ATF Alternate Universe
SEVEN
The pilot had radioed ahead to let the hospital know they were on the way. When he landed on the roof of Four Corners General medical personnel were there to meet them. JD had fallen back to sleep during the ride and he was whisked off with Buck close by. Josiah decided to follow Buck to lend his support. Interns were waiting with a wheelchair for Vin. Ezra was trying to get him to come out but he wouldn't. Chris climbed back in the helicopter to give Ezra a hand. He saw that Vin had his back to them and was staring out the window.
"Vin," Chris called softly. "You have to come out now."
Vin didn't even acknowledge he was there. Chris hated what he had to do next but they had to get him inside.
"Vin! Come out now!" he commanded.
Chris tried not to feel anything when he saw Vin flinch from his harsh words. They had the desired affect when Vin turned to Ezra and he was able to lead him out. They got him in the wheelchair and they took him inside.
Buck and Josiah walked on either side of the gurney next to JD. He had awakened when they had entered the elevator and was upset. Once they got him into an examination room the nurse tried to make them leave. Josiah stayed with JD as Buck pulled the nurse to the side to explain. When he was finished she nodded and went to get the doctor. Buck went back over to JD to explain what was going to happen.
"JD, the doctors going to come in to examine you in a few minutes," Buck began. "I want to explain what's going to happen."
"I don't want him to," JD said shaking his head.
"I'm sorry JD, but it has to be done," Buck said taking his hand. "There's more. The police are going to need samples for evidence. Their going to have to take pictures and document everything."
"No!" JD cried. "I can't do it Buck. Please don't make me. I'm too humiliated."
"It's your choice, JD, but if you won't do it for yourself then do it for Vin," Buck said.
"Huh?" JD asked confused.
"Vin killed Butch," Buck explained. "The investigators are going to want to know why. The evidence will help clear Vin."
"Allright , but only if it's the doctors," he agreed.
"The police will have to called in JD," Buck disagreed.
"No!" JD insisted. "Then I won't do it. I don't want anyone else to know."
"What if we stayed and witnessed?" Josiah asked
"Can we Josiah?" Buck asked.
"We are officials of the law," Josiah answered.
"All right," JD said. "Only if it's you guys."
The nurse came back with the doctor. The doctor said they had to wait for the police. Josiah showed him his badge and said they would be the witnesses for the evidence. The doctor agreed and they got started. They made JD remove all his clothes and they were put in evidence bags. Josiah meticulously labeled everything as the nurse witnessed. Next, they made JD stand naked while they took pictures of the various cuts and scraps and his private areas. When they went to turn him around to take pictures of his butt JD started to cry and wouldn't do it. He grabbed the hospital gown and wrapped around himself and curled up on the bed.
"Can you give me a minute alone with him?" Buck said. "Let me talk to him."
"Of course, Mr. Wilmington," said the doctor.
Josiah followed them out and closed the door. Buck walked over to JD and took a seat next to the bed. He reached over and wiped the tears from JD's face with his thumb.
"I know what you're going through, JD."
"How could you?" JD demanded angrily. "Have you ever been raped?"
"No, but someone very close to me was."
"Who?" JD asked.
"Son, I'm going to tell you something that no one else knows except Chris," Buck began. "My mother was raped."
JD listened wide-eyed as Buck told his tale. His mother had come from a small town in Nevada where everyone knew everyone else's business. His mother had been walking home from work when she was raped. When she taken to the hospital she told them who had done it. They didn't believe her because the man was a respected member of the community and his mother was just a single woman living in town. After her parents had died she remained in town because there was nowhere else to go. Buck said back then, they didn't take evidence like they did now so his mother could never prove it.
"So what are you getting at Buck?" JD asked.
"Something wonderful happened from her being raped," Buck said.
"What could be so wonderful from something so horrible as this?" JD demanded.
"She got me," Buck smiled.
"What?" JD asked surprised.
"Do you want to hear the rest of this or just ask questions?" Buck smiled.
JD kept quiet and listened. Buck explained that his mother found out she was pregnant from the rape when the test results came back. She had been brought up a strict Catholic and having an abortion was out of the question. His mother decided to keep the baby. A secret like that couldn't be kept quiet long. Pretty soon the whole town knew about it and began calling her a whore. His mother tried ignoring their petty remarks but after awhile she started to believe what people said until the night the baby was delivered. When the doctors placed the baby in her arms she knew she did the right thing. She got up the courage to leave town and move to Denver where Buck grew up.
