Thursday Afternoon
Vin and Chris were quite obviously relaxed when the rest of the team arrived that afternoon. Taking one look at Vin, Ezra and JD smiled in relief. Everyone settled in and just enjoyed the company the rest of the day.
Vin had spoken privately with Ezra at length, once the hover craft was unloaded. Upon leaving the bedroom Ezra immediately sought Chris out.
"Col. Larabee are you willing to seal this bond with Mr. Tanner?" Ezra asked formally.
"Yes, I am," Chris answered.
"You are aware that this is a life bond?" Ezra asked studying Chris intently.
"I am aware that the only way to break the bond is by death," Chris answered calmly.
"I would suggest inviting some creditable witnesses preferably those of high station. Director Wilson is attempting to have Mr. Tanner returned to his custody," Ezra warned.
"Where'd you hear that?" Chris stiffened.
"The net is your friend," Ezra quoted a saying taught in every centurion school in reference to the central computer network. A flashing grin appeared, revealing dimples and the flash of a gold tooth.
"I'm glad you're on our side," Chris huffed. "You are on our side aren't you?" Larabee looked over.
"Whatever gave you that idea Colonel. Our interests are mutual at this time. Only time will determine if they remain so. I do not foresee a situation of any major conflict. Any opposition would be detrimental to Mr. Tanner," Ezra drawled. Chris nodded after a moment.
"It's in Vin's best interest if we get along," Chris agreed.
"Colonel when issuing the invitation to your guests, it would not be wise to invite any hunters or handlers. Vin will not deal well with such until your bond is sealed. Guardians can be extremely territorial," Ezra warned.
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Buck was ecstatic when Vin's almost soundless huffs of laughter were heard for the first time although it was at his expense. The big centurion sat up in the creek and watched totally enchanted by the crooked grin and dancing mischievous eyes. Now that's a look I want to see a lot more of. Should have known he'd be as bad as the other two. He made fishing that way look so darn easy though.
Vin walked over and offered a steady hand to help Buck up. "Thanks Scruffy," Buck laughed. The sapphire eyes carefully studied the big man.
"Yah ain' hurt are yah?" Vin asked softly.
"Only my pride Junior," Buck huffed as he stood. Gingerly he rubbed his tender backside.
"That explains a might," Tanner's lips twitched.
"What?" Buck asked completely lost by Tanner's words.
"Buck most people don' sit on they's pride," Vin smirked.
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The centurions were surprised at the human's activities all afternoon. They had been thrown out of the kitchen immediately upon discovering Vin had been hunting earlier. At the gloaming Ezra called them to eat. Blankets and pillows mad comfortable seating in the open glade behind the cabin. A fire pit had been dug and assorted pans were simmering along the edge. Strange yet tempting aromas rose from the human style food.
The Centurions watched as each human grabbed a plate and went along the row filling it before finding a seat. Shrugging Chris picked up a plate and started filling it with different dishes. When he came to something, he was familiar with he'd dip up a larger portion. Soon everyone was settled in with their meal. The centurions most especially Nathan seemed to be having an inordinate amount of trouble trying to eat without the support of a table.
Vin's hair was still damp when Chris sank down beside him. "Why did Ez want us all to take a bath?" Chris asked of the freshly bathed Tanner.
"Makes things easier," Vin answered softly before turning to answer a question from Josiah. Feeling a nudge, Chris looked up to find the human pressing against his side. When Vin made no comment, Chris went back to his plate and the interrupted conversation with Buck. Chris stared down at his now empty fork. Vin's eyes had darkened slightly and he chewed on the stolen bite flashing a teasing grin. The dumbfounded Larabee glared at the hunter. Loading his fork, he took a bite before answering Buck. After loading his fork once more he received another nudge.
"What?" Chris asked Vin looked expectantly at the fork. "I know you can feed yourself," Chris huffed. Vin nudged him once more and opened his mouth. "Here then," Chris offered his fork in disbelief. Chris kept getting nudges every few moments. Giving up his efforts to talk with Buck he simply tried to feed himself and the insistent human.
