Orrin sighed as he placed the phone in his pocket, "Eden, will come here a moment, please?" he called as he gathered papers and his briefcase.
Eden walked in and noticed his travel case on the desk as he opened his gun cabinet, "Orrin, is everything alright?"
"We need to pack a few things for at least three days. Nathan Jackson just called, said that Larabee, Tanner and Morgan have gone AWOL. I have a strange feeling that this case may go out with a bang."
Eden nodded, "I'll go help Mary with packing. Where will we be going?"
"Oklahoma, President's orders. He already has a team ready on standby as we speak. They are…. experienced in working with non-existent missions and people."
Eden Travis nodded, understanding full well that this was no ordinary case and what she needed to do, since she'd done it plenty of times before, "I'll contact the Wells' and have them meet us at the airstrip." She said referencing the small airport her and Orrin had bought for Seven Investigations and whatever other business that may need to be done.
MAG7~~~~~SOT
Four doctors ran through a large house, moving some equipment and setting up others.
"Luke," one of the female doctors called, as he went through a small refrigerator full of blood,
"Yes?"
"Agent Tanner needs O- Positive, Agent Larabee is A- Negative, Malloy is B- Positive and we know what Nikole is," she added almost sadly.
Luke nodded, "Yeah, I know, Cassie."
He half smiled, "These are just precautions, though, and we don't even know that we are going to be needed."
"Daddy!" a younger woman, called, walking into the room. Had Luke taken the time, he would have seen that his daughter looked just like her mother at that age. However, this was not the time to notice such things, "Agent Nathan Jackson, just called. General and Mrs. Travis will be arriving within the hour. Jordan," she said, indicating the younger man beside her "will be escorting them from the airstrip to the door."
He nodded, but called his daughter back when she went to leave, "Kathleena," she turned, "Yes?"
"Get an OR set up, Jordan, help your sister. Nikole is going to need an emergency cardiopulmonary surgery the moment she gets here."
Cassie answered the phone as it rang, listened a moment, then hung up, "That was Ranger Walker. It seems that I need to set up a second OR, because Agent Larabee got shot and was without proper equipment."
Luke thought a moment, "Let's prepare five rooms; you can never be too ready."
Kathleena Stalin- Johnson looked out the window of the room she had just set up and sighed, remembering the first time that she'd laid eyes on her baby cousin.
She and Chris sat in a corner booth alone, while the rest of 7 Investigations had found other area's to sit in, when whistles and hollers split the air.
A young woman wearing red lipstick and black leather walked in and had caught the attention of several of the men at Inez's Saloon. Kathleena raised one eyebrow, "If she ain't a corner decoration, I don't know what is."
Chris only smiled as he sipped his Coke® and nodded at Vin, who acknowledged it, by raising his glass in salute.
The girl caught the eye of one particular man sitting at the bar before smiling and winking at him as she walked past, and headed straight for none other than Devlin Tanner. She sat right up against him, "Buy me a drink, Cowboy," she said, with a stunning smile.
Kathleena was about to strangle the girl, but Chris stopped her, "Wait, Ms. Stalin, watch."
She did, and the man at the bar walked over and pulled the girl up by her arm, "You're supposed to be with me!"
She jerked away, "I don't see your name tattooed to my arm, so what makes you think I'm supposed to be with you?"
The Juke box stopped, Inez 'wiped' down the bar in the same place she had been, 5 minuets before, Trent Malloy reached for a pouch on his belt, Buck Wilmington grinned, Ezra Standish shuffled his cards, Vin Tanner relaxed in his booth, watching the man carefully, Josiah Sanchez prayed quietly, Nathan Jackson pulled his backpack closer, and JD Dunne cocked his head as he watched Buck.
"My name may not be on your arm, but it's on your heart, honey," he said, pulling her closer, and held a gun to her temple, "Which is why I am going to take you by force, out of this…. this…. building.
Kathleena watched as the small woman had the man on the floor with her stiletto heeled boot on his neck and her own weapon pointed at his head, "Mr. Quinn, I'm sure you won't mind coming downtown with, will you?" she asked sweetly.
