Pairing Chris/Vin

Disclaimer: I claim no right to the characters of Chris Larabee, Vin Tanner, or any of the others present in the series Magnificent Seven. I claim only an obsession to keeping the essence of those characters alive.

Warnings: Violence, including m/m forced sex (rape), language. This is a slash-oriented story, meaning Chris and Vin are in a committed relationship.

Notes: Written for the Black and Buckskin Halloween story challenge. The story takes place in the ATF universe, so a hearty “THANK YOU” to the creator, Mog. Now, in my opinion, a horror story isn’t good unless it’s melodramatic. Please keep that in mind if the characters seem a bit off-center. Also, this – “//” denotes Vin’s thoughts and “::” denotes combined thoughts.

The house was a nondescript little bungalow on a quiet street in a sleepy neighborhood. Its only interesting quality was the fact that it was located almost directly across the street from the house reported to be the home-base for Marcus Stroud. Stroud was under suspicion for some of the most heinous crimes in Denver’s history, but none of the agents assigned to his case so far had been able to gather the evidence needed. Chris Larabee and Team Seven were going to do their damnedest to change that fact. They were lucky enough to find the house empty; working with the Real Estate agency to set things up to look as if they were moving in. The scenario allowed them to easily install the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment without arousing suspicion.

The former owner had left behind the odd pieces of furniture in the little house, dining room suite, the odd chair or table, bed and a few other items. The agency had kept the house up, and the ATF agents would find themselves spending the assignment in fairly comfortable surroundings.

Normally Larabee would never assign himself to a long term surveillance assignment with his partner, but he found himself without a choice. The other members were needed for other assignments on the case, leaving him to face not only the tedium and stress of watching Stroud’s home, but the ache of want with Vin Tanner in the same house.

Tanner hadn’t been much help so far, either. Take now for instance; the lean young man padded around the nearly empty rooms in tight jeans and a form-fitting white tee-shirt. Sitting in the recliner Chris had been happy to find left behind, he divided his attention between the quiet street and the body that was moving cat-like toward him.

With a chocolate edged smile, thanks to the pint of ice cream in his hands, the Texan sprawled out on the blond’s lap. Offering up a spoonful of chocolate-chocolate chip covered in caramel sauce, he said, “anything goin’ on?”

Trying to talk around the mouthful of ice cream, Chris managed, “out there or in here?”

With a wicked smile, Vin wiggled his hips against his partner’s crotch and replied, “I know what’s goin’ on in here, ol’ man.”

“Mm-hm,” Chris growled, “and if you don’t behave yourself, I’m gonna lock you in the closet. You’re a damned distraction.”

Chuckling, the younger man got up, perching on the window sill. “Y’ wouldn’t do that, Cowboy. Reckon you’d miss havin’ that distraction around.”

Unfolding his lanky body from the chair, the blond said, “Reckon I would. I’m gonna go take a shower and catch a couple hours sleep, okay?”

Sliding up next to the older man and brushing his lips across the sensual mouth, Vin said, “cold one?”

With a groan, Larabee pushed away, cursing the fates for putting him in this predicament. “The colder the better.”

Slipping into the chair, Vin watched his partner’s departure, a long sigh escaping his lips. Propping his feet up on the windowsill, he slipped on the headphones for the high tech. listening device, took up the night vision binoculars, and began keeping tabs on the so far quiet house on the other side of the empty street. After a few minutes, he felt a hand stroke down the side of his face and slide along his chest. “What’s the matter, Lar’bee, water wasn’t cold enough?”

The only response was the hand’s continued roaming. As it neared his belly, the long haired man growled, “best stop there, ‘less y’ intend to forget the assignment for a while.” When the blond still didn’t answer, he lowered the binoculars and turned.

There was no one there.

“What th--?” His words were silenced as an unseen force pressed him back into the chair. Vin tried to call out to Chris, but couldn’t force the words passed his lips. The recliner’s backrest was shoved back, leaving him crushed against the thick cushions. The thing pressed down on him, and again he felt invisible hands moving over his body.

The sharpshooter fought against the unseen force, trying valiantly to free himself from its grasp. He could have just as easily been struggling against a tank perched on his chest. It forced the breath from his lungs and wouldn’t allow him to draw another. Gasping painfully, Vin felt the hands yank roughly at his shirt, ripping it from his body like so much tissue paper.

