ATF Alternate Universe
SIX
They decided to take turns keeping watch. Josiah said he would take first watch. Chris and Ezra laid down next to Vin. Vin had fallen asleep a short time after Chris had told him to close his eyes. Once he was asleep he had let go of their hands but they decided to keep close in case he woke up. Nathan moved over by JD and Buck and stretched out. Soon Josiah was the only one left awake. He placed another log on the fire and got comfortable. He was almost to the end of his shift when he heard JD start to mumble in his sleep. Buck was instantly awake and talking soothing words in JD's ear as he stroked his hair. JD quieted and Buck relaxed. He ran his hands through his dark hair and shuddered.
"Everything's going to be OK, Buck," Josiah said.
"Yeah but nothing will ever be the same," Buck sighed. "How's Vin?"
"The bullet went clean through," Josiah said. "But something else is terribly wrong."
"What could be wrong?" Buck asked bitterly. "All he did was get shot. They didn't have time to do what they did to JD."
"You were asleep by the time we found Vin," Josiah said. "We found him in the middle of a wild rose bush hugging his knees. He wouldn't respond to us so we had to cut him out. He finally came out when Ezra commanded him to but hasn't said a word. He didn't even make a sound when Nathan cleaned and dressed his shoulder. Something's wrong, I can feel it."
Buck sat rubbing JD's back thinking. He had dealt with a lot of rape cases when he was on the force. His mind brought up a few cases and he remembered how some of the victims acted.
"Oh god Josiah," Buck said turning panicked eyes to him. "Are you thinking what I am?"
"We both have seen rape victims before Buck," Josiah sighed. "Especially the ones who hide from it."
"Shit!" Buck cursed and looked over at Vin's sleeping form.
He wasn't surprised that Vin might have been raped before. Buck knew that Vin was handsome and most of the women in the office thought he was the cutest thing. He wouldn't be surprised if some men thought the same thing. He knew Vin had been on his own and living on the streets when he was young. There's no telling what type of men Vin had to deal with growing up. God, this camping trip was turning into a disaster. He turned back to Josiah and saw him stirring the fire.
"Why don't you get some sleep," Buck suggested. "I'll keep watch."
"All right," Josiah agreed. "Carl and Ron are tied up to that tree over there."
Buck turned his head and saw the two convicts. His anger started to build at what they had done. He calmed himself and looked back over the camp. Josiah stretched out on the other side of the fire. Chris and Ezra were on either side of Vin, and Nathan was next to Chris. He leaned back and starred up at the sky. Not much of it could be seen through the trees but enough stars were shinning through. He wasn't sure how long he stared when something caught his attention. He looked around camp and saw Vin sitting up. He just sat and stared straight ahead.
"It's all right, Vin," Buck said in a quiet voice. "Go back to sleep."
When Vin heard Buck's voice he quickly pulled his knees up and put his head down on them. He wrapped his right arm around his legs and started rocking back and forth. Nathan had immobilized the left one against his chest. Buck could hear him repeating something but couldn't make it out. Once Vin started rocking Chris was instantly awake. He sat up and put a hand on his shoulder. Buck watched as Vin shrank into himself when Chris touched him.
"Easy, Vin," Chris soothed as he took his hand away. "I won't touch you again, all right? Now come on, lay down and go back to sleep."
Vin continued to rock but Buck realized he was quiet. Chris turned to Buck and he could see the pain and worry in his oldest friend's eyes. Suddenly Vin stopped rocking and sat listening. Buck realized he heard Ezra whispering to the younger man.
"Lay down Vin," Ezra coaxed.
Buck was surprised when Vin obeyed him. He lay down curled in a ball facing Ezra. Chris watched as Ezra reached out a hand and closed Vin's eyes. Slowly the tension left Vin's body and he was asleep again. Ezra leaned up on one elbow and looked at Chris as if to apologize.
"It's OK, Ezra, as long as he responds to one of us," Chris said.
