ATF Alternate Universe
EIGHT
The next day Chris and Buck had finally been able to leave the office. When IA had found out about the killings, an investigation had been started. The two of them spent the day answering questions for the investigators. They had stopped by Chris's office so he could get something. When they walked in they found Josiah and Nathan still at work. Ezra was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Ezra? Chris asked.
"He's over at the hospital," Nathan answered.
"Is it that late?" Chris asked looking at his watch.
It was 5:00pm and Ezra had gone over to the hospital to help the nurses with Vin. He still refused to eat for them so Ezra said he would come by when it was time for him to eat. Chris went to his office and got the papers he wanted and came back out to the waiting men. Buck had a package for JD and Josiah was holding something in his hands.
"What do you have there Josiah?" Chris asked out of curiosity.
"This is what led us to you," Josiah said holding up the plaster casts. "I forgot I had them until I emptied my day pack last night. Maybe it will help Vin."
"Can't hurt," Buck said.
They made it down to the parking garage without someone stopping them. Buck went in Chris's Ram and Josiah went with Nathan. They pulled into the hospital lot and parked. They all got out and walked in the doors of the hospital. They got on the elevator and went to JD's room first. Buck opened the door and went in while the others waited in the hall.
"Hey, Kid," Buck called. He could see JD curled on his side facing the wall.
"Hi, Buck," JD answered turning his head to look at Buck.
"Chris and the others are here. Do you want them to come in?" he asked.
"Yeah sure," JD said rolling over. He yelped in pain and Buck came over to give him a hand.
"Next time let me help," Buck said.
"I'm just a little stiff that's all," JD protested.
Once JD was settled, Buck went to the door and let the others in. They each had a little something for him. Buck gave him his gift and JD opened it. It was the new color Gameboy.
"Thanks Buck!" JD said.
"Figured it could keep you busy," Buck smiled.
"What? The other one wasn't good enough?" Nathan asked.
"Nope," Buck and JD answered together.
"I have one last thing for you JD," Josiah said. "I found these at your campsite. Vin show you how to make these?"
"Yeah he showed me," JD said taking the cast from Josiah. "We saw a bear that morning and we made the casts."
Chris watched as JD put the cast on the table and pushed it as far away as he could. No one else seemed to notice so Chris didn't say anything. Chris also noticed JD didn't ask how Vin was doing. He joked with Buck and Josiah.
"So where's Ezra?" he finally asked.
"He's with Vin," Chris said. "He'll come down later I'm sure."
"Oh," he said. "I'm getting kind of tired."
"Are you OK?" Buck asked fussing. "Should I call the doctor?"
"Jeez, Buck, I only said I was tired," JD scowled.
"Come, Brother Buck, let the boy sleep," Josiah said.
"All right," Buck said. "I'll be back after I visit Vin."
"Fine," JD said.
Chris was getting a bad feeling about this. JD didn't ask about Vin at all. They had decided not to tell him about Vin's condition figuring he had enough to worry about. Chris looked at the others to see if they had noticed JD's odd behavior. They didn't seem to notice anything wrong so Chris didn't say anything. They went down the hall to Vin's room and Chris went in first. They didn't go in as a group so they wouldn't frighten him. When he entered, Chris could see Ezra sitting on the bed talking to Vin. Vin had his eyes closed but Chris suspected he wasn't asleep.
"Hey Ezra," Chris said and Vin's eyes flew open.
"It's alright, Vin, it's only Chris," Ezra said placing a hand on his arm.
Ezra knew Vin being afraid of Chris was bothering the leader of the group. Vin had always had an unspoken bond with Chris that had been severed. Ezra could see Chris try to hide the anger at what happened but Ezra could tell it was a loosing battle by small gestures. Chris came over and sat on Vin's opposite side. Vin looked straight ahead but leaned away from Chris towards Ezra.
"I'll leave you two alone," Ezra said and was about to get up.
"You better stay," Chris said as he saw Vin's breathing increase when Ezra said he was leaving.
"All right," Ezra agreed when he noticed Vin getting agitated
"How has he been?" Chris asked reaching out his hand slowly and touching Vin's hand.
"The same," Ezra sighed as they watched Vin start to shake from Chris's contact.
"I better go," Chris said standing up and moving away. "I just get him more upset."
"It's not you, Chris," Ezra said. "I think you remind him of. . ."
"I know," Chris growled and Vin flinched. "And that's why I better leave."
