by Clara Moore

Alternate Universe

The Magnificent do not belong to me. I'm merely borrowing them for now, but I promise to return them soon.

Pairing: C/V Established Relationship. All Seven and OC's

Notes: I want to thank my beta, FaraD for her helpful suggestions and great advice, helping to make this a better story. I also want to thank Renegade for all the information on scuba diving. I really appreciate her patience with my endless stream of questions. And KET for her medical advice on JD's injury. Thank you very much ladies. Since this story changed a little bit after Fara's beta, all mistakes are my own.

Also, I want to thank Jo for the wonderful collages she made for these stories.

This story takes place in the summer of 2001. The tragic and horrible events of 9/11 have not yet occured.

Feedback: Yes please.

I had a little Sorrow Born of a little Sin I found a room all damp with gloom And shut us all within; "Little Sorrow, weep," said I, "And Little Sin, pray God to die, And I upon the floor will lie And think how bad I've been!" - Edna St. Vincent Mllay

ONE

Chris lay in the bed watching Vin sleep. It was barely seven in the morning, but that was considerably late for them to still be in bed. They had returned late last night from their vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands where they'd spent three wonderful weeks alone. Vin lay curled up on his side spooned up against Larabee's chest.

Larabee thought about all that had happened in the last six months and sighed. After the Potter family's rescue a year ago, the guys had taken a brief respite from the mercenary business and returned to the salvage business Then, Admiral Travis, CO of Coronado's SEAL Teams had ask Francis Corcoran if Larabee's Team could do a little "sneak and peak" mission along the border mountains of Afghanistan. No SEAL Teams were available as they had been deployed to other areas of the world and the information on Afghanistan was vital to the National Security. Larabee's Team had taken the mission and brought back the crucial data needed for the top brass.

Once they had returned from the operation, it seemed everything went to hell. Frank Corcoron was reassigned to San Francisco, California and Raphael Cordova de Martinez had returned to San Diego, and once again, was acting as their liaison. He had inserted himself into their lives, dropping by uninvited and often made plans for the three of them without consulting them first. Chris had asked him not to drop by without calling first and never to assume their time was free. Chris liked Raphael as a good friend and he enjoyed the Spaniard's company, but Vin was not all that happy about the way he interfered in their relationship. Raphael had laughed and agreed to call before dropping by, but now the call came as Raph was turning onto their road, giving them almost no warning before he arrived.

To make matters worse, Lydia and his dad had hit a rough spot in their relationship. The two argued constantly about something or another, leaving Adam upset and angry. He'd jump into his truck and head out to the beach house to ease his nerves and vent his frustration to his son. Being angry at Lydia, Adam would take it out on Vin. Their uneasy truce soon shattered. Vin and Adam had words and ugly names had been exchanged.

Chris, feeling like he was caught in the middle, went to talk to Lydia, who told him to mind his own business. Chris countered by saying he would, if they didn't keep dragging him and Vin into the middle of their business. Lydia told him to leave, which he did after stating his rather unflattering opinon.

Nathan's wife Raine, in the meantime, was having a difficult pregnancy. She was ordered on complete bedrest for the last few months of her pregnancy. Nathan, along with her doctor feared for her and the baby. She went into premature labor and delivered a beautiful little boy. The proud parents named him Nathan Joshua Jackson, Jr. Joshua Jr spent a three weeks in the hospital before being allowed to go home.

With the stress of his dad's problems, and Raphael showing up uninvited, plus the added strain and worry of Raine's pregnancy, Chris and Vin soon started snapping at each other. Vin had apologized to his dad, but Adam blamed Vin for Chris's words with Lydia, so no apology was forthcoming from him. It had gotten to the point where Vin would leave and head for Inez's Cantina whenever Adam or Raphael showed up.

One morning it had all came to a head when Chris, in an uncharacteristic move, decided to make light of all the problems facing them and made a joke about it.

Vin simply snapped. "Ya think this is funny, cowboy? Well, let me tell you from this end it ain't! Ain't nothin' funny 'bout none of this shit! I'm sick of your dad's attitude, and since your so crazy 'bout Raph, why the hell don't ya have him move in here with ya? I'm always gittin' run off anyway. I might as well move." slamming out the front door, he headed for the Cantina to get drunk.

Chris stood there in disbelief. Vin was the most-easy going person he knew. He was the one person who was able to calm Chris's nerves. Vin was always the voice of reason, the peacemaker among them. The others had tried to warn him that Vin was on the edge, but he just hadn't seen it. He didn't want to see it. Vin was his rock.

Chris drove up to Inez's and found Vin at the back table drinking tequila shots. A half empty bottle of tequila sat on the table. All the guys were sitting at the bar, hell, it seemed like a damned convention in there.

Chris waved at everyone as he sauntered back to Vin's table, took a seat and waited for Vin to speak. Vin glanced up, but went back to his drink. Inez slapped a beer in front of Chris, narrowed her eyes at him and left.

Giving in, he said, "Vin, I think we need a vacation, don't you?"

Tanner shrugged.

"Well, what do you say, we plan on going away for a few weeks? Where would you like to go?"

"I don't know and I don't care," came the surly reply. "I don't even wanna know which a these folks you're plannin' on taking with ya?"

Chris smiled, "I'm planning on just the two of us, pard. We need some time alone What do you say, cowboy, let's have some one-on-one time." Chris placated, "And when we get back, we'll straighten this mess out. Okay?"

Chris looked at Vin, who was bent over his drink Larabee tilted his head, trying to see his lover's face. Vin looked up and grinned half-heartedly.

"Why don't I make reservations somewhere, Hawaii, maybe? When do you want to go?"

"Nah, I been to Hawaii lotsa times, somewheres else maybe." Sighing, "Don't forget, Nat's little boy gets christened in two weeks, I reckon we gotta be here for that." He answered in a tense tone, downing another shot.

Chris winced at the amount of alcohol Vin was drinking, A few years ago that had been him drowning his sorrows and it hadn't solved any of his problems. He knew he had to get Vin away for a while. "Okay, I'll set something up and we'll leave after the christening. Come on, let's go home. We'll take a walk on the beach and talk. I'm sorry, pard, I hadn't realized things were so far out of whack with us."

Vin's eyes widened as anger flashed from them, "Goddammit Chris, how long this fuckin' shit been goin' on, anyway? Where you been? Hiding in the sand? I'm tellin' you I'm sick of it and if it don't change I'm outta here!"

Chris sighed, "I'll take care of it. It'll change, I promise. Don't worry, pard, I'll talk to everyone."

Two weeks later, family, friends and six Godfathers gathered to witness the christening of little Nathan Joshua, Jr.. The following day, Chris and Vin boarded a flight for St. Croix.

For two weeks in St Croix they acted like tourists. Several times they rode horses up the mountain to watch the sunrise, while a guide fixed their breakfast. Both of them enjoyed afternoon rides with lunch cooked over an open fire. They rented mo-peds to explore the Island, swam, snorkled or sat on the beach, enjoying the peace of the Island. At the end of their two weeks, they decided to sign up for an extra week on a charter live-aboard yacht, diving shipwrecks and the coral reefs.

Yesterday, they had returned from their vacation rested and refreshed. They were back in love, back in sync and determined on getting their privacy back.

Watching as Vin slept, Chris smiled and kissed his lover's forehead. Vin blinked open one eye, smiled, turned towards his lover and kissed Larabee on the center of his chest. Raising up slightly he found his lover's mouth, giving him a slow sensual kiss. Leaving Chris's mouth, he kissed and nipped at his ear, neck and finally his nipple. Vin kissed his way down to the blonds navel and dipped his tongue into the depression. Passion rose between the two men and they were soon engaged in the age-old dance of lovemaking. Both were close to their climax when the phone rang.

TWO

Vin was sitting in the surf, the water swirling around his body as the gentle waves rolled onto the beach. His knees were pulled up against his chest, his chin resting on his arms. Raphael had called to let them know they had an assignment, so he'd decided to walk out and watch the waves. He knew his and Larabee's relationship was on solid ground, but he couldn't stop that little flicker of jealousy when de Martinez called Chris or when they hung around together and he hated himself for it.

Raphael and Chris had enjoyed a brief affair during their time together, but it was over by the time Larabee had recruited Vin and definitely over by the time he and Chris became lovers. However, Raphael and Chris had remained friends and still hung out socially.

+ + + + + + +

After hanging up the telephone, Chris walked out on the porch, spied Vin sitting on the beach and wandered on down. Tanner looked up and nodded. Larabee sat down behind him and wrapped his arms around Vin.

"Please tell me you aren't mad at me again." Chris whispered, kissing his lover's shoulder.

Leaning into the body that held him, "I ain't mad, cowboy. What'd Raph want?"

"Well, you know we have a job. Some terrorist group, he isn't sure which one, was trying to get a bomb into San Francisco's harbor. The Coast Guard intercepted them 'bout thirty miles out. The idiots tried to outrun the Coast Guard, but shots were fired and the boat was sunk. The men were rescued out of the ocean and it seems one of them mentioned a bomb on board the boat. Raph and Frank want us to check it out, and if there is a bomb, bring it up and defuse it."

Vin turned sharply around and stared at his lover, "Is that all? What did you tell him?" he asked.

"That I'd get everyone together and ask them what they wanted to do. I've already called the boys, they'll be here in about an hour. What do you think, pard?"

"Is this bomb set to detonate anytime soon?" He asked.

"No one is sure if it's been set or not. Thirty miles out, even if it does go off it isn't going to do much damage, except to the ecology of the area," Chris answered.

"How do you sit here in this surf? I've already got sand up my ass." Larabee laughed.

Tanner laughed and rose up, giving his partner a hand. They walked back to the house. Stepping into the outside shower, they discarded their cutoffs. Larabee adjusted the water temperature and standing together, naked bodies touching, the familiar heat rose between them. Each began caressing the other. Passion ignited and Larabee ran his tongue around the shell of his partner's ear. A horn sounded and Tanner growled, stepping back, "I'm gonna kill that sonofabitch some day."

Larabee grinned wickedly, "Let's kill him at the warehouse, take him out in the Sloop and dump his ass at sea. That way they'll never find the body." Vin laughing at the idea, agreed. As Chris turned off the warm water, the cold water hit their overheated skin, dampening their ardor.

+ + + + + + +

Everyone sat around the wooden picnic table enjoying their coffee. Frank and Raphael had brought donuts, which sat in the middle for all to share

Corcoron and de Martinez was explaining the situation to the other men. "When the Coast Guard questioned the guys they fished out of the water, the younger one was bragging about the bomb. His buddy kept telling him to shut up, but he wanted us to know it was going to blow," Frank told them.

Josiah asked, "Are we really sure the bomb exists or could this be a wild goose chase?"

"No," Raphael answered. "We're not sure of anything, but the boat went down close to the shipping lanes. I don't have to tell you what'll happen if it goes off and a ship is passing close by. We've issued warnings for ships to keep away from that area, The Coast Guard will keep posting warnings until we're sure it's safe."

