A/N: Disclaimer: They belong to someone else, never will be mine; only in my dreams. No money exchanged hands. In lieu of money, reviews are acceptable.
Warning: Some chapters may contain disclipinary action toward a teenager; if you do not like then by all means, please do not read. This is your only warning.
Please remember this is a work of fiction. Not beta'd. All mistakes are my own.
Also, thank you for waiting while I grieved the sudden loss of my best friend. He may have been of the four legged canine variety, but he is dearly missed.
Chapter 10
He caught sight of the security cam frozen in time on a particular scene as he entered the room.
"What do you have to say?" Cervantes sat behind his desk while he drummed his fingers upon its surface.
"If you are expecting an apology you will be most disappointed. You hired me and my boys for a purpose and we're fulfilling that purpose.
"If you're going to question our every move then we'll accomplish nothing."
Miguel silently contemplated the teen's explanation. "I see, so what have you gained from this experience?"
The man was perceptive. There wan't any doubt in Jesse' mind. "Harper is definitely the muscle man while Jones is the negotiator." Which in reality it was the complete opposite of that team.
"Yes I got that impression. Raphael your opinion, if you will."
He had to be careful Miguel was testing everyone's loyalties since Julio voice his doubts and concerns the other day. Keeping his gaze on the screen he finally said, "I think Ace should not have provoked your cousins' employee."
The emphasis on the word 'provoked' did not escape Jesse's attention. Raphael was going to have words with him after this was over.
Both men leveled their gaze upon the young man. "Hey it works for me. I'd rather see first-hand what I'm dealing with than later on."
"This is business."
"Yeah well this is my type of business. If you wanted something different you should have hired one of the other gangs out there." Jesse refused to back down.
On their drive to the private airstrip Chris couldn't help but reflect on what recently transpired. His recent encounter with his undercover son had left him both emotionally and physically drained. Jesse had taken such a huge risk getting this message to him.
He silently prayed he didn't hurt him badly. When he heard his son's soft groan he had to resist the urge to comfort him and tell him not to worry. However another part of him had wanted to throttle him the only way he knew would get through his son's head. Never did he want to be on opposite ends again.
Buck could feel his friend's inner turmoil. It radiated off the man. Their eyes met, Chris gained comfort and the strength he needed. They were on the home stretch the prize within their reach, although there were a million and one things that could go wrong between now and then. When this was over Chris was going to demand not just one week off, but possibly three due to the added mix of the teams and one unforeseen FBI agent.
Why did it have to be Raab? When he first laid eyes on that piece of dirt it took every ounce of will power to not fly out of his seat and beat the living crap out of him. The man walked a fine line between honor and self-satisfaction. He must have balls of steel to go for the kill on an ATF bust. No doubt Travis' hands were tied otherwise he would have stopped Raab in his tracks.
Raab had been given information on the potential hit on Chris. The young idiot disregarded it claiming the source was unreliable. Unfortunately the events unfolded rather quickly destroying many lives including Raab's credibility. It descended straight into the toilet after that.
He blamed everyone including the target on the lack of judgment. Chris and Raab had a public altercation several months later. Then to add insult to injury several years later Chris and his team forever tarnished Raab's reputation by arresting his younger brother in connection with the bomb that had killed Chris' family. The only disappointing factor was they could never find any evidence directly linking FBI Agent James Raab to Ella Gaines nor to his brother. The man was as slippery as an eel yet as bold and cunning as a fox.
Chris could still recall the exact words that Raab had spat at him. "Don't go inviting trouble, because trouble will eventually find you." To this day Chris knew it was a threat and someday James Raab would come to collect. He just hoped that it wouldn't be any time soon.
Buck tapped his shoulder jolting him back to the present. "We're here."
"Right. Let's do this."
Inside the hangar a crate sat ready to be inspected. A few men lifted off its cover and revealed its contents. A low whistle of appreciation came from Jones' lips. "Now ain't that a pretty sight." He nudged Harper with an elbow.
Harper answered his friend with a glare. These weren't street weapons these were weapons of war.
Julio continued to examine the merchandise as a black sedan pulled up. Both Ben and Johnny flanked Mantaya offering their employer full protection detail as they closely watched the sedan come to a complete stop. The competition had arrived precisely on time.
