I am so sorry this part took so long. Got a little distracted and it started going places I didn't really expect, which means, you get another couple of chapters :)

Enjoy!

From part 10

Ezra cupped her face with his hand. "Chris and the others have a good plan, Mother. And if you will help me, I'll have every advantage."

"What can I do?" Maude asked, her game face slipping into place.

Ezra grinned and started to explain the plan.

Vin cleared his throat gaining mother and son's attention. "Hey, Ez, I, uh, I realize we're not in the ATF anymore, but I don't think the FBI is going to like us sharing the plan with other civilians," he finished with a weak smile and an apologetic shrug.

Ezra just smiled. "I believe it was 'our' plan in the first place, Vin," Vin smirked at that. "And you have to admit that Mother is the Queen of Schemes." This earned a snort of amusement from Vin and a gracious nod from Maude. "I am a tad out of practice and would welcome any suggestions she has to keep Long from perforating my person further."

Vin held his hands up in defeat. "Okay, I agree. Go ahead."

Ezra nodded and laid out the plan for his mother.

It took less than ten minutes to explain. They had little time to execute it, so they kept it simple and uncomplicated.

Success, however, would lie in the seemingly minute details that would lend believability to the con. Maude pursed her lips thoughtfully. Firstly, the clothes she had brought for Ezra just simply wouldn't do. She met her son's inquisitive gaze. "It would help if you didn't look quite so healthy, Ezra."

Ezra grinned, he did love the convoluted way his mother's mind worked. "I don't suppose you have a kit with you?"

Maude shook her head. "No, but I have one at the house. I'll need to go back to get a different suit for you anyway."

Ezra's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered something. He chuckled and shook his head. "I hardly ever wear those anymore. Why did you allow Steve to become such a slob?"

Vin chuckled at Maude's exasperated sigh. "I couldn't very well insist you go back to acting like Ezra Standish, now could I? I found it most distressing when Steve started dressing down. It was truly depressing to think a child of mine would prefer comfort over fashion."

Vin and Ezra broke into laughter, though Ezra's injury quickly turned his to more controlled chuckles. Maude just shook her head disapprovingly, but the twinkle in her eyes belied her displeasure.

"If the two of you are finished?" she said, "I will go back to the house and collect what we need." Maude paused. "Would you mind if I bring Chloe's children for a visit? They need some reassurances from someone they trust."

Ezra's eyebrows rose then lowered in concern. "Dear God. Emily saw the whole thing, didn't she?" Vin and Maude nodded. "Yes, please, Mother, I'll talk to them."

Maude nodded and leaned forward to place a kiss on her son's cheek. "I'll be back shortly."

"Mother," Ezra said, causing Maude to pause by the door, "did you happen to keep my derringer?"

Maude glanced at Vin, then looked back to Ezra. "I gave all of your weapons and some other belongings to Mr. Tanner for safe keeping."

Ezra looked at Vin. "Sorry, Ez, I didn't think to bring it. Didn't think it would be needed."

"You can use mine, son," Maude said, opening her clutch. She extracted a small derringer, similar to the one Ezra had always used as a backup to his backup weapon. "It does pay to be prepared," she added with a shark-like smile.

"Indeed it does," Ezra said, taking the small gun and checking to see that it was loaded.

"I assume you both have a license to carry concealed," Vin interrupted, a sly grin quirking his lips. "We are dealing with the FBI here."

Ezra snorted. "I believe Ezra Standish's permit is a little out of date, but Steve Tanner's license is current."

Maude smiled at Vin. "Darlin', it's the details that will catch you out. And it's only good sense to stay within the law where it's easy and… prudently advantageous."

Vin shook his head. "I'll give you back your guns and things, Ezra, but I'm keeping the dictionary."

Maude and Ezra chuckled this time, knowing full well that Vin understood every word. Maude headed toward the door.

"I'll be back in a flash, darlin'," and with that she exited the room, leaving a vacuum where her presence had been.

Ezra shook his head. "She never changes."

"Nope. Kinda frustrating and reassuring all at the same time, ain't it?" Vin asked.

