This is the third story in the "My Beloved/Kara" Quartet. It is a bit of a standalone in the story arc but it helps to have read the first two to understand some of what is happening in this one. Again- this is a story written about 14 years ago. I've tried to correct some of the more glaring mistakes as I get it back online but what I've missed- all my fault! Hope you enjoy.

(The mag7 characters belong to MGM, Trilogy and Mirisch, no copyright infringement is intended with their use.)

Part 1

ATF agent, Chris Larabee sat in his office gazing out at the city's skyline. Dotted with snow, and assaulted by wind, winter had set in early and now, a month into the season, the once pristine whiteness looked muddled and gray.

Chris leaned back in his chair and gingerly touched his bandaged chest wincing at the combination of pain and memories that flooded his consciousness. 'Kara,' he thought frowning. What had started as a natural act for any law enforcement officer, saving her from what he'd thought was an attempted assault, had turned into an attack on his entire team. The nightmare had ended only after Kara had kidnapped him and then plunged over the edge of a cliff trying to escape from him and the others chasing her. The first major snow had hit that same week making it impossible for rescue teams to search for her body. It still frustrated him to have to wait until spring for closure but his team continued to encourage him. In time they would find her body.

His team. He smiled thinking of the men he considered friends and family, rather then just agents he commanded. He'd chosen the six men himself, designing a well organized team he knew would be the best. He hadn't counted on how much they would end up meaning to him. The rest of the local teams had nicknamed them the Magnificent 7, and though he shrugged the title off, inside he felt a bit of pride at the nickname.

"Chris?" A voice at the door brought him quickly to the present.

"Yeah?" Running a hand through his blond hair, he turned his attention toward the door. "Come on in JD."

JD Dunne was the youngest member of his team. He was always full of energy, keeping the rest of them chronically envious.

"You doing okay?" JD nodded towards Chris' chest, his eyes taking in the hand that still lingered there.

He was glad that Chris had elected for the plastic surgery to fix the burn he'd received when kidnapped. Even though the doctor had predicted he would always have a scar, at least now it wouldn't be such a blatant reminder of what had happened. Chris had just returned to work the day before, after having the surgery over the previous weekend.

"I'm fine JD," Chris leaned forward randomly sorting papers on his desk. "What do you need?" He could read the slight nervousness in the way JD carried himself as he stepped further into the office.

"I was wondering if I could ask for two extra days off this weekend." JD casually slumped into the leather chair opposite Chris' desk and fiddled with the cast on his wrist.

"That would probably work, what do you need it for?"

JD sighed heavily and rolled his eyes, as he shifted uncomfortable in his chair. He'd been hoping Chris would say no to his request.

"JD?"

"Casey got two passes to the Perkins retreat center and wants me to go with her. I guess her psychology professor runs the place or something, but she really wants me to go with her." JD rattled off his explanation quickly, barely breathing between words. His black hair fell across his eyes and he pushed it back in one fluid motion continuing, "I don't really want to go, but it means so much to Casey and I don't want Buck or the guys giving me a hard time about being whipped or anything."

Chris started laughing softly, holding up his hand in an effort to get JD to calm down and breath. His owns thoughts raced to yet another memory, this time of Sarah dragging him to a weekend getaway that ended up being a couple's communication seminar. He'd been furious at first, but once he saw how important it had been to Sarah he settled in and paid attention. Of course, the only thing he could remember from the entire thing was the speaker telling them they had to treat their mates like they were a violin, some precious rare violin, strata something. Anyway that was long ago and Sarah was gone now.

"JD your secret is safe with me. Go, it might turn out to be good for you. If anyone asks, I'll tell them you had a romantic weekend planned."

JD's face erupted in a huge grin, as he jumped up, his energy renewed. "Thanks Chris!" Some how he felt better about going with Casey now.

"Sure, when do you get the cast off?" Chris asked curiously. JD was one of three members of his team still dealing with injuries from their run in with "psycho bitch," as Buck had started referring to Kara.

