ATF Universe
He woke up to find that it hadn't been a dream after all. He could feel the proof. Of course, the white clinical room was a dead giveaway. Dead….'God, why couldn't they just have killed me? The morons couldn't do anything right.'
The drug dealer, he assumed, had hired the intellectually challenged thugs and told them to kill the undercover agent.
'They couldn't even kill me and get it right. My friends.'
That word brought him up short.
'Friends, what a joke. They believed I sold information for money. Like that's a surprise.'
He couldn't understand how his associates would think that of him. He was a con man and a gambler; he had never denied that. That's what made him the best undercover agent in the ATF, what also made him the most untrustworthy, evidently. He could still hear in his head the words from the phone call last night.
Last Night
He had been sitting at home with a glass of whisky in his hand, wondering what the emergency meeting was for. A. D. Travis, their boss, had called everyone in., well, almost everyone. He made it clear that Ezra Standish was not to be there. "Great, Ezra, what did you do now?" was the general consensus, as the men had left to report in with Travis. Then came the phone call from his supervisor Chris Larabee.
"Agent Standish, you will report to this office at 8:00 AM sharp, tomorrow. You are being dismissed and will return to the Atlanta FBI to face charges. The charges will be explained tomorrow."
With that said, he had hung up. Ezra Standish stared at the phone. All his life he had never had anyone love him or care whether he lived or died. He had started to believe he had finally found a family, with these six unique men, that he had something worth the effort to become a part of. He had been so wrong to let these men through the wall that he had put up to protect himself, at an early age, from the lack of love or caring that a child should get, at the very least, from a parent. His mother hadn't wanted him nor had the many relatives she had left him with.
He shook himself. He took a long look around him. It seemed that he would be leaving tomorrow. Calling the movers, he said, "Yes, I'm in need of your services. I'm moving tomorrow and need the condo packed by noon…. Yes, I realize that the express job will be extra…. Okay, you can be here at 5:00 AM…. No, I will not be here. I'll leave the door open for you…. No, I'll want it all put into a storage unit, and I'll be storing my car also…. Yes, thank you."
With that done, Ezra decided that clearing out his desk and office now would be easier than tomorrow after the dismissal. So, with that in mind, he left, not locking his door nor caring if someone came in and took everything. He would not be back.
+ + + + + + +
When Chris Larabee had put this team of misfits together, he had never dreamed that they would be the strong family they were now. Except for Ezra Standish. He wouldn't let them in, or so they had thought. He had noticed lately that Ezra was coming closer to letting them be his family. He had seen the hurt at the "What did you do now?" comment before he could cover it. They had been teasing him, of course, but he knew this had hit too close to home. The southern agent was always in trouble for something. They always told him he should just get an office on the same floor as the Judge; it would be a shorter trip and save time. But this had him worried. If Ez was in trouble then he would be here instead of them. He could see the rest of the team was concerned, as they had come to the same conclusion.
They knocked and entered the Judge's office, waiting expectantly. The Judge saw his elite team and the concerned looks on their faces. They had every right to be concerned, so he came right to the point.
"Gentlemen, I'll get to the point. I needed to talk to all of you before we tell Ezra. I just spoke to a warden from Atlanta. They are supposed to contact Standish about everything concerning a Carson Maggiono. There was some mix-up, and they are just now getting around to notifying us that he was released early." Seeing the worried glances being traded, he continued, "They contacted the FBI and were transferred to my office. Now the problem is Agent Standish arrested this man, the usual threats and all, but Maggiono also tried to kill Standish several times."
He stopped till the men's outburst had quieted down.
"This man has devoted his prison life to trying to destroy Ezra. He has paid off law enforcement agents, in the employ of mobsters, to start rumors and sabotage Ezra at every chance." He held up his hand for silence. "The man knows Ezra's every move. They don't know how yet; they're looking into it. We have to decide the best plan of action to protect Ezra. We all know he is impossible on a good day, and this is not a good day. I'm thinking of a cabin on a little island that belongs to a friend of mine. I've already OK'd this protection detail and secured the cabin. What do you all think?"
All six men grinned. The Judge just took care of the biggest problem with protecting Ezra: The ability for him to escape. With an island surrounded by water, they could cripple the boats so he couldn't leave.
