The Pain of Paperwork Two

by thorsfriend

Chris tries to find out who killed his family. Seperated from his team will he be found in time and will he still be the man they all new. Lots of violence and interaction between the M7 team as well as badies and other characters. ON HOLD

12. Chapter 11

Disclaimer – I do not own M7 and if I did the series would still be going strong.

AN: I apologise for any spelling or grammatical mistakes in advance.

Once more this chapter did not want to end, but next one Chris uses his SEAL skills and brings the arrogant bullying Ringo and his team down to earth, also plan to maybe get the medical test done.

Hope you like this chapter and please review if you can thanks.

The Pain of Paperwork Two.

"It's where they take a look at my lungs and stuff." Chris could see the horror on Buck's face and new it was mirrored on his own.

"Is it painful?" Buck tried to keep his horror from showing at the thought of what the procedure would involve.

"I'm sure that McKenzie will make it painful." Chris had no illusions that the doctor wanted to see how much pain he could inflict and what his reaction to it would be, he remembered the man's fascination with his high tolerance for pain and the man's questions seemed to also focus on his reaction to sedatives and the like which Chris found disconcerting.

"You won't be going alone to see him." Buck growled he would destroy the man if he hurt his friend.

"I don't." Chris stopped at the look on Buck's face.

"One of us will be going with you Chris and tomorrow you'll be telling the rest of the team what's going on." Buck was adamant that this was not something Chris could keep from the rest of the team.

"I can handle McKenzie." Chris tried again to take control.

"I know you can but we're a team." Buck knew Chris hated appearing weak but this time he was giving the man no choice in the matter the other men needed to know, Buck could imagine how mad Nathan was going to be when he found out that a doctor was abusing his position. "The others deserve to know, you would blow a gasket if this was anyone else and they tried to keep this from you."

"Okay Buck I get it." Chris picked up his watch from the bedside table; he saw it was only four am.

"I'll let you go back to sleep." Buck offered, he noted Chris shrug in reply.

"Think I'll go watch some news, I don't feel like sleeping yet." Chris climbed out the bed, he sensed Buck following him. "Go on to bed Buck it makes no sense both of us being awake."

"Alright but come and get me if you need anything." Buck patted the thin shoulder. He pulled the thick throw from the back of the couch and handed it to the other man. "You look cold."

"Alright Buck I don't need to be mothered." Chris settled on the couch, he wrapped the blanket around himself and picked up the controls for the television and turned it on to the news.

"See you in the morning." Buck would give it an hour and then he would come check on the ill man.

Chris tried to relax, he could not get his brain to switch off, he kept going over the doctor's exam, he shivered disgusted when he thought about the man's hands on his body, the exam had been comprehensive and too Chris's mind intrusive, the cold hands lingering too long on certain parts of his anatomy. He could see the female assistant's leer, as she helped McKenzie complete his exam. Chris had not realised he had begun to rock as he replayed the afternoon's events.

Buck frowned as he watched Chris rock, the green eyes starring straight ahead seemingly focused on something only the sick man could see. Buck bit his lip as he considered what to do, he slowly approached the other man, and reaching out a hand he gently touches the rocking man's shoulder while calling his name.

"Chris." Buck felt the man tense under his hand; fearful green eyes skittered away from his concerned gaze. "Chris it's me Buck."

Chris blinked as he found himself face to face with the worried looking Buck.

"Do you want to talk?" Buck offered the shivering man.

"I'm fine Buck." Chris pasted a smiled on his face.

Buck could not help himself he pulled the pale man into a hug meant to comfort them both.

"Buck." Chris grumbled but he did not push the other man away.

"You looked like you needed that." Buck released the quiet blond. "So what you watching?"

"The news." Chris felt Buck settle next to him on the couch the two men sat in companionable silence as the news reader droned on in the background.

Buck held his finger to his lips in the universal sign that the men entering the large living room needed to be quiet. Josiah and Nathan exchanged a look at the sight of Chris sleeping deeply with his head on a cushion placed on the ladies man's lap.

"Buck he's lying on his good ear its doubtful he can hear us properly." Nathan voice was pitched at his usual level.

"What happened?" Josiah could not help himself as he placed the blanket which had fallen on the floor over the sleeping man, he could not see Chris's face as he was facing Buck.

Buck decided he would fill in the two men, telling them that Chris had only just gotten settled down to sleep after suffering through a nightmare which had him rushing to the bathroom to puke his guts up, by the time he had finished telling them about Chris's worries regarding the doctor, Josiah looked horrified and angry, while Nathan had a look that indicated he was thinking hard about something.

"You know Chris hates anything medical could he be misinterpreting what the doctors doing?" Nathan froze at the angry look blazing across the normally placid Buck's face.

"Jesus Nathan Chris could not imagine something like this happening." Buck growled, he could not believe what Nathan had just said, he ran a soothing hand over Chris's head and neck as the man moaned in his sleep. All three men waited to see if Chris would wake, they where relieved when he remained sleeping.

"I know Buck but I had to ask." Nathan still saw a hint of anger in the expressive blue eyes. "So I'll go with him when he goes back next week?"

Josiah was surprised that Buck remained silent at Nathan's question, the younger man still looked angry at Nathan's previous words.

"Buck?" Nathan wanted an answer from the other man.

"If that's what Chris wants." Buck was still annoyed at the dark skinned healer. How could the man think that Chris made a mistake with the way the doctor had been acting?

"I will make sure this McKenzie doesn't mistreat Chris." Nathan promised he saw Buck nod and watched as the man gently stroked Chris's head and neck.

"What does a bronoscopy involve Nate?" Buck felted Chris twitch in his sleep he returned to stroking the mussed blond head, he could tell both Nathan and Josiah were watching him.

"Maybe you should move him to his bed." Josiah suggested.

"I don't want to wake him." Buck wanted Chris to get as much rest as he could, he would have to ask again about the procedure.

"Oh my head." JD moaned as he staggered into the room, he was followed by the haggard looking Vin.

"Shush." Nathan smiled as JD sat next to him an held his head in his hands, Vin stole Josiah's coffee cup and inhaled the contents.

"I feel like crap." JD whined he looked to Nathan for sympathy.

"Self inflicted so I have no sympathy for you." Nathan gave the younger man a grin, ignoring the scowl that returned his way.

"Would you like more coffee?" Josiah took the cup that was thrust toward him, he looked towards Nathan who smiled and nodded.

"Can I have a Coke?" JD plaintively asked.

"Sure Buck do you want anything?" Josiah quietly asked.

"Coffee would be good Josiah thanks." Buck turned his attention back to the Chris who had reached up and started to rub at his ear muttering under his breath. Buck caught the hand and moved it away from Chris's ear. "Don't do that Chris."

"Hurts Buck." Chris mumbled still more than half asleep.

"I know it does but you'll make it worse." Buck rubbed his thumb over the bony knuckles of the hand he held, smiling down at the sleepy green eyes which slowly closed as the man returned to sleep.

"So where's Ezra?" Buck asked the two suffering men, he smiled as they leaned against each other looking very pitiful in there hung over state.

"Still asleep." Vin Texan accent seemed stronger with him being somewhat hung over. "I ain't drinking like that again."

"Me either." JD yawned. "Is Chris ok?"

Both men looked over their sleeping friend, JD had to admit that he thought Buck would be the only man who could get away with touching the aloof man the way he was, the large hand gently running over the sleeping man's head, neck and shoulders. JD wondered if Buck was even conscious of his rhythmic stroking.

"Yes when Ezra comes down we all need to talk." Buck could tell he had both men's attention.

"What's happened?" Vin sat up straight all thoughts of his own pain gone from his mind, he new that his pose was mirrored by the young Bostonian.

"I am here Mr Wilmington." Ezra's quietly spoke as he moved to sit on a chair, he smiled gratefully at Josiah as the large profiler began handing out steaming cups of coffee, he took the pain pills the man handed over smiling when he also offered them to JD and Vin.

"So do you want to fill us in Buck?" Vin and the others waited while Buck check to make sure Chris was still sleeping, Josiah looked at the space at the end of the couch Buck and Chris where currently occupying.

"Here Josiah." Vin moved to the couch as he did not think that the heavier man could fit in the remaining narrow space.

"Thank you brother." Josiah gave the smaller man a toothy grin.

The group listened as Buck filled them in on what Chris had told him, he noted that all the three hung over men all looked angry, Vin especially was almost snarling. Buck did not mention what Nathan had said because he did not want the other men to turn their anger on the medic.

"This procedure sounds nasty." JD could not imagine how they could look into a persons lungs. "What does it involve?"

"Chris will be sedated and then his throat will be numbed, they'll pass a flexible tube down his throat into his airways where they'll probably take samples and any investigations they need to." Nathan felt JD shudder next to him. "JD he won't feel anything and won't be conscious for it."

