Main Characters: Seven, OCs
Notes: Just a small piece that popped in my head. Thanks to my beta and Mog for the universe. Hope you enjoy.
The vehicle slowly pulled to a stop by the sidewalk where the girl stood holding a duffel bag. As the door opened, the driver tilted her head to one side as the girl climbed into the SUV.“And who are you suppose to be?” Mary questioned, raising her eyebrows for emphasis.
“Don’t ask. A few of my friends and I decided to dress up and I didn’t have time to change,” the girl replied. “Thanks for coming Mary. I didn’t mean to call so late, but Chris and the guys are on assignment and I couldn’t reach them, and Luke is on a date so I didn’t want to bother him.”
“No problem,” the woman replied, putting the vehicle in drive. “Luke's on a date, huh? I thought…”
“Yep, Allison. A pretty redhead, seventeen, nice. Did I mention she was pretty?” the girl remarked, staring through the windshield. “A real head turner.”
“Oh,” Mary stated, “I see. Well, if it makes any difference, I imagine you’d be turning some heads tonight in that.”
She glanced over to the leather clad teen with heavy make-up and teased curls. She grinned when she saw the smirk cross the girl’s face.
“Yeah, question is, would Chris let me out of the house dressed like this?”
“You’ve got a point there,” the newspaperwoman replied.
Truth was, she wasn’t dressed up for nothing. She wasn’t at a friends house, she was working on another practice assignment. She loved dressing up and acting her part, but she really just wanted to get home and change before Chris saw her. This was one of the more adult outfits; low rise leather pants and low cut tank top with jacket, baring only a slight part of her midriff, but she still wasn’t too keen on Chris seeing her. He was used to the student-with-pigtails practice runs, this was not what he would have expected. Besides, he was working a case, and this was the last thing he needed to be worrying about.
+ + + + + + +
“Well,” Larabee stated, approaching the man on the hospital bed, “the doctor said you could go home tonight. Nothing appears to be damaged, just a little scratch is all. But I do want you to come out to the ranch, so I can make sure you take your medication.”
“Nathan’s orders?”
“Nathan’s orders. So get dressed and I’ll bring the truck around,” he replied, turning to leave.
“I imagine the others will have a good laugh at my expense,” the man on the bed commented, easing himself up on his feet.
“I think they’re working on it now,” the black clad man replied with a grin.
+ + + + + + +
The teen scrambled around the kitchen looking for something edible. The sound of a motor had her head jerking up; Mary had left fifteen minutes ago, and so it couldn’t be her. With Chris on assignment, she knew he wouldn’t come in without calling. Still clad in leather, her eyes darted quickly around the kitchen.
+ + + + + + +
“I assure you, I’m quite capable of walking by myself,” the injured man protested as Larabee reached to grab his arm.
“Fine, okay,” Chris commented as he pulled out his key for the front door.
With his injured agent coming up behind him, the man fumbled with the doorknob for a moment before finally pushing it open, only to come face to face with a baseball bat.
“Oh my gosh,” the teen breathed, letting the bat fall by her side. “I thought you were…”
“What is going on?” Larabee asked, staring at the teen, waving his arm up and down, indicating her wardrobe.
“It was part of a practice assignment. What are you doing home so early?” she questioned, noticing then the man walking up behind Chris.
“He got shot,” the black clad agent remarked, motioning toward his agent.
“Deciding to take a ride with Hell’s Angels are we?” the injured agent questioned, glancing at the teen.
“Are you alright?” the girl queried, looking at the man in sympathy.
“Quite alright, just got nicked a little,” came the reply. “Where?” she asked, seeing no obvious bandages.
The injured agent looked down, obviously not going to reply to her question. As Chris began to walk by the teen, he leaned over and whispered something in her ear.
The injured man jumped a little and grimaced in pain as the girl broke into laughter. She bent over and grasped her knees for support as her shoulders shook with laughter.
“Laugh it up,” he commented as Chris disappeared into the living room. He leaned back and quickly closed the front door.
“Let me get this straight,” the girl laughed, standing back up, “you…were shot…in the butt, and of all people to shoot you, it had to be Vin.” She laughed a little more, stopped, then questioned, “How?”
“It was a shootout my dear, there were bullets everywhere, and he was only trying to safe my life.”
“Which he did,” she interrupted, “but not before he shot you in the butt?”
Ezra nodded his head and took a deep breath as she continued.
“Well Ez,” she began, “my mother used to always kiss my ouchies, but as much as I love ya and all, I’m afraid I’m of no help on this one.”
