it dropped more rain than we usually get in two years… that’s what the weather report said.”

Chris frowned. “We better stay on the track. That much water could make the ground unstable. We’ll give the ridge a miss.”

“But…”

“The climb is dangerous at the best of times and the edge has been crumpling for years. I’ll get Vin to inspect it and give the all clear before anyone goes up there.”

Liam frowned. “I didn’t know Vin was an expert in those things too. He’s a real jack of all trades, isn’t he?”

Chris sighed and shot his brother a look of despair. “Liam, please. Don’t. Vin knows the land. That’s all.”

“Sorry.”

Chris’ attention was drawn to the black and purple bruising that extend from Liam’s left cheek and around his eye.

“Don’t ask.”

“Vin told me.” Chris shook his head. “You provoked him.”

“I teased him a little,” Liam chuckled.

“You got what you deserved. By the look of that, you were lucky. Vin must have pulled his punch. I’ve seen him shatter people’s cheekbones.”

“Come on, Chris. He was so high and mighty. I had no choice.”

“A man always has a choice, Liam. You chose poorly.”

Liam sighed. “I seem to do that a lot.”

Chris pulled his horse up and dismounted. Liam followed his lead and they walked the animals. “You have got to think before you do and say things. Control your mouth.”

“Yeah, I know. I just… I’m trying, Chris. I’m really trying.”

Chris glanced at him. “I know. Just do me a favour.”

“Anything.”

“Try to be…”

“I’ll behave around Vin from now on.”

Chris smiled. “Thanks.” The pair tethered their horses and Chris led the way toward the creek.

“I don’t mean to upset him. It just happens. To tell you the truth, I think he’s a bit jealous - like Buck used to be. They want to be your brother, but you’ve been cursed with me instead.”

“Hey. Not cursed.”

“Certainly not blessed,” Liam chuckled.

“No. Probably not that either,” Chris laughed, sliding his arm over his brother’s shoulders.

**********

Liam served the meal, eavesdropping on Chris’ conversation filtering from the foyer of the two storey ranch house.

“…J.D., I’d love to come dirt-bike riding, but I’ve got so much to catch up on… thanks, kid. Yeah, maybe next week… Does he? Well, you know, Buck. Lord only knows what the hell he’ll get up to. Yep, you too, kid. Good night.”

Chris put the phone down and joined Liam in the kitchen. “This looks okay.”

“I guess that’s one good thing that came out of prison. They teach you to cook.”

Chris grimaced.

“Hey, come on, big brother. It happened.” Liam placed two bottles of beer on the table and indicated for Chris to take a seat. “I’m not going to hide from it. I made a mistake. I paid my debt. I’m moving on.” The younger Larabee checked that he’d switched off the stove and then joined Chris at the table. “You haven’t said anything about Ella.”

“Don’t really want to talk about it,” Chris murmured, salting his meal and glancing at the time. Evening had arrived and Chris was looking forward to bed.

“She tell you anything about that Fowler fella she hired?”

“No.”

“It was the anniversary of the fire a week ago.”

“Yeah, I know. Liam… please.”

“I just think it’s good for you to talk about Sarah. She was your wife.”

Chris ground his jaw.

“So, you dating yet?”

“No.”

“Don’t you think it’s time? You like that Mary woman, don’t you?”

“Liam. Right now, I’m tired. I didn’t sleep well last night. Can we talk about something else?”

“Okay. What?”

“I don’t know. Anything else,” Chris snapped.

Liam’s fork paused on the way to his mouth.

Chris cursed. “Sorry. I’m not mad at you. I’m just tired.”

“You should take some time off. You’ve given all of the others the option of the rest of the week off after the mission.”

“I know, but that doesn’t stop the work piling up. Besides, I went away to an island in the middle of nowhere a week ago and I still found trouble. Vin thinks we should go camping here. Just ride and camp around Four Corners. It’s large enough. Live off the land for a few days.”

“Hey, count me in!”

Chris’ eyes flashed with uncertainty.

“Sorry,” Liam murmured. “Just you and him, huh?”

“No. No, not at all.”

“Not what your face just said.”

Chris put his cutlery down. “Liam, I’m not sure it would be relaxing with both you and Vin on the ride.”

Liam nodded, flicking his pained glance away. “Yeah, guess not.”

“I… “ Chris ran his fingers through his hair. “Look, I’ll ask him.”

“I thought you were the colonel,” Liam murmured.

“When we work, yeah. Not when we’re off duty.”

“So he gives the orders then.”

“No! We’re friends. We’re equals off-duty, but this was his idea. I can’t just…”

“.. ruin it by inviting your pathetic brother.”

“Liam!”

They stared at each other. “Sorry, Chris. I just… I want to spend time with you. Make up for lost time. Now you say you have to go back to work tomorrow, just when we were going to spend a few days together.” He looked so hurt.

“I know. I’ll try and get everything done in the next two days and meet you back here Friday.”

“Invite Vin and Buck. We’ll go for a ride together and see if we can find some common ground… for your sake, I’m sure everyone will be willing to try.”

Chris eyed his brother and smiled his deep gratitude. “Thanks, Liam. I’ll see what I can arrange.”

*********

Liam crept down along the internal landing, and glanced into his brother’s room. He waited, listening for the sound of Chris’ deep breathing. On detecting it, Liam moved to the stairs and padded down them, a small bottle clutched tightly in his hand. He moved swiftly to the kitchen, opened the fridge and withdrew the cheese platter covered with a glass dome. Liam smiled, Chris’ words ringing in his ears. “You chose poorly.”

“I won’t be choosing poorly this time,” he murmured. He had two plans, and wasn’t sure which to pursue. “I choose both.” If the other failed, this one would work.

---

Part Five

Chris and Liam flew back to DC the next morning, Chris once again expressing his gratitude that Liam was willing to make an effort to get along with Vin and Buck. At lunch, Liam made his way to Em7’s office. He smiled to himself with satisfaction. It wouldn’t be long now that everything was in motion.

The elevator opened and Liam stepped into Em7’s base of operations. He scanned the open office area which Buck had dubbed ‘The Dog House’, noting that only Josiah was present, which was perfect, because Josiah was who he was looking for.

“Hi.”

Josiah looked up from his computer and nodded. “Chris just went down for a meeting with Travis. The others are taking a few days off after the last mission. Back to work as usual on Monday… well, apart from Buck.” Sanchez lowered his voice. “Attila the health fanatic is in the kitchen making me a ‘wholesome’ shake.” Josiah screwed up his face to show what he thought of Nathan’s shakes. “Apparently, I’m looking a bit pale.”

Liam smiled. “Actually, you’re colour isn’t very good. How’s the head feel?”

“It’s been better,” Josiah admitted. “So, you begin a new occupation shortly?”

“Taxi driver. It’s a start. At least I can make some money and go to night school. Don’t laugh, I want to study law enforcement. I’ve enrolled in a preliminary law course, to see if I like it.”

“Don’t see anything to laugh at there.”

“I want to make Chris proud of me. Hey, maybe, with some luck and some hard work, when Chris retires, I can run Em7,” Liam laughed.

Josiah winked at him.

“Oh, this is for you,” Liam stated, handing Josiah the parcel he had tucked under his arm.

Josiah examined it curiously.

“It isn’t a bomb. Open it.”

Josiah pulled the paper back and his eyes widened. “How… where?”

Liam smiled happily. “I happened to be talking to Chris who mentioned you were looking for that title. I went on-line and found it on ebay. Bid and won it.”

“It’s out of print,” Josiah murmured, flicking through the book. He looked up. “Thank you. I’ve been looking for this for two years.”

“I got lucky. Just happened to be searching ebay when someone put it up for sale.”

“How much do I owe you?”

Liam held up his hand. “Nothing. Just… just keep an eye on my big brother for me. He’s the only one I’ve got and I worry about him.”

Josiah smiled. “Looking after each other is what we do best, son.”

Nathan appeared with two tall glasses containing very unappetizing looking green liquid. “Hi. Chris is in a meeting downstairs.”

“So Josiah said.”

“Want one, Liam?” Nathan asked as he handed one of the glasses to Josiah.

Josiah shook his head violently.

“Shut-up, Josiah and drink it or I’ll give you a complete examination and you’ll be confined to bed before you can snap your fingers,” Nathan barked.

Josiah rolled his eyes. “See what I mean about looking after each other. Of course, he could be trying to poison me and I’d never know by the taste.” Josiah took some mouthfuls and pulled appropriate faces.

Nathan handed the other glass to Liam who eyed the shake like it may contain toxic waste. “Taste it. It’s really good for you.”

Liam tipped the shake to his lips and sipped. His brow furrowed and he took several swallows. “Hey, that’s okay. Actually, I don’t mind it.”

Nathan beamed. “Hmmp. I can’t tell you how hard it is to get your brother to drink one of those. The way he carries on… like a damn child. He should be having one a day with his stress levels.”

“I’ll speak to him about it.”

“Good luck.” Nathan smiled, watching Liam drink the shake. “I’ll make myself one.” He turned and strode off with a true spring in his step.

“You’ve made his day,” Josiah whispered.

Liam watched Nathan until he disappeared into the kitchen and then began furiously wiping his tongue on his sleeve.

Josiah burst out laughing.

“That is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever tasted,” Liam admitted in a hushed whisper.

“Wait until you taste his gravy,” Josiah chuckled. “He…” Josiah was interrupted by the phone on Nathan’s desk. He scooped it up. “Sergeant Jackson’s phone, Sergeant Sanchez speaking… hang on... Nathan! It’s your brother Joseph!”

Nathan reappeared and jogged down the hall, spurred on by the urgency in his friend’s voice. Josiah covered the mouthpiece. “He’s sounds upset.”

Nathan frowned and took the phone. “Joseph?... Oh, no.” Nathan’s face tightened. Josiah laid his hand on his arm. “Is he conscious? Good. Make him comfortable and call the ambulance. Stay calm. I’ll call you straight back on your cell and keep talking to you until the ambulance gets there. I’ll meet you at the hospital as soon as I can.” Nathan put the phone down and grabbed his coat. “My dad. Sounds like a heart attack. I have to get down there.” Nathan dialed his brother’s number on his cell phone. “Joseph? Yeah, yeah, good. How long did they say? Good. I want you to take his pulse and count it out to me.”

Josiah grabbed his coat. “Liam, go and tell Chris what’s happened and that we’ve taken the plane. We’re flying to Texas.”

Nathan flicked his eyes to Josiah and flashed him a look of both relief and thanks. The pair disappeared into the elevator, rode it to the ground and then raced across the base to the runway where Em7 housed its plane.

**********

J.D. had been a little taken back when he’d received Liam’s call that morning. The last thing in the world he wanted to do was spend a day with Chris’ brother, but he sensed how much Chris wanted Liam to be welcome, and so he’d agreed to dirt-bike riding with the younger Larabee.

He’d picked Liam up just after lunch and they’d driven to Death Valley – the equivalent of a dirt-bike adventure park. Basically it was just a fenced area with tracks that led everywhere. Entry was ten dollars and you could stay all day. As it was the middle of the day and mid-week, the two had the area to themselves.

J.D. had packed his revolver. He was well aware of the two alleged attempts on Vin’s life, though no one was prepared to say with certainty they had even taken place. However, J.D. wasn’t stupid, and he was taking no chances.

During the hour drive to the track, Liam had talked continuously. J.D. was surprised. Liam wasn’t in the least like Buck had described him and the pair were getting along remarkably well. There were only a few years between them, and Liam was interested in what J.D. did, asking all manner of questions about computers and technology.

“So, how long have you known, Chris?” Liam asked when the pair paused for some water. Both men were astride motorcycles, clad in brightly coloured gear and covered in dust after an hour and a half of racing.

J.D. removed his helmet. “A year and a half. He’s a good boss.”

Liam smirked. “He drives all of you hard.”

J.D. drew a gulp from his canteen. “He has to, to keep us focused. One mistake could cost, not only your own life, but the whole team’s. Actually, it’s pretty daunting. The others are so…”

Liam rolled his eyes, flashing J.D. a wide smile.

“What?”

“Don’t worry. I know how good they are. I’m reminded of it often enough.”

J.D. eyebrows drew down curiously.

“I’m Chris Larabee’s brother. I go anywhere and give my name and the first things people say is, ‘oh, you aren’t related to Chris Larabee? You know, the guy that leads the best response unit in the US?’ Hey, don’t get me wrong, I love the guy, and I think he’s the best too, but just once I’d like someone to say to him, ‘hey, you’re not related to Liam Larabee, are you?”

J.D. laughed. “Yeah, I guess it must be hard. You’re lucky though. I’d do anything to have a brother. Well, I guess I do these days.”

“Buck?” Liam asked.

“Yeah. And the others too, but mostly Buck. Chris is like a big brother too, in a lot of ways.”

“Chris as a big brother I understand. I just wish he’d loosen up a bit,” Liam remarked.

“Buck and I try to help him have a bit of fun, like he used to before he lost his family.”

Liam frowned. “Chris was never a fun-loving type of guy. He was always driven.”

“Oh. Buck told me he and Chris used to raise hell together before his wife was murdered.”

Liam snorted. “Buck used to raise hell. Chris used to go along and keep an eye on him and stop him getting into trouble.”

“Sounds about right,” J.D. chuckled.

“I think Buck likes to convince himself Chris was more like him, but he wasn’t that different then. Not really,” Liam muttered thoughtfully. “That’s why they’ve always got along, I guess. Opposites attract.”

“He’s different around Vin. Calmer,” J.D. remarked. “Smiles more too.”

Liam nodded. “He and Vin are similar. Both driven by hidden demons. Kindred spirits. Not that I know Vin very well.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Wish they could have come today.”

“Two workaholic’s like them? Nahh. They much prefer ‘working’.” J.D. smiled. “So, you do this often?”

“Not as much as I’d like,” J.D. admitted. “Chris really enjoys it, but he’s usually too busy. Buck often has ‘other plans’.”

Liam bounced his eyebrows.

“Exactly, and Vin prefers riding the horses at Four Corners alone or with Chris. Ezra… we can’t get him on one of these. Josiah and Nathan don’t care much for bikes. When I can get out here, it’s usually with Chris.”

“Well, how about we make it a weekly thing?” Liam suggested.

“That would be great.” J.D. marveled at the fact he liked Liam. He knew Buck and Vin didn’t, but Liam was fun and friendly.

“Race you back to the car!” Liam challenged, pulling his helmet on.

“You’re on!”

**********

Ezra and Maude stared at each other. “He’s not here,” Maude informed him, attempting to close the door in his face.

Ezra held it open. “I didn’t come to see him. I came to see you.” Maude shrugged and strode into her plush apartment. Ezra cursed softly and followed.

“Drink?” Maude asked, walking to the hand-carved bar and pouring herself a flute of chilled wine.

“No.” Ezra stopped in the middle of the room, noting the huge bouquet of long stemmed red roses lying on the table. The small card sported the words, ‘For my American Juliet from your Austrian Romeo. “Mother I… I’m sorry. For what I said the other night. I didn’t mean it.”

Maude made an unimpressed sound in the back of her throat as she walked over to the table, read the card and flicked it back onto the flowers.

“Please, mother. Don’t make this harder than it need be.”

“I’m not the one who accused you of selfishness, but I have to say…”

Ezra spun away, throwing his arms up in frustration.

“At least you don’t have anything in your hand to throw this evening.”

“Mother,” Ezra pleaded emotionally, his arms hanging at his sides, his eyes closing. “I’d just got off a chopper after surviving a mission in South America. We almost lost Josiah and Vin… Chris went after them and… it’s a miracle we made it. If it wasn’t for Buck’s...”

Maude’s hand appeared on his arm. She turned him toward her and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t realize.”

Ezra allowed his mother to hold him for several moments before pulling away. They exchanged a nodded apology, Maude’s eyes flashing genuine concern.

“Which brings us back to you resigning,” she insisted. “It is ridiculous the way you risk your life. There is no need. Between us, we have enough money to run the country!”

“Mother, we’ve had this discussion before. My life. My decision. I enjoy what I do.”

“I can’t for the life of me think why!”

Ezra smiled, took her by the arm and led her to a chair. “Now, now.”

“So, why are you here?”

“I can’t come and visit my mother?” he asked, kissing her on the cheek.

Maude snorted softly as he took a seat across from her. “I know you, Ezra.”

“Yes, you do.” He studied her and considered the best way to word his question. “Mother… why? Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

Maude sat back, took a cigarette from the small box on the table, put it into the long cigarette holder and lit it. “Ezra, it was a long time ago and…”

“Mother.” He wasn’t in the mood for lies.

“It was all a mistake. I ended it. End of story.”

“End of story? Perhaps for you, but it was the beginning for me… quite literally the beginning.”

“Don’t be melodramatic,” Maude scolded. “I did not wish to be Mrs. Standish any longer.”

Ezra shook his head. “Yet you kept his name. You’ve married seven times and you always kept the name Standish. Why?”

Maude’s expression faltered. “Well, I couldn’t very well go back to being called Maude Snotlash, could I? I liked the sound of Standish. Appearances are everything, darling. Besides, my sharing your name was easier on you, wouldn’t you agree?”

Ezra eyed his mother critically. He knew she was lying. “So why did you marry him?”

“Why, because I loved him… well, for a little while anyway.”

“You loved him?” Ezra whispered.

Maude sighed and nodded, her voice losing the defensive edge. “I loved him, Ezra. We knew each for only two months when we married. We didn’t wait for a church wedding. We went to a register’s office in Monte Carlo because we both simply wanted to be together. Those few months were…” Her voice broke and she lowered her face.

“What happened?”

When Maude lifted her face, the mask was back in place. Ezra had learned that skill from her. “It was over quickly. That’s all.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Oh, so now I’m a liar?!”

“You haven’t exactly been telling me the truth all these years, mother.”

Maude shot daggers at her son. “I know you find this difficult to believe, but I did what I had to, to protect both of us.”

“Protect us? From what.”

“That is my business.”

“With all due respect, Mother, I believe I have a right to know. You are my parents.”

“Exactly. We are your parents and to quote you directly… our lives. Our decision. That’s all I’m going to say on the matter.”

“But…”

“That’s it, Ezra.”

Ezra shook his head with frustration and bewilderment. What was she hiding? “He doesn’t know why you left him.”

At this, Maude’s face shadowed. She stared at Ezra for a few moments and tears spilled onto her cheeks.

“At least, tell him the truth.”

“I… I can’t. I wish I could but…do you have any idea how hard it has been for me, looking at you every day and thinking of him?”

Ezra walked over, knelt in front of her and drew her in. He was at a loss. “Shh.”

“I loved him, Ezra. I loved him more than I’ve ever loved a man. And you… the older you got, the more you were like him,” she sobbed. Ezra had never known his mother to sob. Turn on tears to achieve an effect, but not cry like this.

“Shhh. Mother, shhh.”

“You look so much like him,” she continued. “You sound like him. Even your mannerisms are like his.” The tears cascaded down her cheeks and her chest heaved as her heart appeared to break. “Every time I see you, I marvel at how much you take after him and…and I think about how much I love him.”

“Then why did you leave him?” Ezra whispered.

Maude pulled away and placed her hands on either side of her son’s face. “For you, darling. I couldn’t… please, Ezra. Noooo moooore.” She broke down again.

Ezra nodded, his face awash with emotion. “Okay. I won’t ask any more.” He hugged her protectively, confused and now more than a little concerned.

**********

In the doctor’s lounge of the Jefferson Municipal Hospital, Nathan flopped onto the couch beside Josiah and dialed Chris’ number. “Hey, boss… Yeah, he’s fine. It wasn’t a heart attack. It was a panic attack. Mum and dad are having financial difficulty and face losing the farm… thanks. No, it’s okay. I’ll go through the details with Joseph and find out how much they need… yeah, I know. He’ll be insulted if I don’t ask for the money,” Nathan chuckled. “I want to keep dad in for a few days of complete rest and then get him settled at home… yeah. Thanks. I’ll ring again tomorrow.”

Nathan dropped his head back on the couch. He was little annoyed his father hadn’t confided in him. Nathan wasn’t wealthy, but he didn’t spend a lot and so had a decent sized nest egg. Not that he really needed it. Not with Ezra around.

“He reminded you Ezra will be hurt if you don’t ask him for the money?” Josiah guessed.

Nathan nodded and snorted. “I don’t like asking.”

Josiah rose and headed for the coffee machine. “It’s what money is for, brother. Sharing with those you love.”

Nathan detected a tone in Josiah’s voice. He lifted his head and frowned. “You want to talk about it?”

“Huh?” Josiah asked.

“There’s something on your mind.”

Josiah shook his head. “No, not something, someone. Liam.”

“Liam? Why? For the first time in his life, he seems to be trying to do the right thing.”

Josiah shrugged. “Feels wrong.”

“Why? A leopard can’t change its spots? He’s trying to make an effort to be friendly, that’s all.”

“Maybe. He went dirt-bike riding with J.D. yesterday,” Josiah murmured, handing Nathan a mug of coffee.

“Well, that’s good. If he gets along with us, it will be easier on Chris.”

“And what about Buck? Can you imagine Buck’s reaction? J.D. and Liam dirt-bike riding?”

“Oh,” Nathan agreed. “Look, I know buying you the book and lying about liking my shake…” he grinned.

Josiah winked. “You knew he was lying?”

“Of course he was lying. Why the hell do you think I looked so pleased with myself…that little shit forcing it down his throat.”

Josiah laughed a good, full-bellied laugh.

“Anyway, even though it’s a bit like… I don’t know… buying our friendship, maybe he is doing it for the right reasons.”

“He told me he’s enrolled in a law enforcement subject at night school.”

“Well, that’s a positive. Hang on. Law enforcement? But he’s got a record. They won’t let him enroll.”

Josiah nodded, rubbing his chin. “Yeah. It was a blatant lie.”

“Maybe he meant he intended to enroll and hasn’t realized he’ll be knocked back?”

“Maybe.”

The deep suspicion and worry on his friend’s face concerned Jackson. “Josiah?”

“I don’t know, Nathan. Something… something’s causing my bunion to ache.”

Nathan frowned and mused, “We’re all trying to be nice for Chris’ sake, despite the fact we suspect Liam set Vin up and tried to kill him.”

“Yyyyep.”

“So what do we do?”

“Watch for crows, brother. We watch the horizon for crows.”

**********

Liam emptied the bottle into his glass and toasted the shadows. “To my brother.” The words slurred together. He tossed the empty whisky bottle into the trash and staggered across to his bed. Thanks to a ‘loan’ from Chris, he was staying in a clean and tidy flat.

Liam picked up the photo he’d ‘borrowed’ from Four Corners. It showed the members of Em7. He grunted at it, his eyes honing in on Vin. “Punch me in the face, will you. Your day’s coming, Tanner.”

Abruptly, his cell phone rang… or more correctly, the cell phone Chris had given him. Composing himself, he answered. “Hello, Liam, speaking… huh?... who is this?... Damn foreigners. I can hardly understand you… don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you looking for my brother Chris?... huh?... What sort of proposition?”

---

Part Six

Four Corners glowed in the freshness of the dawn sun. It had been washed clean in the recent storm and now, new growth was appearing everywhere. Chris noted the damage was considerable. He’d ask the boys to visit for a few days. Together, they’d tidy things up.

Chris rubbed Adah’s neck as he slowed the horse and reviewed his plans for the weekend. Liam and Buck would arrive in an hour or so. Vin had promised to assist Inez with something at the saloon and so wouldn’t arrive until just before lunch. They’d leave after lunch and spend the night at the base of Bently Ridge. If Vin felt it was safe enough, they could camp at the top, but Chris doubted it would be possible based on what he’d seen. Then on to ‘The Swimming Hole’, though it was too cold to swim. However, it would be a nice spot to catch some lunch. Saturday evening at Simpson Bluff and then a full day to amble home.

Larabee’s anxiety continued to mount. Liam, Buck and Vin couldn’t be less alike, yet he loved all three. Buck he could count on to ‘go with the flow’, and Liam had given his word, but Vin… Vin was a whole different matter.

At 11:30, Chris heard the sound of Vin’s bike approaching. He darted out to greet his friend, assuring himself he was worrying over nothing. After all, Buck had responded positively.

Vin nodded as he dismounted, removed his helmet, handed it to Chris and started wheeling the bike toward the stable. “I’m lookin’ forward to this, Cowboy. I was thinkin’ fish for lunch and maybe snake for dinner. How’s that sound?”

“Nice wheels, Vin,” Liam called, appearing on the porch. Tanner shot a look at Liam, his face creasing with surprise. His head whipped around to Chris. You didn’t say he’d be here.

Chris fell into step beside Vin, “Buck and Liam are going to join us. Hope that’s okay.”

Vin scowled as the pair entered the barn, away from prying eyes.

Chris turned to face Vin. “I should have said something.”

“Would have been nice,” Vin grumbled.

“Can we just make the best of it? Try to get along.”

“I tried. It didn’t work.” Liam had attempted to kill him. Not even Chris could ask him to ignore that. Then again, Chris didn’t know, so perhaps his anger was misplaced.

“It’s just for a few days.”

Vin shook his head and remounted his bike. “Sorry, Chris. Reckon this may seem a bit childish to you, but I got my reasons. Besides, if I’ve got a few days off, I don’t really want to spend them holding my tongue and trying to control…”

“Fine,” Chris growled, shoving Vin’s helmet at him and walking away.

Vin watched him, his face creasing with a deep frown.

Chris stopped, placed both hands on the gate of one of the stalls and lowered his head. The horse inside nudged him several times. Chris lifted his chin, reached out and stroked Noah’s muzzle. He glanced back at Vin who hadn’t moved. “I can lead a mission into the heart of a South American jungle to rescue a couple of world leaders, but I don’t know where to start with this. You’re the three most important people in my life and I don’t know how to stop you being at each other’s throats.” It was an anguished admission. “I just… I can’t keep trying to defend each of you to the others or divide my loyalties and my time to ensure all of your paths don’t cross.”

Vin’s frown deepened.

Chris shook his head and turned back to the horse. “What the hell am I supposed to do, Vin? Make a choice? I can’t.”

The pain and vulnerability in Chris’ voice cut Vin to the quick. He looked at his helmet and then stepped off the bike, shaking his head. “Okay, but if he says one word… ONE WORD that puts you down, I’ll shove my rifle up his ass and pull the trigger. I swear I will.”

Vin watched Chris’ shoulders relax. “He won’t,” Larabee assured, his eyes flashing his undisguised relief as he turned and leaned back against the gate. “I’ve spoken to him. He understands that you don’t have a sense of humor.”

Vin’s eyes widened with ire. “WHAT? Don’t have a sense of humor? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Chris blinked with surprise, realizing what he’d said. “No, not a sense a humor. I meant that type of sense of humor.”

“You call his snide comments, humor?” Vin clarified, his annoyance bordering on rage.

Chris exhaled, walked back to Vin and placed each of his hands on his friend’s shoulders. “I’m asking for your help. I’d never ask anyone else.”

Vin sighed and his chin toppled onto his chest. Chris was the strongest man he knew. He’d just bared his soul and Vin knew he wouldn’t do that in front of another living being -- not even in front of Buck. Vin breathed out slowly and lifted his blue eyes to meet Chris’ distressed green ones. “Okay.”

Chris squeezed his shoulders. I owe you.

Bull.

“Try to smile a little,” Chris ordered.

Tanner forced a Cheshire Cat sized grin at his friend, bearing his teeth in a pronounced grimace. Chris shoved him playfully.

Vin snorted. “Gonna be a hell of a weekend, Cowboy.”

**********

A few moments earlier

Buck watched Chris shoot outside to intercept Vin. Chris had done the same thing when Buck had arrived, though Buck was sure Vin would express his displeasure at Liam’s presence.

Buck sighed. He hadn’t. He’d simply said, “the more the merrier.” He should have told Chris what he thought, but he’d seen the relief on his friend’s face and knew he’d done the right thing. Experience had taught him the best way to negotiate the minefield that was Liam Larabee.

Liam entered the family room. “Sounds like Vin’s bike?”

Buck nodded.

“Guess he’s in for a surprise,” he chuckled, striding toward the French windows.

Buck glared.

Liam smiled and winked as he passed him. “Tanner’s a lot of fun. He goes off like a firecracker.”

Buck clenched his jaw. “Liam, I’m warning you…”

“Save the threats, Buck. I promised Chris I’d behave. I will.” He stepped out through the French windows, calling out, “Nice wheels, Vin… Doesn’t look like he’s happy to see me, Buck. Can’t think why.”

Buck shook his head and joined Chris’ brother. “Liam, leave him be.”

Liam smirked, his eyes flashing with triumph. “I’ve already said I’m going to behave. It’s up to Tanner if he does the same.”

**********

Buck smiled pleasantly as Chris and Vin entered the kitchen after their ‘chat’ in the barn. “Lunch is served.”

Vin nodded a greeting, then flicked his gaze to Liam, who was already shoveling food into his mouth. Buck patted Vin’s shoulder in encouragement. Their eyes brushed and the expression shared was one of understanding. They were in this together.

Vin picked at his meal, but didn’t really eat. He sat silently as Liam prattled on about television shows, his talent for scuba diving - despite his various medical conditions -- and wanting to go to night school. Chris appeared to swallow every line which was literally turning Vin’s stomach. His frustration levels grew with each syllable of dribble Liam uttered.

Tanner and Wilmington shared a number of subtle glances. Buck joined in the conversation, his effervescent personality the only thing holding Vin’s jaw closed.

“Want some cheese?” Laim asked, going to the fridge to get more beer.

“Wouldn’t touch that stuff with a ten foot pole,” Buck claimed. “That ain’t normal cheese. The cows that created that stuff were fed nuclear waste.”

“Chris?” Laim asked.

The older Larabee smiled. “Pull off the lid and get a whiff.”

Liam did and withdrew his head sharply. “Hell.”

Chris laughed.

“Vin?” Liam prompted. Tanner shook his head.

Chris eyed his friend curiously. Vin refuse New Zealand Epicure Vintage cheese? Tanner had been quiet, and while that wasn’t entirely unexpected considering the circumstances, Chris detected more. You okay”

“Just savin’ room for that fish you’re gonna catch for dinner tonight.” Vin forced the sides of his mouth to rise.

Chris bounced his eyebrows.

**********

A few hours later, the group stopped under some trees for Liam to rest. He wasn’t used to being in the saddle and was complaining of stiffness. Vin wandered off to examine the damage the flooding had caused… or that was the excuse he gave. He needed to get away – even if only for a few minutes.

Frustration, helplessness and the overwhelming urge to knock some sense into his best friend plagued him.

Tanner ran his eyes over the bank, convincing himself he had to calm down. He frowned as he noted the damage. Whole trees had been uprooted, falling across the creek, and a number of burrows he knew of were now under water.

**********

Buck watched Vin stride away and followed.

“Hey,” Buck called quietly, jogging to catch up. It was the first chance they’d had for a private conversation. Buck knew exactly what Liam’s plans for this weekend entailed – setting Vin off like a firecracker in front of Chris. Vin had a long fuse in 99.9% of situations, but when it came to protecting Chris, Vin had no fuse at all - it was an instant explosion. Buck had seen it happen a number of times in Katinda, and if the condition of Liam’s face was anything to go by, Liam had seen it happen too.

Vin, who’d crouched to examine some tracks, looked up. “Did you know he was coming?”

“Was news to me.”

Vin cast a piercing glare in Liam’s direction. Chris was hovering about him. “Why’s he wearin’ Chris’ clothes?”

Buck shrugged. “He ‘borrowed’ some last time he was here... without asking by the sound of it. Chris made light of it, but I don’t think he was real impressed. Liam said he hasn’t had a chance to do any shopping since getting out of prison. Apparently, he’s been so busy with ‘other’ things.”

“Yeah,” Vin growled. Like making an ass of Chris in front of his friends.

“Are you okay?”

Tanner straightened and shrugged. “Yeah, just angry as hell and I ain’t sure why.”

Buck shivered. “Yep, gives me the creeps too, seein’ him wearing Chris’ clothes.”

Vin eyed Buck and smirked. He could always count on Buck to say something stupid enough to make him see light of a situation. Vin’s attention returned to Liam. “Buck…”

“I’ve got your back, Kid,” Buck started seriously.

Vin started off down stream. That hadn’t been what he was going to say. “We have to tell him.”

“About what?”

“About that pathetic piece of shit trying to kill me.”

Buck dragged Vin to a stop. “We don’t know that for sure.”

Vin glared. “You tryin’ to defend him too?”

“No. Hell no. All I’m saying is that you have to trust me on this.”

“I don’t like keepin’ secrets from Chris,” Vin murmured. “We should tell him.”

“All we have are suspicions. If Liam’d actually put that pillow over your face or we had any concrete evidence that he set you up, that would be different. All we’ve got is a whole lot of nothing and if we accuse Liam, Chris will go ballistic. I’ve seen it before.”

“If we don’t tell him and he finds out…”

“Trust me. Silence is the lesser of the two evils. Making Chris see sense over Liam is a lost battle. I waged it and failed a lot of years ago.”

Vin sighed knowing that on this, he needed to listen to Buck. “It just… eats at me, Buck. He’s makin’ a fool of Chris. I can’t believe Chris can’t see what a… a...” He struggled for an appropriate adjective.

“Been asking myself the same thing for years. I guess it’s a blindspot. Every time I tried to make him see sense, all that happened was we fought. I realized that if I want to be a part of Chris’ life, I need to bite my tongue. Liam’s family and unfortunately, we all make allowances for family. Just think of the allowances we make for Josiah?” He flashed a grin.

The tension in Vin’s shoulders eased a little. “And Ezra.”

“And J.D. and his stupid hat.”

And you,” Vin chuckled.

They stared at each.

“If Liam even looks like he’s doing anything that threatens your safety, it’ll be the last thing he ever attempts,” Buck promised. Wilmington might be easy-going and fun-loving, but he was as deadly as any soldier when it came to protecting the members of his team… and even more so when it came to those he called family.

Vin offered his hand and Buck took it. He felt better knowing Buck had his back, for it meant he could focus on what was really important… watching Chris’.

“The boys and I are ready for him this time, Vin.”

Tanner eyes became intense and his voice lowered to a snarl. “So am I.”

The declaration worried Buck. He knew it wasn’t going to take much for Vin to act --not that Tanner wasn’t entitled. They may not have concrete evidence of Liam’s guilt, but they all knew what Liam had done… or had tried to do. Though Buck sensed Vin’s concern was more for Chris than himself.

“Vin, hold your temper over the next few days.”

Vin’s left eyebrow rose.

“He’s gonna goad you. He wants you to loose your temper and say something or…”

“…smash him in the face in front of Chris?”

Buck smirked. “Yeah. You give him that shiner?”

Vin nodded and a smile from his soul lit up his young face. “I can’t tell you how good it felt.”

Buck laughed. “I’d have paid money to see it.”

“Buck! Vin! We’re leaving!”

“Sounds like the asshole’s calling us back.”

Buck nodded. “Oh goodie. Maybe we could drown him?”

Vin winked.

“Remember what I said. He more or less told me he’s going to be the perfect brother… and try and make you look bad this weekend.”

“I hear you, Buck. And I appreciate the warning. I won’t hit him again… but strangling, stabbing and drowning are still on my list.”

The pair made their way back to where their companions were remounting.

“How’s the damage?” Chris asked as he settled in the saddle.

“Water’s still high. It’ll be a few days before the levels go down. A lot of animals have been displaced. Means the wolves and cougars will be prowling, trying to find prey.

Liam laughed. None of the others did. “He’s kidding, isn’t he?”

Chris shook his head. “We know of a couple of cougars that roam this area. They’ve always kept to themselves, but if their food source is on the move because of the flooding, they will be too.” Liam’s face paled. Chris smiled. “Relax. You’ll be fine as long as you don’t wander off on your own.”

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to tell me twice,” Liam promised.

Vin and Buck exchanged wide grins, both silently adding, ‘torn apart by wild animals’ to their private list of ways to deal with Liam.

“What are you two grinning about?” Chris asked, suspiciously.

“Nothing,” the pair responded innocently.

“Come on. We better get moving if we want to get to Bently before dark,” Vin urged. “Let us know if you need to stop and rest again, Liam.”

The younger Larabee shot Vin a vicious look and reacted without thinking. “I can hack it, Tanner. I’m not going to hold you up.”

“Sorry,” Vin apologized. “I didn’t mean nothin’ by that.”

Chris frowned. “Liam,” he murmured. Liam spun toward his brother, not realizing Chris was so close and had overheard.

“Sorry. Guess I’m just a bit on edge.”

Vin urged his horse ahead, Buck riding up to join him. “I think that’s one to me,” Vin chuckled.

Buck shook his head. “Behave yourself.”

Vin winked. “Just thought I’d get one in early… so if I react badly later and strangle, stab or drown him, we’re back to being even.”

---

Part Seven

Chris pocketed his cell phone and informed the others, “Nathan’s hoping to take his father home tomorrow morning. He sounds relieved. Apparently Josiah is entertaining everyone with parables no one can interpret. Oh, and he rang Ezra and Ez has already paid off the debt.”

Buck and Vin exchanged relieved glances. “Good.”

“Ezra’s really rich, huh?” Liam asked, his horse happily plodding along beside his brother’s.

“I guess you could say that. We don’t know how much he has, but he’s generous with it,” Chris dismissed.

“So, he’s the one who bought you this?” Liam asked, indicating Four Corners which spread out as far as the eye could see in all directions.

“I made the mistake of mentioning it one night at the saloon and the deed was on my desk the next day. Ezra has never admitted it was him, but it sure as hell wasn’t Buck.”

“Hey!” Buck complained. “You sayin’ I’m not generous with my money?”

“You don’t have any,” Chris chuckled.

“True,” Buck agreed happily. “Sun’s setting. Getting cool already. We’re gonna freeze our ass’s off tonight.”

“We’re almost there,” Vin stated quietly. A strange, high-pitched buzzing filled the air. Vin looked down at his wrist and tapped his watch. “Battery must be running low.”

“I’ve never seen a watch like that,” Liam commented, straining in his saddle to get a better look. It was slightly larger than a normal watch with a digital face in the centre, but above the screen were two buttons and below it, another two.

“It’s a security device,” Chris explained.

“Oh? What does it do?”

“The four buttons enable Vin to contact us quickly. One automatically dials all of our phones at once.”

“Like a party line?” Liam enquired.

“Yeah.”

“The others?”

“One dials me alone, one enables Vin to send a voice e-mail to J.D… for giving his location. It’s quicker than waiting for us to answer in an emergency. The last one activates a homing transmitter that sends his location as a text message to all of us. There’s also a small camera he can activate that films as he talks.“

“Wow. Must have cost a fortune.”

“J.D. and Ezra modified it to suit what we needed,” Chris explained simply.

**********

The group dismounted at the base of Bently Ridge a few minutes later. “Is it too dangerous to camp at the top?” Liam asked.

Vin shrugged. “Sun’s low. Don’t want to be caught up there in the dark if it’s unsafe. I’ll check it tomorrow.”

“Who’s doing what?” Buck asked.

“Sorry?” Liam asked in confusion, watching the others remove their saddle bags.

“Clear the ground. Set the fire. Tend to the horses. Catch our dinner. Which task do you want?” Chris asked Liam.

Liam smirked. “I don’t mind. Not sure how good I’d be catching anything. And a boy scout I’m not, so getting a fire started may take more time than we’ve got.”

“How about you clear the ground and set camp? Buck, you take care of the horses. I’ll organize some heat and…”

“… and I’ll catch dinner. Creek ain’t far. Be an hour,” Vin stated, tossing his rifle over his shoulder and striding off.

“Watch your back,” Chris called.

“Always do,” Vin replied, moving off noiselessly. Liam glanced back at Chris and Buck and then looked to where Vin had been moments before.

“He’s gone!” The area was empty and there wasn’t a whisper of sound to accompany his vanishing act.

“Yep, Vin’s like a ghost out here,” Buck agreed. “He’s got an affinity with nature…just seems to understand it.

“Like Grizzly Adams?” Liam remarked with sarcastic amusement.

“If he had his way, Vin would live like this,” Chris mused, canvassing the area for suitable kindling.

Liam shivered, picked up a couple of rocks and tossed them to the side. “Live out here in the middle of nowhere, freezing to death?”

Chris smiled. “This is where he’s most comfortable. Temperature’s dropping and so’s the light. Let’s get a move on.”

Buck nodded, removing Mr. Ed’s saddle. “To tell you the truth, I envy Vin. He needs very little to be happy. Just a horse, a rife and a blanket.”

Liam studied the ground, which was littered with rocks and branches. It would take forever to clear them away for a tent. “Vin’s a loner?”

“I think he probably used to be,” Buck stated thoughtfully, brushing Dingo and placing a blanket on his back. “Still enjoys time by himself, but these days, I think it would be fair to say, ole’ Vin’s family oriented. Wouldn’t you say, Chris?”

Larabee dumped the branches and twigs he’d collected, crouched and began arranging them.

“Yeah,” he murmured, quietly.

Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Oh? I didn’t know Tanner had family.”

“Don’t think Vin would appreciate being the topic of conversation,” Chris remarked, the tone indicating the subject was closed.

Secretly, Buck smiled. Chris protected Vin’s privacy as staunchly as he did his own.

Liam continued to stare at his brother, interpreting what Buck had meant regarding family --Em7 was Tanner’s family.

Chris noted Liam wasn’t moving. “Okay?”

“Huh? Yeah. So, where’s the tent?”

“Tent?” Buck laughed. “We’re sleeping under the stars.”

“But we’ll freeze to death. It is going to drop below zero tonight!” Liam cried.

“Yep. That’s part of the fun,” Chris chuckled.

Liam muttered under his breath. Fun? None of this was turning out the way he’d envisaged. Despite his subtle verbal jabs throughout the day, Tanner had ignored him and Buck had spoken over the top of him. However, the weekend was young. There was still time to reveal Tanner’s true colours to Chris.

The younger Larabee stared around and cursed softly. His back would break if he had to clear the entire area. He glanced at his brother and smiled to himself. Taking two steps, he stumbled, yelping with pain.

Chris rushed to him. “What?”

“Twisted my foot.” Liam gingerly put his weight on it, but yelped again.

Chris took his arm and assisted him to sit. “Get your boot off and let me have a look at it.” Moments later, Chris was examining the appendage critically, Buck crouched beside him.

“No swelling,” Buck murmured.

“Sure hurts though,” Liam complained.

Chris pursed his lips, thoughtfully. “Just a sprain. You rest. Buck and I’ll clear the area.”

Liam nodded and sat back satisfied, watching the others do the work.

*********

Darkness fell. Liam pulled the blanket further around himself and shifted closer to the fire. He was freezing. Across from him, Buck and Chris were chatting happily, both wrapped in blankets, though neither appeared affected by the cold… or the hard ground… or the lack of entertainment and creature comforts.

“So, you do this often?” Liam asked, light from the small but incredibly warm fire, reflecting off the faces of the other pair.

“As often as we can,” Chris responded, stoking the fire with a branch.

Buck, who was lying on his side, tossed a few more branches onto it. “I’ll leave a message on my phone so people know I’ll be away for a while,” Buck mused. “Can’t have all my fine ladies thinking I’m ignoring them.”

“Thought you said all them fine ladies will be watching you each night?” Chris reminded him.

“Well, they will, but… just in case.”

A sharp whistle pierced the night. Liam jumped.

“Vin comin’ in,” Tanner called. A few moments later, he appeared… literally appeared out of the darkness, a dozen fish hanging from a branch he held over his shoulder. “Boys.”

“Looks good,” Buck commented, leaping up and taking the bounty from his friend. “I’m starving. Sit down close to the fire and thaw out.”

“It’s a might chilly,” Vin agreed, placing his rifle on the ground and sitting next to Chris… close to Chris. Closer than Liam had ever seen anyone sit to Chris. Liam’s brow furrowed. Chris didn’t seem to mind having his personal space invaded. “Saw some tracks. Big ones,” Vin murmured, rubbing his hands together in front of the fire.

“Cougar?” Chris asked, taking his own blanket and draping it around Vin’s shoulders.

“Thanks. Yeah.” He glanced at Liam. “Don’t go off on your own.”

Liam opened his mouth to tell Vin what he could do with his ‘advice’ but his brain caught up. He glanced at Chris and nodded. “Sure, Vin. I’ll stay close to you guys.”

Chris rose and assisted Buck to clean and cook the fish.

Liam watched and listened to his three companions during the meal. They chatted easily about football, horses and the other members of the team. They were so relaxed with each other.

The acid in Liam’s stomach leaped and burned. This was the life he had been denied. The life he deserved and no one was going to prevent him having it.

He let his eyes settle on Vin and his anger bubbled. Vin had said little since they’d left the ranch, but for some infuriating reason, he didn’t need to. He and Chris appeared to have their own way of talking in half sentences… a couple of words were all that was needed to communicate. Lots of shared glances, nods and smirks.

“Buck says you’re a family man, Vin,” Liam stated out of the blue, handing his empty plate to Buck. He suspected the comment should get a reaction based on Chris’ remark earlier.

Vin, who was leaning against his saddle, frowned. “Huh?” He turned a harrowing stare on Buck. “You think so, Bucklin?”

Buck cleared his throat and attempted to busy himself with the rest of the plates. “You’re going to check the ridge tomorrow?”

Vin held Buck’s gaze just long enough to be uncomfortable… long enough to let Buck know he was unimpressed. Finally, he answered the question. “Yeah. If the ridge is unstable, we’ll have to blast it.”

Chris frowned and his and Vin’s eyes met. Buck smirked, knowing they were sharing something he could never understand. He felt even better when he realized Liam was aware of it too.

“I’m going to night school… did I tell you that?” Liam asked.

Chris smiled. Buck glanced at Vin and rolled his eyes.

“Night school? So you were able to secure a dayshift?” Vin asked, sipping his coffee.

“Huh?”

“I know day shift is the one most taxi drivers want. The newbie usually has to do the nightshift.”

“I’ll just tell Max that I want the day shift,” Liam stated, firmly.

Vin shrugged.

“May not be that easy, Liam,” Chris commented. “You may need to take what you can get.”

“If taxi driving doesn’t work out, something else will come up,” Liam claimed. “The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of going to night school. I want to get some qualifications.”

“You’ll have to get your high school certificate first,” Buck pointed out.

“Huh?”

Chris nodded thoughtfully. “Shouldn’t take you long.”

Liam fiddled with the blanket, wilting under the intensity of Vin’s very blank gaze. “I was ill through school. Maybe if I had been healthy, I could have really made something of my life.”

“There’s still time,” Chris encouraged.

Liam shot his brother a beaming smile. “I’m going to, Chris. I give you my word. I’m going to work hard… for both of us. One day I want you to feel as proud of me as I am of you.”

“I’m already proud of you, Kid. You are really getting everything together.”

“I’m interested in law. Or maybe I could enlist in the army and then join Em7.”

Chris blinked.

Vin choked on his coffee. Buck almost burst out laughing at Tanner’s reaction. The thing he found truly funny, was Vin’s response was spontaneous and genuine.

Liam glared as Vin desperately tried to catch his breath. The younger Larabee held his temper as Chris slammed the choking man on the back.

“Okay?”

“Yeah,” Vin coughed. “Just went… down the… wrong way.” He continued to gasp. Buck desperately hid his smirk behind his mug while Vin waved Chris way. “I’m okay.” His blanket had tumbled off his shoulders and Chris lifted it back into place. “Alright, alright, mother. I said I’m fine.”

Chris shoved him and Vin returned the gesture, the pair exchanging a grin.

“I’d like to learn more about what Em7 does,” Liam continued, attempting to return the attention to himself. He was seething. Yet again Vin seemed to be able to draw his brother’s attention with so little. “It sounds like the type of thing I’d be interested in and I’m guessing a talent for this type of work runs in the blood. Besides I…”

Vin bolted upright, holding his hand up for quiet. “Shhh.”

“What? All I’m saying…”

“Quiet!” Vin ordered rising, his face shadowing.

“Look, Tanner, you may not like…”

“Shut up!” It was a hoarse growl. Vin handed Buck his coffee, reached for his rifle, scooped up his knife, flashed Chris a single look, and then crept off into the darkness.

“What’s he do…?”

Buck clamped his hand over Liam’s mouth, listening intently.

Chris was on his feet, rifle in hand.

Liam yanked Buck’s hand from his mouth. “What the hell…?”

“Liam!” Chris ordered.

“Cat?” Buck whispered, reaching for his own rifle.

Chris shrugged, his eyes surveying the impenetrable darkness beyond the glow of the fire.

Liam’s eyes widened and for the first time, he lowered his voice. “Cat? You mean a cougar?”

“Could be,” Chris murmured.

“How can he see out there?”

“Liam… quiet,” Chris ordered.

Buck frowned. If it wasn’t a cat… Four Corner’s security had been breeched before. The bomb the Hawks sent loomed in Buck’s mind. “You want me to go after him?”

Chris considered the question and shook his head. “He knows what he’s doing.”

“But the cat will stay away from here, won’t it?” Liam checked, crawling closer to Buck.

“It will now. Vin won’t let it, or anything else, near us,” Chris assured.

“SuperVin,” Liam mumbled.

While Chris had moved off to collect more ammunition from his saddlebags, Buck was close enough to overhear the comment. “Just be thankful he’s out there. If the cat’s hungry, it will attack,” Buck growled.

Chris heard the last part of Buck’s comment. “It might attack, but we’re armed, Liam. Relax,” he assured his brother. Chris turned his attention to Buck and his tone changed. “If something happens, you get Liam to safety.”

“Yes, Colonel.”

Liam’s eyes doubled in size and he shifted even closer to his appointed guardian.

**********

Ezra studied his parent’s body language. Despite the years they’d been apart, they were comfortable with each other. His mother wasn’t flirting, as she always did with men. Rather, she was allowing Wilhelm to shower her with affection. Not the nauseating affection of teenagers in lust, but genuine love.

When they looked at each other, they lost themselves.

Ezra shook his head. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined any man could have this effect on his mother. And yet, in the back of his mind was her face a few nights earlier… trembling in his arms, begging him not to ask questions about his father.

Something was all wrong about his… and yet, as he watched them, he couldn’t help wanting to believe it was all right. Quite suddenly, he felt out of place… like he needed to give them some time together. He’d spent all day with his father and tomorrow they were going to the baseball game.

“Well, I’m afraid I must take my leave.”

“No,” his father stated quickly. “Out of the question, Ezra.”

Ezra smiled. “I have some things that must be attended to this evening and a friend to check on.”

“Oh?” Maude asked.

“I told you about Nathan’s father?”