"Okay men, get everything ready. It's SOP-gear and whatever else you can think of. We meet at Ezra's in 30 minutes. No one tell him the real reason. Understood?"
This last was aimed at JD, the youngest, whose soul shined through his eyes and whom Ezra had no trouble reading. JD nodded. He would be careful around Ezra.
"Vin, go to Ez's. Tell him it's a protection detail for a VIP. That should keep him from asking too many questions until we get there, hopefully. I'll get your stuff. Go."
Vin nodded, as did the others. They moved as one as they got ready to protect one of their own.
Chris turned back to the Judge. "What else?"
The simple question made Travis raise an eyebrow. Chris' steady gaze told him that he was waiting.
The Judge sighed. He had known he would have to tell Chris, but it didn't mean he would do it willingly. "Okay, the rumors are that Maggiono was not happy with Ezra's transfer. He couldn't cause any more problems for Ezra here, so he has put out a contract."
Chris's loud expletives echoed in the room.
"Why didn't you say something? I wouldn't have sent him home."
With that, Chris started out of the room, only to be stopped by Judge Travis's authoritative voice.
"Agent Larabee." Chris turned smoldering eyes on his superior. "Chris, I didn't say it sooner because the man hired a ghost."
Chris had to suck air into his lungs. "He didn't hire the Panther? That assassin's a myth." He prayed it was a myth. Sighing, he said, "All right, I understand why you didn't tell us right away."
Chris turned to leave when Travis said, "Chris, all myths are based on some fact. Just keep that in mind. Good luck, you're going to need it. Ezra's not going to be thrilled at being held prisoner." Chris gave their trademark two-fingered salute and strode out.
Judge Orrin Travis, feeling every bit of his sixty-two years, shook his head at the possibility of the Panther being real. If the assassin was real, he was going to regret going after Larabee's agent. The man was fierce when it came to protecting his men. He would take on Hell or the Devil himself to ensure his family was safe. No, if the Panther did exist, this would be his last mistake. He just hoped and prayed that all would come back safe and unharmed.
+ + + + + + +
Across town, Vin pulled up to Ezra's condo. The Jag was in the parking garage, but there were no lights on at all. He knocked on the door. No answer. He tried again. Again, no answer. He took out the spare key Ezra had given to him the last time he had had to pick the lock because Ezra, after being seriously injured, wouldn't answer the door to let Nathan and the rest of the Team check on him. He inserted the key but never had to turn it; the door pushed open. It was unlocked. Ezra was positively anal about locking his doors. Vin took out his Glock 9 mil. and slowly entered the room. He allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkness and searched every room. Not finding anything, he deemed it safe to turn the lights on. He had just started to investigate when Buck and JD entered. They stopped dead in their tracks finding themselves on the business end of Vin's gun.
Putting their hands up, Buck said, "Whoa there, Pard. It's just us. What's going on? Where's Ez?" Buck put his hands down slowly as Vin relaxed.
"I don't know, Buck. The door was unlocked."
JD interrupted at this. "No way! Ez nearly takes my head off when he comes over to the CDC and the door's unlocked."
Both men, knowing JD was right, were getting worried. "Spread out. Look for anythin', a struggle, somethin' to tell us where he is."
The men covered the whole apartment and met back in the living room. Exasperated, JD said, "Nothing. It's just like he disappeared into thin air."
Buck and Vin agreed; there was nothing to go on. Vin was getting a really bad feeling. JD, remembering, asked, "Did anyone check his answering machine or the redial?" Both men shook their heads; they hadn't thought about that.
JD went to the phone and hit redial. He didn't have long to wait.
A woman answered, "Anderson Storage and Movers. We can move you around the clock. How may I help you?"
JD went white as a sheet; he couldn't believe this. This was a wrong number or something.
"Yes, ma'am. My name is Agent JD Dunne with the Denver ATF." Hearing this, Buck and Vin moved closer; JD never used his title unless it was important. "I need your help in a very important matter. Did an Ezra Standish call you?"
The woman answered, "Yes."
"Okay, I need you to tell me when he called and what he needed, please."
Buck and Vin exchanged worried glances listening to JD's side of the call.
"Could you please cancel that order? Thank you, ma'am, you've been a big help." JD slammed the phone down "Sonavabitch!" Now the men were beyond worry. JD never cussed. Buck was just about to question the upset agent when the rest of the Team walked in.
