SERIES/UNIVERSE: SG-7
DISCLAIMERS: M7 characters belong to Trilogy, et al, SG-1 characters belong to Gekko, MGM, and Showtime. Adriana, Carly, Lizzie, Josie and Jessica Tanner, as well as Evan and Pegeen Larabee, are all mine ... don't mind if you borrow them, just ask first, give them back intact and give credit where credit is due. Mindy belongs to herself and my neighbors, though she still thinks my family and I belong to her.
SPOILERS: For Mag7, all twenty-one episodes are fair game, along with my previous stories, More than Friends, A Light in the Distance, Under the Sun, Days of Yearning, Sun, Fun, and Ezra on the Run, and Full Circle, also all five seasons of Stargate SG-1.
WARNING: The usual, violence and language. Some h/c, more comfort than hurt, and smarm, but again, I'll be trying to keep the smarm down to a dull roar.
He looked like Alex. He had no right to look like Alex.
That was the first thing which occurred to Evan Larabee as he opened his eyes that morning. Alex ... and how much his younger son resembled his beloved older brother, dead for more than fifty years. He lay in bed, quietly furious that Kevin Tanner had made such an impact on him that Evan's first waking thought was anger that his unwanted son looked so much like the brother he had never stopped missing.
Alexander Christopher Larabee had been one of the first to enlist in the United States Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Evan was too young to join, not that he would have wanted to. War was barbaric, and Evan wasn't a barbarian. Alex only joined up because he knew the government would start drafting people, and he wanted to join this fight on his terms. Or so Evan had told himself a thousand times since that awful day in December when his world was turned upside down.
Alex had made it almost to the end of the war ... dying in a crash on the way back to the United States. He was on his way home for leave. But he wouldn't have been in Europe, wouldn't have died if it weren't for the war. If it weren't for the military. And on the day his brother died, in 1945, an intense hatred of the military, of everything it stood for, was born within Evan Larabee.
But his love for his brother remained. When he met and married Pegeen, the one thing he asked when Christopher was born was that they commemorate his beloved brother in some way. She agreed without question. But Christopher didn't look like his uncle Alex ... he more closely resembled his mother, which never really bothered Evan. He adored Pegeen, despite his straying that year ... and again when Jessica Tanner crossed his path a second time.
It never bothered him, until he saw his brother's face on Jessica Tanner's son. There were differences, of course. Jessica's son had much longer hair, which brushed his collarbone. His features were still fine, but there was a hardness to him that Alex never had. The idea. That a former bounty hunter, of all things, looked like his noble, self-sacrificing brother. It made him furious. Especially during dinner, when Evan saw the boy smile ... it was Alex's smile.
And then there was Pegeen. Evan felt empty inside, thinking of his wife. While their marriage had been troubled, ever since she learned about Kevin Tanner, this was the first night they had slept apart in twenty-eight years. Since ... since he strayed. Since Jessica Tanner came into his life. Well, the second time didn't really count. That was a one night stand. But the result was the same ... a child.
He missed his wife. He missed waking up beside her, he missed watching her brush her hair. He missed her, dammit! What did she see, when she looked at Kevin ... what made her turn on him like this? A voice, which sounded suspiciously like Alex's, answered, A child of her own ... you always promised her you would have more children after Chris. Another promise to her you broke. Having children instead with another woman, whom you claim meant nothing.
That flash of insight took Evan's breath away. Yes ... he always told his wife they would have more children, but things just kept getting in the way. And then, he lost interest in his marriage, in his wife, in his mundane world, and went out searching for adventure and spice. He found Jessica Tanner, a brief affair which created two children. Two children which Pegeen believed should have been hers.
For the first time, it occurred to Evan, how that must have hurt his wife. Evan Larabee had spent most of his life, since his brother's death, looking out for himself, caring about himself.
Which was why this revelation took his breath away. He had said Jessica Tanner meant nothing to him ... and yet, he had three children by her. Only one by his wife, the woman he promised to love and cherish for all time. The woman he promised to have more children with. Evan groaned, sinking back against the bed. How did he make this up to Pegeen? He hurt her. How could he make things right with her?
He didn't allow himself to think about his children ... not about Christopher, not about Kevin, not about Caroline, and most certainly not about Elizabeth. As he pushed himself to his feet and began dressing, he could almost see Alex looking at him accusingly. What was he supposed to do? Acknowledge he helped to create a bounty hunter? Someone who tracked down criminals for money?
That's exactly what I expect you to do, runt ... because otherwise, you're pissing on me. Didn't you hear a word Captain Travis said last night? Maybe my nephew would have had a different life, if his parents did right by him. But they didn't, and he did the best he could. What are you so afraid of, runt? Why won't you let yourself love that kid? I do! Hell, I wish he was my son, I'm proud of him! His conscience spoke with his brother's voice.