Chris placed his hand on Vin's as a way of saying good-bye. He was surprised when Vin squeezed his hand then let go. Chris looked at Ezra who shrugged. He went out the door and Buck went in next followed by Nathan. When Buck joined Chris and Josiah in the hall he cursed.
"Damn it, Chris," Buck said. "I hate seeing him like that."
"I know," Chris said.
Nathan came out and Josiah went in. As soon as Josiah moved towards the bed Vin stared at him and flattened himself against the pillows. Ezra could see this wasn't going to be good. When Vin realized Josiah was still coming towards him he gave a small, strangled cry and curled on his side into a tight ball. When Josiah saw what was happening he stopped.
"It's alright Vin," Ezra tried to sooth him, but Vin wasn't responding. "My sincerest apologizes, Mr. Sanchez, but I think you better depart."
"I just want to give him this," Josiah said holding out the plaster cast.
Ezra took the bear footprint and looked up at Josiah. He could see that Josiah knew Vin's reaction wasn't to him but to a memory and Ezra only saw understanding in the big preacher's eyes. Josiah nodded to Ezra and headed for the door. Once he was gone Ezra talked to Vin and he began to relax but remained curled in a tight ball. He knew that couldn't be good for Vin's shoulder so he was finally able to get Vin to roll on his back and lay flat. Ezra propped his head up with some pillows and Vin lay quietly staring ahead. Ezra had placed the cast nest to him on the bed and went to put it on the table. When Vin saw it he just looked at it.
"Do you recognize this Vin?" Ezra asked and placed the cast in Vin's hand.
Vin looked at it then lost interest. Ezra sighed in defeat and went to take it back. When he went to take it Vin gripped it and wouldn't let go. Ezra sat back and Vin closed his eyes and fell asleep. Ezra heard the door open and he turned to see Chris.
"You may enter, Mr. Larabee, he has fallen to the Sandman," Ezra replied.
"Josiah told us what happened," Chris said.
"Yes unfortunately, Mr. Sanchez seems to remind Vin of his assailant more than you."
"He recognized the cast?" Chris asked when he saw it in Vin's hand.
"It would seem so," Ezra answered.
"Why don't you join Nathan and Josiah for dinner?" Chris said. "My treat."
"And pray tell what will you and Mr. Wilmington be doing?" Ezra asked as he took the credit card Chris held out.
"We'll sit and watch these two for awhile."
Ezra saluted him and walked towards the door. He turned back before he opened it and saw Chris get comfortable in the chair. He left the room knowing Vin would be all right. Chris looked up after he heard the door closed and sighed. He went to lean back when his cell-phone rang.
"Larabee. Yes. All right.. Thanks... No I understand that it's procedure in a case like this. I'm just glad you accepted the evidence and the reports from my men. Yes. Goodbye."
Chris slumped in the chair and sighed. IA had cleared Vin of all charges stating he acted in self-defense and to protect a fellow officer. He didn't want to leave Vin's room so he called Buck's cellular.
"Buck, Vin's been cleared of all charges..yeah I know it's great news..how is he? He's asleep. Well it's the best thing for both of them.The others went to dinner... All right. Bye."
Buck clicked off on his cellular and looked at JD. The kid was sleeping but Buck knew he would probably have nightmares. The nurses usually came in and kicked them out around midnight but that was OK with Buck. He leaned back in the chair and got comfortable.
JD curled up facing the wall pretending to be asleep. Part of him was glad Buck was here with him but another part wanted him to go. He still couldn't get over the fact that Buck still wanted to be his friend after what happened. JD still felt dirty even after the nurses had let him take a shower. What he really wanted was to be in his own bed at the apartment. He knew they wouldn't let him go until they were sure he was all right and he hated being here. He wanted to believe none of this was his fault but it was hard. Maybe he had done something to give Carl the impression he was gay. Maybe it was his hair? It was kind of long but so was Vin's.
Vin. God he hadn't even asked how Vin was doing. Then again why should he, he thought as he fell asleep.
+ + + + + + +
JD was having a nightmare. It was the same one from the night before. He woke up gasping for air as tears fell down his cheeks. He got his breathing under control and harshly wiped the tears away with the back of his hand. He looked around the room and saw the plaster cast. He picked it up and threw it against the wall. He angrily stood up and grabbed the robe from the end of his bed and walked stiffly out of his room. It was early in the morning and he didn't see anyone in the hallway He headed in the direction of Vin's room. When he got to his room he pushed the door open and stormed in. He saw Vin sitting up in the bed and walked over.