"Comes off in two weeks! I can't wait. It itches something fierce!" JD grimaced, sticking a finger of his good hand as far down into the cast as possible as he headed out to his desk.

Chris returned to his paperwork. He needed to read over Ezra and Vin's reports from a case they just finished. A shadow crossed the room as the sun went behind a cloud. Something unidentifiable pulled at his mind and an uneasy feeling swept over him. "Shake it off, Larabee," he told himself and picked up a report to read.

JD plopped down in his chair and gave it a spin catching himself before the rush of dizziness propelled him off the seat. He grinned at Buck, who sat across from him staring questioningly, shrugged, and began to work on his computer trying to finish up some research before it was time to go.

"How do you do it?" Buck asked his words slightly slurred, but understandable.

"Do what?" JD looked up at him.

"Have so much energy all of the time?" He was still amazed that his young roommate was always on the go. Even his broken wrist had failed to slow him down, or kept him from going out and purchasing a new motorcycle just like the totaled one. Buck cringed at the thought, but knew his worry was misplaced. JD was a safe rider, at least now since the accident he wore his helmet all the time.

JD grinned mischievously, cocking his head to the side. "I don't know Buck, how do you manage to keep talking all the time even with your jaw wired closed?"

He laughed and jumped back wards, as Buck lunged over the desktops grabbing at him.

"Will you two hooligans please refrain from such unprofessional displays of action so that your peers can attempt some level of concentration and retain our employment?" Ezra pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked across his desk to Vin and sighed heavily. He was ready for a weekend.

JD still keeping out of Buck's reach looked at the southerner. "What?"

"He said you two cut it out or we'll all get fired," Nathan piped up from his corner of the large office.

"Thank you Mr. Jackson." Ezra smiled and turned back to his work.

"Come on Ez, it's Friday! Loosen up." JD sat back down at his desk, as Buck waved him off. Buck had become accustomed to the teasing about his jaw. He only reacted like it bothered him. He certainly didn't mind the extra attention from the ladies around the building, but he was counting the days until the wires were off and he could actually chew his food again instead of having to sip everything through a straw.

"Yes Mr. Dunne it is Friday, but unless I finish my work I'll be unable to enjoy..." his voice trailed off as he looked towards the office door. His, "What are you doing here?" caught everybody off guard, and they all turned to see who was there. "Josiah!" A chorus of voices cried in unison, followed by laughter, as they realized they sounded like the characters of an old TV sitcom. There was a bunch of sheepish grins, and light back slapping, as the big man was welcomed. Chris came out of his office at the commotion.

"What are you doing here?" Nathan asked his medical training and instincts jumping into full swing. He knew that the doctor preferred that Josiah stay home for four to six weeks since his release from the hospital. It had been three.

"Easy Brother Nate," Josiah's deep voice boomed, "I couldn't stand that house one minute longer today, so I decided to venture over." He focused his clear eyes on Chris, "I'm coming back on Monday."

"Doctor okay it?" Chris asked concerned. Josiah was recovering quickly from the bullet wound but Chris was adamant that he didn't take chances. It was bad enough Buck and JD were still not up to par, he didn't want to worry about Josiah too.

"He will," Josiah grinned. "Light work only," he assured them. All of them knew the frustration of being laid up and the impatience of waiting for one's own body to heal.

Chris smiled then. "Alright, Monday it is," he glanced at his watch it was 4:30. "Let's get out of here."

"Alright!" JD whooped and Ezra cringed rubbing his ear as he stepped out of the younger agent's way.

Vin laughed, "How about going to Inez's?" He referred to the saloon the agents frequented together, "to celebrate Josiah's return."

"Sounds great," Nathan voiced his agreement to the plan as the other's nodded.

"I can't make it, but you guys have fun. I'll see you Tuesday, Buck." JD slipped out the door and down the hall before anyone could question him.

