Vin Tanner sat as he had for so long. He hadn’t spoken more than six words since arriving at the hospital right behind the ambulance that had transported Chris Larabee to the emergency room. At least they had been able to get him to let Buck drive. Not that the big man was in much better shape, but at least he held it together enough to drive behind the ambulance without rear-ending it. Tanner had been out the passenger door before Buck even had time to park the car. He ran to the ambulance and shadowed the paramedics as they wheeled the gurney through the hospital doors, only stopping when Buck and two nurses blocked his way.
The other members of Team Seven had their hands full keeping the young sharpshooter from either wearing a hole in the floor from pacing, or landing a punch on an unsuspecting orderly who got in his way. The five hours it took for the surgeon to remove the bullet from Chris’ chest, repair the damage the heavy caliber projectile had done, and replace the massive blood loss were the longest the six agents had endured for some time. Even Josiah Sanchez’s estimable patience was wearing thin by the time they received the report that Larabee’s chances were good for coming through without any lasting damage.
It had been another eight hours before they could get permission to look in on the injured agent. The others had gone first, staying only long enough to reassure themselves that their leader was still among the living. They left, promising the young man who would not leave Larabee’s side that they would be back. Vin had nodded absently, the only thing on his mind was the awakening of his boss, his leader, his friend, his lover. There would be no way Tanner would leave until he was positive that Chris would be fine. And that would only be possible when he saw a pair of hazel eyes and heard that quiet voice assuring him that he was okay.
There were a few members of the hospital staff that knew, or had some inkling of, Chris and Vin’s relationship. The Magnificent Team Seven, the crown jewel of Denver’s ATF force, had a habit of sending someone to the hospital after one operation or another with an incredibly high frequency. Tanner and Larabee seemed to be in a race to have the thickest chart stored away in the hospital’s file room. It had become impossible to keep the strength of their relationship from becoming known to some of the doctors and nurses that had put them back together at one time or another. Others might at times give them questioning sideways looks, but no one answered those looks. Even the members of Team Seven who weren’t completely comfortable with the more physical aspects of Vin and Chris’ relationship guarded it with a ferocity that only men who held one another’s lives in their hands could know.
And so it was now. As Chris lay in the bed, only the fluctuating sounds of the heart monitor acknowledging life; as Vin sat conscious but just as still in the chair next to him, the others watched over them. One or another of the five remaining team members stood guard outside the room, making certain that no one came into the room without warning. It didn’t change for the thirty-six hours that Vin sat vigil next to the man he had pledged his life and love to nearly six months before. And it didn’t change when that vigil ended with the opening of a pair of hazel eyes.
Chris managed to open his eyes finally. He had been trying for some time, but he had found the lids far too heavy to move. The blond had lay for some time in the foggy in-between of consciousness and unconsciousness, letting the sounds washing over him tell him that he was in the hospital. He heard the beeping of the heart monitor that he assumed relayed his heartbeat to those who were listening for it. He heard a soft and steady hiss that he knew to be the sound of oxygen being pushed into his lungs. And then there was a sound that brought him great comfort. He could hear the sounds of his soulmate nearby, the soft even breathing that told him Vin was dozing, the occasional creak of the too-hard chair he would be sitting in protesting his occasional movement.
Focusing his eyes in the direction of those familiar sounds, Chris was rewarded by the sight of his lover. Vin sat curled up in the chair like a cat, arms wrapped around his legs, his shaggy head resting on his knees. He still had on the torn jeans and sleeveless t-shirt he had worn for the undercover operation, but he had discarded the heavy boots. Barefoot, eyes closed, breathing slow and even, Tanner had drifted off like that. Larabee managed a smile, and lay watching the younger man for several minutes. He was still amazed to realize what Vin Tanner meant to him, and how deeply he had come to care for the long-haired, quiet-spoken, blue-eyed, passionate-about-life, too-young-for-him, agent. He chuckled, the sound weak even to his ears. But Vin heard it.
Head snapping up, the sharpshooter gazed anxiously toward the bed. His broad, easy smile lit up the room when he saw his partner’s eyes opened after nearly two days. "Hey ol’ man. ‘Bout time you opened them eyes for me."
"How...long?" Chris grated out hoarsely.
