Sequel to Three of a Kind by Ankh
Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights over the Magnificent 7 characters used in this story, which has been written for the joy of writing only (whether it be good writing or no) and for no other purpose (such as monetary gain). Trilogy Entertainment Group, the Mirisch Group and MGM own the Mag 7 characters/aspects of the story.
Notes: This is a crossover with The Sentinel and based on a story by Ankh . I fell in love with her story and decided that there had to be a sequel to Three of a Kind.
Jim Ellison had watched silently as Ezra followed Chris into the bedroom, seeing the pain that the undercover agent was in. He hoped that the two men could work out their relationship as Guide and Sentinel, for if they didn't then he feared Ezra´s health would decline rapidly.Ellison figure things will be heating up especially when he spotted Vin headed back to the bedroom. Deciding that it would be better to move this outside and give the three men privacy he herded the men outside to sit on the porch.
Jim stood near his guide and what the men listening to Blair talk. Something was telling him that there might be trouble and move so that if something happens then he was between his guide and the other men. The kid seemed to be happy about Vin and Ezra while also excited and interested in the mythology of the Sentinels, but the other three men appeared to be in shock and didn't know what to make of any of it.
The older man, Josiah, started to shake his head and interrupted Blair. “Let me get this straight. Vin and Chris are Sentinels with their five senses heightened because of some throwback DNA strand, and Ezra is their Guide who helps them to control these heightened senses?”
Blair bounced in his excitement that Josiah seemed to understand. “Yes, that's right!”
Jim tensed as he saw confusion and other, darker emotions cross the older man's face. “All right, I give you that because I have seen both Vin and Chris see and hear things the rest of us can't. But what I want to know is what you mean about them having to consummate their relationship?”
Ellison decided to warn Blair that these men might not be open or accepting of three of their co-workers in a gay relationship. “Blair.”
But Blair was oblivious to the warning and was excited to talk about his theories and findings with others. “Their relationship is spiritual as well as sexual so they have to have sex to confirm their bond.”
Open outrage flared in the Josiah's face as he roared to his feet to make Blair take back what he´d said. Ellison moved to stand between the big profiler and his guide, preventing him from hurting Blair. Josiah was brought up short by the look in Jim's eyes; for a split second his eyes weren't blue or even human, instead the yellow slit eyes of a jungle cat looked out at him. In a voice that sounded like a growl Jim told him, “I don't think so.”
The dark man on the team snorted, contempt evident in his eyes and voice. “You can't expect us to believe this ... this fairy tale, can you? Come on, supermen with enhanced senses, that is something right out of one of JD's comic books. On top of that, why should we believe you? Maybe you slipped them something to make them believe you, but I don't!”
Blair was about to open his mouth when JD answered, his voice and eyes hard as he looked at his teammate. “Actually, Nate, a study has just been completed on this subject and it was conducted to understand why certain individuals seem to have a better sense of smell, eyesight, taste, and touch than others and to determine what causes this to happen. It was determined that certain recessive genes somehow got stimulated, causing the heightened senses. For example, someone who is blind might developed heightened hearing and touch to compensate for the loss of sight, but there are others who are, say, wine tasters and perfume developers that make a living using an enhanced sense with no loss involved. If you want I will show you the article.”
Nathan blinked at his young co-worker who was backing up everything that Sandburg and Ellison had told them about Sentinels, but still his doubt stayed along with a growing disgust that Chris, Vin and Ezra were doing something right this minute that was morally wrong. JD, Ellison and Sandburg saw the negative emotions that crossed the dark agent´s face. “Well, I´m not staying and listing to this drivel, nor am I going to condone what is going on in this house. Josiah, I´ll give you a ride home if you want but we´re leaving NOW.”
JD watched Josiah and Nate leave and wondered if this would cause the team to break up. He turned worried eyes to his best friend and one he considered his older brother. “Buck ... you haven't said very much. Do you believe them?”
Buck just sat there, not looking at anyone or even seeming to hear JD. Then he lifted his eyes to look at the three men. “JD, you read about stuff like this?”
