SERIES/UNIVERSE: SG-7
DISCLAIMERS: M7 characters belong to Trilogy, et al, SG-1 characters belong to Gekko, MGM, and Showtime. Adriana is mine ... don't mind if you borrow her, just give her back intact and give credit where credit is due.
SPOILERS: Mainly Obsession, my own More than Friends, Under the Sun, and various Stargate episodes.
WARNING: original characters, some violence, nasty language.
It had been sheer luck that Chris had gone into town with the others. Things really had worked out perfectly. All of the scenarios that Ella had prepared as she drove up here weren't necessary. The three she hated most were here, alone. Well, Wilmington was still here, but she could take him out. And she wouldn't mind killing him face to face, since he had turned her Hildy against her. Maybe even kill him first?
Ella had arrived in the small town early that morning. From Colorado Springs, she had driven north to Kalispell, where she learned the group had gone to a small town, about an hour north of the city. The cabin in turn was a few miles outside town. She cleaned the red out from under her fingernails as she drove ... couldn't look anything less than her best for Chris, after all. That was the only thing on her mind as she drove away from the city, and the life she had just taken in order to get the information she desired.
The man she had killed had been in her way. He had been a threat, because he didn't want to tell her where they were. She had removed that threat, and if she had to hurt him before killing him, well, he deserved it. He shouldn't have been in her way. Ella had been in a bad mood anyhow, from questioning practically everyone at the airport about the group. The man whom she eventually had to kill had met them at the airport and provided them with a van.
Once in town, Ella had learned from local gossip about where the cabin was, and how to get there. By the time she arrived at the retreat, everyone was just starting to wake up. They were, after all, on vacation. She overheard the conversation, and the plan ... Chris would take Dunne, Standish, Sanchez, Jackson and Major Wilmington's sister into town with him to check out this impostor. The guide and Wilmington would stay behind with the bitch and her brat.
Ella remained hidden every time one of the men left the cabin, the other remaining inside for guard duty. She grew to hate the guide even more, because he was so damn thorough when he searched the grounds. She was very careful to remain very still when he was doing his rounds, to avoid attracting his attention. At last, he went back inside, and Ella carefully moved from her hiding space. After his previous patrol, she had found the circuit breaker for the cabin.
As a member of the SGC, Ella had learned a few things about sabotage, and that included cutting off electricity without killing herself in the process. She used that knowledge now to cut off all electricity to the cabin. It was, she believed, a good psych tool. Freak them out a little, especially this close after the guide's last patrol. It wasn't necessary ... was probably foolish, but this was one time when Ella didn't mind toying with her prey.
She strode purposefully to the front door, removing her knife from her boots, the same knife she had used on the airport creep. And found that she had severely underestimated her foes. Tanner and Wilmington stood side by side, facing her. The blonde bitch was nowhere to be seen. Nor was her brat. And neither man looked particularly psyched out by her little ploy ... psyched, no. Severely pissed, yes.
"Well, well, well. Looks like you were right, Vin. Curiosity does kill the cat. Wonder if satisfaction'll bring 'er back? You know, I ain't never hurt a woman before. Never had any cause or desire to. Well, 'cept for that crazy little bitch who gunned down JD, but she was just plain crazy. You, on the other hand, are evil defined. You took away two people I loved. And now here you are ... right where we want you," Wilmington growled.
Ella looked at him contemptuously and replied, "You think you've got the upper hand? I have the knife, you moron! Neither of you have your weapons, and that bitch is cowering somewhere with her brat! You don't get it, do you? Chris will finally understand how much I love him, after I kill you ... all of you! Did you really think you could keep him away from me? Did you really think I would just give up and walk away?"
"Naw, I suppose that would be giving you credit for way too much intelligence! Now, you may have the knife, and Lord knows I ain't denying that, but there's still three of us, and one of you. Now, Chris and the others, they're on their way back. Mary told my little sister about the power going out. They know you're here. They're on their way back, and when they get back, it's all over," Wilmington replied.
Tanner said nothing ... just stared at her with those hard blue eyes. Stared at her, as if she was nothing more than a bug. Oh, a dangerous bug, but a bug nonetheless. She glared back at him, but he didn't seem to mind. Didn't he understand she would kill him, or was he stupid?
"Buck left one thing out. I will cut out your heart with any weapon I have handy to keep you away from my son," a voice hissed from the doorway. Captain Mary Travis stood there, hands on hips and glowering at Ella, as if the colonel was the devil herself. Her blonde hair was loose, flowing down her back. For a moment, for just a moment, the image changed and she was staring at Sarah Larabee. And then, Ella's vision shifted again, and the woman was Mary Travis.
Either way, though, she was a dead woman. Ella snarled, "I killed you once, bitch, you and your brat both! I'll kill you as many times as it takes, to bring Chris back to me! I love him, do you hear me? I love him, and he loves me. But you took him away from me, all of you!" The control which Ella had been maintaining these last few days was now slipping. She tried to bring things back into focus, but she was so tired from the long drive and the constant planning.