"But it's not something I'd want done." JD would not want to be in Chris's shoes.

"Can he refuse?" Josiah smiled at Vin as the other man did not react when Chris moved slightly in his sleep, the long haired man simply covered the long bony feet with the blanket where they now rested on his knee.

"No, its sounds as if Dr McKenzie is acting like he's doing this to supposedly help Chris in his recovery and the FLECT Director is backing him up." Buck could not believe that once again Chris was being screwed over by management. "I get the impression that he was also threatened with being sent back to Denver."

"Does Chris have a target on his back or something?" Vin angrily growled.

"Mr Larabee does seem to inspire strong reaction wherever he goes." Ezra took a small sip of coffee he ignored the glares being sent his way.

"I have to agree with Ezra." Buck smiled at the slightly stunned looks he received at his statement. "Chris has always gotten reactions wherever he goes"

"Must be the Larabee charm." Vin snorted as the others laughed at his tongue in cheek comment.

"Nathan are you going with him so you can make sure this McKenzie behaves?" JD was confused by the scowl on Buck's face.

"Yeah I will if that's what Chris wants." Nathan scowled back at Buck, he had made a mistake and he understood that but there was no need for Buck to carry on reminding him of it.

"Buck let it go." Josiah could almost see Buck release the tension he had been feeling since Nathan's ill formed words.

Vin looked between the two men, he wondered what had happened, but whatever it was seemed to be over now.

Buck smiled as he noticed that Chris's eyes where open and blinking sleepily at him, he did not pause in his slow stoking.

Chris blinked up at Buck, he realised he had been sleeping with his head on the other man's lap, he could not raise the energy to be bothered by the fact he was using his friend as a pillow, he was warm, comfortable and it was a weekend so he did not have to get up.

Buck chuckled as Chris snuggled into the pillow and closed his eyes again.

"Take it Chris ain't getting up?" Vin sniggered at Buck's chuckle.

"No he's gone back to sleep." Buck had been surprised at Chris who had gone back to sleep, he had thought the man would want to get the talk with the others over as soon as possible.

"So who where those men last night Ezra?" JD was feeling a lot better now, but he did not think he wanted to drink like that again.

"My old team from Atlanta." Ezra was glad that the men had not questioned him last night about his old colleagues from the FBI.

"They didn't seem too thrilled to see you." JD had stood shoulder to shoulder with his team mates and he would have defended Ezra if the other men had gotten physical.

Chris slowly pushed himself upright; he wanted to hear what Ezra said about his old FBI team. He had witnessed for himself the dislike bordering on hatred that had been directed at the southerner and he wanted to know what Ezra would say. Chris had read all the reports from Ezra's time as a FBI agent before he had recruited him to Team 7; he had heard the rumours and had spoken to the then assistant director who ran the Atlanta office. He had always thought that the undercover agent had been harshly treated, his old team had turned on him like a pack of rabid dogs and Johnny Ringo the team leader had allowed it to happen, and from the looks of it he had actively encouraged Ezra's harassment.

"Yes well." Ezra really did not want to speak of Atlanta and his time at the FBI, and the normally chatty man did not know where to start.

"It's alright Ezra, Ringo and his band of idiots are not important now." Chris could see the relief in the jade green eyes. "In fact I'm hungry so what say we find somewhere for breakfast."

"Yeah Ez you belong to us now so who cares what your old team says." Buck winked lazily at the other man.

"Indeed brother you're ours and we love you just the way you are." Josiah wrapped a beefy arm round the leaner man and gave him a brotherly hug.

"Yeah they looked like losers and we're the Magnificent 7 pride of the ATF." JD crowed happily.

Ezra did not know what to say, as he felt the support from his friends and team mates. His mother would be disgusted that these men's words made a lump grow in his throat.

"The FBI's loss is definitely our gain." Nathan nudged the smaller man's shoulder.

"We wouldn't change you for anything Ezra." Vin drawled and saluted the other man with his half empty coffee cup.

"So we're we going for food?" JD grinned as the men laughed as he rubbed his stomached.

"Don't ever change JD." Chris stood up and stretched. "What time is it?"

"Just after eight." Ezra sounded horrified at the early hour.

"Hey guys I know what we can do today." JD excitedly bounced. "We could go to Brunswick and have a look around."

"Sure JD whatever you want." Buck had to smile at the enthusiasm the other man always seemed to have.

"Wrap up warm guys it looks cold out." Nathan could not help himself the team's welfare was an ongoing mission.

"Right then." JD jumped up and hurried up stairs to his room to get changed and he did not see the amused looks passing between his friends.

"Where does he get the energy?" Nathan asked nobody in particular.

"Ah the exuberance of youth." Josiah followed the other man at a more sedate pass.

"I don't think I was ever that bouncy." Chris muttered glaring at Vin when the man snorted with laughter.

"Nah Chris you is a grouch." Vin teased the blond man.

"Shoot ya Tanner." Chris grumbled as he headed to his bedroom to get dressed.

The men spent the day exploring Brunswick and the surrounding area, finally arriving back at the bar and grill they had been eating at the night before.

Nathan had been keeping a close watch on the pale Larabee, he had suggested they stopped for dinner as he could tell the man was beginning to seriously flag, even though Chris had said nothing to indicate he wanted to stop, he had glared at Nathan when he had held out the various pills Chris needed to take.

"Buck those jerks that hassled Ezra are glaring at us." JD scowled back at the group, then laughed as both Vin and Buck waved happily at the annoyed looking men.

"Don't start anything brothers." Josiah chided the two men, who shrugged and turned to consider the menus the waitress was handing around.

"I'll be back in a minute." Chris headed for the rest room, he wanted to splash some cold water on his face as he felt exhausted from all the walking the team had done, he really could not wait to get fit and healthy again.

Buck looked at his watch, Chris had been gone ten minutes, before he could get up, and Ezra rose to his feet.

"I will gladly check on Mr Larabee." Ezra did not wait for the others to agree he headed straight for the restrooms.

Chris was just about to exit the restroom as Ezra reached the secluded area. He paused when he heard someone snarl the other man's name; prepared to go to the man's aide he waited to see what would happen.

"You think your so high and mighty don't ya Standish?" Ike Clanton moved closer to the smaller man. "Your friends aren't here now."

"Touch him and I'll make you sorry you were born." Chris had heard enough, he did not raise his voice at all, but Clanton took a step back at the look in the green eyes.

"I never touched him." Clanton tried to glare back at the thin man, whose smile showed a touch of insanity.

"Lucky for you." Chris gave the man a nasty borderline insane grin.

Ezra for once did not know what to say, he had never expected to meet up with his old FBI team, and even though he was part of Team 7 he never truly appreciated how close and protective his team mates where, especially the man stood at his shoulder.

Chris nearly laughed at the look on Clanton and Ringo's faces as he went from smiling insanely to a stone cold glare that froze the two men in their tracks.

"Hassle Ezra again and you won't like what happens." Chris saw the moment that the FBI agents decided to test his resolve, he decided to pre-empt their moves, stepping forward he invaded the FBI team leader's space forcing the other man to back up. "Don't try me, I won't hesitate to cause you pain."

"Jesus Larabee we never did anything." Johnny Ringo decided that for now a retreat was in order, the man in front of him looked like he meant ever word and the last thing he wanted to do was get into some sort of physical altercation with the man dressed in black, the man seemed to actually be keen to go toe to toe with him even though there was only him and Standish while Johnny had more or less his whole team to back his play.

"If you or any of your team of goons so much as look in Ezra's direction I'll come after you Ringo." Chris eyes sparkled as he glared angrily at the bigger man, not backing down an inch from the FBI team he glared at all of them.

"Don't threaten me Larabee." Ringo had to make some sort of stand, even though he really wanted to get away from the homicidal looking man.

Chris laughed, Ringo and his group looked shocked, Ezra just watched with morbid fascination.

"That wasn't a threat it was a solemn promise." Chris snarled he allowed his anger to fully show. "Keep your team in line Ringo or I swear on my life you'll be sorry."

Ezra was stunned by the man's anger.

"Ezra with me." Chris turned his back on the FBI agents dismissing them as unimportant, he stalked angrily, he did not glance back to see if Standish was following.

Ezra blinked then rushed after the other man, he almost had to run to catch up.

"Chris looks mad." JD had spotted the thin blond striding towards them; people seemed to move out of his way by the sheer force of his will.

"Ezra looks stunned." Vin made the observation.

"So Chris you want to tell us what's got you so agitated? Nathan merely raised an eyebrow when the thin blond growled at him.

"Cowboy did you just growl at Nathan?" Vin sniggered at the middle finger he received.

"Ezra are you alright?" Nathan focused his concern on the silent man.