JD sat down beside his friend, warmed by the fact that Buck had turned to him for answers. “Yeah, it's pretty interesting and the article has a lot of interesting stuff in it, but it backs up what Blair told us. Buck, you remember a couple of times that Chris heard something that only Vin could hear as well but the rest of us couldn't? And don't forget how Vin kind of zones out when he is about to take a shot that is damn near impossible for anyone else, or how they both kind off blank us out and only Ezra seems to bring them out of it.”
Buck closed his eyes as his mind fought with the realization that his best friend was one of these Sentinels. He recalled flashes of different incidents where Chris had seen, heard and even on one occasion smelled something no one else could, saving both their lives. All right, he could accept that Vin and Chris were Sentinels…but could he accept the two of them and Ezra in a sexual relationship?
The three men sat watching the silent struggle Buck's face portrayed, each man hoping that Buck would find his way to accept what was happening. Finally Buck opened his eyes and ignored the other two men as he looked at his best friend. Nodding his head towards the house he asked JD, “You okay what's happening between the three of them?”
JD shrugged his shoulders and said, “It's none of my business who they sleep with and it really doesn't change who they are. I mean, they are the same ones who´ve saved our necks more times than we can count, who have been there for us and supported us. Now it's our turn.”
Buck looked out over the Larabee ranch and though about what JD said, and he had to agree with it. And then there was also the fact that Chris was acting more and more like himself before Sarah and Adam's deaths, and it was probably due to a big part to those two men inside with him.
Looking over at JD, Buck told him. “Okay JD, it will take me a while to get comfortable with the idea if I ever do, but Chris, Vin and Ezra are still my friends no matter what and I will stand behind them.”
JD grasped Buck's shoulder and told him, “That's all anyone can ask. They will understand and give you time.” Then a devilish smile came across JD's face and a twinkle entered his eyes. “Hell, Buck, just think; with the three of them off the market your opportunities with women have just gone up.”
Buck smiled and ruffled JD's hair to acknowledge his attempt at lightening up the mood. The four men sat together quietly talking as they waited for the other three men to join them. JD and Blair discussed the article while the other two men listened to their conversation and asked questions to clarify certain aspects of the discussion. Two hours later Chris and Vin wandered out onto the porch and immediately took in the fact that only Buck and JD had stayed. Chris motioned Buck to join him in a walk and the other men watched the two old friends wander off together.
Buck and Chris didn't talk until they reached the back pasture to watch the team's horses graze. “So ...”
“Buck ...”
Both men smiled at each other´s nervousness. Chris looked at one of his oldest friends and hoped Buck would remain one. His staying gave Chris hope, but he still felt he owed Buck some sort of explanation about what was happening - and maybe it would help him get it straight in his own head as well.
Chris rested one boot on the lowest fence plank and looked over the pasture, trying to put his thoughts in order. Taking a deep breath he began, “Buck ... I guess you know that Ezra and I are ... involved with one another. It's not something that I saw for myself ... hell, I never even gave it a though because after Sarah I never wanted anyone else.”
Buck copied his friend´s posture and smiled sadly, remembering the woman who´d treated him with kindness and love. “You know Chris, she wouldn't want you to be alone or to stop living.”
Nodding his head Chris told him, “I know, but this ... Buck I don't know how to explain it to you, it's like he is an extension of myself, of my soul. He fits into places that not even Sarah did. You remember what I was like before Ezra joined the team, how I spaced out sometimes and the headaches I would get?”
Buck didn't say anything at first, thinking back all the years he´d known Chris to remember times when Chris was in bed for days because the lights were too bright and every sound too loud, setting off his migraines. Even Sarah hadn´t been able to help him with the pain, but since Ezra had been with the team the number of migraines had dropped ... and if he remembered correctly, the last one Chris had was six months ago when Ezra was undercover.
Then there was that spacing out thing, he remembered having to shake Chris hard to get him to come out of it. The hours Sarah and him spend waiting while doctor after doctor, test after test, couldn't explain why it was happening, but again every time Chris started to slip into one lately Ezra had brought him out of it. Ezra was good for him, and Chris seemed more relaxed than Buck had ever seen him before.
Before Buck could answer Chris told him, “I don't know what is between us, if it is love, desire or what, but I can't give him up. I WON'T give him up.”