Frank added, "Of course, it could be a small bomb and If it exploded, maybe nothing would happen except a disruption of the ecosystem of the area. Then we'll have Green Peace up our asses. That's why we need you guys to check it out. I've been told there's an old shipwreck nearby. That'll be the ruse we use if we need a cover story. You'll be salvaging the wreck. I've been in touch with a diver who dives the wreck regularly. He's an army captain, high clearance rating, and he's volunteered to go with you. He'll be a big help to you guys on this dive."

Buck spoke up, "There ain't a bomb in the world me and Josiah can't defuse if it is armed, but do you want us to defuse it underwater and leave it there or bring it to the surface and take care of it?"

"Bring it back with you if you can." Frank said. "We'd like to do this as quick as we can. What is the earliest we can ship out?"

Larabee sighed, "Tomorrow morning, but I'll need my crew with me. The ship sleeps sixteen comfortably. There's nine staterooms in all. I have my own quarters. Are you two coming with us?"

"Yes," Frank and Raphael agreed.

"How long do you think this trip will take?"

"A week, possibly, shouldn't be much longer than that," Frank offered.

Larabee continued, "I'll need six men to run the ship. I've got to have my first-mate, Bruce Weatherby, to help pilot and my engineer, Andy Grasso. There's you two, and seven of us, plus the rest of the crew. Then there's the extra diver. That's seventeen in all. It'll be tight, but I guess we can make it work. Vin can bunk with me, Andy and Bruce always bunk together."

"The crew are unknowns, I don't like that," Raphael stated.

"They're only unknown to you. My crew has been with me a long time. Anyway, I know you've already checked them out. Probably before we started working with you. If you don't want them along, then you'd better be prepared to work the engine room. That ship can't run itself."

"If there are only nine staterooms how are we all going to fit? Someone will be sleeping on deck, won't they?" Frank inquired.

Larabee smiled, "My mom liked to go with my dad sometimes, especially if he was going to be out at sea for a week or more, so when he refitted the trawler, he added a room behind the wheelhouse for himself and mom. I bunk there now. Bruce and Andy's quarters are behind mine. The seven staterooms are below deck. My dad bought the old trawler at auction, stripped it and rehabbed it so it would be fit for salvage work."

Nathan added, "And they aren't fancy staterooms like you'd see on a cruise ship, so don't expect it. There's two to a room, but the food's always good and there's plenty of it."

Ezra added, "The chef is an excellent cook. If he ever decides to quit you, Mr. Larabee, tell him he has employment with me."

Chris laughed, "No way Ez, Charlie's mine. Okay, you guys pair up and the new guy will bunk with whoever's left. I'll let the crew know we're going to sea tomorrow morning. Vin and I can get most of the stores bought and loaded today, don't you think?" He asked, looking at his partner.

"Yeah cowboy, I think so. If we get started now."

"Buck, will you and Josiah take care of the tanks and equipment for us? Nathan, get whatever medical supplies you think we might need. Ezra, if you and JD will take care of everything else, I'll call Charlie and ask him to take care of the perishables, that'll help a lot. Let's get the submersible and the sea sled aboard.

We may need it. That's deep water out there."

"Sure Chris," everyone agreed and started to rise, ending the meeting.

"We leave at dawn, everyone be there." Larabee stated.

"Senor Chris, may we have a word with you?" Raphael stated.

Everyone laughed, heading for their cars while Vin and Chris lingered.

"Must be something really special if you're using Spanish Raph," Larabee laughed

"Am I that transparent?" Raphael asked, surprised.

"Shoot yes, you really are predictable. I guess you don't even know you're doing it, but everytime you want something extra you lapse into Spanish. It's a habit you need to change" Chris said amused.

Waving aside Larabee's statement, he said, "When your men bring the bomb up, what do you think your crew will do?"

"Probably nothing, since most of them will be working, but even if they see it, my men are loyal, they wouldn't say anything to anyone. You do know you're going to have to shell out for their salaries. They get an equal share of everything we bring up. Whether they're diving or not. Understood?"

Frank sighed and Raphael made a face signifying distaste. "You gentlemen make enough money, can't you share your payday? Divide up the cost of your crew?"

The smile Chris returned was not humorous and usually accompanied a death knell. "It's your game fellas, pay up or shut up!" He stated, leaving no room for argument.

Raphael flipped open his cell and spoke quietly with someone. After a few minutes of arguing, he closed the phone, sighed and said, "You'll each get an extra share. Divide it up as you wish."

The smirk remained on Chris's face, "Thank you gentlemen, it's always a pleasure doing business with you. We leave at dawn, see that you're there," walking the two agents to their cars.

+ + + + + + +

The morning dawned cool and cloudy. First-mate Bruce Weatherby had boarded the "Larabee's Lady" with Andy an hour earlier and checked with the weather bureau for a current reading of the day's climate, while Andy checked the equipment. The plan was to travel north then cut over to a northwest heading

Larabee had had a meeting with the crew the night before, explaining the reason for the trip and gave each man the choice to go or stay. All had opted to go with the boss and thanked him for his honesty in the matter. Then Chris had added their bonus. They would each get an equal share. Bruce had been amazed. A guy usually had to work a fishing boat in Alaska to get that kind of money for only one trip.

One by one the crew trickled onboard, buddying up with their usual bunk mate. Ezra and Vin seldom went to sea, so while Ezra would bunk with the newcomer, Vin and Chris headed for his quarters. Everyone stowed their gear and headed to the galley for Charlie's coffee and cinnamon rolls. Chris, Vin and the others boarded a few minutes after Bruce and Andy, so they were just waiting for the two agents and the extra diver.

Bruce scoffed at that. As if they needed another diver. Hell, they were all expert divers, including himself, and diving wasn't even in his job description. His job was to keep this Lady in place while everyone else dove. Bruce looked at his watch. He didn't understand why government officials always had to arrive last, like they were the queen of the ball. He tried to think of any last-minute things that might still be left to do, but all the gear was stowed, so there was nothing left to occupy his time. Once more he studied the charts and maps that would take them to their destination.

Chris chose that moment to enter the pilot house. After retiring from the Navy, Chris had taken the test for a ship pilot's license and received his certificate.

"Everything ready?" he asked.

Bruce smiled, "We're ready. Just as soon as those three yahoo's get here we can shove off. It's unusual for Vin to travel with us. It'll be good having him along."

Smiling Chris said, "Vin's not a sailor. He's Army, you know."

Giving his head a sympathetic shake, Bruce said, "I'm sorry."

Chris grinned, nodded and said, "Thanks, it isn't easy, but I try to make the best of it."

Bruce chuckled, as Larabee's cell phone rang. Answering, he barked, "Larabee," said, "Okay," and hung up. "Frank just called, they'll be here in a few minutes."

Just as he said it, three men came running out of the warehouse with Mike, the watchman, behind them. "There they are."

As they boarded, Chris noticed the third man was Native American about Vin's age, his braided hair a little longer than Tanner's.

The three men stood on the deck as Mike unwrapped the bow and stern lines from the dock cleats and coiled them neatly on the deck. Chris and Bruce began the task of getting them out to sea and on their way.

THREE

The trawler slipped away from the pier and slowly glided out to sea.

Soon after joining his dad in the salvage business, Larabee had secured his pilot's license. After setting the co-ordinates into the GPS unit and assuring himself the course numbers were correct, he turned to his first mate and said. "Take over for me, Bruce, while I welcome our guests."

Bruce smiled, "Sure boss. Will you need me and Andy to take someone into our quarters? I know space is tight this trip."

"I don't think so, I think we've got it all sorted. Ezra agreed to take the new diver..."

"Ezra agreed to share a cabin? Will wonders ever cease." Bruce shook his head, chuckling.

"Well, let's just say, he agreed under duress," Larabee grinned.

After Bruce checked everything over, Larabee headed out of the bridge, down the ladder, greeting the two agents.

Shaking hands with each, Frank introduced the newcomer, "Chris, this is Captain Chanu Greyeyes, currently of the United States Army. Chanu, Chris Larabee, ramrod of the team we're working with."

"Welcome aboard, Captain," Chris greeted.

"Mr. Larabee," Chanu smiled, shaking hands, "It's Chanu, unless you stand on formality here."

"No," Chris grinned, "No formality aboard the Lady. And it's Chris."

Larabee eyed the gear the men had brought with them, sitting at their feet. "You can store your tanks and swim gear in that storage locker," Larabee pointed out to Chanu. Turning to the two agents, "Come on, I'll show you guys to your quarters. Chanu, I've put you in with Ezra Standish, one of my team and you two," glancing at the two agents, "will be sharing, if that's okay."

Raphael grinned, "And if it's not okay?"

Putting his arm around his friend's shoulder and guiding him towards the hatch, "Well, there's always the deck or the diving platform."

"I'll be more than happy to share with Frank," he acquiesced, still grinning.

"I thought you might," Larabee chuckled.

After stowing their belongings, Chris led the way to the galley for Charlie's coffee and baked goods.

+ + + + + + +

Vin sat in the large booth next to Josiah and Andy, the engineer. Buck, JD and Ezra sat on the bench across from them, while Nathan straddled a chair pulled up to the end of the booth. Buck had just told a ribald joke and the others were still laughing at the punchline. Coffee mugs and cinnamon rolls sat on the table being enjoyed by everyone.

As Chris and the guests stepped through the hatch, Vin looked up, did a double take, stood, taking a step backward and whispered, "Chanu? Chanu, is that you?"

"Hello Vin, how are you?" Chanu said.

"My God, I never thought I'd see you again," Vin exclaimed, hesitating, then slowly coming forward and taking Chanu's hand.

Chanu grasped the hand and drew Vin into a hug, which he reluctantly accepted. "How're you doin', man, its been a long time," Chanu muttered.

Vin stepped back still clasping hands, then stepped forward again, this time hugging his friend warmly. "I've been good, and you?"

Chris saw Vin's back stiffen when drawn into the first hug, but when he finally relaxed into the embrace, jealousy reared its ugly head and Larabee tightened his jaw. Once Tanner stepped forward and hugged his friend again, Larabee knew, without a doubt, this guy and Vin had been lovers.

Still shocked, Vin asked, "How'd you git this gig, Chanu? You leave the Army?"

"Nah, I'm a captain now, Vin," Chanu said proudly. "First, though, I'm roomin' with someone named Ezra...," Chanu looked around and Ezra tipped an imaginary hat. "Think we could trade so you'n I can share?"

Vin felt himself blush, stepping back, he realized he and Chanu were still gripping hands. Dropping them, he stammered, "Uh..., no..., Chanu," he stepped next to Larabee. "I reckon you've already met Chris. I'm bunking with him."

Looking at his lover, Tanner could tell he was angry. If Chris tightened his jaw any more, Vin figured, Larabee's teeth would shatter. "Me 'n Chris are uh..., together. We live together," he said finally, slipping an arm around Larabee's waist.

Chris put his arm, possessively, around Vin's shoulders.

"Hey Vin, that's great, I'm happy for you!" Greyeyes exclaimed, looking from Larabee to Raphael and back to Vin, "The reason I'm here, Raphael told me what happened with the Coast Guard and about this project, but when he said you'd be here, well, I couldn't pass it up. I took some leave I had comin' and here I am."