"So, Ezra ready yet?" Nathan asked then took in the three faces. "What's wrong? Where's Ez?"
Chris could also tell bad news was coming.
"Spill it," he demanded. They didn't need this now.
Buck looked at JD. "Want to tell us what that call was about, son?" he asked softly. He could see this was tearing the young man up inside. He put his hand on the young man's shoulder and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
JD took a deep breath. "That was a 24-hour moving service. Ezra called them at 11:30 PM. Told them he had to move tomorrow and to have everything packed and stored by noon."
"Damn Southerner!"
"Shit!"
"Wait brothers. The Judge said he wanted to tell us first before Ezra. He also said that the warden had called the FBI first, then transferred to the Judge," Josiah explained.
Nathan looked at the profiler and, not hiding the irritation he felt, asked, "Your point?"
"Nathan, Ezra didn't know about Maggiono being released. So that means something else had to have happened to him," Josiah said.
"When I got here there were no lights on and the door was unlocked," the sharpshooter stated.
JD shook his head. "The lady said that he was going to leave the door unlocked and wouldn't be here. Said he wanted the stuff put in storage, and the Jag also."
Chris listened to this. "JD, did you check the recorder? The one that records incoming and outgoing calls?"
Chris was hoping that Ezra had forgotten about it. JD had installed it when Ezra had started to get threatening calls. Now, wondering if this was related, JD pushed the phone desk back. The recorder was still running. He had been replacing the tape for two months now.
"Yes!"
They had a break now.
"I'll rewind it two calls before the movers."
JD figured it would be the one before, but it never hurt. They listened as Ezra tried to politely dissuade the telemarketer then just hung up. They all had a picture of the disgust the southerner must have had on his face at the rude sales person.
In unison, they said, "I cannot abide rude people."
Their laughter died in their throats when they heard Chris's dispassionate voice come on. They all stared at the offending machine, all knowing that wasn't his voice or his message. Then they heard Ezra talking to the moving company, his voice sounding flat and dead as he told them what he wanted, then hung up. Shocked eyes turned to their leader, waiting for him to give the orders to save their agent.
Chris had never heard Ezra's southern drawl so lifeless and barren. Never. He took in the expressions of his men.
"JD, get that tape to the lab. I want it analyzed, and don't let it out of your sight. Buck, I want every file that exists on Carson Maggiono. Nathan, Josiah, he wasn't taking the Jag so find out how he was leaving - bus, rental, plane. Vin, you're with me. We'll try to track him down. Tomorrow's Saturday so that means he's walking into a trap. Meet at the office as soon as you get your information, and call and keep me updated."
They left the condo, locking the door behind them. They were praying that they would be in time. None of them noticed they were being watched.
+ + + + + + +
The man watched silently as the men left the undercover agent's condo. He had expected them to show up. He knew Larabee would find out about Maggiono, then put his agent in protective custody. He couldn't let that happen.
It was well known in all areas that The Magnificent Seven's leader was fiercely protective of his agents, his family. He shook his head at Team 7's nickname: The Magnificent Seven. Their fellow agents had given them the name, and they lived up to it. He had followed them around for five months to find the best way to get to Standish.
Maggiono had made that impossible with the threatening calls from prison. The Team never let him alone for long. Whether Standish knew it or not, these men considered him important.
So that had left him to improvise. He had stalked his prey and learned his habits, his favorite food, drink, wine, game, art and music. He even knew how the man felt about his associates. He would die for each and every one of them, but not let them too close, emotionally. So he had used that. The idiot thugs he had hired should be finishing up with Standish by now. He had known when he had made that phone call that it would send the agent to do something stupid. So the thugs had laid in wait for him. Changing his mind, Panther decided that he wanted to play with his prey some. Test him and the group. So far, they had done everything as expected. God, how he was loving this challenge.
The man was startled out of his thoughts with the shrill ringing of his phone.
"Yeah."
Listening for a minute.
"Fuck! That's not how he was supposed to react. All right, call the paramedics. Make sure it's from a pay phone."
