ATF Alternate Universe
FIVE
The Pitman Case was in its final stage and Ezra just had to complete the funds transaction. The money for the guns. The bust went down perfect, the criminals in handcuffs, and the guns in ATF possession. What the team was unprepared for was the teenage son that entered from the rear of the warehouse and saw the ATF with his father in cuffs.Josiah's, "GUN," was not in time to prevent Vin from being shot in the back.
Chris whipped around and shot the young man, yelling, "You don't shoot nobody in the back."
But Chris' yell was drowned out by Ezra's scream of mortal agony.
Nathan was at Vin's side in a flash, relieved that it was in the shoulder and not the lungs or heart. Buck had the paramedics on the radio, guiding them in. JD cleared the path.
Chris had a frozen Ezra and pulled him along with him to his vehicle, "Let's meet Vin at the hospital." Ezra still had said nothing after his scream of terror.
+ + + + + + +
Six men waited for information on Vin. It was nothing new, the hospital expected it. The nursing staff had already taken out the extra coffee urn, and the doctors were prepared for the barrage of questions.
Nathan was at the door, trying to gleam any kind of information. Josiah was chanting a mantra. Buck was trying to calm the kid. Only Chris knew that two lives were in peril here and Chris still could not get a word out of Ezra. The usually wordy man was locked in his own hell. Waiting.
The operating doors opened and the surgical team exited. The doctor in charge made his way to the waiting men, they all stood as he approached. Looking at the men's faces, he was real glad he had good news. "Mr. Tanner will be fine. There was some muscle tearing, but with small sutures, we repaired it for minimal scaring. He will experience no loss of mobility. He lost a fair amount of blood so he will be tired for several days. He should be released in side of a week."
Chris asked, "Can we see him now?"
The Doctor nodded, "Room 510."
Nathan stayed and thanked the doctor, conveying the entire teams thanks. As Ezra was already gone and Chris followed soon after.
Ezra went straight into room 510. Vin was still under, but just seeing his chest moving up and down allowed Ezra to take his first real breath since the shot. He went to the side of the bed by the wall and picked up Vin's hand and held it to his heart. He dropped a kiss on Vin's head, then waited for the horde to descend. He still had Vin's hand in his, but they both lay on the bed.
+ + + + + + + +
Ezra never left Vin's side. The other's came and went. But Ezra was there when Vin opened his eyes. A smile exchanged. Two hearts beating as one.
Vin grumbled, Ezra smiled, Vin was feeling better. But he was in pain. In a sleepy voice he asked Ezra, "Ez, fondle me. You make me feel so special the way you do it."
Ezra leaned over and kissed Vin on the lips. "You are special, my lover, my life!" Ezra slide his hand up under the hospital gown and caressed his balls, fingers ever so gently brushing them. Vin moaned at the tingling. His cock reacted by firming slightly. Ezra eased the fingerplay, he just wanted Vin to feel good not aroused. He leaned over and rained little kisses over his lover's eyes.
Neither heard the door open, and it wasn't until Ezra was slammed up against the wall by Nathan that they realized someone was in the room. Nathan used one arm to push on his throat as the other hit his chest to cause great pain, but no real injury. "What in the hell are you doing, Ezra? Screwing it up for the whole team for a little feel . . ."
Nathan was interrupted by a steely, dangerous voice that commanded, "If you don't put Ezra down now, you'll wish you were dead." The danger, the grit, the flint-like uncompromising tone had Nathan immediately releasing Ezra. He expected it to be Chris behind him, not a weak from gunshot, blood loss Vin on his knees looking at him with a fierce predator stare.
Ezra dropped to the floor onto his knees, trying to drag in breaths, as a wobbly Vin sank to the floor beside him.
Nathan exclaimed aloud. "What was Chris thinking?"
Vin turned his head to look Nathan in the eye, "He knew exactly what he was doing. He knew that I had loved Ezra for two years."