Buck turned to search his friend´s face, looking for what he didn't really know, and seeing the confusion, the need, and the love that Chris had for their undercover agent, and he smiled. Chris might not know it yet, but he was head over heels in love with Ezra. Now Chris' past behavior with Ezra sort of made sense; any time Ezra went out on a date Chris had been snappy and irritable, making everyone's life miserable including Ezra´s until he stopped going out. Then there was the fact that while Ez was undercover Chris kept a constant surveillance on him, and when Ezra was in danger it took both Vin and Buck to talk Chris out of barging in with guns blazing to protect him. In fact, he sort of had the same protectiveness over Vin as he did over Ezra.
Grasping Chris´ shoulder Buck told him, “No one is asking you to, Stud. It´s no one´s business but yours and his, but I won't lie to you, it´s kind of ... to quote JD ... it's freaking me out. But you and Ezra are my friends and I don't want to lose either of you, so just give me time, okay?”
Chris smiled at his old friend, a man who was clearly uncomfortable with the situation between Ezra and himself but who was still willing to work at keeping their friendship intact. “That's all I can ask, and we will try to keep everything as normal as possible for everyone.”
Buck nodded his head, but one nagging question remained: how did Vin fit into this, for it was obvious that Vin and Ezra were involved as well. Taking a deep breath he figured he´d just grab the bull by the horns and find out. “Chris, how does Junior fit into this?”
Chris folded his arms on the top rail of the fence and rested his head in the cushion they made. He had wondered that himself. At first he´d been jealous, jealous that Vin was touching something that was his, but was he? From the first time that he´d met Vin there´d been an instant bond that he didn't have with anyone else ... well that wasn´t true because Ezra and he now shared the same bond.
So how did Vin fit?
He had only two best friends, this man at his side and Vin, but Vin was also more, someone who had touched his soul and helped him on the road back to living. Vin was someone he considered a friend, a brother, and someone with whom he was willing to share Ezra…but could they have more? Could he accept Vin as a lover?
There was no doubt that Vin was as handsome as Ezra with those mischievous soulful blue eyes that can touch his soul, the long hair that glimmered red and gold in the sunlight, the slender body that hid steel muscles under sun-kissed skin. Then there was the fierce, wild and yet gentle spirit that was housed in that beautiful body. The sensual, erotic memory of Vin and Ezra making love came to mind and he found himself responding and desiring both men.
Realizing that Buck was still waiting for answer Chris locked gazes with him and told him, “Vin is as much a part of my soul as Ezra is. Again, I can't tell you if I love him; but I do care for him and Ezra a lot.”
Buck nodded to acknowledge what Chris was saying, but he grabbed Chris´ arm as the other man was going to return to the house. “Chris, those two men mean a lot to me as well, so just make sure of your own heart. They´ve both been hurt in the past, you can see it in their eyes. So just be sure before you do anything, because if you hurt them I will kick from here to New York. Understand?”
Chris looked back at the house seeing the two men who had turned his life upside down look over at him. “If I ever do hurt them, I let you.”
Vin had been trying not to listen in on Buck and Chris´ conversation, instead he´d talked to Ellison to try and understand what was happening to the three of them. He also kept track of his guide, who´d just gotten up and was taking a shower. Vin fought the temptation to go back into the house and join his mate in the shower; the erotic image of Ezra with his skin wet and soapy hands caressing that gorgeous body ran rampant in his mind and he had to use all his will power not to give in.
Both Jim and Blair took in the unfocused eyes of the man before them and came to the conclusion that they´d lost him. Jim smiled for he could hear the shower going, hear the elevated heart rate and smell the arousal coming of the sharpshooter, this man had it bad.
Ellison and his guide sat there waiting for Standish to join them, knowing it would be better to explain everything when the three men were together. Jim spared a glance over at the two men standing by the pasture and eavesdropped shamelessly on their conversation. What he heard gave him hope that his two brother sentinels and their guide would find the love they had been searching for. Finally he had someone that he could trust, respect and talk to when the frustration of being a sentinel got to be too much or when dealing with a hyper guide.
Vin and Jim both turned to look at the doorway, hearing the southerner approaching, and Vin got up to go meet his guide as he stepped shyly out of the house. Jim watched Vin wrap an arm around his lover to provide him with support and to tell the other sentinel hands off at the same time. Vin gently pulled Ezra against him and gave the undercover agent a loving kiss before turning the two of them around to watch Chris and Buck approach.
