ATF Alternate Universe
ONE
"FREEZE FBI!"
The announcement was made and the three teams moved in. The ATF team dubbed "the Magnificent Seven" was on loan to the FBI. They had been brought in on a drug case that had turned into a gun bust also. The FBI knew the reputation of Team 7 and was glad for the assistance. They stayed together as a team. Buck and JD moved left. Josiah, Nathan and Ezra took right and Chris and Vin went down the middle. Vin was the first to spot trouble and pushed Chris behind some barrels as the shooting started. Chris made sure the others of his team were under cover. They heard calls over their radios giving positions of various bad guys. Vin tapped Chris on the shoulder and pointed up. Chris knew he preferred the high ground. Chris nodded and the others put down cover fire for Vin as he raced for the stairs. Once he was on the balcony overlooking the floor, he had an easy shot at the tangos. Vin took a few of them down and the others quickly gave up. The all clear was given and they came out from cover. The FBI agents moved in to secure the prisoners. Vin came down the stairs and they all knew to stay away from him until he came down from is adrenaline rush. Chris watched as he paced back and forth taking deep breaths. He stopped pacing, closed his eyes and found his focus. When he opened his eyes he saw Chris watching him and smiled. He walked over to the others carrying his rifle over his right shoulder.
"Mighty fine shooting," Buck said punching him in the right shoulder.
"Aw HELL," Vin cursed and moved away from Buck.
Chris grabbed Vin by his right elbow and held him in place. He could see the tear in Vin's shirtsleeve and ripped it open. Vin had been grazed and blood dripped from a three inch cut.
"Come on lets get you over to the medics," Chris said.
Chris didn't let go of his elbow and practically dragged Vin to the ambulance that was outside. Buck laughed as Vin protested the whole way. Chris turned him over to the medics and they all waited while they cleaned the wound and bandaged it. While they waited the leader of the FBI group came over to talk to Chris.
"Agent Larabee, I just wanted to thank you and your men for their help," Agent Egenburgh said. "We couldn't have done it without you."
"Anytime," Chris said shaking his hand.
"Is he hurt bad?" Egenburgh asked.
"I'm fine," Vin answered for himself.
"He's right, he's fine," said the medic. "Just a flesh wound."
"Told ya," Vin said.
"You, Mr. Tanner, are quite fortunate that's all it is," Ezra began. "If it had been worse, Mr. Larabee would have flayed you alive for not getting out of the way faster."
The others laughed as they headed for the vans that would take them back to the Federal building. Chris watched Vin and could see he was still riled up. He was fidgeting, something he never did. The back of the Van was a small space, something Chris knew Vin wasn't fond of. Usually he didn't mind but Chris could see him trying to control his feelings. He had taken the back of the van by the window and Chris watched as he jammed himself in the corner and stared out the window. Buck was sitting next to him and moved over to give Vin more room.
"Thanks Buck," Vin said when he noticed.
"No problem junior."
Chris could tell something was bothering the younger man but knew Vin wouldn't say anything until he was ready. The van pulled into the parking garage and Vin jumped out before it was completely stopped. There others got out and they headed for their office. Once they were in the office Vin took all the guns and cleaned and checked them before storing them in the cabinet. The others went down to the locker room to change out of the black outfits. When they came back Vin was still messing with the guns. Chris knew this was his favorite part after a mission and he didn't rush him. He had asked Vin why it took him so long to secure the guns and Vin said it helped him unwind. Chris went into his office and got started on the report for this morning's bust. An hour later he got a phone call. When he was finished with the call he walked out of his office to find Vin locking the gun cabinet. JD was putting some files away. Josiah, Nathan and Buck were typing at their computers and Ezra was on the phone.
"Hey cowboy, the guns are all secure and in working order," Vin told Chris when he saw him. "I'm gonna go get changed."
"Hold on Vin, you'll have to wait," Chris said. "They called a joint debriefing for all the teams involved this morning. We have to head down stairs."
Ezra had heard and ended his conversation on the phone. They all headed for the elevator and went down to the floor where the FBI had their offices. They had worked with them before and knew where the conference room was. The followed Chris as he walked through the door. The room was a little small for all the agents and Vin steeled himself and entered. They took seats along the back wall away from the door. Vin sat between Chris and Josiah. The meeting got under way after they arrived. Vin cleared his mind and tried to relax. His arm was starting to hurt a little and he rubbed it. Josiah was on his right and grabbed Vin's left hand when he saw him rubbing the wound. Vin looked at Josiah and sighed. He lowered his left hand to the armrest. After a few minutes Vin started tapping his knee up and down. After fifteen minutes Chris couldn't take it any more and grabbed his knee to make him stop. After that Vin couldn't sit still. He sat forward with his elbows on his knees and his chin on his fists. After a few minutes he switched to leaning back in the chair. Chris watched as Vin kept glancing at the door. After an hour he couldn't take any more and bolted for the door. Everyone in the room was surprised and looked at Chris.