Focus ... Chris. Yes, Chris. Focus on Chris, remember the rage when you had to leave his daughter behind. Focus on going back for your little girl with your husband. But first, she had to kill these people. Where was the boy? Probably hidden from her by his mother, but never mind that. Ella would find him later. After she dealt with the mother. After she dealt with Sarah. Sarah? No, Sarah was already dead. She had to kill Mary Travis now.
She raised the knife and Buck Wilmington said, his voice growing steadily louder, "You still don't get it, lady. I reckon you never will. Chris ain't never gonna love you. Never. You took away the two people he loved most in the world. After you did that, there's no way he would love you. Not the way he loved Sarah. And he did love Sarah, more than you could possibly imagine. And not the way he's coming to love Mary. See, he ain't willing to admit it yet, but he loves Mary. You kill her, and Chris will take hours to kill you."
No. No, it couldn't be true. Chris loved her. He loved her. He was just lying to himself, telling himself that he had loved ... No! It couldn't be true. In spite of herself, doubt crept in, and Ella's eyes swept from Wilmington to Tanner to Mary Travis. Wilmington just looked grim, Tanner determined, and Travis ... she ... she looked ... Pity? Was that pity she saw in the other woman's green eyes? Yes. Yes. Mary Travis ... felt sorry for her?
Rage, hatred, fear ... those were emotions Ella would have expected to see in the eyes of a woman about to die, and those were there, yes. But there was also pity. And that further rocked her. She couldn't allow herself to believe it, she was so close now. She just had to kill them, and then it would be over. He loved her, he had to! She couldn't have spent the last fifteen years loving someone ... who didn't love her? Had she done all of this for love ... and it meant nothing? Was it possible?
For a moment ... for one sane, breathtaking moment, Ella Gaines saw herself in the eyes of the woman she planned to kill. And she saw a monster. Not the smart, capable, strong woman her child-self had wanted to become, but a monster. Ironically, that moment of sanity ended up shattering Ella's sanity for good. Horrified, sickened by what she had become, Ella fell back on an old friend. Rage. Denial.
No! Damn them, no, they wouldn't take everything from her! They had taken Chris from her, forever. But she was taking them with her, starting with Miss Green Eyes!
She screamed and surged forward, intending to eviscerate Mary Travis, just as she had just been. But as she reached her target, something got in her way. And instead of shocked, agonized green eyes, she found herself confronting stunned, agonized blue eyes, as her knife penetrated both flesh and muscle. As startled as her victim, Ella looked down and saw her knife protuding from Vin Tanner's abdomen.
Her eyes remained on the dagger for a moment, unable to understand what this meant. Ella pulled the dagger free, and blood began soaking the plaid shirt which Tanner wore. Ella continued to stare at the bloody knife in her hand. She didn't see Buck Wilmington push Mary Travis behind him as well. Didn't see Wilmington reach out to support Tanner, then ease him to the ground, both hands stapled over the bloody wound. Didn't see the blonde woman spin behind Wilmington and pick up the rifle which had been in the corner. She only saw the dagger. Trying to find answers in the blood which now stained it.
There were no answers. She had done it wrong, then. Her eyes fell upon the ashen-faced Tanner, and Wilmington, who was awkwardly cradling the other man in his arms, while trying to stop the bleeding with his hands. Ella raised the knife, and saw Wilmington duck over Tanner protectively, trying to shield him from a second strike. It wouldn't matter. She would kill them both. She would take them both with her, and no one could stop her.
Ella heard an anguished wail, "Noooooooo!" Then there was a blinding pain in her wrist. Ella cried out and the knife dropped out of her hand. She looked up, gasping in pain, into the now-furious eyes of Mary Travis. Who was pointing a rifle at her. The same rifle Vin Tanner had been carrying while making his rounds. Perhaps someone could stop her, then. That remained to be seen. But Ella Gaines wasn't done taking her revenge yet.
"What's our ETA?" Chris asked as JD pulled up alongside his horse. It was the first time he had spoken since Adriana phoned the others, telling them they had to haul ass. And those had been her exact words ... 'guys, we gotta haul ass. Trouble's brewing back at the cabin,' was how she had put it after getting off the phone with Mary. Chris himself had exploded from the store, with Adriana in his arms, and mounted his horse. The others joined him within seconds, and they were all pounding out of town, like the hounds of hell were after them.
"About ten minutes. Chris, are we sure that it's really Ella Gaines? I mean, remember what Mary told us the first night? About the lights going out that one night?" JD asked. Chris didn't speak, just glared at JD, and pushed his horse harder. JD gulped, but didn't let that stop him. He plunged on, "There are other explanations for this, you know."