"Of course, I'll go with you," he answered, only to receive an evil smile in response, "No; Agent Sanchez will be taking you."
The man was forced to stand and saw several badges being held out for him to see, including hers, "Special Agent Nikolette Morgan," she said, then turned as she opened the door, "Good night gentlemen, Inez, Mrs. Travis."
Kathleena looked at Chris, "You knew who she was and why she was here?"
"Yep, I met her while I was in the military. You want something done without anyone knowing, she's the one you call. It seems that your grandfather wanted you to understand what your cousin did, for future reference."
Kathleena shook her head at all the ways that one move could have gone wrong.
All it would have taken was a stray bullet, and they could have been standing around dressed in suit saying nice words about one of them. That was the first time she had met Nikole, the next time was under far different circumstances.
MAG7~~~~~SOT
Mary Travis- Larabee sat on the plane, looking out the window, absently brushing back Billy's hair from his face, as his head lay on her lap.
Mary raced into the ER waiting room and saw the remaining members of Alpha 7 and Nikole Morgan, "Where is he?" she asked looking around at the faces of his team, his brothers, before finally coming to rest on the only woman of the group, "Agent Morgan," she said, icily, "where is Chris?" she asked, with a glare that would rival the known 'Larabee Death Stare.' Nikole saw the look in the older woman's eyes and knew where she'd see it before; in her own, "Excuse me, gentlemen, ma'am,' she said walking out of the room.
Mary would have followed her, but the soft words from a Southerner stopped her, "Mrs. Travis, I do believe it would be in everyone's best interest if you'd allow her some space for the time being."
She turned, "And why is that, Agent Standish?"
Buck spoke, "Because, Chris took the bullet meant for her, Mary."
Mary rose an eyebrow, "But you weren't even on a case, at this point."
"No," Josiah, replied, "but we were taken Miss Morgan to the airport. It seems that her husband is MIA in on a mission, and the president needs her assistance. Chris had to make a stop at a local…. store and she went in with him. There was a robbery taking place and one of the robbers got carried away, took a shot at her. Chris knocked her out of the way, and took her bullet. And here we are, she killed the man who shot him, but you have to understand Nikole, before you fully understand the situation."
Mary found Agent Morgan in the cafeteria, "Agent Morgan," she said, indicating a chair, do you mind?" Nikole shook her head, as she toyed with her coffee cup, "I should have known something was wrong, Mrs. Travis."
Mary reached across the table and held the young agent's hand, the slight flinch from the younger woman, not going unnoticed, as Vin walked in and got a cup of coffee and stood off to the side, watching them, "Chris and I have a very… strange relationship, Agent Morgan. However, I do know that he would do anything to protect someone he loves and cares about."
Vin joined them, as he heard his surrogate little sister's next sentence, "It was happening again and I couldn't stop it." He pulled her into his arms, and nodded at Mary who gave a sad smile as she left the two together.
Buck saw Mary coming back, and walked over to her, "How did it go?"
"She has some monsters that are finding a way out of the closet, and this caused them to surface again. Vin is with her now trying to get her out of the flashback."
A doctor walked in, "Anyone here for a Christopher Adam Larabee?" The six people stood as one, "How is he?" Nathan Jackson asked.
"He's in recovery, right now, but we do expect a full recovery. The bullet hit right above his heart, and wound up against his left shoulder blade, so needless to say, had he'd been shorter, we'd be having a different talk right now."
The doctor walked off after assuring them that a nurse would be in to tell them what room.
"This wasn't a robbery, per se," said Ezra, thoughtfully shuffling his cards, "Mr. Larabee was shot where Miss Morgan's' head would have been. This was a highly calculated commencement of hostility that has, with no doubt, to do with Miss Morgan's return as the President's influence of antagonism."
"Can you explain what he just said?" JD asked of no one in particular.
