Chapter 1 - 5 | Chapter 6 - 10 | Chapter 11 - 14 | Chapter 15 - 19 | Chapter 20 - 23
Chapter 15
Rupert looked at the young man laying in the cell, hunger and distaste warring for dominance in his sharp features. "Bring him to the saloon," he ordered the men who accompanied him."Yes sir," the larger of the two answered. Opening the cell, he stepped inside and grabbed Vin by one arm, intending to drag him to his feet. To his surprise, the man he'd thought barely conscious, came to life with a vengeance; planting a foot in his gut, Vin kicked out knocking him into the wall. The thug's head connected with the hard surface, leaving him dazed as he slid down the wall.
Vin quickly took advantage of the surprise his unexpected attack had caused, pivoting, he again kicked out, catching the other man in the chest, leaving him in the same state as his partner. As much as he wanted to beat them to a pulp, Vin knew he couldn't spare the time. Barely sparing them a glance, he made his way to the back door and escape. Once satisfied that the alley was empty, he stepped out of the old jail into the night. Keeping to the shadows, he slipped away from the building.
A moan from the bed had Buck's head snapping up, a hopeful look lighting his eyes. "Come on, wake up damn you," he fiercely whispered.
Ben struggled to open his eyes. Recognizing the sounds around him, he searched his sluggish mind, trying to remember what had happened to land him in the hospital. Finally he managed to crack one eye open, "Who are you?"
"Buck Wilmington, ATF," he tersely replied.
"ATF?" Ben was confused, what did the ATF have to do with what Mr. Browner had going? "Wha' ya want?"
Buck forcibly held himself back, though he desperately wanted to grab the man and shake the answers he needed from him. "Do you know why you're here?" The puzzled look on the other man's face was all the reply necessary. "You were at Good Time Charlie's...an ATF agent came in, there was a shootout..."
Ben focused, the man's words were starting to bring back memories of the events that had put him here. "I got shot?" he asked, though it wasn't really a question.
"Yeah, they left you for dead." Buck hoped that the knowledge his boss or partners had left him behind would be enough to loosen his tongue. "They took the agent with them, I need to know where they'd take him."
Ben chuckled, "You don't think I'm gonna tell you anything do ya?"
"Look right now all we've got on you is a weapons charge, and assault with a deadly weapon, our agent gets killed and you're an accessory," Buck coldly informed him. "You tell me where they'd take him and we can cut you a deal," he offered.
"Ain't no deal you could offer me that'd make it worthwhile to talk," Ben scoffed. He'd seen what happened to those who defied Browner, wasn't anyway in hell he was going to be one of them. Maybe if the only threat from the boss was death, he'd consider talking, but the things that would be done to him first were more than any man could take.
"You ain't heard the deal yet..."
"It don't matter, there ain't nothing you can say to change my mind," Ben cut him off. "'sides, you can't charge me with anything," he smirked, knowing the only charge that might stick was a minor weapons charge.
"Damn you," Buck growled. Slamming his hand down next to Ben's head, he stood glaring down at him. "You tell me where they'll take him or you won't have to worry about what your boss will do to ya."
Ben grinned, "This agent must be awful important to you. I kind of remember what he looked like, he didn't look like a relative. So, what is he to you Wilmington?"
"He's my friend and partner, now where is he?" Buck demanded again, this time grabbing Ben's gown at the neck and twisting it.
"Good looking kid, ain't he?" Ben smirked.
"What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
Ben was enjoying the confused, frustrated look on the agent's face. Anytime he could mess with the cops was a good day in his book. "How long I been here?"
Buck was having a hard time keeping up with the man's thought processes. He seemed to jump from one topic to another without any real connection that he could see. "They brought you in about 10:30 this morning, it's almost midnight now."
"You're too late then," Ben told him with a smile. Oh yeah, he was really enjoying this.
Buck could feel the blood draining from his face, no, god please no. "You don't know that," he managed to choke out.
"He may still be alive, don't know about that, but he won't want to be." Ben nearly laughed aloud at the return of frustration to Wilmington's face. "They'll torture him first, want to know who else knows about the operation," he began, enjoying himself. "You don't even want to know some of the things they'll do to him. He's got him a fella working for him, spent time in 'Nam. That man learned a lot from the Viet Cong about torture, your friend will be begging for death by the time he's done with him." He did laugh now, smirking cruelly as Buck staggered back from the bed, a look of horror spreading across his face. "Once they're sure they got all the information out of him they can, they'll start working on recouping some of the money they lost by having to deal with him. You know the old saying, time is money, and it takes time to torture a man to that extent."
"What," Buck paused, licking his lips. "What do you mean recouping?"
Ben laughed, "You really don't know, do ya? My boss makes movies Agent Wilmington, sometimes just bdsm and sometimes snuff films. Guess he'll put your friend in a snuff film, of course if he's good enough, maybe he'll keep him around for a while. Make a few movies with him," he taunted the big man.
"You son of a bitch!" Buck snarled, grabbing the man and jerking him half out of the bed. "Where is he? Tell me damn you!"
Chris stepped into Ben Lewis' hospital room, the news he'd been about to pass to Buck, dying on his lips. Shit! "Buck, put him down," he ordered.
"No! He knows where Vin is and he's gonna tell me."
"Get him off of me," Ben demanded.
"Shut up," Chris snapped. "We don't need him Buck."
"We don't?"
"Nope, Ezra's contacts came through, we know where they took Vin."
"Bullshit!" Ben denied. "Nobody would tell you about Four Corners...shit," Ben clamped his mouth shut. Damn, he was a dead man. Browner wouldn't care that they'd tricked him, only that he'd talked.
Chris smirked, "Looks like you're wrong, somebody did. We also know the man in charge is a Rupert Browner, Charlie's silent partner."
Buck dropped Ben back to the bed, "What the hell are we waiting on?" he asked. Grabbing Chris' arm, he moved him towards the door.
Chris glanced over his shoulder at Ben, catching the speculative gleam in his eye. "Don't get any ideas, there's a guard outside the door," he smirked. Lets Buck pull him from the room, jerking his arm free as soon as they'd cleared the room. "Buck stop, where are we going?"
"To Four Corners to get Vin," Buck answered, giving Chris a disbelieving look.
"Where is that Buck? Where's our back-up? What's our plan?"
Buck hung his head, blinking back the tears that suddenly blurred his vision. "We got to get him out of there Chris, you don't know what they'll do to him."
"Buck you know ya can't believe whatever that bastard told you," Chris tried to soothe.
"Browner makes porn films Chris. BDSM and snuff films," he added brokenly. "What if he decides to..." he trailed off, unable to go on.
"We'll get to him in time Buck, the rest of the team is waiting at JD's." Chris frowned at the look of apprehension crossing his old friend's face. "I know you're not comfortable there Buck, but it's closest to the hospital and the sooner we make a plan, the sooner we get Vin back."
Buck nodded, Chris was right. Vin was the important one, without another word he followed Chris out of the hospital.
Vin's freedom had been short-lived, twenty minutes after escaping he was recaptured. Dragged to the saloon, he was unceremoniously dumped on the filthy floor of the ancient building.
"Such disrespect," Browner tsked. "Don't you know it's rude to refuse a man's hospitality Vincent?"
"Guess nobody ever taught me manners," Vin smirked.
"Perhaps it's time we remedy that," Browner smiled coldly. Nodding to his men, he stepped back to wait for them to get the young man secured to the chair. He smiled approvingly as they tied his wrists to the arms of the chair, he could feel a stirring of anticipation, already hearing the young agent's screams in his mind. "You can make this easy on yourself Vincent, all you need to do is tell me what your colleagues know of my business."
Vin's only response was to glare at the man holding him prisoner.
"Are you certain of your decision?" Browner quietly asked.
Vin continued to glare, not giving the man the satisfaction of a verbal answer.
Browner shook his head, a sad, though insincere, smile on his face. "Very well, gentlemen..." stepping back, he allowed his men to do what they did best. He had to give the young man credit for stubbornness, in spite of the methodical beating he was receiving, he refused to cry out in pain. Well that would soon change, Rupert smirked, as one of the men picked up a pair of pliers.
Vin's eyes widened when he saw what the man held, but he showed no other outward sign of fear. Oh lord. no. Please, no. Don't do it. Somebody help me. His silent pleas were quickly halted as the man with the pliers grabbed one of his fingernails with them, slowly bending it backwards, forcing Vin to focus on holding back his cries of pain.