Ezra rolled his eyes as the teen began to walk back into the living room. He slowly followed her hobbling his way into the room also, taking his steps carefully.
+ + + + + + +
The next morning, Sam walked into the living room, noticing the usual six men seated about. She caught the smell of biscuits as the ladies man brought in a tray with breakfast goodies on it, and placed it on the coffee table.
”Mmmm, smells good,” JD commented, moving near the food.
Ezra picked up a biscuit and gently tapped it on the edge of the coffee table. Looking questionably at the object in his hand he passed it over to Vin who observed it as well. The teen walked over to the table and grabbed another biscuit and began examining it, then with a sudden movement, she threw it at the team medic. Nathan quickly reacted, grabbing the biscuit in mid air, but letting out a grunt.
“Oh, Chinese fighting biscuits,” Josiah noted, glancing at Nathan.
“Very thoughtful Buck, but I’d rather have food, not self defense weapons,” Ezra commented, looking at the tray of food suspiciously.
“Well, I see how I’m appreciated around here,” the ladies man huffed.
“Ah, come on pard, it’s not that we don’t appreciate the things you do for us, it’s just we’d appreciate it a lot more if you didn’t do them,” the Texan remarked, causing the team leader to grin.
“Come on Buck, let’s try again, this time I’ll help you,” Sam said, placing an arm around the big man’s waist.
“Least I know someone cares,” he muttered as the two disappeared into the kitchen.
Ezra laughed a little as he watched Nathan flex his hand and examine his fingers for fractures.
+ + + + + + +
Later that evening as the teen sat watching a movie JD had picked out she shook her head in annoyance as two of the agents continued arguing.
“Least I’m not the one with a hole in my backside,” Buck stated.
“Must I be reminded of my…my…derrière every five minutes?” the southerner spat.
“Would you two knock it off!” Chris yelled. “For once, we all have the day off, so why don't you just enjoy that.”
“He started it,” two voices stated simultaneously.
The sound of the door opening and shutting had them all pull their attention toward the front entrance. Each of them tensed up, and then eased as Luke made his way in.
“Guess what?” he questioned excitedly.
"What?” Nathan queried.
“I’ve got my first real assignment,” he stated enthusiastically. “I thought maybe we could go to the movies or dinner or something to celebrate. What do you think?”
“That’s gr…” JD began excitedly, but stopped short as Josiah’s boot rammed into his foot.
“Why don’t you go along?” Chris stated, looking at Sam. “It’s your day off, go have some fun. Take a little time off from the nagging sound of these two."
He nodded toward Buck and Ezra, and then looked back at the girl, “Be back by nine.”
Sam nodded her head, and stood up. “Okay.”
She gave Chris a quick kiss on the cheek and followed Luke out of the house.
“Talk about being forceful,” she commented.
“What?” Luke asked. “You don’t want to go?”
“No, I don’t mind. Why aren’t you taking Allison?” she questioned.
“She’s out of town for the rest of the weekend,” he remarked, opening her door for her. “Besides, I can have more fun with you.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?” she questioned, climbing inside the car.
“Soon as I figure it out, I’ll let you know,” the boy grinned, closing the door.
+ + + + + + +
“Travis will want the paperwork filled out on Monday,” Larabee informed the men seated around his living room.
“This one should please him,” Josiah remarked.
“Yep,” Vin commented.
“I just can’t wait to see yours and Ezra’s reason behind totaling a brand new Ferrari,” Larabee stated sharply to the tracker.
“Sorry pard, it was the first vehicle we came across,” the Texan told him with a shrug.
“After the two of you bypassed a Volkswagen and a Pontiac,” the team medic informed them.
“Well, if you’re going to drive in a high speed chase, you need a prompt car,” the southerner stated.
“An expensive car you mean, after all, the two of you always chase in style,” Larabee replied.
“Of course,” Ezra commented with a grin.
“How else would we travel?” Vin questioned.
“Cheap,” five voices stated simultaneously.
+ + + + + + +
“This is a great place,” Luke remarked as he and Sam sat down at a small booth. “Teen Club. They always have a live band, alcohol’s only served to 21 year olds and smoking is prohibited.”
Sam nodded her head in agreement as she glanced around and watched the band on stage.
“Congratulations, on your assignment,” she stated, pulling her attention back to her friend.
“Thank you,” he replied as a waitress walked up.
“What can I get you?” she questioned, pulling out a pad and pencil.
“Just a coke,” Luke replied.
The waitress wrote down his order and turned to Sam.
“Coke is fine,” she remarked as the waitress nodded and left.
