Strip 'n Dales

by Tracy

Late the next morning, Dr. Vachon entered the room, and examined JD.

"You're free to go, Mr. Dunne," Dr. Vachon said after finishing the thorough exam. "And I hope we won't see you back here anytime soon," she finished with a smile.

"I'll try not to, doctor, I promise," JD said excitedly, as he pushed himself off the bed quickly, nearing collapsing to the floor.

"Easy, Mr. Dunne, nice and easy, please," Doctor Vachon chided gently, as she and Buck carefully helped JD to stand upright. "Why don't you have a seat? Your wheelchair should be here shortly."

As if on cue, one of the floor nurses came in, pushing a wheelchair.

Buck smiled, remembering the nurse from last night.

"Hey Ann," Buck said jovially. "Come to give me a spongebath?"

"Very funny Mr. Wilmington," Ann joked along. "Mr. Tanner is the one getting a sponge bath today, I'm afraid you're on your own."

"Jeez, what does a man have to do around here to get some attention?" Buck said dramatically.

"Keep it up and you might find out Buck," JD answered with a laugh, as Ann and Dr. Vachon helped him into the wheelchair.

"Here are Mr. Dunne's care instructions, Mr. Wilmington," Dr. Vachon explained, handing a set of papers over to Buck. "I'll walk you two out," she added.

"Thanks doc," Buck said, pushing JD out the door, following the physician.

+ + + + + + +

"All right Mr. Tanner, time for a bath,"Ann said cheerily, starting the warm water running into the bath basin. As she began to draw the curtain around his bed, Vin got very nervous.

"No it ain't," Vin said, his voice rising with alarm. "I don't need a bath," he insisted, trying to crouch into the far corner of his bed, to keep as much space between him and the nurse as possible.

"Vin, come on, you'll feel better afterwards," Chris coaxed.

"No, don't want somebody else washin' me. I can do it myself," Vin replied stubbornly.

With a sigh, Chris raised his eyes upward, silently praying for strength. It was going to be another one of those days. He glanced back down at the younger man, seeing the determined set of his face, clearly visible behind the healing bruises and cuts. He stepped toward the nurse, gesturing for her to follow him over to the door.

"Ann, would you give me a minute with Vin?"

"Sure thing Mr. Larabee. I'll go check on Mr. Phillips next door and be back in a few minutes."

"Thanks," Chris replied gratefully. Squaring his shoulders, he headed back to Vin's bedside.

"Vin, listen to me. You've got to let the doctors and nurses take care of you. You're hurt and that's the only way you're going to get better."

"But I'm better already Chris. I'm tired of people washin' me, feedin' me, pokin' at me. It's embarrassin'. I'm not some little baby that can't do things for himself," Vin muttered, looking down at the bedclothes as he felt his face begin to flush.

"Vin, look at me," Chris ordered gently. He waited nearly a minute until Vin raised his face up to look at him.

And when he did, Vin saw the bone deep exhaustion on Chris's face. Overcome by guilt, he dropped his gaze from the older man.

"I-I'm sorry Chris," Vin whispered, ashamed that he'd been so selfish, acting up, fighting the doctors and nurses since he'd woken up in the hospital. Chris had remained at his bedside for days, patiently feeding him, helping him, comforting him, and all he'd done was complain.

"Vin, you've got nothing to be sorry for. I've been in your situation before remember?" Chris said with a sympathetic smile.

"Yeah, I do," Vin said, raising his eyes and staring back at Chris miserably. "I'm bein' a pain, and I'm real sorry Chris. I'll....I'll try and do better, I promise."

Chris chuckled softly. It felt good to laugh, even if he was faking it, trying to cheer up both Vin and himself. "You will? You mean you'll eat all the food on your meal trays without grumbling? And let Ann give you your bath, and take all your medicine like you're supposed to?"

Vin smiled back, then winced as the movement made his facial injuries begin to throb. "Yeah, I will. I promise," he vowed.