Exchanging bewildered and somewhat uncomfortable looks between them the Centurions tried to ignore the byplay. The humans in turn looked pleased. Josiah eventually asked, "Ezra what's going on?"
"Mr. Tanner is indicating his willingness to bond. He has proven his ability to provide for a guide by hunting for the Colonel," Ezra explained in his pleasant drawl.
"He wants to seal the link," Josiah smiled widely and relaxed.
"If Larabee doesn't hurt him," JD muttered watching the byplay closely.
Vin began a low rumbling purr. Larabee's eyes seemed to darken as his pupils dilated in response to the hunter's behavior. The sound seemed to tingle through the linkage. Vin shifted and was now kneading his chosen's arms and chest. Rubbing his own chest against Chris' back.
Pulling a taper from the fire JD stalked into the darkness a glow appeared as a torch was lit. The light brightened as six more torches were lit. They were set in a large circle the light revealed a cushioned pallet in the center.
"Josiah?" Nathan hissed in the sudden silence.
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"Sit still and don't interrupt. I believe we're about to witness a human bonding ceremony," Josiah breathed in fascination.
"What do I do?" Chris asked calmly.
"Lower yer barriers once yer in tha circle. Iffen a full bond is possible you'll know it then," Vin's voice was rougher than normal. The hunter rose and disappeared into the shadows. Larabee snarled and stalked into the circle. He was irritated at the necessity of appeasing Vin by this totally unnecessary 'human ceremony'. He was only going through with this to settle the human into the bond. Larabee knew full well there wasn't anything more.
JD began to play a hand drum in a simple heartbeat rhythm. Lowering his barriers, Chris froze in disbelief. They really did shield this area somehow. Chris twitched the tingle that Vin had awakened by his purr had become a burning need for 'something'. Sweat broke out on his skin and Larabee shivered at the air's cooling touch.
Tanner appeared by the circle bare chested. The exposed skin was covered in broken stripes and blotches of green, brown and black rendering him almost invisible against the trees and shadows. Challenge was in every line to the whipcord lean body. A deep chested roar sounded as Tanner prowled the edge of the circle.
Gasps and the centurions froze. This was completely atypical behavior for a nose. Instead of the expected submissive, even entreating actions they were familiar with, this human was obviously stalking Larabee.
"This isn't right. He's acting like a tigro or something?" Buck hissed comparing Vin to a large feline predator. Puzzled Chris gave way cautiously backing away from Tanner.
"Run Larabee, the panther hunts," JD ordered. Chris scowled in disbelief to turn tail and run was unthinkable.
"If you don't offer him a worthy run. He'll hunt elsewhere," Ezra warned.
"Shit!" Chris snapped before bolting into the darkness.
"Hold Noddwr it is not your time," Ezra's voice dropped into a soothing rhythm. Vin prowled the circle for almost 15 minutes. "Your chosen flees," Ezra released the human to hunt.
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Almost two hours later a laboring Larabee broke from the woods toward the sanctuary of the circle. He was closely followed by an easily running Tanner. The human was subtly herding his guide. Passing between the torches, Chris looked back trying to find the silent hunter. The distracted man's feet tangled in the bedding and he went down. A flash of shadow and Tanner sprang to cover him. Chris managed to free himself and drive the human back with his fists. Rushing forwards the team encircled the fairy circle.
"I didn't know all that pretty motion stuff was a form of fighting," Nathan breathed. Remarking on the katas they had all seen the human preforming. Amazed the Centurions watched the much smaller Tanner hold his own against a well-trained Centurion Ranger. Chris laughed out loud at a low voiced remark from his bonded. The sparring tested each of them and triggered the release of even more phermones and endorphins. Preparing them for what was to come.
"Chris will have him when it comes to ground fighting," Buck studied the combatants closely.
"A fact Mr. Tanner is well aware of," Ezra agreed.
"Watch his feet," Nathan bellowed excitedly.
"SING Vin SING," JD yelled.
"Damn that hurt," Buck winced.
"SING? JD," Josiah asked in amusement.
"S-I-N-G, solar plexis, instep, nose and groin," JD explained distractedly.