Only then did Ezra notice that both Nathan and Josiah were gone. He shifted his upper body to looked up at Vin, worry and sorrow in his expressive green eyes, before turning the same look in Chris´ direction.
Chris saw shame and dejection set into Ezra eyes and body as he tried to pull away from Vin. Chris hurried the last few steps and quickly climbed the stairs to gather the struggling younger man into his arms. “Shush. Everything will be all right. Nathan and Josiah just need time,” whisper Chris as he held Ezra in his arms. Vin was making soothing noises as he gently petted the man that he had fallen in love with.
Buck took a look at was happening and decided that the three men need time alone to figure out their relationship; looking at the other men on the porch he made a motion for them to follow him. Buck then caught Chris´ eye and told him, “JD and I will take Ellison and his partner out for dinner, let you three talk. We´ll be back in a couple of hours, okay?” Seeing the relief in both Vin and Chris´ eyes was the only answer he needed, and he left with the other three men.
Vin and Chris gently escorted their upset guide into the house and into the bedroom to settle him between them so that they could both hold him.
Ezra didn't know what to do, everything was happening so fast. His dream of being loved by both Vin and Chris had come true, but it also looked like with this love he might destroy the brotherhood he, Chris and Vin had with the other men. He was robbing Chris and Vin of the chance to have a family, the respect of their co-workers, their jobs and even their friends. No, it was best if things stopped here; the connection was made, there was no need for a repeat performance. And he started to pull away from his two loves.
Chris and Vin watched the play of emotions that ran across Ezra's face and knew the exact moment that Ezra made a decision to sacrifice his feelings. Both of them moved on instinct, wrapping themselves more tightly around their guide, not letting him go even as he struggled to free himself.
Whispering in one shell like ear, Vin told Ezra, “I love you, Ez. Almost from the first, but I didn't think I was good enough for you and that's why I did nothing.” Gently Vin kissed and sucked at the hot spot just behind Ezra's ear before continuing. “I'm bi and have been for a long time. I know what I want and that's you, Ez.” Vin pulled back and captured Ezra's face to look straight into Ezra soul, holding all his love, desire and hope for their future in his eyes. “My southern wind, you melted my walls of ice with your warmth. I love you, Ez, and I want the rest of my life with you. If the others can´t accept then that's their decision, but I've made my choice.”
Vin kissed Ezra with all his passion before pulling back and looking at Chris. He then gently and slowly reached out to touch and cup Chris´ face. “I loved you, Chris, from the moment that our eyes met and our souls connected. I love you no more and no less than I love Ez here. I want this. I want forever with you too.”
Chris sat still, lost in those deep pools of blue as Vin looked at him, seeing the love and desire in Vin's eyes for him as well. It frightened him that another could love him so and the fear of being hurt once again surfaced, but underneath that fear warmth was slowing uncurling in his heart and soul, making him feel fully alive for the first time in three years, all from those beautiful and simple words that Vin spoke from his heart.
Taking a chance, Chris reached out and gently touched Vin's face and slowly moved closer to gently kiss him. The kiss was not passionate but it did contain a promise that lit a fire of happiness within Vin.
Ezra was stunned by Vin's declarations of love for both Chris and himself. He could see the fear and determination in Chris´ face as he kissed Vin. It was the sweetest kiss and the look of happiness on both men's faces fed the small seed of hope in Ezra's soul.
Chris released Vin and told him, “I ... I think I love you too, Vin.” Then Chris gently kissed Ezra´s forehead. “I think I also love you too, Ez. But you and Vin will have to be patient with me.” Feeling himself blush he continued, “I never ... had feelings for nor wanted to ... make love to a man ... let alone two. But I want this. I had a family but they are gone now, and if we want our own we can adopt.”
That simple declaration from Chris rocked both men. Ezra had known that he was bi ever since he was a teenager, but to have a man who had been straight all his life want to take this chance at being with them, raising a family with them, allowed Ezra to let the hope that this was real come blooming into life.