"Then we've got a real serious problem," Chris said in a low tone.

"What's the matter?" Vin asked with alarm.

"You're not Vin Tanner. What have you done with him? There's no way he'd agree to all that stuff," Chris retorted back, making a joke to lighten the mood.

"Very funny Chris. I haven't been that bad, have I?"

"Nah, and I can't blame you for it, anyway. I know your face and side have really got to be hurting," Chris said, lightly tousling Vin's hair. "So can I tell Ann it's okay to come in?"

Vin grimaced. "Yeah, guess everybody around here's seen me naked anyways, right?"

"At least a few times pard," Chris said with a wink.

"Aw hell," Vin said, then closed his eyes with a sigh.

+ + + + + + +

"You work fast, Mr. Larabee," Ann said as she followed the ATF team leader back into Vin's room.

"Well, I've just had more practice dealing with him is all," Chris replied.

"Good point Mr. Larabee," Ann agreed with a laugh. "Why don't you get something to eat in the cafeteria? I've asked Peggy to come up and help me with Mr. Tanner. Thought maybe you could use a break."

They reached Vin's bedside, surprised to find that Vin was fast asleep.

"Thanks Ann, but I'll be fine," Chris said. "I'll stay here with Vin. One of the guys can bring me something later."

"I was hoping you'd eat with me Chris. Make it a lot easier to face down that hospital food, if I didn't have to do it alone," a voice boomed out behind them.

"Josiah," Chris greeted.

"How's Vin today, brother?" Josiah asked.

"Stubborn as usual, but I think we've reached an understanding," Chris said with a grin.

"Well then, that's cause for a celebration. C'mon, lunch is on me," Josiah said.

"Maybe another time Josiah, I'm gonna stay here," Chris hedged.

"Chris, come on, Vin's in good hands here, isn't he miss?" Josiah asked, winking at Ann.

"Yes, we'll take very good care of Mr. Tanner, I promise," Ann replied.

"Chris, Vin's asleep. He won't even know we're gone."

"Okay, I'll go," Chris said. "And you can fill me in on things at the office," Chris added, beginning to feel more like himself.

Peggy passed them as they walked through the door.

"Ann, I'm ready to help with Mr. Tanner."

"Good Peggy, thanks. Looks like we may luck out, Mr. Tanner's asleep."

The two nurses shared a quick laugh at Ann's joke as they removed Vin's hospital gown and carefully began to bathe the injured sharpshooter.

"Gosh, he's really banged up, isn't he?" Peggy asked as she ran the soapy cloth gently over Vin's battered side.

"Yeah, the guys that did this to him sounded like real bad news," Ann agreed.

"His face must really hurt, too," Peggy added, as she began to lather Vin's hair.

"Yeah, poor guy, can't even really chew anything yet. All he can eat is Jell-O and soup."

"That'd get old quick," Peggy sympathized, as she scrubbed Vin's scalp clean.

"Peggy, soon as you finish up there, I'll need your help cleaning around his catheter and checking it. It's supposed to come out tomorrow. Dr. Hislop wants him up out of bed in the morning."

"There, all finished with his hair. Bet he'll be feeling a lot better now," Peggy said, replacing the pillows, and adding a thick towel underneath Vin's head to absorb the excess water. "Okay Ann, let's do the catheter."

Ann nodded and the two nurses gently began to clean the area around the catheter. Almost as soon as they started working, Vin began to moan and move about restlessly.

"No....no.....get offa me......Chris, help me..............Chris!' Vin began to cry out, fighting against Peggy, who was holding one of his hands, trying to reassure him, while Ann worked quickly.

"NO! Frank.........stop it! Stop it!" Vin was screaming by this time, bucking against Peggy, who was trying to hold him down on the bed by his shoulders.

