ATF Alternate Universe
PART ONE
Chris Larabee sat at his desk reviewing team seven's preliminary paperwork on the case they had just put to bed. Still annoyed over the last call, he picked up the phone on the first ring and snapped, "Larabee.""Chris, it's Mike Winger."
Chris would have known Team Three's Leader's voice even without the introduction. Softening his tone, "What can I do for you Mike?"
"I hate to ask you this Chris, but can I borrow a man or two? I'll only need them one, maybe two days. I have three guys down with the flu, the last one didn't call in till this morning. We just got to the fire scene, the site is a little bigger than I thought, and I could use a little extra man power to canvas the area."
Chris was familiar with the details, a small museum three hours outside of Denver had been torched. The case had been assigned to Team Three. They left first thing this morning.
"Sure, Mike. If it's just for the preliminary work, I can loan you two men." Chris rubbed the bridge of nose, his eyes already protesting the mountain of paperwork. "We're on paper work detail for the Avanti case, so I'll ship them out now."
"Thanks, Chris. I owe you a lunch," Mike laughed. "Just don't send Standish, don't think he'd appreciate the local roach motel."
Chuckling at the image, Chris replied, "Don't worry, Mike. I won't do that to you. I'll send Vin and ..." Looking out the floor to ceiling glass wall of his office to scrutinize his team, "One other."
"Thanks a lot, Chris. Catch ya later."
"Bye, Mike."
Chris stood up and walked out to the area where his team was wrestling with their dreaded paperwork.
It was easy to pick Vin. He hated paperwork and since the fire had occurred outside the city, he knew Vin would be the most grateful. Since JD had contributed so much on their last case, with countless hours of computer work, Chris figured a day out with Vin would be a treat for the young agent. It would be a long and fun ride in Vin's jeep stopping for junk food all the way.
"Okay. Listen up." Chris moved to sit on the corner of Vin's desk. "Mike Winger called. He needs to borrow two of you for a day or two. That museum fire in the hills."
Ezra immediately dropped his eyes and pretended to look busy shuffling the papers on his desk.
Noticing Ezra's reaction, Chris shook his head, "Don't sweat it Ez. I'm sending Vin and JD." Looking over at Vin, Chris continued, "You two can hit the road as soon as you're ready."
Vin's response was to lean back in his chair and throw a questioning glance at his boss.
JD jumped up out of his chair, "All right! Thanks Chris!"
Buck, Nathan, Josiah, and Ezra all laughed at JD's exuberance.
Josiah managed to get out between chuckles, "How many twinkies will it take to reach the museum?"
Buck held his belly against his laughter, "Twinkies? You better add Ring Dings, fries, tacos..."
Shaking his finger at Vin, Nathan admonished, "You better make sure the two of you eat a decent meal - at least one."
Replacing the papers he had shuffled back in their proper piles, Ezra smiled at Vin. "Surely Mr. Tanner can not be held accountable for the cravings of Mr. Dunne. He is barely able to control his own need for fat, sugar, and chemicals."
Snorting at the antics of his team mates, Vin got up and followed Chris to his office, leaving JD to defend their honor and snack choices.
"Chris? You got a minute?" Vin asked, holding steady at the door to Chris's office.
"Sure, Vin. Come in," Chris said as he closed the blinds on the glass wall of his office.
"Why me?"
"Why not you, Vin? It's out of the city. I figured you'd like that more than paperwork here."
"I would, Chris, I guess." Vin looked directly into Chris's eyes. "It's just we haven't had much time the last few weeks with the Avanti case. I was looking forward..."
"Vin... I was too. But right before Mike, I had another a call. I have to attend a meeting tonight. Voting on how to spend some surplus funds, more equipment, training, or both." Walking around to sit on the edge of his desk so his thigh brushed up against Vin's, "So I though this way at least you'd have some fun."
Vin smiled at the contact and explanation. "Thanks, Cowboy." He ran his hand lightly down Chris's thigh. "Wish I had time to thank you more proper like." Licking his lips, he moved to stand up.
"Not so fast, Tanner." Chris reached out and pulled the sharpshooter close for a passionate kiss. "I'm gonna hold you to that thank you when you get home tomorrow."
Vin smiled at his boss, best friend, lover, and house mate. "Ya don't have to worry on that account, Pard. First one home orders a pizza and we'll make up for the lost time."
"Go on, get going. Be careful. Enjoy the scenery." Chris settled back into his chair, "And make sure you bring JD back in one piece."