I'm afraid to love him. I'm afraid to love him, because if I let that boy into my heart, I'll lose him, just as I lost you, Alex. It hurt too much the first time. He has your eyes, your smile. I can't do that. I can't let myself love him. I can't let myself love any of them, because that really would be a betrayal of Pegeen, Evan told his brother ... told his conscience. His reward was a rude sound, which was exactly Alex's reaction to something he considered ridiculous.
Please! You were never a coward when you were a kid, runt. At least, I never thought you were. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I had more courage than I thought. God knows, I was scared out of my mind when I went overseas. But it had to be done, runt! It had to be done. Because given a choice between you dying and me dying, there was no choice. If it kept you stateside and alive, it was worth it! Alex told him.
Evan closed his eyes, leaning his forehead on the mirror. That was the heart of the matter, wasn't it? That Alex had sacrificed himself, so his pathetic little brother wouldn't die. He wasn't worth the sacrifice. He wasn't worth Alex's life. And he had never forgiven the military for giving his brother the chance to make that sacrifice. Not a particularly rational or mature way of seeing things, but where his brother was concerned, Evan Larabee never truly grew up.
There was a knock at the door, shattering Evan's reverie. When he looked back at the mirror, Alex was gone. But then, he had been gone for fifty-five years. Evan bit down hard on his lower lip, trying to blink back his tears. He splashed cold water on his face, then dried it, standing up straight. Maybe it was Pegeen, come back to the hotel for her things. She had just stayed at Christopher's house the night before.
But as he opened the door, he found the last person he would have expected to see on his door step. Her back was to him at first, presenting Evan with the back of her shoulders and her profile. From the side, she looked as she had twenty-eight years ago.
A remembered desire stirred inside, and then Jessica Tanner turned back to face him. She said quietly, "I didn't know if you or your wife would be here. I thought it was time we talked, Evan. Something we should have done a long time ago." She moved quietly, effortlessly past him into the room. And all at once, Evan realized there was something very different about Jessica. She wasn't the woman he remembered from even nineteen years ago.
As she reached the bed, she turned to face him, saying, "We made some terrible mistakes, you and I. But we have a chance to fix them. The question is ... are you willing to? Or are we both going to keep being immature children, forcing our own children to be the adults? I'm tired of being sixteen, Evan. I'm forty-three years old ... it's time I grew up." And with those words, Jessica sat on the bed, leaving Evan with the sense his world had just been turned upside down.
If you asked her, she would have never said she was eavesdropping on the conversation between JD Dunne, Adriana Wilmington, and her youngest daughter. She ... simply overheard. Like she overheard their discussion of the father of her children, and how he was in town with his wife. Like she overheard how tense things were. Like she heard a half dozen other things which she really didn't want to know about, but heard anyhow.
Jessica spent the night alone in her motel room, thinking about what she heard. Thinking about what had gone before, and her husband's desire to make things right with her children. For the first time, she allowed herself to think about her son after Julia died. Five years old. The only family he ever knew was gone. Alone. Afraid. She thought about him at his mother's funeral. A single, solitary child, hardly more than a toddler.
She always knew that Evan wouldn't go for his son. Always knew he would just leave the boy. But she didn't allow herself to believe that. Of course Evan would get Vin ... that was his son, his flesh and blood. Just ... just as Vin was her own. And she left him there. Left her five year old son alone, because she couldn't face what a terrible choice she made. She was sixteen when the twins were born, yes ... but she was twenty-one when her eldest sister died.
She could have raised Vin. And Josie was right ... again ... in her desire to take the burden of guilt from herself, Jessica had rewritten history in her own mind. By the time Julia died, their mother was recovering. Clarice Tanner might have lived another few years, if she had her grandson as well as her granddaughter nearby. Instead, Vin was passed from family to family, as if he was a plaything instead of a person. Her son made her ashamed. Without any of the advantages she had in life, Kevin was a better person than Jessica could ever hope to be. And she was so proud of him.
Jessica spent a long night, acknowledging what she had done wrong. She only got a few hours of sleep, but when all was said and done, she was a Tanner. She lost sight of that for more than twenty-five years, but she was still the daughter of Paris and Clarice Tanner. She gave birth to Kevin, Caroline, and Elizabeth. And even if her children never forgave her, that didn't mean Jessica had to give up on them. Again.
When she woke up, around five am, she decided that the first step was to confront Evan Larabee on neutral territory. They had a lot to talk about ... and if his wife was there, that was fine, too. Pegeen Larabee had the right to know what went on, all those years ago. She already knew that three children resulted ... but she deserved no less than Jessica's own honesty. That was this last night had been about. Jessica recovering the honesty she had forgotten.
She confronted things she already knew. And while she would never forgive herself, she found peace in accepting her mistakes. Finally. Maybe that was what Maude Standish meant? Jessica didn't know. She still didn't like the senator. Still didn't trust her. But the woman was right. Whatever her faults were, the woman acknowledged them ... and coexisted with her only child in the only way she knew how.