"You have no idea," Ezra replied with a sigh. He looked at Vin. "I don't suppose one of those 'belongings' Mother left with you happened to be Chaucer, would it?" he asked hopefully.

"Ah, Ez," Vin said sadly, not wanting to get into something that would upset his friend. He didn't have to say anything else though, Ezra could read Vin's emotions in his voice and face.

"What happened?" he asked softly.

Vin sighed, running his hand through his hair before hitching one hip on the edge of the bed. "You know we always had a heck of a time keeping that horse in his stall at night." Ezra nodded. They'd had to purchase a special bolt lock to keep the mischievous horse from opening the door and going on adventures by himself.

"Well, a couple years ago Chris had to hire some new hands to help out. One of them forgot to fasten the lock correctly. Chaucer got out and got into the feed."

"Oh, God," Ezra exclaimed quietly, fearing he knew what end his dear friend had met.

Vin nodded. "He colicked. The vet came out and did what he could, then me and the boys spent the day walking him, but…" he trailed off. "Thought it was the kindest thing to do, puttin' him out of his misery. Couldn't watch him die slow like that."

"Of course not," Ezra said, clearing his throat, his eyes bright with tears. "Thank you for taking care of him for me."

Vin just nodded, swiping at his own eyes as they both regained their composure.

Finally, Ezra spoke. "Ten years is a long time. I will be extremely happy to get this ugly business completed and get on to our family reunion. We all have a lot to catch up on."

"You got that right," Vin said with a small smile. "Now, you want some help up before your ma gets back?" he asked tilting his head toward the bathroom. "Know you can't take a shower, but…"

Ezra nodded. "Yes, well, nature is calling and I can freshen up a bit before Mother does her best to make me look as if I've risen from Death's bed."

Vin chuckled as he helped Ezra up out of the bed. Once he was standing and had his balance, Ezra managed to walk slowly on his own. Vin stayed close to the door in case he needed help.

(author note: no reason is given in the show for Brian Kmetko to be in a wheelchair… he has a 'seizure disorder' for which he takes an expensive medication and uses the wheelchair the few times we see him in the series, but I haven't found any further information about his condition anywhere, and the research I've done on seizures makes me think that the only way the two conditions, seizures and whatever is keeping him in the wheelchair, might be related would be if he had some sort of trauma… maybe there was a car accident? Who knows. I don't really think it matters for this story so, I'll leave it up to you. Basically, he's pretty well adjusted, a typical smart, sarcastic teen.)

Less than an hour after she left, Maude reentered the room with only a perfunctory knock. She held the door open and allowed Emily to push Brian's wheelchair into the room.

Maude carried a garment bag and a pair of men's shoes while Brian had a large silver case balanced on his lap. Vin moved to help them, taking the bag and reaching out to take the case.

"Leave that, Mr. Tanner," Maude instructed. "We'll be using it right away. You can take the suit out and hang it up so it doesn't wrinkle."

Vin nodded and did as he was instructed. The kids moved closer to the bed after Maude took the case and set it on the small table by the bed.

"Mr. Tanner?" Emily asked, a wealth of questions in her voice.

"Emily," Ezra replied, "please, I'd prefer if you called me Steve…" he stopped when Vin cleared his throat, then continued, amused. "Or Ezra, if you like. If you address me as Mr. Tanner, you're just as likely to get Vin's attention here as mine."

Emily frowned. "Ezra?" She shook her head. "I don't understand."

Ezra sighed. "It's a long story, Em, and we will all sit down and talk about it after your mom and Lauren are back safe and sound. Vin," he said, gesturing toward the Texan, "and some other old friends of mine are working on getting them home as we speak." Ezra glanced at Maude. "Actually, I have some preparing to do myself."

"Mr. T… um, Steve," Emily started, "is my Mom okay? Are you okay?" With that, the dam broke. "I couldn't believe it when we saw that guy shoot you, and I tried to stop Lauren, but she… and Summer grabbed my arm… and," tears started to flow down Emily's cheeks as she finally gave into the stress.

"Ah, darlin'," Ezra said, opening his arms. Emily stepped up to the bed and let him pull her into a hug. "I'm so sorry." He looked over Emily's shoulder to her brother. "Are you all right, Brian?"