The undercover agent pulled the sleeping bag up over Vin then laid back down. Vin whimpered in his sleep and Ezra put a hand on his forearm. He whispered soothing words and Vin quieted. Buck watched as Chris pounded the ground with his fists.
"Easy, Chris," Buck called. "You don't want to frighten him."
Buck watched as his friend tried to rein in his legendary temper. He knew this was making Chris crazy. Buck saw Chris take a couple of deep breaths then uncurl his fists. He sat down next to Vin but not close enough to disturb him.
"How's JD?" Chris asked worriedly.
"He's sleeping OK," Buck answered.
"I can't believe this is happening," Chris said closing his eyes.
"That make two of us."
"God Buck, you know what they're going to have to put JD through at the hospital."
"I know. I'll be there for him don't worry. Just like you'll be there for Vin."
"Don't you gentlemen mean we will all be there?" said a lazy southern drawl.
"Yeah all of us," Buck agreed as he watched Ezra sit up.
Ezra leaned against a fallen log they had set the sleeping bags by. Vin stirred and Ezra touched him on the arm and Vin lay still.
"Why do you suppose he responds to Ezra?" Buck asked.
"That is easily explained," Ezra commented.
"It is?" Chris asked
"Remember the women Marietta Vin lived with?" Ezra asked and continued when they shook their heads yes. "She was from New Orleans and had a southern accent as well. Vin said he felt safe with her."
"It's about damned time that southern twang of yours was good for something," Buck smiled taking the sting from his words.
"And how do you know this?" Chris asked suspiciously.
"Don't look so affronted, Mr. Larabee, Vin told me when he accompanied me to the Museum of Fine Art."
"Vin went where with you?" Buck asked surprised.
"You heard me, Mr. Wilmington," Ezra smiled. "Vin has a wide variety of interests."
"About Marietta?" Chris asked bringing the conversation back to its start.
"Ah yes, Vin lived with her when he first came to Denver when he was fifteen. All he said was he loved to listen to her talk and that I remind him of her."
"Chris, what are we going to do with him?" Buck asked seriously. "I know how to help JD but not what's going on with Vin."
"I think we've all came to the same conclusion about Vin," Chris said. "We've all worked too many rape cases not to have seen this before. I just wish those bastards hadn't done this and Vin could go on forgetting."
"Yes but it happened and now we have to deal with this," Ezra pointed out.
"I know," Chris said running his hand through his hair.
"I think we should keep quiet about knowing what happened to him," Buck suggested. "Let him tell us in his own time. And if he never wants to tell us I can live with that."
"As can I," Ezra greed.
"You can count me in too," Nathan added as he sat up.
"That goes for me too," Josiah's deep voice spoke up.
"All right," Chris said. "We'll see what happens at the hospital. I'll take watch . The rest of you get some sleep."
Chris watched as the others stretched out trying to get comfortable. After a short time Chris could hear Josiah's soft snores and looked around at the others. They were all asleep and Chris settled in for his watch. He looked at Vin's sleeping form and silently vowed he would be there for him no matter what.
+ + + + + + +
Chris watched as the forest came to life with the approaching dawn. The birds began to sing in the trees and the squirrels started to run around in search of breakfast. Chris was in a black mood and couldn't appreciate the beauty of the scene. Ron had regained consciousness and started cursing. Chris had been forced to gag him just to keep him quiet. He didn't want Vin or JD to hear him. Carl was still unconscious and Chris didn't care whether he lived or died. Josiah was the first one awake and he radioed the ranger station. When he was finished he turned to Chris.
"Hank said there's a clearing a short distance from here," Josiah said. "The helicopters can land there. They should be here in half an hour"
"JD can't walk," Buck protested.
"I told him we had some injuries," Josiah added. "They're going to bring rescue equipment. I also told them two of the convicts are dead."
Ezra and Nathan were awake also and they started packing the equipment. JD was still asleep and Buck stayed with him. Ezra had gone off to take care of personal business when Vin woke up. He sat up and looked around. Buck saw that he was awake.