Nathan's, "Oh," was heard as Vin turned and rained little kisses on Ezra's face as he spoke softly, "Ez, are you okay? Ez, can ya talk?"
Ezra just leaned into Vin's kisses, not thinking of the pain in his chest.
Nathan, feeling somewhat bad, reached out to help Ezra up, but the fear in his eye had Vin immediately shielding Ezra as he shrank even further into the wall.
"Nathan git out of here," Vin hissed. He then turned to embrace Ezra as he tried to fight the pain.
Nathan argued, "Look, I'm sorry, I didn't know, now let me help." Vin would not relinquish his hold on Ezra. Nathan was about to yell at them in frustration as Chris walked in the door.
Chris took it all in, Vin out of bed, on the floor, covering Ezra, Nathan looking angry and helpless. "What in the hell is going on here?" Chris hissed through clenched teeth. He put up one finger to Nathan to stay still and quiet. He went and crouched down by Vin and Ezra.
"Nathan hurt Ez." Vin's explanation.
He wished that Ezra would relay the incident, at least he'd get more words. "Okay, let me help you both. Vin, you up first." He got Vin up and helped him lay on the bed.
Vin moved over to make room for Ezra. Chris helped Ezra up, and he sat next to Vin. Ezra immediately turned to Vin, checking his condition. Vin cupped Ezra's face, looking for the pain he was hiding.
Chris walked over to Nathan and pulled him clear to the other side of the room. Nathan asked the same question. "What were you thinking?"
"Nathan, stand there and watch them, forget you know them, forget everything, just watch their faces . . . . .Nathan, sometimes, not often, one will become lucky enough to meet the other half of their heart. When that happens, it doesn't recognize the gender of those involved, it's a heart match. Very few ever get the chance, if it's discarded because of convention or religion, the loss is greater than imagined. I had it with Sarah, I may never have it again, but I know. They have it, they almost missed it."
Nathan looked at what Chris was seeing, the tenderness, the infinite caring. The looks that weren't about sex, but love. Nathan saw what Chris saw. One whole heart. He would do what he could to help them, but first he had to apologize. He looked at Chris for help.
He went to them first, "Ez, Nathan wants to talk to you." Vin looked feral, Chris shook his head, "Come on Vin, we all err."
Vin looked at Ezra, "Ez, I won't let'em hurt ya. Do ya want to talk to him?"
Fear and pain still rested in his eyes, but he nodded yes. His voice hurt to use, but he rasped. "Want to hear why."
Chris beckoned to Nathan. Nathan came over to the side of the bed. He looked at Vin, whose eyes were fierce and protective. This weakened man looked ready to take on the world to protect the man next to him. Ezra. Ezra's eyes looked hurt and guilt-ridden. And fear, of him? "I'm sorry, I misread the situation. I thought I was protecting Vin." Nathan looked at the reactions of both men. Vin looked feral, unforgiving, but Ezra relaxed, as though because it was in Vin's best interest it was okay.
Vin wasn't as forgiving, "Ya shoulda asked first . . .has Ezra ever done anything to hurt any one of us? Why would ya think he would? He made one mistake once . . .now you've made yours, shall I judge ya different now?"
Chris smiled at Nathan's shell shocked expression, he didn't expect all that from the calm, silent tracker. Chris also noted Ezra's expression, he didn't think Ezra had ever had someone fiercely defend him before. Right now, the love shinning out of those eyes was something to behold. Vin turned and caught the look and melted, laying his head on Ezra's chest.
Catching the silent exchange, Nathan was captivated, he met Ezra's eyes, "Vin's right, I've been worried about the stupid hearing and I let it affect my judgment. You would never hurt the team. Now, I will make you a promise I will not let anyone try to hurt you guys."
Ezra nodded and gave Nathan a small smile. Following Ezra's lead, Vin gave his one-bob nod. Nathan relaxed, so did Chris. The two of them left the lovers alone.
Outside of the room, Chris asked Nathan, "Hate to ask, but till after the hearing, can you keep this to yourself?"