"Tuesday?" Buck asked questioningly. "Where the hell is he going?" He turned to Chris.

Chris just shrugged and tried not to smile. "Maybe he's got a romantic weekend planned."

"Well good for the kid," Buck grinned and grabbed his coat to follow his friends out of the office.

JD had just finished throwing clothes for the weekend into a duffel bag, when he heard Casey's knock on the apartment door.

"Come on in!" He yelled looking for a pair of shoes. He smiled as Casey opened the door and entered stepping over a pile of mail he'd tossed onto the floor when he came in. His heart raced a bit at the sight of her. She was dressed comfortably in jean and a university sweatshirt and she was beautiful.

"Should I take sneakers or hiking boots?" he asked holding up one of each.

"Hiking boots," Casey replied with out hesitation. She grinned shaking her head as she bent to pick up the mail. "How many catalogs do you guys subscribe to?" She asked stacking the pile precariously on an already overflowing end table.

"I lost count awhile ago," he admitted as he sat down to lace up his boots. "How long is it going to take to get to this place anyway?"

"This place, as you call it, is called the Perkins Retreat Center." Casey sat down next to him leaning close. "And if you knew how respected Professor Perkins is you'd know what an honor it is that we've been invited to sit in on his sessions for the weekend." She nuzzled his ear lightly, her long dark hair tickling his neck.

"Arrrhh," JD growled playfully and wrapped his arms around her pulling her even closer and kissing her deeply. "Now that was an honor," he whispered as their eyes met.

"JD!" She slapped him lightly at the invitation in his eyes and jumped up after kissing him again. "We have to go or we won't get there by 7."

"You are such a tease," he called after her running a hand over his flushed face. She drove him crazy and he wouldn't trade the feeling for anything in this world.

Casey turned at the door, "Yeah well if we don't get there before they close the gates for the night, you won't have to worry about being teased for awhile," her message delivered she grinned mischievously. "I'll be waiting in the car."

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" JD laughed, scooped up his duffel bag, keys and cell phone and rushed out the door after her.

Casey pulled off the paved surface onto the dirt and steered the car carefully along the mountain road. "The gate should be..." Her voice trailed off as she searched the wooded area. "There!" She pointed at a dimly lit sign, and turned into the gravel drive.

"Not very big," JD muttered, as they stopped next to a small shack with a sign labeling it "Information." From the size of the man that stepped out of the tiny building JD wondered if it should have been called the guard shack.

Casey ignored JD and handed the guard their passes. He smiled amiably and stepped back into the building.

"What's he doing?" JD asked, fidgeting nervously.

"Shh, I don't know, just relax," Casey said, laying a hand on his thigh to take some of the bite out of her command. She was nervous too for some reason.

JD covered her hand with his, surprised at its coldness. Her hands were always so cold.

The man returned to the car introducing himself as Mike and returned the passes to Casey. "You're rooms are in the main lodge, rooms 7 and 8," he smiled in at JD. "Hope you both enjoy the weekend." He quickly directed them on how to find the lodge.

"Thank you," Casey nodded and pulled forward through the gate, following Mike's directions. "See," she said. "He was just looking up where we're staying."

Once inside the front gate JD eyed the campus suspiciously. It was well lit and neatly manicured exuding a comfortable feeling. He tried to relax as he watched other campers and retreat visitors milling around the grounds. He smiled as a group of small children ran by laughing. The main lodge was a huge log cabin. Casey was already pulling bags out of the back seat, as he slowly stood and stretched. Grimacing he grabbed a ruler off the dashboard and slid it down into his cast reaching an itch that had been bothering him for a while. 'Everyone seems friendly enough,' he thought to himself. He still didn't know exactly what this whole retreat center was about, but like he told Chris, it was important to Casey.

"Casey! Glad you made it!" A voice boomed from behind him and JD turned to see a middle aged man with graying hair, take Casey's outstretched hand, and pull her into a quick hug.