"Why'd you let them do it Vin?" JD demanded.
Vin flinched slightly but didn't turn to look at JD.
"You promised!" JD yelled grabbing Vin's uninjured arm.
Vin remained impassive as JD grabbed his arm.
"You said you'd protect me!!" JD yelled. "Why the hell won't you look at me? Are you that disgusted that you can't look at me? Well it's all your fault, damn you!"
Vin sat staring as JD continued to yell at him. JD was becoming more frustrated as Vin continued to ignore him. JD continued yelling at Vin but failed to notice the single tear falling from Vin's blue eyes.
Buck and Chris walked into the hospital and the nurses shook their heads. They had only kicked them out at midnight and they were back at 7:00am. They both went to JD's room first. When they walked into his room they were surprised to find it empty. Buck walked towards the bed and noticed the cast in pieces on the floor. He walked over and bent down.
"Where could he be?" Buck asked as he picked up a piece. "What happened?"
They went out to the nurse's station and asked if they had seen JD. They said no, but one said he had asked where he could find Mr. Tanner. Chris took one look at Buck and they went sprinting down the hall. As they got closer they could hear JD yelling.
"You promised!" JD yelled as they walked in the door.
Chris and Buck walked in to find JD sitting on the bed shaking Vin. As they moved closer Chris could see Vin was getting agitated. He could also see JD was angry.
"Buck why don't you take JD back to his room," Chris suggested.
"All right," Buck said when he saw Vin. "Come on JD."
"No!" JD yelled. "I want to know why he lied. He said he would protect me!"
"JD, listen to me," Buck said grabbing him. "Vin can't tell you anything right now."
"Yeah because he's too ashamed to look at me that's why," JD cried.
"No JD that's not it," Chris said. "Vin's been unresponsive since you were hurt."
"I don't understand," JD said.
"Come on JD," Buck said. "I'll explain it to ya' back in your room."
"No!" JD yelled and Vin flinched.
"Buck take him out now," Chris said getting angry.
Buck took JD's arm and pulled him out of the room. JD was still recovering and didn't have the strength to fight Buck. When they were back at his room Buck sat him on the bed and explained everything. JD listened and couldn't believe what Buck was telling him.
"So you all think Vin was raped when he was younger but only remembered because of what happened to me?" he asked.
"We're guessing," Buck said. "We won't know until he decides to talk."
"I didn't even notice, Buck," JD commented. "I just thought he was ignoring me."
"I know," Buck reassured him.
"Chris must be furious with me," JD said with regret. "Treating Vin like that."
"It's not your fault," Buck said. "You didn't know."
"I just hope I haven't made things worse."
After Buck had dragged JD out Chris walked over to the bed. He could see Vin was crying. Chris sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hand on Vin's arm. He was surprised when Vin didn't pull away from him.
"It's all right Vin," Chris said
"No," Vin whispered. "It's not."
Chris was taken by surprise at the comment. Vin turned tear-filled eyes to Chris and explained what happened. When Vin was fifteen he had been taken to one of many foster homes. They only thing was something was different about this one. Vin soon learned what that was. He had been in the house a week when the father showed up one night in his room. He was a giant of a man with blonde hair and green eyes. He grabbed Vin while he was sleeping and pinned his wrists above his head. Vin was so surprised he had kicked at him and was backhanded across his mouth for his troubles. He was flipped over on his stomach and he craned his head back to see what was going on. He watched in horror as the man pulled down his zipper and his dick sprang out. He screamed and the man viciously smacked the side of his head. He told Vin to be quiet or he would hurt him even more. Vin was so frightened he just started repeating I have to stay quiet. He felt his underwear being ripped off as well as the T-shirt he slept in. He couldn't help the scream that escaped his lips as the man brutally jammed his dick into him. A hand was placed over his mouth stifling the scream. The assault continued until Vin felt something released inside him. He shuddered in revulsion as he felt the man pull out of him. Vin was completely numb and didn't make a sound as he was flipped on his back. He was pulled to the edge of the bed so his legs dangled over. The man spread his legs apart and began sucking on Vin's dick. He became frustrated when he couldn't get Vin's cock to respond to his mouth. He continued to try to get Vin to respond but soon gave up. He stood up and towered over Vin and told him not to tell anyone. When he was gone Vin got off the bed and grabbed a clean T-shirt and underwear. He went into the bathroom and turn on the shower. Vin didn't notice that the water was scolding him as he scrubbed himself raw. When the water started to get cold he got out and got dressed. He went back to his room and curled up in the corner on the floor and fell asleep. When morning arrived he hurt all over. He got dressed and packed extra clothes in his backpack. He went out to breakfast and pretended like nothing had happened. The younger children were gabbing away and Vin ate in silence. He walked out to go to school and kept walking until he ended up in Denver.