Capturing Ezra's chin his hand Chris looked deep within Ezra's soul and heart, seeing the same love and need that was in Vin's but also the fragile soul that could be crushed so easily. Pouring every emotion he had for Ezra into his eyes Chris told him, “Ezra, you are the most bull-headed man that I have ever met. You´ve challenged me on all levels and driven me to say and do things that hurt you, and I'm sorry for that. But you made me feel for the first time in three years, you made me express my anger, my exasperation, and dragged me kicking and screaming back to life.” Chris tucked Ezra against him so that he could rest his cheek on Ezra's hair. “Do you know that I respect you so very much? You continue to amaze me, I´ve never met anyone as brave, intelligent, honest, caring or self-sacrificing as you. I love you, Ezra, and I want you here with me forever. I want Vin on my right and you on my left in everything, in my bed, my life, and at work.”
Ezra looked at the two men and saw that they meant it, but he had to be sure they understood what was at stake. “Vin, Chris you both understand that for us to be in this relationship might cost you everything you´ve both worked so hard for, the respect of your community, the chances of leading a normal life, and your jobs. I might have already cost you both Nathan and Josiah's friendship. I don't ...”
Chris kissed him, silencing his speech and making Ezra forget everything he was going to say, allowing Ezra only to feel as Chris deepened the kiss and explored Ezra's tempting mouth with all the pent up passion of the last three years. Chris only broke off the kiss when the need for air drove him to it and he looked down at his green-eyed love. Ezra's eyes were hooded with desire and lit by love, his sensuous lips swollen by Chris´ kiss, his skin flushed with pleasure. Chris´ mouth went dry and his body responded to the beauty before him. Gently Chris lay Ezra back until he was resting on the bed and then shifted himself so that he could stretch out on top of his undercover agent.
Like a blind man Chris used his fingertips to touch Ezra's forehead, across his eyes, down his perfect nose, across high cheekbones, down sculptured cheeks and across soft tempting lips to the strong jaw line and slender neck. He memorized the feel of Ezra's skin under his fingers, letting the warmth of the man be burned into his heart, soul and mind for all eternity.
Slowly Chris unbuttoned Ezra shirt to feel the muscles under the creamy skin and, not being able to resist, leaned down to kiss and taste Ezra´s coffee-colored nipples. Ezra gasped and arched his back in pleasure as Chris lavished his attentions on first one then the other nub. Chris then nuzzled his chest like a giant cat before settling down and resting his head over Ezra's heart, closing his eyes and just submerging himself in the wonderful music of Ezra's heartbeat.
Ezra held the blond head close and stroked the soft, thick hair, enjoying just being held by this man who held half of his heart and soul and looking up at the other man who held the remainder.
Vin leaned down to bestow a loving kiss on his guide before stretching out alongside his green eyed lover. Hesitantly Vin reached out to touch Chris, afraid he´d push away his other love by moving too fast, but instead Chris wrapped an arm possessively around Vin's waist, holding him fast before once again snuggling against Ezra's chest.
None of the men could tell how long they lay like that just enjoying being able to touch and be touched. Chris raised his head to look at his loves with serious eyes. “Vin, Ezra ... I would like you to move in with me. I know it will be a lot for us to adjust to, but I want and need you both near. I want to turn this house back into a home again with you to share it, to make this house OUR home.”
That simple word home touched both Ezra and Vin far more deeply than any other words but 'I love you'. Chris wanted a home with them, a home that neither man had ever had and now Chris wanted it with them.
Seeing the answer he wanted from two pairs of love-filled eyes, Chris smiled.
It was decided among the three men at Ezra´s insistence that they keep their relationship quiet and only inform a few close friends. Each man would have his own room for appearances´ sake but they all would sleep in the master bedroom together. Ezra´s reason for moving in would be that since he was undercover most of the time it didn't pay to own his own home because he was never there to look after it. Vin's was much simpler, everyone in his building was being evicted as the building was unsafe and he hadn't had time to find a new place. And for Chris the reason would be that the other two would help him with the bills and there would be someone to look after the place while he was away on business.
Hunger drove the men out of the bedroom to find something to eat, but when Chris looked in the fridge there wasn´t much there but cheese, a couple of slices of ham, eggs, milk, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and mushrooms. “Sorry guys, didn't do any grocery shopping before I left. Do you want to order in?”