"Almost finished Mr. Tanner. I'm sorry this is upsetting you like this, but I don't want you to get an infection from the catheter," Ann said in a slightly strained voice. She worked as fast as she could, hating the fact that her ministrations were the reason for her patient's distress.

"I'm about finished Peggy, you can let him up now," Ann said.

Both nurses watched in dismay as Vin opened his eyes, staring around him in complete confusion.

"Chris? Where.....is he?" Vin panted, his rising with hysteria. "What happened to Chris? If you hurt him....." Vin shouted, gasping for breath.

"Go get Mr. Larabee," Ann urged Peggy. "Down in the cafeteria. Hurry Peggy!"

Peggy hurried out the door, heading for the elevators.

"Everything's all right, Mr. Tanner. Peggy's gone for Mr. Larabee," Ann said, running a comforting hand through Vin's damp hair.

But Vin refused to be consoled, instead continuing to writhe on the bed, crying out for Chris, caught in some horrible dream. Ann rang for a sedative and paged Dr. Hislop. Just as Anne was injecting the sedative, Dr. Hislop appeared.

"Ann?"

"Dr. Hislop, I was cleaning Mr. Tanner's catheter area and he became very agitated. I can't calm him down," Ann explained. "I'm afraid he may reinjure his side."

"You're exactly right," Dr. Hislop replied. She moved close to the bed and began to examine Vin, who was calming down, but fighting against the drug.

"You'll be all right Mr. Tanner," Dr. Hislop said soothingly. "Just close your eyes and relax for me. I'm just going to check you over."

"Ann? What's happened to Vin?" Chris called out, running into Vin's room, Josiah and Peggy in tow.

"He's very upset Mr. Larabee. I had to sedate him and Dr. Hislop is checking him over," she explained.

Chris sidled up next to the bed, behind the physician. He reached for Vin's hand, squeezing it lightly.

"I'm right here Vin, everything's okay," Chris whispered reassuringly to the younger man.

Vin stirred slightly on the bed, turning toward Chris's voice. "Chris.....no......no......don't......" Vin moaned.

"Is he all right doctor?" Chris asked anxiously.

"He appears to be, Mr. Larabee," Dr. Hislop answered. "It seems Mr. Tanner became agitated when his nurses began cleaning the area near his catheter." She stared up at Chris meaningfully. After a slight pause, she resumed speaking. "Mr. Larabee, I was wondering if I might have a word with you in my office." She saw Chris hesitate, and guessed that he had reservations about leaving his friend's side. "Mr. Tanner has been given a relatively powerful sedative. He should sleep for quite a while, Mr. Larabee. I'll have the nurses page me if there is any change."

Chris hesitated for a few seconds, then gave in. "All right doctor," he agreed.

"Thank you," Dr. Hislop replied. "Please follow me."

+ + + + + + +

"Mr. Larabee, as Mr. Tanner's next of kin, I know I can discuss every aspect of Mr. Tanner's care with you," the physician began, once the two were seated in her office, one floor down from Vin's room.

"Yes, you can doctor," Chris agreed, wondering exactly what the doctor was driving at.

"Have you given any consideration to Mr. Tanner's follow up care?" she asked.

"Well, Vin will be staying at the ranch with me. I'll make sure he receives all the follow up care he needs there," Chris replied, a slight frown on his face.

"I'm relieved to hear that Mr. Larabee, and I'm sure you'll take excellent care of Mr. Tanner," Dr. Hislop reassured. "But by follow up care, I was referring to more than just Mr. Tanner's physical well being."

Chris looked sharply at the physician. "What exactly do you mean by that, doctor?"

"I was referring to Mr. Tanner's mental health, Mr. Larabee. After an attack such as the one he suffered, it's only natural that he would be upset. And it's more than he can deal with one his own. Talking to someone about it, can only help."

"You mean professional help?" Chris asked

"Yes, I do. There are several excellent psychiatrists on staff here at the hospital that specialize in sexual assault cases."

