Let Me Believe

ONE

Are you ready and maybe are you willing to run?
Are you ready to let yourself drown?
Are you holding your breath?
Are you ready or not?

"You ready?"

Josiah Sanchez, a.k.a. Josiah Sampson for the time being, glanced over at his partner and half shrugged, half nodded his answer. "As I'll ever be, I suppose." He steered the battered Ford pickup truck along the rutted dirt road and stole a glance at the southerner. "What about you?" He couldn't help but grin at Ezra's attire. Normally fashion-conscious, his young friend was dressed in an uncharacteristic outfit of jeans and a simple, black long sleeved t-shirt.

Ezra noticed Josiah's amusement, but he didn't comment. "Ready or not." he answered, turning toward the passing countryside, "here we go." Rolling hills dotted with farms, cows and fields stretched across the horizon. "Where are we now anyway?" he asked, running an idle hand through his light brown hair.

"Almost there," Josiah answered. "Just passed through Troupsburg."

"That was a town?"
Josiah chuckled at Ezra's incredulity. "A bit different from the city."

"Immensely." Ezra pulled out a worn deck of playing cards and began to shuffle them. He needed something to keep his hands busy. "I wouldn't have thought that once you stepped off the island New York state turned into one giant farm."

"It's not all farmlands," Josiah defended as he cast a glance at his partner.

"No, of course not. My mistake. There's what? Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse?"

Josiah couldn't help laughing again at Ezra's sarcasm. "There might be a few more cities than that," he murmured. He knew that Ezra wasn't thrilled with this latest assignment. None of the seven members of Denver's number one ATF team were happy to be here, but fate had pulled the strings and here they were.

A small militia group calling themselves the Zealots of Truth had tried to recruit an explosives expert via the internet. The mysterious man's nickname was Prophet, but apparently his spiritual gift had neglected to alert him that he was being monitored by two Denver ATF teams. Upon his arrest, Prophet's e-mail was intercepted, and contact was made with the Zealots. Prophet would be joining the militia group to help organize what they claimed would be a bombing campaign guaranteed to grab more headlines than Oklahoma City. As luck would have it, Josiah's physical build matched the Prophet's close enough that he was assigned to go undercover with Ezra.

Josiah ran a hand across his bearded face and scanned the roads for their turn off. The vast fields had turned into woods, and he was slightly disoriented with the rapid change. Overhanging tree limbs scratched the top of the cab, and the day dimmed considerably as they drove deeper into the pines.

Ezra looked out through the trees. They seemed endless and filled with the unknown. He hated nature. It was beautiful, yes; that he would admit. But he liked to experience from a distance. Preferably in a painting. He thought of Vin and smiled, knowing his team member would love it out here.

Thinking of the team, Ezra ran his fingers over the face of his watch. Technology amazed him. Both he and Josiah wore watches equipped with signal locators and carried cell phones set up with wireless internet. They would be their only avenues to reach or be reached by the rest of their team while on the case. Ezra made sure his phone was attached securely to his belt. It wasn't quite as impressive as the one Val Kilmer used in "The Saint," but it would work. He smiled absently. Take away all the fun techno gadgets and he could take the saint any day.

1"Here we are." Josiah's deep voice jerked Ezra out of his reverie. They turned off the main dirt road and onto one in even worse condition.

Ezra read the sign. "Seasonal use only? What the...?"

"Don't worry. We have chains if we need them."

"Am I suppose to be comforted by that?"

Josiah grinned and nodded. "You want to call in?"

Rolling his eyes, Ezra reached for his phone. "Will we even pick up a signal out here?"

"Ezra, we're in rural New York, not Zimbabwe." Josiah reminded lightly.

"Just checking." Ezra flashed a smile and punched in the memorized number.

"Larabee." Chris answered sharply on the second ring.

"Good afternoon to you as well, Mr. Larabee."

"You guys okay?" Ezra could hear the tense concern in Chris' voice.

"Never better. Just checking in one last time. We're pulling onto the property now."

"All right. Watch your backs."

Ezra nodded unconsciously. "We always do." He pressed the end key and put the phone back in its leather case. The truck rolled to a stop in front of a large white farm house. Across the road were two old barns; one had a silo. The front doors of one of the buildings were open. Ezra wondered if there was actual farm equipment inside. Beyond a sparse section of forest, he could once again see fields and cows.

Both men sat quietly for a moment as they steeled themselves for the act ahead. Josiah pushed away his free-spirited personality and grasped the judgment of living by the letter of the law. For a moment his thoughts stalled on his father, but he pushed them away as quickly as they'd come. Ezra put away his expanded vocabulary and extravagant tastes. He traded them in for a simplicity that, if real, would have frightened him, for it left nothing to hide behind.

+ + + + + + +

Chris sighed and hung up his phone. Ezra had the annoying habit of never saying good bye before he hung up, thus Chris always seemed to be left wondering if the phone call was over or not. He looked around at the others who were watching him expectantly.

"They're fine. Just arriving," he explained succinctly.

"I feel so far away." JD paced in front of a window and paused occasionally to glance down at the street.
"We all do, kid," Buck empathized.

"I can't believe this is the closest big town." JD walked over to where the computers were set up and once again checked the signals coming from Ezra and Josiah's locations. Seeing the red blips did nothing to reassure him of their safety, however. Whatever was to happen couldn't change the fact that they were at least a half an hour away from their friends.

"It's the only place where we wouldn't stand out like sore thumbs," Vin said quietly. He, too, shared the apprehension of the others over this case. They were in unfamiliar territory, and he felt unprepared.

The town was called Hornell, and it was the closest they'd been able to find where they could blend in and not call attention to themselves. No one seemed to notice the five men renting the apartment over the local hardware store. The town was big enough to for them to wait in without having to stay completely out of sight.

Nathan nodded his agreement with Vin. He didn't like it, but he knew there was really no other choice. "So what do we do now?" he asked, tapping his long fingers on the arm of his chair.

"We wait," Larabee said. He looked around the room, making sure he had everyone's attention. He waited for JD to stop and look at him before he continued. "From now on we monitor the computers constantly. We stay on their web site. Once Ezra can get in he'll get us access to their e-mail. On the other computer we watch for emails from Josiah. They know to check in at least every twelve hours, whether by phone or internet. They'll start sending information as they get it and as soon as they do we'll start research. Starting now, I want two people on the computers at all times. " He motioned at JD and Buck. "You two start. Other than that, all we can do is wait and be ready."

Chris walked over to the window JD had just vacated and looked out over main street. The buildings seemed to run together, they were so close to each other. 'Wait and be ready,' he thought to himself. He hated waiting.

+ + + + + + +

Josiah moved first, spurring both men into necessary action. As he stepped out of the pickup, he saw the door of the farmhouse open and a group of four men and a woman step out onto the deep porch. Halting in front of the truck, Josiah waited for them to approach. He felt Ezra's presence beside him.

As the group moved forward, Josiah immediately picked out the leader. A man of medium build, with dark hair and eyes. Jacob Lewis carried himself with an aura that demanded respect.

"You Prophet?" The group stopped a few feet in front of the agents. Uncomfortable tension filled the air between them.

"I am." Josiah smiled and extended his hand in greeting. "Josiah Sampson at your service." He turned slightly in Standish's direction. "This is my nephew Ezra."

Jacob smiled finally. "We've been waiting for you to get here," he said and took Josiah's hand in a strong grip. "I'm Jacob." He extended his hand to Ezra. "It's good to meet you."

"Likewise." Ezra let his eyes scan over the group. He caught the raised eyebrows and interchanged looks of suspicion cross their faces at the sound of his accent.

"My nephew was raised in Georgia," Josiah explained.

"Know some good men down there," Jacob said. "Let me introduce the group. This is Stephen and Denny James. This is Matthew Whitehall. These men are the leaders of Zealots of Truth. You'll be working with them, mostly."

The agents shook each offered hand, silently appraising them.

Jacob turned to the last person of his group. "This is my sister Jael."

Josiah's blue eyes met dark hazel ones, and he suppressed a gasp at the sudden sense of familiarity that rushed through him. Pushing the feeling aside like an unwanted flash of deja vu, he smiled and took her hand. Jael barely reached the agent's shoulders, but there was no sign of cowering in her posture. Her pale blond hair contrasted sharply with her tanned skin; the part in the middle gave her a plain look that a modern style would have vanquished.