Mary interpreted, "The robbery was a set up. They knew that Nikole was on her way there. She was the target; they just weren't expecting Chris to step in the way. They know she works for the president."
It was much later, during a heart- to- heart, that Mary saw who Chris Larabee really was, thanks to Vin Tanner, and Nikole Morgan. She then knew how much she loved the man in black, when she found that he'd do anything for family. Yes, she loved Christopher Adam Larabee with all she had, and was thankful that she hadn't realized it too late.
But she still had one question; Why did all the mysteries involving the Quinn's also involve Nikole?
MAG7~~~~~SOT
An older couple sat on the back porch, watching the chickens, when the phone rang, "Astro, yeah, we'll be ready. Thank you, sir."
"Conrad is everything okay?" his wife asked from his side, seeing the worry etched in his handsome features.
"That was President Stalin; it seems that the Travis and Larabee families are on their way. Team 7, Nikole and Trent are in trouble."
For months since her adoption, Nikole had fought them tooth and nail, not letting them get close to her. Never speaking a word unless it was 'yes'm' 'no ma'am' 'yes'ir,' 'no, sir'. Annette's heart broke for the little girl they had adopted and tried to give her space and a room of her own. They took her to pick out paint and decorations for her very own room across from hers and Conrad's.
Needless to say, they were a little surprised when Nikole chose a muted dusty rose paint and rose border to cover her room. " 'Lisa and I would play in the rose garden when we could, but we also hid when it was too loud in the house. Roses are a symbol of secrets and friendship." she'd told them.
Their first Christmas as a family, Annette walked into the living room, and saw her holding onto the old bear that 'Lisa had given her, staring at the tree with multiple presents underneath. She went to sit on the floor by her, with a big cup of hot cocoa and whipped topping and cinnamon. Annette asked gently, afraid to touch the child and scare her, "Are you okay, honey?" The 14 year old girl turning to her and throwing her arms around Annette's neck, taking her off guard, "It's beautiful, ma'am. " 'Lisa would have loved being able to enjoy a real Christmas." Annette waited for the young girl to fall asleep on the couch, then wept in her husbands comforting arms, for the child that should have been there, not the young adult that was there.
Annette and Conrad reading the Christmas story to her, later that evening after they had dinner together and enjoying the look of delight when she learned that the house was going to be full the next day. Very much so, that they would have to bring in extra chairs and tables.
Her very first real Christmas at the age of 14, after years of neglect.
Turning Sweet 16 and leaning that the Astro's were her grandparent's, having themselves just learned. A very bittersweet moment, when they learned that they could have been raising her from the day she was born and carrying the guilt that wasn't theirs to carry. When she met her biologic parents for the first time, after they finally got out of Witness Protection, having sent away several people for drug running. Nikole never questioned why they gave her up for adoption; she knew why. "The remaining family members of the gunrunners would have used her against them and kept her parents from testifying. Finally putting away the guilt and shame that her parents and grandparents had needlessly carried for over 16 years.
MAG7~~~~~SOT
Katie Malloy looked out at the freshly fallen snow and sighed, as a familiar truck pulled into the just shoveled driveway. Rangel Cordell Walker met her at the door, "Did you find him?"
"We have a location, Katie. A plane is coming to pick you up in about two hours, so go ahead and get the kids ready. Alex will pick you up and take you to the airstrip."
Katie nodded, "Have you heard anything about how he is?"
"I'm sorry, but, no, I haven't."
Katie watched as he left, and then went to Trent's bedroom, lost in old memories.
Trent walked into the room where his mother was sitting, "Mom, I can't stay here for a while."
She knew that with the karate studio and side job as a private investigator that her oldest would, at some point, get on the wrong side of somebody, but never so much so that he'd have to leave for a while.
"What happened?" she asked, pulling him down to join her on the couch.
"I was asked to follow a man whose wife was afraid that he'd been having an affair. It turns out that he was selling military grade weapons to a local terrorist group. I contacted the ATF thanks to some people I know, but not before they saw me and three men got away. I parked the car six blocks away, and used the alleys, o get here. I just wanted you to know because they may have tapped the lines."