"I. uh, didn't know you knew Raph," Vin said perplexed, "He's never mention it." Vin looked over at Raphael, stepping slightly away from Chris..

"We met a couple a months ago and hit it off. It seems we had a lot in common, but I couldn't believe it when he said he knew you. It really is a small world."

"Well it sure is good to see you, Chanu It has been awhile." Vin said.

"You wanna show me around this rust bucket, Vin?" Chanu finished.

Vin glanced at Larabee, who gave him a surreptitious nod. Chanu and Vin left the mess hall, heading up the ladder to the deck.

Everyone else in the room, judging from the lethal glare on Larabee's face, decided they had duties elsewhere and left the galley also.

"Look, Chris," Raphael started, "It's not what it sounds like. I knew Tanner left the Army under a cloud, so after some additional checking, Chanu's name kept coming up. I figured he was the one Tanner was involved with. Hey, I was looking out for you, my friend."

"Is that a fact," he growled.

"Yes, that's right. You and Tanner have been together now..., what.., three, four years? I'm sure there's no mystery anymore. The same thing every day. It's got to be getting old, boring as hell, and personally, I just can't see him doing any of the exciting things we got up to. Let 'em have a chance, Chris, see if there is any spark left there."

Larabee glared at his friend, "You do understand that I could kill you right now and feed you to the sharks?" Chris said through clinched teeth, "and no one would ever miss you," Larabee clinched and unclinched his fists.

Looking at Frank, Raphael laughed nervously. "You could, but why would you want to. I'm doing you a favor."

Frank looked over at Raph and said "You're not serious, Chris," grinning nervously.

"Oh, but I am serious, Frank, and don't think for a moment I'd leave a witness. My men are loyal to me, they'd swear you were never aboard. A few well-placed rumors, you two ran off together and that would be that! Just how many sightings of Hoffa do you still get a year?" Larabee gave them both a humorless grin, turning, he left the room. The door to the deck upstairs reverberated as he slammed through it.

Looking at each other, Frank said to Raphael, again, "I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Raphael snorted, "Yeah he did, but he won't do anything. Chris's temper runs hot, but it cools just as quick." He reached for his coffee cup to refill it.

+ + + + + + +

As Chanu and Vin stepped through the hatch to the deck, Vin inquired, "How's Claire and your young'un? Must be gettin' big by now."

"Claire died before the baby was born, Vin. I guess you didn't know."

"No, damn, I'm sorry, I hadn't heard. What happened?"

"Her father, you remember, he fought against us getting married. Well, he came by one day while I was at the base. Said he wanted her to come away with him and continue his missionary work. I reckon he just went berserk when she told him no, that she was pregnant. He killed her, strangled her for no good reason. When I got home from the base that night, he was still there and so were the MPs. He tried to say I did it, but I'd been in the field all day. My sergeant, CO and myself sitting in a jeep watching new recruits on field manuvers. The MPs were there to arrest me, but once they checked my alibi, it was impossible to refute. Anyway, he's doin' twenty-five ta life now."

"I'm real sorry, Chanu. I liked Claire," he expressed his sympathy

"But not well enough to come to our wedding?" Chanu questioned.

Vin leaned against the rail, his elbows resting on the top. "You really wanna go there, cause if you do..."

"No, I won't go there, but I think we need to talk about it, don't you?"

"Why? There's no reason to dredge all that up again. You made your choice, I made mine." Turning to look at Chanu, he said, "How'd you meet Raphael anyway?"

"At a grocery store. I'd stopped to pick up somethin' for dinner and there he was. We started talking and the rest is history, as they say. How long you and Larabee been together?"

"Almost four years," Vin smiled.

"So, I guess you're happy? He seems a bit intimidating. I'll bet he could be real mean if crossed."

"Yeah, I reckon he could be if crossed, but he ain't never been anything but good to me. I ain't never met anyone like him."

"I'm glad you met someone who cares 'bout ya, Vin. You deserve that."

"When did'ja learn 'bout this trip?" Vin wanted to know. "When did Raph let ya know he knew me 'n Chris?"

"About a month ago. We were talking about the Army and gays and he asked me if I knew you. I said, 'hell ya' and ask for your number, but he wouldn't give it to me. Then, when he told me about the terrorists and bombs needing to be defused, I jumped at the chance to come along. I've dived these waters a few times already and he said my knowledge could probably come in handy. Why?"

Vin shrugged, "Just curious, is all. Well, let me show you around. You ain't really met the boys yet."

"What's all this equipment you have here," Chanu asked looking around the crowded deck.

"First off, that yellow thing with the runners is the underwater sled. It can take us down to any depth and it provides light. The prop serves as a blower if we need it. I reckon it gets used a lot when they're on a salvage job, but we shouldn't need the blower this trip. The thing next to it is the submersible. We might need it, depending how deep the water is."

"And those cranes?"

"That's a ten-ton, I think, knuckle crane and a eight-ton auxiliary winch We could bring up the whole damn boat if needs be. Come on, we'll hit the engineer's room next."

Walking into the chart room, Vin looked around at all the monitors. "Andy, Joe, this is Chanu. He'll be divin' with us."

Both men smiled and shook hands with the newcomer. "Glad ta meet ya man, how're you doing?"

Shaking their hands, Chanu nodded, "I'm good. I think I know what most of this stuff is, but I'm not sure about this machine."

Andy answered, "That's a Magnetometer. It detects metals."

"Iron?" Chanu was curious.

"Iron and steel. We also have several boat-deployed underwater video cameras. Once we get closer to our destination, we'll turn the light on. These monitors," pointing to the ones above his head, "are the ones we use for underwater visuals."

After about ten minutes, Vin asked his campanion, "You ready," Chanu nodded and Vin said, "Okay, let's hit the bridge next. See ya later, guys." Vin waved.

"Very impressive, thanks. It's nice to have met you, I'm sure I'll see you fellas later." Chanu turned and followed Vin from the room.

They headed up to the wheelhouse, Vin entered, smiled tentatively at Larabee and nodded at Bruce. Chris gave them a terse nod and turned back to the helm.

"Ya already met Chris, and this here's Bruce. He's our first mate. Bruce, this is Chanu. He's gonna be divin' with us."

"Nice ta meet ya Chanu," Bruce said politely, shaking hands.

"Same here," Chanu grinned.

After Bruce gave Chanu the basic tour of the bridge, Chanu followed Vin as they made their way around the ship, introducing him to everyone they came across. In the galley, Charlie served them fresh coffee and informed Chanu he'd been assigned to eat first shift and left to finish lunch preparations.

As they quietly finished their coffee, Vin told his friend, "Through that door is the lounge area. Ain't much to it, a couple a couches, a TV and VCR, but it's well supplied with paperbacks and magazines. There might be some movies, too." Rising, Vin continued, "Sorry Chanu, but I gotta help Josiah and Buck check over the equipment. You can come along if you want, but I need to go help them."

"How long before we get there? I need to unpack," Chanu stated, rising from the bench, also.

"Tomorrow around noon, I reckon. We won't dive until after the cameras find the boat. We'll probably do a grid search before dropping anchor."

And the two men walked out together, each going their separate way.

+ + + + + + +

Meals were served in two shifts and when Vin was aboard he always ate during the first one.

Bruce and Chris decided by flipping a coin. Chris won the toss and opted for the first shift. Eating first shift also meant taking first watch, so Larabee braced himself for a long nght.

Arriving in the galley, Larabee found the booth already filled. Vin was sitting between Josiah and Chanu with Nathan against the wall. Ezra, JD and two crew members filled the opposite seat. Chris grabbed a chair and sat at the end of the table.

Vin elbowed Chanu, "Trade places with me," he said, and Chanu slipped out of the booth to let Vin out. Chanu slid back in and Tanner gave his lover a small sideways grin as he sat down.

"I'm taking first watch, Vin, so I'll be in late." Larabee informed his lover.

Vin started to say something, but Chris cut him off, saying sharply, "No reason for you to stay up. Go ahead and get a good nights sleep."

At that moment, Charlie delivered the dishes full of food and everyone dug in. Vin had looked surprised at Chris's tone, but said nothing.

Chanu glanced at the two men, gave a small shake of his head, then helped himself to the food. It looked to him like there was trouble in paradise.

+ + + + + + +

Vin sat crosslegged on the bed trying to read. In St. Croix, Chris had bought him a book on the shipwrecks around the island. They had dived a few of those wrecks while on vacation and it was something Vin was hoping they'd do again. He glanced at his watch. It was only 11:48 pm and Chris wouldn't return until a little after two in the morning. He felt alone, depressed as hell and somewhat abandoned. He knew Chris was mad at him, but hell, it wasn't his fault Raphael had brought Chanu along.

Vin thought back over the day; they'd driven to work together before sunrise, met Andy and Bruce at the warehouse, shared coffee and a few jokes, then boarded the ship. Charlie was right behind them, promising cinnamon rolls and coffee within the hour. The rest of the crew came aboard while he and Larabee had gone separate ways. That morning they'd been happy and relaxed, but tonight, the two of them were in different worlds.

Vin put his book away, thinking, 'the hell with it, and rose from the bed Putting on a pair of cutoffs and t-shirt, he walked barefoot towards the bridge.

+ + + + + + +

When Vin walked into the wheelhouse, Chris frowned. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

Shrugging, Vin said, "I tried to read, but I couldn't wrap my brain around any of it, so I thought I'd come see you."

"You want some coffee or will that just make it worse. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day, Vin, you need to get some sleep."

"Chris, why are you mad at me?" Vin inquired, settling himself on a stool next to his partner.

Larabee frowned at his partner. "I'm not mad, just.., well, okay, I guess I am outta sorts. I know you had a life before we met, I just didn't think I'd ever come face to face with that life."

"You didn't think you'd come face ta face...," Vin stood up, his voice rising, "Suppose I brought that life home ta hang out with, invited him to stay for dinner and movies after. Went out drinkin' with and left you at home?" Vin crossed his arms and stared incredulously at his lover.

Sighing, Chris tried denial, "I didn't...," then remembered all the times Raphael had spent the greater part of an evening with them. Vin would be quiet and sullen or would leave to go to Inez's Cantina while he and Raph watched a game or a movie. The times he'd met Raph for a drink after work. He grimaced, realizing just how close he'd come to destroying one of the best relationships he'd ever had. At that moment, he was not real proud of himself. Sighing heavily, he asked, "What's up with you and Chanu? Or am I not supposed to ask," he queried bitterly, still angry at himself.

Looking out the bridge window, Tanner sat back down on the stool. The seas were rough tonight, but the Pacific Ocean was like that. The skies were clear and stars looked to be so close you could reach out and touch them.

"Ain't no reason for you not to know, just never thought it was important, that's all. Me 'n Chanu were together for awhile, that's true. I reckon we cared 'bout each other, too."

"Yeah, I figured that."

"Well, ya know, bein' in the Rangers and bein' gay ain't a good combination. It's okay to be single, I mean, most of us were, just not gay." Vin gave a cynical snort.

Chris turned and looked at Vin. "I understand the alpha male concept. It was the same in the SEALs. But caring about you hasn't made me any less of a man, I don't think."