"Interesting name," Josiah murmured, finally releasing his grip on her hand.

Jacob laughed. "My father believed in strong names. He wanted Jael to be independent and resourceful." His eyes flashed mischievously.

"Dad would be proud then." Jael's voice was deeper then Josiah imagined. "Welcome to the farm, gentlemen. Let's get you settled and begin the tour. " She nodded to them and turned back toward the house, making is obvious to them that she had more important things to do than stand outside all afternoon.

Josiah and Ezra turned to retrieve their duffle bags from the back of the truck while the others waited.

"Intriguing lady," Josiah whispered softly to his partner.

Ezra smiled mysteriously at the older man. "Yes, intriguing. But if I were you I'd watch out for tent spikes."

Josiah watched in stunned silence as Ezra joined the group climbing the stairs to the porch. He hadn't expected the southerner to be familiar with the biblical character that shared Jael Lewis' name. Ezra was just full of surprises. Josiah shook his head in amusement and slowly walked into the farmhouse.

TWO

Are you ready and maybe do you long to confess?
Do you feel that [you're all ready now]?
Are you sure of yourself?
Would you lie if you're not?

Josiah slowly pushed open the wooden door to the bedroom he and Ezra shared, trying to be quiet in case the southerner was still asleep. His eyes scanned the interior quickly, taking in the scarce furnishings. Two twin beds, separated by an end table, stood opposite a small mirrored dresser. There was no sign of Ezra, but the sound of the shower running in the adjacent bathroom assured Josiah that the man was up at last.

Josiah moved into the room and sank down onto the bed he'd claimed as his the night before. He felt weary. Sighing, he closed his eyes and ran the events of the previous day through his mind again. First contact had been fairly unspectacular. He and Ezra had arrived at the farm, enjoyed a hearty supper and then taken the grand tour.

The Zealots' setup was surprisingly simple. The farm in its entirety was their headquarters. One large room of the house was completely devoted to computers and other such equipment. The group even had its own network for the members. It would be Ezra's job to discover the system's password and get it to JD.

The loft in the barn held its own secrets, as well. At first glance, one saw an average hayloft, but upon further inspection there was an elaborate stash of weapons and supplies hiding behind a row of pungent bales leftover from the winter's feed. From guns and explosives, to tents, food and medical provisions, it was all there.

Josiah's mind shifted from the night before to that morning. He could still see Jael moving gracefully about the kitchen. When she's handed him a cup of coffee, he'd been hard pressed to not grab her hand and keep her from leaving him. He didn't understand it, really. How could a simple woman in jeans and flannel have such an affect on him? He didn't even know her. God, she was technically an enemy. 'No,' he thought. He couldn't label her an enemy, even if the situation dictated that he should. He frowned and tiredly rubbed a hand over his face, his fingers lingering to scratch at his beard. He wasn't ready for this.

"Josiah?"

Josiah jumped slightly at the sound of Ezra's voice. He hadn't heard the water turn off or the man come out of the bathroom.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you." Ezra stood beside his own bed, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Pulling a sweat shirt over his head, he watched Josiah a moment before sitting down on his own bed to pull on his socks and shoes.

"Are you all right?" His soft drawl was casual, but Josiah saw a flash of concern in his pale green eyes.

"I'm fine. Just going over some things," the older man answered, playing with the edge of the quilt that was folded on the end of his bed.

"Things...or Jael?"

Josiah's head jerked up, his eyes meeting Ezra's.

The southerner shrugged. "I'm observant."

Josiah chuckled. "I guess so." He looked at his watch, evading the question. "I need to e-mail Chris."

Ezra nodded. "I need coffee."

Josiah waited until the door closed after Ezra before letting out a low moan. "Come on, Josiah," he commanded himself. He turned on his phone and punched the appropriate buttons. "Pull it together."

+ + + + + + +

The kitchen was deserted by the time Ezra got there. A quick search yielded a cup, however, and he helped himself to some coffee. He sipped the liquid and grimaced at the bitter brew. How he longed for a sweet, smooth cappuccino. Looking around again, he paid more attention to the details of the room. He'd been surprised upon first entering the farmhouse. From the exterior the home looked old, weather beaten and in need of a major renovation. The interior, however, was a sharp contrast. Polished hard wood floors were decorated with impressive throw rugs. All the furnishings were new and well-kept. It was nothing elegant or even fancy, but to Ezra it signified taste and solidity. The kitchen itself portrayed an odd balance between modern and homey, without crossing the threshold into what JD would call "girlie".

Ezra was pulled from his observations by Jacob and Denny. They moved quietly to the coffeepot and poured themselves refills.

"We missed you at breakfast, Ezra," Jacob said, not looking up from his cup.

"I'm not much of a morning person," Ezra admitted honestly.

Denny laughed softly. "You sound like Matt."

Jacob leaned against the counter and watched Ezra drink his coffee. "Your uncle tells me you're interested in our computer setup."

"I am."

"Well, Denny here can show you around. He's the computer genius. I, on the other hand, am content to just know how to turn the blasted things on." With that he turned and headed out of the room, calling over his shoulder: "I need to find Jael and Josiah and figure out what has to be done today."

Denny waited as Ezra drained the last of his coffee before he led the way to the computer room.

"Did you get a good look at this last night?" Denny asked. He checked a computer that was already up and running, then turned and switched on another terminal.

"Not really," Ezra lied.

"You can ignore this one." Denny tapped the first terminal he'd checked. "It's the main server. This one here is Jacob's. We do almost everything on it."

Ezra stepped closer, watching Denny's hands carefully.

A box popped up on the screen, prompting for a password. Denny typed quickly, but years of experience enabled Ezra to follow the keystrokes with ease. He could hear JD's voice giving last minute instructions. "What I need most is their password, Ez. If I have that I can get in with no problem!" Smiling to himself, Ezra noted the password and paid attention as Denny proceeded to show him around the computer.

+ + + + + + +

Jael Lewis took a deep breath and tried to pull her thoughts together as she entered her older brother's study. She smiled at the form of Jacob bent over yet another progress report from one of the Zealot members. He was so dedicated to this cause. She sometimes wished she had his passion, but so far all she'd been able to dredge up was loyalty. She would always be loyal.

Jacob looked up, suddenly noting her presence. His brown eyes met her hazel ones, and he smiled thoughtfully.

"What's bothering you, Jael?"

She hated that he could read her like a book. "Nothing, Jacob." She settled into a comfortably worn arm chair across from the desk.

"You like him, don't you?"

Jael blinked. "What?"

"I know you, sis. You like Josiah." Jacob leaned back and rubbed his cramped neck muscles as he waited for her response.

"You make it sound like we're back in high school. I only met him yesterday. That's not enough time for anything."

"You're drawn to him then."

Jael opened and closed her mouth twice, trying to come up with a believable answer. Finally, she nodded. "Yes." She played absently with a strand of her hair. "I don't understand why."

Jacob laughed. "He's not unattractive."

"Come on, Jake, it's more then that. It's intense. Oh God, now I sound like a teenager."

"Intense?" He'd never seen his sister like this before. She was the rational, logical, contemplative one. She took everything seriously, and carefully considered each option. Intense wasn't part of her vocabulary. It was too emotional.

Jael sighed and punched lightly at the arm of the chair. "I can't explain it. I just know there's something there between us. I can feel it. I felt it when he first looked at me. Doesn't that sound ridiculous?"

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know."

Jacob's eyes narrowed slightly. "Just make sure nothing interferes with this plan." He tapped the papers in front of him, his meaning clear.

"Now, Jake, you know me better than that," Jael reassured her brother.

"I hope so." he stated solemnly. "I hope so."