“So, how are you and Allison?” the girl questioned, leaning back in her seat.
Luke sighed and shook his head, “Can we not talk about Allison right now?”
Sam nodded her head and the two sat in silence for a few minutes, until someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and looked up at the black haired young man who was smiling at her.
“Hi. I was wondering,” he began, “would you care for a dance?”
He waved his arm toward the dance floor where many people were moving about.
“I…” she began.
“Actually, we were just fixing to dance,” Luke interrupted, standing up quickly and taking the girl’s hand, pulling her to her feet.
He began to lead the girl onto the floor as the other guy quickly pushed his shoulder back, causing Luke to stop where he stood.
“Can’t she talk for herself?” the bigger guy questioned.
“Of course she can,” Luke replied.
“Unless of course, she’s belongs totally to you. Or does she only do one nighters,” the guy remarked with an evil grin.
Luke turned his head slightly, glancing at Sam who slowly shook her head. The guy laughed a little as Luke turned away, then quickly stopped as Luke spun back around and slammed his fist in the guy’s face.
The young man quickly bent over and grabbed his nose in pain, and let out a roar as he came up swinging. Luke ducked in time and caught the guy in his midsection, causing him to moan again. Sam had stepped back and was watching with a jaded expression. Another guy with brown hair grabbed Luke from behind and held him back for the black haired guy to hit him. Sam quickly stepped over as the guy pulled his fist back, and tapped him on the shoulder. He looked at her in surprise.
“Haven’t you ever heard of a fair fight?” she questioned, before slamming her fist against his jaw.
When he bent over clenching his jaw, she placed her foot on his hip and with a gentle push he fell in a jumble on the floor. Meanwhile, Luke flipped his attacker over his back, landing him hard on a table, crashing it into splinters. Sam stepped back a second and took a breath as Luke grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the door.
The two ran out of the club and both stopped shortly outside the door. Luke was breathing heavy and laughing, while Sam leaned back on the car catching her breath, getting angrier by the minute.
“That’s what I meant,” Luke remarked breathlessly. “That’s what I meant by more fun with you."
“What the hell was that about?” she questioned angrily. “I can take care of things myself.”
Luke walked over to the car and stood in front of her, disbelief written on his face.
“What?!” he replied. “You expect me to stand there and let him verbally abuse you?”
“Geez Luke, I can handle things myself, I’ve been doing it for a while now,” she replied, her anger flaring once again. “You don’t see 'Luke’s Girlfriend' written all over me do you!” She turned to walk away, “Why do guys always feel the need to defend…”
Her tirade was interrupted as Luke grabbed her wrist again and pulled her back over to him, laying a kiss on her lips. When they pulled apart, he grinned as the girl stood slightly breathless.
“Thanks,” she breathed quietly.
“You’re so cute when you’re angry,” he smirked, opening the car door. “Let’s get you home.”
“Yeah,” she replied, climbing into the car slightly dazed.
As Luke climbed into the driver’s seat and began driving back to the ranch, the girl sat staring out the passenger seat thinking on what had happened.
He’s got a girlfriend. Why? Why me? He can’t possibly like me over her, could he? There’s no way. Is there? Why is this so confusing? That’s it, I’ve seriously got to talk with someone. Buck? NO! Ezra? No. Chris? Definitely not. Maybe Inez or Mary can help. That’s it, I’ll talk with them. As soon as I get a chance.
+ + + + + + +
The discussion the seven men were having had changed once again.
“I know he likes her,” Buck stated.
“And she has feelings for him,” Ezra remarked.
“But neither one of them is able to admit it,” Josiah commented.
“She thinks that he thinks that she is not quite up to his standards,” JD added, grabbing a slice of pizza.
“Yet, he thinks that she’s out of his league,” Vin remarked, lifting a beer to his lips.
“So they both avoid the obvious,” Nathan stated.
“Looks like we’ll just have to help it along,” Chris commented, grinning.
+ + + + + + +
The girl walked silently up the walk with Luke. As they reached the porch, his beeper went off. The boy quickly reached for it and glanced at its face.
”It’s Miller,” he stated. “Guess he needs me.” Sam nodded her head silently and looked down.
“Well, I’ll see you later,” Luke said. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she replied, then watched as he turned to leave. This time she grabbed his wrist stopping him. Luke turned to look at her.
“Luke,” she remarked, “be careful.”
“I will,” he responded softly, kissing her on the cheek.
The girl watched as he jogged back to his car. Turning to go back in the house, she realized just how confusing her life could get.
THE END
Legacy IV
One is the Loneliest Number
Feedback: Welcome as always.