"So now you only care 'bout me, not love me?" Vin said sadly.

Stepping over to where his lover sat, Larabee put his hand on the back of Tanner's head, drew him close and kissed his forehead. "You already know I love you. There should never be any doubt." Chris whispered.

Vin smiled, "Yeah, I know. Well anyways, I reckon someone must of said something to Chanu, 'bout him and me bein' close friends. It spooked him, so he started putting distance 'tween us, making new friends and such. Next thing I know he's gettin' married."

"That'll put a damper on any relationship. Better than a cold shower. So, did you two break up?"

"No, we still saw each other, just not as often. He wanted me to be best man at his wedding," Vin gave a bitter laugh, "but I just couldn't bring myself to even go. Luckily I got picked for a mission and sent outta the country."

"Did you love each other?" Chris hated himself for asking. He really didn't want to know.

"No, not like we do." Vin gave his head a little shake, "I mean, yeah, we thought we loved each other, cared 'bout each other," Vin paused, "well, I cared 'bout him, anyway. He swore to me he and Claire weren't sleeping together." Vin snorted, "Like I'd ever believe that one Still, she was a real nice lady, always invitin' the guys over for barbeque and homemade meals. If I hadn't gone, It'd looked funny since we's good friends an all. But it was hard to go over there and watch them play Mr. and Mrs Happy Family." Vin smiled sadly, "Anyway, at one a these get-togethers she told everyone she and Chanu were goin' to have a baby."

"So much for not sleeping together." Chris smiled. He tried to understand the anguish his lover had suffered.

"Yeah well, I wasn't too surprised . Chanu would a been a fool not to fall in love with her. She was a real special lady. I always felt real bad 'bout him slippin' off to see me, when he should a stayed at home. Anyway, we all congratulated them. Said how happy we were for 'em."

"What happen after that? I don't imagine you were to happy with the situation."

"Nah, I wasn't. A few days later we were in this club that catered to gays, and I's trying to break it off with him. He'd argue that we could still see each other and I's sayin' no we can't, when Master Sergeant Anderson walks in." Vin laughed again remembering the shock he and Chanu had felt. "Well, once we seen him, we both high-tailed it outta there. We left so quick, that we never figured on him seein' us. That was a mistake on our parts." Tanner gave his head another little shake.

"Is he the Sergeant that propositioned you?" Chris frowned.

"Yep, ol' sarge thought he had us by the short hairs and we'd do his biddin'. Me n' Chanu were sergeants, too, but Anderson outranked us. He called Chanu into his office a few days later and ordered him to suck his dick. Chanu told him 'no' and if he ever ask again he's gonna report him to the Captain."

"Good, I hate officers who abuse their power and I'm sure there's a few that do." Chris stated.

"Well, I's next on his list and when he ask me, I told him no too, and left it at that. But it didn't stop, so I went to his Captain and filed one a them sexual complaints, thinkin' Chanu would back me up." Vin shrugged. "He didn't..."

"What?" Chris furrowed his brow.

"Now, don't get upset, Chris, I understood his reasons, but without his backup, it was my word against the sergeants. Since I still had almost a year to go, he made that time mighty uncomfortable. The sarge made sure the word got around and claimed it was me that asked him. Some believed him and some took my side, but no one would go up against him. I was trainin' new recruits on the firin' range, but they'd hear the rumor, I's gay, so I lost the respect from some of them 'for I ever met 'em." He felt the bitterness well up in him again.

"Damn Vin," Chris sympathized. Wrapping his arm around his lover, kissing him on the side of his nose. "That had to be tough. No wonder you didn't want to talk about it."

"Yeah well, I finally got out and joined up with you, so I really come out ahead, didn't I." Vin smiled up a Chris, "And, I understood Chanu's point. He had Claire and the baby to think of, and that kinda stuff 'll follow you around the rest of your life, 'specially if it goes into your file."

"Like the 800-pound gorilla in the corner of the room?" said Chris, remembering how Vin had described being gay, when he was recruiting him for this team.

Vin smiled, "Yeah, like that. Anyway, Chanu transferred out 'bout the time the inquiry was goin' on 'tween me and Anderson, so he weren't around anymore." Shrugging, Vin continued, "I just stayed to myself and finished my time. You know the rest."

"I guess it was a shock to see him with Raphael and Frank today."

"Yeah, I's real surprised to see him. He told me Claire had been killed by her father. Can you imagine that, cowboy? Her own kin!" Vin shook his head unable to comprehend that kind of thing.

"Well, I told you about Sarah's father. He didn't come to the wedding or Adam's birth. He showed up for the funeral, though." Larabee paused, "Drunk, loud and obnoxious. I could never understand that. My folks thought the sun rose and set on her and Adam." Shrugging, he continued, "Course, I got drunk right after the funeral and stayed that way."

Standing up from the stool, Vin covered his yawn, "I reckon I best get to bed. Ya want me to wait up for you?" he asked hopefully.

"No, go to bed! Tell you what, I'll buy you breakfast in the morning." Grinning, Chris went on, "Tomorrow looks to be a long day. Get some rest."

Larabee bestowed a loving smile on his lover, kissed him lightly and sent him on his way.

FOUR

They arrived at their destination early in the afternoon. The grid patterns were set and the cameras went to work. By late afternoon the boat had been found and the ship anchored over the spot.

Larabee's team and Raph were bent over the chart table checking the differnt maps of the area seabed. Frank watched them curiously. Chris ran his pen over the chart. "There is a shelf here, maybe 90 or 95 foot down, but it appears to drop off here into a deep chasm," pointing to the ridges.

Looking at the map closely, Frank nodded and pointed. "I don't know much about these waters, but isn't that water awfully deep?"

"It is, but nothing we can't handle. I'd say it's about 130, maybe 140 foot where it drops off." Larabee answered "Buck's the explosives expert, so him, me and Chanu will make up the first diving team. We'll assess the situation. Whatever we find will determine the next step. Any questions?"

Straightening, he looked at the others. Each man gave a negative shake of his head.

"Fine," Larabee smiled, "We'll dive in the morning then. Let's go have supper."

+ + + + + + +

The following morning, everyone gathered on deck as Buck, Chris and Chanu donned their gear and stepped off the dive platform. Once in the water each man bent double, gave a powerful kick with his fins and started the downward swim, switching on their dive lights once the light from above became obscure. They continued on until the outline of the vessel appeared.

Swimming closer to the boat, they swam around the wreck checking for danger spots and taking pictures with the waterproof camera Larabee had brought. The vessel, a 38-foot fishing boat, lay partially on its side in 135 foot of water. There was a one-room cabin, with the steering mechanism on top of the cabin. Chanu found a gaping hole in the hull where the Coast Guard had fired. One fishing pole remained in the holder, waving back and forth like a flag. Chanu removed the reel and watched as it floated to the seabed.

Chris moved to enter the cabin which stood open to the sea. He stopped and did a double take, shocked to find a body staring at him. Where the eye sockets had been were now empty holes, the mouth open wide in a perpetual scream. The skin hung off the man in pieces where marine life had feasted. The three divers looked at each other questioningly, then proceded into the cabin. The one room was large, easily accomodating all three men. The windows were broken and debris floated around the space.

Looking around, they spied a briefcase laying in the rubble on top of the broken windows. A big thermos jug was setting in a corner, bobbing up and down against the wall, held there by what appeared to be a belt. Buck inspected the thermos, put it in his goody bag and headed for the briefcase. Carefully moving his fingers around the edges, he looked at Larabee and shrugged. Taking his writing slate, he wrote, "Can't tell."

Larabee wrote back, "Let's take it up," and carefully picked the case up and put it in his bag.

After taking several more photographs, and inspecting the area thoroughly, Larabee gave the signal to start their ascent. He hated leaving the body behind, but they would come back and collect it before leaving the area.

After their decompression stops, they broke the surface. The team, along with the two agents waited on deck. Cautiously, Buck handed his bag to Raphael and Larabee handed his to Vin. The three men came out of the water, climbed on deck, while Frank carefully checked the thermos. Raphael picked up the Geigercounter to see if it registered hot. It didn't and everyone let out a collective breath.

Next they turned to the briefcase. Buck, who was out of his drysuit by this time, again ran his fingers around the outside edges. "I don't feel any wires." and pushed it towards Josiah for inspection.

Josiah took the case, inspected it carefully and agreed. "There doesn't seem to be any outside wires. Not that that means it still isn't booby-trapped. Ready to open it, Buck?"

Buck nodded, popped the clasps, raised the lid and immediately the trigger activated itself. The numbers 10:00 started counting down rapidly, 09:55; 09:54; 09:53...

Startled, everyone on deck gasped and took a collective step backwards. Buck and Josiah instinctively pulled their shoulders back, looked at each other and shook their heads. They were staring at enough C-4 to bring down a good-sized building The mechanism sat in the middle and on both sides were the explosives and an array of wires of various colors.

"You ever see anything like this before, Josiah?" Buck whispered.

"Once. This bomb is way too sophisticated to have been built by teenagers in a backroom. The one I remember was built by a CIA operative." Looking up at Frank and Raphael, Josiah continued, "You fellas got a rogue agent?"

Frank shrugged his shoulders and looked at Raphael, who stated, "This isn't like anything I've ever seen before. Can you disarm it?"

The timer was at 05:43 by this time. Several of the crew members stood watching the scene on deck. Kenneth, one of the engineers, said, "Throw the fuckin' thing back," then warned, "It's gonna blow us straight ta hell, if you don't!"

Ignoring the exchange, Josiah looked at Buck. "This is called a duel timer. The wires have to be clipped at the same time or..." Josiah didn't finish his sentence.

Buck asked, "What sequence?"

Here Josiah hesitated, "Red, orange, then blue, I think."

"You think! You think," Kenneth's voice came up an octave. "Ain't you fellas s'pposed ta know everythin'? Throw the fuckin' thing overboard."

Larabee stepped over to him. "Ken, calm down or take a walk," he said calmly.

Nodding his head, Josiah said, "Yeah, red first, then orange and blue." Buck handed a pair of wire cutters to Josiah.

The intensity and anxiety on deck was palpable. Josiah took the wire cutters, the timer, which had continued to count down, sat at 02:45. Josiah took a deep breath and said, "Red," and they snipped the red wires. "Orange," and the orange one was cut, "Blue," and as the blue wires came apart, the clock stopped at 00:49.

Everyone on deck began breathing again. Larabee and Tanner squatted down next to Buck and Josiah. "Boys, remove that C-4 and put it somewhere no one can find it." After taking a deep breath, Chris continued, "After it's dismantled, give it all to Raphael and Frank. We'll let them deal with it. Also, there's a body down there. Vin, will you take a someone, Ezra maybe, and retrieve it? I gotta warn you, though, it's pretty gruesome."

"Sure Chris," Vin nodded. "Ya think it was one of the fellers from the boat?"

"Yeah, I'm sure it was," Larabee said quietly. "The Coast Guard really did a number on it. There's a big hole in the bow."

Josiah glanced at his boss. "That bomb had CIA written all over it. If this is a test or joke it's not real hospitable."