"Ah, Chris!" Buck called as he watched Vin stand up.
Chris turned when he heard Buck call. He had been helping Josiah with Carl and Ron. Carl had finally regained consciousness and he had started swearing at them. He was now gagged and tied securely to a tree. When Chris looked towards Buck he noticed Vin was standing looking around. Chris tapped Josiah on the shoulder and they walked slowly over to him. Nathan was talking to him but Vin was ignoring him. As they approached they could see Vin was just looking around at the trees but not really seeing them.
"Vin," Chris called and Vin froze. "It's alright, Vin no one is going to hurt you."
Vin swung his head in Chris direction and his eyes got wide. He slowly started backing away from Chris.
"Easy, Vin," Josiah soothed and walked towards him.
Vin was about to bolt when Ezra came walking up behind him. He placed a hand on his shoulder and Vin jumped away. When Vin realized it was Ezra he moved to stand by him. During this whole exchange Vin didn't utter a sound. Ezra took his hand and led him over to the fire. Nathan could see his shoulder was bleeding again and followed. Ezra made him sit and Nathan moved in to check the wound. Vin flinched away from him until Ezra said it was all right. Nathan repacked the wound and replaced the dressing. As he was finishing, the chopper could be heard flying over head. Close behind was a second one. Josiah went to meet them.
"We have to wake JD now," Nathan said.
"Can't we just let him sleep?" Buck asked.
"I think he'll wake up when he hears all the noise," Nathan explained. "I think he might want to prepare himself for the arrival of strangers."
Buck nodded and he gently shook JD's shoulder. JD slowly opened his eyes.
"Hey, Kid, the rescue team's here to get us," Buck said.
"What?" JD asked confused then he figured it out. "Oh god, Buck, I don't want anyone to see me!"
"I know JD," Buck soothed. "It'll be all right."
"JD," Chris said kneeling down. "We won't let anyone touch you. Just us."
"But they'll know, Chris, everyone will," JD sobbed.
"No they won't," Chris said. "We won't let anyone get near you."
JD looked into Chris's eyes and knew he was telling the truth. JD wiped his eyes and nodded. Chris touched his shoulder and stood up. He noticed that Ezra had taken Vin for a walk so all the new people wouldn't surprise him. He didn't take him far, just over by the trees. Chris clenched his fist as he watched Vin passively follow the southerner. Josiah returned with the rescue teams and state troopers. They carried a Stokes for JD. The EMT's moved towards JD but Nathan stopped them. He said he just had a sprained ankle and that they would take care of him. One of the troopers headed for Chris.
"What happened?" he asked.
"I'll explain it all in my report," Chris said.
"I need some explanation," he insisted.
"All you need to know is those bastards took us hostage and hurt two of my men," Chris snarled. "And now I'm getting them to a hospital. You can read what happened in my report."
Chris stalked away and headed for the others. They had gotten JD in the Stokes and were ready to go. Buck and Chris took the front. Josiah and Nathan took the back and they lifted it.
"You going to be OK with Vin?" Chris asked Ezra.
"Don't worry about us, Mr. Larabee, we will be right behind you."
They started walking and Ezra led Vin behind them. The clearing wasn't far and they were met by one of the pilots. He helped them secure JD inside and went back into the pilot's seat. Nathan and Josiah climbed in followed by Buck. Ezra climbed in next and held out his hand to Vin. Vin seemed oblivious to what was going on and climbed in. Chris was the last to enter and he closed the door. He pulled on a pair of head phones to talk to the pilot. JD was on the floor between them and Buck was holding his hand. Buck, Nathan and Josiah were on one seat while Chris, Ezra and Vin occupied the other. Vin was by the window and he leaned his head on the glass and starred out.
"Pilot's taking us directly to Four Corners General," Chris said as he took off the headphones.
They all tried to prepare themselves for what was to come next.
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