Shit! Standish was a fighter not a quitter. Maybe he had gone too far. With the thugs helping him, he had sent pictures and all kinds of proof to the ATF office that he was on the take and, with the rumors at the FBI, he was finished. He had given specific instructions - beat him, shoot him where he'll bleed a lot, then leave a cell phone close by and leave. They were to watch and make sure he did call for help. He actually had a bet with Maggiono that Standish would call for the paramedics at the very least. God damn it, he knew Standish. Panther did not make mistakes.
'Okay, Standish will get to the hospital and someone will recognize him and call Larabee. Standish thinks these men have given up on him, so he'll do whatever he has to do not to deal with them or them knowing about the phony call or the supposed evidence. Well, maybe this has possibilities, after all. Between Standish's stubbornness and the infamous Larabee temper, this may be better than I thought.'
The stranger in black hurried to his car and to the hospital, not wanting to miss the up-and-coming fireworks.
TWO
Ezra shook his negative thoughts out of his head; there was no time for self-pity. He had more important things to worry about. Like how to get out of this godforsaken place? When the individual that hired those imbeciles found out that they had failed, they would be back and he had no one to turn to for help.Big surprise there.
He needed to find a safe place till he could find out who wanted him dead. It was a long list, after all. Besides, he wasn't sure how long he had been here, but he was positive that, by now, they had called Larabee. One thing he did not need was for Larabee or the rest of the Team showing up with their smug, condescending attitudes and telling him that he wasn't good enough for them. Like they had not made that clear already.
He really wasn't sure how they would take this new threat. Before they had been almost obsessive in about his safety as when any one of them was in danger. He had thought he was going to go crazy with the way they smothered him. Now, his so-called family believed the lies that were presented to them. He had really thought they would know him by now.
Lady Luck had turned fickle on him. Again.
Pushing those thoughts out of his aching head, he tried to rise and barely clamped down on the scream that the pain caused. Ezra lay there and took several deep breaths; this time he sat up more slowly. He managed to sit up then started to stand when dizziness hit. He stayed seated until the room stopped spinning. Taking his time, he slowly stood up and walked to the door and opened it. Taking in his surroundings, Ezra saw a supply closet. He made it in, locking the door and taking inventory. He needed scrubs. Check. Bandages…. Check. Most importantly, someone had left a lab coat, with no nametag, but he could make it work. After all, that's what he did best.
+ + + + + + +
Becky Denton had been a nurse at Four Corners General Hospital for ten years. So when she recognized Agent Standish, she knew from years of dealing with Denver's most famous and deadly ATF team that the hospital was about to be invaded by men that were fierce when one of their team members was down. They were a family, very loyal to each other. The Team would be by their fallen brother until he left, and then stayed with him till he could handle things by himself. She had heard some of the stories of how the one now wounded was impossible to deal with after he went home, but she really didn't see any difference. They all were impossible when hurt. She had been stunned when the agent had been there for over an hour and still no sign of the other members, so she had called Agent Larabee.
"Larabee." Chris was frustrated and angry. He wanted the people responsible for this attack on his family. Most importantly, he wanted to find Ezra.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "Agent Larabee, this is Nurse Becky Denton at FCGH. I thought you'd like an update on Agent Standish's condition."
That got Chris's full attention. "He's there? What happened?"
That surprised Becky. "He was brought in over an hour ago and is in recovery. He had been beaten and shot. He's stable. I'm sorry, if I had known I would have called you sooner."
"It's all right. We should have checked there anyway. Thanks Becky, we're on our way now." He shut the phone and looked into the concerned blue eyes of Vin. "Let's go. He's at the hospital."
Vin was calling the others as they walked back to the truck.
"Pard, how bad?"
Chris looked at Vin, knowing what he was asking. "After the tape we heard, he won't cooperate or believe a word we say. Whoever did this knew what they were doing. I just hope JD was able to get the voice analyzed. That is the only proof we've got." Taking a deep breath, not really wanting to say the words out loud, he continued, "Vin, Maggiono hired an assassin. Judge said that he hired the Panther."
Chris heard Vin's sharp intake. "Chris, the man's a myth."
Chris tightened his hold on the steering wheel. He wasn't sure what to say. He knew that, but the Judge said that every myth is based on a little bit of truth. He just hoped it wasn't true this time.