Katie listened to Trent, never realizing until know, how dangerous his job really was until now, "I have an overnight bag that I've kept packed for you, never knowing when I may get a call," she said, biting her lip, "I'm just glad you could tell me yourself."
She walked him to the door, and kissed his cheek, "Go with God, son,' she said, as tears filled her eyes.
Trent turned and gave a salute at the back fence, before he climbed over and disappeared from her view.
Katie answered the door and led Alex Cahill into the living room, "Where's Tommy and the kids?"
She was answered by the front door closing, and three kids walking in. Tommy nodded, "I'll get them some stuff to tied them over, Mom."
He returned shortly with a bag of various games and toys, "Let's go."
He was Trent Malloy's kid brother and he knew when he was supposed to take the role of 'man of the house' and now was the time. He could tell by the look on his mothers' face.
MAG7~~~~~SOT
Nettie Wells sighed as she looked out the window of the plane.
Vin Tanner was her little boy, even though she met him after he joined the military. He had met her in town one day and helped her save her ranch from the banker who'd fixed the books. She remembered the look on his handsome face when she invited him to dinner the first time.
The young man was walking to his beat up Chevy truck, when Nettie stepped onto the porch, "Vin," he turned slowly to look at her, a cross between curiosity and caution on his face, "Stay for dinner, son."
"I cain't be imposing on you, ma'am," he said quietly, "ain't right."
"Nonsense, it ain't imposing, son," she said, taking his arm, and leading him inside.
It then became a routine that every Sunday after morning church services, Vin would go to her ranch, have lunch and help with chores.
She remembered one particular afternoon when he didn't show up and she called Buck Wilmington.
"Mr. Wilmington, Have you seen Vin today? He normally comes by, around 12:30 to have lunch and help with the horses."
Buck sighed, "Miss Nettie, I'm sending Ezra to pick you up. Something happened; Chris and Vin are both in the E.R."
Ezra Standish gave his costmary salute and walked out to his Cadillac, a frown on his normally mischievous face. "God, You realize that I do not customarily pray. Conversely, I will make an exemption since this one entreaty it is not for me."
He paused to get his barings together and heard a voice, "You do realize, Ezra Phillip Standish that you don't have to use five dollar words when you talk to Me, don't you?"
Ezra smiled, "Is this like the 'still small voice' that Josiah is always refering to?"
The Voice let out a small laugh, "If you are complaining that perhaps I can talk to you in a different manner?"
Ezra quickly answered, "No, thank you, this is fine."
Nettie was waiting on the porch when he pulled the car into the drive, "Mr. Standish, how are they?"
"It's very pleasant to see you as well, Mrs. Wells."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Ezra, thank you for picking me up. How are you?"
"I'm alright, ma'am. Thank you for asking. When I left, they were being taken up to the OR. Mr. Jackson was going to call Miss Rayne and see if she could come in from Oklahoma and help."
Two doctors, a male and female, walked into the waiting room, "Is anyone here for Devlin Tanner?" the woman asked.
All stood, and Josiah slightly smiled, "We're here for Vin and Chris, Doctor….?"
"I'm sorry, I'm Cassandra Stalin, Mr. Tanner's doctor. He has a broken leg from where it appears he hit the ground rather hard from a fall. He also has a low- grade fever. What concerns me the most, however, is the blood loss. He was shot, here," she said, indicating the left shoulder of her male counterpart, "and the bullet nicked the subclavian artery. We removed the bullet and were able to control the bleeding and repair the damage. He will be taken into a room shortly and I will let you know soon which one and what floor."
Dr. Cassandra Stalin stepped back and allowed the other doctor to step forward, "I'm Dr. Luke Stalin, Mr. Larabee's doctor. He broke a few ribs when he fell from, Agent Jackson, I believe you said from scaffolding. He took two shots to the torso, one here," he said, pointing to the left side of Cassandra, "and one here," indicating the right shoulder. "The good thing is, both were through and through. We just had to do some patching. I will let ya'll know when he is moved to a room with Mr. Tanner."