Chris pursed his lips together in thought. "I'm not sure just what is going on here," he said, "But I have to believe Frank or Raph's not in on it."

Vin nodded his head, " I can't believe they'd do anything like this either. Hell, they could'a died right long with the rest of us and neither one seems ta be suicidal."

Vin and Chris stood up. "Okay, I'm going to head on up to the bridge, I'll see you fellas at lunch," Chris stated, and started for the wheelhouse, clapping his partner on the back. Vin nodded and said to Buck and Josiah, "I'll get the gear ready ta bring up the body," and headed off to get what he'd need for his task.

+ + + + + + +

At lunch, Chris, the two agents and Larabee's team shared the booth, eating sandwiches, and discussing the day's events. Chris had already updated the agents on what he found at the wreck site. The pictures had been put on the computer and carefully scrutinized. Ideas were tossed around, but so far, no one had any viable answers or ideas.

"In about an hour, I'll be ready ta git that body, who's going with me?" Vin shuddered distastefully.

"I will," JD proclaimed. "I want to go."

Buck spoke up immediately, "I don't think that's a good idea JD. Do you have any idea what a body looks like after being in the water this long?"

"No, and I never will, will I," JD argued.

Buck frowned, "In the first place you're not experienced enough to make that kinda dive."

"And I'll never get any experience at this rate," JD interrupted. "Chris, please let me go with Vin," he pleaded.

Chris intervened, "Buck is right, JD. You need more experience before diving that deep Anyway, Vin's only going to bring the body back."

"Okay," JD conceded. "But there's a shipwreck I'd like to explore. It's only about 90 feet or so. I've done that before."

Ezra joined the conversation, "I'll help you with the body, Vin. JD, you never dive alone and especially a shipwreck, you know that."

"I've dove that wreck before," Chanu added. "It's really ancient. The ship is made of wood and half of its rotted away. The rumor is that an underwater earthquake exposed it a few years ago The shelf it's sitting on is really fragile and the whole thing is slowly sliding back into a deep chasm." Chanu paused, "It's too soon for me to dive again or I'd go with you. I've heard there's a treasure hidden somewhere on it, but no one's ever found it and I'm sure no one ever will. Every once in awhile though, someone will find a few gold coins. I found two of them, myself."

"JD, I'm not going to tell you you can't dive, but I'm telling you it's damn dangerous. There's a lot of seismic activity in the Pacific and like Ezra says, you'll need a dive partner." Chris tried to placate his communications expert.

"I'll find someone to go with me, Chris," JD assured him.

"Why don't you wait a few hours and Buck can go with you. Chanu said he'd like to go too. I'd wait if I were you." Larabee again tried to compromise.

"Okay, but if I find someone else to go, I'm not waiting. Where'd you find those gold coins, Chanu?"

"Not to far from the ship. It looked like they might have drifted with the current. They were just laying there on the seabed."

"Wow, that'd be so cool to find treasure." JD's eyes went dreamy with the possibilities of it happening.

Josiah brought the young man back to reality by saying, "Finding treasure is a very rare occurrence, JD. You almost always have to wait until there's been a storm out here before you can find any artifacts." Looking at Chanu, he asked, "You have any idea what the name of the ship was?"

Chanu smiled, "No, everything has been taken off the wreck. There's not much of it left, as I said, half the ship has rotted away and it's pretty dangerous. It's not a dive for beginners."

JD scoffed. "I've been diving for about three years now and I've never had a accident. Chris and Vin go diving all the time. Geez, they just came back from St. Croix a few days ago."

Chanu nodded his head, "Vin's been deep diving for a long time now. Once, when we were on leave, we went on an excursion to the Doria in the Atlantic," he said smiling.

"Whoa, now that's deep diving, Jr.," Buck exclaimed, "How come you don't put out to sea with us more often, Vin," Buck inquired, trying to change the subject.

Vin grinned, "Hell Bucklin, I ain't no sailor. When I go to bed I don't wanna feel it movin'. It's okay once in a while," he shrugged still smiling, "But Chris here, now he'd live on this bucket, if he could."

"Damn straight!" Chris chuckled, rising, he continued, "There's work to be done ladies, let's get to it."

As Charley came in to collect the dishes, everyone rose and left the galley.

+ + + + + + +

Steve Grains had worked for Chris's dad for several years before Chris took over. He liked the boss, but at the time, he'd no love for gays and had considered quitting when he found out, through the grapevine, that his boss's friend was more than a business partner. What stopped him from giving notice was the fact that the boss was fair in his dealings, paid well and the food onboard was pretty good. Plus, instead of a crew's quarters like most other salvage ships, he only had to share his room with one other crew member and not several others. At the same time it also came to his attention that Bruce and Andy were domestic partners. To say Steve was shocked would have been an understatement. He had worked with both men since Larabee Senior had hired him and he hadn't had a clue about their sexual orientation. Deciding he was behind the times, Grains relaxed around both men and continued doing his job. He had been dismayed when Kenneth, a man he greatly admired, had nearly pissed himself when that bomb started ticking away. While the ones he considered the 'pansy's' onboard had remained calm and steady during the crisis, but knowing Larabee, that hadn't really surprised him.

When he heard that JD was looking for a dive partner, Steve decided to volunteer. He wasn't swayed by the chance to find treasure as JD was offering, but he simply love to dive. There hadn't been much opportunity to dive on this trip, but since this wasn't the normal salvage job, he hadn't expected to dive at all. Diving a shipwreck was always fun, so, he told JD he'd go with him.

+ + + + + + +

Vin and Ezra were suited up and ready to go. Chris, Buck, Josiah and Nathan stood on the deck with them as Larabee gave the two men last minute instructions. JD and Steve was also ready to dive the shipwreck. Buck had tried unsuccessfully to talk JD out of going, to wait another hour until he and Chanu could go with them. JD refused to listen. Buck felt somewhat reassured since Steve Grains was going and he was a seasoned diver.

Chanu watched them from an upper bulwark. He had a bad feeling about this and wished JD would wait for him and Buck. That wreck was just not safe. He had tried to talk to JD privately about it, but the youth was headstrong and shared the feeling of immortality that other young people felt in this age. "Nothing bad is going to happen," JD had informed Chanu. JD told him he knew all the safety rules and not to worry. Then he accused Chanu of trying to keep the treasure to himself. "Pah, what treasure," Chanu said to JD "A few gold coins were certainly not worth your life." JD had somewhat agreed, telling him, "I know, I know." Then had suited up to dive anyway. Chanu just shook his head in exasperation.

+ + + + + + +

Vin had seen some pretty gruesome sights in his life, but this corpse was definately one of the worse. Before diving, Vin had told Ezra that he'd tie off the body, if Ezra would tow it back, to which Ezra had readily agreed.

As Vin finished securing the line to the remains, they slowly started their ascent back to the surface.

+ + + + + + +

JD and Steve made their way towards the old ship. It was about a quarter mile from where they were anchored, sitting on a shelf, embedded in the silt. Underwater, the bulk looked very imposing, but the whole stern of the ship was gone. The end was open to the sea, timbers strewn like tinkertoys along the bottom and across the opening. It seemed the bottom keel of the wreck had been partiality eaten or rotted away, the only thing left was the hulking skeleton of what once was probably a beautiful galleon.

Both men swam around the wreck and up to the top Some of the deck and forecastle remained, and a doorway into what had probably been the crew's quarters was wide open, hanging on it's hinges, but blocked by fallen timbers.

Around the ship were amazing schools of brightly colored fish. A Yellow Angelfish swam by and Steve followed it a ways. Turning back he found JD trying to get inside the hatch. Steve swam up to JD, shook his head and wrote on his slate the word "dangerous". Inwardly, JD sighed, nodded okay and took off to explore more of the hulk. Coming around to the opening again, JD spied something shiny inside the ruins. It appeared to be at the bottom of an abyss. Unable to get a good look, he started to enter the ship again.

Timbers lay across the openings, so JD pushed and pulled until the hatch came loose. Thinking he could climb through, he started into the ship. Steve, again, grabbed his arm, shook his head, tapped on his slate where the word 'dangerous' was still written. JD pulled away from Steve and wrote on his slate, 'wait for me, I wanna check this out'. Steve was aghast that JD would do something so foolhardy. Checking his dive watch, he knew it would soon be time to start back topside. Signaling JD, he pointed up.

JD continued to wiggle through the opening, giving his fin a hard kick to move forward, his foot hit one of the timbers toppling it into another one. That board bounced off the worm-eaten wood and crashed toward the bottom. Debris flew everywhere and JD had just enough time to maneuver his body to keep a large timber from crashing down on his head. A large rafter struck him on the shoulder, knocking him back against the side of the hatch and came to rest across his leg.

Dazed, JD sat for a minute trying to figure out what had happened. He tried to move, but couldn't. Using his other foot, he tried to push the beam off, but it was too heavy. JD felt alarm bells and panic set in as he realized he was trapped.

FIVE

Steve did not want to go into the hellhole JD had wiggled himself into. When the debris had started falling around Dunne, Grains had panicked, but now had managed to bring himself back under control. The opening was wider since the timbers had shifted and the hatch cover was gone.

Steve tentatively swam towards the hatchway and found JD about a foot inside. He was sitting against a bulkhead, breathing hard, using up his air Grains wrote 'calm down' on his slate and showed it to JD, then wrote 'breathe slower'. Nodding to Steve, JD placed a hand on his chest and trying to slow his racing heart. He made himself take a deep breath, then slowly exhale. Calming the panic that surged through him when the timbers fell.

After Steve assured himself that JD was beginning to calm down, he inspected the area around his dive partner's leg to see what damage had occured Steve tried to lift the beam off JD's leg,

but it was too heavy.. He tried again, with JD pushing with his foot. It wouldn't budge. Knowing he couldn't raise the beam by himself, Steve wrote 'I'm going for help' JD's heart began to sink heavily into his chest and once again panic set in. JD vigorously shook his head, writing, 'don't leave me'. Steve, knowing they needed more help, wrote, 'I'm sorry, no choice'. He patted JD encouragingly on the shoulder. He hated to leave the young man, but saw no other alternative. Turning, he started for the surface, leaving JD alone and frightened. The dive light was his only solace.

Steve reached the anchor line and was about to start the swim topside when he encountered Vin and Ezra slowly making their way to the surface. Frantically he wrote on his slate, 'JD in trouble, going for help'. Vin wrote 'where?' Steve pointed and wrote, 'bout 1/4 mile, he's in fo'c'sle'. Vin nodded and started towards the wreck.

Ezra continued his ascent with the body, making his decomp stops with Steve. Once they broke the surface, Grains climbed on to the dive platform, ripped off his mask and hood, yelling, "We need help down here!"

Chris appeared at the railing and peered over. "What's wrong?" He asked, after helping both men climb onto the deck.

"JD, he wouldn't listen, I told him not to go inside, but he wouldn't listen." Steve's voice kept rising. "He's trapped!"

"Calm down, Steve, just tell us what happened," Buck interrupted.

"The wreck, he wanted to go inside, I told him it was too dangerous, but he went in anyway. Some timbers came loose and now he's trapped in the area of the fo'c'sle. Vin's with him."