The younger teen nodded. "Mrs. Tanner has been taking care of us, making sure we eat and get to sleep and do our homework." Brian paused. "We're pretty worried about Mom though… and Lauren," he added as an after thought.

Ezra nodded, rubbing Emily's back comfortingly. "Me, too, kiddo, me, too. But in about three hours, they're both going to be home."

Emily straightened up, wiping her face. "Why did that man take them in the first place?" she asked, her voice catching a bit.

"Blackmail," Maude provided. "Now, Ezra, I need you, can you sit over here for me?" she asked, indicating the other chair by the table.

"Yes, just give me a moment," Ezra said, glad that Vin had shown him the robe to go over his hospital gown. He turned, putting one foot on the floor at a time, then levered himself up off the bed. Vin moved closer to help, but Ezra managed to make it to the chair without trouble.

Maude immediately started to work applying a liquid to Ezra's face that looked like some type of makeup base.

"What are you doing?" Emily asked.

"Well, I'm go…" Ezra started only to be stopped by Maude's finger on his lips.

"Hush, now. We don't have much time. Let someone else do the talking so I can get this right," she instructed, then continued, this time addressing the others. "Ezra is going to go to the hostage exchange and we are going to make him look like less of threat by using a little misdirection," Maude said with a sly grin as she pulled out another bottle and began to apply it under Ezra's eyes.

They sat watching as Maude worked and within a few minutes could see what she was doing. Once she finished, Vin pulled the curtain around the bed to give Ezra some privacy while he dressed. Maude explained the theatre makeup to the kids while he helped Ezra into his pants.

"Ez?"

"Yes, Vin?"

"Is this Kevlar?" he asked, fingering the suit jacket.

Ezra grinned. "It is a special blend and yes, it does work like a bullet-proof vest, especially since the shirt is of the same material. Perhaps not as comfortable as silk, but I don't intend to take another bullet from that man."

Vin grinned and helped Ezra put his shirt on, his wounds making it painful to move as freely as needed. When Ezra was fully dressed, including socks and shoes and had a chance to run a comb through his hair and examine the final result, he nodded.

"Mother has not lost her touch," he said, mostly to himself, but Vin chuckled and pulled back the curtain.

Just at that moment, the door opened again, this time letting JD in. The computer tech stopped dead in his tracks.

"God, Ezra, you look horrible! Are you okay?" he asked moving across to take Ezra's arm and help him sit down. "Are you sure you're up to this?"

Ezra grinned at him. "I'm fine, JD, really. Mother just worked some of her magic on me."

JD frowned looking around to see similar grins on everyone's faces.

"It's true, JD," Vin assured, "we just watched Maude make Ezra over. He's doing pretty good, all things considered. Emily and Brian nodded their support of Vin's statement.

"Okay," JD said skeptically. "Well, I've come to fit you with a mike, Ez," he went on, holding up a plastic bag which he proceeded to open.

Vin leaned in to see. "Looks like a…"

JD grinned broadly and interrupted. "A cannula, I know, isn't it great?" The door opened and Buck slipped into the crowded room as JD continued. "The wire goes through the tubing, but the mike itself is in the clip that you attach to your shirt to keep the tubing from getting tangled as you move." He lifted the fragile seeming device to show everyone what he meant.

Ezra eyed the contraption with admiration. "Ingenious as always, JD, I'm impressed that you put it together so quickly."

"Yeah," Buck said, "don't be too impressed. We've used this particular party trick before."

"Hey," JD protested. Buck just grinned at him. "It's still a neat party trick, Buck. And it was my idea."

Buck patted JD on the back. "True, kid, and I'm sure Ez here will appreciate the fact that you want to put your bug up his nose."

Vin and the kids cracked up laughing. JD rolled his eyes, but joined them. Ezra looked disgusted, but couldn't keep a grin off his face either. Maude sat back in her chair shaking her head, but she too had a smile on her face.

Her boy was back where he belonged.

Hope it was worth the wait :) I will be working diligently to finish this up. Another couple chapters... I think :P

Let me know if you're enjoying this. Thanks!