Vin tapped on Chris's office door, not waiting for a response before poking his head in. "You may want to join us out here. Front desk just called. Ezra has a visitor coming up."

Chris's face fell. "Maude?" he asked with trepidation. Visits from his mother always resulted in several days of depression for Ezra, and the man was already worn down from a tough case they had just wrapped up.

"No, think it might be worse than that." Chris didn't want to imagine what that could entail. "Someone from the FBI."

"Shit." Yup, definitely worse.

"Yeah, that was our reaction."

Ezra had made a concerted effort to avoid contact with any of the agents from his former employer. The parting of ways had been far less than ideal, and the unwarranted taint of suspicion remained. Every time the team had been required to work with the FBI, there had been trouble. Now, one of them was here. And looking for Ezra.

"We have a name or a reason?" Chris asked softly as he stood and walked to the door.

"Not as of yet. And there is no need for you to whisper Mr. Larabee. I am aware of the impending arrival."

"You don't seem to be too worried about it."

"I have no reason to be. I have done nothing wrong." Chris was pleased to see the confident assurance on Ezra face.

He'd have been far less pleased if he'd been aware of the racing pulse and climbing blood pressure. True, he had done nothing wrong. But then, he'd done nothing wrong two years ago when rumors and innuendo spread by agents jealous of his record had sent his career into a tail spin. In short order, he went from top agent to pariah. His resignation was submitted just hours before any decision would have been taken out of his hands. He knew he could challenge the accusations; that there couldn't possibly be a valid case against him. But he couldn't bring himself to make the effort. The energy and the willpower were both lacking, and the sense of abandonment almost overwhelming. He also knew winning would make no difference, as he would never be fully trusted again. And losing – that could mean prison, and there was simply no way that could end well.

Then, at his lowest point (which was saying something given his past experiences) he had found Team Seven. Or, more accurately, they had found him. The day Travis, Larabee and the others had been willing to look past all the crap and see the true potential had been the luckiest of his life, both professionally and personally.

Now he stood facing away from the door, calmly hiding the dread that was growing inside him.

"So," came an assured sounding voice from the entrance, "this is where you found your bolthole. Have you managed to work your so-called charms on these guys as well?" He didn't seem to notice six men moving toward him with, if not murder, at least mayhem on their minds. "Or did they see past all your self-deprecating crap and figure out how lucky they are to have you around?" All six froze in confusion. In that instant, Ezra spun around on his heel, a broad smile lighting his face.

"LaRue, you southern rebel son-of-a-bitch! They actually released you from the bowels of FBI hell and allowed you out amoung the unsuspecting public! I presumed you had resigned yourself to a permanent residency in some sub-basement level corner cubby-hole counting paperclips."

"I have, but every now and then when no one is looking I sneak out the back door."

"Gentlemen" he turned to encompass the team in his gaze. "Allow me to introduce you to one of the very few FBI agents who can tolerate being in my presence. This is Daniel LaRue." The rest of the team relaxed slightly, but it was evident they were not yet convinced Ezra was not in some kind of danger. He laughed loudly.

"You'll have to forgive them. They have highly developed guard dog tendencies.

The pup there is JD Dunne. Don't be fooled by his youthful appearance. There is not an action, legal or otherwise, that he cannot perform on that accursed computer of his.

Growling in the background behind him is Buck Wilmington. Down Buck. Sit. He is our pitbull. Looks and sounds tough, but a softie underneath it all.

The bull mastiff smiling at you is Josiah Sanchez. As our profiler, I can guarantee you he already knows more about you than you would like him to. Take great comfort in the fact he is smiling. It will help settle the others."

"I think I'll introduce myself if you don't mind Ezra. Not really sure I want to know what kind of dog you think I am. Name is Nathan Jackson. Can't say there are very many of your fellow agents I'd say this to, but nice to meet you."

"Over there is Vin Tanner." Ezra continued. "I'd have to rely on someone else's expertise to name the breed but find the best hunting or tracking dog in existence, and he'd out do them all." Vin smiled and offered a handshake, deciding he'd been called much worse in his life.

"That leaves only our alpha male. Daniel, meet Chris Larabee." Daniel turned to look squarely at Chris. The two men stared for a few seconds before both slowly reached out a hand.

"I'm gonna piss off Standish something fierce now, but I need to say this to you – all of you. I was lucky enough to work with him a few times before the shit hit the fan at the Bureau. Want to thank you all for taking him into your team the way you did. Don't mind saying I was damn worried about how things were going to work out for him. Gotta say now that, despite all the crap that he went through, landing here the way he did was the best thing that ever happened to him."