Larabee grabbed the man by his upper arms and shook him a little. "What do you mean Vin's with him?"

Ezra, who had been standing by, spoke up, "Mr. Grains intercepted us on our way to the surface. He told us about the problem and Mr Tanner went to see if he could assist Mr. Dunne."

"Buck, Chanu, suit up. We're going down, we'll take some extra tanks with us just in case. Ezra, where's the body?"

"I hooked it onto the platform," he answered.

"Will two of you get it into a bodybag?" Larabee asked of his crew members that were standing close by.

Chris, Buck and Chanu were ready to dive in record time. Steve trailed after them still in his dry suit. "Where are you going?" Larabee asked Steve as they headed for the platform.

"With you," he said.

Larabee caught his arm, "That's not a good idea, Steve. Look, Chanu knows where the wreck is, you stay here. We'll find them."

"But I want to do something." Grains was visibly upset.

"You have, you let us know. You rest now and let us bring them back." Chris patted his friend on the back.

The three men stepped off the platform heading for the wreck. Buck and Chris carried an extra tank of air for their team mates.

+ + + + + + +

Vin reached the wreck, looked around, but didn't see JD. Swimming up over the deck, he spied the open hatchway. Looking in, there sat his friend. Taking a deep breath, Vin surveyed the opening and gave JD a thumbs-up signifing help was on the way. Entering in the space JD was trapped in, Vin saw the young man was breathing hard, his eyes wide with fear. Tanner motioned for him to calm down. After checking out the situation, Vin tried to move the beam, but again, it wouldn't budge. Taking out his slate, he wrote, 'calm down, breathe slower' and showed it to him.

JD, already agitated, wrote 'don't leave me' on his slate and showed it to Vin.

Vin wrote back, 'I'm right here' and swam closer to check JD's air gauge.

'Holy shit', he thought, JD was just about out of air. Again, he motioned for him to calm down and take shorter breaths. JD feeling better since he was no longer alone, tried hard to control the panic that clawed through his body. Vin kept watching for Larabee, knowing his lover would come for them. He swam to the edge of the deck and back, hoping to see his teammates coming.

When JD realized his air had ran out, he was slammed with a paralyzing jolt of fear. His eyes widened and terror filled his soul, making rational thought nearly impossible. Vin, trying hard to get JD to calm down, offered his mouthpiece and laid a hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

Tanner recognized the fear in his friend's eyes and after taking a breath, wrote, 'I won't leave ya'. Then, 'help's on the way'. JD nodded, trying hard to relax. Taking off his tanks, Vin handed them to JD.

The waiting was endless. Vin tried again to get the beam off his partner's leg. Keeping an eye on his watch, they continued buddy breathing. Tanner was beginning to worry. His air was being quickly depleted, but he was sure someone would be there before that happened.

After taking another deep breath of air, Vin again swam to the edge of the ship. Exhaling slowly and scanning the ocean, he felt a disturbance below his feet There was a slight rumble and air bubbles exploded around him. The old wreck began to slide.

Fear raced through Vin's body and he forcefully had to keep control of himself The ship stopped sliding after about ten or fifteen feet and Vin gave a powerful kick of his fins, making his way back to where JD was trapped. 'Please let him be all right' Vin prayed.

Finding the hatch, he saw JD sitting wide-eye, scared and clutching the air tanks. Exhaling the last of his air, Vin took a healthy breath of air from the regulator and again, patted his friend on the shoulder.

The timber that was across the kid's leg had shifted downward and now covered part of his foot and ankle. Vin inspected it, thinking maybe, he could cut the fin off JD's foot. He quickly discovered however, from the way the beam lay across the kid's foot, there was no way of getting the fin off without cutting JD's foot.

He checked the air gauge again. It wouldn't be long before he'd have to leave and try to make it to the surface. He'd just have to go slow and pray he didn't get an embolism. Again, he swam outside the wreck looking for the help he knew was coming. Vin eyed the old shipwreck; it was leaning at an ugly angle and Vin knew it wouldn't take much for it to slide on down into the crevasse that the terrorists' fishing boat was sitting in 'God, where was Larabee?' he wondered.

He saw them! Or he thought he did, it was either help arriving or three sharks swimming their way through the murky water.

As the three men swam into view, Larabee noticed his lover treading water waiting for them. The first thing he discovered was Vin had no air tank on. Offering his mouthpiece to him, Vin took a deep breath and pointed to where JD was trapped and led the three men over to the hatchway

Buck was amazed at the predictment his friend had gotten himself into. While he scratched his head at the problem, he helped JD into the fresh airtank as Larabee helped Vin secure a new tank. JD was almost bouncing with the excitement of being rescued, when another small quake hit. The air bubbles and wave motion of the seawater pitched them around and caused the ship to slide a few more feet downward. They looked at each other and Chanu wrote 'we better hurry!' on his slate.

Working together they were able to raise the beam off the kid's foot. When JD felt the pressure come off his leg, he scooted back away from the timber. Pain shot through his body and left him gasping, trying to ride out the pain that was coming in waves, JD thought he was going to pass out. Buck noticed the bloody scrapes on the injured leg and feared sharks might smell the blood. Chanu helped him up and coaxed him out the hatch opening. Once out in the open sea, the five men started for the surface Buck and Chanu stayed on each side of JD guiding him up. Keeping a watch out for sharks, Tanner nd Larabee followed. There was another quake and once more, bubbles surrounded them. The ship slid forward and again caught itself on some unseen barrier. Taking no chances, the men slowly made their way to the surface.

+ + + + + + +

Once they reached the dive platform, Nathan and Josiah helped to get JD on deck. Vin took off his facemask, hood and tanks and lay on the platform breathing fresh air for a few minutes, then slowly, with Ezra's help, climbed onto the deck. Taking off his fins, he sank to the deck, drew his knees up and rested his forehead on his arms.

The other three men climbed up behind them. Once Larabee was on deck, he threw his fins down and watched as they flopped around. As he began to remove his dry suit, through clenched teeth, he asked Nathan, "Is he gonna be all right?"

Nathan was probing the injured leg. JD was hurting and trying to pull his leg out of Nathan's grip. He said, "Stop it Nathan! That hurts!"

Looking at JD, Nathan said, "You're damn well right it hurts, it's probably broken." Looking up at Chris, he continued, "He needs an x-ray. All I can do is clean it up and splint it, but we'll need to get a medevac out here to take him back to shore. As you know, Chris, we ain't equipped to do more than that."

Buck was scared for JD; he turned on Steve in anger, "Why'd you let him go in that wreck? You were supposed to be watching him. You're the experienced diver here!"

Standing up, Steve hissed back at Buck, "I ain't takin' the blame for this. He's a grown man and I told him twice not to go in there. That it was too dangerous, but he went anyway." Picking up his gear, Steve stormed off to change from his bathing trunks into shorts.

Chris, equally scared for his partner and unable to control his temper, turned on Vin. "What the fuck did you think you were doin'? You could have drowned down there," he shouted. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Can you tell me what the fucking hell you were thinking? It coulda been you in that body bag there!" He pointed to the black bag still laying on deck.

Chris glowered at Vin and demanded, "What reasonable excuse can you give me to make that right, huh, those were earthquakes down there for your information! What if...," Larabee stopped, paused, caught his breath, and started to say again, "What if...," he sputtered. At a loss for words, Chris couldn't remember the last time he was so angry. He needed a drink, no, he needed to hit something. Vin, he wanted to hit Vin, he fumed.

Vin looked up at his lover, anger flashing in his eyes. He was already shaking on the inside, but had no intention of losing it in front of these men. He rose up and started jerking off his dry suit. Looking Chris in the eye, he said in a low raspy drawl, "Whad cha want me ta do Larabee, leave him ta drown? JD had no air left, so what else was I gonna do, huh? You tell me! Anyway, it weren't nothin' you wouldn't have done yourself."

Standing there in his cutoffs, Vin looked out over the expanse of ocean, trying to get himself under control. Shaking his head, he turned and headed for their cabin.

JD, in the meantime shouted, "Ow, Ow, damn Nathan, that hurts." Taking a deep breath, he shouted at Buck, "Stop screaming at Steve, Buck, I knew better than to go in there. But I'd seen somethin' shiny in the muck." Lowering his voice, he took another deep breath, "And I wanted to see what it was. I thought maybe it was the treasure." Glancing at Chris, he said, "Don't be mad at Vin, Chris, I begged him not to leave me, I was really shook up and after Steve left to come get help, I was even more scared. I guess I musta panicked. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen," The adrenaline was wearing off and JD was starting to shake, just realizing the dangerous situation he had escaped from. "I'm really sorry, guys."

Buck patted his friend on the back, "Well, hopefully you learned a lesson kid. Next time you'll know better. Dont worry, I'll talk to Steve."

"Next time! There ain't gonna be a next time, I'm never going down again Nathan, stop it!" JD snapped as he kept trying to pull his foot out of Nathan's grasp.

"If you'd stop fidgeting, it wouldn't hurt so much. There's a good chance it's broken," the EMT explained.

Chris watched as Vin climbed the ladder, stalking to the cabin, his shoulders back, head high, hands fisted, showing evidence of Vin's mood. "Tell Bruce to call the medovac people and the Coast Guard. And someone get this body into the cooler." Larabee started after Tanner.

Vin opened the door of their cabin, but before he could close it, he felt a big hand push it open behind him and the door quietly closed. Vin's whole body was shaking and rigid as he wrapped his arms around his chest, holding himself tight. The enormity of what had transpired seventy-feet underwater was catching up with him. He didn't think he had been close to drowning, but at seventy-feet, one bad decision could have been fatal. The adrenaline was wearing off and all he wanted was to crawl in bed and sleep for a week.

He knew Larabee was behind him and wondered why the man just couldn't leave him in peace. He just wasn't in the mood to deal with the blond's bullshit right now.

"Vin," Chris said quietly, wrapping his arms around his lover. Turning him around, Chris whispered to him, "I'm sorry, pard. It's just that I love you so much. It scared the shit outta me, seeing you down there with no tank on. Damn, I can't lose you, too."

Vin relaxed and wrapped his arms around his lover. They stood there clinging tightly to each other.

Chris said again in a voice barely above a whisper, "I can't lose you, pard, I'd never survive it."

Vin gently pushed Chris to sit on the bed. He crawled up on the bed, facing Larabee's side and wrapped his legs around his partner's body. Vin leaned his head on Chris's shoulder and said, "You ain't never gonna lose me, cowboy." He placed a hand upon the blond's chest where his heart beat and continued, "Even if I ain't here with you, cowboy, I'll always live in your heart, just like Sarah and little Adam. We'll never be separated. With the work we do, no one really knows what's gonna happen, Chris." Vin kissed his lover's shoulder, leaned over and kissed Larabee's chest where his hand still lay."

Larabee turned on the bed and faced Vin, "You can't wrap your arms around a memory, Vin, or make love to one. Believe me, I've tried. After I lost 'em, I'd hold on to her pillow and..., well..., it just ain't the same thing." Tenderly touching the side of his partner's face, he went on, I know..," he paused, "Believe me, I know, there are no guarantees in life, but seeing you with no tanks," he wrapped his arms tighter around Vin, holding him close. Larabee closed his eyes, relaxing into the embrace.