“Yes, how is he?”

“That is what I wish to investigate.” He rose, rounded the table and kissed his mother on the cheek. “You will be okay?” For some reason he felt the need to ask.

She smiled. “Of course. Aren’t I always?”

Ezra winked and then moved around to his father who had risen to his feet. Ezra offered his hand. Wilhelm took and held it firmly, then drew Ezra to him and kissed each cheek. He laughed as he pulled back spotting the shock on his son’s face.

“Ahhh, not a custom that is practiced in your country. I will remember that.”

Ezra blinked. “No, no, that is fine, Sir. I… good night.”

As Ezra strode away he overhead, “He’s a fine boy, Maude. Any man would be proud of him.” Ezra’s chest swelled with pure joy.

**********

At first, there was only eerie silence, but the longer they waited, the louder and more disturbing the sounds of the bush became.

Liam licked his lips nervously. “What’s taking him so long?”

“Shhh,” Chris ordered, but he shot his brother a look of encouragement. The colonel was on one side of the camp, several feet from the fire, rifle barrel resting against his shoulder. Buck was on the other side -- both were scanning the darkness. Liam sat wrapped in all of the blankets near the fire. “I need you to be quiet so we can monitor what’s happening.”

“How can you hear anything out there that means anything? It all sounds the same and…”

“Liam,” Buck growled.

“Sorry. I’m just nervous.”

Chris walked across and patted his brother’s shoulder. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

A few moments later, Buck started shaking his head. “It’s been forty minutes. He should have been back by now, Colonel.”

“I know.”

“Let me go after…”

A shrill whistle.

Buck and Chris sighed and exchanged a relieved nod, the weapons they held lowering to hang at their sides.

“Vin comin’ in,” Tanner called. Several seconds later, he materialized out of the darkness.

“Well?” Liam demanded, rising to his feet.

Vin ignored him, addressing his comments to Buck and Chris. “Cougar. Heavy with milk. Must have cubs around here somewhere. I killed a few jack rabbits and left them for her. I’ll do the same tomorrow. Should help her out and stop her looking wider afield.” He handed his rifle to Chris, unsheathed his bloodied knife, picked up a canteen and walked to the edge of the small camp to clean the weapon.

Chris and Buck drew to the other side, talking quietly. Liam eyed the pair and then wandered over to Vin. “You’re a regular superman, aren’t you?” he goaded in a hushed voice.

Vin lifted his eyes from his crouched position, deposited the knife and canteen on the ground and rose, holding Liam with a piercing stare. “Out here, when you’re told to shut up, you shut up. It ain’t up for negotiation and hasn’t got anything to do with your pathetic game of scoring points. You want to live, learn to take orders when it counts.”

Liam glared at Vin, holding his ground. “You really think you’re something, don’t you?”

“You don’t get it do you? I ain’t playing your games and I ain’t in competition with you. You’ve got nothing I want. So I suggest you shut your mouth unless you’ve got something half-way sensible to say.”

On the other side of the camp, Chris checked both his and Vin’s rifles, ensuring the safeties were on. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Vin and Liam facing off, but he couldn’t quite hear what was being said. Placing the weapons on the ground, he strode across to the pair. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Vin snorted “Just tellin’ him to stay close to the fire, and for his own safety, next time I tell to keep quiet, to shut his mouth.”

Chris’ cheek twitched with annoyance. “I think he knows that.”

“It’s okay, Chris,” Liam assured, his voice ringing with distress. His body language changed in that instant and he shifted his weight off his ‘injured’ foot. Liam swallowed and nodded apologetically to Vin. “I’m sorry if I endangered anyone, Vin. I didn’t mean to. It won’t happen again.” Tanner’s eyes harden with rage and disbelief. Liam nodded to Chris, his pitiful expression awash with regret as he moved back toward the fire.

Chris watched his brother limp away and then turned to Vin, his tone cutting. “Hey, ease up on him. I remember a time when you were a bit green too.”

Vin saw red. He opened his mouth, but slammed it shut and shot off into the darkness before he said something he’d regret.

Buck slung his rifle over his shoulder and wandered across to where Chris stood cursing quietly. He stooped and picked up Vin’s discarded knife and handed it to Chris. “Maybe you should take some of your own advice.”

“What?” Chris snapped.

“Ease up on him.”

“Stay out of it, Buck.”

“Yep, that’s what I do best when it comes to Liam, but this involves Vin as well. Open your eyes, Chris. Do you honestly think Vin is going out of his way to make this hard for you? “

“Buck…”

A cougar’s roar, followed by Vin’s strangled cry from beyond the safety of the camp, cut off Chris’ remark. Buck shot into the darkness, ripping his rifle from his shoulder. Chris darted back for his own, tossing Vin’s knife on the ground. His heart leaped into his throat when he spotted Vin’s rifle.

Tanner was unarmed!

---

Part Eight

Vin’s rifle. Vin’s knife. Vin unarmed.

The cougar roared again.

As Chris spun to join Buck, he was confronted with Liam… Liam who couldn’t be left alone. For a split-second, Chris considered telling his brother to grab Vin’s rifle in case he needed to defend himself, but he knew Liam was incapable. Before he had to make a decision, a whistled signal cut the air. Chris’ chest heaved with relief.

“What? What does that mean?” Liam cried.

“It mean’s Vin’s okay.” Chris shut his eyes briefly.

Liam began shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Chris. I shouldn’t have come. Everything I do is wrong. I can’t seem to say anything right around Vin. I know he’s jealous, and I’ve told him that we have nothing to compete over, but… I’m sorry.”

Chris patted Liam’s shoulder. “It’s okay. Vin’s… Vin’s had a hard time in the last few months. He’s just a bit highly strung. How about you get some coffee on to brew?” Liam’s head hung. It’s okay, Kid. Really. Go on.”

Liam nodded, apologizing again before following the instruction.

Chris felt for him. Liam was trying hard but everything kept backfiring on him. The older Larabee moved to the edge of the camp and strained, listening for signs of his absent friends. Very faint voices wafted to him on the strong breeze.

Vin: … and I let that pathetic bastard get to me. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Buck: Calm down. Let me have a look at it.

Vin: I said it’s okay!... Sorry. It’s just a scratch. Wasn’t concentrating in the dark. Damn it, Buck! I can feel my hands around his throat!

Chris was taken back. Were they talking about Liam?

Buck: We can add strangulation to the list.

There was a pause and when Vin spoke again, his voice sounded calmer.

Vin: Thought strangulation was there already.

Buck: Then it doesn’t count. You need to be more creative.

Vin: Beheading? What sounded like chuckles followed.

Chris was assaulted by undiluted rage. Instinctively, he knew they were talking about Liam -- about ways to kill him. All in jest, of course, but… why couldn’t they understand? Liam was just a kid. He was trying… really trying this time. They just needed to give him a chance.

Having heard enough, Chris joined his brother in the centre of the camp and focused on assuring Liam that everything was okay. Thankfully, the poor kid hadn’t heard any of it.

**********

“Beheading?” The two men chuckled, though it was hollow.

It was almost pitched black, but Buck insisted on examining the small cut above Vin’s left eye. “It isn’t deep.”

Again, Vin batted Buck’s hand away. He’d heard the cougar roar and distracted, had walked into a tree branch. Reaching up, he fingered the minor injury.

“Okay?” Buck checked.

“Yeah. I… Buck, how do you do it?” He threw his arms up in utter frustration.

The older man sighed and shrugged. “I love him too much to let Liam get to me. I just… you just have to let it go.”

Vin shook his head. “Buck, he said one thing to me and the moment Chris came over he…”

“He lied,” Buck guessed.

“He turned it all around.”

“I know.”

“I can’t do this. I can’t stand by and watch him make an ass of Chris like this.”

Buck reached for Vin’s shoulder. “Do you trust me?”

“Huh?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Look, Buck…”

“Do… you… trust… me?”

Vin sighed and leaned back against a tree, tipping his head back to look at the stars. “You know I do.”

“Then, listen and listen good. It won’t matter what you say, Chris’ll make excuses for him.”

“Why? I don’t get it. In the jungle, Chris says there’s no such thing as excuses. He tells us to take responsibility and yet…”

“Liam’s family, Vin. That’s where it begins and ends.”

Vin dropped his chin. Buck’s heart bled for his friend for he knew and understood Vin’s frustration, helplessness and rage -- he shared it. “Why don’t you take a walk? Help you relax. Do you want to know what helps me?”

“What?”

“Knowing that if I bite my tongue, I can stay close… close enough to protect him from Liam if the need arises.”

Vin frowned.

Buck could see the words had hit the mark. “You want to watch his back? You need to be close enough to do it, Kid.”

Vin nodded thoughtfully.

**********

When Buck wandered back into camp a few minutes later, he received a very frosty glare from Chris.

“Vin’s okay. Walked into a branch.”

“Running around in the dark and bumping into branches? Not sure Grizzley Adam’s would have done that,” Liam chuckled.

“Liam,” Chris growled quietly.

“I was just trying to lighten the atmosphere,” Liam murmured. “You could cut this with a knife.”

“I gave him my rifle. Suggested he walk for a while.”

“Fine,” Chris growled.

Buck’s eyebrows drew down. It was obvious Chris was pissed off. Hopefully, the anger would pass before Vin returned.

An hour later, Buck was seated alone on one side of the camp. Chris and Liam had bedded down, Liam complaining bitterly of the cold, so Chris had moved close and put his arm around him.

Buck shook his head with disgust. It was strange. Not that many weeks ago, it had been Vin advising him not to let Liam get to him… now, the roles were reversed.

A soft whistle announced Vin’s return. Buck nodded to him and inclined his head to the sleeping pair. In a hushed voice he muttered, “He was cold.”

Vin’s face was blank.

“Okay?” Buck asked.

Vin smirked. “Electrocution?”

They shared a chuckle… a silent pledge.

“Thanks, Buck. I’m seeing things more clearly.”

Buck nodded. He could see the strength in Vin’s face. He could tell his friend had been able to move beyond the raw emotions and was now in the right place to both handle Liam and watch Chris’ back.

“Good. I thought someone better keep an eye out for that cougar.” Buck explained, then nodded in Liam’s direction. “And any other danger that may present in the middle of the night.”

“I’ll take over,” Vin offered.

“We’ll do it together.”

The symbolism didn’t pass unnoticed. “Damn straight, we will.” For Chris, both would do whatever it took.

“You get some rest,” Buck instructed. “I’ll wake you in a few hours… Ummm, lethal gas?”

Vin winked and bedded down.

**********

Morning came much earlier than Liam must have expected or was used to, because he was short-tempered during the dawn breakfast.

“He’s not a morning person,” Chris grumbled, wandering over to Vin.

Tanner, who’d already been up for an hour, caught and cooked breakfast and saddled his horse, responded with a wink.

Chris smiled in spite of himself. Liam was getting on his nerves and it was a relief to have a few moments with Vin.

“I’m gonna hike up to the ridge. Don’t want Dingo attempting the track until it’s been checked,” he explained, examining one of Dingo’s hoofs.

“You think the overhang survived?”

“Hard to tell from this side. It’s been ready to break apart for years. I’ll have a look around. Should give you fellas a chance to finish breakfast and break camp.”

Chris nodded. While the anger he’d felt the night before had eased, he still felt a little hurt on his brother’s behalf. He desperately needed Vin, Buck and Liam to get along. Chris patted Vin’s arm and headed back into the centre of the camp where Buck and Liam were still seated.

“We’ll clean up, Liam. You get your horse saddled,” he suggested.

Liam sucked his third mug of coffee dry, his earlier mood replaced by apparent enthusiasm thanks to an overload of caffeine. “No worries, Chris.”

Vin, who was checking his saddlebags a few feet away, paused to watch Liam attempt to get the bridle in Hickok’s mouth. When the horse nodded its head up and down again, Liam grabbed the animal’s mane viciously and brutally shoved the bit.

“Hey!” Tanner cried.

“I can do it!” Liam growled.

Vin ripped the bridle from Liam’s hand. “You don’t treat any horse like that… Easy boy, easy.” Vin caressed the agitated animal’s head. “Whooh, boy.”

“The dumb horse won’t stand still… and I don’t need your help.”

Chris strode across and placed himself between Liam and Vin. Tanner and the older Larabee’s eyes brushed. Vin handed him the bridle, then returned to his saddle bags.

“Liam, you need to be firm, but gentle,” Chris explained. He glanced back and noted Vin was striding toward the track that led to Bently Ridge. “Don’t take any chances,” he called.

Vin raised his hand in acknowledgement, but continued on his way.

“He hates me,” Liam murmured.

“No. He just lacks patience,” Chris whispered.

“He’s good at everything. I just wish I could…”

Chris completed fitting Hickok’s bridle. “He’s good at a lot of things. So are you. This is his element. Place him in a setting you’re comfortable in and he’d flounder.”

Liam smiled. “Thanks, Chris.”

“We’re going to walk the base of the hill to check for rockslides.”

“Oh? I’m not sure my foot’s up to a lot of walking. I might just stay here, if that’s okay?”

“Sure. If you see anything you don’t like, yell. We won’t be far.”

**********

The climb up to the ridge was steep and the ground loose, but it wasn’t far from this side. Chris often joked about ‘this side’ being a hill, and the other being a mountain, which was a fairly apt description.

It took Vin about four minutes to reach the top, but he hadn’t hurried. Bently Ridge ran along the top of the range that divided Four Corners into east and west. The ranch house was on the eastern side and the mountain low when approached from that aspect. The western side of Bently Ridge fell away into a canyon. Hence, the ridge, which was about twenty feet wide, was steep, but only thirty feet on one side, and a sheer cliff face with a drop of over three hundred feet on the other.

The section that Vin and Chris often visited was an area of approximately two hundred square feet that jutted out over the valley hundreds of feet below – an unstable overhang. Years past, water had undermined the lower section of soft rock leaving the hard rock basically suspended in space. There was nothing to support it and Vin feared the storm may have damaged the limited foundation. The overhang had been crumbling away for the last couple of centuries and both Vin and Chris knew that inevitably it would crack and slide into the valley. There had always been an element of danger stepping out on the overhang, but for Tanner and Larabee, that was part of the attraction.

Vin reached the top of the ridge and paused to look west and down into the valley below. It literally took his breath away every time. The world, with its wars, technology and frantic pace, didn’t exist here. Vin walked along the centre of the ridge, headed for the overhang a couple of feet further along.

He felt content this morning. Thanks to Buck, he’d sorted through the jumble of mixed emotions and realized that which ever way he looked at it, only one thing was important -- Chris.

Vin stopped when he reached the overhang and ran his eyes over it. He couldn’t see any cracks, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. Tanner removed the rope he had coiled around his shoulder and tied one end to a boulder on the ridge. Griping the rope firmly in one hand, he stepped out onto the overhang, scanning the ground and listening intently. All was quiet. Gingerly he walked forward, but stopped well back from the edge… or what was now the edge. At least three feet was missing. Vin swept his eyes along the rim, spotting several large fissures in the rock.

He sighed, twisting his head to follow one all the way back to the ridge. The overhang was ready to crumble away. It was no longer safe, which meant it would need to be blasted to ensure no one came to harm.

Vin shook his head sadly. This was the first place Chris had brought him. It was here he and Chris always came to talk privately… or not talk, as the case may be. Blasting away the overhang would feel like losing a part of himself – removing an aspect of what he and Chris shared. It was silly to think that way, Vin knew. From now on, they’d just have to ride to Simpson Bluff, but it was a day and a half from the ranch. The overhang on the edge of Bently Ridge was only a few hours. Of course, any part of the ridge gave the same view… but somehow it wasn’t the same.

Vin heard the approach of another, but tuned it out, returning to his reflections. Only Chris ever came up here, the other boys content to go to other, more easily accessible and safer spots.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted his friend. “Stay back, Chris. See,” he pointed. “Cracks. Weren’t there before. I guess not even something as strong as this can stand up against such a storm. It hasn’t survived. It’s crumbling away… ready to fall, despite how solid it always seemed on the surface. Soon, there’ll be nothing left but rubble... nothing but memories to prove it ever existed.” The poetry in his heart found voice… a voice he only ever shared with Chris.

“Not safe? You’re out there.” Vin spun around and found himself face to face with Liam. His shock must have been clearly displayed because Liam laughed. Physically, Liam resembled Chris and as he was wearing Chris’ clothes, the half glance hadn’t been enough to make the distinction.

Vin swore. Liam had invaded something private.

Liam grinned. “You can’t stand it, can you? Can’t stand that I’m so much like him?”

Vin’s jaw locked and he growled steadily, “You’re nothing like him.”

Liam snorted and walked toward the edge.

“I said stay back.”

“Get f$#%!”

“The overhang is unstable. Get back!”

Liam put his hands on his hips, turned around and glared at Vin. “I’d like to see you try to make me.”

“You stupid…”

There was a crackling. The ground under Liam’s feet shook. Before Vin or Liam could react, the edge fell away.

Liam screamed.

“NO!” Vin shouted, running forward, still gripping the rope he’d secured for safety.

Liam’s face contorted and he dived forward, his feet suddenly peddling mid-air. His chest hit the cliff face, his arms clawing desperately at the surface of the ledge. He started to slide…

Vin appeared above, leaned over and grabbed a handful of Liam’s jacket with his left hand. Liam jerked to a stop. Tanner turned his head to the east. “COLONEL!”

Vin’s muscles strained. “Push up, Liam!” he shouted, but Liam had no upper body strength and he’d frozen -- staring at Vin white-faced. Vin heaved, but Liam’ jacket started to slide through his fingers. He had no choice but to let go of the rope and use both hands.

Tanner grimaced and hauled, drawing Liam back up to the rim. As Liam was levered over the edge and onto the ledge, Vin fell backwards onto his backside.

Liam lay on his stomach, gasping.

Vin sat for several seconds, eyeing the newly broken rock which had splintered like glass. Another four feet along the edge had crumbled and almost taken Liam with it. Vin drew in a slow breath to calm himself and then rolled onto his knees and started crawling for the rope. “Liam, start edging toward the firm ground of the ridge, but don’t…” Abruptly, there was a tearing sound. Vin looked right and saw a fissure opening and traveling with great speed toward him. “Liam! Move!” Vin launched himself toward the ridge.

The ground shook and then disappeared.

Vin’s hips hit the edge, his legs dangling into the wide blue beyond as the overhang below his feet slid away. Under his hips, the earth creaked and crumpled. Vin’s fingers snaked out, reaching for the rope, but it was beyond his grasp. He tried to slide forward, but more of the edge crumbled. The earth under his stomach and chest gave away, leaving only his arms on not-so-solid ground. He clung to the edge of the overhang, his legs and torso swinging. Frantically, he scanned the ledge. More fissures caught his eye… dozens of them… snaking out in all directions. The entire overhang was ready to fragment and collapse!

“Oh, God!” Liam’s voice… he was hanging to the edge too, about eight feet to Vin’s right. “HELP!”

Abruptly, Vin spotted Chris running along the ridge and heading for what was left of the overhang. “NO! Stay back, Chris!”

*********

Earlier

Buck had gone south and Chris north. Larabee stopped, looking ahead as far as he could see. There were a few minor rock slides, but nothing of concern. He hoped the same was true of the western side of the ridge. Vin would check from the top.

Feeling uncomfortable leaving Liam alone, Chris headed back to collect his brother. The complicated weave of his life weighed heavily as the faces of the three most important people in his world appeared in his mind’s eye. It was just going to take time, he assured himself. They would learn to get along. All that was needed was a little bit of give and take… and a lot of patience.

Acid rose from Chris’ stomach when he found his brother missing upon his return. “Liam? Liam?!” He checked the path to the creek, but could see no sign of him and so returned to the horses. Absentmindedly, he lifted his eyes to the track that led to Bently Ridge.

Surely not. Then again, Liam’s determination to ‘fit in’ may have led him there.

Before Chris could consider following, he heard Vin’s raised voice on the breeze.

“Get back!”

Moments later, there was a tremendous cracking sound. Liam’s scream filled the air, followed by Vin’s shout of “Nooo!”

“No, no, no!” Chris shot up the incline.

“COLONEL!”

Vin’s cry rang in Chris’ heart. His mind raced.

“Push up, Liam!”

Chris slipped and fell his way up the side of the mountain.

“Liam, start edging toward the firm ground of the ridge, but don’t…” They were alive!

Abruptly, there was a tearing sound. “Liam! Move!”

A sound like a train roaring though a tunnel exploded above. Chris reached the ridge and sprinted along it. He could see both Vin and Liam’s heads poking above what was left of the overhang. At the same time, Chris spotted Vin’s rope. The beginning of a plan hatched in his mind but was dismissed as he reduced the gap between himself and the ledge.

“Oh, God!” Liam cried. “HELP!”

“NO! Stay back, Chris!”

Instinctively, Larabee slowed his pace on Vin’s warning. He looked down and saw the cracks feathering out and widening. The ledge groaned. It was ready to give way!

His name was shrieked simultaneously by two voices, “CHRISSS!”…one a desperate cry to be saved… the other a desperate plea for Chris to save himself.

There was no time to think.

The cracks lengthened.

The ledge shuddered.

Liam and Vin were too far apart for him to save both!

The overhang crumbled.

Vin and Liam cried out, both disappearing.

Chris reacted.

---

Part Nine

Chris dived, sliding on his chest, hands outstretched. His fingers closed around shoulders and his body jarred as the weight of the other man countered his own. He jerked to a stop and his grip held.

A bloodcurdling cry filled the air – his own. He snapped his head sideways to where the other had fallen. It took his mind a while to sort out the image – Buck! Buck on his stomach eight feet away.

“I’ve got him!” Wilmington roared.

Buck had him! Thank God for Buck. Where the hell had he come from?!

Chris looked down. Wide blue eyes stared up at him as callased hands clasped his arms.

Chris!

Vin.

For a single heart-beat they stared at each other, their relief shared.

“I’ve got you,” Larabee assured, breaking free of the shock. He started to pull backwards. Tanner swung his feet inward to find something to push on. As his boots connected below him, the rocks crumbled. Vin focused his strength into his hands and gripped Chris’ upper arms, relaxing the rest of his body, knowing it would make it easier for his partner to drag him up over the edge.

“Chris!” Buck ground out as he struggled with Liam. Liam was a dead weight – exhausted and on the point of total collapse. “He can’t hang on!”

Vin’s boots connected with something firm and he pushed. Chris hauled. The combined effort launched Vin upward and over the edge. He collapsed on the ground, landing heavily on his stomach, his breath knocked out if him in a gush.

Chris shot to the right and grabbed a handful of Liam’s shirt just as the younger man’s fingers slipped through Buck’s hands. Liam plummeted a few inches, but Chris stopped his fall and Buck snatched Liam’s left arm. Together, the soldiers dragged the dangling man up onto the ridge. Chris dropped to his knees, scooped his brother off the ground and gathered him into his arms. “Liam! God!”

Liam began to sob, clinging to Chris. “Chrissss. Chrisssss.”

“Easy. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” Tears welled in Chris’ eyes as he rocked his brother. “It’s okay.” He rested cheek on top of Liam’s head, repeating over and over, “I’ve got you. I’ve got, you.” His mind reeled and his emotions screamed in torment as his heart shattered.

**

Buck drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. He looked over to Vin, who was drawing himself up on his hands and knees. “Kid?”

Vin toppled onto his backside, sucking in a lung full of air. He didn’t seem to see Buck, looking passed him to Chris. Tanner’s features were tight with dismay.

Buck swallowed. All, but Liam, knew what had happened.

Chris eased Liam to his feet. The younger Larabee continued to sob and shake uncontrollably.

“Easy. It’s okay. You’re safe now. I’m taking him down,” Chris called to his companions. For a split second, his eyes connected with Vin’s, but he snapped them away. “Easy, Liam. I’ve got you,” Chris assured as he half-carried, half-dragged his weakened brother back along the ridge.

A lump formed in Vin’s throat and his chest tightened. He exhaled and his chin dropped. A soft curse emanated from him. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and opening his eyes, he stared into Buck’s concerned face.

“You okay?”

Vin swallowed. “I didn’t… Buck, I… he…” Vin squeezed his eyes shut again. In a trembling and horribly distorted whisper, he said, “This is going to tear him apart.”

Buck squeezed Vin’s shoulder. He had no idea what to say because he feared his friend was right. They shared an agonized look. “Come on. He’ll want to get Liam to a doctor and you could use some attention too.” Vin’s hands were cut and bleeding and the sleeves of his shirt torn and bloodied from the deep abrasions hidden beneath.

Vin rose on wobbly legs. Buck put his arm around his back to steady him. Tanner gasped, pulling an arm across his bruised and grazed chest.

He paused and glanced back to where the overhang used to be.

It was gone.

Just like that.

In a split-second, the face of the mountain had changed forever.

“Come on, kid,” Buck urged.

*********

When Buck and Vin reached the bottom, Chris was tending to Liam’s injuries. Buck pointed for Vin to sit so he could do the same, but the younger man had frozen, staring across at Chris transfixed.

“Vin,” Buck prompted.

Tanner blinked. “Huh?”

“Sit. I want to do something with your hands.”

Vin lifted his palms and looked at the torn flesh, mesmerized.

Buck took his arm and gently guided him to the ground. Vin raised his eyes and Buck captured them. “I think you’re suffering a little bit of shock. It’s to be expected. Just relax. I’m going to clean the cuts and then we’ll get you some water.”

Vin frowned and then shook his head in an obvious attempt to push away the haze. “I’m fine.” He looked across to Chris. “How’s he doing?”

Chris nodded and responded with pronounced enthusiasm, “He’s okay, aren’t you, Liam?”

“Yeah… yeah, I’m okay, Chris. Larabees are a tough breed.” Liam’s voice trembled, but he forced a smile.

“Damn straight we are.” Chris turned to Buck. “Call J.D. Tell him to contact the local doctor and have him meet us at the ranch. It’ll take us about five hours to get there.” Buck nodded, but continued to tend to Vin. “Buck!”

“Hold your horses, Chris. I want to give Vin some water, and get some antiseptic on his hands.”

**********

The return ride was the longest Vin could remember. Every two minutes, Chris asked Liam if he was okay. Buck came to the rescue and began to talk. The verbal diarrhea flowed from him in a continuous stream for five hours straight. He’d ask questions and answer them himself. He talked on a hundred different topics without coming up for breath and he did it in a relaxed way as if it was quite normal for everyone else to ride in stoic silence.

Vin didn’t hear a word. His mind was swimming through molasses. A thought would start, only to drown in that single remembered moment when his and Chris’ eyes had met and Larabee had torn them away.

Not once did Chris look across to Vin during the ride.

Vin focused on a point directly out in front of him.

When the ranch came into view, all were relieved.

An unfamiliar car was parked near the barn and on spotting the riders, a tall man stepped out, the black bag he carried the only clue needed to his identity. “Doctor?” Chris called, urgently.

“Dr. Elliot.”

Chris dismounted and assisted Liam out of the saddle.

“The caller said there was some sort of accident?” Elliot enquired.

“Yeah, landslide.”

“I was dangling over the edge of a cliff,” Liam declared. “Not something I want to repeat.”

“Little bit of shock, that’s all,” Buck stated as he and Vin alighted.

“I have another bag in my car. Would you get it?” the doctor asked Buck.

Wilmington did so and followed the others into the house, Chris and the doctor assisting Liam who couldn’t seem to make it without help.

Vin stood silently among the horses, watching the others disappear. The door closed with a resounding crash. Silence surrounded Vin, the breeze blowing his hair out behind him. He swallowed, then collected the animals’ reins and led them into the barn.

**********

Buck deposited the bag and realizing Vin was missing, shot out of the room in search of him. As he passed the phone, it rang. “Hey, J.D. Yeah, we just got back and the doctor is examining Liam now. He’s okay… just a bit of shock. Yeah, Vin’s okay too.” Buck lowered his voice. “To tell you the truth, it’s Chris I’m worried about. He… Huh? Oh, yeah, my voice is a bit scratchy. I guess you could say I’ve been doing a lot of talking… shut-up, kid… What? Have you got the number? Give it to me and I’ll call them now.”

**********

Vin hung the final saddle on the rail. He heard approaching footsteps and glanced over his shoulder. His chest constricted. He wasn’t ready for this.

Chris stopped several feet from him, his expression unreadable.

“What’s the doctor say?”

“Liam’s okay. The doctor’s given him a sedative. Just needs some rest. Elliot’s redressing his cuts and abrasions before getting him to lie down.”

Vin swallowed. Chris was looking at a point somewhere over his right shoulder. “Chris…”

Larabee moved to the nearest horse, picked up a brush and began bushing the animal with long sweeping strokes.

“Chris, I told him to get back from the edge, but…”

“I know,” Chris whispered, abruptly cutting Vin off. “I heard you yelling.”

“He wouldn’t listen.”

The pace and length of the strokes shortened. “Yeah.”

Vin exhaled noisily. Chris had been forced to make the decision he’d said he could never make. Whether it had been a conscious one or not, he’d made it and now he had to live with it. Vin knew it was tearing him apart, but he didn’t know what to say or how to fix this.

“Chris…I…” He swallowed, floundering. He was at a total loss. Overwhelmed, and needing space to collect his thoughts and understand his emotions, he decided, “I’m gonna head back now. I’ve got some things I should have been doing this weekend.”

Chris’s arm stopped moving, but he didn’t turn.

“I’ll call later, to see how Liam is.”

Still Chris didn’t turn, but acknowledged Vin’s statement with a very soft, “Okay.” The tone was somewhere between an acknowledgement and a dismissal.

Vin’s soul ached. He waited a few more seconds and then walked to his bike, mounted it and pulled the helmet on.

Chris turned to face him, but again, his eyes hovered at some point beside Vin. “Are you okay?” he whispered. The concern was genuine and pain and horror echoed in every syllable.

“Just a few scratches. Buck took care of them.” Vin pulled the visor down. Larabee dragged his eyes to meet Vin’s through the thickened plastic. Mutual pain and confusion was shared for a single heartbeat before Chris broke contact. For the first time in their lives, they experienced an awkward silence.

“Chris…”

“Thank you. For saving his life… again.”

“Chris…”

“I better get back. He’s pretty badly shaken.”

Vin stared. “Yeah. I’ll… I’ll see you when you get back DC.” With that, Vin fired up his bike and rode away.

**********

“Yes, I understand. So I bring nothing… Not even my own underclothes? … I guess. I…” Buck heard the sound of Vin’s bike. “Oh, shit. Look, can I ring you back?” Without waiting for the producer of the television show to answer, Buck put the phone down and raced outside. He stopped and watched the dust cloud pull away at great speed.

“Damn.” Out or the corner of his eye, Buck spotted Chris in the barn. His heart leaped into his throat. He’d hoped to speak to each of his friends separately before it came to this. He prayed the damage wasn’t too great.

Slowly Wilmington descended the couple of steps and strolled into the stable. “He left, huh?”

“Yeah.” Chris’ eyes were welled with tears that hadn’t fallen.

“You two have words?”

“Huh? No. He just…” Chris spun away and swore. Buck nodded slowly. Chris turned back to him. “I grabbed Vin!”

“We saved them both,” Buck stated calmly.

Larabee’s face contorted. “Liam is my brother!”

“And Vin isn’t?”

Chris’ eyes widened and he marched up to Buck. “Liam is my brother.”

“Only because you share parents.”

Chris glared at Buck and then lashed out, knocking one of the saddles off the rail.

Buck’s heart shook. He had to do something or Chris would self-destruct and Vin would be caught in the middle. “Chris, what’s the problem here? We saved them. They’re both alive. That’s all that’s important.”

Chris rested his hands on the rail, focusing on his boots. “Don’t you get it?! I grabbed Vin! VIN!”

“Yeah, and I grabbed Liam.”

Chris lifted his chin and stared at Buck, his face viciously contorted with agony.

An idea took root. “Wait a minute. You’re not tearing yourself up over… hell, you are! Chris, I was directly behind you. You knew that. You must have known. I was makin’ enough noise. You dived right… which is what the front man does. I dived left, which is exactly what you expected me to do. You responded as your training taught you to. Vin shouted ‘’Colonel”, because he instinctively allowed his training to take over. So did you. Hell, so did I! Don’t you dare stand there and try to rationalize any of this. You dived right, which is what the front man does. I covered the left, which is what usually happens. Our training took over.”

Chris’ expression dissolved into one of confusion. “What?”

“Hell, Larabee. You’re the one who says that if you’re trained well enough, your training will simply take over when it needs to. Today, that’s what happened and because of it, we saved them both. Focus on that! That’s what’s important.”

Buck shook his head, turned and walked out of the barn. He prayed it was enough to save Chris from himself… and he prayed that Chris didn’t re-examine what happened in too much detail, for if he did, he’d realize that he hadn’t dived right as he was trained to, but had actually dived left.

**********

Chris watched Buck stride away.

Training?

Was that it?

Was that why he’d…?

He had to have known Buck was there. There was no way Buck could have snuck up on him, so somehow he’d known. Unconsciously, he must have been aware a member of his team was behind him. The front man covers the right and the one behind goes left. It was drilled into them. They practiced it in training sessions. He and Vin had done it dozens of times a week in Katinda. The front man attacks or dives for cover, right. The man behind, left.

Chris’ breathing quickened. He’d reacted to his training.

Training had dictated his actions.

Chris shut his eyes. The relief was overwhelming. He leaned against the rail and slid down it to the ground.

“We saved them both,” he whispered.

Tears washed down his cheeks.

**********

While Chris had given his men the option of taking a week off, when Vin entered the office on Sunday, J.D., Buck and Ezra were present.

“Boys,” Vin greeted.

“How are the hands?” Buck asked, watching Vin sit at his desk and pick up a file, his hands still bandaged.

“Fine.”

Buck and Ezra exchanged a glance, neither satisfied with their friend’s response. Buck rose, crossed the room and stopped beside Vin.

Vin flicked though the file. “What’s on your mind, Buck?”

“You speak to him?” His voice was lowered so J.D. and Ezra couldn’t overhear.

Vin nodded without looking up. “Spoke to him last night.”

“And?”

Vin snorted, closed the file, swiveled the chair toward Buck and eyed him intently. “And Liam’s fine.” Buck scowled. Vin shrugged. “He seems okay.”

“Not angry at you?”

Vin brow furrowed. “No.”

Buck smiled. “So, everything’s okay between you two?”

Vin frowned, thoughtfully. “Yeah.”

Buck beamed. “Good. And hey! It isn’t my fault Larabee can’t tell right from left. God bless training.”

Vin’s right eyebrow rose. “Buck?”

Wilmington winked and headed back to his own desk. “So, Ezra, you were tellin’ us about your father.”

Ezra sat back, pressed his fingertips against each other and nodded thoughtfully. “We are alike in many ways.”

“So, you’re sure he’s your dad?” J.D. asked.

“I don’t think I could be more certain,” Ezra admitted.

“That’s great, Ez. So, what did you talk about?” J.D. asked, typing at his keyboard as he spoke.

“Well, yesterday we went to a ballgame.”

“A ballgame?” Vin, Buck and J.D. repeated stunned.

Ezra smiled. “We watched the first two pitches, looked at each other, and without discussion, left and spent the rest of the day at the art gallery.”

Buck bounced his eyebrows. “I’ve spent some happy hours at the art gallery myself. They have some great nudes.”

Ezra shook his head with mock disgust.

Vin eyed his friend carefully. There was something Ezra was holding back. “Can we help?” Tanner asked.

Ezra flicked his gaze to his serious friend and a genuine smile of thanks creased his lips. “I believe he’s up to something. According to both he and my mother, he is independently wealthy, but I’ve checked. He lost everything in a venture last year. I can’t give him money. He’s too proud… And then there’s mother. I really don’t know what is going on there. I do believe she still loves him and yet… if I didn’t know better, I’d say she was afraid of him…or more likely of something he knows.”

Ezra paused, realizing how much he’d divulged. J.D., Buck and Vin were starting at him. “Gentlemen, forgive me. I did not mean to…”

“Ahh, shut-up, Ezra. So, how can we help?” Buck asked.

“Mr. Wilmington, while it is obvious your heart is in the right place, your use of the English language to express….” The elevator doors opened and Chris stepped out. “Colonel,” Ezra greeted. “I hear you had a harrowing weekend.”

“That’s one way of describing it.” Larabee shook Ezra’s hand, the greeting informal and relaxed. “Your father?”

“Something of a conundrum.”

“How’s Liam?” Buck inquired.

Chris dropped Ezra’s hand and sat down on the edge of Josiah’s desk. “He’s okay. He’s downstairs. I think he has a crush on one of the receptionists.”

“Yeah, Nicole,” J.D. stated.

The others looked at him curiously.

“Oh… umm, we were just talking the other day,” J.D. mumbled.

**

Chris glanced at Vin. Tanner was watching him… not looking in his direction, but watching him. “How are the cuts?”

“Fine.”

The intensity of Vin’s stare bore directly into Chris’ soul. Larabee drew his gaze away, unable to face the purity and depth of the care and concern he saw there. Yesterday, after he’d pulled Vin up from the edge, he’d barely said two words to him. Not that they needed words, but at the moment…

Internally, Chris cursed. What the hell was going on? He felt almost disoriented by the frustration, confusion, anger, bewilderment and guilt dancing in his head and heart. In the very back crevasses of his mind he knew what was responsible for his loss of equilibrium, but he wouldn’t look at it - couldn’t.

What he did know was that Vin was the focal point. None of it was Vin’s fault and yet the issue was there because of Vin… for if Vin hadn’t come back, there would be no problem.

Chris was stunned and aghast that he could even think such a thing. Vin? A problem? Without Vin, his life would return to the empty existence he had accepted as a substitute for living. Larabee’s emotions see-sawed out of control. Unfortunately, he knew his response to the turmoil bubbling within him was indirectly hurting Vin, for he could sense his friend’s confusion.

Chris rose and walked across to the young Texan. He needed to explain that what was going on had nothing to do with his best friend, and that he just needed some time to sort things out.

“Vin…” The vulnerability and hurt in Vin’s deep blue eyes struck Chris like a punch, and he tore his gaze away to stare at the wall. “I…”

Travis entered the office.

Chris swallowed, regained his composure and spun around, announcing, “The general wants a report on the South American mission. The conference room, please.” The colonel led the way, his emotions buried but still in turmoil.

---

Part Ten

Fifteen minutes into the debriefing, Chris asked for a copy of the report. J.D. strolled out to collect it, and spotted Liam sitting at his computer. He frowned and approached quietly.

Liam jerked around, at the same time closing the screen he’d been viewing. “Hey, J.D. I just logged in at hotmail to check my email. You don’t mind, do you?”

“No.” J.D. murmured. He was certain the screen he’d seen contained floor plans, not email.

“Did you hear about the weekend?”

“Buck told me. You and Vin were lucky.”

“Yeah. We held on until help arrived. Listen, I want to get my resume together and I was wondering if you’d mind helping me set it out. I’m not much good on computers, but if I want to get my application in to join the army, I think I should try to make it look good. Larabee name and all. Don’t want to embarrass Chris.”

J.D. relaxed a little. “Yeah, sure.”

“So, want to go dirt-bike riding again next week? How about Wednesday?”

“Sounds great, but it will depend on what’s happening here.”

“Not exactly a nine to five job, huh?” Liam asked.

“Not exactly,” J.D. chuckled.

“Hey, next time, we take trail three.”

“Ahhh, the devil’s ramp,” J.D. stated, grinning.

“Twenty bucks says I get to the end first.”

“You’re on.” J.D. grabbed the report off his desk. “I better get back or your brother will have my guts for garters.” Dunne turned and found himself face to face with Buck. “Buck?”

Wilmington said nothing, snatched the report, marched into the conference room and thrust it at Chris. “J.D. and I’ll be back in a moment.” With that, he stormed passed J.D. saying, “Gymnasium. Now!”

Dunne shot Liam a look and shrugged, ‘who knows’, which Liam returned, before following Buck into the room and closing the door. There, he found Buck pacing.

“Buck! What the hell has got into you?”

“You went dirt-bike riding with him?” Buck roared.

J.D. swallowed. He’d hoped to keep it a secret because he knew Buck wouldn’t like it.

“What the hell were you thinking?!” Buck’s face had gone red, the muscles in his neck distended.

“Hey, calm down. All I did…”

“I don’t want you spending any time with Liam Larabee.”

J.D. straightened. “Buck, with all due respect, I’ll choose who I spend time with.”

Buck’s eyes widened.

J.D. licked his lips. “I know you don’t like Liam, but I get along with him. We have fun.”

“Fun? FUN! He tried to kill Vin!”

“We don’t know that. I mean, maybe…”

Buck threw his arms up. “Don’t be so damn naïve!”

“Naïve… because I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt?!”

Buck’s voice lowered to a snarl. “That benefit could cost you or Vin his life.”

J.D. opened his mouth and then closed it. “Buck… it was just dirt-bike riding.”

“And Vin was just minding his own business sleeping in a hospital bed.”

J.D. sighed. Buck shook his head.

Wilmington swore passionately, and sank onto one of the weight’s benches.

They were quiet for some time.

“All right. I’ll cancel Wednesday,” J.D. conceded.

“I didn’t mean to sound like I was telling you what to do. It’s just that…Liam’s dangerous. You gotta take my word for it.”

J.D. nodded slowly. “So, why aren’t we doing something about it?” He watched Buck rise and head for the door. “Buck?”

“Because he’s Chris’ brother. Because we have no proof and because it we do anything, Chris will wind up in the middle. I want you to give me your word that you won’t spend any time with Liam.”

J.D. sighed and nodded. “Okay and I’m sorry, Buck.”

Buck sighed and smacked the back of J.D.’s head.

“Hey! What the hell was that for?”

“To make me feel better.”

J.D. snorted. Buck slid his arms over the younger man’s shoulders. “Come on. We better go back or Chris will have both of our guts for garters.”

*********

When Buck and J.D. exited the gymnasium, the meeting was breaking up. The pair decided to head to the kitchen for something to eat rather than explain their absence to Chris.

Ezra exited the conference room alone, Chris, Vin and Travis remaining.

“Ezra,” Liam greeted. “I have something for you.” He held out an envelope.

Standish glanced at it curiously, but didn’t accept the offered gift. The silence in the empty room was deafening.

Liam’s face clouded. “They’re tickets. Chris mentioned you liked opera and I have a friend who works at the theatre. He often buys tickets when they’re released and then resells later when the show opens.”

“A scalper, in fact. It is my understanding such a practice is illegal,” Ezra commented, returning to his desk.

“Yeah, I guess it is. I just… he owed me a favor and… well, Chris said ‘Don Giovanni’ is one of your favorite operas and it’s been sold out for over a year. I thought you may like to take your father.”

Ezra’s eyebrows drew down. “For ‘Don Giovanni’?”

Liam nodded, strode across and reoffered the tickets. “I just thought that perhaps…”

Ezra accepted the envelope tentatively, and opened it, pulling out the tickets. “For next week?”

“Yeah.” Liam lowered his voice. “Ezra, I’ve made some mistakes and I… I even contemplated doing some things that scare the hell out of me. I’m seeing a doctor and he said I’ve been suffering depression for years and post traumatic stress since Vin and I were kidnapped… I can tell by the look on your face you don’t believe me, but it’s the truth. If it hadn’t been for you arriving when you did that day, I would have crossed the line and… I can’t believe what I was going to do. I would have lost Chris, too. I know a cat rarely changes its spots, but I have... I’m trying to. For Chris. Buck will never believe me and well, Vin… I don’t blame him for not trusting me after what happened. Anyway, I’m in your debt. This is my way of thanking you.”

Ezra sat back, studying Liam critically. If it was an act, it was a good one. “Liam, I don’t know how much truth is in that diatribe, but know this. If you hurt Chris… or Vin… or anyone else I care about, I will kill you.” While the threat was said matter-of-factly, the tone was deadly. “Unlike others, I have the connections to make a body disappear. And I think it only fair to let you know, the only reason I didn’t act that day is because Buck asked me not to… for Chris’ sake. As for cats changing spots, time will tell. Thank you for the tickets. I appreciate the thought.”

“You’re welcome. I am trying to turn things around.”

“If that is so, you have my support. If it is lie, you’ll be dead before you hit the ground.”

*********

Liam tossed his wallet onto the table, grabbed a beer from the fridge and threw himself on the couch. The past few days had been more interesting than he’d imagined. Tanner had held his temper, which was a surprise. No doubt Buck’s presence had contributed. Not that it mattered. Liam had noted how cool Chris and Vin were to each other on the ride back and the fact that Tanner had left without being examined by the doctor spoke for itself.

As a matter of fact, Liam couldn’t have planned things better himself. Chris had been given an option – forced to choose -- and he and Buck had left Vin to rescue himself, both men leaping to save…”me.” Liam smiled. “No wonder your nose has been knocked out of joint, Vin, my friend.”

However, Chris was looking at him differently. He wasn’t as patient has he’d been in the past. That’s was Tanner’s fault… a problem that would soon be dealt with.

Liam’s cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket. “Hello? Oh, it’s you… no. Not tonight. He won’t be alone. Tomorrow…. Yeah, don’t worry, Kane. I’ll be there to distract him.”

**********

The saloon was noisy as usual. Vin took a seat at the bar and ordered a whiskey. Inez smiled at him. “A lot on your mind, tonight?” she asked.

Vin threw back the shot. “Yeah.”

“What happened to your hands?”

“Just a few cuts. I did some unexpected rock-danglin’.”

Inez smiled, her beautiful face glowing with amusement. “When are you going to ask me out?”

Vin smirked. “Who said I was interested?”

The young woman refilled his shot, her eyes twinkling.

“You tryin’ to get me drunk?”

Inez laughed. “If that’s what it takes.”

“You aren’t coy.”

“I go after what I want.”

“And I’m on the menu?” Vin asked.

Inez winked. Noting other customers waiting, she left the bottle. Vin watched her, but he was flooded with a familiar feeling and turned toward the door. At that moment, Chris, Buck and J.D. entered the saloon. The trio headed across to a table to the far left.

Chris looked at Vin and their eyes met -- for only a split second. Again, he looked away. Vin shook his head in confusion and frustration, turned back to his bottle and refilled his glass.

*********

“Hey, there’s Vin,” J.D. stated, slipping into a seat.

“He saw us,” Chris murmured.

“Oh?” J.D. realized he stumbled into something. Thankfully, Ezra walked in. “Hey, Ez.”

Buck leaned forward. “I thought everything was okay between you and Vin.”

“It is,” Chris murmured. “Will you two give Ezra and me a moment?”

Buck held Chris’ gaze for a few extra moments and then he and J.D. moved to a nearby table.

“Chris?” Ezra asked curiously as he sat down.

“Your father?” The tone was official.

“What about him, Sir?”

“I’ve asked Travis to do a background check on him. Simply routine.”

“Of course. Would you like a drink?”

“Not yet.” Chris’ gaze became harsh.

“Have I done something that has…”

“I gave you a direct order and you disobeyed it.”

Ezra’s poker face failed him. “When?” His mind zapped at a million miles a minute. Almost instantly, he realized what Chris was referring to. “If my memory serves me correctly, Colonel, your instruction was to ensure the chopper was in the sky before the water reached it. I believe I successfully achieved that objective… did I not?”

“That was luck.”

“I don’t believe in luck, Sir. I believe only in skill and the skills we have are without equal. We executed the plan flawlessly.”

Chris’ glare dissolved into a thoughtful frown. “We need to review the command structure.”

Ezra nodded. “I agree. I would very much appreciate if in future, in situations that require a soldier’s background, you bestowed command upon someone who is trained for it. I am well aware of my own limitations in such situations and while my leadership qualities are not in question, and I am more than happy to take command in situations for which I am well suited, I think we would both… why are you looking at me like that, Colonel?”

“I’ve thrown to you twice when Vin hasn’t been there to take over.”

“Surely Buck or Nathan would be a superior choice in both of those specific situations?

“No. Buck is too emotional about Vin these days… and if J.D. were hurt…”

“True,” Ezra conceded. “Nathan shoulders responsibility with ease and he his quite an astute leader.”

“If I bypass Vin, it means he’s probably hurt.”

“Meaning Nathan is otherwise engaged. Josiah?”

“I’ve never been able to give command to Josiah. He’s one hell of a soldier but… no. It has to be you.”

“By a process of elimination?” Ezra chuckled.

“No. Not really. You’re a good leader, Ezra. I’d like to make it official before our next mission.”

“Sir, I am honored by your faith in me.”

Chris’ smile ended the official discussion. “I’ll have that drink now and tell Vin to get his ass over here.”

Ezra didn’t move. “Is there something going on between the two of you? May I be of some assistance?”

Chris sighed. “To tell you the truth, Ezra, I don’t know where to start.”

“Then I’d like to suggest something?”

Chris pursed his lips. “Go on.”

“Get him drunk. It will loosen his tongue. Whatever is on his mind, he’ll share. Vin is as tough as they come, but behind that persona he shows the world, is young man simply looking for a place to belong and a way to protect those he loves.”

“When did you become an expert on Vin?”

“Let me simply say, our shared experience in a cave in the middle of nowhere praying you would find us before his head wound killed him, provided me with some insights into his character.”

*********

Ezra leaned on the bar next to Vin. “Chris has requested you join him.”

“Has he?” Vin ground out, without looking at his companion.

“May I suggest you share with him what is troubling you? If you don’t, it will fester and get worse. Bring it out in the open, my friend.”

“It’s the fact that his brother makes an ass of him.”

Ezra took the full glass from in front of Vin and tossed it back. “In that case, I’d like to retract my earlier advice.”

Vin’s chest heaved. “I’ve got to say something, Ezra. And I ain’t sure how much longer I can keep ‘it’ from him.”

“Liam’s attempts on your life? Yes. Well, you and Buck know and understand Chris better than anyone. If you feel he should be told, I will support you.”

Vin glanced at Ezra and nodded. “Thanks Ez.” Vin picked up the bottle and two shot glasses, weaved his way through the tables and took a seat at Larabee’s table.

“Hey,” Chris acknowledged. “We need to talk.”

“Yep.”

“I just want you to know that…” Larabee cell phone sprang to life. “Damn.” He dug it out. “Larabee…” His face tightened. “Where?... How many?... I’ve only have half a team at the moment… I see.” Chris covered the phone. “Does Inez have a fax?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“I need the number.”

“Mission?”

“Not immediately, but Travis wants to know if we can handle it when it goes down.”

*********

Fifteen minutes later, the colonel and his lieutenant were in Vin’s small unit at the back of the saloon, the fax from Travis, which showed a small military compound in Ballerute, on the table in front of them.

“Josiah could put charges here, here and here,” Chris stated, pointing to map.