+ + + + + + +

Josiah stood just outside the closed door of the study, frozen in place as he listened to the private conversation between siblings. He felt guilty for eavesdropping, but at the same time he couldn't bring himself out of the semi-trance he'd fallen into upon hearing Jael admit that she was drawn to him. His heart felt heavy with confusion. He needed to stay on guard; there was too much riding on this operation. Lives were at stake, including his and Ezra's. Shaking his head, he physically tried to rid the distraction of Jael from his thoughts. He then stomped lightly in place a few "steps" to announce his approach to the others. He entered the study casually and greeted the duo. His eyes caught Jael's for a brief moment, and he knew he was blushing. He cursed himself for his inability to remain unreadable. 'So much for no distractions,' he thought wryly.

"Josiah." Jael's deep voice trembled slightly as she said his name, and it was her turn to blush.

Jacob watched the two, enjoying each flash of embarrassed attraction before he saved them from themselves and diverted their attention to more important matters.

"Josiah, are you ready to get started?"

Josiah heard Jacob's question and mentally kicked himself back into gear. "Of course." He turned his attention fully to Jacob.

"What is our target?"

"Targets." Jacob corrected as he proceeded to describe the Zealots of Truth's plan of action.

+ + + + + + +

Josiah stared down at his notes and frowned. It was a pretty good plan, but he knew they could stop it. Now, timing was the key to everything; it had to be just right, if they were to bring down as many Zealots of Truth as possible. A movement to his right caught his eye, and Josiah's insides twisted slightly as Jael entered the room again. Jacob was off to check his e-mail correspondences for the morning.

Jael looked curiously at the notebook Josiah was holding. "Take a lot of notes?" Her voice was light with a lilt of humor.

Josiah grinned sheepishly. "Helps me organize my thoughts. Let's me get things rolling efficiently."

"I see." Jael sat in the chair next to his, facing him at an angle. They sat in silence, each avoiding direct eye contact with the other.

Josiah wrestled with his thoughts and feelings. He wanted to move closer to this woman. He wanted to learn everything there was to know about her and tell her everything there was to know about him. He fought his desire to warn her, to ask her to go away from this place for just a little while. But the truth beat at him, screaming its own warnings. She was part of this, a leader. he needed to hold back. He needed to push aside his feelings and do his job. Damn, but it was hard.

"It's strange, isn't' it?" Jael's voice startled him as she broke the silence. Their eyes met.

"What's strange?" He couldn't seem to do more than whisper.

"This." She waved a tiny hand between them. "You feel it, don't you?" Moving forward in her chair, Jael leaned closer to him.

Josiah breathed in sharply. God, he could smell her sweet scent and knew somehow that it was natural. Her aroma was intoxicating. Slowly, he raised himself out of his chair and moved a few feet closer to the door. "I feel it," he whispered, looking down at her.

Silence filled the room again, neither occupant knowing exactly what to do next. Finally, Josiah broke the spell. "I need to get started." He tapped the notebook, then turned and quickly strode out of the room. He was afraid of what he might do if he stayed.

THREE

You tire me out/ don't want to let that happen
[a] secret screams so loud/ why did you let that happen?
ohoh so put your arms around me
you let me believe that you are someone else
ohoh cause only time can take you
so let me believe that I am someone else

"Chris! Ezra sent the password." JD's excited voice quickly brought Larabee to his feet and to the younger agent's side.

"Can you get in now?" he asked. It'd been a long morning, full of waiting, since Josiah had sent a short call to check in with them.

"Yeah, just give me a few minutes, and we'll be reading their e-mail." JD's fingers attacked the keyboard with instinctive familiarity. "What's 'apollyon' mean, anyway?" he asked as he waited for the code to be accepted.

"It sounds familiar to me, but I'm not sure," Nathan answered him. "We'll have to ask Ezra later."

"Whatever." JD smiled proudly."It works." He scrolled down the screen, showing the others how to get into the various mailboxes.
"All right." Chris looked at the others. "Let's get reading. JD, print out everything. I want you and Nathan to start on the incoming mail to Lewis' box. I'll start on outgoing with Vin. Buck, you keep tabs on Ezra and Josiah. Hopefully, they'll get us some specific information soon."

+ + + + + + +

"Where is everybody?" Ezra asked his partner. He glanced around the living room, making sure to check the hallway and the study. They couldn't run the risk of being overheard when they discussed the case.

"Out in the barn, preparing," Josiah said heavily.

Ezra tossed a handful of e-mail printouts onto the coffee table and sat down across from Josiah.

Josiah picked up the printouts and handed Ezra his notebook. He watched the southerner's green eyes scan the pages quickly.

"Schools?" Ezra's voice seemed to catch. "They're hitting schools?" Anger flashed in his eyes.

Josiah nodded and pressed his thumbs against his eyes. "Uh huh. They have a dozen targets planned."

"Are we talking high schools or elementary schools? Not that it matters," Ezra added disgustedly. "Children are children."

"Most of the schools around this area are small enough to fit all grades in one building."

"But why target their own children and families?" Ezra was trying hard to understand.

"Zealots of Truth have no families, Ezra. It's one of the aspects Jacob looks for when recruiting."

"No ties, no distractions." Ezra sat back, slouching against the couch cushions. "What about Jael and us? We're supposed to be family."

Josiah smiled faintly. "But we're suppose to be willing to die for the cause."

"Ahh, I see," Ezra said, then returned to the subject: "Do you know which schools?"

Josiah shook his head. "We'll have to let Chris work on that, or wait until Jacob gives me more details. It'd be good to have the guys looking into it, though. At least narrow down the possibilities."

"Did Lewis give you an area?"

"Well, he wants to be able to plant the devices before the day begins and be out of the vicinity with time to spare. So I'd say we'd be sticking with a fifty to a hundred mile radius."
"That is still a sizable task."

"You got that right, Brother." Josiah motioned to the pile of mails. "Anything in there?"

Ezra half snorted. "Not exceptionally. Mostly a devastating assortment of rhetoric. Declarations of outrage against the latest political decisions being made in Washington." Ezra leaned forward again and compulsively straightened the pile of papers on the table. "A number of references to gun control, as well as scattered protests about right wing liberals keeping prayer out of schools. We'd better call Mr. Larabee. I'd like to know if the password worked for Mr. Dunne."

Josiah nodded and pulled out his phone.

"Larabee."

"It's me." Josiah smiled at Chris' characteristic abruptness.

"You have anything new?"

"You could say that. They're going after schools," Josiah explained.

"Damn. You're kidding me, right?" Chris knew the answer, but he couldn't help asking.

"Afraid not, Brother. It looks like twelve possible targets. They want a same day, same time scenario."

"Do you know which schools?" Chris grabbed a pen and was writing down the information while Nathan and Vin stood nearby restlessly.

"No," Josiah answered. But we're thinking it's most likely a hundred mile radius. You have any ideas?"

"That's a lot of territory. Are we talking about Rochester or Buffalo?" Chris signaled for Vin to hand him a map.

"Doubt they'd head into cities. I get the impression they want to keep it rural." Josiah thought a second, running images through his photographic memory. "No larger than Olean, probably."

Chris scanned the map for the town Josiah was talking about. "Maybe. We'll get on it on our end. Let us know when you get specifics. This is moving too slow."

"I know, Brother. We should have more soon. Ezra wants to know if JD got into the system okay."

"Yeah, he's in, but he wants to know what 'apollyon' means. None of us know."

Josiah met Ezra's eyes. "Apollyon?"

"Yeah, that's the password," Chris said.

"That's the name of the Angel of Death in Pilgrim's Progress."

They said their good-byes, and Chris hung up the phone. He had to stop himself from hurling it across the apartment.

"JD, I need you to start putting together a list of all the schools in this area." He drew a large circle on the map.

"Schools?" Buck asked. Shock was plain to see on the faces of everyone. "I thought they were antigovernment," he added angrily.

"They are, but they want to make a lot of noise. What better way than to target kids?" Nathan's hand coiled into a fist as he spoke.

"Damn bastards," Buck muttered, turning back to the computer screen in front of him.

"Anything else?" Vin wanted to know.

"Not yet. We start with schools. Josiah said they have twelve targets," Chris answered."He just doesn't know which schools are the targets yet."

Vin shook his head sadly. At least now they had something to do besides wait. He turned back to his pile of emails.

"Oh, JD, Apollyon was the angel of death in Pilgrim's Progress, according to Josiah," Chris told the younger agent.

"Pilgrim's Progress?"