He felt the entity tug at his chest, then an unseen mouth and tongue took a nipple into its grasp. Tears sprang from blue eyes as the forced liaison continued with mind-numbing pain. As one nipple was released, the other was attacked with just as much force. Tanner could feel the released flesh throbbing with raw agony.

//ohgodohgodohgod...chrischris...godhelpmechris...ohgodpleasestop...ohgodohgod// his mind screamed. The pressure lessened on his nipple, only to re-locate to his mouth. His lips were forced open and he felt an invisible tongue shove itself past his teeth and nearly down his throat. He gagged and choked, but the pressure continued. Then the entity’s hands pulled at his jeans, causing Tanner’s actions to grow even more frantic.

//nojesusohgodhelp...chrischrischrischrispleasechrishelp...ohgodhelp...stopstopstop// his arms and legs flailed at the entity, to no avail. He was held easily, unable to break free as his jeans were ripped from him. Vin lay helplessly, naked and vulnerable, at the force’s mercy.

It was then that Chris walked from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his arrow hips. He was towel drying his spiky blond hair as he entered the nearly empty living room. “Hey, Tanner, where’d you put –“ his heart stopped as he lowered the towel.

“Vin!” He sensed, rather than saw, the entity that was holding his lover hostage. The blond bounded across the room in two long strides, grabbing at what his senses denied. When he couldn’t take hold of the invisible creature, he changed tactics and tried to pull Vin away from it. He looked down to see his partner’s eyes bulging wide with fear and pain, the black pupil filling most of the center of the orbs. His mouth, bloodied and swollen, was opened in a silent scream. His face drained of all color as the thing pressed down against him.

As Larabee pulled at the lean arm, he found that all his strength wasn’t enough to even budge the younger man’s body. With an angry cry, he pulled harder, intent on forcing Vin away from whatever had hold of him. Then, with mind-numbing force, he was thrown across the room. Slamming into a wall, the blond crumpled to the floor like a rag doll. Quickly, with a strength born of his love for the other man, he pulled himself up and launched himself back toward the entity. He was thrown a second time.

Pulling himself up to hands and knees and shaking his head to clear the fog that threatened to claim him, Chris gasped for breath. Pushing himself unsteadily to his feet, he staggered, righted himself, and once again returned to the fight. The thing had thrown Vin to the floor now, face down against the carpet. Larabee screamed mindlessly at the sight of his partner being raped by something he couldn’t even fathom.

Tanner, his face pressed hard against the floor, could only watch helplessly as Chris approached once more. //chrispleasestop...don’tchrisplease...ohgodplease// his mind protested. He knew that Larabee’s life was in danger, the thing would kill him.

Launching himself across the room, Chris once more attempted to free the other man. For a third time he was easily thrown off. His body, long stripped of his towel, cart-wheeled through the air. Crashing in a heavy China cabinet, he fell bonelessly to the floor, amidst shards of glass, splintered wood, and his own blood.

//nonononochris...ohgodno...don’tbedead...don’tbedead...pleaseohgodohgodohgod// Vin trembled convulsively as the entity’s attention returned to him. He continued to struggle against the crushing force, although he had already conceded defeat. Whatever it was, the invisible entity was far too strong. It would do what it wanted with him; he was at its mercy.

Then pain ripped through him like molten lava as the thing forced entry, threatening to tear him apart. His fingers clawed themselves into the carpet, his back arching as he struggled to get away. He felt invisible hands grab his hips, lifting his ass into the air as it continued to rape him.

He wasn’t certain how long the thing ravaged him, time had ceased to have meaning. The pain had grown so immense that he had grown numb. The world became surreal as his body was rocked with the violent force, his face scraping against the rough carpet until the flesh became raw and bled. His mind had closed itself behind a wall of darkness, letting nothing in and nothing out.

He wasn’t even aware of the attack’s end. His body was dropped roughly to the floor, the entity’s force dissipating after its violent release. Vin lay unmoving, his pale blue eyes staring unseeing into the dark abyss of shock. His lips moved soundlessly, repeating a single word... ‘Chris’.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Awareness brought with it intense pain, threatening to send him back into oblivion. He resisted the comfort that blackness offered, feeling the pull to embrace that pain. He knew that there was something important that needed his attention, but couldn’t fathom what it was. After a lengthy struggle he managed to open one glazed, hazel eye. Finding his extremities, he forced them to work, pushing himself from where he lay. He cried out weakly as pinpoints of stabbing pain pierced his already abused flesh.

