SAVING VIN by AJB

This is a sequel to Saving Grace. As with the first story, there are allusions to child abuse, but nothing extremely graphic. Feedback always appreciated.

CHAPTER ONE

Home.

The ranch, in all its sprawled, rustic glory, again felt like home. It was how it sat in his heart and the resulting warmth which managed to thaw his soul that wrapped Chris Larabee in a blanket of serenity. All of that emanated from one too-thin essence forever branded on his heart as his son, Vin Tanner. Vin was home. Vin made it home.

Soft breathing encouraged Chris' stiff fingers to absently stroke through his boy's soft hair as Vin slept, deeply, at his side. Morning light trickled through the slight gap in the bedroom curtains spilling a line of gold across the floor and Chris' chest, and would have streaked right across Vin's relaxed face if Chris hadn't rolled on his side just enough to block the intrusion. Vin's breath warmed Chris' chest as he gazed down at the beautiful sight of his son sleeping deep and sound - a rarity in the past weeks. Since his return, Vin's nights - and therefore Chris' nights - were troubled snatches of sleep wracked with nightmares.

This was a breakthrough of sorts, sleeping one whole night through. Chris raised his hand and examined his healed knuckles which were still a little pink, but no longer bruised from the fight to protect his family. He wiggled them and returned his hand to Vin's hair, sighing contentedly as he carded through the fine waves.

Cheery birdcall and faded dogs' bark somewhere outside added to the serene moment as he relaxed, head propped up on bent arm. Even the knowledge that there were horses to feed and chores to attend to didn't penetrate his inner calm. Chris knew this was only one tiny step in the convoluted journey ahead; there were still the items of school, work and family to deal with as well as getting Vin to sleep a night through in his own bed. But for now, this was enough. The world could pause at this moment for infinity and he'd be a happy man.

A soft snick alerted Chris to his opening bedroom door and he shifted his eyes, continuing the soothing rhythm of his stroking fingers. Vin didn't even twitch at the sound. Another tiny victory. Buck Wilmington's stupidly grinning face hovered in the narrow opening.

"Stay put," Buck whispered. "Everything's taken care of."

Motion below his roommate's floating head drew Chris' gaze downward where JD's face pushed into view. One of Buck's wide hands ruffled the boy's dark hair. Miraculously, JD remained silent as his face softened with obvious relief.

"Come on," Buck said quietly to his son. JD tilted his head up and broke into a smile as his Da physically turned his head toward the hall in a motion akin to opening a jar. "Let's leave 'em be." Buck mouthed "Later" to Chris just before the door clicked closed.

Contentment settled on the room once again as a horse's distant whinny drifted through the open window and Chris sighed, allowing his mind to wander. With the much-needed sleep, his thoughts were now clear and the mental list he assembled didn't seem as daunting in the quiet of a new day.

Today was Friday. Tomorrow his parents arrived, unwilling to stay away any longer. Matt and Claire Larabee were in constant touch these past weeks, speaking to Vin and JD daily on the telephone and long-distance spoiling the boys with frequent gifts in the mail. Hindsight allowed Chris to admit it was a good thing after all – hopefully as a result, Vin wouldn't be as rattled when they actually arrived. All in all, Vin's fragile demeanor had diminished considerably; he no longer jumped when unexpectedly touched or startled at loud noises or raised voices.

Monday, Chris returned to work, half-days. Matt and Claire would stay with Vin during the day while JD finished out the year at school in a mere two weeks. Vin was to be tested on Thursday to see where he should be placed in the summer session; Chris reminded himself to thank Ezra for all the after work tutoring these past weeks.

Everyone was a bit surprised at how well Vin did during those sessions. He'd said that Grace Giltner was a teacher at one time and spent a lot of time educating her partner in captivity; it was the only thing the boy willingly spoke of regarding his two years away. If Miss Grace, as Vin called her, hadn't become a doomed addict after the death of her own son years ago, she may have been able to make it in the world. Instead, her only legacy was bringing Vin up to grade level for the first time in his short life. Chris was grudgingly grateful to have chiseled out one positive thing from the whole ordeal.

Chris didn't think beyond the coming week as he gazed at his slumbering son. Vin sighed and Chris knew his boy was slowly awakening. He watched, smiling, as Vin's forehead subtly creased and his eyes rolled beneath pale lids just before fluttering into wakefulness. A small hand groggily freed itself from the tangle of sheets and rubbed at his nose, and then he took a deep breath and blinked lazily, eyes momentarily unfocused.