"It's an old book, considered a classic allegory of a religious experience," Nathan tried to answer.

"You sound like Ezra," JD pointed out. He grinned.

"Is that an insult or compliment?"

JD shrugged. "Whichever" He turned back to the computer as Nathan tossed a pen at him.

+ + + + + + +

Josiah turned his phone off and slipped it back into the case attached to his belt. He looked at Ezra. "Well, Brother, we need to get out to the barn before they come looking for us."

"How did you manage to get this free time?" Ezra asked curiously.

"All good souls need time for personal devotions and meditation with their maker, Ezra."

Ezra flashed a wide grin and shook his head. "I'll be right back; I just need to grab my jacket." He left the room quickly, and Josiah stood and moved toward the kitchen. He was surprised as Jael stepped into the room, stopping in front of him. Her eyes flashed angrily as she stared up at him.

"Who the hell are you?" she hissed.

"What do you mean?" Josiah fought his panic and hoped it didn't show.

"You are not Josiah Sampson."

"I am Josiah," he countered immediately, not exactly lying but not knowing how to deal with this turn of events. Not only were he and Ezra in serious danger if Jael knew what he thought she knew, but she could destroy any possibility of bringing down the Zealots.

"You're not Prophet," she continued. "Are you FBI?" Her voice was calm now.

"No, I'm not FBI." Josiah stepped closer to her but she put both hands up and pushed back against his chest. Her strength surprised him.

"Are you with the local law?"
"No. I'm not the law, Jael."

"Bullshit. I heard you and Ezra. You were reporting in to someone."

They both turned as Ezra entered the room. He took in the scene in an instant and stopped in his tracks. "What's going on?" he asked carefully.

"You tell me? Who is Chris?" Ezra's expression remained unchanged by Jael's questions, but he looked at Josiah. "And who is he anyway?" She looked from Josiah to Ezra again. "You called him Brother."

"We're all Brothers and Sisters in the eyes of the Lord." Josiah's mind raced for an answer. A way to convince her.

"Don't give me that." Jael began to pace in a tiny square in front of the large agent. She stopped, suddenly gasping and covering her mouth with her hand. "You're ATF." It wasn't a question.

Josiah closed his eyes. What could they do now?

"What are you doing here?" Jael asked softly, surprising both men with her sudden change in demeanor.

"We can't elaborate on that," Ezra tried to stall.
"Your cover is blown, gentlemen. Either tell me what the hell you're doing here or I'll call my brother."

"You will, anyway," Josiah said.

"Not necessarily." Jael looked down at the floor a moment. "I don't like the idea of hurting innocent children. If you're here to stop that, I'd like to help."

Josiah was stunned. Ezra was suspicious.

"How do we know you won't turn around and reveal us to the others?" Ezra asked.

"Because you have my word. And, " she paused and met Josiah's gaze, "I don't want anything to happen to you."

+ + + + + + +

Ezra knew they really didn't have any choice but to continue with Jael as an ally. Josiah seemed pleased at not having to hide from her anymore, but Ezra was concerned with the recent turn of events.

They'd made it through the rest of the day helping the other men organize supplies in the barn. Josiah and Jacob had worked on which types of explosives would best serve their purpose. Jael had agreed to remain silent about their true identity, and in turn Josiah and Ezra had agreed to let her help in anyway she could. She had promised to get them a definite list of the targeted schools by morning.

Ezra looked at the clock and sighed heavily. He couldn't believe they were going to bed at such a ridiculously early hour. But he knew the rest of the house had already retired and would be up at an ungodly hour the next morning.

He sat back on his bed, with his back against the headboard and legs out in front of him, and he absently shuffled his deck of cards. Earlier, he'd asked Josiah if he wanted to play a game of poker, but the older man had declined with a mumbled comment about how he was already in the middle of a game. Ezra still wasn't sure what to think of Jael, or Josiah's obvious attraction to her. He'd watched them earlier as Jael had moved into Josiah's arms and Josiah had almost hesitantly hugged her. The embrace hadn't lasted long, but it worried Ezra all the same. He glanced over at his partner, who lay stretched out on top of his own bed.

"Josiah?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you know what you're doing?" Ezra never was one to beat around the bush.

"Not really." Josiah sighed. "I suppose I'm choosing to trust her."
"Are you going to inform Chris of this latest development? That she knows?"

"Not yet."

"I thought I held the market on deceiving Mr. Larabee."

"Must be my turn then." Josiah sat up and pulled back the bed covers, not bothering to change out of his clothes.

"Josiah, you are familiar with the tale of Jael in the Old Testament, are you not?" Ezra swung his legs over the edge of the bed and faced Josiah.

"Yes, Ezra," Josiah answered with exasperation. "She killed Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, after he fled from the Israelites led by Deborah and Barak. Sisera thought he'd be safe because Jael's husband was a friend to his king, but she helped Deborah and Barak by killing him. She helped the good guys. Do you have a point?" he added testily.

Ezra frowned. "She persuaded Sisera that she was on his side. Invited him in, gave him a place to sleep and then drove a tent spike through his head."

"She helped Barak," Josiah reassured himself.

"Yes, but does your Jael see you as Barak or Sisera?" Ezra asked softly.
Josiah didn't answer.

Ezra nodded once, pulled back his own covers and climbed into bed. "That, my friend, is my point."

FOUR

[Maybe] are you ready to break?
Do you think that I push you too far?
Would you open yourself?
Are you reckless or not?

Josiah couldn't sleep. As he struggled to sort through his thoughts, he let Ezra's words echo around in his head:

"Does your Jael see you as Barak or Sisera?"

It surprised Josiah, actually, that there was no judgment in the question. Ezra had asked as a concerned friend, an aspect of himself he didn't often reveal. Josiah brought his arms up and interlaced his fingers behind his head, propping himself up slightly. He glanced over at Ezra, making sure his movements hadn't disturbed him, before remembering that Ezra could sleep through almost anything.

Josiah watched his young friend for a moment, then he impulsively sat up and reached for the deck of cards Ezra had left on the nightstand. They felt small in Josiah's hands, and his fingers seemed stiff and awkward as he began to shuffle them. His hands gradually began to warm to the task, and he smiled slightly at the calming effect the cards seemed to exude. No wonder Ezra never left home without them. Continuing to shuffle, Josiah's thoughts once again centered on Jael.

He knew that Ezra didn't trust her. Ezra trusted sparingly. It had, in fact, taken him months to begin trusting his own teammates. It didn't surprise Josiah to see Ezra questioning Jael's motives. If he was honest with himself, Josiah knew that he should be questioning motives as well. Hers and his own.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Ezra's words again.

What was he doing? Josiah asked himself. He leaned back against the headboard, closed his eyes, and listened to the fluttering of the cards in his hands. "I'm on a case," he whispered softly. But their cover was blown now, and he—they—needed to trust Jael in order to get through this, right? It sounded good in his head. That failed to explain his feelings, however.

"Damn feelings," he muttered. He couldn't make heads or tails of them anyway. Why was he so drawn to this woman? It wasn't a physical attraction, really. Jael was not striking in any way; she was actually quite plain. Where was this connection coming from?

Opening his eyes, Josiah looked again at the cards in his hands. He was not a gambling man. He liked sure things and solid choices, but at the moment he was ready to bet everything on one woman. Sighing with sudden drowsiness, he set the deck of cards back on the nightstand and laid down again. He eventually slipped into a restless sleep.

Three doors down the hall, the lights were on. Jael sat in her own bed, an ignored book on her lap. She'd read the same stupid paragraph four times before she'd realized what she was doing and quit. She was battling with her thoughts, oblivious to the fact that the man down the hall was doing the exact same thing. Should she trust Josiah? It was true that she didn't want anything to happen to him, but Jacob was her brother. The Zealots of Truth were part of her life. Could she stand by and let her attraction to one man disrupt everything she'd lived and worked for during the past four years?

Reaching up, she turned off her light and burrowed down under her covers. She let the book slide off the bed, tensing slightly as it banged to the floor. Maybe things would seem clearer in the morning.