"Captain Travis told Dr. Wilmington. Unless you'd like to call either of those ladies a liar, son, I would suggest you stop this. The evidence points strongly to the deranged Colonel Gaines. There is a possibility that there is a natural reason for this occurrence, however, I for one am unwilling to take such a risk with the lives of four people, Private Dunne. Four people whom, it was my understanding, you cared about as well. I may have been mistaken," Ezra replied.
On the horse in front of Chris, Adriana muttered, Ouch. He tightened his arms around her, hoping to keep her stable. She had to be in a lot of pain, and Chris was torn between getting to their friends as soon as possible and sparing Adriana further pain. Had Vin known something was about to happen? Was that why he thought they should take Adriana, who was still healing from a broken leg, into town with them on a broken leg?
There was silence among the riders for a few moments, as each of them concentrated on reaching the cabin before that crazy bitch had a chance to destroy this family, as she had destroyed another in the past. After several moments, as if he had heard what Chris was thinking, Josiah observed, "I'm no gambler, but it seems to me that with what we know, and remembering what happened last time, that only a fool would bet against Ella Gaines being there now. That's a risk we simply can't afford to take."
"I'm just trying to play devil's advocate here," JD said quietly, and Chris glanced over at the boy quickly. He was shooting glares at the back of Adriana's head. Okay, this had to stop. The pair had pretty much stayed out of each other's way during the last week. But with the threat to Buck, Vin, Mary, and Billy, JD was scared. And his old resentment of Adriana was returning in full force. Somehow, his pride had been hurt, though hell if Chris could figure out how.
Chris answered, "There's a time and a place for devil's advocate, JD. Now is not the time, and save those glares for someone who deserves it. Ella is the one who is threatening our team, Ella is the one who created the situation." JD turned bright red with either embarrassment or anger, Chris couldn't tell which. The colonel really didn't care either, and he added, "And for God's sake, shut up and ride!"
An uncomfortable silence fell once more. Chris once more felt a hand cover his own, and he looked down at Adriana. She looked just as worried as he felt. Worried, hell! They were both downright terrified! But where Chris and JD lashed out when they were frightened, Adriana withdrew back into the shell which had protected her for most of her teenage years. She was afraid now, but she was also determined.
Her hand on his gave him comfort, because Chris was having one helluva time keeping old demons at bay. The last time, he had barely managed to keep his team alive, and they had been together. Well, except for Vin, who had ridden out to keep from decking Chris. This time, their numbers divided. Once before, Ella had taken his family from him. But this time, Chris had a little more warning, and his friends had been warned as well. They knew what she was capable of doing, and they knew how to protect themselves and their charges. Mary would have taken Billy down into the cellar ... he just didn't know if she would stay in the cellar with him, or return to aid Vin and Buck. It could go either way with Mary.
A part of him wanted to believe they would be fine. After all, Vin and Buck had their guns. But another part of him ... the stronger part ... warned him otherwise. Ella was a sneaky bitch. She would find a way into the house, she would find a way to surprise them, no matter how alert Vin and Buck were. She would only be found if she wanted to be found, and Chris knew the same would be true today.
The last time, after he had gotten the others back to the SGC, Vin had returned to the planet with several SG teams, including SG-1. No sign of her. Yes, she had probably used the Stargate to get to a new planet, but that wasn't what had bothered Vin. Rather, it was the discovery that she had completely covered her tracks. It was almost as if she had never been there, as if it had never happened. Almost. Jack O'Neill had found a letter under the DHD ... addressed to Chris. There was no way anyone could track Ella Gaines now, not even Vin and Chanu working as a team.
So they had eliminated SG-3's signal. Not that anyone believed it was over. Not Vin. Not Jack. Not General Hammond. And never Chris. He didn't know where or when, but he had known his path would cross with Ella's once more. And this time, as he had told Vin when the exhausted guide returned to the SGC with the others, he would kill Ella. Assuming Vin, Buck, or Mary hadn't done it for him first.
Mary. She would do it, too. He had seen her protecting her little boy with everything she was, and Chris knew she would kill Ella if that bitch tried to hurt Billy. Most people, when they looked at Mary Travis, didn't bother to look past the beauty and the seemingly icy reserve. He had heard more than one person in the SGC describe her as an ice princess. But there was far more to Mary Travis. She was fiery, infuriating, tough, tender, impulsive and prim, all at the same time. She wasn't Sarah, but that was all right. There was only one Sarah, and only one Mary, and that was the way things should be.
The cabin was now in sight, and Chris slowed down the horse, giving him time to stop. He hadn't dismounted yet, when they heard the first of the gunshots. Adriana froze within the protective circle of Larabee's arms, then the colonel growled, "Hold on, little princess!" She did just that as Chris spurred his mount and galloped the distance to the cabin. In the meantime, there were several more shots.