Both men were lost in their thoughts as they screeched to a halt in front of the hospital. Chris left his truck in the emergency lane with his lights still flashing. As they strode into the hospital, they found Buck and JD going toe-to-toe with the doctor and the security guards. He shook his head; those two could find trouble anywhere.
"What's the problem here?" Chris used his authoritative voice to get the attention of his agents and the security guards.
"Chris, they lost Ezra," JD stated.
The security guards, not used to Larabee's death glare, took a step back from the fierce man in black. "What do you mean they lost Ezra?" Chris growled out.
+ + + + + + +
The Panther had gotten to the hospital shortly after the ambulance. He had seen them take the agent to surgery. He had been waiting for Team 7 to show up. He wasn't surprised when two of them had come in demanding information on their friend. He had been mildly surprised that Standish had already escaped. He didn't think that he would have had the strength to move after getting out of recovery only twenty minutes ago. He had underestimated the undercover agent. He would not make that mistake again. He was the Panther after all; he had never made a mistake, at least that was until he had taken on Team 7. Now he was losing control of the game and making mistakes left and right. Time to take his control back.
He watched as Chris Larabee walked in and took command of the growing situation between his agents and the security guards. He was still fascinated by how Team 7 worked. Larabee didn't have to say a word to his men. As soon as Larabee took over, his men scattered to find Standish. He was really going to love this, tearing the ATF's best team apart. What a challenge. He really loved his work. Besides, he wanted his revenge; because of them he'd made more mistakes in the last day-and-a-half, then in his entire career.
The assassin stayed to listen to what the doctor had to say about his prey's condition. He leaned against the nurse’s station, looking like he was waiting to speak to the doctor so as not to look too suspicious.
"Agent Larabee, you need to-" The doctor got no further than that because he had a very angry Larabee in his personal space.
"Listen here, you pompous ass. YOU lost my agent, not us. I want to know his condition and all details concerning my agent. Now."
The slightly shaken doctor stepped back from the angry and hostile agent. "Yes well, Mr. Standish was unconscious when he came in. It also looked as if he had never regained consciousness after being left for dead. He was shot twice in the fleshy part of his side. He lost a lot of blood. The officer that came in with him stated that there had been a cell phone nearby. He would surely have called you and your associates for help if he was able."
Chris closed his eyes feeling a lurch in his heart at that last statement. He turned his frosty glare back to the doctor. "I suggest you tell me what I need to do when we find him because we will be taking him with us."
The doctor refrained from telling the agent exactly what he could do with his agent and himself. "Agent Larabee, he will not be able...."
Chris was at the end of his patience with the infuriating man when Nathan and Josiah came up. He turned his back on the doctor. "Nathan, get the damn instructions for Ez." Turning his full anger on the doctor, his voice dripped ice. "We will be taking him with us." He walked off to find the con man.
'Standish better hope to hell he's all right, because if he's not, I'm going to wring his damn southern neck.'
He knew it wasn't the hospital's fault his agents never could follow orders or stay put in this godforsaken hellhole. They all despised it and never missed the opportunity to escape, but he would be damned if he would take crap about his agents from anyone, especially not some overweight, pompous, judgmental asshole. God, he was starting to sound like Ezra.
+ + + + + + +
JD went to the room Ezra was supposed to be in on the off chance he might come back. Not likely. Buck went to search the floor Ezra's room was located on. He started with the supply closet. Going on past experiences with Ezra and Vin's escape attempts, it was the logical choice. He saw the hospital gown that had been thrown in the corner. He also noticed the missing bandages.
'Damn southerner couldn't just stay put for once. Noooo, he had to go and handle this on his own. Well, we'll just have to fix that. When we find him that is.'
As Buck was thinking this, he started going down the stairs hoping he and Vin could trap the con man between them on the staircase.
Vin, having tried to escape the hospital many times before, knew how to follow the gambler's thoughts. So he waited at the bottom of the basement's stairs since it had a different exit, separate from the rest of the hospital. He and Ezra had discovered the exit the last time they were here. He knew this would be the escape route he would chose, so Ezra would too. They thought a lot alike, especially when escaping this awful pit of hell people called the hospital. He just hoped the con man would allow them a chance to explain.
'God, I just figure out how I feel about ya, Ez, then this happens. You will let me tell ya how I feel. Even if I have to tie ya up, you will listen.'