+ + + + + + +

Ezra forced himself to eat a piece of toast as he watched the scene at the breakfast table. Jacob had insisted that everybody be up for the morning meal, saying it was the best time to have a meeting. Ezra's eyes scanned quickly over the brothers, Stephen and Denny. Both men ate heartily. They were almost mirror images of each other: both were tall and solidly built, and both had blonde hair and blue eyes. He wondered if they were twins. Matthew sat across from Denny and picked at his plate sullenly. Where Stephen and Denny were definite followers, there was an independent set to Matthew that unnerved Ezra. Matthew was unpredictable and unpredictable was dangerous. Ezra made a mental note to watch the stocky, dark haired man closely. Next, he focused his attention on Jacob and Jael. They seemed as different as night and day to him. He still couldn't get past his uneasiness about Jael's knowledge of who he and Josiah really were.

Jacob's voice broke into Ezra's thoughts. "We have a lot to do today," Jacob explained. "I'd like Ezra to help Stephen and Matthew out in the barn with the detonators."

"Of course," Ezra said.

"Denny, you need to e-mail time frames to our other members." Denny nodded at his order, grabbing for another spoonful of scrambled eggs.

"Josiah, you and Jael need to finish up on some of the basic paperwork with me. I want everything sketched out on paper so there is no question of what will happen once we put the plan into action."

After breakfast Josiah and Ezra helped Jael clear the table and load the dishwasher. Ezra noticed the heavy silence between all of them but didn't break it. He saw the dark circle under Josiah's eyes and knew his partner had not slept well.

"I need to talk to you before we meet with Jacob," Jael said softly. She dried her tiny hands on a dishtowel and turned to face both men as she leaned back against the counter. It was clear she was speaking to Josiah.

Ezra cleared his throat and tossed the damp dishtowel he held onto the counter. Before he could leave the room however, Jael handed him a sheet of paper. He raised his eyebrows in question.

"The targets," she answered. "Figured you'd be making your morning phone call." Ezra took the list, exchanged a quick look of caution with Josiah, then headed toward their bedroom to call Chris.

Jael looked at Josiah a moment before speaking. Her eyes met his and smiled at the warmth she saw there.

"Thank you for getting that list for us." Josiah found his voice finally.

"I told you I wanted to help." She took a step closer to him. Josiah tried not to tense at her nearness. Jael raised her hand and gently touched his chest. She could feel his heart beating steadily beneath the palm of her hand. Josiah held his breath.

"Josiah?"

"Jael." Her name escaped like a gasp for breath.

"Would you do anything for me?" she asked in a whisper.

Her touch seemed to sear through his shirt and into his skin until it felt like she was actually gripping his heart. Unable to help himself, he reached up and placed his hand over hers, leaving it there. Would he do anything for her? At that moment he knew he would. He touched her hair lightly with his free hand. "Yes," he answered confidently as he savored the softness at his fingertips.

"Then take me away from here."

"What?" He took half a step back in surprise.

"When this is all over." She looked down, then quickly back up at him. "Let's just disappear."

"From everything?" Josiah tried to focus on the reasons why he should be fighting her suggestion, but he couldn't think of any at the moment.

"Just you and me," she stated. She raised her other hand, running her fingers lightly over his cheekbone, through his beard, finally tracing the line of his jaw with a gentle stroke. "We can leave all this behind and just live our dreams."

Josiah closed his eyes at her touch, slowly nodding and leaning his face into her palm. His grip on her other hand tightened.

"Just you and me," he whispered. He felt her lean forward, her head resting against his chest. He could feel her warmth. Effortlessly, he pulled her closer. They stood that way a moment before Jael reluctantly broke the spell.

"Jacob's waiting." She pulled away and smiled. "Don't be long." She left Josiah standing there, stunned by his own feelings and actions. Had he really just agreed to run away with her when this case was finished?

He jumped as Ezra entered the kitchen.

"Lost in thought again, Josiah?" Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly as gazed at his partner.

"Appears that way."

"You two have an enlightening conversation of some sort?"

"You could call it that, I guess." Josiah ran a hand over his face wondering if he was as easy to read as he feared.

"Be careful, Josiah." Evidently, he was.

"You've warned me already, Brother." Josiah scowled.

"Sometimes redundancy has its place."

"I need to get in there." Josiah waved in the general direction of Jacob's study. "Get out to the barn before they come looking for you." He didn't mean to sound so harsh but couldn't take back his tone. He saw the surprise and hurt flicker in Ezra's expression, but it was quickly gone.

"Of course." Ezra's voice was curt as he dipped his head slightly and stepped back towards the door.

"Ezra, wait…" Josiah's apology was cut short by a blast of cold spring air and the sound of a door banging shut. 'Damn,' he thought, leaning against the counter. 'What the hell am I doing?'

+ + + + + + +

Jael watched as Josiah walked through the afternoon sunshine towards the barn. The meeting with Jacob had gone well and plans were specifically set now. She knew something was bothering Josiah, though, and she was positive it had everything to do with his partner. She didn't like Ezra. She could tell he did not trust her. He was only going to get in her way.

She turned as her brother joined her on the porch. He didn't say anything at first, but watched as Josiah entered the barn.

"I like him," Jacob stated. "He's dedicated to the cause. I think he'll do a good job."

"I think so, too."

"But..." He could sense that Jael wanted to say more.

"I've found out something, and I don't really know how to tell him." She paused, looking up at Jacob. "Or you."

Jacob tensed. "What?" His voice was suddenly tight and serious. He grasped her arm and turned her so she faced him directly. "What?" he repeated.

"It's about Ezra."

"What about him?" He looked confused.

Jael fidgeted with her hands. "I, I saw him talking on his cell phone and I eavesdropped," she admitted.

"And..." Jacob prodded.

"I heard him talking about his uncle and us."

"Get to the point, Jael."

"Jake, he's not who he says he is. He's working for someone… I think it's the ATF."

Jacob took a sudden step backwards as if he'd just been slapped. "What?"

"I heard him say that his uncle didn't suspect anything, and then he gave whoever he was talking to a bunch of information about the Zealots. I heard him refer to someone as 'agent'."

"Son of a bitch." Jacob ran a hand roughly through his hair. "Could be FBI. But you're probably right. He's probably ATF."

Jael nodded.

"Damn. Are you sure Josiah doesn't know? He's not part of it?"

"You've heard him, Jake. He's behind the cause one hundred percent. I don't know how to tell him." She turned toward the barn again.

"Don't tell him anything," Jacob ordered.

"But I don't want him to get hurt," she protested.

Jacob sighed and wrapped his arms around his sister, comforting her. "Don't worry. Josiah will be fine. I'll take care of his nephew." He didn't see Jael's satisfied grin.

FIVE

You tire me out
Don't want to let that happen
[A] secret screams so loud
Why did you let that happen?
ohoh so put your arms around me
You let me believe that you're someone else
ohoh cause only time can take you
so let me believe that I am someone else

Chris, Vin, Buck and Nathan listened as JD read aloud the names of the target schools he'd scrawled down when Ezra had called. Then the four men carefully searched for, and marked, the corresponding towns on the map spread out before them.

"Canisteo, Jasper-Troupsburg, Greenwood, Whitesville, Andover."

"Hold up, kid, " Buck interrupted. "These places are all so freaking small, they're a pain to find. "

Nathan nodded his agreement as he searched the intersecting gridlines on the map for a town called Greenwood. "It's amazing these places even have schools."

"All right, JD, give us a few more." Vin said, circling the town of Whitesville with a red marker.

"Ok, I left off with Andover, right?"

"Right," Chris answered, having just found the town.

"Okay then, Scio, Belmont, Bolivar, Wellsville, Friendship, Hornell and Alfred-Almund."

Chris shot a half deadly look at JD, warning him to slow down. JD shrugged and repeated the schools at a slower pace.

"I wonder what's so significant about the schools in this area," Nathan pondered when they were finished.

"I have no idea." Chris shook his head. "Let's get on the phones and start calling school administrators. For now we ask them to keep a low profile. Widespread panic is not going to help anyone and will only tip off the Zealots. See if you can find out anything that might give us a reason why these places are targets. Did Ezra say anything else when he called?"

JD shook his head. "He just gave me the targets, nothing else. He sounded rushed. "

"Must be they still don't know when this is going down," Buck suggested.