Chris dismounted, securing his horse before pulling Adriana down. She resisted his attempt to carry her, hissing, "You need both of your hands free. Ezra, I need my crutches." The Southerner put the crutches under Adriana's arms, and she was limping away from the van with a proficiency Chris hadn't expected. Josiah was just behind her, ready to catch her if necessary, and Chris ran to the house, as a final gunshot rang out.
There was no talking ... only dead silence among the others. Chris didn't have to look behind him to know that Nathan was getting his medical supplies together, while Ezra and JD were priming their weapons. Just in case. For some reason, those few gunshots sounded far more ominous to Chris than a barrage of gunfire. Two gunshots. Please let them be all right. Please let me get there in time.
Behind him, he could hear Adriana's ragged breathing as she propelled herself forward on the crutches. The men would be spreading out, except for Josiah, who remained behind Adriana, ready to catch her if she fell. As they approached the porch, Chris found himself slowing down. He had to play this smart. They didn't know what the situation was on the inside. As he reached the steps, he signaled JD and Ezra forward. Each man leaped onto the porch, then turned to face Chris, watching his back for an assault from behind. Nathan's medical supplies had been placed in his own backpack, a knife in one hand and a gun in the other.
By this time, Larabee's heart was thundering in his chest, and he was saying a silent prayer. 'Please, not again, not again, please.' Those were the only words he could think. Adriana was up on the porch, right behind him. Dead silence. Dead. Christ, Larabee, don't think like that! Ezra had their backs, so JD looked into the cabin, and gave Chris the all-clear sign. Chris was watching his hands, not his face, so he didn't see JD's expression.
Chris eased the door open ... and came face to face with a scene from a nightmare. A wild-eyed woman pointed a rifle at him. But that wasn't the worst of it, as Adriana beheld the carnage in the room, and gasped, "Oh dear God."
His mouth would get him into trouble. Wasn't that what he had been told, time after time, over the years? But it wasn't him who had gotten hurt because of his big mouth, not this time. No, this time, it was much worse. He just had to go and open his mouth, just had to taunt that crazy bitch. Tell her that Chris would never love her the way he had loved Sarah. The way he was growing to love Mary. It was true. But taunting her had not been a good idea.
Even as Buck Wilmington gently lowered the slim body to the ground, even as he looked around for Mary Travis, the major was already replaying the events of the last few minutes in his mind. Their realization that Ella was here, now. Mary leaving the two men to get Billy to safety in the cellar. Ella's arrival. Mary's return. Buck taunting Ella. That crazy bitch attacking with the knife. Vin stepping in front of Mary, pushing her behind him at the same time.
Buck had pulled Mary away, then pushed her behind him. He suppose he should have known better than to think she would run. But for now, she was safe, and Buck turned just in time to see the knife being withdrawn from Vin's body. A low growl had begun, deep in Buck's chest, but there was no time for that. His first priority was his wounded friend. He grabbed Vin, gently easing him to the ground before Ella could stab him again. As it was, he was already losing blood, despite the big hands now stapled over the wound in his gut. God, but he wished Nathan was here! Buck whispered, "Hang on, Vin, it's gonna be okay. Just hang on."
God, he was so pale! A sheen of sweat had already broken out on his face. Vin tried to form words, tried to speak somehow, but instead, his back arched, and Buck released him somewhat, slipping one arm around to pull the sharpshooter against him. Holding him, holding onto him, and praying that help would reach them soon. It was then that he finally heard what Vin was trying to say. "Mary?" Mary?
Where was Mary ... oh God. As Ella raised the knife a second time, Buck shielded Vin with his own body. And a scream tore the air. Buck looked up as Mary Travis slammed the butt of Vin's rifle into the madwoman's wrist, screaming, "Nooooooo!" Ella cried out as Mary swung the rifle around to rest against her shoulder, the muzzle now pointing at the dark-haired woman. She snarled, "Stay away, or I'll shoot you!"
Ella stared at the blonde captain ... and laughed. She pulled a second knife from her boot, and Mary fired. The bullet knocked Ella's legs out from under her, and she hit the ground with a thud. Buck pulled Vin back, his heart breaking at the soft moans of pain cause by the movement. Mary stepped in between them more fully, her back to Buck. He couldn't see her expression as she hissed, "Don't make me tell you again. I'll kill you if I have to."
And again, the woman who had already shattered Buck's world once laughed. She chortled, "You? Oh, I don't think so. I don't think you've got the guts to kill me, lady. You're too fucking civilized. Now, his sister, she could kill me. I did a little research on her while I was on the road, called in a few favors. She would kill me without hesitation. She's a little savage, under all that education. But not you."
Over the top of Vin's tawny head, Buck saw Ella advance once more. And again, Mary fired. She whispered, "The first was a warning shot. That wasn't. That was for Sarah and Adam. This is your last warning. I will kill you." Around Mary, Buck could see the deranged colonel had been shot in one leg, and one shoulder. But once more, she lunged ... and once more, Mary fired, growling, "That was for Chris." The shot had entered Ella's opposite leg. Was she deliberately torturing Ella, or just trying to disable her?