"Chris I was serious, I won't let no one mettle on that in there. Don't worry." Chris squeezed Nathan's shoulder in thanks.
SIX
Ezra was like a little kid, Vin was coming home. He was having cheeseburgers and fries delivered and then s'mores, all of Vin's favorites. He was waiting impatiently by the front desk. Chris offered, but Ezra really wanted to be here. He could hear Vin, grumbling about having to leave in a wheelchair.Vin saw Ezra waiting and relaxed, Ez was here. His world was already better.
Ezra went and took control of the chair. "Car's waiting outside." He turned to Helen, flashed her a happy smile, "Thank you Helen."
Helen watched them go, her heart full, at the love of Team 7.
+ + + + + + +
Vin was tucked in bed and Ezra was reading to him. He let Vin pick out the story, Jock Steele's Tales of the Magnificent Seven. He looked over and it looked as though Vin had fallen asleep. He went to turn down the light. When he got close enough Vin's hand snaked out and grabbed Ezra and pulled him down on the bed.
A sly smile was etched on Vin's face, "I've been without ya for a whole week, now I want ya in here with me now."
Ezra's pulse leaped at just hearing Vin desire his comfort. But he wanted to follow the doctors orders, "The doctor said not to over tire."
Beseechingly, Vin looked up at Ezra, "I really need ya Ez."
Ezra knew he could never resist that, he figured Vin knew it too. "Okay." Ezra peeled his clothes off as he turned off the lights and came to bed.
Vin noted that Ezra seemed pretty anxious to get in here with him as he just dropped his clothes on the floor. Vin smiled. He'd really missed sleeping with Ezra. Ezra crawled into bed and pressed himself close to his heart. Vin turned into Ezra's chest and nuzzled his neck. Ezra put his arms around Vin and hugged him, whispering into the ear he was nibbling, "I missed you." Vin purred, arching more toward Ezra. Ezra recognized that Vin needed relief. He was the caretaker, he'd caretake.
He kissed Vin with all the missed passion of the last week. He kissed the lips he'd been afraid of losing, he kissed the best part of himself. Vin was writhing with the kiss, it made him feel so loved. Ezra forced himself to leave the lips and started on the neck, nibbling and sucking. He made his way up to his ears, sucking on earlobes that seem to beg attention. He carefully trapped the injured side against him and caught his other arm and pinned it above his head. He then stared licking Vin's chest, not missing a spot. Taking time to pay great attention to the hardened nipples. He flicked them, loving the sounds that escaped Vin's throat. Vin wanted to bring his arm down, to touch Ezra, but Ezra shook his head. "Just you right now. Let me." Just as Ezra wasn't able to resist Vin, Vin couldn't refuse Ezra either. He desisted.
Ezra's tongue traced the hair line right up to the fully engorged cock. Already, oozing the pre-cum. Ezra knew that Vin was close, but he had a few other plans. One was to lick inner thighs that appeared neglected. Ezra felt it was a good call as Vin was wiggling as much as Ezra would let him. Then his tongue started on the swollen balls, tasting Vin, smelling Vin. Ezra took in a few breaths and nearly lost it himself. He took the balls within his mouth and sucked gently. Vin's growls were loud. He sucked a little harder. Vin bellowed. Ezra smiled. He caught Vin's eyes and released his balls to quickly take the pulsating arousal deep into his mouth. Not breaking eye contact, he opened his throat and sucked Vin in deeper. Constricting and releasing his throat muscles was driving Vin into frenzy. "Oh, please Ez, please . . now, real hard." Ezra did as he was begged, he moved his tongue and lips and sucked as hard and fast as he could. Vin arched as he began trembling, signaling the start of his orgasm, Ezra just sucked harder. Vin roared Ezra's name as his seed exploded and landed down Ezra's throat, who swallowed up every bit of it. Ezra continued to suck until each quiver and quake had subsided. He tucked a spent Vin inside his embrace and hugged him, his love over flowing in his joy to have Vin beside him again. His still erect arousal was pressed against Vin's thigh, begging it's own release. But in a choice of relieving himself or snuggling Vin, snuggling Vin won hands down. A sleepy Vin curled himself all around Ezra, causing Ezra to be even happier than he had been the previous minute. ---- Ezra stood at the window of the office, looking out, but not really seeing. Worried about the hearing tomorrow. He'd been trying to hide it from Vin, which had become increasingly harder each day. Now, tomorrow, he may become too tarnished to remain, and Ezra realized that he'd prefer death than to be without Vin Tanner. There was a knock at the door and Ezra schooled his expression, expecting Vin. But it was Chris that entered. He joined Ezra at the window, stood there, saying nothing.
