Write a fic (any length) about any AS character using the title "Stranded".

Your character of choice will have with him: a small bar of chocolate, no drink, loose change, and one more item of your choosing.

How will he get out of this situation?

Title: Stranded

Type: ATF/LB AU

Author: Gunney

Disclaimer: The characters and original scheme of this story belong to someone other than me and if I was beingpaid I'd spend it on buying the rights to Mag Seven and reuniting the show with my TV screen.

Rating: PG-13 for violence and language.

KABOOM!!

Followed closely by BAM and POW and he was down for the count.

Wiped out.

No mercy.

Of course. Who could have survived an attack by those two?

The young cretins followed the example of Chris Larabee and Buck Wilmington to the letter. Even the Larabee-glare-of-death-and-long-suffering had been near perfected by seven year old Vin Tanner. JD was furthering his 'puppy- dog eyes' with the same look that gained most of Buck's paramours.

So in essence of the situation it was like being stranded and run over by Buck and Chris themselves, although he was certain that it hurt less.

Carefully he picked himself up off of the leaf covered, dewy ground and turned to greet his adversaries. But what he saw instead chilled him to the very core.

In the parking lot just in front of him, where the black top met the grass both boys stood silently, Vin holding onto JD's hand protectively.

They're eyes focused intently on the two men who held mean looking weapons..

One was halfway into the Jag, the other pointing the weapons at the boys and more importantly at the ATF agent behind them.

Ezra remained on his hands and knees despite the damage it was doing to his suit. Fear for the boys boiled beneath his skin but he refused to show it. Faintly he could see JD shivering and Vin didn't look to sure of himself either.

Ezra swore softly.

Why hadn't he heard their approach?

The first miscreant made a move with his gun and Ezra stood with the motion calling to the children softly.

"Boys, come over here."

The quiet but urgent request wasn't enough incentive. Both Vin and JD made no move, the younger boy's hand turning white from gripping his cousin's.

Ezra's heart clenched in his chest. The boy's were scared. Hell he knew that. The feeling of rage, over the ill treatment of those he cared for. Those he loved. It was a new feeling but a strong one. One he had begun to get used to since becoming an 'Uncle.'

And one that was adding to a rage of other emotions blinding his clear judgement. His hardening gaze turned from the two shivering backs to the gunmen, his anger forcing a tremor into his voice.

"Take the damn vehicle and go, for Christ's sake."

Both men, dressed entirely in black and up till then silent, looked at each other, as though for assurance. An almost silent communication passed between the two.

"Give me yer keys."

Gruff, unfamiliar and showing no sign of intimidation or fear. The gun was pointed in Ezra's direction and he quickly fumbled in his pocket pulling out the keys and tossing them.

A year ago, a lifetime ago, he would have gladly fought these men to their deaths and protected the car with his life. Shockingly all he cared about was the boys. And keeping them safe.

He could say he was doing it so that he didn't die at Larabee's hand. But he actually liked the thought of having a heart.

Miscreant's one and two seemed happy enough that they had won the car over without a fight. One requested he also toss over his cell-phone. He shook his head.

"I haven't got one."

"Gimme the goddamned phone!"

He lifted his hands up away from his body and shook his head, pressing his lips into a firm line.

"Just go, dammit."

Miscreant one turned to miscreant two. He nodded and jerked his head towards Ezra and a single shot was fired. Echoing through the trees, across the lake and around a Nature that suddenly, no longer cared.

The engine revved and the car peeled out of the parking lot, tires screaming but not overpowering the frightened cries and pleas of two little boys who ran to their Uncle's side.

Vin shook with fear as he watched the red stuff seeping out of Ezra's clothes.

"He shot 'im!"

* * *