He waited until Cassandra left, "I was hoping not to see you guys under these circumstances again, boys."
Buck gave a slight smile, "Sorry, Luke, couldn't be helped. The Quinn's showed up a bit early.'
"You know each other?" Nettie asked from behind the group.
Josiah nodded, "We served together, from 2004- 2008. He was head surgeon and Nikole's uncle. We met a few times under unavoidable circumstances and he always patched us up."
Luke smiled, "Yeah, well, like last time, the government is paying for it. My father called my wife and me in for this so we have all we need in enough paper to make the nonconformist have a fit, that you call Larabee's and Tanner's medical records." Dr. Stalin's pager went off, "I have some rounds to make, but I'll be back."
"Was it that bad for him?" Nettie asked, with a raised eyebrow and hands on her hips, "Why didn't anyone say anything?"
JD answered, "Vin doesn't talk about the war, Miss Nettie, because we saw a lot of stuff over there and some hit a little close to home for him."
Seeing Vin for the first time since he'd been admitted, Nettie sighed at all the machines that surrounded the young man.
"Oh, Vin, how could this have happened?" she whispered, brushing stray hair from his face, as she took his hand. The young man had found a way into her heart and she couldn't explain how, even if she was asked. Vin looked to be no more than 25 and Nettie was surprised that someone so young, could see much more than an average person in their lifetime.
"Nettie," the whispered call made her look into the beautiful blue eyes of her surrogate son.
"I'm right here, son," she said, brushing his hair back, "Where's Chris?"
"Right here, Vin," came a familiar voice from behind Nettie.
Chris was looking at him, Mary at his side, holding his hand, relief written on her pretty face.
"We'll ride again, Vin," Chris sid wih a smile.
Nettie smiled, they were all good men, but Vin was special; he was her 'little boy' and no one elses. Dr. Cassandra Stalin came in, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Wells, but visiting hours are over. We posted a guard right outside the door, so these… boys, will be protected."
Nettie looked at Vin, "Dr. Stalin, is Vin giving you a hard time?"
"Him and Mr. Larabee both. Trying to bribe their way out of here," Cassandra answered, with a frown.
"You can't get anything past Aunt Cassie, gentlemen," A young woman about Vin's age walked in, gve Mary and Chris a hug, then greeted Tanner with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "However, play poker against Uncle Luke and you will be out of here in less thn 5 minuets," she added, receiving a glare from her aunt. "Sorry, Aunt Cassie, I've worked with Larabee too long for that to work anymore."
"Who is this, young lady?" Nettie asked with a small smile of amusment.
"That," Cassie said, "is my niece, who is going to be in trouble if she doesn't go out for guard duty, in five seconds."
The woman shook her head and rolled her eyes, but was interrupted by Chris before she could answer, "Nettie Wells, this is Nikole Morgan, our little sister."
"Ah, good, someone to keep you in line, during, my and Mary's absence."
Vin tried to stay awake, "She's our body guard? God help us," he said, quietly as he fell asleep.
Nikole kissed his forehead before she left, "Goodnight, big brother," she whispered, as she quietly did the same to Chris.
Nettlie and Mary both stayed with the two men until they knew the two men were asleep for the night.
Nikole was in the waiting room with a paper in her hand, "Good night, Mrs. Travis, Mrs. Wells."
Nettie smiled as she thought about her adopted son, so young, but he'd touched several people through out his life.
'Fore she died, she told me "Boy, you're a Tanner. Don't you ever forget that." Even though I was just a little feller those words have echoed in my heart to this day. I reckon I just want to live up to being a Tanner.
Yes, he was a Tanner and his mother would be proud of him.
President Jospeh Stalin looked at the pictures on his desk. His late wife and their two boy, Luke and Erik were in one. Another was of Luke, Cassie and their 8 children. Luke as a doctor in the military. Kathleena and Jordan graduating college. Kathleena and Alex Johnson's wedding. And finally the picture of 8 men and one woman; his team of elite soldiers called the Presidential Agents.
