Though it seemed forever to a pacing Chris, Vin had been in surgery for only two hours. Nathan had gone back and forth, surmising Vin would need a blood transfusion and would be weak from blood loss. Josiah was in the chapel, praying for Vin and JD. Chris was also, as were Nathan and Josiah, worried sick about his youngest agent, proud that JD had used his own body to shield Vin from being killed, and terrified about what JD would face with Ella. But Chris could not leave until he was sure Vin would be all right, and notwithstanding Nathan's reassurances, see Vin's eyes.
Both Nathan and Josiah had admonished Chris that Vin would be angry with himself for not protecting JD; and angry that Chris was not out trying to find JD. When Buck and Ezra had arrived near the halfway point of the surgery, Ezra got right on his laptop while Buck joined Chris in pacing.
To everyone's relief, Dr. Angel came into the waiting room, smiling. Her green eyes sparkled. "Mr. Tanner will be fine. Other than loss of blood, the bullets did minimal damage to his arm and leg. He was very fortunate that the bullet in the leg did not hit the femoral artery; just barely missed it. He's weak, drowsy and in recovery." The smile vanished. "I under that Mr. Tanner's emotional state does pose a problem. I don't know what is going on, but I want only positive responses from you men to reassure him."
Chris sighed. "That will be hard, Dr. Angel. Vin was shot while his younger friend was kidnapped. And this was after Mr. Sanchez was seriously injured by a car hitting him."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Larabee."
"Vin blames himself for letting JD get kidnapped," Ezra sighed.
"Then you reassure him the best you can. I can let two of you see him for a minute."
Chris signaled to Nathan and Buck went to let Josiah know while Ezra, relieved, kept up his research.
Nathan checked Vin's vitals and was pleased, though Vin's distressed murmuring made Chris take Vin's hand. "Vin."
"JD, go, leave me, JD, go, don't hurt him, JD!"
Vin's eyes shot open and he stared wildly around, trying to jerk off the bed. Nathan held him down while Chris placed his hands on each side of Vin's head. "Vin, look at me, it's Chris; you're all right, you're going to be fine."
Nathan spoke gently as well. "We're so glad to see you, Vin. The others will be so relieved you will fine."
Vin shook his head in a negative way. "JD."
"Don't worry about JD; he will be fine, I promise." Chris soothed.
"Didn't run – saved me," Vin murmured. "Said they'd kill me if he didn't go with them."
"He's very brave, our young one," Nathan said, choking up a bit.
Vin looked from one to the other. "Why here? Find JD!"
"Ezra is working on it, Vin. Between Josiah, JD, and you, Nathan has about had it. Get better. For me. For Nathan."
They both knew Vin was fighting to stay awake, but he finally drifted off.
The nurses came to move him into Room 255. Nathan went to let the others know they could see Vin. All were sober as they gathered around their friend.
Vin fought to open his eyes again and saw the others. Weak or not, there was a command in his voice. "JD."
Buck's face hardened. "We're getting the Kid back. Sleep. He'll be back before you wake up."
Chris could tell Vin didn't believe them, but his exhaustion and meds kicked in. Chris took his hand. "I promise you, Vin. I'll get JD back. Josiah, you're still recovering, you should stay . . ."
"No."
Chris stopped in his tracks and stared.
"No, Chris. I am ready to use my profiler skills. I'll come."
"Nathan will stay then."
"What if JD's hurt and we need Nathan?" Buck argued.
Josiah said thoughtfully, "Buck, they had two chances. They didn't hurt JD either time – and they could have. They didn't shoot him. Ella was mad her people gave him the Propofol. They took him – but I don't think they will harm him."
"I'll stay for now and you keep me posted," Nathan agreed.
With a backward glance at the sleeping Vin, Chris led the others out of the room.
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
Don, Stuart and Bill had never seen Ella as contented as she continued to soothe and rock JD in her arms. She had JD's upper body in her arms, moving her fingers through his hair and bending down to kiss his forehead.
"Poor baby, he's been through so much, but mommy is here and he will never be hurt again."
Don looked at Stuart and then ventured, "Mrs. Larabee, the kid may not understand at first. He has lived with Bridget Dunne until she died about a year ago."
"Well, then he will be sooo pleased his mother is still alive!"
"What should we do next, Mrs. Larabee?"
"Well, bring Chris to me, of course!" Ella beamed. "Oh, won't Chris be so thrilled with seeing his son?"
"Well, Larabee is at the hospital now – to get the kid, we had to shoot Tanner."
Ella dismissed that with a wave of her hand as unimportant. "One less person to distract Chris from our family." She stood up. "I must get ready to see Chris. I want to look my best. Let me know if my darling son wakes up." She hummed and danced out of the room.
"Crazy as a loon," Don said. "And her "son" may not be willing to cooperate. Maybe we should have grabbed Tanner; you saw how the kid protected him."
"Yeah, but the kid is very close to Wilmington. If we had him, or any of the others, the kid would go along to keep them safe, I'm sure."
"And when he finds out they all lied to him . . ." Stuart said maliciously.
"He may be more willing to accept his fate." Bill agreed.
A few minutes later, JD began to stir. His hazel eyes widened as he saw the three men. "No," he moaned, sitting up and rubbing his head. "Vin. Where is Vin?"
"Hospital, Kid. Don't worry; we kept our word and didn't shoot him again. I made a call and he's doing well."
JD sighed in relief. Then he looked at Stuart. "You took me to force Chris to come here!"
"Well, that's one reason . . ." but before Stuart could elaborate, Ella, hearing the slight commotion came sailing back into the room. Don was startled, her face, lit with happiness, made her almost beautiful.
"My darling boy! You're awake! Oh, you don't know how much I missed you!"
JD's eyes widened as large as they could as he stared at the woman. "Ella Gaines?"
"No, silly! I'm your mother, JD!"
JD's heart was pounding hard in his chest and he felt as if he were caught in a nightmare. "No," he murmured as Ella once again hugged him tightly and kissed him on the forehead. "No, it can't be."
TBC