"How did you know?" Chris asked, unable to hide the surprise in his voice.

Dr. Hislop shrugged slightly. "His injuries, how he was dressed when he came in, the case he was working on. What sealed it was the way he reacted to the nurses working on him just before."

"Vin wasn't raped Dr. Hislop," Chris blurted out.

"Close enough I'd gather, Mr. Larabee," Dr. Hislop retorted dryly. "He was still sexually assaulted in my book, and he should talk to somebody." She stared hard at Chris for a few moments, then seemed to make up her mind. "It may not be my place to say, but I think you both should talk to somebody."

Chris started with surprise. "How did you guess?"

Dr. Hislop shrugged again. "Anyone would have to be blind to not see the bond there, Mr. Larabee." Her pager went off and she quickly grabbed it. "It's not Mr. Tanner," she hurried to tell Chris. "But I do need to run. I'll leave the information on the doctors with you. It gives their credentials and some background information about each one, which may help you make a decision about which one to go with. I'll follow up with you and Mr. Tanner tomorrow."

"Dr. Hislop?" Chris said.

"Yes?"

"Let me be the one to talk to Vin about it, first, okay?"

Dr. Hislop smiled understandingly. "Certainly, Mr. Larabee. We'll discuss it after you and Mr. Tanner have had a chance to talk about it first."

"Thank you," Chris said, grabbing the information packets, then leaving her office, heading back to Vin's room, trying to figure out how to broach the subject with his lover.

+ + + + + + +

"Chris, you really want me to talk to one of these people?" Vin said dubiously, as he looked up from the small pile of brochures on his lap.

"Yes, I do Vin," Chris replied. "It'll help you get better."

"I'm doin' fine Chris," Vin said stubbornly. "I don't need to talk to anybody."

"Vin, I think you do, and so does Dr. Hislop."

"Dr. Hislop? You been talking to the doctor about me, Chris? Goin' behind my back? It's my business," Vin spat out, starting to get very angry.

"No Vin, it's our business, yours and mine," Chris said, leaning close to Vin and speaking softly, trying to keep the younger man calm. "I love you Vin, and I want you to make a complete recovery. In every way. And yes, I talked to Dr. Hislop about you. I'll talk to her everyday about you for the rest of my life if that's what it takes to get you well again." His voice caught on the last word, and he turned away from Vin, staring hard at the blank wall across the room as he regained his control.

At the light touch on his arm, he turned back to the younger man.

"Chris, I still can't see things real good, my eye's still messed up. Can you read these brochures to me?" Vin said softly, blue eyes begging Chris for forgiveness and understanding.

Chris squeezed Vin's hand gratefully. "Sure pard, I'll read them to you, and we can pick a doctor that you'll feel comfortable talking to, okay? And if there isn't one you like in this stack, I'll get us another stack to look through. We'll keep looking until you find one you like," he promised.

"Okay Chris," Vin agreed, his still swollen lips moving to form a small, shy smile. "Before we start, I got something to ask you, cowboy."

"What's that Vin?"

"I want you to talk to one of these doctors, too," Vin said.

Chris blanched. "I don't need to talk to anyone Vin. I wasn't the one who got hurt. Nothing happened to me pard," he said quietly, eyes dropping down as he suddenly became unable to meet Vin's gaze.

"Chris."

"Chris, look at me," Vin pleaded in an anguished whisper. Chris dragged his eyes upward, flinching as he met Vin's bloodshot blue eyes.

"It ain't your fault."

"Yes it is," Chris whispered back, his voice as ragged as Vin's. "I put you out there in danger Vin."

"No, you didn't," Vin retorted, angrily shaking his head. He bit back a gasp of pain as the movement caused the sharp ache in his broken, beaten face to flare into full scale white hot agony. But he still managed to pierce Chris with a fierce glare. "Nobody made me sign up to be an ATF agent, Chris. I knew all the risks that came with the job."