“Yeah. How many guards?”

“A small army of rebel fighters, apparently. No exact numbers at this stage.”

“Okay. Ezra should be able to bypass the security, but it will take at least two men to carry that thing out of there.”

Chris nodded. “Buck can land here. He can stay on the ground for the entire operation if we have you covering him.”

“From here,” Vin agreed, indicating the spot on the map.

“Good. So, you think we can handle it?” Chris asked, thoughtfully.

“Like lickin’ butter off a knife.”

Chris smirked, winked at Vin and flicked his phone open. “General. Em7 accepts the mission… six days from now? Not a problem. Thanks. Larabee out.”

Vin strolled into the compact kitchen. “Coffee?”

“Yeah. Chris followed him. “Vin…”

Vin looked back at him. Their deep friendship crossed the bizarre barrier that seemed to be between them. “Don’t. You’ve got nothing to apologize for… and neither do I.”

Chris accepted the statement with a single, relieved bob of his head. “Thanks, Vin. The weekend was a wash-out. Why don’t we go riding as soon as we get back from the mission.”

Vin filled the kettle with water, glanced at Chris, his concern showing.

Chris’ face shadowed with emotion. “Liam won’t be coming.”

“Chris…” Vin inhaled, switched the kettle on and turned to face his friend. It was time. This needed to stop. “Liam…”

“He just needs a chance,” Chris cut Vin off defensively, again diverting his gaze.

“A chance?” Vin demanded, his face plagued with frustration. Why wouldn’t Chris look at him? Their friendship had always been so solid, easy and complete, but in the last day and a half, cracks had appeared.

“Yes. A chance. “

“Look at me,” Vin growled.

Chris swore, but didn’t… couldn’t.

Vin shook his head. The rift widened. “Damn it, Larabee. It’s not my fault you chose to save me!”

“I didn’t choose you!” Chris thundered, dragging his attention to Vin. “I responded to my training just as you and Buck did.”

“Training?” Now Vin understood what Buck had meant. Somehow he’d convinced Chris that his choice had been no choice at all, but a response directed by the team’s training. Vin was flooded with relief. He owed Buck. But if Chris believed training was responsible, what was going on? “Then where the hell is this guilt coming…”

“It’s not guilt. Leave Liam out of this,” Chris ground out.

“I didn’t mention Liam,” Vin pointed out.

“You were going to. Leave him out of it,” Chris ordered.

“Why? He’s what this is about, isn’t he?! Damn it, Chris. There are only two things we yell over. Liam, and you trying to wrap me up in cotton wool. So which one of them is this?”

Chris’ eyes blazed. “Enough.”

“The hell it is!” Vin exploded. He wasn’t going to let Liam do this to Chris. Vin sensed Chris had been carrying this guilt in his heart for years. Tanner wasn’t sure of the origin, but it was time for Chris to let go of it. “Chris, I don’t know what the hell is going on inside that head of yours, but this has to stop. Every second thing Liam says is a lie. You know it and I know it.”

“Actually, it’s the opposite,” Chris growled. He marched to the fridge and pulled out a can of beer. “He doesn’t try to hide what he does and that has always got him into trouble.”

“What?!” Vin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Chris wasn’t stupid, but he was allowing Liam to make a complete fool of him. “Are we talking about the same guy? He lied and deceived his own family for years about his Asthma. He’s deluded himself into thinking he’s your equal…that he could have been a soldier, but ‘while the spirit was willing God hadn’t blessed him with a strong body.’ It’s all garbage! His whole life is based on his own self-delusions and lies.”

Chris walked out to the table and slammed the can on it, turning his back on Vin… shutting him out. His voice lowered to a snarl. “He had no opportunities when he was growing up. You wouldn’t understand what it was like for him.”

“Wouldn’t I?” Vin followed Chris and rounded the table so they were facing each other. “He had family. A family who loved him. A family that went out of its way to support him. I had no one. So, don’t stand there and tell me that life presented me with better opportunities. Your brother is…”

“DON’T!” Chris viciously stabbed a finger at Vin. “No one asked you! He’s my family. You need to stay the hell out of it.” Larabee’s expression was wild and his anger directed squarely at Vin.

Tanner’s face flooded with concern. “Chris…” His friend’s pain reached out to him in the same nebulous way they shared their knowing. Chris was in agony, the pain literally tearing him apart… and Vin had no idea how to protect him. “Chris…”

Larabee slammed his fist onto the table. “Stay the hell out of it! Do you understand? My family. Nothing to do with you.” Vin took a step back, his eyes wide. “You’re not part of this. It’s private… family business. And this,” his glare at Vin intensified, the anger replaced by something darker, “… is finished. “

Vin stared at Chris dismayed. His heart sank and his soul shattered into a million pieces. He lowered his gaze and whispered, “Yeah, I guess it is.”

---

Part Eleven

Buck heard Vin’s bike fire. He swore and raced into the parking lot, watching Tanner pull away. With an explosion of swearing, Buck jogged toward Vin’s small unit, meeting Chris as he exited. The look on Larabee’s face told him everything had just come to a head.

Buck slowed his pace as Chris marched toward him, the other’s boots belting out his rage.

“Let me guess. Vin tried to get you see sense concerning Liam. I told him not to try.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Chris demanded, daggers of rage aimed at Buck.

Normally, Buck would let it go, but he couldn’t. Not this time. Like Vin, he’d realized enough was enough. “Come on, Chris. This is out of hand. Ask yourself why everyone who cares about you doesn’t like Liam -- can’t stand the sight of him.”

Chris snorted.

“Larabee, Vin would sell his soul for you.”

“That’s enough!” Chris roared. “Vin’s just… just a bit jealous and…”

“That’s Liam talking.”

“No.” Chris shouldered around Buck.

“Jealous!” Buck shouted. “For God’s sake, consider what you just said. Vin. Jealous? Jealous of what? Chris, to be jealous you have to have doubts. Vin doesn’t doubt you. And he doesn’t doubt your friendship.”

“Irrational,” Chris mumbled, walking away.

“Irrational?” Buck pursed his lips, following. “Doesn’t sound like Vin. As a matter of fact, Vin’s the most rational person I know.”

“Enough!” Chris spun around, grabbing the front of Buck’s shirt. “I’m sick of these attacks from you and from him.” He shoved Buck, turned his back and headed for his car.

“Attacks? Jealousy? Irrational behavior?” Buck repeated.

Chris inserted his keys in car door, his shoulders heaving.

“Not sure about any of that, Chris.“ Buck’s voice dropped to a strangled whisper. “But I know Vin’s probably scared.” Chris froze, then glanced back over his shoulder. “Terrified, he can’t protect you from this.” The anguished admission was Buck’s own. Slowly, Chris turned to face his friend and the rage died a thousand deaths. The two friends stared at each other, equally traumatized. Buck pulled his gaze away and whispered. “I’ll talk to Vin before I go tomorrow.”

Chris swallowed. “Thanks.”

Buck lowered his gaze to his boots. He didn’t know what else to say. He’d tried to warn Vin this would be the result, but Tanner was stubborn. Of course, Vin was also right. Chris deserved the truth but Buck knew Chris would never see it. With a sigh of defeat, he flicked his eyes to Chris, shook his head and then turned around and started to walk away.

“It’s not his fault.”

Buck stopped, but didn’t turn. “You’re probably right, Chris. It was probably Vin’s fault for wanting to protect you. Or my fault for trying to make you see reason. Or each of his teacher’s faults for pointing out he was self-centred and went out of his way to stir up other kids. Or the softball coach’s fault for throwing him off the team for doing drugs. Or his boss at Walmart’s fault for catching him stealing. Or the jury’s fault for finding him guilty of the crime he committed.” Buck spun and glared at Chris as years of frustration gushed from him. “When the hell are you going to see him for what he is?!”

“STOP IT!” Chris roared. His hands balled into fists. In his agonized face, Buck saw his friend’s soul exposed.

Suddenly, he understood. He could see it in Chris’ tormented eyes. “You do see it… that’s the problem, isn’t it? And every time you look at Vin, you realize how far short of a good brother Liam really is and it’s that, that knowledge which is tearing you apart.”

Chris collapsed back against the car and his chin tumbled down onto his chest.

Buck shut his eyes. That’s what this was about. “Hell, Chris.”

Buck shook his head with a combination of sympathy and disgust and then headed for Vin’s unit to await his friend’s return.

**********

Monday 8:15 am

Buck surveyed the other twenty contestants as they took seats in the small room. He noted their dress, physique and perfect visages. They were fine examples of manhood, and each and every one of them looked excited at what lay ahead.

Buck snorted. He felt physically and emotionally drained. When Vin had returned the evening before, the young man said little. Buck had spent ten minutes trying to explain, -- trying to make excuses for Chris’ behavior. Vin had simply nodded, but his body language said everything he hadn’t voiced. He was shattered.

Lost and not knowing what else to do, Buck had hugged him. “Welcome to my world, kid.”

Vin had pulled away almost immediately and again, simply nodded. Then he’d suggested Buck go home and get some sleep before, “your big day.”

“Big day,” Buck muttered taking a seat. This all seemed so unimportant now. Whether Chris knew it or not, he was pushing Vin away, like he’d pushed Buck away, to protect a relationship with Liam that never existed. Buck had learned to live with it, but he wouldn’t stand by and watch Chris do the same to Vin. For Vin’s sake, but mostly for Chris’.

As a result, he’d decided to pull out of the competition. However, J.D. had rolled up in the morning to collect him…

“What do you mean you aren’t going?”

“Chris and Vin fell out last night… real bad.”

“Chris and Vin are grown men, Buck. They need to deal with it themselves. Liam is going to be a constant viable in their relationship from now on. They both need to make allowances for that. Now, get your stuff. I’m driving you there like we agreed… And shut-up, Buck! For once in your life, you’re taking orders from me, because today, you’re going to put yourself first. You let me and the other boys worry about Chris and Vin. You can’t hang around here to hold their hands. Do you hear me, Buck?”…

J.D.’s argument had made sense at the time. Now, Chris’ face and Vin’s eyes kept replaying in his mind. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket to summon J.D., but the phone sprung to life in his hand. He prayed it was a mission. “Chris?”

“Yeah. I’m just wanted to wish you luck.”

“Come on, Larabee. It’s me. You know I don’t need luck.” Buck forced the mirth. “Listen, I was thinking that…”

“You’re staying. And it’s an order.”

“Chris…”

“J.D. just rang me and gave me a few orders. Kid’s never spoken to me like that.”

A smile from Buck’s heart creased his lips. “Yeah, he was the same with me earlier.”

“He doesn’t want you missing the opportunity to do something you’ll love. And neither do I.”

“Thanks but…”

“No buts. I did some thinking last night. It’s still a mess and I’m not sure I understand it all, but I owe Vin an apology.”

“You owe him a lot more than that, Chris. A hell of a lot more.”

“You spoke to him?”

“Only for about ten minutes. He shut down on me. You know Vin. But he’s hurting.”

“I know. When he comes in, we’ll talk. It’ll be okay. I’ll make it okay.”

Chris sounded determined. “Good.” Buck lowered his voice. “I’m getting glares from the guy standing at the front. I think they want to start. You sure about this?”

“Of course I’m sure. There’s no doubt in my mind you’re going to make an ass of yourself on live television in front of the entire country and bring Em7 into disrepute.”

“I’ll do my best, Sir. Wings out.” Buck pocketed the phone. The weight on his shoulders had lifted. His thoughts flicked to J.D. momentarily. “That’s my boy.”

The speaker introduced himself as Ross Hamlin and then presented the director and several other officials. Next, he sent one of his attendants around to collect everyone’s phones. “You will have no contact with the outside world from this moment on.”

Buck raised his hand. “I have a beeper I need to wear.”

“That will need to be confiscated.”

“Oh. Well, I guess you know best. I mean if you want to countermand the orders of Colonel Christopher Larabee who takes his instructions directly from the President of the United States, I guess that makes you a braver man that I.”

Hamlin frowned. “I…” He turned to the other officials and they began to discuss the problem. One of them rather liked the idea. If the beeper went off it would be a great rating’s winner and allowing only one of the contestants to wear one could be debated by fans… another ratings winner. Other members of the official party disagreed.

Buck rose to his feet when it appeared they had reached a stalemate. “Look, this is how it is, guys. When you selected me, you knew I was a member of a response unit. Basically I’m on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. There isn’t any such thing as leave. If I’m needed, I go. Now, either I wear the beeper so my Colonel can contact me quickly and easily or my Colonel will send a couple of armed commandoes onto your set, shoot anyone who tries to stop them and then drag me out of here. Not sure if that’s the type of ratings you’re looking for.”

Hamlin’s eyes grew wide. “I don’t think there should be any problem with you wearing the beeper.”

Buck smirked and murmured, “Probably a good decision.”

**********

Monday 8:15 am

The saloon was empty, apart from the single occupant in the back corner. He’d been alone in the dark all night. His only company had been the now empty bottle on the table in front of him.

Consciousness returned gradually.

The grey bags under his bloodshot eyes represented more than lack of sleep. Vin blinked, cognizant thought battling for a voice. He ran his fingers through his tangled hair, sweeping the curtain from his face. As he did so, he knocked the bottle from the table and as it struck the ground, the sound reverberated through his skull. “Shit.”

Slowly, Vin lifted his heavy, aching head from the table and squinted into the light filtering through the window.

With a grunt of disgust, he focused on massaging his throbbing temples and clearing the cobwebs. It had been a long time since he’d had a hang-over. He was surprised by his condition. He didn’t remember drinking the whole bottle. The bitter taste in his mouth and the nausea bubbling in his burning stomach was evidence no one else had helped.

The incident at Bently Ridge cut through the haze of the alcohol induced fog, as did Chris’ words from the night before. “And this… is finished. “

Vin cursed. He glanced at the piece of paper sitting on the table in front of him. He had a vague recollection of using his computer to create it. He scanned it, swore, screwed it up and shoved it into his jacket pocket. The clock on the wall brought reality crashing into place. He was going to be late. Of course, he was in no condition to go anywhere. The stale smell of whiskey clung to his clothes and if his eyes weren’t bloodshot, they felt like they should be.

A shower and shave would help. Chris would still blast the hell out of him, though.

Vin rose to his feet and his thoughts crystallized. He knew what he had to do. He wanted to put things right between himself and Chris, but his first priority was helping his friend – whether Chris wanted it or not… whether it destroyed their friendship or not.

Liam was dangerous -- more dangerous than Vin had realized, because the threat was no longer isolated to himself. The pain and rage he’d seen in his best friend’s face was the result of something in Chris and Liam’s past, of that Vin was certain. It was something that needed to be brought out into the open so Chris could heal… so Chris could see what was in front of him.

It would mean another argument. It would mean ignoring Buck’s advice, but Vin believed he was in possession of ‘things’ Buck didn’t know or understand. Not that Vin understood them, but he’d sensed something last night. The feeling had been strong then, but almost overpowering now.

He needed to do this for Chris’ sake, no matter what the outcome… and the outcome scared him. However, if it came to a choice between protecting Chris and saving their friendship, there was no choice to make.

**********

Monday 8:15 am

Josiah glanced up from the newspaper as Nathan entered the family room of the old farm house. “Coffee?” he asked.

Nathan sank into a well-worn chair. “No, I’m fine. Dad’s doing better this morning. His sugar levels are a bit high so I’ve changed his insulin dosage and the magnesium supplement is helping him relax. I’d like to stay another two or three days.”

“I’m not complaining,” Josiah stated, patting his over-filled stomach. “Your mother is a fine cook.”

“Yeah, she is. Another few days and Dad’ll be fine. Embarrassed, but fine.

Sanchez nodded thoughtfully. “Accepting help from a stranger is difficult.”

“Ezra’s not a stranger.” Nathan smirked. “Strange, but not a stranger. Speaking of strange, Chris sounded a bit uptight on the phone.”

Josiah folded the paper and put in on the coffee table in front of him. “Chris has been uptight since Liam was released from prison.”

“Yeah, he has. Had Chris ever mentioned Liam to you?” Nathan asked curiously.

Josiah shook his head. “Liam’s been in prison practically from the time we got back from Kat. I knew he existed because Buck mentioned him one or two times. No love lost there.”

“I can see why.” Nathan frowned deeply. “I’m not sure we’re doing the right thing keeping Liam’s attempts on Vin from Chris.”

“I can’t see any other option. If we follow the course of sharing our suspicions -- and remember, that is all they are, for we have no concrete proof -- Chris will become upset, Liam will deny it and we are left right where we are now… with Chris oblivious to what Liam is capable of and us suspicious. Chris on one side and us on the other. At least this way, we avoid unnecessary aggravation for Chris. There’s more to this than we know. It’ll come out when it’s ready.”

“Maybe. I can’t imagine what Vin must be feeling.”

“Angry and frustrated,” Josiah mused. “Buck worries me – a powder keg ready to blow at any moment. At the hospital after Liam tired to kill Vin... if Buck’d caught up with Liam… Since Vin’s return, Buck has been almost as over-protective of the kid as Chris.”

Nathan nodded. “More so in some ways.”

“Oh, Buck loves Vin, there’s no question of that… and those two are close. But protecting Vin is important to Buck for a second reason.”

“Chris.”

“Yep. Vin is Chris’ salvation and Buck will do anything to save Chris from the darkness that swallowed him after he lost Sarah and Adam.”

Nathan sighed. “Yep.

**********

Monday 8:15 am

Ezra weaved through the morning traffic, his Jag seeming to know the journey without his help. He reviewed the day ahead: Office for about an hour; then to the airport to pick up his parents… his parents. Mother and father.

All his life he’d longed to have a family of his own. A family that loved him. Strangely enough, he didn’t feel the way he’d thought he would. It was wonderful, he couldn’t deny that, but it didn’t feel unique. Perhaps because for the past year and a half, he’d had a family of his own that loved him.

His parents were going to stay with him for a week. As he needed to return to work, they had decided to visit. They’d basically invited themselves. One of the privileges of family, he realized.

It would be an interesting week. He and his mother found it difficult to spend more than a couple of days together. He loved her, but residing under the one roof for an extended period of time would not be easy. He and his father, on the other hand, were comfortable in each other’s company.

Ezra glanced to the right as he passed the saloon, noting Vin’s bike parked at the end of the parking lot near his small unit. Vin was running late, which was unusual. Then again, Ezra knew Vin and Chris had exchanged ‘words’ the night before. There was only one topic that could have caused a row and that was Liam.

Ezra frowned. Liam was either very cunning or was genuinely trying to fix his life for Chris’ sake. Ezra wasn’t sure which, but he was willing to trust Buck on this one…and Buck was certain that Liam was rotten to the core.

**********

Monday 8:15 am

J.D. stepped out of the elevator and watched Chris who was collecting something from Buck’s desk. “Morning, boss,” the young man stated, carefully.

Chris turned and pursed his lips. “Boss?”

J.D. smiled sheepishly. “I ummm… I’m sorry if I came on too strong this morning. I just…”

“I’m pleased you called me. And don’t apologize for standing up for Buck. I know he often puts himself last.”

“Thanks, Chris. Ummm… are you and Vin…?”

Chris exhaled loudly. “We’re on rocky ground and it’s my fault. I’ll speak to him this morning.”

J.D. nodded. “Good. It isn’t right for the two of you to be arguing. I know it isn’t my place to comment but…”

“Good. Don’t.” Chris started back to his office. “What time is it?”

“8:16, Sir.”

“As soon as…”

The cell phones in their pockets began to wail. It wasn’t a ringtone, but the sound of Vin’s emergency signal!

**

Ezra decided to give the opera tickets to his parents. Perhaps it may… his cell phone, which was slotted into the dashboard began to screech. Ezra slammed on the brakes and did a U-turn. He’d seen Vin’s bike. It stood to reason Vin was home. Car tires squealed and horns blared as the bright red Jag cut off vehicles and raced back towards Vin’s unit.

Standish snatched the cell phone and waited for the text message that would confirm Vin’s location.

**

“At some stage, it’s all going to come to a head,” Nathan murmured.

“We just have to hope Chris sees the truth before we need to…” WAILING

“Vin’s emergency signal! “ Nathan shouted. Both men tore the phones from their pockets. They waited for the screens to light up with their friend’s location before phoning into the team party line.

**

Buck glanced through the document in front of him and signed it. Among other things, it contained a short description of him and his life, which would be used in promotional interviews etc.

“Now, gentleman. We are going to wardrobe so you can dress for your photo shoot. Then each of your will be interviewed individually. Once we have finished those, you will be taken to the house by helicopter.

**

“J.D.!” Chris shouted.

The youth raced to his computer, checking for a voice activated message that would be sent to him via email. “Nothing yet!”

Chris waited while the sophisticated tracking device in the watch triangulated with the CIA satellite J.D. had programmed it to contact. The watch was pre-set with a number of locations, and if it matched the co-ordinates, it would send a word rather than the map reference. The word ‘home’ flashed on the phone’s screen. “He’s at home!”

“Still nothing,” J.D. yelled, grabbing his laptop and racing after Chris, who had darted into the elevator and was calling the party line.

“ONE and SIX,” Chris barked, identifying himself and J.D.

“FIVE. Do you have a location yet?” Ezra yelled.

“He’s at home.” Chris slammed his palm against the console and sent the elevator racing for the underground parking bays.

“THREE and FOUR, here,” Josiah stated as he logged in.

“I am only two minutes from him,” Ezra cried.

Chris exhaled in a gush. “Thank God. FIVE - SIX and I are on our way. Fifteen minutes. Proceed with extreme caution. THREE and FOUR, stay on the line.”

“You got it, Sir.”

Chris and J.D. exploded from the elevator as it reached the parking lot, raced for Chris’ car and moments later were breaking the speed limit on their way to join Ezra.

************

Nathan paced.

Josiah watched him. “Calm down, brother. There’s nothing we can do from here.”

“I know. I just… Dad, what are you doing out of bed?”

Obediah Jackson walked into the family room wrapped in his dressing gown. “I heard you shouting. What’s going on?” Nathan took his father’s elbow and led him to a chair.

“Vin’s emergency beeper went off.”

“But you said the contract had been taken down.”

“It has, but it may take a while before people realize.”

Obediah looked up at his boy. “Go, son.”

“Dad, I…”

“Go! I’m fine.” He nodded decisively. “Go.”

Nathan glanced at Josiah and they exchanged a nod. Nathan leant forward and hugged his father. “Give mum my love.”

“Go,” Obediah repeated.

“J.D., we’re on our way home. We’ll be a few hours,” Josiah informed his colleague as he and Nathan raced to the airport.

**********

Chris weaved in an out of the traffic. He was going as fast as was safe. “Any word from Ezra?”

J.D., who had his cell phone wedged between his ear and shoulder, and the laptop open on his knees, typing furiously, replied. “No, Sir. Nothing.”

“It’s been too long. He said he was only two minutes away. He must be there by now.”

“At least he’s there and backing Vin up. Josiah and Nathan are on their way home. Do you want me to beep Buck?”

“No. There’s nothing he can do.”

“Do you want me to call the local police? There may be a unit closer than we are?”

“No. We don’t know what they may be facing. Anything from Vin?”

J.D. shook his head, checking his email. “Nothing, Sir. I’m guessing he didn’t have an opportunity. All he’s done is set off the tracking device…. I’m in,” J.D. cried. He’d successfully hacked into the Pentagon’s tracking system. “According to the tracking device in his watch, Vin is still at the unit.”

“Good.

“I… shit.”

“What?” Chris demanded, momentarily taking his eyes from the road.

“I’ve lost the signal.” J.D. attacked the keyboard.

“WHAT? What do you mean?”

“Vin’s tracker’s gone dead.” J.D.’s fingers danced, but he was shaking his head. “It’s gone.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Chris repeated.

“Ummm, it could mean that something’s jamming it or it’s been broken or…”

Chris Larabee, floored the accelerator. They were still at least another seven minutes away!

*********

Six minutes away: Chris ran a red light… and there was no contact from Vin or Ezra.

Five minutes away: Chris mounted the sidewalk to pass a truck… and there was no contact from Vin or Ezra.

Four minutes away: The car barely missed a bus… and there was still nothing from Vin or Ezra.

Three minutes away: Chris drove down the centre between two lanes of traffic lined up at an intersection, and then blasted across it… and the silence from Vin and Ezra had taken on new meaning. They had to be in trouble.

Two minutes away: Chris turned and shot up a one way street. J.D. screamed as a car loomed in front of them. Chris missed it by millimeters.

One minute away: A siren sounded behind them. Chris grabbed his two way and shouted into it, “DC plate GT 3976” is an Em7 vehicle. BACK OFF!” The police car did.

The saloon loomed ahead. J.D. closed the laptop. “Boys, we’re here.” He shoved his phone into his pocket and withdrew his revolver as Chris drove over the medium strip and shot into the parking lot, the car squealing to a halt beside Ezra’s.

**********

Chris couldn’t think. He was reacting and that was dangerous. As he exited the car, his training took over. Everything around him slowed as his mind began processing information at a speed few could dream of.

His finely tuned senses became more acute, recording every sight and sound and calculating its meaning.

Vin and Ezra’s vehicles were present. Both hadn’t left… at least not using their own transport.

The door of Vin’s unit was ajar. Vin would never leave it so.

There was blood leading to the door… more likely from it. Someone was hurt. Vin? Ezra? Those responsible for Vin activating his emergency signal?

Gunpowder on the breeze. A gun had been fired recently.

The smell of blood. Fresh.

Silence… not a sound. Whatever had happened was over.

The series of thoughts was processed in a single heart-beat.

Larabee withdrew his revolver and waited for J.D. The pair edged forward. Chris pushed the door open, thrusting his weapon in front of him.

On the floor only two steps inside was a body… Ezra!

---

Part Twelve

J.D.’s eyes widened. Chris reached out and gripped his partner’s arm for a split second and then nodded encouragement. “Cover me.”

J.D. swallowed. Chris stepped inside, his revolver sweeping the room. It appeared empty. Ezra’s gun was lying a few feet from the fallen agent. Vin’s shoulder holster, which held his revolver, was hanging on the doorknob of the bedroom where he always left it. One of the chairs was on its side and the mat on the floor was in disarray. The table had been slid sideways and the coffee table split down the centre. There was shattered glass on the floor and to one side, a pool of blood. The wall on the left had blood splatter on it. Near the over-turned chair was Vin’s watch… smashed into a million pieces

It had been one hell of a fight.

Chris didn’t look at Ezra. He couldn’t afford to at this stage. He stepped over the prone agent, beckoning J.D. into the unit. “Stay with him, but keep your guard,” Chris whispered.

J.D. stopped beside Ezra, his revolver held out. Chris swept the kitchen and then disappeared into Vin’s bedroom. “Clear!” he shouted. He raced back into the main room where J.D. dropped beside Ezra, his hand darting for the fallen man’s neck.

“He’s alive!”

Chris brushed J.D.’s fingers aside to check Ezra’s pulse himself. It was weak. “J.D. get some blankets, call an ambulance, contact the boys and beep Buck.”

Dunne darted off to carry out his colonel’s orders. Chris examined Ezra critically. He was white. There was no sign of injury and so Chris ran his fingers over his skull. There he found what he was looking for. The blow had been vicious and delivered with considerable force. Swelling at the base of Ezra’s skull indicated internal bleeding. “J.D.!”

Dunne raced back, tossing the blankets at Chris.

“The ambulance. We need it now.” Larabee’s voice, while still calm, contained an edge.

J.D. paused. “It’s bad?”

Chris nodded, tucked the blanket around the fallen man. His mind whirred. Ezra had been carefully placed on his side. There was mucus discharge not far away. Someone had taken the time to clear his airway and put him in the recovery position. It had to have been Vin, but Vin would have recognized the seriousness of Ezra’s condition… so where was he?! He’d never have left Ezra unless…

Ezra had no external injury, so the blood on the ground wasn’t his. Chris had no time to contemplate. Vin was missing. Ezra was…

Chris gripped Ezra’s shoulder. “Stay with us, Ez,” he whispered. He noted his friend’s lips were going blue, indicating oxygen depletion. Chris leaned his ear close to Ezra’s mouth, at the same time watching the injured man’s chest. His breathing was becoming shallower. “J.D.?”

“Ambulance is on the way.”

“Get Nathan on the line! I think we’re losing him!” Chris rubbed Ezra’s back. “Standish, I’m ordering you to fight, damn it. Don’t you dare die on me. It would piss me off! You hear me?!”

J.D. fiddled with his phone. “Nathan! Ezra’s hurt.”

“Give it to me!” Chris yelled.

J.D. passed his leader the phone and crouched beside Ezra, picking up his silent friend’s hand. “Ez, you’re going to be fine.”

“THREE? Head trauma. I’m guessing fractured skull. Swelling at the base of his skull. His breathing is shallow. Lips going blue. Ambulance on the way… Yeah, he’s still breathing, but it’s really weak. Uh-huh. J.D., get him on his back and start mouth-to-mouth.”

J.D. rolled Ezra, tipped his head back and blew air into him. He paused, watching Ezra’s chest inflate.

“Ice.” Chris repeated. He leaped up, darted to Vin’s fridge and found a bag of frozen vegetables. Rushing back, he placed it over the front of Ezra’s neck, at the same time, thrusting the phone at Dunne. “Buck. I need him here.” Chris bent and blew air into Ezra’s mouth.

“Yes, Sir.” J.D. rose, biting down on his bottom lip as Chris assisted Ezra to breathe. “Come on, Ezra.”

“Buck!” Chris yelled.

J.D. collected himself, raced back to the car, opened his lap-top and sent the signal.

**********

Buck smiled at the young woman as she attached his lapel mic. “Well, thank you, darlin’.”

She smiled, shook her head with amusement and backed away. There were a dozen people in the small studio. The set consisted of two comfortable chairs with a coffee table between them. On the screen behind the chairs was a huge image of Buck from his photo shoot a few moments earlier.

The interviewer, a young man dressed in a suit and sitting across from Buck asked, ”Are you ready?”

“Whenever you are.”

“Remember what I said -- just relax. Be yourself. We want to give the audience some information about you, but from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. There are a half a dozen questions so the interview will only run a couple of minutes. This will be played tonight as part of the first show.”

“No problem.”

“And we’re rolling in… 3… 2… 1” the director counted down.

“And here we are with our next stud, Buck Wilmington. Captain Buck Wilmington. Buck, you’re a pilot?”

Buck turned and flashed a smile at the camera. “That’s right. I fly whatever my colonel asks me to. Anything from a jet to a helicopter.”

“Your colonel is actually Colonel Christopher Larabee who leads the famed response unit, Em7.”

Buck nodded, turning his attention to the interviewer. “That’s correct. Chris is the best of the best. I’ve met a lot of soldiers in my time, but none of them hold a candle to Larabee.”

“Are you’re saying that because he granted you leave to be a part of the competition?”

Buck chuckled. “Absolutely. No, seriously, Chris is an incredible leader. Any person who’s served will back me up on that. I’m damn lucky he’s my colonel.”

“So, tell us a little about a typical day.”

“For the most part, we don’t have typical days. Between missions it’s paperwork and training to keep our skills honed. On a mission... well, it could involve just about anything. Flying my unit into a jungle, dropping them off and then picking them up again. Or landing in the middle of enemy territory and joining them on the ground.”

“You’re actually a fully trained commando yourself, aren’t you?”

“Marine, originally.”

“What makes you think you should be crowned sexist man in the country?”

“I guess it isn’t what I think that’s important,” Buck flashed the camera another dazzling smile. “It depends what all them fine ladies are thinking.”

“What is your favorite past-time?”

“Spending time with a special lady. Maybe a little wine. A little dancing. Or depending on our mood, a little horse riding or hang-gliding.”

“You’re an outdoor sort.”

“Oh, I enjoy indoor sports as well.” Buck winked at the camera.

“Of course,” the interviewer laughed. “Last question, if you had to use one word to describe yourself…”

A piercing sound filled the studio.

Buck grabbed the beeper from his hip. “Damn. Phone. I need a phone.”

“Keep rolling,” the director instructed the camera man.

Buck leaped up and raced to the girl who had pinned on his microphone. He’d seen a cell phone clipped to her belt. “Ma’am?” he asked, removing it himself. “Thank you.” He dialed the party line. “Wings calling…

“…that’s good. Roll him back into the recovery position, and keep the ice on his throat, ” Nathan ordered.

Buck’s chest tightened and he waited.

“Buck, we need you at Vin’s unit. Ezra’s been badly injured and Vin’s missing.” J.D. cried.

“I’m on my way, kid.” Buck thrust the phone at the woman and turned to the producer. “You said you had a helicopter. Where is it?”

**********

J.D. heard the sound of the ambulance and raced outside.

Chris remained with Ezra, talking to the unconscious agent quietly and keeping the rest of his men informed via J.D.’s phone. “Ambulance’s here. Nathan, I’ll give them this phone. All decisions are yours.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Maude and his father are flying in this morning. Josiah, call and arrange for a taxi to pick them up and take them directly to the hospital.”

“Done, Colonel.”

Two paramedics rushed into the unit. “I’m on the phone to a doctor,” Chris stated, handing it to one of them. The other crouched and began an examination.

Moments later, Ezra was on oxygen and being lifted into the back of the ambulance.

“J.D., stay with him.”

Dunne nodded. “Chris, what about Vin?”

“You have your orders. Focus on Ezra. Don’t leave his side, not even in surgery. Ezra witnessed what happened. If those responsible find out he’s alive they may panic and try to remove him as a threat. Shoot first and ask questions later. That’s an order. I take full responsibility for your actions. Understood?”

J.D.’s eyes enlarged as Chris assisted him into the back of the vehicle. “Yes, Sir.”

“If he wakes, get as much information out of him as you can. Vin’s life depends on it.”

“I understand.”

“Buck will be here… any… minute.” Chris looked up as a helicopter circled above them.

J.D.’s lips split. “Right on time. Buck’s amazing. He must have stolen it from the television studios.”

Dunne slammed the door closed and the ambulance pulled away as the helicopter set down in the parking lot. Even before the blades slowed, Buck alighted, his usually jolly and relaxed face tight with anxiety.

Chris stared at him and relief flashed across his eyes. It was followed by a look of harrowed pain. Buck gripped his shoulder and they shared their collective fear. The moment of vulnerability passed quickly -- they had a job to do. Every second was critical. “FIVE’s condition is serious. It could go either way. SIX is with him. THREE and FOUR are still hours away.”

Buck cursed. “And Vin?”

Chris’ face flickered momentarily. Buck’s use of Vin’s name made it impossible for him to separate himself from what was happening. “No sign of TWO. I’m guessing someone came after the contract. We can only hope they took him alive and are going to kill him later. The local missing person’s unit is on its way, but this isn’t a normal kidnapping. Whoever took TWO is after the contract… and the contract stipulates killing him. We need answers now, Captain.”

Buck acknowledged the emphasis on the final word with a nod. He understood. It was paramount they maintain impartiality so they could do their job. “Perimeter, Colonel?” Buck demanded as he followed his leader toward Vin’s unit

“SIX did a sweep. No witnesses. Inez is out shopping.” Chris stopped as they reached the door. “When she left, Vin was in the saloon… apparently he’d been there all night. There’s a good chance he was less than at his optimum when this went down.”

Buck cursed softly.

“A couple of people reported hearing a shot, but assumed it was a car back-firing. One saw a white van pull out of the parking lot. No plates. No make. Just a white van. SIX’s already put out an APB and contacted all local taxi drivers to keep an eye out for white vans. It’s an impossible lead because there are thousands of them… but it’s better than nothing. A forensic team is on the way. Come on. I want you to help me reconstruct what happened. We have to work out what went down. Our only witness is unlikely to regain consciousness in time to give us anything.”

The two men entered the unit. “Talk it out,” Chris ordered. “What do you see? What do you feel? What are you thinking? What was TWO doing?” This wasn’t their area of expertise, but they’d seen Ezra do it enough to know the drill. Buck hadn’t been inside so his initial reaction would provide valuable data.

Buck stopped and surveyed the damage, drawing in a long deep breath. “He fought like hell. There was more than one.”

“Why?” Chris demanded.

“If there’d been one, TWO would have found an opening and went for his gun… hung-over or not. His gun is still in the holster on the doorknob. He didn’t get a chance, which means there had to be at least two attackers.”

“Good. Keep going.” Chris crouched beside the pool of blood, and then scanned the blood splatter patterns. “Looks like one source.”

“That’s a lot of blood,” Buck winced. “Ezra?”

“No.”

Buck exhaled and whispered, “That’s at least two pints. Whoever lost that is in a lot of trouble.”

Chris nodded and murmured. “I know.” He lifted his gaze to Buck. “Hold it together, Captain.

Buck’s chin bobbed. He took a few moments to clear the image of Vin from his mind and then strode across the room and bent beside Vin’s watch. “Someone knew he was sending a tracking signal. They were professionals.”

Chris rose. “Yeah, let’s hope so. If it’s amateurs, TWO’s dead already. If they’re professionals, there’s a good chance he’s alive. Professionals would have read the fine print on the contract and know they need him alive until they contact the broker. If this isn’t connected to the contract, and is a professional kidnapping, they’ll keep him alive until they establish contact for a ransom.”

“A kidnapping? If that were the case, they’d have taken Ezra. Ezra’s the one with money. Vin owns little more than the clothes on his back.”

“True. It’s got to be the contract. FIVE was there.” Chris pointed.

Buck frowned. “In the doorway?”

“Yeah. His gun is there.”

Buck moved to the doorway and turned to face inward. “Injuries?”

“Single blow to the back of the head,” Chris stated. “No bruises to his hands. I don’t think he was part of this,” Larabee mused, sweeping the room.

Buck backed up and then stepped up to the door. “Sooooo, he rushes up, steps inside and is hit from behind… they had someone outside.”

“Professionals,” Chris agreed. “So, FIVE is hit as he enters?”

“It’s one possibility.”

“For now, let’s run with that. If FIVE wasn’t a part of this,” Chris stated, indicating the mess,…”

“Then Vin did this… like I said, more than one and he fought like hell.”

Chris’ face darkened and he conceded with a nod. “So whoever it was must have broken in with the intention of taking TWO alive or they’d simply have shot him. WHY THE HELL DIDN’T HE HAVE THE ALARM ON?!”

The explosion of emotion caused Buck’s cheek to twitch. He knew Chris was walking close to the edge. After what had happened the night before, Buck could only imagine what Chris was thinking and feeling. “There’s no contract any more, Colonel. Vin probably…”

“NO! He knew. He knew it may be a few months before word spread. We only just talked about it! I told him not to take any chances! I told him…” Buck crossed to him and laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder. Chris shut his eyes, forced his personal feelings aside and returned to analyzing the facts. Larabee nodded his thanks, then walked to the door to take Vin’s position, indicating for Buck to go outside. “So, he opens the door and is attacked?”

Buck, playing the role of the attackers, forced Chris backwards into the centre of the room. “At least two people rush in.”

Instinctively, Chris reached for his revolver. “Why isn’t he armed? He knows not to answer the door unless he’s armed.”

“Chris, this is impossible. There are a hundred reasons why he wasn’t armed when he opened the door… or perhaps he didn’t open the door. Maybe…”

“Buck!” Chris snarled. “Just run with it. This happened less than forty minutes ago. We have two hours to save his life if it isn’t already too late.”

“Two hours?”

“Two hours at most. They want to collect the contract. So they’ll transport him somewhere and log in to the internet to set up the live video feed. When they discover the contract is no longer active…”

“They could let him go.”

Chris cursed. “These guys are professionals. They won’t let him go.” They stared at each other.

Buck licked his lips. Like Chris, he was struggling to maintain a lid on his emotions. “Okay.” He cleared his thoughts and looked back at the ransacked room. “Do you smell that?”

“Yeah. Chloroform. I smelt it when I first walked in.”

“So they took him out alive.”

“May have tried to knock him out before all of this happened,” Chris reflected, indicating the aftermath of the struggle. “Vin got free and then they fought.”

The two men stared at each other. They were going nowhere. “Let’s run this like one of our own missions,” Buck suggested.

“Good.”

“Step one: Vin’s attacked… how they got him to open the door is immaterial. He’s attacked and he sets off his watch tracker. He doesn’t have time to do anything else because he’s fighting at least two attackers. Maybe they try to chloroform him at this stage, maybe not. Step two:…”

Chris pointed to the door, indicating for Buck to take Ezra’s position. “Step two: Ezra arrives. We know that it was only a couple of minutes between when Vin set off his emergency alarm and when Ezra arrived.”

“So, Ezra arrives,” Buck repeated, stopping in the doorway.

“But there’s someone outside.”

“And Ezra misses them?” Buck mused, shaking his head. “That’s unlikely… unless Ezra could see Vin and Vin was hurt… maybe out because of the chloroform. He ignores everything else and darts inside to help.”

“No. Ezra’s too well trained to do that. However, if he thought Vin was fine and the threat had passed…”

“Yes. Yes, so Vin had to be alive,” Buck agreed.

Chris nodded thoughtfully. It made sense. “Ezra thought everything was clear.”

“That works.” Buck felt positive they were on to something. “So, Vin dealt with whoever was inside. Ezra dropped his guard believing the threat had passed.”

“Right. Step three: Ezra enters and is hit from behind.” Buck dropped to the ground to mimic the action. “Which means….” Chris backed up, raised his gun toward the door, and nodded toward the blood.

“… the blood is likely to be from whoever hit Ezra. Step four: Vin shoot Ezra’s attacker!”

Chris bobbed his chin, but refused to to be caught in Buck’s increasing excitement. “Shoots the attacker with what? His revolver’s still hanging on the doorknob,” Chris pointed out, indicating Vin’s weapon.

Buck climbed to his feet. “Vin disarmed whoever attacked him and used that weapon.”

“That works because Ezra was in the recovery position. At some stage after Ezra was injured, Vin was in control of the situation because it had to be Vin who cleared Ezra’s airway and rolled him onto his side.” It all made sense. So at this stage, their enemy had been defeated. Abruptly, Chris lashed out at the chair nearest him “He wouldn’t have left Ezra. Something went wrong at this point.”

“Ezra was in a bad way. Vin had no choice but to focus on him,” Buck reflected quietly.

“Cleared his airway and rolled him onto his side,” Chris agreed. “Ezra would have died before we got here otherwise. Vin prioritized. Ezra had only minutes and even though he knew we were coming, we’d never make it in time unless his airway was clear.”

“Vin saved Ezra’s life,” Buck agreed. “Maybe one of the guys Vin’d taken down wasn’t out and attacked him or…hang on… not one outside!” Buck exclaimed. “They were professionals. We’d leave two men covering the perimeter. There was more than one outside.”

“Step five: Vin tends to Ezra, saving his life. Step six: the second outside man surprises Vin when he’s distracted and…” Chris ran his hands through his hair. “And step seven: Vin’s taken.”

“Right, but there’s only one pool of blood and all the splatter indicates it came from the same source. So, Vin was alive when they took him… putting up a hell of a fight, no doubt. That’s when they would have chloroformed him.”

The two men became quiet. “It’s plausible,” Chris agreed. “We won’t know for sure if that’s Vin’s blood or not until the forensic team gets here and tests it.”

“We don’t know that any of this is right, Chris,” Buck murmured, his excitement draining away. “Hell, we’re guessing. There are dozens of other scenarios that fit this scene. We might be way off track.”

“I disagree. Our theory explains why Ezra was in the doorway. It explains why his knuckles weren’t bruised. It explains how he was hit from behind and why he was in the recovery position. What it doesn’t tell is who’s taken Vin and where they’ve taken him.”

“What if Vin knew his attacker and let him in? That changes everything. It means it may not have been a professional.”

“You mean someone from our past?” Chris asked.

Buck looked away, unable to maintain eye-contact. “Just thinking aloud.”

“So, someone from now? Someone Ezra wouldn’t have seen as a threat either?”

“Maybe.”

Chris dismissed the suggestions with a grunt. Ezra was too well-trained to underestimate anyone when responding to Vin’s emergency signal. Larabee swallowed and looked back to the pool of blood and the blood splatter. “Whoever it was, bled quickly. J.D. and I took about twelve minutes to get here.”

“An artery.” Buck turned to his friend, sensing his turmoil. “It’s unlikely to be Vin’s blood, Chris.”

Larabee turned to face Wilmington, the impartial mask well and truly in place. “We don’t know Vin shot Ezra’s attacker. His gun is way out of reach. If Vin didn’t shoot Ezra’s attacker, it stands to reason that while he was helping Ezra, someone shot him.”

Buck conceded with a nod, his chest tightening. “It could be Vin’s blood. So, what do we know?”

“We know someone broke in to collect the contract and they didn’t expect Vin to put up such a fight. They intended taking him alive, but… Vin wasn’t going to be taken.”

Buck set his jaw. He couldn’t accept it was Vin’s blood. He wouldn’t accept it. “They’re professionals, Chris. Everything indicates that this was well-planned and orchestrated by people who knew what they were doing, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then they would have taken him alive for two reasons. One, it’s easier to keep an unconscious man than a dead one. Decomposing corpses are hard to hide. And two, the contract stipulates they must have proof of Vin’s death and proof they are the ones who killed him. We know to collect the contract the killer has log into a live video feed and murder Vin while the contract broker watches. Then the money is transferred. Some of the assassins who have tried to kill Vin up until now, didn’t read the fine print. We’ve just agreed that whoever did this was well-organized and they knew what they were doing. They were professionals or they wouldn’t have got the drop on Vin in the first place.”

“He was hung-over.”

“Wouldn’t have mattered,” Buck dismissed. “They won’t kill him until they’ve logged in and have set up the live video feed. For that reason, I’m certain Vin was alive when he left here”

Chris knew Buck’s reasoning was based more on a refusal to accept that Vin may be passed help, than anything else. “If Vin was taken alive, he may have left us something to help. Look around. Hang on!” Larabee’s face lit. “Video feed. The internet! They can’t log in and get a video feed if the entire web is down. Get over to the hospital and take over as Ezra’s guard. Tell J.D. I want him to take down all internet services in this state for the next few hours.”

“Chris, J.D.s good but there are hundreds of internet providers in this city, let alone this state. I mean…”

“DO IT!”

Buck raced out to the chopper to carry out his leader’s instructions.

Chris turned and rescanned the room. He spotted Vin’s jacket on the floor, collected it and searched the pockets, discovering a balled piece of paper. He withdrew and flattened it out. The colour drained from his face as he read the words. Chris shut his eyes. “Oh, God.”

---

Part Thirteen

J.D. typed furiously at a computer in the doctor’s lounge. Less than a minute earlier, Buck had banged on the door of the examination room where Ezra was being treated, and passed on yet another impossible order.

Dunne cursed, acutely aware of the volume of his voice. A doctor and nurse, who had been talking quietly in the corner, left the room.

J.D. focused on the task at hand. “If they can’t log in, they can’t find out the contract is down and they’ll wait until they can log in… which means they’ll keep Vin alive,” he reflected, understanding his colonel’s logic. He should have thought of it himself. After all, this was his area of expertise. It was why he was a member of Em7. However, Chris didn’t understand the enormity of what he was asking. Taking down all internet providers in the state was…”impossible. Think laterally,” he ordered himself. “It is possible but… not on my own.”

J.D. dug his phone from his pocket.

*********

Buck stood to one side, listening as two doctors discussed Ezra who lay on a bed between them, an oxygen mask covering his deathly pale face. Ezra’s elected bodyguard only understood half of what was being said, the medical jargon impossible to interpret. What he did know --Ezra looked very still and required assistance breathing.

“Come on, Ez.” Buck forced himself to look for a positive. While his friend wasn’t out of danger, at least he was safe. If only Nathan were here.

Buck’s thoughts turned to Vin. Wilmington shook his head and silently berated himself. Vin had spent the night alone and drowning his pain. “I shouldn’t have left him…should have stayed.” The look in Vin’s eyes haunted Wilmington. Tanner had said so little, but his expressive eyes had been screaming with confusion and pain.

Buck studied his revolver. At lot of use it was to Vin now. Maybe if he’d stayed he’d have been present when his friend was attacked. If he’d stayed, Vin would have been in better ‘condition’ to fend off his attackers because Buck would have limited his drinking. Of course, Vin had still put up a hell of a fight but... but Ezra was injured and Vin was missing, and Buck couldn’t help blaming himself. He began to pace, swearing under his breath.

One of the doctors glanced at him distracted.

“Sorry,” Buck mumbled, stepping into the doorway to check the corridor.

*********

Chris shook hands with the head of the forensics unit, nodded to the leader of the missing person’s unit, then jogged to his car. There was nothing more he could do here. He’d shared his theories. Now, he had to wait until they reported their findings.

Ezra was the key. Ezra, and Ezra alone, had seen Vin’s kidnappers. Ezra was an astute agent. He would have seen more than most witnesses.

When Chris arrived at the hospital, he immediately went to the doctor’s lounge where he’d been told to find J.D. “SIX. How’s Ezra?”

Dunne didn’t pause, his face set in a frown as his eyes darted back and forth across the screen. “Colonel. Last update, the doctors had successfully reduced the swelling which was making it easier for him to breathe, but he was still on oxygen. They were positive.”

“Thank God,” Chris murmured. “And you?”

“Every internet provider in this state and all states bordering us are down – apart from the CIA’s private server which we’re using to access all others. Each private service has technicians fixing the problems we’re creating, but they aren’t a match for us. At the moment, if the kidnappers try to log in, I estimate they’ll have access for no more than about forty seconds before one of us takes the service down again. It won’t be long enough to establish a video feed. Our only problem is if they’ve taken Vin beyond our coverage, but at the moment we have Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and most of New Jersey down.” The whole time he spoke, he was accessing and monitoring one of the two dozen windows he had open.

Chris studied the screen, not understanding what he was looking at. “We?”

“I couldn’t do it on my own, Sir. I rang the computer technicians at the CIA, pulled rank, allocated each of them a list of service providers and ordered them to bring their list down. All major providers have definitely been out of service since about an hour after Vin set off his emergency beeper. If we work on a theory of Vin still being at the unit for ten minutes, the kidnappers traveling for forty plus minutes to take him somewhere to carry out the contract… at least forty minutes because it was peak hour traffic… and then ten minutes to organize themselves and log in… we should have taken everything down before they could attempt to log in.”

Chris patted J.D.’s shoulder. “Well done, SIX. You may be the only thing keeping TWO alive at the moment.” He exhaled and admitted quietly, “We’ve nothing else.”

J.D. paused and glanced at his leader, his expression one of alarm. “Nothing?”