Ezra did his own inspection and started to drag out what was left in the fridge. “No need, I´ll just make us a couple of Western omelets. Chris, why don't you set the table and Vin can toast some bread while I do the cooking.” Ezra wrapped an apron around his waist and set out to cook the omelets and make a salad, and about twenty minutes later a delicious meal was ready for them to eat.
When Vin and Chris took the first bite their eyes widened at the light, wonderful taste. Vin was the first to speak. “Ez, this is wonderful! Where did you learn to cook?”
Ezra blushed at the compliment. “Mother enrolled me a chef school in Paris when I was sixteen to attract a man who's own son was attending the same institution. It was the first school that I enjoyed myself in. I love to cook, but being by myself most of the time it doesn't pay.”
Grinning Vin told Ezra, “Well Ez, you can cook any time you want.”
Eric Donaldson slammed the phone down before throwing it against the wall. The man in question was in his early fifties with salt and pepper hair and startling blue eyes. Eric was around 6´ 4” and it showed that he worked out for not an ounce of fat could be seen on his muscular body. People gravitated towards him, charmed by his wit and intelligence. Powerful men and woman enjoyed his company and he had gained many powerful allies and connections, but those same people would have shuddered at the look of pure hate rolling off the man.
“Eric, calm down. What did they say?” This came from the younger of the two remaining Donaldson brothers. Andrew was the baby of the family and was in his mid thirties, blond hair, green- eyes, maybe an inch shorter than his brother and looked like a model out of GQ magazine.
The older man turned and snarled, “Ellison has just disappeared off the face of the earth. Somehow he was warned of the hit.”
Andrew, who was lying on the couch, sat up at this news. “How?” Then he remembered the snitch in Denver that had sold them out. “Dammit! It must have been that snitch Pierce, he must have told that ATF agent who the hit was on.”
Eric looked thoughtful. “ATF from Denver … hmmm … that´s what my informant told me. They showed up and Ellison disappeared. Maybe they know where Ellison is hiding.”
Josiah was pacing in his living room, angry at the two men who were using Ezra. Using him to control their senses. They didn´t love him and he wouldn´t see Ezra being used and then dumped when both men decided that they didn´t need him anymore.
He didn´t have anything against gays or bis, but it was hard enough for two people in a relationship and to have a third person meant someone was going to be unhappy. Chris and Vin had some type of connection that bound them together in ways that not even they knew, he had watched as both men drew closer and closer to one another and could tell that they were falling in love. Josiah was pretty sure that Vin was bi, but as far as he could tell Chris had been straight until meeting the sharpshooter.
He´d also noted the two men´s attraction to Ezra and could tell that Ezra was attracted to them, but he couldn´t see that Ezra had much in common with the other two men. Sure their undercover agent and sharpshooter seemed to get along like lost siblings and had similar experiences that drew them to one another, but he knew that if Vin had to choose he would choose Chris over Ezra. His boy would be left out in the cold.
Well, this was not going to happen. He´d put a stop to it even if he had to use every one of Ezra´s insecurities against him. He´d rather see Ezra hurting now instead of watching him fall to pieces later and knowing the younger man might never recover. That was what Josiah feared, that Ezra might destroy himself over the inevitable betrayal, and he couldn´t let that happen.
He wouldn´t let that happen.
If this scheme didn´t work then he would have a very pointed conversation with both Vin and Chris and get them to break it off with Ezra. One way or the other this triangle would end.
Nathan, meanwhile, was cursing one southern gentleman as he paced in his own living room. “What the hell is he up too?”He just knew that Ezra was up to something but he couldn´t figure out what. Somehow he´d gotten Chris and Vin to believe the hocus pocus that kid was spilling, that they had special senses … sure once in a while he had seen Vin and Chris do something different, but that still didn´t mean anything.
Vin and Chris must be under some influence, maybe drugs … that could be it. Ezra must have slipped them something to make them change their whole personalities. Chris was not gay nor was Vin, but if they were that would be okay. Actually he´d thought Vin and Chris had already been lovers, but from their reactions out at the ranch they weren´t.
Nathan had always had his suspicions about Ezra´s sexuality, but no proof until now. But he had seen how the man seemed to be obsessed with both the team leader and sharpshooter.
Well Ezra wouldn´t get away with it. He´d put a stop to it one way or the other.