Buck didn't know. Despite the injuries, Ella pushed herself to her feet and gathered her strength for one last lunge. And Mary fired once more, vowing, "This is for Vin." The rifle boomed, and Ella went flying back. From what Buck could see, the final bullet had entered her chest. It was over. At least for her ... but Vin still needed care. Vin. Buck looked down at his friend, who was now barely conscious. His face was gray, and he shook in Buck's arms. The major's entire concentration was now on Vin ... it never registered with him, the shots which were fired only a short distance from him as Mary Travis emptied the rifle into Ella's body.
The door opened and Buck looked up. Mary swung the rifle from the fallen colonel to the newcomers, and Buck cried out, "Mary, no, it's Chris!" Chris was here. Nathan would be with Chris, and they could take care of Vin. Chris was the first in the room, and Buck heard Mary numbly mumble the colonel's name. Her body relaxed. Buck looked back to Chris and the others, wanting to speak, to explain, but words failed him.
It wasn't necessary. Chris and Nathan were at his side as soon as Chris had reassured himself that Mary was fine. He didn't even look at the woman in the floor. Adriana came into the room, almost knocked over by JD in his rush to get to Buck. Chris was gently easing Vin from Buck's arms and into his own, easing the strain. Vin whispered, his face tight with pain, "Hey, pard. Missed ... one ... helluva ... show."
He was quickly hushed by Nathan, who began searching through his backpack for bandages. Vin had closed his eyes after speaking, but seemed to be alert.
Buck kept his hands stapled against the wound in Vin's midsection, and wouldn't let go until they had proper bandages. He would not let Vin bleed to death, it was his fault Vin had been hurt. Nathan gently removed his hands and pressed the bandages in place of Buck's hands. Vin moaned very softly, as if he was trying to hold back his pain from the others. The major found something pressed into his hands ... a rag. Oh. To clean his hands.
He did so automatically, his eyes never leaving Vin's face. A hand touched his shoulder gently, and Buck tensed, even as he looked up. It was JD. The kid's eyes were filled with fear, and Buck reached up to tousle his dark hair. JD sank to the floor beside him, talking about how worried they had been, was Buck all right, what happened, had Mary shot Ella? How had Vin been stabbed? Just listening to the kid took all of Buck's concentration.
Nathan and Chris were seeing to Vin. JD was fussing over Buck. Through what seemed to be an endless tunnel, seeming very far away, he heard someone mention Billy, and Ezra volunteered to find him. Vin was in good hands ... Billy would be in good hands. Buck was fine. That left Mary. Mary, who had taken another life ... was it the first time she had killed? The first time she had to kill, for any reason? Who was taking care of Mary?
As Buck raised his eyes from JD, he discovered the answer. Adriana limping over to Mary, her hand gently pushing the barrel of the rifle until it pointed at the ground. She took the rifle from Mary's hands, clicking on the safety and putting it to one side. All of her weight was on one leg. But she limped closer to Mary and eased the blonde woman into a gentle embrace. After only a moment, Mary buried her face against Adriana's shoulder and began quietly sobbing.
So everyone was all right. Chris and Nathan had it all under control. Buck got to his feet, drawing JD with him. He hugged the boy tightly. Ella was dead. It was finally over. So why did Buck feel so damn numb? Josiah was bending over the woman, murmuring Last Rites. Buck wanted to tell Josiah to stop, that the bitch didn't deserve that dignity, but he didn't have the energy to speak. He just hugged JD again.
"Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssss."
It was a sibilant whisper, one that had almost everyone on guard. Buck fumbled for a weapon, but it wasn't necessary. Ella Gaines couldn't even lift her head from the floor, much less her hand. She looked at Chris pleadingly as he cradled Vin in his arms, saying something to Nathan about the ambulance. Chris simply readjusted his hold on Vin, drawing a soft groan of pain, and Chris whispered, "Sorry 'bout that, pard. Just relax. I got your back."
He didn't look in Ella's direction. His only concern was for his wounded friend. He wasn't watching as Ella Gaines finally died ... he wasn't. But Buck was. Just to make sure she really was dead, and no one could ever hurt his family again. JD, for once, wasn't pushing himself out of one of Buck's hugs. If anything, his answering embrace had been even tighter. As Ella Gaines died, Ezra emerged with Billy Travis at his side ... both of them carrying blankets and towels. Josiah relieved the little boy of his burden ... the poor kid could hardly see over the mound of towels he was carrying, then Billy ran to his mother, throwing herself into her legs.
Ezra explained in response to Nathan's raised eyebrow, "When I told him that Vin had been hurt, Billy insisted on bringing these towels so we could stop the bleeding. And he didn't want Vin getting cold." Cold. Of course, going into shock. Smart little kid, even if he didn't understand why it was a good thing he had thought of the blankets. Josiah set to ripping up the towels, to bind the bandages, Buck supposed.