Finding the thought of Ezra tied up to be appealing, he started to harden. He clamped down on his body's emotions. First things first: find Ezra and restore the friendship with the rest of the Team. Then he could concentrate on his possible relationship with the wily southern man who had been haunting his waking and sleeping dreams.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra, having finally made it to the basement stairs' door, was almost out of strength. He never realized how much he had let the others in. He now found himself wishing that he could allow one of the others to help him. He had learned the hard way that he was a fool. The men didn't want him or trust him, much less as part of their family or anything else. How could they believe he would do that? Couldn't they see this was a frame-up? That he would never sell a fellow agent out or take a bribe from anyone for anything? But of course, he was Ezra Standish, which meant that he was not given the benefit of doubt, which even a common murderer received.
'God, I'm weak, in more ways than one obviously. Maybe I should rest for a moment,' he thought to himself, but he kept going not knowing how long he had to make his escape.
He walked slowly down the stairs, concentrating on each step he took trying not to pass out or think of the pain. He was only four steps from the bottom when he heard a soft drawl.
"Going somewhere, Ez?"
Not looking up, he continued down the stairs. It was taking even more willpower not to give into the overwhelming desire to let this beautiful creature in front of him take control and help him. Then he remembered why he couldn't ask for help. 'God, I must be weak to even have these thoughts.'
His mother would be laughing at him, telling him, "If I've told you once, baby boy, I've told you a million times. Never have emotional attachments to anyone or anything. You think these men want you around? They'll never trust you or ever like you for who you are. You are nothing to them, so they are nothing to you. I thought you would have learned that by now."
"Mr. Tanner if you are here to escort me to the ending of my career then, for your information, I have till 8:00 AM. Do not fear, Mr. Tanner. I wouldn't want to give you or the others the pleasure of thinking me a coward. I will be there. So, now if you will excuse me, I'm leaving."
With that, Ezra started to slip past Vin when his strength left him. Vin caught the con man as his knees buckled and the smaller man passed out. He lowered the man gently and cradled his secret love in his arms, as he heard Buck coming down the stairs.
"Buck, hurry up and git Nathan." After hearing the venom in Ezra's voice, he now knew it was going to be an uphill battle just to repair their friendships with the con man, not too mention when he tried to tell the handsome undercover agent that he was in love with him. Whispering in his soft Texas drawl, Vin let his love show in his warm, whispered words, "I've got you, Love. I'll take care of you. You just got ta have a little bit a faith. I'll take care of the rest. Ya have my heart, my faith and anything else you need ta help us through this. I give my word as a Tanner."
Buck had heard Vin tell him to get Nathan, so he ran up the stairs and burst out the door, colliding into Chris.
"Damn it, Buck, be more careful," he said to Buck's retreating back. He watched Buck zero in on Nathan and take him aside. He saw the ex-medic start towards him and watched him go down the stairs. He grabbed Buck before he started back down the stairs.
"Spill it."
Buck looked at him, sizing him up. He had overheard Vin's words of love to the con man. He had already known of the love each one felt for the other; he had seen all the looks, when one of them thought that no one else was looking. He wanted to make sure they had a chance. Only he, JD and Nathan knew about this; at least, they thought they were. He wasn't sure how Chris would handle it, but he didn't want to take any chances yet.
"Chris, when he was talking to Vin, he made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with us. Pard, you can't go down there. If he comes to, he will fight us more if you're there. Remember, he thinks that call was from you."
Buck hoped this would work. Ezra always said that the best lie was one with a little bit of truth to it.
Chris knew Buck wasn't telling him everything, but he also knew that he was probably right. So instead he went to get JD and see the results of the voice analysis. Hopefully it would go a long way in convincing Ezra that it was a setup; that this whole thing was a goddamned set up.
+ + + + + + +
Nathan found Vin cradling in Ezra in his arms, whispering soft words into the con man's ear. Vin looked up at Nathan not even bothering to hide the love he felt for the man in his arms.
"I love him, and if you or the others have a problem, *you* will take it up with me," Vin growled protectively.
Nathan grinned at the tracker. "We've known for a while." At the cautious and confused look on Vin's face, he continued, "Vin, Buck, JD and I have seen the love the both of you have for each other. And yes, Ez does love you too."