That was what David meant, when he told her that she had to make things right. She couldn't make her three children forgive her ... but she could accept what she had done wrong. Because once she admitted that ... she could move on. Something she hadn't done, in all this time. Looking back now, Jessica was sickened at the time she had wasted. She would have to make things right with her children ... and with her sister.
Josie. Once a beloved older sister, a conspirator, and a friend. Could Josie forgive her? They both were wrong ... Josie with her attempts to push Jessica into doing the right thing, and Jessica with her stubborn refusal to do just that. But Jessica was more in the wrong, and Josie had given her twenty-five years to do the right thing. Jessica didn't know what would happen with her sister ... didn't even know what would happen with her children.
Because first, she had to face her partner in this quarter-century old crime. Evan Larabee. That was what she was doing here, in his hotel room, staring back at him. She studied him carefully, trying to remember what exactly she saw in him, all those years ago. Maybe, if she reconstructed that time in her memory, she would understand what she could do next. Maybe she would have some answers to give her children.
"You've certainly grown up, Jessica," Evan replied, in answer to her assertion that it was time she grew up. That she was tired of being that sixteen year old girl. Evan looked at her steadily, and for the first time, Jessica realized that her children did inherit some things from their father. Certain mannerisms. Like the way Vin would lean to one side. She heard about that, from the girls at the SGC. They thought it was quite sexy. Evan did the same thing.
"I've gotten older, Evan. I'm just now starting to grow up. I saw our daughter last night. Our youngest. Elizabeth. She's nineteen now. Becoming a beautiful young woman. My sister did a wonderful job raising her. Isn't it ironic?" Jessica asked, folding her arms over her chest.
Evan simply looked at her, and Jessica continued, "I spent all night thinking about this. I'm forty-three years old, Evan. My eldest daughter is a biologist, my son is a hero. My abandoned son, the one I told myself that you would take care of, the one who grew up being passed from family to family like a hand-me-down piece of clothing, is a bonafide hero. Just like my father. Not because of any one action, but because for his entire life, my son, my abandoned child, has tried to take care of others."
"Your son," Evan retorted, his voice thick with contempt, "is a bounty hunter. Not a hero." Jessica looked at him. Bounty hunter? That was only part of what Vin was! He survived as best he could, without becoming a predator himself. He had a dark side, everyone did, but the facts could not be disputed. Her son was a hero. He was a hero to little Lily Kincaid, when he rescued her from Eli Joe. He was a hero to those in the SGC, many of whom were alive because her son risked his life to save them.
"My son was a bounty hunter. He was also part of search and rescue. Do you know how he met his girlfriend, Adriana? She was helping to find a lost child, and Vin was brought in, because he knew the child. Can you say that your entire life has been exemplary, Evan? Can you say that you've never done something you regretted, or been ashamed of? Can you say that you're perfect? I can't. And my son, whatever his faults are, won't even try to say that," Jessica retorted. She didn't know where the words were coming from, but she couldn't stop them now.
She rose to her feet and advanced on him, saying, "He was injured, because he was helping to protect children. Would you like to hear how badly our son was injured? He had a ruptured spleen ... broken ribs, a broken arm, bruised kidneys. He almost died, Evan!" She was careful to keep any references to the SGC out. Jessica was selfish and self-centered, yes, but she wasn't stupid. She knew exactly what would happen to her if she mentioned the SGC.
"Violence only begets violence, Jessica ... you of all people should know that. You remember Kent State ... or maybe not, you were just a child during Vietnam. You weren't even born during Korea. Your son chose a violent life, he should expect something like that to happen," Evan answered stiffly. Jessica stared at the man, once more trying to understand what she saw him in all those years ago.
She shook her head, murmuring, "Who are you? What kind of man says that his son deserves to be hurt, because he was trying to protect children? I was a terrible mother. I admit that freely. I abandoned my son, I abandoned all three of my children. But I love them more than you can possibly imagine ... and I'm proud of them. You don't fight back the darkness by pretending it doesn't exist! I should know! I've been doing that for twenty-five years!"
"Because of your son, my wife turned against me. Pegeen chose to remain with him, rather than coming back with me. She ... wanted more children. I always put her off. And then I met you ... I gave three children to a woman I didn't love. Now, my wife ... whom I do love ... has chosen to make those three children her own. They have mothers ... they don't need Pegeen," Evan replied. And again, Jessica shook her head. For the first time since Julia's death, she started to understand just how frustrated and angry Josie had been with her.
"Vin didn't turn Pegeen against you. You did that. Don't you dare blame my son for your shortcomings. I was given a gift, twenty-seven years ago. Two wonderful, beautiful children. I wasn't smart enough to appreciate either gift. Not then. But I am now. I don't know if my children will ever forgive me ... but I'll spend the rest of my life, making it up to them," she replied. She swung the purse over her arm.