And then Billy, after making sure his mama was all right, came back over to the group of men huddled around Vin. He ignored Vin's frantic, 'ya shouldn't see this,' and began arranging a blanket over Vin's body. Tucking him in, as it were. Once he did that, Billy picked up Vin's hand and held it tightly. The little boy said, "Ezra told me you saved Mommy, Vin. You saved Mommy, so now I'll help Nathan and Chris take care of you."
"We gotta get him to a hospital. I've stopped the bleeding, but we gotta get him to the hospital, in case she ... in case there are complications. Chris, make sure that blanket is tucked around him good. Billy, son, you're doin' great, but I need you to let go of Vin's hand, so we can make sure Vin'll be okay. Chris, you got his shoulders, I can take his legs," Nathan instructed. He looked over his shoulder at Ella's lifeless body and asked, "What do we do about her?"
"Nothing," Chris replied quietly, "absolutely nothing. The local authorities will take care of her. We take care of the living." That's right, Buck thought, remembering something his mother had once said, that's right. Let the dead bury the dead. And Ella was dead, he had seen her take her last breaths, seen her eyes close for the final time. It was over.
If she was really being honest, Mary Travis would admit, at least to herself, that she was still in shock. The trouble was, she wasn't exactly in shock. She wasn't exactly numb. She wasn't exactly on automatic pilot. She was all of those things, and none of them at the same time. That had begun as soon as Chris and the others exploded into the room. Before then, she had seen the world through a red haze, red as Vin Tanner's blood. Red as rage.
The same rage which had exploded through her as she saw Vin's body stiffen, after pushing her behind him. Mary had lost control maybe three times in her life, and each of those times, had been the direct result of someone harming someone she loved. The last time ... oh god. The last time, before today, had been when they finally found out who had killed Steven and threatened her baby. Mary had been looking around for a weapon, even as Buck caught Vin and gently lowered him to the ground.
She was the only one who saw almost everything, except the knife penetrating Vin's body. That she hadn't seen. She hadn't needed to see it. She did, however, see Vin's rifle sitting in the corner, where he had left it after coming inside. Why hadn't he grabbed it earlier? Why hadn't he and Buck shot that bitch when they had the chance, why????? Then she remembered. At the same time the electricity had gone off, Vin had been in Adriana's room, which was in the opposite direction. He had been checking on that damn cat, not doubt feeling guilty for tripping over it the previous night. Sweet, sweet Vin. There were times when Mary wasn't sure if his tendency to take responsibility for things that he couldn't help was his most endearing, or his most exasperating trait.
He had come back in the room, just as Mary was carrying Billy downstairs into the cellar, begging him to be quiet and be brave. She would be back in a few minutes, she wanted to help Buck and Vin. He had to trust her, he had to believe in her when she said that she wouldn't leave him. That she wouldn't die. And then she had nearly broken her promise to him ... would have, if Vin had stepped between her and Ella.
And while Buck was ministering to Vin, Mary reached for the rifle, slamming it as hard as she could into Ella's wrist as the crazy woman raised the knife for yet another strike. Oh, Mary had seen Buck ducking protectively over Vin, but the captain wasn't willing to let Ella have either of them. Oh no. Ella had taken quite enough. As soon as the knife was knocked from the colonel's hand, Mary swung the rifle around until it was braced against her shoulder.
She couldn't stop her. Each time Mary shot her, Ella kept coming. And Mary understood. Killing Ella was the only way to stop her. But that didn't mean she couldn't make that bitch pay first ... that she couldn't hurt Ella the way so many others whom Mary loved had been hurt. Mary hadn't known Sarah and Adam Larabee, but she knew enough. She knew that Chris and Buck had loved them. That Ella had killed them.
She knew that Ella had hurt Chris, first by taking his family, and then by trying to kill his men. And she had tried to kill Vin. Vin. Now lying in Buck's arms, his face almost gray as blood left his body. A thousand images passed through Mary's mind ... Vin in the bar fight, when they had first met ... Vin smiling with almost childlike pleasure at the end of his first lesson, once he had admitted he could barely read ... Vin swearing they would find Billy, who had been threatened by the men who had killed Steven ... Vin telling her that they wouldn't let Ella hurt her or Billy. And a soft Texan drawl echoed through her mind.
Teach me, noble lady ... teach me how to write, and how to read.
We'll find him, ma'am ... he ain't gone far, he's just a little fella. We'll find him!
But Mary, even if she does come here ... ain't no way none of us are gonna let her hurt you or Billy. Like you said. She done hurt enough folks.
We'll find him, ma'am.
We'll find him, ma'am.