Chris shook his head. “Nothing except Ezra.” The admission was emotional. Chris had no idea where Vin was… or even if he was still alive. If he was alive, Chris didn’t want to think what was happening to him. With increasing difficulty, he pushed those thoughts aside. He couldn’t afford to dwell on them. Every second was still critical.

He squeezed the younger man’s shoulder. “Ezra’s our only lead. Which room?”

**

Chris knocked on the door and was greeted by a revolver. Buck lowered the weapon, his face flickering with anticipated hope. “Anything?”

“Forensics and the missing person unit are there, but they aren’t going to be much help,” he dismissed. “Is Ezra out of danger?”

“Yeah. That much I can tell.” Both turned to watch the doctors attaching wires to their team mate. All hope rested with the injured agent.

“As soon as they have him stabilized, I need to know.”

“Yes, Sir. Was J.D. able to…?”

Chris nodded.

Buck smiled with pride. “That kid is the best in the business.”

**

Chris strode down the hall, his mind churning. He didn’t know what to do next and it terrified him. He wasn’t used to feeling this helpless and found it crippling.

Thoughts swirled in and out of his consciousness. Ezra hurt and Nathan not here to look after him. Vin missing. Memories of the night they’d argued assaulted him. “I’m sorry, Cowboy. God, I’m sorry,” he whispered.

The colonel was teetering on the edge of control. Only two things were stopping him falling into the abyss of despair and rage that had claimed him four years earlier. The most important of the two was the fact Vin needed him. If he was to save his lieutenant’s life, he needed to keep a cool head. Second, Vin’s attackers were professionals. Chris was certain of that fact. Professionals would keep Vin alive until they confirmed the contract details and established a live video feed. As long as J.D. and his team of hackers kept internet servers down, the kidnappers should keep Vin alive. At least it gave them some time.

Chris rushed back toward the doctor’s lounge, withdrawing his phone to contact Travis. As he rounded a corner, he spotted…“Nathan?!” Chris blinked, confirming he wasn’t seeing things.

Jackson, who was at the admissions desk demanding information, spun and jogged toward him.

“Colonel! Where is he?”

“This way.” Nurses and orderlies cleared a path as the pair ran along the corridors. “How the hell did you get here so quickly?”

“Flew our plane to Lackland Air Force Base and took a jet. Josiah made out he was you and they were falling all over themselves to let us have it. We arrived at the same time as Maude and Ezra’s father. Shared a taxi. Josiah’s taken them to the waiting lounge.”

Chris stopped, whistled, and tore the door open. Buck stepped back, recognizing the signal. Nathan shot inside. Both doctors recognized him. “Nathan,” one greeted. “He’s one of yours, isn’t he?”

“Yeah. What’s his condition, Peter?” Nathan demanded, moving to the sink and washing his hands.

Chris exhaled. Now Ezra was in good hands. Now Chris could put that part out of his mind.

Buck smiled, his relief evident. “Must be a new record from Texas to Washington.”

“Jet.”

“Way to go, Josiah!”

**

This was not something Chris enjoyed or had a great deal of experience with, but it was necessary. When he entered the waiting room, Josiah was handing Maude and Wilhelm coffees. Ezra’s parents rose when they spotted the Em7 colonel.

Larabee walked across to Maude and squeezed her hand, before turning and shaking Wilhelm’s. “Nathan’s with him now.”

“Is he alright? Josiah said he was injured trying to prevent Vin being kidnapped,” Maude spluttered.

“He received a blow to the back of his head and is unconscious.”

Maude covered her mouth, a sob shattering her composure. She gripped Wilhelm’s arm tightly.

The man Chris had seen briefly at the Thanksgiving party put his arm around her. “How long before we’ll know anything?” His thickly accented voice was strong, but his face was shadowed with deep concern. Chris marveled at the physical resemblance to Ezra.

“Nathan’s with him,” the colonel repeated. “Josiah, replace Buck and tell him to report to me. No one enters that room unless it’s one of us. No one. I don’t care who they are. Do whatever it takes to protect him.”

“Understood.” With that, Josiah disappeared.

Wilhelm’s eyes enlarged.

“I’m not prepared to take any chances with your son’s safety,” Chris explained.

“Thank you, Colonel Larabee.”

“You’re supposed to be staying at Ezra’s house?” Chris confirmed.

“Yes, but we won’t be leaving the hospital until we’re certain he’s okay.”

“Of course. Nathan is a fine doctor and…”

At that moment, Nathan and Buck entered the waiting room. The doctor patted Chris’ arm, then walked straight across to the Standishes and smiled. “He’s going to be okay. Concussion, but with rest, he’ll be fine.” Tears of relief burst from Maude’s blue eyes. Wilhelm hugged her, whispering silent assurances.

Jackson turned to his colonel and lowered his voice. “The swelling you identified wasn’t bleeding. It was trauma from the blow itself. He was hit at the base of the skull –top of the neck… hit hard, but he must have moved with the blow.”

“He anticipated it.”

“That’s what it looks like.”

“He knew there was someone behind him but he still… “ Chris ground his jaw. “Vin must have been in trouble and Ezra ignored the threat to himself,” he mused.

“I’ve looked at the X-rays. No spinal damage, but there’s considerable swelling. It put pressure on his esophagus.”

“That’s why his breathing was shallow?”

“The swelling was closing his wind pipe. You got him here before that became a problem. Another ten minutes and...”

Chris nodded. “His condition?”

“Stable. Severe concussion. No hemorrhaging into the brain.”

Chris drew in a long breath and released it. Spinal injury and brain damage were the two things he’d feared. He’d known the blow had been brutal. “When I saw him… Thank God, Nathan.” Again, emotion swamped his professional impartiality.

Nathan smiled with understanding. Chris was an outstanding leader, but not even he could bury his emotions completely. “Ez. has a hard head and even stronger will, as we both know. The trauma may cause some minor paralysis, but it’ll be temporary. He’ll be stiff and find movement difficult, but with rest… and more complaints than either of us care to think about, he’ll fully recover. I’ve taken him off all drugs so we can talk to him as soon as he regains consciousness. He’ll be in considerable pain, but we need to speak to him.”

Gradually, Chris climbed above his personal feelings of relief for Ezra and focused on what the team needed to do to save their missing colleague. “When? When can I talk to him?”

Nathan shrugged. “Hard to tell.”

“I need to talk to him now. He’s our only hope of identifying who took Vin.”

Nathan frowned. “Chris, it could be hours before… I’m sorry. This isn’t something I have control over. You know what head injuries are like. While I’m positive Ezra’ll be okay with time, there is considerable trauma. Hell, Chris, it could be a day or even…”

Larabee spun away, a stream of obscenities exploding from him… as he teetered closer to the edge.

Nathan placed a hand on his shoulder.

“We’d like to see Ezra,” Wilhelm stated firmly, forcing himself between the two men. Clearly he was annoyed the doctor was directing all information regarding his son’s condition to Chris.

“Sir?” Nathan checked with his leader, who had composed himself.

Larabee’s chin bobbed.

Maude’s face flashed with ire. “I do not need your permission to visit my own son!”

“No, but you need mine,” Nathan responded. “I’ll take you to him.”

********

Ezra had been moved to a private room, furthermost from the lifts and stairs. Josiah was posted in the open doorway, a revolver in his huge fist. He relaxed as he identified those approaching.

Nathan held up his hand for the Standishes to wait while he checked the monitors Ezra was attached to. Upon his nod, Maude rushed to her son’s bedside, leaned down and kissed his brow above the oxygen mask. Ezra looked decidedly small and fragile. “What on Earth have you done to yourself?” she demanded, running her fingers through his hair as she stared down at his puffy face. “This is the last time, Ezra. This foolishness ends today. My heart won’t take any more.” Her expression twisted into rage which she directed at Chris. “He’s leaving your organization. Do you hear me? This flight of fancy is over.”

Wilhelm placed his hand on Ezra’s arm. “Doctor, I heard you say that he has a severe concussion?”

“Yes. He’s lucky Chris and J.D. found him when they did. He would have suffocated.”

“But…?” Maude asked horrified.

“He’s fine now,” Nathan assured. “We’ve controlled the swelling with ice and drugs.”

Wilhelm nodded his thanks to Nathan. “We are in your debt.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to step outside,” Nathan informed the Standishes upon Chris’ signal.

Maude spotted the exchange and defiantly declared, “I’m not moving.”

Nathan rounded the bed. “Ma’am, I understand your desire to be close to him, but as his doctor, I’m requesting that you wait outside.”

“As his mother, I refuse,” she declared. “I know it is not you who wants us to leave.” Again, she glared at Chris.

Larabee exhaled impatiently. “Maude, I was a parent and I understand what you’re feeling, but right now, you’re compromising our ability to protect him. Ezra may hold vital information to help us find Vin and whoever took Vin may want to stop Ezra from sharing it.”

“Colonel Larabee, I am sorry Vin’s missing, but my concern is for my son alone and I refuse to leave him with you and your team of soldiers. Ezra is not, nor has he ever been, a soldier. His association with you ends as of now. I will arrange private bodyguards. The best money can buy.”

Chris re-directed his attention to Wilhelm Standish. “Take her outside.” While it was low and almost emotionless, there was no questioning the fact that it was a command.

Wilhelm stared into the hard, cold eyes of Colonel Larabee. “You will protect him?”

“No one will get to him unless they go through us. Having civilians in the firing line will compromise our ability to protect him. I need you out of this room.”

Wilhelm frowned but nodded his understanding. “Maude.”

“No. No, I will not…”

He took her arm and ushered her toward the door. “Now, Maude!” She stopped struggling, responding to the tone of his voice. “They can look after him better than anyone you can hire.” He paused in the doorway and looked back at Nathan. “Doctor, I’m entrusting my son’s well-being to you.”

“I assure you…” Before Nathan could finish, one of the monitors began beeping. Ezra twitched.

“Ezra!” Maude cried, pulling free of Wilhelm.

“Nathan?” Chris demanded, racing around the bed “Come on, Ezra. Open your eyes.”

“He’s coming around,” Nathan confirmed. Immediately, the doctor removed the oxygen mask. “Maude, back please.” Jackson glanced at the monitor. “That’s it, Ez.”

Josiah stepped into the room, took Maude’s and Wilhelm’s arms and gently, but firmly guided them back a few paces.

“No. I want…”

“Let Nathan do what he needs to, Ma’am.”

Nathan nodded to Chris. “We may only get a short window of consciousness.” They needed to find out as much as they could as quickly as possible, which meant Chris would have to push Ezra hard.

Chris leaned over the semi-conscious man, watching as Ezra’s eyes darted below the lids. A low moan escaped the injured man.

“He’ll be in considerable pain, but not in any danger,” Nathan whispered.

Chris picked up Ezra’s hand and ordered, “FIVE! Report what you saw.”

Maude struggled to pull free of Josiah’s grasp. “Leave him,” she protested. Chris glanced at Josiah. Sanchez, dragged Ezra’s parents out of the room.

“FIVE?”

Ezra’s eyelids flickered. “Colonel… Vin?”

“Is missing.” Larabee’s voice was loud and firm. “We need something, Ezra. What happened?”

Ezra’s eyes partially opened. He looked up at Chris, then flicked his gaze to Nathan. His pupils were of different sizes, one huge, the other tiny -- an indication of his concussion. Ezra grimaced. Chris squeezed his hand and Ezra returned his attention to his Colonel. “We’ve taken you off the painkillers so you’d come around. I know you’re hurting, but I need a full report.”

Ezra swallowed with difficulty. “I arrived and… Vin was inside. Alive. Moving around… shouting.” There was agony in every word. He panted, trying to rise above it.

“What was he shouting?”

Ezra moaned. “I… I don’t remember.” His jaw clenched and his eyes closed before he forced them open again, the lids hanging lazily over them.

Nathan watched the monitor. “Easy, Ezra.”

“He saw… me and ordered me to clear… the perimeter.”

“Good. Good Ezra,” Chris encouraged, again squeezing his hand.

“I turned to do so, but…” His pale face twisted with discomfort.

Chris placed his hand on the crown of Ezra’s hand, instinctively providing comfort. “Come on, Ezra. But what?” Chris pressed.

“A shot.”

Chris’ face shadowed. “A shot? From inside?”

“Yes. I spun around…. I heard… I heard someone behind me,… but Vin was down. I tried to get inside… to protect him but…” He fought against the pain and the darkness. His eyes closed with an accompanying groan. “I’m sorry.”

---

Part Fourteen

Chris’ heart leaped into his throat. “Vin was down? Where was he down? Just to the right of the doorway?” That was where the blood had been. If the blood was Vin’s... “Ezra?” When Ezra failed to respond, Chris grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “FIVE! FIVE, where did TWO go down?!” The volume was bordering on a roar.

Wilhelm Standish shouted and struggled against Josiah’s massive arms which were entwined around his chest. Maude screamed, but could not get around Josiah who was using Wilhelm to block the doorway.

“Ezra!” Chris shook the agent again. “Where did Vin go down?”

Ezra’s eyes flickered open. They rolled momentarily as he struggled to hold on to consciousness. “Coffee table. He was… near the coffee table. He…Oh, God.” His back arched as pain reverberated through his skull.

Chris shot a concerned glance at Nathan.

“You can keep pushing him. He’s okay,” the doctor assured with confidence.

“Easy for you… to say,” Ezra whispered, his gaze darting to Nathan, before returning to Chris.

Larabee smiled. Ezra was cognizant of what was happening. “Easy, Ez. How many?”

“I… I’m not sure. Three on the floor, At least one… behind… me.” He began rolling his head from side to side in response to the burning splitting through his skull. “God!”

The emotionless mask on Chris’ face faltered. He threaded his arm under Ezra’s shoulders, raised him and pulled him against his chest. “I’ve got you,” he whispered. “Easy, Ez. Stay with us.”

Ezra lifted his slitted gaze to Chris. “Why, Colonel. I… I didn’t know you… cared.”

Chris smirked, relief flickering across his face. That comment, more than any other, told him Nathan was right and Ezra was going to be fine. “Focus, Standish.”

“I…think there were more… outside. I… was little help… to Vin. I was knocked-out… within seconds… of arr.. arriving.”

“Did you recognize them?”

“No. They… were well… trained.” His face contorted again.

“What were they wearing?”

“I… I… don’t… Ohhh, God.” His body went rigid.

Colonel Larabee dissolved, replaced by a very concerned friend.. “Easy, Ez.” Ezra’s jaw clenched and he grabbed for Chris’ hand. Chris encircled it. “I’ve got you, Ezra. Nathan, get him something for the pain,”

“It’ll knock him out.”

“Nooo. No, I have to stay… awake.” Sluggishly, Ezra guided his other hand to his head and cried out.

“Keep pushing him,” Nathan whispered.

Chris squeezed Ezra gently. In the background, Maude and Wilhelm shouted for someone to help them rescue their son from ‘these madmen.’ “What were they wearing?”

Ezra mumbled something. His back arched, he cried out and then slumped against Chris.

“Ezra? Damn it!” It wasn’t enough. They still had nothing. “FIVE!”

Nathan shook his head. “He’s out, Chris.” Together the two men lowered their unconscious team mate back to the pillow.

Chris placed his hand on the crown of Ezra’s head again, studying the lines of discomfort that still creased his face despite being unconscious. “Nathan?”

“He’s okay,” Nathan assured as he checked the monitors.

Chris felt a lump form in his throat. Ezra had been knocked out almost immediately upon arriving. There was very little chance he could provide anything further. Torn between his wish to spare Ezra further discomfort and his need to find out anything to save Vin’s life, Chris whispered, “Can you give him something for the pain that won’t knock him out completely?”

Nathan’s left eyebrow rose. Chris was allowing the situation get to him. After what he’d just had to do to someone he cared about, who could blame him.

“He was trying to tell us something about what they were wearing. How much more can I push him?”

“Let him rest for a few minutes and I’ll try and bring him around again.”

Chris sank into the chair by the bed and rubbed his eyes. He reached out and patted Ezra’s arm. “You did well, Ez.”

Nathan eyed his colonel. “You okay?”

Chris’ head bobbed. “Yeah.” He hated what he’d just done, but it was necessary… and Ezra understood even if his parents didn’t. Chris glanced at the doorway where Josiah was struggling with Wilhelm and Maude… and a collection of nurses who’d come to investigate the ruckus. “Let them go, Josiah.”

Sanchez did, both shooting into the room.

“I want you out of here. All of you!” Maude screamed, hysterically. She threw herself over her son in an effort to protect him.

Chris could understand her reaction.

“Get out! Get out, all of you!!”

“Nathan, keep me informed. I want to check in with Buck and J.D. Josiah, allow them to stay two minutes and then remove them.”

“Yes, Sir,” the pair responded.

Chris exited the room and started down the hall. The weight on his shoulders was heavier than he could remember. Vin had gone down. How badly had he been hurt? Ezra had risked his life to save him… had just refused pain medication to assist in finding him. Yet, none of it made any difference. They still didn’t know who had taken Vin or where.

“LARABEE!!” Chris spun around as his name bounced off the walls. Wilhelm Standish marched toward him. “You thug! My son is lying in that bed and you…” He lashed out.

Chris swept the blow aside. “That one was free. Don’t make the mistake of attempting another,’ Chris snarled.

Wilhelm’s chest was heaving with rage. “The police are on their way. I want you charged with assault. We are having Ezra removed to a private facility where you can’t get your hands on him.”

Chris snorted. “Standish, I know you think you’re helping him, but you’re not.”

“He is leaving Em7.”

“That’s Ezra decision, and until he makes it, he’s one of my men and he will only be moved on my orders.”

“We’ll see about that, Colonel! I have powerful friends.” Wilhelm marched off.

Chris shook his head slowly. If the shoe were on the other foot, and Wilhelm had been harassing Ezra while he was in so much pain, he’d have dealt with Wilhelm harshly.

“Chris!” Nathan shouted, appearing at the top of the hall. “Headsets. They were wearing headsets and Ezra saw a tattoo… of a hawk. Kane has Vin!”

“Kane,” Chris repeated. “Thank God.” He hadn’t allowed himself to hope. If it was the Hawks, Vin was alive. “That’s all we need. Give Ezra...”

“Already done, Sir. He’s resting comfortably now.”

Chris sprinted to the doctor’s lounge.

Buck rose from a chair. “Sir?”

“J.D., get all servers up.”

“Why?” Buck asked confused.

“It’s the Hawks. Ezra saw a tattoo.”

J.D. eyed his colonel. “But Sir, surely it doesn’t make any difference. If Kane can’t get a live feed…”

“Kane won’t touch Vin if there’s no contract,” Buck explained. Men like Kane were a strange breed. He’d given his word he wouldn’t come after Larabee or his team for purely personal reasons. However, the contract was business. In Kane’s mind, at least, that made all the difference. If the contract was gone, he wouldn’t touch Vin.

“I need Kane to know the contract no longer exists. He’ll leave Vin or dump him, but he won’t kill him. And J.D. I want to talk to Kane.”

Another impossible order, but J.D. responded with, “Yes, Sir.”

********

The next fifteen minutes seemed to flash before Chris’ eyes as he received various reports and tried to process the information. All he wanted was to locate Vin and bring him home, and while that dominated his thinking, he couldn’t ignore the feeling of optimism. At best, Vin was fine. At worst, he had bruises… Chris was now 99% sure the blood wasn’t Vin’s. Kane was a lot of things, but he was a man of his word. He wouldn’t kill the sharpshooter once he found out the contract no longer existed. He would probably rough Vin up a little, just to make a point, but he wouldn’t cross the line.

“Sir, forensics on the phone.”

“Take the call,” Chris ordered.

Wilmington, who was seated at a makeshift desk in the center of the doctor’s lounge, nodded and repeated aloud so Chris could hear, “Only one victim. You recovered a bullet amongst the cushions of Vin’s couch.”

“They aimed low,” Chris commented, as he continued to scan a printed copy of the former contract on Vin’s life. “They were trying to take him down without killing him. That was the shot Ezra heard. If the bullet didn’t hit Vin, then he must have dived… Ezra saw him ‘go down.’”

Buck listened to the forensic chief. “Yep. Yep.”

“What was the blood type found? I want to eliminate Vin,” Chris snapped, closing the file.

Buck passed on the message and ended the call. “He’ll get back to us with the blood type. I was wondering why the attackers didn’t kill Ezra as he got out of the car, but if it’s Kane…”

“The Hawks would have been under orders not to kill any of us. They waited until Ezra was distracted and took him out.”

“Almost killed him,” Buck growled.

“Over zealous,” Chris dismissed, taking a call on his own phone. “Larabee. Yes… J.D.’s working on it at the moment, General. I’ll keep you informed.”

“Sir,” Nathan called, popping his head around the door. “The police have arrived.”

“Police?”

“Maude called them reporting you assaulted Ezra and claiming we’re holding him against his will.”

Chris swore. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Have Josiah speak to them.”

“Yes, Sir.” Nathan disappeared.

“Buck, any sign of the Hawks’ helicopter?”

“Not yet. I’m waiting for a call from…”

“Check again. Kane would have flown in.”

“Yes, Sir,” Buck responded, flipping his phone open.

Chris strode across the doctor’s lounge, which had become Em7’s base of operation. “J.D.?”

“Not yet, Sir.”

“Produce another miracle or you’re fired.”

“Yes, Sir.” Dunne glanced at his leader who winked. J.D. grinned. The shared moment of relief passed quickly, but enabled both to keep up the intensity.

“I’m tapping into the two frequencies the Hawks used in our last encounter. Nothing so far. No cell phone listed in Kane’s name or any of the names of the core group of Hawks.”

“White vans?”

“I’ve been able to contact a dozen rental places so far. Two white vans rented this morning, both to women. Four rented yesterday to men. Here’s the list of names. I’ve contacted the first two. Left a message for the third. Can’t get an answer from the forth. Two white vans reported stolen since yesterday morning.”

“Any stolen from the airport?”

J.D. nodded. “One.”

“That’ll be it.”

“I’ve passed on the number plate of that one to all taxi drivers and offered a reward.”

“Sir… the police,” Buck reminded.

“I don’t have time for this,” Chris grumbled, striding into the hallway.

**********

Maude cursed as the two policemen meekly ‘ran’ in the other direction. She glared at the huge man who’d turned the uniformed officers into dithering masses with the words… ‘or perhaps you would like to take this matter up with Larabee himself?’

“You think this is over, Josiah? Not by a long shot. You don’t own my boy. If it is the last thing I do, I will see that mongrel in jail for what he did. If he ever lays a hand on Ezra again…”

Josiah, who was struggling to control his emotions in light of the situation, growled, “Maude, Chris Larabee saved your son’s life. And if you’d taken the time to watch what was happening, rather than screaming hysterically, you’d have seen it was Chris who was trying to protect Ezra. Chris who held him when he was in pain. Chris who wanted him placed on painkillers and Chris who enabled Ezra to provide information we can use to save Vin’s life. If Vin dies, Ezra WILL blame himself. He was the first man on the scene and will see Vin’s kidnapping as his own personal failure to protect a team mate. Your threats achieve nothing apart from distracting us from our purpose, which is to protect your son and find Vin - so please save your hysteria. And if you choose to attack Chris again…”

“SERGEANT!” Chris had appeared at the top of the corridor. His expression, to say the least, was displeased. He glared at Sanchez. “What are you doing out of FIVE’s room?”

“Sorry, Sir,” Josiah murmured as his colonel bore down on him.

“Ezra’s safety is your responsibility.”

“Yes, Sir. I’ve just finished speaking to…”

“Move!”

“Yes, Colonel.” Josiah spun and entered the room, shutting the door.

Chris turned to the wide-eyed Standishes. “Go back to the waiting lounge. You’re placing your son in danger.”

“The only person who is a danger to Ezra is you! The police may not be able to touch you, but I know who can. I’ll have the media here in ten minutes and…”

“Maude,” Wilhelm cut her off, before returning to study Chris’ face. “He was right. You were the one trying to ease Ezra’s pain. The doctor…”

“…kept me informed of how far I could push him to gain the information needed. Once Ezra’s recovered, he can make all decisions regarding his future. Right now, decisions regarding his welfare are mine. Accept I’m in charge. We should have Vin back by the end of the day. Then the danger will have passed. Until then, no one enters Ezra’s room apart from members of my team. That is the only way I can guarantee his safety. Attempt to contact the media and you will be identified as a threat and will be dealt with accordingly.”

Maude’s eyes widened. “You’re threatening us?”

“He’s warning us,” Wilhelm interpreted.

“Go and wait in the waiting lounge until we summon you. If you can’t do that, I’ll have you removed from the hospital.”

“Accept our apology.” Wilhelm offered his hand. Chris eyed it curiously, before taking the proffered fist. “We misunderstood your motivation, but I do believe I am seeing things with more clarity. No one will be contacting the media or causing you any further problems which endanger Ezra.”

“Wilhelm?!” Maude exclaimed.

“I will explain to Maude,” Wilhelm assured, taking the protesting woman’s elbow and escorting her away.

Chris pursed his lips thoughtfully.

*********

“Colonel, the blood is AB positive,” Buck reported as Chris returned.

“And Vin’s is B negative,” Chris murmured. “Buck, call Travis and ask him what he found out about Ezra’s father.”

“Problem?”

“Curiosity. J.D., anything?”

“No, Sir.”

Larabee cursed. Alive Vin may be, but that didn’t change the fact that he was out there alone in the grip of those who hated him. The colonel couldn’t rest until his lieutenant was safely home. His thoughts clouded for a moment. There was a lot he needed to say to his friend.

Abruptly, Larabee’s phone rang. He dug it out, expecting a report from the missing person’s unit. “Larabee.”

“So there’s no contract anymore.” The voice was digitally distorted.

“Who is this?”

Buck and J.D. paused, alerted by the tone of their colonel’s voice.

“I still want my five million. He’s alive at the moment. I’ll be in touch in twelve hours.”

“Wait!” But the phone went dead.

“Chris? What is it?” J.D. demanded.

Slowly, Larabee sank into the closest chair, the phone still held to his ear.

“Chris!” Buck cried, leaping up and crossing the room in two strides.

Chris stared at Buck and swallowed, his arm falling to his side, the phone tumbling from his hand and clattering to the ground.

“Chris!” Wilmington crouched in front of his ashen-faced leader. “J.D., get Nathan!”

Chris shut his eyes. He’d made a dreadful error in judgment that may well have cost Vin his life.

“Chris? Chris what is it?” Buck repeated, placing his hands on each of his colonel’s shoulders.

“Buck… “ The whisper was hoarse. “It’s not the Hawks.”

---

Part Fifteen

Maude was furious. She’d convinced herself she could forget and move on, but it was a delusion. Wilhelm was her match in every way. Around him, she crumbled. She wasn’t certain why. Perhaps because she could.

The woman paced in the waiting lounge, a low growl of frustration emanating from her. Why did the two men she loved most in her life drive her to distraction?!

When Wilhelm re-entered the room, her hands shot to her hips. “Where have you been?”

“I needed to check on a business venture,” he stated, thrusting his phone into his pocket.

“A BUSINESS VENTURE!” Maude exploded. “Our son…”

“Our son is more than safe at the moment, as you well know. I understand your desire for him to reject his dangerous lifestyle, but taking on a man like Larabee is destined to fail.” He smiled.

“Though, you did it beautifully.”

Maude shook her head with annoyance. “Wilhelm, I need your help.”

He took her hand and led her away from the door and any prying ears. “Darling, the wheels are already in motion. We must wait until the mountain leaves Ezra’s room.”

“He won’t.”

“He needs to relieve himself at some stage. We all suffer from basic bodily functions, particularly if our last coffee had a little something extra added.”

“You didn’t?”

“I did – given as a peace offering. He accepted it gratefully. In about half an hour, he will be rushing to the men’s room.”

“But the doctor will still be with Ezra,” Maude pointed out.

“The doctor isn’t armed.” Wilhelm smiled. “Don’t worry, my love. You contact that private facility you spoke of and tell them to prepare a bed for Ezra.” He wrapped Maude in his arms. “All is going to be fine, Darling.”

**********

His unit was scattered. Divide and conquer. Whether his enemy had done it intentionally or not, that was what they’d achieved.

Vin was missing… but worst of all, Ezra was hurt. With Ezra out of operation, the colonel had no choice but to hand everything over to other agencies. This was now well out of Chris’ area of expertise and insisting on running the operation himself would only endanger Vin. Thus, he found himself a spectator in one of the most important operations he’d ever been involved in -- perhaps not important in terms of world or national peace, but important on a personal level.

Since the phone call from Vin’s kidnapper, the count down had begun. Every second that ticked by was another twist of Chris’ soul.

11 hours to go.

Em7’s top story office was a hive of activity as four different agencies set up their equipment. The noise from two dozen men and women was deafening. Chris and Buck were in the middle of the room being pummeled with questions from various agents and liaison officers. At one point, they shared a brief look of frustration, but continued to assist in any way they could. If this was what it took to get Vin back safely, then this was what they needed to do.

**

At the hospital, Josiah and Nathan spoke in hushed tones to one side of Ezra.

“We need him, Nathan,” Josiah murmured, rubbing his upset stomach.

“I realize that, but there’s little I can do. While he’s improving, he’s still weak. Even if I took him off the medication and he was to wake up, he’s in no condition to help anyone… Are you okay?”

Josiah shook his head, his brow furrowing with deep discomfort. “Feel ill.”

Nathan frowned and raised his hand to his friend’s brow. “You’re a little warm. Have you eaten anything to upset your stomach?”

“Umm… grabbed some pizza earlier. It tasted a bit strange,” Josiah admitted, grimacing.

“How many times have I warned you?!”

Josiah gripped his stomach.

“Come and sit down.” Nathan started to guide his friend to a chair.

“Ohh, man. I’m going to hurl!” Josiah shot out of the room and raced down the corridor toward the toilets.

Nathan depressed the intercom on the wall. “I need someone to check on a man in the public rest room on the fifth floor. Suspected food poisoning. I want to be informed of his condition immediately.” Nathan cursed passionately. Of all times!

Abruptly, the door swung inward and two men rushed in, both wielding weapons. Nathan attacked without conscious thought. The two men were taken completely by surprise. Nathan looked like a doctor, but fought like a professional commando. Seconds later, the men were at lying in an untidy heap at Nathan’s feet.

“Who the hell are you?!” he growled, kicking the two weapons aside. They’d waited until Josiah was out of the room, he realized. “What did you give him?!”

Nathan heard movement behind him. He spun toward the door. Wilhelm Standish raised a gun.

Before Nathan could react, Wilhelm pulled the trigger.

“I’m sorry, Doctor. I’m doing this for my wife and son.”

**

“I’m assuming your cell phone is unlisted?” Agent Marven demanded.

Chris nodded, trying to block out the dozen voices around him.

“I need a list of everyone who knows the number.”

Chris accepted the pencil and paper and began scribbling names.

Across the room…“Ezra saw a hawk tattoo,” Buck repeated. “But this isn’t the Hawks’ style.”

“Captain, with all due respect, let us decide what is relevant and what isn’t.”

Buck grabbed the other man by the front of his shirt. “Pal, listen and listen good. The Hawks don’t have Vin.”

“Buck!” Chris shouted.

Buck released the wide-eyed agent and shot toward his leader, shoving other people out of his path.

“Chris, this is impossible.”

“Calm down. Kane doesn’t have Vin, but that doesn’t mean some ex-Hawks don’t. We know Kane has been recruiting since the war. The newer members are mercenaries who come and go as they please. I’m thinking a couple of disgruntled former Hawks, who knew of the contract, may be responsible,” Chris suggested.

“Good theory,” Agent Marven commented. “Captain Wilmington, go and speak to agent Roach and give him as much information as you can regarding these mercenaries.” When Buck didn’t move, Roach repeated, “Now, Captain.”

Buck’s right hand curled into a fist. The only thing that stopped him delivering the punch was Chris’ shoulder, which appeared between Buck and the object of his discontent.

Larabee’s voice lowered to a gravelly whisper that lifted above the noise in the rest of the room. “Marven, let me make one thing very clear. You are welcome to make requests of my men, but don’t presume to think you can give them orders.”

Maven swallowed, wilting under the intensity of the Larabee glare and the sudden silence that had encapsulated the room. “Of course, Colonel. I’m sorry.”

Chris turned to Buck. “Help them with the list.”

Buck exhaled slowly and nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

**

Weakly, Josiah thanked the orderly and nurse who had practically carried him to a bed. He’d spent almost fifteen minutes kneeling at the china basin, throwing up. Diarrhea had hit also. The nurse had removed his soiled clothes and assisted him to dress in a hospital gown. He honestly felt like he’d been hit by a truck.

Despite his condition, Josiah was determined to return to his post. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, only to be forced back by the nurse. “I have to go.”

“Sir, you’re ill. I need you to remain in bed. Doctor Alcott will return shortly to give you an injection to settle your stomach.”

“My doctor is in room 7”

“We’ve tried to contact Doctor Jackson but he isn’t answering the intercom and the door is locked from the inside. A couple of orderlies are trying to…”

“WHAT?”

Josiah leaped from the bed and ran down the corridor. When he reached the door, he knocked the orderlies out of his way like skittles and yelled Nathan’s name. After two seconds, he slammed his shoulder against the door.

The lock splintered.

Josiah stumbled into the room and almost fell over Nathan’s prone form. “I need a doctor in here!!”

**

10 hours to go.

Buck nodded, listening to the doctor’s report. He was stationed between two beds in a hospital ward – Josiah in the bed on the right and Nathan on the left.

“The tranquilizer in the dart wasn’t powerful. I expect Doctor Jackson to regain consciousness in an hour or so,” Alcott advised.

“Thank you.” Buck glanced at Josiah who was pale and shaking his head. “Josiah, you can’t blame…”

“Who the hell should I blame, Buck?!!” The doctor chose that moment to make himself scarce. “Ezra’s gone and if they hadn’t used a tranquilizer gun, Nathan would be dead!”

“Calm down. What else were you supposed to do? Vomit all over the floor? Beating yourself up over this…”

“&^%#$ mess!!”

Buck agreed. Ezra had been kidnapped by his parents. Vin was in the clutches of God knows who. Nathan was unconscious. Josiah was violently ill. J.D. was frustrated. Buck was on the point of a complete melt down and Chris… Chris was a tower of strength so far.

Josiah attempted to get out of bed, but fell back weakly. The vomiting and diarrhea had taken its toll. Buck placed his hand on his friend’s chest and held him down.

“Stay, big fella. You look like death warmed over. Get some rest. We’re going to need you in a couple of hours.”

Josiah grunted with frustration. “Okay,” he conceded. “When I get my hands on that man, I swear, I’ll rip his arms off with my bear hands. It was in the coffee!”

“I know. He and Maude planned this well. Waited until the poison took effect and you were out of the way and then rushed Nathan. The two private detectives they hired were told to hold Nathan at gunpoint until Ezra could be transferred to an ambulance and whisked away.”

“Private detectives?”

“Gave themselves up to police a few minutes ago.”

“Any trace of Ezra?”

“No. The ambulance, Ezra and his parents have disappeared into thin air.”

“We have to find him.”

Buck nodded. “J.D.’s on it. At least we know they won’t hurt Ezra. In their own misguided way, they’re trying to protect him.”

“Yeah, but Ezra’s the only one who can authorize the money to pay Vin’s ransom.”

Buck swallowed. “I know.” Josiah was right. It was a #*@! mess!

**

General Travis was accosted by an explosion of noise when the elevator doors opened. “What the…?”

Chaos.

Phones were ringing, a dozen people were speaking at once and there was barely enough room for them all to work. The general threaded his way to Chris’ office, several people acknowledging him with nods. Larabee was in deep conversation with Steven Grant, the head of the missing person’s unit.

“Chris,” the general greeted entering. The Em7 colonel looked harassed and weary. Travis offered his hand. “Anything new?”

“No,” Chris murmured, sitting back in his chair.

“Nathan and Josiah?”

“Hospitalized. Buck’s with them. J.D.’s trying to locate Ezra. I…” Chris’ phone rang. “Larabee. Yes, I authorized the jet… Look, at this point…”

Travis leaned across the desk and took the phone. “This is General Travis. The President authorized use of the jet.” He slammed down the receiver.

Chris smirked. “Does the President know he did?”

“He will in about two minutes. Excuse me while I contact him.”

“Thanks Orin.” Chris watched his friend leave and returned his attention to Grant. “Will you give me a minute?”

“Sure.” Grant left, shutting the door behind him.

Chris stared out into the ‘Dog House’.

People scurrying everywhere.

Phones ringing.

Loud voices.

reason or another.

In his mind’s eye, Chris saw his boys at work. Ezra typing. J.D. fighting with the printer. Buck on the phone to one of his ‘fine ladies’. Josiah folding a paper plane. Nathan fussing over Vin for one

The comforting images dissolved, replaced by the strangers who’d taken over Em7’s headquarters. Strangers who didn’t know Vin. Strangers Chris couldn’t be sure he could count on.

Larabee flipped through the telephone book, found the number he wanted and dialed. “Jack Malone, please… Chris Larabee, Em7.”

Chris shut his eyes and waited. He and Jack had grown up together – army brats. Their paths had taken different directions, Jack joining the FBI and Chris the army. They hadn’t spoken in years, but right now, Chris needed his childhood friend’s advice. Jack had risen to the top and ran the FBI missing person’s unit in New York.

“Malone.”

“Jack, it’s Chris.”

“Chris? Hey! Good to hear from you. Gee, it must be fifteen years.”

“Jack, one of my men has been kidnapped.”

“Have you contacted…”

“Agent Grant is running the investigation.”

“He’s a good man.”

Chris exhaled. He’d needed to hear that.

“Ransom?” Jack asked.

“Five million in less than ten hours.”

“Is the money a problem?”

Chris grimaced. “It wasn’t until an hour ago. We’re working on it.”

“Chris, I can jump on a plane and be there in a few hours.”

“Jack, I… no. If Grant’s a good man then… I just…” He floundered. He had no idea what he was saying.

“I understand,” Jack acknowledged quietly. “When it’s one of your own, it’s hard to maintain perspective.”

“Yeah.” Silence fell between them. “I don’t really know why I called. I just needed to know Grant was the right man to be handling this.”

“If it was one of my men, I’d be happy for Grant to run the operation.”

“Thanks. That’s all I needed to know.”

“Keep me informed. If you need anything… anything at all, call me.”

“Thanks, Jack.”

**********

9 hours to go

Buck wriggled uncomfortably in the chair. Josiah was sleeping and Nathan had yet to regain consciousness. Every minute was an eternity.

Buck had spoken to Chris. For all their expertise, the ‘professionals’ who’d taken over the investigation still had a whole lot of nothing.

Nathan stirred. Buck rose. “Hey, there.” Jackson blinked, slowly orienting himself. Buck patted his arm. “Easy, pard.”

Nathan’s expression darkened with worry. “Ezra?”

“His parents kidnapped him. We’re trying to find him.”

Nathan rubbed his eyes, attempting to clear the fog. “His father used a tranquiller gun on me. I didn’t expect it.”

“Yeah.”

Nathan panicked. “Josiah?”

“Sleeping. Can’t you hear him?” Josiah’s thunderous snoring filled the room.

Relief touched Nathan’s eyes. “Is he okay?”’

“Yeah. Dehydration mostly. It was only a mild poison but it’s knocked him around. Doctor Alcott said you both just need rest.”

“What about Vin?”

Buck sank into the chair. “Nothing yet. The FBI missing person’s unit, the CIA, Army intelligence and Security Force are camped at the office giving Chris advice.”

Nathan shut his eyes in frustration. “Chris needs us.”

Buck couldn’t agree more. “You and Josiah get another hour’s rest and then we’ll head back.”

**

J.D. shot out of the elevator, dumped some papers on his desk, physically shifted two men away from his desk and sat down. Chris wove across the room to meet him.

“Colonel, the ambulance wasn’t stolen from the hospital.” Dunne raised his voice to be heard above the thundering din. “It must have been one from a private facility. I’ve contacted all privately owned clinics in DC, but none reported a new patient fitting Ezra’s description. Of course, that’s the way some of them operate. For enough money, they’d hide Adolph Hitler.”

“The private detectives?”

“Were falling all over themselves to help me. As Maude was leaving with Ezra, she mentioned Em7. The PI’s panicked realizing what they’d done. Wilhelm contacted them about an hour before they attacked Nathan. Their role was just to cover ‘the doctor’ while a couple of paramedics transferred ‘Ez. to the waiting ambulance. They believed he was being held against his will and were helping to ‘rescue’ him.”

“The tranquiller gun?”

“Yeah, they organized that for Wilhelm. He said he needed it just in case ‘the man mountain’ returned.”

“Josiah,” Chris realized.

“I’ve mobilized three pairs of CIA agents to canvass all private facilities to find Ezra.”

Chris gripped J.D.’s shoulder. “Thanks, son.”

J.D. nodded. “How are the others?”

“Nathan’s regained consciousness. Josiah’s improving. They’re both resting. Buck’s hoping they’ll be strong enough to join us here in an hour.”

J.D. surveyed the room. “This is way out of control, Sir.”

Chris nodded his agreement, watching the agents from the various organizations darting with apparent purpose. “I know, but I don’t know enough about this type of operation to take over.”

“Ezra would.”

“Yeah, he would.”

**

8 hours to go

“Often when kidnappers provide such a long interval between initial contact and the scheduled follow-up to organize the ransom, they become impatient and call to check that you’re following their instructions. If he calls, there are a couple of things I need you to do,” Grant instructed Chris. “First, try to have him ring you back on the land line. Tell him you’re having difficulties with your cell phone. A landline we can trace. We can only follow a cell phone to the relay station.”

“Surely they’ll know what you’re trying to do.”

“Only a small percentage ever do.”

Chris nodded. “What else?”

“Second, I need you to…” Chris had risen from behind his desk. Grant twisted and followed Larabee’s gaze. He spotted Wilmington returning with two others.

Chris jogged out to meet them. Both Nathan and Josiah looked pale and their movements were slow and sluggish.

Josiah eyes flashed with anguish. “Sir, I’m sorry. I…”

“Relax, Josiah. None of us were expecting an attack from that source,” Chris assured, patting his shoulder.

“I feel so… Chris, I swear I’ll…”

Buck put his arm across Josiah’s shoulders. “Calm down, ’man mountain’. Still no sign of Ezra?”

“No. Josiah, this isn’t your fault. I’m ordering you to let it go,” Chris stated. “Right now, we need clear heads.”

“Yes, Sir.” Josiah surveyed the office. “This is ridiculous.”

Chris’ face flickered with anger. “I’m assured it is necessary.”

“Who’s in charge?”

“There are four different agencies and all four think they’re in charge,” J.D. offered, joining his companions.

“At the moment, Agent Grant’s in overall charge,” Chris informed the others. He gazed at his men. His team. Something deep down inside him rose… something that had been drained away earlier by feelings of isolation from those he trusted.

He was looking at the best of the best. It was time to mobilize them.

The tone of Larabee’s voice changed. “The moment the kidnappers contact us for the ransom, I will be taking over. We will get Vin back alive.” He held his men’s gazes. They nodded, each drawing strength from the others.

Chris thrust his fist out. One by one his men placed theirs one top and they bounced the silent pledge once.

The Em7 Colonel dropped his fist. “Two members of our team are missing. We can’t do a lot for Vin at the moment. But we can find Ezra. Nathan, ring every private facility and make them tell you if they have admitted Ezra.”

“An unknown and particularly contagious disease should do it,” Nathan agreed, moving to his desk.

“Buck and J.D., I want a media blitz. I want Kane to know I want to speak to him.”

“If Kane contacts us?”

“Tell him I want a list of former Hawks who may be capable of pulling this off. Tell him…” Chris paused and snarled, “Tell him I’ll be eternally grateful.”

“Sir,” Buck and J.D. responded, shooting off to carry out their leader’s instructions.

“What about me?” Josiah asked.

“I want you to shadow Grant. I want to know what he’s saying and thinking.”

“You got it, Sir. And Chris… I know that…”

“Are you defying a direct order, Sanchez?” Larabee growled. “Let it go.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Chris exhaled. Em7 was back in the game!

---

Part Sixteen

7 hours to go

Silence spread and all became still.

Chris walked across to his ringing cell phone which was attached to a computer so the call could be traced. He exchanged a nod with his men, who moved to stand with him, shot a look a Grant and then depressed the answer button allowing the call to be heard by all in the room.

“Larabee.”

“Have you organized the money?” The same digitally altered voice. Buck’s hands balled into fists. J.D. put his arm around his back.

“My cell phone is playing up. Could you…”

“Cut the crap.” Chris grimaced. Nathan gripped his arm and mouthed, ‘Stay calm.’ “Have you organized the money?”

“I want to speak to him.”

“Tanner’s sleeping at the moment.”

“Then wake him!”

“He’s drugged. Not going to wake up just because you want it, Larabee. The money?”

“We need more time.”

“Crap. I know Standish has millions.”

“Standish is missing.”

“Then find him or Tanner dies. You’ve got just over six hours.” The phone went dead.

Josiah exploded with curses… all aimed at his own incompetence. Buck shut his eyes. Nathan gripped Chris’ arm more firmly. J.D. raced across the room to check with those who’d been trying to trace the call to a relay station. Dunne lifted his dark eyes and shook his head.

Chris swore softly. “We have to find Ezra.

**

6 hours to go

Ezra felt warm and comfortable. His thoughts refused to settle long enough for him register any of them. He shifted his head and white hot pain exploded through his skull. His jaw clenched and he waited for it to subside. A hand slipped into his own. A soft hand… a woman’s.

“Mother?”

“I’m here, Ezra. It’s okay. You’re safe.”

Ezra breathed out and opened his heavy lidded eyes. His mother’s concerned face materialized above him.

She smiled. “You’re looking better.”

“My head is pounding.” He blinked trying to clear the fog.

“I can ask the doctor to give you more painkillers.”

“Nathan knows what he’s doing,” Ezra responded, automatically. His mind moved in a vacuum. “What happened?” He scrutinized the room. It wasn’t painted the traditional white, but was pale green. The television screen above him was a sixty inch plasma. On his left was a small kitchenette. To his right were some French doors. The drapes were open and gave a view of the manicured lawns beyond. The traditional smell of a hospital lingered, however. “Where am I?”

“Safe. That is all you need to worry about.” Maude laid her other hand over his. “Close your eyes and rest, darling.”

“I don’t….” His wafting thoughts connected. “VIN!” His shoulders shot off the bed.

“Shhh.” Maude took him and eased him back, leaning down and kissing his brow. “Colonel Larabee and the others are dealing with that.”

“Have they found him?” Ezra demanded as his mother sank back into the fancy, wing-back chair beside the bed.

Maude smiled and ran her hand through his hair. “Shhh. Let them worry about it. You just need to focus on getting well.”

Ezra frowned and again looked around the room, his eyes pausing on the oil painting across from him. “Where’s Nathan?”

Maude picked up a glass from the side-table. “Water?”

Ezra looked back at her. “Where’s Nathan?”

Maude licked her lips and replaced the glass. “He had to leave.”

Ezra brow furrowed with confusion. “He wouldn’t leave unless one of the others…” …Unless one of the others was hurt. Maybe they had found Vin? Maybe…” My phone. I need to make a call.”

“No, darling. No calls. Just close your eyes and…”

“Mother. I need a phone!” He grimaced, the effort of raising his voice causing intense discomfort. With difficultly, he lifted one hand to his head, slipping his fingers under the bandage.

“Ezra, we brought you here so you could…”

“We?” He massaged his throbbing temple.

“Your father and I.”

“Where is...” He faltered, unsure what to call his father. To this point, he had avoided calling him anything.

“He’s in the middle of some business deal… keeps disappearing to make phone calls,” Maude grumbled.

Suddenly suspicious, Ezra asked, “Mother, does Chris know where I am?”

Maude smiled, guided his hand back to the bed, tucked the blankets around him and again ran her fingers through his hair. “You do not need to worry any more. That part of your life is finished. You are free.”

“What are you talking about? Em7 isn’t a cult. It is my chosen occupation.” Again Ezra looked around the plush room. It was all wrong. “They don’t know I’m here, do they?” He returned his harsh expression to his mother. “Mother., what have you done?”

**

Chris jogged into his office to answer the ringing phone. “Larabee.”

“Colonel, it’s Ezra. Trace this call. My mother has just explained to me what she and my father have done, but refuses to tell me where I am.”

“Relax. Nathan tracked you down and should be there any minute to collect you. How are you feeling?”

“Beside the fact it is obvious an elephant has used my cranium as a pillow to rest its derriere, I am well. Vin?”

“Kidnapper should be ringing back in just over five hours.”

“Kidnapper? The Hawks?”

“No. I’ll fill you in on everything when you get here. He wants five million.”

“The money isn’t a problem but the moment we pay it, he will have no reason to keep Vin alive… Ahh, my chauffeur has arrived. I shall see you soon, Colonel and we shall formulate a plan of attack.”

Chris replaced the receiver and sank into his chair, relief he couldn’t deny causing the muscles across his shoulders to burn as they relaxed. Ezra’s voice had been weak and strained with discomfort, but his sharp mind appeared unaffected. While it was obvious he would be unable to run the operation, his advice would be invaluable. Em7 would get Vin back.

Vin.

In that split second, Chris’ heart opened, drowning the control of his training and allowing his fears to consume him. He slipped his hand into his pocket and withdrew the crumpled piece of paper he’d tried not to think about. Slowly he unfolded it and reread the words.

His soul twisted.

Outside, there was an explosion of shouting. Chris rose, his anger attaching itself to the other emotions freely zapping about within him. He shot out into the Dog House as Grant, Spenser and Clarke faced-off over who was in charge.

“ENOUGH!” The bellow bounced off the walls. All froze.

The silence was deafening.

Chris stood for several seconds, the rage on his face chilling the blood of those who knew him, let alone those who didn’t. Without another word, he marched back into his office almost slamming the door off its hinges.

Buck, J.D. and Josiah exchanged glances and then Buck followed. Wilmington entered and quietly closed the door.

Chris was standing in the middle of the office, his chest heaving.

“Let it out, Chris,” Buck whispered. “Get it off your chest.”

Larabee turned around, his face twisted not with anger, as Buck expected, but with cruel agony. “They’re fighting over who’s in charge while Vin’s…” The sentence died as he said his friend’s name. “Vin.” His voice broke and his composure shattered. His arms fell uselessly at his sides. “We don’t even know if he’s still alive.”