The three men were cleaning up when Buck and the others returned from their dinner. Ezra had to smile at how much Blair and Jim acted like Buck and JD and how all four of them seemed to have become friends. Maybe with Ellison and Sandburg´s help Chris and Vin could gain back Nathan and Josiah´s friendship. He had no hopes that his own friendship with the other two men would ever be the same, though.
The seven men gathered in Chris´ den to learn more about sentinels and guides. When Jim and Blair suggested that they move in together, Chris told them that they were planning to as he held Ezra´s hand.
Figuring to warn his brother guide Blair said, “Ezra, I should warn you about the mother hen from hell syndrome that sentinels seem to go through when their guides are sick or injured. If you think they´re bad now, just wait.”
Ezra´s eye widened as he asked, “It gets worse?”
When Blair nodded Ezra groaned out his dismay at his luck. Chris ignored the groan and spread the couch afghan over Ezra. Buck and JD laughed at Ezra´s stricken expression while Chris and Vin were tucking it around the still recovering undercover agent.
The conversation then turned to the reason Ellison and Sandburg had traveled all that distance from Cascade. When the five men found out that they were hiding out for a couple of days until the Donaldsons´ trial started, Chris offered them the use of the apartment over the barn as a safe house until Blair and Jim had to return. In turn, Jim told them why the Donaldsons wanted him dead; Michael Donaldson was the middle brother and had been caught at the bust, but instead of surrendering he´d decided to take a couple of cops with him. Jim had been forced to shoot him when he was about to kill Blair, and now the remaining Donaldson brothers wanted revenge on Jim for killing their brother.
When Ezra and Blair started to yawn the others decided it was time to call it a night. As Vin walked a sleepy Ezra back to the master bedroom Chris gathered up sheets, blankets and towels for the two Cascade detectives to take out the apartment.
Once everything was locked up to his satisfaction Chris turned in and found Ezra and Vin sound asleep, curled up around each other. He sat down on the bed and gently moved Ezra´s hair off his forehead, wondering how the two of them could look so innocent asleep. Undressing, he crawled in on the other side of Ezra and wrapped himself around both Ezra and Vin. His last conscious thought was that he was happy for the first time in years.
Ezra walked into the office Monday morning intent on taking both his lovers to lunch, only to find that Travis had called them both to a meeting. Feeling uncomfortable with the way that Nathan was looking at him, he was to leave when Josiah asked him to lunch. Hoping that his friendship with the profiler might survive his relationship with Vin and Chris, Ezra took him up on his offer.
As they were sipping their coffee at the end of their meal Josiah put his plan into action. “Ezra, what are your plans now that both Chris and Vin have bonded with you as their guide?”
A smile of happiness flared to life and Josiah started to have second thoughts about his plan at the joy that lit the undercover agent´s face. “Chris asked me to move out to the ranch with him and Vin. He wants us all together.”
Josiah hardened his heart and continued on with the plan. “Do you really think that is wise? Vin and Chris have a lot in common, but you don´t seem to have a lot in common with them.”
A glimmer of doubt appeared in the green eyes across from him. Ezra replied, “True, but we do have a few things in common, and besides you always hear that opposites attract.”
Josiah took a breath and continued, “True, but look at how Chris treats you. That´s not how someone who is in love treats someone. Chris barely tolerates you and he takes everything out on you when he is angry. How do you know that he won´t get worse when you move in together? Look at how he treats Vin and look at how treats you.” Pausing, he saw the look of doubt intensify. Now to put the final nail in the coffin. “ I´ve always though they would get together, you can just tell they were made for each other; but I never saw you with either of them. Funny. Oh well, I guess you´re together now.”
The happiness was gone, wiped clean from Ezra´s face, and despair was now the only expression in those green eyes. Josiah´s heart broke at what he had done, but it was needed to ensure that Ezra could find someone to love who would love him in return.
Ezra went on back to the office while Josiah went to go and turned in some payroll paperwork, his mind turning over Josiah´s comments, his doubts growing as to Vin and Chris´ commitment to him. He could see Josiah´s point about Vin and Chris being perfect for each other, and now he could see himself being squeezed out of the relationship. Maybe he should end it, just still be their guide but nothing else and so let them find happiness with each other.