Vin gave Chris a two fingered salute and went in search of his "partner".
*******
JD Dunne was practically bouncing out to the parking garage. He was excited at being sent to review the arson site. And even more so, he was excited at going with Vin Tanner and his jeep.
As the pair entered the garage, they were greeted by a blood curdling squall from Cuervo, the ATF's mascot. Cuervo was a orange and white cat that adopted Team Seven as it's "owner." Vin was a favorite of the tabby's and the feelings were mutual.
"Shit, that's Cuervo," Vin said as he ran into the garage.
JD followed fast on his heels.
When they got to Vin's jeep, they could see Cuervo backed up against a wall. He looked ready to attack. It only took Vin a minute to spot the perpertrator responsible for Cuervo's agitation. There was a stray oily looking black cat spitting and hissing at Cuervo.
Vin fished in his pocket for his keys. Turning to JD, "You drive, get ready to start up the jeep." Vin searched the back of the vehicle for some cans of cat food. "I'll catch the black one, you drive us up out of here. We'll leave him in the alley behind the building with a couple of cans of food."
"Be careful Vin. Damn cat looks mean," JD said as he slipped behind the wheel.
"Ah hell, he's probably just lost and hungry, JD," Vin whispered more to himself as he moved around the black cat. Cuervo had the good sense to run off behind Ezra's Jag while Vin approached the angry stray.
"Here you go cat. Come on. Got some nice tuna here for ya." Vin slid the can of cat food towards the animal. Once the cat sensed it was safe, he approached the tin. While he was distracted, sniffing at the food, Vin grabbed the cat. He brought the food with him, hoping it would keep the beast occupied. "JD, start the jeep." So far the cat was just struggling in Vin's grasp.
Vin climbed in the passenger seat and JD eased them out of the parking space. As soon as he started for the ramp out of the garage the cat went wild.
"Ouch. Shit! Easy there cat. It's ok. Damn.... Hurry up JD, damn cat keeps biting me." Vin tried to use the food to distract the creature.
JD kept his eyes on the road, but flinched when Vin reacted to yet another bite. "You ok, Vin?"
"Yeah, kid. I'm fine. Just hurry up."
As soon as they rounded the corner into the alley, Vin let the beast go. He got up and placed the open can of food near to the box the cat ran behind. He popped open the other two cans from his jacket pocket and put them near the first. He shook his right arm, trying to brush off the pain.
"Should I drive, Vin?" JD asked, concerned for Vin.
"Yeah, go ahead JD," the sharpshooter replied as he got back in the jeep. "We need to swing by your place you so you can get some stuff for overnight."
Glancing over, JD asked, "Don't you need any stuff?"
"We'll stop at the ranch on the way out to the museum. We can cut back to the highway from there." Placing his sunglasses on, Vin leaned back and enjoyed the ride.
*******
JD insisted that Vin come in and clean the bites while he grabbed what he needed for overnight.
Leaving Vin in the bathroom with peroxide and polysporin ointment, JD went about packing for the overnight trip. "Hey Vin, can we hit a donut place on the way to the ranch? I'm hungry!"
"Sure kid, coffee sounds good to me! Without Buck and Chris - we can stop for all the junk we want!" Vin was laughing as they left the apartment.
*******
Vin took over the driving and they were almost at the museum when their junk stash ran out. "Good thing we're here, Vin. Out of food!" JD said just before the burp escaped.
"Good one, kid," the sharpshooter said as he pulled into what was left of the parking lot.
They got out and went over to find Mike, to see what he wanted them to do.
"Vin, JD. Over here," Mike called from across the blown out building.
When they reached the red headed team leader, he greeted them. "Glad you're here. But we found a good size chunk of the device already." Glancing at his watch, he continued, "It's only two o'clock now. So if you'll help us check out the rest of the explosion site, you can head on back first thing in the morning."
"Sure thing, Mike. Where do you want us to look?" Vin asked as his eyes took in the destruction.
"How about you two pair up and check out what's left of the back of the building. We'll call it quits about six. Should be light till then. Then I hear there's a great restaurant a mile or so down the road."
"Good, I'm getting hungry," JD said as he headed off.
Vin put his arm around JD's shoulders, "Hungry already? Let's go look for evidence."
*******
At a little after six, they called the search. Luckily Team Three had found most of the device and Vin and JD even found parts of a bag that may have held it. Forensics would have a fair amount of evidence to review.