"Impressive Vincent, a lesser man would be sobbing by now," Rupert commented from the sidelines. "Are you ready to answer my question now?"
"Go to hell," Vin ground out.
Rupert studied his nails, "Perhaps, but I believe you will be there first."
The smell of something burning tore his attention away from Browner and back to the men torturing him. Involuntarily, he began to shake his head as his muscles contracted in a futile effort to pull his hand away from the burning match head that was slowly being brought towards his finger. As the flame touched the sensitive skin, normally protected by his nail, Vin bit his lip until it bled. It was a useless effort, as the flame burned the tender skin, he began to whimper and groan. Before he could recover from this torment, a second nail was bent backwards, this time the skin beneath was cut before it was burned. Vin's screams filled the air, unknowingly to him, bringing a surge of pleasure to Rupert Browner.
"Vincent...Vincent," Rupert called, slapping the young man's face to gain his attention. "What do your colleagues know?"
Vin gasped, the pain was intense, surprising him. He would never have expected that such a small area of skin could bring such overwhelming pain. "Go...to...hell," he panted. The results were nearly instant. Browner stepped back; the men torturing him stepped forward and the pain continued.
Vin sighed gratefully as the men seemed to grow bored with the damage they were inflicting on his fingers. A scream ripped from his throat, oh god! The fingernails were being pushed back into place, slowly, excruciatingly, the pain worse than the reverse action had caused. Vin wondered why they were bothering. He didn't have to wonder long, as the nail sealed over the burns and cuts, the pain grew exponentially. By the time it was done, much to his shame, Vin was sobbing.
"You want it to end, don't you Vincent?"
"Please," Vin whispered.
"What do you colleagues know?"
"No...can't, please...stop."
"I can't do that Vincent, not until you answer my question," Rupert insisted.
Vin gathered his strength, spitting in the man's face, "No."
"That wasn't nice Vincent," Browner admonished. "Not nice at all. Gentlemen, hurt him but don't mark him more than you must. I have an idea of how our Vincent will meet his end," he smiled coldly as he stepped away. The sounds of the young man's screams, as the men in his employ eagerly inflicted as much pain as they could, were music to his ears.
"Not gonna...won't...talk," Vin manged, his words slurred by pain.
"Oh I see that Vincent, this is just for my pleasure," Browner smirked. "I believe we can cease this phase of the entertainment. Gentlemen would you position the cameras and make ready our star?"
"Star?" Vin asked, confused.
"You Vincent," Browner smiled. "Don't you want to be a star?"
"No...please, no, don't do it! Please, don't, not that," but Vin's pleas fell on deaf ears.
Having learned that this man could be dangerous in his own right, and knowing that desperation lent men strength, they took no chances. Grabbing a knife, they began to cut along the seams of their prisoner's clothes. Reaching down, they removed Vin's shoes and socks from his feet, before finally cutting the ropes that held him in the chair. Clamping onto his arms, they hauled him to his feet as his clothes fell away from his body, leaving him nude.
Vin struggled to break free of their hold, but hours of torture had left him weak. As they dragged him to the table they'd prepared, Vin could do nothing but pray that Buck would find him before it was too late. Please help me, please let Buck, let the team find me. God don't let this happen, please. Vin's struggles renewed as they bent him over the table edge, leaving him exposed and
vulnerable. Even as they quickly secured his wrists and ankles to the table legs, he continued to fight them, unaware of the damage to his skin as he fought the ropes.
Rupert knelt down next to the table, soothingly brushing the hair from his victim's face. "You are a beautiful man, did you know that?" he whispered. "It's a shame you are in such a distasteful line of work. Perhaps if you weren't I would keep you as a pet," he murmured. Browner looked up at the men who were beginning to ready themselves for their roles in this short film. Glancing between them and Vin, he came to a decision. "Gentlemen, I don't believe your services will be needed after all."
"Boss?" the leader of the four questioned.
"I have changed my mind, Vincent will not become a star. No," he softly spoke, brushing his hand over Vin's back. "He is much too special for that."
Vin shook under his touch, his words penetrating the fog his mind had retreated into. He didn't want to die, but it was preferable to this.
"You sure boss?"
Rupert surged to his feet, picking up a knife, he attacked, slashing the man across his chest. "You dare to questi
n me?" he roared as he loomed over the man now cowering on the floor.
"I'm sorry boss, don't do it please," the man plead. "I didn't mean it like that, just trying to look out for you."
Rupert instantly calmed, his cold blue eyes losing the flash of insanity, "I suppose that is your job, isn't it? I do appreciate the concern, but I know what I'm doing, I assure you." Laying the knife on a nearby table, he returned to Vin's side. Rubbing his hands over the hard, young body before him, he smiled. "Yes, you'll make a fine pet, once I tame you." Glancing at the others in the room, he tilted his head, silently ordering them from the building. He was gratified to see that they offered no further argument. Helping their compatriot to his feet, they led him from the building. The moment they were gone, Rupert began to strip of his own clothing. He smiled coldly at the fear he could see reflected in the blue-eyed tempter before him. "I like your fear Vincent, it excites me," he calmly informed him, his voice thick with desire. Stepping forward, he held his penis in his hand, rubbing it over Vin's lips. "See how you excite me?" He didn't need an answer, the fear and disgust he saw in his victim's eyes was enough. Moving to stand behind the young man, he reached out, spreading the cheeks of his ass apart; he positioned himself at his entrance.
"No, please..don't do this. Please, god please don't. Just kill me, please not this," Vin babbled, desperate to avoid Browner's plans for him.
Chris and the rest of the team had arrived in the old ghost town. Separating into pairs, they scouted the town. Meeting back at the old newspaper office, they compared notes. "Alright, we only have five men. Rupert Browner and four thugs, any ideas?" Chris asked.
"I say we go busting into that saloon before it's too late for Vin," Buck growled.
"I know how you feel Buck..."
"No you don't Chris," Buck interrupted.
Chris sighed, ignoring his old friend's anger, recognizing it for what it was. "We can't just go busting in Buck. We do that and Vin becomes a hostage," he pointed out.
"Mr. Larabee, I believe our predicament has been resolved by the enemy themselves," Ezra drawled from his position by the window.
"What's going on Ezra?" Chris asked.
"Mr. Browner's four friends are leaving the saloon. I suggest that four of us apprehend them, leaving Mr. Wilmington and Mr. Dunne to deal with their leader."
"I like the way you think Ezra," Chris smirked. Watching the men, his smirk grew into a grin as he saw where they were going. "I think our job just got a lot easier. Nathan, Josiah, Ezra, you're with me. Buck, JD, go get Vin and be careful."
Buck nodded, grabbing JD and quickly leaving the old structure. Carefully, they made their way across the street to the saloon. It was one of the most difficult things Buck had ever done as he waited for the others to enter the jail. He could hear Vin begging, the fear in his voice as he plead with Browner, breaking his heart. He wanted nothing more than to rush into the building and rip Rupert Browner apart for hurting the man he loved. JD's hand on his arm brought him a measure of control as he impatiently waited. He saw Chris open the door to the jail, turning back to the saloon, he led JD inside. His blood ran cold at the sight before him.
JD stared in shock at the scene they'd stepped into. With a cry of pure anger, the young agent rushed forward, knocking Browner away from Vin. As he pummeled Browner, he was vaguely aware of Buck speaking to Vin in the background. Soothing him, while freeing him from his bonds.
"JD, JD!" Buck yelled.
Buck's yell brought him back to the present. Quickly cuffing Browner's wrists behind his back, he turned to Buck. Standing up, he moved towards where his big brother sat rocking Vin, tears streaming down both their faces.
"Find me a blanket JD and get Nathan," Buck quietly ordered. "Hurry JD," he anxiously added. Turning his attention to Vin, Buck was barely aware of JD running from the building as he took in the condition of the young man in his arms. All he could do,as he waited, was gently rock Vin, soothing him with soft words as his tears continued to flow.
Chapter 16
"Buck?" Vin wanted to believe this was real, but he was scared that he had just dreamt Buck into existence."I'm here Vin," Buck whispered. "You're going to be okay," he smiled down at the man in his arms.