"Why did your Ma tell you about this?"
"I started asking about my father and where he was. So she told me. When she told me I was mad, then realized my Mama was the most courageous woman I knew. That's when I started seeing woman in a different light. I was fifteen and I started to respect and admire them."
"Buck, what does this have to do with me?" JD asked
"You see JD you have the chance to put these guys away for a long time and to clear Vin. My Mama never had that chance."
"Your Ma sounds like a great lady."
"My Mama was a saint," Buck smiled. "I wish you could have met her. So are you ready to get this over with?"
"Yeah I'm ready," JD said.
Buck went to the door and called them back in. The doctor and nurse were sympathetic to what JD was going through and handled everything wonderfully. Once all the samples were gathered the doctor explained to JD that he would have to examine him to see if there was any rectal damage. JD got a little agitated when the doctor explained what was going to happen but was reassured when he was told he would be given a drug to make him forget for a short period of time. JD asked if Buck could stay with him and the doctor agreed. Josiah said he was going to find out what was happening with Vin.
+ + + + + + +
They wheeled Vin into an examination room and his bodyguards were stopped at the door. Vin had been holding Ezra's hand and refused to let go. The doctors relented and Ezra was able to stay. Chris didn't like it. He hated to admit it, but he was angry that Vin seemed to only want Ezra. Chris knew he was only responding to the smooth talking southerner's accent, but it still hurt. Nathan suggested they take a seat in the waiting room. They had been there for about an hour when two doctors walked over to them.
"Mr. Larabee," One of the said as they got closer.
"I'm Larabee" Chris said standing up.
"I'm Doctor Thomas and this is Dr. Theodore," he said introducing the female doctor.
"Hello," she said, shaking Chris's hand.
"Well, I have good new for you," Dr. Thomas said. "The gunshot wound isn't serious, just painful. He should have no complications from it. The head wound is also minor and should cause no problems. When I realized he was in a fugue state, I called Dr. Theodore, she's our resident psychiatrist."
"Can you tell me what happened?" she asked.
"Is there somewhere private we can talk?" Chris asked.
"Of course," she agreed. "How thoughtless of me."
Chris and Nathan thanked Dr. Thomas as they followed Dr. Theodore down the hall. She came to a door and pushed it open. They walked in to find a couch and some chairs. She sat in one of the chairs and Chris and Nathan took the couch.
"Something very traumatic must have happened to make him draw into himself like this," she said.
Chris explained what had happened on their camping trip. She listened intently only interrupting to clarify something. Chris also explained what they feared, that Vin might have been raped when he was younger. They thought that these events caused him to remember. When Chris was finished she smiled at him.
"I know this must be hard for all of you," she said in sympathy. "Your conclusions are probably correct. I have seen some rape victims deny completely that it happened. If he was young when it happened he could very well have banished the experience from his memory. All I can suggest is that we be patient and don't mention anything about what happened. Just be there for him and let him know he's safe."
"We can do that," Nathan said.
"I see he seems to respond to Mr. Standish," she said. "Are they very close?"
"That was actually a surprise to all of us," Chris said. "They are friends, but Vin was raised by a woman who spoke with a southern accent."
"That explains it," she smiled. "He sees Mr. Standish as someone he can trust."
"Can we see him?" Nathan asked.
"Of course," she said and led them out of the room.
She walked them down the hall and around the corner. Halfway down, she stopped and opened the door. When they walked in they saw it was a small private room. A nurse was sitting on the bed trying to get Vin to eat. Ezra had moved out of his line of sight over by the bathroom.
"He won't eat for you Mira?" Dr. Theodore asked.
"Nope," she answered. "Just Mr. Standish."
"That's going to cause problems," the doctor said with a frown. "We'll have to keep the IV going then to make sure he gets fluids and nutrition."
'Hey Ezra," Nathan said as they walked over to him.
"Nathan," Ezra nodded. "Chris, why don't you see if you can get him to eat."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Chris disagreed.
"I think it's a good idea Mr. Larabee," Dr. Theodore said. "I want to see how he reacts with each of you."
"Better let Nathan go first then," Chris said not liking this one bit.