Ezra nodded, he did not know what to say to his friend and team leader.

"Ezra don't look so stunned." Chris forced himself to take a deep calming breath. "I won't let them clowns attack you."

"I don't understand Mr Larabee." Ezra's softly spoken words had the other men leaning forward listening intently as they realised that the men must have had another run in with the undercover agents old team.

"It's simple Ezra nobody but me has the right to hassle you." Chris showed a devilish grin to the normally blank faced man.

"I can handle it." Ezra calmly returned.

"It's my job to protect you and the rest of the team, and I would expect the others to stand by your side." Chris looked deep into the green eyes knowing that still Ezra did not think himself worthy of being protected.

"I can deal with whatever happens." Ezra stubbornly insisted.

Chris considers the man in front of him, he could see the stubborn tilt to the regal head, and he decided to try tact.

"Ezra if someone hassled JD or Josiah because of their ages would you stand by and do nothing?" Chris was surprised none of the other men had said anything.

"Of course not." Ezra was disgusted by the thought.

"If some decided to slander Buck because of his hound dog ways would you keep quiet." Chris asked.

"No I would not just stay quiet." Ezra ground out becoming somewhat peeved by the other mans questions.

"So if some made derogatory comment about Nathan and his views, would you sit idly by?" Chris could tell the other man was becoming annoyed but he still did not get the point that Chris was trying to make.

"I would not remain silent sir." Ezra snappily responded.

"What if they took a look at our long haired Texan team member and decided that he did not fit in with the typically law enforcement image?" Chris watched anger flair in the normally composed man's eyes.

"I would set them straight." Ezra snarled glaring at the pale man.

"What if someone said a drunk who caused his wife and child's death had no right to lead an ATF team would you keep your mouth closed?" Chris could see the fire burning in the jade green eyes.

"Hell no I would not." Ezra growled.

"Then why should we not give you the same protection that you have stated you would give us?" Chris saw the moment that Ezra figured out what he had been doing with his questions, the man looked shocked and then amazed. Chris shook his head, he would get the man to realise his worth to the team if it was the last thing he did.

"I." Ezra began but stopped when Chris snarled.

"Don't finish that sentence Ezra." Chris warned. "You do deserve it and if I have to keep telling you this fact until you finally accept it then I will and I'm sure the others will as well."

The other men nodded in agreement with their team leaders words.

"Gentlemen I don't know what to say." Ezra was stumped for words.

"It's alright brother you don't have to say anything other than you believe us." Josiah patted the mans shoulder.

"Who's up for pool before the food gets here?" Chris needed to stretch his legs and get rid of some pent up anger.

"I'll play." Nathan followed the other man.

"I take it you ran into Ringo and his team of goons?" Buck saw the brunet head nod. "Ezra Chris isn't going to let any of them get to you."

"He's ill Mr Wilmington." Ezra frowned when Buck laughed.

"And that's gonna stop him from doing what he thinks is right?" Buck smiled at the other man. "Chris will rip them apart if they try anything."

"But." Ezra heard Buck sigh.

"Ezra do you want to know what Chris thinks of FBI Supervisory Agent Johnny Ringo?" Buck waited patiently for the other man's answer.

"I do." Vin butted in, the others nodded their desire to hear what Buck had to say, the ladies man did not take his eyes of the teams undercover agent.

"Ezra?" Buck was patiently waiting for the other man to give his answer.

"Enlighten me kind sir." Ezra saw Buck smile at his words.

"Ringo is lucky that Chris did not seriously hurt him after the Johansson case." Buck saw the surprise bloom on Ezra's face, the man seemed to be struggling to control his reactions to the information he was getting.

"The Johansson case was the last case I was involved in before I transferred to the ATF." Ezra answered the unspoken question.

"What happened?" JD leant forward he could not wait to hear what the Ezra would say about his time in the FBI.

"I got hurt and then I left the FBI to join Team 7." Ezra smiled at the surprise on the other men's faces at his plain and simple words.

"It was more than that Ez from what Chris told me" Buck smiled at the glaring man; he could tell that he had the chestnut haired man's attention.

"I do not know what you mean; I have never spoken to Mr Larabee about that case." Ezra did not like the smile on Buck's face.

"Oh Ezra if only you knew what I do." Buck grin widened, he smirked when Ezra took the bait.

"Do not keep us in suspense then Mr Wilmington." Ezra snottily ground out.

Buck looked over to where Chris and Nathan were playing pool both seemed engrossed in the game, although it looked like Chris had not settled down any by the way he was stalking round the table. Buck was not sure Chris would be happy with him telling Ezra and the others about his time in Atlanta but the blond team leader had never actually said he could not speak of the events.

"Mr Wilmington." Ezra watched Buck nod to himself.

"Chris was there during the bust." Buck saw Ezra shake his head in denial.

"No he could not have been present." Ezra denied.

"Ezra when Ringo left you high and dry Chris was there." Buck confidently declared. "He stopped Johansson's men from killing you."

Buck watched the blood drain from Ezra's face; the southerner picked up his beer and took a big gulp. Buck quickly filled the others in on how Chris had gone to Atlanta to meet Ezra, but had initially run into a brick wall, and Ringo's supervisor had stopped the ATF agent from meeting Chris. Determined to find out why and what was happening with the undercover agent, Chris had nearly blown a gasket when he realised how bad the situation was for the younger man.

"My god the shadow." Ezra whispered, the men looked in confusion at each other except Buck who simply waited to see what Standish would do.

"What Shadow?" Vin noted that Buck just looked smug and Ezra had turned to look at the two men playing pool, as one the group looked over to their team leader who was leaning on a pool cue watching the black medic take a shot.

"He saved my life." Ezra whispered being heard by the men sat with him.

"Ezra tell us what you're talking about." Josiah almost begged the suspense was getting to him; he really wanted to know what had shocked the normally unflappable Standish.

"I was undercover in a meet with Johansson, the rest of my team was supposed to be monitoring the situation but something went wrong." Ezra thought that he was going to die during the time he had been beaten by Johansson and his minders. "They decided to show me the error of my ways; I thought I was going to be killed."

"Then what happened?" JD had lowered his voice as the men all seemed to lean towards the stunned looking southerner.

"I was barely conscious and tied to a chair. Suddenly the beating stopped and I heard yelling and screams and the sounds of fighting, but all I could see was what looked like a shadow." Ezra lick suddenly dry lips, taking a gulp of beer he continued his story. "Johansson had a gun to my head and suddenly he squealed like a stuck pig and hit the floor, he had a knife sticking out of him."

"Carry on brother." Josiah encouraged the younger man.

"I could barely see with the concussion and blood, he cut me from the chair and then I woke up in hospital." Ezra cradled his beer glass in his hands. "Ringo demanded to know how I'd managed to disable five men, and restrain them in the battered state I was in, I could not give him the answers he wanted, because until now I had no idea who my knight in shining armour had been."

"Wow." JD could see that Chris and Nathan were on their way back to the table, they must have seen the waitresses were heading towards their table with the ordered food.

"A few days later Mr Larabee came to see me and offered me a job." Ezra watched the lean man walk towards them laughing at something Nathan said.

Chris settled next to Buck in the booth, he smiled at the members of his team when they all seemed to look at him

"Thanks" Chris took his plate off the smiling waitress; he then gave the other men a questioning glance. "Why are you all starring at me?"

"Ezra knows Big Dog." Buck could see confusion on his best friends face.

"Ezra knows what Buck?" Chris took a small bit of the chicken wing on his plate.

"About Atlanta." Buck grinned cheekily at the now scowling man.

"Buck." Chris growled.

"You never said I couldn't tell him." Buck reasonably pointed out.

"You saved my life." Ezra could see Chris was still scowling at the unrepentant Buck.

"I wanted you on my team Ezra." Chris turned his attention to the man who was starring so intently.

"But you put yourself at risk before you had even made my acquaintance." Ezra shook his head. "Why would you do that Mr Larabee?"

"I did not like what the FBI where doing to you and I decided to intervene." Chris calmly explained.

"Why didn't Ezra's team stop him from being beaten?" Sometime Chris wondered exactly how naive the Bostonian was.

"Because they wanted Ezra punished for supposedly being dirty." Buck hated saying it but that was what had happened.

"But he's not." JD felt Josiah clap a large hand on his back.

"We know that son you don't have to tell us that." Josiah patted the younger man gently.

"Why don't you tell him the rest?" Chris snapped at Buck.

"Sure Big Dog." Buck smirked at the annoyed looking Larabee. "Chris knew that Ringo was gonna leave Ezra hanging."

"How?" Nathan could not imagine ever not supporting his team; he would rather die than do anything so despicable.

"Because that's the type of man he is." Chris elbowed the still smiling Buck. "I decided that I was going to stop him, because I felt that the team needed Ezra just as much as Ezra needed the team."