Vin reached up, his hand ghosting over Buck's face. Lord he needed to touch him, to know he was real but what if...before he could complete the thought he closed the small distance remaining, letting his hand rest against Buck's cheek. The first thing his mind registered was warmth, the next was the realization that the man holding him was real, not imagined. "Knew you'd find me," he rasped.
Buck's eyes filled with tears, it meant more to him than he could say that Vin trusted him that much. "Just wish it'd been sooner."
"Found me, 's what's important," Vin assured him. Staring into Buck's eyes, Vin was surprised to see the tears forming there. "Don' cry Bucklin...'m okay," he tried to soothe the older man. To his dismay, rather than soothing it seemed his words had made it worse as the tears began to fall from his friend's eyes. Opening his mouth to try again, Vin didn't get the chance as Nathan came running into the saloon, followed closely by Chris and JD.
Nathan skidded to a stop next to Vin and Buck, quickly dropping to kneel beside them. As he reached for Vin's wrist, intending to take his pulse, he jerked back in surprise at the low growl coming from Buck. "It's okay Buck, I just want to make sure he's okay."
"Nathan?" Buck asked in a bewildered voice. "Vin's hurt Nathan, they hurt him bad," he quietly informed the medic, his voice thick with tears.
"I know Buck," Nathan softly confirmed. "Can you lay him on the floor for me?" he asked. As he spoke, he spread a blanket from the jail out on the wood surface.
"The floor?"
Nathan nodded, "I need to assess his condition, it'd be easier if he wasn't in your arms."
"Okay," Buck quietly agreed. Carefully he laid Vin down on the hard floor, reluctantly moving away so Nathan could take care of him.
"Hey Vin," Nathan smiled. "Looks like you found some trouble." As he spoke Nathan was already gently examining the younger man, silently cursing Browner each time Vin flinched from his touch.
"Guess so," Vin quietly agreed.
"Where do ya hurt?"
Vin thought about that, quietly taking inventory before attempting to answer the question. "Might be better to ask where don't I hurt," he joked even as a moan of pain escaped.
Chris watched the scene before him for only a moment, his eyes hardening with a promise of retribution for those who had dared to hurt Vin. Recognizing that there wasn't anything he could do for Vin, he left him in Nathan's capable hands. In only a few long strides he was standing over Rupert Browner's naked body as the smaller man began to stir. "This the scum in charge?" he asked JD as he stared down at Browner in disgust.
"He matches the description we have of Browner," JD confirmed.
"Did he," Chris swallowed hard, finding it difficult to get the question out. "Did he rape Vin?" he managed with his second try.
"No, we got here in time," JD replied. "It was close Chris, he was just about to..." the young man trailed off, unable to say the word.
Chris nodded in understanding. Kneeling down beside Browner, he grabbed him by his hair, jerking his head back. "You owe JD a thank you Browner," he growled.
"JD? I presume that is the young man who pummeled me into unconsciousness?"
"No, that would be the young man who stopped you from raping my best friend. That's why you owe him a thank you, if he hadn't stopped you I would've had to kill you," Chris coldly informed him. He glanced over at where Vin was being taken care of, with Buck hovering nearby, occasionally shooting murderous glares at Browner. "That is if there'd been anything left of you by the time I got here."
"I'll have him up on charges of police brutality," Browner threatened.
Chris shot him a wolfish grin as he bounced his head off the wood floor. "You don't want to do that Browner. First of all, there isn't anybody in law enforcement that won't want a piece of you when they see what you did to a brother officer and that includes prosecutors and judges. Secondly we have several team members who will be willing to testify that JD had no choice in beating you. It was the only way to stop you from causing Vin any more harm and of course he had to protect himself. Those bruises on your knuckles will back that story up." He hadn't actually seen Browner's hands but the bruises on JD's face told him the man had gotten in a few strikes. "There is one more reason you wouldn't want to do that, the most important reason."
Several minutes went by, the silence quickly becoming unbearable for Browner. "What?" he finally asked, glaring at the blond ATF agent.
"I used to be a Navy Seal, I know plenty of ways to dispose of a body so that it'll never be found. Oh, and don't think being in jail would help you. I can get you out, even if you were in protective custody and they'd never be able to prove it was me. Even if they could find an officer willing to testify against me," he grinned. "Now what was that about police brutality?"
Rupert Browner hadn't gotten where he was by being stupid. "Nothing my good man, you must have misunderstood me."
"I must have," Chris agreed. "JD, you find his clothes?"
"Right here," JD replied. He held out the man's clothes, holding them with just the tips of his fingers, as if he were afraid of catching something.
"Drop 'em," Chris ordered as he stood up. "Get dressed," he ordered Browner as he released his wrists from the cuffs. "JD keep a close eye on him." Turning his back, he walked back to the others. Kneeling down beside Buck, he placed a supportive hand on his back. "How's he doing Nathan?"
"They worked him over pretty good Chris," Nathan grimly replied. The look his words brought to their faces had him immediately regretting them. "He'll live, but he's gonna be hurting for a while. Then there's the psychological damage, some of the things they did to him hurt him in more ways than just physical."
"How you want to get him to the hospital?" Chris asked.
"He ain't so bad hurt that we can't drive him ourselves, but I don't think we want to transport him with any of them in the vehicle."
"Hell no," Buck growled. There wasn't any way in hell he'd let Vin get in a car with them bastards. He'd carry him to the hospital himself before he let that happen.
"Calm down Buck," Chris soothed. "I'm not letting him ride with them either. We'll leave Josiah, Ezra and JD here to guard them while we take Vin to the hospital. We'll send some black and whites to pick Browner and his men up. The others can meet us at the hospital as soon as the, as Ez would say, miscreants are disposed of."
"Good. We should find his clothes, he won't like going to the hospital like this," Buck quietly pointed out.
"Um Chris," JD called from where he stood guarding Browner.
Chris quickly stood up, prepared to take Browner down if he was offering any resistance. He was surprised and if he were honest, a little disappointed to see Browner sitting on the floor, now fully dressed, offering no fight. "What is it JD?"
"I found Vin's clothes earlier, they cut them off of him."
"Alright JD, thanks." Turning around, he let out a heavy sigh. Damn Browner, he silently cursed. Looking around the old saloon, a part of him sincerely wished they were living in the old west. At least back then they knew how to handle men like Rupert Browner. "I'm gonna go with JD, we'll get Browner to the jail and let the others know what's going on," he quickly informed Buck and Nathan. "You two get Vin ready to move, I'll be back soon with my truck and we'll get him to the hospital."
"We'll have him ready Chris," Nathan assured him as he checked to make sure the blanket was securely wrapped around Vin.
A couple of hours later the others arrived at the hospital, quickly spotting Chris, but not Buck, they hurried to join him. All three felt their hearts dropping as they took in the dejected look on Chris' face. "Any news?" JD nervously asked as he sat down next to Chris.
"Not yet," Chris replied. "Nathan went to see what he could find out."
"Where's Buck?"
"Vin got so upset about going in the back alone that the doctor let him go along." Looking in that direction as he spoke, he smiled at the sight which greeted him, "Nathan, how is he?"
"He's going to be okay, but there's some things you all need to know," Nathan carefully replied.
"Things?" Chris asked for them all. "What kind of things?"
Nathan licked his lips, damn but sometimes he really hated being the medical liaison for the team. "The nurse said we could use their break room to talk."
All four visibly paled, their imaginations running wild as they automatically began to consider the things that could've been done to their friend. Nervously they followed him down the hall to the break room. The door had barely shut behind them when they began to bombard Nathan with questions.
Nathan held up his hand, "Hold on," his voice raising a bit to get their attention. "Like I said he is going to be okay, but he's going to have a rough time of it."
"How so?"
"First of all the doctor did confirm that Vin was not raped." Nathan paused, giving them a moment to enjoy that bit of good news. "He was beaten pretty badly, but the closest they got to breaking any bones was cracking a few ribs. He'll have to be careful of those for a while. He also has a slight concussion."
JD snorted, "Of course he does, it's Vin." His remark brought chuckles from them all, lightening the somber mood a bit.
"You didn't bring us in here for this Nathan, what else is there?" Chris demanded.