"Mr. Larabee, what was that about?" asked the head of the FBI.
"I'm sorry sir. Vin wasn't feeling too well," Chris lied.
"It says here he was shot," he said looking at the report.
"Yes sir, just grazed," Chris agreed.
"Maybe one of your other men should see that he's all right."
"I'll go!" JD said jumping up and running out the door.
"It would appear we are boring the younger team members," he said.
After another hour the meeting broke up and they headed back to the office. JD met them as they walked in the door.
"Chris I can't find him!" JD cried. "I looked everywhere."
"Damn!" Chris said just as the phone rang.
"Agent Wilmington," Buck said as he answered the phone. "Yup we are. Really? OK thanks."
"Well?" Chris asked.
"That was the guard desk wondering if we were missing someone. They said Vin's lying out in the grass out front. They think he fell asleep."
"Stay here. I'll go see what he's up too."
They watched as Chris headed for the elevator. Once inside Chris hit the button for the lobby. He walked passed the guard desk and was stopped by one of them.
"I hope I didn't get him in trouble?" asked the young guard. "He sometimes comes goes out there and eats his lunch. He was just down here longer then usual."
"No everything's fine," Chris assured him.
He walked over and stood so his shadow fell across Vin. Vin opened his eyes and looked up at Chris. He sighed and sat up. Chris had a seat next to him.
"You going to tell me what's bothering you?"
"I just need to get out of the city for a couple for days," Vin explained. "Sometimes it feels like everything's closing in on me. I usually just take off and go hiking or camping in the mountains. I just can leave like a used too."
"I know you have annual leave. Why don't we take a few days and go fishing."
"Can we?" Vin asked eagerly.
"No other cases have been given to us do I don't see why not. Maybe we could see if the others want to come or is that too many?
"No that's fine!" Vin said with a smile.
"Well the weekend's coming. We'll take Friday and Monday and make it a long one."
"Sorry I ran out of that meeting. Did it cause a problem?"
"Nope everything's fine. Come on, let's get back inside and ask the others."
Vin followed Chris back inside. They passed the guard station and Vin smiled. He knew who had called Chris. They got into the elevator and went up to the 11th floor. They walked in to find the others waiting.
"Have fun laying in the grass?" Buck asked.
"I reckon," Vin said with a smile.
"Vin and I are going to head for the mountains this weekend," Chris said. "Do some hiking maybe some fishing. You're all invited."
"That sounds great!" JD exclaimed. "Me and Buck ain't doing nothing."
"Talk for yourself kid," Buck said cuffing him in the head. "What if I had a date?"
"You don't, I'd know."
"Oh and how would you?"
"You would have been getting ready on Tuesday for a date Saturday."
"Mr. Larabee I must decline," Ezra answered. "I do not relish being a beast of burden. Besides I have tickets for the opera Saturday night."
"I gotta back out also," Nathan said. "Rain's coming in this weekend."
"Getting back to nature would be welcomed," Josiah sighed. "But unfortunately I agreed to lecture at my church this weekend for the youth group."
"Well it looks like the four of us," Chris stated. "We'll leave Friday morning."
"Any ideas where we're going?" JD asked.
"I know the perfect place," Vin said.
"Oh yeah, where's that?" JD asked.
"Here I'll show ya," Vin said and walked around to his computer.
He logged onto the Internet and brought up a map of the mountains not too far from Chris's ranch. He typed some more and zoomed in on a lake about twenty miles from any known trails.
"There," he pointed to the lake.
"Jeez, Vin, it's in the middle of nowhere," JD said.
"Yeah it's perfect."
"You do know that way in don't you?" Buck asked.
"Don't worry I've been there a bunch of times," he said with a smile. "See here, it's straight north form the last trail here."
Vin typed a few more commands and brought up a trail map of the surrounding area. He pointed to the furthest trail.
"It's a back country trail," he explained. "I'll call for a permit at the State Park tomorrow."
"Looks a little isolated," Chris said.
"It's not really," Vin pointed out and brought up another map. "See... it's close to a major highway and the rails."
"Close!" Buck laughed. "The highway is fifty miles away and the train is thirty."
"For Vin, that is close," Chris smiled.
"This is going to be great!" JD exclaimed.
"Well this day still isn't over," Chris said. "So get back to work."
Chris walked towards his office and turned before entering. He could see Vin and JD were still looking at the trails. He just smiled and walked into his office. The rest of the day was spent typing reports and going over what happened at the bust. Finally five o'clock rolled around and Chris exited the office. They were waiting for him so they could get a drink over at the "Saloon." Since they wouldn't all be together on Friday they decided to do it a day early. They had dinner and a few drinks when Vin said he was heading home to get packed. They watched as he walked out the door.