Finally, after several minutes, Chris said, "Josiah's been subpoenaed. Only one."
Ezra drew a ragged breath.
Chris turned his back to the window and leaned against it. He didn't touch Ezra, just looked at him till he raised his eyes to meet his. "Together. We can survive anything, if we do it together. You can't forget that. I know you've not had that before, but the six of us will stand beside you, no matter what. Not because we have to, but because we want to. And, we need to. Don't deny us the chance. You always under estimate your importance to all of us. . . . . .Now, there is a feral cat outside the door, prowling the hall, waiting. Put it out of its misery." Chris gave Ezra a knowing glance.
Ezra gave Chris a grateful smile. Chris nodded to him as he left.
Vin was in the second that Chris left. He went straight to Ezra and wrapped his arms around him and kissed his neck. Ezra looked to the taller man, "Vin, what I need right now, more than anything is just to be held. Just held."
Some unnamed emotion in Ezra's voice tore at Vin. He gathered Ezra tight within his embrace, and together they stood at the window. Ezra's head tucked securely under Vin's chin. Arms that could hold him always.
FBI Headquarters, Washington DC
Seven men walked into Inquiry room 329. Five of them sat at the back, across from where Ezra would be sitting. Just so he could see them if he needed to. Ezra went to the panel table on the right where he was to be seated. Josiah sat behind him.Albert Gibbons walked in with a spring to his step. He flashed Ezra an evil grin as he laid his briefcase on his table. He took out stacks of paper and his list of witnesses. He took in Sanchez sitting near Standish, he smiled at his trump card. Josiah looked through him as though he wasn't there. Gibbons wasn't perturbed, he'd have the last laugh.
Ezra Standish's years of training served him well. No sweat broke out, no expression of emotion to indicate that this wasn't a typical, normal day.
In the back, Vin wasn't having it so easy. Buck had chuckled after Vin growled at the appearance of Gibbons. Buck wouldn't want to be in a dark alley with Vin in this mood. Gibbons didn't really know who he was fucking with. Buck smiled even broader with that thought. He whispered down into Vin's ear, receiving a feral chuckle in return.
Chris looked across Vin into Buck's face after hearing that exchange, "Looks like our Vin is learning how to play nice." Chris was never surprised at how protective Vin could become, like the wolf they liken him too, he would protect his mate with his life, and tear into any enemy that threatens his family.
Buck just couldn't resist, he patted Vin's leg as he said, "Good wolfie . . .down boy." He received another growl, and he wasn't sure if he should start checking to make sure all his fingers were still intact.
The panel of three walked in and the room hushed. They sat in the raised area and opened the folders before them.
Gibbons went first and droned on about morality and decency. Finally calling his first witness, "Josiah Sanchez."
Josiah walked up front and sat in the chair provided. He was first asked to recite the oath, then state his name. "Josiah Sanchez, ATF Team 7." He was then connected to the lie detector equipment.
Gibbons began with, "Mr. Sanchez, I want you to remember that you are under oath . . "
He was interrupted by Josiah himself, "Before I answer any questions, I want to know why I was selected to testify?"
Gibbons answered easily, "Your reputation for the truth is well known, and you were willing to be hooked up to a lie detector."