Nathan took a deep breath, bracing himself against the door to keep them from charging out in search of Browner. "They tortured him." In a few clipped sentences he explained what had been done to Vin, not surprised when all four of the others began to look as though they were plotting murder. "The doctor had to sedate him so he can," Nathan swallowed hard. Even knowing that Vin would be out this time, it still made his skin crawl to think of his friend going through that a second time.
"So he can what Nathan?"
"So he can bend the nails back and treat the burns and cuts beneath them. He's going to have to stay in the hospital a few days so they can give him treatments every day."
"Jesus wept," Josiah mumbled, his heart breaking for his young friend.
"It ain't as bad as it sounds, they'll sedate him each time but they've got to make sure the wounds don't become infected. If they do Vin could very well lose his fingers," Nathan solemnly explained.
"Could they not treat him as an outpatient?" Ezra asked. He knew, as did the others, how much Vin hated being in the hospital.
Nathan shook his head, "Not this time. The location of the wounds is especially prone to becoming infected if exposed to injury. That part of the body just doesn't get exposed to bacteria usually, so it's easier for infection to set in. They want him in the hospital where they can start aggressive treatment at the first sign of infection."
"He's not going to like that," JD commented.
"Indeed."
"I know he won't y'all, but it's got to be this way. I did talk to the doctor, he knows about Vin's aversion to hospitals and he's fine with one of us staying with him at all times."
"That's good," Chris growled. "I'd hate to have to shoot Vin's doctor, too much paperwork."
His comment was delivered so dryly that it took a moment for the others to catch the joke. When they did, his remark accomplished what Chris had hoped for, relieving the tension in a burst of laughter. "Does Vin know?"
"Not yet, the doctor thought it would be easier to treat him if he didn't know until after the first treatment." Nathan wasn't surprised by the looks of disapproval crossing the faces of his teammates. He hadn't been happy with it either, and Buck had really objected. They all knew how Vin felt about being lied to and with all he'd already gone through Nathan was afraid it would damage his trust in his friends, making his recovery more difficult. "Buck and I didn't like it either, until the doctor explained," he quickly cut off their protests. "He made some good points. There really wasn't time to tell Vin right now. Quick treatment is his best chance of staving off any infection. The doctor also pointed out that stress can interfere with the body's ability to respond to treatment and Vin is already stressed without adding to it. He's not going to keep it from him, he's just waiting until he's recovered from the effects of the sedation and then he'll explain what will be needed to make sure he doesn't lose his fingers."
"That seems wise," Josiah commented, as the others nodded in agreement.
"When can we see him?"
"Doctor Burris said treatment will take about an hour and then they'll move him to his room, we can see him then."
An hour later the rest of team seven quietly walked into Vin's hospital room. Buck looked up as the door began to open, his hand automatically drifting to his gun. He sighed with relief when he saw his friends, "Shhh, he's still sleeping."
"How'd it go?" Nathan asked.
Buck shuddered, "Let's just say I'm glad he was asleep." Moving his eyes back to Vin's face, he gently brushed the hair from his face. "I hate to think of what it must've been like for him," he softly commented. He didn't tell them the extent of the injuries lying just under Vin's fingernails, nor how sick it had made him to watch the doctor and nurses treating them. Though Vin had been unconscious through it all, Buck hadn't been able to block out the imagined screams of the man he loved as they worked, just barely restraining himself from attacking the doctor.
Vin could hear voices, but these weren't the voices of the men who'd hurt him. These were men he trusted, men who cared about him. Men who would ride through hell to save him, men he would gladly do the same for. Sluggishly he fought to pry his eyes open, a small moan sounding as he shifted in the bed.
"Vin? Come on Vin, wake up for us," Buck encouraged.
"Cowboy, you with us?" Chris asked from the other side of the bed.
"Mmmmhmmm," Vin replied.
"Vin open your eyes," Chris ordered.
"Wanna sleep," Vin mumbled.
"I know cowboy," Chris smiled. "You got some worried friends that'd like to say hello."
"Frien's? Good frien's...ride...hell."
"Yeah we would," Chris confirmed.
Vin's eyes suddenly popped open, staring up at Chris with a touch of panic, "Browner?"
"He's in jail, he won't be hurting you or anybody else ever again."
Vin visibly relaxed against the pillow. "JD's a lion," he smiled, vaguely remembering the sound of his young friend's roar.
"Really?" Chris smiled, nearly laughing as JD blushed redder than anybody he'd ever seen.
Vin nodded, "Heard him roar."
"When was that?"
"Saloon...I think."
"He did," Buck confirmed. "Right before he tackled Browner and beat the hell out of him."
"JD did that?" Vin was surprised that the gentle young man could be so violent. "JD?"
JD stepped forward, taking Chris' place by the bed, "Yeah Vin?"
"Thank you," he smiled as he reached for JD's hand, grasping it firmly. "As Ez says, your timing is..." he paused, unable to remember the word.
"Impeccable," Ezra supplied.
"Yeah, that."
"You're welcome," JD uncomfortably responded. He didn't feel like he deserved praise for doing what any man would do for a friend, but he didn't want to upset Vin by saying so. "You get better soon Vin." Giving the other man's shoulder a light pat, he stepped away from the bed.
One by one the others greeted the man in the bed, each taking a moment to assure himself that the younger man really was going to be okay. Though it was only a few minutes, it seemed to wear Vin out. With a small smile playing across his lips, he drifted back to sleep, secure in the knowledge that his friends were there to watch his back.
Chapter 17
Chris quietly pushed open the door to Vin's room, having been warned by the nurse that the younger man had just recently completed another treatment. Thank God they were able to sedate him for the necessary procedure, he could only imagine how painful it would have been for his friend otherwise. Even so, he still experienced a fair amount of residual pain when he did wake up, something Chris was in no hurry to see happen."I'm so sorry I didn't find you sooner sweetness," Buck whispered as he brushed the hair back from Vin's face. It was pure hell to watch the doctors treat the younger man, the treatment a constant reminder of what he had suffered at Browner's hands.
Chris was surprised and worried to hear his old friend's words. He knew Buck wouldn't force himself on Vin, not when given the choice, but he wasn't at all sure Vin was ready for more than friendship. For a moment he didn't say anything, only watched and listened as Buck spoke soothingly to the younger man. "Buck?" he quietly called, surprising the other man.
Buck's head snapped up at the unexpected voice, muscles tensing in preparation for a fight. When he saw who stood there, he visibly relaxed. "Chris," he softly acknowledged the other man's presence. "Vin ain't really up to visitors right now."
"The nurse told me, thought maybe I could buy you a cup of coffee."
Buck's gaze immediately fell to the figure in the bed. "I don't know Chris, I hate to leave him alone."
"The nurse said he'd probably sleep for at least another hour, you'll be back long before that," he assured him. "Come on, I'll buy you some breakfast."
"Nah, thanks anyway stud."
"Buck, you won't do Vin any good if you collapse from exhaustion." Chris sighed heavily when Buck made no move to join him. "I'm sure the nurse can page you if he wakes up," he added, hoping it would be enough to convince him.
"I don't want him waking up alone, it always takes him a few minutes to remember where he is."
"He won't be Mr. Wilmington." Ezra had arrived at almost the same time as Chris, but had thought it would be best if he gave the team leader a chance to talk to Buck and Vin before he made his own entrance.
"You two plan this?" Buck asked, a shadow of his normal self showing through in the faint twinkle of his blue eyes.
"Surely you don't believe I would conspire with Mr. Larabee," Ezra quickly protested.
"Yeah I do, and don't call me Shirley," Buck smirked.
Ezra heaved a long suffering sigh. "Really Buck, must you trot out that tired line from that insipid movie at every opportunity?" Though he would never admit it, Ezra secretly loved the Airplane movies, in his opinion Leslie Nielson was a genius at deadpan delivery. He was not, however, prepared to inform his friends of this, they would never let him live it down if they knew.
"Of course," Buck replied with a grin.
"Come on Buck, let Ezra stay with Vin and I'll buy you breakfast," Chris encouraged.
"You're not going to give up, are you?"
Chris shot a sardonic grin at his old friend, "Nope."
"Fine, I'll come with you but we're not staying long." Standing up, he reluctantly stepped towards the door, letting Ezra take his seat. As he put his hand on the edge of the door, he shot a last look over his shoulder. "If he wakes up have the nurse page me, okay?"
"Certainly," Ezra agreed giving a regal tilt of his head.