JD and Vin went to their room to clean up before they all headed out to dinner. JD watched TV while Vin was in the shower. Once Vin came out, towel wrapped around his waist, JD went in. While he was putting on a clean shirt, Vin noticed the redness around his left wrist and on his right hand. He pressed on his wrist and it was a little puffy and tender. He checked his hand in the same fashion and it too was swollen and sore. "Damn cat," he mumbled as he finished dressing.
He was almost ready when JD strutted out stark naked. Vin looked over with a raised eyebrow. "Sorry," the kid said as he pulled on his underwear.
Vin just shrugged and chuckled. In a way, he was glad that JD wasn't self conscious around him. Once Vin and Chris crossed the boundary between friends and lovers, they were worried about the team's reaction. Luckily, everyone was happy that Chris seemed to have found inner peace and happiness with Vin. And that Vin had finally let someone really love him and in return, allow himself to love. The fact that JD wasn't uncomfortable being naked around Vin was proof that the relationship between Chris and Vin was just fine with the kid.
JD noticed that Vin seemed to be having trouble with the buttons on his denim shirt. "You okay, Vin?"
"Yeah, JD. I'm fine, just my hand is a little sore," Vin said as he finally finished with the shirt.
"Think it's from the cat bites?" JD asked, his tone anxious.
"Probably. I'll have Nate take a look when I see him." Vin glanced at his watch, "We gotta go, time to meet the boys in the lobby."
Two of the guys from Team Three drove. So Vin and JD piled in the back seat of Dan Smith's car. At the restaurant, JD noticed that Vin was quieter than usual. He also noticed that Vin didn't really seem to be enjoying his meal or his beer.
Quietly, so no one overheard him, JD whispered, "You sure you're ok, Vin?"
"I'm fine, JD," Vin smiled. And forced down a mouthful of food.
When they were all done, Mike suggested they go over to a bar a few more miles down the road. Tom Brennan, the oldest agent there said he was tired and wanted to go back. JD was surprised when Vin said he would go back to the hotel too.
"Go on, JD. Have some fun with Mike and the guys. I'm just beat. Think I'll watch some TV. Maybe raid the candy machine," he added with one of his famous lopsided grins.
"I don't know Vin. I'd feel better staying with you," JD sounded concerned.
"Hey, Vin," Tom called. "If you want to go have one, I can be up for that. But I promised my wife Sandy that I'd call early."
"Thanks, Tom. Okay with you, JD? We'll come for one beer with ya'll."
*******
Vin felt like shit. He was grateful when Tom asked if they could go. He walked over to where JD was playing pool with Mike, Dan, and Bob and bid them all goodnight. "You stay and enjoy yourself, JD. Okay?"
"All right, Vin. Night!" JD said as his turn came up at the pool table.
*******
JD tried to sneak in without waking Vin. It was almost three in the morning. Who was he kidding? No way could he sneak in on Vin. So he was more than surprised when Vin didn't stir when he came in. He could see the rise of the blanket, so he knew Vin was breathing, but it bothered JD that he didn't wake up.
*******
Rolling over, JD forced an eye open to look at the clock. Shit, it was almost ten in the morning. He looked over to Vin's bed and was not at all surprised to see the bed empty. Probably was up and out hours ago, JD thought as he headed to the bathroom.
He opened the door and gasped, "Vin, geez, you okay?"
Vin was sitting on the floor of the bathroom, his arms on the toilet seat, his head cradled on them, a blanket draped over his shoulders. Vin turned to look at JD, "No kid. Feel like shit. Didn't want to wake you."
JD was scared at how bad Vin looked. He was pale, had dark circles under his eyes, he looked sweaty, and was shivering. "What can I do, Vin?"
"Give me hand up so you can use the bathroom."
JD reached out to help pull Vin off the floor. As soon as his hand grasped Vin's arm, he felt the sharshooter flinch from the touch. He was alarmed at how hot Vin was. And how much Vin needed JD's help to get up. And to stay on his feet.
"Vin, should I call someone?" JD was scared. Vin was in a bad way.
"No, kid. Just help me back to the bed. While you get ready, I'll throw on some clothes. You mind driving home?" Vin said as they slowly made their way to the bed.
"No. Sure Vin. I'll drive. You want anything?" JD asked, unsure what to do.
"No, go ahead," Vin said as he curled up in a ball, blanket wrapped around him like a shawl, his entire body shaking.
JD pulled the blankets from Vin's bed up and over him. Then he pulled the ones from his own bed to cover Vin.
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