She got as far as the door, then turned back to face him and added, "You know, you no more deserve your gifts than I do. You don't deserve any of your children. Not my three. Not Christopher. But we don't always get what we deserve. If that was the case, my sister would have given up on me years ago. But she didn't. Josie never gave up on me. Now it's my turn. Good-bye, Evan." She moved swiftly out the door.
She didn't know where she was going, or what she was doing. She just knew that she couldn't tolerate being around that man another moment. Lord, she had a lot of work to do. Until last night, when she overheard the conversation between her son's girlfriend and her daughter, Jessica had been almost as bad as the man she just left. She tried to remember that whatever else he had done ... he also created four wonderful young people. Maybe that would be enough. She had other work to do. Evan Larabee was no longer her problem.
By the time Chris arrived back at his house, it was eight am. During the drive back from the airport, Paris Tanner had given Chris plenty of blackmail material to use against Josie, by telling him and Adriana stories of what his middle daughter was like growing up. Adriana was in tears in the back seat, from laughing so hard. Chris kept his attention on the road, though with an effort. Oh, did he have blackmail material to use against Josie!
Once they reached the carport, and Chris had turned off the engine, Adriana eased herself out of the vehicle, then trotted around to the other side to open the door for Rebecca Tanner. Chris popped the back end, where the duffel bags were contained, and carried the two bags into the house, Paris striding easily at his side. As they approached the door, Chris winced at the sounds coming from inside his house. If any of those idiots woke Vin ...
Behind him, he heard Adriana mutter, "Uh-oh ... please don't tell me I'm gonna have to kill my brother?" Chris patted her shoulder, then reached for the door ... only to find it opening. Buck was still chortling as he yanked open the door. Chris almost fell into the house, but a small hand clamped over his, giving him an anchor. Chris glared at Buck. He supposed Buck thought that was real funny. And judging from the way his old friend's dark blue eyes were twinkling, that was exactly what Buck thought.
Adriana said dryly, "This is my older brother, Buck. One of the three clowns in the outfit. Even though he's not wearing a clown outfit. At the moment." Chris grinned down at the small young woman, his green eyes dancing with deviltry, while Buck just glared at his sister. One of these days, Buck would learn not to underestimate the trouble which Chris and Adriana could cause when they were together.
Buck's glare was switched to Chris, when the colonel observed just as dryly, "Now, I don't know about that, little princess, seems to me that Buck's always wearing a clown outfit. Just comes ... naturally to him." By this time, the colonel's grin threatened to split his face in two. A grin which grew steadily more evil as he added, "Although, something else will come naturally to him if I find out he or the others woke Vin."
"Hell, Chris ... we didn't! I checked on him just a minute ago!" Buck retorted, obviously indignant that his care of Vin would be questioned. Chris simply stared at him ... this was, after all, Vin whom they were discussing. He had been known to feign sleep. Perhaps realizing this, Buck added, "Vin's still asleep, Chris. With as much pain as he's been in, ever since the explosion, we always know when he's awake."
That was true, and Chris relaxed. He told his longtime friend, "Just wanted to be sure. This is Paris Tanner, Vin's grandfather, and his wife Rebecca." Buck nodded to Paris, shaking his hand, then smiled at Rebecca. Chris almost laughed. His old friend would never change, at least not when it came to women. Old women, young women, it didn't rightly matter. Buck loved 'em, and they loved him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tanner. I understand you have a lovely daughter," Buck said, his dark blue eyes dancing with laughter. Chris just rolled his own eyes, exchanging another look with Adriana, who was grinning. Buck would never change. And Chris was glad. Glad of that constant in his life. Glad of the other constant in his life. Because while his relationship with Vin had changed, Vin was still Vin.
"Let me introduce you to your grandson, Mr. Tanner," Chris said, inclining his head toward Vin's bedroom. The older man's face lit up and he nodded eagerly. This was the reason he had flown from Chicago. Chris led his brother's grandfather toward Vin's bedroom, while the Wilmington siblings introduced Rebecca Tanner to those who were awake. As Buck had said, Vin was still asleep.
"Kevin," Paris breathed. Vin just sighed in his sleep, but didn't awaken. Paris eased himself into the chair beside Vin's bed, the one closest to the door, repeating his grandson's name. Chris went to the bed, easing himself down beside his brother and gently shook him awake. Vin moaned softly, opening his eyes very slowly. A moment after that, the blue eyes came into focus and Chris smiled down at his younger brother.
A sleepy smile and a rasped out, "Mornin,' Cowboy," were his rewards. Chris shifted to one side, allowing his brother to see the man in the chair. Vin's brows furrowed, and Chris held his peace, knowing Paris seemed familiar. At last, Vin rasped out, "Grandfather?"