Buck looked across the table at his old friend, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Why'd you really invite me to breakfast?"
"I heard what you said to Vin."
"So? Wait a minute, you mean me calling him sweetness?"
"Yeah, you think he's ready for that Buck?"
"I ain't gonna push him if that's what you mean."
Chris sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. Damn, he knew he should've sent Josiah over to talk to Buck. "Aren't you? You've been hovering over him since we found him, hell Buck you haven't let anybody else stay with him at all. I was already worried about that, it's part of why I came by this morning, now I'm even more concerned."
"Worried, concerned," Buck nearly spat the words. "You still don't trust me, that it? How about the rest of the team, they feel the same way?"
"You hold it right there Buck, I never said you weren't trusted. I said I was worried about the way you've been hovering, but it wasn't because I don't trust you."
Buck glared, why would Chris be worried? There was only one reason that made sense, he thought Buck was going to do something to hurt Vin again. He couldn't help feeling hurt by the mistrust, he had really believed they were past that.
"I know how you feel about Vin and I'm worried, we're all worried, that you're going to run yourself into the ground trying to be here for him. You're not the only one who cares about him Buck, we all do and if you'll let us we're more than willing to take some of the load off your shoulders."
"Ain't a load, it's a privilege to take care of him," Buck countered.
Chris sighed again, "Maybe that wasn't the right word. I don't mean it's a burden for ya and I know you don't feel that way, but it is a lot of strain on a man. Let us help Buck, give us the privilege of helping you both." He didn't mention that Travis was beginning to question why Buck needed so much time off. He'd readily accepted Chris' explanation, backed up by Josiah and Nathan, that Buck had been traumatized by what he had witnessed in that ghost town. However, he was starting to hint that if Buck was so badly effected perhaps he should see the department shrink. Something Chris was sure Buck would never go for.
Buck gave his old friend a sheepish look, "Guess I have been kind of selfish, ain't I?"
"You've been worried and I think maybe feeling guilty, it's colored your judgment a bit."
He nodded, "I suppose it has."
"So you'll spend some time at the office? Let the rest of us help Vin too?"
"Yeah, I guess." Swirling the coffee in his cup, Buck considered his next words carefully. "About what I said Chris, what I called Vin."
"Yeah?"
"I ain't pushing him, but I'm not going to hold back so much anymore either."
One eyebrow shot up, "What's that mean?"
"I've been holding back, moving slower than I ever have in my life. I didn't mind, I'd do anything for that man and hell he deserves it after what I did," he quickly added. "Thing is, while he was missing all I could think about was the what ifs. What if he was dead? What if we never found him? What if he was alive but so badly damaged by what they did that he couldn't recover? What if I had missed the chance to show him just how much I love him?" Looking up from his coffee, he fixed tear filled blue eyes on his oldest friend. "When we found him, he clung to me Chris, like he was afraid I'd disappear on him if he didn't. You know what he said to me?"
"What'd he say Buck?" Chris quietly asked.
Buck smiled softly, "Said he knew I'd find him. Not that he knew we'd find him, he knew I'd find him. I couldn't believe that he had that much faith in me Chris, especially after...well you know. I knew then Chris, it's time to stop pussyfooting around, time to show him what he means to me."
"What if he doesn't feel the same way?"
"Then nothing'll happen and no hard feelings, but I have to try Chris. You can see that can't you?" Buck was nearly pleading for the other man's understanding, he just hoped his friend could understand.
Chris listened closely, not only to the words but to the feeling behind them. The thickness of Buck's voice, the heartfelt emotion that was clearly there, reminded him of another time and place. Buck had never faltered in his support of Chris as he pursued the lovely Sarah Connely. Not even when her father was threatening to court martial them both if Chris didn't stop seeing her. Chris could do no less, "Yeah Buck, I see it and for what it's worth you've got my support, just..."
"Don't hurt him," Buck finished. "I won't Chris, I swear it."
Chris smiled, "Actually I was going to say just try to keep the mushiness out of the office."
"What's the matter Chris, afraid somebody might get ideas?"
Chris nearly choked on his coffee, "What?"
"You okay stud?"
"I'm fine! Who do you think is going to get ideas?" he demanded.
"Hell Chris ya don't have to get so uptight about it, I was just teasing. I know Ms. Travis is just a friend."
"Mary, of course," Chris mumbled.
"Who else would be getting ideas?" Buck asked, all innocence and light.
"Nobody," Chris quickly, too quickly replied.
"Can we go back to the room now? I really don't want Vin to wake up with me gone, he's kind of used to me being there."
"Yeah we can go." Chris stood up, quickly hurrying after Buck who had took off almost before he had finished speaking. "How bad is it?" he asked with some concern, as he rejoined his friend.
Buck sighed as he pushed the button for Vin's floor. "Not as bad as it could be, but when he wakes up he's usually disoriented, takes him a minute or two to realize he ain't back there in that saloon. Then there's the pain he goes through from the treatments."
"I thought they were sedating him for those?"
"They are, but the pain is still there when he wakes up."
"Aren't they giving him something for it?"
"Hell Chris, you know how Vin is about pain meds. Don't blame him any either, growing up like he did, seeing the things he did, I'd be afraid of getting hooked too if I was in his shoes." The elevator doors opened, admitting two young women, bringing a halt to their conversation. A couple of minutes later, the doors slid open again, allowing Buck and Chris to step out of the small car.
"Damn Buck, you do have it bad," Chris teased. "Did you even notice them girls?"
"I noticed them, just not in the mood to flirt."
"Like I said, you got it bad."
"Didn't see you flirting either," Buck pointed out, trying to deflect attention from himself.
Chris grinned, "Not likely to." Chris pulled Buck to a stop as they neared the door to Vin's room.
"What?" Buck snapped impatiently.
"Calm down Buck, I just want to talk to you for a second."
"I'm calm."
"I want ya to go home, after Vin wakes up and is calm enough. He won't be alone, one of us will stay with him, but you need to get some rest and at least put in an appearance at the office."
"How long do I have to stay gone?"
"Six hours, and I want you to be at home resting for at least four of them."
"Then I can come back?" Silently Buck winced at the plaintive tone of his own voice. He realized he sounded like a little boy being told he had to wait until after school for a treat, knew Chris would probably tease him about it later, but he just couldn't help himself.
Chris smiled, amused, "Yes Buck, then you can come back. Think you can survive that long away from him?"
"Shut up Chris," Buck ordered, but there was no real heat in his words.
"Shutting up," Chris grinned, enjoying his friend's embarrassment.
As the door opened, Ezra looked up from the book he was reading. "Did you enjoy your repast gentlemen?"
Buck ignored the question, making a beeline for Vin. Silently he picked up the lax hand, gently caressing it as he leaned forward to whisper soothingly in the younger man's ear.
Chris glanced at Ezra, sharing an amused glance with the undercover agent, "It was okay for hospital food. He wake up yet?" he asked, nodding towards the bed.
"I am afraid he has not, though perhaps that is not entirely a negative event, considering the pain which undoubtedly awaits him. The nurse was in, she informed me as to what should be expected if he awakened," he explained in answer to Chris' questioning look.
"No...please," Vin mumbled as he began to wake up, pulling away from Buck's soothing touch. "Buck? I'm in the hospital," he stated with a relieved sigh. Damn, but he hated waking up like this, always thinking, if only for a minute, that he was back there; being tortured.
"You are," Buck softly confirmed, as he did after every treatment. "How are you feeling?"
"'m okay," Vin mumbled.
Buck smiled sadly, "Try again."
Vin sighed, it never worked and yet he always replied to the question the same way. "Hurts a bit," he finally, reluctantly, admitted.
"You want me to get the nurse? She could give you something."
"Not just yet, don't want to fall asleep again."
Buck knew that wasn't the real reason, but he didn't argue the point. A man had his pride after all and if Vin didn't want to admit to his fear of addiction, he wasn't going to force the issue. He glanced over at Chris and Ezra, "Got some extra company."
Vin turned his head, smiling at his friends, "Hey cowboy...Ez," he greeted. "Y'all been busy at the office?" He had been wondering where everybody was. He had been glad of Buck's presence each time he woke up, but this was the second morning he'd opened his eyes with only their resident rogue for company. He had been beginning to wonder if maybe the others were avoiding him. Maybe they thought he didn't deserve any sympathy after messing up so badly.