"I hope everything is all right," Nathan murmured.

Vin frowned and rubbed the back of his neck.

"What are you thinking, Cowboy?" Chris asked. Vin's body language made it clear that something was on his mind.

"Something isn't right."

"I hate it when you get those feelings Vin," Buck grunted.

"Me too, Buck." Vin sighed heavily and checked the monitor for Ezra and Josiah's locators. "Me too."

"Especially since they mostly turn out right," Buck added under his breath as he went back to work.

+ + + + + + +

Jacob Lewis cursed and slammed his fist down onto his desk.

"What's up, Boss?" Denny asked as he sauntered into the office a moment later, oblivious to the tension.

"We have a problem," Jacob hissed. "A big problem."

"What?"

"Ezra."

"What about him?" Denny asked.

"He's a Fed."

"What?" Denny's eyes widened with shock, and he dropped into a nearby chair. "He's an agent?"

"I don't know for sure. But he is working for them. Jael overheard his phone conversation with a contact. He told them that Josiah didn't suspect a thing. "

Denny stared at his friend. "What are we going to do?"

"First, we need to find out who it is he works for exactly and what they're planning. Then I'll decide if we stay put or pack up."

Denny frowned and cracked his knuckles violently. He was more than ready to help Jacob get some answers from the younger Sampson.

+ + + + + + +

Josiah spread the printed outline on the coffee table, then sat down on the edge of the couch to look over the plans one more time. He leaned forward and studied the plans carefully, trying to find a weak spot. Jacob had outlined every last detail of the bombings. The twelve men in charge of setting the explosives would each be given a copy of the plan and its contingencies. Once the bombs were actually completed and ready to transport, the plan would be set into motion.

The lack of a specific date frustrated Josiah. It left things too open-ended, with plenty of room for someone to slip through the net Team 7 was trying to set up. He hoped that Chris and the others were making progress notifying the targeted schools.

A sound to his right caught his attention, and he looked up to see Jael standing beside him. Looking down at him caused her loose hair to frame her face. He felt, once again, a wave of unfamiliar, overpowering emotions wash over him.

"Hi," she said almost shyly.

"Hi." He wanted to laugh at his own awkwardness.

Jael sat next to him, their arms touching lightly. "Going over the plan again?" she asked.

"One can never be too prepared," Josiah answered. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

"No, I guess not." She slid her hand behind his arm sliding it down his thigh and resting it finally on his knee. Her fingers brushed softly at his elbow. "Jacob wanted me to tell you he has Ezra helping the boys finish those detonators.

Josiah nodded. "Thanks." He didn't dare move with her leaning so close, for fear of what might happen. He pretended to concentrate on the plans.

"Let's not wait," Jael said suddenly.

"Excuse me?" Josiah pulled back from her so he could see her face.

"Let's not wait for this to be over." She motioned toward the papers. "I want to go away with you now."

Josiah's mind raced. " I-I can't, " he managed. "There's too much riding on this case."

"But you have enough evidence against Jacob for planning the bombing, right? I'll testify against him if I have to. I just want to, need to make sure you're away from all this… and safe." Her words spilled out in one breath.

"Nothing is going to happen to me, Jael."

"Don't you want to go away with me?" She asked, changing tactics.

Josiah's eyes narrowed, reality suddenly descending. He looked at her closely. "You know I do, but I won't walk away from an unfinished job."

Jael sighed. Deep down, she had known he wouldn't leave yet. She leaned her head onto his broad shoulder, simply enjoying the feeling of security being near him brought. "You would have to be so honorable," she mumbled, eliciting a soft chuckle from Josiah. "After, then," she stated with a pout.

"After."

"Do you promise?"

Josiah closed his eyes and inhaled the scent of her shampoo. "Promise," he whispered.

+ + + + + + +

Ezra looked up in surprise from the detonator he was working on when Jacob entered the room.

"Ezra, I want to show you some of the supplies for transporting these things once they're all put together. You have a moment?" There was something in Jacob's tone of voice that put Ezra instantly on alert. It was as if Jacob was trying too hard to sound casual.

"Of course. Just a moment," Ezra drawled lazily, but his mind was working quickly. Something was up. Josiah was in charge of all the information and details pertaining to the explosives, so it was odd for him to be questioned about them. Slowly, he finished what he was doing and rose to follow Jacob.

"How's it coming?" Jacob asked, looking at the table covered with wires and tools.

"Quite well, actually."

Jacob led him toward a side room and motioned for Ezra to precede him. "Great. Here's where we're putting the transport boxes together. I just want to make sure they match with your uncle's specs."

Ezra was half-turned, listening to Jacob's explanation, and thus unprepared for the rough hands that grabbed him and hurled him into the wooden planks of the far wall.

'Ah hell,' he thought to himself, dazed and struggling to maintain his footing. He turned to see Matthew, Denny and Stephen all smiling menacingly at him. Jacob stood in the doorway with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"We've heard some disturbing information about you, Mr. Sampson," Jacob explained.

Ezra didn't respond.

"It seems you haven't been honest with your uncle or us."

Ezra suppressed a sigh of relief. At least they still believed Josiah was his uncle. 'Maybe Josiah's cover is still intact,' he thought as Denny and Stephen moved closer to him. For a brief moment, he considered trying to back away, but he knew it would be futile. He was cornered and out numbered. "Can't say that I know what you're talking about," he said instead.

"Come, now, Ezra. Let's keep this simple and painless. Who are you working for, the ATF or the FBI?"

Ezra let his eyes widen with surprise. "You've got to be kidding. I'm not working for anyone but you," he insisted.

Jacob nodded once in contemplation, then cast a glance at his men. Immediately, the brothers grabbed Ezra's arms and held him firmly. Matthew moved in to stand in front of him.

"Do I have to ask again?" Jacob inquired.

"I guess so," Ezra retorted sarcastically.

Matthew's first blow landed solidly in Ezra's midsection, forcing the air out of him. He coughed violently and would have doubled over if it weren't for Denny and Stephen holding him up. The second blow hit his jaw and snapped his head back against the wall. The room spun and wavered as he tried to focus.

"Convince him it's in his best interest to talk." Ezra barely heard Jacob's words as Matthew struck again.

+ + + + + + +

Josiah entered his and Ezra's bedroom and closed the door behind him. It was past time to check in with Chris, but he didn't trust himself to talk to anyone at the moment. Reaching down, he turned off his cell phone in case Larabee tried to call him.

Jael was right. He did have enough evidence between the written plans and the bomb materials in the barn to put Jacob and his group of followers away. Intent to commit acts of terrorism. They'd be in prison for a long time. Why then, did he hesitate to agree to go with Jael now? Did he really want to go away with her?

"Lord, what am I thinking?" he asked out loud as he leaned heavily against the closed door. Could he really quit his job and walk away from his friends and family for a woman he'd met only a few days ago? He'd been serious when he'd said yes to Jael the first time she asked, and now that scared him. For a brief moment he'd thought he could actually be the man to take her away from here, create a new future for her. But now he wasn't so sure that was even what he wanted.

+ + + + + + +

Ezra moaned audibly and collapsed to the floor when Denny and Stephen finally released him.

"You're one stubborn s.o.b. aren't you?" Stephen laughed, nudging him with his foot.

"So I've been told," Ezra gasped, then added with a distorted laugh: "By better men than you."

Stephen's nudge turned into a vicious kick to Ezra's thigh. Ezra rolled onto his back and felt another foot come down on his outstretched arm. He felt his watch break and his wrist snap. An intense wave of nausea swept through him, but he refused to make a noise. He commanded himself to breath, his mind repeating the mantra 'Do not throw up. Do not throw up. Do not throw up.'

"Let's give him a few minutes," Denny said. "Maybe he's ready to quit being such a smart ass and cooperate." He held the other two back. "Jacob wants information not a dead informant."

Ezra could feel himself fading and knew it wouldn't take much for him to pass out. 'Easier to avoid questions that way,' he thought and almost grinned. His thoughts turned to Josiah; he hoped Sanchez was all right. His head throbbed and he almost laughed as he slipped into darkness. His last thoughts focused ridiculously on how filthy the floor was.