Chris glanced away from his brother, to see a brilliant smile dawning on the face of the older man. Paris whispered, "Yes, I'm your grandpa. I'm so glad to meet you, Kevin. I've waited so long." He studied him for a few minutes, and Chris tried to see Vin through the man's eyes. Tried to imagine how he would have felt if Adam had a child, whom Chris didn't know about, until after the child was grown.
Paris continued in a hoarse voice, "You look just like your mother. Julia and Jessica both. My God. You are a Tanner, boy." Chris looked back at his brother, in time to see Vin's bright eyes widen at the statement. And then he remembered. As Julia Tanner was dying, she told her five year old son to never forget he was a Tanner. Chris was told of this conversation, not by Vin, but by Nettie Welles. Who also told him of Vin's response ... how all he ever wanted was to live up to being a Tanner.
For his grandfather to say such a thing, was exactly what Vin needed to hear. Paris went on, "You're a Tanner. I could never truly forgive Jessica for giving you away ... but maybe Julia was the best person to raise you for those years. She'd be so proud of you, boy. So proud." Paris drew in a deep breath, exhaling slowly, "I know I am proud of you. I've been a soldier, grandson. I've been a soldier, and I've had to do ugly things. But what matters, is that the good you've done outweighs the bad. And your good balances out the bad by far."
Chris remained silent, understanding that his brother needed to hear this. Paris reached out a tentative hand, lightly tracing his finger along the line of Vin's jaw and murmured, "You know how I know you're a Tanner, boy? It's in your eyes. Not the color of your eyes, but what I see in them. I see determination and strength. Commitment and compassion. Hush, boy, I'm an old man, I'm allowed to be maudlin. It's something I've earned at my age, the right to be a sentimental old fool when I finally find my missing grandchild."
Paris Tanner smiled more widely then, and in that moment, Chris saw the similarities between grandfather and grandson. Paris added, "You should know, soldiers are among the most sentimental men on the face of the planet. Especially when they get old. Can I hold you, grandson? I know you've got internal injuries that are still healing, and I know your ribs are still broken. But can I hold you? I never got to hold you when you were a child."
"Reckon I'd like that," Vin rasped out, "Grandpa." Paris settled his hand against his grandson's cheek, then eased his body forward. Chris backed away, allowing the pair a more complete reunion. Paris carefully eased his grandson into his arms, tentatively resting one hand against the back of Vin's head, while the other hand lightly skimmed down Vin's back, reminding Chris suddenly and painfully of holding Adam after a nightmare.
The colonel looked away, giving himself a moment to regain his composure and his brother time to relax in his grandfather's arms. When he looked back, Vin's head rested under his grandfather's chin, and tears streamed down Paris Tanner's face. The old man whispered, "Your son is home, Julia. You can be at peace now. He's home, and with people who will take care of him." Always has been, Chris thought, he always has been ... we just didn't know it. Not in terms of facts. But he was my family long before we found out we were brothers.
The three men sat in silence, then Paris released his grandson, allowing him to ease back against his pillows. Vin looked at Chris, his eyes asking a question. Chris understood immediately and nodded once. Vin looked back at Paris, rasping out, "We're goin' to the Open House at the Academy today, Grandpa ... like to come along with us?" Paris wiped away his tears and looked back at Chris.
Once more, the colonel nodded, smiling ever so faintly. Paris returned his attention to his grandson and replied, "I'd like that, Kevin. I just have one other thing to ask. Would your brother be willing to give me the chance to push your wheelchair?" Chris laughed outright and nodded. Yes, he thought they could work that out. He just hoped his father didn't make any more trouble. At that thought, however, he smiled. Even if he did ... they could handle it.
By nine am, everyone was up and ready to go. Vin and Paris would ride with Chris, while Rebecca would ride with Lizzie, Carly, and Josie. The latter was actually Josie's idea, as she was all too aware of Rebecca's flaws, and she didn't want her stepmother to have the opportunity to drive Mary or Adriana nuts. Those two would be riding with Buck and JD, along with Billy. By nine am, the others had arrived as well, and it was decided that Ezra and Josiah would ride with Rain and Nathan to the Air Force Academy.
If Josie was worried about Rebecca, it was for nothing. It seemed that before they left, Lizzie and Carly had cornered their grandmother-by-marriage and warned her what would happen if she made catty remarks of any kind to Mary or Adriana. When Rebecca protested, Carly had hissed, "Oh, please! You think I haven't heard you and Louisa sniggering at the expense of someone else? Here's a little newsflash for you. I have. Why do you think I can't stand Louisa? Here's another newsflash. You mess with someone I care about, and I'll wipe the floor with you. And not even your marriage to my grandfather can protect you."
Josie had learned about the confrontation from Lizzie. The nineteen year old was practically bouncing as she talked about it, her bright blue eyes filled with excitement and pride in her older sister. Rebecca had further incurred Carly's wrath when she observed that Mary was lovely, and Adriana would be as well, if she would just do something with herself. Carly snarled, "Why the hell should she? She's pretty the way she is. Vin loves her as she is. She takes care of herself. And if she doesn't look like some supermodel, who cares?"