"Yeah, had a pretty good amount of paperwork to take care of and some meetings about Browner. We took our time with it, made sure we were thorough so there'd be no chance of him getting away with what he did," Chris explained. "Besides, your guard dog there wouldn't hardly let anybody else see you."
Vin smiled, relieved to know that it had only been work that had kept them away. "Yeah? So how'd ya get him to let ya in today?"
"Bribery and threats," Chris whispered conspiratorially.
"That usually works," Vin solemnly agreed. "You staying for a while?"
"Thought we might, that okay with you? Be nice to see you when you're not asleep," he added.
"I'd like that, and it'll give Buck somebody new to talk to," he teased, almost giddy with relief as he realized his friends had been to see him; he'd only slept through the visits.
"Actually Buck won't be here, I'm sending him home to get some rest."
"Oh," Vin quietly responded, his good mood fading a bit. Glancing at Buck, he silently cursed himself for not noticing sooner.
"I don't have to go Vin, I can stay if you want me to," Buck quickly offered.
"Nah, that's okay Bucklin, you look like you could use the rest. I'll have Ez and Chris here to keep me company."
"You sure? I don't really need to go," Buck tried again.
"You're coming back, aren't you?" Damn he hated that almost frantic tone his voice had taken on. He hadn't meant to let any of them know how important Buck's presence had become to him in the past couple of days.
"Of course I will, wild horses couldn't keep me away," Buck smiled down at him. His smile hiding the sadness he felt each time Vin reacted to something ordinary in a way that was anything but normal for him. "You get some rest while I'm gone," he softly instructed, as he absently brushed the hair from Vin's face. Get a grip Wilmington, he silently ordered himself as he fought the almost overwhelming urge to lean down and brush a soft kiss over those warm lips. With effort he straightened to his full height, knowing that Vin wasn't ready for anything beyond a soft caress of his stubbled cheek. Hell he wasn't even sure that was true, not having gotten the nerve to try it when Vin was awake. The closest he'd come was brushing the hair from his face and he could always claim he was only getting it out of the younger man's eyes if Vin questioned the action. Worried that if he lingered any longer he would lose the battle with himself, Buck turned and quietly left the room.
Chapter 18
Speaking quietly, the three men visited for a little while. It didn't take long, however, for Chris to notice Vin's increasing discomfort as he fidgeted in the bed. Fidgeted? That alone was enough to tell Chris how much pain the younger man must be in. Vin Tanner did not fidget,anybody who knew him knew that. "You okay cowboy? Want me to get the nurse?"Vin shook his head. "I'm fine."
"There ain't no shame in taking something for the pain Vin, you don't have to always be tough."
"What the hell would you know about it Chris?" Vin growled.
Chris sighed, he had regretted the words as soon as they were out of his mouth, but it was too late now. The best thing he could do, was to use the thoughtless statement, try to turn it into a way to help Vin. "I know you're lying there in obvious pain and too damned stubborn to take something for it. Buck thinks you're afraid of becoming addicted, I don't agree. I think you've got this idea that you have to always be the tough one, and tough men don't admit when they're in pain. Ain't that right?"
Vin shot him a glare that would have had a weaker man searching for a change of shorts. "You son of a bitch," he growled. "Who the hell do you think you are? You think this is some kind of macho thing? Hell, I want something for the pain like you wouldn't believe, but I've seen what painkillers can do to a man and I won't let that happen to me."
"So instead you're going to lay here in pain?"
"My business if I do," Vin stubbornly insisted. Anybody who knew him would recognize by the set of his jaw that there was no point in arguing any further. As far as Vin was concerned the discussion was over.
"You're a stubborn bastard, you know that?"
Vin let out a chuff of air, "Hell you just now figuring that out Chris?"
The blond grinned, "No, I guess I'm not. You know I didn't really mean that crap?"
"Yeah I know," Vin replied with a small smile.
Ezra had listened to the argument with growing concern for the friendship between the two men. "Perhaps I could offer a means of assisting you with managing your pain sans the need for painkillers." He hoped that if he could help Vin to alleviate some of his pain, he could stave off any further arguments between his young friend and the blond, as well as helping Vin to feel better.
Vin gave him a quizzical look, "What ya got in mind Ez?"
"Have you ever heard of the practice of acupressure?"
"That anything like acupuncture?"
Ezra smiled, "It is indeed my friend. The simplest way to describe it…"
"Simplest? You sure you're Ezra P. Standish?" Chris couldn't resist teasing. He hoped to lighten the mood, making up for his earlier attitude.
Ezra scowled, "I am reasonably certain that I am in fact the person known as Ezra P. Standish. Contrary to popular misconceptions Mr. Larabee, I am capable of speaking clearly and simply. If I choose to avail myself of a more eloquent vocabulary than most employ it is not an indication of an inability to speak clearly, nor an inability to appreciate the simple things life offers one."
Chris shared an amused glance with Vin, "Yep, that's Ezra."
"Yep," Vin agreed, a grin spreading over his face.
"May I continue now?"
"Oh by all means, please continue Mr. Standish," Chris replied with a sweeping gesture.
"In fact Vin acupressure is essentially the same as acupuncture but without the needles," Ezra continued as though he'd never been interrupted.
"You really think it'll help?"
"I have seen it work, I'm sure it could help you too. Besides, what do you have to lose?"
"Good point," Vin had to admit. "You know anybody who knows how to do it?"
Ezra flashed him a grin, holding up his hands and wiggling his fingers.
Vin was surprised, though he supposed he shouldn't be. "When did you learn to do that?"
"Sometime ago," Ezra quietly replied. "I suffer from migraines, have done so for most of my life."
"Damn it Ezra, why didn't you ever tell me?" Chris demanded. Visions of the younger man being struck down by a migraine while undercover, leaving him vulnerable and unprotected, raced through his mind. "I never would have allowed you to work undercover if I had known you get migraines."
"Precisely why I never informed you," Ezra admitted. "It isn't a problem Chris, I assure you."
"Because of the acupressure?" Vin asked, diffusing the argument before it could turn into a battle royal.
"Exactly," Ezra smiled. "I was introduced to it on my second undercover assignment. A young lady by the name of Li Pong, a ward of the man I was investigating, found me lying on my bedroom floor in the grips of a particularly bad migraine." Ezra's voice took on a wistful quality as he spoke of Li Pong, leaving no doubt that the girl had meant something to him. "Recognizing the symptoms I was experiencing and realizing that her guardian would have no compunctions in using my so-called weakness against me, she used an acupressure technique to alleviate the pain. Afterwards, she took great pains to instruct me in the use of acupressure so that I might remove the pain myself in the event of future attacks. If you like I could give you a treatment now."
Vin thought about it for a moment, but he didn't have to think long. "Sure, thanks Ez."
Without another word, Ezra went to work on his friend. Applying pressure in key points on Vin's body, he soon had the younger man relaxing under his experienced touch as the pain receded into the background until it faded away entirely.
"Wow," Vin whispered, pain free for the first time in days. "Thanks Ez."
"You are most welcome Vin," Ezra accepted the thanks with a smile. "As I cannot be here with you all the time I will endeavor to teach the others the necessary technique."
"That'd be great Ezra, appreciate it." Feeling more relaxed than he had in days, without the drugged feeling from the sedative they gave him for his treatments, Vin slowly drifted into a deep sleep.
"What happened to Li Pong?" Chris quietly asked.
Ezra sucked in a breath at the unexpected question. Fool! You should have known he would pick up on the emotion in your voice. You should never speak of her, not until you can do so without showing the feelings you had towards her.
Chris watched the other man, his eyes narrowed in concern. "Ezra, you okay?"
"Of course," Ezra smoothly lied. "You wished to know about Li Pong?"
"If you don't mind," Chris confirmed.
"She was, as I said, the ward of the man I was investigating. At least that was what I believed at first."
"She wasn't his ward?"
"No, she was in fact his property."
Chris scowled at that, "Human trafficking."
"Of a sort, she wasn't sold to him in any type of organized operation. Her uncle, who was her guardian, had become addicted to heroin. He sold her to support his habit. Luckily, the man who bought her was not interested in the child she was, but in the woman she would become. As a result, he had not yet touched her, allowing her to maintain a certain innocence." Ezra paused, his voice becoming too thick to speak as the memories of his days in the role of Ethan Taylor flashed through his mind. Li Pong's presence in that house had been the only bright spot in his life during those dismal days. "It was a difficult assignment, the man I was after was not a pleasant person by any means. However, I had a job to carry out and I did so with admirable results."