Chris’ tormented eyes cut straight through Buck. A lump formed in Wilmington’s throat. “You can’t think that way. He is alive. I know he is.” Buck’s face shadowed with great fear as his mind processed what Chris had actually said. “Hang on. Are you saying… are you saying you don’t know?” His voice rose sharply. Chris and Vin shared something no one could explain. Something amazing. When Vin had been missing in Katinda Chris had known he was alive. Their connection was more than emotional. Josiah firmly believed they shared a soul. Buck wasn’t sure of the origin, but he knew if Chris wasn’t sure if Vin was alive then… “Please, God, tell me you can feel him, or sense him… or whatever is you do. Please!”

Chris collapsed back against his desk, his shoulders slumping. “I…” He swallowed. He could feel that sense of warmth within him… the burning embers of his soul. Larabee’s voice dropped to an emotional whisper. “He’s alive.”

Buck’s relief echoed out of him in a released breath. He rubbed his mouth and searched for a way to ease his friend’s pain. “Chris, we just need to…”

Larabee ran a trembling hand through his hair and in a strangled whisper admitted, “The last thing I said to him…”

“Chris, don’t,” Buck growled. “It was just a silly argument.”

“I said it was finished.” Chris looked up at Buck, his soul exposed. “We argued over Liam. When I said it was finished, I meant the argument but…I think he may have thought…”

Buck approached his friend and gripped his shoulder. “Those were just words. They meant nothing. Do you hear me? They meant nothing.”

Chris shook his head slowly. “Except he was right. The only thing we’ve ever argued over is…”

“Bull. Hell, in Kat you and Vin used to have some fantastic arguments. That one in Juesmori was so loud, they probably heard it here in DC.”

Chris sighed. Vin had been right on the mark. He always was. The only thing they’d ever argued over was Liam and like in Juesmori “…me trying to wrap him up in cotton wool.”

Larabee’s thoughts returned to his and Tanner’s final exchange the night before. “And this…is finished.” He picked up the piece of paper from his desk and handed it to Buck, his eyes welling with emotion. “I found that in the pocket of his jacket this morning. I told him it was finished and he thought…”

Buck silently read what was written.

R.I.P

The assault came without warning,

We never noticed the cracks appearing.

Despite how solid it always seemed on the surface,

it was vulnerable… fragile… so quickly destroyed.

But then, we couldn’t expect it to stand up to this.

Now it is crumbling away… ready to collapse,

Soon, there’ll be nothing left but rubble

Nothing but memories to prove it ever existed.

Wilmington’s face drained of color. He opened his mouth, but no words were forthcoming. Vin’s poetry was private – his way of understanding what he was feeling. He rarely shared it with anyone outside of Chris.

A single tear escaped and tumbled down Chris’ face. “He’s out there with God knows what happening to him, thinking that…”

“NO. Chris, he wrote this when he was drunk,” Buck rationalized. “He wrote while his emotions were still running high -- straight after you fought. He was just ranting. He didn’t mean any of this.”

Chris shut his eyes. “It’s what he was feeling. Rest in Peace. When I said it was finished… God, Buck. That’s what he thought I meant. What’s he feeling now?”

“No. No, I don’t accept that. And neither should you.”

“He wrote that!”

“When he was drunk. When he was angry.”

Chris shut his eyes and pointed out in a hushed voice, “Those aren’t words of anger.”

Viciously, Buck screwed up the piece of pager and tossed it into the trash. “It was just Vin's way of releasing his emotions. It’s not what he believes. Damn it, Chris, you want to know what he’s thinking about right now? I guarantee the only thing getting him through this is knowing you’ll find him. So, don’t fall apart on him. He needs you -- we all do.”

Buck’s words penetrated the darkness blanketing Chris’ soul. He was their leader. They depended on him. Vin was counting on him. He had to find Vin so he could set things right.

Larabee lifted his chin, at the same time climbing out of the abyss. His eye caught the poem entitled “Mateship” on the wall -- another of Vin’s. The final stanza leaped out at him. “You are a mate. You owe me nothing except your trust, loyalty and friendship. And in return I shall gladly sacrifice my soul and give my life."

Buck swallowed. “I remember when we found that in his pack. I’ve never heard him swear like he did that day. He hates people reading his poetry. He doesn’t even consider it poetry. It’s just his way of… working things out in his own head. None of it is meant for other’s eyes. You know that. How many times has he said that? What he wrote last night… he was just trying to sort though the argument, Chris. Nothing more.”

Chris’ brow furrowed. “It’s his birthday next week.”

Buck moved to stand at Chris’ shoulder, also running his eyes over the words of the framed poem. “I know. He’ll be home for it.”

“He’s not a kid?

Buck glanced at Chris, not understanding the relevance of the comment. “Josiah thinks of him as a kid and I always tease him about it, but you’ve never looked at Vin in that way,” he agreed.

Chris remained frozen for a few more seconds before setting his shoulders. His body language changed in that instant. Chris was gone. Colonel Larabee moved to his desk. “Ezra should be here soon. Has the bed been set up in the gymnasium?”

A smile leaked onto Buck’s face. He knew that tone. “Bed’s ready, Colonel.”

“Good. I want to an update from Josiah and…” The office door opened and Liam rushed in looking flustered.

“What are you doing here?” Chris demanded.

“I…” Liam was clearly startled by his brother’s tone.

Buck moved to block Liam from Chris’ sight. “You want him out of here?” he asked in a hushed voice.

Chris’ chin bobbed.

Buck turned to face the younger Larabee. “Liam, we’re in the middle of something important. You need to leave.”

“Like hell I will,” he growled, stepping around Buck. “Chris, they just said Vin’s missing. Can I help?”

“No. Come back later,” the Em7 Colonel dismissed, moving around his desk.

Liam blinked, his eyes wide. “Let me stay, Chris. I’ll do anything. I’ll make coffee.”

Buck ground his jaw. Chris couldn’t lose focus now. Vin’s life depended on it. “Liam,” he growled.

“I promise I’ll stay out of your way. I want to be here for you.”

“No,” the colonel repeated, sitting and picking up one of the files. “This isn’t the place for civilians. I’ll ring you as soon we have Vin back. Buck, escort Liam out of the building.”

Buck’s expression matched Liam’s. For the first time, he was seeing Chris prioritize something over his sniveling brother.

“But, Chris. I just want to help.”

“You can’t. Buck,” Chris repeated.

Wilmington’s brow furrowed as he remembered a piece of advice Ezra had once given him. “Let him stay and make coffee. I’ll keep him out of the way. Come on, Liam. The kitchen is down the hall.” Buck ushered Liam out and winked at Chris as he started to close the door.

“WINGS?”

“If he’s here, he isn’t going to call you because he’s got himself into some mess. We need you focused on saving Vin. Let me worry about Liam.”

Chris’ face relaxed a little, but his eyes remained clear and determined. “Thanks.”

**

When Buck entered the kitchen, Liam had two mugs out. He turned and eyed Wilmington carefully. “I think I should thank you. Chris was going to toss me out.”

“He can’t afford to be distracted. He lived this hell only a few weeks ago when you and Vin were kidnapped. We have a few hours to save Vin’s life.”

Thoughtfully, Liam nodded. “I don’t want to distract him… I just want to be here for him. Watch him work. See what he does. Do you want a coffee too?”

“There are paper cups in that cupboard. There are about thirty people in the Dog House.”

“Hey, I didn’t mean I’d make coffee for everyone.”

“It’ll fill in the time. You want or need anything, come to me. Stay away from Chris and let him work. Deal?”

Liam frowned. “Yeah, deal… and Buck. Thanks. Chris may need me later when… well, if things don’t go well.”

“We’ll get Vin back and Chris will personally deal with those responsible. You can count on that.” He held Liam’s gaze for several moments then headed down the corridor verbalizing Ezra’s remembered advice under his breath. “Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.”

---

Part Seventeen

5 hours to go

As the elevator doors opened, the noise from the Dog House flooded in.

Ezra grimaced, the sudden volume splitting through his tender skull.

“Okay?” Nathan checked.

“I know you just said something, my friend, but unless I suddenly acquire the ability to lip read… perhaps through some form of aerial osmosis… I have no chance of understanding above this din.”

Ezra was hanging between his father and Nathan, his arms threaded over their shoulders. The trip had drained him considerably. Maude fussed behind him, adjusting his dressing gown and checking the bandage around his head. She and Wilhelm had been allowed to accompany their son after Ezra laid down a series of rules. Both had agreed.

Nathan nodded to Wilhelm and the pair guided Ezra out of the elevator

Gingerly, Ezra shook his head with amazement. “It’s a circus.”

“I told you,” Nathan murmured.

“They all want Em7 to be in their debt,” Ezra murmured.

Buck, Josiah and J.D. spotted their friend’s arrival and paused, casting critical eyes over him, though each responded with a wide smile of welcome. Ezra tugged against his ‘chauffeurs’ and they stopped. Gingerly he lifted his arm from his father’s shoulder and straightened. He made eye-contact with Buck and mouthed, “Please.”

Buck understood, placed his fingers in his mouth and a shrill whistle ripped through the room, piercing the eardrums of all. Movement and discussion ceased.

“Ladies and gentleman,” Ezra greeted, gathering their attention. “Please forgive my tardiness and my curious attire. I am Agent Ezra Standish, Em7 liaison officer.” Standish scanned the room. “Ahh, I see we have our partners from the CIA… of course, Agent Marven standing in for Senior Agent Harris while he is taking leave. And Agent Grant of the DC FBI missing person’s unit.” Ezra nodded to the leaders and then looked to the other corner of the room, identifying and welcoming the other two organizations and their designated leaders. “On behalf of Em7, I would like to thank you for responding so promptly to our crisis and for initiating a collective and strategic response. Em7’s deepest appreciation for affording us use of your paraphernalia. Agent Dunne, I assume you have familiarized yourself with the equipment by now and can operate it?”

“Yes,” J.D. confirmed, his eyes lighting up.

“Sergeant Sanchez, it is my understanding you have ample experience to handle the hostage negation segment of this operation?”

“Yep.”

“Captain Wilmington, should any of the equipment develop a malfunction, you have the mechanical prowess to repair it swiftly?”

“You better believe it, Ez.”

Ezra smiled, his gold tooth flashing. “Answers that gladden my heart. Em7 is now ready to reassume responsibility for this operation. Agents Marven, Grant, Spencer and Clarke, I extend an invitation to each of you to stay on in an advisory capacity if you so choose.”

“Em7 assume responsibility?” Spencer repeated.

“Advisory capacity?” Marven asked. “What does that mean?”

“Are you telling us Larabee is taking over now? He doesn’t have the experience. Em7 is a response unit. This is out of your sphere of experience.”

“I’m in charge here,” Grant insisted.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, you appear to be under a grave misapprehension. You are not leading this operation… nor is Colonel Larabee. I am… on my Colonel’s behalf.”

Murmurs and staggered looks were exchanged by all the visitors to Em7. Considering the man making the claim was standing in a dressing gown, a bandage around his head and being held on his feet by his doctor, the reaction was understandable.

Buck, Josiah and J.D. traded beaming smiles. “Yes,” J.D. cried.

Wilhelm slipped his arm around Maude’s waist. “That’s our boy, Maude.”

“I reiterate, each organization’s elected operational head may stay on in an advisory capacity, but we would ask your personnel to vacate our premises in the next two minutes. All this noise is no doubt upsetting my colonel’s delicate constitution.”

This statement prompted a rush of protests from the four visiting leaders.

Josiah pushed his chair back, ensuring it scraped loudly on the floor.

Buck rose from J.D.’s desk.

Dunne moved from behind the printer.

Chris stepped out of his office.

Silence again descended.

Larabee made eye contact with Standish and the pair exchanged a nod.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Colonel. I am grateful you were able to arrange for our colleagues to prepare things in my absence.” Ezra swept the room with his eyes. “One minute and fifty seconds.”

“You heard the man,” Josiah growled.

“Push off,” Buck added.

“Now, now,” Ezra chastised. “That is no way to speak to our partners… One minute and forty seconds.”

Chris cleared this throat.

Grant eyed Larabee and then signaled his team to leave. The other three organizations followed his example, though the four leaders chose to stay.

Chris strode across to his liaison officer, lifted Ezra’s hanging arm over his shoulder and together he and Nathan guided the weary looking agent. When the trio passed Standish’s desk, Ezra protested.

“We have a bed set up in the gymnasium for you,” Chris explained.

“Colonel, I don’t feel…”

“Save it.”

Ezra smirked. “Your exuberant welcome leaves me speechless.”

“That would be a first,” Chris snorted.

Wilhelm and Maude followed. Josiah took two steps toward them, but Buck and J.D. bodily intercepted him.

“Whoa, there, Josiah.” Sanchez’s breathing rate was increasing at an alarming rate.

They had endangered Nathan’s life.

Wilhelm paused. “My deepest apologies, Sergeant Sanchez. My actions were deplorable, but my motivation was pure. I did no more or less than you would have done if you’d felt Ezra was being man-handled by those he trusted. Consider my words and you will find the truth in them.”

Josiah’s eyebrows drew down. He stopped pushing against Buck and J.D.

“No prizes for who Ezra gets his gift of the gab from,” Buck chuckled as Ezra’s parents disappeared into the gymnasium. “You calm enough for us to let you go, ‘man mountain’?”

Josiah nodded. “They acted to protect him.”

“Maybe,” Buck agreed.

“Why would Nathan bring them here?” J.D. whispered.

“Two reasons,” Buck mused. “One, Ezra probably wanted them here. And two… keep those you can’t trust within eyesight.”

Josiah pursed his lips and nodded in agreement.

**

Ezra allowed Chris and Nathan to assist him into bed. His eyes closed involuntarily as his head sank onto the pillow. He moaned, the sensation of lying down feeling wonderful. The throbbing in his skull eased the moment he was horizontal and his lethargic body melted into the bed.

“He needs to rest.”

“Doctor Jackson, I am simply a little weary. Give me a moment to catch my breath.” Ezra blinked his eyes open and searched for Chris. “Nathan briefed me as much as he could, but I need to know everything. How long do we have left?”

“Just over four hours.” Chris offered his hand. Ezra took it. Their eyes met and both smiled.

“I’m fine, Chris. A splitting headache, but nothing more.”

Larabee flicked his gaze to Jackson. “Is he up to this?”

“You doubt my word? Colonel, you wound deeply.”

Nathan snorted. “I’ll keep an eye on him, but he needs rest.”

“Something I will get in just over four hours. Until then…”

“I’ll send Josiah in to brief you.”

“Good. Once I know all of the facts, I’ll fill everyone in on what to expect and how we will achieve Vin’s safe return.”

Chris gripped Ezra’s arm. Standish’s chin bobbed. “I have handled a number of prisoner exchanges in the past. I know what I’m doing, Sir.”

“You wouldn’t have dismissed the others if that wasn’t true,” Chris whispered. “I need to speak to Grant.” He disappeared to do so.

Maude moved in and adjusted the pillows behind her son’s head. “They use you, you do know that, don’t you?”

Ezra sighed. “Mother. Not now.”

**

General Travis and Agents Grant, Marven, Spencer and Clarke collected around Chris, the group discussing the dismissal of the ‘circus’.

“… and it is important for Em7 to deal with this ourselves,” Chris explained. Nathan appeared and passed him a glass of water and two white capsules. “As soon as I’ve spoken to Kane,” Chris paused and threw the tablets in his mouth, washed them down with the water and handed the glass back to Nathan, “we’ll be in a better position…” Chris frowned and glanced after Jackson. “Nathan?”

“For your headache,” Nathan responded without turning.

Chris snorted. “I don’t remember saying I’ve a headache.” He shook his head and returned his attention to his five guests who were looking bemused. “Em7’s secret’s out. I’m only in charge if my liaison officer and medic allow me to be.”

“Do you have a headache?” Travis asked with amusement.

Chris smirked. “Yeah, I do. Excuse me.”

“They’re a very unique group, aren’t they?” Grant commented.

“Unique,” Travis repeated as if trying the word out. “Yes, I believe unique is one word that can be applied to Em7.”

*********

The next few hours passed both swiftly and incredibly slowly at the same time. Together the team formulated their plan of attack in the gymnasium. Each understood what was likely to happen when the call came in and what they needed to do.

Ezra explained the kidnapper would likely ring once with instructions, and then again for the actual money drop… probably an electronic transfer.

“No matter what happens, Colonel, you must stay calm. We will attempt to have the kidnapper deal with Sergeant Sanchez, but from what you’ve told me, I get the feeling he will insist on dealing with you alone. Josiah?”

“I agree,” Sanchez commented, thoughtfully. “Some of his comments indicate a personal knowledge of us… or perhaps you, Chris.”

Larabee nodded. “Go on.”

“Your role is two-fold,” Ezra continued, shifting uncomfortably in bed. Nathan adjusted the pillows behind his back. “Keep him on the line long enough for us to trace the call to the relay station. While a relay station won’t give us a location, it will reduce the size of the search area. Tracing the first call may be difficult. He will give you the instructions as quickly as possible. We may have to wait until the second one when we can draw out the money exchange. Don’t panic if the first call is too short to trace.”

“Understood.”

“The second thing you must do is convince them to put Vin on the phone.”

Chris rubbed his mouth. “Yeah.”

“You must make them understand that we are not willing to deal unless we have concrete proof he’s still alive.”

Chris frowned. “He’s still alive.” It was more than a statement of hope. Chris knew. The other men exchanged glances. That was good enough for them.

“How do you know?” Liam asked.

Buck spun and pushed Liam out of the gymnasium. “I’ve already told you that you have to confine yourself to making coffee and waiting in the conference room, or you’ll have to leave.” Moment’s later, Buck reappeared. “Sorry.”

The final hour was spent clock-watching.

The Dog House was silent.

Everyone’s eyes continued to dart from the clock on the wall, to Larabee’s cell phone.

“Everyone knows what to do?” Ezra checked. It was only ten minutes until the expected twelve hour deadline given by the kidnapper and he’d just moved from his bed to his desk.

“I’m ready,” J.D. stated, checking his computer.

Abruptly, the phone in Chris’ office rang. All jumped. Larabee raced to answer it, Buck, Ezra and Josiah following. “Larabee.”

“Larabee, I hear you’re looking for me. When I left Tanner, he was alive and had just refused to join my Hawks.”

“Kane, you kidnapped him.”

“That was business. No contract, no business.”

“We’ve had a ransom call.”

“Not from me.”

“Where did you leave him?” Chris demanded.

“With my silent partner… the sniveling snot. Don’t ask me to identify him because I won’t, but I give you my word that Tanner was alive when I last saw him.”

“I need more on the silent partner.”

“No can do, Larabee.” The phone went dead. Chris roared with frustration and then reported Kane’s claims to the rest of his team.

Buck, who was holding Ezra on his feet, shared a look with the injured agent. “Sniveling snot,” he murmured, his eyes darting to Liam who was seated silently in the corner watching everything with apparent fascination. It had to be. Just as Buck was about to tell Chris everything… everything about Liam’s earlier attempts on Vin’s life… the colonel’s cell phone rang.

Heart rates doubled. “All right, gentlemen. Here we go. Silence from everyone. Mother?”

“I understand,” she called from the gymnasium.

Ezra nodded to Josiah who moved closer to the ringing phone and answered it. “Hello”

“Who… Put Larabee on.” This time, the voice wasn’t digitally altered. Chris flicked at glance the others but all shook their heads. No one recognized it.

“I’m Sergeant Sanchez and…”

“I deal with Larabee.”

“Larabee speaking.”

“You got the money?”

“Yes. I want to speak to Vin.”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll give you to the count of three to put him on or I’m putting the phone down.” Ezra’s eyes widened. Josiah gripped Chris arm, silently encouraging him to calm down. “I saw the blood, you bastard. For all I know, Vin’s dead. I want to hear his voice and I want to hear it now. Three… Two…”

“Hang on…” The boys strained to hear and in the background they heard, “One word, Tanner. Say more than one, and you’re dead…”

Everyone held their breath.

“Ezra?”

Chris’ breath rushed out of him. “He’s okay, Vin. Are you all right?!”

“You need to transfer the money electronically to a Swiss Bank Account. I’ll call back with the number in one hour and twenty two minutes.”

“Who the hell are you?!”

For a second there was silence. “I’ll give you a clue. Ray Splittin.” The phone went dead.

“No!” J.D. cried. “Damn it. He was bouncing me. Another two seconds and I would have had it.”

“Ray Splittin. Does that mean anything to you, Chris? To any of you?” Ezra demanded.

Larabee shook his head as did Buck, Josiah and Nathan.

“This is personal,” Josiah murmured. “There was aggression in his voice. One hour and twenty-two minutes. Not an hour and half. Not one hour and twenty minutes. It’s too exact. The time’s symbolic. He picked it for a reason.”

“Chris?” Ezra pushed. “It must mean something.”

“I… God, I don’t know! Nathan, Vin’s voice sounded slurred.”

“Drugged. You said you smelled chloroform.”

“First twelve hours. Then an hour and twenty-two minutes,” Josiah continued. “Those numbers have to mean something. He’s stringing out this kidnapping. He wants you to suffer, Chris.”

“J.D., play back the call and I want you to enhance the background. Chris…I…” Ezra blinked.

Nathan rushed to him. “That’s it. Back to bed.”

“No. No, I’ll be… okay… in...a… minute.”

“It wasn’t a request, Ezra. Josiah, help me with him.” Together the two men assisted their protesting colleague back into the gymnasium.

“He’s still alive,” Buck whispered to Chris.

“J.D.?” Chris asked.

“It’ll take a minute, Chris. Hang on.”

Larabee began to pace. “What will stop him from killing Vin the moment we transfer the money?”

“Nothing,” Josiah answered, as he reappeared. “And if this is personal, he has no intention of releasing Vin.”

Chris glared at Josiah. “So what the hell do we do?”

“Next time, you have got to get him talking. He wants to talk. He wants you to know who he is. The times are exact. He’s giving you clues…Ray Splittin. If you talk to him long enough…”

“I’ve got the tape ready,” J.D. called. Chris, Josiah and Buck moved to stand behind Dunne. “I’m guessing Ezra wants me to remove the voices so we can hear the background?”

“There may be something we can use to give us a location.”

J.D. played the tape and all listened. One by one he removed different streams of noise. “Can you enhance that?” Josiah asked.

“What?”

“There is something repeating… hear it?”

J.D.’s fingers danced. “Okay, playing again with that sound enhanced.”

“Water…… water… water…………… water… water…”

“That’s Vin!” Buck cried.

“Water,” Chris murmured.

“It’s been about thirteen hours since Vin disappeared,” Nathan pointed out, joining the others. “He’d spent the night before drinking alcohol and he’s been drugged. He’s thirsty.”

Chris frowned. “No. Wherever he is, it has something to do with water. He can see it. Water is in the name. He’s was trying to tell us something.”

“J.D., how loud was Vin’s voice?” Buck asked.

Dunne checked the enhancement. “Less than a whisper.”

“Weak, soft and slurred,” Nathan argued gently. “He was drugged and is dehydrated. He’s asking for something to drink while he was coming around.”

Chris opened his mouth to argue, but had to accept Nathan made sense. “Yeah… probably. But I want it checked. Buck, I want to know everything that is related to water in this city. If it’s bottled water, a pool, a name in the telephone book… a puddle, I want to know about.”

“Needle in a haystack.”

“At least it’s a needle,” Chris whispered.

“How’s Ezra,” Josiah asked Nathan.

“Trying to get out of bed, but Maude won’t let him move. I’ll have him back out here for the next call.”

“J.D., do a search on those times and on the name, Ray Splittin.”

“You got it, Sir.”

**********

Liam paced in the conference room. It was falling apart. Water! If only they knew.

Liam glanced out the door into the Dog House. He cursed at the irony. He was soon going to be in the dog house if he didn’t do something. Every time he’d tried to call and warn his partner, Buck would appear. Every couple of seconds, Buck would stick his head into the room to ‘check’ on him!

“He knows,” Liam murmured. Perhaps not for certain, but Buck clearly suspected. That was why he’d taken his cell phone. The excuse had been pathetic. “This is Chris’ old phone. You never know. The kidnapper may attempt to call him on this one.” “Damn you, Buck.” For all intents and purposes, Liam was a prisoner.

Liam checked to see if his nemesis and the others were busy and then made his way to the phone on the conference table. Just as he reached it, Buck popped his head in the door. “Okay?”

“Yeah. I… I need to get out of here, Buck. I’m going crazy.”

Buck nodded his apparent understanding. “I know. It’s getting to all of us. Won’t be long now. Chris would prefer you stayed for your own safety. We don’t know who this kidnapper is or if he’s working alone. He may try to target members of Larabee’s family and I’m afraid, you’re it. Can I get you something to read?”

Liam shook his head.

Buck flicked his gaze to the phone. “That phone and all phones in the office have been taken out of commission. We don’t want to be distracted by anyone at the moment. Sorry.” With that, he disappeared.

Liam cursed. He had to get out of here!

**********

J.D. strode toward his Colonel’s office. Chris had retreated there about ten minutes earlier. The last half an hour had been excruciating for the others. At least J.D. had been busy.

Dunne knocked. Chris was sitting at his desk, but was staring at the framed poem on the wall. “Sir?”

Larabee blinked and turned to him. “What have you got for me, son?”

J.D. placed a printed list in front of his leader. “The column on the right is a list of all references to ‘one hour and twenty-two minutes’ from all on-line military files for the last three years. The column on the left highlights mention of any member of this unit in relation to the file.”

Chris lifted his eyes to J.D. “What?”

“On the right,” J.D. repeated pointing, “is the reference to the time and on the left an indication if there is any connection to a member of his unit. There are quite a few matches.” Dunne watched as Chris lowered his gaze and flicked it from right to left and back again.

Larabee’s face shadowed. “The left,” he whispered.

“Sir? Does one of them jump out at you?”

Chris shut his eyes for several seconds and then opened them again. His Adam’s apple bobbed. He rose from his chair and walked across to the newspaper article pinned to the board… one that included a picture of his entire team. Chris reached out and touched the image of Vin. “On the left.”

“Sir? Are you okay?”

“Yes,” Chris whispered. He turned and the emotion was gone. “Thanks, J.D. I’ll go through the list. How’s Ezra?”

“Sleeping.”

“Liam?”

“Buck has him confined to the conference room. Wilhelm and Maude are confined to the gymnasium.” J.D. waited. “Chris, are you sure you’re okay?”

“None of us are okay, at the moment, SIX.”

“We’ll get him back, Sir. I know we will.”

---

Part Eighteen

Nathan helped Ezra into a chair. “All right gentlemen, here we go again.” Chris and the other boys were in full assault gear, including headsets. As soon as they had a location on Vin, they were ready.

“Wings?” Chris demanded.

“Chopper’s ready to fly.”

“We’re all ready, Colonel,” Josiah assured.

“Ezra?”

“I am weary, but okay. And I won’t be left behind which is why I have changed my attire.” He was in fatigues, but not full battle dress.

“You’ll stay on the chopper when we get there,” Chris ordered.

Ezra nodded his understanding. “J.D.?”

“Last time he was bouncing me. Bouncing a phone trace is as easy as buying a scrambler on Ebay. However, I’ve analyzed the bounce pattern and should be able to isolate it more easily this time.”

“In English?” Buck growled.

“If you stay on the line long enough, I’ll record the bounce pattern. Once the call is finished, it will take me about three minutes to extrapolate it and follow it back to the relay station.”

“That was English?” Buck murmured.

J.D. grinned.

“Chris, again, we must establish Vin is alive. As soon as you have, try to keep the kidnaper on the line.”

“Understood.”

“Josiah?”

“Our kidnapper has a personal interest in this. Either a vendetta against Chris or the team. He isn’t simply going to hand Vin over. His meticulous use of times leads me to believe he’s re-enacting something. Twelve hours. An hour and twenty-two minutes. It’s precise. We have to work out the significance of the times.”

“Buck?”

“Water. There are a million different references to water in DC. J.D. ran the name ‘Water’ in the phonebook. Eight with criminal records… none for kidnapping. It’s impossible.”

“Nathan?”

“No Ray Splittin in the phone book. No Ray Splittin has ever joined the army, air force or navy in this country.”

Ezra frowned. “All right. We must force him to give us more. J.D., you have the money ready?”

“Yep. I know what to do.”

Ezra glanced at the three spectators standing in the doorway of the gymnasium. They had been told to stay there and not to leave. “Absolute silence.” All three nodded. Colonel Larabee had made it abundantly clear that the consequences for opening their mouths would be... unpleasant.

“No problem,” Liam assured.

The alarm on Chris’ watch sounded. “One hour and twenty-two…”

The ringing of Larabee’s cell phone echoed. The kidnapper was right on time. Chris drew in a deep breath, and swept his boys with his eyes. “For Vin,” he whispered. He depressed the answer button. “Larabee.”

“Copy this…”

“First, I speak to Vin.”

“You aren’t in a position to give orders, Larabee.”

“You want your money, I need to know he’s still alive. Put him on the line. NOW.” There was silence. Josiah gripped Chris’ shoulder. The second hand on the clock echoed noisily in the Dog House.

In the background the men heard, “Alright, Tanner. One word. Make it a good one.”

“Vin?” Come on, Vin.

“Cowboy.” Tanner’s voice was soft. There was no fear… perhaps some regret and even resignation. Chris’ face drained of colour. That one word told him everything. Vin didn’t expect to live. He was saying goodbye in a way that shared everything he needed to with his best friend.

“Vin! Vin, you hang on. You hear me? Vin?! VIN!” Muffled sounds were the only response. “VIN!”

“He’s sleeping again.”

“You bastard! You listen and you listen good. You lay a hand on him and I’ll…”

“Chris!” Josiah cried. Buck took Chris’ arm and dragged him back. Larabee’s chest continued to heave uncontrollably. “This is Sergeant Sanchez. I will be taking over negotiations. Colonel Larabee is out of commission at the moment.”

Chris drew in a deep breath to calm himself. He nodded his approval to Josiah and then patted Buck’s hand. Wilmington released him.

“You are on an open line in our office so our computer technician can take down the details. I’m assuming it will be an on-line transfer.” Josiah spoke slowly.

“Yes.”

“Tell us exactly what you want done. All we want is Vin alive.”

“I want you to transfer the money into the account now.”

As the kidnapper dictated the number, J.D. typed it in. “Got it. However, I’m sure you’re aware of the problems with the network on the west coast. All internet services were down for a number of hours today. While it is being restored, the backlog means speeds are very slow. I will transfer the money, but it’s going to take a while. I’m not making this up. I’m assuming you’re logged-in and experiencing the same problems?”

Silence.

“Please acknowledge you understand the difficulties with the…”

“Yeah. How long will it take?”

“A few minutes once I send the money. It will take a while for it to transfer,” J.D. explained.

“Then transfer it!”

“We haven’t negotiated an exchange,” Josiah stated calmly. “We’ll send the money. It means nothing to us. We want Vin back.”

“Kill him and I swear it will be the last thing you ever do,” Chris growled.

“Don’t worry, Larabee. I’ll give you a sporting chance to find him. The same chance he had.”

“He? I’m not sure we understand. Clearly you know Chris.”

“Yeah, I know him. You tell Larabee to think about the last time we met, ‘cause the next time we do, I’m going to rip his eye out. Transfer the money. Tanner won’t die now. From the moment the money arrives in my account, he’ll have thirty-seven minutes. You’ve got one minute to make it appear or I put a bullet in his head.”

The phone went dead.

“J.D.?!” Chris cried.

“I’ve transferred the money and because I’m linked to the CIA server the transfer’s immediate. He’s got it.”

“Josiah, monitor the time. I want minute updates,” Chris ordered.

“Yes, Sir.”

“J.D?”

“We were on long enough. I just need three minutes and I should be able to trace it back to the relay station.”

“The relay station gives us a general area, but not a location,” Ezra reminded.

“Vin doesn’t expect to get out of this,” Buck whispered. He recognized what the single word had meant.

“Thirty-four minutes.”

Nathan sat down at the computer networked to J.D.’s and brought up the recorded call. “Okay, let’s turn down the voices and turn up the background. Vin was conscious for the first thirty seconds this time which means…” He glanced at Chris.

“Exactly.”

“How do I eliminate the…”

“Out of the way,” Ezra ordered, pushing Nathan aside.

“Thirty-three minutes.”

In moments, Ezra had the background noises isolated.

“We’re only interested in the first thirty seconds,” Chris growled. “He was unconscious after that.”

Ezra replayed the section Chris requested. There was a soft but precise tapping.

“There,” Chris growled.

Ezra’s eyes widened. “That’s Morse code.”

“Nathan?”

“I’m getting it down,” Nathan answered. “C…L…E…V…E…L…A…N…D. stop. S..T. stop.. R…”

“Thirty-two minutes.”

“That’s all he had time to give us,” Ezra commented as he brought up a DC street map. “Cleveland Street. There are eleven of them and four run through suburbs starting with R.”

“Ezra,” his mother called.

“Not now, Mother.”

“But…”

“Mother!”

“Son…”

“NOT NOW!”

“I’ve isolated the relay station to three suburbs. “Harlin, Esk and Richmond,” J.D. called.

“Cleveland runs though Richmond,” Ezra cried. He hit a button and an enlarged map of the suburb filled the screen. All of the men crowded around.

“Vin’s there somewhere,” Nathan murmured.

Chris Larabee’s finger shot out and pinned one spot. “The old Water Treatment Plant.”

“Water. He was giving us a clue.”

“Thirty-one minutes.”

Without discussion, the men leaped to their feet. Nathan and Josiah looped Ezra’s arms over their shoulders and the team made their way to their waiting chopper.

**********

“Twenty-four minutes.” Josiah’s ominous count down rose above the sound of the chopper blades as Buck flew his team to their destination.

“Not Ray Splittin.” Chris murmured. “Ray Spleetin. Lieutenant Raymond Spleethauser-Moertin.”

“Chris?”

“I remember. Buck and I were just raw recruits. Fight in a bar with a couple of navy seals. I didn’t even know who they were at the time. Spleethauser and his younger diving partner, Robert Spikes had been given a 12 hour pass.”

“There’s the 12 hours,” Nathan murmured.

Chris nodded and shut his eyes. “They lost the pass for fighting and were sent on a mission. Spleethauser was killed. Spikes had a break down. He killed the colonel who withdrew the pass and went to prison. That’s all I remember. Spleetin. That’s what Spikes used to call Spleethauser-Moertin.”

J.D. typed on this laptop and brought up a newspaper article on the incident. “Spikes was released from a prison mental hospital last month. Ummmm. Oh, shit. One hour and twenty-two minutes into the dive, Speethauser was pinned under some falling debris. His partner was working on another section. By the time Spikes got there to release him, Spleethauser had thirty-seven minutes of oxygen left in his auxiliary tank. Spikes tried to free him but couldn’t. There wasn’t enough time to swim to the surface and return with another tank,” J.D. paraphrased. “Spleethauser drowned. Spikes had a complete mental breakdown and swore he would make those responsible pay.”

“It would seem he holds Chris at least partially to blame,” Josiah whispered. “He’s re-enacting what happened because he wants you to know what he went through… twenty-one minutes.”

“He’s going to drown Vin,” Chris realized.

“Yeah.”

“Buck, how long?”

“Twenty… twenty-five minutes.”

“Fifteen!” Chris ordered.

“Spikes’ father was the security guard at the old Water Treatment Plant before it was abandoned a year ago and replaced by the new plant, outside of DC, “J.D. reported, reading from his laptop. “The plant is to be bulldozed next year to make way for that new redevelopment that’s being advertised all the time on television.”

“Then he probably knows the place intimately.” Movement from the rear of the chopper caught Chris’ attention. “What the…Liam!”

Liam meekly crawled out from behind the bundle of packs.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”

“I stowed away. Snuck out when you were working out where Vin was. I knew you wouldn’t bring me. I want to see you in action.” His face was alive with excitement. “I want to see how you…”

Chris was on his feet. “This isn’t some sort of game, Liam. Vin’s life is hanging in the balance.”

“Yeah, I know. Maybe I can help.”

“WHAT? Help? Liam you’re a civilian. You have no training. I don’t know what the hell has got into you?”

“Let me come and I’ll prove to you…”

“NO! No, you’ll stay on this chopper with Ezra. I WILL NOT allow you to compromise Vin’s life! SIT DOWN and DON’T move!”

Liam’s eyes were wide as he sank to the floor of the chopper.

“Ezra, if he even looks like getting off this chopper…”

“Rest assured, Colonel, he won’t,” Ezra growled.

Liam looked to Standish and identified the cold hatred. He bit his bottom lip. It was all falling apart… and yet, it had all started so well!.............

FLASHBACK

Approximately Fifteen hours ago

(The Saloon)

Vin cursed. He glanced at the piece of paper sitting on the table in front of him. He had a vague recollection of using his computer to create it. He scanned it, swore, crumpled it up and shoved it into his jacket pocket.

The clock on the wall brought reality crashing into place. He was going to be late this morning. Of course, he was in no condition to go anywhere. The stale smell of whiskey clung to his clothes and if his eyes weren’t bloodshot, they felt like they should be.

Vin rose to his feet and his thoughts crystallized. He knew what he had to do. He wanted to put things right between himself and Chris, but his first priority was helping his friend – whether Chris wanted it or not… whether it destroyed their friendship or not.

Vin picked up the empty whisky bottle and tossed it in the trash behind the bar before making his way out the back door and across to his unit.

“Vin.” The voice cut through his pounding head. Tanner glanced toward Liam and shook his head. “Vin, I’ve come to bury the hatchet… for Chris’ safe.”

Vin glared at the other man. “Yeah and we both know who has the hatchet and where you want to bury it. I don’t know what it is Chris thinks he owes you, but that’s about to change. I’ve said it before and I’m telling you again -- I ain’t Buck and if puttin’ a bullet in your head and spending the rest of my life in prison is what it takes to remove whatever it is that’s hangin’ around Chris’ neck, then so be it.”

Liam swallowed and took a step back. He could tell Vin meant it.

“Now, get out of my face.”

Vin used his hand beeper to disengage his home alarm and unlocked the door. As he stepped inside he sensed… Vin swung toward the attack, his fingers flicking the tracking alarm on his watch. Help would come.

His sluggish mind cut through the fog and a single question screamed… ‘How’d they get in here without setting off the alarm?’ He noted the dress of the closest intruder and he knew immediately, ”Hawks!”

Tanner blasted his fist against the jaw of the closest Hawk. He ducked under a blow from another. ‘They’re not going to kill me… not yet’, he realized, otherwise, they’d simply have shot him. Moving forward, Vin shoulder-charged the second, catapulting him into the air. The Hawk landed with a sickening thud on the coffee table. It split under his weight.

Vin needed to get to his revolver. Hearing the approach of another, he twisted and kicked out, knocking his attacker into a wall. He thrust his elbow into the face of the first who’d recovered and was coming up behind him.

Again, Vin started for his revolver, but his legs were swept out from under him. As he hit the ground, he reached for the chair and pulled with all his might. It toppled between him and his adversary, enabling him to get to his feet. The three Hawks surrounded him.

“So, Kane wants to collect the contract?” Vin snarled.

“Take him down,” the Hawk with blood streaming from his nose growled.

Vin smiled, leaped into the air, spun and kicked out as Ezra had taught him. The three Hawks were taken by surprise and toppled like dominoes. Vin landed and started for his gun, but all three men were out. He’d gotten high enough for his boot to connect with their heads. They weren’t going to be waking anytime soon.

Vin breathed out with relief. “Thank you, Ez.” It hadn’t been a soldier’s move and thus the Hawks hadn’t expected it.

Out of the corner of his eye, Vin spotted Liam. “Get in here!”

Liam froze and then rushed to follow the order. He was physically shaking. He’d never seen anyone fight like that. “God.”

The sound of a speeding car screeching to a halt echoed from outside. Vin checked, recognizing it. The cavalry was arriving.

“How’d they get in here?” Vin yelled as he disarmed the closest unconscious Hawk.

Liam moved to the side and shook his head. “I… I don’t know.”

““Don’t give me that. You sold me out to the Hawks, DIDN’T YOU??!” Vin reached down and disarmed a second of the Hawks. “FIVE, check the perimeter!”

“Yes, Sir,” Ezra responded.

Vin crouched to disarm the final Hawk when he spotted a gun… in Liam’s hand. He dived. The shot rang out.

“Vin!” Ezra cried, rushing to the door.

Vin rolled onto his side and flung a chair at Liam, disarming him. He leaped to his feet only to spot a Hawk looming behind Ezra.

“DUCK!”

Ezra launched sideways, but too late. The butt of the rifle slammed against the back of Standish’s head. His neck jerked viciously and he crumpled. As Ezra fell, Vin fired. The Hawk toppled to the side, clutching at his neck.

Vin leaped over the top of one of the unconscious Hawks, but spotted Liam gathering himself. He turned his gun toward him, but Liam thrust his hands into the air. “Lie down on the ground with your hands behind your head,” Vin shouted, half an eye on Ezra. He knew it was bad. Liam followed the instructions. Vin grabbed the cord from a lamp and bound Liam hastily before rushing to Ezra.

He rolled his partner onto his side and cleared his airway. “Shit. Hang on, Ezra.” Lowering his head to his friend’s mouth he listened. Ezra’s breathing was erratic. Vin felt the back of his friend’s neck, knowing that was where the blow had connected. “Damn.” It was swelling. He needed ice. Returning the unconscious man to the recovery position to keep his airway open, Vin leaped up and started for the kitchen.

He was hit in the middle of the back and went down. “NO!” Vin shouted twisting to free himself. Ezra had only minutes before his airway may close. Abruptly, his own chest constricted as weight was applied. He pushed up but the weight of the three men above made it impossible for his lungs to inflate. “NO!” With his final breath he shouted, “Kane! If Ezra dies, you’ve just started a war with Larabee!”

Darkness encroached at the side of this vision and then the pressure on his chest lifted. Vin sucked in oxygen… “Ice and an ambulance,” He choked out. “Kane… he needs…” A foul smelling rag was placed over Vin’s mouth and nose. He gasped as he recognized it as chloroform. His starved lungs drew in against his will. Vin was dragged to his feet but he wilted under the effects of the powerful drug. Desperately, he looked in Ezra’s direction as darkness consumed him.

The last thing Vin heard was Kane’s voice... ”Check Standish.”

---

Part Nineteen

Approximately thirteen and a half hours ago

(An abandoned airfield outside DC)

Consciousness came closer, prompted by pain registering in his side. His thoughts and emotions merged into a single stream and wafted.

His mother had left him.

His uncle had left him.

Sarah and John had left.

The Melhers had left.

Kojay had left.

In Katinda, Chris had…” Vin grimaced clawing his way back to consciousness. That was unfair. Chris had done what he’d needed, to save the others. He didn’t blame Chris for that. However, whichever way he looked at it, at some stage, ’everyone leaves’.

Aware his irrational thoughts were wallowing in pathetic self-pity, he shook his head to clear the cobwebs.

**

Liam slammed his fist into Vin’s side again, enjoying the feeling of power. “You think you’re so smart… so superior, don’t you Tanner? I stole Chris’ keys to your unit, had them copied and put them back before Chris even knew. I got the security codes for your unit off J.D.’s computer. Attacking you at your unit was my plan. I was going to let the Hawks in while you slept, but you weren’t home. It was still easy, though. I let the Hawks into your unit to wait for you. I knew you’d be taken by surprise.”

**

Kane glanced at the white van he’d stolen from the main international airport. He knew Chris would check there. The false lead should be keeping Larabee busy.

The leader of the Hawks shook his head, watching as Liam Larabee punched their unconscious prisoner who was still lying in the back of the stolen van. The only reason Liam was alive was because he was Chris Larabee’s brother. Kane didn’t want the heat for killing him because there was no way he could chalk it up to business.

“Hard to believe that sniveling snot is Larabee’s brother,” Lieutenant Morris, Kane’s second in command, commented.

“That sniveling snot is as cunning as they come. He gave us what we wanted. Besides, without his inside information we wouldn’t have known anything about that tracker Tanner was wearing. Larabee would have traced us here if Liam hadn’t pointed out the watch was sending a signal.”

Liam delivered another blow. Tanner stirred. “Ezra..” He murmured.

“He’s dead,” Liam declared. Vin Tanner uncurled and launched himself at Liam. He was groggy and his arms were tied behind his back, but his shoulder struck the younger Larabee, knocking him backwards. Tanner fell forward and tumbled out of the van onto the ground.

Kane rushed across, dragged Vin upright and placed a knife to his throat. “I could kill you, Tanner.”

“You won’t,” Vin growled, blinking the final remnants of the chloroform away. “You’re waiting for a live feed, but it’s a waste of time.”

Kane smirked. “According to you. By the way, Standish was alive when we left. We did what we could for him. You’re right. I don’t want a war.”

Vin set his jaw. “Did you ice his neck. It was swelling?”

Kane lowered the knife. “Didn’t have time. We were too busy smashing that watch tracker of yours and getting the hell out of there before Larabee turned up.”

Vin leaned against the side of the van and lowered his head. He knew that without ice, the others probably wouldn’t have got there in time. The realization left him numb.

The group of Hawks sitting on the ground near the entrance playing cards began to argue over one of them cheating.

“Colonel, we have a problem,” Morris called from where he had his laptop set up. “Internet services are down everywhere. I can only stay on for about a minute. Not enough time for a video feed.”

Vin lifted his chin. “J.D.’s good. But it wouldn’t make any difference. The contract’s gone. J.D. pulled it down. There’s no money any more because there’s no contract.”

Kane frowned, turning his attention to Liam who had got to his feet. “Is that true?”

The hatred Liam felt for Vin flashed from his green eyes. “What does it matter? I know you aren’t really interested in the money. You want him dead.”

Kane lashed out, punching Liam in the face. “You stupid bastard.”

Liam hit the ground, wide-eyed, gripping his jaw.

The group of Hawks rose, watching with interest.

Vin collected himself, knowing there would be time to grieve for Ezra later… once he’d freed himself and made Liam pay for taking Ezra’s life. Vin began working the knots behind his back. “Welcome to the real world, Liam. Kane won’t kill me now. He can’t. That would be mixing business with pleasure and Kane’s a professional. He won’t cross that line. He doesn’t want war.”

The group of mercenaries began mumbling.

Kane eyed Vin thoughtfully. “You’re still the best sharpshooter in the world. There’s a place for you in my team. I can offer you things Larabee can’t. You’re either an adrenaline junkie or a goodie-two-shoes, and I’m betting on the first. No paper work. No laws to worry about. More money than you’ll know what to do with. No rules apart from taking my orders. Come and work with me. I can offer you the freedom you’ve always dreamed of.”

“You’ve got nothin’ I want,” Vin snorted.

“No?” Kane asked. “I can offer you your life.” He inclined his head to Liam. “He’s going to kill you.”

Vin snorted. “I doubt it.”

Liam got to his feet and threw a punch at Vin, which Kane blocked. Douglas Kane glared at the younger Larabee, who swallowed and stepped back.

“Join me Tanner and the Hawks will be…”

“…still second best,” Vin murmured. The ropes were moving. He just needed a little longer.

“He won’t leave Chris,” Liam spat, rocking his jaw back and forth. “He’s loves him.”

Kane’s face flickered with surprise. “Oh? Didn’t realize that was the way the wind blew.”

Vin shot Kane a look of disgust and then directed his attention to Liam. “Liam here doesn’t understand what loyalty is. Or Trust. Or faith!”

Kane nodded his understanding. Few civilians understood the bonds soldiers shared. “True. So the answer’s no?”

Vin flicked his gaze back to Kane. “We both know I’d be lying if I said I could take orders from you. Larabee’s the only one I answer to.”

Kane sighed. Tanner was right. Even if the sharpshooter agreed to join the Hawks, “I’d never be able to trust you.”

“And visa versa,” Vin growled.

“It was stupid of me to think you’d change sides, Tanner. You’re a goodie-two-shoes through and through.” Kane signaled one of his men. “It’s a shame, Tanner. With you in my unit, we’d be unstoppable.”

Vin felt the ropes parting as one of the Hawks loomed in front of him and placed a chloroform soaked cloth over his face. Tanner brought his knee up with all his might. The mercenary’s legs buckled and he dropped the cloth. Kane’s fist flashed across Vin’s jaw as the bound man was swarmed by five Hawks. Vin’s hands came free but he had no room to maneuver. He was forced to the ground by shear numbers, and a knee was rammed into the middle of his chest, pinning him as the rag was thrust over his nose.

Kane stood back and waited. One by one, his men stepped away, leaving only Morris holding the cloth in place. Tanner gave one final twitch before his body went limp. As the Morris started to lift the rag, Kane ordered, “Longer.”

Vin lashed out, knocking Morris away and getting half way to his feet before he was tackled by the group again. His head smacked against the concrete, stunning him as the cloth smothered his face. His struggles weakened and finally stopped. Morris held the rag in place for another full minute. Tanner’s breathing changed.

Kane smiled. “Sorry, Tanner. Close, but not close enough.”

“He’s out this time, Sir.”

“Good, let’s go.” Kane’s men filed out of the shed, jogging for their chopper. The mercenary turned to Liam who was watching with wide eyes. “He’s all yours.”

“What? But… but we had a deal.”

“Don’t push me. Here,” Kane handed Liam a long knife. “Be a man and kill him yourself. If you don’t and he wakes up, you’re dead -- if not by his hand, then by one of the others. That’s what he meant about loyalty.”

Liam took the knife blinking. “I…”

Kane smirked. “He was right. You can’t do it. You better find someone crazy enough to kill him for you or you’re a walking corpse.”

Kane glanced at Vin’s crumpled form, gave a mock salute and then jogged after his men.

“Wait!” Liam yelled. He ran a few paces to the door in time to see the chopper lift off. He watched it until it was out of sight and the whir of the blades faded. Silence blanketed the shed like a shroud.

Hesitantly, Liam turned and looked down at Vin and then at the ten inch blade he held. “I can do it,” he declared. He strode toward Vin, his boots echoing on the concrete. “I can do it,” he repeated a little less confidently as he crouched beside his brother’s unconscious friend, lifted the knife and... froze.

He hand was trembling so badly he found it difficult to hold the blade. His thoughts flashed to his favorite television show. If he killed Vin, there would be evidence of the fact. CSI would be able to trace it back to him! Buck already suspected him. They’d test his clothes… or Tanner’s clothes. Liam lowered the weapon.

I can ring Chris and tell him I’ve found Vin. Chris will be in my debt… no. That won’t work. There’ll be too many questions… I can just leave him here. No one will find him for ages. Ezra didn’t see me so there’s no one who knows I’m a part of this. He glared at Vin. “But you know, don’t you, Tanner. You have to die,” he murmured.

He drew in a deep breath, set himself and raised the blade high, determined to bury it in Vin’s chest but, “Damn!” He tossed the knife away. He just couldn’t do it.