"Chris wanted the best undercover agent and he scoured through everyone the ATF had to offer and when he rejected all of them he broadened the search, a old friend heard about his search and sent him Ezra's details." Buck could remember how frustrated Chris had been trying to find an undercover agent. "Chris did his research and he was determined that Ezra was the one."

Ezra was stunned by what he was hearing he had always thought that he had been chosen by mistake or something, but to hear Buck tell them that Chris had actively pursued him to the point that the man had put his life on the line before he had even met him.

"I met with Bill Brocius who is still Ringo's immediate supervisor and the AD of Atlanta Henry Hooke who has since retired." Chris remembered the meetings well both before and after the Johansson bust.

"But why wasn't Ringo punished for not doing his job." JD gave the loud gang of FBI agents a disgusted look.

"Because Brocius claimed that it was a misunderstanding." Chris growled. "So we made a deal, he got to keep Ringo."

"And we got to keep Ezra." Buck beamed happily at the dapper undercover agent.

"There's more to it is there not Mr Larabee?" Ezra had been watching the pale man closely.

Chris gave the man a glare, but the other man simply smiled flashed his gold tooth smile.

"Mr Larabee, you have started so you may as well finish." Ezra chided the scowling Larabee.

"Come on Cowboy spill." Vin grinned at Chris who sighed.

"Fine, Brocius tried to make out that Ezra would be fine once he healed and would have been accepted back onto Ringo's team with open arms." Chris sarcastically drawled like he had believed that. "I had seen and heard for myself exactly how Ringo and his cronies had treated Ezra."

"What did they do?" Nathan could see the anger in the clear green eyes of the blond team leader.

"It's of little consequence now." Ezra did not want the other men to hear how he had been treated by his old comrades.

Buck huffed annoyed that the undercover agent thought the way he did; he could tell the other five men agreed with him.

"Not only did they not provide the back up that they should have, they tried to bully Ezra out of law enforcement, and they spread unsubstantiated rumours of Ez being dirty." Buck growled.

"Ringo should never have allowed his team to do what they did; he should have had your back no matter what." Chris picked at his food; he ignored the looks from the other men when he pushed his plate away after barely touching his food.

Nathan frowned at the small amount Chris had forced himself to eat, Nathan had seen the discomfort the blond tried to hide when he swallowed the food, giving up after a few bites, the dark healer new that in order to regain his strength and allow his body to heal Chris needed food to fuel this and what he was eating each meal was nowhere near enough.

"Eat some more Chris." Josiah could tell that Chris was going to refuse.

"Not hungry Josiah." Chris picked up his drink and covered his mouth as he coughed; thankful he stopped after a couple of painful harsh sounding coughs.

"So what did you do to force Billy Brocius to let the transfer to the ATF take place?" Ezra had always disliked the man who had been Ringo's supervisor.

Chris smiled shark like in remembrance of the scene in AD Henry Hooke's office, he could see the fear in Brocius eyes as he had stood toe to toe with him and told the odious little man what would happen if he did not allow Ezra to chose his own path.

"Cowboy?" Vin brought Chris's attention back to the present.

"I simply told Brocius that if he didn't let Ezra decide what he wanted to do, I would have made sure everyone knew how untrustworthy he and Ringo where." Chris had promised to file charges against both men. "I would have made sure that the whole of the FBI and other agencies were aware that I had had to save Ezra."

"So they backed down and Chris got what he wanted." Buck would have loved to have been there to witness his close friend acting out.

"AD Hooke understood that I wasn't gonna back down, he promised that Ezra could choose were he wanted to go." Chris saw the moment that Ezra and the others realised what he had said.

"You mean to say if I had not accepted the role with our team I could have moved on?" Ezra softly asked.

Chris had to smile when he noted the man used the words our team, he could tell by the smiles on the other men's faces that they had realised the importance of the softly spoke phrase.

"Of course Ezra if you had not chosen to join the team, Hooke had promised that he would help you transfer to either another agency or another FBI office." Chris watched his words impact on the stunned looking Standish.

"Why Chris?" Ezra shocked voice requested an answer.

"Because I did not want to leave you at Brocius and Ringo's mercy any longer than I had too." Chris replied. "Ezra why is it so hard to understand that you deserved protecting."

The men all turned as one to the silent southerner, who seemed lost for words.

"Ringo should have protected you; he should have shielded you from any and all attacks." Chris kept his voice level and even. "A team leader's job is to take any flack directed at their team."

The other men were interested to know exactly what their team leader thought, they where getting an insight into what made the blond man such a brilliant and respected leader.

"No one and I mean no one no matter who they are gives my team any grief except me." Chris declared. "If anyone has a problem with anyone of you then they can take it up with me."

Buck had to laugh at the look on the rest of Team 7 faces, did these men not know that Chris defended them like a mama bear with cubs. No one no matter who they where maligned his team when Chris was around. Buck had seen the blond go toe to toe with representatives from other law enforcement agencies, lawyers, politicians and reporters in order to protect the members of Team 7.

"You don't have to do that." Josiah suddenly realised that since he had joined Team 7 he had never had anyone other than Chris question his actions or demanding answers when things did not go according to plan and wanting a valid reason for when he lost control of his considerable temper. Before joining Team 7 he was constantly being sanctioned and warned regarding poor behaviour.

"I'm just doing what I have too; to make sure the team runs at its best." Chris shrugged at the looks he was getting. "Its what any good leader would do. I'm there to deflect people's attention from you so that you can all do your jobs."

Nathan shook his head, did Chris not realise that no other team leader that he had worked with would go to such extreme lengths to protect and support their team.

"I'm glad you chose to take a chance on Chris Ez." Buck grinned at Ezra who smiled back at him.

"Anyway it's all in the past, so let's enjoy the fine food and company." Ezra's lack of big words made the other men chuckle.

The went back to eating and drinking, laughing and joking with each other as they swapped stories of what had been happening in their respective classes.

Buck did not react as he felt increased weight against his side, he looked over at Nathan who nodded, he briefly glanced at the man leaning against him, he saw that Chris's eyes where closed and he could hear the heavy congested breathing that was normal for the sick man.

"Do you think we should go home now?" JD was surprised with all the noise that Chris had gone to sleep, but the again they had been walking around all day, and he was tired himself, JD smothered a yawn.

"Its early yet, why don't I take Chris home and then when you all want to leave give me a call and I'll come pick you up?" Josiah offered, it was a Saturday night and maybe the others needed to unwind.

"Might be a plan." Vin had been surprised the sick man had actually stayed awake as long as he had, because the man looked exhausted as he slumped against Buck.

"Hey big dog time to go home." Buck threw an arm round the slumbering man, he felt Chris tense under his gentle touch. "It's just me Chris."

Green eyes blinked open, Buck smiled at him.

"Josiah's going to take you back to the house." Buck squeezed the thin shoulder under his large hand.

"Why?" Chris blearily looked around.

"Cause your tired and Josiah wants to leave." Nathan could see Chris trying to clear the sleep from his mind.

"No." Chris shook his head he did not want to go back to the house; he was content where he was.

"Come on brother you need to lie down." Josiah was the voice of reason.

"No." Chris folded his arms across his chest.

Vin sniggered at the stubborn looking man.

"Shoot ya Tanner." Chris turned to Buck. "I am not going."

"OK Big Dog." Buck did not see the harm in Chris staying.

"If you fall asleep again then you have to go with Josiah." Nathan folded his own arms across his chest and gave the thin man a stern look.

"Can stay here if I want." Chris mumbled to himself, he felt Bucks arm tighten across his shoulder.

"Nathan we won't be staying much longer just leave him." Buck ignored Chris's mumbling.

"Fine stubborn ass." Nathan picked up his drink.

JD waved to a young woman who waved back.

"Who's that JD?" Buck asked the younger man.

"Her name's Jenna and she's training to be a DEA agent, she was on my advanced driving course." JD explained.

"Invite her over JD, and her friends." Buck chuckled at the other man as his ear tips turned pink.

"Alright Buck." JD walked over to the young woman and her friends, who all happily followed the bouncing JD back to where the rest of Team 7 sat, pulling up more chairs and Vin moved to sit next to the quiet Larabee, introductions where made and the two groups began to chat and laugh together.

Chris hid a smile as he watched JD timidly flirt with the sweet looking Jenna, who returned his attention, he nudged Buck as the moustached man was about to make a comment.

"Let him alone Buck." Chris rubbed at his eyes, he was starting to get a headache from all the noise, and his ear was beginning to pound in time with his heartbeat, he resisted the urge to rub at the painful site.

"You ok brother?" Josiah watched the blond head nod slowly at him. "Come back to the house with me Chris, we can relax maybe play some chess or talk."