Slowly Larabee brought the world into focus. He found himself in a gory nest of glass and wood, his body a mass of bloody cuts and deep bruises. Raising his head, he found his eyes drawn to a second body in the room. “Vin,” he called in a rough whisper.

Forcing himself forward on bleeding hands and knees, he struggled to cross the wide expanse that separated him from his lover. Slowly, blood dripping from the multitude of cuts concentrated on his back and, now, his palms and lower legs, Chris managed to reach Vin before he collapsed. Face to face with his younger partner, he felt his heart stall as he looked into the wide-opened eyes. There was no recognition in their haunted depths, only fathomless pain. The broad mouth that he could still taste on his lips moved mechanically, repeating his name over and over.

Larabee reached out a trembling hand, touching the bloodless face. “Vin?” His voice was weak, raspy even to his ears. “Vin, can you hear me? Kid, we’ve got to get out of here. Vin?” The wide eyes continued to stare, the broad mouth continued to move.

Moaning painfully, the blond collapsed beside his younger partner. One arm wrapped itself around the trembling form, pulling the insensate man toward him even as he lost his battle with unconsciousness.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

When Chris next opened his eyes, daylight was only just making its presence known. He brushed a hand through the tangled curls, looking once again into the pale blue eyes. “Vin? Kid, can you hear me?”

Somewhere in the blissful unawareness that had become his world, the ravaged young man heard a familiar sound... a voice that spoke directly to his heart. It promised him that it was safe to re-emerge from his quiet cocoon.

Larabee smiled as the blue eyes blinked once, twice and a third time. Then they focused, actually looking at him rather than through him. He stroked back the chestnut locks, whispering, “Vin?”

Tanner closed his mouth, ran the tip of his tongue over dried and bloodied lips, and opened it to speak. Then fear returned to his ashen features as no sound emerged. He clutched at Chris’ arm, the expressive face conveying his panic. Again he tried to speak, with the same results.

Reading the panic in the pale face, the blond spoke softly, “it’s okay Vin, don’t worry. We’ll get out of here, get help. It’s going to be all right, Kid, it’s going to be all right.” As he spoke, he continued to stroke the long curls, his eyes locked with Tanner’s. Slowly the younger man calmed down. Larabee smiled in relief, “okay, you with me?”

Vin nodded, pressing himself against the broad chest. He felt the other man’s heart beating against him, felt the rise and fall of the other man’s chest and knew that he was safe for the moment.

The two men supported one another as they struggled to stand. Neither had the strength to do much more than lean against the other man as they stumbled into the alcove where the nightmare had begun. Chris felt the lean body beside him tense as they neared the chair where the attack had initiated. He pulled the young man closer to him, rubbing a hand along Vin’s arm. After what seemed hours, Larabee reached down and picked up the cell phone. Still holding onto Tanner, he opened the case and speed-dialed emergency services.

Static was the only thing that answered his summons then, beneath the loud noise, he heard something that turned his blood to ice water. Laughter. Vile, unearthly, the sound tore through him. Larabee gasped, the phone dropping from numbed fingers.

//chrischriswhat?// the younger man turned to face his partner, his eyes searching the paling features. Then he heard it as well, the vile sound emanating from the phone’s ear piece.

The blond felt himself buckling, falling into the other man’s arms. Too weak to hold them both up, Vin fell, and both men ended up in a tangle on the floor. They had faced countless felons of the most violent variety, fought the highest odds and come out the other side with nothing more than the occasional physical wound. But this was different. How did they face the supernatural? They had no weapons to combat a force that they couldn’t even see. A force that could toss them around like a dog’s chew toy. A force that now seemed to be blocking their contact with the outside world.

Pulling himself up, Vin tugged at the bigger man, willing him to his feet. It was then that the Texan saw what had happened to Chris during his battle with the entity. Blood covered the broad back, crimson tracks trailing down his lean legs. More blood oozed from the blond’s palms and covered the front of his legs from the knees down. //ohgodchris// Vin moaned, the sound still unable to pass his lips. Pulling Chris to him, he wrapped his arms gently around the bloodied body. They had to get out. Get away.

//getawaygetawaygetaway// the words pounded in his mind in an endless litany.

Finding the strength from somewhere, Vin pulled them both through the house to the bedroom. Sitting Chris on the corner of the bed, he slipped baggy sweats on the blond, then found a second pair to cover himself. He cringed as he lifted his legs, the torn tissue inside his savaged body protesting the movement. Although he couldn’t see for certain, he knew he was bleeding.