He rose to his feet and looked around. The Hawks had left the bottle of chloroform and the rag. He may need that.

Kane’s words came back to haunt Liam. If you don’t kill him and he wakes up… you’re dead --if not by his hand, then by one of the others. Liam started to shake. You better find someone crazy enough to kill him for you or you’re a waking corpse.

“Someone crazy enough. Spikes!” Liam had met Robert Spikes only a few weeks earlier when he’d been doing research for his ‘book’… a biography on his brother’s life. Chris didn’t know about it, of course, but Liam knew he’d have a best seller. He’d dug up a lot of things he was certain Chris wouldn’t like the world to know. Spikes blamed Chris for the death of his partner. At the beginning of the interview, Spikes had been saying things like, “I have come to terms with things,” but by the end, Liam knew it was an act -- the same act that had seen Spikes released from the mental institution where he’d spent the last 15 years of his life. When Liam had accused him of acting, Spikes had lost his cool, swearing on his partner’s grave he was going to make Chris pay… “I want Larabee to know what it’s like to watch his partner die.”

Liam dug his phone from his pocket certain he had saved Spikes contact number for a follow-up interview. “Yes… thank, God,” he cried when he found it and dialed. Each ring was an eternity. “Come on. Come on.”

“Spikes.”

“Mr. Spikes, I have a proposition for you.”

“Who is this?”

“What would you say if I told you I have Vin Tanner, Chris Larabee’s partner, unconscious at an abandoned aerodrome on the outskirts of DC?”

“Who is this?”

“Larabee’s brother. We met a few weeks ago. I think we can come to an agreement that would be beneficial to us both. I want Tanner dead. You want my brother to suffer. What do you say?”

“Why would you want your brother to suffer?”

“Because it means Tanner dies and if my brother has to suffer a little for that to happen, so be it. I want Tanner dead more than anything… almost as much as you want Chris to suffer.”

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“Because we both know what it feels to hate so badly you can’t think about anything else. You hate my brother. I hate Tanner.”

“So why don’t you just kill him, if you already have him?”

“Because unlike you, I can’t kill in cold blood.”

There was silence.

Liam licked his lips. This was his only chance. “You moved back to DC to be close enough to carry out your threat. I know you’ve already planned out how you’re going to kill Chris’ partner, at least, you said you’d planned it out.”

“Damn right I’ve planned it out. It’s perfect. I spent the last fifteen years perfecting it.”

“Then I’m simply providing Tanner on a platter for you.”

“Double cross me and I’ll kill you.”

“I have no intention of double crossing you, Spikes. I just want Tanner dead.”

Again there was silence.

“All right. Take Tanner to the old Water Treatment Plant on Cleveland Road. Do you know it?”

“I can find it. Then what?”

“Leave the rest to me.”

“I want Tanner dead.”

“Oh, don’t worry, he’ll die.”

*********

Approximately twenty minutes ago

(The old water treatment plant on Cleveland Road)

Vin wrestled with his bonds. He was lying on his side, his hands, which were tied behind his back, securing him to the bottom of an open tank. The tank had a diameter of approximately thirty feet and it was at least twenty feet deep. Just out of arm’s reach was the bottle of chloroform Bob had been using to keep him unconscious. Near that was a scuba tank.

Pacing a few feet to the right was Bob Spikes. Spikes checked his laptop which was resting on a crate. “Of all days,” he grumbled.

“Havin’ trouble with your connection?”

Spikes glanced back over his shoulder. “For a man who’s about to die you don’t seem sensible enough to be worried.”

Vin snorted. “Your plan doesn’t make sense, Bob. You want Larabee to see me die, but he isn’t going to be here when you fill this tank with water.”

Spikes smiled, his eyes flashing with triumph. “You’re right. He’s not going to be here. He won’t have time to get here, because I’m not going to tell him where to look. Oh, he’ll have exactly thirty-seven minutes to save you… that’s what I had.”

“And where the hell is here?” Vin pressed, tipping his head back to stare up at the edge of the pit.

“The old Water Treatment plant.”

“On Cleveland Road?” Vin checked. He’d thought so earlier and despite being groggy from chloroform, had tried to give his team a clue – water.

“No one will find you for days… weeks… maybe even months. You know what a body looks like after it’s been under water that long? It bloats and they won’t be able to recognize you.”

“Yeah, well, don’t look like Chris is gonna see me die, though.”

Spikes pointed to the right. Vin twisted and spotted a video camera.

“I glued it down. It’s going to film the entire thing. One of them special ones for filming underwater. Cost me an arm and a leg, but it was worth every cent. Larabee isn’t going to watch you die live, but he’ll see it. I’ve recorded a little introduction already. As soon as you’re dead, I’ll retrieve the camera and post the disc to Larabee.”

Vin’s cheek twitched. “You sick bastard!”

“I watched my partner die!!” Spikes bellowed, his face contorting. “So will Larabee.”

“Chris didn’t kill your partner.”

“He was responsible! He was responsible for this too!” Spikes shouted, pointing to the patch over his eye. “I lost my eye in that hospital. Pulled it out myself to get their attention.”

Vin grimaced. Spikes really was crazy.

“I was going to kidnap Wilmington. Been watching him for the last couple of days. Getting used to his habits.” Bob walked over to Vin, leaned down and leered at him. “Then Larabee’s brother rings and hands you over. A gift.”

“Whew! Damn, Bob. You just eat a dead animal?”

Spikes snorted. “Only thing gonna be dead around here is you. And if Larabee does get here, I’ve got a back-up plan.”

Bob straightened and checked his watch. “Time for the gag.” He pulled a piece of material from his pocket and tightly secured it around Vin’s mouth.

Spikes looked back at his watch. “Three… two… one.” He flipped open his cell phone and dialed.

Vin relaxed his arms and repositioned his hands. He knew he wouldn’t have long to let Chris know exactly where he was. There was a chance the boys may make it in time, but Vin had his doubts. The old Water Treatment plant was on the other side of the city. Even by chopper, it would take at least half an hour. He couldn’t think about that though. Instead, he watched and listened. As soon as Bob started talking, he’d tap out the address and pray the boys would hear it.

Bob grinned as the phone was answered.

“Copy this… You aren’t in a position to give orders, Larabee…” Bob snorted, turned and walked over to Tanner. “Alright, Tanner. One word. Make it a good one.” He pulled the gag down.

Vin’s mind whirred. One word. One word to let Chris know everything he felt at that moment just in case there were to be no other words. Spikes held the phone to Vin’s ear.

“Vin?” Chris sounded distressed.

Vin licked his lips and said softly, “Cowboy.” Spikes reefed the phone away and shoved a chloroformed soaked rag over Vin’s face. The last thing Vin heard was Chris’ muffled voice shouting his name.

**

When Vin awoke a few minutes later, he was underwater, breathing using the scuba gear. He realized Spikes hadn’t held the cloth over his face long… probably on purpose so that Chris would see him struggle over the thirty-seven minutes.

Vin tried his bonds again, but he had no chance of freeing himself. He peered through the water to the video camera. He could see the record light flashing. It was filming. Tanner controlled his panic. He wouldn’t struggle. He didn’t want Chris to see that.

His mind filled with images of those he cared about… Chris, Buck, Nathan, Josiah, J.D., Ezra. There his thoughts snagged. Ezra was okay. Thank God. Somehow the boys had made it in time. Perhaps they would again today, but Vin wasn’t holding his breath.

He snorted. Holding his breath was exactly what he was going to have to do. For some reason, he thought about his mother and how much he missed her. Other disjointed thoughts wafted as the time ticked away. He peered at the oxygen valve, noting he had only six minutes left.

He wondered what Spikes’ partner had been thinking when he’d drowned. Probably of those he loved -- that was dominating Vin’s thoughts.

Liam’s face popped into Vin’s mind unannounced. Something dark flooded Tanner’s soul. He had to hold on. He had to speak to Chris… make him understand how dangerous his brother was… and with that in mind, Vin focused on the fact that the boys would have identified his Morse Code message and would be coming. Somehow he had to be alive when they arrived… alive long enough to save Chris from the lifetime of torment he had ahead if someone didn’t do something about Liam.

5 seconds ago... 4... 3... 2... 1...
NOW!

---

Part Twenty

NOW

“TWO MINUTES!”

The words pierced Chris’ soul like a white hot poker. Vin had two minutes of air left. He shoved his head into the cockpit. “Buck!”

“It’s coming up on the right. Another minute and I’ll be on the ground.” The helicopter was shuddering uncharacteristically, but then, it had never been pushed to speeds like this before. “Someone’s lit up the area like a Christmas tree.”

Larabee peered out the window. Night had settled on DC, but the abandoned Water Treatment plant was ablaze with security lights. The compound was huge. There were dozens of circular tanks of various sizes, 90% filled with water… and Vin could be in any one of them. “$#@!”

“My God,” J.D. whispered, surveying the tanks that extended as far as the eye could see.

“Spikes is expecting us. He wants to watch,” Josiah guessed.

“Boys!” Chris ordered, facing them. “J.D., 12 o’clock. Nathan, 3 o’clock. Josiah, 6 o’clock. I’m 9 o’clock. Wings…” he called back to Buck. “Cover us. Ezra, stay here… Liam, don’t move. And watch your backs. We’re going to be out in the open and if Spikes decides to take shots at us, there isn’t a lot of cover down there. ” The men nodded their understanding and moved toward the door.

Buck searched for a spot to set down. The overhanging wires made flying in dangerous. He selected a slim corridor between two buildings. “This is going to be tight,” he murmured.

Even before the helicopter touched down, Josiah had the door open and he and Chris hit the ground running.

“GO!” Larabee ordered, over the top of the slowing blades.

His men landed and shot off in their allocated direction, weaving between the checkerboard of tanks, each searching the murky, dark water for sign of their partner.

“ONE MINTUE!” Josiah bellowed, his voice echoing in the concrete jungle.

Chris stopped running. They’d never find Vin in time! There were too many tanks to check.

Chris breathed out slowly. He needed to rely on more than traditional senses. Larabee shut his eyes, tuning out the sounds of the other men’s boots slamming against the concrete. He searched for that hidden ‘somewhere’ that dwelt deep within him. Focusing, he unlocked his soul, urging it to reach out to Vin.

He felt it. The strangest, yet most comfortable feeling he’d ever known -- that familiar knowing that was the basis of the extraordinary bond he shared with Vin… a bond that enabled him to sense Vin’s very existence.

Opening his eyes, his thoughts emptied. Chris scanned the expanse in front of him. His legs began to pump. He had no idea where he was running. Something he’d never truly understood was directing him, but he trusted it more than he trusted anything.

He prayed it would lead him to Vin in time.

**

Liam edged closer to the open door of the huge military helicopter, spying escape. If they saved Vin, all was lost. He had to run now while he could.

Ezra, who was shifting from one foot to the other outside the chopper, had his back to Liam, preoccupied with identifying any threat to his team. As Liam eased his legs to the ground, Ezra’s arm darted out, his derringer snapping into his fist with a decisive click. Liam peered into the barrel and choked on his breath.

Ezra didn’t swerve from his self-imposed guard duty. “You’ll be dead before you hit the ground,” he snarled.

Liam swallowed. “I just wanted to…”

Ezra turned to Liam, pinning him with an accusatory stare. Liam’s guilt shone like a beacon. Aggressively, Standish stepped toward the terrified man, pressing the barrel of the derringer against his forehead. “If you had something to do with this, now is the chance to save your worthless life. I suggest you take it. WHERE IS HE?”

“I don’t know. I swear!” Liam whimpered.

**

Nathan spotted a corridor of valves running along the edge of the plant. He changed course, grabbed the nearest and spun the old wheel with all his might. The sound of rushing water met his ears. One of the tanks was draining! Nathan dashed ten feet to the next and struggled with it. If he could empty the tanks…

**

Vin’s advice crept from some hidden crevasse of Buck’s memory. Always take the high ground.

Wilmington searched for a vantage point, and spotting a crane, he raced toward it. He climbed the ladder to the cockpit suspended a dozen feet above the ground so he could utilize the bird’s eye view of the expansive plant.

Buck scanned the tanks to the east… west… north… and south. His gaze zeroed in on an insignificant dark patch in the bottom of a tank far off to the left.

Amazingly, Larabee appeared to be headed in that direction. That alone confirmed Buck’s suspicion. “Chris! Three down and two along from you!”

“TIMES UP!” Josiah roared into his headset as he headed in the direction Buck indicated. Sanchez’s voice cracked with emotion. “He’s out of air, boys.”

Chris heard the declaration and sprinted.

Buck raised his rifle and swept the area looking for Spikes.

Ezra shoved Liam into the chopper and turned to watch his friends darting in one direction. “Go!”

Nathan, who was on the far right, and J.D., who had moved directly down the middle of the plant, converged on the identified tank.

Chris dashed between two of the reservoirs, peered into the one Buck had pinpointed, and recognized the man-sized shadow in the centre. VIN!

He dropped his rifle, ripped his headset off and dived.

Powerful strokes took him down. As he got closer, he made out Vin lying unmoving on the bottom of the tank. Please! he begged, withdrawing his knife. His gaze flicked to the valve on the oxygen tank which showed it was empty -- but for how long? Josiah’s timing has been an approximation at best. How long had Vin been without oxygen?!

Chris grabbed Vin’s arm to anchor himself. Vin’s head twisted toward him -- he was alive!

Blue eyes met green for the briefest moment. Chris dragged himself around Vin and examined his bonds.

Larabee’s heart screamed.

Not rope!

Vin was handcuffed to a grate in the bottom of the tank!

Chris dropped the useless knife and pulled at the grate with all his might. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted movement. J.D. appeared beside him and then disappeared.

**

J.D.’s head broke the water as Josiah arrived above. “He’s handcuffed to the bottom!”

“Handcuffed!” Josiah roared, diving in.

The word handcuffed wafted across to Ezra -- Standish abandoned Liam.

“I’ll try and find the right valve to empty the water!” Nathan shouted, spinning around and heading back to where he’d come from.

“Buck, I need a long piece of hose for him to breathe through!” J.D. screamed, before diving again.

Wilmington raced down from the crane -- he had a hose on the chopper!

**

Together Josiah and Chris pulled, their muscles straining with the effort. Guns wouldn’t operate underwater, so shooting the cuffs wasn’t an option.

J.D. ripped the mouthpiece from Vin’s lips and blew air into his flagging friend, before heading for the surface.

Chris’ lungs started to burn. The grate wasn’t going to move. It was cemented in place. For a split-second, he contemplated the illogical idea of hacking off Vin’s hands with the knife, but realized his friend would bleed to death.

Chris shot a look of desperation at Josiah, who was still fighting with the immovable grate. Josiah wouldn’t give up… but it was impossible.

Chris’ soul twisted.

They weren’t going to Vin free in time!

The realization was numbing.

Chris swam around to face Vin. His friend’s eyes were wide as a result of the adrenaline which had kicked in. Horrified and helpless, Chris stared at him. Vin seemed to recognize what the look meant and his face calmed. In a way that was theirs alone, Vin reached out to Chris. The look was one of understanding, farewell, thanks and love.

No! Chris rejected the inevitable. He wasn’t going to watch Vin die!

Tanner’s chest jerked as his body’s instinct to breathe overrode his ability to stop drawing water in. He choked and his eyelids slowly slid closed.

No! Chris grabbed Vin and forced his own remaining air into his friend, but Vin’s mouth was slack.

Nooooooo! Larabee’s mind clouded with lack of oxygen, and coldness that had nothing to do with the chill of the water, penetrated his very soul. He wrapped Vin in his arms… trying to protect him… willing him to hold on… prepared to die with him…still praying for a miracle.

A heartbeat later, Vin’s limp body pulled free into Chris’ arms and Larabee powered toward the surface. When he broke the water, he simultaneously gulped life-giving air and reefed Vin up in front of him -- kneeing Tanner hard in the back in a desperate bid to expel the water from his lungs. The action produced the most welcome sound in the world – a gasp. Immediately, Vin began coughing violently as his lungs spasmed.

“Vin!” Chris cried with relief. “God, thank you!” He pulled Vin back against him, holding his chin out of the water and waited for help to arrive.

Ezra surfaced a few feet away. Chris turned toward him, his eyes flooded with amazement and unfathomable gratitude. “Ezra!”

Standish smiled wearily, his strength leaving him rapidly.

“J.D.!” Chris shouted, noting that Standish was struggling.

Nathan hit the water, shouting for Buck to stay where he was and for Josiah to climb out. Dunne took Ezra’s arm and assisted the weakened man to the side of the tank as Nathan and Chris guided the convulsing Vin in the same direction.

“Keep him sitting up!” Nathan ordered as Buck and Josiah lifted Vin from the tank.

Wilmington crouched, balancing Vin’s limp body upright as Josiah rushed to help J.D. with Ezra, and Chris and Nathan climbed out.

Tanner continued to cough, desperately attempting to eject the invasive fluid from his lungs.

“Nathan!” Buck shouted in terror. Vin’s face was white, his lips blue and his eyes rolling back in his head.

Chris and Nathan dropped on either side of Buck, water cascading down their faces. “Josiah, cover us!” Chris yelled.

Josiah grabbed one of the discarded rifles and swept the area, looking for threats of any kind.

“Easy. Easy,” Nathan ordered, easing Vin away from Buck so he could slap him firmly on the back. A geyser of water shot from Vin’s mouth and he drew in his first full breath.

Exhausted, Vin lifted his blurred vision, searching for one face as he struggled to breathe and hold on to consciousness. Finding Chris, he tried to speak, but his lungs continued to seize uncontrollably.

“Don’t talk,” Nathan ordered in an excessively calm voice. “You’re all right. He’s okay,” the doctor assured the others.

Chris gripped Vin’s right shoulder, his strangled expression dissolving into unmitigated relief. He’d thought he was going to lose Vin. He’d thought he had lost him when Vin’s chest had convulsed and his eyes had closed. Overcome, Chris dropped his chin and silently gave thanks.

Again, Vin attempted to speak, but it was impossible, his barking becoming worse. His lungs ached and his chest muscles protested against the continuous contractions.

“Easy. You’re okay. Just cough it up, Vin,” Nathan repeated.

Chris squeezed Vin’s shoulder firmly and nodded encouragement. “Listen to Nathan. You’re safe. Thanks to Ezra, you’re safe,” Chris choked out, searching behind him to where J.D. had Ezra sitting on the side of the tank. “He okay?”

Standish glanced at his leader and raised his hand nonchalantly. “Just… a little weary… Colonel. I do not… recommend running… or swimming when… one has a concussion.”

“You saved him, Ez. You were fantastic!” J.D., high on the emotion of the moment, hugged Ezra – clung to him, realizing how close they had come. Buck wouldn’t have made it with the hose in time.

“It was… nothing, I assure… you.” Ezra smiled, patting his emotional friend’s back. There was a time, in a past he no longer recalled, when allowing anyone this close to him would have been out of the question. “After all, J.D., one never knows… when he may need to break in… or out… of somewhere. I never leave home… without my lock-pick.” J.D. released Ezra and beamed at him.

Vin’s coughing began to ease and he was finally able to get a word out. “Chr..iss.”

Nathan moved back a little and Chris, kneeling on the ground, leaned forward and encapsulated Vin in arms. “I thought… it’s okay, Vin.” He held Vin securely, only to realize Tanner was weakly trying to push him back. “What?” Chris asked, confused.

Tanner started coughing again, but amongst the gasps and wheezes, he managed to get out, “Liam… dangerous.”

Buck leaped up, his head snapping toward the helicopter. “Dammit to hell!” Liam was gone. “Vin, Liam was a part of this?”

Vin managed to nod. On the bottom of the tank, when the air had run out, he’d held his breath knowing… sensing… Chris was coming. He’d promised himself no matter what, he had to protect Chris from Liam, and the only sure way to do that was to tell his friend the truth – Liam was a con-artist and he’d been conning Chris all his life. Vin studied Chris, looking for comprehension in his friend’s wide green eyes.

“Liam’s dangerous?” Chris whispered, bewildered. Larabee’s eyes flashed with confusion.

In that moment, Vin knew Chris had heard and understood, and it was only then he relaxed. His strength deserted him and he collapsed back against Nathan.

“Whoa. Easy,” Nathan soothed, draping his arm down Vin’s chest in an effort to provide comfort. “Rest a few seconds and then we’ll get more up.”

“Liam was responsible for your kidnapping, wasn’t he? That’s why you opened the door of your unit -- it was Liam,” Buck declared, bending over Vin.

Chris lifted his startled eyes to Buck. “What the hell are you talking about?!”

Vin panted, resting against Nathan’s chest. “Liam…(cough)… third time he’s… (cough) tried to (cough) kill me.”

‘That’s enough talking,” Nathan scolded, lifting Vin and hitting his back to expel the final remnants of water. “Cough it up, Vin. You can rest soon.”

“What?” Chris asked, his face flooding with shock and disbelief.

“It’s true,” Buck confessed. “Liam sold Vin out that day they were kidnapped a couple of weeks back. He lured Vin to that factory area so that…”

“NO!” Chris growled. Larabee’s chest constricted.

“There’s more, I’m afraid,” Ezra explained, as J.D. assisted him across to the rest of the group and then lowered him to sit on the ground next to Nathan. The men gathered in a tight circle around Vin – Buck and J.D. standing, Josiah on duty close at hand, and the others kneeling or sitting near their injured companion.

“When Vin was in hospital, I walked in and Liam was hovering over him with a pillow. It is my belief he intended smothering Vin.”

Chris’ expression twisted with rejection and he began to shake his head. “No… no… no.” His head pounded.

“We didn’t have concrete proof… until now,” Josiah finished, still with rifle raised and arching from right to left.

“Liam… stole your keys… to my unit …copied them. (cough, cough).” Vin reached out to Chris and Larabee gripped his friend’s hand, the older man’s expression dazed. “Let the Hawks in… (cough), but Kane wouldn’t kill me (cough)… no… (cough, cough) contract.”

Chris shook his head, a physical sign he was unable to accept what he was hearing.

“Kane left... Liam contacted Spikes (cough). Liam’s dangerous… He’s been conning you… all your… life. You have to… believe me.” Vin’s lungs convulsed again. He couldn’t speak and breathe at the same time. The coughing fit that followed was lengthy and painful, Tanner groaning as it started to subside.

“That’s it! You try to speak again and I’m going to gag you,” Nathan growled.

Chris stared from Vin, to Nathan, to Ezra… then up to Buck, Josiah and finally J.D. “No… I… there has to be an explan…” Their serious faces stole the rest of the sentence. Chris blinked. How could it be true? Horrified, he stared at them again -- one at a time.

Vin’s grip of Chris’ hand weakened as he melted bonelessly against Jackson, the coughing fit finally abating.

“It’s the truth, Cowboy,” Vin whispered, his eyes closing. “I’m…sorry.”

“Vin?!” Chris cried with alarm.

“He’s okay. Just exhausted from trying to get the water up,” Nathan assured.

Tanner blinked his eyes open. “Liam set me up… again.”

Chris licked his lips and whispered, “Why didn’t one of you say something?”

“Because you wouldn’t have believed us,” Buck explained, crouching next to Vin and patting his shoulder. “Vin wanted to, but I… the rest of us convinced him to stay quiet. We had no proof. Just suspicions,” Buck explained, his heart aching for Chris. “We didn’t want to put you in the middle.”

“An unwinnable situation for kin,” Josiah preached.

Chris had started panting, unable to get his mind around what he was being told. His head was still shaking from side to side as he rejected it all. They were mistaken. They had to be! Liam was his brother! His brother!

Chris dropped his gaze to Vin, who was looking at him with heavy-lidded, exhausted eyes.

“He comes within… rifle range… and I’ll kill him.” It was far from a threat. It was a promise.

Nathan gently lowered Vin to the ground and tipped him onto his side, rubbing his back. “Just rest,” the doctor ordered. “Just rest.”

“Ambulance is on the way,” J.D. informed the others, handing back Buck’s cell phone.

Vin started trembling in the freezing night air. Buck, the only member of the group still more-or-less dry, ripped his shirt off and laid it over Vin, and the others shifted to one side, blocking the breeze.

“Chris?” Vin whispered. Larabee bent closer. I’m sorry.

“Vin… I…” Chris was lost. He felt disoriented…unable to think or feel.

“Vin, is Spikes still here?” Josiah asked.

Vin’s trembling eased, the human windbreak working effectively. “Yeah… wanted to stay…(cough) to collect the camera.”

In that, Chris found something to latch on to. Spikes! Spikes was to blame! “If he’s still here, I want him. Nathan?”

“He’s okay,” Jackson assured again, continuing to rub Vin’s back in circles. Realizing Chris was asking for more, he elaborated, “Little bit of shock and exhaustion, some swallowed water, a few bruises, dehydration and some fluid in his lungs which I’ll pump as soon as I get him to the hospital. He’ll be fine with rest.”

Relieved glances where exchanged by all.

“I need to get him warm and out of the open as soon as possible. You guys find Spikes. I’ll get these two back to the chopper where there are blankets and protection from any bullets that start to fly… then I’ll wait with them until the ambulance arrives,” he added.

Ezra, who had drawn his knees up and was shivering, shifted closer and placed his hand on Vin’s arm. “Nathan and I shall take care of Lieutenant Tanner, Colonel. Please focus on apprehending the miscreant responsible.”

Larabee’s head bobbed and he started to lower Vin’s hand to the ground, but instead, redirected it to Ezra. “Stay with him.”

Standish took Vin’s fist and squeezed gently. “Just like our camping trip with the ninjas.”

Vin managed a smirk, withdrew his hand and to everyone’s surprise, lifted himself upright with a determined grunt. His blazing eyes met Chris’. “Go get him.”

The colonel nodded. Vin was okay. A little worse for wear, but okay. Now, he could focus on Spikes. Larabee rose to his feet. “Headsets. Rearm yourselves, spread out and find Spikes! He’s got a few minute’s start on us. I want him. He’s mine!” His aggression was palpable.

J.D., Josiah and Buck followed Larabee’s instructions, scooping up the headsets and rifles that littered the ground around them.

“And Liam?” Buck asked, handing a headset to Nathan.

Chris glared at the captain. “Leave Liam to me.”

Vin frowned.

Buck held Chris’ gaze and then nodded. “Yes, Sir. But don’t underestimate him. Like Vin said, he’s dangerous.”

“Same sections as allocated before. Wings you take three o’clock in place of THREE. Nathan, you want a bodyguard or a hand with them?”

“We’ll be fine. Spikes is probably busy putting as much distance between you and him as he can.”

Chris shot Josiah a brief glance.

“I’ll keep half an eye on them until they get to the chopper,” Sanchez offered as he and the rest of the group jogged in different directions.

“All right you two, what’s the best way to do this?” Nathan mused aloud.

“If you assist me to my feet, I believe I am strong enough to walk, leaving you free to carry Vin,” Ezra suggested.

“I’m fine,” Vin declared, rolling onto all fours and rising to his knees. He coughed and got unsteadily to his feet with Nathan’s assistance.

“You’re running on adrenaline,” Nathan warned, easing Vin’s arm over his shoulder. He noted Vin was staring after Chris and understood where the spurt of energy was being drawn from. “He has to face this himself, Vin. You can’t help him.”

Ezra shook his head with disgust. “I assume this means I must rise unassisted too? Not that I have a choice,” he grumbled, getting to knees. “It will be a cold day in hell before I allow Vin to make me look bad.”

Nathan reached down and pulled Ezra up, slinging his arm across his shoulders too. “You all right?” he asked, noting the color fade from Ezra’s face. Standish began blinking.

“I feel decidedly light-headed.”

“Well, what the hell do you expect?!” Nathan demanded as he set off for the chopper with his two weakened team mates, acutely aware of Josiah hovering only a dozen feet away. “You’ve a concussion and you should be in the hospital. You all expect me to perform bloody miracles. Either of you give me any lip, and I swear I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

Vin and Ezra glanced around Nathan at each other. “Somethin’ pissin’ you off, Nathan?” Vin asked innocently, breaking into a cough.

“Shut up and don’t talk. Focus on breathing.”

“You sound somewhat stressed, Sergeant Jackson. May I suggest regular consumption of herbal tea and the burning of incense?”

Nathan couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his face. “You two think you’re comedians don’t you? One of you’ve got a severe concussion and the other faces pneumonia if I don’t get you to hospital and drain any remaining fluid from your lungs.”

“We have nothing but undying faith in your medical prowess,” Ezra chuckled as the trio made good progress.

When they reached the chopper, Nathan reported via the headset. He turned and waved thanks to Josiah and then assisted the two men into the helicopter.

Moments later, he had each of them in dry fatigues and wrapped in blankets. Vin’s condition had improved dramatically since he’d warmed up. The shock had eased and he had drunk almost a full canteen of water to ease his dehydration. Nathan suspected the improvement had more to do with his friend’s determination to be ‘okay’ for Chris, than reflecting how he was actually feeling.

“We’re fine,” Vin insisted, when Nathan ordered the two sitting men to lie down. Tanner coughed again. “I’m fine as long… as I don’t try to… (cough) talk.”

“Then shut up,” Nathan growled.

“You go and help… (cough) the others. If I keel over, Ezra… will look after me.”

“And visa versa,” Ezra agreed, quietly. Nathan frowned. Ezra was a lot weaker than he was letting on.

“You two trying to get rid of me?”

“You want me to (cough) make it an order?”

Nathan snorted and announced into his headset, “Laurel and Hardy are secured and waiting for collection by the ambulance. Vin’s better than expected, and Ezra’s weak but okay. I’m joining the search. Which area, Colonel?... Roger that.” Nathan handed Vin and Ezra rifles and then collected one for himself. “Wait for the ambulance and shoot anything that moves out there that doesn’t announce itself with a siren.”

Vin rolled his eyes. Nathan smiled and gripped the younger man’s shoulder. “You scared the hell out of me, Vin.”

“Just swallowed a bit (cough) of water.”

“Ezra?”

“I admit to weariness, not weakness.”

“Yeah, right.” Nathan turned and jogged off.

Vin watched as he darted away and waited unit the medic disappeared from view. Immediately he shrugged the blanket from his shoulders. “Thought he’d never leave.”

“Vin?” Ezra asked, sharply.

“You gonna be okay… here on your own? (cough)”

“What?” Ezra watched wide-eyed as Vin climbed from the chopper. “Get back in here! I’m supposed to be looking after you!”

“Chris underestimates Liam.”

“Yes, I agree but… Vin!” Tanner jogged off. “VIN!!” Ezra cursed, rose, stepped from the chopper and collapsed to his knees. His head spun uncontrollably and he was attacked by vicious vertigo. “No… no!” He paused a moment, willing it to stop, but knew will alone wasn’t going to be enough on this occasion. Left with no option, he turned and pulled himself back inside the helicopter, reached for his rifle and slumped back in one of the chairs waiting for the spinning to stop. “Watch your back, Vin.”

---

Part Twenty-One

Chris tried to focus on the task at hand, but his mind kept flicking to the accusations made against Liam. “Liam sold Vin out… Liam intended smothering Vin…. Liam contacted Spikes.”

It was incomprehensible.

It was a mistake.

There was no evidence in the first two cases. Both could be explained simply. The third… Spikes had forced Liam to be a part of Vin’s kidnapping. It was the only plausible explanation. Vin had identified Liam as present and Chris didn’t question Tanner’s word, but there would be a good reason why Liam was involved, and unfortunately, Chris could guess what it was. Spikes had probably threatened him. Liam was weak -- he’d always been weak. Too weak to be actively involved in something like this. It was no excuse, of course. The others had a right to be angry… Chris felt angry… and betrayed… and… ANGRY.

Under the anger, his doubts dwelled. What if… what if the boys were right? He trusted their judgment in everything. It wasn’t just Buck accusing Liam this time. And Vin… choking on water, desperately trying to breathe and using his breath to… Chris shook his head.

No. Spikes had to be at the bottom of it. Chris needed to find Liam himself. To ask him. To…to prove to himself, and to the others, he was right and his brother was a victim here too. He had to be a victim too. Yet… Chris’ emotions continued to see-saw.

Larabee moved slowly and carefully, taking in every shadow between the powerful security lights, despite his heart doing battle with logic. He could no longer see the chopper on the other side for the buildings, nor any member of his unit as he continued to move further and further away toward the outer perimeter of the expansive abandoned plant.

“Report,” he ordered via the headset. Each of his men provided the signal, “clear.”

“Spikes may be gone, Sir,” Buck suggested.

“Maybe.”

Chris covered the headset microphone with his hand. “Liam? Liam, there’s no need to be afraid. Let me help you.” He waited for a response. “Come on, Kid. We need to face this… we can do it together.”

Abruptly, an ear piercing siren sounded. Chris instinctively raised one hand to his ear, grimacing. “Did we set that off?” he shouted into his headset. He identified voices through the device, but the siren was so loud it was impossible to comprehend what the other boys were saying.

Chris put his fingers in his mouth and sent a shrill whistle directly into the microphone. The other muffled voices ceased.

Spikes was trying to cut the team off from each other, Chris guessed. He was probably listening in on their wavelength. The ex-navy seal was sadly mistaken if he thought that would be enough to stop Em7. “SIX. SIREN.” Chris strained and heard a just audible, ‘Copy, ONE.”

Chris lowered his hand, doing his best to ignore the blaring sound. He eyed the area around him. If Spikes had set off the siren and was tapping into their frequency, he was likely inside one of the buildings accessing equipment. The boys in that area would cover it.

For a moment, the colonel contemplated abandoning his search in this sector, certain Spikes, with his intimate knowledge of the plant, would have headed indoors to hide and monitor the team’s activities via the dozens of security cameras and by tapping their headset frequency. But then, that wasn’t why Chris had headed in this direction. It was the only direction Liam could have taken to disappear without being seen. The others could handle Spikes until he found Liam.

Chris knew Spikes wouldn’t be in this no man’s land. It was too far from the action. However, the darkness here would provide a good place to hide for someone who had no experience and was terrified. There was a good chance Liam was cowering nearby… scared and confused. Chris had to find him. He had to know the truth.

This section of the plant was different to where the others were searching. There were no large, circular tanks. Rather, Chris was moving alongside a series of huge above-ground pipes. On his left was an open concrete drain. It was about seven feet deep, ten feet wide and ran the length of the plant.

The colonel stepped up to the side of the drain and checked it as far as he could see in each direction through the site of his rifle. It appeared empty.

He backed up and edged around another crane, his rifle sweeping from side to side in smooth arcs. The robotic looking piece of equipment towered over the pipes, the arm extended. Hanging from it was a metal container large enough to carry an elephant.

Chris paused, cursing that his sense of hearing had been nullified. It increased the danger for there were less security lights in this part and so the pools of darkness were larger and darker. A view from above may help, he decided.

Larabee placed his foot on the bottom rung of the ladder leading to the operator’s cabin of the crane, but something caught his attention near the pipes twenty feet away. He stepped down and moved swiftly to investigate.

**********

A few moments later, Vin jogged past the crane. Tanner paused to catch his breath, his lungs burning, his head pounding and his legs heavy, but he was determined to speak with Chris. He knew his friend was still unable to accept what he’d been told, and that could endanger him. Why else would he be out here? There was no way a professionally trained navy-seal like Spikes would be hiding so far out. He would have had an escape plan and be long gone… if he’d intended escaping. On the other hand, if he was still here, then he was yet to engage his offensive strategy and to do that, he needed to be closer to the action. All of which Chris would know.

Tanner cursed the blaring siren which was doing nothing to ease the throbbing in his temples. Speaking to Larabee now would be impossible and shouting useless… not that Vin felt he could muster anything louder than a hoarse whisper.

Out of the corner of his eye, Vin glimpsed motion. The huge metal container suspended above the ground was moving noiselessly in the wake of the siren. Tanner spun around and looked up into the operator’s cabin of the crane. There, he saw, “LIAM!”

Like everything else, Vin’s cry was swallowed by the wailing alarm. Tanner snapped his rifle up, taking aim.

The massive container arced around, picking up speed. As Vin pulled the rifle into his shoulder, he spotted Chris step into the glow of one of the security lights, his back to the crane. The container was heading directly for him!

“CHRIS!”

His warning was unheard.

Vin acted without thought -- the shot at Liam forgotten.

He sprinted toward his friend.

The thousand pound container loomed on Larabee’s left unseen.

Chris sensed the approach of another, swiveled and recognizing Vin, lowered the rifle he’d automatically aimed. His face blanketed first with surprise, then annoyance and then confusion.

Vin tackled Chris head on, pushing him down as the metal monster smashed through the spot Chris had just been standing. Larabee hit the ground on his back in time to see the edge of the container clip Vin’s shoulder.

The siren stopped blaring.

The only sound was Chris’ roar of rage, which echoed over all parts of the compound.

“Chris!” the other members of Em7 cried into their headsets in the sudden silence.

Larabee rolled to his feet, targeting the crane cabin automatically. “Liam?!” It couldn’t be Spikes. Not out here. The shadowy figure exited the back of the crane and leaped to the ground.

“LIAM!” Chris screamed as his brother darted into the light for a heartbeat, and then disappeared around the pipes and into the darkness. “STOP!”

Chris cursed passionately. He shook his head. “You okay, Vin?” He glanced right, to help his friend up, but there was no sign of him. Larabee’s eyes drifted to the drain a few feet away.

“Nooo…no, no, no.” He rushed forward and spotted Vin lying face down in the drain, one arm under him, the other outstretched. Larabee’s face drained of colour. He hadn’t realized Tanner had been flung like a rag doll out over the open drain -- propelled by the impact of the container -- before plummeting seven feet to the bone-shattering concrete below.

“VIN!” Larabee leaped into the drain. “NATHAN!” He landed on his feet and ran toward his fallen companion.

“ONE, Where are you?”

“ONE, report your status?”

Chris fell to his knees beside the crumpled, silent form. At the last minute, training kicked in and he controlled the urge to move Vin. His fingers shot out to find a pulse. He found it - weak and rapid, but it was there. Larabee registered voices shouting in his ear. “Drain. Directly nine o’clock from the chopper. Vin’s down. Fell about seven feet. Ummm we need some cover.” Cover from Liam?

“I’m coming, Colonel!” Josiah shouted.

“Don’t move him!” Nathan ordered. “Give me a landmark.”

Chris looked up and to the left. “There’s a huge container at the end of the crane a few feet from us.”

Chris cupped the back of Vin’s head tenderly, holding his rifle up to protect his fallen partner.

Larabee’s emotions contorted. This wasn’t happening. Had Liam just tried to kill Vin? “Vin? Vin, come, on. Open your damn eyes. That’s an order!”

Tanner stirred, a low moan echoing from him. Chris’ exhaled in relief. Vin shifted his arm and cried out.

“Don’t move,” Chris ordered, gentling patting the back of Vin’s head, his eyes roving the top of the drain for signs of danger.

He heard the approach of booted feet.

“ONE, don’t shoot. THREE and I are approaching you now.” Josiah cried.

The boys were here. Chris discarded his rifle and leaned over his injured friend. He noted blood appearing under Vin’s cheek.

Tanner coughed, twisting his head a little.

“Shhh,” Chris soothed. “Just stay still. Nathan’s coming. I need you to stay still. Do you understand?”

“Chris?”

“I’m here” Chris patted Vin’s head, unable to do anything else. “I’m right here. Stay still.”

“Liam… Liam was… “ Vin’s voice faded.

“Shhh. It’s okay.” It was far from okay. Chris had never known emotion like this. The uncertainty and confusion amalgamated with horror and worry, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. His heart insisted he couldn’t have seen what he thought he had. But what was the explanation? An intended distraction to secure escape that had gone horribly wrong?

Chris longed to reject it all… but couldn’t. Liam had just tried to kill Vin!

Abruptly, Liam’s continued claims that Vin was jealous all made sense. Vin wasn’t jealous. Liam was! Why? There was no reason for his jealousy. There was room in Chris’ life for both! Why couldn’t they all understand that?!!!

Nathan appeared above and lowered himself into the drain. “You didn’t touch him?” he confirmed.

“No. He’s conscious.” Chris removed his hand as Nathan guided his fingers down Vin’s spine.

Larabee held his breath.

“No obvious damage that I can identify, but he’ll need x-rays,” Nathan murmured. He bent over Vin. “Vin? Vin, can you hear me?”

Tanner moaned.

“Good. Good. Stay with me…. His breathing’s strong, but his heart rate’s weak. I need that ambulance here now!”

**********

When Josiah and Nathan had approached a few moments earlier, Sanchez spotted a figure. He’d raised his rifle, but the person disappeared around the pipes. Josiah wanted to give chase but held off. His job was to cover his unit.

The huge Sergeant knew the retreating figure was Liam based on what he’d heard via the headset. Chris had requested cover… from Liam?

“ONE, confirm cover request was from Liam?” There was no response. “Sir?”

“I… I only saw Liam.”

“Buck has located Spikes in the main building. Doesn’t look like there’s anyone else here. Shall I give pursuit?... ONE?... Sir?” Josiah licked his lips. “Chris, I’m going after him. I’ll bring him in alive.”

“Copy that, FOUR.” Chris’ voice was hollow.

Josiah’s heart bled for him, but this was no time for sentiment. He gripped his rifle more tightly and listened, identifying running in the distance. Liam was fleet of foot that was for sure. Josiah shot off in that direction.

After ten minutes, he found himself in the street, peering in each direction. There was too much space to hide in and the street provided access to a dozen other factories. He swore. “ONE, I lost him.”

By the time Josiah returned, Vin was being loaded into an ambulance, his neck in a brace. Nathan was in the back of the vehicle, assisting Ezra onto a stretcher.

Josiah jogged over to J.D. as Chris climbed up beside Vin, bending low and speaking softly to him.

“Vin okay?” Sanchez asked Dunne.

“There’s a chance of spinal damage. Nathan’s can’t be sure until he does x-rays.”

“Damn. He conscious?”

“Sort of,” J.D. murmured.

“Ezra?”

“He’s pretty weak. He never should have come, but… hell, Vin would be dead. Man, Josiah.” J.D. dropped his gaze, shaking his head. Fatigue and emotion combined. “I just…”

Sanchez griped the younger man’s shoulder. “Hold it together, son. This isn’t over yet. See all of the security cameras? They operational?”

J.D. nodded, collecting himself and returning his attention to his companions in the back of the emergency vehicle. “Yeah. The plant may be closed but the new developer must be utilizing them to protect his investment. Spikes was watching us the whole time. Why?”

“These cameras record things?” Josiah enquired.

J.D. dragged his gaze from the ambulance. “Probably. What are you after?”

“I’ll show you.”

**********

“You listen to Nathan, you understand?” Chris whispered to Vin. Tanner’s eyes were closed, but he weakly squeezed his friend’s hand. “Good.”

“Chrissss.”

“Shhh. Don’t talk.”

“Liiaaam.”

Larabee swallowed. “Let us deal with everything here. You… you keep an eye on Ezra. You know how much trouble he gets into without supervision. Buck has my back,” he added. He squeezed Vin’s hand again, turned, patted Ezra’s shoulder, exchanged a nod with Nathan and then jumped out of the ambulance, shutting the doors. The vehicle pulled away, siren blaring.

Larabee watched it depart, consciously aware of the fact his soul was aboard.

A surprised grunt of pain echoed in Chris’ ear via the headset. “Buck?”

I need back up!” Buck choked out. “… you smelly bastard!”

“Where? WINGS?” Chris could hear the sound of a desperate struggle.

“Two… o’clock!” Buck managed to get out.

*******

Chris rounded the outside of the shed and spotted Buck on the ground wrestling. The Colonel leveled his rifle, but knew it was too dangerous to take the shot. He could hit Wilmington.

Larabee closed the distance just as Spikes pulled his arm free, a revolver in his fist. Chris dived, smothering the gun. He and Spikes flipped over, rolled apart and rose to their feet… the gun clattering to the ground between them.

Chris stepped forward and kicked it toward Buck, eyeing Spikes critically. He looked nothing like the young navy seal Chris remembered. The years hadn’t been kind. Spikes had bloated, his hair was gone, his face was scarred from self-mutilation and the ridiculous top hat on his head gave him a truly bizarre appearance.

Buck sat up, grabbed the gun and gingerly fingered the lump on his head where Spikes had hit him from behind. Only now, his head was clearing from the vicious blow. Blood cascaded down his neck from the inch long split.

“Remember me?” Spikes leered at Larabee.

“Seems to me a man would remember an ugly, one eyed coward, six and a half foot tall with no hair and sissy hat!” Buck stated sarcastically as he rose, a little unsteadily, to his feet. “Hit me from behind… coward!”

“Let’s end this here, Larabee,” Spikes bated. “Just you and me.”

“Colonel?”

The valve holding Chris’ control blew. He tossed Buck his rifle and turned back to Spikes. “Take your best shot.”

Spikes charged. Chris caught him and twisted.

As Larabee stared into Spikes’ face he saw… Vin tied to the bottom of the tank.

His fist exploded into the kidnapper’s stomach.

Chris reefed Spikes up… Vin lying face down… and he blasted a blow at the other’s chin.

Spikes stumbled backwards… Buck attacked from behind… and Chris stepped forward.

Spikes swung… Liam dashing into the darkness…Liam sold Vin out… Liam intended smothering Vin…. Liam contacted Spikes… Larabee roared and tackled the physical substitution and representation of his pain, rage and confusion.

They went down together, rolling over and over, Chris’ fists flying with speed and might as he vented all anger and blame on Spikes.

“He’s down!” Josiah roared, racing up and dragging Chris off the bloodied Spikes. Sanchez shot Buck as look of disgust.

Buck ignored it.

“Hey, hey! Calm down, Chris!” Josiah ordered struggling to hold his frenzied colonel, who seemed unaware the fight was over.

“Why?!” Larabee bellowed, still thrashing… but the question wasn’t for Spikes.

The battered man sat up and glared, wiping his bloodied mouth with the back of his hand. “Because Ray wouldn’t have been on that dive if it weren’t for you.”

Chris’ struggling subsided as the statement cut through the emotional hell that had consumed him and left him confronting empty reality. His arms fell to his sides. “I was a kid. It was just a friendly bar brawl.”

Sanchez released his Colonel.

“Friendly,” Spikes spat, climbing to his feet. He pointed the eye-patch he wore. “Does this look ‘friendly’ to you? Does the fact that Ray’s kids grew up without their father, seem ‘friendly’ to you?” He smiled pervertedly. “Did watching your partner drown, feel friendly?!”

“You bastard!” Chris dove forward, but Josiah grabbed and jerked him to a stop.

“Whoa. Whoa, Chris. Calm down. We all know Vin didn’t drown.”

Spikes twitched. “He will next time!!!”

“There won’t be a next time,” Buck growled. “You’re going back to a dark cell where no one has to look at you again… you and your stupid hat!”

Spikes spun toward Buck. “See this hat? This is the hat I bought to wear to the wedding Ray and I were going to attend on that 12 hour leave. Never got to wear it that day because of Larabee… but I’ve worn it every day since. Super-glued it to my head. In that prison that idiot judge called a hospital, I could hear them laughing at me. Top Hat Bob. They won’t be laughing now!” he screamed, his eyes wild and frantic.

“Chris… he’s gone,” Josiah murmured, assessing the other’s tragic antics and shaking his head.

Larabee nodded, realizing the same thing, but he needed answers. “Liam? You threaten him?”

Bob grinned, bearing his filthy teeth. “I was going to kidnap Wilmington. Your brother came to visit me a few weeks back and I considered taking him instead. But he isn’t one of your partners and it wouldn’t be the same thing.”

Josiah glanced at Buck and then directed his attention to Spikes. “Liam visited you?”

Bob nodded vigorously. “Wanted a statement for your biography, Larabee. I was only too happy to oblige.”

Chris’ anger began to ebb away. Josiah was right. Bob’s mind was gone.

For some reason, Sanchez probed further. “Chris’ biography? Liam’s writing Chris’ biography?”

“Yeah.” Spikes stated, turning to face Josiah. “I liked the sound of it. Excellent title. ‘The Dark Side of Colonel Christopher Larabee.’ He wanted to show the world that the great hero wasn’t perfect.”

Buck sighed and lowered his gaze. That had a ring of truth to it if ever anything did.

Chris frowned, filtering out the information he wasn’t interested in. He needed the answer to one question. “And you threatened him? Forced him to play a part in kidnapping my partner?”

“Hell, no! Found myself a kindred spirit in Liam. He understood. He rang me yesterday. Said he had a gift for me - your partner unconscious at an airfield just outside of DC. Didn’t believe him at first, but he was right about one thing.”

“What was that?” Josiah prompted, keeping half an eye on Chris. He could only imagine how hard it was for Chris to hear this.

“We both know what it’s like to hate. He wanted Tanner dead and I wanted you to suffer.” Bob jabbed a finger in Chris’ direction. “And you did suffer today. It was beautiful.”

“And Liam told you where to collect Vin?” Buck asked, quietly.

Chris shifted his strangled gaze to Buck.

“I gave him directions and he delivered him right into my hands. Couldn’t believe my luck. Just goes to prove there is a God.”

“You’re lying,” Chris growled, glaring back at Spikes. “It’s not true.”

“Lying? I’ve got nothing to lie about, Larabee. We’re both going to die today.” His face lit with triumph, his disturbed eyes sparkling with malevolent delight. “There’s enough TNT in the building behind us to produce a crater the size of a football stadium.”

“BOYS!” Chris warned, spotting the remote control shaped bulge in Spikes’ pocket. The other man’s hand was resting on it. “Josiah, Buck… back up. Spikes, it’s me you want!”

“Push it,” Josiah prompted.

Bob paused, “What?”

Chris and Buck flicked their attention to Josiah, knowing their lives were in his hands.

“Go ahead. Push it,” Josiah encouraged, calmly.

Bob’s head tilted to the side, curiously.

“Chris dies and he doesn’t have to suffer any more -- not like you have. That’s what I want. That’s what you want, isn’t it Buck? For Chris’ suffering to end?”

“Hell, yeah,” Buck murmured.

Spikes’ brow furrowed as he shifted his gaze between Buck and Josiah.

“Push it, Spikes. You’ll be doing all of us a favor.”

Larabee and Wilmington exchanged a steady look. Buck nodded. As soon as the opportunity presented, he’d immobilize Spikes’ arm while Chris went for the remote control.

“Perfect irony. You win the battle, but ultimately Chris wins the war, because his suffering ends today,” Josiah preached in a low, unruffled voice.

“No!” Spikes snapped. “No, I want him to suffer for the rest of his life!”

All tensed. Josiah held his hand up to his companions, urging them to remain still.