"But I made you do it, Vin." Chris stood up, back ramrod straight, arms crossed. "You told me you didn't want to do it, and I made you."

"And I was wrong," Vin said simply.

Chris's steely green eyes widened with surprise. Before he could speak, Vin cut back in.

"I never should have done that to you Chris. Make you choose between our relationship and the job. I was wrong to tell you what I did and didn't want to do. You're my boss, and it's your decision. JD and Buck and the rest of 'em don't do that to you, and I shouldn't have done it either. And I'm sorry."

"Vin....Jesus, Vin....don't do this to yourself," Chris said, raking his hand over his face, then up into his hair. He stared at the sharpshooter with shock.

"Ain't doing anything that doesn't need to be done," Vin replied. His eyes began to droop with fatigue, but he pressed on. This was too important to him, and it needed to be said. "But this doesn't change things Chris. I'll talk to a shrink, but I want you to, too."

"All right Vin, you win," Chris said. "I'll see one of the doctors too. But right now, get some sleep. We'll tackle this stuff tomorrow."

"'Kay," Vin said, able to let down his guard at last. He sank back into the covers gratefully, and closed his eyes, asleep in seconds.

Chris silently stalked back and forth across the room, the packets of information clutched tightly in his hand. Vin wanted him to talk to one of these doctors. He was fine, Vin was the one who was hurt, physically and mentally. Why couldn't Vin worry about himself for once instead of worrying about him?

+ + + + + + +

One week later, Chris walked hurriedly down the hallway that led to Vin's room, wearing a large grin, nodding cheerfully at every nurse and patient he passed along the way. Vin was being released from the hospital today and he couldn't have been happier.

"Chris!" Vin called out happily as he spotted his lover at the door.

"Hey cowboy, ready to get out of here?" Chris answered with a smile.

"Yeah, the doc left a little while ago. Left me these papers to sign, and as soon as the nurse gets here, I can go," Vin said excitedly.

"Sounds good to me, Vin," Chris said.

"Where's the rest of the guys?" Vin asked.

"Waiting for us at the ranch. We've got a big celebration planned for your homecoming," Chris grinned.

"Pizza and beer?" Vin asked hopefully.

"Jell-O and soup for you," Chris replied, chuckling at Vin's look of disgust.

"I'd kill for a burger and fries," Vin answered.

"Soon as the doctor gives the okay, I'll grill you a burger myself," Chris promised. "Now, c'mon, let's get those papers signed, I can't wait to get you home."

Vin was about to respond, when there was a light knock on the door.

"Jessie!" Vin and Chris both said in surprise at the figure standing in the doorway.

"Hi, Mr.....uh, Agent Tanner, Agent Larabee," Jessie stammered out.

"Jessie, it's good to see you," Chris said, happy to see that the young man.

"Thanks, Agent Larabee. I hope it's okay that I came to see Vin....I mean Agent Tanner."

"It's more than okay, Jessie. We're both glad to see you. And it's Chris and Vin, Jessie. You don't have to call us Agent," Chris replied kindly.

Jessie smiled at him shyly. "You sure it's okay if I come in?"

"Sure Jessie, c'mon in, I'm glad you stopped by," Vin said. He smiled as Jessie entered the room. "How're ya doin'?"

"I'm doing fine, Vin," Jessie said happily, walking quickly toward the bed. "You're the one who got hurt, not me," he said modestly. "You sure you're up to visitors?"

"I'm fine Jessie," Vin answered back, brushing off Jessie's concern. He was happy to see the younger man, but was tired of people treating him like he was an invalid.

"Sure Vin, anything you say," Jessie responded doubtfully, as he took in the bruised, pale face and bloodshot eyes.

"So what're ya gonna do now Jessie, since the club closed?" Chris asked.