Managing to move once more, he found the keys to Chris’ Explorer and returned to pull the older man to his feet. He locked eyes with the injured man, once more willing him to his feet.

The blond grasped Tanner’s arms, rising stiffly to his feet. Blood loss was quickly claiming his strength; he could feel bone grate against bone where at least three ribs were broken, and every muscle in his back screamed in agony. On his feet now, he swayed dangerously, nearly falling again. Only Tanner’s iron will kept him upright. Running a hand along the back of the other man’s neck, he touched his forehead to Vin’s. “It’s okay, pard. We’re gonna make it.”

Vin smiled and nodded. Pulling Larabee’s arm across his shoulder, he moved toward the front door, his partner beside him. The trip seemed to take days as they shuffled from the bedroom, through the ruined living room and into the foyer. As they neared the entrance, Vin tensed, his face flushing with anger.

Chris looked up from where he slumped against his partner. As he did, he uttered the curse Tanner couldn’t. “Damn it.”

The entity, once more sensed rather than seen, blocked the door.

Barely breaking stride, Vin pulled his lover along with him as he moved back through the house to the rear door. Again their way was blocked, as it was when the battered couple tried every window in the house. Finally, defeated for the moment, the men moved back into the bedroom.

Easing Chris to the corner of the bed, he knelt painfully before the bloodied man, he looked up into the face of his partner. Rubbing a thumb along the blond’s jaw, he tried once more to speak. He needed to reassure the older man that they would survive; he needed to hear that reassurance from his partner. //chris//

As if he heard the silent call, Larabee opened his eyes to look into the pain-filled blue ones. Managing a smile, he whispered, “It’s okay Vin. You don’t have to say it... I can see it in your face.”

Tanner smiled, then frowned as Chris slumped against him with a groan of pain. He had to clean out the cuts and find away to stop the bleeding. There were so many, though, and tiny fragments of glass glinted in several of the deeper gashes. An idea came to him, although it made him cringe. Running his hand through the brush cut blond locks, he managed to push himself to his feet, lifting Larabee up as well. They made their way to the bathroom; Vin closed and locked the door, even though he knew it would do no good.

Pulling the sweats back off the lean body, he got Chris into the tub. Easing him down, he settled him with his back toward the faucets. Pulling loose the white rubber shower hose and nozzle, he turned on the water. Wrapping his arm under Chris’ arms and around his chest, he held him as he ran the water over the lacerated back.

Larabee screamed and lurched up, struggling to get away from the pain. He felt the lean, whip-tough arm holding him, and slowly calmed. Panting with exertion, he managed to look at his partner, tears of pain rolling down his face. Leaning against the other man, he forced himself to remain still while Vin did what he could to clean his injuries.

Both men were trembling with exhaustion by the time Tanner managed to clean the wounds as well as he could. It took everything Vin had to help Chris from the tub and back into the bedroom. Laying Larabee face down on the bed, he pulled the sheet and blanket up to the man’s narrow waist. Retrieving several towels he lay them over the broad back, he pressed down gently to try and staunch the blood that still oozed from the deeper lacerations.

Collapsing to his knees beside the bed, Vin tried to clear his mind enough to figure a way out of the nightmare they found themselves in. The only thing he could think of, though, was his own need to be comforted right now. Looking into the ashen face of his partner, he felt himself ache to be wrapped in the man’s strong arms. Unbidden, tears burned his eyes. He pushed the feelings aside, knowing that if he gave in right now, they could both very well be dead soon.

Stroking a hand gently along the square jaw, he left the blond laying there while he forced himself back to his feet. Every movement sent knives of pain shooting through him from the demon’s attack. Stumbling to the bedroom window, he looked outside, the morning beyond seeming amazingly normal. He saw a man walking a dog down the sidewalk and hope flared as he began pounding the glass with his fist. Hope faded quickly as the man continued on, seeming not to hear the sound at all. Jerking back, he realized the entity had spread itself across the window to block the sound. //damnyou// his mind screamed at the thing.

Laughter sounded, filling the room with a maniacal echo as the invisible monster taunted his efforts to get loose. The room’s temperature dropped until Tanner could see his breath, the tiny puffs of air dissipating quickly. Shuffling back to the bed, he crawled onto the mattress beside the older man, pressing himself next to his partner.

Chris swam through the enveloping darkness trying to find...something...what? Then a pair of pain-filled sky colored eyes brought his memory back with a crushing blow. He opened his eyes, searching for his best friend. Finally locating the younger man beside him, he shifted, reaching an arm out to touch the bare shoulder. Tanner turned haunted blue eye toward him, then managed a weak smile. Larabee drew his young lover close, wrapping his arm around him.