Chris had been listening and heard the sincerity and emotion in the man's voice. "It all worked out pretty good for us too."

They all grinned at Ezra's evident discomfort at being the topic of conversation.

"Ezra, if we all took you in like that, does that mean you're some kind of stray?" JD fought to keep the smile from his face as he asked. Ezra huffed his annoyance at the notion.

"Gentlemen. If you are all through with his maudlin display of sentimentality we can move onto more interesting subjects. Well, perhaps not more interesting, but at the least, more relevant."

"Ah, ain't that cute – he's blushing."

Ezra chose to ignore Buck, and the laughter that resulted from his observation.

"What brings you to our neck of the woods?" Chris decided to take pity on Ezra and refocus the discussion. "Guessing it is more that a social call after this much time."

"Sort of unofficial business." Ezra flinched inwardly, hoping that business didn't involve him. "I work mostly the dead files at the Bureau now. Ezra wasn't kidding when he said I'm in a sub-basement office. Mostly I just transcribe notes and test results into data bases, and usually those are from the forgotten cold cases."

"Sounds like a lovely job. Who did you piss off, and how?" Nathan didn't notice that his question caused Ezra to go pale.

Daniel looked to his friend before answering. "Let's just say I've never been all that good about keeping my opinion to myself. Especially when I know that things are wrong."

Chris had seen the look pass and knew immediately the offense LaRue had committed. "Insubordination, right? You did what the others wouldn't."

"Knew there was no way Ezra was dirty. He's too damn smart to be that stupid. Targeting him was the easy answer to a lot of unanswered questions in the office, and they dumped the whole load onto his shoulders. I made it clear what I thought of what they did."

"Took a lot of guts, all things considered." Vin stated.

"Not really. Too little, and too late."

"If you'd spoken up sooner or louder you too would have been removed from your position. I was alone, with no other considerations. You have a wife and son to consider in your actions."

"Had. Jenny was none to pleased with my demotion, since she thought she was marrying a future regional director. Left me and set her sights elsewhere. She's engaged to a banking executive now."

Ezra had allowed his emotions to get the best of him for the moment. "Daniel, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. That shouldn't… I'm so sorry."

"Don't Ezra. It's not your fault that she was that shallow. You never were her biggest fan, and she knew you didn't trust her. Now I know why."

"But…"

"No 'but'. I see you fellows haven't broken him of the habit of claiming responsibility for everything bad that happens within a 20-mile radius. He any better about taking credit for the successes?"

"Not that we've noticed."

Ezra didn't smile at the exchange. "Your support of me served no purpose and appears to have done a pretty good job ruining your life. Explain to me how I do not take responsibility for those circumstances."

"Did you do what they said Ezra? Any of it? Take bribes? Tip off suspects? Steal drugs and money? Sleep with the enemy? Did you beat up on informants? Did you do any of that?"

"No." Ezra's voice was almost to quiet to be heard

The rest of the team was shocked at the list. They had never asked, and he had never volunteered what kind of accusations had been leveled. They had all assumed he'd been accused of taking bribes, but the rest of the list was a complete revelation. Larabee alone was unsurprised, as he and Judge Travis had seen the files. It had been agreed there was no reason to make Ezra provide details.

"Did you tip off anyone in the Giannopolous gang as to who the informant was? Did you get Ricky killed?"

"No." Ezra looked away as he answered.

"Then how in hell is any of this your fault? Have you forgotten you are the victim in all of this?"

"They accused you of getting a man killed?" Josiah looked as angry as they all felt. "How in God's name could they imagine something like that?"

"He was my informant. No one else knew who he was. At least, no one else should have. The night before he was going to give a deposition on activities of the gang, he had his throat slit."

"The whole thing embarrassed the hell out of the powers that be. They had a big bust planned. Media attention, the whole deal. A few had planned to run for office based on this raid. Left them with egg on their faces and desperately in need of a scapegoat and revenge. That's where Ezra came in."

"I should have taken better care with Ricky. He was just a kid."

"He was 23 and had been involved for nearly a decade. He had his share of blood on his hands Ezra, and he was doing this to avoid going to jail, not out of any sudden change of heart."

"That didn't matter."

"Damn it! I am not having this fight with you again. The only people to blame for what happened to you are the ones who did tip off Giannopolous, the ones who killed Ricky and the idiots at the bureau more interested in protecting their image than finding the truth."