SIX

Ohoh so put your arms around me--
Ohoh so put your arms around me--
Make me believe/ make me believe
take me / take me/ somewhere/ somewhere
Let me believe
Cause only time can take you
so stop

JD twirled a pencil across the back of his fingers, absently wondering when Buck and Vin were going to return with some food. He was starving.

Chris and Nathan were once again going over the list of schools and comparing notes as they searched for a common denominator between all the targets. Chris worriedly glanced at his watch. Josiah and Ezra were late checking in with the rest of them.

"Hey I think I found it," Nathan said, not looking up from the pages of notes.

"What?" Chris asked.

"The curriculum. All twelve schools recently made the same changes in their curriculum for this school year. The new program is pretty controversial due to its liberal leanings." Nathan sighed and flopped back in his chair.

"That would be enough for the Zealots to target them?" JD asked.

"Evidently." Chris sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Now if only Josiah and Ezra would check in. "

At the mention of the two undercover agents, JD glanced over at the locator board. "Uhm, Chris," he began, trying to sound calm. Apparently, he failed, because Chris was beside him in an instant.

"What's wrong?" Larabee demanded.

"Ezra's signal is missing." He pointed to the screen where the red dot had been less than ten minutes ago.

Chris grabbed his cell phone and flipped it open.

"Who are you calling?" Nathan asked.

"Josiah," came the curt answer. Chris paced as he waited for the call to go through. "Call Buck and Vin. Get them back here now."

A second later, Chris was transferred directly to Josiah's voice mail. "Damn!" Frowning, he quickly made up his mind and dialed Ezra's number.

+ + + + + + +

Denny stared down at the unmoving form. He'd been pretty sure that Ezra wouldn't willingly talk to them, but he hadn't been prepared for the continuing sarcasm and stubbornness. Now they would have to wait for him to regain consciousness before they tried again.

"So we wait?" Stephen asked.

"Yeah. He's not going anywhere," Denny answered. "But tie him up just to be sure."

Matthew exited the room but returned a minute later with a length of rope. He roughly pulled Ezra's arms behind his back, ignoring the obviously broken wrist, and tied them securely.

"Aaahh!" The stocky man jumped back, suddenly startled.

"What's the matter with you?" Stephen yelled at his colleague while noting that Sampson hadn't moved.

"Something's buzzing," Matthew growled.

"What?" Denny stepped closer, looking at Ezra. He rolled his eyes. "You idiot. His cell phone is ringing." He reached down and ripped the vibrating phone from Ezra's belt.

+ + + + + + +

Chris heard the connection go through from his end of the line. "Ezra, where the hell are you?" he snapped before Standish could say a word. There was a long silence, and then the connection was broken.

+ + + + + + +

Denny grinned at the others as he hurled the high-tech device against one wall. The phone shattered, sending pieces of plastic flying though the air.

+ + + + + + +

"Ezra?" Chris asked again, even as his mind processed the information that the connection had been terminated. He stared angrily at the phone in his grasp for a moment, then redialed. There was no answer this time. Growling, he hurled his phone across the room, flinching slightly as it hit the wall and clattered uselessly to the floor. He stood there a moment in the middle of the room and tried to collect himself. Finally, after taking a deep breath, he spurred himself into action.

"Nathan, I need you to call our back up. Tell them we have to move in now. We're leaving here within twenty minutes." Chris calculated the time it would take to ready their gear once Vin and Buck returned. "Have them send an ambulance in case we need it. No sirens." He was well aware of the fact that it was a thirty-minute trip to the Zealots' farm, but he was planning on making it in less.

Nathan nodded his understanding and picked up his phone

Chris turned to JD. "Did you get a hold of Buck and Vin?"

"Yeah, they're on their way," JD answered quickly.

"Good," Chris said. Looking around, he added sheepishly, "I'll need to borrow your phone, JD." He motioned to the remains of his cell. "Could you see if anything can be done with that?"

"Sure, Chris."

+ + + + + + +

Josiah splashed cold water on his face and wished for the third time in as many minutes that he had never agreed to work this case. He'd made his decision, and now it was time to go back to playing his part. He didn't know how Ezra did this so often. How did he maintain who he was inside? Shaking his head, Josiah turned off the tap and reached for a towel to dry his face and hands. As he headed out of the room, he reached down and turned his phone back on. He needed to call Chris. He started in surprise when it immediately began vibrating.

"Hello?" he answered softly. It could only be Chris or Ezra.

"What's going on, Josiah?" Chris' voice was strained, and Josiah could tell that he was on the road.

"What do you mean?"

"Why haven't you checked in? Where's Ezra?" Chris steered the rental van through the winding back roads, taking the unfamiliar turns as fast as he dared. In the car with him, the others quickly donned their Kevlar vests and checked their equipment the best they could in the waning evening light.

"I was just about to call in," Josiah explained. "And Ezra's with the others…why?"

"Dammit!" Chris swore as he overcompensated for a turn and strained to keep the van on the road.

"Chris, do you need Nathan to drive?" Buck yelled as JD slammed against him.

Chris ignored Buck and spoke into the phone again. "Josiah, we lost Ezra's signal. I tried to call, and the line went dead before he said anything. But I don't think it was him."

"Shit." Josiah rubbed a hand over his face. There was only one explanation.

"We're on our way, backup is right behind us." Chris' voice broke through Josiah's muddled thoughts and spurred him into action.

"I'll find him, Chris."

"Watch your back." Josiah barely heard Chris' warning as he turned off his phone and barreled out of his room.

+ + + + + + +

"I've been looking for you, Josiah," Jacob said. He stood on the front porch as if his sole purpose in life was to wait for Josiah.

Josiah quickly pushed aside his churning emotions and looked at the Zealots' leader. "Actually Jacob, I was looking for you as well," he said evenly. "Is Ezra still working on those detonators? I need to talk with him." He strained to keep his voice casual.

"Well… " Jacob leaned against the porch railing and crossed his arms in front of him. "Ezra is the reason I wanted to chat."

Josiah stared at Jacob, waiting for him to continue.

"Come with me. I'll explain as we walk." Jacob motioned towards the barn and started walking.

"I'm listening," Josiah said after they had covered a third of the distance.

"It's come to my attention that Ezra has some divided loyalties," Jacob began.

"What are you implying?"

"He was overheard talking to someone he called 'agent' on the phone."

"What agent?" Josiah allowed his anger to seep into the question.

"I don't know. Denny and the boys are questioning him about that now."

Josiah grabbed Jacob's arm roughly and pulled him to a stop. "What have you done to him?" he growled.

Jacob simply looked at the seething man. "Nothing he doesn't deserve." He freed his arm from Josiah's bruising grasp. "I think you should talk to him yourself."

Josiah followed Jacob into the barn. Dusk was quickly giving way to night, and the glow of the barn lights stood out against the darkness. Josiah found himself searching the shadows for any sign of Ezra. He hoped Chris and the others were making good time on the road. Something told him that he and Ezra would need their backup. And soon.

As Jacob approached Denny and Stephen, Josiah suddenly realized that Jael was standing with them.

"Is Matt in there with him?" Jacob asked the group.

"Yeah, but he still ain't talking," Stephen answered, eyeing Josiah warily.

Jacob nodded. "Bring him out. Maybe Josiah can be more persuasive."

"Jacob…" Josiah began, but Jacob held his hand up to stop him.

"Ezra is a traitor. He sold out this organization and you," Jacob stated firmly.

Josiah held his breath as Matthew half-dragged Ezra out before them. "What have you done to him?" he hissed. He tried to get Ezra to look at him, but the bruised agent merely stared at the floor. Josiah didn't know whether it was because he couldn't lift his head or because he needed to focus on the floor in order to remain standing.

"Just extracted a little justice," Jacob explained with a slight smile. "It's up to you to finish the job."

"Excuse me?" Josiah turned to the small leader, suppressing his urge to lunge at the man.

"The Zealots of Truth are about loyalty, Josiah. Truth above all else. " Jacob looked at Ezra, then Josiah again. "It's time you prove you're as loyal as you say you are."

"What are you...?" Josiah didn't get to finish his question; Denny stepped forward and thrust a gun into his hand. Realization dawned upon Josiah like a flash of lightning, and a cold horror filled him. "No." He shook his head.

