Ezra Standish leaned his head back against the headrest as Sanchez drove along the streets toward Saint Vincents. He knew he probably should have stayed in bed, but right now he needed to see that the others were healing. A hint of a smile formed when he thought about the team…his team and what they meant to him. These six men had become the family he'd always wanted and when they hurt, he hurt.
Ezra thought about his mother and how hard she'd tried to get him to follow in her footsteps, but that first meeting with Chris Larabee had proven to him that he had a choice in this world. He didn't need to con people out of their life savings in order to line his own pockets. Sure, he had already done that and had even stashed away a rather large sum of money, but most of it had come from one of the many men Maude had paraded through their home or homes. Chris Larabee was the first man to ever face down Maude Standish and get the upper hand. That day would mark Ezra Standish's personal Independence Day and each year he marked that day by indulging in a glass of champagne and a toast to his new family.
"Ezra, we're here," Sanchez said and looked at the pale young man. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
"I'm okay, Josiah," Standish assured the ex-preacher before exiting the car. He stood waiting for Sanchez to lock the car and then headed toward the visitor's entrance.
M7M7M7M7M7M7M7
JD jolted awake and shook with the memories of the dreams he'd been having. Each time he closed his eyes he saw his hands holding the dagger and bringing it down toward Chris' body. There was no escaping the reality of the nightmares, because they had a basis in fact.
The IV had been removed and JD slid his legs over the edge of the bed and crossed the short distance to the window. He stood there, not really seeing anything beyond his dreams and leaned his head against the window. The air conditioner was on and the pane of glass was cool to the touch, and yet the room felt too warm for him and he wanted to escape.
"JD, are you all right?"
Dunne turned to find Ezra Standish standing in the doorway and sighed heavily before moving to the chair and sitting down. "I'm okay, Ez. Have you seen Chris?"
"Not yet, but that is my next priority," Standish told him.
"He doesn't blame me for what happened," Dunne said softly.
"I would hope not," the gambler said. "I know you're probably tired of hearing this, but no one blames you for what happened. I also realize that it will take time for the truth of that sentence to sink in."
"How could I let that bastard…"
"Program you…because that is precisely what he did. Rousseau is a pro, JD, and he knew exactly what he was doing. I am ever so grateful that the FBI has a number of agents who can undo the damage these cultist cause. They cannot fix it so that it never happened and their victims have to live with that, but they do not have to do it on their own. You have a special family, JD, and you will find even I have shoulders that are broad enough for you to lean on."
"Thanks, Ezra, I might just take you up on that," Dunne told him
You're welcome, JD…"
"You look like hell, Ezra," the Bostonian said of the pale-faced man beside him.
"Yes, well, our bodies are not meant to take such punishment," Standish said and sat on the edge of Dunne's bed. "Have you spoken with Dr. James?"
"She was in earlier and we talked," Dunne answered.
"Did you tell her how you're feeling?"
"Yes," the younger man told him. "She wants to see me in her office once I'm out of here."
"Any idea when that will be?"
"Tomorrow if everything's okay," Dunne answered.
"Well, if you want to take some time to yourself my penthouse has an extra room," Standish offered.
"Thanks, Ez, but things are okay with me and Buck. He's going to pick me up and Casey said she'd stay with me…"
"Ah, I believe I would also prefer the company of a soft female body," Standish said with a hint of a teasing smile.
"Casey's not soft she's been working out and…"
"Mr. Dunne, someday you will realize a woman's body is always soft when there's nothing separating you," Standish observed.
"Damn, Ez, I know that…I'm not a kid."
"No, Mr. Dunne, you're not," Standish said simply and stood up. "I believe it is time to check on our injured team mates…care to join me?"
"Yes," Dunne answered and grabbed the robe and slippers Buck had brought in for him.
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Chris opened his eyes when he heard voices and spotted Simmons speaking with the nurse who'd been helping with his care. He shifted slightly, silently cursing the leads and tubes attached to his body as he leveled a glare in the physician's direction.