He picked up the files from his desk and looked oer the names before putting them into his case.
NAME…. Christopher Adam Larabee CODE NAME…. Cowboy
OCCUPATION…. Alpha Team 7 Leader RANK…. Lt. Col.
NAME…. Devlin James Tanner CODE NAME…. Sniper
OCCUPATION…. Sniper RANK…. Captain
NAME…. Buck Wilmington CODE NAME… Casanova
OCCUPATION…. Weapons Expert RANK…. Sgt.
NAME…. Josiah Aaron Sanchez CODE NAME…. Preacher
OCCUPATION…. Chaplain RANK…. Lt.
NAME…. John David Dunne CODE NAME…. Tech
OCCUPATION…. Tech Support RANK…. Corp.
NAME…. Ezra Phillip Standish CODE NAME…. Gambler
OCCUPATION…. Mission Fabricator RANK…. Lt.
NAME…. Nathan Erik Jackson CODE NAME…. Medic
OCCUPATION…. Team Medic RANK…. Lt.
NAME…. Trent James Malloy CODE NAME…. Ace
OCCUPATION…. Hand to Hand Instructor RANK…. Sgt.
NAME…. Keirstien Nikolette Morgan CODE NAME…. Belladonna
OCCUPATION…. Agent Provocateurs RANK…. Maj.
Joseph sighed as he went over the lables and shook his head. Forur of his best agents had walked into a trap and no one could have known that it was going to happen or stop it.
The available family members were on their way to Oklahoma on a private jet that would be landing in an hour and he was going to meet them at the airstrip behind the Stalin Family Clinic in Harden City.
He nodded to his Secret Service Agents, that were in the room with him and they left with him after doing a routine check.
General and Mrs. Travis were the first off the plane, followed by Mary, Billy, the Wells, Katie Malloy and her three youngest and the Castins.
Joseph greeted them all and led them into the clinic after a short ride in a Suburban.
Luke walked into the living room and met them at the door, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Stalin Family Clinic. I'm Luke, the two taking your coats are Jordan and Kathleena, and the beautiful woman bringing in lunch is my wife, Cassie."
Cassie gave a slight smile as she set a tray on a table that was already full of several others, "I believe we've met a few of you, under similar circumstances before. I just wish we coul meet under different ones at some point. There are four bedrooms on the east wing, along with a den. The wast wing is the surgical wing complete with 6 ORs, equal Post-Op rooms, and a den there as well. This is the main room, meals will be here, and in the dinning room. Upstairs are seven additional rooms. Two are offices, the other five are more bedrooms."
Mary looked down at Billy, then back up, "He wants to know where you got Batman's ® house and where the cave is," she said with a smile.
Jordan answered, "Well, Billy. I was looking through a book that talked about his house and I thought it would be cool to have a house like his to help people that are heroes. My grandpa thought it would be a good idea, too, and so now we have this place to help all sorts of dfferent heroes."
Billy looked thoughtful, "Like my dad and uncles?"
Jordan smiled,"Yes, like your dad and uncles. But you're a hero too, you know."
"I am?" Billy asked, eyes growing big in surprize.
"Yes, you are because you help your mama when your dad can't be home. After lunch, I'll take you to see my cousin's horse and show you the cave. How does that sound?"
Billy looked up at Mary, who nodded.
The two boys disappeared after lunch and Mary smiled when she saw them at the barn.
"Jordan is great with kids, Mrs Larabee, you don't have to worry," Kathleena said, as she looked at the expectant mother.
"Yes, he is. Call me Mary, please, Mrs. makes me sound old."
"Do you know what you're going to have?"
"No," she said, absently rubbing her stomache, "Chris and I wanted to be surprised. Billy can't wait until the baby is born though. He's ready to be a big brother."
"They will be fine, Mary. Belive me, if they worked with Nikole, they have got to be stubborn, to have gotten their way some of the time,"