Nathan took the food from Mira and sat on the bed next to Vin. He forked up a piece of chicken and held it out to Vin. Vin just ignored it and Nathan. When Nathan tried to move it closer to his mouth Vin turned his head away. Nathan put down the fork and shook his head. He stood up and handed the plate to Chris. Chris was reluctant to do this. Vin seemed frightened of him and would only do something if Chris commanded him. He took a seat on the bed next to Vin and he looked at Chris. For a minute he thought Vin recognized him then he moved away ever so slightly. Chris held out the piece of chicken and Vin closed his eyes. Chris hated himself for what he did next.
"Open your mouth Vin!" Chris demanded.
Vin did as he said and Chris put the chicken in his mouth and told him to eat. Vin chewed a few times then swallowed. He looked ahead and a single tear slid down his cheek. Chris reached out his hand and wiped it away. He stood up and called Ezra over to sit with Vin. Ezra could see Chris was angry but he knew why he had done it. Chris wanted the Doctor to see how Vin reacted to each of them. He walked back over to where she was standing.
"Thank you, Mr. Larabee, I know that was hard for you," she said placing her hand on his arm. "He seems to see you as the authority figure or the disciplinarian."
"Could it be that somewhere in his mind he knows Chris is his boss?" Nathan asked.
"It's possible," she answered. "It's just hard to say."
They watched as Ezra finished feeding Vin and handed the plate to Mira. As she walked out Josiah walked in.
"How's he doing?" he asked.
"The same," Nathan said. "How's JD?"
"They just started the examination," Josiah said. "Chris, JD wouldn't let anyone else witness the evidence gathering. Buck and I acted as the police authorization for the evidence. I hope we did the right thing."
"That should be fine, Josiah," Chris said. "And if they have a problem with it I'll make them understand."
"May I ask who you are?" Dr Theodore inquired.
"Josiah Sanchez at your service. I'm their partner."
"Can I ask you to do something?"
"Anything."
"Can you go over to Vin and talk to him," She instructed. "I want to see how he reacts to each of you."
Josiah did as she asked and approached Vin. He greeted Vin in his deep baritone and Vin reacted instantly. He pulled his knees up and hugged them with his uninjured arm. Josiah tried to say soothing words to Vin but it only made it worse. He started rocking and repeating something over and over. Ezra leaned in to hear what he was saying. When he heard, he touched Vin and told him he was safe here that no one could hear him where he was. Vin stopped rocking and looked at Ezra. Ezra again said he was safe and Vin lay back against the pillows. The anxiety of the last few hours were getting to Vin and he closed his eyes and went to sleep. Ezra got up to rejoin the others.
"He hasn't reacted to Josiah like that before," Nathan said. "He didn't react to Josiah at all out in the woods."
"All I can think is that he's starting to remember more," she observed. "Little things are making him remember. Mr. Standish could you make out what he was saying?"
"He kept repeating he had to stay quiet," Ezra said.
"You think he might have hid from whoever raped him?" Chris asked.
"It's one possibility. Well gentlemen you've been most helpful. I need to make my rounds. I will see you again."
"Ezra, can you stay with Vin?" Chris asked when she had left.
"Of course," he replied. "And pray tell where will you be?"
"After I check on JD I better head over to the office and write the damned report," Chris said. "Nathan, Josiah, do you think you could come also and write your involvement in this? I want to get it done fast so those bastards' lawyers don't have anything to accuse us of."
"Sure Chris," Nathan said for both of them.
They headed down the corridor to the examination room where JD had been taken. As they got closer, they saw Buck exit the room.
"How is he?" Chris asked.
"He's lucky," Buck said. "There was a small amount of tearing. It was mostly bruising. They're going to keep him here a few days until he heals. They have him on antibiotics and stuff. They're going to move him to a private room. He's still out from the drugs they used to examine him."
"All right," Chris said. "You say with JD. We're heading over to the office to start the paper work."
"Yeah we don't want those bastards slapping police brutality charges on us," Buck said. "How's Vin?"
"He's remembering more," Chris said. "He was terrified of Josiah."
"Damn!" Buck cursed. "Is Ezra staying with him?"
"Yeah," Chris said.
"Well don't worry about anything pard," Buck smiled. "The two of us will keep an eye on Junior and the Kid."
Chris nodded and headed out towards the doors. Nathan and Josiah were close on his heals. Buck went back into JD's room with a sigh. It was going to be hell for the next few days.
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