Buck interrupted at this. "Vin, he gives you looks of love, as much as you do. We just kept hopin' that ya'll would figure it out for yourselves."
Ezra moaned in pain, and Vin tightened his arms around the man he loved. His heart was soaring at the knowledge of Ezra loving him. Then it dropped just as fast at the thought that someone wanted to kill Ezra and that that person may have destroyed any chance he had.
Buck put his hand on Vin's shoulder. "Pard, we'll fix this somehow, but you need to let him go-"
Vin interrupted at that in a soft, deadly drawl, "I will never let him go."
Buck put his hands up complacently. "Easy pard, I jus' meant long enough for Nathan to look at him."
Vin relaxed at this, grinning sheepishly and loosening his grip, but still holding him. "Sorry, I still could lose him. It scares me."
The other two men covered their shock well at the usually quiet Texan's admission. He was so much like Ezra in the fact that he wouldn't tell you anything personal. He really did love Ezra, a lot, if he was voicing how scared he was at losing the undercover agent. They just hoped the rest were as accepting as they were.
Ezra moaned, mumbling, and Vin leaned down trying to hear what he said. When Vin raised his head, he had tears in his eyes. "He said 'Do not waste the effort, Doctor. No one will care or miss me.' God, how will we be able to convince him differently? How can I convince Ezra that I love him? He's already givin' up on us and himself."
Nathan's training took over. "One thing at a time. Let me look him over."
Nathan was doing what the guys referred to as pokin' and proddin' when Ezra raised up yelling, "I didn't take the money." He then collapsed into Vin's arms, sobbing. They all traded looks not knowing what to say or what was meant by the statement. Vin was rocking him and making soothing noises.
Chris, JD and Josiah all stood watching. They had watched most of the scene being played out in front of them. JD was nervous. He didn't know how the two men watching were going to react. When they had first come down, he had tried to walk over to the men, hoping to alert them to Chris and Josiah's presence, but Chris had held him in place with a warning glare.
Chris had known all along about the two oblivious men. He hadn't realized that anyone else had noticed. He should have known better; his Team was the best for a reason. It wouldn't be likely that they would miss how Vin and Ezra felt about each other, even if those two did.
Chris stepped forward after the injured agent had calmed down and fallen into a feverish sleep. "'Bout time you found your heart, Cowboy." He grinned at the shocked expressions.
Buck finally found his voice and managed to choke out, "You knew?"
Chris merely said, "Yep," then looked at Nathan and asked, "How is he? Can he travel? I want him at the island ASAP. The assassin is close, I can feel it."
Vin nodded his agreement; he could also feel the assassin.
Nathan had finished his examination and answered, "He's weak, and needs lots of rest. He can make it. Let's just get the meds from the doctor before we leave." Chris nodded.
Vin watched each man to see if there was going to be a problem. Chris, knowing what his best friend was thinking, said, "Vin, we all accept your love for Ezra."
Vin looked at the ex-preacher who had been silent. "What do you think, Preacher?"
Josiah looked Vin in the eye and said, "Brother, for someone so knowledgeable about what goes on around him, how could you be so oblivious to how Ezra feels about you? 'Course, I can ask him the same question. I'm thrilled for the two of you. It's about damn time. Now, you have to inform our wayward brother of the great fortune you two have in finding each other. I'm very happy for you both, Vin."
Vin accepted this gratefully from his family. Now, as Josiah had pointed out, he needed to tell Ezra that they were a couple. Should be interesting. Ezra hated being told what to do. Maybe tying him up would be his best bet in convincing the agent how much he did love him, and a hell of a good time.
+ + + + + + +
No one noticed the man watching them.
'Well, well, looks like I have another kind of bait to add to the possibilities of torturing and killing Ezra Standish. I should call Maggiono and see if he will pay more for this added bonus.'
No one noticed the man in black leave the stairwell to go make plans for the upcoming battle.
His first stop was to kill the idiots that screwed up. He had told them to shoot him once, not twice. He had been very specific about that. Not only that, they made him doubt his God-given ability and that was totally unacceptable. He knew Standish wouldn't lie there and die. No, Standish was a fighter.
'Now, time to get this party rockin'.'
This would be his crowning achievement, taking down a whole ATF team, and the best at that.
Comments to: SilverJones3@aol.com