"Professor Perkins." Casey's face was aglow and even though he felt a pang of jealousy, JD could see how much she looked up to this man. 'Kind of like how I see Chris,' he imagined. He tossed the forgotten ruler back into the car and closed the door. Casey was bringing the man toward him.

"Professor, this is my boy friend JD Dunne."

"Nice to meet you JD." Perkins shook JD's good hand, his gaze falling on the one wrapped in a cast.

"Motorcycle accident," JD explained, somewhat uncomfortably. "Nice to meet you too."

"Ahh," the older man nodded his head with an empathy that made the agent wonder if he'd ever been in a similar accident. Before he could ask though, the man began speaking again. "I'll let Casey and you find your rooms and then I'll see you in the dining hall for evening session."

JD's eyebrows rose at the word session but he smiled and nodded and followed Casey into the lodge after he took their bags from her. He was doing this for her, he reminded himself. "You okay?" He asked.

"This is great!" She smiled and kissed him. "Lets go find our rooms."

He followed her through the lobby, past the fireplace and wondered for all the hominess, why he felt uncomfortable here. He often picked on the guys at work, Ezra and Vin especially, for their intuition and tendencies to make decisions based on hunches and feelings. He'd joke and ask if their "spidey senses" were going off. Buck had actually picked up on the term and used it occasionally now too. Mostly when he thought he was going to get shot down by a girl. "Should of known," he'd say afterwards. "The spidey senses were going." As JD opened the unlocked door to room 7 and glanced over to see Casey enter the room next door, he wondered if what he was feeling was his own "spidey senses." He couldn't put his finger on anything specific being wrong. He just had a very uneasy feeling.

Chris groaned and turned on the light by his bed, as he slammed a hand in the direction of his alarm clock. He finally connected with the contraption and turned it off. He hated Mondays. He'd spent the weekend at home recovering from the impromptu party Friday night. He didn't usually drink that much anymore, but Friday he'd managed to get intoxicated to the point where it was late Saturday afternoon before he could even consider getting out of bed. He still couldn't remember how he got home but knew when Vin showed up with his truck that Vin had taken care of him.

Groaning again, he crawled out of bed, and made his way to the shower. After a shower, he poured himself a hot cup of coffee, and sipped at it as he waited for his shirt to iron out in the dryer. He hated ironing and still smiled at the memory of Sarah's exasperated sigh, when he tried to sneak out of the house one morning, in a wrinkled shirt. She'd taken his shirt, and using a spray bottle, misted it with water lecturing him, as she then tossed the thing in the dryer.

"Five minutes Chris, that's all it takes, and you don't have to iron it, but please don't go out wrinkled!"
He'd been thinking of Sarah a lot lately he realized, taking another sip of coffee. God he missed her and Adam. He shook his head and flipped on the television listening to the local weather report for a distraction.

By the time Chris entered the office, he'd pushed his memories aside, and was ready to face the day. His team came in slowly, and quietly at first. Once the first cups of coffee were passed out, talk picked up, ranging from Friday night's party, to how they'd spent the rest of the weekend. It was good to hear Josiah's voice among the fray. Chris had missed the gentle man's quieting presence. He was about to say welcome back when his attention was diverted to another man entering the office. He recognized him immediately as Matt Daring, leader of team five. He frowned at the agent's serious demeanor. It didn't look like a social call.

"Morning Larabee," Daring nodded. "We need to talk." He moved unbidden into Chris' office and Chris followed, shrugging at the curious looks from his team members.

"Wonder what that's about?" Buck asked, as Chris closed his office door.

"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough." Ezra sipped his cappuccino and settled in at his desk.

45 minutes later Chris' door opened. "Conference!" Chris said gruffly heading toward the room just off from their offices. Daring followed with an armload of files.

"Oh dear," Ezra whispered, noting the striking mood change in Chris as he followed the others into the next room.

Chris stood looking out the window, his back to the others, as they took various seats around the long table. His posture announced his anger, and obvious frustration, as he turned to face his men. "Daring's team has been compromised on the case they were currently working on. We have to take it over. Matt will fill you in."