"I'm fine Josiah." Chris could tell Josiah did not believe him.

"I know but I would like your company." Josiah felt pleased when Chris nodded and the two men bid the expanded group good night.

"Do you want to play Chess Chris?" Josiah handed the pale man a cup of milky coffee, he was surprised that the man simply cradle the cup after he took a small sip.

"If you want." Chris coughed and then he could not seem to stop, he realised he needed a bathroom or bin quickly as he needed to get rid of the crud from his lungs that was filling his mouth, he felt Josiah grab him as he nearly fell in his rush to get to the downstairs bathroom.

"Let me help you Chris." Josiah could felt Chris shaking as he continued to cough and spit.

"Thanks." Chris felt Josiah was holding most of his weight as his knees had buckled during his coughing fit.

"Not a problem." Josiah stood offering his unwavering support.

"I'm done." Chris tried to smile at the older man.

"Let's start that game then." Josiah headed back to the living room. "I'm going to have some food Chris would you like anything?"

Chris thought about refusing but he knew that Nathan had told him and the others that Chris needed to eat little and often as much as he could to rebuild his strength.

"Fine Josiah just bring me some of whatever you're having." Chris began to set up the chess board.

The men played in chess as they ate, with Josiah noting how much of the sandwich Chris managed to eat, he could tell that eating was painful and the man was struggling to swallow.

"I can't eat no more." Chris placed the unfinished sandwich on his plate; he tried to concentrate on the pieces on the board as it was his move.

"Do you want to finish our game another time?" Josiah had seen the frown as Chris concentrated.

"Might be a good idea." Chris rubbed at his eyes he could feel a cough building getting to his feet he headed to the bathroom; he leant against the sink as he began to cough.

Josiah followed the coughing man, he rubbed a hand up and down the too thin back offering what comfort he could as the sick man seemed to be coughing up a lung, he kept his disgust to himself at the crud Chris was spitting out, to his immense relief the episode of coughing was relatively short, he handed the trembling man a glass of water.

"Why don't you get change and maybe go to bed?" Josiah check his watch and wondered if he should call the others and tell them to get a cab back he did not want to leave the blond man on his own.

"Josiah I'm fine, I don't need a babysitter." Chris could almost read the man's mind.

"I know you don't need a keeper. How about some ice cream to calm your throat?" Josiah offered his friend.

"What flavour?" Chris was keen to try anything to stop the feeling of swallowing broken glass.

"Get changed and I'll have a look." Josiah ordered, laughing to himself as Chris rushed to obey.

Chris settled himself on the couch he stirred his spoon into the bowl of fudge ripple ice cream, he took a small bite and almost moaned at the cooling sensation as it slid down his throat.

Josiah picked up his book, smiling at the near moan of ecstasy from the ill man.

"What you reading Josiah?" Chris savoured the cold numbing feeling as the ice cream slid down his throat.

"White Fang by Jack London." Josiah had not yet started the book, he had read the novel many times before and enjoyed it and decided to read it again.

"I like that book." Chris smothered a yawn.

"Shall I read aloud then brother?" Josiah genially offered.

"Go ahead Josiah." Chris stretched out further on the large couch.

Josiah was pleased to see Chris relax as he began to read the familiar words out loud.

Chris continued to slowly eat the fudge flavoured ice cream as the deep voice of his friend wove the tale of the wolf dog.

Josiah picked up the thick blanket and gently covered the now sleeping Larabee, he took the bowl from the man glad to see the man had managed to consume nearly a third of the amount contained within the small bowl.

Grabbing his cell phone Josiah quickly answered the call.

"Alright Nathan I'm on my way."Josiah looked down at the sleeping man wondering if he should wake Chris or just leave him, picking up his keys the heavy set profiler headed out the door, locking it behind him.

The men quietly entered the house, all six had enjoyed the day, and none of the men had overdone it regarding alcohol consumption especially after the previous nights drinking.

Nathan placed a hand on the sleeping man's head, he felt heat there but no more than normal for the sleeping man, although his breathing if anything sounded more congested than he would like.

"Chris why don't you go to bed?" Nathan gently shook the man's shoulder.

"I'm fine Nathan I wasn't sleeping just resting my eyes." Chris mumbled then yawned.

"So you snore when you just resting your eyes Cowboy?" Vin chuckled.

"I don't snore." Chris grumbled he sat up and swung his legs off the couch so that some of the other men had more room to sit down. "Were did my ice cream go?"

"It had melted Chris do you want some more?" Josiah saw JD and Vin both perk up at the mention of the cold desert.

"Yep." Chris nodded.

"Ice cream sounds like a great idea." Vin and JD both followed Josiah towards the kitchen, with Buck, Ezra and Nathan calling out what flavours they wanted.

Soon the seven men where each tucking into bowls of ice cream, Ezra was fascinated by the huge bowl the long haired Texan was happily digging into, he could see that the long haired man had more than one flavour he was stuffing into his mouth.

"So what are we going to do tomorrow guys?" JD happily spooned another mouthful of chocolate ice cream into his mouth.

"What do you want to do?" Nathan asked, he kept shooting glances at Chris who was fighting to keep his eyes open.

"Maybe we can just spend the day relaxing." Josiah was tired and did not fancy traipsing round the local area again.

"If that's what everyone wants to do." JD looked at his bowl forlornly as he noted it was empty.

"JD if you want to explore the area you can take one of the vehicles." Buck did not want the younger man to feel like he had to stay cooped up in the house with them.

"No I'm fine a quiet day sounds good." JD wanted to explore but he wanted to do it in the company of his closest friends.

Chris blinked sleepily he wondered how he had gotten to his bed, he looked at his watch on the nightstand seeing it was only six o'clock he closed his eyes and snuggled under the covers muttering to himself as he realised he was wearing the oxygen mask and not the nasal cannula.

Nathan settled next to JD who was engrossed in something on his laptop, Vin had his nose stuck in a book as did Josiah, Buck was sprawled on one of the recliners flicking through channels on the television, Nathan assumed that Ezra was still sleeping and he hoped that Chris was as well, he would check on the ill man after he had finished his first cup of coffee.

"You going to check on our sleeping leader Nathan?" Josiah had seen the glances Nathan kept sending towards the sick man's room, he could tell the dark healer wanted to make sure after the busy day they had had yesterday the ill man suffered no ill effects.

Nathan stood looking down at the heavily sleeping man, he was glad that Chris was still wearing the oxygen mask, as his congested breathing seemed to get louder and more harsh the longer he stood still and silent by the bed.

"Chris I'm going to touch you now." Nathan wanted to make sure that Chris did not react badly to being touched while he was sleeping, so he began giving the man a running commentary as he gently picked up the thin wrist, he took the pulse pleased that it was slow and steady. He gently turned Chris's head so that he could place the digital thermometer in the man's undamaged ear, he frowned at the reading, it was higher than he would like. "Chris can you take some tablets for me?"

"Mm tired Nathan." Chris felt the man help him sit up.

"Here Chris." Nathan watched as Chris tried to swallow the antibiotics and pain killer he handed over. "Chris does your throat hurt?"

"Like swallowing broken glass." Chris again tried to swallow what seemed like rock sized tablets. "Christ."

"Chris?" Nathan grabbed for the man as he began to choke, he thumped Chris between the shoulder blades the repeated the action when whatever was blocking Chris's airway did not clear, he struck for a third and final time and almost collapsed with relief as the blond spat out the tablets and then gasped for breath.

Chris fought to get enough oxygen into his lungs, he could hear Nathan's voice but could not make out the words, and he could feel the healer's large hands holding him. Gasping matters where made worse as he began to cough; Chris tried to wrap his arms round his chest as pain from his abused body screamed for his attention.

Nathan placed the oxygen mask back on the gasping man, he saw Buck at the other side of the bed, and the ladies man also began trying to help support the weaker man.

"Chris don't fight it, just relax and try to breath." Nathan cringed as the coughing grew harsher and seemed to shake the thin man's whole body.

Chris began to panic as he could not get enough of a breath in between each painful cough; his whole body was a mass of screaming pain centred mainly on his chest and throat.

"Chris just relax." Buck rubbed a large hand up and down the hunched back as he could tell that Chris was close to panicking.

"What can we do?" JD was horrified by the sounds Chris was making as he coughed.

"Nathan and Buck are helping Chris." Josiah watched the scene unfold.

Vin felt helpless as he witnessed the pain cross the pale man's face, he wanted to go to Chris but was stopped by Josiah's words.

Ezra stood silent as the sick man struggled for breath, he had hoped that Chris was beginning to recover but from the episode he was watching the man looked so pale and frail.

Chris focused on trying to slow his breathing as he finally after what seemed like an age stopping coughing, he cursed his body's weakness as he fought not to give in to the temptation to fall into the darkness that was edging his blurred vision.