Retrieving a glass of water from the bedside table, Tanner helped the blond take a drink. "Reckon it’s been most a two days. Guess y’ needed a vacation. Y’ couldn’t just ask Travis for some down time?" He tried to laugh, but it was a sad, trembling sound. He lay his head on the guard rail working to steady himself with a deep breath. He felt someone stroking his head, and looked up to see Chris’ hand dropping back to the bed.
"Hey pard....I’m sorry," Larabee said softly. "Didn’t mean to...to scare you."
Blue eyes glistening with unshed tears, Tanner said, "just didn’t know where I’d be findin’ someone else could...curl m’ toes like you can."
Both men smiled, their eyes locked in a lingering look of deepest affection. Vin brushed back the long reddish-blond hair and tenderly kissed the pale forehead. He started to pull the chair closer, but Chris’ hand on his stopped him. He turned with a questioning look.
"Come here," Larabee said softly.
"Chris, I – "
"It’s okay," Chris said in that soft tone that never failed to get him his way. "Come here. You...look tired."
Hesitantly, Vin lowered the side rail and crawled into the hospital bed next to his lover. Being as careful as possible, he moved to lay down beside the other man. Chris grunted once, but reassured the younger man that he was fine. Coaxing him on, Larabee couldn’t help but smile to feel the familiar body stretched out next to him. Managing to wrap his arm around Tanner, he urged him as close as possible. The ATF leader sighed contentedly as he felt the young man’s body mold itself to his, something that had become a familiar comfort in the past months.
Snuggling against his boss and lover, Vin Tanner felt himself relax for the first time since watching the man fly backwards from the force of the rifle shot. But with that relaxation came a loss of control. "Oh God...Chris. I thought...I thought I’d lost you for sure. Damn it Cowboy...I just knew I was gonna have t’...bury you."
"Hell, I’m too tough for one bullet to take me out kid," he used the term that was as close to endearment as he could manage. "It’s going to be fine. I’m going to be fine, and around for a long time to come."
"Promise...promise me?" The dam broke, and the younger man’s emotions poured out in great, gasping sobs. "Promise me Chris," he practically begged.
"Shhhhh," Larabee murmured, stroking the trembling back of the man next to him. "I promise you Vin...I promise."
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
"Chris, you sure you’re up to this?" Nathan Jackson couldn’t help but go into medic mode when one of the others was recovering from an injury. He blamed it on the fact that none of them seemed to have the good sense to take care of themselves after they were released from the hospital. He had replaced enough stitches and monitored enough infections to know that they weren’t likely to change anytime soon. And this one was the worst. Larabee had walked on a broken ankle for three days until Nathan had noticed him favoring it when he walked. He had passed out from blood loss during another operation that had gone wrong, simply slumping over in the car as they made a last-ditch effort to salvage the bust. And now, less than a week after being released from the hospital, he and Vin were heading off into the mountains for a weekend camping trip.
"I’m fine, mother," Larabee quipped. "You don’t think junior’s gonna let me do anything too strenuous, do you?"
"Depends on what’cha got planned for entertainment, ol’ pard," Buck joked as he entered the conversation. He carried a cooler into Chris’ living room where they were all gathering to see their friends off.
"Shoot," Chris scoffed. "He’s already told me if I even mention anything ‘strenuous’ he’s sleeping under the stars and leaving me in the tent alone."
"That’s right. I ain’t tottin’ his stubborn ass back here t’ get them stitches put back in," Vin said. He dropped the sleeping bags and tent he had carried from the basement onto the hardwood floor. "He’s gonna be a god boy, or I’m tyin’ ‘m up an’ carryin’ ‘m back here personal."
"Well, I hate t’ tell y’ son," Buck said with a grin, "but I just seen his eyes light up at the mention a bein’ tied up."
The four men laughed, reveling in the fact that they, as a unit, were whole once more. Vin went to where Chris lounged in a chair and leaned over the back to place a hand on each shoulder, then moved to knead the broad shoulders. If the other two were uncomfortable with the show of affection, they hid it well. Wilmington and Jackson moved to bring in the other equipment and provisions. Soon the other three men arrived, and the black Explorer was packed and made ready. Vin’s battered old jeep was better suited for the trip, but it rode like a buckboard and Larabee’s comfort was the first priority. The seven men spent the evening eating pizza, drinking beer and watching the sports channel, each taking comfort in being with the others.
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
"How y’ doin?"