Inside the sedan, Team Five gathered their collective thoughts and finally Howie aka Jonathan Price nodded affirmatively that it was a go. His teammate and driver, Alex Hayes opened the door. Let the games begin.
All eyes were on him the focal point of the meet. Sizing up the competition his eyes met his formidable foe and part of Team Seven. "Senor Mantaya, allow me to introduce myself…"
"Mr. Price." Julio began. "I've heard a great deal about you. One of the top five wealthiest men in the state of Colorado, tell me…"
Howie met Mantaya's gaze never flinching. "Why would a man of your stature even consider the possibility of a weapons trade?"
"I'm a gambler of sorts. When you are as filthy rich as I am you tend to become bored with the domestics that life has to offer. Spending some time on the edge has its advantages."
"It also has its disadvantages as well."
"I agree, but I'd rather live an exuberant life compared to a dull one. Wouldn't you agree?"
Julio didn't agree or disagree but held the other man's gaze daring him to say more. "So is the shipment everything I hoped it to be?"
"We're still inventorying it."
"Your cousin, Senor Cervantes, will he be a liability?"
"No. I will handle that myself."
"I don't like loose ends. You've been hedging…"
"Enough! I will take care of Miguel in my own way."
"Very well," Jonathan surmised. "I'll await your call."
"Bueno, until we meet again."
"Until then, Senor Mantaya. Adios." Jonathan concluded and climbed back into the sedan. "Take it slow and easy Alex." The sedan left the airstrip without any problems.
"J.D., any words from our silent go between?"
"Nothing. It's like communications have dried up. I don't get it."
When Ezra entered the office a few minutes later he looked to be deeply engrossed with the contents of a certain large clasped envelope. Although his lips moved no sound ushered forth. He didn't even notice that the once busy office became silent, because of his actions.
Vin raised a brow, while J.D. lost interest in his browsing, Nathan stopped reading his new medical journal, and Josiah stopped concentrating on his report. They all watched their teammate with rapt interest.
"Hi Ezra!" J.D. casually tried to get Ezra's attention.
No such luck, Ezra responded with a non-committal grunt or something.
Next Vin tried, "Morning sunshine!" He received pretty much the same answer as J.D.
Nathan's tactic failed as well, "Hey Ezra, I got you scheduled for a physical today."
"That's nice." The southerner kept on reading.
"Ezra! Your bank called all your money has been spent." That at least brought Ezra's head up but his expression said he wasn't quite with the group yet.
"I beg your pardon. Did you say something, Josiah?"
Leave it to Josiah to at least have an idea on how to get the other man's attention. "I said Good Morning. What have you got there?"
"Oh this," He flapped the envelope. "I received a letter from our dear friends in Social Services."
"Is it good or bad news?"
"More like straight up the middle."
"Huh?"
"Majority of it is good sprinkled with a little bad I suppose."
"Would you mind getting to the point?"
"Oh, certainly. It merely states that eventually Inez and I upon further review of the situation would be able to adopt Teddy in the near future. That is if we pass all of our inspections with flying colors."
"I believe congratulations are in order then."
"I'm confused. Are you or are you not adopting Teddy?"
"J.D.," Josiah sighed. "Since Ezra and Inez have not had any previous child rearing experience the State is offering them a trial period."
"And I believe that will begin after they speak with Teddy. Correct?"
"Absolutely." Ezra grinned like a Cheshire cat.
"Brother," Their profiler offered his outstretched hand to Ezra who shook it heartily. "You will make a fine father to that young man."
Vin hated to burst his friend's bubble but he had to ask it. "When's the interview?"
Ezra who had been walking on cloud nine while shaking everybody's hands picked up the paperwork and quickly perused the contents once more. "Its says…" His eyes skimmed the content. "Oh no….no….in three days. Never has the State moved that fast on anything. Why? What am I to do?" His spirits were crushed in one fell swoop.
"Don't worry Ez, we'll make this work. Perhaps, Travis can pull a few strings."
The Southerner gave a small smile hoping it convinced the rest of his team. Their returned smiles told him they were not fooled.