"So then, why was it that the first thing you felt compelled to say, was to remind me that I was under oath?"
"Making everything clear, now, we will begin. Mr. Sanchez, have you ever seen that man, Ezra Standish, lust after another?"
Josiah looked over at Ezra and said clearly for the entire room to hear, "No sir. Never have I seen Ezra Standish lust after anyone."
The lie detector never beeped, Gibbons looked to the attendant, who looked up with a decisive face and shook his head no.
Josiah spoke the truth.
"Come now, Mr. Sanchez, that man became unglued when another man of your team was shot."
"I do believe that he wasn't the only team member to become..unglued..as you put it. I believe it is a well known fact in all the hospitals of the greater Denver area that if one member goes down, the entire team is down. I also believe that it is a well known fact that we all stand a bedside vigil until that team member is out of danger. Not just Standish, every team member. Team 7 is not a group of men working together, but a family. Not of blood, but of love and trust. The men of Team 7 work as a single unit. That is our strength. If you are questioning that love, a love that is born from having each and every one of us stand at each others backs with our life on the line, I have seen that love. I have had Ezra Standish at my back and each time it was with full confidence that my life was in the best hands it could be. I will continue to put my life in his hands as I would with every member of Team 7." Josiah had shifted his eyes from Gibbons to Ezra and finally over to JD at the back, hoping these men would understand their true value.
Josiah now fixed his stare on Gibbons again, "If this love is somehow detrimental to the FBI, I need to see where it says that. What I do need to know is how you can stand there and try to defame this man, it is beyond my comprehension." Josiah turned to look at the panel members themselves. "That the justice system can allow for a personal vendetta against such a man as this is a sad commentary on the Judicial System itself."
"I object, I object," Gibbons was ranting.
The Chairman banged his gavel on the table several times before order was restored.
While the room was bathed in the ruckus Josiah's words stirred up, Vin leaned close to Chris' ear, "Josiah's one silver tongued devil."
Buck leaned over too, "Amen to that!"
As soon as silence reigned, Gibbons began again, "I object . . ." He was interrupted by the gavel banging again.
"Silence." The Chairman boomed. "As I see it, Mr. Sanchez has made a valid observation. This does seem to be a personal vendetta, rather than a case of misconduct. All charges are dropped, case dismissed." He banged his gavel again to stop the noise of celebration. The room calmed. The Chairman spoke loudly and forcefully, "Section Chief Gibbons, if you utter one more slanderous word against Mr. Standish, or any of the other members of Team 7 you will be brought up on charges of misconduct. Do I make myself clear?"
Gibbons nodded, but his face clearly showed his opinion of the whole proceedings.
A joyful pandemonium broke out. At the back of the room Ryan Kelly, leader of Team 8 nodded to Larabee. He had showed up in case they needed words from a respectable Denver team. For no one was allowed to talk trash about any Denver ATF team. Larabee nodded back with a smile for Kelly. He was a good man, his team just wasn't as good as his own.
Josiah hugged Ezra and this time Ezra hugged back. He was still trying to assimilate all that Josiah had said under oath and not once did he set off the lie detector. His mind was a whirl.
Vin and Chris waited at the back of the room. Buck, JD and Nathan waited outside to make sure they had a clear path out.
Ezra and Josiah joined Chris and Vin. Vin and Ezra connected eyes, reassuring themselves that all was okay. It was difficult not to rush into each others arms, so their eyes had to do all the comforting.
Chris looked inquiringly at Josiah, "Josiah, I'd always figured that you knew about Vin and Ezra."
"I have Chris, the fool asked the wrong question." Josiah said with a grin. He received the questions from their eyes. He looked at Ezra, "In two years, only twice did your eyes betray you. Both times there was no lust whatsoever, only love. Vin didn't hide it near as well. I'm only glad that now you've found each other."
Vin put out his hand to Josiah, Josiah took it the brought Vin in for a hug also. Vin said for his hearing, "Thanks for saving my heart."
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