There was 30 seconds of silence as the two men stared down each other. Finally, Ezra sighed deeply.

"You did not finish answering Mr. Larabee's question. What has brought you into our fair city?"

LaRue let out his own sigh, frustrated that his friend clearly was not going to allow for any latitude on what he saw as his guilt. There was no point in pursuing it now, but he hoped to be able to follow up later, when they were alone. "Local cops have some evidence relating to an old cold case. I said I'd come and get it, take a few statements in the process. Gives me a chance to look into another case I've been working on."

"They sent you here for that?"

"Yeah, they seem to think this type if activity is humiliating for me. Errand boy for the bureau. But I've put together evidence to solve 5 cold cases in the last 11 months. That's not bad in my books."

"Guessing they make sure someone else is getting the credit." Vin commented.

"That's not why I do the job."

Chris grinned as he made a decision. "If you want out of the bureau, say the word. I'm sure Judge Travis could have your transfer papers processed before you have time to finish whatever you're doing here. Doesn't sound like you have a lot to go back home for." He was pleased to see Ezra come back to life with the suggestion.

"Still have my son there. He's nine. Jenny may be many things, but she's never been vindictive enough to keep me from seeing him."

"We have offices in Georgia you know. At least it would get you out of the basement." Buck offered.

"I'll think about it. In the meantime, I better get my ass back in gear. Did come here for work after all."

"How long are you staying?"

"A few days. Going to be meeting with people this evening and tomorrow at least."

Ezra went to his desk and grabbed a spare set of keys. "You'll be staying with me then. Use these whenever you're done." Daniel held up his hand before the keys were tossed to him.

"No, I'm already checked in to my hotel. At least for tonight that will be easier. I do want to have a chance to catch up properly though."

"OK, so you'll stay tomorrow." He tossed the keys. "In case you change your mind. You have the address?" he added, digging into the back of the drawer to find a rarely used business card. He quickly wrote a name and address on the back. "If you finish up early tonight you can join us here for a drink. Inez's. Just a couple blocks from here. We'll be there, or at least I will, till about 9."

He handed the card over and took Daniel's hand for a moment. "Try to get there. Or to my place. I really want to talk with you. It's been too long."

"I will." He stepped back and looked around the room. "Glad to finally have a chance to meet all of you. Really."

"Let me walk you out." He glanced over to Chris. "If I may have a few minutes?"

"Sure Ezra. Go for a coffee if you want."

"No, thanks. We haven't got the time. But I will take the escort. Like I said, good meeting you all."

"Is there any news from Atlanta that would be of interest to me?" Ezra asked as the elevator doors closed.

"Not much. Few retirements, couple of transfers and the like. Calavicci got promoted to regional District Director."

"He's a decent man. Not much imagination, but so honest as to be quite dull."

"Yeah, he's still a bit of a Puritan."

"What about Burton? Or Steck?"

"Come on Ezra. You really don't care about any of that. Why did you want to talk to me alone?" They were out of the building now, and Ezra glanced around at the activity, then steered Daniel to a quieter spot.

"Answer me honestly Daniel. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Ezra. Just here on business is all."

"Have you forgotten to whom you are speaking? I could see through you then, and nothing has changed."

"Never could bluff you."

"Then there is no point in wasting the effort."

"I'm not lying Ezra. I'm fine. Haven't been for a while, but things are back on track."

"You should have contacted me when they went off track."

"Neither one of us is ever been too good about sharing our problems." Ezra watched him, waiting for details. "Look. I really don't want to go into it all here and now. But we can later." Ezra didn't waver his glance. "Okay, thumbnail version. I crashed after my marriage ended. Drinking, not working, the whole thing. But I got past it Ezra. Been in AA for almost a year. I'm reconnecting with my son, and getting things cleaned up at work. And now, well I may be looking at a new job if your boss wasn't messing with me."

"Chris doesn't do that. Not his style."

"Good."

Ezra took a step back, slightly mollified by the information. "We will be having a much longer discussion of all of this, focusing on your failure to communicate with me regarding these matters."

"That's a two-way street, but sure, we can talk. Right now, I really do need to get going Ezra, but I will be in touch tonight." He paused for a moment. "Your right though. We let too much time go by."

"That is the wonderful thing about old friends. They can pick up exactly where they last were."

Ezra watched him drive off a moment later, smiling at the comfort he felt in being able to reconnect with an old friend. He'd been saddened when he left Atlanta, believing all ties had been irreparably severed. He glanced upward as he walked back to the building smiling even broader as he thought of the ties that had been created.

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tbc