The next thing he knew was that Nathan had dragged him into the conference room and thrown him up against the wall. Snarling into Ezra´s face, Nathan demanded, “What did you give them?"
Shocked, Ezra could only gape at Nathan. The medic slammed the undercover against the wall again trying to get answers. “Give …what … to who?” stammered Ezra.
“Chris and Vin.”
Still confused, Ezra answered, “I didn´t give them anything.”
Giving the green-eyed man another shove against the wall, Nathan released him. Anger rolled off of him at the undercover agent as he told him, “I took some blood from both of them, if I find anything, anything at all, I will have you thrown out of the ATF and make sure you never work in law enforcement again.” Then looking at the shocked southerner with contempt he told Ezra, “Get the hell out of the office. You make me sick.”
This assault on top of Josiah´s talk had the man fleeing before he could think. All he wanted to do was go somewhere and just curl up in a little ball and die.
Jim and Blair were walking into the ATF building when Ezra came rushing out, running past them without seeing them. Ellison could sense the despair and hurt rolling of the undercover agent, but before he could ask Blair to go after him his guide was all ready doing so. Continuing on into the building, intent on finding his two brother sentinels and giving them hell for hurting their guide, he didn´t notice the two men in the van as they followed Blair and Ezra.
Ellison arrived on Team Seven´s floor and was greet by Buck. Not being able to locate the other two men he demanded, “Where are Larabee and Tanner?”
Buck knew something was up and told him, “They have been with Travis for the last two hours, they should be coming back in a few minutes. Why?”
Jim´s eyes narrowed as he scanned the men and noticed the scent and higher heart rate coming from the medic and profiler that denoted their guilt. “Ezra came running out of here in a lot of pain.” Turning, he could hear Vin and Chris coming down the elevator discussing a case. He ignored Buck´s demand to know more until his brother sentinels could arrive.
Chris and Vin smiled to see Jim, but quickly changed expressions when they noted the angry expression on his face. Chris asked him, “What is it, Jim?”
Turning and glaring at both Nathan and Josiah, Ellison told the other two Sentinels, “I think these two have done something that made Ezra run out of here in a lot of pain. You´d better come with me. Blair went after him to keep him here and I think he really needs you both right now.”
Chris and Vin both glared at the two men and Chris growled, “I will see you both later.”
They then turned and followed Jim out of the building. As they got to the ground floor they could see both Ezra and Blair coming towards them, but suddenly a van came up alongside of them. Two men got out with guns and forced Standish and Sandburg into the black van. All three sentinels ran out of the building firing after the vehicle that had taken their guides, but it escaped.
Jim noted the license plate even though he already knew that it would pull up a stolen vehicle report, but he had gotten a good look at the both men; they were hired muscle for the Donaldson brothers. He growled out, “The Donaldsons have them. If we can´t figure out where the brothers are hiding we´ll have to wait until they contact us.”
The three sentinels returned to the Team Seven office, rage rolling off them in waves, making all those who encountered them step out of their way. As they stepped on to the floor Chris snarled, “Buck, JD. The Donaldsons have grabbed Ezra and Blair and we´ll need every resource to find them. Ellison has the license and make of the van. Find out what you can.” Then turning to the team´s medic and profiler he ground out, “Jackson, Sanchez in my office now!”
Both Nathan and Josiah entered the office and watched as both their team leader and sharpshooter paced back and forth. The waves of anger reached out and made the other two men nervous. Ellison quietly entered as well to make sure that Chris and Vin didn´t do anything that they might regret.
Vin turned on the two men and growled, “What the hell did you two do to Ezra?”
Fear of what might be happening to Ezra and the anger from the previous night made Josiah snarl, “I was making sure that you two wouldn´t hurt Ezra. I will do anything I have to to protect him, to make sure you two don´t destroy him.”
Vin invaded Josiah´s personal space and snarled back, “I wouldn´t hurt Ezra, he is my heart and soul mate and I would die before hurting him. I need him.”
“You need him to control your senses.” Josiah leaned in towards Vin menacingly. “You don´t love him, you only think you do. I have seen you and Chris look at each other. You two are going to get so wrapped up in each other you will abandon him and that would destroy him. I won´t let that happen!”