Hearing those words in her mind, Mary Travis lined up the rifle, aiming carefully at Ella Gaines' chest. Her heart, if at all possible. Mary was a decent shot with a rifle and a pistol, but not great. She wasn't Vin Tanner. But she would avenge him. She hissed, "This is for Vin." She pulled the trigger ... bullseye. Ella Gaines went flying back, but that was no longer good enough for Mary. She kept pulling the trigger, emptying the entire clip into the woman who had threatened Mary's family. Had tried to take her little brother away from her. And yes, somewhere during the last fifteen months, Vin Tanner had become her little brother, the little brother she had always hoped for, but never got.
She probably would have started beating Ella's limp body with the butt of the rifle if Chris and the others hadn't shown up then. And it was then that the ... numbness set in. At least at first. She stood like a statue, numbly whispering to Chris that she was okay, see to Vin, Vin was hurt. Chris touched her shoulder, then moved quickly to Vin's side, easing the seriously injured man from Buck's arms into his own.
Nathan was at his side as well, and through that fog, she heard Josiah say something about Billy. Billy. He would be so worried. So scared. Mary tried to get her limbs to work, but it was no use. She couldn't seem to move. Ezra volunteered to see to him, and Mary couldn't even make her vocal cords work to thank him. And then ... the rifle was being slowly pushed down. Down, to face the floor. Who was doing that? Mary blinked, the first motion she had managed since nearly blowing Chris to hell a few minutes earlier.
A face came into focus. Very fair skin. A triangular face. Dark hair. Hazel eyes. Feminine features. Adriana? Yes. She pushed the rifle to the ground, then gently eased it from Mary's grasp. Was that all right? Oh yes, of course. Of course. Suddenly, Mary couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Adriana switched the safety on, then put it to one side. She turned her attention back to Mary, her face alight with compassion and concern.
And then, she put her arms around Mary, drawing her into a gentle embrace. The ice, the numbness, shattered within Mary, and she began sobbing. She buried her face against Adriana's shoulder, taking comfort from the quiet strength, the security of the slender arms around her back. Mary cried for the mother whom Ella had murdered, she cried for the lives shattered or altered by that woman. She cried for the mother who had finally taken Ella's life. Full circle.
At last, Mary was cried out, and it was then that Billy burst into the room, his small arms full of blankets and towels. For Vin. The burden was taken from his arms, and Billy ran to Mary, throwing himself against her legs. Mary reached down and drew her son against her side, needing to hold him, just as much as she still needed Adriana to hold her. Slowly, the walls around the young archaeologist had been crumbling during this vacation, at least concerning Mary.
She had been sharing memories with Mary, talking about Chris quite openly, telling stories that made Mary laugh until her sides hurt. Now, the last of those walls were gone. And Mary discovered something else, once her son reassured himself that she was all right, that she had kept her promise to him. That established, the little boy went to Vin's side. He had saved Mary, now Billy would take care of Vin.
Mary watched with a bemused pride as her little boy gently tucked the blanket over Vin, so he wouldn't get cold, then took Vin's hand. Mary understood, even if Chris didn't. Billy was holding onto Vin. Not just to his hand, but to Vin himself. Making sure Vin didn't leave them. Oh, yes. Mary understood. He had done the same thing after Steven died. Holding his father's hand, begging him not to leave. But this time, Mary was sure, Billy's wish would be granted.
Vin had an advantage that Steven hadn't had. He had six brothers who would fight the very devil for him. Billy had fought the devil, too, and won. He would give his strength as well.
She turned back to the woman who had looked after her these last few minutes ...and saw the lines of pain in her face. For the first time, Mary realized that Adriana was standing upright. On a broken leg and a leg that was still very badly bruised. My God, she has to be in such pain! The roles switched. Mary adjusted her grip on Adriana, so that she was supporting Adriana's weight, rather than the other way around.
"Shit," Adriana breathed, "I'm sorry, Mary." Mary. Not Captain Travis. And not the hesitation when she used Mary's first name. The walls had really come down, and Mary hugged the young woman fiercely. Adriana had taken care of her, now it was Mary's turn to take care of Adriana. She eased Adriana to the floor, then went into the next room for the young woman's wheelchair. When she returned, she unfolded the chair, and helped Adriana into it.
Still holding the young woman's hand tightly, as the pain was finally too much for Adriana to bear, Mary looked over at Chris and asked softly, "How is he?" She wiped away her tears with her free hand. She must have scared Billy when she was crying. But as she looked at her son, still ministering to Vin with such tenderness, her little boy looked up and smiled at her. He had absolute faith in Vin. That Vin would be all right. He looked scared, yes ... but her fear that she had somehow traumatized her son disappeared.
"We need to get him to the hospital. Like Chris said, the local authorities will take care of Colonel Gaines. We gotta take care of Vin, though. He lost a lot of blood," Nathan replied. He looked at Ella Gaines, then up at Mary, and added, "I hate to ask this of you, Mary, but we can't touch anything." Mary nodded her understanding. Yes, she had figured as much. Sometime later, she would come back here. Replace the horrifying memories with new ones.