"A side throw? Chancy Mr. Tanner very chancy," Ezra muttered.
"Hammerlock, Chris has him now," Nathan pointed.
"Vin's awful limber," JD reminded just as a long leg wrapped around Larabee's throat breaking the hold. Vin sprang free as Chris clamored back to his feet. Chris charged trying to knock Vin to the ground where the heavier man had a distinct advantage. A shift on Vin's part had Larabee sailing past. Pivoting the human used a foot against Chris butt to assist Larabee's forwards motion. Chris landed in a sprawl on the rumpled pallet. Vin dropped down to cover him before Chris recovered. The human used a full nelson to control the struggling Centurion.
Chris hissed and struggled a few moments. Vin's nose kept being pressed to Larabee's neck. The human was definitely scenting now. The linkage scent was strong enough that even a non-nose could pick up on the odor. Tanner began to purr softly as the phermones triggered a chemical response in the most primitive parts of Vin's brain.
Larabee yelped when the human's teeth nipped the side of his neck. Vin continued to nuzzle and snuffle along the centurions neck paying particular attention to the areas under Larabee's jaw and behind his ears.
"Be very careful Colonel Larabee," Ezra whispered. Chris stopped struggling the thinking part of him overwhelmed by instinct now. Tanner made a pleased sound and his purr grew louder as Chris relaxed. Chris shivered when Tanner licked along his sweaty throat and under his exposed ear. Releasing his hold Vin brushed slender fingers over his bonded's head and neck. Impatiently he ripped Chris' shirt down the back. His hands were unimpeded as he mapped Larabee imprinting touch, taste, smell forever into his being.
"Hell No!" Buck started forward intent on protecting Chris.
"If you try and stop it now they'll both kill you," JD hissed.
"Buck I have seen it happen," Ezra warned.
The guide and his guardian now knelt facing each other. Chris raised a hand to cup the human's jaw. Ducking his head Vin breathed deeply sniffing Chris' wrist. Pulling Chris' hand down to rest over his own heart. Vin's purr thrummed in the night air. Chris raised his other hand and stroked the loose curls.
"Protect and serve my guide," Vin promised.
"Guide and protect my guardian," Chris breathed.
"Finish it," Larabee growled and lay down on his back. Reaching up he pulled Vin down to rest against him. Vin pillowed his head over Chris' heart holding the centurion tightly.
"Hush now," Chris crooned soothing the sentinel as the newly formed connections sealed.
"I'm glad that's over," JD grinned weakly moving away.
"You mean the pair is complete now?" Buck demanded.
"They were already paired Capt. Wilmington they are now bonded," Ezra said sadly.
"There's a difference?" Buck looked bewildered.
"Most assuredly," Ezra sighed. "Vin has imprinted Col. Larabee he can not match another guide. They cannot be separated for any length of time now."
"Your saying if Chris is injured or something we can't use Vin?" Josiah frowned.
"Vin would be...unbalanced," Ezra hesitated.
"So if Chris is out then Tanner is useless," Buck grunted.
"If Chris dies so will Vin," JD stalked off.
"What?" Buck barked.
"Capt. Wilmington somehow you seem to have overlooked the information we were providing you. Bonded guardians do not survive the death of their guides," Ezra spoke without inflection. "Often a guide does not survive the death of their guardian."
"That's mostly talk Ezra I know of several handlers and hunters that survived. Hell Chris lost Sarah," Wilmington pointed out.
"Captain look at them. That is not a centurion handler/hunter pair. That is a tywysydd and gwyliwr."
"Your saying they'll REALLY DIE WITHOUT EACH OTHER!" Buck bellowed.
"If the Colonel was human almost certainly. That is the nature of the bond. In this situation there is no precedent. Col. Larabee is not human this changes the dynamics of the bond," Ezra's voice almost dripped ice it was so cold.
"A human pair never survives each other?" Nathan asked faintly.
"On a rare occasion one will survive long enough to complete a mission, provide for their young, or usually enact revenge before joining their bonded in death. That is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. It is as if ...the essence of the survivor is already gone.
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