Here's the next part. Oh, I need to give a big thanks to Jeanette for prompting me to write this story. I'd had the idea for an M7/MIOBI story for some time, but needed Jeanette's ideas and push to get my muse in gear. We collaborated on the basic elements and the story took root. Hope you enjoy our brainchild.


Denver - 2010

Chris rubbed his hand over his face and tossed the letter on the table just as Vin walked in.

The rest of Team 7 had retired from the ATF soon after Ezra's 'relocation'. Nothing had been the same, and the fact that their job could leave one of them dead had finally hit home.

The remaining members of Team 7 stayed in Denver and continued to work together in various ways. Chris had purchased some brood mares and invited the others to partner with him in raising horses. They had all agreed, though only Vin really had regular hands on, the rest pursued other goals.

Vin nodded to the letter. "Anything I need to know?" he asked.

Larabee sighed and nodded. "It's an update from Maude."

Vin frowned. "Anything new with Ezra?"

Chris shook his head. "No. According to Maude he's living the life he should have had before he joined the rank and file of law enforcement.

Vin snorted. "Guess she's happy, she finally got him out, away from us."

"But would he be?" Chris asked, not for the first time. "If he knew, would he want it this way?"

"I like to think he'd have stayed, Chris," Vin said taking a seat across from his friend. "I never liked Maude's solution, always figured we could have worked something else out." He paused and shrugged. "As long as he's happy. I guess that's what counts."

Chris nodded reluctantly. "Don't you ever wonder?"

"All the time, Chris, all the time."


Boulder - 2010

Steve Tanner took the envelope from his law partner. "Thanks, Terry," he said. "You got that information pretty fast."

Terry Sloan nodded. "It wasn't hard to find, this guy has quite a record. I'm surprised he made parole."

Steve pulled the stack of papers out and scanned through them. "Any way for us to get him back inside?"

"Not unless he's caught with an illegal substance or otherwise breaks the conditions of his parole," Terry replied.

"Keep looking into it for me, will you? Maybe contact his parole officer and let him know he's made some remarks toward an old girlfriend that could be construed as threats of blackmail. See what that stirs up," Steve said, staring at the picture of Chloe's ex.

"Sure thing, Steve. I'll let you know," Terry said. He closed the door behind him as he left.

Steve frowned. Why did this man look so familiar?


Outside Denver - 1999

The men in the lead car cursed as two SUVs turned onto the road ahead of them and slammed on their brakes. Ezra braced himself as the car skidded to a stop, then pulled his weapon. Long and his men were doing the same and they all watched the black SUVs in front of them warily.

Ezra glanced over his shoulder, his eyes widening as he saw how close the semi had come to hitting them. The car Vin was in was not visible, but he could see two more SUVs blocking the road behind the semi.

"Peters," Long said to Ezra, "get back there and keep my girls safe." He turned his attention back to the vehicles ahead where men were beginning to exit.

Ezra saw at least eight men as he opened the door and slipped out of the car. He quickly moved toward the back of the vehicle, trying to keep it between him and the men who'd stopped the caravan. The semi had jack-knifed leaving the cab at a sharp angle from the trailer. Ezra headed toward the back of the trailer along the side furthest from the center of the road.

He could see that Vin's car was on the side of the road, the front tires were off the pavement. Ezra edged in and knelt beside Vin, earning only a quick glance from the Texan before he returned his gaze to the scene beyond the car.

"Where are your wards?" Ezra asked.

"In the car," Vin said. "Thinkin' we need to get them out into the woods over there pretty quick." Things on the other side of the truck sounded like they were heating up.

Ezra nodded his agreement and opened the door. A pale face framed by mousy blonde hair looked up from the floorboard, big brown eyes widened in fear and then recognition.

"Ezra?" the woman said, then squealed as she vaulted out of the car into Ezra's arms.

"Leslie?" Ezra squeaked as the stuffing was squeezed out of him.

Leslie released him, smiling with abandon. "What are you doing here?" she asked loudly. "Are you working for Kenny?" She turned to the car and motioned for the blonde little girl who was watching fearfully from within the car. "Come on out, Laurie, and meet your dad."

During this whirlwind of words and activity, Ezra tried to wrap his mind around finding Leslie here. She was obviously strung out. He tried to pull her down behind the car, but she slipped from his grasp as she grabbed Laurie's arm and pulled the girl from the car still babbling.

"Quiet!" Vin whispered harshly. "Keep quiet, Leslie." He got the response he wanted, Leslie closed her mouth and pouted. Vin had been dealing with the woman for too long now and knew how to get her attention. "Come here Laurie," he said more kindly, trying not to think about Leslie's wild statement. They had more important things to worry about than the girl's paternity.

Ezra took a breath and collected himself. He caught hold of Leslie's arm again and pulled her down onto her knees. "We need to get you two to the trees over there. Will you cooperate?" he asked.

Leslie smiled at him and nodded. She was higher than a kite. Ezra shook his head.

"We need to move, Ezra," Vin said, his voice full of worry. "Somethin's going down, and it ain't good. Did you ever find out what kind of weapons Long stole?"

Ezra shook his head.

At that moment, they heard angry shouts from the other side of the truck and then cries of shock and denial. Several men ran down the road past the semi and the two SUVs. Ezra and Vin shared a fearful glance, gathered up their charges and ran for the woods.

Moments later, a huge explosion rocked the ground.


Yes, a cliff hanger... not to worry, the next part is ready to post. Please let me know what you think.