Chris winced at the bitterness he heard in Ezra's voice. "You don't believe it was?"
Ezra glanced at him, wondering if he should answer that question honestly. Would Chris be angry for him or at him if he knew the full story? Ignoring his mother's oft taught maxim, that, appearances are everything, he decided to take a chance. "My superiors certainly believed it. They of course could not understand why the life of a young girl who consorted with criminals would be of any concern to me. As I said, Li Pong helped me with my migraines. I had, regrettably, not had much contact with the girl until that time she found me suffering in my room. She had been sent to inform me that supper was about to be served. When she found me, she quickly set about helping me. I have never understood why she cared, but she was well aware that the man I was investigating would see the migraine as a weakness. Such a belief could have very well gotten me killed by the man. Over the course of the next few weeks, Li Pong taught me how to help myself when it came to the migraines. Her desire to aid me, did not go unnoticed by her owner," he nearly spat the word. "Of course, being the type of man he was, he assumed there was something of a sexual nature occurring between us. As if I would ever do anything with a child and while Li Pong was nearly a woman, she was not quite grown. There was no way I intended to take advantage of her innocence."
He hated to hear the pain in his undercover agent's voice; he could feel the anger rising towards those who had caused it. "What did he do to her?" he quietly asked, barely controlling his anger.
Ezra flinched, hearing the anger in Chris' voice, and misunderstanding it. "He had her stripped and suspended by her wrists. He then used a whip to teach her a lesson, marking her tender skin with cruel welts. As a punishment for me, he insisted that I witness her whipping. It was the first time I was forced to stand by while an innocent was hurt with no way of stopping it, lest I blow my own cover, wasting the government's money and time in the process. She was a remarkable girl. Even after what he did to her, knowing I did nothing to stop him, she still came to me when she realized that she had found the piece of damning information I needed. Oh yes," he smiled, seeing the surprised look on Chris' face, "she had realized I wasn't who I claimed to be. That is why I was amazed when she came to me only a week after her beating with the information I needed. Thanks to Li Pong we were able to shut down his operation." He looked away, hiding his shame from one of the few men he admired. "Her thanks for the help she had given, including saving my life by not using my identity as a means to save herself, was a bullet in the heart."
"Damn Ezra, that's rough," Chris said, sympathetically.
"Don't waste your sympathy on me Chris, save it for those who deserve it." Standing up, he headed for the door, suddenly needing some air. Turning back, he looked at the young man in the bed. "I could have killed him, I had the chance. I didn't though, do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because it would have been cold blooded murder. So I did the right thing, and as a result two of the finest people I've ever known were forced to suffer."
"Two?" Chris asked in confusion.
"Li Pong, though aside from the beating, her suffering was short-lived as the bullet killed her instantly."
"Who else?" he asked when Ezra didn't continue.
"The answer to that question lies in the identity of the man I was investigating; Rupert Browner." Berating himself for a coward, Ezra nevertheless made a hasty exit after dropping his bombshell.
Chapter 19
Chris stared at the door Ezra had just walked through, shocked by his revelation. He wanted to go after him, but, even before he was out of his seat, he realized he couldn't. He had promised Buck that Vin wouldn't be left alone, he couldn't break that promise. Not if he wanted Buck to ever get any rest again. With a heavy sigh, he sank back into his chair, scrubbing a hand over his face. Ezra had investigated Browner before this? Wait a minute! If Browner was convicted for the earlier crimes he'd committed, he should have still been in prison. What was he doing out? Reaching for the phone on the bedside table, he quickly phoned the office. He might not be able to go after Ezra yet, but there was something he could do."ATF, Agent Dunne speaking."
Chris smiled, "JD, you're just the man I'm looking for."
"Hey Chris, how's Vin? Did you convince Buck to go home?"
"Vin's doing fine JD and yeah Buck went home for a while. He should be at the office in a few hours. I wouldn't count on him staying long though. Look JD, that isn't why I called. I need you to do something for me."
"Sure Chris, what ya need?" JD quickly asked, always eager to help the man in black.
"I want you to look into Rupert Browner. Seems he was investigated a few years ago by the FBI and I'm wondering if he was convicted for starters. If he was convicted then I want to know what he's doing out of prison?"
JD nodded as he made notes, already thinking about how to find out who was behind Browner's early release, if that was what had happened. "Ezra involved in the FBI case?" he asked, quickly putting two and two together.
"Yeah he was," Chris confirmed. "JD, I don't want you telling anybody else about this. Ezra's already feeling guilty, he doesn't need everybody knowing, maybe making him feel more guilty."
"You mean Buck?"
Chris smiled, sometimes he forgot that JD wasn't nearly as naive as he had been when he'd first joined the team. "Yeah. Buck's feeling damned protective of Vin right now, he'd likely react badly."
"Okay, I'll get right on it Chris. You want me to call you when I find the information, or wait until you're back at the office?"
Chris thought about it for a moment. On the one hand, he'd like some answers, the sooner the better, on the other hand, if JD called him there were better odds that somebody would overhear him. "You can tell me when I come back to the office JD, thanks."
"Sure thing Chris. Bye." Hanging up the phone, JD immediately started searching on his computer for the information he needed. Three hours later, he had more questions than answers, but at least it was a start. As he read, his trepidation increased. Damn, he really didn't want to have to tell Chris about this. He didn't realize he'd spoken out loud until a voice at his side startled him from his thoughts.
"Mess up a report kid?" Buck asked with a smile.
"Shit Buck! Don't sneak up on me like that," he admonished the older agent as he quickly changed the screen on his computer. Thankfully Buck wasn't at the right angle to read what was on the screen.
"Sorry," Buck held up his hands, surprised by JD's fierce reaction. "So, did you mess up a report?"
"Yeah, something like that," JD gratefully confirmed the cover Buck had unknowingly supplied.
"Well don't worry about Chris, he's not really that mean. Just make sure he's had his coffee before you tell him," Buck advised.
JD grinned at that, "Thanks Buck. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, wouldn't even be here if old mother hen Larabee hadn't made me leave the hospital."
"Can I tell him you said that?" JD asked, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
"I thought you were my friend JD," Buck mock complained.
"Oh I am, that's why I won't tell him...for a price."
Buck sighed, "What's it gonna cost me?"
"Let me spend a few hours with Vin tomorrow while you go get some rest."
"It's a conspiracy ain't it? Y'all have a meeting about this?"
"No Buck, but we're all worried about you. Besides Vin's my friend too, I'd like to spend a little time with him; see for myself that he's doing better."
Buck couldn't resist the heartfelt words, and he had to admit he did feel better now that he'd had some proper rest in a bed instead of a chair. "It's a deal JD, come by about three o'clock."
"Really?" JD asked. He was surprised, he'd expected it to take a lot more than that. "Thanks Buck."
"Nah JD, thank you." Glancing around the room, he noticed for the first time that nobody else was in the office. "I know where Chris and Ezra are, where's Josiah and Nathan?"
"Josiah's helping team five with a profile and Nathan's teaching a workshop on advanced first-aid techniques. Not much going on now that we got the reports on Browner done."
"Well then, how about you and me go grab a late lunch?"
JD glanced at the clock, surprised by the time. "I didn't even realize what time it was. Lunch sounds good," JD replied. Saving the data he'd found, he shut off his computer and stood up, grabbing his hat.
"We have got to get you a decent hat boy," Buck grinned.
"There isn't anything wrong with my hat Buck."
Ezra had driven aimlessly after leaving the hospital, his mind flooded with memories of Li Pong. It had been one of the worst assignments he'd ever endured. Especially difficult had been standing by and watching while that animal beat the girl for imagined transgressions. How he had wished he could come to her aid. To do so, however, would have been a pointless gesture. The moment he had attempted to help her, Browner would have killed them both. The only thing that would have accomplished, would have been to bring an end to Li Pong's short life a week earlier.