Adriana turned in her wheelchair and looked up at Mary, saying softly, "You know ... I could help you with the cleanup, so to speak. Once my legs are working properly again. I've picked up a few ... erm ... rituals, I guess you could say, from my studies. About purifying a place. If you'd like the help." Mary looked at the young woman in surprise ... how had Adriana known what she was thinking? The archaeologist shrugged, as if hearing Mary's question, and smiled faintly. So this was what the others were talking about, when they referred to the uncanny silent communication Vin and Chris had.
Adriana added softly, "It's what I'd do. Sort of a symbolic reclaiming, you know?" Mary nodded, then looked back at Chris. He and Nathan were very gently scooping up Vin between them, and Mary's heart broke when she heard Vin's soft groan of pain. Bitch. Mary wished she could have killed Ella again. Judging from the look on Chris Larabee's face, he felt the same way. Well, in that case, Mary would resurrect the bitch, and Chris could kill her again.
Curiously, that made her feel better. The ambulances were starting to pull up, and the others followed Chris and Nathan. Chris didn't seem likely to relinquish his hold on Vin, though Josiah was walking at his side. Buck and JD were walking side by side, JD not willing or able to let Buck out of his sight. Ezra had scooped Billy into his arms, grabbing Adriana's crutches with his free hand. All the seven were present and accounted for. That left Mary and Adriana. With another look at her companion, Mary quietly rolled Adriana past Ella's body.
Adriana said very softly, "It's a good thing I'm in this contraption. If I could walk ..." Mary nodded her understanding. Yeah. She felt the same way. But they had a live guide to tend to right now, they didn't have time to waste. Adriana continued, "She's free, though. Not just Sarah and Adam, but Ella, too. Look at her face ... she looks peaceful. Not angry. Not angry about dying, not angry about losing Chris for good."
Against her will, Mary did look at the colonel ... Adriana was right. Not only did Ella look peaceful, she almost looked ... happy. Mary didn't understand. Apparently, neither did Adriana, for she said quietly, "I don't get it, but I don't care. As long as we don't have to worry about her ghost coming back and trying for us all again, I don't care. I don't think I'll ever forgive her for what she's done. To everyone."
Mary said nothing as she rolled Adriana onto the porch. Josiah turned back as Vin was loaded into the waiting ambulance (when had they arrived?), and said, "Would you like some help, ladies?" Mary carefully rolled Adriana to the edge of the porch, and between herself and Josiah, eased the wheelchair onto the grass. Mary jumped down behind her and Josiah continued, "Chris will be riding with Vin to the hospital. Commanding officer and all that."
"He could have lied, said he was Vin's brother. They have similar coloring, it's believable. Not like me claiming to be Mary's sister," Adriana piped up, tugging on a dark curl to prove her point. Josiah grinned at her, and Adriana continued, "Oh, I know. It would be too easy to catch Chris in a lie like that. But still, don't you guys ever wonder? Especially with that spooky way they have of talking, without saying a word?"
"We gave up wondering about that a long time ago, little sister. Just accepted it for what it is," Josiah answered. However, there was no censure in his voice. In fact, he winked at Adriana as they reached the van which would take them to the hospital. Nathan was driving, though Mary could see he would have rather been in the ambulance with Vin. The front passenger seat was empty, and Josiah would probably sit there. Buck, JD, and Ezra were sitting in the bench seat behind Nathan.
Josiah continued, "Mary, you go ahead and get in beside Billy, then I'll put Adriana next to you. I can put her wheelchair in the very back." Mary scrambled into the very back seat beside her son, wrapping her arms around him. He burrowed against her, warm and solid and alive. Ella never even had a chance to hurt him. Adriana was placed beside Mary, and the widow helped her with her seat belt. Josiah slid the van door shut, then walked around to the narrow compartment space behind their seat and placed the wheelchair inside.
Once he was inside the van, Nathan pulled out and headed to the road. There was silence in the van, except for a few quiet sobs. Mary didn't know who they belonged to, didn't know who was crying. She didn't make any attempt to find out, either. She herself was cried out-at least, it felt that way at the moment. But she wouldn't begrudge anyone in this van their tears. They all loved Vin. Oh, the men would never put it in those terms, but it didn't make it any less true. The other members of SG-7 loved him. Mary loved him. Billy loved him. It was just that simple. They loved Vin. He had to survive.
Josiah began quietly praying. At least, that was what she thought he was doing. A quick look over the top of the seat in front of her told her that Ezra had pulled out his deck of cards, and was shuffling them. She couldn't see JD or Buck. Mary looked over her shoulder. As they had said, the local authorities were dealing with Ella's body. If there were any questions, the police could find her ... could find them all at the hospital.