"I need to know that you are loyal to me and this cause. Kill him."

"No." The harshness of Josiah's voice brought Ezra's head up. Whether it was pain or fear that pierced those green eyes, Josiah didn't know.

"I don't think you fully understand me." Jacob shifted his weight from one foot to another. "If you don't kill him, you will both die."

"He's my nephew," Josiah whispered. He didn't take his eyes off of Ezra.

"He's a traitor," Jacob sneered.

"He's my blood." Josiah's voice rose. "I will not spill my blood." He still had the gun in his hand, and he began to turn it in Jacob's direction. But Matthew quickly pulled a weapon of his own and pressed it harshly against Ezra's temple.

"So be it," Jacob sighed, reaching for the gun that Stephen held out to him.

"No, wait!" Jael cried as she stepped closer to the tense scene.

"Stay out of this, Jael!" both men snapped in unison. Jacob aimed his gun squarely at Josiah's chest.

Jael's eyes clouded with indecision as she looked between her brother and Josiah. She stepped closer to Jacob. "Come on, let's just go. You don't want to kill them," she insisted.

"I know you like him, Jael, but stay out of this," Jacob ordered. He didn't look at her.

"You don't understand," she blurted out suddenly. "Josiah isn't Ezra's uncle, and he's not just an informant for the ATF. He is ATF. They both are."

"What?" Jacob turned to her but kept his gun trained on Josiah.

"They're both federal agents. If you kill them you'll be hunted forever."

"And he wouldn't be hunted for blowing up twelve schools?" Josiah asked.

"Shut up!" Jacob shouted, waving his weapon threateningly. "You knew this?" he asked his sister, trying to understand.

Josiah caught movement out of the corner of his eye and as relief surged through him, he used his half second of warning to brace himself for the inevitable gun battle.

"Freeze! ATF!" Buck's voice boomed throughout the barn, echoing off the rafters as the five remaining members of Team Seven swooped into the building.

Instinctively, Stephen, Matthew and Denny turned their weapons on the incoming agents. Josiah used the weapon still in his hand to cut down Jacob as the militia leader took a shot at him. Jacob's shot went wild, catching Josiah in the arm instead of the heart. To his right, Jael grabbed Ezra and hurried for the stairs. Completely outnumbered and caught off guard, the rest of the Zealots were quickly subdued. Seeing this, Josiah went after Jael. The stairs led to only one place, and that was the loft. A dead end.

Josiah took the wooden steps two at a time with ease. Adrenaline pumped through his veins full force, allowing him to ignore the painful throb in his right arm. As he cleared the top step, he saw that Jael hadn't made it far with an uncooperative, semiconscious hostage.

"Jael!" Josiah's angry voice brought Jael to a complete stop, and she released her grip on Standish. Ezra slumped awkwardly to the floor and leaned back against a bale of hay. His face contorted with pain.

"Stay back!" Jael shouted. Her eyes darted furiously around the loft, looking for an escape route. "I'll kill him," she insisted when Josiah took a step closer to her.

Josiah paused for a second, and then realized she had no weapon. "There's no way out, Jael," he said calmly, taking another step forward. He could hear footsteps behind him now.

"Everything under control, Josiah?" Chris kept his voice low as he took in the scene.

"About to be. Get Nathan." As Chris disappeared again, Josiah took action. He tucked his gun in the back of his jeans as he strode forward.

Startled by his speed, Jael had no time to react before she found her arm locked in Josiah's solid grip. "You're under arrest," he said, pulling her away from Ezra so Nathan could get past.

"You promised me," she whispered. Her accusatory gaze searched his blue eyes for any of the softness and warmth that had been there before.

"I lied," he replied coldly. Tears sprang into her eyes, and she opened her mouth to speak. He cut her off before she could say a word. "And so did you, so stop." He pushed her towards Chris and turned to help Nathan with Ezra.

Josiah listened with a knowing smile as Ezra angrily argued with Nathan.

"I see no purpose, Mr. Jackson, in forcing me to remain in this squalid institution for another twenty-four hours over a simple broken wrist."

Nathan stood at the end of Ezra's hospital bed with his hands on his hips. "It's not my decision to make, Ezra. It's the doctor's, and he says you stay. You keep conveniently forgetting that you also have a concussion and two cracked ribs. Besides, it's just for observation."

"Like I won't endure enough observation all the way back to Denver," Ezra muttered quietly.

Nathan raised his hands in exasperation. "I give up. I'm going to the cafeteria to grab lunch with everyone else. He's all yours, Josiah."

Josiah chuckled and patted Nathan on the back as he walked out of the room mumbling something about ungrateful patients. Stepping away from the wall he'd been leaning casually against, Josiah grabbed the plastic yellow chair next to Ezra's bed and turned it so he could face the southerner. He sat down heavily and rested his elbows on his knees. He briefly fingered the small bandage on his right arm before dropping his hands once more.

"How're you really feeling, Ez?" He looked for any kind of change in Ezra's expression.

"You mean other than my irritation at the forced incarceration?" Ezra frowned.

"You know what I mean."

"I'm fine, Mr. Sanchez."

Josiah looked down at his hands then back to Ezra. "I owe you an apology."

"You are not indebted to me," Ezra said, but Josiah stopped him.

"I should have listened to you."

Ezra laughed lightly, a smile gracing his bruised face.

"What's so funny?" Josiah wanted to know.

"It's a rarely heard admission in my life," Ezra admitted.

The hum of the overhead lights held Josiah's attention for a few moments as he tried to find the words he wanted to say. "I wanted to believe her," he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Ezra waited for him to continue.

"She asked me to go away with her. Run off together and seek our dreams, she said." Josiah looked down again. "I almost believed I could just drop everything and go. I wanted to believe she was really willing to walk away from Jacob and… " His voice tapered off.

"And she wanted to believe you were willing to walk away from the team." Ezra avoided the word 'us' feeling it was too inclusive for his comfort.

Josiah nodded. "God forgive me, but I thought about it."

"Thinking and doing are two entirely different things."

Josiah looked up, surprised by the simplicity of the statement.

"What matters most is what you did. You made your choice even as you told her you'd go with her didn't you?" Ezra asked, already knowing the answer.

"Eventually. I knew I was lying to her."

"And she knew she was lying to you."

Josiah ran his hands over his face and up through his hair, locking his fingers behind his head. He stared at the floor. "I don't know, Ezra. What was I thinking? How can I have any faith in my decisions again?"

"No one ever doubted you, " Ezra said honestly, "or your decisions."

"How could you not? I wasn't acting very soundly."

Ezra laughed softly. "Do you know Webster's definition of faith, Josiah?"

Josiah shook his head. "I can guess."

"'Faith is an unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence'," Ezra quoted. He looked down at the cast on his arm and picked at it distractedly before continuing. "My life has been one constant effort to prove myself. Most of that necessity has been drawn by my own actions, but you, Josiah, you somehow inspire faith. "

"I'm not perfect, Ezra."

"I'm not saying you are. I'm saying that I know without a doubt that you will never walk away. I know without a doubt that if it's physically possible you will be there to back me up. You are one of the very few people that I have faith in, Josiah."

"Yeah, well, look where that got you."

"Stop," Ezra commanded. "You would never let me talk that way, so don't you start." His eyes met Josiah's "Look at it this way, your mutual attraction to Jael saved our asses out there. She could have revealed our occupation to her brother when she first overheard us checking in with Chris, and then we would both be dead."

Josiah opened his mouth to speak, but realized Ezra was right. "I hadn't thought of it that way," he admitted. "Still doesn't get rid of all my doubts. "

"Maybe you just have to learn to believe in yourself again." Ezra's voice was fading, and Josiah realized he was slowly running out of steam. He'd be asleep before long.

"You're certainly full of wisdom today, Ezra."

"It's the pain medications," Ezra mumbled, closing his eyes.

"Are you going to follow any of your own advice?"

Ezra snorted. "Not likely." His whisper turned into a small snore.

Josiah smiled and as he stood up to leave, said: "Then I guess we'll just have to work on that whole believing in ourselves thing together."

The End