Vin melted into the touch, allowing himself to be enveloped in the sometimes over-whelming love that Chris had bestowed on him so many months ago. Curled up in that embrace, he let go, spilling the pain, rage and fear in a torrent of silent tears.

Larabee held Tanner has snuggly as possible, letting the younger man vent what the attack had left him feeling. It wouldn’t be enough and, if they managed to escape their hell-spawned prison, the road ahead would be nearly as treacherous. But they would face it together.

Suddenly both men felt an unseen presence once more. They shifted their attention, searching the room for signs of the next attack. Then they looked at one another, confusion in their faces. This time it was different. Gone was the smothering sensation of unbridled carnal violence. In its place was a nearly suffocating sense of sorrow.

Vin pulled himself stiffly forward, bent on protecting his partner. He felt the bed shift and turned to find Chris rolling painfully to his back. The blond grasped his arm, telling him silently that they would face whatever new foe had entered the room. “Ch...Chris,” he managed in a painful, raspy whisper.

“It’s okay, Vin, I’m okay. We’re in this together...like always.” He pulled himself up and wrapped an arm around his young friend.

::GO! GO! GET AWAY!!:: A chorus of voices suddenly pounded their senses. The two agents looked at one another, as the voices continued, words jumbling over one another. ::GO! WE’LL STOP...GO! HE WON’T DO THIS AGAIN! STOP HIM! GO!::

Vin moved from the bed and gathered up the discarded sweats, helping Larabee into them once more. Retrieving the blond’s keys, he pulled his partner to his feet. Looking out of the bedroom and into the dark hallway, they both suddenly ‘saw’ it. A tunnel of sorts, surrounded by a presence... no, several. These manifestations were different. Along with the sorrow that hung heavy in the air, there was more. Anger, resolve and even camaraderie. Whatever, whoever they were, these entities were set to help rather than hurt.

Pulling Chris’ arm around his shoulders and carefully wrapping his arm around the battered back, Vin set off. Larabee tracked right beside him, and they moved into that tunnel. They could hear their unseen attacker, screaming in impotent rage just beyond their protectors, battering against them as it sought to reclaim the two men. Once, the tunnel weakened, and they felt it reach for them. Shifting away from Chris, Vin stepped between the blond and the invisible demon. It pulled at him, but couldn’t exude enough force to take him. Then the weakness was shored up, and the threat dissipated. Larabee pulled his partner close once more.

“We stand together Vin,” he whispered against the curl-covered ear, “don’t let go.”

One step led to another, and slowly the men approached the front door. From time to time they caught visions out of the corner of their eyes. Faces seemed to appear in the midst of the sheltering passageway, the features of young men. So many young men. The two men they protected could feel their dreams, desires and wants, all unfulfilled. Both of them fought hard not to be overwhelmed by the sense of loss.

Finally, the front door came into view. They could feel the evil entity double its efforts to re-claim what was being taken from it. The protecting entities stood firm, closing in behind them to strengthen the guard before them even more. By the time they reached the foyer, they could barely sense the presence beyond their cocoon.

::GO! HE WILL NOT FOLLOW!:: The voices promised as the door was thrown open. The two battered men stumbled through the opening and out into the sunshine. Holding one another up, they managed to run across the verdant lawn and fall into the black vehicle.

Shoving Chris unceremoniously onto the front seat, Vin climbed painfully behind the steering wheel. It took several tries for his trembling fingers to get the key into the ignition and start the Explorer. Without another look back toward the house, he shifted the vehicle into drive and shoved the accelerator against the floor.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Chris Larabee stole a look across the wide seat, watching his partner. Vin slouched against the passenger side door, seeming to stare out into space. Chris knew better, though. Beneath the calm features the storm still raged. He saw it when they were alone, recognizing it easily. It was the same storm he felt raging within himself. While their physical injuries were healing, the emotional ones were still raw. Who did they turn to for the needed balm? Even Josiah, himself a spiritual man, found it difficult to believe the events the two men had suffered through.

At least the other members of the team had enough faith in their word to do some digging. While he and Vin had recovered in the hospital and, later, at home, they had investigated the last owner of the little house. Arthur Sharp had died suddenly of a heart attack just ten months earlier. Digging into his past, they found only commendations and kind words from neighbors and co-workers. Sharpie, as most of them refer to him, had been a kind and generous man. Quick to lend a hand, he was often the first person to help when someone was in trouble. He entertained the neighborhood kids with wild and fanciful tales, took elderly neighbors shopping or to the doctor, threw neighborhood barbecues and holiday parties.