"That's good Chris." Nathan relief was clear for the other men to hear as the sick man begin to slowly recover and his breathing once again began to slow to something resembling normal for the ill man.

"When will this shit end?" Chris seemed to pause between each gasped out word.

"It will brother have faith."Josiah sat on the end of the bed and patted the covered foot.

"Tired Josiah." Chris could feel the solid mass of his best friend behind him; he sagged against the broader man.

Buck frowned at the weary words, he felt Chris lean against him, and looking to Nathan he could tell the man was worried at Chris's state.

"Chris I'm going to give Dr Frasier a call and see if we can get you something to help with your throat." Nathan moved and his place was taken by the quiet Tanner.

"Why don't you try and get some sleep?" Vin saw the weary green eyes blink slowly at him. "Chris you hear me Cowboy?"

"Not." A pause as the man took a breath

"A" Vin waited for the final word of the man's drawn out sentence,

"Cowboy." Chris willed his body to relax as he fought not to show how much pain he was in to his friends.

Buck cradle the trembling man closer to him as if by holding him close he could impart some of his strength to the ill man.

"Want to get up now." Ezra could not believe the stubborn man could not be persuaded to rest.

"Bed might be the best place for you Chris." JD reasoned, and the blinked as he was scowled at.

"No." Chris huskily ground out, he pushed himself off Buck and to the edge of the bed, he felt Vin and Josiah steady him as he slowly got to his feet, Chris found himself slowly settling on the large leather recliner. JD had followed him with the oxygen tank, he gave the younger man a grateful nod, he held his tongue as Buck tucked the thick blanket round him, and he concentrated on just breathing as deeply as he could.

Nathan walked back into the living room; he could hear the other men discussing the classes they had in the up coming week. He watched Chris as he followed the conversation but did not really take part. The man was as pale as a ghost and Nathan could see every time that Chris thought no one's attention was on him the pain he was in peeked through the stoic facade he was attempting to project.

"What did Dr Frasier say Nathan?" Vin had spotted the worried looking medic.

"He has a colleague who lives not far from here who maybe able to come take a look at Chris." Nathan felt the other men's attention turn to him.

"I don't need another doctor." Chris protested, he had had enough of being poked and prodded.

"Suck it up Cowboy you don't have a choice." Vin ignored the glare sent his way.

"Chris it's either the doctor Frasier recommends or its McKenzie." Nathan pointed out.

"How come McKenzie didn't notice Chris's throat when he examined him on Friday?" Josiah reasonably asked.

"You did tell him didn't you?" Buck raised an eyebrow as Chris shrugged,

"Damn it Chris." Nathan was annoyed as the blond starred back impassively at him.

"Why did you not inform the doctor?" Ezra was curious about the sick man's answer.

"He never asked." Chris tiredly informed the men, his words were greeted by silence. "What?"

"What the hell did he do then?" Buck growled, he could see that Chris was confused by his angry question. "Is he blind or incompetent?"

"I don't know I just got out as soon as I could." Chris rubbed at his head; he could feel a headache building on top of everything else.

"No wonder you don't trust him." JD held out a bottle of water to the pale man.

"Thanks JD." Chris took the bottle and held it against his chest.

Nathan's cell phone began to ring, the medic answered the call, and the men listened to one side of the call.

"OK Chris the doctor will be here within the hour." Nathan could tell that the ill man was not happy.

"Who wants breakfast?" Vin knew he had to do something to distract himself and making food for everyone seemed like a good idea.

"I'll help you." JD offered.

"Were you going Big Dog?" Buck reached down to help Chris off the recliner as he did not like seeing the sick man struggle.

"Getting a shower before the doctor get's here." Chris made his way to the bathroom he shared with Buck.

"Do you need any help?" Buck walked behind the slow moving man ready to offer any assistance that was required.

"You ain't my type Buck; you don't have curves in the right places." Chris heard the laughter following him.

"But you're so sexy Chris I can't fight my urge to touch you any longer." Buck nearly walked into Chris as the blond stopped dead in front of him.

"Ohhh touch me Buck I can't fight you animal maggotism." Chris smiled as he looked back over his shoulder, green eyes dancing mischievously, he could hear the other men snorting and chortling with laughter.

"Sure Big Dog I can show you a good time." Buck pulled the other man into a hug glad to see the laughter showing on the too thin face.

"Ohhh promises promises." Chris hugged the rogue as they laughed together.

"Get a room boys." Vin threw a cushion at the two laughing men.

"Oh no Vin he's all mine I don't share." Buck saw Vin's jaw drop, he felt Chris pinch his side.

"Ignore him; I'm going for a shower see you in a short while." Chris left the six other men chuckling at his and Buck's banter.

Chris sat on his bed after his shower, he looked at the clothes he was going to wear and tried to summon the energy needed to get dressed, he needed to do this before the doctor arrived. Pulling on his socks and shoes Chris ignored his body's aches and pains; he fought the urge the cough and finally stood dressed and ready to face the world.

Chris stood in the doorway watching as his team mates and friends mingled together, he could smell the bacon and sausage that Vin and JD where cooking for breakfast, he could see Buck and Ezra with their heads together reading something off a laptop, he noted that Nathan was on the telephone, and from the sounds of it the medic was speaking to his girlfriend Raine, Josiah was reading from his book, although Chris could tell the heavier man new he was stood watching.

Vin and JD began to bring in plates of food handing them off to the different men; Chris held his hand up when JD attempted to give him a plate with bacon, sausage, egg, hash browns and mushrooms on it.

"I don't want it JD, I'm just going to have coffee." Chris waited for the inevitable comment from the other men at his lack of appetite.

"Chris you've got to eat." Nathan instructed the man who shook his head back at him.

"I can't face food at the minute Nathan, I'll eat later." Chris was not going to change his mind; he wanted the fire from his throat to die down first.

"Leave it Nathan." Vin gave the healer a heaped plate.

The bell chimed showing someone was at the main door, JD jumped up and rushed to open the door.

"You must be JD." JD nodded at the small woman, he thought she looked like the character played by Robin Williams in his film Mrs Doubtfire, he indicated that she should come in.

"Yes, Chris is just in the living room." JD pointed to the large room.

"Right well then lets see to him then." JD hurried after the matronly woman.

"Hello." The doctor greeted the whole room.

"Hi, thank you for coming to see Chris." Nathan polite words made the older woman smile.

"It's not a problem." She looked to the pale man sat watching her intently. "I'm Janet Frasier."

"So are you related to Chris's doctor?" JD was curious to know.

"James is my son." Janet informed the seven men. "Chris can I take a look at you and see if I can help?"

Chris shrugged if he could have said no and gotten away with it he would have done, but he could imagine the uproar that would cause.

Janet Frasier almost smiled she could tell the man really did not want to be in the position he was, so she simply waited for his verbal answer, lifting an eyebrow when he kept silent, James had told her of the man's dislike of anything remotely medical.

"Sure I'll show you Chris's room." The moustached man nudged Chris to move, the blond glared but stood up.

"So Chris do you want to tell me what is the problem?" Janet watched as the thin man sat on the edge of the bed.

"I have a sore throat from coughing." Chris hoped that the doctor's visit would not take long.

Janet stood waiting as the thin man began to cough, she observed silently as his whole body seemed to shake as the bone jarring coughs rattled his thin frame.

"Right then Chris let me take a look at you." Dr Janet Frasier took out the equipment she would need to examine the still coughing man.

Chris resisted the desire to wrap his arms around himself in an effort to ignore the pain from his chest and ribs.

Frasier watched silently as the blond man finally stopped coughing and raise his head looking at her with pain filled eyes.

"Can you take a deep breath for me?" Dr Frasier held the stethoscope against the man's chest, she carried on her examination, tutting as she looked down the silent man's throat, she patiently waited as Chris coughed after trying to do as she requested.

"So can you help him Dr Frasier?" Nathan had stayed in the room as Dr Frasier examined the sick man.

"I am going to prescribe something for your throat which should hopefully help." Janet smiled at the man as she sat on the bed next to him. "I am also going to suggest using a nebuliser and inhaler to try and help with the congestion problems with your lungs."

Chris nodded, great more pills and things for him to take.

"I take it you are still having trouble eating?" Janet frowned as the man simply shrugged. "You need to eat little and often, I know your throat is sore, try soups and drink plenty of fluids."

"I'm trying." Chris covered his mouth as he coughed, he could not wait for the doctor to leave him alone, and he was fed up with the constant poking and prodding.

"I am also going to include something to help with the pain you're feeling from the coughing and to help you relax, I give you some of this that you can inject rather than pill form." Frasier saw the medic nod, Chris remind silent. "Also some ear drops to try and clear up that problem."

"Great." Chris muttered. The two medical professionals exchanged looks at his muttered word.