A few minutes later, Vin gave a little shake of his head and said, "Damn cowboy, it's been a hell of a day. You still mad at me?"

Putting his face into Vin's neck kissing it softly, shook his head no and pushed Vin down on the bed, crawling over him. Nipping the side of his neck, his palms cupping Tanner's butt, kneading it. Then raising, he straddled his lover, Chris bent over kissing Vin lightly, and repeated quietly, "You scared the God-damned shit outta me." and continued to explore the body he loved. His mouth found Tanner's pink oval nipples and let his tongue taste their sweetness. Vin ran his hands over Chris's body, exploring shoulder muscles and the ladder ridges of his ribs.

They scooted up on the bed and Larabee went back to kissing the nubs, working and sucking on the tiny crests that hardened beneath his tongue. Moving on down the body, he found the tiny indent of Vin's navel. Running his mouth around the edge, gently biting the rim. He unsnapped the rivet of Tanner's levi cutoffs and pushed them off his body. Chris found Tanner's mouth and ravished it with his tongue. Vin pushed Larabee's khaki shorts over his ass and with his partner's help, got them off and dropped to the floor.

Hearing low, growling sounds of pleasure from his lover, Chris continued to run his mouth over Vin's body.

"I want you inside me cowboy. I need ta feel you inside me. Show me I'm still alive." Vin whispered.

Vin's cock was weeping, thick and hard, smooth skin over steel. Chris took that length in his mouth, sucked on it, tasted it and lost himself in it. He knew Vin was close, but he wasn't quite ready for this to end. Dropping his lover's cock from his mouth. Chris started sucking on Vin's balls. He tongued them none to gently. Turning his lover over, Chris started nipping at Vin's ass. He spread Vin's cheeks and delved into the secret hiding place of Vin's little hole, fucking it with his tongue. Vin was writhing on the bed in ecstasy, begging for release.

Finally, Chris reached into the drawer and brought out the K-Y. "Won't be long now pard," he gasped. Warming the jelly in his hand he oiled himself and Vin. Turning Tanner back over on his back, Chris spread Vin's legs and sucked on and nipped at the insides of Vin's thighs. Peering up at Vin, Larabee quipped, "You probably not gonna be able to wear shorts for a few days," Chris grinned evilly.

"Don't care, jest git on with it," he growled, raising himself to meet Larabee. After preparing his lover, Chris lined his hard, weeping cock up with the little hole and sank slowly into the love pit that was his and his alone.

Tanner wanted to feel the beating of his heart and the sweet pull of air into his lungs. He pulled Larabee closer to him. "Harder," he breathed to his partner. Hot mouth met hot mouth with bruising kisses. Larabee surged into him thrusting hard inside his partner. Bodies melted into each other moving in perfect sync, impossible to tell where one body ended and the other began. Larabee was relentless, trying to absorb Vin into his very skin. Grabbing Vin's dick, he roughly pumped in tune with his thrusts. Their bodies responding to the lovemaking as both tumbled over the edge in a powerful release.

Chris fell next to Vin, neither man able to breathe, both trying to bring air into their lungs. Chris laid a hand on his chest, to feel his beating heart. Vin, laying next to the blond, curled over and laid his hand across his lovers.

"All right cowboy, ya done convinced me, I reckon I'm still alive." Vin grinned, when he could talk again.

Larabee laughed, "Glad ta hear it. pard." And pulled his lover closer.

Slowly, they nodded off for a nap after the exhausting day.

+ + + + + + +

When Vin woke up it was dark outside. The ship was moving and he was alone. Rolling over, he looked at the clock. It was after two in the morning. 'Hmm, Larabee musta taken the second watch', he thought, sighing. He swung his legs to the floor and walked to the head. After taking care of business, he stepped into what passed for the shower. Letting the water spray over his body, he quickly washed his body, dragged shampoo over his head and rinsed. He knew it had only been a few days, but he longed for their shower at home with the endless amount of hot water. Showers at sea were short, due to the limited amount of water the ship could carry.

After towel-drying his hair and donning a pair of boxers, Vin went back to bed, hugging Larabee's pillow close to his chest. Dozing off, he was awakened when his lover slipped into bed, wanting his pillow back.

Curling up into Chris's arms he said, "I thought you were taking the second shift."

Larabee answered, "No, I took the first watch. When the chopper picked up JD, Buck went with him. I told Buck to call as soon as the doctors knew anything, so I've been waiting for his call."

"How is JD?" Vin asked.

"He has a hairline fracture of the tibia. Buck said they put a cast on his leg and he's going to be on crutches for awhile. Otherwise, other than being shook up, he's okay."

"Think he meant it? He doesn't want to dive anymore?" Giving a small shake of his head, Vin went on, "I can't even imagine that."

Chris raised up on his elbow and looked at his lover. "I don't know, Vin, but I'm surprised you'd want to go back in. I'm not sure I want you to dive again. Today really scared me," pulling Vin closer.

Tanner placed kisses Larabee's chest, saying. "You know how much I love to dive, and what happened today wasn't the fault of diving," he paused, "JD was begging me not ta leave him and..., well, truth is, I couldn't. I knew help was on the way and we were sharin' the air okay. I don't know if it was right or wrong, cowboy, but I'd never been able to look myself in the mirror again, knowing I'd left him by himself." Vin shuddered with the memory. "Truth is, I was damn scared myself. But we still had a safe amout of air left, so it wasn't real close and like I said, I knew you were on the way." He admitted. Snuggling closer, relaxing on Chris's shoulder.

The blond also relaxed, "I understand what you're saying pard and truthfully, I'd like to think I would have done the same thing, but I'm not sure I would have," he whispered.

"Yeah, you would. I know you, cowboy, and I know there ain't no way you'd a ever left JD down there." They lay quietly for a few moments before Vin mentioned, "We're movin', we headed home?"

"Yeah. Well no, actually, we're headed to Frisco. We've been given a slip to dock at. I have to see the Coast Guard and turn the body over to them. Frank, Chanu and Raph have decided to stay in Frisco, so just as soon as we've made our report, we'll be headed home. Go on to sleep, pard, we'll be docking soon." And together they drifted off into dreamland.

SIX

The following morning, everyone relaxed around the table having breakfast. The Coast Guard had been notified and arrangements had been made to pick up the body. Larabee had an appointment for this morning at the CG offices to file a report and sign his statement. Raphael and Vin agreed to accompany him to help fill in the blanks and answer any questions. After the men were finished eating, they sat back, savoring their coffee.

"How fares our young Mr. Dunne, Mr. Larabee? Have you heard anything yet?" Ezra inquired.

"Yeah, Buck called last night. He has a hairline fracture of his shinbone. They put an aircast on it and he'll be on crutches for awhile. Buck told me he's taking JD home today. They're flying out this afternoon and he said to tell you guys they'd see everyone at home.

Nathan smiled, "I figured it was broken. Flying home is the best thing for him. He'll need ta stay off that leg for a few weeks, give it time to heal."

"I hope this hasn't soured JD on diving," Vin mused.

"How about you, Vin? Any qualms about suiting up and diving again?" Chanu asked.

"Nah, this accident wasn't 'bout diving, this was 'bout not payin' attention to the rules. JD knew better."

"How long are we gonna be docked, boss?" Bruce asked, changing the conversation. "Andy and I'd like to go visit some friends we know here in Frisco."

Larabee looked around the table and most of his crew were nodding. "You fellas want a day off?" He smiled amicably.

One of them said, "Well yeah, if we ain't gonna head home right away."

"How about you Nathan? Raine be upset if you're home a day later?" Chris asked.

"Nah, she's still off work with the baby and her dad's still here, helping out."

Well, it's fine by me if you fellas want to play today, we can start home tomorrow. We just need four volunteers for watch duty. Two for this morning and two for this afternoon."

There was a murmur of consent, with a few of the crew stating they would stay onboard.

Josiah looked at Nathan. "Want to wander over and check out the new Maritime Museum, Nathan?"

"Sure, but I need to let Raine know we'll be a day later. How about we go after lunch?"

"Sounds fine. Nathan and I'll be here all morning, Chris. So, we'll be here to help out."

Vin spoke up, "This question and answer thing shouldn't take all day, should it?"

Raphael answered, "No, I wouldn't think so. We didn't make him dead, we just found him that way." He finished, chuckling at his own joke.

"Then we could probably be back by early afternoon," Vin agreed.

Charlie joined the group with his own mug of coffee. "Since we're docked, I'd like to go ashore, visit Fishermans Wharf and get some supplies. I'm gonna fix you guys seafood tonight. I'll be back before noon, though."

Chris said, "Okay, we'll stay in port today and start home first light. Everyone have fun and be back by six tonight." A few crew members started to rise when Larabee said, "Oh, one more thing, I'm not bailing anyone out of jail, so please ladies, stay out of trouble. That's it," and he rose, rinsed out his mug and started for the gangplank.

Some of the crew stayed aboard to read or play cards. Days off were rare when they put out to sea and not everyone left the galley, but refilled mugs of coffee, sat back and relaxed, taking advantage of their unexpected free time.

Ezra wandered off to Chinatown where a good friend owned a teahouse. He had rescued Li Pong from the slave trade years before, when he was still with the FBI. She had settled in San Francisco and with Ezra's help, her ingenuity and determination she had turned her small cafe into a successful business. Ezra always dropped by to see her when he was in town.

Chanu had a few days left on his leave, so he left to secure a hotel room and rent a car.

+ + + + + + +

After explaining the circumstances and giving a full report on finding the body, dismantling the bomb and JD's injury, and after dotting the i's and crossing the t's on their statements, the men were thanked for their cooperation. The C-4 had been turned over to Raphael and Francis.

Vin, Chris, and Raphael met Chanu for lunch at a local deli. Frank had gone home to cleanup and then was headed to his office.

They finished eating and Vin looked at his watch, stood up and said, "I reckon I'm gonna head on back to the ship Nate and 'siah will want ta be leaving soon." He looked at Chris expectantly.

"I'll meet you back there, Vin," Chris smiled at him.

"Okay," Vin nodded.

Chanu rose also. "Come on Vin, I'll walk with you."

+ + + + + + +

As Vin and Chanu ambled along companionably, Vin said casually, "Ya know man, it's been real good seein' ya again. Ya got any plans or are you plannin' on stayin' in the Army?"

Chanu smiled, " Its been good seeing you too, bro and yeah, I'm stayin' in. Can't think of anything else I can do, so I'll probably be a lifer. As you know, I've made captain now and it's a pretty good life."

"Ya seein' anyone special? Or none of my business," Vin said with a little grin.

"Nah, there isn't anyone special in my life, although, I was thinking that maybe, well..., maybe...," he stammered.

Vin looked at his friend curiously "What?"

"Well, you know I sorta like Raphael and I thought he liked me too, but it looks like he has eyes only for Larabee. Not that you have anything to worry about. That's plain to see," Chanu sighed.