“But his life ends now, doesn’t it?” Sanchez whispered. “You’re going to end his suffering… you’re going to save him.”

Spikes’ face twisted. “Noooo, it can’t end. It never ends… it can’t end,” Spikes conceded, his shoulders slumping. “I’ll make sure he lives for a long time so his nightmares are filled with watching his partner drown.” Spikes threaded his fingers into his pocket.

Chris watched Josiah out of the corner of his eye, waiting for a signal.

The deranged man pulled his hand from his trousers, and held out the remote control detonator to Josiah. “Take it! I want him to suffer! He has to suffer.”

“And to suffer, he has to live.”

Larabee and Wilmington acted. Buck grabbed Spikes’ arm and Chris ripped the device from his grasp. Wilmington forced Spikes to the ground, and pinned him there with his knee.

“Well done, Josiah.”

Sanchez drew in a deep breath and pulled Chris out of Bob’s earshot. “I disarmed his device earlier. We were in no danger.”

“What?” Chris blinked. “Then what was…”

“He’s a tormented soul who needs our pity. Now ‘Top Hat Bob’ will spend the rest of his days in a hospital, not waiting for his next opportunity to escape so he can kidnap one of your partners, not spending every waking hour planning ways to kill you, but praying that you have a long, long, life. Isn’t that what we all want?”

Chris gripped Sanchez’s shoulder. “You’re one in a million, Josiah, you know that, don’t you?”

Sanchez’s face split with a smile wider than the Cheshire Cat’s. “God broke the mold before he made me.”

“At the very least, it was definitely a cracked mold,” Chris chuckled, with overwhelming relief.

---

Part Twenty-Two

Chris thanked the nurse and headed in the direction specified. His watch indicated it was almost twenty hours since Vin’s emergency beeper had gone off. It felt like twenty days. So much had happened, and in far more than just a physical sense.

While the threat had passed, and he could technically ‘stand down’, until all ends had been tied up, the Colonel would remain on duty. He automatically plotted each of his men’s positions. Buck was downstairs in ‘emergency’ having his head stitched. J.D. and Josiah were at the treatment plant waiting for the police to take custody of ‘Top Hat Bob’. Larabee frowned. He’d noted a shared look exchanged between Sanchez and Dunne as he’d been leaving. They were up to something, but he didn’t have the time or the energy to care. His thoughts returned to the task of pinpointing members of his team. Nathan was running tests on Vin, which left Ezra.

Standish’s room wasn’t hard to spot. There was a uniformed officer standing outside. Not for the first time, Chris marvelled at Nathan’s competency. Despite being responsible for two injured men, he’d arranged this as well. The officer spotted Chris and stepped to the side. “Colonel Larabee.”

Chris nodded, knocked quietly and then entered.

Ezra blinked his eyes open. “Any news on Vin?” His voice was soft and lacked the robust, self-assurance that usually infused every word.

Chris shook his head. Standish was ashen. His normally bright green eyes were dull with fatigue, drugs and a certain amount of discomfort. “I haven’t spoken to Nathan. Buck and I just got here. We got Spikes.”

Ezra blinked several times.

Chris sat down in the chair beside the bed. “You go to sleep. I’ll wait with you until your parents get here. They’re on their way.”

Ezra rolled his head toward Chris, studying him with an intensity only Ezra could in the condition he was in. Chris swallowed. His thoughts were so scrambled he couldn’t grasp onto any one of them. Ezra drew his arm from under the covers and reached out. Chris latched onto the offer of support… the physical connection something he desperately needed.

Ezra sighed. “My mother is a constant source of aggravation in my life.”

Chris eyed his friend, knowing where this was headed. “It’s okay, Ezra. I… I have a lot to sort through. Thanks anyway. You rest. You look like crap.”

“I may look less than my best, but I could never descend to the depths of a vulgarity.”

“Shut-up and go to sleep. I’m just going to sit here and… “

“…and do some sorting.” Chris needed to be close to someone he could depend on, Ezra recognised. “Despite popular belief, I have the ability to listen when required and would be happy to provide a sounding board, should you so need.”

Chris squeezed the pale man’s hand. “You saved his life. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. He would have drowned.” The voiced declaration cemented the reality of what had happened. For the first time since they’d saved Vin, Chris had a moment to actually think about it. He swallowed and shut his eyes. He’d come so close to losing Vin this time. But for Ezra, he would have.

“It didn’t transpire so don’t dwell on it.” Ezra gripped Chris’ hand firmly as his friend’s fist began to tremble ever so slightly.

“When he convulsed and his eyes closed… I knew… I knew it was too late. I was watching him die.”

“Chris,” Ezra growled firmly. He jerked the other’s hand and waited until he was sure he had Chris’ attention. “It wasn’t too late. He’s alive… and not because of me. I played but a small part. He’s alive because he was able to give us enough information to locate him. He’s alive because Buck made a forty-minute journey in less than twenty-five…because J.D. was able to trace a bounced phone call to a relay station providing the last piece of the puzzle. He’s alive not because of one of us, but because of all of us. We did what we do best, and that’s work as a team. That miscreant made a grave error in judgment choosing to kidnap a member of the most efficient response unit in the world. Vin’s alive because he’s fit and young and too obstinate, wilful and just plain mulish to let the likes of Spikes win. That’s why he’s alive.”

Chris swallowed.

“When you consider all things collectively, I do believe we were worrying unnecessarily. Spikes never had a chance.” He smiled weakly.

Larabee sighed and squeezed his friend’s hand in thanks. “That’s enough. You get some rest. You’ll need it. Your parents will be here any minute.”

“No amount of rest will prepare me for that, Colonel.” Standish grinned as his eyes closed, weariness blanketing him. “Even Em7 is no match for them.”

Chris smirked. “They’re a formidable pair.”

“I can think of other, far more appropriate adjectives -- exasperating, for example.” He drew in a deeper breath and within seconds, his fingers became limp in Chris’ hand.

Chris folded his friend’s arm back and re-covered him. Then he sat back in the chair, shut his eyes, and started to sift through all that had happened in the last few days.

**********

“Play it again, and this time, zero in on the cabin,” Josiah ordered. He and J.D. were inside the water treatment plant. Dunne had copied the video footage wanted on to his laptop and the pair and been examining it in the minutes since the police had collected Spikes.

“Okay… yep. Just the cabin, or Liam specifically?”

“Can you do what you did the other day and play two windows simultaneously side by side?”

“Sure. Which two angles?

“Zoom in on Liam’s face in one and a larger view of the crane and all around it in the other.”

“Your wish is my command,” J.D. murmured. Josiah patted the youth’s back, leaning over his shoulder. “Okay. Here goes.”

The screen sprang to life, the two windows open and playing simultaneously. Dunne shook his head as the container started to move. “There’s Vin.”

“Slow it down.”

J.D.’s fingers tapped on the keyboard, his eyes never leaving the screen.

“Pause!”

The screen froze. Liam’s face was twisted. “And that, J.D., is a look of hatred mutilated by elation.”

Dunne nodded, but flicked his eyes to the larger window. “But Josiah, Vin’s behind him,” he commented in confusion. “Liam isn’t looking at Vin.”

“No,” Josiah sighed, sadly. “I didn’t expect him to be. You know where Liam’s staying don’t you?”

J.D. nodded.

“I need to see his apartment. I get the feeling we’ll find the rest of our answers there.”

**********

Chris heard Maude and Wilhelm arguing with the police officer. For a few moments he sat, preparing himself, then rose and opened the door. “Let them pass.”

“Thank you!” Maude snapped, placing her hand on Chris’ chest and forcing him backwards. The annoyance dissolved when her eyes fell on her son. “Oh, Ezra. How many more times…” She leaned down and kissed him and then sank into the chair Chris had just vacated.

“He’s okay. Just did too much.”

“Well, that’s a given,” Maude snapped.

Chris shifted his attention to Wilhelm, who had moved to stand next to Maude. “I need to go. Threats to his safety have passed. However, if you have any concerns, let the officer outside the door know and contact me.”

Wilhelm nodded and offered his hand. Chris eyed it. “We’re having you checked out.”

“What?” Maude cried.

Chris and Wilhelm maintained eye-contact.

“I have nothing to hide.”

“Good. If you’ve turned up just to use him, you’ll have me to deal with,” Chris stated in a low voice. “You hurt him… and I’ll hand you over to the other boys and let them tear you limb from limb. Just so we understand each other.”

Chris exited the room. He was halfway down the hallway when Wilhelm caught up with him. The other held his gaze, which took guts.

“I do not like or appreciate your abrupt manner.”

“Couldn’t care less.”

Wilhelm smiled. “Something of which I am well aware. I do, however, appreciate how staunchly you protect my son.”

“He’s one of my men.”

“A great deal more than that, from what I’ve seen.”

Chris said nothing.

“As I said, I don’t like your manner, but I do believe I like you.”

Chris smirked. “You’re growing on me, too.” Again, Wilhelm offered his hand and this time, Chris accepted it. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Buck and an entourage of nurses fussing over him. “If you you’ll excuse me.”

Chris strode down the corridor shaking his head with welcome amusement. “Ladies, I need to talk to the wounded hero.” The nurses, who were showering Buck with attention, groaned, each kissing him before disappearing.

Buck beamed at them and waved before turning back to Chris. “It’s my animal magnetism, Chris. Women can’t get enough of it.”

“How’s the head?”

“Throbbing. Any news on Vin?”

“No, but Nathan’s with him. He couldn’t be in better hands.”

“Ez.?”

“Weak. His parents are with him. Police officer on the door.”

They stared at each other and the mirth died. Buck took Chris’ elbow and encouraged him into the empty waiting lounge. “We need to talk.” The tone was deadly serious -- something that was rare for Buck.

Chris ran his hand through his hair. “Buck… I… I know he was involved in this tonight. My God, he’s my responsibility. I promised mum on her deathbed that I’d look after him and…. and look at the mess his life’s in and look at the damage he’s done.”

“His life. His mess. And as for damage, Chris, you aren’t responsible for Liam. He’s an adult.”

“There’s got to be a way to…”

“Whooh! No. Not this time, Chris.” Buck’s face blanketed with determination. “I’ve kept my mouth shut because I love you too damn much to hurt you, but Vin was right. This has to stop and it stops now. If not for your sake, for Vin’s.”

“Vin…”

“No. “ Buck cut off. It was time for Chris to let go of the guilt and listen to a few home truths. “You can’t expect Vin or anyone else to just ignore this… ‘because Liam’s just a kid’ or ‘because Liam just needs a chance’.” Buck was so sick of hearing Chris say those two things. “You have a choice. Either you have Liam arrested and he lives, or Vin will kill him and then Vin will spend the rest of his life in prison. It’s your choice. And just so you’re really clear on this, Vin said he’s going to do it. We both know what he’s like. Vin doesn’t waste his breath saying things like that unless he means it. And I guarantee his motivation to kill Liam has more to do with protecting you than anything else.”

“I… I know.” His voice trembled as he sank into the closest chair and in that moment, the final wisps of Colonel Larabee disappeared, leaving only a very confused and emotional brother. “I want to believe Liam was just jealous and that prompted him to be a part of this. I want to believe he was scared after being involved in the kidnapping and was just trying to use the crane as some sort of distraction so he could get away… and that somehow it all went horribly wrong but... that’s not what happened.”

Buck breathed out. He was both relieved Chris was finally seeing the truth, and devastated by the fact his friend had to. “I’m sorry, Chris. I’ve spent the last fifteen years trying to protect you from this. In the end, all I’ve done is allowed Vin to be hurt.”

Chris lifted his tear filled eyes to his friend and shook his head. “It’s not your fault.” He wiped his face with his hand. “I just can’t believe he tried to kill Vin. That he hates Vin that much.”

“I’m afraid you’ve got it wrong.” Buck and Chris turned to the door as Josiah and J.D. entered. Josiah shook his head sadly. “It’s true Liam hates Vin. He’s tried to kill him on at least two occasions -- a result of jealousy. But what’s happened this time is different. It’s more than that. Much more.”

“I don’t understand,” Chris murmured.

“Liam‘s obsessed with you.”

“What?” Chris’ browed furrowed with deeper confusion. “Obsessed with me?”

Josiah patted Chris’ shoulder and then took a seat across from him, J.D. and Buck following his lead. “J.D. and I have watched the security footage of the incident involving the crane. Liam wasn’t trying to kill Vin. In this case, Vin was a means to an end.”

“To what end?”

Josiah softened his voice deliberately. “Liam’s been trying to kill you, Chris.”

“No,” Buck disagreed, bewildered. “No, Liam’s been after Vin… Josiah?”

J.D. took up the explanation. “Liam didn’t know Vin was near the crane. Vin spotted the container swinging toward Chris. He pushed Chris out of the way and was hit himself, but Vin wasn’t the target.”

It took Chris a while to process what was being said. His eyes widened.

“You were the target,” Josiah stated clearly. “You’ve been the target for a while... but actually killing you hadn’t been necessary until tonight when he was forced to make a choice. Liam’s so obsessed with you, he wants to become you. J.D. and I’ve just been to Liam’s apartment. He’s got a shrine of photos of you… of all of us. He also has copies of confidential files from Travis’ office. One in particular. An unofficial private psychological analysis of you which I compiled for Travis. Liam had highlighted one specific passage.”

“What did it say?” Buck asked.

Josiah took out a scrap of paper containing a note written in Liam’s handwriting. “It is my opinion that Larabee and Tanner share a single soul. If anything happens to one, the other’s soul will wither and die and as a result, we will lose them both because without a soul, a person ceases to exist.”

“You wrote that in a report?” Chris shouted, snatching the piece of paper.

“It’s what I believe, Chris. Travis wanted to know the full impact of Vin rejoining us. It wasn’t an official report. You know I’d never write that in an official report. Orrin just wanted my opinion. I don’t know how Liam got his hands on it, but that’s been his bedtime reading. He’d rewritten that passage more than a dozen times and put them on the fridge.”

Chris looked at J.D. for confirmation.

“It was like he was obsessed with it,” the younger man offered. “And Josiah doesn’t think there was any biography either.”

“Liam was interviewing people who know you so he could take inventory of your life,” Sanchez claimed.

“This is crazy.” Chris rejected. His world was spinning out of control.

“I’ve seen this sort of thing before when I was doing my degree in psychology. It’s a basic hierarchy of needs. Liam needs to feel loved and appreciated, but for humans to achieve those things in adulthood, it means three major things; establishing a network of strong relationships, finding a worthwhile purpose in life, and earning the respect of others and yourself… all things that aren’t entitlements and towards which every human being must devote time and effort. Liam’s never invested the time or the effort to gain them, but he wants them. He wants them badly enough to kill for. He saw what he wanted in your life. So he started to copy you… like a child copies an idol. That’s where it started.”

“Josiah, you’re burbling,” Chris dismissed, his head shaking from side to side in a desperate bid to dismiss what he was hearing.

“Listen to him,” Buck growled.

“Chris, he’s wearing your clothes,” Josiah pointed out.

“He just hasn’t had time to…”

“That’s garbage,” Buck snapped.

“Buck,” Josiah ordered firmly, before turning back to Chris. Chris needed their patience and understanding at the moment. They were dealing with a powerful self-deception that had been deeply entrenched for years. However, the deception had been crumbling since Liam had been released from prison… more than likely because of Vin’ presence. The breakdown had been slow initially, but had increased in pace in days before Vin’s kidnapping. Josiah wasn’t sure of the catalyst, but something had sent Chris on the very painful path towards the truth… a truth he was desperate not to see. Now, Josiah simply wanted to gently guide his friend through the final stage of the journey.

“Liam starts wearing your clothes. He begins visiting Four Corners… the home he wants… your home. He starts looking into law enforcement and makes comments about joining the army… then taking over Em7… your job.”

“Then he started moving in on us,” J.D. realized.

“He wanted your friends.”

“He was trying to mend bridges for my sake,” Chris claimed, but the tone showed his resolve was weakening under the weight of the facts and logic being presented.

“No, he wasn’t. It worried me at the time, but I didn’t put it all together until tonight. The sad thing is, I doubt Liam was consciously aware until it had got to the point he couldn’t have stopped it if he’d wanted to. To achieve what he wants, Liam needs more than your love. He needs to become you. So, he attempted to replace you in each of our lives… not innocently establish friendships or win us over. He went dirt-bike riding with J.D. You’re the only one of us who regularly does that. You’re our leader and supposed to cater to all of our needs, but you couldn’t provide the book I wanted. Liam did. Same deal with Ezra’s tickets. Nathan’s desperate for you to look after your health, so Liam drinks the shakes. But he hit a snag with Vin. Vin wouldn’t play the game. Because we care, the rest of us tried to smooth the waters and make Liam feel welcome… even Buck did. Buck’s been doing it for years. We didn’t realize we were fuelling his growing psychosis.”

“I…” Chris’ mind and heart were reeling.

“We didn’t want to hurt your feelings and we knew that confrontation might drive a wedge between us, so to protect our friendships, we played along despite suspecting Liam’s jealousy had sparked two attempts on Vin’s life. We made an effort to accept Liam’s offers of gifts and friendship. For your sake, we wanted to believe he was turning over a new leaf… which is exactly what you’ve been doing with Liam your entire life… not wanting to hurt his feelings. Not wanting to drive a wedge between the two of you... wanting to believe he was turning over a new leaf after every incident. It’s called enabling.”

“But Vin was different,” Buck realized.

“Vin was a threat because he didn’t care what Chris thought of him, and damned with his feelings. He was only interested in protecting Chris,” Josiah returned his attention to Chris. “Protecting you from Liam and from yourself.” Josiah paused, assessing his friend’s condition. Larabee looked devastated, which meant he was beginning to see things for what they were. “Vin rejected Liam because Vin doesn’t play those types of social games. If Vin doesn’t like you, he doesn’t try to hide it for appearance’s sake.”

Buck was nodding. Chris flicked his gaze to Buck and silently pleaded for help, but Buck couldn’t provide it -- not this time.

“Vin had to be removed for Liam to achieve his goal. But after reading what I’d written, I’m guessing Liam realized he could kill two birds with the one stone. Remove Vin permanently and you cease to exist, Chris. That’s why he had to be there tonight. Why he risked everything to stow away. The final tier of the hierarchy of needs is self-actualization. For Liam to gain the life he wants, you must cease to exist. Vin dying would achieve that. Liam needed to be there when that happened tonight so he could seamlessly take over from you. Self-actualization would be achieved when he replaced you.”

“But Vin didn’t die,” J.D. realized.

“Exactly. Liam’s world came crashing down because he’d been exposed. His only option was to kill Chris to attain the life he believes is his. That’s how powerful his obsession has become. He wants your job. Your home at Four Corners. Your friends. Your position… in short, he wants…”

“…my life,” Chris whispered. Larabee’s breath shuddered out of him. All layers of denial had been stripped away, allowing acceptance to crash into place. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and ran both hands through his hair. “What will he do now?” Chris whispered.

“I don’t know. He could attempt suicide as he realizes that the life he wants is unattainable. He could delete the experience so that in his mind none of it happened… just another of his fantasies. He could take up where he left off and attempt to kill you again.”

Chris’ hands balled in agony, his face still down. “This hierarchy of needs is supposed to explain why my brother tried to kill Vin?”

“No, jealousy is responsible for the first two attempts. Vin’s kidnapping and planned death tonight was just a means to an end.”

Chris lifted his face, tears trailing down his cheeks. “So… you said at the beginning this was all because Liam needs to feel loved and appreciated.”

“We all do, but as adults we have to play an active role in that and take responsibility for our actions.”

Chris nodded and wiped his face. “So, my brother is looking for the unconditional support and love I have in my life because it’s something he doesn’t have in his. You’re saying that’s the reason all of this happened.”

Josiah shook his head not liking where Chris’ thoughts were heading. “Chris, no matter how much we try, we can’t make others like someone, or respect them. Taking responsibility for your life and acting in a way that enables you to establish meaningful relationships and earn respect is part of becoming an adult. Liam has always taken the easy way. He started copying you, perhaps innocently to begin with… like a child copying their idol. Unfortunately, he’s not a child and so something far darker and more deadly developed.”

“Is he…” Chris drew in his breath, trying to manage the lump that had formed in his throat. “Is he aware of what he’s doing?”

Josiah sighed. “In the eyes of the law, he’s probably not responsible for his actions. But in my opinion, he’s well aware of what he’s doing, but he’s probably passed the point of no return. I’m sorry.”

“So, let me get this right,” Buck murmured. “Liam’s obsessed with Chris and wants to become him so he can have Chris’ life. To do that, he has to replace Chris with all of us, remove Vin who won't accept him, and finally… kill Chris.”

“That’s about the size of it. However, thanks to what I wrote, Liam realized that in removing Vin, he achieved ‘killing’ Chris without actually doing it. It was the perfect solution… a way out.”

“But because Vin lived… he had no choice but to kill Chris,” J.D. finished.

“I’m afraid so. I don’t think killing Chris was something he ever intended. I think he loves you, Chris, but he was forced to make a choice… you… or himself.”

---

Part Twenty-Three

Chris could hear the others still talking, but their voices faded into obscurity as he urgently tried to sift through all he’d been told. He was uncertain of so much. However, two things were now abundantly clear.

First, he needed to accept at least some of the blame for Liam’s state of mind. He’d made excuses for his brother all his life… his whole family had. In the end, all they’d done was contribute to his brother’s delusions. Liam was longing for love and attention. Chris had tried desperately to provide it, by being the brother Liam wanted, rather than the brother he needed. What he should have done was kicked Liam up the backside every time he’d strayed. Tough love, that’s what had been required -- that’s what Buck had been telling him for years. But Chris hadn’t been able to do it because … and his guilt consumed him again. All of this could be traced back to that single moment when Liam was twelve and Chris had….

The lump in Chris’ throat swelled. He’d been trying to make up for ‘that moment’ all his life. Now, he had to accept shared responsibility for Liam’s actions. His brother wasn’t weak. His brother was cunning, and he was a liar, and he was an adult, and he was responsible for his own actions… and he was dangerous. But Liam was still his brother and Chris couldn’t give up on him. Not even after all of this. Not even knowing he had tried to kill him… had tried to kill Vin. Ultimately, just as Josiah had said, Liam just wanted to be loved and appreciated for who he was. Unfortunately, Liam didn’t like the person he’d become, which was why he’d obviously been trying to become someone else... someone he admired.

Chris drew in a deep breath. His brother needed help to learn to like himself… to learn how to function appropriately in the adult world. Liam’d never made the adjustment and Chris’ attempts to protect him had only compounded the problem. He could see that now.

Chris leant forward, staring at his boots. It was time for him to be the brother Liam needed, not the brother Liam wanted. He’d do whatever it took, even if that meant having his brother committed to a hospital. He had to do it -- for Liam’s sake -- for his own sake – for the sakes of all those he cared for.

All of which meant, Chris had to find Liam, and he had to find him quickly.

The other thing Chris was certain of, was somehow, if it wasn’t too late, he had to ‘fix’ things with Vin. They’d exchanged only a handful of words since the rescue. All Vin had been interested in was warning him -- struggling for breath, he’d warned him -- weak and injured he’d warned him. Exhausted and battling shock, Vin had pushed him clear and saved his life. Of course, Chris would expect nothing less of a member of his team… but was that all they had left?

Chris rubbed his eyes. After all that had happened, how could he possibly expect… his own final words before the kidnapping echoed in his mind, ”This is finished.” The words of the poem Vin had written, quaked in his heart. Soon, there’ll be nothing left but rubble. Nothing but memories to prove ‘it’ ever existed.

It. The unique and inexplicable bond they shared. “Ohhh, Vin,” he murmured. He had to speak to Vin and then, he had to find Liam… he had to find him quickly.

Chris felt a hand on his shoulder and lifted his pained gaze.

Buck nodded. “Nathan’s here.”

“What? Nathan!” Chris rose to his feet.

Jackson squeezed his arm. “All x-rays are clear, apart from a hairline fracture of his upper left arm, which took the impact of the container.”

“Thank God.” .

“Those lessons Ezra gave us in ‘falling’ correctly must have worked, because he should have broken every bone in his body after being thrown that distance. He’s landed and rolled. There’s a lot of soft tissue damage as a result, but nothing some rest and some powerful painkillers won’t fix.”

“His lungs?” Chris demanded.

“This hospital has a Croft Lung Machine. New on the market. Incredible medical technology. It uses…” Nathan paused, realizing his friends didn’t want a medical explanation. “The machine reduces the risk of pneumonia to less than 3 %. He’s going to be fine.”

J.D. turned and grinned at Buck who slid his arms across the younger man’s shoulders, his own face reflecting his relief.

Nathan focused on Chris. “I’m hesitant to use a lot of drugs on him at the moment. Vin’s been though so much lately and has had quite a cocktail pumped through him, so I’ve gone back to the tried and true -- morphine.”

Chris nodded.

“Vin’s conscious. He has been the whole time. He won’t settle. He’s just given me a set of orders to pass on. He wants Josiah, J.D. and Buck to become your bodyguards, Chris.”

Chris’ left cheek twitched with self-directed annoyance. Vin shouldn’t be worried about any of this.

“He’s concerned you’ll keep underestimating Liam.”

“Not going to happen,” Josiah whispered. “Chris is stuck with me attached to his hip until Liam’s found.”

Chris flicked his attention to Josiah, who held his gaze without flinching. Larabee accepted the statement with a nod.

“Good, but I need you to speak to Vin, Chris. I don’t care what he says to you, and I don’t care if you agree with it or not, just nod so he will get some rest.”

The multitude of emotions reflected in Chris’ tired eyes sent Buck to his side. Wilmington patted his friend’s back.

“He doesn’t want to stay in the hospital… no surprises there,” Nathan added. “Can’t see an attack coming,” Nathan quoted directly. “He’s never going to rest here. J.D., how far off are the new security measures for Four Corners?”

“Keep him here 24 hours and I’ll arrange for a team of workers to get it done… on Ezra’s account.”

Buck winked at J.D. “I like the way you think, Kid.”

“Good. I’ll tell him. He’s probably got three or four minutes until the morphine knocks him out.” Nathan turned and started down the corridor. He paused and glanced back curiously. “Chris?”

Larabee blinked, nodded to the others and then followed.

**********

Chris hesitated in the doorway. He didn’t know why. Vin was lying still, his eyes closed. The blue blankets covered his muscular arms, but the tight bandage around his left upper arm and shoulder was visible. A tube carrying morphine disappeared under the covers, but he wasn’t attached to any monitors, which was a good sign. In the light of the room, Chris could see his friend’s cheek was bruised, something he hadn’t noticed earlier. Already, the soft tissue damage Nathan had mentioned was manifesting as swelling.

Larabee could feel Jackson’s presence behind him urging him forward, but something was holding him back. The events of the past three days flashed through his mind. He hadn’t meant to hurt Vin. God, that was the last thing he wanted. But as a result of his own turmoil and struggle to establish an inclusive family unit that integrated all three of his ‘brothers’, he’d hurt Vin using both thoughtless words and uncharacteristic actions. Hurt him deeper than anyone else could because Vin didn’t allow others to get close enough to do so.

The very thought of anyone hurting Vin made Chris’ blood boil. Yet he had. And worst of all, while he hadn’t been fully aware of what was happening, on some level, he’d known -- but he couldn’t correct it. He was, and always had been, prepared to give his life for Vin, but in this case, Vin hadn’t been the one he was in danger of losing. In this case, he’d acted to protect his relationship with Liam, because that was the relationship that was shaky… and not because of Liam’s behavior. It was because the blinders Chris had worn since Liam was twelve had gradually been disintegrating. The more he saw his brother for what he was, the more aggressively Chris had fought to hang on to him as part of his ‘family.’

Chris’ relationship with Buck and Vin, on the other hand, had always been more than solid and unquestioned, so subconsciously he felt secure in that knowledge and been able to put Liam first for that reason only.

So why was he questioning now? The words of Vin’s poem.

Abruptly, Vin’s face twisted with discomfort and anger. “Damn you, Nathan.”

Chris reached his friend in two strides, his hand settling on the crown of his head, instinctively providing comfort. “Easy, easy.”

Tanner’s eyes, which were dilated with morphine and wild determination, snapped open. “Chris! Chris, Liam wasn’t after me. He was tryin’ to kill you.” Just as when they’d dragged him from the tank, Vin was frantic to warn Chris. However, the burning ache from his battered body was leeching from each pore and Chris could see it as if it were a tangible entity.

“Shhh,” Chris soothed, unsurprised by his friend’s blind and single-minded purpose. “I know.”

Vin shook his head. “No, you don’t get it.” He grimaced, trying to ignore the pain. “He was trying to KILL you.”

Chris’ face twisted as he heard the words again. He nodded, patting the top of Vin’s head to calm him. His voice softened. “I know, Cowboy. The boys have just explained everything. I know about the attempts on your life.”

“NO!” Vin cried, reaching up and grabbing the front of Chris’ shirt. “NOT ME.! He tried to kill YOU!” The words were stilted in breathless pain… both emotional and physical.

Chris levered Vin’s fingers loose and squeezed his hand. “Shhh. Easy. I know. I know Liam tried to kill me. He failed because of you.”

Vin’s blue eyes clouded and the tightness in his expression dissolved into confusion. “You know?”

“The boys have explained it to me. I understand some of it now… and I’m sorry.” His voice broke and the lump in his throat grew rapidly. “I’m sorry I put you in the middle.”

Vin blinked and then applied pressure to Chris’ hand. “I put myself there.”

Vin could have walked away, Chris realized. He could have just rode along with the others. He hadn’t. He’d put himself where he felt Chris needed him, not where Chris had wanted him. ‘A better brother than I,’ he reflected, tragically.

“Liam?”

Chris shook his head. “The police are looking for him.” His heart ached, torn yet again. Vin was safe. Buck was safe. Liam wasn’t. He prayed Vin would understand. “I need to leave.”

“No, let the police find him. He’ll kill you.”

“It’s okay. I won’t be on my own. Josiah’s going to be attached to my hip. Okay?”

Vin blinked, fighting the morphine. He shook his head very definitely. Clearly he didn’t think it was okay.

“I have to find Liam. If someone else does, he’s going to wind up getting shot or killed. I have to do it. I know I can convince him to give himself up. He’s confused and he needs help, Vin. I have to help him. He’s my brother.”

Vin’s face clouded and his eyes shut. Chris squeezed his hand. “I need you to understand that… “ He swallowed, realizing Vin was fading. He still hadn’t had a chance to apologize properly or to explain… not that he could explain, for explaining would take more understanding than he had at the moment… but most importantly, he hadn’t had a chance to confirm that Vin understood. He didn’t want to leave until he knew at least that. “Vin?”

Tanner’s chest inflated more fully. Chris glanced at Nathan who signaled the morphine was doing its job. Jackson checked the drip.

Chris leaned down close to his friend, realizing the drug had won the battle. “I’m sorry.” He tucked Vin’s hand under the covers, turned and reluctantly headed for the door. He stopped half way there as something nebulous called him back. Chris glanced over his shoulder. Vin’s tired blues eyes were open a sliver. Vin lifted his arm… offering his soul.

Chris’ chest constricted.

I understand, Cowboy.

Chris’ eyes welled as he walked back and his and Vin’s arms came together. Tanner’s grip was surprisingly strong.

The unique sense of oneness was still as strong as ever -- but then, Chris had been stupid to think anything could change that. “Thank you,” he whispered, emotionally.

From the doorway, Josiah preached, “It is my opinion that Larabee and Tanner share a single soul.”

Vin held Chris’ strangled gaze. Two minds

One soul, Chris agreed. He thanked all that was holy Vin understood. Of course he understood, but Chris knew he had no right to take Vin’s loyalty and love for granted… and in essence, that was what he’d done. That was what he’d being doing to Buck for years when it came to Liam. Chris knew he needed to finish this and the only way to do that was to find Liam and get him the help he needed.

“I have to leave.” Chris lowered Vin’s arm to the bed and then placed his hand on the crown of his friend’s head, smiling with thanks. “I won’t be long. Then we’ll talk. I have a lot to explain… still a lot I need to understand. I know I’ve been acting like a…”

“Jackass.”

Chris smirked and patted the top of Vin’s head. “Yeah, a stubborn fool. Of course it takes one to know one.” He swallowed again. “I have to leave.” He smiled and then spun and strode out the door.

**

Vin’s mind swirled with morphine, images and emotions.

“I have to leave.”

His mother had to leave.

His uncle had to leave.

Sarah and John had to leave.

The Melhers had to leave.

Kojay had to leave.

He blinked watching Chris disappear. Nathan leaned over him. “Close those eyes or I’ll be forced to use a 2x4.”

Vin sighed. He spotted Buck enter the room, smiling widely. “Hey, kid. Chris had to leave. Looks like you’re stuck with me.”

“How’s Ezra?” Vin felt like he was floating.

“Being smothered by his parents. Now don’t you worry about a thing. Just you rest.”

Vin focused on the white ceiling above him. “You better go help Chris.”

“Can’t.”

“Huh?” he asked, rolling his head to look at Buck who was now seated in the chair.

“I have something more important I need to do.” The smile left Buck’s face. “I have to keep an eye on you. Not colonel’s orders. Chris asked me to stay with you. He didn’t want to leave, Vin. It was tearing him apart to go, but Liam’s unstable at the moment. Maybe suicidal. Chris’ right. The sniveling snot needs help. Chris can’t turn his back. I wouldn’t expect him to.”

Vin sighed. “Me either.”

Buck smiled and picked up his hand. “Nathan’s giving me strange signals so I’m guessin’ you need to shut up and go to sleep.”

Vin felt the pressure to his hand. He smiled at Buck realizing in the last three days, they’d become closer because of sharing the burden of Chris’ pain. “Have I ever told you my mother was a vet?”

Buck rose and tucked the covers around him. “No, you haven’t. Pretty little filly too, I’m bettin’.”

“She was…” the lights around him swirled and faded. As he drifted off to sleep he heard, “I’m here, Kid. Don’t you worry none about Chris. He’s gettin’ it all sorted out for the first time, thanks to you.”

**********

Chris fastened his seatbelt. He was headed to Four Corners, deciding to drive so he could use the journey to think.

Two days had elapsed since they’d rescued Vin. Tanner was now at Four Corners under the watchful and frustrated eye of his personal physician. Unfortunately, the injured man was still in considerable pain and this had led to a number of battles over painkillers -- Vin refusing them or removing the morphine drip.

Ezra was home being cared for by his parents. According to him, it was like living under the same roof with two chameleons who moved smoothly between being Romeo and Juliet, and two enraged bulls locking horns. Thankfully, Buck and J.D. were taking turns to ‘rescue’ him with their company.

Chris grimaced. Liam was still missing. Larabee and Sanchez had searched for two days, but had come up blank. Liam had evaporated. The biggest problem was not having a clue where to start looking. Chris didn’t know his brother’s friends or haunts. In reality, Chris didn’t know Liam at all, any more. Maybe he never had. His brother hadn’t been a part of his life for years.

When Chris had first joined the army, he’d only seen his kid brother when on leave. During those short intervals, they’d spent some good times together. Chris could remember the excitement in Liam’s voice. “Will you take me fishing?... Can we go to the Laker’s Game?... I can’t wait to go to the cabin with you!” It had been easy to play the set role of ‘big brother’ on those brief visits.

Then, Chris had met Sarah, married and had a family. Because they lived in different states, visits from Liam were confined to a dozen special occasions a year, like birthdays and Christmas. Liam was older by then anyway, and had his own friends. Chris had felt it was for the best. Sarah hadn’t liked Liam and had made it clear he wasn’t to be an influence on Adam. As a matter of fact, it had been Sarah who’d insisted their wills clearly state custody of Adam was to go to Buck should anything happen to them. Chris had agreed wholeheartedly. He loved Liam, but his brother was an inappropriate choice to raise a child.

In the five years Chris was posted in Katinda, he’d seen Liam only a handful of times. They’d grown apart – to the extent Liam no longer fit snuggly into Chris’ life. He was a visitor who came and went. During those short stopovers, Chris enjoyed recapturing his past and playing the role of big brother.

It was a dreadful realization that he no longer truly knew Liam -- particularly in light of the promise he’d made his mother on her death bed. She’d been lucky in one way. The brain tumor had taken her quickly. Chris received word when he was in Katinda, long before meeting Vin, Josiah and Nathan. He and Buck had rushed home on compassionate leave, arriving only hours before her death. She’d begged him to promise her one thing. “Look after Liam. He idolizes you. He is one of God’s lost sheep. Be his shepherd not his idol.”

Chris had given his word. Unfortunately, being a good shepherd was difficult from another continent. Then Chris had lost Sarah and Adam and his world had closed in on itself, before he’d returned to Katinda and established the STF1. There, he’d found a purpose and people who cared… people he could care about. People like him. People who fit his lifestyle.

By the time Chris retuned to the United States, Liam was on trial for driving a get-away car. He hadn’t realized how far his brother had fallen. He’d supported Liam through the court case, paying his legal bills and he’d visited him weekly -- at first -- and then monthly while the younger man was incarcerated in California.

Chris shook his head. In other words, he’d seen Liam so infrequently, he’d missed the boy growing into a man. The ‘Liam’ Chris remembered was the twelve-year-old kid he’d left at home when he’d joined the army over fifteen years earlier. Since then, Chris had changed. His life no longer revolved around Liam and his ailments. However, he loved his brother and he was desperate for him to be a part of his life. After all, Liam was all he had left in way of close blood-kin.

Unfortunately, Liam was a square peg and Chris had been trying to force him into a round hole. That wasn’t Liam’s fault and it certainly wasn’t Vin’s and Buck’s.

“I have to find him,” Chris murmured. Josiah had arranged for him to speak to a professional in the area of obsession. His brother lacked self-respect to the extent he wanted to be someone else. Liam needed help… and love… and understanding. He also needed Chris’ boot up his backside. Chris could do it. He loved him enough to do what was needed.

DC faded behind Larabee as he turned the army issue station wagon onto the open highway. It was nice to be alone for a moment. Josiah had been his constant shadow since the shooting. The only reason Sanchez wasn’t sitting beside him now was because Chris had ordered home for some sleep.

Over the past two days, Josiah had been amazing. He’d helped Chris see blaming himself for Liam’s actions wasn’t going to help Liam… and it was a falsehood anyway. Chris wasn’t responsible for Liam’s choices in life. He was Liam’s brother, not his keeper. Liam was a separate entity, not a part of Chris. If Chris really wanted to help his brother, he needed to be there to ensure Liam took responsibility for what he’d done so that he and Chris could move on and rebuild their relationship.

Larabee hit the speed dial button on his cell phone. “It’s me. How is he?”

“You mean compared to when you rang fifteen minutes ago… or half an hour ago… or forty-five minutes ago? Hell, Chris. Relax.”

“Nathan, you said you thought he was holding out on you.”

“I took him off the morphine last night. Yeah, he’s been holding out on me, all right. Don’t worry, I’m on to him now. I put him back on the morphine about five minutes ago. He wasn’t happy about it, but he’ll be out soon. It’ll give him some respite. You don’t fall seven feet after been hit by a metal container and get away with it. He’s in the family room on the sofa bed… makes it easier for me to keep checking on him. Now, will you leave worrying about Vin to me?”

“I’m on my way out there. Driving.”

“Okay, I’ll see you when you get here. Perfect timing. The morphine should be starting to wear off by then.”

“Thanks, Nathan. You’ve got the security system activated?”

“Chris, didn’t we just have this conversation?”

“Is…it… activated?”

“Yes, Sir, it is. I’m about to have some lunch, then I’ll head into the study and type up a full medical report for you. Vin won’t be leaving the sofa bed. I guarantee it. A side effect of the morphine,” Jackson chuckled. “Three minutes from now, Vin’ll be out cold. Should stay that way for about two hours. Okay?”

“Yeah… sorry, Nathan. I’m just...” Chris couldn’t dismiss the image of Vin’s chest convulsing and is eyes closing… on the bottom of the tank… when Chris had almost lost him.

“Chris, relax. He’s fine. Hurting because of stubborn stupidity, but fine.”

Chris knew what was going on. He understood the way Vin thought. The ‘jackass’ wanted to be ‘ready’ to back him up, should he be needed.

“You still there, Chris?”

“Yeah. So, the new security is impressive?”

“With all of the central-locking doors, alarms, infra-red beams and God knows what else, no one’s getting in here. Now stop talking on your damn cell phone while you’re driving. It’s dangerous.”

“Thanks, Nathan.”

Chris sighed as he hung up. He’d visited Vin twice while he’d still been in the hospital. Both times, Vin had been asleep. The urgency to find Liam hadn’t passed, but Chris needed to speak to Vin. He couldn’t let it go any longer. However, the first thing they were going to discuss was having the tracking device inserted in Vin’s head. No, discuss wasn’t the correct word. There would be no ‘discussion’. He didn’t care how much Vin complained. Time for some tough love.

Larabee snorted at the irony. He could be tough with Vin. He always had been. Maybe if he’d been tougher with Liam… but he hadn’t been around to be tough on Liam. He’d seen Liam more in the six weeks since he’d been released from prison, than he had in all of the last fifteen years combined.

When Liam had been released from prison, Chris had promised himself he would be there for him, and help him get his life together. He desperately wanted them to be a family again. He had to believe they would be one day.

Chris’s thoughts bounced to what he and Josiah had discovered so far. Liam had gained access to Travis’ office simply by going to one of the security guards and having a digital key issued in Chris’ name. It gave him access both to Em7’s and Travis’ office. The security guard had bypassed protocol because he’d recognized Liam. The younger Larabee had told the man Chris’s pass was malfunctioning and he would come down in person ‘later’ to fill in the appropriate paper work. The security guard had handed it over. As a result, he’d now lost his job.

Chris was angry, but realized his anger should be self-directed. He had invited his brother to the office when Liam had asked, and then he’d allowed the visits to continue. He had been lax about security around Liam, viewing his brother’s unending questions as innocent curiosity. If any one of the other boys had done the same thing with a member of their family, Chris would have knocked their head off.

The digital security key had enabled Liam to take files from Travis’ office and from Em7. J.D. had seen Liam accessing his computer one day, but on checking what had been accessed, Dunne had dismissed it as unimportant because all Liam had been looking at were photos and plans of Four Corners… the home Liam wanted.

Chris’ heart ached. How had he let his brother down so badly? He’d almost lost Vin because of it. Thankfully, both Buck and Vin seemed to understand that Chris couldn’t make a choice.

He couldn’t.

Or perhaps he had…. but he wouldn’t’ think about that.

---

Part Twenty-Four

Four Corners.

The most beautiful place on Earth.

A home like no other.

A place where Chris was so happy.

Liam smiled. He loved Chris. Chris was the greatest brother. Chris was amazing, everyone thought so, but Chris had high standards. Liam wanted Chris to be proud of him and while Chris said he was, Liam had noted the way his brother looked at the members of Em7.

That was pride.

That respect.

When Chris looked at him, that wasn’t what he saw reflected. He saw love, tolerance and patience, but Liam wanted more. He wanted to be Chris’ equal. He wanted to sit so close to Chris around a camp fire that there was no space between them. He wanted to be able to say two words and know Chris didn’t need any others to understand the rest of the sentence. He wanted to share knowing glances… but they couldn’t.

Liam’s mood darkened so abruptly his face contorted. Colonel Larabee was so damn perfect. He had it all. He had the perfect life. Why should he have it… “and not me?”

Liam pulled the photo from his pocket. Colonel Christopher Larabee. Mr. Perfect. Chris was… The darkness lifted. His brother. Chris had stood up for him to Tanner. He’d said he was proud of him.

Liam sighed. It was time for Chris to take a well deserved and long overdue rest. He’d done his part for the nation. It was time for the younger generation to take over.

Liam checked his watch. His initial plan had failed, but that happened to even the best of soldiers, he assured himself. Being pushed into a corner had forced him to regroup and the result was his best military strategy...one that Chris would be proud of.

Em7 was known for it resourcefulness and its brazen confidence. Liam had been told many stories of the team’s adventures… his team’s adventures. He felt this plan was up there with one of their best. However, he had to carry it out alone because the other members of the unit had been compromised.

Liam peered out of the livery -- his base of operations. He’d had nowhere to go and so had come to Four Corners. He’d hidden in the hay loft above the horses and watched the army of security professionals and laborers as they’d gone about their business installing J.D.’s security measures in the main house. Dunne had been present for much of the operation, directing every aspect.

Liam smiled. He liked J.D. He and ‘the kid’ would work well together in the future.

J.D. had been so engrossed, he hadn’t noticed Liam slip into the house with the other three dozen men. The security pass Liam had conned from the guard in the Em7 building had been enough to flash at the man in charge of checking workers’ security passes. Then he’d watched and listened and his ‘plan’ had taken shape.

The diagrams of Four Corners Liam had come across on J.D.’s computer earlier… floorplans he’d gone back and copied… now made sense. He hadn’t known what it was at the time, but he did now. He had a full copy of the new security initiative… right down to the access codes that would allow him to turn it on and off, and lock-down and isolate various rooms in the house. He even had Chris’ over-ride code to disable certain functions.

Only minutes after the final workers had left late yesterday, a helicopter had arrived carrying Buck, Nathan and Vin… “to be only referred to as ‘the threat’,” Liam murmured, his face twisting with hatred. Buck and Nathan had carried ‘the threat’ on a stretcher into the house. An hour later, Buck and J.D. had left. Liam had hoped Nathan would leave too, but ten hours on, Jackson was still inside with ‘the threat’.

Liam checked the gun he had tucked in the front of his belt. He’d spent all night shivering in the hayloft preparing for this moment. He hadn’t been able to kill Tanner in cold blood at the abandoned airfield, but killing in cold blood was what a soldier had to do.

Liam set his shoulders. He had no choice, now. Tanner had not only taken his place in his brother’s life, he was the only thing preventing Chris from a well earned retirement that would make way for Liam to take his rightful position at the head of Em7. Chris needed to retire and he would once Tanner was dead because, “Larabee and Tanner share a single soul. If anything happens to one, the other’s soul will wither and die and as a result, we will lose them both because without a soul, a person ceases to exist.” Colonel Larabee would cease to exist, but Chris would live. Liam would be able to step in. His brother would be grateful. One Larabee taking over for another – it was perfect. Josiah, Nathan, Ezra and J.D. would accept the transition. Buck would, too, in time.

Liam crossed to the expensive laptop he’d purchased using his brother’s credit card. It was time… time to implement his strategy and remove ‘the threat’ to his team. Then, all would be as it should be. It wasn’t going to be easy on Chris, but that couldn’t be helped. He’d be there to help his brother deal with the loss. Then things would be like they’d been before Tanner had come along and ruined their perfect relationship.

Liam reviewed his plan. Using the wireless connection on his laptop, he would link into the security system in the house. Creeping around the windows earlier, he’d seen Nathan go into the office and so, using the access codes he’d down-loaded, he would lock Jackson into that room. With Jackson safe, Liam would disengage the alarm, unlock the front door, walk inside and shoot the heavily medicated Tanner dead.

“Perfect.”

*********

Nathan drank the last of his vegetable juice, put the empty cup on the desk, and skimmed what he’d just typed. “Bed rest required for a week. Recommend condition reassessed at the end of that time.”

Behind him, the door of the office slid closed, the hidden internal lock snapping into place with a resounding click.

Nathan turned around. “What the hell?” He got to his feet, studied the door frame curiously and tried to slide the door open. “Great.” He yanked it several times. “A malfunction.” Nathan tapped his access code, ‘Healer’ followed by his six digit security number into the keypad on the wall. The keypad screen returned the message, Welcome Nathan. Nathan shook his head. “Man, J.D. You and your infernal contraptions.” Nathan used the touch screen to bring up the office and hit the ‘open door’ icon.

Code disabled.

“What?” Nathan tried again.

Code disabled.

“Grrrrrreat.”

**********

Chris turned off the main road and started up the long drive to Four Corners. The beautiful, two-story ranch house, which had been built by some business tycoon as a conference center, appeared ahead, the manicured lawn and surrounding trees framing it like a picture.

Despite the turmoil in his life, Chris relaxed. Four Corners always had that effect on him. When he saw it, he felt he was coming home to where he belonged.

**********

Liam strode confidently into the huge open family room. There were sofas and bean bags scattered around the room, a fire place to one side, and a large television in the middle. On the far left was the staircase that led to the internal balcony, off which were the bedrooms - each with full ensuite.

Liam paused as his gaze settled on ‘the threat’. He certainly didn’t look much of a threat today. Tanner was asleep on one of sofas, which had been folded out into a bed. His hair was tussled over his face. The covers were pushed to one side, revealing he was wearing only pajama bottoms. Liam took a moment to assess the damage he’d had a hand in creating. Tanner’s naked chest was mottled with bruises from being manhandled during his kidnapping. Liam knew he was personally responsible for at least half of them.

The left side of Tanner’s body was a kaleidoscope of colours, the flesh swollen from the impact of the container. Liam’s face flickered with uncertainty. Had he done that too? He followed the contusions up Vin’s arm to the elbow where they disappeared under a white bandage that extended to his shoulder. Liam frowned. He had a memory of the crane… of being at the controls.

Finally, Liam’s dazed eyes settled on Vin’s bruised face and the uncertainty drowned in his hatred. He had a mission to carry out.

The silence in the room was eerie and broken only by Tanner’s deep intake of breath and the very low buzz from the keypad that indicated Nathan was trying to open the office door.

Liam raised the revolver he’d purchased on the black market. It felt cold and heavy in his hand. He’d never fired a gun. Chris had worn a revolver as far back as Liam could remember, but Liam had never shot one.

“Tanner.”

The mass in the bed failed to respond.

“Lieutenant Tanner,” Liam snarled. Adrenaline flooded his system. He wanted… needed… Tanner to see he could shoot him, to prove he was his equal.

Vin stirred, mumbling something that sounded remarkably like, “Go to hell, Nathan.”

Liam stepped closer to the bed and prodded his victim with the barrel of the gun.

Vin blinked. Liam stepped back, leveling the weapon at the heavily drugged ‘threat’.

It took Tanner several moments to focus. His heavy lidded eyes widened.

“The last face you see is the one that reminds you of Chris.”

Liam pulled the trigger.

Tanner threw himself to the right.

The shot echoed off the walls… as did Vin’s involuntary cry as the bullet tore through his flesh.

Blood flew in all directions, several drops spraying the startled shooter.

**********

Nathan was facing the door, still fiddling with the keypad, his cell phone to his ear.

“Nathan, every system as sophisticated as this has teething problems,” J.D. explained calmly. “I’m just logging in and I…”

A gun shot exploded through the house.