Lizzie added, "Besides, she's already done something with herself. She became an archaeologist. She became a good person. And believe you me, if Buck ever heard you saying something like that about his sister, you'd be ... well ... toast. So put a sock in it."
Rebecca protested that she was just trying to help, to which Carly replied, "Save it. Adriana doesn't need your kind of help. She's happy ... for the first time in her life, she's happy. I'm not gonna let you, or your man-eater daughter, mess that up. Not that Louisa could. She's too phony for the likes of my brother. My twin has far more taste than to fall for Louisa. He wants someone more real."
Ouch. There were times when Josie could have sworn Vin was the more ... diplomatic of the twins. Vin could be blunt, but when Carly perceived a threat to any of hers, the result could be ... well ... messy. Only the arrival of Ezra kept things from getting out of hand. At least for that moment. But Josie didn't trust Rebecca. The woman loved Josie's father, but she could be mean ... and Josie didn't put it past her to undercut Adriana to get back at Carly.
However, Josie was sure Adriana could handle it. The girl had overcome a neglectful mother, an abusive father, and a series of hellish jobs. To say nothing of the tongue-lashing she had given Jessica when they first returned from the mission. Rebecca Tanner was probably small potatoes for her. Still, that didn't stop Josie from wishing her daughter and her niece had been a touch more diplomatic in dealing with Rebecca.
On the other hand, she couldn't deny that she was enjoying the peace and quiet in the car at the moment. Carly was driving, allowing Josie to sit in the back seat and simply relax. Funny. This felt like the first time in days she had been able to do that. Just ... relax. That was the case right up until the time her cell phone rang. She wasn't the only one who noticed the quiet. Everyone in the car jumped a mile, then shared rueful, embarrassed grins.
Josie answered the phone, mentally promising herself to seriously inflict damage on anyone who wasn't Josiah. She'd inflict something else on him. However, it wasn't Josiah. It was Jessica. Her younger sister babbled something which Josie couldn't understand, then finally gasped, "I'm so sorry, Jo, you were right all along! I'm so sorry! I don't know how to ... to make this up to the kids, to any of them, but I'll find a way to make things right!"
It took Josie several moments just to make sense out of what was being said, then she finally said, "Jess, slow down! I can hardly understand you." From the corner of her eye, Josie could tell Carly was stiffening in the driver's seat and mentally warned her niece to keep her attention on the road. Then her younger sister was talking again, much more slowly. And this time, Josie could get the entire story out of her.
Jessica had overheard a conversation between Lizzie and Adriana the previous night, when JD and the girls were at the pharmacy, getting Vin's prescription refilled. And it had forced her to start looking at her own behavior over the last few weeks. The last twenty-plus years. She was ashamed by what she saw. After working through things in her mind, she had gone to Evan Larabee's hotel room this morning (how in the hell did she find out where Evan was staying? Never mind that, worry about it later), and there was a confrontation.
He was still alive (now Jess was a mind reader, it seemed), but it forced Jessica to realize just how badly she screwed up. She loved her children. All three of them.
She screwed up, but good, and if need be, she would spend the rest of her life making things right with them. She just didn't know where to start. Did Josie have any ideas? Josie was still recovering from the shock of hearing her sister's voice, calling her. But she managed to reply, "I'm not real sure, Jess ... I mean, I can give you suggestions, but I think it would be best if you did something yourself."
She paused, then asked curiously, "Just ... on account of because ... how did you know where Larabee was staying? We had to deal with his crap last night ... you should be very proud of your eldest daughter. She was very well-behaved." Lizzie made eye contact with her in the rearview mirror, and Josie just winked at the girl, even as Carly scowled. Josie replied, in answer to her sister's question, "She didn't dump the spaghetti in his lap. Private Dunne used him as missile practice, though, using a meatball."
There was a stunned moment of silence, then her sister burst out laughing. Jessica said, still giggling, "Oh, I wish I could have been there to see that! Just to see the look on that big wuss's face when that meatball hit him!" Big wuss? Josie shook her head, and returned her attention to her conversation with her sister. Jessica added, "Besides, I heard about where they were staying, when I overheard the conversation between Lizzie and the other two."
Josie decided she wouldn't share that piece of information with her two companions. She was still reeling from her sister admitting that she was wrong ... finally, after all these years! Jess added, "Jo-Jo, I'm so sorry. I know I've put you through hell, too. Is there something I can do to make things right? Maybe something Vin would like? I hurt him the most ... and I'm most proud of him." Josie smiled faintly.
"I think, Jess, that the best thing you can do for Vin is to reassure him that he didn't do anything wrong. All these years, he's believed that he was abandoned because of something he did or didn't do," Josie replied. There was a long silence from her sister, then a choked back sob. Josie continued, "Just be there for him, little sister ... that's all he really needs. Just be there for him, and make sure he understands, it was never him."