"Good mornin', Cowboy," Chris greeted. He brushed soft curls from Vin's cheek. "Hungry?"

Vin's eyes rolled to meet Chris' and he smiled and nodded. "Yeah," he croaked as he sat up. He bit his lower lip and looked at his father's face through long lashes when he realized where he was.

"I brought you in here after you fell asleep on the couch," Chris explained. "Was easier than the top bunk. You're gettin' heavy." Vin smiled sheepishly and Chris ruffled his hair. "C'mon', let's eat."

The pair rounded up their slippers and robes and visited the bathroom before heading to the kitchen.

"Where's Buck 'n JD?" Vin asked, rubbing an eye.

"Shopping. We got visitors tomorrow, remember?" Chris grinned, pleased at the thoughtful look on Vin's face. Two weeks ago, it would have been an expression of fear. He pulled a frying pan from the cupboard. "We'll clean up around here a little then there's a special assignment to complete."

Vin paused, a shadow of uncertainty clouding his features. "'K," Vin breathed as he slowly climbed onto a chair. Chris took a moment to pour some orange juice before reassuring him with a quick ruffle of hair.

"Don't worry. You're coming with me and won't regret it. Trust me." Chris felt a surge of joy that his simple words were enough for Vin when his worried features melted away and were instantly replaced with a bright smile. Chris chuckled and returned to the stove while Vin finished his juice.

"Should I clean our room before we go?"

Chris could feel the return of the wary undertone at the reminder of visitors - he didn't do well with any kind of change and it was the last vestige of their ordeal that only Chris seemed to notice. Both Buck and Dr. Will seemed confident with Vin's progress but Chris felt that there was something else, something unspoken. He heard it in Vin's voice and saw it in his actions. Chris couldn't put his finger on it, exactly, and hadn't mentioned it because describing it would be impossible. It was part of that invisible bond they had and it kept him from being completely satisfied with Vin's progress. "That would be great. JD'll do the rest, then."

Vin nodded and smiled. He was back in balance for the moment.

Scrambled egg and sausage burritos were assembled and eaten mostly in the comfortable quiet Vin and Chris relished. With the dishes finished up, they headed to their respective rooms to clean. When Chris was done he helped Vin finish up and then challenged him to a race to get dressed.

Vin dashed into Chris' room minutes later. "I win!" he announced, jumping onto the bed where Chris sat to pull on his socks.

"Not fair!" Chris chided. "Your shoes aren't tied!"

Vin started working his laces while lying on his back with his feet in the air. Chris quickly put on his socks and then stepped in his boots, purposely fumbling.

"Done!" Vin yelled a fraction of a second before Chris.

"Beat me fair 'n square."

"I get ta pick lunch," Vin said with satisfaction.

"Hold on a second. We didn't agree to that." Chris stood, grabbed Vin's ankles and dragged him to the edge of the bed. Giggling, the boy reached up expectantly. Chris pulled him onto his hip and gave him a quick hug. Vin looked at him with those huge blue eyes reflecting contentment, a hand on each of Chris' shoulders and an expectant expression. "But I'll go along with it this time."

Vin nodded sharply. "All right, then," he said seriously.

Chris coughed a short laugh at the dead-on impersonation of himself and Vin grinned mischievously. Chris' heart skipped a beat at the thrill of seeing that sparkle once again. After another quick hug Chris released him and they headed to the door. Their escape, however, was delayed with the return of JD and Buck. All activity focused on unloading groceries.

Chris held up a predominantly purple box and scowled. "My mom's gonna love this," he muttered at the box of BooBerry cereal.

Buck laughed. "One look at those purple tongues will change her mind. She's mush in these boys' hands and you know it."

Chris snorted as he reluctantly put the box away. "Okay, Vin and I will be back in awhile. Vin's cleaned your room already, JD."

The small boy bounced excitedly on his toes. "I'll do the bathroom!"

"Oh no, you don't, sport," Buck interrupted. "You ain't goin' near the spray cleaners again. Here." He plucked a flat box from a pile of groceries. "Rub these over all the wood furniture. It's safer." Crestfallen, JD took the box of moist furniture polish wipes. "If that works out, I'll let ya clean the mirrors next." Buck held up a box of moist glass cleaning wipes. " JD's lower lip poked out in a pout.