By the time Vin was finished he was crying on Chris shoulder. Chris held him as his story came to an end. Vin had run away from the home in Texas and had ended up in Denver. Chris was furious! He was so angry he wanted to hit something. Now he understood why Vin had been afraid of him and Josiah. Chris could feel Vin trying to get his emotions back in order. Chris took his hands away from Vin and gave him the option to pull away. When Vin didn't Chris let him stay where he was. After a few minutes he could feel Vin take a shuddering breath and he sat back.
"Oh God Chris," Vin said. "JD must hate me."
"What?" Chris asked surprised.
"I promised him I wouldn't let them hurt him," he said turning tear-filled blue eyes towards him. "I didn't keep my promise."
"It's all right Vin," Chris said reassuring him. "I'm sure JD understands."
"I want to see him," Vin said.
"Maybe you better take it easy," Chris said.
"No, I have to see him," Vin said grabbing his arm.
"All right, I'll get him."
Vin lay back against the pillows as Chris went out the door. He walked to JD's room and entered. JD looked up as he entered and Chris couldn't see he was sorry.
"Chris," he began.
"I know, JD" Chris said. "It's our fault. We should have told you."
"I shouldn't have gone in there and yelled at him," JD said lowering his eyes.
"It might have been the best thing to do," Chris smiled. " He wants to see you."
"He's talking?" Buck asked. "He knows us? Does he?"
"Yeah, he remembers," Chris answered.
"Damn!" Buck said when he saw Chris's face. "Well come on, Kid. Lets not keep Junior waiting."
They got up and walked down to Vin's room. Chris held open the door as JD walked in. JD went over to the bed and sat down next to Vin. Vin reached out with his good arm and pulled JD into a hug. Chris knew they would want to be alone and closed the door.
+ + + + + + +
A week and a half later Vin and JD were back at work on light duty only. The two of them were still recovering but were back to their old selves. The only evidence left from their ordeal was the sling holding Vin's left arm. The doctors said he would be on light duty for another two weeks. Vin hadn't been happy about that decision but had shut up when Chris said it was either that or he could stay home altogether. The others on the team were still going easy on the two youngest. They would still both jump at any loud noises or if someone sneaked up on them. Chris watched from his doorway as Vin tried to work his computer with one hand. Chris could see he was getting frustrated but kept at it. When he looked at JD he could see the Kid, typing away at something. On both of their desks were the casts of the bear prints. Buck had glued JD's back together after he threw it against the wall. Chris looked at his watch and was about to call out to Vin when he heard him.
"Come on Kid, it's time to go," Vin said as he came to stand by his desk.
"Do we have to?" JD asked.
"Yeah we do," Vin said reluctantly.
"All right," JD said and shut down his computer.
"You two behave," Buck said throwing JD the keys, which Vin caught.
"I hope you aren't planning on driving, Mr. Tanner," Ezra said.
"Why not?" he said. "Buck's is an automatic."
"Because the doctor said you can't," Nathan warned.
"Damn, how many mothers do I have?" Vin demanded.
"If five aren't enough, Brother Vin, I can find more," Josiah suggested.
"No that's all right," Vin stammered. "Lets go JD."
"These sessions are so stupid," JD complained as they walked to the elevator. "All she ever says is 'And how does that make you feel?' She never gives you a straight answer."
"I know, Kid, she doesn't make sense," Vin agreed. "Hey Ezra you think you could come with us?"
"I don't think so," Ezra said. "Mother's third husband was a psychiatrist and I don't wish to relive the experience."
"Aw hell," Vin muttered. "Come on let's get it over with."
"Hey Vin," JD said as they stepped into the elevator. "Think we could stop at the burger joint on the way back?"
"Sure," he smiled. "And maybe the arcade too. Since they're going to treat us as kids we might as well act like them."
Chris could hear JD laughing as the elevator doors started to close. Vin gave Chris a wink just before they closed all the way. Chris had no worries that they would both be fine.
THE END
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