"Uh, I was thinking about moving back home," Jessie said, looking at both Chris and Vin as he spoke. "Was thinking about going back to college. I've got some money saved from the job, and if I find another one back home I should be able to get a place to live and go back to school in a few months."

"That's great news," Vin said. "I'll bet your folks are happy to hear you're coming home."

"I haven't told 'em yet," Jessie said quietly. "I'm not sure if they'll want me back or not."

"Jessie, how can you think that?" Vin said gently. "Of course they'll wanna see you."

"Not after they find out what I've been doing, they won't," Jessie insisted stubbornly.

Chris's mouth tightened as he looked back at Jessie, misery and guilt plainly written on the youthful features. He shook his head in frustration, even as his eyes sought out Vin. His lover's face bore the same expressions as Jessie. It was time to step in.

"Jessie," Chris said softly.

"Yeah?"

"You told us you ran away because your parents couldn't afford all the mouths they had to feed, right?"

"Yeah, I did," Jessie answered miserably. "But I miss 'em so much," he continued in a choked whisper. "I wanna go home so bad...."

"I had a son once Jessie," Chris said quietly. "He died when he was very young." He cleared his throat quickly, swallowing back the thickness that suddenly welled up there. "But if he had lived to be your age..." Chris paused again, briefly, then continued, trying another tact. "What you did Jessie, running away and getting a job at a strip club because you thought it would help your family, wasn't a bad thing." He smiled at Jessie gently. "It may not have been the smartest thing, but I'll bet your parents just want to hear from you, and know that you're all right."

"You think so?" Jessie said uncertainly.

"I'd bet money on it," Chris replied. "I think they'll look past anything that you did, or anything that happened to you along the way. You're still the same person you were, you just did some things that you needed to, in order to survive." He turned and looked pointedly at Vin as he continued speaking. "And no one that loves you will think any less of you for that."

"You really think so?" Jessie repeated again softly.

"I know so," Chris answered, struggling to keep the slight quiver out of his voice.

Jessie looked to Vin, and saw that his face was turned away from them. Assuming Vin was feeling tired, he rose to leave. "Thanks Chris," he said gratefully. "I'm gonna go and call my folks now."

"You're welcome Jessie," Chris said. He reached into his pocket and pulled a card from his wallet, writing a number on it quickly. "Jessie, this is my phone number at home," he said, as he handed the card to the younger man. "Will you call and stop by to see us before you leave to go back home?"

"I'll be sure and do that Chris," Jessie promised, shaking Chris's offered hand. "It was great to see you both," he said.

"Thanks for stopping by Jessie," Vin said quietly, still keeping his face averted from the two.

"Vin, I'm glad you're okay," Jessie said as he headed for the door. "I'll be seeing you again soon, I hope," he said, then left.

Chris stood in the now quiet room, arms crossed, silently watching Vin. After a few minutes, he spoke.

"Vin? You all right?"

Vin slowly turned back around and looked at Chris. "You weren't just talkin' about Jessie and his folks before were you?" he asked quietly.

"You know I wasn't," Chris answered, walking over to Vin's bedside.

"You mean what you said?"

"Wouldn't have said it if I hadn't," Chris countered.

Vin sat quietly, lost in thought. Then he seemed to make up his mind about something, and nodded his head. "Ya know, you're right. Pretty smart, aren't you, Larabee," he said, giving Chris one of his lopsided grins. "Now, where'd you put those papers I need to sign?"

"Right here pard," Chris replied, relief evident in his voice.

At that moment, Dr. Hislop entered the room, followed by a nurse, pushing a wheelchair. "All set Mr. Tanner?"

Vin handed over the signed release papers. "You bet, doc," he answered. "No offense, but if I don't see this place for a long time, I won't mind."

"I understand completely," the doctor replied with a smile. She shook both of their hands. "Take good care of him, Mr. Larabee."

"I will doctor, believe me. He'll get all of my attention," Chris said, giving Vin a quick wink as he carefully helped him into the wheelchair.

End

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