Vin frowned. "I know I don't need to worry, but, Raphs sure's a burr in my side. Trouble is, I like the guy, you know, as a friend, and he is our handler, but, well, he and Larabee have a history and Raph just can't seem ta let it go."

"My father always said, if it's suppose to be, then it'll be. I'll just have to wait and see, I reckon." Sighing again, Chanu continued, "Here's the ship I need to get my gear, then I'll head on back to my hotel. I ran into a couple a guys I know and I'm meeting them for drinks later."

Chanu collected his belongings and the two friends parted company Their previously-strained friendship had been successfully strengthened.

+ + + + + + +

Back at the deli, the two friends ordered another beer and watched as Chanu and Vin walked away.

"You and Senor Vin have been together a long time now. Does he still excite you?"

Chris frowned. "Why?"

"When you and I were together, your sexual appetites ran along the same lines as mine, but I don't see that same passion in Vin."

"We do okay," the blond answered, evading the question.

"So, you are satisfied with just okay?"

"Raph," Chris started, running his thumb and forefinger across his bottom lip, "I'm not going to discuss Vin with you."

"Okay, to the point then, is there a chance for you and I to get together again? A chance to rekindle that same passion we once shared?"

Larabee looked at him, surprise written on his face. Shaking his head slightly, he said, "No!" Then, "I'm sorry Raphael, but Vin and I are a perfect fit. Hell, first time I laid eyes on him I knew I wanted 'im."

Raphael nodded his head and said, "Then it is time for me to give up foolish thoughts and turn to someone more willing."

"Yes it is, Raph. I've always hoped you'd find someone to share your life with and I was really sorry your marriage didn't work out. But that someone isn't me, I'm sorry." It was quite a speech for Larabee.

"Thank you for your honesty, Chris. Chanu and I have developed a kinship and I'm sure it could go further if given the chance."

"Chanu's a good man, Raph, you could do worse."

"Yes, except he's in the desert and I'm in San Diego." Raphael smiled. "But it could be worse, I suppose."

Chris laughed, "It could be a lot worse Give it a chance amigo, you may even enjoy it."

Chris rose, "I've got to get back. You coming back to the ship?"

"No, I'm meeting some friends for drinks later and I need to get a hotel room. The Company keeps rooms for us agents at a nearby accommodation, and I need to get checked in."

Standing by the gate of the outdoor patio where they ate, Chris said, "Raph, it'd be a good idea if you didn't drop by so often. You're still welcome, but call first and wait for an invitation. That way there can be no misunderstandings, comprende?"

"Of course, Senor. I understand, however, you do still work for me, is that correct?"

Laughing, Chris walked away giving his friend a backward wave. "Yeah, that's correct."

+ + + + + + +

The sun rose slowly on the eastern horizon, the dawn bringing a new day.

The Larabee's Lady glided smoothly out to sea, heading south.

A day or two after returning home, Chris called his dad and suggested the two of them have dinner at the old steakhouse they both enjoyed Adam agreed to meet his son for lunch.

As they took their seats and gave their orders to the waiter, Adam smiled a big smile and thanked his son. "Lydia told me you called and apologized for saying those things to her a few months ago. I appreciate you doing that, son. We've been seeing a marriage counselor and we're pretty much over our rough spot. We're going to take the motor home on another jaunt. We're heading up towards Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Should be a wonderful trip ths time of year."

"That's good, Dad, I hope everything works out for you two. Life is too short and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that you never know what the future will bring and never take anything for granted. I also wanted to clear the air between us. I'd really like it if you'd apologized to Vin, too."

The smile faded from Adam's face. "So, you're still seeing him. I'd hoped..., well, I'd hoped this apology meant you were saying you were wrong about him and wanted to be part of this family again."

Chris stared at his father. "Excuse me? I didn't realize I'd ever left the family, Dad. When did that happen?"

"I'm sorry, kiddo, poor choice of words. I just meant that..."

"You'd hoped Vin and I had parted ways?" Chris cocked an eyebrow. "Sorry, ain't gonna happen. Vin's it for me and the sooner you accept that the happier you'll be."

"Son, why can't you find a nice lady and settle down? You're not so old that you couldn't still have a couple kids. That'd really do my heart good, Chris. To see you happy with a family and all."

Their meals arrived at the table and as they prepared to eat, Chris smiled. "Dad, I've always loved and respected you, but have you ever once just looked at me with your eyes wide open? Can't you see how happy and content I am? I love and respect Vin just as much. Sure, we're never gonna have kids, but hell, we're always going to have each other and that's just as important."

"I was hoping this was a phase or a mid-life crisis you were going through and eventually it would pass." Adam paused, "I'm sorry Chris, I just can't bring myself to be nice to him. I've tried, but I just can't do it!" Taking a bite of his meal, Adam sighed. "Do you know what we did to queers in the marines? I'll tell you this, we certainly didn't tolerate them! I'm sure the SEALs were the same way." Adam gave his head a little shake; he was getting angry. Why couldn't Chris give up this foolish notion of his and become the husband and father he was suppose to be?

The blond stared at his father in disbelief. He couldn't begin to imagine what kind of bullshit Vin had had to put up with while he was serving his country. "Dad," he said quietly, keeping control of his temper, "until you can give Vin the respect he deserves, maybe you shouldn't come out to the house. That's Vin's home too, so no more snide remarks, put-downs or comments about his masculinity." Chris folded his napkin calmly, preparing to leave.

"Is that right? Chris, you choosing him over me? Just how am I supposed to think of him? As my daughter-in-law?"

"I'm not making the choice, Dad, you are. His name is Vin, he's a man. I live with a man, Dad, get used to it, because Vin and I will hopefully be together for a long time." Reaching for his wallet, the blond put two twenties on the table. "I'm hoping that you love and respect me enough to accept my choices." And with that Chris left the restaurant.

+ + + + + + +

About a week after returning home, Larabee went to the post office to pick up the mail from their post office box. As he walked into the house, he was reading a letter and mentioned it to Vin. "We got a letter from Aaron Jacoby. He owns that parcel of land directly behind us. He's thinking of selling it and wants to know if we're interested. Are we?"

"Hell, ain't nothin' back there but sand dunes and scrub grass. But if we bought it, we'd own the entire south end of the cove, and no one could ever build back there."

"A lot of it is shoreline too. He'd probably want a pretty penny for it," Chris mused.

"You bought this parcel from him, didn't you? You said he sold it to you at a real decent price," Vin said thoughtfully.

"Well," Chris started, "he likes to gamble. He runs over to Vegas on a regular basis and he'd acquired a pretty hefty gambling debt. I think he sold it to me to pay that off. At least, that's what he said, like I cared." Chris snorted. "Hell, at the time I didn't even care about me. So, are we interested?"

Vin nodded. "Hell yes, dependin' on how much he wants. Ain't like we ain't got the money." Vin smiled. "Might consider puttin' in a barn and buyin' a couple horses."

Chris smiled at Vin indulgently. They weren't home enough to care for horses, but he was considering buying a horse for Vin for his birthday. There was a stable not far from the beach house, where they could rent out space to stable their horses. The animals could be properly cared for then, if they were out of town.

"I'll call Aaron, let him know we're interested," Chris agreed.

As he reached for his cellphone, it began ringing. Seeing that it was Raphael, he answered.

"Hey," he said, "What's going on?"

Raphael chuckled, "Not much amigo, but I did get the autopsy report back. May I come out?"

"Sure, we haven't any plans. Can you stay for dinner?" Chris asked.

"Yes, thanks," Raph said, surprised.

Hanging up, Chris said to his lover, "Raphael is coming out to tell us about the autopsy report on our dead guy. He's staying for dinner. Is that okay with you?"

"Sure," Vin grinned. "He ain't been out for the last couple a weeks. Be nice to see him. You call your dad, yet?"

"No, the next move is his, but I have faith in the old man, he'll come around," Larabee said as he headed back into the kitchen to throw another steak into the marinade. And to call Aaron Jacoby about the property.

+ + + + + + +

Raphael arrived at the beach house still in his suit, coming straight from work. He removed his coat and tie. Rolling up his sleeves he made himself comfortable. Vin handed him a beer, and the three men moved out to the patio on the side of the house.

Raphael started. "Josiah was correct. The dead man was a CIA agent, though not a rogue. His name was Agent Norman White. He'd been with the Company about five years. After interviewing his family and talking again with the two men the CG fished out of the water, we've pieced together what we think might have happened. It seems Norm was concerned about the coastlines. He felt that they weren't guarded properly and figured he'd teach us a lesson. He talked the two young men into going with him. Norm activated the bomb and told the two with him to take it on into the harbor, lift the lid on the briefcase and disappear. Well, the boys didn't take too kindly to Norm's plan after he dug out his scuba gear. A fight ensued and poor Norm got the worst of it. One of them stabbed him and the other called the Coast Guard. Why they tried to run from the CG, no one knows, not even them. They said they panicked and that's probably true. Who knows, huh?"

Chris shook his head. "It's a wonder the whole damn thing didn't blow when the CG fired on it. You saw the picture of the size of the hole in the bow."

"Yeah, they weren't terrorists either, just two college kids with radical leanings," Raphael finished.

"I just don't understand it," Vin added, giving his head a little shake.

"Steaks are finished, hand me your plates." One by one Larabee put a steak, baked potato and grilled corn on their plates.

As they ate, Raphael decided to share his news. "Chanu and I are kind of seeing each other. This weekend I'm heading out to the base and we're going camping. I'm really looking forward to it," he finished chuckling a little.

Vin gifted him with a half grin. "Chanu's a good man, Raph, and I know he likes you."

"I'm glad to hear that Raph," Chris added. "Be good for you and Chanu both."

"Well, I don't know if it'll go anywhere, but I'm definitely interested in him." Raphael smiled as they finished the meal.

Cleaning up after the meal the three men got a fresh beer and settled in to visit.

+ + + + + + +

Later that evening, Vin's cell phone rang. Picking it up, he answered, "Tanner!"

"Oh, hi Vin..., uh... this is Adam, Chris's dad?"

"Hi, Mr. Larabee, Chris is here, I'll let ya speak ta him." Vin started to hand the phone to his partner, who was reading.

"No, uh... wait a minute, I wanted to talk to you." Adam paused.

"Okay, what can I do for you?" Vin shrugged as Chris laid his book down.

"Well, I just wanted to um..., say...., um.. I'm a sor..., um... Well you know the last few months have been real stressful and if I said something to make you feel bad, well, I just wanted to say it was unintentional and I hope you'll overlook it," Adam stammered. He actually liked Vin, he just had problems with the situation. However, the relationship with his son was just too important to lose. And Chris seemed a lot happier now.

Vin knew this was as close to an apology as he was likely to get and the man was trying, so he said, "That's okay Mr. Larabee. We've all been under a lot of stress lately. I reckon I haven't been real friendly either. Next time you come out we'll have a beer."

"Thank you, Vin, I appreciate that. It'll be awhile though, me and Lydia are taking the motor home up towards Yellowstone. We're leaving tomorrow, but we'll both see you after we get back."

"That's real purty country up there. You two have a good time. Here, I'll let ya talk ta Chris." Vin handed the phone over to a smiling Larabee.

"Hello Dad..."

END

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