But then, as they began to investigate deeper they found another man. This man rarely revealed anything about himself; his neighbors not even certain as to what he did for a living. This man frequently brought home young men in the late evening, but they were rarely seen leaving. The neighborhood simply marked it down to his being closeted; sending the young men home before dawn to save himself any embarrassment.

Bells and sirens had gone off for the members of Team Seven, and they obtained permission to investigate the house itself. Cautioned by what had happened to Chris and Vin, they moved through the empty rooms as a unit, none of them left alone for even a second. As yet, nothing had happened to anyone else.

By the time their leader and his partner had been released from the hospital, they had nothing but gruesome news to report to the men. Arthur “Sharpie” Sharp had been a human monster on the scale of John Wayne Gacy or Jeffrey Dahmer; only fate had stopped this man before the legal system was able to identify the demon beneath the charming exterior.

Pulling up behind the long line of local and federal vehicles, Larabee grunted as the still-healing cuts across his back protested his shifting the Explorer into park. He looked over, reading the fear that shone from his lover’s eyes. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”

Nodding, Vin said, “I know.” He had barely said more than one or two words since it had happened, and nightmares had robbed him of any chance at rest most nights. Larabee had been holding him only a couple of hours ago after he had screamed them both awake.

Chris moved stiffly from the black truck, and around to the passenger side. Vin was standing there, starring toward the house. One hand gripped the door tightly, the other one fisted against his thigh, beating a nervous rhythm. The blond took hold of the moving hand, rubbing the white knuckles as he coaxed the younger man to relax. Slipping his arm across the taut shoulders, he walked tiredly toward the unassuming house that had suddenly become the focus of so much attention.

Men and women, wearing jackets with “FBI” or “ATF” emblazoned across the back, were moving around the yard; in and out of the house. The two men saw a familiar knot of men standing on the porch. The other members of Team Seven saw them as well, and moved to meet them.

“Thought you two were supposed to be home, resting,” Nathan Jackson scolded.

“Just wanted to see things for ourselves,” Chris replied.

“It ain’t pretty,” Buck said softly.

“So far the head count is twelve bodies,” Ezra Standish supplied, the cultured voice sounding weary. “They’ve only covered the main room of the basement, however. There could be more in the smaller rooms.”

Taking up the narrative, Buck said, “they’re gonna start on the back yard tomorrow, but it looks like most of the victims were buried in the basement. Makes sense, no threat of witnesses that way.”

The neat row of body bags, containing the remains of Sharp’s victims, lay along the sloped front yard. They served as mute testimony to the man’s perverse appetites. Preliminary examinations showed that each had suffered a variety of injuries, with the most serious being to their throats. Evidence of their throats being slashed to the point of the head nearly being severed was apparent on most of the bodies.

“Chances are, we’ll solve a variety of missing persons cases before we’re through,” Josiah Sanchez said, the sorrow evident in his blue eyes.

Nodding, Larabee felt a shudder surge through the lean frame at his side. Wrapping his arm tighter around Vin, he said softly, “keep me updated. Think we’ll head on out.”

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

They were nearly home when the call came. A fire had broken out, the premises barely evacuated before an explosion had ripped through the unassuming little house. No one had been injured, but the hope of finding any further evidence was even then, literally, going up in flames.

Pulling up next to the sprawling ranch house that had become a safe haven for both men, Chris helped his partner from the vehicle. Vin leaned heavily against him, shaking with emotion. They managed to get into the house, Larabee easing the unprotesting man into bed. Stretching out beside him, he pulled Tanner into his arms, letting him work through the pain.

Finally Vin quieted, shifting so that he could look into the compassionate hazel eyes. “Don’t seem fair,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“What doesn’t seem fair?” Larabee asked.

“All of it. We’ll probably never know who they were now, never be able t’ give ‘em a proper burial.”

“You’re right. But, even though we don’t know their names, we’ll carry their memory with us... the memory of what they did for us.”

“They helped us get outta there. Don’t seem right that they all died in there... alone, scared.”

“Maybe that was what made the difference, Kid. They were alone, no one there to help, or care about them. You... me, we don’t have that problem. We’re a team Vin Tanner, in every sense of the word. We’ll never be alone again.”

The End

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