Vin looked to Chris for an explanation. "Don't ask," Chris said lowly, turning him to the front door. "Let's just say that our tear ducts and other mucus membranes aren't fully recovered from the last time JD was allowed to use spray cleaners." Maneuvering Vin out the front door, he hollered, "Be back in a few hours!" to Buck and directed Vin to the battered old Jeep slouched next to Buck's truck.

Chris gave a confirming nod to Vin's questioning glace and Vin scrambled happily into the passenger seat, twisting sideways in a hunt for the seat belt. Chris climbed behind the wheel as he spoke. "Vin, I promised Nate you'd sit in the back when we used the Jeep." Vin didn't seem to care and crawled easily into one of the rear seats while Chris remembered the exact conversation with the team's medic.

"That thing is a death trap, Chris. You aren't seriously thinking of putting Vin in that monstrosity, are you? I didn't say anything when it was just you, but now . . ." Nathan seemed unimpressed with Chris' glared response. Josiah cleared his throat and Chris swung the patented deadly gaze onto the preacher. "Don't be lookin' for any back up, Chris," Nathan continued. "It's unanimous."

When he turned back, Chris read the tell-tale stubbornness in Nate's crossed arms and the apologetic shrug of Ezra standing behind him. "Fine," Chris muttered. "He'll sit in back." Nathan rolled his eyes."I can't keep borrowing Buck's truck," Chris growled. "The Jeep's only temporary, anyway."

The corner of Chris' mouth twitched at the memory and turned over the stubborn ignition several times. Finally, the engine caught and he glanced back to make sure Vin was strapped in. It would be a cold trip with no doors or roof but he knew that Vin loved the vehicle anyway. Chris shifted gears and pointed the Jeep down the driveway seeing Nate's nodding approval in his mind's eye as they headed toward the Dodge dealer in town. His only worry about their "mission" was about Vin's reaction to being inside a vehicle so similar to the crashed truck that marked the event of their two year separation. He was glad the real thing was finally towed away from behind the barn last week.

Vin's jaw dropped when they pulled into the dealership parking lot. He fumbled with the seatbelt when Chris said he could get out and jumped down. Without a word he let his dad lead him to the office building where Chris shook a man's hand in greeting and accepted a set of keys. Chris thanked the man and directed Vin to the back of the lot and a shiny new truck. He unlocked the door and still without a word, motioned for Vin to climb in. He got in the driver's seat and sat quietly while Vin visually explored the interior.

"Well?" Chris finally verbalized. "What do you think?" He gripped the steering wheel of the new Dodge Ram Quad Cab and gave his son a sidelong look. Vin's frown was one of utmost concentration as he fingered the air conditioning vents and simultaneously poked the buttons of the stereo. He nodded seriously and turned his attention to the window switch. Chris started the truck so the switch would work and once the window performed its up-and-down job with apparent satisfaction, Vin Tanner turned to his father and wrinkled his nose.

"It smells funny."

Chris nodded. "That's because it's a new truck. People usually like that new car smell."

"Oh." Vin reflected on that for a moment.

"Smells like leather because of the seats," Chris pointed out. "Does that help?"

Vin sniffed again. "It don't smell like my saddle."

Chris nodded in silent agreement. "No, it don't . . . I mean, doesn't." Vin's lips pursed in a tiny smile at his dad's self-correction, eyes sparkling. Chris grinned. "Well, I guess we could infuse some Peso sweat in here to make it more like your saddle." Vin giggled. "What, you don't like that idea?" Chris teased as he reached over and pulled Vin into his lap. Vin grabbed the steering wheel and leaned forward to peer over the top. "The cab's big enough for that beast of yours to fit inside," Chris pointed out.

Vin paused in his back-and-forth twisting of the polished wood wheel. "Don't think there'd be room fer us then 'n 'sides, he can't sit." He paused for a second as if considering the offer. "I think he'd be happier in his trailer," he concluded.

"Well, okay, then. If we do this thing, can you put up with the new car smell for awhile?"

Vin's lower lip poked out as he nodded. "Yeah, I think so."

"What color?"

Vin stilled, then slowly twisted around to regard Chris through eyes narrowed in suspicion. After a moment, he asked in a serious tone, "Somethin' wrong with black?"

Chris tossed his head back and laughed, his unrealized worry for Vin's reaction forgotten.

TBC

5-15-09