He blinked in surprise as he brought his car to a stop in Chris' driveway. How had he ended up here? Why had he come here? Ezra was about to turn the Jag around when he caught sight of the horses trotting around the corral. One horse wasn't trotting though, his own horse stood next to the fence, staring at him. "Perhaps you're right my friend," he softly spoke. Applying the parking brake, he turned the motor off and climbed from the car. Walking into the barn, he quickly returned, saddle in hand. With efficient movements, he soon had Chaucer saddled and ready. Throwing himself into the saddle, he rode off towards the hills surrounding Chris' ranch.
Chris looked up as the door opened. "Hey Buck."
Buck eyed his old friend, wondering what was going on. Though Chris had masked it quickly, for a second there had been a look of disappointment on his face. "Expecting somebody else?"
"Why do ya ask that?"
"That look on your face when I walked in here."
"Don't know what you're talking about Buck."
"Sure you don't," Buck scoffed. "Where's Ezra?"
"He had some errands to run, I told him to go on," Chris quickly covered.
"Okay. Vin been asleep all this time?" His curiosity over Ezra's whereabouts quickly replaced by concern for the young man lying in the bed.
"Most of it."
"Really? He's never been able to sleep this long at a stretch after a treatment. You didn't talk him into accepting the painkillers did you?"
"No, tried to but he wasn't going for it. Actually it was Ezra that came up with the solution."
Sitting down on the other side of Vin's bed, he absently picked up the sharpshooter's hand, rubbing his thumb over the knuckles. "What solution is that?"
"Acupressure, he knows how to use it. By the time he was done, Vin was in a lot less pain and able to sleep."
"That's great," Buck enthused. "I'll have to get him to show me how to do it."
"He's already planning on it, along with anybody else on the team that wants to learn." Chris stood, stretching muscles made stiff from hours of sitting in the uncomfortable chair. "I think I'm gonna go, got some things to take care of. Tell Vin I'll see him later."
"Okay Chris," Buck responded automatically. It was obvious, even to those who didn't know the man, that he wasn't really paying attention to Chris, his focus fully on the man in the bed.
Smiling affectionately, Chris patted the larger man on the back and quietly left the room. Hoping that Ezra might have ended up back at the office, he made his way there. Besides, he needed to find out what JD had discovered about Browner.
JD looked up when the elevator dinged, somehow he knew it would be Chris. A moment later he was proven right as the blond walked through the door. Motioning for JD to follow him, Chris strode quickly to his private office. JD followed, closing the door behind him.
"What did you find out JD?" Chris asked as he took his seat.
JD swallowed, wetting dry lips. "You won't like it," he warned.
"Damn," Chris muttered, he'd had a bad feeling ever since he'd first realized Browner should still be locked up. "Let me have it JD."
"Browner was convicted of illegal trafficking in weapons and murder, he was sentenced to life in prison, eligible for parole in twenty-five years."
"So what the hell is he doing out?" Chris growled.
"I haven't found out yet. According to what I could find, Rupert Browner was killed in prison three months after entering it. There's more Chris," he went on before his boss could interrupt. "Browner's previous record didn't show up when we ran his prints. They don't match, so I did some checking, compared the prints myself. It's definitely the same man, but his prints now don't show any record, not even a parking ticket."
"JD, are you telling me that somebody in the system helped Browner to escape? Is still helping him?"
"Looks that way," JD reluctantly confirmed. He knew how Chris felt, nobody in law enforcement liked to hear of a brother officer turning bad. They all knew it happened, but nobody liked to think about it, some even going so far as to turn a blind eye to the reality.
"Any idea who?"
"Not yet, but I just started looking."
Chris turned his back on the younger man, staring out the window at the city skyline. A bad agent, he'd been afraid when he set JD to looking into it, that this would be the result, He had hoped it wouldn't be; he should have known better. Damn it! How was he going to tell Ezra that his young friend's death truly had been for nothing? What was it going to do to the man, already feeling guilty, when he was told the truth of the situation? Spinning his chair around, he faced JD. "This doesn't go any further," he ordered. "I need to tell Ezra before we tell the rest of the team."
"Alright Chris. You want me to keep looking into it?"
"Yeah, but be careful. We don't want to tip anybody off."
"Got it," JD nodded.
"Did Ezra come by the office?"
"No, I haven't seen him since this morning."
"Okay. It's almost five, why don't you knock off for the night?"
"I thought I'd stay, do a little more checking. Besides if I'm the only one here, nobody will know I'm checking."
"Good point JD. I'm going to take off, see if I can track Ezra down. If he comes by, give me a call will you?"
"Sure thing Chris."
Having made a decision, Chris wasted no time in hanging around the office. Two hours later, he had exhausted every possibilty as to Ezra's location. Frustrated and worried, he finally turned his truck towards the ranch. Pulling into the driveway, his eyes widened in surprise. Parking in his usual spot, he climbed from the truck and headed into the house. It only took a few minutes to realize that Ezra wasn't anywhere inside the sprawling ranch house. Stepping onto the porch, he looked towards the corral. For the first time since he'd pulled into the drive, he noticed that one of the horses was missing. Quickly saddling his own mount, he took off in search of his undercover agent.
He wasn't nearly the tracker Vin was, but he wasn't helpless either; it didn't take him long to find Ezra's trail. Following the clear tracks, he soon found the smaller man sitting next to the mountain lake nestled in the hills near his ranch. "Mind if I join you?"
Ezra looked up, shading his eyes from the late afternoon sun, at his boss. "Of course," he motioned to the ground next to where he sat.
"Been up here long?"
"I am not certain," Ezra admitted.
Chris raised an eyebrow at that, "No?"
"I have not been paying attention to the time."
"Oh. Are you okay?"
"I am not the one lying in a hospital bed."
"Answer the question Ez."
"I am perfectly fine Mr. Larabee. If you came to tell me I'm fired, I will save you the time..."
"Whoa, hold it right there Ezra. I'm not firing you, why would I?"
"I could have prevented Vin's injuries if I had killed Browner when I had the chance."
"You couldn't do that Ezra, it would've been murder."
"Yes it would have, but I'm sure I could have escaped punishment. Aside from that, I am guilty of not keeping you properly informed. I should have told you, the moment Browner's name came up, what I knew about him."
"You should have, but it really wouldn't have changed anything. You didn't know he was involved until after Vin was taken, so how would it have helped?"
"I could have given you insight into the man's nature," Ezra replied. Perhaps Chris, for reasons he couldn't fathom, was willing to let him off the hook, but he wasn't letting himself off.
"You know we could sit here and debate this all night and nothing would change. Browner still kidnapped Vin, he still hurt him. Frankly I'd rather spend my time doing something constructive."
"Constructive?"
"Ezra, why is Browner out of prison?"
Ezra stared at him, mouth agape. "I never even...I apologize Chris, I was so busy wallowing in my own guilt it never occured to me to question his presence. I presume that if you're asking, you already have the answer."
"Not all of it," Chris acknowledged. Quickly he outlined what JD had discovered.
"Tell JD to focus on Dan Barnes."
"Any particular reason?"
"He was the first to make accusations concerning my integrity. It has been my experience that it is quite often the most vocal accuser of the innocent who is in fact the guilty party."
"You think Browner paid him off?"
"Perhaps, or he may simply have discovered damaging information about the man."
"Alright, we'll have JD pay special attention to him. I plan to tell Buck and Vin what's happening tomorrow."
"I would expect nothing less," Ezra acknowledged.
"I don't want you there when I do."
"You believe Buck will react badly?"
"You know how he gets when somebody he cares about is threatened. It won't take him long to calm down, and once he does he'll realize that you didn't do anything wrong. I just think it'd be best if you weren't around until he does calm down."
"Probably a wise decision."
"Don't worry about it Ez, they won't either of them blame you for what Browner did to Vin," Chris assured the younger man.
"I hope you are correct in your estimation." For several minutes, neither man spoke, each lost in his own thoughts. "Thank you for coming after me," Ezra spoke uncertainly.
"Would have come after you right away, but I promised Buck not to leave Vin alone. You know he slept all afternoon, Buck said he's never slept that long after a treatment. You did good Ezra," he praised the younger man. The look of pleasure on Ezra's face, brought a smile to his own. It wasn't much, but he was glad that his words had brought the green-eyed agent some bit of happiness. Standing up, he brushed the dirt from the seat of his pants. "Come on Ez," he offered a hand up to the other man, writing the unexpected tingle off as a return of circulation to his hand. "We should get back before it gets dark."