"I don't know where to start, Jo-Jo. Do ... do you think it would be a big problem, if I came to Open House? I couldn't tell you what I saw in him, all those years ago, but I can tell you how Evan's gonna react. He's gonna be furious that everyone seems to be deserting him. And there will be a confrontation, probably at the Open House ... do you think it would be okay if I was there? To help Vin?" Jessica asked.
Josie thought about that. It actually sounded about right ... Evan Larabee wouldn't forgive the humiliation of the previous night that easily. She replied slowly, "That might work. Long as you understand that you're there for support, not to ride in and save Vin from his evil father. He's still healing from his injuries, but there's nothing wrong with that young man's brain. Are we clear on that, Jessica?"
"As crystal. Jo-Jo ... I'm sorry," Jessica repeated once more, before hanging up. Josie hung up her cell phone, shaking her head in astonishment. Her sister had apologized.
Not just once, but repeatedly, for abandoning her children. She looked at the cell phone in her hands, wondering if she should call the local zoos and find out if any of them had noticed leopards changing their spots. Or some such animal changing their pigmentation in any way. She shook her head in total amazement, telling the others in the vehicles, "I think someone needs to check the astrological charts, to see if some planet or star is in a location it's not meant to be. My sister just apologized!"
Paris Tanner could have found out that he had inoperable cancer, and it wouldn't have mattered. He was with his grandson ... and his only regret would have been the knowledge that he had so little time to spend with Kevin. But he was healthy, he received a clean bill of health from his doctor only days before leaving for Colorado with Becca. Kevin was recovering ... and they had all the time in the world to get to know each other.
At the moment, Paris was pushing his grandson along one of the sidewalks of the Air Force Academy, listening as Chris Larabee read from the guide book. Paris wasn't taking part in the conversation ... he didn't need to. He was pushing his grandson's wheelchair, and that was more than he had for twenty-seven years. And, it wasn't really a conversation ... not with Chris reading from the book, Kevin making an occasional smart-ass remark, and Chris swatting him with the book along side the head.
The ease he saw between the brothers told him that they had been friends long before they found out about their blood tie. He had known that, from Josie and Carly, but like he had told them, he needed to see it for himself. Needed to see the affection in Chris Larabee's smile when he gently ruffled Kevin's light brown hair (always to Kevin's annoyance) ... the love which shone in his eyes when he didn't realize someone was looking.
Not that Paris called attention to it. He was an old man, allowed to be sentimental, but Chris was young yet. Only forty-one, and still sensitive to the macho crap. Getting better ... almost losing your younger brother, in part because of that macho crap, went far in shattering the walls built for self-protection. Chris Larabee would lay down his life for Kevin, that Paris knew, just as he knew the sun would come up the following day. And he knew the feeling was one hundred percent returned.
Paris knew the ladies were at Carly's lecture ... they were there for moral support, as Josie had said, before leading the ladies off to the lecture hall. He also knew that Jessica planned to show up today at some point, to apologize to her children. She had called Josie while the older Tanner sister was on her way to the Open House.
Paris was glad. Because today was the day for such reconciliations. It was the day of an Open House, and it was fitting for that reason. Of course, if he ever got his hands on Evan Larabee, there really would be hell to pay. He knew Chris wanted that particular honor for himself, but Paris had decided that if anyone dealt with Evan, it would not be the colonel. He didn't need that kind of burden. For all he had done wrong, Evan was still his father.
On the other hand ... he was nothing to Paris Tanner. Just the man who knocked up his youngest daughter and left her alone, taking no responsibility. Jessica had done the same thing, and Paris wouldn't say anything different. But Paris had no intention of confronting his younger daughter. Jessica had been wrong, so terribly wrong, but she hadn't done the things Evan Larabee had the previous night.
Remembering what he had been told about the dinner at Christopher's house the previous night, Paris found his blood boiling. The old man looked at the back of his grandson's head, to calm himself. Kevin's only request was that they not discuss his childhood. He didn't want to remember those years, not right now. They were a part of him, and he would never say otherwise. But he had just met most of his family, and he wasn't ready to talk about it with them.
Adriana probably knew ... given their history together, Paris would have been far more surprised if she didn't know. However, the young lady was now at the lecture hall, lending her emotional support to his eldest granddaughter. Paris wished she was here. He couldn't make up his mind about her suitability for his grandson, if she wasn't around. However ... he could appreciate her loyalty to her friends.
Kevin said now, "Hey, Larabee, how long d'ya think before Drina gets bug-eyed over the lecture? Ya know that ain't 'xactly her cup a' tea." Chris simply laughed softly, smacking Kevin with the guide book, and the young man growled, "Ya best be stoppin' that, Larabee, I ain't no baseball ya kin be hittin' with that thin,' ya know." Paris glanced at Chris, whose smile had broadened even further.