“VIN!” Nathan shoulder-charged the door, but it had been specially designed to withstand such force. “VIN! J.D.! GET THE DOOR OPEN NOW! VIN?!”

*********

Chris parked near the stable and stepped out of the car. He breathed deeply, allowing the smell of the horses to mingle with the freshness of the country.

Larabee sighed. He’d made good time. Vin was probably still heavily affected by the drug, but that was okay. It would give him a chance to speak with Nathan before he sat down with his friend and explained… no, not explained. He and Vin had never needed explanations. He just had three phrases he wanted to share -- three statements that summed up everything he felt.

Chris closed the car door and started toward the house.

A shot echoed from within!

Larabee broke into a sprint, a roar from his soul exploding from him. “NO!”

************

Vin tumbled and hit the floor, his body jarring. Instinctively, he grabbed his side, putting pressure on the wound. He knew he had to get up, but his world was spinning in a haze of morphine.

He rolled to his hands and knees and tried to rise, but collapsed back to the carpet, unable to get his bearings.

He looked up to locate the shooter and spotted Liam rounding the bed. Liam’s eyes were wild with adrenaline and excitement. He was dressed in an old pair of Chris’ fatigues… the name ‘Larabee’ clearly displayed on the pocket. ‘He’s playing soldier,’ Vin realized.

“Time to eliminate ‘the threat’,” Liam snarled.

“Don’t do this, Liam.” Vin mustered his energy and staggered upright, listing badly. “For Chris’ sake. Don’t do it.”

“I’m doing this for Chris’ sake, Tanner.”

Nowhere to go. No strength to tackle Liam. Vin heard Nathan shouting, but it was too late. The gun was pointed at him… point blank range. The bullet was going to make one hell of a big hole.

Vin knew his time had come. In the split second he had left, he searched deep within himself, and conveyed three simple phrases that said everything to the one who shared his soul.

Liam smiled and his finger started to close on the trigger.

**********

“VIN! GOD! J.D.!!!” Nathan shouted, continuing to slam his body against the door.

“I’m in… Chris disabled the codes and locked you in!” J.D. cried astonished.

“Get this #$#@ door open!”

**********

Chris bolted up the stairs and through the door, which had been left ajar. His revolver snapped into his fist. He knew the shot had come from the family room… where Nathan had said Vin was sleeping on one of the sofa beds!

Chris raced across the foyer. He entered the family room and started to spin to the right… toward the sofa bed.

As he revolved he saw… Liam with a gun pointed at Vin…Vin swaying on his feet, his side splattered with blood… Liam’s finger closing on the trigger.

Chris was still rotating when he fired. The bullet left his gun and arced, following Chris’ momentum. Chris’ cry of soul-wrenching agony accompanied it.

The bullet smacked into Liam’s abdomen. The younger man staggered backwards. He looked down to where the bullet had struck him and then lifted his bewildered eyes to his brother. “Chris?” His knees buckled and he collapsed.

Chris raced forward. “No. Dear, God no! NOOO!” He dropped, scooping his brother into his arms, at the same time, covering the wound with his hand in a desperate attempt to stem the blood flow. “Liam!”

Nathan shot into the room, his bag in hand. He hurdled the sofa bed, his skilled eye taking in Liam’s condition on his way to Vin.

Jackson opened the bag, grabbed the torn flesh of Vin’s side where the bullet had grazed him, forced the edges of the wound together and put two suture staples into it… all in less than three seconds. Tanner cried out in pain. “Sit down!” Nathan ordered, swiveling and darting to Chris and his brother. “Keep your hand there, Chris. Lay him back!”

“Nathan?” Chris pleaded, as Liam was lowered to the carpet.

Jackson ignored the question, digging in his bag.

“Chrisss?” Liam asked in confusion, his face turning a sickly grey. He lifted his hand and studied the blood on it.

“Sshhh. You’re going to be okay. Nathan’s here to fix you up.”

Liam’s arm flopped and he stared at Chris. “You… you chose him?”

Chris blinked, his eyes welling with tears. “You didn’t give me a choice,” he choked.

Liam grimaced and the confusion dissolved as something Chris had said to him was remembered. “A man always has a choice.” He blinked twice and his eyes closed.

“LIAM?! Nathan? Nathan?!”

“Stop shouting and put pressure here. Hold it hard. His liver’s lacerated. I’m going to have operate here.”

“Oh, God. Hang on, Liam. Please, hang on.”

**

Vin remained frozen, watching and listening through the haze of the drugs pumping through him. He took a step toward the bed, but staggered and ended up stumbling backwards, his back pressing against the wall. Exhausted, he rested there, blinking at the horror and desperation on Chris’ face… sensing the overpowering anguish consuming his friend.

Vin squeezed his eyes shut. Why? Why had it come to this?

Nathan and Chris’ frantic voices wafted over to him.

“The bullet’s still there.”

Vin cursed.

“I need to get other implements. Don’t move your hand.”

He’d wanted to deal with this for Chris

“Nathan!”

He’d been prepared to do what needed to be done.

“Nathan, hurry!”

Even if it had meant going to prison for murder.

“Move your fingers… that’s it.”

Even if it had meant losing Chris’ friendship.

“Pass me a sponge. No, no. The large one.”

He hadn’t wanted Chris forced into something like this. The combination of weakness, drugs and shock caused his legs to wobble in their struggle to hold him vertical.

“Chris, hold this… Chris?”

Darkness encroached as his knees buckled and he began to slide down the wall.

“Chris! I need you here!”

Pain exploded through him as his body jarred to a stop. Something had prevented him falling. He forced his eyes open. Chris’s concerned face loomed over him.

“I’ve got you, Vin.” Larabee pulled him forward, slid his arm around his back and guided him toward the bed.

“Chris! I can’t do this on my own. Vin’s okay!” Nathan shouted, his voice high and harassed.

Hastily, Chris lowered Vin to the edge of the bed.

“LARABEE! I’m losing him!”

Chris spun around and darted back to his brother.

“The sponge! Hold it here…Good. Almost… that’s got it…. Chris, shift it. More… mop up that blood, I can’t see.”

Vin watched helplessly. He reached for his cell phone, which Nathan had insisted stay within reach in case he needed the doctor and couldn’t yell loud enough to be heard.

First, Tanner contacted an air-ambulance. Then…

“Wilmington Stud Farm, head stud speaking.”

“Buck,” Vin choked.

“Vin? Vin, what’s wrong?”

Vin swallowed, his voice crackling with pain and despair. “Liam’s been shot.”

“What? He’s at Four Corners?!... You shot him? Is he dead?”

“Nathan’s working on him now. It… it’s bad. Gut shot. Damaged his liver.”

“Okay. Okay. I’ll find Chris and…”

“He’s here.” Vin swallowed, his strangled gaze drawn to Nathan and Chris’ frenzied bid to perform life-saving surgery on the floor of the family room. “He saved my life.”

Silence. “Oh, God. Chris shot Liam?”

“Yeah.”

“%$#@ @#@#!... Are you okay?”

“Just a graze. Can you meet us at the hospital?”

“I’ll be there, kid. You hang on. It’ll be okay. We’ll get him through this.”

**********

Vin had failed to tell the dispatcher there were two victims, mentioning Liam alone, and so the small chopper had been sent. There was only a single stretcher and Liam was placed on it… Nathan still working on him as he was carried to the helicopter.

Chris threaded Vin’s arm over his shoulder. He felt his friend’s body go rigid. “Easy. Can you make it?”

“Yeah,” Tanner panted. They got half way to the waiting chopper before the paramedic returned to assist.

*********

Vin blinked. He could feel the shuddering of the helicopter, but didn’t remember boarding. At some stage he must have passed out.

He felt warm. He looked down and found he was wrapped in a blanket, but he was level with Nathan’s calves. He was on the floor? There was an empty seat to his right. Why was he sitting on the floor?

It’s a small chopper. Only one stretcher.

Above the sound of the helicopter blades, something rhythmical pounded in his right ear.

As full consciousness settled, he realized he was wrapped in more than the blanket… Chris’ arms were around him. The pounding was Larabee’s heart beat, Vin’s head resting against his chest.

Vin lifted his head.

“Easy. You’re okay.”

Vin tilted his chin back and looked up into Chris’ strained and worried face. Larabee nodded. “You warmer now? You were trembling. Shock.”

“I’m okay. Go on,” Vin insisted, inclining his chin toward Liam where Nathan and the paramedic were darting about.

“Nathan’s with him.” Chris gently guided Vin’s head back against him. “Just rest. I’ve got you.”

“Chris… I…”

“Shhh.” Chris squeezed him very gently. “We’ll be at the hospital in half an hour.” Vin would have argued, but he didn’t have the energy. The gentle shuddering of the chopper, the warmth from Chris’ body and the reassuring cadence of Chris’ beating heart, combined to send Vin drifting off for the remainder of the trip.

---

Part Twenty-Five

Buck paced, searching the afternoon sky for the air ambulance. It was overdue.

The light breeze buffeted him, carrying his soft curses to Josiah who stood silently behind him, his brow deeply furrowed.

“It was an inevitable turn of events we didn’t want to see,” Josiah whispered. “The question is, how will Chris react?” He sighed and lowered his chin. “Father in Heaven, we pray Nathan has the skill needed to save the life of one of your lost sheep. We pray for Liam’s soul, which needs your guidance. We pray for Chris’ soul so that he doesn’t blame himself or Vin for what has transpired. And we pray for Vin’s soul, which is inexplicably connected to Chris. No doubt he is sharing Chris’ torment.”

J.D. appeared through the double glass doors, pushing Ezra out to the helipad. Dunne parked his friend beside Josiah, and then rushed to Buck. “We’re here.”

Buck glanced at the other man confused. “We? You brought Ezra?”

“He insisted,” J.D. defended, inclining his head to his friend who was in conversation with Josiah. “I made him sit in that wheelchair.” J.D. had been at Ezra’s playing cards when Nathan had rung about the security system malfunction. “Chris shot Liam?”

Buck nodded slowly and cursed. “Yeah.”

“Do you know why?”

Buck shook his head. “Vin didn’t say. Just that Chris saved his life.”

“So Liam went after Vin? I thought Josiah said Liam would go after Chris or commit suicide.”

“Yeah, well, he was wrong!” Buck growled.

“Josiah did say Liam believed murdering Vin removed Chris without ‘killing’ him. Maybe he…”

Buck shot the younger man a dark look. He wasn’t in the mood for whys and therefores.

Faint vibrations filled the air. All four men lifted their eyes to the sky.

“Here it comes!” Buck shouted, rushing to the doors and announcing the chopper’s arrival to the harassed medical personnel who were stretched to the limit attending to victims of a horrific bus accident. A nurse and a doctor appeared, watching the chopper close the distance and descend in the centre of the landing pad.

Buck rushed ahead.

J.D. backed out of the way, moving to stand with Josiah and Ezra. The trio watched as a stretcher was lowered to the ground, the legs snapping down. Nathan alighted with the paramedic, the latter holding one clear and one red bag of liquid. Liam Larabee’s face was covered with an oxygen mask. Nathan shouted to the other doctor over the sound of the slowing blades. It was clear by Nathan’s face, Liam’s condition was serious. The nurse nodded upon receiving her instructions and dashed back toward the hospital.

Buck forced his way around them and disappeared onto the chopper. Moments later, he reappeared, leaped to the ground, turned and reached back into the helicopter. Chris and Vin appeared, Tanner’s arm over Larabee’s shoulder. Together they stepped down with Buck’s assistance. Wilmington threaded his arm around Vin’s back – avoiding his bandaged shoulder.

The other men swarmed, Ezra rising from the wheelchair and dragging it across for his wounded friend.

“Vin!” J.D. cried with relief. He hadn’t been sure what to expect, but seeing Vin wrapped in a blanket and on his feet was better than he’d hoped. He’d been on the phone to Nathan and heard the shot.

“Go,” Tanner ordered Chris, wearily.

Chris lifted his dazed gaze to Buck. “Have you got him?”

“Yeah.”

“Let me in there, Chris,” Josiah ordered, removing Chris and taking his place.

Chris paused a single second. Okay?

“Go,” Vin repeated.

Larabee spun and raced after the retreating stretcher, focusing on the brother who was still in danger.

“Put him in the chair,” Ezra ordered.

“No. I’m fine,” Vin argued. He blinked defiantly, his resolve cemented by his need to remain focused -- for Chris’ sake.

Buck dismissed Ezra with a brief shake of the head, knowing that forcing the issue would only cause an argument. He’d seen Vin in this sort of mood… condition… before. Vin had passed the point of no return and would continue to fight until he collapsed.

A single nurse rushed out to meet them. “I’m sorry,” she apologized, efficiently examining the wound to Vin’s side. “Who put these staples in?”

“Doctor Jackson,” Vin grimaced.

She nodded and patted his chest. “Do you need something for the pain? We’re dealing with a bus accident. It may be half an hour before a doctor is free.”

“I’m fine,” Vin insisted, again.

The nurse nodded and shifted her gaze to Josiah. “Please bring him inside, find a seat and a doctor will be with him as soon as possible.” She turned and rushed indoors.

**********

The noise in the emergency room was deafening, doctors and nurses assessing the whimpering and treating those they could where they sat.

The boys moved as far from the center of the room as possible. Josiah and Buck lowered Vin into a chair. Vin gripped his tender side as Buck folded the blanket around him. Wilmington sat down beside his wounded friend and wrapped his arm around his back. “Okay?”

“Yeah,” Vin panted.

A nurse weaved her way across to the men, a needle in her hand. The lower part of her face was covered in a surgical mask. “Vin Tanner?”

“Huh?”

“Who wants to know?” J.D. demanded, stepping between Vin and the woman.

“I need to give him this.”

“No one is giving him anything,” Ezra growled. There was no telling what was in the needle.

“What is it?” Josiah asked, sinking into the chair on the other side of Vin, his hand moving to his shoulder holster.

“It’s just local anesthetic for his side.” The woman’s eyes widened when she spotted the weapon.

“I don’t want it,” Vin growled.

“Easy, pard. No one’s giving you anything.” Buck exchanged a glance with Josiah who flashed the nurse his badge to calm her.

Ezra, who was parked in his wheelchair in front of Vin, leaned forward and patted his leg. “We will have it checked. If it is what she says it is, my friend, it will simply…”

“I don’t want it!” Vin repeated, his eyes flashing with ire.

“Doctor Jackson sent me from the operating theatre to give Vin Tanner this,” the woman asserted.

Vin blinked, his face shadowing. “Nathan?”

“If Nathan wants you to have it, you’re having it,” Buck stated, firmly. “Once we’ve confirmed it is what she says it is.”

“Give us the code Doctor Jackson would have provided you with. He knows we wouldn’t allow anyone to give Vin anything without it.”

“Pegasus,” the nurse stated, clearly befuddled.

Josiah smiled and he lowered his hand from his gun. “I guess the Vin Posse can stand down. You can give it to him.”

The nurse eyed her patient carefully and he conceded with a nod and an apology. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to be…”

She smiled, opened the blanket and injected the anesthetic into the area.

Vin grimaced.

“It will take a few minutes to take effect.”

Vin nodded, sweeping his hair from his eyes. “Thanks.”

She smiled again, her eyes roving his muscular chest, before lifting to settle on his blue eyes.

Buck beamed and added helpfully, “He’s single. No girlfriend. Quite a catch.”

Vin jerked his head to Buck. Wilmington winked.

The nurse’s smile broadened. “I can see that. Well, single-with-no-girlfriend-quite-a-catch, I’ll see you later.” She darted off.

“Buck,” Vin growled.

Wilmington squeezed Vin. “Vin, my boy, you’re on a sure thing there. That little filly…” He stopped, realizing it wasn’t going to work, and so changed tact. “What happened out there?”

Vin straightened a little in the chair and eyed his friends who were crowded around him. “I don’t know. Nathan’s had me so pumped full of drugs!” A string of obscenities flooded from him. He knew something like this might happen and he’d wanted to be ready.

Josiah gripped his good shoulder. It was as he’d predicted. Vin was sharing Chris’ torment. “You have been through a hell of an ordeal, and the injuries you’ve sustained would have kept another man in hospital for two weeks. Nathan has been doing what he can to ease your pain and cater for your aversion to hospitals.”

“My Ma spent the last year of her life in and out of hospitals, Josiah!” Vin exploded. “I grew up in the corridors of a hospital!” His face lit with discomfort and he blinked several times in an effort to hold on to consciousness.

Buck and Josiah exchanged another knowing glance. It was only a matter of time.

“Easy. Tell me what happened,” Buck asked, hoping it would keep Vin’s mind distracted until his body won the battle.

“Don’t know. I woke up and Liam was standing over me with a gun. He pulled the trigger. Lousy aim.”

“For which we are grateful,” Ezra whispered.

“Wasn’t the security switched on?” Josiah asked.

“I was on the phone to Nathan,” J.D. murmured. “Liam had Chris’ codes. Only Chris had those… in a file in his office.”

“Liam rifled the office, we know that.”

“Liam locked the study at Four Corners, disabled the door code so Nathan couldn’t open it, disengaged the front door lock, and just walked in there.”

“But, J.D., you said…”

“The system can’t be expected to work if someone has the access codes! Chris’ over-ride codes!”

“Calm down. No ones’ laying blame.”

“I should have known, though.” J.D. ground his jaw. “I told you Liam accessed my computer and was looking at pictures of Four Corners… but the plans are useless without the access codes and Chris had those, so I didn’t think… Damn.”

**

Vin’s head was pounding and darkness kept overlaying his vision like a veil. He recognized the guilt in J.D.’s voice and shook his head. “It’s not your fault, kid.” He pressed his eyes shut to clear the insistent shadows, before forcing them open.

“Hey,” Josiah whispered, squeezing Vin’s shoulder. “Vin, this isn’t your fault either.”

Tanner began to sway. “No? He had to shoot his own brother because of me.”

“No,” Buck growled.

“Vin,” Josiah soothed, his deep baritone, drawing Vin’s gaze. “Not because of you.”

“He had to shoot his own brother because of me. He had to…”

The words drifted away and Josiah’s face faded in and out of focus. The room swirled.

“Doctor!”

“Josiah?!”

“I’ve got him.”

His world titled and he was staring up at the ceiling. An unfamiliar face loomed above him. Vin reached up to force him back. Abruptly, the face was reefed away, replaced by Buck’s. Vin could tell Buck was speaking to him because his mouth was moving.

He sensed he was being lifted. Josiah’s aftershave. Josiah had him.

He was on a stretcher… moving.

Buck hovered above, a reassuring smile on his face.

He was safe.

Darkness closed around him.

**********

Buck paced.

It was now two hours since Nathan and Chris had disappeared with Liam.

Buck paced.

Two hours and two minutes since Nathan and Chris had disappeared with Liam.

Buck paced…the fall of his boots belting out his frustration and rage.

Two hours and six minutes… “What the hell is taking so long?!”

A nurse nearby offered an understanding look. “Can I get you a coffee?”

“Huh?” He shook his head. The emergency area was empty, apart from some weary nurses. Vin was in a private room down the corridor, J.D. watching over him. Buck had been sitting with him, but Dunne had suggested he go and wait for Chris… Larabee would likely need him more than Vin.

Buck paced… and paced… and paced.

Two hours and nine minutes.

“Buck.”

Aggressively, Buck spun toward Ezra and Josiah. “It shouldn’t have come to this! I should have shot Liam years ago so Chris didn’t have to.”

Josiah and Ezra’s eyes widened with horror, looking at something directly over Buck’s shoulder.

Buck froze.

He swallowed.

Slowly he turned around. Chris was standing behind him. Larabee’s face was hard, but unreadable. He started forward. Buck braced himself. Chris’ chest hit Buck’s. Buck breathed again, lifting his arms up to hug his trembling friend. “Easy, Pard.”

Chris pulled away, and acknowledged Josiah and Ezra with a nod.

“Liam?” Josiah asked carefully.

Chris blinked. “He… He’s still critical, but he’s stable. The bullet didn’t do as much damage as Nathan originally thought and Nathan saved his liver. The other doctors are amazed at what he did before we got here. If it hadn’t been for…”

“Nathan is a blessing in our lives we often take for granted,” Josiah preached softly.

“Amen,” Ezra whispered.

“Where’s Vin?” Chris asked, rubbing his face as he collected himself. He looked dreadful. His clothes were soiled with blood, his hair was matted from perspiration and his face lined with fatigue and trauma.

Buck slipped his arm over Chris’ shoulders. “He passed out, but he’s okay. J.D.’s with him. A doctor checked the wound. Just a graze. He was lucky.”

Chris swallowed. “I… Liam shot him. He was going to kill him.”

Buck sighed. “You did what you had to, Chris.”

Chris shook his head slowly. “I can’t believe it came to this.”

“Liam’s psychosis is powerful. He acted to save himself and he did it in a way that meant he didn’t have to kill you.”

“We’ve called the police,” Ezra declared. “They’re going to post someone on Liam’s door.”

Chris shut his eyes.

“We’re taking it out of your hands,” Josiah stated.

“We should have done so long before now,” Ezra apologized.

“When Liam wakes up, he’ll be charged,” Josiah finished. “More than likely, he’ll be taken to a hospital where he will receive the help he needs.”

Buck wrapped Chris in his arms again. “I don’t know what to say, Chris. You didn’t have a choice.”

“A man always has a choice,” Chris murmured in a hushed whispered.

Nathan approached the group. “Boys.”

Chris and Buck pulled apart.

Josiah patted Nathan’s back. “We owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Nathan smiled. “I think he’ll make it. It was close, though. There’s the threat of infection - doing surgery on the floor isn’t the most conducive to hygiene - but I was able to do what was needed immediately.”

“Where’s Vin?” Chris asked Buck.

“This way.”

As the group approached the door, they heard J.D.’s voice. “… and then, the Christmas after that, my Ma and I…” Dunne rose as Chris and Nathan entered the room.

“He awake?” Nathan asked curiously, collecting the chart at the bottom of Vin’s bed and scanning it.

“No. I just… I just thought maybe talking to him would help to keep him calm,” J.D. stepped around Chris and joined the others in the hall.

Chris strode forward, picked up Vin’s hand and sat down on the edge of the bed. Tanner stirred, blinking steadily until he focused on Chris’ face.

“Ya look like crap, Cowboy.”

Chris sighed, reached down, threaded his arms under Vin and lifted him. Tanner wrapped his good arm around his friend’s back. “Hey. I got you.”

Chris shut his eyes and held on… held on with all his being. He was vaguely aware of Nathan draping a blanket around them. At some stage, Vin became heavier against him.

“He’s okay,” Nathan assured, noting Chris’ look of concern. “Just fallen asleep.” Nathan adjusted Vin’s head on Chris’ shoulder and patted Chris’ back. “He’s fine. You take the time you need.” With that, Nathan exited the room and shut the door.

The silence was wonderful. Empty. Perfect. Chris had been longing for empty silence. He felt Vin’s chest rise and fall against his own, his soft, rhythmical breathing so incredibly reassuring.

Chris drew in a long breath. His chest shuddered and the emotion that had been trapped inside him for five days, burst free. Tears washed down his face and his lungs heaved.

He held Vin for forty minutes… saying nothing… just holding him.

---

Part Twenty-Six

The group collected quite spontaneously at Four Corners. It had been four days since Chris had shot Liam to save Vin’s life. The younger Larabee was still in ICU and thus Chris spent his days divided between the hospital and Four Corners -- where Vin had been transferred. While it would have been easier on Chris if Vin had stayed in the same hospital as Liam, and Vin had argued he was more than happy to remain, Larabee had insisted his friend go. Chris knew how much Vin hated ‘the damn smell of death that lurks in every corridor’. Vin’s childhood memories of such places were deeply entrenched.

J.D. and Nathan busied themselves making lunch in the large open kitchen. Ezra insisted on providing ‘instructions’ and Buck was mimicking him, while Josiah read silently from his Bible. Upstairs, Vin was sleeping and Chris was somewhere in the house preparing for another trip to the hospital.

“Mr. Wilmington!” Ezra exploded.

“Calm down, Brother. Buck,” Josiah chastised.

“Sorry, Ez. It’s just that I’ve missed you,” Buck claimed, reaching out and punching Ezra playfully. “Haven’t seen you for a couple of days. I’m suffering from ‘provoking’ withdrawal.”

Ezra gave Buck a look of utter disdain, which too quickly dissolved into an amused smile.

“So, how are your parents?” Buck inquired.

“Moving out in a few days.” Every syllable reverberated with relief. “We have been playing happy family for quite long enough. I admit your suggestion to fly out here for the day couldn’t have come at a better time. My father and I enjoy one another’s company immensely… he does apologize for his actions, by the way,” he added, nodding to Josiah and Nathan, “…. but mother and I… well, she is an exasperating woman.”

“Knew you must have taken after someone,” Buck chuckled, picking at the food J.D. had placed on the table.”

“Ezra, we haven’t had a chance to thank you for providing the money for Vin’s ransom. I suppose it’s now lost?”

“Not at all, my friend. J.D. and I tagged it using an inter-binary method… get your filthy paws out of the food… that enabled an arbitrary and fiscal deception. While it appeared…”

“What’s he burbling about?” Buck asked J.D., crunching on a stick of celery he’d pilfered from the plate nearest Ezra.

“Burbling?!”

Dunne grinned. “Ummm, think yo yo. The money went into the Swiss account, and an hour later, it came out.”

“Ohhh. Why didn’t you say so, Ezra?” Buck demanded.

Standish rolled his eyes. “That is now his plate!”

J.D. opened the fridge and his gaze was drawn to the cheese platter. He took it out and raised the glass dome. “Ohhh, man!” he cried, jerking his face away and slamming down the lid. “I say we throw this away.”

Josiah smiled. “Leave it be. Vin will be on his feet in no time and will be hoeing into that before we know it, won’t he, Nathan.”

“He will if he stays in that bed and rests, yes. If not,” Nathan sliced the beef with increased vigor. “I’ll strangle him.”

**********

Chris removed his cell phone from the charger, checked it, and slipped it into his pocket. He paused, frowning. Had he heard something… sensed something?

Chris exited his bedroom, strode down the landing and peered into Vin’s room. Tanner’s face twitched.

Chris shook his head. Another nightmare. He walked into the room and gripped Vin’s shoulder. Tanner awoke abruptly, his shoulders leaving the mattress as he gasped for breath. He gulped several times as Chris guided him back.

Vin blinked and swallowed, orienting himself before turning his attention to Chris. “Hey.”

“Have you spoken to Josiah about the nightmares yet?

“They’ll pass.”

“It wasn’t a request,” Chris pointed out, sitting on the edge of the bed. He eyed his friend’s pale face. “You’ve got better colour today.”

Vin smirked, tugging at the bandage around his arm. “A better shade of grey?”

“Nathan was right to keep you on the morphine drip.” It had allowed Vin to rest pain free and the result of that rest was beginning to pay dividends.

“I’ll be an addict before he’s finished with me. Hey, that mission we agreed to must be coming up.”

“Cancelled.”

“Oh. Because I’m hurt?”

“No, because diplomatic channels are open and the two sides are negotiating.”

Vin smiled. “That’s a scary thought.”

Chris winked. “I’ve been thinking about Kane.”

“Even scarier. What about him?” Vin asked, drawing himself up to lean against the wall. He grimaced, reaching for his pinching side.

Chris rose and adjusted the pillows behind his friend’s back, before sitting on the bed again. “Maybe it’s time we did something about the Hawks.”

Vin pursed his lips and shook his head. “Do we really need to? I mean, Kane’s a mongrel, but he’s a predictable mongrel. Actually, he’s you without true loyalty.”

“Do go on,” Chris chuckled.

“I’m serious.” Vin gripped his elbow to take the pressure of his injured arm. “Kane’s a hell of a leader and his core group of Hawks are among the best commandos in the world. We leave them alone, they leave us alone. Kane won’t do anything to threaten the US because he knows he’ll have you to contend with. Kidnappin’ me… that was business. We take him on and there’ll be causalities. Kane’ll target J.D…. he has the least experience. I ain’t sure we want that.”

Chris drew in a deeper breath and released it gradually. He’d come to the same conclusion, but it was good to have Vin confirm his decision. “Yeah.”

Strains of, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” wafted up to the pair. “J.D.,” Chris explained grinning. “He’s even decorated downstairs.”

Vin snorted. “We ain’t gonna have to put up with this for the next three weeks are we?”

“The kid loves Christmas. It was a tradition he celebrated with is mother. Now… we’re stuck with him.”

Vin nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve been thinking a lot about my Ma. I want to find out where she’s buried. Reckon I owe her some flowers for Christmas. You know?”

Chris reached for his friend’s shoulder and squeezed it gently. “Yeah, I know. As soon as you’re well enough, we’ll go together.” As Chris looked at Vin, his chest prickled. It was time. “Vin, there’s something…” Three things I need to say to you.

“Ain’t necessary.” I already know.

Chris squeezed the shoulder he still held. “It is necessary.” Chris paused, collecting his thoughts. “I’m sorry.” Sorry for everything I said… and everything I didn’t say. For acting like a damn jackass. “Thank you.” For being there and for understanding. “And I…” Chris licked his lips, his soul reaching out to Vin.

“Yeah, me too, Cowboy,” Vin cut him off, with an easy smile. “Me too.”

Chris nodded and dropped his hand. There was one more thing. “I found the poem.” He worked hard to keep his voice level.

“Huh?” Vin asked, his deep blue eyes reflecting confusion.

“Rest in Peace.” The words were embedded in Chris’ soul….

The assault came without warning,

We never noticed the cracks appearing.

Despite how solid it always seemed on the surface,

it was vulnerable… fragile… so quickly destroyed.

But then, we couldn’t expect it to stand up to this.

Now it is crumbling away… ready to collapse,

Soon, there’ll be nothing left but rubble

Nothing but memories to prove it ever existed.

“Oh. R.I.P. Yeah, we’re gonna miss it,” Vin agreed, matter-of-factly.

Chris blinked. “What?”

“Bently Overhang. Kinda knew the cracks were there, but never really acknowledged them. I was hoping it would out-survive us.” Vin’s brow furrowed and fine lines feathered around his eyes as he studied Chris’ strange expression. “What?”

Chris’ mouth moved, but nothing was forthcoming for several seconds. “I thought you were talking about us,” he whispered.

“Huh?” Vin looked genuinely perplexed. “R.I.P? Why?” Re-reading the words in the saloon the night before he’d been kidnapped had reminded Vin of the dreadful choice Chris had been forced to make at Bently Overhang – and it had crystallized his determination to save his friend.

Chris swallowed. “I just… I just felt that…”

Vin’s eyes widened and he reached for Chris’ arm. “Hey. No. Hell, no. It was about Bently Ridge…just rocks and dirt. I swear it was never about us, Cowboy. Hell, that poem’s about something that was broken beyond repair. How could you think those words were about us?” Chris dropped his chin. Vin sighed. “Larabee, you really get me riled up sometimes! We may have been a bit bruised, I guess, but nothing on this Earth or anywhere else could…” Vin cursed. There was it again. The same thing he’d sensed the night they’d fought at his unit. “Damn it, Chris! You gotta let go of the guilt you’re carryin’ from your past.”

“I dragged you into this,” Chris whispered.

“You couldn’t drag me nowhere I wasn’t prepared to go. Maybe if it had been someone else, I’d have walked away,” he admitted quietly.

“If you’d been someone else,” Chris murmured in a hushed voice as he raised his face, “I’d never have seen the truth. I wanted to speak to you… even tried to, but... things kept happening and then… I thought it may have been too late.”

“Nahhh. Never too late. There wasn’t a problem to begin with, Chris. My next move was punching you in the face to get your attention.”

They exchanged an easy grin.

“Thanks.”

“Hey, I’ll punch you in the face every day of the week, if you like.”

“Why the hell are you conscious?” Nathan demanded, entering.

Vin lifted his left arm out from under the covers. “I pulled the drip when you were out of the room earlier.”

“What?” Nathan’s eyes grew wide. “Tanner!” the doctor growled, grabbing the end of the morphine tube and re-inserting it. “One of these days you’re going to push me too far! Chris, out of here. Now.”

Larabee smiled and rose off the bed as Nathan removed the pillows and lowered Vin.

Vin smirked at Chris. “See what I have to put up with? Nathan keeps threatenin’ me.”

“I ain’t even started yet,” Jackson grumbled.

Vin forced a pathetic, weak cough. “Hell, Nathan. I’m… (cough) hurt.”

“You’re going to be hurting a hell of a lot more if you pull another stunt like this. Larabee, that goes for you too.”

“I didn’t pull the drip out,” Chris defended, rushing toward the door.

“OUT!”

**********

On the porch of a small brick home in a quiet suburban street in California, a man sat quietly on the porch, smoking. He flicked ash from his cigarette into the bird bath nearby.

The screen door opened and his wife stepped out. “Honey? Ryan, is something wrong?” Her husband didn’t respond. She moved to his side and ran her fingers through his hair. “You’ve been so down since your nephew visited.”

He sniffled and lifted his pained eyes to his wife. “I lied to him… about his father.”

**********

The soft lighting in the room produced a relaxed atmosphere, though Ezra wasn’t feeling particularly peaceful. The time with his parents had been both wonderful and excruciating. He was relieved to be reclaiming his home tomorrow.

Maude passed her son a drink and sat down nearest the blazing fire in the hearth. “Ezra, it is time we spoke about your life.”

Ezra sighed and shook his head in frustration. “Mother, I do not presume to advise you on how you should live your life, please refrain from the reciprocal.”

“He is a thug who man-handled you. There is no excuse for that.”

“First, Colonel Larabee would have done the same to Vin had our roles been reversed and I was the one missing. Second, if we are finding fault, I don’t believe there is any excuse for what you did in poisoning Josiah and shooting Nathan with a tranquiller dart.”

Maude dismissed the claim with a wave of her wrist.

“Mother, you are very lucky they didn’t press charges… or worse. These are not men to be trifled with.”

Wilhelm entered the room smiling broadly. “Tonight, we are going to celebrate.”

“What is the occasion?” Ezra asked, watching his father disappear behind the bar to collect another bottle of champagne.

“I had been suffering a minor cash-flow problem, but that business venture I have been delicately massaging has just become very fruitful.” The bottle popped open.

Ezra smiled. “Is that so?”

Wilhelm strode across and refilled his son’s flute. “Enough so, I am going to extend my stay in the United States… perhaps permanently.”

Ezra toasted his father happily and smirked in triumph. His little plan had worked beautifully and his father would never know who had arranged the deal. Interestingly, General Travis’ background check on Wilhelm had, according to Chris, “turned up nothing of interest”.

Wilhelm kissed Maude and raised his glass. “To success, and to my beautiful wife.”

Maude smiled and drank.

Ezra’s face shadowed. Surely his father meant ex-wife…unless… Surely not! Surely they had divorced at some stage… otherwise, his mother was a bigamist!

**********

Night descended at Four Corners. An entire week had passed since the shooting. Josiah closed his book, made his way passed the office where J.D., Ezra, Nathan and Buck could be heard laughing, and headed into the empty family room to watch the evening news. To his surprise, he met Vin coming down the stairs.

“Does Nathan know you’re out of bed?”

“What Nathan doesn’t know, won’t hurt me.” Tanner smiled. His condition had improved dramatically and apart from stiffness and a little pallor, he was well on the way to a full recovery.

Vin’s gaze drifted to the verandah where he could see a dark shadow stretched out on one of the layback chairs.

Josiah pursed his lips. “Problem?”

“Huh?” Vin glanced at Josiah, realizing what he meant. “No. No, Chris and I are good.”

“Don’t dismiss it. You two have been through something major.”

Vin snorted. “He went through something major. I just went along for the ride.”

Josiah smiled and indicated Vin sit. Tanner hesitated, but conceded when Josiah insisted. “He loves you more than he loves himself, Vin. He loves you and Buck more than anything God’s created. You do know that, don’t you? And you do understand that he couldn’t let Liam harm you.”

“Hell, Josiah. I ain’t stupid. He tore himself apart because of me. It wasn’t Liam Chris was trying to incorporate into his life, it was me. I’m the new comer.” Vin focused on the blank television screen. “Buck, Liam and Chris had an established family and it worked for them.”

“While it appeared to work, it was dysfunctional.”

“I just…” Vin turned to his friend. “I couldn’t just stand back like Buck. I understand why Buck did, but I just couldn’t handle Liam doing that to him. Makin’ an ass of him. I’ve never seen Chris so totally blind like that.”

“I have.” Josiah smiled. “Despite popular belief, Chris loves deeply. I didn’t know him before the loss of his wife and son, but I’ve seen photos. He looked a different man, but that man lives within him and comes out around you and Buck… and Liam -- the three people who mean everything to him. Just as he tolerates your faults and defends them blindly, he did the same with Liam. Only difference -- your faults are annoyances… mostly to Nathan,” Josiah chucked. “Liam’s were dangerous born of a deep psychosis.”

Vin nodded and then smirked. “What faults? You mean Nathan thinks I got faults?”

“Following doctors orders?”

“Nahh,” Vin disagreed, rising to his feet and starting toward the French windows. “Them was just strong suggestions.”

Josiah stood. “Vin, see if you can get him taking about what’s happened. He needs to… particularly to you.”

Tanner paused and glanced back. “Larabee isn’t just going to start monologuing, Preacher.”

“He’s pretty lubricated tonight,” Josiah commented softly.

Vin frowned, opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.

Chris glanced up and smiled, watching Vin pull his robe further around himself. Around the base of the chair Chris was reclining in, were a dozen empty cans of beer. “Nathan release you?” His speech was just a touch slurred.

Vin raised is finger to his lips and settled in the lay-back chair beside his friend. “How’s Liam?”

Chris exhaled deeply, the smile slipping. “He’s out of ICU. His liver is going to be fine. I guess that’s something.” Chris drained the can of beer he held. “He knows what he did.”

“Is he aware that you…?”

Chris nodded. “I told him today. It wasn’t easy. In his mind, he was protecting me by killing you.”

Vin’s face twisted and he looked out into the darkness. “Not sure I buy that.”

Chris placed the can on the ground. “On one hand, he’s confused and on the other, he’s terrified. He knows what he’s done, but I really don’t know if he understands why. He doesn’t remember some of it. He has no idea he tried to kill me. The hardest thing is, he doesn’t seem to think he’s done anything wrong. It’s going to be a hell of long journey for him… and me.”

“I’m sorry,” Vin whispered. “I know that I’m sorta to blame.”

“What?” Chris swung his legs over the edge of the chair, several of the cans clattering around his feet. He waited until Vin was facing him. “No. No, Vin. This was never about you. You were just the catalyst that enabled me to pull back the curtain of self-deception.”

Vin blinked. Those certainly weren’t Chris’ words. Josiah had clearly been putting in some hours with Larabee.

Chris rose to his feet and moved to the porch railings, staring across to the stables. “When Liam was young, he was genuinely ill. Chronic childhood Asthma. I was desperate to protect him. My mother was so afraid we’d lose him. He was sick, when he was little. But…” Chris’ voice faded.

“But?” Vin prompted.

Chris turned around and leaned against the railings. “But he grew out of it by they time he was about ten, yet he kept up the façade.”

“Yeah, Buck told me.”

“As he got older… “ Chris swallowed and shook his head. Vin could tell his friend was struggling. Larabee’s voice lowered to an emotional whisper, trembling as he shared a secret he’d never told anyone. “It all changed when Liam was twelve. His twelfth birthday party. He had an attack and we thought we were going to lose him. There’s very little you can do when someone has an Asthma attack if the Ventolin doesn’t work. I was helpless to save him. It was terrifying but…” Chris paused and ran his hand through his hair, his face twisting with self-hatred, “... but when he pulled through… there was this single moment in amongst all of the relief, when I felt disappointed.” Chris eyes shut and he cursed passionately. “Disappointed!” His eyes snapped open. “It scared the hell out of me, Vin. I couldn’t believe it. What the hell was I thinking… feeling? It didn’t want him dead! So where had that come from?” His eyes blazed with torment. He walked back to the chair and sat down. “I just…I just wanted him to go away for awhile, you know?”

Vin nodded. He’d known there was something in Chris and Liam’s past that Chris couldn’t let go of.

“I loved him, but I found it difficult to like him.” Chris’ chest heaved. He’d been determined to atone. “I never wanted to think about that day… that moment… that thought again. Never.”

“And to pay penance, you totally went the other way,” Vin murmured.

Chris shot Vin a dark look. “He’s my brother and I was disappointed he survived!” The anger died. “I was horrified… still am.”

“It was a split-second response, Chris. You may want to think you’re an emotionless bastard, or maybe that you can rise above that sort of thing for noble reasons, but like the rest of us, Cowboy, you’re human. Liam was making your life hell. You can’t keep beating yourself up for a thought.”

“He’s… my… brother,” Chris spat, his emotions see-sawing. Again, the anger passed quickly. “I didn’t want him dead. I loved him too much for that. Hell, Vin, even after everything he’s done, I still do. I just… I just wanted him to change. To be different… to be the brother I wanted…” his eyes settled on Vin - the brother he wanted.

Tanner nodded, understanding.

Chris sank back onto the chair. He picked up another can of beer, but Vin reached out and removed it. Larabee glared, but Tanner ignored him and put the can on the ground.

Chris sighed and allowed his head to rest back against the chair. “I think… I think I’d just had enough of his constant… sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’d had enough of Liam after meeting him for two minutes.”

“Everyone feels the same way,” Chris murmured.

“Go on. So what happened after Liam survived the attack?”

“A couple of months before, I’d met Buck. My family’s existence had been so serious and so consumed with Liam and his ailments and Buck was….

“Buck.” Vin finished, understanding completely.

“Yeah,” Chris smirked. “Like an uncontrollable explosion of craziness. It was fantastic, but it also made the guilt worse because I could enjoy myself when Liam couldn’t… or was making out he was still so sick he couldn’t.”

“You seem to be coming to terms with all of this.”

“Yeah.” Chris rubbed the three day shadow on his chin. “Josiah’s worth his weight in gold. I’ve spent a lot of time with him over the last week. He said I need to talk about it so I understand better. You don’t mind?” Chris asked, rolling his head in Vin’s direction.

“Let’s see: In there with Nathan’s mothering, or listening to you prattle on? It’s a close contest.” They exchanged a grin. “Go on,” Vin prompted. “According to Josiah…”

“According to Josiah, to cope I needed to rationalize my love for Liam when confronted with my dislike of who he’d become.” Josiah’s words. ”So subconsciously, I created a set of artificial beliefs that explained why Liam was less than he should be. I convinced myself that it wasn’t Liam’s fault.”

“It was yours?”

Chris shrugged. “That’s what Josiah believes. Maybe… I don’t. Of course, Josiah believes in his crows too, remember.”

Vin nodded thoughtfully. “So because of that single, understandable thought fifteen years ago, you totally took responsibility for Liam’s shortcomings.”

Chris didn’t respond and silence fell between the pair. The night insects serenaded them. Vin hugged his body, the evening air chilling him.

“I wanted to see the little brother I love, not the person he’d become,” Chris whispered. He shook his head slowly. “Josiah’s identified two… he gave them some technical term… but basically, I entrenched two beliefs so I could both fulfill the promise I made my mother and…”

“… and absolve yourself of the guilt you’ve been carrying since Liam’s twelfth birthday,” Vin finished.

Chris shot his friend a look. “I hate it that you know me so well.”

Vin winked. “What two beliefs?”

“Two things my mother used to say practically every day of her life so my father and I’d be patient with Liam. Her excuses for him. They used to annoy the hell out of me.” Somehow, after she’d died, Chris had unwittingly taken them on.

“What two excuses?”

Chris rose off the chair again, unable to sit still. “That Liam’s just a kid. And that he’d had no opportunities when he was growing up because of his illness.”

Vin’s brow furrowed.

“Hey it worked. I was able to apply those beliefs… excuses… to everything he did and said. It enabled me to accept Liam for what he was without expecting him to take any responsibility for his actions… Man, Josiah’s good at this. That was a direct quote.”

“At least you were listening.” The pair fell quiet again for a few moments.

“Buck and I are older… would always be older and so to us, Liam could always be viewed as just a kid. How many times have I said that over the years?” Chris murmured.

“Too many.”

Chris’s chin bobbed and he walked back to the railings. “I used it to justify why he always fell short… just like my mother used to. Everything he did wrong was simply a mistake because he was just a kid and kids make mistakes. It was why he needed other’s understanding. Why I needed to be patient. He just needed time… a chance. But those excuses started to unravel once he got out of prison… and then on the camping trip… it got worse.”

“Because Liam’s not a kid?”

Chris sighed and turned to face Vin. “Because you aren’t.”

“Huh?”

“You’re younger than Liam. You’re birthday’s coming up and I’m acutely aware of your age at the moment. I’ve never thought of you as a kid, Vin.” The double standard had been staring him in the face every time he looked at Vin. “I couldn’t rationalize Liam’s behavior any more. Every time I looked at you, the truth slapped me in the face and I couldn’t handle it because the truth was a threat to Liam… and it was my responsibility to ‘be his shepherd’-- I’d given mum my word.”

On one level, Chris had known what was happening, but he couldn’t connect with it. “It was like I was watching it happen, but I wasn’t actually there or a part of it... until that night when we argued at your place and you pointed out that compared to you, Liam had every opportunity.” That night, Chris’ network of excuses disintegrated and he was left with nothing but the truth. “Josiah believes Liam realized things were changing between us long before I did… weeks ago probably, which was why his innocent idolization developed into obsession, not with me, Chris, but with who I was.”

“Colonel Larabee.”

“Yeah. I had everything he wanted. A beautiful home. Friends who love me. A great job. The respect of others. And in Liam’s mind, power.”

Vin nodded carefully.

“My own brother is obsessed with my life. Do you know how hard it is for me knowing that?” Chris’ voice choked with emotion.

“No.”

“I knew others would shoot first, that’s why I went after him. And then I ended up shooting him myself.”

Vin frowned. “He didn’t leave you a choice.”

“A man always has a choice, Vin. It’s the one thing I’ve always believed.” Again, Chris moved back to the chair and sat down. “I’ve thought about it a lot. If you’d been holding that gun and been about to shoot Liam, I couldn’t have shot you to save him.” His eyes met Vin’s. “Not wouldn’t. I couldn’t. There’s a hell a difference and I’m not sure how I’m supposed to rationalize that.”

Vin’s heart twisted. “Not something you need to worry about. I wouldn’t have shot him, Chris. Shooting him didn’t make the list. Strangling, drowning, even garroting, but not shooting.”

Chris smiled at his friend’s attempt to lighten the mood, but the smile faded quickly. “Bently Ridge. I heard you and Buck talking.” Memories accosted him. “I overrode my training that day. I was the front man and I didn’t dive right. I dived toward you.”

“When did you realize?”

“When you were kidnapped.” J.D.’s emphasis on the words right and left when he’d placed two columns of data in front of Chris had unlocked the moment at Bently Overhang. “I dived left, against my training. It wasn’t a conscious decision, Vin. I didn’t actually choose you.” Chris’ face clouded. “That didn’t come out the way I meant,” he apologized in confusion.

“It’s okay,” Vin dismissed. “You don’t decide things like that. If it had been you, and one of the other boys hanging there, I wouldn’t have made a conscious decision either. It just would have happened.”

Chris eyed his friend, marveling at how easy Vin was to talk to. Vin simply understood… he always did.

Larabee rested his head back and stared up at the stars. He loved both Liam and Vin, but at some higher level, his soul had directed his actions, for without a soul, a person ceases to exist. Chris glanced at Vin. “Josiah believes you and I…so I guess I wasn’t saving you. I was saving myself, because if you’d died…” He swallowed and focused on the darkness beyond the glow of the house lights.

On that cliff, and in the family room faced with making an impossible choice, his heart and mind had been overruled by something far deeper and stronger. Chris and Liam shared parents, but Vin Tanner and Buck Wilmington were Chris’ brothers too. Hell, so were Josiah, Nathan, Ezra and J.D., when it came down to it.

Vin’s expression had become harrowed. “I want you to promise me something. If anything does happen to me, you keep living. You hear me? I want your word?”

“Can you make that promise, if anything happens to me?” Chris whispered. He waited and then turned to confront his friend.

Vin’s frown deepened. “I… “ He grinned. “Reckon I’d give it a good go, Cowboy.”

“You’re full of crap,” Chris chuckled.

“Yeah, I am.”

Chris hadn’t chosen Liam for a brother and as awful as the realization was, if given the choice, he wouldn’t have selected him. He still loved him… more now than ever and he was determined help Liam get through this. “I need him to take responsibility for himself before I can welcome him back. For his sake as well as mine. Does that sound dreadful?”

Vin shivered, the night air penetrating his robe. “No. It sounds honest and it sounds healthy.” For the first time, Chris was being honest with himself and he was finally letting go of his guilt.

“You can choose your friends, but not your family,” Chris murmured. “I didn’t choose Liam…but then, I didn’t choose you lot, either.” Somehow, they’d chosen him.

Voices from indoors drifted out to the pair.

“Boys! Boys, that was the producer of the Sexiest Man competition. They played my tape the other night on the show and there’s been a viewer backlash. Apparently, the phones have been running hot. They want me back!”

“I think we should leave that experiment into genetic stupidity alone… don’t even think about it… Buck… BUCK!”

“Buck, put Ezra down.”

“Okay, you lot… put him down, Buck…. I’ve made shakes for everyone.”

“Yuk.”

“Shut-up and drink it.”

“Heavenly Father, who professes to love us, why do you continue to torture us with Nathan’s health shakes?”

“Shut-up, Josiah.”

“Let’s sing some Christmas songs. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish….ahhhhh!”

Chris smiled at Vin. “After all, who in their right mind would choose them?”

Vin grinned. “Me.”

“Yep, me too,” Chris acknowledged. “Of course, it would take a brave man to say either of us is in our right mind.” Noting Vin’s shivering, Chris sat forward, took off his jacket and laid it over his friend. “I want you to know that… I can’t believe I’m going to say this because it means I may have to believe in his crows too, but… I think Josiah’s right -- about us. I never wanted you to be in the middle and get hurt.”

“You’re okay, so I guess the bruises are worth it,” Vin dismissed. Their arms came together in a forearm grip that symbolized their bond of trust, love and brotherhood. “Besides. What can I do? You know the old saying. You can choose your friends, Cowboy, but you can’t choose your family. Looks like we’re stuck with each other, whether we like it or not.”

Chris drew Vin in.

The sounds of their ‘family’ again wafted out to them. Chris assisted Vin to his feet and together, they returned to the warmth and insanity of the life they had chosen -- with the family that had chosen them.

So ends Episode 8

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