"I would say brother Vin is rather eager to go on this trip," Josiah commented.
"I don't blame him," Nathan said. "We hardly ever get any time off."
"That is very true, Mr. Jackson," Ezra agreed. "But why anyone would be eager to traverse an unpaved trail to get away from civilization is beyond me."
"You and Vin are just opposites, thats all Ezra," JD commented. "Thats why we work so well together. We all have different ways of looking at things."
"And I must say, Mr. Tanner's outlook is quite unique," Ezra smiled.
"Well I think I'm going to follow Vin's example," Chris said as he got up. "I'm going to go pack. Buck, JD we'll see you at the house in the morning."
The others got up and followed Chris. They wished Inez a good night as they headed for their vehicles.
+ + + + + + +
Vin pulled up Chris's driveway before sunrise. He parked to the side of Chris's Ram and turned off the engine. He wasn't sure if Chris would be up yet so he headed for the barn. The horses all nickered a greeting as he walked in. He petted all of them and went about the task of giving them their breakfast. He was up in the loft throwing down the hay when he heard his name called.
"Vin you're lucky I knew it was you," Chris said. "I might have shot first and asked questions later."
"Knowing you, you would have," Vin said with a smile as he climbed down the ladder.
They walked back to the house in companionable silence. Once inside Chris offered him a cup of coffee. Vin expected the weak brew from Chris and added sugar. Chris cringed when he dropped three teaspoons in the cup. He knew Vin usually took more when he drank his witch's brew.
"Why don't you have a little coffee with your sugar?" Chris suggested.
Vin just smiled and walked over to the frig. He opened it and pulled out an apple and reluctantly ate it.
"Don't you have any Devil Dogs around here?" he asked.
"No I don't," Chris said.
"Guess I'll make some hot cakes then," Vin said. "Want some?"
"Sounds good."
Chris watched as Vin rummaged in his kitchen. He didn't mind having the sharpshooter cook for him. Vin was a very good cook. Chris figured since he had been on his own for so long you learned to cook or you starved. You also learned to cook things that tasted good. Granted Vin's taste ran to the extremes, either spicy hot or sweet, but Chris didn't mind. Vin was just pouring some batter on the griddle when Buck and JD walked in.
"Ah Vin's cooking breakfast," Buck said taking a deep breath. "So, Junior, what ya cooking."
"Hot cakes."
Vin piled some on a plate and they dug in. He cooked some more then joined them. Buck shuddered as Vin drowned them in maple syrup. He looked to JD and saw he was no better. His plate was covered in syrup also.
"I'm surprised either one of you has any teeth left," Buck commented.
"You're just jealous because you don't," JD said laughing.
Buck grabbed him around the neck and started tickling him. He demanded that JD cry "Uncle" but he refused. Vin gathered up the plates and began to wash them. A tousled haired JD joined him at the sink. In no time the dishes were done and they were ready to leave. They all piled into Chris truck and he headed for the park. Vin told Chris he had to stop at the ranger station to get the backcountry permit. The park was about an hour away and they talked about what they would do for the weekend. They finally passed a brown and white sign that said "Crystal Mountain Lake State Park". Chris followed the signs for the ranger station. He pulled up to a small log cabin and they all got out and went inside. A bell jingled as they walked in the door.
"Welcome to Crystal Mountain State Park, may I help you?" asked an eager ranger behind the counter.
"Yes, we're here to pick up a back country permit. The name's Tanner."
"Tanner, Tanner," he said as he flipped through the permits. "Got it. Just let me know where you will be heading. This way if someone reports you missing we'll know where to start looking."
"Don't worry Tommy, this one won't come up missing," said an older ranger walking out from the office.
"Hello Carl," Vin greeted.
"Heading for your usual spot?" he asked.
"Yup," Vin answered. "Brought a few friends along this time."
"You boys are in for the best fishing," Carl said. "Vin seems to find the best spots. You'll let them know all the regs won't ya Vin?"
"Don't worry, I'll let them know."
"Let me guess. Vin's a regular up here?" Chris asked.
"He knows this area like the back of his hand," Carl said. "I always wished we could get Vin on as a Ranger but it was never in the budget. Well, you fellas enjoy your hike. You going to leave the truck in its usual spot?"
"Yeah, if that's OK with you?" Vin asked. "We'll be out by Monday morning."
"No problem, I'll keep any eye on it."
They piled back into the truck and Vin told Chris where to park the truck. It was a small parking area three miles from the ranger station.
"Why didn't we just leave the truck back there?" JD asked.
"The ranger station has limited parking," Vin explained. "Besides the trail head starts here."
They got out of the truck and pulled their gear out of the back. They each shrugged their packs on their shoulders and were soon ready. Vin took the lead and moved out down the trail. JD went after Vin, and then Buck as Chris brought up the rear. JD was rather excited. This weekend was going to be great!
Comments to: WinterM7@aol.com