"I’m fine," Chris answered as he eased himself down on a tree stump. He dropped the backpack, the only thing the younger man would allow him to carry, and absently rubbed his still healing chest. Before he knew it, Vin had tugged the arm away.
"You let that alone, hear?"
"Damn, you’re crabby."
"Yeah, well you pop them stitches, and you’re gonna wish all I was, was just crabby."
Stretching up from his makeshift seat, Chris looked into the pale blue eyes. "They’re my stitches if I want to pop them." He tried to look menacing, but a smile pulled at his mouth.
Grabbing both arms, Vin pulled them behind his back and held them there. "You ain’t doin’ nothing now, ol’ man."
"Oh yeah?" Chris moved to pull his arms free, but found himself without the strength to follow through. He just barely managed to hide his surprise, but covered nicely. Pulling the other man toward him with captured arms, he kissed him deeply. Vin responded, warm, sensual lips melding against his hungrily. His lover had been attentive to his every need since being injured, but at the same time he had been distant, almost afraid to stay too near. Larabee wasn’t certain what was going on, but he had an idea. Vin had lost his own family some time ago; it had to be frightening to think of losing the person who constituted his new family. Before he could ask, though, Tanner moved away.
"You rest here, pard. I’ll go get th’ rest a th’ stuff."
"I’m not an invalid Vin, I can help with the other things."
"Nope. I got it." Without waiting for more discussion, he moved away quickly.
With a sigh, Chris watched the other man walk off. He found himself enjoying the sight of the young man walking back down the trail. The fluid, cat-like movement of the lithe body, the way the tight jeans accentuated his ass, the lean muscular arms swinging loosely at his sides...
"You better hope there’s a cold shower around here close, Larabee," the blond growled under his breath. "I don’t think you’re up to goin where your mind’s trying to take you."
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~
The night was crisp and cool, the campfire a welcome source of warmth. The two men sat near one another on the sweet-smelling grass, not quite touching and not quite speaking. Not with words at least, although they had lost the need for words even before they acknowledged their attraction to one another. The moment was lost when Chris moved the wrong way and grunted with pain. Vin was at his elbow in a split-second. "What’s wrong?"
"Nothing," Chris sighed. "I just got a catch in my side, pard. Don’t start fretting over me every time I move, okay? You know I don’t like that."
Sitting back down, Vin smiled with embarrassment. "Sorry."
"It’s okay," Larabee relented. "Look, I know you’ve been worried about me Vin, but I really am okay. I’m a little tired, a little sore, but I’m okay." Turning toward the other man, he tucked a finger under his chin and tilted his head back. Looking deeply in the beautiful blue eyes that invaded his dreams frequently, he said, "I’m not going anywhere Kid. I’m going to be in your life for a very long time."
"Chris, I –" Vin’s voice broke with emotion.
Kissing Tanner gently, Larabee whispered into his ear, "come with me." He pushed himself to his feet and coaxed Vin to join him. Taking his hand, Chris led the way toward the tent. Realizing where they were going, Vin balked. Turning back to him, the blond calmed his fears. "Don’t worry. We’re not going to do anything ‘life-threatening’, okay? Now, come on."
They moved into the little tent, Chris holding onto the other man for support as he knelt on the ground. Inside, they lay on the open sleeping bags, Larabee pulling Tanner to him. He brought Vin’s head to rest on his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart reassure the younger man that he was there with him. "I love you Vin. You mean more to me than I ever thought anyone could ever mean again. I will never leave you willingly, I promise you."
Snuggling against his lover’s body, Vin took comfort in the familiar feel of the other man, the familiar scent of him. Tanner allowed himself a single, lingering kiss on the bared throat, reveling in the taste of him. He became aware of the heavy bandage around the other man’s muscular chest and for a minute he could envision the still-healing wound beneath. He shuddered at the memory of Larabee lying on the cold cement; blood covering his hands as he tried to stop the man’s life fluids from escaping through the ragged hole in his chest. With a visible shake, he pushed the memories to the back of his mind. The man had not died; he was right there beside him. "I love you, too, Chris. I ain’t got th’ words, but – "
"You don’t need the words, what you give me goes far beyond words."
Pressing himself as tightly as he dared against the blond, Vin released all of his fears in a soft sound that lay somewhere between laughter and tears. Neither man moved, each wanting to savor the feel of the other against him. Slowly they drifted toward deep, dreamless, healing sleep, each knowing the other would be there when they woke in the morning.
The End