"There's not much power behind that one, Larabee," Simmons said once he handed the nurse the chart.
"What do you expect with all this shit you've got running in and out of me?" Larabee said, irritated when the older man simply smiled at him.
"Well, I'm guessing you must be feeling better if your dander is up," the physician quipped.
"I feel like hell, Simmons, but a lot of it is because of the stuff you guys do. I don't need the damn monitors and I'd like to tell you where to put the catheter…"
"You could tell me, but the problem is that's another end and you rarely…"
"Ha-ha-ha, and they say JD needs a new repertoire," Larabee groused and saw the twinkle in the physician's eyes. He lay back against the pillows in defeat as Simmons finished checking him out.
"Well, Larabee, maybe we can get rid of that gnarly bear inside you…"
"You think this is gnarly, Simmons?"
"I was going to give you some good news, but I guess I can come back…"
"What good news?" Larabee asked.
"We can get rid of a few of those accessories and maybe move you down with Tanner," Simmons offered and saw a slight smile appear on his patient's face. "I see that got your attention."
"Why didn't you say so?"
"I figured I'd let you make an ass of…"
"Doc, those puns are just not funny."
"Hell, sorry, wasn't thinking," the physician said.
"When do I get out of here?"
"As soon as Paula removes some of your accessories," Simmons told him. "I'll come see you and Tanner once you're settled."
"Sounds good," Larabee said and relaxed as the nurse removed one of the IVs, the leads monitoring his vital signs, and finally the catheter he hated with a passion.
"Mr. Larabee, we're going to be moving you to your new room now," the nurse said.
"Sounds good," the blond said as the bed was moved away from the wall. He kept his eyes closed during the trip, but opened them when he heard a nurse asking Josiah if he could leave the room. Tanner's bed was moved back so that his could be moved to the window and he briefly wondered why the Texan hadn't been given the window bed.
"Mr. Larabee, my name is Kate and I'm one of the nurses who'll be looking after you today. I'm going to take a set of vitals and then I'll get your meds. If you need anything at all just use your call button," Kate Morrow explained.
"I will," Larabee said as she finished checking his vitals before giving him the prescribed medications and leaving the room with a warning to the visitors not to over stay their welcome. He turned toward the door when footsteps sounded and wasn't surprised to see the other members of the team enter the room. "Ezra, JD, sit down before you fall down."
"Thank you, Mr. Larabee…"
"Cut the crap, Ez, we're way past that stage," Larabee said with a grin. "So, would you boys care to explain how you ended up on the wrong end of a gun?"
"I would wager it had something to with our chosen profession," Standish offered.
"What happened?" Larabee asked and listened as Ezra and Vin went over the case that had ended with them being shot. He watched JD through it all, but the young man refused to meet his gaze and Chris understood the reason for it. "What about Nicholson?"
"Nicholson's dead. The Oberons are waiting trial without bail," Sanchez offered.
"The Oberons…as in Carl and Jane?" Larabee asked.
"It appears Nicholson has always had an association with the couple," Standish said.
"And when did you find that out?" the blond snapped.
"Not until it was too late ta back outta the deal, Chris," Tanner answered.
"You know they're associated with Al-Qaeda?" Larabee asked. "If they decide to take you two down they have the ability to do so."
"That's a chance we take every day in this job, Boss," Sanchez said.
"I know, but there are times when we need to back away and come at it from a different angle. Josiah, see if you can find out if the Oberons have had any contact with any of the terrorist cells we know are active in the area. I don't want those bastards coming after Vin and Ezra without us being prepared," Larabee said.
"I'll look into it," Sanchez agreed and could tell the injured men needed to rest. "Nathan, perhaps we should take Ezra and Buck home…"
"Hell, I'm not injured!" Wilmington snapped.
"Maybe not, but you look worse than the rest of us," Dunne said softly.