"Chris you have been through a lot and it's going to take time for you to recover both physically and mentally." Dr Frasier could see she had the man's attention at her last statement, he did not look happy.

"I'm fine." Chris stated.

Nathan snorted, he did not believe that, he was going to bring up Chris speaking with someone about what had happened to him, but he had wanted to wait until the man was on a more even keel physically, although he wanted to see how Chris reacted to the older doctor's words.

"No son you're clearly not." Frasier decided not to sugar coat her words. "You are obviously not sleeping properly and you're body is not recovering the way you want it to

"I'll be fine." Chris stubbornly insisted.

"You should be relaxing and allowing both your body and mind the chance to recover." Janet had been horrified when she had spoken with her son about the man glaring at her. "Working full time is not the way to go."

"I have a responsibility to my team." Chris was not going to sit back and not be there for his team mates and friends.

"They are in no danger here in FLETC." Janet looked at Nathan. "Could you get Chris a glass of water Nathan please?"

Nathan took the hint and left the room, he had to force himself not to linger by the door and to listen to what was being said, shaking his head ruefully he headed to the kitchen.

Janet was concerned that the man she had just examined seemed to be struggling to breath, maybe it was a reaction to her observations. Janet then noted the man seemed to deliberately force himself to slow his breathing and project an image of calmness.

"I believe you need to sit down and discuss what has happened to you in the last few months." Dr Frasier was adamant in this belief; she thought that Chris would heal faster physically if he was healthy mentally.

"A shrink, no way." Chris snapped, he had dealt with what happened to him, and he needed to find out who had hired Fowler to murder his family not have himself forced to face a psychiatrist, he trusted them like he trusted any other medical professional, in other words not very much.

"I'm surprised that it's not a condition of you returning to working in the field." Dr Frasier watched the remaining colour drain from the already pale face.

"Its not and I will be fit to lead my team in the field once I am physically healthy again." Chris clenched his fists and was determined to hold onto his temper. "I don't need a shrink to tell me how I am supposed to feel, and what I'm supposed to do."

"Chris that's not what a good one will do." Janet had been expecting the resistance from the sick man, but both her and her son thought it might help the sick man. "But you need to talk to someone about what happened to you."

"No way." Chris stood up; it was time for the woman to leave.

"Chris you're so wound up you're making yourself ill." Janet decided to take the bull by the horns. "I'm trying to help you why don't you tell me why?"

Chris could see where the doctor in Denver got his tenaciousness from, James Frasier's mother was like a dog with a bone, determined to wrest as much from him as she could.

Janet Frasier was a patient woman and she was prepared to wait the pale man out, she began packing away her equipment, while keeping an eye on her reluctant patient, she could almost see the wheels turning in the man's mind as he was thinking on a response to her question.

Chris ran a hand through his mused blond hair, he so wanted to deny what the doctor said was true, but he was wound tight, he did not want to let his friends down, he did not want to see any of them get hurt because of him. He was overwhelmingly relieved that Fowler had not hurt the youngest member of his close knit team, but who was to say that next time something like that happened one of his team could be wounded or god forbid killed because of him.

Janet could see a myriad of emotions cross Larabee's thin face, she was surprised that she could read, dismay, horror and anguish on the handsome feature. Janet saw the moment that Chris realised he was showing his thoughts as it seemed like a shutter slammed down, and the man's expression became eerily blank.

"I don't want anyone to hurt because of me." Chris could not believe how stupid he was, he should not have shown the woman how horrified he was at the thought of one of the other six men being hurt because of him, that's why he needed to get back to his best as quickly as he could and if that meant pushing his body then that's what he would do.

Janet nodded she understood.

"Don't you trust your team?" The doctor refused to be cowed by the fiery glare she received because of her softly spoken question.

"I trust my team; they're my closest friends, their family." Chris eyes shot sparks at the woman.

"So let them take care of you and each other." Frasier could see how tense the sick man was. "Let yourself relax safe in the knowledge that they will protect you."

"I can't one of them could die or be injured because of me." Chris tried to keep his breathing as slow as possible. "My family died because of me and I don't want a repeat."

Frasier took hold of the thin wrist as Chris's breathing became harsher sounding as he spoke; his pulse was beginning to race as he became more agitated by the thoughts running through his head. .

"They burned because of me." Chris voice stuttered as he panted for breath

"You need to calm down Chris." Frasier frowned as Chris head shook from side to side, Janet realised the wounded man was seeing the fire that James said had killed his wife and young son. Janet needed to stop the flashback before Chris breathing became too panicked. She quickly looked in her bag, finding the drugs that James had said worked on the man, she quickly took the man's unresisting arm and gently injected a small dose, just enough to relax the man and allow him to rest for a few hours.

Chris felt the prick of the needle, his mind immediately snapped back into the present.

"What was that?" Chris blinked as he felt the drug hit his system.

"Just something to help you relax son." Janet encouraged the blond man to get more comfortable on the bed, she saw the moment he succumbed to the drug, and she fitted the ever present oxygen mask on the sleeping man.

"Dr Frasier." Nathan stood in the doorway.

"I've given him something to relax." Dr Janet Frasier smiled as the black healer felt the sleeping man's head and then touched his pulse point in his neck.

"Why?" Nathan was surprised that Chris had agreed to be drugged; he had sent Ezra and Vin to the pharmacy to get the prescriptions filled.

"The murder of his family." Janet wondered if the man realised he was gently and repeatedly brushing a lock of the sleeping mans hair off his forehead.

"Right." Nathan felt his heart break, poor Chris.

"He's dehydrated, so I think some intravenous fluids may help make him more comfortable, he should sleep for a few hours." Frasier with Nathan's help quickly set up and inserted a drip to give the sleeping man much needed fluids.

"Thank you for coming." Nathan bit the inside of his mouth wondering if he should tell the woman about Chris's appointment with Dr McKenzie.

"Nathan?" Janet could tell the medic wanted to say something to her; she encouraged him to trust her.

Nathan slowly began to fill the woman in on what Chris had told them, he kept nothing back, he shamefully told her of his doubts because of Chris's distrust of most if not all of the medical profession, he waited to see what the motherly doctor would say, he kept up the comforting rhythm of his gently strokes of the sleeping man head, comforted that Chris slept deeply and from the look on his face relatively pain free.

"I've never liked McKenzie, he should never have been given the position of power he has now, when I left I had no idea he would replace me." Dr Frasier had always found the younger doctor arrogant and displeasing.

"I'm going with Chris on Friday and I am going to make sure nothing untoward happens." Nathan strongly declared.

"Let me know how it goes Nathan, it's not a procedure to be undertaken lightly." Dr Frasier did hope that Chris's fears where unfounded, but she could not imagine the sleeping man to be wrong in his assessment of the situation.

Nathan showed the doctor out after they had talked for a while about the sleeping man, and what they could do to help him, as well as Dr McKenzie, Nathan then proceeded to pass on the information to the other men once Vin and Ezra returned from their assigned task.

Chris sat up, he looked around the remnants of the nightmare making his heart pound, he picked up his watch, noting that it was just after five, he grumbled to himself when he realised he had slept thru until Monday morning, he actually did not feel too bad, slowly getting out of bed he stretched and decided to shower and get up. He was teaching a class in the morning and taking part in training scenarios in the afternoon.

Heading into the kitchen Chris turned on the coffee maker, looking into the fridge he was trying to decide what to eat, as Chris new he would never hear the end of it if he did not eat before they all left for the FLETC training facility. Taking his bowl of oatmeal into the living room Chris half heartedly began to eat, he had turned on the television and was hoping to distract himself by watching the news.

"Morning Chris." Vin quietly greeted the other man.

"Vin." Chris took a second spoonful of the unappetising mush in the bowl he held.

"How you feeling Cowboy?" Vin had like the others worried that Chris was sleeping for so long, even though Nathan was unconcerned although to reassure the others he had spoken to Dr Janet Frasier who had advised the other men that sleeping was the body's way of healing and to just let the sick man rest.

"Not a Cowboy." Chris put the barely touched bowl on the large coffee table he had managed a few mouthfuls; he concentrated on ignoring the grumbles from his unsettled stomach. "I'm fine."

"You finished with that?" Vin pointed to the bowl.

"Knock yourself out." Chris shook his head as the long haired man happily dug into the abandoned bowl.

"It's good." Vin did not mention Chris's attempt to eat.

Chris sat facing the fifteen students in his leadership class, he could not believe how young and innocent they all looked.

"To start off I want you to introduce yourselves and tell everyone what agency you work for and anything else you believe is relevant." Chris listened, he kept his face carefully blank as a young man proudly declared himself to be a member of the FBI from Atlanta and part of Jonny Ringo's team, and he vaguely remembered seeing the man when he had the altercation with Ringo and his team. "Welcome to leadership skills, where I'm supposed to be teaching you what that means."