Six men turned their eyes on agent Daring waiting for him to begin. Thankfully he was confident in their respect for him, he cut right to the chase. "All right, thanks Chris," he began handing out files. "The case focused on the Perkins Retreat Center. Place is run by a professor Mark Perkins. Nice gentleman, very charismatic, has doctorate in psychology to boot. Also suspected of stock piling about every different illegal firearm you can name, plus a few you can't, on his compound."

"Compound?" Josiah felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

Daring nodded. "His retreat center is located a little less than an hour from here. He runs it like a campground, inviting folks in for various counseling sessions and seminars. Appeals to a wide demographic, but focuses on young college or fresh out of college kids. Young families too. Has a small group living on the grounds year round."

"Are we talking about another Waco here?" Buck asked skimming over the information in front of him.

"We're talking about avoiding another Waco here, Mr. Wilmington," Daring answered seriously. "Sounds like a basic enough case, I know. We had a man on the inside until late this last week. "

"What happened?" Vin asked, knowing from Chris' steely expression, that something was very wrong.

"His cover was blown when someone saw him rooting around in Perkin's office. Perkin's called him on it in one of his infamous counseling sessions. Seems he denied everything, but the camper who saw him, folded immediately when questioned about the incident in front of everyone. Perkins, being 'Non-violent,' as he claims," Daring emphasized the words bitterly, "had our man taken out and abandoned in the woods, but not before making sure he was tied securely to a tree. That was Friday afternoon. Saturday morning we got an anonymous call telling us where we could find him."

There was an eerie silence for a few moments as the agents processed this information. "Did he survive?" Nathan asked finally.

"So far," Daring nodded sadly rubbing the back of his neck. He hadn't slept since the call came in Saturday. "They still aren't sure if he'll lose some toes, but they were able to save all his fingers. Exposure and pneumonia," he explained.

"Damn," Buck whispered.

"We need to get back in as soon as possible. He found out, before he was tossed out, that as of Friday Perkins wasn't letting anyone out of the campground."

"He's holding his own people hostage?" Vin asked.

Daring nodded again. "They don't know it yet. The weekend session ends tomorrow afternoon, that's when we think he's going to play his cards and lock the gates."

"What if they insist on leaving?" Buck questioned next.

"Most of them won't even try." Daring admitted. "This man redefines charismatic and the manipulation techniques he uses rival any I've ever heard of before. He won't hurt them until he's confident he can't control them at all. Then he'll make them disappear like he did our man."

"Won't it look suspicious sending someone in now after he's decided nobody leaves?" Buck didn't like the sound of this case at all.

"Not if we get them in before tomorrow afternoon and no one tries to get out before then…Problem, unfortunately, is not with getting in. If the cover is good enough, he'll let you in, but you have to be one of the best."

All eyes seemed to simultaneously fall on Ezra. He grinned confidently. "Should I take this as a compliment?"

Daring smiled, "Depends on how you look at it, Agent Standish," he nodded to Chris, who had remained serious during the exchange.

"There's another problem, a bigger problem." Chris leaned forward preparing himself for the next few minutes. Once he was sure he had everyone's attention he continued. "JD is inside."

"What?" Buck's head jerked up with surprise, and he grimaced, as he strained his jaw. Nathan put a hand on his arm in an effort to calm him.

"What do you mean JD is already inside?" Ezra's accent seemed to deepen with his level of concern.

Chris took a deep breath. "Seems Perkins is Casey's professor. He invited her and JD up to the retreat center for the weekend. Neither of them know anything about him or the case."

"Which means if JD decides to share what he does for a living..." Buck's eyes met Chris'. "Perkins could find out he's ATF and have him killed."

"Well then, gentlemen. " Ezra stood, his voice calm and confident but didn't mask the worry in his green eyes. "Let's figure out a way to get me inside before that can happen."

TBC...