"Why don't you send Teddy a message?" J.D. suggested. "If he wants this I'm thinking he'll respond."
"J.D.'s right, you need to inform him. Maybe, just maybe, you all can get together and set this in motion. I'm sure once this meeting takes place it will be smooth sailing from there." Nathan finally had his say.
"You know as well as I do that anything with the State involving children would never be classified as 'smooth sailing'. I appreciate everyone's concerns. If you'll excuse me for a moment I must compose an e-mail to my future son and that is if he agrees."
Vin placed a reassuring hand upon the other man's shoulder. "Take your time Ezra and I'm sure he would rather be with you and Inez than his current situation. However, don't be disappointed if he doesn't respond right away. I know his type he'll talk it over with friends then give it some thought before he sends an answer."
"I only hope it's an affirmative one."
A few hours later Teddy perused his e-mail. He sat deep in thought after reading Ezra's request. After several attempts to reply he sent two personal messages to Ace and Sly. He'd respond after he got their take on the situation.
"Raphael tell Ace I need to see him. I want his input on the Cobra deal."
"Yes sir."
He sat behind his massive desk slowly rubbing his temples in deep contemplation. The idea of a Cervantes and a Mantaya working together had been only a pipe dream. Yes it would have been monumental; however, a Mantaya could never be trusted. The ruse of inviting him to combine their empires revealed how deep the bitterness ran in their families. He, himself had forgotten exactly why the feud began, but the ever mistrust kept the fire fueled and Julio's betrayal stoked the coals.
The snake willingly had been invited into his garden. It was now up to him to correct that mistake. If Julio thought for one instance that it would be Miguel on the way out he had another thing coming. He had the proverbial Ace in his back pocket and they both witnessed what those young men were capable of and probably more. It would be in Miguel's best interest if he could persuade Ace to do more of his bidding then his empire would grow. First things first, Julio and the Cobras must go. Preferably on a more permanent basis for his liking and he hoped to convince the Black Marauders in his endeavors.
Jesse sighed loudly. He read the e-mail Teddy forwarded to him. As he read it Sly entered the room.
"I see you got it too."
"Yeah, been trying to think on how to reply to it, what do you think?"
"I think he should go for it. Anything has to be better than what he endures now."
"He ain't going to like the rules."
"Well neither do we, but we are trying, that's all they're asking."
"Yeah, I agree." Jesse began thinking more and more about the dilemma he put himself into.
"You know what you're going to tell him."
"Yep and I think you do as well."
"You first."
"Thanks." His message to Teddy: "It's your decision no one but you can make it. In my opinion they would be great parents. I know I have complained about Chris from time to time, but no matter how the shit goes down; he's always there for me."
Sly wrote: "Hey buddy me and Ace both got your message. We think it would be great for you if they adopted ya. I know it's chancy but if I were in your shoes I'd jump at it. They both are good people. Take it from me I sure as hell didn't trust many adults until I met Tanner. He treats my mom good and he treats me good, better than my old man ever did. At least when he kicks my ass I know why. The old man did it because he could.
"If it feels right do it. If it don't then tell them, we would all like to see the Reaper happy again. Trust me on this. And by the way, Ace is gonna kick your ass since you jumped ship after he told you not to."
He hit the send button grinning.
Later that day Teddy retrieved the messages. He couldn't help but grin. Ace sure sounded a lot like Mr. Larabee; short and to the point. Sly on the other hand gave him an insider's view and got to the heart of the problem. Tanner's way of looking at things influenced Sly's thoughts and actions.
Teddy knew his decision from the start. His friends confirmed it for him. He knew exactly how to answer Ezra's request. On top of that, he sent Ace and Sly another message.
Director Travis came through for Ezra. He personally talked with Social Services and told them that in no certain terms could his agent make the proposed meeting in three days' time due to an important bust coming up. However, he did state that once they had it wrapped up both agent and his fiancé, along with the adoptee would be present.
Ezra was elated by the news and walked on cloud nine when he received Teddy's message as well. The man could not even try to wipe the smile from his face. Team Seven also received more good news that day. Ezra announced that not only were he and Inez to be married Vin and Maria consented to make it a double wedding. They decided once this bust was over to celebrate properly and to inform the others presently missing of the happy events.