Ricky Martin almost sneered at the man, he had been told by his boss that the man was a weak sickly has been, whose team got all the simple easy cases in Colorado and that they had shipped his team here because they where trying to force the man out, he used to be good but now was nothing but a sick drunk according to Ringo.

Chris kept his annoyance in check as the younger man seemed to sneer at his every word, making comments that where both arrogant and snide. Chris thought Martin was under the impression that his team was special, and that because of his education he was above the other people in this class.

"So what do you think makes a leader?" Chris was unsurprised when Martin was the first to respond, he wondered if the young man would continue in the same manner as before

"The ability to get the job done." Martin thought that the man teaching this class was not good enough to be doing it.

"Is that it?" Chris asked he almost smiled at the glare sent his way.

The fourteen other students seemed to pick up on the fact that the young agent from the FBI had issues with the thin trainer.

"Really what else is there?" Martin barely kept his tone civil.

"Making sure nobody gets hurt, making sure the case you pass on to the prosecutors is as air tight as you can make it." Chris lifted an eyebrow at the arrogant younger man.

"Of course you don't want anyone to get hurt." Martin sounded exasperated by the other man's words. "And by following procedures and keeping your team on the straight and narrow you can get evidence you need to put the criminals behind bars, that's what my team leader says."

Chris could only imagine what the man believed from the teachings of his team leader, Martin was a few years older than JD but he was seemingly closed minded and had an attitude which Chris found completely arrogant and offensive.

"And your team leader is always right?" Chris wanted to see how convinced the man was on how right Ringo was.

"Special Agent in Charge Johnny Ringo is the best team leader in the FBI." Ricky Martin declared sneering at the sickly looking man, Ricky could not believe that the people in charge where letting such a ill man teach, it did not make any sense, he could not wait to inform his team leader on how poor the man was Ricky felt bored and could not help his attitude, especially after being told by Ringo about the former undercover agent Standish and his corruption.

Chris shook his head, the loyalty the young agent showed was admirable but in Chris's opinion well and truly misplaced.

"So you'll blindly follow your team leader." Chris did not even bother to say the other man's name.

"I wouldn't." One of the young women stated, Chris remembered her name was Cora and she was a trainee NCIS agent. Chris saw all the others in his group nod in agreement.

Chris smiled at the woman.

"Good blindly following your leader is wrong." Chris saw anger flare on the young man's handsome face, but he ignored it. "Within a team the ability to listen to your subordinates, team mates and act accordingly is a sign of a good leader."

Chris looked at each of the fifteen students.

"Asking questions of your team and its leader is an excellent method to learn." Chris suffered thru a short coughing fit. "A good leader will encourage and welcome questions and suggestions from his team."

Chris continued guiding the discussion within his group, letting the men and women compare their views on what made a good leader. He decided that a break would be a good idea as he needed a drink and he had to eat something otherwise he could imagine the grief he would get from his team especially the medic.

Chris walked out the room and headed for nearest men's room, he then headed to the canteen, he picked up a coffee and soup, sitting down he was soon joined by Ezra, Chris noted the dapper agent looked rumpled and annoyed.

"Ezra?" Chris watched as the green eyed man straighten and gave him a shrug.

"It's nothing Mr Larabee." Ezra tried not to squirm under the stern look the man was sending his way.

Chris looked passed the slightly squirming southerner, he could see Ringo and Clanton laughing and nudging each other, while looking over at Ezra. Chris looked back at Ezra.

"Sure it's nothing Ezra." Chris had warned the other team leader and he had been ignored, so now he would show them what happened when you missed with one of his team. Grinning Chris realised that this afternoon's role play would provide the first opportunity to punish Ringo and his goons.

"Mr Larabee what are you planning?" Ezra did not like the calculating look in the stormy green eyes.

"Oh don't worry Ezra I am only going to keep a promise." Chris grinned at the other man.

"You know who he is?" Cora asked the others who crowded round her laptop, she had as a matter of course researched every person who would be teaching her. "He lead's the Magnificent 7."

"I've heard of them, there the best in the ATF." A young agent called Jack Bourne from the DEA replied to Cora's question. "His team is renowned for being unorthodox, but there solve rate is an unprecedented success."

"Right that's probably because they get all the easy cases." Ricky Martin sneered, he could not believe these people where impressed by the pale Larabee.

"Oh give it a rest Martin; your precious team don't even register when you compare them to Larabee's team." Cora saw the shocked look on the arrogant man's face. "And Chris Larabee is probably up there with the likes of Jethro Gibbs, Aaron Hotchner and Sealy Booth to name but a few in federal law enforcement."

Ricky could not believe the other agents where believing this crap coming from the serious looking NCIS agent.

"Why's he here if he's so special and good at what he does?" Ricky smirked, after pausing he continued speaking scornfully. "Maybe because he's passed it, he looks like he's dying or something; he isn't fit to lead a team."

"He was kidnapped and tortured." Cora remembered how angry Gibbs and his team had looked, she had because of her curiosity found out after learning Larabee would be teaching this class the video of the blonds torture sessions, she looked around the sick man had not returned yet so she could show the others what she had found. "I did my research on Larabee and I found these."

Horrified silence greeted the recordings of the team leaders torture, even Martin was stunned into silence.

Chris moved silently towards the silent group, he could see they where all crowded round the female NCIS agent's laptop. Chris was surprise by the image on the screen, carefully schooling his expression he decided to announce his presence.

"Agent Smith I take it this is your doing." Chris nearly laughed as the whole group jumped in fright, with a couple of them letting out surprised shrieks.

"Sir I'm sorry." Cora Smith hung her head ashamed.

"I'm impressed." Chris gently touched the young woman's shoulder surprised brown eyes met his. "Researching the people who are going to teach you is good."

The relief from the surrounding students made Chris grin at the them.

"Let's continue, unless you have questions." Chris could tell that questions wanted to be asked.

"How did you get free?" Jack Bourne quietly asked.

Chris calmly answered the questions about his torture, he then fielded question about the various members of his team, and cases that they had undertaken, he explained his decision and the methods used.

Buck had come in search of his close friend when the man had not arrived for lunch, standing at the back of the small classroom, he watched as Chris seemed to have his small group of students enthralled, each one seemed so focused on the speaking man that it was no surprise that they had not realised he was there. Chris had given a small head tilt to acknowledge Buck but other than that he had not paused in his speaking.

"Alright we'll continue this tomorrow, we've overran slightly into lunch but I'm sure you still have time for food before your next class, see you all bright and early tomorrow." Chris watched the group file out; he was unsurprised that the ladies man had come looking for him, he had expected the rest of his team to turn up.

"Hey Big Dog." Buck could see how tired his oldest friend looked, he hoped that the afternoon role plays Chris would be involve in were sedate, maybe he could be a hostage and just sit around doing nothing.

"Have you had a good morning Buck?" Chris walked beside the slow moving man; he spotted the rest of his team sprawled eating around a couple of tables which had been pushed together.

"Yep teaching tactics to youngsters in fun, my group was so full of questions and willingness it was refreshing." Buck grinned happily.

"My group was interesting, had one of Ringo's team there, he was arrogant and superior initially but I think maybe he's rethink his stance of some things." Chris smiled, he was glad that he could open the man's mind to other possibilities, it's just a shame that this afternoon the rest of Ringo's team would be caught in Chris's punishment of their leader.

"I'm starving." Buck picked up a tray and handed a second to Chris. "So you looking forward to this afternoon?"

"Yep." Chris smiled to himself, he just need to clear his plan with the scenario organiser, but he did not think that it would be much of an issue considering the role he was playing, he was going to make Ringo sorry he ever met him.

Buck studied the smirking man; he wondered why Chris was grinning like a fiend.

"What you up to Big Dog?" Buck curiously asked.

"Me?" Chris innocently replied green eyes twinkling merrily.

"Chris?" Buck placed a yogurt on Chris's tray.

Chris sighed; he added a jello pot to his meagre tray of soup and bread roll. Sitting down he listened to the boisterous chatting his team was undertaking.

"I will see everyone later tonight enjoy the afternoon guys." Chris left the rest of his team exchanging glances at his retreating back.

"Why did Chris look like that?" Buck spoke his though aloud.

"What do you mean?" JD thought the pale man had looked happy.

"Yeah Chris looked like he was planning something." Vin grinned. "Wonder who his victim is gonna be?"

"Oh no." Ezra head hit the table with a thump; he could feel the other men staring at him.

"Brother what do you know?" Josiah patted the chestnut head.

"I may have had a bit of a run in with Ringo, Clanton and some of their team." Ezra raised his head. "Chris realised and I think he has plans to keep his promise"

"Oh poor Ringo."