"Watch it, Kid, or I'll put starch in your shorts," the rogue teased. "Boys, I guess I'll escort JD back to his room and meet you downstairs."
"Go easy on him, Bucklin," Tanner said.
"Hell, Vin, I always go easy on him seeing as he's a kid…"
"I'm not a kid, Buck, but you're an old coot," Dunne said, relaxing in the familiarity of the friendship he had with these men and especially with Buck Wilmington.
"Chris, don't go trying to get out of that bed…"
"Hard to do with a cast on my leg," Nathan," Larabee said.
"It never stopped you from trying," Jackson said. "Come on, Ezra, before the staff figures out you should be in a bed right next to these two."
"I assure you…"
"Assure me you'll cut the crap. Now, get your ass moving or I'll call Simmons," Jackson warned.
"You would too," the gambler said.
"Better go, Ezra, I'd hate to think what Simmons would do if'n he saw ya now," Tanner said.
"I shall see you gentlemen later," Standish said and found himself sandwiched between Nathan and Josiah.
Chris and Vin could hear the conman grumbling all the way to the elevator and smiled at the thought of how well this team seemed to fit.
"How're ya feelin', Cowboy?"
"Honestly, Vin, I feel about the same as I look," Larabee answered of his bruised and battered body.
"Hell, sorry 'bout that…anythin' I can get ya?"
"A damn good escape plan," Larabee said seriously.
"Yeah, well, if'n ya get one let me in on it," Tanner told him and eased himself out of the bed. He reached for the jug of ice water and filled Larabee's cup for him before doing the same with his own.
"Thanks," Larabee said and closed his eyes as exhaustion finally won out.
Vin watched the blond for a few minutes, relieved that although injured, he didn't look like death warmed over anymore. He didn't look great, but it didn't scare the hell out of him to look at Larabee. He made his way back to his bed and sat down on the edge before lying back. Within minutes he too was sleeping soundly.
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Jean Claud Rousseau looked through the peephole before opening the door and allowing his visitor inside. He knew he could trust Jacobs not to tell anyone where he was, but with his face plastered all over the news it would be foolish to tempt fate. Jacobs had agreed to bring him meals and newspapers and had paid for the room for three weeks with the stipulation that nobody intrude on the occupant. The maids would simply leave fresh towels and linen outside the door and he would collect them when there was no chance of being seen.
"I hope Chinese is good," Jacobs said and placed several cartons on the table.
"Chinese is fine…is there any word on Dunne?"
"He's being released from the hospital today, but it'll be hard to get him alone for a while. I know Larabee's team has a reputation for taking care of their own and word on the street says they're not going to stop until you're caught."
"I guess I'll have to stay low until they figure I've left town," Rousseau said.
"Maybe you should…"
"Should what? Leave town? Not likely, Francis. Not when I finally found the perfect subject. JD Dunne was an amazing conquest…"
"But he's been deprogrammed."
"I know, but it will be a simple matter of adjusting the drugs and pain stimulation so that he is brought back to me. I have no doubt at all that Dunne would make the perfect killing machine. He could use his looks and youth to get close to almost anyone and I even have his first mark lined up," Rousseau explained.
"Who?"
"Former Judge Orin Travis," the cult leader answered.
"Doesn't he own the agency Dunne works with?"
"Of course, and that's what will make this the perfect parting shot. Travis once handled a case that was very close to me and I figure this is the perfect way to make him pay for my sister's death…"
"You had a sister? A real one?" Jacobs asked incredulously.
"I did…and a mother and father too," Rousseau answered sarcastically.
"That's not what I meant," the pilot said.
"I know, but I did have a sister and Travis made sure she'd be spending the rest of her life in jail. She died in there last year while I was out of the country," Rousseau explained.
"How can you be sure you can program Dunne again?"
"Let's just say I know how to manipulate the young," Rousseau answered and reached for the bottle of wine his friend had bought to accompany the meal.
Author'sNote—- Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing...Winnie