"Now, you know Julia taught you better than that, Kevin Parris Tanner, having respect for your elders," Chris retorted, his green eyes twinkling with unholy glee. Kevin just growled in irritation. Paris was getting tired of having to look around to see his grandson's face, so he pushed the wheelchair toward a park bench, put the brake on, then sat down on the bench. For the first time, he could see his grandson's expression ... and Paris bit back a laugh, seeing the pure mischief dancing in the bright blue eyes.
"Hear that, Grandpa, Larabee finally admitted he's an old man!" Kevin smirked. Chris just glared at his younger brother, which did absolutely no good. Kevin continued, "An' quit usin' m' full name, 'less I actually done somethin' wrong. Givin' m'self whiplash, tryin' to figure out what the hell I done wrong. Sorry, Grandpa." Paris shook his head. He was too old to care about 'hell' or 'damn,' but he drew the line at the 'f' word.
"Tanner ... it's a good thing you're in the wheelchair, because if you weren't ... " Chris threatened. Paris glanced at his grandson, who smirked and cocked his head to one side.
His expression said, ever so plainly, 'yesssss?' Chris swatted the side of his brother's head again, then dumped himself beside Paris, muttering under his breath about smart-ass younger brothers. Paris, who had seen similar scenarios play out with his three daughters more times than he could count, just smiled and turned to his grandson, saying, "Did I ever tell you why I was named 'Paris,' Kevin?"
Curiosity lit the bright blue eyes as Kevin shook his head, and Paris explained, "Well, I'm sure that you've heard the old jokes, about how I was conceived in Paris, France, or some such thing." Kevin nodded, a half smile lighting his face, and Paris continued, "The truth is, I was named after Paris in the old Greek myths. Paris of Troy. It seems my father always believed that Paris was an honest man who got a bad rep. You know about his place in the myths?"
"He was the fella the goddesses asked to judge who was the purtiest out of 'em. Drina told me the story," Kevin replied, nodding, and Paris nodded with a smile. He should have expected as much, since Adriana was an archaeologist. Kevin continued, "Cain't rightly recall what he was promised by the other goddesses, but Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful woman in the world ... Helen."
"The face that launched a thousand ships," Paris agreed. He was silent for several moments, then said, "There was a great deal more to the story, but that was all I knew for the first fifteen years of my life. I always wondered why my father named me for a man who helped to start a war. A man like Paris. My father swore there was more to him than that, there had to be. I suppose that's what got me interested in history, and in myths and literature."
He paused, then continued, "Later, it didn't matter. Just ... well ... I wanted to become the sort of man whom my grandson would be proud of, a man who was worth sharing his name with." Kevin's answering, shy smile, gave him his answer. Paris reached over and put his hand on Kevin's shoulder, unable to say exactly what he was thinking. What he was feeling. After a moment, Paris continued, "I should tell you about your great-grandparents."
He would have said more. But the sudden tension in the third man told him that something was very, very wrong. Chris angled his body, as if he was protecting Kevin against something ... or someone. And it was then that he saw the man stalking toward them. He didn't realize who he was at first. Then Chris growled, "Father." Understanding, then, Paris rose to his feet, determined to protect his grandchild from further unpleasantness.
But both he and Chris left something out of their decision, someone very important. Kevin himself. As Evan Larabee approached, his face reminding Paris of a stormcloud, Kevin said almost casually, "Reckon it's time this was settled." Paris looked at his grandson, startled, and Kevin added, "Cain't protect me forever, Grandpa. Neither kin ya, Chris. It's time this was ended. One way or another."
"Oh for the love of God, you can't even talk properly! You sound like a goddamn backcountry hick!" Evan Larabee hissed. Paris didn't even look at Kevin, to see how this volley affected his grandson. He only knew how it affected him. And Chris.
The colonel looked as furious as Paris felt, and this was further demonstrated when Chris answered quietly, "At least Vin's never made a claim to be something he's not. He's an honest man, which is more than I can say for you. What the hell are you doing here? You, who make such a big production out of your distaste for anything military? You don't belong here. You made your choice yesterday."
"It's okay, Chris. I kin handle him," Kevin answered quietly. Paris and Chris looked at each other, then at the young man sitting quietly in the wheelchair. Chris didn't look like he was happy about it, but Kevin looked up at him and said softly, "I kin handle him, Chris. I just need ya to believe in me. Like ya always done." The eyes of the two brothers locked, and it seemed to Paris that a thousand different things were being said in those moments. Then a faint smile appeared, and Chris nodded.
He stepped to one side, putting a supportive hand on his younger brother's shoulder. Following the lead of the colonel, Paris stepped back until he was standing at Kevin's side, and put his hand on his grandson's other shoulder. Chris was right, and so was Kevin. This man had hurt his grandson. The call was Kevin's to make. He had made it. Now, it was time for the reckoning, which had been in the making for twenty-seven years.